Dollycas's Thoughts
We return to Pelican, Louisiana and the Crozat Plantation B&B. Our protagonist Maggie Crozat has become maid of honor for Vanessa, one of her coworkers, because everyone else ran away from the job. With Vanessa due to deliver a baby soon, she has heaped most of the wedding plans on Maggie's shoulders. Vanessa and her mom both expect Maggie to just do everything they ask and do it immediately. She also has Vanessa's cousin Ginger and her entourage staying at the family B&B. When the cousin is found dead just a couple of days before the wedding and the police suspect list keeps growing it looks like Maggie will be adding "find the killer" to her long list of duties.
First let me say, Maggie has the patience of a saint. Dealing with Vanessa, her mom and the groom, Police Chief Rufus Durand, would have most people throwing in the towel before they completed the first task.
Ellen Byron has created some very multidimensional characters and their growth from the first book is very clear. The undercover romance of Maggie and Bo continues and hits some bumps as his ex-wife comes to town. His autistic son is excelling in his art lessons with Maggie though and she enjoys their time together. Her family pulls together in the story not only to help Maggie but they also take in some new kittens and puppies that were found by the bayou. These little guys stole everyone's heart.
She took all the characters and wrapped them into a complex mystery. The ending caught me completely by surprise due to some very intricate twists and turns. As I eliminated suspects in my mind a twist had me seeing things differently.
The covers of both the books in this series are beautiful and made me want to escape right into these stories. I have never been to Louisiana but the covers and author descriptions make me feel like I have been there. She also describes the glorious Cajun cuisine in the most mouthwatering way. Yes, there are recipes at the end of the story.
Love this series and hope to return to Pelican soon!
We return to Pelican, Louisiana and the Crozat Plantation B&B. Our protagonist Maggie Crozat has become maid of honor for Vanessa, one of her coworkers, because everyone else ran away from the job. With Vanessa due to deliver a baby soon, she has heaped most of the wedding plans on Maggie's shoulders. Vanessa and her mom both expect Maggie to just do everything they ask and do it immediately. She also has Vanessa's cousin Ginger and her entourage staying at the family B&B. When the cousin is found dead just a couple of days before the wedding and the police suspect list keeps growing it looks like Maggie will be adding "find the killer" to her long list of duties.
First let me say, Maggie has the patience of a saint. Dealing with Vanessa, her mom and the groom, Police Chief Rufus Durand, would have most people throwing in the towel before they completed the first task.
Ellen Byron has created some very multidimensional characters and their growth from the first book is very clear. The undercover romance of Maggie and Bo continues and hits some bumps as his ex-wife comes to town. His autistic son is excelling in his art lessons with Maggie though and she enjoys their time together. Her family pulls together in the story not only to help Maggie but they also take in some new kittens and puppies that were found by the bayou. These little guys stole everyone's heart.
She took all the characters and wrapped them into a complex mystery. The ending caught me completely by surprise due to some very intricate twists and turns. As I eliminated suspects in my mind a twist had me seeing things differently.
The covers of both the books in this series are beautiful and made me want to escape right into these stories. I have never been to Louisiana but the covers and author descriptions make me feel like I have been there. She also describes the glorious Cajun cuisine in the most mouthwatering way. Yes, there are recipes at the end of the story.
Love this series and hope to return to Pelican soon!
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Body on the Bayou is the second installment in the Cajun Country Mystery series featuring Magnolia Marie "Maggie" Crozat. Maggie has settled into her new life in Pelican, LA working as a docent at her ancestor's Doucet Plantation, helping her family run the Crozat Family B&B and working on her dream of becoming a successful painter.
When Maggie's co-worker Vanessa Fleer recruits her to be her maid of honor, she is less than thrilled. Vanessa is 8 months pregnant and engaged to Maggie's nemesis Police Chief Rufus Durand. To say that Vanessa is a bridezilla is putting it mildly and coupled with her outrageous requests are the demands of her mother, Tookie. Things go from bad to worse when Vanessa's cousin Ginger Fleer-Starke and her assistants Trent and Bibi arrive at the Crozat B&B expecting a free stay.
Ginger has a history that includes blackmail, prostitution and false lawsuits which leads Maggie to immediately dislike the woman. It's no surprise when she is found bludgeoned in the bayou and the list of suspects is vast including Vanessa, Rufus, her assistants and ex husband Fox. Anxious to once again clear her family name and save the reputation of the B&B, Maggie sets out with the help of Detective Bo Durand, her fellow docents Ione Savreau and Gaynell Bourgeois, cousin Lia Tienne and her family, mom Ninette, dad Tug and Grandmere Crozat.
A fast paced often humorous storyline that not only follows the murder investigation but includes the touching interaction between Maggie and Bo's son Xander who suffers from selective mutism. Add in the discovery of a pregnant cat and dog by Crozat family basset hound, Gopher, Maggie's efforts to find a beau for her Gran, and her own relationship woes with the hunky Bo whose ex wife Whitney has arrived in town, you will find yourself comfortably immersed in Cajun Country.
When Maggie's co-worker Vanessa Fleer recruits her to be her maid of honor, she is less than thrilled. Vanessa is 8 months pregnant and engaged to Maggie's nemesis Police Chief Rufus Durand. To say that Vanessa is a bridezilla is putting it mildly and coupled with her outrageous requests are the demands of her mother, Tookie. Things go from bad to worse when Vanessa's cousin Ginger Fleer-Starke and her assistants Trent and Bibi arrive at the Crozat B&B expecting a free stay.
Ginger has a history that includes blackmail, prostitution and false lawsuits which leads Maggie to immediately dislike the woman. It's no surprise when she is found bludgeoned in the bayou and the list of suspects is vast including Vanessa, Rufus, her assistants and ex husband Fox. Anxious to once again clear her family name and save the reputation of the B&B, Maggie sets out with the help of Detective Bo Durand, her fellow docents Ione Savreau and Gaynell Bourgeois, cousin Lia Tienne and her family, mom Ninette, dad Tug and Grandmere Crozat.
A fast paced often humorous storyline that not only follows the murder investigation but includes the touching interaction between Maggie and Bo's son Xander who suffers from selective mutism. Add in the discovery of a pregnant cat and dog by Crozat family basset hound, Gopher, Maggie's efforts to find a beau for her Gran, and her own relationship woes with the hunky Bo whose ex wife Whitney has arrived in town, you will find yourself comfortably immersed in Cajun Country.
Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron is the second book in A Cajun Country Mystery series. Magnolia Marie Crozat (who prefers Maggie) is a docent at Louisiana Doucet Plantation that was owned by her ancestors. Maggie is also a painter and helps with the families bed and breakfast (Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast). Maggie has agreed to act as Vanessa Fleer's maid of honor (even though she does not like Vanessa) in hopes of repairing the rift between the Durand and Crozat families. Rufus Durand is Vanessa's fiancé, and he believes that a Crozat ancestor placed a curse on all Durand relationships. Maggie is hoping to soften Rufus' attitude toward her family. But Maggie did not count on Vanessa's turning into a bridezilla or firing her wedding planner (why pay someone if you can get someone to do it for free). Then Maggie finds out that Vanessa wants her cousin, Ginger Fleer-Starke (along with her assistant and intern) to stay at the Crozat B&B (for free). When Rufus finds out, he starts laughing hysterically (not a good sign), and Maggie is warned to keep Ginger away from stairs (this does not bode well for the Crozat's). Ginger is sweet as sugar the first night of her stay (she arrived a week early), but the next day Maggie finds out why Rufus was laughing. After some Ginger related shenanigans at the co-ed bridal shower (which Maggie had to host and pay for), Maggie finds Ginger dead with her head in the bayou. The suspect list is long with Vanessa near the top of Acting Police Chief Hank Perske's list. Vanessa pleads with Maggie to find the real killer before her wedding day. Maggie starts her investigation with the help of Bo Durand (in between wedding preparation and planning the bachelorette party). But then Trent Socher, Ginger's assistant turns up dead at the bachelorette party. He was killed with Vanessa's wedding gift from Rufus (a small silver pistol--so romantic). Maggie needs to work quickly or this wedding will not go off as planned (though Maggie would like to avoid the maid of honor dress that reminds her of a neon Vegas showgirl outfit). Can Maggie find the real culprit before Vanessa and Rufus' wedding begins? You will have to read Body on the Bayou to find out!
Body on the Bayou was not my cup of tea. It was a too over-the-top silly for my tastes. It was just one inane thing after another (my mother claims I do not have a sense of humor). Maggie comes across as weak willed and a bit of a doormat (she lets Vanessa and others walk all over her). My favorite character is Bo's son, Xander. Such a little sweetie. I thought the killer's identity was easily figured out (I knew who it was as soon as the character was introduced). It was also very easy to figure out who was going to be killed. I mean who didn't want to kill Ginger. Two clues are all that is needed to solve the mystery (if you need them). I thought too much of book devoted to Maggie and Bo's "relationship" or lack of one. I like subtle romance in cozy mysteries. I give Body on the Bayou 3 out of 5 stars. The book is easy to read and can be finished in just a few hours. Body on the Bayou is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read alone. Ellen Byron gives us all the background information to bring a reader up-to-date. While this novel was not for me, others will enjoy the humor in it. I suggest getting a sample (if you have an e-reader) to see if the books suits you. Body on the Bayou has a sweet ending that will make you sigh with pleasure.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions are strictly my own.
Body on the Bayou was not my cup of tea. It was a too over-the-top silly for my tastes. It was just one inane thing after another (my mother claims I do not have a sense of humor). Maggie comes across as weak willed and a bit of a doormat (she lets Vanessa and others walk all over her). My favorite character is Bo's son, Xander. Such a little sweetie. I thought the killer's identity was easily figured out (I knew who it was as soon as the character was introduced). It was also very easy to figure out who was going to be killed. I mean who didn't want to kill Ginger. Two clues are all that is needed to solve the mystery (if you need them). I thought too much of book devoted to Maggie and Bo's "relationship" or lack of one. I like subtle romance in cozy mysteries. I give Body on the Bayou 3 out of 5 stars. The book is easy to read and can be finished in just a few hours. Body on the Bayou is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read alone. Ellen Byron gives us all the background information to bring a reader up-to-date. While this novel was not for me, others will enjoy the humor in it. I suggest getting a sample (if you have an e-reader) to see if the books suits you. Body on the Bayou has a sweet ending that will make you sigh with pleasure.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions are strictly my own.
