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Miss Fortune Mystery #18
Gators and Garters
‘Til death do us part?
Ida Belle, Fortune, and Gertie are gearing up for the big day—Ida Belle’s wedding to Walter—but when the caterer goes missing just a week before the big day, it puts a huge black mark on the joyous celebration. Molly Broussard is no stranger to being in the limelight, so when the former cage fighter turned in her boxing gloves for pots and pans, everyone who knew her was surprised…until they ate her food.
From all appearances, Molly took her boat out that day and simply never returned. An extensive search of the bayous finally produces the boat, but there is no sign of Molly. With no evidence of foul play, Sinful residents are ready to conclude that this is simply another tragic and all-too-common accident.
Nickel Bordelon spent half of his time in trouble and the other half paying for it. But one thing he knows for certain—Molly was murdered. When he asks Fortune to take the case, she isn’t sure there’s anything to find, but his emotional plea has her agreeing to look into it. As Swamp Team 3 begin their investigation, they find more layers to Molly’s disappearance than in Ida Belle’s wedding cake.
Ida Belle, Fortune, and Gertie are gearing up for the big day—Ida Belle’s wedding to Walter—but when the caterer goes missing just a week before the big day, it puts a huge black mark on the joyous celebration. Molly Broussard is no stranger to being in the limelight, so when the former cage fighter turned in her boxing gloves for pots and pans, everyone who knew her was surprised…until they ate her food.
From all appearances, Molly took her boat out that day and simply never returned. An extensive search of the bayous finally produces the boat, but there is no sign of Molly. With no evidence of foul play, Sinful residents are ready to conclude that this is simply another tragic and all-too-common accident.
Nickel Bordelon spent half of his time in trouble and the other half paying for it. But one thing he knows for certain—Molly was murdered. When he asks Fortune to take the case, she isn’t sure there’s anything to find, but his emotional plea has her agreeing to look into it. As Swamp Team 3 begin their investigation, they find more layers to Molly’s disappearance than in Ida Belle’s wedding cake.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2020
1222 people are currently reading
1216 people want to read
About the author
Jana Deleon
107 books4,252 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews
November 2, 2020
Fortune has spent the last few books as a private investigator. On each of the cases she has been dogging Carter. I think it is about time that she does some normal PI work. Maybe a murder can grow out of that, but the conflict with Carter over a Fortune butting into his murder investigation is getting old. What never gets old is the humor and mysteries our three heroines solve in each book and this one is not different.
Ida Belle is finally going to marry Walter after making the old guy wait over 40 years! Of course Ida Belle is her own woman and no one, even her bestie Gertie, can talk her into something she doesn't want. That isn't to say she doesn't try and the dress shop scene is hilarious. But, after a meeting, the caterer, Molly, goes missing and the plans for Ida Belle's big day are in serious trouble since Molly Broussard it simply the best caterer in Sinful, LA.
Molly has disappeared and foul play is suspected. Her no good boyfriend is making claims and her abusive absentee father is too. Both had reason to want Molly gone. Molly had turned her life around from an abusive childhood to an abusive husband, who she killed, she became a cage fighter and then a successful caterer. When Molly's friend, Nickel Bordelon, hires Fortune to find out what happened, Fortune finds a lot more than anyone expected. Everyone agrees that Molly never would have left anything to either her cheating boyfriend or her no good father. Which makes them prime suspects in her disappearance.
Ida Belle is finally going to marry Walter after making the old guy wait over 40 years! Of course Ida Belle is her own woman and no one, even her bestie Gertie, can talk her into something she doesn't want. That isn't to say she doesn't try and the dress shop scene is hilarious. But, after a meeting, the caterer, Molly, goes missing and the plans for Ida Belle's big day are in serious trouble since Molly Broussard it simply the best caterer in Sinful, LA.
Molly has disappeared and foul play is suspected. Her no good boyfriend is making claims and her abusive absentee father is too. Both had reason to want Molly gone. Molly had turned her life around from an abusive childhood to an abusive husband, who she killed, she became a cage fighter and then a successful caterer. When Molly's friend, Nickel Bordelon, hires Fortune to find out what happened, Fortune finds a lot more than anyone expected. Everyone agrees that Molly never would have left anything to either her cheating boyfriend or her no good father. Which makes them prime suspects in her disappearance.
March 28, 2025
Y'all know me. Slap "Miss Fortune Mystery" on the title and I'm there...for better or worse.
