Wedding Dress Murder: A Tall Pines Cozy Mystery

Tall Pines Cozy Mystery #5

by Avery Kent

An amateur sleuth on her way down the aisle, her two best friends, and a body in a ballroom.

Rancher Ashley Travis can’t find a dress that fits her style or her sass at an old friend’s bridal boutique, so she joins her besties at a bridal show hoping for inspiration. But the weekend goes from satin to sinister when a famous cut-throat wedding dress designer is found dead among the tulle and tiaras.

With suspects including bitter rivals, a demoted journalist with a grudge, an ambitious business partner, a scorned client and a put upon apprentice, everyone has something to hide. Even their bridal store owning friend has secrets sewn into her taffeta sleeves.

With time running out as the show winds down, can Ashley, her trusted collie Ace and her friends, unveil the truth in time? Or will the murderer slip away, like a runaway bride?

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2025

Reviews

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I thought I was sitting down to a cozy little mystery set in wedding wonderland. You know—lace, cake, and happily-ever-afters. But Wedding Dress Murder? Oh, it said, “Bless your heart” and then yanked the rug (or veil) right out from under me!
Ashley Travis is back and as bold and sassy as ever, and let me just say—I adore this girl. I’m not a cowgirl or a rancher, but somehow Ashley always makes me feel like I could rock boots, wrangle cattle, and still crack a murder case before my coffee gets cold. She’s not just nosy (although yes, girl, same), she’s clever, gutsy, and has that kind of loyalty I wish more cozy sleuths had. And her trusty dog Ace? Don’t get me started. He deserves his own badge and doggie treat endorsement deal.
This installment had me cackling at the snarky wedding drama and clutching my metaphorical pearls when the claws came out among the dressmakers. Think: couture chaos with murder mixed in. From rival designers to spurned brides, and even a journalist with a vendetta—this wasn’t just a whodunnit. It was a game of who didn’t want to stab the diva in the ballroom.
The pace? Perfect. The suspects? Juicy. The clues? Layered tighter than a wedding cake in July. And just when I thought I had it figured out? BAM. Another secret pops out like a garter at a rowdy reception.
If you love cozies that balance small-town charm with real character development, light humor, and a mystery that keeps you guessing right until the confetti settles, you need this one in your collection.
Avery Kent, you’ve stitched together another killer hit—and I’ll happily walk down this aisle of murder mysteries with Ashley any day. 🔍🐾👢💐

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planning her wedding to Carlos should be a joy for Ashley, but she’s having plenty of trouble instead. A visit to Lacey’s bridal shop proves disappointing as none of the dresses are quite right. Lacey invites Ashley, Gabby, and Rosemary to the bridal show at The Pines to help her find the right dress. Instead they find vicious designer, Victoria, stabbed in the back with Lacey’s scissors. Although Carlos would prefer they focus on planning the wedding, the amateur sleuths are determined to clear their friend’s name. Victoria’s horrible behavior has left plenty of suspects in her wake. Can Ashley and her friends solve the case and find the perfect dress and venue at the same time?

Avery Kent’s fifth book in her Tall Pines series touches on the lasting effects of childhood trauma. Ashley’s aversion to The Pines becomes clear as her history there is revealed. The solution of the wedding venue is the perfect place, one she feels most comfortable and happiest. The philosophy that the trappings of the wedding are less important than the connection between Ashley and Carlos shows the depth of their commitment to each other. I loved how Lacey took the parts of different dresses that appealed to Ashley to create the perfect wedding dress for her. Victoria’s criticism early in her career may have kept her from becoming a designer, but her vision and talent being discovered after Victoria’s death makes it all the more satisfying. The mystery itself was well written and kept you guessing as motives were revealed. The perpetrator certainly had me fooled for the most part.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in a really great series. Ashley goes to her friend Lacey's bridal shop to find a perfect wedding dress for her wedding to Carlos, the town sheriff. But when nothing seems to entice her, Lacey invites, Ashley, Gabby and Rosemary to a Bridal show to help her find the right dress. But when a very nasty designer, Victoria, is stabbed in the back with Lacey's scissors, Ashley and her friends dive into the investigation to clear Lacey's name. Of course, Carlos would rather they stick to wedding planning, but of course that doesn't stop Ashley! With so many twists and turns and so many prospective suspects, this isn't going to be easy. This is a fast paced, read that keeps you hooked until the surprise ending. I can't wait to see what's next for Ashley. Will She and Carlos finally tie the knot? Or will there be more troubles happening? I not only highly recommend this book, but I recommend the entire series! I received an ARC of this book, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will they ever get everything together for Ashley and Carlos’ wedding?

Once again, we’re in Tall Pines with Ashley and her friends, Gramps, Ace, the handsome sheriff and Ashley’s fiancé, Carlos, and of course, Buck. Now that Ashley said yes, there are wedding plans to be made, including finding the perfect dress for Ashley. However, while on the search for the perfect dress, what they find instead is a perfect murder. No big shock when Ashley, Rosemary and Gabby decide to figure out who murdered the wedding dress designer no one liked. These stories are always entertaining. The plots move right along, the characters are all engaging and this whole story just moves the wedding along rather nicely. There were some very touching scenes in this story as well, so have some tissues ready. I highly recommend reading anything by Avery Kent to all lovers of cozy mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in this series; I’ve read and enjoyed all the previous books, but this book stands alone well. This series just gets better, as we get to know all the characters better, plus I love anything that involves weddings! Ashley is looking for her dress for her wedding to Carlos, the sheriff, but she’s having trouble getting into planning anything that has to do with the wedding. She just wants to marry him and also isn’t really into dresses. So she and her 2 best friends, Gabby (Carlos’ sister) and Rosemary, go to a local wedding dress show, which is attracting many big national designers. Unfortunately, there’s a murder there, and the women decide to help investigate the crime along with Carlos. There are quite a few suspects and potential motives, and the story is well-written and intriguing. I can definitely recommend this book and series; I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.

[Rita Chrivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planning a wedding can be murder especially if you are not certain what you want in a dress . The only venue in town has unhappy associations and now, an actual murder. It turns out that the world of wedding dress design is truly cutthroat and people you know are more than willing to stab you in the back.
Ashley, Lacey, and Gabby attend a wedding dress convention to determine what styles Lacey will carry in her store. More importantly, it is to help Ashley figure out what it is that she does like in a dress for her upcoming wedding since she has no idea. Solving the murder of a top name designer, getting the dress of her dreams, and solving her venue dilemma all make Ashley’s special day even better.
Although this is part of a series, it is easily read as a standalone story.

[Giannina Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley and Carlos wedding is in the planning stages. Ashley, Rosemary and Gabby are on the hunt for the perfect dress. They go to their friend, Lacey's bridal shop but could not find what she wanted. Their is a designer event at "The Pines" to help Lacey and find something Ashley likes. While there a bridal designer is found murdered and they help Carlos to investigate. With the rivalry between designer there are many suspects to check out while trying to find the perfect dress. Ace is along to help the investigation which is quite helpful. Between the investigation, finding the perfect dress, and a venue for the wedding, there is much intrigue and suspense. I recommend this book highly. This is an excellent series and very enjoyable.

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a whodunnit with several suspects — all of whom seem to have alibis — you are going to love trying to solve this riddle. While endlessly perplexing, this novel from Avery Kent is thoroughly enjoyable, and heartwarming in how it deftly weaves together the butterflies of a nervous bride, her supportive family featuring an injured, antsy, and lovable grandfather, with all of the suspects who seem to intersect and interfere with the dead woman and the bride-to-be, plus the sheriff — her fiancé — who just want to ride into the sunset happily ever after. It’s definitely a ride you will enjoy, too.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragedy in tulle!

The search for the perfect wedding dress leads Ashley Travis and her friends to a bridal show. There is barely room for love and lace at the cut-throat event, so it isn’t surprising when a famous designer is murdered at the show. Past and present grudges, and a long list of suspects keep Ashley and Ace busy unraveling the clues.

I enjoyed this cozy with its likable characters and talented dog sidekick. The side story of Ashley’s wedding issues added interest to the storyline. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley is looking for the perfect wedding dress to wear when she marries Carlos and is having trouble. They are either too fluffy, too tight, or just too much. Her friend Lacey steps in and tells her you can come with me to a bridal show and we will find something for you there as there was to be several designers with their models. They go and Ace, Ashley's dog finds one of the designers stabbed in the back while wearing a gown. The girls decide to help Carlos, the sheriff, figure out who the killer is.
I received an arc and this is my honest review.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley is planning her wedding. She tries on dresses at the local shop but nothing is quite right, so her and her friends go to a bridal show at The Pines. However, they find a dead body and the evidence points to their friend Lacey. Of course Ashley starts investigating to clear her friend and find the true culprit. Will Ashley solve the case? Will she find the right wedding dress? Can they find a venue for the wedding/reception that pleases everyone? Read on to find out. Another great mystery from Avery Kent.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunting for the perfect wedding dress, while something most young ladies dream about is also something very stressful. It seems to be even more so for Ashley Travis. There is no doubt she want to marry Carlos, but she can’t decide on venue or a dress. This leads her and her friends to a bridal show which leads to finding a body. There are plenty of suspects, almost too many. I want to go on record that I would love to have an Ace. Ashley, along with Ace and her friends, get totally involved in helping to solve who murdered the unpopular designer. I enjoyed this book.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in the series - all can be read standalone. When a wedding dress designer during a wedding expo, and while Ashley is looking for her wedding dress, of course she an her friends have to dig a little deeper. Wonderful characters that will make you smile and just enjoy the friendship. And a storyline that will keep you engaged with a few surprises. An amazing book to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley,Gabby and Ace go to the Trade Show to find a wedding dress for Ashley but disaster stricks when a famous designer is murdered. There is more going on than it seemed . A captivating read from the start with an edge of the seat finish. I received this ARC copy via Booksprouts and recommend this book to other readers.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding planning challenges!

Another enjoyable book in a great series as Ashley and Carlos face wedding planning challenges.  A murder, an investigation and confusing clues kept me fully entertained from cover to cover.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I read this book as part of an advance reader team. I am voluntarily reviewing this book.  

[Cat B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS
Wedding Dress Murder is another fun Tall Pines read. When Ashley and Carlos decide to take their relationship to the next level the hunt for the perfect wedding dress is on. A bridal show at The Pines should be a big help but when murder intervenes will Ashley ever find her dress.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Search For a Wedding Dress Leads to Murder

This mystery gives a peek into the wedding dress industry. It is full of animosity between designers and also the fierce competition. I loved reading about the process of producing a line of wedding dresses. The murderer almost gets away with it. I loved this mystery.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, little murder mystery weaved around the character and her wedding planning. the story has great characters and quit a few twists and turns.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book from this series that I have read but I enjoyed it so much that I have already started remedied that. I like the close friendships between the main characters. I especially enjoyed Grandpa Joe. Not quite sure about how much info Carlos cares with the three women but I will have to see how that developed earlier in the series.

It was a fun book to read and I look forward to reading more f this series, which I highly recommend. Love Ace and Buck. They need more involvement.

I received an ARC of this book from the author. I highly recommend this book. My review is honest and voluntary. I have also purchased a copy of this book.