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Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery #2
Buried in Shamrocks
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Kate Buckley returns to her Irish-themed hometown for the summer, but when her ex becomes the prime suspect in his fiancée’s murder, she must clear his name for the sake of their daughters, perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Carlene O’Connor.
Kate and her daughters, Maeve and Bliz, are back in Shamrock, Massachusetts, and Kate faces a big Should they move back to their hometown for good? As she contemplates the idea, all the businesses in town, including her family’s B&B, the Buckley House, are busy preparing for the annual Great Shamrock Fair in hopes of luring back tourists after a murder during St. Patrick’s Week.
But when Kate’s ex, Ian, arrives in town from Ireland to perform with his band at the festival and his new fiancée, Fallon, is found dead at the fairgrounds, any chance of a fun and peaceful family summer goes up in green smoke.
Much as she wants nothing to do with her ex, Kate knows Ian is innocent. Amid the swirl of activity in town and her sister Colleen’s determination to keep the annual Miss Shamrock contests alive, Kate enlists her devastated eldest daughter and her father, the former Shamrock police chief, to help her unwind the trail of evidence.
With clues—and danger—piling up, can Kate find Fallon’s true killer and save her ex, before the Great Shamrock Fair and the town’s chances for a summer full of green go bust?
Kate and her daughters, Maeve and Bliz, are back in Shamrock, Massachusetts, and Kate faces a big Should they move back to their hometown for good? As she contemplates the idea, all the businesses in town, including her family’s B&B, the Buckley House, are busy preparing for the annual Great Shamrock Fair in hopes of luring back tourists after a murder during St. Patrick’s Week.
But when Kate’s ex, Ian, arrives in town from Ireland to perform with his band at the festival and his new fiancée, Fallon, is found dead at the fairgrounds, any chance of a fun and peaceful family summer goes up in green smoke.
Much as she wants nothing to do with her ex, Kate knows Ian is innocent. Amid the swirl of activity in town and her sister Colleen’s determination to keep the annual Miss Shamrock contests alive, Kate enlists her devastated eldest daughter and her father, the former Shamrock police chief, to help her unwind the trail of evidence.
With clues—and danger—piling up, can Kate find Fallon’s true killer and save her ex, before the Great Shamrock Fair and the town’s chances for a summer full of green go bust?
- GenresCozy Mystery
Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2025
1 person is currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Q. Mathews
7 books493 followersLisa Q. Mathews began her publishing career as a Nancy Drew book editor. She also wrote for popular kids’ series such as Mary-Kate and Ashley, Sweet Dreams, and the Lizzie McGuire Mysteries, and became an executive editor at Random House.
After her years in New York, Lisa returned home to New England to write mysteries for adults. Her books in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries and the Ladies Smythe & Westin series feature strong female sleuths and plenty of family. Lisa’s short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” was an Agatha Award finalist.
A fan of stone walls, the Red Sox and Dunks iced tea, Lisa lives in New Hampshire with her family, including a crazy golden retriever and a highly pampered black cat. The “Q” in her name stands for “Quinn.”
After her years in New York, Lisa returned home to New England to write mysteries for adults. Her books in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries and the Ladies Smythe & Westin series feature strong female sleuths and plenty of family. Lisa’s short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” was an Agatha Award finalist.
A fan of stone walls, the Red Sox and Dunks iced tea, Lisa lives in New Hampshire with her family, including a crazy golden retriever and a highly pampered black cat. The “Q” in her name stands for “Quinn.”
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 9, 2025
I didn’t read the first book in the Irish Bed and Breakfast Mystery series, but I had no trouble jumping right into Shamrock, Massachusetts. The world Lisa Q. Mathews builds feels instantly lived in. it was warm, quirky, and just Irish enough to give you those “wish I were there” vibes.
Buried in Shamrocks delivers a quintessential cozy mystery wrapped in community spirit and Irish charm. From the moment Kate rolled back into Shamrock, it felt like stepping into a warm, slightly chaotic family reunion. The Buckleys are nosy, funny, and all heart. They are the kind of crew I’d want to share tea and gossip with at the B&B.
The mystery unfolds slowly, sometimes too slowly, but the emotional undercurrent kept me anchored. Lisa Q. Mathews weaves in family tension, small-town quirks, and just a sprinkle of romance. Just enough to make the story feel human without overshadowing the whodunit. Kate’s dynamic with her ex and daughters adds depth amid the fairground festivities and shamrock-green mayhem.
This is the kind of cozy that pairs well with a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea. It’s steady, comforting, and tinged with that Irish charm that makes everything feel a bit magical.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. Even with its slower pacing, Buried in Shamrocks delivers what cozy mystery fans love, heart, humor, and just enough tension to keep you guessing. Add this one to your TBR when it drops in February.
Feeling Lucky in Shamrock? 🍀
Would you move back to your hometown if it meant stumbling into a murder mystery (and maybe a second chance at love)? Tell me in the comments. Would you brave the Irish charm and chaos of Shamrock, Massachusetts?
Buried in Shamrocks delivers a quintessential cozy mystery wrapped in community spirit and Irish charm. From the moment Kate rolled back into Shamrock, it felt like stepping into a warm, slightly chaotic family reunion. The Buckleys are nosy, funny, and all heart. They are the kind of crew I’d want to share tea and gossip with at the B&B.