This one falls mostly in the better category. Celia finally gets a breather from being the butt of all the town's jokes. Fortune clashes with Carter only an average amount of times. And the story tries to keep things action-packed, though the vulgar jokes still fly. (I guess vulgar I can handle, but why butts and poop have to surface as punchlines so frequently...I'll never understand.)
Ida Belle is finally getting married, but when her caterer disappears two weeks before the wedding, Fortune takes on the job. Unfortunately, it looks like the caterer is dead, and in a manner suspiciously like another death from years earlier...
The plot is horrendously predicable but, hey, I don't read these for their great mental profundity. I mostly read for Gertie.
This one falls mostly in the better category. Celia finally gets a breather from being the butt of all the town's jokes. Fortune clashes with Carter only an average amount of times. And the story tries to keep things action-packed, though the vulgar jokes still fly. (I guess vulgar I can handle, but why butts and poop have to surface as punchlines so frequently...I'll never understand.)
Ida Belle is finally getting married, but when her caterer disappears two weeks before the wedding, Fortune takes on the job. Unfortunately, it looks like the caterer is dead, and in a manner suspiciously like another death from years earlier...
The plot is horrendously predicable but, hey, I don't read these for their great mental profundity. I mostly read for Gertie.
April 8, 2021
This mystery was necessarily complex and very entertaining. I appreciate this author’s ability to keep the chaos fresh and exciting in each book. I’m looking forward to the next book.
August 20, 2020
Excellent series, excellent book. The caterer for Ida Belle's wedding has gone missing, presumed dead. Was she murdered? Similarities to the death of her brother points to certain people. This book is exciting, adventurous, and action-packed. Gertie is her usual mischievous self but the story is more focused on who the murderer is when the clues point to everyone being guilty. I loved the mystery solving. I loved the wedding preparation shenanigans. I enjoyed this book very much. I highly recommend this series and this book.
September 15, 2020
Gators and Garters by Jana Deleon was another delightful return to Sinful, Louisiana. I can count on a great mystery and Gertie antics to laugh my way through the afternoon. The bachelor party for Ida Belle was everything I expect from Gertie and the ending with Ida Belle and Walter's wedding was perfect - hilarious but perfect.
September 6, 2020
Fun
Fun happens whenever you get Fortune, Ida Belle, and Gertie together. Add in a bachelorette party and a wedding, and its even more fun and laughs!
Fun happens whenever you get Fortune, Ida Belle, and Gertie together. Add in a bachelorette party and a wedding, and its even more fun and laughs!
September 29, 2021
Ida Belle's wedding is fast approaching but when a caterer disappears the Swamp 3 are on the case. This is another fun book in the Miss Fortune Mystery series that will keep you smiling and guessing. I don't want to give anything away but to say the ending is full of twists and turns does not do it justice.
August 17, 2023
4.5/ 5 stars
What a wonderful book! I really enjoyed the mystery. And loved everything to do with Ida Belle's wedding. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
What a wonderful book! I really enjoyed the mystery. And loved everything to do with Ida Belle's wedding. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
April 14, 2022
Again, a new enjoyable and laughable read featuring Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie. I enjoyed this a lot but, reaching the end, I think the wrap up of the mystery of Molly's disappearance was a bit farfetched.
September 8, 2020
Such fun!
Another great mystery, with a terrific twist and a lot of heart. Can't wait for the next one. Highly recommend.
Another great mystery, with a terrific twist and a lot of heart. Can't wait for the next one. Highly recommend.
December 23, 2020
I have spent some time in Sinful Louisiana together with Swamp Team 3. Gators and Garters is the latest book by Jana Deleon. I always enjoy the books about Miss Fortune ex CIA assassin. This time we have a wedding going on and a former cage fighter turned caterer gone missing, presumed dead. Will Gertie marry Walter? And if so how will her standing in the Sinful Ladies society work out? Is Molly Broussard dead? If so who did it?
June 18, 2023
You can't beat Miss Fortune for a fun time.
This was not as funny as some earlier books in the series but was still a great read.
A missing caterer and shrimper plus plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. This mystery had many moving pieces and no obvious answer. It kept me guessing.
Jana creates so many interesting characters in great settings that come to life on the page. I always grab her books when I need to relax and have some fun.
This was not as funny as some earlier books in the series but was still a great read.
A missing caterer and shrimper plus plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. This mystery had many moving pieces and no obvious answer. It kept me guessing.
Jana creates so many interesting characters in great settings that come to life on the page. I always grab her books when I need to relax and have some fun.
August 30, 2020
It hard to believe that “Gators and Garters” is the 18th installment in the Miss Fortune series. I just love the world of Sinful, LA that Ms. Leon has created and the crazy, offbeat friendship between Ida Belle, Gertie and Fortune is the absolute best!
This time Ida Belle is planning for her upcoming nuptials to Walter in two weeks. She refuses to wear a wedding gown and as opted for camo wear. Yep, cargo pockets and all. A woman has to have room for her gun and ammo of course!
Ida Belle is having the wedding in Fortune’s backyard and the only person she entrusts in cooking the Crawfish she has planned is Molly. Molly is a 6’2” ex-con and cage fighter but she is the best cook in Sinful. When she goes missing Fortune is hired to find out what happened to her.
Investigating the crime puts Fortune on the tail of some pretty despicable people including Molly’s cheating boyfriend and her abusive father. Of course the investigation takes on another level when Fortune discovers Molly’s brother, Johnny died in a mysterious way.
There are plenty of crazy moments to be had when Ida Belle, Gertie and Fortune get together. This read is chocked full of twists and turns with deception lurking everywhere. I just loved it and the wedding was all I could hope for complete with a surprise appearance by none other than my favorite gator, Godzilla. If you haven’t read this series start with book one and enjoy the most memorable roller coaster ride of your reading life!
This time Ida Belle is planning for her upcoming nuptials to Walter in two weeks. She refuses to wear a wedding gown and as opted for camo wear. Yep, cargo pockets and all. A woman has to have room for her gun and ammo of course!
Ida Belle is having the wedding in Fortune’s backyard and the only person she entrusts in cooking the Crawfish she has planned is Molly. Molly is a 6’2” ex-con and cage fighter but she is the best cook in Sinful. When she goes missing Fortune is hired to find out what happened to her.
Investigating the crime puts Fortune on the tail of some pretty despicable people including Molly’s cheating boyfriend and her abusive father. Of course the investigation takes on another level when Fortune discovers Molly’s brother, Johnny died in a mysterious way.
There are plenty of crazy moments to be had when Ida Belle, Gertie and Fortune get together. This read is chocked full of twists and turns with deception lurking everywhere. I just loved it and the wedding was all I could hope for complete with a surprise appearance by none other than my favorite gator, Godzilla. If you haven’t read this series start with book one and enjoy the most memorable roller coaster ride of your reading life!
August 23, 2020
Loved this book. It was a hilarious romp from the get go. It had action, suspense, drama, explosions and twists and turns. The mystery will keep you guessing until the end. AND Ida Bell gets married!!
August 21, 2020
As always a great laugh
Still one of my favorite series. Love the new characters. Can't wait to see if Gertie and Jeb get into trouble together.
Still one of my favorite series. Love the new characters. Can't wait to see if Gertie and Jeb get into trouble together.
September 19, 2020
Silly fun book for an escape...good for COVID reading. You don't have to think.
July 21, 2021
These books are like your old favorite t-shirt. You don’t wear it all the time but when you do it’s a special kind of comfortable. I don’t think I can rate it less than 5 stars because they just make me happy.
If you’re a fan of the characters, there were some great personal developments in this one. If you’re a fan of the mystery, there was a twist or two that really got me. If you’re a fan of Gertie, she had her purse.
Happy Reading!
If you’re a fan of the characters, there were some great personal developments in this one. If you’re a fan of the mystery, there was a twist or two that really got me. If you’re a fan of Gertie, she had her purse.
Happy Reading!
July 22, 2023
Another fun read in this series and a wedding to boot
September 13, 2020
Now that I have completed the series to date I would like to share my thoughts. What a wonderful series full of characters to fall in love with. The Miss Fortune books are laugh out loud hilarious. Take my word for it. Once you read book one you won’t stop until you have read them all!
March 5, 2021
Another exceptional storyline! What started off as a possible murder, ending up being so much more. With more twists and turns than a Louisiana bayou, this one had me guessing to the end. Our 3 favorite characters get into so many predicaments, all the while trying to plan Ida Belle and Walter's upcoming nuptials! LOVE me some Jana Deleon - ALL THE TIME!!!!
February 21, 2023
This was as fun as the rest of the series. I just thought the whole mystery aspect of the story was a bit convoluted and far fetched.
December 1, 2022
Can’t believe I’ve read 18 of these! Not great literature but entertaining and a great way to wind down the day as your last read at night. Be sure to start with the first one.
August 31, 2020
Perfect
Jana will ALWAYS get 5 stars from me! Nothing makes me laugh as hard as I do while reading her books.
Jana will ALWAYS get 5 stars from me! Nothing makes me laugh as hard as I do while reading her books.
August 18, 2020
It’s finally here 👰
I have been waiting for this since the first books. Yes, this is Fortunes story/series, but today it was Ida Belles time to shine. The whole book revolves around trying to get Ida Belle and Walter down the aisle without a hitch, but unfortunately someone forgot to tell the missing person that.
As always it was a great fast paced story with an outrageously improbable plot that seems to be a Fortune speciality. Love the characters (only one quick Celia run in though), and we even run into some ‘Nam veterans who take a shine to the troublesome trio. I had such a fun time reading this and it was as enjoyable as always.
4 stars ⭐️
I have been waiting for this since the first books. Yes, this is Fortunes story/series, but today it was Ida Belles time to shine. The whole book revolves around trying to get Ida Belle and Walter down the aisle without a hitch, but unfortunately someone forgot to tell the missing person that.
As always it was a great fast paced story with an outrageously improbable plot that seems to be a Fortune speciality. Love the characters (only one quick Celia run in though), and we even run into some ‘Nam veterans who take a shine to the troublesome trio. I had such a fun time reading this and it was as enjoyable as always.
4 stars ⭐️
May 12, 2022
2020 bk 282. I spent the day reading this between emails and phone calls. Jana Deleon is the queen of middle age/senior mystery humor. She is also the queen of writing slapstick comedy so clearly that it is as if the novel is running across your television screen. Sinful, Louisiana is a wonderful setting for this novel of our former CIA/current PI, her sheriff boyfriend, and two senior, Vietnam Vet, still ready for action lady friends. The trio (the sheriff has to work by the books), embroil themselves in learning who made IdaBelle 's(one of the vets) caterer disappear/die two weeks before the wedding. In discovery what has happened, a motel is bombed, a bear tries to eat Fortune, the trio is chased by a herd of giant rats, icing is tasted and picked, cookies are made, Gertie makes friends with a codger who spends his time in front of a store, and swamp boat rides are made. (Maybe not in that particular order). A most enjoyable read! I think I might read it again before the weekend is over - I love the laughter I get from these books.
August 18, 2020
I Always Cry At Weddings
Book 18 in the Miss Fortune Series did not disappoint! Action, suspense, drama, explosions and, of course, wardrobe mishaps. The usual angst and humor involving Celia was notably missing, though she did make a cameo appearance in Walter's store. The introduction of new characters was refreshing and even a little promising for Gertie! We shall see. There's a note at the end of the book saying the next book in the series would be out towards the end of 2020. That leaves about 4months until Swamp Team 3 is at it again!! I can't wait!!!!
Book 18 in the Miss Fortune Series did not disappoint! Action, suspense, drama, explosions and, of course, wardrobe mishaps. The usual angst and humor involving Celia was notably missing, though she did make a cameo appearance in Walter's store. The introduction of new characters was refreshing and even a little promising for Gertie! We shall see. There's a note at the end of the book saying the next book in the series would be out towards the end of 2020. That leaves about 4months until Swamp Team 3 is at it again!! I can't wait!!!!
March 20, 2022
Gators and Garters by Jana Deleon is the 18th book in the Miss Fortune Mystery series. Ida Belle is preparing for her wedding, but when her caterer goes missing and foul play is suspected, Fortune is hired to investigate. This is one of my favourite series and is always plenty of fun. I love that Fortune is smart and capable and is doing well at her private investigator business. Entertaining with lots of laughs as usual and a great mystery.
February 28, 2024
Love these books
I love these mysteries and they just keep getting better! I loved the mystery in this one and thought it was especially well done in this book! Can’t wait for the next one!!
I love these mysteries and they just keep getting better! I loved the mystery in this one and thought it was especially well done in this book! Can’t wait for the next one!!
August 11, 2023
As usual with this series, hilariously entertaining - and they solve the mystery! I'm always hungry at the end of a Miss Fortune novel because the author discusses the food Swamp Team 3 are eating and it all sounds good, and this was Ida Belle's wedding feast, so yum.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews