The Jig Is Up

by Lisa Q. Mathews Narrated by Rebecca Gallagher

Overview

Irish step dance takes a deadly turn in this Celtic cozy series debut.



Single-mom and police chief's daughter Kate Buckley is all about family. After she receives an urgent text from her younger sister Colleen, she puts her life on hold and rushes to her Irish-themed hometown of Shamrock, Massachusetts, where her family owns and operates a bed and breakfast. With her two daughters in tow, she's ready to fight if it means she can help her charming but hapless sibling.



When they arrive, Colleen claims it was all a misunderstanding. But everything changes in an Irish minute when Colleen's best friend, Deirdre, a dance show star, is found dead in the parish hall. With the discovery of a possible witness, a chilling motive, and a wee bit of incriminating evidence, Colleen quickly becomes a person of interest in Deirdre's murder. Convinced her sister isn't a killer, Kate is determined to clear Colleen's name.



As Kate investigates, Colleen takes charge of Shamrock's popular Irish dance show in honor of her late friend-with disastrous results. With the St. Patrick's Week festivities in full swing, Kate must catch the killer before the celebrations are ruined and her sister's Irish luck runs out.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for The Jig Is Up:
“Rich with family angst, romance, and murder, this Irish charmer is a fun read.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A well-crafted cozy mystery that deftly explores complicated family dynamics while also transporting readers to an adorable Irish-themed town.”
—BookPage

“With more surprises than usual, this is a step above much of this genre.”
—First Clue Reviews

“A page-turner . . . Mathews clearly has a knack for plotting mysteries.”
—Cozy Crime Reads

“[Mathews has] created a wonderfully unique town full of well-developed characters.”
—Kings River Life

“Irish eyes are smiling on this delightfully entertaining debut series that quickly became a page-turner.”
—Dru's Book Musings

“Packed with action and incidents to keep the readers hooked.”
—Fresh Fiction

“A fun, family, small-town mystery.”
—Red Carpet Crash

“A pure delight featuring freshly polished characters sure to win over cozy readers.”
—Wonder Women Sixty

“Sweet, sassy, and smart, Lisa Q. Mathews is a terrific voice in cozy mysteries.” 
—Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author

“Chock full of Irish charm, you’ll love this fabulous new mystery . . . This is your cozy mystery pot o’ gold.”
—Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author of the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series

“What a delight to spend time with Kate Buckley and her quirky family and neighbors in the charming town of Shamrock, Mass., in this captivating Irish-themed cozy mystery series launch.”
—Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author of the Secret Staircase Mysteries

“Mathews’ writing is crisp and witty and there’s a gasp-worthy twist at [the] book’s end.”
—Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author

“The Jig Is Up belongs in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
—Diane Vallere, national bestselling author of the Material Witness mysteries

“My heart did a happy jig while reading this delightful Celtic cozy.” 
—Jennifer J. Chow, Agatha, Anthony, Lefty & Lilian Jackson Braun Award-nominated author of Ill-Fated Fortune

“Tightly written, well-paced, and constantly serving up the unexpected.”
—Barbara Ross, author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries

“I give it five pots of gold stars!”
—Olivia Blacke, author of Vinyl Resting Place

“Worth its weight in gold.”
—Mindy Quigley, author of the Deep Dish Mysteries

“Mathews dances between humor and suspense.”
—Maddie Day, author of Deep Fried Death

“This story is captivating from the first page.”
—Ellie Brannigan, author of the Irish Castle Mystery series

Kirkus Reviews

2024-05-31
A return to her hometown plunges a woman into a murder investigation.

A cryptic request from her sister, Colleen, takes accountant Katie Buckley from Brooklyn, where she lives with her two daughters, back to Shamrock, Massachusetts. The town, devoted to all things Irish, has been dressed up to look like an Irish village. Katie’s father, the former police chief, still has some influence on the force; her mother has turned their house into a not-very-successful B&B. Colleen is strangely reluctant to tell Katie why she asked her to rush home. On the way to pick up some food for the family, the two women and Katie’s oldest daughter, Maeve, stop at Our Lady of Angels, where Colleen’s best friend, successful step dancer Deidre Donnelly, gives Irish dance classes, only to find her in a heap at the bottom of the stairs, near death. Despite the heroic attempts of Katie’s police officer brother, Frank, to perform CPR, she does not survive. Katie and Maeve are questioned by the police, who include Katie’s former boyfriend Garrett McGavin. Perhaps because of the law enforcement genes in her family, Katie gets more involved in the case after a young man she and Maeve saw lurking in the bushes near the church is identified as Conor Murphy. Deidre’s success had engendered jealousy, especially from Moira McShane Kelly, a less talented dancer who stands to gain by her death. After it’s revealed that Colleen had a fight with Deidre over money, she becomes a suspect. Even though Colleen still refuses to reveal her secrets, Katie digs in and risks her life to defend her sister.

Rich with family angst, romance, and murder, this Irish charmer is a fun read.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940190925098
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Series:	An Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged

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