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Perfect Proposals Mystery #1
Engaged in Murder
There’s no planning for murder…
Event planner Pepper Pomeroy is making the most of her current unemployment by arranging a surprise for her sister, Felicity. Warren, Felicity’s boyfriend, plans to lure his lovely lady into a private jet, propose, and whisk her away on a romantic vacation. He just needs Pepper to handle all the fine details in order to make it the perfect proposal—and it is. Everything goes so well when Warren pops the question that he suggests Pepper do this sort of thing professionally.
But before she can get her new business off the ground, there are some disturbing questions. Like who’s the dead guy Pepper finds in the ladies’ room of the jet hangar? Is it possible Felicity’s high-flying fiancé has been hiding more than the engagement ring? Pepper’s not married to the idea of having a criminal in the family, so in order to protect her sister, she takes off in pursuit of a killer…
Event planner Pepper Pomeroy is making the most of her current unemployment by arranging a surprise for her sister, Felicity. Warren, Felicity’s boyfriend, plans to lure his lovely lady into a private jet, propose, and whisk her away on a romantic vacation. He just needs Pepper to handle all the fine details in order to make it the perfect proposal—and it is. Everything goes so well when Warren pops the question that he suggests Pepper do this sort of thing professionally.
But before she can get her new business off the ground, there are some disturbing questions. Like who’s the dead guy Pepper finds in the ladies’ room of the jet hangar? Is it possible Felicity’s high-flying fiancé has been hiding more than the engagement ring? Pepper’s not married to the idea of having a criminal in the family, so in order to protect her sister, she takes off in pursuit of a killer…
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
28 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Nancy J. Parra
23 books312 followersBest known for writing plucky heroines, USA Today Bestselling Author, Nancy J. Parra has 30 books published-
Most recently Nancy has five cozy mystery book series going.
All Fudged Up, To Fudge or Not To Fudge, All You Need is Fudge, Oh Say Can You Fudge, All I want For Christmas is Fudge, Oh Fudge, Forever Fudge, Fudge Bites and Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas are part of the USA Today Bestselling Candy-Coated Mystery series (Kensington) -which Nancy writes as Nancy Coco.
Also from Nancy Coco, the Oregon Honeycomb Series which includes: Death Bee Comes Her and a Matter of Hive and Death.
Writing as Nell Hampton, Kale to the Queen is the debut in the Kensington Palace Chef Mystery series.
A Case of Syrah, Syrah and Seven Deadly Zins are part of the Wine Country Tours mystery series.
Gluten for Punishment, Murder Gone A-Rye and Flourless to Stop Him are both part of the Gluten Free Baker's Treat Mystery series. (Berkley Prime Crime)
Then there is Engaged in Murder, Bodice of Evidence and Newlywed Dead, the Perfect Proposal series from Berkley Prime Crime.
Most recently Nancy has five cozy mystery book series going.
All Fudged Up, To Fudge or Not To Fudge, All You Need is Fudge, Oh Say Can You Fudge, All I want For Christmas is Fudge, Oh Fudge, Forever Fudge, Fudge Bites and Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas are part of the USA Today Bestselling Candy-Coated Mystery series (Kensington) -which Nancy writes as Nancy Coco.
Also from Nancy Coco, the Oregon Honeycomb Series which includes: Death Bee Comes Her and a Matter of Hive and Death.
Writing as Nell Hampton, Kale to the Queen is the debut in the Kensington Palace Chef Mystery series.
A Case of Syrah, Syrah and Seven Deadly Zins are part of the Wine Country Tours mystery series.
Gluten for Punishment, Murder Gone A-Rye and Flourless to Stop Him are both part of the Gluten Free Baker's Treat Mystery series. (Berkley Prime Crime)
Then there is Engaged in Murder, Bodice of Evidence and Newlywed Dead, the Perfect Proposal series from Berkley Prime Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 8, 2024
3.25 🌟
I’ll continue the series in the hopes that the writing improves. But the concept was an interesting one. I wasn’t bored with this one by any means just found the writing to be a bit cliche and unrealistic.
I’ll continue the series in the hopes that the writing improves. But the concept was an interesting one. I wasn’t bored with this one by any means just found the writing to be a bit cliche and unrealistic.
June 1, 2014
Engaged In Murder is the first book in the A Perfect Proposals Mystery series.
Nancy Parra has another interesting series.
Pepper Pomeroy is an unemployed event planner and when her sister's boyfriend, Warren, ask her to plan a romantic and surprise engagement setting, she says I can do it. Warren has arranged for private jet for Pepper to decorate. Just has her sister is to arrive, Pepper goes looking for Laura, who will be serving on the romantic getaway, but instead, she finds a man in the stall of the ladies room, she guesses he has passed out and return s to the plane and wishes her sister a happy weekend. She calls airport security and returns to find that the man is dead. As the police are investigating the scene, Pepper begins to wonder just who might have killed him. There was just the pilot, Laura and Warren in the hangar. Very little personal history is known of Warren and Pepper certainly hopes, for her sister's sake, that he innocent.
In between looking into who might have been the murderer, Pepper is also busy starting a new business planning these surprise proposal settings. Something Warren had suggested and in which he would be willing to provide seed money for her. Upon Warren and Felicity's return, revelations about Warren financial comes to light, but certainly not enough to clear his name.
By the end of the book Pepper has planned and managed three or four more romantic proposal. It was interesting to see the premise and to see what she needs to pull it off and what she needs to go through to bring it to completion.
Looking forward to the next book to see if there will be any romantic interest with Gage, who gets a lot of the props from to put on her fun proposal settings.
Nancy Parra has another interesting series.
Pepper Pomeroy is an unemployed event planner and when her sister's boyfriend, Warren, ask her to plan a romantic and surprise engagement setting, she says I can do it. Warren has arranged for private jet for Pepper to decorate. Just has her sister is to arrive, Pepper goes looking for Laura, who will be serving on the romantic getaway, but instead, she finds a man in the stall of the ladies room, she guesses he has passed out and return s to the plane and wishes her sister a happy weekend. She calls airport security and returns to find that the man is dead. As the police are investigating the scene, Pepper begins to wonder just who might have killed him. There was just the pilot, Laura and Warren in the hangar. Very little personal history is known of Warren and Pepper certainly hopes, for her sister's sake, that he innocent.
