Murder Leads to Marriage

by Shannon Peeples

When a young woman is found murdered in the woods behind the local veterinarian’s office, the four Hurley sisters (Daisy, Lilly, Rosie, and Amy) assume it is a tragedy that has nothing to do with them. But when the woman is identified as Skylar Smith, the sisters discover an ominous connection. Skylar had contacted Daisy, the oldest of the sisters, eight weeks before Skylar was found murdered. Skylar told Daisy she had information about Tommy, Daisy’s husband who had been killed in a car accident two years previously. Daisy was stunned to hear Skylar make the accusation that she knew Daisy was responsible for the car wreck and Tommy’s death, and furthermore, that Tommy wanted to divorce Daisy because he was in love with Skylar. She informed Daisy she was going to the police with her information.The sisters are unable to determine why Skylar would do such a thing to Daisy, and are ready to chalk it up as an unsolved mystery. But then the rest of the family begins to be targeted by an unknown person. It soon becomes very obvious someone is trying to destroy the entire Hurley family.

358 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2024

Reviews

[Stephanie Sommars Curwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like murder brings people together! Cute love story about when 4 sisters meet the men of their dreams while trying to solve who is stalking them and causing a ruckus in their lives. I love the fact that there are a bunch of dogs in the story and how the dogs thoughts are know sometimes throughout the story. If you like mystery books this is one for you!

[Thamy]

This is a curious story starting from when two sisters find a body in the woods and suddenly they learn that was the same person who had been threatening their other sister about the death of her husband some time before. When they seem about to forget, all the family realizes a stalker has been making threats and pranks on them.

The premise is intriguing and what I loved about this book is that you could feel the love in its pages. And I don't mean about how tight the sisters seem to be, though family love is surely another of the appeals. What I'm talking about it the love the writer has managed to insert for her story, in a way it feels very unique. You can see the zeal with which she gave a little of herself to each of the characters and that was lovely.

However, this book isn't strong with dialogs. From the start, the sudden way people talked bothered me. And at the same time it felt sudden it could also feel verbose, that it needed some editing out. My other problem with the book was with how the story felt like it wanted a lot to be a romance. It is possible to have a thriller and a romance, Mary Kay Andrews has been doing that for maybe a decade, but this book didn't mix it well, and it actually made me feel as if it REALLY wanted to be a scary story about terrible murders, secrets and trauma, but perhaps, the good ingredients it had could have been better used for a romance. It gave me mixed feelings.

Nonetheless, this read has a lot going for it, as you can see. It'll keep your attention and the solution to the mystery was heartbreakingly good. It was excellent how the author could tie everything up despite the many characters and motivations that gave her full hands. Look forward to the plot twists! Meanwhile I'll be looking forward to Peeples's next story.

Honest review based on an ARC provided by the author. Many thanks for this opportunity.

[Zoey Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fast read that kept me intrigued from the first word to the last.
I was very fond of the fact that the author kind of mixed the two genres of romance and murder mystery. Which are my personal favorite types of books. I also love how close the four sisters are. It is nice to see such a tight -knit family in a book. It gets a 5 stars for me and I highly recommend it.

[Vanessa Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mean Girls meets Murders she wrote meets ER meets Scream in your fly over state back yard. With familiar back drops that you have heard of or been leaving you in a world most readers know intimately. With gossip and twists this will leave you wanting to get to the next chapter as you’re left hanging wanting more.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar hung up the phone, still not believing what she was forced to say. She turned to the man in anger and told him they were even and to leave and never come back.

For three weeks, she was a nervous wreck, feeling guilty about what she had done and feeling that she was being followed. She couldn't go to the police because what she had done was a crime and she didn't want to involve her family, but she had to confide in someone.

She finally couldn't take it anymore and prepared to show up unannounced at her sister's when she heard a noise. She knew before she turned around that he had returned and she wouldn't be going anywhere. Ever again.

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. This book is told in multiple POVs and will take you on the mystery with several twists that interconnect the lives of sisters and how several tragedies are all linked to each other.

This book is a suspenseful murder romance mystery all wrapped up in one amazing story. This story grabs you from the beginning when one mystery rolls into another. Highly recommend!

[Christina Richer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery and Romance in One

“Murder Leads to Marriage” was exactly what I was looking for! This novel was suspenseful from start to finish, especially having multiple perspectives. If you like the show, Bad Sisters, on Apple TV, then you’re really in for a treat. Besides the suspense of “who done it?” Shannon Peeple’s did a wonderful job incorporating romance. If that was not enough, this is a book for dog lovers. I love Great Danes, and getting to visualize these gentle giants throughout the novel was an extra bonus. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a mystery with a side of love.

