Good start to a new cozy series. The mystery was good, although I could’ve done without some of the family drama and Colleen’s dramatics/immaturity. I’ll definitely give book 2 a try when it releases.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a woman who goes back to her Irish themed hometown to help her sister. When someone is killed and the police focus on her sister, Kate is determined to find the real killer.

This was an interesting mystery and concept. I loved the Irish town and it sounded like a lot of fun. I think the mystery was engaging and kept me guessing until the end.

I liked all of the relationships and characters as well.

This was a solid cozy mystery!

The Jig Is Up takes readers to the fictional Irish-themed town of Shamrock, Massachusetts, where residents are gearing up to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—despite the recent murder of an Irish step dancer.

When single mom Kate Buckley receives a text from her younger sister, Colleen, asking for help, she packs up her two daughters and their cat to travel to Shamrock, her hometown. Colleen has a history of impetuous decision making, and Kate fears that this time, her sister is in over her head—or worse, that something’s happened to their aging parents or the bed-and-breakfast that they run. But when Kate and her daughters arrive, Colleen is tight-lipped about her problem. Hours later, Kate and Colleen discover the lifeless body of Deirdre, a champion Irish step dancer and Colleen’s best friend. Kate learns that her sister fought with Deirdre before her death, and Colleen is soon named a person of interest in the case. Believing in her sister’s innocence, Kate sets out to clear Colleen’s name and find the real killer in Shamrock—before they strike again.

The Jig Is Up is a well-crafted cozy mystery that deftly explores complicated family dynamics. Kate is the dependable oldest sibling: She’s an accountant by trade and never stops worrying about her younger siblings, her parents or the B&B. Colleen may prove to be a divisive character; she can be selfish and flighty, and often refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of her situation. Still, Kate and the other Buckleys love and support her, even when her lies threaten their livelihood. Complex relationships like this aren’t always depicted in cozy mysteries, and it’s refreshing to see. And as The Jig Is Up is the first novel in a planned series, there’s plenty of room for Kate, Colleen and the rest of the Buckley clan to grow.

Kate’s daughters, Maeve and Bliz, feature prominently in the story, too. They are authentic, relatable characters who are integral to the plot, especially as their involvement in the local Irish dance show provides Kate with several opportunities to further investigate the murder. Kate’s love for her daughters is palpable, and it underscores the message of the novel: Family is everything.

At times, the mystery of Deidre’s murder does take a back seat to exploring Kate’s relationships with her family, friends and Shamrock itself. However, future installments of the series may very well benefit from the thoughtful world building Mathews has done in this first Irish Bed & Breakfast mystery.

This is my first time reading this author. The mystery was interesting.

Thankyou to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a difficult time with this one. While the setting of Irish Dance school was unique, I found that the characters were anything but. The main character didn’t have much of a personality and wasn’t fleshed out very well. I don’t think I really knew her name until about a quarter of the way through. The rest of them were not much better and most were unlikeable. There wasn’t much about a bed and breakfast in this one so while her parents run one, I’m not sure it should be the focus of the series. This was just OK and I’m not sure if I will continue with the series.

A trip to acquaint themselves with her husband's cousins for the first time turned into a murder investigation. Donna was keen to investigate, but her timing was off, as a stranger who had just touched their soil for the first time, was expecting too much. This cozy didn’t hit the spot for me, it was a bit lackluster with mild intrigue and excitement.

Dollycas's Thoughts

As expected Shamrock, Massachusetts celebrates St Patrick's Day in a big way with a whole week of festivities. Single-mom and ex-police chief’s daughter Kate Buckley didn't plan to be home for all the events but when she gets an urgent text from her younger sister Colleen she packs up her 14-year-old daughter Maeve and her 7-year old daughter Mary Elizabeth "Bliz" and hits the road. They arrive in Shamrock right in the middle of a huge thunderstorm and to Colleen saying the text was a misunderstanding. Well, they are there now and may as well stick around.

It's a good thing Kate came to town because Colleen's best friend, Deirdre, was murdered and Kate, Maeve, and Colleen find her body in the parish hall where she was rehearsing for an Irish Dance Show that was to be part of the St. Patty's Week events. Soon the police have evidence that may link Colleen to the dance show star's death.

Kate will do anything to prove Colleen's innocence while Colleen agrees to honor Deirdre by taking control of the Irish dance show. It may take the luck of the Irish to complete both tasks but with their dad, the ex-police chief in their corner they may just pull it off.

