I developed the Liffey Rivers-Irish Dancer series because I thought mysteries unraveling 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. Nancy's popularity has never diminished.
Why would someone want to read it?
Little girls want to be big girls. Liffey Rivers is a “tween girl.” Irish dancers have their own heroine with Liffey Rivers and non-Irish dancers have an exciting girl detective series set in the popular Irish dance world.
3. Does the book’s subject correspond to any current “hot news” or current press?
Yes. Interest in Irish dance keeps growing. There are four Michael Flatley shows continuing their world tours year after year and many other entrepreneurs have successfully produced Irish dance shows as well. In 2007, there were over 210,000 Irish dancers in the U.S. alone dancing at Irish dance competitions and countless more who have chosen not to compete.
4. What are the specific benefits that readers will gain by reading your work?
First: Entertainment. Quoting IDM Irish Dancing Magazine: “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.” Second: a bit of painless knowledge. The Mystery of the Winking Judge takes place in London and Dublin. The first book, Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown unfolds in St. Louis and introduces the reader to social issues such as Native American Indian injustice and conflict diamonds. Liffey is always acquiring knowledge about the history and culture of the places she visits. Third: extensive information about the world of Irish dance.
5. Describe the contents of The Mystery of the Winking Judge and The Mystery of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown books in plain English. Give a general overview of the books in one sentence.
Winking Judge:
Liffey Rivers, while touring the National Portrait Gallery in London, discovers that the crowning portrait of Queen Elizabeth I is a fake and later unravels the mystery at an Irish dance competition in Ireland.
Sparkling Solo Dress Crown:
Liffey Rivers, while competing in an Irish dance competition in St. Louis, manages to foil an international criminal plot as well as dance her Hornpipe steps in less than 24 hours!
6. Who is the audience for this book?
The audience for this book is huge. Quoting Celtic Cafe’s online Buzz Magazine, “Irish dancers and those who are fans of the dance will love Brenna Briggs’ book....”
Other categories of readers would include:
1. 9-13-year-old girls, mystery enthusiasts. Quoting Writing Notes from The Sligo Arts Office: “Reading the book recalled for this reader the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries once borrowed from Bray Carnegie Library...suitable for readers 9-12... This reader is a wee bit older but still enjoyed it immensely.
2. People who love anything Irish. There are millions of them everywhere! There is even an Irish dance competition this year in Moscow! Countless people are tracing their Irish roots online. New Irish Fests appear every year.
3. Irish communities throughout the world. There are arteries everywhere with Irish heritage centers and social clubs and St. Patrick’s Day parade organizations, etc. etc. etc.
4.Non-Irish dancers such as ballet, tap, jazz and cloggers would enjoy Liffey Rivers books very much because of its performing arts emphasis and the universal bond that exists among dancers.
