ARC Review: Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron

Body on the Bayou
Author: Ellen Byron
Series: A Cajun Country Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 13, 2016)

Description: 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 there’s a très bigger story in Pelican, Louisiana: the upcoming nuptials between Maggie Crozat’s nemesis, 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.

There’s a gumbo-potful of suspects, including an ex-Marine with PTSD, an annoying local newspaper reporter, and Vanessa’s own sparkplug of a mother. But when it looks like the investigation is zeroing in on Vanessa as the prime suspect, Maggie reluctantly adds keeping the bride-to-be out of jail to her list of Maid of Honor responsibilities in Body on the Bayou, Ellen Byron's funny and engaging follow up to her critically acclaimed novel Plantation Shudders.

My Thoughts: Maggie Crozat is has her hands full as the Maid of Honor to real bridezilla. Vanessa is constantly adding more tasks to her to-do list. One of those tasks is housing Van's cousin Ginger Fleer-Starke at her family's B & B. Ginger is a horrible guest who is well-known for suing people. She has made enemies all over the place. When she is found dead in the bayou, it is harder to find someone who didn't want her dead than it is to find some who did. Since Vanessa is one the suspects, Maggie adds keeping the bride out of jail to her to-do list.

Of course, Maggie is also dealing with the ex-wife of her potential boyfriend who seems to be angling to get him back. I liked the scenes that Mattie had with her boyfriend's autistic young son. I also liked the way Maggie adopted an adopted mama cat and her kittens and mama dog and her pups. One of the funniest parts had to do with Maggie's reluctance to let any of the pets be adopted. Lots more humor came from the ridiculous plans put forth by the bride and her mother for the wedding. Maggie had her hands full keeping the plans just this side of tacky.

This was another fun cozy mystery in the Plantation Shudders series. It featured great characters and an interesting mystery.

Favorite Quote:

Lia burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh. You're a helicopter pet parent."

"What?!"

"You know, one of those parents who worries too much about their kids and hovers over them. That's exactly what you're doing with those pups and kitties. Honey, you need a boyfriend and a baby."

I got this one in exchange for an honest review from Julia at Kaye Publicity. You can buy your copy here.