Author: Lisa Q. Mathews
Series: Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (August 20, 2024)
Description: Irish step dance takes a deadly turn in this Celtic cozy series debut, perfect for fans of Carlene O’Connor and Paige Shelton.
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.
My Thoughts: Kate Buckley comes home to her hometown of Shamrock, Massachusetts, after receiving a panicked call from her sister Colleen. When Kate arrives with her two daughters - fourteen-year-old Maeve and seven-year-old Bliz, she finds Colleen doing anything she can to avoid telling Kate what is wrong.
The ultimate distraction occurs when they stumble upon the body of Colleen's best friend Deidre in the backstage area where she had been preparing for the St. Patrick's Day step dancing festival. A recent fight with Deidre makes Colleen the prime suspect for the murder.
Kate is determined to prove her sister innocent and find the real killer. There are quite a few suspects from a frenemy who wants to set up a competing dance studio to Deidre's old dance partner who resented her for leaving the dance troupe.
As Colleen takes over preparing the young dancers for the St. Patrick's Day performance, Kate investigates suspects often running afoul of her old boyfriend turned police detective and her own brother who is also a police officer.
This was an engaging cozy mystery in a nice small-town setting. I liked the way Kate figures out what is going on both in regard to the murder and in regard to her sister Colleen's secrets.
Favorite Quote:
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
Favorite Quote:
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
I like the small town setting. The characters are then very evident as part of the story.
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