View source for Murder and Chips (Jiggy McCue) by Michael Lawrence

{{infobox1
|title=Murder and Chips (Jiggy McCue)
|author=Michael Lawrence
|reviewer=Linda Lawlor
|genre=Confident Readers
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9781408313961
|pages=224
|publisher=Orchard
|date=May 2012
|website=http://www.jiggymccue.com
|summary=If you haven't met Jiggy McCue before, then prepare yourself. In Jiggy's world, if things can go wrong, then they will, and always in the most painful and embarrassing way possible. Bearing that in mind, the last thing his mum should do is take him on a murder mystery weekend, right?  
|cover=1408313960
|aznuk=1408313960
|aznus=1408313960
}}
Poor Jiggy. It seems everything he touches is doomed. In previous books he's been squeezed almost to death by a pair of demonic underpants, attacked by the ghost of a bad-tempered goose and pursued by a spiteful genie—though all of that, frankly, is nothing compared to what happened with that toilet (don't ask). And now, to cap it all, exams are looming—you know, the ones everyone tells your whole future depends on? Jiggy and his two friends Angie and Pete are stressed, and in dire need of bit of rest and relaxation. 

Unfortunately for Jiggy, as fans of the series can tell you, the chances of that happening are a million to one. For some bizarre reason of her own, his mum decrees that the best cure for exam panic is a weekend away for the two families, and despite their loudly expressed reluctance everyone is soon dragged off to Naffington Hall. It's impressive enough to look at: the huge old stately home is heaving with butlers, maids, gardeners, sweeping staircases and wardrobes the size of beach huts. For the adults, that is: the Three Musketeers (motto: one for all and all for lunch) get dumped in a vast grubby attic full of ancient toys and broken furniture. And that's the good news . . .

It wouldn't be a murder mystery weekend without a body or two, and the place is soon awash with shadowy figures, secret staircases and a strange book which seems to move round the house at will. There's even a noose hanging up in a dark corner, heavy with cobwebs and menace. Jiggy's parents are no help (in fact, once you meet them, you begin to see why Jiggy is the way he is). His mum's too busy behaving inappropriately in the garden, and the two dads have no other ambition in life than to slip off at the earliest opportunity to the local pub. So, once again it's up to the Musketeers to solve the mystery, catch the villain and save the day. Well, maybe! 

Michael Lawrence has created a very distinctive brand of humour in this series of books which, judging by the amount of awards and nominations he's received, hold a strong appeal for many young readers (and, to be honest, quite a few older ones, too). There's something rather comforting about the fact that no matter how clumsy you are, how ridiculous you look or how embarrassing your mistakes, you will never, ever, ever mess up as disastrously and publicly as Jiggy does. His wry tone as he recounts his latest disaster, his absolute conviction that no matter how bad something is, it can always get worse, and his philosophical, almost cheerful acceptance of his fate, make him endearing and very, very funny. The toilet-centric topics, the groan-worthy puns and the daffy names (how could a weekend organised by Roderick Basket-Case be anything but an unmitigated disaster?) will delight boys and girls alike and do more to encourage 'literacy' than a bucketful of educational initiatives. This isn't great literature, and why should it be? It's just sheer, silly fun from start to finish, and young readers will love it. 

Oh, by the way, Jiggy also has his very own website, which is well worth a visit. Try the Pants Olympics, for starters!

Bookbag also enjoyed [[Kid Swap (Jiggy McCue) by Michael Lawrence|Kid Swap]] by the same author. And if you like your inspired silliness with a dash of fantasy, you'll definitely enjoy [[Muddle Earth Too by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell]]. 

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