Veils and Villains

The Weary Dragon Inn #6

by S. Usher Evans

It's the wedding of the year in Pigsend, at least if you talk to Vicky Hamblin. The bride-to-be is dead set on making her wedding to baker Allen Mackey the most perfect spectacle in the history of weddings, if only to impress her two snooty aunts in from Middleburg. Bev's in charge of hosting them at the Weary Dragon Inn, along with a carefully-curated list of other family members, all designed to impress. But when things start going awry, and Vicky suspects someone might be out to sabotage her wedding, Bev's on the case once more. Can she find out who's out to get the bride before the big day?Veils and Villains is the sixth book in the Weary Dragon Inn series, a cozy fantasy mystery series from award-winning author S. Usher Evans. -The Weary Dragon Inn series

Drinks and SinkholesFiends and FestivalsSecrets and SnowflakesBeasts and BakingMagic and MolemenVeils and Villains Zealots and Zeniths

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2024

About the author

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a "real job" as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.

Reviews

[Ursula Fricke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right now, I don't know that I will continue with the series. What pulled me in originally was the mystery of Bev's identity and we have been getting the occassioal glimpse into who she might have been. But nothing new in this book... and nothing revelatory overall.
Bev is still a doormat, running to do everybody's bidding (this world seems to have days that are longer than 24 hours to get all the things done and run the inn). I was annoyed that the main plot was solved in a way that made the whole thing pretty much a waste of time because I knew Vicky and Allen would never have a happy marriage after the first book. And Earl and Etheldra? Where did that come from?

At this point I'm so annoyed with the characters that a series with no end in sight seems unattractive to continue.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only bad thing about this series is that I discovered it before all the audiobooks came out

[Tara Kat (MagnoliaPigeonBookBlurbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to be back in Pigsend for the wedding of the season! Vicky Hamblin & Allen Mackey are ready to walk down the aisle and say “I Do”…if sabotage doesn’t ruin their day! With mischief and magic running amok, it’s up to Bev and the gang to sleuth out clues, track down the culprit and save the day before it’s too late!

📚 Book 6 in the Series
🔍 Cozy Fantasy Mystery
✨ Magic
💥 Sabotage
🌪️ Twists & Turns
🫶 Found Family
💍 Wedding Festivities
🔐 Secrets
🥖 Delicious Bread
❤️‍🩹 Complicated Family Relationships

Veils & Villains had the most unexpected twist I never saw coming & I loved every second of it! The Weary Dragon Inn is one of my absolute favorite cozy series and I can’t wait to see what mysteries Bev & the residents of Pigsend will solve next!

Thank you so much S. Usher Evans for the advanced copy! 📚

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars simply because I could not stand ANY of the new characters, and my dislike of Vicky was solidified. Thankful that’s over with. Now to wait impatiently for the next books to come out!

[Liz Delton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery in Pigsend. Hard to review so far into the series without just talking about spoilers though!!
I really enjoyed the ending and how the relationships panned out, I thought it was perfect.

[Iris Otterloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t tell if I like Vicky, but I was very opposed to her marrying my beloved baker for the sole reason of she was so dramatic about every little thing, but the ONE thing he wanted to be perfect she kept brushing off. All he did was work so hard and he deserved way better. I’m glad they did not marry in the end.

[Sydney Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been loving the series as a whole. This book has been the weakest in the series so far. It feels lackluster and disappointing. Some of the characters (regular characters) were even quite annoying. This book focuses on the upcoming wedding of Allen and Vicky. Things begin to go suspiciously awry. Some occurrences are just never satisfactorily explained.

SPOILERS AHEAD

They call of the wedding because both the bride and groom keep behaving like children. Will they still be together? Who knows. The ending was convoluted and anticlimactic.

[Chels · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've been following Pigsend you'll love this one!
We're preparing for a wedding and everything that can possibly go wrong does. It seems like a string of bad luck but as we know, in Pigsend nothing is what it seems...
I had a lot of fun reading this one and it made for a fun addition to the series. We got a bunch of new characters and learned a little more about life before the war. The wedding was just an added bonus!

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

So pleased to return to Pigsend for another adventure. Lots of new characters this time around, and a far more personal mystery to solve- although I'm glad they didn't go with the obvious culprits. Love the continued expansion of relationships and the little breadcrumbs towards Bev's past. Looking forward to the next book!

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hit slightly closer to home. While none of my extended family went to these extremes sometimes it was hard finding out after the fact what really happened. While a sad and frustrating book all around I loved watching the character growth. We get to learn more about past histories and see what makes Pigsend cute couple tick and then sound their last tock.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one hand, this story was excellent. The mystery was well written and played out perfectly with great red herrings so I simply didn't see the true villain for who they were until the grand reveal at the end. Additionally, the twist at the end was a delightful surprise that I really enjoyed and made up for a lot of the things I didn't like about this book.

However, that said, I was constantly thrown out of the story because of the jarring attempt to mash together a pre-industrial society with horse-drawn conveyances and other indiciations of no technology to speak of with a highly consumerist and modern approach to wedding planning that implies the existence of a successful and powerful middle class. But where did that middle class come from? How do they have this kind of money? Where are the nobility? There's mention of a Queen, but no one else around that. There are no aristocratic landowners or anything of the sort as far as I can gather. The world simply doesn't make sense to my brain and every new detail the author offered up clashed with what had come before, making reading really difficult. I only finished it because the mystery aspect was so well written I needed to know who was behind all the mishaps.

