Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Marriage Is Pure Murder is the sixth installment in the A Blossom Valley Mystery series featuring Dana Lewis, PR and Marketing Director at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom Valley, CA. The day of her wedding to reporter Jason Forrester is fast approaching and Dana is trying to tie up the few last minute details.
Dana has an appointment with Don't Dilly Dahlia flower shop owner Bethany Lancaster to go over the flowers to be used in her bouquet. Thinking the decision is made she is worried when Bethany calls her later that afternoon to say that she can't get some of the flowers from her suppliers and wants Dana to come back again. When Dana arrives at the floral shop she discovers Bethany shot to death in the back room. It's no surprise when Dana herself becomes a suspect in the woman's murder accused of becoming a Bridezilla.
In her efforts to clear her name in time for her nuptials, Dana soon discovers that the victim had a long list of enemies that included Bethany's daughter Violet. Detective Palmer is keeping his findings close to the chest, not even sharing details with Jason, and despite his warnings to Dana to keep her nose clean she soon finds herself embroiled in a web of blackmail and deceit.
With many familiar faces returning; Dana's mother Dorothy, Farm owner Esther O'Connell, chef Zennia, manager Gordon Stewart and Dana's little sister Ashlee, this series will have you smiling from the first page until the last. O'Connell Organic Farm is the perfect locale and I recommend that everyone have a Wilbur.
Dana has an appointment with Don't Dilly Dahlia flower shop owner Bethany Lancaster to go over the flowers to be used in her bouquet. Thinking the decision is made she is worried when Bethany calls her later that afternoon to say that she can't get some of the flowers from her suppliers and wants Dana to come back again. When Dana arrives at the floral shop she discovers Bethany shot to death in the back room. It's no surprise when Dana herself becomes a suspect in the woman's murder accused of becoming a Bridezilla.
In her efforts to clear her name in time for her nuptials, Dana soon discovers that the victim had a long list of enemies that included Bethany's daughter Violet. Detective Palmer is keeping his findings close to the chest, not even sharing details with Jason, and despite his warnings to Dana to keep her nose clean she soon finds herself embroiled in a web of blackmail and deceit.
With many familiar faces returning; Dana's mother Dorothy, Farm owner Esther O'Connell, chef Zennia, manager Gordon Stewart and Dana's little sister Ashlee, this series will have you smiling from the first page until the last. O'Connell Organic Farm is the perfect locale and I recommend that everyone have a Wilbur.
Marriage is Pure Murder by Staci McLaughlin is the sixth book in A Blossom Valley Mystery series. It is early November and Dana Lewis is getting ready for her wedding to Jason Forrester at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom Valley. Dana is visiting the florist, Bethany Lancaster at the Don't Dilly-Dahlia Flower Shop to go over the final details. Bethany seems to know particulars about Dana's life that she did not share with her and the florist probes for more information. Later that day Dana receives a call from Bethany. One of the flowers Dana wanted for the wedding is no longer available, and Bethany needs Dana to stop by after work to pick a replacement. Dana arrives at the flower shop to find the lights out and the door locked. She goes around back and finds the alley door unlocked. Dana enters to find Bethany on the floor with blood pooling around her head. Detective Palmer is assigned the case, and he considers Dana a suspect (based on very flimsy evidence). Dana wants this matter cleared up before her wedding. She starts asking questions about Bethany and discovers that she was a blackmailer. Bethany used people's secrets to her advantage. That certainly opens up the suspect pool. But one person had more to lose than any of the others. Will Dana make it to her wedding or will it turn into a funeral?
Marriage is Pure Murder is nicely written and has a good pace which makes for an easy to read cozy mystery. The mystery was slightly more complex than those in previous books in this series (which appealed to me). I liked how one little detail gave away the killer's identity to Dana in the book. The ending is sweet and will provide readers with a laugh. I give Marriage is Pure Murder 3.5 out of 5 stars. I do wish that there had been more substance (depth) and less time devoted to Wilbur and food descriptions. I was curious as to the name of Dana's mother. It was not mentioned once throughout the book. I found Dana's sister, Ashlee to be infantile, selfish and annoying (I really did not like her). I sincerely hope that we see less of her in future novels. Marriage is Pure Murder is a cute, lighthearted story that will appeal to many readers.
Marriage is Pure Murder is nicely written and has a good pace which makes for an easy to read cozy mystery. The mystery was slightly more complex than those in previous books in this series (which appealed to me). I liked how one little detail gave away the killer's identity to Dana in the book. The ending is sweet and will provide readers with a laugh. I give Marriage is Pure Murder 3.5 out of 5 stars. I do wish that there had been more substance (depth) and less time devoted to Wilbur and food descriptions. I was curious as to the name of Dana's mother. It was not mentioned once throughout the book. I found Dana's sister, Ashlee to be infantile, selfish and annoying (I really did not like her). I sincerely hope that we see less of her in future novels. Marriage is Pure Murder is a cute, lighthearted story that will appeal to many readers.
