Death of a Ghost (A Hamish Macbeth Mystery)

Author:  M. C. Beaton
Genre:  Mystery

Hardcover; Audio CD; Ebook; Audible
ISBN #:  9781455558308; 9781478938958
Grand Central Publishing
256 Pages
$17.10; $30.00; $13.99 Amazon
February 21, 2017

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When Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth hears reports of a haunted castle near Drim, he assumes the eerie noises and lights reported by the villagers are just local teenagers going there to smoke pot, or worse, inject themselves with drugs.  Still, Hamish decides that he and his policeman, Charlie "Clumsy" Carson, will spend the night at the ruined castle to get to the bottom of the rumors once and for all.

There's no sign of any ghost...but then Charlie disappears through the floor.  It turns out he's fallen into the cellar.  And what Hamish and Charlie find there is worse than a ghost: a dead body propped against the wall.  Waiting for help to arrive, Hamish and Charlie leave the castle just for a moment--to eat bacon baps--but when they return, the body is nowhere to be seen.

It's clear something strange - and deadly - is going on at the castle, and Hamish must get to the bottom of it before the "ghost" can strike again...

********

Once again our unambitious Sergeant Macbeth is back in a new tale of mystery and intrigue.  When he and his policeman Charlie Carson are called to a supposedly haunted castle in Drim by the new owner, Hanover "Handy" Ebrington, a retired superintendent from Glasgow, they take the task willingly, thinking it is merely the wind playing tricks.  After spending the night in the castle and finding no ghosts, they decide to do a bit of exploring, hoping to find the source of the 'moans' that were often heard in the night.  What they do find is a bit more than that: when Charlie falls through a hole in the floor they discover a body.  But once they call for backup and go to find the body, it's gone.  

Sure that smugglers are somewhere about, Hamish has more on his plate than this: Drim's local minister Peter Haggis seems to be taken with Olivia Sinclair, an industrialist's wife, while his sister Sheila is interested in the husband, Selwyn.  And poor Hamish is trying to avoid women altogether, while the wife of Lochdubh's own minister, Mrs. Wellington, has it in her mind that Hamish needs a good woman and sets about summoning her niece Heather, intent on putting them together.

But once the lost body reappears, and there is another murder, Hamish is sure there is more to the story than just smugglers at bay and he is determined to find the truth of the killings all the while dodging the machinations of Mrs. Wellington to see him wed, and his nemesis Blair to see him out of the police force.  And yet there are more subplots woven within, all balancing each other out and a lively part of the final tale.

What we have is quite an involved story, with plenty of threads going out in all directions, and it is up to Hamish to pull them all together and twist them tightly into one coil as a single unit.  With his policeman's instinct and his Scottish intuition, this he does beautifully.  But no, the book does not end with the discovery at last of the murderer; Ms. Beaton pulls together the rest of the tale by gathering each subplot collectively as if it were the easiest thing in the world to do, and leaves us yearning for the subsequent book in the series, if only to find out where Hamish will next find himself.  I, for one, heartily await it and hope it is to be soon.  Highly recommended.                                                                                      

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Ghost-Hamish-Macbeth-Mystery/dp/1455558303/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1893166560

More on M. C. Beaton's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/m-c-beaton/

A Fatal Romance

Author:  June Shaw
Genre:  Mystery

Paperback; Ebook
ISBN #:  9781516100958
Lyrical Underground Publishing
192 Pages
January 24, 2017

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Twin sister divorcees Sunny Taylor and Eve Vaughn have had their fill of both heartaches and headaches.  So when they settle down in the small Louisiana town of Sugar Ledge and open a remodeling and repair company, they think they've finally found some peace - even though Eve is still open for romance while Sunny considers her own heart out-of-business.

Then their newest customer ends up face-down in a pond, and his widow is found dead soon after.  Unfortunately, Sunny was witnessed having an unpleasant moment with the distraught woman, and suspicion falls on the twins.  And when an attempt is made on Eve's life, they find themselves pulled into a murder mystery neither knows how to navigate. 

With a town of prying eyes on them, and an unknown culprit out to stop them, Sunny and Eve will have to depend on each other like never before if they're going to clip a killer in the bud.

********

Twins Sunny Taylor and Eve Vaughn have a remodeling and repair company in Sugar Ledge, Louisiana.  When one of their recent clients die, they attend the funeral.  When the widow is entering with her husband's urn, she spills some of the contents on Sunny, and in the ensuing chaos, she gets into a minor argument with the woman.  When the widow is then found dead by Sunny and Eve, they become the main suspects in the murder.  Not too long after, Eve is shot at, and Sunny decides to try and find the killer before he or she completes the job they set out to do.

