A Bridesmaid’s Guide to Murder

by Abigail Scott

She's paid to be your best friend on your big day... but she never expected murder to be part of the deal.

Emelia Walsh has one of the most unusual jobs on the planet—she's a Professional Bridesmaid. Armed with an emergency kit that would impress MacGyver, Emmy steps into strangers' weddings and becomes whatever the bride a confidante, an emotional buffer, or a human fire extinguisher.

When Emmy arrives at the picturesque Evergreen Summit Resort for Monica Turner's winter wedding weekend, she's prepared for the usual wardrobe malfunctions, family tensions, and maintaining her cover as the bride's "old college friend." What she's not prepared for is the web of secrets, rivalries, and suspicious circumstances swirling beneath the perfect snow-globe setting.

When a shocking murder disrupts the wedding plans, Emmy’s role shifts from emotional buffer to amateur sleuth—all while dodging questions from handsome but infuriating Detective John Sutton, who seems both suspicious of her—and strangely interested.
In this charming first installment of the Bridesmaid's Guide to Murder series, Emmy discovers that when you make a career out of stepping into other people's stories, sometimes those stories include murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary, Detective, Fiction

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2025

Reviews

[Jenna Hodgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery kept me guessing all the way to the very end, while still keeping me engaged with an enjoyable storyline. The things that were missing from this murder mystery were excessive gore and profanity, and I’m thankful they were omitted!
I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series!

[Aga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is everything a cozy mystery should be—fun, charming, and delightfully quirky!
I adored Emelia, our "bridesmaid-for-hire," whose wit and determination had me hooked from the very first chapter. Add in a cranky (but secretly soft) policeman, small-town gossip, and a perfectly tangled mystery, and you’ve got the ultimate cozy escape. Warm, witty, and just the right sprinkle of suspense—loved this one!

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with humor, heart, and a heroine you’ll want as your new BFF, this one’s for you!

[Rachel Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Cozy Mystery

Darling Cozy Mystery. This could definitely be a hallmark mystery show. A professional bridesmaid who helps solves murder while saving the brides day as well. Definitely an exciting read. And I honestly didn’t guess the person who done it until the end. I can’t wait to read book 2. She has roped me into this. I’m invested. I can’t wait to find out what happens to Emelia as well. I hope she gets a happy ending.

Content: just mention of blood and dead body. Nothing graphic. No sexual content.

[Rubi Pena · Rating 4 out of 5]

good cozy mystery. easy to read and had a great flow to it. I enjoyed it.

[Olivia Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely cozy mystery - easy to read, nothing too scary, intriguing, etc!

[Zahrah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was immersed into the beautiful setting that is Vermont(I've never been but I want to visit now)!
 
- The writer has paid close attention to detail to create rich, vivid and wintery descriptions; 'stepping into fresh snow', 'being greeted by wave of warmth' and heavenly scents we know too well when winter comes around. cosy vibes!
 
- Loved also how weather was used symbolically; mentions of the chaos of the snow whilst events are taking place and how it soon settles once everything comes to a close. Thought that was beautiful!
 
- Enjoyed the banter between the protagonist and the detective and the gradual slow burn into a potential relationship in future books.
 
- Insight into the protagonist was also interesting, her past and how her past experiences have shaped her present were well written and not too much. It didn't stray away from the main plot of the story. It all tied together very well. What a unique, interesting profession! She's such a loving, caring and dedicated person!
 
- Finished the book in one sitting as I was eager to find out 'who' the culprit was as I had no idea! I kept changing my mind!
 
- I will definitely be on the look out for the next book. I really want our protagonist and detective to get together.
 
A special thank you to Voracious Readers Only for giving me and readers the opportunity to discover authors and their lovely books.

Z x
 
 
 

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute little murder mystery puts the heroine, Emmy, a professional bridesmaid, in the midst of the worst of wedding disasters - the murder of one of the members of the wedding party. With a limited cast of characters, there is a limited list of suspects. Of course, the policeman called on the scene,is the hunky, handsome John Sutton. In spite of tension between them, a spark of romance begins to grow between John and Emmy. The book doesn't have any exciting or unexpected turns, but it's an interesting, light read that you can enjoy when you just need to kick back and relax. I received a complemenatry copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers only (although I did go ahead and buy a copy on Amazon just because the format was better for me).

