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Wedding Planner Mystery #5
Marry Christmas Murder
As professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard organizes a Christmas Eve gala for her best friend, Olivia, the obstacles are starting to outnumber Santa’s reindeer . . .
Olivia’s dreaming of a white Christmas—as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that’s not the only event that’s keeping everyone busy. Olivia’s family are in real estate development, and they’re sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias—a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory’s mom wants to use her daughter’s connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced.
When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve—among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy-drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier . . .
Olivia’s dreaming of a white Christmas—as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that’s not the only event that’s keeping everyone busy. Olivia’s family are in real estate development, and they’re sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias—a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory’s mom wants to use her daughter’s connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced.
When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve—among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy-drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier . . .
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 17, 2019
Mallory is planning her best friend, Olivia March's wedding and preparing for the Christmas season when she gets caught up in yet another murder investigation. With her mother as the prime suspect and someone harassing Olivia's family, Mallory sets out to prove her mother's innocence and in the process, she uncovers dark secrets about the March family. This was a delightful Christmas themed cozy. The storyline is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. The characters are relatable, and the Christmas setting makes this a perfect read for December. I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with this ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 4, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Wedding Planner Mallory Shepard is working with the March family on a few events including Olivia March’s wedding and a Paws and Poinsettias fundraiser for the Port Quincy Animal Shelter. Olivia is Mallory’s best friend and her family has recently come to town to do a large real estate development.
Mallory’s mom and step-dad have returned to Port Quincy too and her mom can’t wait to go back to work. She decides she wants to work for the March development group staging their new homes and wants Mallory to help her get the job. The problem is they already have a stager. Carole doesn’t back down, in fact, she works with just one member of the March family and changes all the decorations for the Paws and Poinsettias event without letting Mallory or the rest of the family know. The company’s current stager and Mallory had work hard to create the perfect theme and they are not happy.
When the stager dies suddenly at the party, the punch is suspect and so is Carole. Again, Mallory’s juggling talents come into play as she tries to solve the murder, put on a wedding, find a missing cat, locate some missing toys, handle unexpected guests, and find how a baby left in a manger 30 years ago ties into everything else happening this holiday season in Port Quincy.
_____
Let me just start by saying I now see Blue Hawaiian Punch and my favorite Blue Hawaiian Cocktail in a completely different way now that I know how easily they can become a weapon of murder!
I continue to be amazed by Mallory Shepard. Within this story, it seems everything is thrown at her but the kitchen sink but she handles it all with just a bit of assistance from her sister Rachel. Mallory is a strong protagonist. Working with family is tough but she and Rachel are pulling it off. It is made difficult this time when their mother and step-dad move into the B&B while they look for a new home. All these characters are well-written and are constantly evolving. The family dynamics are believable and fluid, especially when more unexpected guests need a place to stay.
Ms. Blackmoore fills these pages with drama and excitement. I loved the holiday theme and all the holiday events taking place. She blends mystery with family, friendship, romance, and humor in an entertaining way. We get to know the new characters a bit before the murder takes place. Then author serves up twist after twist and assorted clues that are sure to keep all readers guessing. I really thought I was on the right trail only to have another clue explained to show me I was totally wrong. Driven to get the family under one roof for the holidays really drove the key character to solve the case.
Marry Christmas Murder is a fast-paced story that entangles several threads but Blackmoore unites them all by the end and just in time for a Merry Christmas!
The Wedding Planner Mysteries can all be read on their own, but I encourage you to read them all for maximum enjoyment.
Wedding Planner Mallory Shepard is working with the March family on a few events including Olivia March’s wedding and a Paws and Poinsettias fundraiser for the Port Quincy Animal Shelter. Olivia is Mallory’s best friend and her family has recently come to town to do a large real estate development.
Mallory’s mom and step-dad have returned to Port Quincy too and her mom can’t wait to go back to work. She decides she wants to work for the March development group staging their new homes and wants Mallory to help her get the job. The problem is they already have a stager. Carole doesn’t back down, in fact, she works with just one member of the March family and changes all the decorations for the Paws and Poinsettias event without letting Mallory or the rest of the family know. The company’s current stager and Mallory had work hard to create the perfect theme and they are not happy.
When the stager dies suddenly at the party, the punch is suspect and so is Carole. Again, Mallory’s juggling talents come into play as she tries to solve the murder, put on a wedding, find a missing cat, locate some missing toys, handle unexpected guests, and find how a baby left in a manger 30 years ago ties into everything else happening this holiday season in Port Quincy.
_____
Let me just start by saying I now see Blue Hawaiian Punch and my favorite Blue Hawaiian Cocktail in a completely different way now that I know how easily they can become a weapon of murder!
I continue to be amazed by Mallory Shepard. Within this story, it seems everything is thrown at her but the kitchen sink but she handles it all with just a bit of assistance from her sister Rachel. Mallory is a strong protagonist. Working with family is tough but she and Rachel are pulling it off. It is made difficult this time when their mother and step-dad move into the B&B while they look for a new home. All these characters are well-written and are constantly evolving. The family dynamics are believable and fluid, especially when more unexpected guests need a place to stay.
Ms. Blackmoore fills these pages with drama and excitement. I loved the holiday theme and all the holiday events taking place. She blends mystery with family, friendship, romance, and humor in an entertaining way. We get to know the new characters a bit before the murder takes place. Then author serves up twist after twist and assorted clues that are sure to keep all readers guessing. I really thought I was on the right trail only to have another clue explained to show me I was totally wrong. Driven to get the family under one roof for the holidays really drove the key character to solve the case.
Marry Christmas Murder is a fast-paced story that entangles several threads but Blackmoore unites them all by the end and just in time for a Merry Christmas!
The Wedding Planner Mysteries can all be read on their own, but I encourage you to read them all for maximum enjoyment.
October 18, 2019
Marry Christmas Murder by Stephanie Blackmoore is book five in the Wedding Planner Mystery series. I have read one other book previously and this can be read as a stand alone but you will want to read in order.
Olivia’s dreaming of a white Christmas—as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that’s not the only event that’s keeping everyone busy. Olivia’s family are in real estate development, and they’re sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias—a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory’s mom wants to use her daughter’s connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced.
When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve—among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy-drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier . . .
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, there was so much happening holidays, parties weddings and a little murder. I liked how it was all woven together so neatly that nothing seemed out of place. We got to know the characters their feelings , relationships and care about the outcome. Amongst all this there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing on the identity of the killer.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series and book 6 when it comes out.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Olivia’s dreaming of a white Christmas—as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that’s not the only event that’s keeping everyone busy. Olivia’s family are in real estate development, and they’re sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias—a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory’s mom wants to use her daughter’s connection to snag a job staging homes for the company . . . and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced.
When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve—among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy-drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier . . .
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, there was so much happening holidays, parties weddings and a little murder. I liked how it was all woven together so neatly that nothing seemed out of place. We got to know the characters their feelings , relationships and care about the outcome. Amongst all this there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing on the identity of the killer.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series and book 6 when it comes out.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
August 26, 2019
Mallory is planning her friend Olivia's spring wedding, or so she thinks. The wedding date gets moved up to a few days before Christmas. With her sister Rachel, Mallory scrambles to give her friend the wedding of her dreams, despite the nightmare of dead bodies, the bride's nefarious family, and Mallory's own mom landing in jail!
This is the fifth in the Wedding Planner Mystery Series. It is a delightful Christmas-themed cozy. The mystery is crafted in a way that really made me want to try and solve it before the end of the book. The clues are tantalizing. I want to read the first four in this series now.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
#NetGalley #Reviewathon
This is the fifth in the Wedding Planner Mystery Series. It is a delightful Christmas-themed cozy. The mystery is crafted in a way that really made me want to try and solve it before the end of the book. The clues are tantalizing. I want to read the first four in this series now.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
#NetGalley #Reviewathon
August 23, 2019
This was a fast-paced, entertaining read. The story has a good cast of characters and the mystery was strong and kept me engaged throughout the entire book. Mallory and Rachel are well-written characters and I enjoy the sibling bond they share. In this installment, their mother returns to Port Quincy for good and finds herself smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery. The author has done a terrific job of developing Mallory and Rachel and has allowed them to progress in their business and personal lives in what feels like a natural pace. I liked that both of the girls finally appear to have settled issues in the romance department. The mystery was well plotted and the pace was spot on. Ms. Blackmore provides her readers with amply clues and suspects along with some nice twists and turns. While I found there to be some very strong suspects, the author wrote this mystery in such a way that I was never quite sure who was behind everything that was happening.
This is an entertaining series and I have enjoyed every book to date. I continue to look forward to what the author has in store next both for the characters and the next mystery that comes their way. I will be making a return trip to Port Quincy for the next installment.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
This is an entertaining series and I have enjoyed every book to date. I continue to look forward to what the author has in store next both for the characters and the next mystery that comes their way. I will be making a return trip to Port Quincy for the next installment.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
April 14, 2020
Christmas and cozy mysteries just go together, especially in the talented hands of Stephanie Blackmoore. In this latest book in the wedding planner series, Mallory and her sisyer, Rachel, have set aside the week between Christmas and New Year's Day to enjoy the season with their parents. Except her best friend, Olivia, asked to move her wedding up several months and make it a Christmas wedding. Stressful, but still manageable, when a murder puts her mother in the crosshairs as suspect number one. Well-written and well-plotted, it will keep you turning pages while guessing the identity of the true culprit, Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2019
Marry Christmas Murder is a fast paced story, with a great cast of characters and a strong mystery. Mallory Shephard is a fun character and in this story, it seems she has a lot of decisions to make.
Between preparing for her best friends wedding, Christmas, and her parents surprise visit, Mallory has a lot on her plate, so investigating a murder isn't a priority, until her mother becomes the main suspect.
I like the way this author writes, her stories are fun and we'll told, and always keep the reader guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
Between preparing for her best friends wedding, Christmas, and her parents surprise visit, Mallory has a lot on her plate, so investigating a murder isn't a priority, until her mother becomes the main suspect.
I like the way this author writes, her stories are fun and we'll told, and always keep the reader guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
February 14, 2024
This one just had the right amount of everything. Good amount of storyline outside the mystery, the mystery was really good, and the right amount of romance. Great book.
September 5, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I actually finished this a few days back, but I haven't had the chance to get online and really organize my thoughts on this one. I really loved this mystery, because it was so layered in both present and the past with multiple scenarios and mysteries in one. For an established mystery, this does an excellent job at characterization; You really felt for Mallory with her doubts and wanted Olivia and Toby to get their happy ending. Mallory's mother reminded me of my own a little, and I hated to see her as the suspect! Of course, this is a cozy and nothing is ever as it seems, and eventually we are lead to the true criminal.
I definitely would be interested in going back and reading the previous books. With that ending, the next book is a must read as well!
This is a fun Christmas edition, but the mystery is still fantastic. I highly recommend giving this one a go! Five stars.
I actually finished this a few days back, but I haven't had the chance to get online and really organize my thoughts on this one. I really loved this mystery, because it was so layered in both present and the past with multiple scenarios and mysteries in one. For an established mystery, this does an excellent job at characterization; You really felt for Mallory with her doubts and wanted Olivia and Toby to get their happy ending. Mallory's mother reminded me of my own a little, and I hated to see her as the suspect! Of course, this is a cozy and nothing is ever as it seems, and eventually we are lead to the true criminal.
I definitely would be interested in going back and reading the previous books. With that ending, the next book is a must read as well!
This is a fun Christmas edition, but the mystery is still fantastic. I highly recommend giving this one a go! Five stars.
April 28, 2020
(no spoilers) this story has more than one mystery to solve. perhaps connected?
it kept me on my toes trying to figure it all out.
while the story was a little slow, the characters in the first book were likable enough that you do the 2nd book which i think makes this series an example of a cozy series that got better with each book.
i also liked the developing relationship of Mallory & Garrett.
it kept me on my toes trying to figure it all out.
while the story was a little slow, the characters in the first book were likable enough that you do the 2nd book which i think makes this series an example of a cozy series that got better with each book.
i also liked the developing relationship of Mallory & Garrett.
April 27, 2020
I almost got really mad at the ending of this book. The last like hour started off awful..but it got better so I'm happy and can't wait for the next one :-)
April 18, 2021
Mallory Shepard inherited a mansion from her ex-fiancé's grandmother, and turned it into a B&B. She left her law practice and decided to become an event planner. Now she's exited to plan the wedding of her friend Olivia, who is getting married in the spring...or was, anyway. Olivia wants her to move the wedding up to December 23rd, and while Mallory is busy with other commitments, she wants to help her friend, so agrees.
But things aren't going the way she planned. Olivia's family are in real estate, and they've decided to build in Port Quincy, where Mallory lives. Not many people are happy about it, but the Marches don't care. They run roughshod over everyone, and now Mallory has to deal with them, too. As if that isn't bad enough, her mother Carole and stepfather Doug have decided to move back, too, and are staying with Mallory at her B&B.
What's even worse is the fact that Carole wants a staging job with the Marches -- one that is currently held by Lacey Adams. So it's a surprise when Mallory goes to check on her decorations for Paws and Poinsettias that she and Lacey designed, and discover her mother has redone everything to her own design instead. When Lacey calls Carole out on it, she feels terrible, and when Lacey is later found poisoned by a drink that Carole handed her, she's the main suspect in the murder.
Now Mallory is planning a wedding and trying to keep her mother out of jail, which isn't easy since her mother keeps doing things that might put her in there. With problems on the home front, and her boyfriend Garrett considering a move to a different job, she's heartsick, but hoping the wedding will keep her mind off it. It might work since she's also trying to solve the origin of Olivia's birth, but someone doesn't want her to, and it might be deadly if she tries...
This is the fifth book in the series and I've read every one. What I think about Mallory isn't that she's weak; it's just that she's used to her sister and mother being the way they are and she's given up trying to do anything about it. I have said in previous posts that I didn't like Rachel because she's selfish and self-centered and doesn't help much around the B&B other than baking. Well, now I see where she gets it from. Carole is worse than Rachel. She totally destroys Mallory's work, saying she 'didn't think she'd care.' Excuse me? You just go in and ruin what your daughter has worked hard to do and think it's alright? What kind of mother is this? Also, she says when Mallory and Garrett get married (and he hasn't proposed yet) that they can move out of the B&B and leave the apartment for Rachel. Say what? The B&B belongs to Mallory. It's her home. Why should she move? Rachel should move instead. She doesn't own the place. Nothing like figuring out who the favorite child is. Certainly not the one who works her fingers to the bone, but the one who's centered on her looks. How shallow is this woman that she can't see Mallory's worth? Tell Rachel to move her butt out. That irritated me no end and made me dislike Carole even more. (Also, I don't care for her tropical designs, but oh, well).
Anyway, with what I've said above, I just wanted Carole to go back to Florida but I suppose that won't happen. So, while Carole won't keep her mouth shut Mallory is on the hunt to find a killer. But she never thought it would trace all the way back to Olivia's birth. It's an interesting story line, and I did enjoy reading about it. I liked the way it all came together, and I will read the next in the series. I did have to take away one star because of the other two Shepard women, who distract from the mystery.
But things aren't going the way she planned. Olivia's family are in real estate, and they've decided to build in Port Quincy, where Mallory lives. Not many people are happy about it, but the Marches don't care. They run roughshod over everyone, and now Mallory has to deal with them, too. As if that isn't bad enough, her mother Carole and stepfather Doug have decided to move back, too, and are staying with Mallory at her B&B.
What's even worse is the fact that Carole wants a staging job with the Marches -- one that is currently held by Lacey Adams. So it's a surprise when Mallory goes to check on her decorations for Paws and Poinsettias that she and Lacey designed, and discover her mother has redone everything to her own design instead. When Lacey calls Carole out on it, she feels terrible, and when Lacey is later found poisoned by a drink that Carole handed her, she's the main suspect in the murder.
Now Mallory is planning a wedding and trying to keep her mother out of jail, which isn't easy since her mother keeps doing things that might put her in there. With problems on the home front, and her boyfriend Garrett considering a move to a different job, she's heartsick, but hoping the wedding will keep her mind off it. It might work since she's also trying to solve the origin of Olivia's birth, but someone doesn't want her to, and it might be deadly if she tries...
This is the fifth book in the series and I've read every one. What I think about Mallory isn't that she's weak; it's just that she's used to her sister and mother being the way they are and she's given up trying to do anything about it. I have said in previous posts that I didn't like Rachel because she's selfish and self-centered and doesn't help much around the B&B other than baking. Well, now I see where she gets it from. Carole is worse than Rachel. She totally destroys Mallory's work, saying she 'didn't think she'd care.' Excuse me? You just go in and ruin what your daughter has worked hard to do and think it's alright? What kind of mother is this? Also, she says when Mallory and Garrett get married (and he hasn't proposed yet) that they can move out of the B&B and leave the apartment for Rachel. Say what? The B&B belongs to Mallory. It's her home. Why should she move? Rachel should move instead. She doesn't own the place. Nothing like figuring out who the favorite child is. Certainly not the one who works her fingers to the bone, but the one who's centered on her looks. How shallow is this woman that she can't see Mallory's worth? Tell Rachel to move her butt out. That irritated me no end and made me dislike Carole even more. (Also, I don't care for her tropical designs, but oh, well).
Anyway, with what I've said above, I just wanted Carole to go back to Florida but I suppose that won't happen. So, while Carole won't keep her mouth shut Mallory is on the hunt to find a killer. But she never thought it would trace all the way back to Olivia's birth. It's an interesting story line, and I did enjoy reading about it. I liked the way it all came together, and I will read the next in the series. I did have to take away one star because of the other two Shepard women, who distract from the mystery.
October 2, 2019
The Wedding Planner Mysteries by Stephanie Blackmoore have been a delightful must-read series for me from the first book. Marry Christmas Murder, the fifth book in the series, yields a tense mystery but still maintains the fun interaction between the sisters, the adorable Summer who is growing up too fast, and the winsome and hot Garrett. The girls have maintained a family holiday tradition my closing the B&B to both guests and weddings just before Christmas but when Mallory’s best friend insists on moving her wedding up to Christmas week, Mallory and Rachel can’t refuse. The change would be tough enough since time is so limited, but the death of an employ of the bride’s family complicates matters even more, especially when it looks like their mother is the most likely suspect. No matter how much they trust Truman to find the real killer, the twosome can’t help digging into the other possibilities. It seems that everyone is throwing suspicion on people that Mallory had not even considered leaving her perplexed and frustrated.
The mystery had me hooked the whole time and there was no way I could figure out all the nuances. I love that in a mystery. Since I always suspect everyone, I did hit on at least part of the resolution, but there were some real surprises at the end.
I requested and received an ARC of Marry Christmas Murder from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. I enjoy sharing my delight in books through reviews and have done so since long before I knew what an ARC was. Books and authors deserve the recognition brought by reader reviews.
#MarryChristmasMurder #NetGalley #Kensington
The mystery had me hooked the whole time and there was no way I could figure out all the nuances. I love that in a mystery. Since I always suspect everyone, I did hit on at least part of the resolution, but there were some real surprises at the end.
I requested and received an ARC of Marry Christmas Murder from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. I enjoy sharing my delight in books through reviews and have done so since long before I knew what an ARC was. Books and authors deserve the recognition brought by reader reviews.
#MarryChristmasMurder #NetGalley #Kensington
September 23, 2019
Mallory Shepard usually plans weddings but she is also using her skills to organize a Christmas Eve charity function for her best friend, Olivia. Mallory's mom thinks the event could be a springboard for even more work. However, Mallory has to put everything she is doing on hold to protect her mom's innocence when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder.
I've read one other book in the series and really enjoyed this one with its Christmas theme. The book is fast-paced and kept my interest because of the storyline as well as the characters. The main plot, as well as all the side plots, are all entertaining. Of all the characters, I especially like Mallory and her sister Rachel and how they interact and how well they work together. I like how everything is resolved by the end and look forward to reading other books in this charming series.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've read one other book in the series and really enjoyed this one with its Christmas theme. The book is fast-paced and kept my interest because of the storyline as well as the characters. The main plot, as well as all the side plots, are all entertaining. Of all the characters, I especially like Mallory and her sister Rachel and how they interact and how well they work together. I like how everything is resolved by the end and look forward to reading other books in this charming series.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2020
This was a good holiday mystery. Mallory is getting ready for a wedding and the holidays. Her mother shows up and things get interesting. Of course someone ends up dead. This causes a big mess since her mother is a suspect. Luckily the truth comes out and everything is well for now.
January 23, 2021
I really love this series. I like the setting and the characters and the actual mysteries are very well done.
October 20, 2019
A fun cozy set at Christmastime. The mystery was good but a bit over the top for me. The ending felt a little rushed especially between Mallory and Garrett. Enjoyable read overall.
March 1, 2020
Another cute, if predictable, installment in the Wedding Planner Mystery series. Mallory and Rachel are gearing up for a dog show benefit hosted by the Marches, a family of home developers who are trying to bring their business to Port Quincy, much to the chagrin of several citizens. Their daughter, Olivia, who is also a close friend of Mallory's (they worked together at the same law firm in Pittsburgh), is getting married in the summer, but at the last minute, she asks Mallory to move the date up to the day before Christmas. Of course, Mallory complies.
If that wasn't enough of a headache, Mallory's mother, Carole, and stepfather, Doug, arrive in Port Quincy out of the blue, with Carole announcing that the two have sold their home and are moving immediately to Port Quincy. Carole also intends to come out of retirement and get back into interior decorating, which ends up with her vying for a job with March Homes when it becomes clear that not everyone in the March family is happy with their current decorator, Lacey. Everything goes sideways when Lacey is murdered at the dog show benefit put on by the Marches after consuming a drink made by Carole. With her mom in the hot seat and her friend a person of interest, Mallory goes into sleuth mode to clear the names of the people she loves, all while dealing with uncertainties in her relationship with her boyfriend, Garrett, having to put run a toy drive, and throwing together a last-minute wedding.
I think my biggest problem with the "meddling mother" archetype is that many writers do not know the difference between pushy, but well-meaning, and downright bothersome and controlling. The latter case, unfortunately, is where Carole falls in this series. She was annoying when she made appearances in previous installments, but having her around for a majority of the book was almost too much for me. She was plenty vain and more than willing to pass judgement on her two daughters, but the "love" she gave in return in no way made up for her poor behavior. And adding her and Doug to the cast of characters seemed like a weak attempt to shake things up in book 5; the plot was pretty predictable, and all the surprises thrown in were easily guessed as well. The only true surprise was the killer at the end, which was actually a shock to me, so I applaud the author for being able to keep that a well-kept secret.
Mallory and Garrett's relationship was another issue: the entire book was a game of "will they, won't they?" and it quickly grew tiresome. I appreciated that Mallory didn't just outright give Garrett an ultimatum, but rather wanted him to choose what he wanted; that was very mature of her. But because of this, it felt like Garrett was stringing Mallory along for 300 hundred pages just to give the reader some drama. When it was finally resolved at the end of the novel, it was incredibly rushed, almost like the author was running out of room to write.
The characters themselves felt much flatter in this fifth book, almost like they lost their spark. If this had been my first entry into the Wedding Planner Mystery series, it would not encourage me to read the others, because every single character suddenly became forgettable. Perhaps it was because by now, readers are meant to be familiar with the cast and so the author didn't feel the need to differentiate as much, but for me, Marry Christmas Murder felt too much like a cookie-cutter cozy mystery. I think this is where I take my leave of this series.
If that wasn't enough of a headache, Mallory's mother, Carole, and stepfather, Doug, arrive in Port Quincy out of the blue, with Carole announcing that the two have sold their home and are moving immediately to Port Quincy. Carole also intends to come out of retirement and get back into interior decorating, which ends up with her vying for a job with March Homes when it becomes clear that not everyone in the March family is happy with their current decorator, Lacey. Everything goes sideways when Lacey is murdered at the dog show benefit put on by the Marches after consuming a drink made by Carole. With her mom in the hot seat and her friend a person of interest, Mallory goes into sleuth mode to clear the names of the people she loves, all while dealing with uncertainties in her relationship with her boyfriend, Garrett, having to put run a toy drive, and throwing together a last-minute wedding.
I think my biggest problem with the "meddling mother" archetype is that many writers do not know the difference between pushy, but well-meaning, and downright bothersome and controlling. The latter case, unfortunately, is where Carole falls in this series. She was annoying when she made appearances in previous installments, but having her around for a majority of the book was almost too much for me. She was plenty vain and more than willing to pass judgement on her two daughters, but the "love" she gave in return in no way made up for her poor behavior. And adding her and Doug to the cast of characters seemed like a weak attempt to shake things up in book 5; the plot was pretty predictable, and all the surprises thrown in were easily guessed as well. The only true surprise was the killer at the end, which was actually a shock to me, so I applaud the author for being able to keep that a well-kept secret.
Mallory and Garrett's relationship was another issue: the entire book was a game of "will they, won't they?" and it quickly grew tiresome. I appreciated that Mallory didn't just outright give Garrett an ultimatum, but rather wanted him to choose what he wanted; that was very mature of her. But because of this, it felt like Garrett was stringing Mallory along for 300 hundred pages just to give the reader some drama. When it was finally resolved at the end of the novel, it was incredibly rushed, almost like the author was running out of room to write.
The characters themselves felt much flatter in this fifth book, almost like they lost their spark. If this had been my first entry into the Wedding Planner Mystery series, it would not encourage me to read the others, because every single character suddenly became forgettable. Perhaps it was because by now, readers are meant to be familiar with the cast and so the author didn't feel the need to differentiate as much, but for me, Marry Christmas Murder felt too much like a cookie-cutter cozy mystery. I think this is where I take my leave of this series.
December 28, 2024
4.5 🌟
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: Christmas
This might be one of my favourites in the series! A good cast of characters with some solid call backs to previous ones. It managed some intriguing subplots that keep you guessing.
I really enjoyed the March family and their antics and while the addition of Mallory’s mom was at first an unwanted one, I grew to enjoy her.
I really love this series. I think it may have now become my favourite cozy mystery series. I’m really hoping more books come out after the next one!
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: Christmas
This might be one of my favourites in the series! A good cast of characters with some solid call backs to previous ones. It managed some intriguing subplots that keep you guessing.
I really enjoyed the March family and their antics and while the addition of Mallory’s mom was at first an unwanted one, I grew to enjoy her.
I really love this series. I think it may have now become my favourite cozy mystery series. I’m really hoping more books come out after the next one!
May 16, 2021
In the fifth Wedding Planner Mystery, Mallory is planning her best friend, Olivia March's wedding. It has been moved up as Olivia finds herself expecting, so even with planning for the Christmas season Olivia and her sister, Rachel, agree to plan the wedding. Mallory's mother and step-dad have also moved back to town and her mother has decided she wants to go back to work as a home stager. It just so happens that Olivia's family is March Development Group and they are building in Port Quincy, so Carole is hoping to get a job with them. At the Paws and Poinsettias fundraiser for the Port Quincy Animal Shelter, the current stager is poisoned, and Carole is the main suspect. When evidence turns up pointing to her, she is arrested for murder. Mallory puts on her sleuthing hat and tries her hardest to turn up evidence to free her mom.
Mallory amazes me in this book. There is so much going on and she manages to keep up with her job and investigate at the same time. There is also harassment of Olivia going on that she is alos dealing with along with juggling her relationship with her fiancé and his daughter. This book has secrets, mystery, family, friendship, romance, and humor all blended together in a wonderfully entertaining story. There are several clues and twists that prevented me from figuring out who the murderer was. When the final twist is shared, my jaw dropped. There was a lot in this book that I had never encountered in a cozy mystery and it kept me guessing to the end. This was a delightful Christmas themed cozy, that I recommend to cozy mystery lovers. Christa Lewis narrated this book with her light expressive voice. A narrator that I enjoy when listening to cozy mysteries.
Mallory amazes me in this book. There is so much going on and she manages to keep up with her job and investigate at the same time. There is also harassment of Olivia going on that she is alos dealing with along with juggling her relationship with her fiancé and his daughter. This book has secrets, mystery, family, friendship, romance, and humor all blended together in a wonderfully entertaining story. There are several clues and twists that prevented me from figuring out who the murderer was. When the final twist is shared, my jaw dropped. There was a lot in this book that I had never encountered in a cozy mystery and it kept me guessing to the end. This was a delightful Christmas themed cozy, that I recommend to cozy mystery lovers. Christa Lewis narrated this book with her light expressive voice. A narrator that I enjoy when listening to cozy mysteries.
September 20, 2019
This is the 5th installment in the Wedding Planner mystery series. I have read the previous books in series and highly recommend this entire series. This can be read as a stand alone if you have not read the previous books. This is my favorite so far of the series and the perfect holiday murder mystery !
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My opinion is my own.
In this next in series our favorite protagonist Mallory Shepard is excited to be preparing a Xmas theme wedding gala for her best friend Olivia but all is not going well ! Olivia has pressure from her entire family in town for the event and they are sponsoring a event called "Paws and Poinsettias" a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. They are big in real estate development and well connected in the area with home staging as part of their business. Mallory's Mom is driving her to distraction trying to convince Mallory to use her connections with them to hire her business of home staging with their company and the current home staging company is not happy with Mallory's Mom . In the midst of the two events a murder occurs and Mallory's Mom is prime suspect number one ! Now Mallory must step up to investigate to save her Mom and the wedding !
This is such a exciting mystery with so many sub plots I was unable to stop reading until the last page. I love the charcters, the setting and the Christmas theme done to perfection. I loved this addition to the series and look forward to further books by this talented author. This is the perfect introduction to the holiday season!
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My opinion is my own.
In this next in series our favorite protagonist Mallory Shepard is excited to be preparing a Xmas theme wedding gala for her best friend Olivia but all is not going well ! Olivia has pressure from her entire family in town for the event and they are sponsoring a event called "Paws and Poinsettias" a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. They are big in real estate development and well connected in the area with home staging as part of their business. Mallory's Mom is driving her to distraction trying to convince Mallory to use her connections with them to hire her business of home staging with their company and the current home staging company is not happy with Mallory's Mom . In the midst of the two events a murder occurs and Mallory's Mom is prime suspect number one ! Now Mallory must step up to investigate to save her Mom and the wedding !
This is such a exciting mystery with so many sub plots I was unable to stop reading until the last page. I love the charcters, the setting and the Christmas theme done to perfection. I loved this addition to the series and look forward to further books by this talented author. This is the perfect introduction to the holiday season!
September 21, 2019
Marry Christmas Murder is the fifth installment in the Wedding Planner Mystery series featuring Mallory Shepard and her sister Rachel, owners of the Thistle Park B & B located in the small town of Port Quincy, PA. Mallory is excited to be planning for the Spring wedding of her best friend Olivia March and preparing for the upcoming Paws and Poinsettias, animal charity event hosted by Olivia's family.
The March family has a reputation for being shrewd land developers and now that they've made their way to Port Quincy and purchased large tracts of land, some of the townspeople are not too happy. A huge part of their development business is the home staging department, and it seems that current designer Lacey Adams is having issues with some March family members. When Mallory's mother, Carole announces that she and her husband have sold their home in Florida and are moving back to Port Quincy full time, Mallory and Rachel are pleasantly surprised. That is until Carole announces that she wants the designer's job and Lacey drops dead at the Paws and Poinsettias event, leaving all fingers pointing to Carole as the killer.
Desperate to get her mother out of jail before Christmas, Mallory sets out with the help of beau Garrett Davies and his father Chief of Police Truman Davies to clear her mother's name. A fast paced plot that includes a baby in a manger, twisted and sinister family dynamics, a shotgun wedding and a relationship put to the test.
I received an advanced copy of Marry Christmas Murder from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
The March family has a reputation for being shrewd land developers and now that they've made their way to Port Quincy and purchased large tracts of land, some of the townspeople are not too happy. A huge part of their development business is the home staging department, and it seems that current designer Lacey Adams is having issues with some March family members. When Mallory's mother, Carole announces that she and her husband have sold their home in Florida and are moving back to Port Quincy full time, Mallory and Rachel are pleasantly surprised. That is until Carole announces that she wants the designer's job and Lacey drops dead at the Paws and Poinsettias event, leaving all fingers pointing to Carole as the killer.
Desperate to get her mother out of jail before Christmas, Mallory sets out with the help of beau Garrett Davies and his father Chief of Police Truman Davies to clear her mother's name. A fast paced plot that includes a baby in a manger, twisted and sinister family dynamics, a shotgun wedding and a relationship put to the test.
I received an advanced copy of Marry Christmas Murder from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
September 11, 2020
Olivia's dreaming of a white Christmas as in a white wedding gown and all the trimmings. But that's not the only event that's keeping everyone busy. Olivia's family are in real estate development, and they're sponsoring Paws and Poinsettias a benefit for the Port Quincy animal shelter. Meanwhile, Mallory's mom wants to use her daughter's connection to snag a job staging homes for the company, and the current stager is not filled with holiday cheer at the news that she might be replaced. When the endangered employee downs some antifreeze-spiked punch at a party, Mallory has a murder to solve among other mysteries including a missing cat, a toy drive heist, and a baby found in a manger thirty years earlier.
The author does a nice job of giving the reader a mystery that is filled with plenty of clues, suspects, red herrings, twists, and turns. All these things will have you guessing about who the real killer is until the surprising conclusion. The characters are well written, well developed, and realistic which makes them lifelike and relatable.
I have enjoyed watching the relationship between Mallory and Garrett since book one and I like that their relationship is still going strong at the end of the book. I found Carole to be very vain, pushy, controlling, and very judgmental about her daughters no matter what the situation is. I did like how all the different subplots were all woven together so that you weren't jumping around from subplot to subplot and getting lost in all the different details. I also enjoyed that Rachel may have found her own chance at a meaningful relationship. I look forward to reading the next book in the series Veiled in Death to see what happens to Mallory, Garrett, and the rest of the characters.
I received an arc of this book from Kensington Books through Netgalley for my honest review.
The author does a nice job of giving the reader a mystery that is filled with plenty of clues, suspects, red herrings, twists, and turns. All these things will have you guessing about who the real killer is until the surprising conclusion. The characters are well written, well developed, and realistic which makes them lifelike and relatable.
I have enjoyed watching the relationship between Mallory and Garrett since book one and I like that their relationship is still going strong at the end of the book. I found Carole to be very vain, pushy, controlling, and very judgmental about her daughters no matter what the situation is. I did like how all the different subplots were all woven together so that you weren't jumping around from subplot to subplot and getting lost in all the different details. I also enjoyed that Rachel may have found her own chance at a meaningful relationship. I look forward to reading the next book in the series Veiled in Death to see what happens to Mallory, Garrett, and the rest of the characters.
I received an arc of this book from Kensington Books through Netgalley for my honest review.
September 29, 2019
I have enjoyed every book in this series and #5 may be my favorite. Mallory has a stressful job as a wedding planner but she loves it despite all that can go wrong. Normally one thinks of bridezilla's and control freak mother of the bride as the usual problems but homicide isn't on the list unless it's in a cozy mystery. Mallory was putting things together for her friend Olivia's wedding in March and now, at Christmas, the big event is a charity event called Paws and Pointsettias. Soon enough Mallory is having to deal with much more than that. Olivia decides she wants to get married on December 23 - okay, that's workable. Then her parents show up and say they are staying - again, that's good. Things start to go pear shaped when her mother pulls a stunt that angers the house stager. Mom wants the job and goes behind the scenes and changes things that the current stager has set up. Not nice but would that conflict lead Mallory's mother to commit murder? It sure has landed her as prime suspect.
The characters are well defined and are people I wouldn't mind spending time with. Family and friends show their strong relationships and their support of each other. There is a very good puzzle with fair clues plus some red herrings as a deflection. This entry can easily be read as a stand alone but, if you are new to this series, go get the previous books and binge read them. I'm ready for the next mystery.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The characters are well defined and are people I wouldn't mind spending time with. Family and friends show their strong relationships and their support of each other. There is a very good puzzle with fair clues plus some red herrings as a deflection. This entry can easily be read as a stand alone but, if you are new to this series, go get the previous books and binge read them. I'm ready for the next mystery.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 7, 2019
Princess Fuzzypants here: Mallory and Rachel are flying high with their wedding planning cum b & b business. They are planning on taking a well deserved break around Christmas. But it looks like the Holiday Season is going to be anything but peaceful. First the wedding of Mallory’s best friend is moved up dramatically to just before Christmas, leaving three weeks to organize everything. Then her mother and stepfather descend announcing they have sold their Florida home and are moving to be near their daughters. Putting her mother together with the bride’s family turns into a toxic mess and when her mother’s rival for a plum job is poisoned, her mother ends up in jail.
There is clearly more going on in this family and some of it might be questionable. As Mallory learns more about them and their various dealings, it makes her suspect someone may be cutthroat outside of the business world. But which one is it? And why are they framing her mother? And how does this all involve her friend’s adoption as a newborn and the job opportunity that is being presented to Mallory’s boyfriend.
It’s a good mystery with lots of layers that all interconnect in the end. People turn out to be completely different to the personas they exhibit to the world. I have enjoyed Mallory and the other characters in the series. I’ve enjoyed the way the storylines have evolved. This could be read as a one off but it might be more fun to go back to the beginning and start there.
Five purrs and two paws up.
There is clearly more going on in this family and some of it might be questionable. As Mallory learns more about them and their various dealings, it makes her suspect someone may be cutthroat outside of the business world. But which one is it? And why are they framing her mother? And how does this all involve her friend’s adoption as a newborn and the job opportunity that is being presented to Mallory’s boyfriend.
It’s a good mystery with lots of layers that all interconnect in the end. People turn out to be completely different to the personas they exhibit to the world. I have enjoyed Mallory and the other characters in the series. I’ve enjoyed the way the storylines have evolved. This could be read as a one off but it might be more fun to go back to the beginning and start there.
Five purrs and two paws up.
September 28, 2019
Marry Christmas Murder by Stephanie Blackmoore is book five in the Wedding Planner Mystery series. This is a great series. It can be read as a stand alone but you will want to read them all!
Mallory is serving a dinner tasting for the Spring wedding for her friend , Olivia March, at her B&B that is decked out for Christmas when a bomb is dropped, Olivia wants the wedding moved before Christmas.! Since she is willing to cut the guest list to family and only close friends, Mallory is confident she can pull it off and the date is changed to December 23rd. Now add her mother and step-father moving back to Port Quincy from Florida and staying at the B&B.
Mallory is also assisting the head stager for March Homes at a fundraiser when her mother goes behind their back and changes all of the decorations as she wants hired as a part time stager for the company. That night the stager ends up dead from drinking an anti-freeze spiked punch. Mallory knows it's just a matter of time before her mother is arrested for the murder since all signs point to her.
Blackmoore gives plenty of twists and turns in this well written cozy. You have great characters, romance, humor, family love, and friendship. There are recipes included.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
Mallory is serving a dinner tasting for the Spring wedding for her friend , Olivia March, at her B&B that is decked out for Christmas when a bomb is dropped, Olivia wants the wedding moved before Christmas.! Since she is willing to cut the guest list to family and only close friends, Mallory is confident she can pull it off and the date is changed to December 23rd. Now add her mother and step-father moving back to Port Quincy from Florida and staying at the B&B.
Mallory is also assisting the head stager for March Homes at a fundraiser when her mother goes behind their back and changes all of the decorations as she wants hired as a part time stager for the company. That night the stager ends up dead from drinking an anti-freeze spiked punch. Mallory knows it's just a matter of time before her mother is arrested for the murder since all signs point to her.
Blackmoore gives plenty of twists and turns in this well written cozy. You have great characters, romance, humor, family love, and friendship. There are recipes included.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
September 12, 2019
Mallory Shepard is planning her best friend’s Spring wedding, but first she plans to spend the holidays with her family. At least that was the plan before Olivia moves the wedding up to December 23rd. Being the friend that she is, Mallory agrees to the change in date, even if it’s less than two weeks away, figuring she can manage this during the holiday. Well, that is until her Mother comes to town and says that they’ve sold their home in Florida and are moving to Port Quincy.
Things don’t go quite as planned when Mom decides she is going back to come out of retirement to work again AND the woman whose job her Mother was gunning for is poisoned. That takes a lot more of Mallory’s time as she tries to solve a murder to keep her Mom out of prison, works on a few holiday events in addition to the wedding, and has a personal come to Jesus about her relationship with her boyfriend.
This is an enjoyable series and one that I look forward to each new entry. There are lots of suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing whodunit until close to the end, so cozy lovers, what are you waiting for? No need to have read the previous books in the series, though they will be on your list after reading this one.
Things don’t go quite as planned when Mom decides she is going back to come out of retirement to work again AND the woman whose job her Mother was gunning for is poisoned. That takes a lot more of Mallory’s time as she tries to solve a murder to keep her Mom out of prison, works on a few holiday events in addition to the wedding, and has a personal come to Jesus about her relationship with her boyfriend.
This is an enjoyable series and one that I look forward to each new entry. There are lots of suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing whodunit until close to the end, so cozy lovers, what are you waiting for? No need to have read the previous books in the series, though they will be on your list after reading this one.
August 21, 2019
Mallory runs a B&B, doing weddings at her venue with her sister Rachel. After taking off the month of December for family functions, things just keep popping up. Her mother and stepfather are moving back, permanently, her close friend Olivia wants the wedding moved up...oh ..did I mention the murder? The one to fund raise for Paws and Poinsettias. Her mom wants a staging job and guess what...she's offered the dead woman's job. Now she's under suspicion.
We are offered plenty of suspects, a lot of different motives and a surprise ending.
The characters are multi-faceted and realistic and the descriptions of scenes and clothing strong enough to clearly envision it. Mallory, Rachel and Truman, the Police Chief and Mallory's possible future father-in-law work hard to find clues to clear carol, her mother, but will it be enough?
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and enjoyed reading this holiday themed cozy. I have recommended several friends to watch out for it's release.
We are offered plenty of suspects, a lot of different motives and a surprise ending.
The characters are multi-faceted and realistic and the descriptions of scenes and clothing strong enough to clearly envision it. Mallory, Rachel and Truman, the Police Chief and Mallory's possible future father-in-law work hard to find clues to clear carol, her mother, but will it be enough?
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and enjoyed reading this holiday themed cozy. I have recommended several friends to watch out for it's release.
September 26, 2019
Marry Christmas Murder by Stephanie Blackmoore is the 5th book in the Wedding Planner Mystery series, and another great book. Mallory Shepard and her sister Rachel have opened the bed and breakfast and wedding planner business in Port Quincy, Pennsylvania. Mallory is busy planning the Christmas Eve gala, Paws and Poinsettias, to help the animal shelter. On top of that Mallory's friend Olivia, and moved up her wedding to December 23rd, what could possibly go wrong? There is not a dull moment in this book, not only is this book funny, it has a great mystery. There are twists and turns around every corner. Just when I thought I figured out the murderer/thief is, it changes. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I have read all the books in the series, and am never disappointed. If you love cozy mysteries full of quirky characters and a likable protagonist, I strongly recommend this book/series.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
September 22, 2019
Mallory KNOW her mom Carole didn't kill Lacey in order to get her job as a house stager. For sure. Mallory's already got a lot on her plate given that her friend Olivia moved her wedding up from the spring to Christmas and she's the one doing the planning. She can't however, let her mom take the rap for poisoning Leah so she, along with her sister Rachel and her future father in law Truman untangle the case to find the real villain. This a fun series featuring a delightful pair of sisters and some slightly implausible plot lines. Would you hire a wedding planner who seems to be dealing with murder at every turn? Well, you should because Mallory is an ace at both. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This would be fine as a standalone but I know I'm looking forward to the next one!
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