Since this is the first in a new series, I am always willing to give an author leeway.  But when there are questions that can't easily be answered - such as the fact that the urn should already have been in the church, not carried in by the surviving spouse - it tends to make me question other things as well.

Things like the fact the family apparently had a cell phone in 1987 - which, at the time, would have cost around $2300, and since the family doesn't appear to be wealthy, why did they have such an item?  It also seemed odd that the sexual aspects of Sunny's marriage would be equal to a traumatic event that occurred thirty years ago, which also leaves her singing Christmas carols when she gets nervous or afraid.

They also are supposed to be thirty-eight-years old, but act much older, and I kept imagining them as in their 70's:  Eve is sex-crazy with ex-husbands who still shower gifts on her because they're still so attracted to her  (which doesn't even seem realistic), and is about to become a grandmother; while Sunny, who is smothering, needy and co-dependent, doesn't want anything to do with men ever again because of sex with her husband.  It makes me wonder what on earth he did that was so horrifying.

The reason I mention these things is because they are the basis for the story.  Eve is so self-absorbed that she's perfectly fine with letting Sunny do all the investigating while she's busy planning her latest conquest.  Sunny, for her part, is so obsessed with keeping Eve safe because of what happened to their other sister that her neuroses are taking over her life.  In the end, it makes neither sister much of a likable character.  It's obvious that they love each other, but their personality traits are severely lacking somehow.

When we finally come to the end and the murderer is discovered, everything does come together nicely.  The story had a nice flow, and the mystery was done well, which is important in any book and why I gave it four stars.  I hope to see the sisters "evolve" in the next book, and look forward to reading it.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Romance-Twin-Sisters-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01F0YVQEE/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1886653331

More on June Shaw's books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/june-shaw/

Custom Baked Murder (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery)

Author:  Liz Mugavero
Genre:  Mystery

Paperback; Ebook
ISBN #:  9781496700193
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
$7.99; $5.99 Amazon
December 27, 2016

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Summer is winding down in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, but Stan's love life and career are both heating up nicely.  In between planning her new pet patisserie and cafe′, Stan is settling into living-in-bliss with sexy pub owner Jake McGee.  Love's on the menu for Stan's mom, Patricia, too, who's engaged to Frog Ledge's mayor, Tony Falco.

Mayor Falco's dogged ambition isn't popular among locals, but it's his executive coach, Eleanor Chang, who's inspired a dangerous grudge.  When Eleanor is found dead, there's a whole pack of suspects to choose from.  Stan has first-hand experience of Eleanor's unsavory business tactics.  But finding out who forced her to take a fatal plunge off the corporate ladder means unearthing some shady secrets...and a killer who's too close for comfort.

********

Kristan "Stan" Connor lives in Frog Ledge, Connecticut with her boyfriend Jake McGee, owns a gourmet pet food business, and is busy planning the opening of her new pet patisserie.  She's also dealing with the fact that her mother Patricia is engaged to the town's mayor, Tony Falco (not Stan's favorite person), and expects her to attend the engagement party.  But before she can even leave her home her sister Caitlyn arrives on her doorstep along with her daughter Eva, and expects to stay with Stan 'temporarily'.  Stan and her sister have never been close - being polar opposites - yet she decides now isn't the time to deal with it and they head out to the party.

Stan has more surprises waiting for her:  when she arrives she finds Eleanor Chung, an old co-worker who now has Stan's job and aiming to gloat; and when Stan escapes her she comes face-to-face with other ex-coworkers, including her ex-boyfriend Richard Ruse.  But the surprises don't end there:  After a confrontation with Richard he storms out of the house in a drunken stupor and Caitlyn finds Eleanor upstairs - dead in the master bedroom with Patricia's engagement ring in her mouth.  To top it off, Richard is arrested for the crime.

Stan knows he's innocent, but needs help to prove it.  Unfortunately, that help won't come from Jake's sister, Jessie Pasquale, since she's been removed from the case.  It also isn't coming from Tony, who arrived at the party shortly after the murder and isn't telling anyone where he was or why.  Yet she's determined to help clear Richard, even if she has to do it alone.

While Stan thought the move to Frog Ledge would allow her to live a nice, quiet existence she's finding that's not so in this book.  With her business taking off she's busier than ever; along with Brenna's help she's had to hire a new employee to help out occasionally.  And with Jessie temporarily out of commission, she's doing a little investigating on her own, keeping Jessie in the loop and trying to fly under the radar because she's sure the Major Crimes unit knows more than they're saying, and that it all has something to do with Tony.

When she discovers that almost everyone had a motive to kill Eleanor - including her own daughter - it makes it even harder to sift through the suspects.  With the evidence pointing toward Tony, Stan wonders just how well anyone knows him, and if her mother might be marrying a murderer...

I found this book to be delightful.  What a whirlwind of activity, with poor Stan trying to open her business, find a killer, and deal with both her mother's interference in the planning of her new store (since her mother is an investor she decides it gives her the right) and Caitlyn, who is going through a divorce and being courted by an ex-beau who just won't give up, even though she swears she wants nothing more to do with him (or his misguided attempts to win her back).

As the story progresses, we get to know Caitlyn better as a person, which results in surprises for both Stan and the reader.  Stan also discovers some facts about Tony, which makes him more human somehow; and we're drawn into these things as much as we're drawn into Frog Ledge and the rest of its inhabitants.  The characters are real, fleshed out people, not cardboard; and it's easy to want the best for this little town, Stan and her friends.

When we do discover the identity of the killer (for we know there is one, after all) I can truthfully say I wasn't too surprised; I had an inkling (but then, I read a lot of mysteries and can pretty much decipher clues along the way), and it was rather sad yet understandable all the same.  In all, it was done nicely and believable, and that's what mysteries are all about.  Ms. Mugavero has once again given us a mystery we can sink into and enjoy, characters that are lively and quick, and a town I would like to visit.  Nicely done and highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Custom-Murder-Pawsitively-Organic-Mystery/dp/1496700198/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1878097160

More on Liz Mugavero's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/liz-mugavero/

Live and Let Growl (A Melanie Travis Mystery #19)

Author:  Laurien Berenson
Genre:  Mystery

Hardover; Mass Market Paperback; Ebook
ISBN #:  9781496703385; 9781496703408
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
$18.93; $7.99; $2.99 Amazon
July 26, 2016; May 30, 2017

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When her Aunt Peg lands a gig as a judge at a Kentucky dog show, Melanie Travis welcomes the opportunity for a road trip.  Too bad a killer has planned a deadly detour...

For a dog lover like Melanie, the opportunity to attend the Kentuckiana Dog Show Cluster is not to be missed.  Fortunately, the timing coincides with her spring break from teaching, so she heads for central Kentucky with her sister-in-law Bertie and Aunt Peg, who's accepted a week-long judging assignment.  Once there, Aunt Peg reconnects with an old friend, Ellie Gates Wanamaker, a former Standard Poodle exhibitor and a member of a well-heeled Kentucky family.  Miss Ellie has been out of the dog show world for more than a decade, but when Melanie invites her to spectate at the Louisville Kennel Club dog show, she's eager to accompany her.

Miss Ellie's presence at the expo center, however, provokes mixed reactions from exhibitors she hasn't seen in years, including some outright animosity.  The following day Melanie learns that Miss Ellie has suffered a fatal accident while exercising her dogs,  Aunt Peg, however, suspects foul play.  Wishing to avoid any scandal, Miss Ellie's pedigreed family prefers to let sleeping dogs lie, but as Melanie begins to sniff around, she discovers Miss Ellie had many secrets, both in the dog show world and amongst her Kentucky kin...

********

Melanie Travis' Aunt Peg is a judge at a dog show in Kentucky, and has also learned that she's now the proud owner of a very pregnant Thoroughbred broodmare.  Peg wants to see the horse and see the stables, and Melanie, of course, after gentle prodding from her husband Sam, heads off to the Kentuckiana Dog Show.  When they arrive, Peg reconnects with an old friend, Ellie Gates Wanamaker, who grew up on a Thoroughbred farm and once showed standard poodles herself.  She's hoping Ellie can give her some pointers on horse ownership, racing and care.

For Melanie's part, she's delighted with Miss Ellie.  Ellie is larger than life and still a force to be reckoned with.  Melanie is surprised by the woman's energy and number of people she knows.  While Ellie is greeted with affection by many, Melanie can't help but notice there are some who keep their distance, and while she notices the looks and whispers of some people, Ellie appears to be unfazed.  What Melanie does learn is the reason Ellie retired was due to a tragic car accident that killed her Champion Poodle.  What she doesn't know is the rest of the story.

After Miss Ellie is discovered dead on her family's land, Peg suspects foul play.  Even though it was deemed an accidental fall, Peg is suspicious given the fact that Ellie knew the land inside and out, and had walked it on a regular basis, along with her four Jack Russell Terriers.  And when they encounter someone else who doesn't believe it was an accident either, a plan is hatched to discover the truth.

While I enjoyed the book, I will tell you that much of it is devoted to dog shows and Thoroughbreds.  There is detail after detail regarding show dogs and judging; if you don't derive pleasure from watching the Westminster Dog Show (et al) you might find it slightly boring and it seems extraneous.  On the other hand, while there is nearly as much information regarding race horses, much of this information is crucial to the book.  

The mystery itself seemed to be forthright:  Someone dies, it looks suspicious, and Peg decides to find out the killer, asking Melanie to investigate.  Unfortunately, the mystery itself got bogged down in all the information on the dog show; and I felt that Melanie allowed herself to be pushed around a little too easily.  I love my aunts, too, but I wouldn't let them order me around this way.  I got the feeling reading this book that Peg had no respect for Melanie and thought she was rather dim-witted.  She never asked her what she thought or what she wanted to do; she just told her this was the way it was going to be, period.

Even though this is the 19th book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone, as there is enough information given to where the reader doesn't feel lost, and it's pretty easy to gauge personalities of lesser characters, which is a nice touch.  A decent book worth the read.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Live-Growl-Melanie-Travis-Mystery/dp/1496703383/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1874608731

More on Laurien Berenson's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/laurien-berenson/

Iced Under (A Maine Clambake Mystery #5)

Author:  Barbara Ross
Genre:  Mystery, Cozy

Mass Market Paperback; Ebook; (Paperback LP)
9781496700391; (9781410495778)
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
December 27, 2016; (March 15, 2017)
$7.99; $5.99; ($26.99) Amazon

✭✭✭✭✭

The snow is deep in Maine's Busman's Harbor and the mighty rivers are covered in ice.  Snowden Family Clambake Company proprietor Julia Snowden and her mother, Jacqueline, are hunkered down for the winter when a mysterious package arrives - heating up February with an unexpected case of murder...

Inside the mystery package is an enormous black diamond necklace that once belonged to Julia's great-grandmother and disappeared in the 1920s.  Who could have sent it - and why?  Julia's search for clues takes her on a perilous journey through her mother's troubled family history, from a squabble over the family fortune in "frozen water" to the recent unexplained death of Jacqueline's long-lost cousin Hugh - who'd been missing and presumed drowned for more than forty years.  To protect her mother's inheritance, Julia must fend off a small army of feuding relatives, solve the mystery surrounding Hugh's demise, and get back home before the next blizzard buries them all...

********

Julia Snowden lives in Busman's Harbor, Maine, and experiencing a harsh winter.  With her boyfriend Chris in Florida, and the restaurant they run part-time closed for the winter, she's planning on spending some time with her mother.  While heading out to visit Jacqueline (Julia's mother), asks her daughter to pick up the mail on her way over.  Along with the regular mail, Julia is given a package for her mother, simply wrapped, with no return address.  After arriving at Jacqueline's, they open it and discover a beautiful necklace, of which the center is a huge black diamond.  Jacqueline identifies it as being The Black Widow, which belonged at one time to an ancestor.  Along with the necklace is a simple note:  "For Windsholme".

Windsholme is the mansion on Julia's family-owned Morrow Island, where they hold their summer clambakes.  It was once beautiful but has recently burned to a shell.  It is obvious the necklace is meant to rebuild the once majestic home; but questions abound:  Someone knew about the fire, but who sent it?  Is it real?  Where has it been all these years?  There are other questions as well, and Jacqueline has asked Julia's help in finding out who sent the necklace.

She does her due diligence:  contacts their attorney, has the necklace appraised, and put away for safekeeping.  But then comes her real investigation, so she heads to the local historical society to discover more about her family, hoping to find the clues she needs.  What she discovers there sends her to Boston, where she finds something that changes her world as she knows it...

When Julia arrives in Boston, she learns that not only does she have family there, but they know all about her.  Stunned by this revelation, she also finds that they think she's there for a very different purpose:  Jacqueline's long-lost cousin Hugh has recently died, and they believe she's there for the funeral.  Since Jacqueline has believed him dead over forty years, it is another revelation for Julia to digest, along with the fact that his death may have very well been murder.  But who would want to murder a man who only had weeks to live anyway?

While she is thrust into this mystery, she doesn't tell anyone about the necklace, trying to find out if any of her 'new' relatives sent it.  What she does find out is more about her family, how they know about her and her mother; and why they've kept this secret for years without contacting them.  Although it's a bittersweet reunion of sorts, she still needs to find out if her mother owns the necklace outright, or if any of these people have a claim.  What is true, however, is that not all of her newfound family wants her there, but at least one might be a killer...

Iced Under is the fifth book in the Main Clambake Mysteries, and a delightful book to read.  We learn more about the Morrow family history, Windsholme, and Morrow Island.  Ms. Ross weaves fact into fiction and it is indeed quite interesting.  I loved learning about the history of cut ice, and how it became a "hot commodity".  Merging fact with fiction has always been a favorite of mine to read, and this author does it well.

Her characters are well-developed, so much so that I took a deep dislike to one of them (one guess as to whom) and nearly cried 'foul!' at what I thought this person did not deserve in the least, having had so much already.  It is a testament to Ms. Ross' writing that I was drawn to the characters, who have enough personality to give them a realistic feel, and this is a very good thing indeed.  I love the fact that Julia is a strong, intelligent woman who sticks to a purpose and can subtly ask questions without being intrusive; and that the police consider her an ally of sorts - listening to her - instead of an enemy.

There were plenty of twists and turns, each leading to a new discovery regarding Jacqueline's family; and enough of a mystery to keep me reading to the end.  When we finally do come to the ending, there is sadness tinged with happiness; loss of family with gain; and the anticipation that the next book in the series will not only bring new adventures for Julia and her family, but perhaps brings one or more of the new members along for the ride.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Iced-Under-Maine-Clambake-Mystery/dp/1496700392/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1855659360

More on Barbara Ross's Books:   https://www.fantasticfiction.com/r/barbara-ross/

The Red Queen Rules (Red Solaris Mysteries)

Author:  Bourne Morris
Genre:  Mystery, Suspense

Hardcover; Paperback; Ebook
ISBN #" 9781635111248; 9781635111217
Henery Press
$31.95; $15.95; $4.99 Amazon
December 6, 2016

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Free speech or hate?  When a white supremacist schedules an event on campus, Red Solaris must confront her own feelings about an issue that challenges the very core of American education: campus safety versus freedom of speech.  Amidst escalating tension, Red meets with the editor of the student newspaper -- who also confides in Red that her young cousin is missing, probably a victim of local sex traffickers.

Agreeing to rescue the girl, Red solicits help from her beloved Detective Joe Morgan.  But when Joe goes undercover into the dangerous world of human trafficking, he disappears without a trace.  Red must balance her fears for Joe with her worries that a campus riot may soon break out.

********

Meredith 'Red' Solaris is Dean of Journalism at Mountain West University in northern Nevada.  One morning she overhears an argument and, following the sound, arrives at the campus home of a group of white supremacists known as The Purists.  When she arrives she sees the editor of the university's newspaper Rosie Jenkins on the ground with several of the group surrounding her.  After diffusing the situation she is greeted by a woman who identifies herself as Danica Boerum, a renowned racist.  It seems she is giving a speech on campus, and although Red would like to keep it from ever happening she is the Dean of Journalism and as such, believes in free speech even when it differs from her own views and opinions.

Rosie, who escaped the sex trade when she was younger is now trying to free her young cousin Cathy from the same fate she suffered.  With this end in mind she asks for Red's help along with that of Detective Joe Morgan, who is also the love of Red's life.  When Joe decides to go deep undercover in the search for Cathy, Red still needs to deal with the problem of Danica's speech and the resulting fallout from Mountain West's staff and students.  The stakes are driven higher when Rosie has a run-in with Danica and later is attacked in her apartment and nearly killed; Joe disappears; and Red discovers something that sends her into an emotional tailspin as she tries to run her school, find Joe, and keep Rosie safe...

In this third novel in the Red Solaris mysteries, Bourne Morris writes a book that touches upon several controversial subjects, and she does a nice job of dealing with the sex trade/trafficking, hate groups, and if students really need safe spaces (even though this last was only touched upon) and I thought it was quite intriguing.

When Rosie is sure that Danica is someone from her past it causes the attack that sends her to the hospital.  While she is recovering from her wounds with a police guard at her door Red is worried for her but more than worried for Joe, whom no one has heard from for awhile and it sends her on a mission to find him accompanied by their friend and retired cop Wynan, who isn't happy about Red's actions but agrees to go.  Little does she know that a chance encounter with an old enemy will help her in her quest.  