______

Ms. Mathews has introduced an interesting set of characters in this first Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery. The Buckley family owns a small B&B, and Colleen and her mother run the place. The Chief is the ex-chief of police who was left without the use of his legs when a guy he sent to prison walked into the police department and shot him. You can take the Chief out of his office but not out of a job he held and loved for three decades. He sits in his wheelchair with a scanner turned up to blast by his side. He freely calls the officers to give his opinions and "orders". The Buckleys also have a son, Frank. He is a police officer but truthfully he seems like a big teenager. Kate left Shamrock and went to New York City with the dream of being a professional musician. She married an Irish musician but he is now back in Dublin and she is working as an accountant and raising her girls Marve and Bliz. We also met a variety of Shamrock residents.

I feel like we got to know the Chief, better than the rest. The patriarch of this family is strong, and opinionated, loves his family and his community, and will do anything to keep them safe. He reminded me a lot of my dad who wasn't paralyzed in any way, that's me, but he was the fire chief of our small town and we had many people we all considered family even though not related by blood in any way. He cared for them all until the day he died.

Shamrock is a town that has been "revamped" to play up its early Celtic history and is filled with shops, restaurants, and other businesses, to draw in tourists, crafters, and St. Patty's fans so that the town and its residents could make "pots of gold". The center of the town was designed as a "charming village in Ireland" although the Chief claims it looks nothing like anything he has seen in the Emerald Isle. I enjoyed traveling around with Kate and Colleen but I think there is much more of Shamrock left to see.

I liked the Irish Dance theme and how Kate's girls jumped right in to learn. All the events celebrating St. Patrick's Day sounded fun.

The murder mystery was captivating and for a reason I can't actually pin down something about the guilty party caught my attention early. I didn't waiver in my theory either. I did have fun following around with Kate as she tried to find clues and put them together in a way that made sense. Then she did something I hate by putting herself in danger with no real backup. Nonetheless, I give her props for what she did, and agreeing with me that it was a "stupid idea", but the showdown was exciting. There was another surprise reveal in the story that I didn't see coming but it made perfect sense, the clues were all there.

The Jig Is Up has laid an excellent foundation for this series to build on. I want to get to know the Buckley family better. I already have a soft spot in my heart for Chief. I am looking forward to returning to Shamrock to see what shenanigans Ms. Mathews has in store for its residents next.

There really is nothing better than getting in on the ground floor of a new cozy mystery series, and Lisa Q. Mathews’ debut, “The Jig is Up” is an absolute delight. The first in the new “Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery” series, Lisa’s crisp writing blends wit and mystery to create a charming and page-turning read.

Single-mom Kate Buckley gets a frantic and mysterious text message from her younger sister Colleen that has Kate scrambling to pack herself and her two daughters and travel home to Shamrock, Massachusetts. Upon their arrival, however, Colleen dismisses Kate’s concerns and tells Kate she misunderstood the text. Ever the older sister, Kate isn't buying it and decides to hang around to see if she can find out what is going on.

Little does Kate know she’s walking right into a murder investigation….

Not long after Kate’s arrival, Colleen’s best friend Deirdre is found dead in the parish hall. Deirdre was an Irish dance show star and would be leading the dancing festivities for St. Patrick’s Week in Shamrock.

Despite being the daughter of the former police chief, Colleen quickly becomes a person of interest in the murder. Kate cannot let her sister be framed for a crime she knows Colleen didn’t commit. While Colleen agrees to take over the coaching of the dancers for festivities, Kate dives deep into an investigation that uncovers secrets and features some serious twists. I had a guess at the true culprit, and no spoilers here, but the ending had me sitting straight up and turning pages quickly – even with my guess!

The writing is sharp, and Lisa created a wonderfully unique town full of well developed characters. I’m so glad Kate came to help her sister and stayed to discover the truth. I also appreciate a cozy mystery featuring a mom of a teenager sleuth! I’ll be anxiously waiting for book two in this new series

The Jig Is Up by Lisa Q. Mathews is a thrilling and entertaining cozy mystery that will keep you hooked from beginning to end! The story follows amateur sleuth and bookstore owner, Riley, as she uncovers a web of secrets and deception while investigating a murder connected to a local dance competition. Mathews skillfully combines a gripping plot with witty dialogue and endearing characters, creating a delightful read. The vibrant setting and the intriguing mystery make this book stand out in the genre. If you love cozy mysteries with a blend of suspense, humor, and a touch of charm, The Jig Is Up is definitely worth a read!

Lisa Q. Matthews' "Jig is Up" is a lively and engaging mystery that’s perfect for fans of light-hearted crime novels. The story follows a charming protagonist who finds herself entangled in a series of amusing and puzzling events. Matthews' writing is witty and easy to follow, making the book an enjoyable escape. With colorful characters and a plot full of twists and turns, "Jig is Up" is a delightful read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

The Jig is Up is a new cozy mystery series set in Shamrock, Massachusetts, a town that is obsessed with being Irish. Kate is the responsible sister living in NYC with two kids and Colleen is the flighty sister helping her parents run a bed and breakfast out of their home. When Colleen sends cryptic texts that she needs help, Kate packs up the kids and drives from NYC in a rain storm. What was the emergency? We may never know. But Kate spends the night which turns into staying a week and the sisters will need to save the inn, run a dance recital, (and the kids will learn to step dance), attend a few town St. Patrick's Week events and solve a murder.

