This was a fun start to a new cozy mystery series. The story is structured like a typical cozy mystery (amateur sleuth, off-page violence, etc.) and is a good length.

The author is clearly a seasoned writer who understands how to structure a sentence and balance exposition with dialogue. I would absolutely read more of her work.

I enjoyed the Irish-themed New England setting. The author did a good job of peppering it in without being too heavy handed.

The mystery was set up nicely and not too easy to solve.

I initially did not realize and did not like that the amateur sleuth has children. I don't like child characters in cozy mysteries. I don't care if they're nieces, nephews, siblings, etc. After reading this book, I still feel the same way. I will not seek out cozy mysteries with sleuths who have young children. In fact, I will still actively avoid series with kids. I'm not saying that these series shouldn't exist or that people shouldn't like them. They just aren't my cup of tea.

That said, the author handled the sleuth's kids well in this particular book. The young characters were heavily incorporated into the story and mystery but they were likable and not annoying.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Jig Is Up is the first book in a new series by author Lisa Q. Mathew and my first read by the this author as well. I was intrigued by the book because of the Irish and Bed & Breakfast components of the story line. Overall, I enjoyed the book and found most of the characters likeable with some needing a bit more development to make them feel more integrated or less like a stereotype. For the most part, the story line moved along with a few slow downs, which can happen as an author balances the start of a new series. My one criticism is that sometimes I felt like the family drama overshadowed the mystery and took center stage. I don't mine if there is some family drama because that's real life but I prefer the mystery to stay the focus of the plot line.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and will be giving the next book in the series a read.

THE JIG IS UP is the first book in the brand-new Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries by Lisa Q. Matthews. With the darling cover inviting a reader in and conflict and action that starts quickly, the book captured my attention and held it throughout. The protagonist, Kate Buckley, is a single mom of two girls, one a young teen. I like that she’s older and has had some life experiences that have shaped her. Arriving back at her hometown of Shamrock, MA, after an urgent message from her sister, Colleen, Kate is met with drama and a tragedy. It brings family to the foreground and how the sisters relate to each other as they navigate a murder. The author’s way with words paints vivid visuals, bringing the Irish-themed town to life, as well as the characters. She writes with a subtle humor that gave me a few chuckles and added to the appeal of the fast-paced plot. The mystery itself was well-thought out and oh my, several twists and curveballs I didn’t see coming were thrown in, keeping me turning pages faster and faster. This is a terrific start to what I hope is a long-running series and I can’t wait to read book two!

Really enjoyed this cozy. First in a series. After getting a text from her sister Kate Buckley and her two daughters head home to Shamrock, MA. Lots of suspects to keep the reader guessing. A great setting. Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Single mom 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 home to her hometown of Shamrock Massachusetts. When they arrive Colleen says it’s all a misunderstanding but everything changes when Colleen’s best friend Deidre a dance show star, is found dead in the parish hall. Colleen ends up becoming a person of interest in the murder convinced her sister isn’t a killer Kate is determined to clear Colleen’s name. While Kate investigates Colleen takes charge of Shamrock’s popular Irish dance show in honor of her late friend with disastrous results. With St Patrick’s Week in full swing Kate must catch a killer before the celebrations are ruined. This was a very enjoyable story I would recommend to everyone.

new-series, first-in-series, bed-and-breakfast, ex-cop, family-business, family-drama, family-dynamics, amateur-sleuth, sisters, Irish, small-town, small-business, Massachusetts, Irish-dance, murder, murder-investigation, paraplegia, divorced*****

CPA Kate Buckley and her two young daughters take a road trip from their home in Brooklyn to go to her hometown of Shamrock, Massachusetts after an obscure text from her younger sister, Colleen. Her dad is the former police chief of town until a work related shooting left him in a wheelchair. Colleen has a different hold on reality than Kate, but when her good friend is found dead by them it really gets complicated. Then there is the whole mess about the Irish dance studios. The characters are convincing and the twists are sneaky. Excellent read and new series.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thanks!

The Jig is Up is a debut cozy mystery in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery series with likeable characters and a lot of family. Kate Buckley is an Accountant in New York City and is asked by her sister to come home to.Shamrock, MA. Kate has two daughters, Maeve and Bliz. It is often difficult adding kids to mysteries. They are either left home most of the time or help solve the mystery neither of which is ideal if they are young. In this book it works really well and the kids add to the.story and present opportunities for Kate to ask questions and snoop. There is some family drama to.add to the.story as well. Kate has a sister Colleen who seems to be secretive and a bit unreliable. I wasn't sure I liked her at first but I did eventually. Kate and Colleen's parents run a B&B but are getting older and Colleen helps them. Colleen is hoping Kate and the.girls will move back. It is near St Patrick's Day and there are a lot of activities including an Irish Dance Show. Colleen's best friend.Deirdre runs the dance company and is in charge of the show until she ends up dead. An Irish dance star, Aidan is in town for the parade and activities. The.cozy mystery was decent but there are some slow points and it seemed too overrun with details at times. The mystery competes with the family drama at times but it works and keeps the story interesting. Overall a good beginning to a new.series. ##RheJigIsUp #IrishBed&breakfast mystery. #NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks

"The Jig Is Up (Irish Bed & Breakfast #1)" by Lisa Q. Mathews hit all the marks for a good classic cozy mystery. It has a woman old enough to have two kids, one a teenager. She's having/had relationship upheaval. Now, because of something potentially life changing is returning to a place she calls home and is made an offer to stay there. Then, a murder occurs and just happens to involve someone she cares about (her sister). However, we don't know if she's going to permanently move back once her lease in her current apartment is up. I bet she does.

I wasn't all that surprised by the reveal of the culprit. I say this because I got a bit of a gut feeling at the beginning when this character was introduced. It may have come more from hoping they weren't going to be a reoccurring character. Either way, the build up of clues did lead to them but not so much to pin point them. The clues lead to 2-3 possible people.

I look forward to more books in this series. It is a great first book. Not only is it Irish themed, it starts off with the most Irish American holiday, St. Patrick's Day.

This is a great first in a new series. If you like Ireland or Irish things you will love this book! Kate Buckley's family runs a B&B in the small town of Shamrock, MA. Kate and her two daughters Maeve and Elizaeth aka Bizy live in New York but rush up to Shamrock after receiving a concerning text from her sister, Colleen.

Shamrock is the most Irish town ever, from the name of the businesses to the Irish jig's playing continuously to the Irish attire. When Colleen's best friend, Dierdre, also the queen of Irish dance is murdered and Colleen becomes the main suspect, Kate decides to investigate to clear her sister's name. I really enjoyed the characters. Kate's dad is the past chief of police but had to retire after being shot in the line of duty. Her brother is a deputy, and her high school sweetheart is a detective in the making. She is up to her ears in law enforcement and has learned a thing or two from listening to her dad.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I am looking forward to more in the 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.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this book!

I can’t resist the premise of a classic cozy, and this, the first in a new series has all the hallmark elements I’ve come to know and love about the genre. We have a female sleuth moving back to her her home town, an old flame waiting in the wings, an eccentric family and a few big secrets under wraps. We have a theme, that of Irish dancing and combined with small town rivalry in the air B&B business. Add in the mystery and murder, and the stage is set.

I will say there were a few times where I had to stretch the believability and convenience of the situation. I can’t help but feel the lead gives far too much leniency to her eldest daughter, although an end spoiler may account for that. I’d also like to see a bit more depth to some of the more stereotypical characters, like ex Chief of police dad and scattered never there mum.

All in all though it was a fun little jaunt into a new cozy series from an established author. Four stars.

A nice start to the series. I had a few hang ups with the main characters sister (I’m assuming that it’s supposed to be that way. 😅), but enjoyed the rest of the characters. The pacing was great with plenty of red herrings and ending with several twists and turns.

Thanks NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Lisa Q. Mathew’s for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I gave five stars to The Jig is Up by Lisa Q. Mathews

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. 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.

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A new Irish cozy mystery series perfect for St. Patrick's Day. I really enjoyed this read and liked that it focused so much on the family. Kate, along with her daughter, try to solve the murder and they really have such an amazing bond. I hope to find more cozy mysteries with a mother and daughter sleuthing team.

The mystery was also good and I had no idea whodunit. But what had me turning the pages were the well written characters and the Irish theme that is very apparent, even just by looking at the cover.