She must also meet with students who are not happy about Danica's appearance being nothing but hate speech and want it cancelled, but as she explains to them her thoughts she also manages to encourage them to find a way to rebel against it without causing any violence.  I thought this was dealt with nicely, and enjoyed the fact that there are some new developments for a couple of characters from previous and current books, as well as changes that are coming for Red in her own life.  We also learn more about Red's father and his past in this latest installment of the series, which helps Red with her own past.

Although I did feel that this is less a mystery than a discourse on free speech and the consequences were we to censor people from their right to it; and those that may be if we don't, it was still very good; it grabbed my interest and held it throughout.  (There is a fine line there and I have no intention of walking it).  A satisfying read and highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Queen-Rules-Solaris-Mystery/dp/1635111242/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1834622800

More on Bourne Morris' Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/bourne-morris/

Body on the Bayou (A Cajun Country Mystery Book 2)

Author:  Ellen Byron
Genre:  Mystery

Hardcover; Audio CD; Ebook; Audible
ISBN #:  9781629537689; 9781504774642
Crooked Lane Books
$20.04; $29.95; $8.99 Amazon
September 13, 2006

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The Crozats feared that past murders at Crozat Plantation B&B might spell the death of their beloved estate, but they've managed to survive the scandal.  Now theres a trés bigger story in Pelican, Louisiana: the upcoming nuptials between Maggie Crozat's nemsis, Police Chief Rufus Durand, and her co-worker, Vanessa Fleer.

When everyone else refuses the job of being Vanessa's Maid of Honor, Maggie reluctantly takes up the title and finds herself tasked with a long list of duties - the most important of which is entertaining Vanessa's cousin, Ginger Fleer-Starke.  But just days before the wedding, Ginger's lifeless body is found on the bayou and the Pelican PD, as well as the Crozats, have another murder mystery on their hands.                                                  

********

Poor Maggie.  She's been saddled as Maid of Honor to the bridezillas of bridezillas - her co-worker Vanessa Fleer, and only because Vanessa couldn't find anyone else who wanted the job.  She's planning a nightmare wedding, changing plans, and expecting Maggie to do the near impossible to make her wedding the dream she wants.  The only hitch is the fact that Vanessa is eight months pregnant and a hormonal nightmare.  It's bad enough to be around a bridezilla, but a pregnant bridezilla?  The thought gives me shudders...

Maggie just wants to get back to her life of a tour guide at Doucet Plantation (complete with hoop skirt and wig), helping out at her family's B&B, and painting in her spare time.  She thought she'd put finding dead bodies behind her...but unfortunately, there's another one in front of her.  Vanessa's nightmare of a cousin Ginger is found dead near the Crozat B&B, and she drags Maggie into the investigation as part of her Maid of Honor duties.  It soon becomes apparent that Ginger had more enemies than friends, and in multiple cities no less.  But with so many enemies, how is Maggie to figure out which one had the strongest motive to do the woman in?

It's not helping that Rufus, Vanessa' beloved, has been temporarily removed from his position as police chief (due to a ruckus with the mayor) and replaced with an acting chief who dismisses her observations out of hand and has put Pelican's Police Detective Bo Durand on desk duty.  Bo is navigating a tricky relationship with Maggie - due to the fact Rufus hates the Crozats - so they haven't made anything public yet...which could become trickier because his ex-wife Whitney temporarily moves to Pelican while her new husband is working overseas so Bo can be closer to his autistic son Xander, but it soon becomes apparent to Maggie that Whitney may still have feelings for her ex...

There are more subplots going on in and around Pelican, Louisiana which makes this quite a lively book (if you can call a book lively).  The plot moves fast, it's taut and well-written, and the characters are given more depth than they had in the first.  We learn more about Maggie and Bo's past, and a couple of new characters are introduced which I hope to see in future books.

When things begin to really heat up (and they do) Maggie's busy juggling more plates than a caterer just trying to keep her sanity while trying to keep Vanessa from falling apart.  When things finally come together and we discover the identity of the killer, it is a complete surprise; but not quite as much of a surprise as the one following.  For those of you tempted to peek at the ending, I urge you not to do so; as enjoyable as this book was to read, it will be even more so when you finish.

I believe that Ms. Byron has found a comfortable niche in the cozy genre with this latest in the Cajun Country mysteries, and I look forward to reading the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Bayou-Cajun-Country-Mystery/dp/1629537683/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1827165244

More on Ellen Byron's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ellen-byron/