In between looking into who might have been the murderer, Pepper is also busy starting a new business planning these surprise proposal settings. Something Warren had suggested and in which he would be willing to provide seed money for her. Upon Warren and Felicity's return, revelations about Warren financial comes to light, but certainly not enough to clear his name.
By the end of the book Pepper has planned and managed three or four more romantic proposal. It was interesting to see the premise and to see what she needs to pull it off and what she needs to go through to bring it to completion.
Looking forward to the next book to see if there will be any romantic interest with Gage, who gets a lot of the props from to put on her fun proposal settings.
January 16, 2016
There’s no planning for murder…
Pepper Pomeroy has found herself unemployed after being let go from her job as an event planner. Her sister’s boyfriend, Warren, asks her to help him plan the perfect way to propose to her sister. It just another event. She can handle this, no problem. She does such a great job he tells her she should open her own business. When he tells her this he doesn’t know about the drunk guy she found in the bathroom, who wasn’t so much drunk as he was dead. Or does he?? Before that marriage takes place Pepper needs to be sure her sister isn’t marrying a murderer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Pepper is a fantastic protag, red unruly hair, a little jealous of her sister’s life, but she is an independent, creative woman determined to get her life back on track. Even if she has to solve a murder while she does it. She does put herself in a few dangerous situations.
I really enjoyed the relationship she has with her parents and her sister. They are a typical mid-western family. Her parents want to help Pepper get her business going even offering her old room back and half of another room for an office. They also want to pay for her sister Felecity’s engagement party. Pepper handles her parents offers perfectly.
The mystery was well plotted as well. It really kept me guessing and when the clues started to come together I didn’t think there were enough pages left to solve it. I almost thought we were going to have a cliffhanger. Thank you Nancy for not doing that to us.
This is a truly awesome start to a new cozy series. I could actual picture in my mind the entire story and I can imagine the plethora of directions Parra can take us with Pepper and her family.
Pepper Pomeroy has found herself unemployed after being let go from her job as an event planner. Her sister’s boyfriend, Warren, asks her to help him plan the perfect way to propose to her sister. It just another event. She can handle this, no problem. She does such a great job he tells her she should open her own business. When he tells her this he doesn’t know about the drunk guy she found in the bathroom, who wasn’t so much drunk as he was dead. Or does he?? Before that marriage takes place Pepper needs to be sure her sister isn’t marrying a murderer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Pepper is a fantastic protag, red unruly hair, a little jealous of her sister’s life, but she is an independent, creative woman determined to get her life back on track. Even if she has to solve a murder while she does it. She does put herself in a few dangerous situations.
I really enjoyed the relationship she has with her parents and her sister. They are a typical mid-western family. Her parents want to help Pepper get her business going even offering her old room back and half of another room for an office. They also want to pay for her sister Felecity’s engagement party. Pepper handles her parents offers perfectly.
The mystery was well plotted as well. It really kept me guessing and when the clues started to come together I didn’t think there were enough pages left to solve it. I almost thought we were going to have a cliffhanger. Thank you Nancy for not doing that to us.
This is a truly awesome start to a new cozy series. I could actual picture in my mind the entire story and I can imagine the plethora of directions Parra can take us with Pepper and her family.
February 1, 2018
Book #1 in Perfect Proposals. New author to me. I rather enjoyed this book. Good concept. Loved hearing what the main character ideas on the planning. Will read more in series. 3.5 stars
June 22, 2014
Review from Backchatting Books
Pepper Pomeroy has only one thing on her mind as she drags a potted palm onto a small private jet – how she can help her sister Felicity’s boyfriend (Warren) make the perfect proposal. She refuses to get sidetracked by the drunk man in the ladies’ bathroom of the hanger until after the couple are off on their romantic getaway. When the drunk man turns out to be dead and her sister’s fiancé is tagged as a suspect, Pepper feels the need to get involved again.
Pepper was a curious mix of reticence and impulsivity. She knew that her dead-beat boyfriend had little affection for her but stuck with him because he was familiar. On the other hand, she was willing to set up a very niche business immediately because a guy she didn’t know that well or trust thought she would be good at it. I know it is often hard to find a reason for a cozy detective to get involved but Pepper’s was particularly sketchy given her lack of skills and Warren’s background.
Pepper’s immediate success as an event planner is a different matter altogether. Within a matter of days she is fielding calls from love-struck men who want to make a memorable moment. The situations she dreamed up were certainly left-of-field and entertaining but I had to raise my eyebrows at the sheer number of them without any form of advertising.
The fact Pepper had no legitimate reason to hang around the airport hampers her investigation. Even when she bribed her way in, she was still under constant surveillance. Unfortunately, no one really seemed to know the dead guy that well so decent motives were thin on the ground. It was a shame the criminal revealed their identity to Pepper rather than her figuring out whodunnit.
This is definitely a book to read when you are in the mood for something light. Not a bad start to a series.
Pepper Pomeroy has only one thing on her mind as she drags a potted palm onto a small private jet – how she can help her sister Felicity’s boyfriend (Warren) make the perfect proposal. She refuses to get sidetracked by the drunk man in the ladies’ bathroom of the hanger until after the couple are off on their romantic getaway. When the drunk man turns out to be dead and her sister’s fiancé is tagged as a suspect, Pepper feels the need to get involved again.
Pepper was a curious mix of reticence and impulsivity. She knew that her dead-beat boyfriend had little affection for her but stuck with him because he was familiar. On the other hand, she was willing to set up a very niche business immediately because a guy she didn’t know that well or trust thought she would be good at it. I know it is often hard to find a reason for a cozy detective to get involved but Pepper’s was particularly sketchy given her lack of skills and Warren’s background.
Pepper’s immediate success as an event planner is a different matter altogether. Within a matter of days she is fielding calls from love-struck men who want to make a memorable moment. The situations she dreamed up were certainly left-of-field and entertaining but I had to raise my eyebrows at the sheer number of them without any form of advertising.
The fact Pepper had no legitimate reason to hang around the airport hampers her investigation. Even when she bribed her way in, she was still under constant surveillance. Unfortunately, no one really seemed to know the dead guy that well so decent motives were thin on the ground. It was a shame the criminal revealed their identity to Pepper rather than her figuring out whodunnit.
This is definitely a book to read when you are in the mood for something light. Not a bad start to a series.
January 4, 2016
I found Pepper a likable heroine. She is peppy though, sort of like a bouncy puppy. She could have fallen into the too peppy category and as a bit stupid (staying with a loser for 8 years...or is it 13?) but she never veered over the edge for me. I live in the "Chicagoland" area so all the places mentioned resonated with me which was an added plus.
There were some glitches editing should have caught. Pepper was dating her high school boyfriend in high school, 17 was mentioned. It's mentioned several times that they are now 30, but it's also mentioned several times that they've dated 8 years. Since they just break up (no spoiler, it happens in the first chapter I think) at the starter of the book, I count 13 years. There was another issue that came up as an inconsistency, but I can't recall it now. Added later: She made an appt. to meet Gage at 11 a.m., then later it's mentioned as being at 2 p.m.
I can see how some people may have given up on this book, because Pepper can be a bit much, but I enjoyed the quick, light read and would consider reading the next one, if it too, was available at my library.
There were some glitches editing should have caught. Pepper was dating her high school boyfriend in high school, 17 was mentioned. It's mentioned several times that they are now 30, but it's also mentioned several times that they've dated 8 years. Since they just break up (no spoiler, it happens in the first chapter I think) at the starter of the book, I count 13 years. There was another issue that came up as an inconsistency, but I can't recall it now. Added later: She made an appt. to meet Gage at 11 a.m., then later it's mentioned as being at 2 p.m.
I can see how some people may have given up on this book, because Pepper can be a bit much, but I enjoyed the quick, light read and would consider reading the next one, if it too, was available at my library.
August 27, 2014
This wasn't completely bad. It most definitely wasn't good, but it wasn't completely bad, but getting dangerously close. This is probably really a 2.5 star read for me. Things were just "off" with this story. I didn't really like Pepper or her absolutely perfect in every way sister, Felicity. Pepper lets her whole family push her around, and she just doesn't seem important to any of them. The way her mom was always going on about how she didn't want anything to mess her up "baby's" (Felicity's) happiness? What about Pepper, Ma?? The dumping of the crappy old boyfriend, with the old boyfriend's best friend being right there to pick up the slack was contrived. And Warren, Felicity's fiance', is as absolutely perfect as Felicity...and stinking rich to boot! Don't know...just not really on board with this one. I'm sure there'll be a second one, but might just let it go on by.
July 24, 2014
A light, fast-paced cozy with an interesting mystery. Set in Wisconsin, Pepper Pomeroy is an out-of-work event planner when her sister's wealthy boyfriend, Warren, asks her to plan her sister's dream proposal on a luxurious private jet. The proposal goes off without a hitch; the happy couple flys away to a romantic vacation to celebrate, and Pepper finds the dead body of a janitor in the ladies restroom of the airport hanger. It's Pepper's nature to be protective of her sister, Felicity, and she wants to be sure Warren isn't connected to the murder.
The proposal events in the story are creative and romantic. There's a hint of a spark between Pepper and Gage, and the murder mystery concludes with a satisfying ending. Enjoy!
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author. I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
The proposal events in the story are creative and romantic. There's a hint of a spark between Pepper and Gage, and the murder mystery concludes with a satisfying ending. Enjoy!
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author. I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
July 9, 2014
Really entertaining!
Unemployed event planner, Pepper Pomeroy, is asked to help her sister's fiance.
The fiance, Warren wishes to propose but wants the perfect setting.
Everything goes off without a hitch, except for the drunk guy in the ladies bathroom in the airport hangar...
or is he dead? Uh oh,,,
Pepper is working on putting together her own event planning business.
However, what about the dead guy in the bathroom? And could Warren really be a suspect?
Pepper is determined to find out the truth for her sister.
What a great new series! Everything you might expect from a good cozy mystery. Great characters, an interesting setting, fun details about how to plan events and a few great pieces of life and what to do when it doesn't quite go as expected. Lots of fun.
Looking forward to more from this author.
Unemployed event planner, Pepper Pomeroy, is asked to help her sister's fiance.
The fiance, Warren wishes to propose but wants the perfect setting.
Everything goes off without a hitch, except for the drunk guy in the ladies bathroom in the airport hangar...
or is he dead? Uh oh,,,
Pepper is working on putting together her own event planning business.
However, what about the dead guy in the bathroom? And could Warren really be a suspect?
Pepper is determined to find out the truth for her sister.
What a great new series! Everything you might expect from a good cozy mystery. Great characters, an interesting setting, fun details about how to plan events and a few great pieces of life and what to do when it doesn't quite go as expected. Lots of fun.
Looking forward to more from this author.
March 22, 2016
A cute cozy mystery where the main character opens up her own proposal and engagement party business.
Pepper Pomeroy finds a drunk guy in the bathroom just as her sister's boyfriend is about to propose. She ignores him at the beginning (in case he tries to ruin the proposal) and then she later discovers that he is actually dead, not drunk.
If your eyes are rolling at the above description then this novel is not for you. There are so many unrealistic components to this story.
I found the novel to be an entertaining read. I find that I tend to ignore the unrealistic parts of cozies, since I am just looking for some fluffiness with a little bit of mystery.
I enjoyed the main character, Pepper. She is not the brightest, but has a good heart and is trying to get her life on track.