I will be picking up the next one, and recommend this to all cozy lovers.

This book comes out August 6.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6163046918
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Super fun series and can’t wait to read more! I love the characters and their quirky personalities and town!

This was a great debut novel in the Irish bed and breakfast mystery series, it had a great mystery element to it and worked with what I was hoping for in this type of book. Lisa Q. Mathews has a great writing style that worked with all the elements perfectly, it worked with everything that I wanted and glad I was able to read this. The characters felt like they were meant to be in this universe and glad I got to read this. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Kate arrives in her hometown with her two children when she gets an urgent message from her younger sister. Questioning her sister leaves offers no idea until they find her sister’s BFF dead, murdered and it is Colleen who becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear her sister and save the family business, Kate searches for suspects and clues among the residents and in the process uncovers an abundance of secrets that would lead to the apprehension of the person responsible.

I love the comfortable tone and the pacing of this whodunit where the mystery was nicely staged with suspects, clues, and a few plot twists, one I did not see coming. WOW. Boasting a great cast of characters, engaging dialogue, and a small-town atmosphere, I look forward to more exciting adventures with Kate and her family and friends. The Jig Is Up is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery whose main character stands out from the crowd as a single mother of two who is an accountant by profession. Kate Buckley and her two daughters are visiting her hometown of Shamrock, Massachusetts, when one of the local dance instructors is found murdered in the community center. Kate's involvement begins when her sister, Colleen, a close friend of the victim, becomes a primary suspect. The Buckleys' family dynamics are realistic, with Colleen providing much of the drama with her duplicity and imprudent choices. You never know when she's telling the truth. There's always one in every family, isn't there? Kate's father is a former police chief who was disabled after being shot by a criminal he'd convicted. The Buckleys also own a struggling bed and breakfast, which is suffering through its own struggles. The mystery contains a few surprises, including the killer's identity.

This was a good book and a promising start to a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and author Lisa Q. Matthews for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A good cosy mystery. Kate brings her two daughters with her to visit her parents and sister. When her sister´s best friend is found dead, and her sister is one of the main suspects she steps in to help solve the mystery. Liked the book and characters, except did find the sister irritating at times. She had more patience with her sister than I would have. Still though, would highly recommend and look forward to more in the series.

The Jig Is Up immerses the reader in the world of Irish dance complete with costumes, competition and yes, murder. Throw in a doozy of a family secret and a clever resolution to the crime and you have a promising start to this new cozy series.

“The Jig is Up” by Lisa Q. Mathews introduces readers to a thrilling Celtic cosy series, weaving Irish step dance into a murder mystery. Kate Buckley, a single mom and the police chief’s daughter rushes to her Irish-themed hometown of Shamrock, Massachusetts, after an urgent message from her sister Colleen. The narrative takes a dark turn when Colleen’s best friend, Deirdre, a dance show star, is found dead in the parish hall. Mathews skillfully blends elements of family, mystery, and Irish charm in this cosy debut. The quirky town of Shamrock, dedicated to all things Irish, provides a delightful backdrop for the murder investigation. The author’s crisp and witty writing style keeps the reader engaged, with a surprising twist adding to the excitement.

The characters, particularly Kate and her daughters, are relatable and draw the reader into their world. The family dynamics and the bond between the sisters add depth to the narrative. However, Colleen’s character may evoke mixed feelings, with some finding her annoying and unlikeable. The murder investigation unfolds amid St. Patrick’s Week festivities, creating a sense of urgency. The setting, with its Irish-themed charm, is vividly portrayed, making readers wish Shamrock truly existed. Mathews successfully plants roots for future directions in the series, offering multiple possibilities.

While the protagonist, Kate, occasionally exhibits overthinking tendencies, the overall storytelling and the engaging plot compensate for this. The book provides a clean, no-swearing, and no-sex cosy mystery option, making it suitable for those seeking a gentler mystery narrative. In conclusion, “The Jig is Up” is an enjoyable debut in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery series. It combines a murder mystery with an Irish flair, capturing the reader’s attention with its well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and unexpected twists. The promise of future adventures in Shamrock makes it an enticing start to a cosy series, leaving readers eager for more.