Julia’s ex husband Peter is getting married to his new partner Christopher but a death after the wedding ceremony leaves one of the grooms as a suspect…
A Country Wedding Murder is the 5th book in the Julia Bird cosy murder mystery series. There are no major spoilers but there are some mentions of outcomes from earlier books as they refer to peripheral characters.
It’s a slightly odd feeling for Julia as she is happy for her ex and delighted her daughter has come home. Luckily she has her own relationship with doctor Sean, but the wedding does bring some mixed emotions and thoughts about the past. This is quickly overshadowed when the caterer is found dead in his refrigerated van after Christopher threatened him. Julia wants to support him so begins to investigate.
The case isn’t straight forward and Julia uncovers a range of suspects and motives which is heightened when another body is found. The style of writing is easy to read and there is little forensic detail. I enjoyed meeting other characters again to give Julia and the setting some added depth. Meanwhile the personal relationships strengthen our support of Julia as she proceeds to investigate.
A Country Wedding Murder is an enjoyable cosy murder mystery.
Book Description:
The joyous crowd applauds as the happy couple strides down the aisle. This Cotswolds country wedding has everything – friends and family, beautiful flowers and… murder?
When Julia Bird’s ex-husband Peter and his lovely partner Christopher decide to get married in Berrywick, Julia is delighted – after all, who doesn’t love a country wedding? Little does Julia know that normally calm and collected Christopher will turn into a full-on Groomzilla – and that by the end of the night, someone will end up dead.
The morning after the big day, the jolly nuptial mood turns grim when Julia discovers the lifeless body of the caterer, Desmond. Someone locked him in the cold truck and the poor man froze to death. Now looking for a murderer, all eyes are on Christopher who, mid-tantrum, had publicly threatened to kill him. Convinced that Christopher is innocent, Julia vows to find the real culprit.
Julia soon discovers Desmond had a long list of enemies as she races against the clock to clear Christopher’s name. Could his death be the work of the respected wedding planner who was heard exchanging choice words with the victim? Or perhaps it was his wife – ‘til death do them part – who didn’t shed a single tear at his funeral?
But just when Julia thinks she’s cracked the case, her prime suspect is found dead with a knife in their back. Can Julia find the murderer before they strike again?
An utterly gripping, charming cosy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries.
Author Bio:
Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats.
