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The Wedding: The twisty, unputdownable murder mystery you don’t want to miss!
'Very twisty!' READER REVIEW
'I had to remember to breathe it was so gripping' READER REVIEW
'Absolutely loved it. A must-read!' READER REVIEW
There's no good time to discover a dead body. But in the middle of your wedding day has to be the worst time ever.
For Jenny Hislop, her wedding in her coastal hometown in Ireland is meant to be the happiest day of her life. Despite the painful memories the town holds of the parents she's lost, Jenny's blissfully happy as she makes her way from the ceremony to the secluded lighthouse for the reception.
Then she finds a dead body on the cliffs. A murder victim. Who looks identical to her husband.
As far as Jenny knows, her husband - still alive and well - is an only child. So, who is this stranger who looks so much like him? Was he killed because of their resemblance? Could he be dead because of a mistaken identity? If so, which of her wedding guests would want her husband dead, and why?
When more wedding guests start to die, two things become crystal clear. One, the people closest to Jenny are hiding deadly secrets from her. And two, this will certainly be a wedding no-one will ever forget . . .
'I had to remember to breathe it was so gripping' READER REVIEW
'Absolutely loved it. A must-read!' READER REVIEW
There's no good time to discover a dead body. But in the middle of your wedding day has to be the worst time ever.
For Jenny Hislop, her wedding in her coastal hometown in Ireland is meant to be the happiest day of her life. Despite the painful memories the town holds of the parents she's lost, Jenny's blissfully happy as she makes her way from the ceremony to the secluded lighthouse for the reception.
Then she finds a dead body on the cliffs. A murder victim. Who looks identical to her husband.
As far as Jenny knows, her husband - still alive and well - is an only child. So, who is this stranger who looks so much like him? Was he killed because of their resemblance? Could he be dead because of a mistaken identity? If so, which of her wedding guests would want her husband dead, and why?
When more wedding guests start to die, two things become crystal clear. One, the people closest to Jenny are hiding deadly secrets from her. And two, this will certainly be a wedding no-one will ever forget . . .
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
About the author
Cathy Cole
6 books21 followersCathy Cole is a novelist, prize-winning short story writer, and Pushcart nominated poet.
Cathy writes mainly in the mystery/psychological suspense genre. Her debut novel Where There’s Smoke was published in March 2017 by Fireborn Publishing. (Later, independently published.)
She has a two-book deal with Orion for her second and third novels, with the first, The Wedding, to be published in 2026.
Cathy is represented by Katie Fulford/ Bell Lomax Moreton @BLM_Agency.
You can view all her published work on her website: https://cathycoleauthor.com/
Or follow her on:
X: https://x.com/CathyCole66
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathyColeAut...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/cathyc0928/
Cathy writes mainly in the mystery/psychological suspense genre. Her debut novel Where There’s Smoke was published in March 2017 by Fireborn Publishing. (Later, independently published.)
She has a two-book deal with Orion for her second and third novels, with the first, The Wedding, to be published in 2026.
Cathy is represented by Katie Fulford/ Bell Lomax Moreton @BLM_Agency.
You can view all her published work on her website: https://cathycoleauthor.com/
Or follow her on:
X: https://x.com/CathyCole66
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathyColeAut...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Smashword: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/cathyc0928/
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Wedding by Cathy Cole, OK Jess is home in Inverness Ireland to marry her beloved Doctor Richard the thing they cherish having in common is that they were both alone in the world where Richard had no one Jess lost her parents at 14 and with the exception of her aunt her many cousins she really had no one. Richard insisted they get married there so at least someone will have family at the wedding and Jess couldn’t be happier. She’s even renting out the local lighthouse now a B&B to stay at. As a child she thought the lighthouse was her tower of strength and played in there on many days. after her and husband Richard go to the cemetery to leave her wedding bouquet at her parents plot in the cemetery it’s when they’re walking back that she notices a dead body face down. Little does Jesse know despite her husband claiming to be an only child to two dead parents the man on the stairs looks exactly like him. this is when Richard comes clean or at least in a way he does. Before they left to go to Inverness someone was stalking Jess and there isn’t long before she learns this person is back. twin John will not be the only dead person on their wedding day and the person who murdered him will not be the only murderer. This book is a twisty tail that I thought was really good there were many things in the book I found crazy like saying she was alone in the world yet she had all these cousins in her aunt who loved her like a mother I just don’t see that as being alone. Either way I love her and I loved her family they were funny and quirky and evil, scuttle butt, All of them were just great characters if you love good mysteries it’s self opera type end things then you absolutely love this story I did I thought it was great and totally met the mood I was in. i’m going to say I didn’t get the whole Fallon thing well I got it but I didn’t get it if that makes sense to those who read the book in any event a great read and what I definitely recommend. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Wedding is a gripping, high‑stakes thriller that takes the idea of a “big day” and turns it deliciously on its head. What begins as a joyful celebration on the Irish coast quickly spirals into a nightmare when Jenny Hislop stumbles upon a dead body on the cliffs—one that looks exactly like her new husband. It’s an opening that hooks you instantly and sets the tone for a story filled with tension, secrets, and emotional landmines.
