LONDON: THE IRISH WORLD
| REVIEWS |
Recommended reading for Irish
dancers, may well be the Liffey Rivers
mystery books by Brenna Briggs, all
centered on the world of Irish dancing
--the perfect presents for your Irish
dancing kids, nephews, nieces or
grandchildren this Christmas!
The 13-year-old heroine of this girl
detective series, Liffey Rivers, is what
Briggs terms a 'tween'; a little girl
who wants to be a big girl. The Sligo
author developed this series of
children's novels as she felt that
"mysteries unravelling within the
backdrop of Irish dance competitions
(feiseanna) would be a novelty and
greatly appealing, not only to Irish
dancers, but also fans of girl
detectives like Nancy Drew."
Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the
Winking Judge is set in London and
Dublin. While touring the National
Portrait Gallery in London, Liffey
discovers that the crowning portrait
of Queen Elizabeth I is a fake, and
begins to unravel the mystery at an
Irish dance competition in Ireland.
Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the
Sparkling Solo Dress Crown unfolds
in St. Louis when Liffey foils an
international criminal plot and
introduces young readers to social
issues such as Native American
Indian injustice and conflict diamonds.
In the third book in the series, Liffey
Rivers and the Secret of the Mountain
of the Moon, Liffey experiences the
tug of the Celtic Blood Moon when,
after dancing at her first feis in
Ireland, she observes an
extraordinary phenomenon directly
above Queen Maeve's cairn on the
summit of Knocknarea (the Mountain
of the Moon) in County Sligo.
You might compare these books to
Enid Blyton's adventure stories, if you
throw in a lot more reels and
hornpipes. Each one is a delightful
read for dancers, lovers of Ireland and
lovers of a good mystery, and a great
way for kids to learn a bit more about
Irish and other cultures.
dancers, may well be the Liffey Rivers
mystery books by Brenna Briggs, all
centered on the world of Irish dancing
--the perfect presents for your Irish
dancing kids, nephews, nieces or
grandchildren this Christmas!
The 13-year-old heroine of this girl
detective series, Liffey Rivers, is what
Briggs terms a 'tween'; a little girl
who wants to be a big girl. The Sligo
author developed this series of
children's novels as she felt that
"mysteries unravelling within the
backdrop of Irish dance competitions
(feiseanna) would be a novelty and
greatly appealing, not only to Irish
dancers, but also fans of girl
detectives like Nancy Drew."
Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the
Winking Judge is set in London and
Dublin. While touring the National
Portrait Gallery in London, Liffey
discovers that the crowning portrait
of Queen Elizabeth I is a fake, and
begins to unravel the mystery at an
Irish dance competition in Ireland.
Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the
Sparkling Solo Dress Crown unfolds
in St. Louis when Liffey foils an
international criminal plot and
introduces young readers to social
issues such as Native American
Indian injustice and conflict diamonds.
In the third book in the series, Liffey
Rivers and the Secret of the Mountain
of the Moon, Liffey experiences the
tug of the Celtic Blood Moon when,
after dancing at her first feis in
Ireland, she observes an
extraordinary phenomenon directly
above Queen Maeve's cairn on the
summit of Knocknarea (the Mountain
of the Moon) in County Sligo.
You might compare these books to
Enid Blyton's adventure stories, if you
throw in a lot more reels and
hornpipes. Each one is a delightful
read for dancers, lovers of Ireland and
lovers of a good mystery, and a great
way for kids to learn a bit more about
Irish and other cultures.
Radio Host Diane Byrnes' Review of
The Secret of the Mountain of the Moon:
The Secret of the Mountain of the Moon:
Today, November 11th is Veterans
Day, I have off work – so, I thought I
would read a couple of chapters of
Liffey Rivers before I went to sleep.
I started at 11:30pm and at 1:40AM I
finished reading book 3.
What a good story... As each
chapter finished I just had to find
out what was in the next!! What a
total surprise!!
I loved it, one more time and can
hardly wait for the next one. So
please, make it quick!!!
Diane Byrnes
WEDO
Echoes of Erin: Pittsburgh, PA
Day, I have off work – so, I thought I
would read a couple of chapters of
Liffey Rivers before I went to sleep.
I started at 11:30pm and at 1:40AM I
finished reading book 3.
What a good story... As each
chapter finished I just had to find
out what was in the next!! What a
total surprise!!
I loved it, one more time and can
hardly wait for the next one. So
please, make it quick!!!
Diane Byrnes
WEDO
Echoes of Erin: Pittsburgh, PA
Liffey Rivers And the Mystery of the Winking Judge
From the National Portrait Gallery in London to the hills
of Ireland, excitement and intrigue follow Liffey Rivers
wherever she goes. Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the
Winking Judge is a gripping read with a heroine who
never loses sight of the ultimately important things - her
first solo dress and that all important Feis!
The perfect read for any Irish dancer who can
empathise with Liffey’s instantly likeable character and
the trials that she faces as it seems that everything is
just determined to come between her and the Beltra feis.
This is one to share with your non Irish dancing mates
as well; Liffey Rivers will appeal to just about any
teenager. The star stumbles easily into trouble and out
of it just as effortlessly. Dealing along the way with
everything, from the loss of a parent, to looking stupid in
front of the cute security guard!
