Weddings Can Be Murder

Charlie Parker #16

by Connie Shelton

New--from USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton! Charlie Parker's brother, Ron, is ready for the happiest day of his life when he will marry long-time girlfriend Victoria Morgan. Charlie will be matron of honor, her husband Drake the best man. But when Charlie stops by the bride's house to pick her up for the ceremony, the place is in disarray and Victoria is missing. And Ron has no proof of where he was the night before, after he and his fiancée had a terrible argument. Was the fight nothing more than pre-wedding jitters, as Ron claims? Or did the unthinkable happen? Things go from bad to worse when the media jumps on the story and the police treat Ron as a suspect. However, as usual, the answers are not quite so simple. Charlie has her hands full sorting out clues from the distant past, learning things about Victoria none of them knew. Praise for Connie Shelton’s Charlie Parker mystery “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” --The Midwest Book Review “Charlie is just what readers want.” –Booklist “Shelton has done a superb job bringing New Mexico to life.” --Albuquerque Journal “Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth.” –Midwest Book Review * * * Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen mysteries in two series. The first is the Charlie Parker series featuring Charlotte "Charlie" Parker as an accountant who reluctantly tends to get involved in cases that come into the private investigation firm she owns with her brother, Ron. Connie's second series features Samantha Sweet, a Taos baker with a magical touch, who also breaks into houses for a living. In addition to her full-time writing career, Connie has taught writing, is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend writing course, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She and her husband reside in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com and get her free mystery newsletter.

Genres: Mystery

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

My love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.

I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.

In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.

Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good addition to the series. 4.5*

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each book in the series just keeps getting better and better. When I first began the series, I didn't care to much for the heroine, but I had bought several of the books and decided I'd go ahead and read the ones I had bought. I am so very glad that I did because I've come to really like Charlie Parker and the series is really good. The recurring characters are really well done as well.

You can see the storyline by looking at the synopsis on the book. You have some really, really bad guys, learn some new information about a recurring character and -- of course -- get to see a good mystery solved!! One of the bad guys will certainly surprise you!

If you like mysteries, I'd recommend this one -- and the entire series!

[Diane Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weddings go wild

Another great romp with Charlie and gang!
Fun interweaving of stories - they just keep getting better and better! Thank yippy!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book

I looked forward to Ron and Victoria’s wedding, but never expected the rest. Good job on another excellent book and a good read.

[Marea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise pulled me in straight away, a wedding morning gone wrong with the bride missing and the groom becoming the main suspect is a solid setup. I liked how the story focused on the investigation and slowly unraveled what really happened, especially with the layers from Victoria’s past coming into play.

The pacing worked for me, and I stayed interested throughout without feeling like it dragged. It didn’t completely blow me away, but it was engaging, coherent, and wrapped up in a satisfying way. Overall, a good read that kept my attention and delivered what it promised. A comfortable 4 stars for me.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

charlies friend was going to get married to charlies brother, but was shot in her house and disappeared

it flashed back to her friends mom getting involed and preg by a man who arranged murders and drug running as a side line

she had told her daughter her dad died in viet nam but left papers with her

her father came looking for evidence but didnt find it.

her friend got away and was in the hospital but recovered

charlie found the evidence and turned it over to the police

there was a shoot out in the police parking lot, the bad men were arrested

they had the wedding late

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook was good and none of that sound of the narrator breathing, swallowing and background noise. I still favor the sweets books, but this one was good as well.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to hear about Victoria's past.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would like to give it 3.5. Again didn’t like the parallel story from the past. Grrr! The last 2 Ave been that way. Hope the last ones don’t. Love the current story of Charlie and gang!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good one. love it.

[Dee DenBleyker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big Day has finally arrived....it's Ron and Victoria's wedding day and Charlie is the Matron of Honor. Charlie arrives at Victoria's house to help her prepare and get her to the church on time. After ringing the doorbell several times Charlie tries the door knob and finds the door unlocked. Entering she discovers blood on the carpet and Victoria's wedding gown in a ball on the rug. Victoria is missing and Charlie realizes this isn't good and calls Drake. Ron is beside himself, the police have been called and now Ron is a murder suspect.

Ms. Shelton skillfully takes us back in time to 1978 and tells us about a young girl Juliette and connects that tale along with the present making this a very enjoyable read. Next to The Woodcarvers Secret, I think this is Ms. Shelton's next best effort and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story of love, family ties and how lies can damage lives. Perfect portrayal of media and the need for sensationalism. In typical Charlie fashion she keeps digging until the case is solved. Wonderful characters who are old friends and it's always nice to catch up with them. Hope this series has many more stories

[Jackie Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Connie Shelton never disappoints..I couldn't put this book down. I like the way she went back and forth in between the years telling you about Julliet, Victoria's mother. It was all very exciting. I couldn't put it down. This book is a must read.

[Kathie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoopla The best of the whole series and the last one on hoopla.
Will have to try and find the next one in some other form.