[MIKE WITTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps Your Attention

A girl found dead on a trail. A family being terrorized. What is the connection? Each sister, Daisy, Lily, Rosie, and Amy are being targeted. From cars being damaged to notes being sent stating what the perpetrator will do to each family member, you are kept in suspense. It is a page turner as Rosie gets kidnapped. How does it all turn out?

I loved this book. It is a quick read and keeps your attention as you try to figure out who is trying to destroy this family.

[Jennifer Koliatsis]

From the moment I picked up this book it didn't leave my hands! Shannon Peeples left me wondering right from the start. The book opens with Daisy struggling to get over the tragic loss of her husband and pulled me right into the story line making an immediate connection with the main character. Like Daisy, her sisters are equally relatable and help propel the mystery even further! It's just one mystery after another. Daisy is accused of an unthinkable act, the accuser is found dead, another sister is being stalked...In Murder Leads to Marriage there is no end to the plot twists. I am looking forward to Shannon Peeples writing her next book. I'll be first in line!

[Samantha Sesenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read that hooked me right away! Murder Lead to Marriage was the perfect mix of romance and mystery. The author was able to evoke many emotions, such as anxiety and excitement as you follow the Hurley sisters go through a series of strange incidents that lead them to believe they are in harm. Peeples also did a great job developing the characters by telling the story through different points of view, making them relatable and unique. I would’ve never anticipated the plot twist at the end of the book and it was the best part to read!

[Emmie Schiavone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a surprise for me being that I was not sure about how I would feel with this specific genre of book that is not my usual but boy was I surprised. The anticipation, the way the characters grew throughout the story, the scenarios of the different encounters the sisters came upon between love, sisterhood, friendship, and stalker, all kept me interested. I recommend this book to anyone interested in mystery, suspense and romance all in one. Great read.

[Kara Bachus-Litton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! What a great first book! The sisters close relationship/friendship was cute! I really enjoyed how all the sisters that had to overcome different trials and tribulations did it without the help of a man, but with the support of their family unit. The title is definitely suited for the thriller/romance vibes and ending. I would 100% recommend!

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Leads to Marriage is the perfect novel. I loved the mix of mystery, romance and intrigue. The relationship between the sisters is familiar and relatable. I found the story line to be twisty, perfect for a rainy day and a blanket. I found myself lost in this quick, captivating read!

[Tina Sasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

intricate plot with lots of twists

Murder Leads to Marriage was an intricate storyline with lots of plot twists I didn’t see coming. I love the bond the four sisters have. Without giving a spoiler alert, I love the tradition that developed at the end of the story. Full of heartbreak and suspense but leaves you smiling.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was captivating.   The way the storyline jumps around through time was unexpected but enabled me to relate more to the characters and events.  Having several point of views throughout the story instead of just one specific character's point of view was interesting.  All in all, I feel there was a touching ending and would recommend. 

[Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Best part of this book was the dogs attending the wedding.

[Chris Dennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Good to Miss!
Shannon Peeples new novel, Murder Leads to Marriage, is a fast paced, compelling read that’s not to be missed for those who love a thriller with a touch of romance on the side! The book’s opening pages drop you right into the middle of the action as Daisy, one of the Hurley sisters, receives an ominous call from a stranger who makes troubling allegations about her late husband. The perplexing call raddles her deeply.
We soon meet more of the Hurley family. Rosie has just returned to Texas after a disturbing end to her time in New York City where her boyfriend Steve dies in a tragic car accident. Rosie’s sisters and father are soothing balm for her, but the peace doesn’t last for long.
Days later Rosie and another Hurley sister, Lilly, are out for a run when they stumble upon a woman’s body in the nearby park. The local veterinarian, new in town, also spots the victim. A murder in quiet Brunswick is anything but the norm. When the identification of the dead woman is the same person who called Daisy the Hurley family’s world is shaken. Fear escalates as the youngest sister, Amy, is stalked. One by one each family member is threatened, and this thriller takes off. The family, of course, collectively wonders why this is happening to them and who could possibly be after them. Then the story twists and turns in a wholly unexpected fashion when just as the Hurleys think that things are normal again something even more evil arises.
If you are a dog lover and enjoy a thriller with some spice and love, Murder Leads to Marriage will not disappoint! I highly recommend this satisfying read and give it a 5-star rating.

