Lisa Q. Mathews
Author of
The Jig Is Up (Crooked Lane Books, 2024)
Fashionably Late (Carina Press, 2017)
Permanently Booked (Carina Press, 2016)
Cardiac Arrest (Carina Press, 2015)
Lisa Q. Mathews began her publishing career as an editor of Nancy Drew books. She went on to write for other popular kids’ series, including Mary-Kate and Ashley, Sweet Dreams, and the Lizzie McGuire Mysteries, and became an executive editor and creative director at Random House.
After years raising her 3 kids and working in New York, Lisa returned home to New England to write mysteries for adults. Her Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries and Ladies Smythe & Westin series feature strong women sleuths and plenty of family. Lisa’s short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” was an Agatha Award finalist. Her next book in the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries, CRIMSON IN CLOVER, will be published in August 2025.
A fan of stone walls, the Red Sox and Dunks iced tea, Lisa lives in New Hampshire with her family. The “Q” in her name stands for “Quinn.”
Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / LisaQMathews.com / Represented by Stephany Evans
Books by Lisa
The Jig Is Up (Crooked Lane Books, 2024)
Twentysomething party girl Summer Smythe is starting over in the unlikeliest of places: Hibiscus Pointe, a kitschy retirement community in upscale Milano, Florida. Her new gig? Working for Dr. A., Milano’s much-loved cardiologist. But being in over her head is the least of Summer’s worries when her new boss drops dead…right in front of her. Longtime resident Dorothy Westin prefers to mind her own business.
But when the young blonde already causing ripples throughout Hibiscus Pointe becomes a person of interest in Dr. A’s murder, Dorothy springs into action. Not only because the real killer is still on the loose, but because there’s simply no way her clueless-but-kind new friend could have poisoned someone. Dorothy and Summer soon discover that despite his chosen specialty, Dr. A had quite a reputation for breaking hearts. And if the Ladies Smythe and Westin don’t identify the guilty party fast, Summer will end up in handcuffs…and Dorothy in a body bag.
Praise for The Jig Is Up
“Rich with family angst, romance, and murder, this Irish charmer is a fun read.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With more surprises than usual, this is a step above much of this genre.” —First Clue Reviews
“Irish eyes are smiling on this delightfully entertaining debut series that quickly became a page-turner.” —Dru’s Book Musings
“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
Fashionably Late (Carina Press, 2017)
It’s murder, she wore...
Sporting a chic Florida outfit and designer baubles, seasoned model Angelica Downs belonged on the runway…not in the morgue. Summer Smythe and Dorothy Westin are determined to retrace her final moments-right up to her desperate plea for help. The Ladies Smythe & Westin pin their suspects down to just a few questionable characters. But why would anyone target such a seemingly sweet, lovely woman? To lure the murderer-and perhaps some accessories of the criminal kind-the Ladies hit Milano Fashion Week, even organizing their own charity event at Hibiscus Pointe. Killer fashion may be this season’s drop-dead look, but Summer and Dorothy will be wearing little black funeral dresses if they don’t pin down the culprit soon.
Permanently Booked (Carina Press, 2016)
The first rule of the Hibiscus Pointe book club: Don’t talk about the murder…
Semi-reformed party girl Summer Smythe is finally feeling at home at the Hibiscus Pointe Retirement Community. All that’s left to do is replace her late grandma’s massive book collection with a TV. Donating them to the community library is the perfect solution—until she finds the librarian buried in books. Literally. Summer and her sleuthing partner, longtime resident Dorothy Westin, can’t imagine who would want to kill poor, dedicated Lorella. Soon, they’e on the case…and the Hibiscus Pointe book club is the perfect cover for their investigation. A murdered librarian is headline news in south Florida, and even outsiders, including an oddball professor and a pair of dueling authors, are eager to join the once-dull group. But one menacing member has Dorothy and Summer bookmarked for the morgue. If the Ladies Smythe and Westin don’t nab the killer fast, the Hibiscus Pointe book club may be reading their obituaries next.
Cardiac Arrest (Carina Press, 2015)
When a man falls at your feet, you’d better hope he’s not dead.
Twentysomething party girl Summer Smythe is starting over in the unlikeliest of places: Hibiscus Pointe, a kitschy retirement community in upscale Milano, Florida. Her new gig? Working for Dr. A., Milano’s much-loved cardiologist. But being in over her head is the least of Summer’s worries when her new boss drops dead…right in front of her. Longtime resident Dorothy Westin prefers to mind her own business. But when the young blonde already causing ripples throughout Hibiscus Pointe becomes a person of interest in Dr. A’s murder, Dorothy springs into action. Not only because the real killer is still on the loose, but because there’s simply no way her clueless-but-kind new friend could have poisoned someone. Dorothy and Summer soon discover that despite his chosen specialty, Dr. A had quite a reputation for breaking hearts. And if the Ladies Smythe and Westin don’t identify the guilty party fast, Summer will end up in handcuffs…and Dorothy in a body bag.