My high school mascot was the shamrock and I'm a fan of St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Unfortunately, I found this to be over the top with St Patrick themed shenanigans and cartoonish, stereotypical side characters. There's a lot of potential in this series because the second half has a subplot line that is very unexpected and well-written. I hope if the next installment takes place outside of March, there will be more focus on that kind of character development and less on the stereotypical top o' the morning type St. Patrick vibes.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this. #TheJigIsUp #NetGalley

Fun story if a bit weird in parts. I was a little put off by the idea of a very Irish town in America. It was almost a bit too much. I also had a hard time liking the characters. And Maeve seemed a bit dull. But I didn't guess the villain so that was a good point.

The small-town Irish setting was wonderful. The Irish dance school was something different. The mystery kept me guessing. I felt a little family drama and tension from the beginning. It felt like there was something unspoken. I have to say I did not see it going the way it did. I had a few different things go through my mind but not what it actually was. I am interested to see how everything plays out in the next book with the family and character development.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my review.

I'm crazy about this new series! The key players are all so amazing and as far as kids went, I enjoyed Maeve and little Bliz’s characters a lot—Maeve was like fourteen going on twenty for as mature as she seemed. The Chief aka Kate and Colleen's dad cracked me up and I could easily picture another Irish dad who happens to be a police commissioner in his TV show. What an awesome family!

That was a very daring thing Kate did when she decided to confront the killer. I enjoyed the side story that involved Colleen and while there was sort of a conclusion, there's still an issue to be addressed later. I can't wait till the next book comes along! I sure hope Kate and her girls decide to stay in Shamrock for good, but I'm sure that'll also be talked about in the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

4.25⭐
Fresh setting for a cozy mystery in a small town capitalizing on its Irish heritage to revitalize and focus on tourism. Learned so much about Irish dance while enjoying this story packed with interesting characters and old secrets. Well-paced with some good twists.

A lovely start for a new cozy series: entertaining and compelling. A tightly knitted cozy mystery featuring fleshed and relatable characters.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was an entertaining start to a new series. I love the setting and the fact that Kate is visiting her hometown after years away. It gives her a good mix of outsider but still belonging. Her family situation is a bit complicated. Her father is a retired police chief and her brother is an active police officer. As well, the family runs a B&B that is not the most financially healthy. And Kate's sister, Colleen, is a challenging character to say the least.
The murder happens fairly early in the book and Kate is involved from the beginning much to her brother's annoyance. Kate's sister is also involved from the beginning - as a suspect. Colleen wouldn't know a good decision if it bit her and if I were Kate I might have left her to save herself. Luckily for the story Kate is a better person than me and is working hard to save her sister and figure out what is going on and the family B&B. I also really liked Kate's two daughters. They're very age appropriate without taking up too much page time. I liked Maeve especially as she has all the teenage eye rolling but is also smart and empathetic.
I enjoyed this intro the a cozy series with a lot of potential. The adult charaters weren't my favorite and I didn't always feel the most connected to them but I feel like this will get better as the series goes on. I'm very excited to see what happens next for Kate and the world of Shamrock!

When Kate Buckley gets a text from her sister, Colleen, she packs up her daughters and heads home to Shamrock, a town that has become an Irish themed tourist destination. Before Kate can find out what is wrong with Colleen, the two find the dead body of Colleen’s best friend, Deirdre, who was a famous Irish dancer. Kate finds herself drawn into the mystery of what happened. Can she solve the case?

I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen an Irish touristy town as a series theme before now. While I did feel things and characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, I enjoyed what we got here. The theming is fun and made me smile multiple times. The characters are, likewise, charming, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better. The mystery got off to a strong start, and the book kept me engaged, even with some things that might have annoyed me in lesser hands. You’ll dance through this debut and be left anxious for the encore.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

The idea of an Irish themed town was appealing. The mystery of a murdered dance instructor was well plotted.
The problem for me came first in the main characters. Kate and Colleen aren’t very likable. Kate is at once know it all and unsure of herself. Colleen is a thief, irresponsible and flighty. They did grow on me some as the book progressed but just making them tolerable.
The whole Buckley family is dis-functional. The amount of hidden secrets and twisted histories bogged down this first in series book.
There are many for whom this will be their cup of tea. The Jig is Up gets an okay from me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.