This is the second Liffey Rivers Irish dancing mystery
that will keep you guessing right through to the end,
starring a quirky Irish dancer who should not be
underestimated! We love Liffey and we love her dad, the
long suffering Robert Rivers. This book has got it all,
mystery, intrigue, comedy, even a history lesson and, of
course – Irish dancing! Bring on more Liffey Rivers
adventures!
By Ellie P
IRISH DANCING AND CULTURE MAGAZINE
From the National Portrait Gallery in London to the hills
of Ireland, excitement and intrigue follow Liffey Rivers
wherever she goes. Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the
Winking Judge is a gripping read with a heroine who
never loses sight of the ultimately important things - her
first solo dress and that all important Feis!
The perfect read for any Irish dancer who can
empathise with Liffey’s instantly likeable character and
the trials that she faces as it seems that everything is
just determined to come between her and the Beltra feis.
This is one to share with your non Irish dancing mates
as well; Liffey Rivers will appeal to just about any
teenager. The star stumbles easily into trouble and out
of it just as effortlessly. Dealing along the way with
everything, from the loss of a parent, to looking stupid in
front of the cute security guard!
This is the second Liffey Rivers Irish dancing mystery
that will keep you guessing right through to the end,
starring a quirky Irish dancer who should not be
underestimated! We love Liffey and we love her dad, the
long suffering Robert Rivers. This book has got it all,
mystery, intrigue, comedy, even a history lesson and, of
course – Irish dancing! Bring on more Liffey Rivers
adventures!
By Ellie P
IRISH DANCING AND CULTURE MAGAZINE
Irish dancers and those who are fans of the dance will
love Brenna Briggs' book Liffey Rivers and the Mystery
of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown! Non-dancers
immersed in the world of Irish dance shows, as are so
many of us here in the Celtic Cafe community, will
appreciate not only the glimpse into the world of
feiseanna through the eyes of the thirteen year old
heroine, but the glossary at the end of this thoroughly
enjoyable little mystery novel. Although written to
appeal mostly to 9-to 13-year-old girls, adults reading
the book can enjoy the obvious satirical elements
throughout the story.
love Brenna Briggs' book Liffey Rivers and the Mystery
of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown! Non-dancers
immersed in the world of Irish dance shows, as are so
many of us here in the Celtic Cafe community, will
appreciate not only the glimpse into the world of
feiseanna through the eyes of the thirteen year old
heroine, but the glossary at the end of this thoroughly
enjoyable little mystery novel. Although written to
appeal mostly to 9-to 13-year-old girls, adults reading
the book can enjoy the obvious satirical elements
throughout the story.
Reading the book recalled for this reader the Nancy
Drew and Hardy Boys Mysteries once borrowed from
Bray Carnegie Library...pacy,well-written book. This
reader is a wee bit older but still enjoyed it immensely!
Eibhlin Maceochaidh
Writing Notes From the Sligo Arts Office
Focusing on 13 year old Irish dancer Liffey at a feis in St.
Louis, at first readers believe Liffey is like any other 13
year old girl with an overactive imagination --but the
more you read and are brought into Liffey's world the
more you realise that she may just be on to something!
If you're after an early night this may not be the book to
pick up--once you've started reading it you'll find it very
hard to put down! As well as the mystery Liffey is trying to
solve, it also tells the story of something that every
dancer will be able to relate to: wanting to win her first
gold medal! It's definitely a good read for any Irish dancer.
Louis, at first readers believe Liffey is like any other 13
year old girl with an overactive imagination --but the
more you read and are brought into Liffey's world the
more you realise that she may just be on to something!
If you're after an early night this may not be the book to
pick up--once you've started reading it you'll find it very
hard to put down! As well as the mystery Liffey is trying to
solve, it also tells the story of something that every
dancer will be able to relate to: wanting to win her first
gold medal! It's definitely a good read for any Irish dancer.
"...all of you who enjoyed Nancy
Drew, Trixie Belden and Hardy Boys
stories as a child, you will really love
these books – even as an adult!"
Maureen Smith
Celtic Women International
Chicago Branch
Drew, Trixie Belden and Hardy Boys
stories as a child, you will really love
these books – even as an adult!"
Maureen Smith
Celtic Women International
Chicago Branch
This series of "Tween" books by
Brenna Briggs has everything: a
great mystery, Irish culture, and
plenty of Irish dancing. Brenna
Briggs writes with flair and passion,
and her novels fill a yawning gaping
hole in literature for Irish-American
girls. Write on, Ms. Briggs! We
can't wait for the rest of Liffey's
adventures!
M.E. Sweeney
BellaOnline
Irish Culture Editor
Brenna Briggs has everything: a
great mystery, Irish culture, and
plenty of Irish dancing. Brenna
Briggs writes with flair and passion,
and her novels fill a yawning gaping
hole in literature for Irish-American
girls. Write on, Ms. Briggs! We
can't wait for the rest of Liffey's
adventures!
M.E. Sweeney
BellaOnline
Irish Culture Editor