[April -The Fictional Housewife · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read Murder Leads to Marriage by Shannon Peeples. This is the story of the Hurley sisters and their dad. Amy, Lily, Daisy and Rosie along with their father, Jack. They have had to make a life for themselves after losing their mom and wife. They are very tightknit and usually upfront with each other. We discover, however, that people have secrets. Some secrets might just be an unnamed boyfriend, but some are much more difficult to stomach and could bring dire consequences. When a woman is killed who had recently threatened Daisy, the truth must come out and mystery solved before the killer comes calling much closer to home.

This book was a delight to read. While it feels, for the most part, more like a romantic cozy mystery than a heart pounding thriller, the story still moves right along. With this pleasing pacing, I moved quickly though the book. Thriller lovers don't despair, there is an elaborate mystery with a very tense resolution. All of the thriller/mystery stuff aside, where this novel really shines is in the relationship between the four sisters. The character development, while danger abounds, is remarkable and endearing. With the smooth writing, interesting plot and pacing, this book is a winner. Don't be surprised if after reading Murder Leads to Marriage, you are checking in with your siblings, just to see what they've been up to. You also might be looking over your shoulder...just a little bit.

Many thanks to publicist Deborah and author Shannon for the great read. It has been a pleasure.

[Melissa Ammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift.
Let me introduce you to the characters.
Jack – The dad to Lilly, Rosie, Daisy, and Amy.
Lilly – Married to Kevin. A nurse.
Rosie – Haunted by her past with Steve. An aspiring author.
Daisy – Having a difficult time getting her life back together after losing Tommy. She becomes a clerk at the hospital Lilly works at.
Amy – The youngest of the sisters. Decided to go to law school.
Ren – The local vet. Meets up with Rosie.
Jon – Wait until you hear his nickname! Meets up with Daisy.
Danny – The local cop. Friend of the Hurley family.
Looking for a book that contains second-chance romance(s)? Check!
Looking for a book that has a close-knit family who sticks together through all the ups and downs, thick and thin? Check!
Looking for a book who has a character who can’t seem to escape her past? Check!
I enjoyed meeting all four of the sisters. They each bring something to this tale with their different personalities. The underlying thing that holds them together? Family. I’ve never read about a more close-knit family.
When Martha enters the picture, there is a definite eeriness that takes over the family. To put it mildly, Martha was a very troubled individual. I was shocked at what happened to her in the end. I did like the creepiness she brought to this family’s tale.
I was also intrigued by the dogs in this story – Big Shirley, Walter, Marilyn (the three main ones), Leo, and Evie. How clever are those names!?!

[Barbara S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Leads to Marriage by Shannon Peeples is a thrilling mystery filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and a touch of heartwarming charm. The story follows four sisters named after flowers that share an unbreakable bond. Their peaceful lives take a dark turn when they stumble upon a dead body in the woods.
The author’s effortlessly flowing storytelling keeps readers engaged as the sisters navigate a tangled web of secrets, danger, and intrigue. Adding to the suspense is a mysterious man who issues an ominous warning, predicting impending tragedy. As the sisters try to piece together the truth, tension rises, and so does the risk.
While the novel delivers on its thrilling premise, it also brings a unique charm—every dog in the story is named like a person, adding an element of warmth and humor to balance the darker themes. The characters are well-developed, their relationships feel genuine, and they keep the story moving at an exciting pace.
With its seamless blend of mystery and family bonds, Murder Leads to Marriage is a compelling read that keeps readers turning pages late into the night. Shannon Peeples has crafted a suspenseful yet heartwarming tale that mystery lovers will enjoy.

[Yakira Goldsberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Following the close-knit Hurley family, Murder Leads to Marriage is a quick-paced thriller/murder mystery with surprising twists and turns as the Hurley daughters are caught up in a deadly chase to find the killer.
To be honest, I almost put the book down after reading the prologue. The foul and suggestive language caught me off guard as I don’t usually read books with an excessive amount of both. But I figured I should give it a second chance and jumped into the story regardless.
Peeples did not disappoint. At once, her characters are well developed enough to seem like real people, and her writing style is engaging, which allowed me to consume large parts of it before finally forcing myself to put the book down and get housework done. While the beginning felt a little slow to me, once the sisters get together and discover the body, things really start to pick up, and the story spools out more and more tension until a wonderful ending.
Overall, Murder Leads to Marriage is a tense, engaging thriller perfect for lovers of dogs, romance, and mystery.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the author for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Thea Ferzola · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good cozy mystery with a side of romance, Murder Leads to Marriage by Shannon Peeples is an absolute must-read! From the very first page, this book had me hooked with its perfect blend of suspense, humor, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments.

The story follows an intriguing murder case that somehow intertwines with an unexpected love story, making for a truly engaging read. The characters are well-developed, charming, and full of personality—I found myself rooting for them the whole way through! Peeples has a knack for weaving a mystery that keeps you guessing while also delivering dialogue and interactions that feel so natural and fun.

The pacing is spot on, with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages late into the night. And let’s not forget the romance—it’s sweet, organic, and adds such a delightful layer to the story without overshadowing the mystery.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries or just love a well-crafted, entertaining read, I can't recommend Murder Leads to Marriage enough! Shannon Peeples has officially earned a spot on my must-read author list.

[Valerie Thirkettle-Kayser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read and an interesting mix of different genres, family saga, romance and mystery/thriller.
It is a story of a nice family with lovely close relationships and enjoying spending time together. The four sisters are close and quite different. And so are their partners and there is a romance background to the plot. And also the story of a totally dysfunctional family, that of Lance and Steve.
The tempo of the story keeps changing. It starts with a murder, slows down with moments of life in the family and the sisters, and then speeding up again each time something dark happens, to reach a climax when Martha comes into the picture in the latter part of the book. I found it difficult as a reader but I think it is probably intended to create a false sense of security at different times of the story, between the threats and the crimes.
And the book will appeal to dog lovers, as dogs play a really important role in various parts of the story.
An interesting read.

[mommy_and_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

" [...] You do not deserve to live.
I am watching you.
And I am watching your sisters.
I am going to fuck up your whole family. [...]"

Do you ever read books by debuting authors? I love giving a chance to such novice authors. Shannon Pewples has proven that you can fulfil your dreams at any age.

Her first thriller is titled "Murder Leads to Marriage". It keeps you in suspense. It envelops you in its warmth. It brings tears of happiness and terror.

I learned here what friendship and the strength of sisters means. Unique female and male characters will evoke a lot of emotions in you.

I am glad that the author did not forget about four-legged friends. You will meet here, among others, unique and faithful dogs.
The four sisters are Daisy, Rosie, Lilly and the youngest Amy. You will find out what they do while reading. Everything would be perfect if someone did not start threatening them anonymously. And this is where the interesting action begins. I envy you that this is still ahead of you. There were some interesting twists.

This story carries one message: be careful who you trust, because you don't know the day or the hour when evil will knock on your door.

I consider "Murder Leads to Marriage" a successful debut.

I hope that in some time we will hear about Shannon Pewples' work again.

[Jennifer Carboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to stumble upon this book. Mystery and true crime are some of my favorite genres to read. When I started reading “ marriage leads to murder “ I found myself unable to put it down. I felt like I was reading some of my old Nancy Drew books. I fell in love with the relationship the Hurley sisters have in this book. Shannon peeples made you feel the love and friendship the sisters have and also told the story from different points of view. She was also able to bring romance into the book and incorporate it so well. I found the pages flying by as I anticipated what would happen at the end. The plot twist was great and adored the ending. I would love to see what else Ms. Peeples writes. She has a fan in me . Definitely recommend this book.

[Denise Wilt · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s nothing thrilling about this book. It’s not a mystery and definitely not a thriller. It really reads a lot more like a romance and that’s where the author should have stayed focused.There’s a lot of potential in this book with a great cast of characters. The relationship between the sisters and their father is definitely loving and held this book together. The dialogue and the banter is forced and awkward many scenes just simply end and jumped to something else. Transitions were rough. Best part, I think everyone in this book has a dog!

[Lily Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in from the start and keeps you guessing until the end. The Hurley sisters are a compelling mix of strong personalities and deep secrets, and their family dynamic adds depth to the chilling mystery.

The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is suspenseful, and every twist keeps you on edge. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with family drama at its heart, this is a story you won’t be able to put down.

5/5 stars!

[Carol Schiavone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Leads To Marriage was enticing to say the least. I was surprised at how interested I became in the plot! This was a hard to put down book for sure. The story of these four sisters and what they go through involving meeting their loves, developing friendships, and then trying to figure out what happened to their friend, keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would definitely recommend this book !

[Debbilly12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an easy read that captures your attention on page one and keeps you in suspense throughout. You instantly fall in love with the very likable Hurley sisters and cannot believe someone wants to hurt them. Yet there is something or someone from the past that does just that. This book has it all, Murder, Mystery, Romance and of course Marriage.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful fast paced story with complex interesting characters. Murder and mayhem, lots of twists and turns, and mysteries of past events. Each of the Hurley family receives threats an wonder why. Never know what's around the next corner! A real page turner and a must read!

[Celeste Greenlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many plot twists!