Jenny is a compelling protagonist: hopeful, vulnerable, and still carrying the weight of past grief as she returns to the hometown that shaped her. The author captures her shock and unraveling sense of reality with such clarity that you feel every beat of her confusion and fear. The coastal setting adds a haunting beauty to the chaos—windswept cliffs, a secluded lighthouse, and a wedding party that slowly begins to feel more like a trap than a celebration.
As the mystery deepens and more guests turn up dead, the novel becomes a clever, twist‑laden puzzle about identity, loyalty, and the dangerous things people hide behind polished smiles. The tension between Jenny and her husband is especially compelling; every revelation forces her to question not just the people around her, but the man she’s just vowed to spend her life with.
The pacing is tight, the atmosphere immersive, and the twists land with satisfying precision. It’s the kind of thriller you race through in a single sitting, equal parts emotional drama and edge‑of‑your‑seat suspense. A dark, addictive, and wonderfully cinematic read—this is one wedding you won’t forget in a hurry.
With thanks to Cathy Cole, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Jenny is a compelling protagonist: hopeful, vulnerable, and still carrying the weight of past grief as she returns to the hometown that shaped her. The author captures her shock and unraveling sense of reality with such clarity that you feel every beat of her confusion and fear. The coastal setting adds a haunting beauty to the chaos—windswept cliffs, a secluded lighthouse, and a wedding party that slowly begins to feel more like a trap than a celebration.
As the mystery deepens and more guests turn up dead, the novel becomes a clever, twist‑laden puzzle about identity, loyalty, and the dangerous things people hide behind polished smiles. The tension between Jenny and her husband is especially compelling; every revelation forces her to question not just the people around her, but the man she’s just vowed to spend her life with.
The pacing is tight, the atmosphere immersive, and the twists land with satisfying precision. It’s the kind of thriller you race through in a single sitting, equal parts emotional drama and edge‑of‑your‑seat suspense. A dark, addictive, and wonderfully cinematic read—this is one wedding you won’t forget in a hurry.
With thanks to Cathy Cole, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Celebration, confusion… and a corpse?!
What a wonderfully whacky wedding. Cathy Cole has written an addictive, fast-paced thriller that’s dangerously easy to devour — the kind you intend to read a few chapters of and then accidentally finish.
The characters feel real and believable, complete with all the traits that make families such a joy… and an absolute nightmare. The dialogue is sharp, occasionally very witty, and painfully true to form. There are family members you’ll love to hate, stirring up tensions that feel authentic rather than manufactured — no cardboard villains here, just recognisably awful people.
The final act is wracked with tension, complete with an obligatory storm, rising panic, and a couple of genuinely dazzling twists. There’s also a perfectly timed Irish flourish — a beautifully blunt “Póg mo thóin” (kiss my arse) — which felt both deeply satisfying and entirely earned.
While the setting may be celebratory, this is very much a dark domestic thriller, touching on family dysfunction and long-buried resentments — so expect emotional fireworks alongside the murder.
“The Wedding” is pretty much perfect for thriller readers, particularly fans of K.L. Slater and Frieda McFadden. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future Cathy Cole books — honestly, it’s almost rude for a debut to be this readable.
My thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC of “The Wedding” by Cathy Cole.
What a wonderfully whacky wedding. Cathy Cole has written an addictive, fast-paced thriller that’s dangerously easy to devour — the kind you intend to read a few chapters of and then accidentally finish.
The characters feel real and believable, complete with all the traits that make families such a joy… and an absolute nightmare. The dialogue is sharp, occasionally very witty, and painfully true to form. There are family members you’ll love to hate, stirring up tensions that feel authentic rather than manufactured — no cardboard villains here, just recognisably awful people.
The final act is wracked with tension, complete with an obligatory storm, rising panic, and a couple of genuinely dazzling twists. There’s also a perfectly timed Irish flourish — a beautifully blunt “Póg mo thóin” (kiss my arse) — which felt both deeply satisfying and entirely earned.
While the setting may be celebratory, this is very much a dark domestic thriller, touching on family dysfunction and long-buried resentments — so expect emotional fireworks alongside the murder.
“The Wedding” is pretty much perfect for thriller readers, particularly fans of K.L. Slater and Frieda McFadden. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future Cathy Cole books — honestly, it’s almost rude for a debut to be this readable.
My thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC of “The Wedding” by Cathy Cole.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4* Not what I was expecting - in a good way. Not a cosy mystery per se but still a pretty decent tale, if a sad one.
What a wedding day. Delight followed by death. And more death. And drugs. And family secrets. And family jealousies. And true friendships, and family left behind but now found. And maybe a romance in the making. The killer's (killers'?) narrative was skillfully done, as was the 'she's mine' narrative and I almost pegged the most obvious character for the killer/s, but the author kind of went a tad overboard with their name, which made me realise it was a red herring. The addition of another bunch of cops on top of the local garda wasn't explained and added nothing to the tale. 'Poor Fern' was repeated several times but came to nothing. The older siblings were mostly red herrings. The bad people in the tale, and there were a few, were believable, especially the worst. Think Jack Nicholson in The Shining in the final scene.
Overall a decent but slightly too long and unnecessarily overcomplicated tale.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Orion Publishing/Hachette for my reading pleasure.
What a wedding day. Delight followed by death. And more death. And drugs. And family secrets. And family jealousies. And true friendships, and family left behind but now found. And maybe a romance in the making. The killer's (killers'?) narrative was skillfully done, as was the 'she's mine' narrative and I almost pegged the most obvious character for the killer/s, but the author kind of went a tad overboard with their name, which made me realise it was a red herring. The addition of another bunch of cops on top of the local garda wasn't explained and added nothing to the tale. 'Poor Fern' was repeated several times but came to nothing. The older siblings were mostly red herrings. The bad people in the tale, and there were a few, were believable, especially the worst. Think Jack Nicholson in The Shining in the final scene.
Overall a decent but slightly too long and unnecessarily overcomplicated tale.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Orion Publishing/Hachette for my reading pleasure.
November 22, 2025
Jenny and Richard have gone to her home town to get married.
After their wedding, they find a body, and it isn't the last dead body that will be found.
Ahh, I thought weddings were supposed to be joyous occasions? Not this one!
Very twisty novel, full of murders and attacks. And even a stalker!
Very creepy feel to some of the novel, also very emotional in places.
I did enjoy the book. BUT, there were so many characters. What I didn't like was the use of 'nicknames' for the family members. For the simple reason that in one sentence, the nickname is used, and in the next, the person's given name is used. Makes it too confusing. Either use one or the other in a novel.
Well plotted and engrossing.
After their wedding, they find a body, and it isn't the last dead body that will be found.
Ahh, I thought weddings were supposed to be joyous occasions? Not this one!
Very twisty novel, full of murders and attacks. And even a stalker!
Very creepy feel to some of the novel, also very emotional in places.
I did enjoy the book. BUT, there were so many characters. What I didn't like was the use of 'nicknames' for the family members. For the simple reason that in one sentence, the nickname is used, and in the next, the person's given name is used. Makes it too confusing. Either use one or the other in a novel.
Well plotted and engrossing.
April 3, 2026
Jenny Hislop was looking forward to her wedding but when a body is discovered and he looks identical to her husband. What this means and what it uncovers provides a dark page turning mystery.
Written with plenty of tension, good pacing and fabulous settings, this was premised to be an excellent bool. For me however it fell short in a couple of places. It seemed every this was thrown at the story, multiple deaths, drugs, family secrets, romance, friendships which resulted in an overly complex plot which took my interest away from the main theme. Added to this was the sheer number of characters, It makes it difficult to remember who they all are and what their relationships to each other are, which is not helped b the use of nicknames as well.
I wanted to like this more but I struggled.
Written with plenty of tension, good pacing and fabulous settings, this was premised to be an excellent bool. For me however it fell short in a couple of places. It seemed every this was thrown at the story, multiple deaths, drugs, family secrets, romance, friendships which resulted in an overly complex plot which took my interest away from the main theme. Added to this was the sheer number of characters, It makes it difficult to remember who they all are and what their relationships to each other are, which is not helped b the use of nicknames as well.
I wanted to like this more but I struggled.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Wedding is a murder mystery with a really great premise and an atmospheric, coastal setting. I did guess what was happening right after the body was discovered though, so that took some of the fun out of it. I couldn't have predicted the carnage that followed though, so I did read The Wedding quite quickly to see if I was right and to see how everything came together in the end.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 13, 2026
This murder mystery, set in a small Irish town, had a bit of everything. Love, quirky families, dead parents, murder, weddings, stalking, babies, drunk besties, gay cousins, and so much more
There was a lot going on in this book. At times, it felt like too much, and I wondered how everything would be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, but it more or less happened.
I really enjoyed this, and will definitely read other books by the author.
There was a lot going on in this book. At times, it felt like too much, and I wondered how everything would be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, but it more or less happened.
I really enjoyed this, and will definitely read other books by the author.
March 16, 2026
A very suspenseful mystery! On what should be the happiest day of their lives, Richard and Jenny discover the body of what appears to be Richard’s twin brother after their wedding. But all is not what it seems and there are more deaths before the truth comes out. A real page turner!
March 29, 2026
The Wedding is a highly suspenseful and atmospheric page turner. Kept me guessing right until the end.
July 2, 2026
A slow burn thriller that, unfortunately, has a ridiculous twist (which completely ruined the story for me).
May 11, 2026
Very good. Totally not what a wedding day should be like. With twists;and turns!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews