Plot Twist

The Village Library Mysteries #14

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

Something old, something new, something borrowed, someone's through.

Librarian Ann Beckett thought planning her wedding to newspaper editor Grayson Phillips would be stressful enough without adding murder to the mix. But when Whitby’s only wedding planner turns up dead, Ann’s dreams of a perfect ceremony become an unwanted investigation.

Vivian Cross had a reputation for flawless weddings—and for making enemies of everyone from florists to photographers. With her own big day approaching and vendors dropping like flies from the suspect list, Ann finds herself caught between picking centerpieces and picking apart alibis.

From bridesmaid drama to bouquet battles, Ann discovers that behind Whitby’s picture-perfect weddings lies a world of professional jealousy, family feuds, and business revenge. With Luna offering colorful commentary on wedding trends and Fitz supervising from his perch among the flower arrangements, Ann must solve the case before her own happily-ever-after gets permanently postponed.

220 pages, Paperback

Published February 12, 2026

About the author

Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ann and Grayson are planning their wedding; they want a small, simple affair at their home with only their closest friends. Their wedding planner, however, wants much more pizzaz and aggressively pushes for it. Fortunately their caterer, a fellow they know well, understands what they want and plans to give it to them. However, when two people are killed, their wedding plans may not come to fruition. Of course, Ann and Grayson begin their own investigation to help the local police chief do his job. Throughout the investigation, Ann continues to provide excellent service to her library customers.

[Sue Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I'm the outlier, butI'm not a fan of weddings, especially modern over the top weddings. Fortunately, Ann and Greyson just wanted a low key old fashioned wedding. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong wedding planner who kept dismissing their choices and trying to upgrade them. Then just weeks before the wedding, the planner is murdered. Most of the book focuses on the remodeling of Ann's house, the murders, and the goings on in the library. Fitz the cat makes many appearances, so I was able to tolerate the details about the wedding. The book is a good addition to the series.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun series! Just weeks before her wedding, Ann discovers all is not as it seemed. When her very pushy wedding planner is murdered, she must find the killer and rescue her wedding day. This nice twisty mystery is well written and full of interesting characters. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Illyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are so quaint (and I mean that as a compliment); I find them to be a nice palette cleanser between more complex, long reads. It's nice to have the recurring characters in the smallish town of Whitby and even though there seems to be an unusual number of murders over time (kind of the point), the underlying foundation of the town and the core characters is lovely.

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and entertaining read with librarian Ann, her newspaper editor fiancé, Grayson, and her cat, Fitz, planning their October wedding when they become involved in the murder of the town of Whitby’s and their own wedding planner, a rather unpopular and demanding woman, Vivian. Enjoyable as always.

[Daphne Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep getting better and better

Love this series. The characters are great and I love the fact that both young and old are teaching each other. Loved the ending and looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the series!

I loved this book! Wedding problems and pushy vendors were just so real. Of course, the ending was the best. Elizabeth Spann Craig is my favorite author in all her series of books.

[patricia sonoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot Twist BooK 14

I have read every book in this series and have never been disappointed. The characters feel like old friends and each mystery is well written. I'm looking forward to book #15.

[Theresa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous series!! All of the characters are great , & I want to live in this town!
Looking forward to another installment

[Brenda williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

Truly enjoyed reading 1 - 14 in the series. Easy read. I love that the main character is so positive. Definitely recommend!