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book during the Christmas break as I was in desperate need of an escape from reality, and this was the perfect remedy. I ended up reading it in one sitting and immediately started the second book in the series. Talk about smitten!

”It was strange, the way a whole weekend could unspool like that. Everything planned down to the last flower petal—undone by something so tragic.”

The interesting premise is what initially drew me in, and before I knew it, I couldn’t tear myself away. This entirety of 2025 went to helping plan my sister’s wedding this past November, and I felt myself thinking about all that went into that and what mirrored this story. No, there wasn’t a murder, but there was some major drama, and the truth was a mystery, so I could see a lot of parallels.

Despite having to suspend reality to read cozy mysteries, I think this was masterfully done. Everything is kept simple and surface-level with nothing going too deep despite this being a murder investigation. The characters are believable and have a certain charm that keeps the reader engaged, and while the predictability is evident, there was a little twist I didn’t see coming, which is always a treat.

This is such a great start to a series, and I’m excited to see where the Emelia Walsh mysteries take us next!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed How Was a Bridesmaid’s Guide to Murder by Abigail Scot—it was exactly the kind of cozy mystery I love curling up with. The idea of a professional bridesmaid instantly hooked me, and Emelia “Emmy” Walsh quickly became a character I found myself rooting for. Her emergency-kit-at-the-ready competence and emotional intelligence felt both believable and refreshing.

The snowy Evergreen Summit Resort setting gave me full winter escape vibes, and I loved how the story contrasted picture-perfect wedding moments with simmering secrets and tensions. Watching Emmy shift from wedding problem-solver to amateur sleuth was especially fun, and her instincts for reading people made her investigative role feel natural rather than forced.

I also enjoyed the dynamic with Detective John Sutton—their back-and-forth added just the right amount of humor and spark without overpowering the mystery. While I did guess a few things along the way, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment, and the pacing kept me turning pages.

Overall, this was a cozy, entertaining read that felt both light and clever.

[Felina Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emelia Walsh is the new heroine in this trailblazing whodunit. Walsh runs into a puzzling homicide while working as a professional bridesmaid for a client's wedding in Vermont. This incident spurs her to try her unsophisticated investigating skills in solving the riddle. Red herrings were thrown her way but with the collaboration and supervision of Detective John Sutton, she was able to eventually resolve the conundrum and identify the perpetrator.

The novel had all the positive attributes of a rewarding cozy murder mystery-amateur sleuth, quaint and charming setting, relatable character and a strong hook. Crime enthusiasts will certainly enjoy the sense of escapism this blithe and lighthearted crime narrative provides!

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

4/5.
[My review might contain spoilers, so...beware!!!!]

I was so entertained by this book that I finished it in one day. I was interested to see how a murder mystery would play out in a short 200-page book, but it was paced perfectly.
I'm not a big murder mystery fan, but I really liked it in this book. I did not figure out the murderer till the end, and that's definitely a me thing, lol.
The romance was also mild, but I liked it. when I first started reading it, I was scared the Male lead might've been from the bridal party, but im sooo glad he wasn't. Him being the detective made me happy and I really like him lol.
Definitely will recommend.

[Birgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely unrealistic - a detective including a completely strange person, someone on his suspect list on top, just would end in his watching traffic again, if not being dismissed. Furthermore, when she Emmy sees him the first time, she knows who he is, his first name and surname, which I think is a major error in the storytelling.
However: the protagonists were absolutely adorable, the storytelling (with the exception of minor things like mentioned above) humorous, fluent, fast paces.
Either in spite of, or because of the flaws in the story (I am not sure myself which of them), I loved this book and will definitely read more in this series.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with how mysterious this was. The characters in the wedding party were written in detail so you knew whom was whom. The couple were so emotional you could feel it through the pages. The twists and turns it was pretty good. Emmy was intriguing in her own way. We had a heroine who was everywhere due to her job and she put that to good use. The detective was determined to find out who she was and why she was in his investigation it was definitely a good chase there. Overall I recommend!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I stumbled across this book the other day through a Book Cave email. I’m not sure if I’ve heard of the author before, but I’m definitely going to look into her. This was well-written and has great character development. I liked how she kept me guessing. Enough was resolved to keep me happy, but the author did dangle a carrot that has me wanting to see what else is in store for Emelia Walsh. I’m not finding a second book yet, but hopefully it will be available soon.

[A.M. Hogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

I really enjoyed A Bridesmaid's Guide to Murder and look forward to reading more books in the series! This is the first book I've read by Abigail Scott, and I was turning pages well into the early morning hours, I couldn't get enough. The romance wasn't as prevalent as I usually like in books -- imagine that, since it's advertised as a cozy mystery -- but there was enough there to keep me interested. Would definitely recommend!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A professional bridesmaid—what a unique career! Emelia has mastered the art of making every bride's day joyful and stress-free. But this time, things take a dark turn when the best man is found dead. With the entire wedding party under suspicion, the police zero in on the groom. Emelia doesn’t know these people well, but she’s pieced together a profile from what she’s been told and her own keen observations. The lead detective seems intrigued by her insights—and maybe a bit by Emelia herself. People tend to confide in her, sharing secrets they wouldn’t tell others, giving her an edge in uncovering information. Can she piece together the truth before everyone is allowed to leave the hotel?

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its charming blend of mystery and romance, this cozy whodunit followed Emmy, a professional bridesmaid, as she navigated a complex web of murder and deception. Her intelligence and resourcefulness made her a relatable and endearing protagonist. The winter wedding setting provided a picturesque backdrop, while the mystery itself remained suspenseful and engaging. Ultimately, it was a fun, lighthearted read.

[Sevi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

oyeeeeeee es bien disfrutón!!!! que cozy todo, qué misterio tan guay. la ambientación está muy conseguida, la revelación no me la veía venir, aunque no me ha terminado de gustar del todo.

la química entre los dos es muy guay, un poco rápido, pero es que es un libro muy cortito. Deseando leer el siguiente, tengo la sensación de que me va a gustar más que este!

[Holly D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading mysteries. Unfortunately, i usually figure out who did it. This book kept me entertained and fascinated. The characters are well-thought-out and interesting. It is a ‘who done it’ that I didn’t figure out. I didn’t want the book to end and can’t wait to read the next in the series!! Great mystery!

[Kristin Spad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the story. The pace of the novel was amazing and kept me wanting to read more so I could find out who the killer was. I like the protagonists in the book and the idea someone is a professional bridesmaid for weddings. Makes an interesting take on cozy murder mystery novels.

[Elizabeth Leleux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series beginning

This was my first book by this author. I truly enjoyed reading it. It is mostly from Emelia's point of view, but there are a few parts from the detective, John's, point of view. Cozy mystery, fun idea, and realistic storyline.
Excited to read books 2 and 3.

[Kelsey McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started this book. Saw cozy mystery and thought "this will be good." I was a little disappointed that it wasn't my typical style (standalone and spicy) but I decided to go for it.
I am hooked. I absolutely love Emelia and John. Im hopeful that there will be more romance and a HEA for Emmy at the end of the series.

[R. Hollis]

Keeps you hooked

I couldn't put it down. Wanting to pin down who did it, thinking I nailed it, only to find out I was wrong... trying to keep up with Emelia would be a full time job, but I think she might have found her match.

[Izzy Colchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the perfect cozy mystery, with just the right amount of twists and turns without being overly complicated or dark. I thoroughly enjoyed ‘A Bridesmaid’s Guide To Murder’ and can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a cozy mystery which just get you into the story like a silent spectator. The story developed and just close to the end I had an idea about who done it.
A fun read and exactly what I needed at this moment. It just got 4⭐ as I would love to read more. ;)

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

compelling mystery

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was a real page turner that I couldn’t put down. I like Emilia and the detective and hope for more.

Will definitely be following this series.

[Mary Seyler-Branford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Truly Great Mystery

This book is very interesting. There are many characters and they are all full of nooks and crannies. You’ll have a hard time, figuring it out, but it makes sense at the end. Funny, interesting, and very hard to figure out. You’ll love it.

[Gwyneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up. A fun, charming, cozy mystery read. Has humor, heart, and you'll be rooting for the heroine. Very quick read that will keep you entertained. Thanks to LibraryThing for the early reviewer copy.

[Becky Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5. This was a nice, quick cozy mystery. I found the characters likable and there to be a reasonable amount of plot twists to keep me engaged. I just felt like some of the characters were added just to put names on a page with no real purpose.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected when I began reading this book but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted. Marriage and murders come together in an entertaining and riveting story. She is a first-time author for me but I will be looking for more of Ms. Scott's books in the future.