Pepper Pomeroy finds a drunk guy in the bathroom just as her sister's boyfriend is about to propose. She ignores him at the beginning (in case he tries to ruin the proposal) and then she later discovers that he is actually dead, not drunk.
If your eyes are rolling at the above description then this novel is not for you. There are so many unrealistic components to this story.
I found the novel to be an entertaining read. I find that I tend to ignore the unrealistic parts of cozies, since I am just looking for some fluffiness with a little bit of mystery.
I enjoyed the main character, Pepper. She is not the brightest, but has a good heart and is trying to get her life on track.
June 18, 2016
Great murder mystery
Pepper just wanted to clear the name of her sister's fiancé so that they can have the big engagement party that she was planning for them.
To do that she had to find the killer of the man she found in the ladies room! While planning another proposal/engagement party or two and setting up her new business.
I did not guess who the killer was - maybe you can!
Pepper just wanted to clear the name of her sister's fiancé so that they can have the big engagement party that she was planning for them.
To do that she had to find the killer of the man she found in the ladies room! While planning another proposal/engagement party or two and setting up her new business.
I did not guess who the killer was - maybe you can!
April 8, 2015
Not a bad start, but it could be much better. Naive to the point of stupid at times, the MC veers from likeable and smart to TSTL, using sledgehammer tactics. But the murder mystery is a very good one that kept me guessing until the end and most of the story was solid. I'll read the next one.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/114201...
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/114201...
July 12, 2014
It was not so much the overall story and/or the cozy mystery that I didn't care for. I just felt no empathy for the characters and they were too young for me. Usually that doesn't bother me in the books I read; many of the main characters are younger. But I really had trouble relating to the characters in this one.
December 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this first book in the series. I liked Pepper and all of her friends and family. I may not be good at figuring out whodunit (total surprise) but I could see some of the personal relationships coming.
June 24, 2016
A very energetic mystery series that will have you on the edge of your seat wanting more in this series. Going from unemployed to a very successful Proposal and Engagement Party Planner is a true story of willpower and wanting to is Justice done right.
April 27, 2024
Wasn’t anything extraordinary! It did manage to keep my attention and I was actually surprised at who the killer turned out to be.
June 2, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/en...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer JoAnne
Pepper Pomeroy has recently lost her job and is stuck in a dead-end relationship with her boyfriend Bobby. So when Warren, her sister Felicity’s boyfriend, asks her to plan the perfect proposal, (and carte blanche as to cost) Pepper agrees. However, while preparing everything abroard the little plane, she uses the restroom in the hangar and sees a man in there, someone she assumes is drunk. Figuring that she’ll call the police about it after the proposal, she waits until everything is a done deal and Warren and her sister take off.
However, when she enters the restroom again, the guy hasn’t moved…and his lips are turning blue. So she calls the police in a panic, reporting a dead body. With the cops wanting to know why she didn’t report it earlier, and generally everyone around her suspicious, she finds out Warren is the most likely suspect and sets out to prove him innocent.
Oh, this book had many possibilities – but a lot of them weren’t made clear. First, Pepper is in a dead-end relationship with her boyfriend, whom she has dated supposedly since high school (or I got the distinct impression from what was said that they started dating in high school). So she’s been dating him for eight years – but she’s thirty. You do the math. And the facts that the police think she’s a suspect? She has never been to that airport before, doesn’t know anyone there, yet she might be the killer of an employee she doesn’t know or has no connections to? The fact she was even considered seemed ludicrous. She considers herself smart, yet she acts before she thinks, and some of her actions just aren’t suited to an intelligent person. Plus, all the outfits anyone wears (or nearly so) seemed to be blue. If not the outfits, their accessories (like ties) were blue or had blue in them. This girl needs to figure out there are other colors that are out there.
But the mystery itself was good. There were people that could have – and should have – been suspects. But it appeared Pepper was the only one who considered them so. Yet when the killer was revealed, (I had already figured it out a chapter earlier because it was the only one that made sense), well, that’s the truth. After everything was said and done, it made sense, although it seemed kind of extreme to me.
Not a bad cozy for the first of a series, and I have read others that started off the series so-so and improved as they went along. Let’s hope this is one of them.
Second Review brought to you by OBS staff member Andra
3-Star-rating
http://openbooksociety.com/article/en...
We meet Pepper Pomeroy as she begins a new phase of her life…..unemployed but using her chosen profession (event planner) to good use……helping her sister’s boyfriend Warren, plan a wedding proposal for her sister Felicity. Surprisingly, while completing the finishing touches for the proposal (in an airplane hangar, on Warren’s private plane), Pepper goes to the washroom, where she finds a body. Yikes…what to do….Well, first off, do not interrupt the planned event (spoken line a true professional – the show must go on), so Pepper says nothing until after the proposal has occurred and the newly engaged couple are flying off to celebrate.
So here we have an event planner trying to figure out who the dead man is, in the hangar, where her soon to be brother in law keeps his private plane. Whew…a mouthful. But Pepper is not daunted by this task; she must prove Warren’s innocence, for the sake of her sister. At the same time, Pepper’s life is in flux. She is coming to the realization that she has just skated through life (love life that is) by continuing to date her high school sweetheart. However, he is a dud. And Pepper FINALLY realizes she deserves more (took her long enough!!). Lest we forget, Pepper is a bit stressed about being unemployed and all that particular scenario entails. A lot to handle all at once, but this amateur sleuth seemed to manage.
I enjoyed that even in the face of adversity (unemployed and dumping her long term boyfriend) Pepper embarked on a new career involving her passion. That is always great to read! I also liked the fact that this amateur sleuth was not associated with baking and/or cooking in any way. Seems like an event planner (proposals mainly) is a new twist on the standard formula of a cozy mystery and one I enjoyed as it brought a fresh twist, especially given Pepper’s talents.
I shall read book two in due course as I could see the depth of Pepper beginning to shine through. I also want to see where a possible new relationship could go with Pepper and Gage.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer JoAnne
Pepper Pomeroy has recently lost her job and is stuck in a dead-end relationship with her boyfriend Bobby. So when Warren, her sister Felicity’s boyfriend, asks her to plan the perfect proposal, (and carte blanche as to cost) Pepper agrees. However, while preparing everything abroard the little plane, she uses the restroom in the hangar and sees a man in there, someone she assumes is drunk. Figuring that she’ll call the police about it after the proposal, she waits until everything is a done deal and Warren and her sister take off.
However, when she enters the restroom again, the guy hasn’t moved…and his lips are turning blue. So she calls the police in a panic, reporting a dead body. With the cops wanting to know why she didn’t report it earlier, and generally everyone around her suspicious, she finds out Warren is the most likely suspect and sets out to prove him innocent.
Oh, this book had many possibilities – but a lot of them weren’t made clear. First, Pepper is in a dead-end relationship with her boyfriend, whom she has dated supposedly since high school (or I got the distinct impression from what was said that they started dating in high school). So she’s been dating him for eight years – but she’s thirty. You do the math. And the facts that the police think she’s a suspect? She has never been to that airport before, doesn’t know anyone there, yet she might be the killer of an employee she doesn’t know or has no connections to? The fact she was even considered seemed ludicrous. She considers herself smart, yet she acts before she thinks, and some of her actions just aren’t suited to an intelligent person. Plus, all the outfits anyone wears (or nearly so) seemed to be blue. If not the outfits, their accessories (like ties) were blue or had blue in them. This girl needs to figure out there are other colors that are out there.
But the mystery itself was good. There were people that could have – and should have – been suspects. But it appeared Pepper was the only one who considered them so. Yet when the killer was revealed, (I had already figured it out a chapter earlier because it was the only one that made sense), well, that’s the truth. After everything was said and done, it made sense, although it seemed kind of extreme to me.
Not a bad cozy for the first of a series, and I have read others that started off the series so-so and improved as they went along. Let’s hope this is one of them.
Second Review brought to you by OBS staff member Andra
3-Star-rating
http://openbooksociety.com/article/en...
We meet Pepper Pomeroy as she begins a new phase of her life…..unemployed but using her chosen profession (event planner) to good use……helping her sister’s boyfriend Warren, plan a wedding proposal for her sister Felicity. Surprisingly, while completing the finishing touches for the proposal (in an airplane hangar, on Warren’s private plane), Pepper goes to the washroom, where she finds a body. Yikes…what to do….Well, first off, do not interrupt the planned event (spoken line a true professional – the show must go on), so Pepper says nothing until after the proposal has occurred and the newly engaged couple are flying off to celebrate.
So here we have an event planner trying to figure out who the dead man is, in the hangar, where her soon to be brother in law keeps his private plane. Whew…a mouthful. But Pepper is not daunted by this task; she must prove Warren’s innocence, for the sake of her sister. At the same time, Pepper’s life is in flux. She is coming to the realization that she has just skated through life (love life that is) by continuing to date her high school sweetheart. However, he is a dud. And Pepper FINALLY realizes she deserves more (took her long enough!!). Lest we forget, Pepper is a bit stressed about being unemployed and all that particular scenario entails. A lot to handle all at once, but this amateur sleuth seemed to manage.
I enjoyed that even in the face of adversity (unemployed and dumping her long term boyfriend) Pepper embarked on a new career involving her passion. That is always great to read! I also liked the fact that this amateur sleuth was not associated with baking and/or cooking in any way. Seems like an event planner (proposals mainly) is a new twist on the standard formula of a cozy mystery and one I enjoyed as it brought a fresh twist, especially given Pepper’s talents.
I shall read book two in due course as I could see the depth of Pepper beginning to shine through. I also want to see where a possible new relationship could go with Pepper and Gage.
June 29, 2014
Pepper Pomeroy may have found her true calling. The unemployed event planner agrees to help her younger sister Felicity’s boyfriend create the perfect setting to propose. Pepper does such a great job, her future brother-in-law Warren things she could make a career of providing other men with a special backdrop to pop the question. Pepper decides to follow Warren’s advice and starts her new business and offers a package deal if she is also given the business to plan the couple’s engagement party. Pepper would be perfectly happy except a body found during Warren and Felicity’s proposal event soon lands Warren in the hot seat as the prime suspect in a murder. Now Pepper must take on the job of amateur detective to make sure Felicity’s new fiancé, who almost seems too good to be true, isn’t a murderer.
"Engaged in Murder" is a fun read with a catchy premise. I never knew some proposals were planned out and staged like mini-Hollywood event, but it makes a great basis for a cozy mystery. I love the details about the events Pepper is planning that are included in the book. These details make the character and the setting seem more real and help the book stand out. The descriptions of the events add so much charm to the book, and I really got caught up in the excitement of the romantic proposals and lavish parties Pepper plans. However, I found the constant descriptions of what Pepper was wearing and how her outfit brings out the color of her eyes or flatters her fair skin, to be distracting. Since this isn’t a fashion-themed mystery, we don’t need to each minute detail about Pepper’s outfits described, except perhaps for an important event Pepper has planned. Even in a crucial moment of the story when Pepper is in danger, wardrobe descriptions intrude. “My jeans and pale blue T-shirt were not so tight as to restrict me when I ran.” The color of her shirt is irrelevant and detracts from the drama of the scene.
Pepper is a likeable main character who is determined to keep her sister from getting hurt by either proving Warren’s innocence or finding out the worst before the wedding. Pepper’s investigation keeps my interest through most of the book, but gets a bit repetitive as she continues to question the same couple of people without always learning anything new. I do admire the fact that Pepper won’t give up until she has answers. However, the real mystery in the story is why someone as intelligent and outgoing as Pepper would put up with her pool-playing, beer-guzzling, loser of a boyfriend Bobby for eight years. They don’t seem to have any common interests and when he isn’t making rude comments, he’s ignoring her. I was happy to see that after a shaky start, things do start to improve in Pepper’s personal life.
I think this is a promising series because Pepper is likeable and her new Perfect Proposals business can lead to some entertaining stories. This book will appeal to fans of Shirley Freydont or Deborah Donnelly. Author Nancy J. Parra also writes under the name Nancy Coco, so fans of those fudge-themed mysteries will want to give this new series a try.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
"Engaged in Murder" is a fun read with a catchy premise. I never knew some proposals were planned out and staged like mini-Hollywood event, but it makes a great basis for a cozy mystery. I love the details about the events Pepper is planning that are included in the book. These details make the character and the setting seem more real and help the book stand out. The descriptions of the events add so much charm to the book, and I really got caught up in the excitement of the romantic proposals and lavish parties Pepper plans. However, I found the constant descriptions of what Pepper was wearing and how her outfit brings out the color of her eyes or flatters her fair skin, to be distracting. Since this isn’t a fashion-themed mystery, we don’t need to each minute detail about Pepper’s outfits described, except perhaps for an important event Pepper has planned. Even in a crucial moment of the story when Pepper is in danger, wardrobe descriptions intrude. “My jeans and pale blue T-shirt were not so tight as to restrict me when I ran.” The color of her shirt is irrelevant and detracts from the drama of the scene.
Pepper is a likeable main character who is determined to keep her sister from getting hurt by either proving Warren’s innocence or finding out the worst before the wedding. Pepper’s investigation keeps my interest through most of the book, but gets a bit repetitive as she continues to question the same couple of people without always learning anything new. I do admire the fact that Pepper won’t give up until she has answers. However, the real mystery in the story is why someone as intelligent and outgoing as Pepper would put up with her pool-playing, beer-guzzling, loser of a boyfriend Bobby for eight years. They don’t seem to have any common interests and when he isn’t making rude comments, he’s ignoring her. I was happy to see that after a shaky start, things do start to improve in Pepper’s personal life.
I think this is a promising series because Pepper is likeable and her new Perfect Proposals business can lead to some entertaining stories. This book will appeal to fans of Shirley Freydont or Deborah Donnelly. Author Nancy J. Parra also writes under the name Nancy Coco, so fans of those fudge-themed mysteries will want to give this new series a try.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2015
I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
3.5 Fun Stars!
A delightful start to a new series!
Nancy J. Parra has done it again. She has created another entertaining, fun and imaginative mystery series that hooks the reader from the very first page. With it's lively characters and creativity, Engaged in Murder was a read hard to part with.
Pepper Pomeroy is recently unemployed event planner. So when the opportunity comes along to plan her sister's proposal, it becomes a perfect chance not only to give her sister the best day of her life - but to also put her skills to a great use. Little did Pepper knew that day would also have her stumbling upon a dead body. To make things worse, Warren her sister's new fiancé could also be the prime suspect in the murder case.
Great story. Pepper is going to be a fun character to follow. Sure this is book one and like most new characters, she has a lot of work to do with growing. Pepper is smart, creative, with the world of imagination in front of her. When life knocks her down, she finds a way to bring herself back up. With Warren's encouragement, she is well on her way of starting her own business and really re-evaluating her life. She dumps her deadbeat boyfriend, and in turn ends up with an unlikely man in her life. She jumps into her new business, and get's plenty of great surprises.
So while trying to plan her sister's engagement party, Pepper is also snooping around in hopes of putting some ugly accusations of her future brother-in-law to rest, before her sister marries a murderer.
I liked this book. I liked Pepper. There was only a few things I had issues with. First, I couldn't believe that Pepper stayed with her boyfriend for as long as she did. Seriously, that guy was terrible and I hated him for the few pages he was in.
Second. I was a bit disappointed by not only Pepper's, but also her mother's reaction to the murder and in a way, doubting Warren's innocence. I would kind of assume they would protect their new son-in-law and give him the benefit of a doubt? Instead of trying to find out if he really did it so her sister wouldn't marry a murderer. I understand wanting to help her family member, but that was a bit strange with me. Also her reaction to Warren's secret he kept from her sister was also a bit over the top, especially since her sister was totally cool with it.
Besides those few things and Pepper's really easy start in the first year of business, the story itself was really fun. I liked following Pepper as she looked for clues in hopes of putting the ugly rumors to rest. I also loved the way she took control and did everything she could to make the perfect proposals for some of these women.
3.5 Fun Stars!
A delightful start to a new series!
Nancy J. Parra has done it again. She has created another entertaining, fun and imaginative mystery series that hooks the reader from the very first page. With it's lively characters and creativity, Engaged in Murder was a read hard to part with.
Pepper Pomeroy is recently unemployed event planner. So when the opportunity comes along to plan her sister's proposal, it becomes a perfect chance not only to give her sister the best day of her life - but to also put her skills to a great use. Little did Pepper knew that day would also have her stumbling upon a dead body. To make things worse, Warren her sister's new fiancé could also be the prime suspect in the murder case.
Great story. Pepper is going to be a fun character to follow. Sure this is book one and like most new characters, she has a lot of work to do with growing. Pepper is smart, creative, with the world of imagination in front of her. When life knocks her down, she finds a way to bring herself back up. With Warren's encouragement, she is well on her way of starting her own business and really re-evaluating her life. She dumps her deadbeat boyfriend, and in turn ends up with an unlikely man in her life. She jumps into her new business, and get's plenty of great surprises.
So while trying to plan her sister's engagement party, Pepper is also snooping around in hopes of putting some ugly accusations of her future brother-in-law to rest, before her sister marries a murderer.
I liked this book. I liked Pepper. There was only a few things I had issues with. First, I couldn't believe that Pepper stayed with her boyfriend for as long as she did. Seriously, that guy was terrible and I hated him for the few pages he was in.
Second. I was a bit disappointed by not only Pepper's, but also her mother's reaction to the murder and in a way, doubting Warren's innocence. I would kind of assume they would protect their new son-in-law and give him the benefit of a doubt? Instead of trying to find out if he really did it so her sister wouldn't marry a murderer. I understand wanting to help her family member, but that was a bit strange with me. Also her reaction to Warren's secret he kept from her sister was also a bit over the top, especially since her sister was totally cool with it.
Besides those few things and Pepper's really easy start in the first year of business, the story itself was really fun. I liked following Pepper as she looked for clues in hopes of putting the ugly rumors to rest. I also loved the way she took control and did everything she could to make the perfect proposals for some of these women.
June 2, 2014
Engaged in Murder A Perfect Proposals Mystery Book 1 by Nancy J Parra is a great fun read. What does a recently unemployed event planner do, she plans the perfect setting for her sisters fiancé Warren to propose. She wants everything perfect for her sister Felicity and Warren makes arrangements to use a plane for the proposal, Pepper is excited to decorate the plane and make it just the way her sister Felicity always dreamed her proposal would be. Everything is going great until Pepper stumbles upon a man, who she thinks is passed out, in the women's bathroom. Things are not always what they seem. Pepper needs to solve the mystery, save her sisters day, and get her business started. I really enjoyed this book and think it will be another great series from author Nancy J Parra.
Pepper is a resourceful, creative woman who has a knack for finding trouble. She is strong, inquisitive, and independent which makes her just right for being an event planner and for doing her own detective work into this mystery. I like the dynamic between Pepper and her sister as well as her and her parents. I love how they could all be one of us. You really can relate to Pepper and her family. I enjoyed her creations for the different engagement parties and Nancy J Parra describes these parties in a way that makes you be able to imagine stepping into the party yourselves. There is more to the story than just a mystery I believe. There is the hope of love, romance, but also it is Pepper learning to grow into her own person and becoming a force in her love life, her family, and her business. This is an unique book just by Pepper being an event planner but add to that murder, mystery and love and it mixes into a unique great read. I propose you engage in reading this book and be prepared to be swept away in the mystery and the creativity of Pepper. I loved this book and will look forward to the next one in the series.
Remember the book release day is tomorrow June 3, 2014 so be sure to pick up your copy and enjoy.
If you want more information on this book and the author go to her website at
nancyjparra.com
I was given this ARC by the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion of this book.
Pepper is a resourceful, creative woman who has a knack for finding trouble. She is strong, inquisitive, and independent which makes her just right for being an event planner and for doing her own detective work into this mystery. I like the dynamic between Pepper and her sister as well as her and her parents. I love how they could all be one of us. You really can relate to Pepper and her family. I enjoyed her creations for the different engagement parties and Nancy J Parra describes these parties in a way that makes you be able to imagine stepping into the party yourselves. There is more to the story than just a mystery I believe. There is the hope of love, romance, but also it is Pepper learning to grow into her own person and becoming a force in her love life, her family, and her business. This is an unique book just by Pepper being an event planner but add to that murder, mystery and love and it mixes into a unique great read. I propose you engage in reading this book and be prepared to be swept away in the mystery and the creativity of Pepper. I loved this book and will look forward to the next one in the series.
Remember the book release day is tomorrow June 3, 2014 so be sure to pick up your copy and enjoy.
If you want more information on this book and the author go to her website at
nancyjparra.com
I was given this ARC by the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion of this book.
June 23, 2014
Pepper Pomeroy is still recovering from the fact that she has just been let go from her job as an event planner, when her sister’s boyfriend, Warren, asks her to help him come up with the perfect proposal for her sister. Pepper is used to this; she views it as just another event that needs planning. Warren’s plan is to lure his girlfriend, Felicity, onto his private jet, propose, and then whisk her off for a romantic vacation. Pepper is excited and might even start her own business as an event planner, that is until she finds a dead man in the ladies bathroom of Warren’s plane. When all fingers point to Warren, Pepper knows she must set out in pursuit of what really happened before she agrees to let her sister marry a potential murderer.
I am already a fan of Parra’s other mystery series, so I had no doubt that this one would rank at the top of my charts as well. I am even more excited for this series because of the protagonist, Pepper Pomeroy. She is truly an extraordinary character. She has fiery red hair and is a little bit jealous of her sister’s lifestyle. She is flawed and does not claim to be perfect. In fact, Pepper Pomeroy is a little bit of a mess, but that why I felt so connected to her character. She feels real in every way! And I just love her name; it really feels like it belongs to an amateur sleuth!
I follow many cozy mystery series, and all of them have a different concept and usually focus around different occupations, places, etc. This is the first series I have read that has to do with event planning, and even more specifically wedding proposals. I think this is a fresh new take for the cozy mystery world. Not that I don’t love all the stories that are set in bookstores, bakeries, and big towns, but this just gives me one more series to love and adore. The mystery was well-written and not something I was able to solve right away either.
***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley in exchange for my honest review***
I am already a fan of Parra’s other mystery series, so I had no doubt that this one would rank at the top of my charts as well. I am even more excited for this series because of the protagonist, Pepper Pomeroy. She is truly an extraordinary character. She has fiery red hair and is a little bit jealous of her sister’s lifestyle. She is flawed and does not claim to be perfect. In fact, Pepper Pomeroy is a little bit of a mess, but that why I felt so connected to her character. She feels real in every way! And I just love her name; it really feels like it belongs to an amateur sleuth!
I follow many cozy mystery series, and all of them have a different concept and usually focus around different occupations, places, etc. This is the first series I have read that has to do with event planning, and even more specifically wedding proposals. I think this is a fresh new take for the cozy mystery world. Not that I don’t love all the stories that are set in bookstores, bakeries, and big towns, but this just gives me one more series to love and adore. The mystery was well-written and not something I was able to solve right away either.
***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley in exchange for my honest review***
June 12, 2015
I have never been happier to be done with a book.
This was a mess.
The same plot points were used over and over without anything really being done to resolve them. And even if it was problem that was solved it seemed to be drudged up again later in the story just to remind the reader it had happened.
I found the actual writing to be a bit of "x happened and then y happened and now c is occurring." It felt very passive and the word choice was incredibly immature. The amount of time spent on explaining what characters were wearing was mind numbing, too.
The main character was the biggest problem though. She was a condescending know-it-all, which is bad enough to start, but then she wasn't very on top of things either. She couldn't tell an unconscious body from a dead one! Then, even just thinking the person was passed out, she allowed herself to indulge in her sister's proposal before informing anyone about said body. umm, WHAT?!
Her investigative "skills" consisted of bribing people with food, flirting, and outright accusing them and then the only reason the killer was caught was because he revealed himself to her.
Oh, and then the murder had some truly repulsive viewpoints on women that sent me from being irritated to irate in about thirty seconds flat.
What a waste of six dollars.
This was a mess.
The same plot points were used over and over without anything really being done to resolve them. And even if it was problem that was solved it seemed to be drudged up again later in the story just to remind the reader it had happened.
I found the actual writing to be a bit of "x happened and then y happened and now c is occurring." It felt very passive and the word choice was incredibly immature. The amount of time spent on explaining what characters were wearing was mind numbing, too.
The main character was the biggest problem though. She was a condescending know-it-all, which is bad enough to start, but then she wasn't very on top of things either. She couldn't tell an unconscious body from a dead one! Then, even just thinking the person was passed out, she allowed herself to indulge in her sister's proposal before informing anyone about said body. umm, WHAT?!
Her investigative "skills" consisted of bribing people with food, flirting, and outright accusing them and then the only reason the killer was caught was because he revealed himself to her.
Oh, and then the murder had some truly repulsive viewpoints on women that sent me from being irritated to irate in about thirty seconds flat.
What a waste of six dollars.
February 9, 2016
DNF. I read a third. A third of the way in, I was still barely wondering who the murderer was. My curiosity was never piqued. Instead, I was wondering about the main character's motivations--who finds a drunk man in a public restroom and decides to poke him repeatedly with a mop rather than going to get security or tell anyone else who is actually responsible for that bathroom? And I was too busy wondering why no one considered the drunk man--who turned out to be dead, not passed out--might have died through natural means. Everyone automatically assumes it was murder for no apparent reason. If I found someone dead in a public bathroom I'd think he'd overdosed, or had a stroke. We're never told how the man dies, and yet our average-joe protagonist (and everyone else) jumps to the conclusion it was murder.
And then there was the author's annoying habit of giving too much detail about unimportant things. The exact layout of the protagonist's parents' house--why do we need to know that? What everyone is wearing at any given moment--I only need to know enough to set the scene and understand character, otherwise you're having me try to remember extraneous details that add nothing to the novel.
And then there was the author's annoying habit of giving too much detail about unimportant things. The exact layout of the protagonist's parents' house--why do we need to know that? What everyone is wearing at any given moment--I only need to know enough to set the scene and understand character, otherwise you're having me try to remember extraneous details that add nothing to the novel.
July 12, 2014
Disappointing. Poorly edited, with lots of careless errors (like having the main character say she's 30 and has been dating her boyfriend since high school -- 8 years).
I found the characters superficial and many of the situations implausible.
I am also curious about the fact that the author's name for copyright inside the cover is Julie Hyzy, who is the author of the White House Chef mysteries. Their websites and pictures are different, so what gives?
I read a lot of cozies and I wasn't expecting a Booker Prize nominee, but I just couldn't make myself finish. This read like it was written by an author looking for a sellable formula for light mysteries with a little romance. Nothing wrong with that, but these characterizations were so slight as to be unmemorable.
I found the characters superficial and many of the situations implausible.
I am also curious about the fact that the author's name for copyright inside the cover is Julie Hyzy, who is the author of the White House Chef mysteries. Their websites and pictures are different, so what gives?
I read a lot of cozies and I wasn't expecting a Booker Prize nominee, but I just couldn't make myself finish. This read like it was written by an author looking for a sellable formula for light mysteries with a little romance. Nothing wrong with that, but these characterizations were so slight as to be unmemorable.
May 20, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
October 11, 2015
Pepper's sister has met the man of her dreams. A quiet accountant who works hard and is lucky to live in a rent controlled apartment. He loves her and plans to propose and enlists Peppers help in making the proposal all her sister has ever dreamed of. Of it was, except that there was a murder at the site of the proposal and it turns out the mild mannered accountant is actually quite wealthy and owned the airport where the engagement took place. Pepper must solve the. Under to ensure her baby sister gets to live happily ever after. A good read even if the premise is a little strange for me.
July 15, 2014
Currently out-of-work event planner Pepper helps her sister's boyfriend Evan plan and execute a perfect proposal. But she also finds a dead body in the rest room of the small airport where the proposal takes place. Next thing she knows, she and her family learn that Evan is really a very rich man who lied about his status so he could be sure he was loved for himself alone. He encourages Pepper to start her own business with his financial backing, but she decides, also, to investigate the murder to be sure he wouldn't become a suspect and break her sister's heart.
April 11, 2016
Engaged in Murder was on the lighter end of the cozy sub-genre, with a heroine bordering occasionally on TSTL. It was an interesting mystery (the police were understandably annoyed with her butting in), but Pepper's (did anyone else think of equally red-haired and organized Pepper Potts or just me?) perfect sister and her equally perfect fiance annoyed me to no end.
June 12, 2015
With a name like Pepper Pomeroy, how could you not already like this book? Pepper Pomeroy lost her job and has been at loose ends, but after her sisters fiancée asks Pepper to plan the perfect proposal setting, she is well on her way to starting her ow new business. Too bad there is a dead body in the restroom at the site of her sisters proposal. It is going to be up to Pepper to clear her name, her sister, and the new fiancée. Great new beginning to a new series look forward for the next edition.
August 16, 2015
Pepper Pomeroy is an out of work woman who has spent much to long living a boring life with her ex-high school jock boyfriend Bobby who has never grown up. It’s time for Pepper to add some excitement to her otherwise dull life. She is asked to set up the perfect proposal scene for her sister. Unfortunately she discovers a body and this starts to turn her boring life upside down. A fun story that kept me guessing until the end.
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