Now we come to my pet peeve with this series, the fact that the author doesn't really seem to have thought through the money matters very clearly. Supposedly one of the characters was going to inherit a large sum of money, but when I break it down by what I know from other mentions of what things cost in this world, it really comes up to accommodation at a small-town inn for 80 years. This doesn't take into account clothing, food, or transportation, let alone anything else related to a lavish lifesyle, and only includes calculations for one person. Considering the prices I had to go on to compare with are from Pigsend, the backwater of note... it's hardly the immense sum the author was trying to make it out to be. The character would probably be able to live lavishily in the city for a few years on that sum, and knowing that really ruined things for me.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure for Bev and the town of Pigsend! In this installment Bev's neighbors Allen, the baker, and Vicky, the seamstress are about to get married. In the midst of stress and guests, and set up, they are suddenly having accidents occur. Nothing major, but all the little inconveniences keep piling up, making it obvious someone has laid a curse! Can Bev figure out who before disaster strikes again?

I quite liked this one. I found the new side characters to be a good foil for Bev, and the ending was fun, sweet, and perfect for everyone involved. Etheldra continues to be a persnickety battle axe, but has a moment in this book.

The only thing I truly disliked was the twist at the end. I won't say what, because spoilers but the 'solution' was not what I expected, but does for the overarching theme of the series.

[Chetana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

We are back. I quite liked this mystery compared to the last one. Who could've cursed the wedding between the baker and the seamstress? I think Bev does best when she stays in Pigsend to solve her mysteries. I think I missed the characters besides herself and Biscuit while reading the previous book. I love hearing from the townsfolk, especially Epheldra and Earl.

To be honest I was on the side of the person who put the curse on Vicky. Vicky and Allen were not well suited for each other at all. And I am glad they did not go through with the wedding at the end. Plus we were introduced to a new character who I think will show up again in the next few books and will complicate Bev's life once more.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 bk 81. A wedding planner, out of town relatives, delayed clerics, mysterious strangers - what is an innkeeper to do? Bev responds by keeping her calm, taking care of her 'guests', solving small mysteries of who, providing a helping hand where needed and in general, being Bev. The wedding couple are torn apart by relatives who are strangers, a seemingly cursed wedding, and a wedding planner who is so frentic that her actions keep the couple apart when they need to be together the most. And just when you think there is no mystery for Bev to solve, well - stay tuned. This a book filled with small surprises.

[charli · Rating 3 out of 5]

this one pissed me off but whatever ethelda pulls through and girl bosses to save the day just as i knew she would! now bring back the good characters and the silly baker man alan that i know and love! let the man bake his muffins and mind his business! stop making him be a little shit! alan sweetie i know that’s not you

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another wonderfully cozy book in this amazing series! I just love the characters, and the ending was perfect! A great listen for days I need a light, cozy read that doesn't take too much brainpower but is still very interesting! It kept me intrigued the entire time, and I look forward to more in this series!

[Ashleigh Mattern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Weary Dragon Inn book that I've read instead of listened to, and I missed the narrator! There's something about the way she reads that makes these cozy fantasy books even cozier. I still had a grand old time going back to Pigsend. I love all the characters, and I'm always excited to find out what kind of trouble Bev is dragged into this time.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great cozy listen, figuratively sitting by the hearth of the Weary Dragon Inn. This time, following along the wedding preparations of the young baker and seamstress, when of course, all goes awry and Bev has to step up. A lot less magic present in this story than previous ones but just as much cozy vibes.

[AngryPixi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok I am now having trouble tearing myself away from Pigsend to do other needed things, like watch call the midwife and sew.

another wonderful book, I have to admit I totally expected them to go through with the wedding after all of that and found myself pleasantly surprised that they didn't.

no idea what is going to happen in the next book but I can't wait to find out!

[aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read in the Weary Dragon Inn series. These are auto read for me as I love the cozy little fantasy world that Evans has created. Bev and friend are in for a ride as they prepare for the wedding of Allen and Vicky. However, in Pigsend tradition, everything goes wrong. I enjoyed reading about this craziness and look forward to reading the next.

[Lacey Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really needed this beaut of a book this week! I love this series and this new installment was full of all the goods. If you haven’t jumped into Pigsend yet, you won’t regret getting to know these characters. Just watch out for those chickens 🐔

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bev and the other inhabitants of Pigsend are back and getting ready for a wedding. When things start to go wrong- far more than you would expect- Be has to figure out what is going on. I love following along with everyone in the town and this book is hair as good as the previous ones.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another trip to Pigsend is always a treat.
At this point, Bev needs to find someone to apprentice at the Inn and she can take Sheriff Rustin's job. Anytime there is a mystery, the townspeople go straight to Bev. 
Once again, lighthearted, fun, mysterious and so much fun!!!

[Lestat Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the twist ending. Well plotted out and subtle. It was definitely a surprise, but not an "out of the blue" surprise and I found myself fully enthralled in what the ending would turn out to be! Kudos, and I'm excited for the next book!

[Jenna Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ☆ Still just as comforting and good easy reading, and I enjoy some of the character development. I did wish some of the recapping on events in past books came a little more subtly. But otherwise, it was another cozy trip to Pigsend.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed

It is the week before Allen and Vicky's wedding but it seems the universe doesn't like the idea. Surprise guests, unfortunate accidents and rising tensions are causing mayhem that Bev needs to head off before it's too late.

[Bryan Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in the series.

[Domitila Modesti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining adventure for Bev, love these books, so upset there are 10 in total, and 4 still unpublished!!!!!
Can't wait for the rest

[Julie-Ann Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite series ever!

[Cori'sCorner · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
Audio Length: 06:37:00