The mystery unfolds slowly, sometimes too slowly, but the emotional undercurrent kept me anchored. Lisa Q. Mathews weaves in family tension, small-town quirks, and just a sprinkle of romance. Just enough to make the story feel human without overshadowing the whodunit. Kate’s dynamic with her ex and daughters adds depth amid the fairground festivities and shamrock-green mayhem.
This is the kind of cozy that pairs well with a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea. It’s steady, comforting, and tinged with that Irish charm that makes everything feel a bit magical.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. Even with its slower pacing, Buried in Shamrocks delivers what cozy mystery fans love, heart, humor, and just enough tension to keep you guessing. Add this one to your TBR when it drops in February.
Feeling Lucky in Shamrock? 🍀
Would you move back to your hometown if it meant stumbling into a murder mystery (and maybe a second chance at love)? Tell me in the comments. Would you brave the Irish charm and chaos of Shamrock, Massachusetts?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Buried in Shamrocks (An Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery, Book 2)" by Lisa Q. Mathews has Kate and her daughters returning to Shamrock, Massachusetts for the summer. Not sure of if they'll stay at the end of the summer. They're back just in time for Bliz to enter the Little Miss Shamrock pageant and to help with a B&B full of Irish Musicians. One group ends up being Kate's ex-husband and his band.
Well, her ex-husband actually wasn't planning at staying with him. When his new fiancé's body is found they figure it may be best to keep him close. Kate ends up investigating with some help and prodding from her father, the ex-police chief. Honestly, I'm a tiny bit surprised he encourages her when his son/her brother is a police officer and she's not.
However, it may be distracting her from the uncomfortable conversation she really should have with her sister. Kate adopted her sister's daughter when the girl was a baby. Now they're all back together and her sister wants a relationship with her. However, it seems like she wants the fun parts of being a mom. Mommy and me dresses, performing and dressing up for Irish Dance performances and pageants, and doing fun activities. However, she doesn't seem aware of the harder parts or how this could become a problem down the road when they have to make a real parenting decision and it's going to have to be Kate that does it because she's been actual mom and the mom Bliz actually sees as mom. They should also just straight up talk to Bliz about the situation if they really want a two mom situation per the story at the end.
Well, her ex-husband actually wasn't planning at staying with him. When his new fiancé's body is found they figure it may be best to keep him close. Kate ends up investigating with some help and prodding from her father, the ex-police chief. Honestly, I'm a tiny bit surprised he encourages her when his son/her brother is a police officer and she's not.
However, it may be distracting her from the uncomfortable conversation she really should have with her sister. Kate adopted her sister's daughter when the girl was a baby. Now they're all back together and her sister wants a relationship with her. However, it seems like she wants the fun parts of being a mom. Mommy and me dresses, performing and dressing up for Irish Dance performances and pageants, and doing fun activities. However, she doesn't seem aware of the harder parts or how this could become a problem down the road when they have to make a real parenting decision and it's going to have to be Kate that does it because she's been actual mom and the mom Bliz actually sees as mom. They should also just straight up talk to Bliz about the situation if they really want a two mom situation per the story at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Buried by Shamrocks is delightfully fun cozy, and a satisfying read for anyone who loves family-centered mysteries.
The small town of Shamrock is dialed up to maximum Emerald Isle mode with Irish names, Irish streets, Irish everything, which, I have to admit, sometimes felt a bit over-the-top for me, but it never stopped me from enjoying the story overall.
What really won me over was the Buckley family. Their B&B, their banter, and the way they rally around each other give the book a lovely heart. The mystery itself is sprinkled with plenty of clues and red herrings, and I had fun trying to piece things together alongside Kate.
All in all, this is a positive, feel-good cozy: low on darkness, high on charm, and exactly the kind of book to curl up with when you want something light, engaging, and neatly wrapped up in the end.
The small town of Shamrock is dialed up to maximum Emerald Isle mode with Irish names, Irish streets, Irish everything, which, I have to admit, sometimes felt a bit over-the-top for me, but it never stopped me from enjoying the story overall.
What really won me over was the Buckley family. Their B&B, their banter, and the way they rally around each other give the book a lovely heart. The mystery itself is sprinkled with plenty of clues and red herrings, and I had fun trying to piece things together alongside Kate.
All in all, this is a positive, feel-good cozy: low on darkness, high on charm, and exactly the kind of book to curl up with when you want something light, engaging, and neatly wrapped up in the end.
November 5, 2025
The Irish-themed town of Shamrock, Massachusetts, once again becomes the setting for a murder mystery. Katie, the main character, finds herself juggling her family responsibilities while trying to solve yet another crime. I really enjoyed the Irish atmosphere that runs throughout the story, the small-town charm and the little cultural touches that make Shamrock feel real and warm.
Overall, it’s an entertaining and cozy mystery that blends family drama with a good dose of intrigue.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Crooked Lane Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Overall, it’s an entertaining and cozy mystery that blends family drama with a good dose of intrigue.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Crooked Lane Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
November 17, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lisa Q. Mathews for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Buried in Shamrocks coming out February 24, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I need to read the first book in the series. I really love the Irish themed bed and breakfast. The setting was really fun. I enjoyed the characters. I would check out more books by this author.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I need to read the first book in the series. I really love the Irish themed bed and breakfast. The setting was really fun. I enjoyed the characters. I would check out more books by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Similarly to the first installment in the series, I enjoyed the Irish flavour of this cosy mystery. It is fun and entertaining, but the murder investigation took a bit too long to start, and despite its compelling moments, the pace was rather uneven. So, all in all, a nice reading experience, but it didn't fully reel me in.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews