Destination Wedding

Ray Elkins Mystery #11

by Aaron Stander

The wedding would be perfect. Every contingency had been anticipated…except a body.



Everything is in place at the Gull Point Estate for the Memorial Day wedding bash—the lawns are perfectly manicured, the caterer is stocked and ready, the champagne is chilled. And the string quartet is brushing up on their Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, and Mozart. But before they end their rehearsal, they’d be well advised to have a version of Stormy Weather ready to go just in case the day doesn’t go as planned.



Stander’s prose is controlled and sparse, evoking both Ray’s deliberative personality and the midwinter Michigan landscape. —Kirkus

With a protagonist as deep and textured as Ray Elkins and a backdrop as varied as this resort community, Stander has created a high-quality mystery series. —Foreword Magazine

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2020

About the author

Aaron Stander spent most of his adult years in the Detroit area, where he taught English and trained writing teachers. In 2000 he and his wife left college teaching positions and moved permanently to their cottage near Traverse City. Aaron is the author ten mysteries set in northwest lower Michigan. He is also the author of numerous articles, stories, poems, and reviews, and the host of Michigan Writers on the Air on Interlochen Public Radio. When not writing or thinking about writing, Aaron spends a lot of time kayaking along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting police procedural/ whodunit. I think this us the second Sheriff Elkins sti
Ory I have read and he's proved to be a very interesting and likeable character. The takeaway from this one: people aren't always who they seem.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that the Ray Elkins series just keeps getting better and better. Stander is at the top of his game with Destination Wedding, which kept me guessing, in true whodunnit form, until the very end. I had my theories, as did Sheriff Ray Elkins, but Stander throws in not only an occasional red herring but also some nice twists and turns that tested those theories.

A very enjoyable read that evokes a strong sense of place. Stander's love for and appreciation of Northern Michigan shines through his writing, burnished by his keen powers of observation and reporting. Already looking forward to #12!

[Rick Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in this series that I've read. They are fast reads, and they are thrillers more than mysteries. You know (at least one of) the guilty parties...you're just waiting for the police to figure it out. The protagonist is a whiny and angst-ridden middle aged officer in a part of upper Michigan that apparently has more crime than the top most dangerous cities put together. The main guy and and his assistant are always getting hurt and suffering emotional trauma. That gets old. But the crimes are interesting and a challenge to figure out. If you like everything tied up neatly, this is not the series for you. People guilty of various crimes seem to skate on a lack of serious evidence or a technicality. Maybe that provides more grist for sequels.

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, the entitled people! They turn up everywhere, even in Michigan along the coast of Lake Michigan. And with their attitude of "the world is my oyster, you little people are here to serve it to me," comes many shocks. One being Lake Michigan doesn't have a lot of oysters, and Michiganders are not much for waiting on snooty people.

When a reclusive old gentleman dies under suspicious circumstances - what other kind is there? - and some possibly valuable, maybe stolen WWII art treasures disappear after a horrific, inland hurricane like storm during a society lake house wedding, Sheriff Ray Elkins may not be able to solve the case. No one is telling the truth. About anything!
This was a good addition to a series I enjoy.

[Bill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

murders at a wedding locations

A fancy wedding was organized for the daughter of a wealthy controlling mother. Tents, food, music were organized on the lawn before. the mother’s mansion. Her step father lives in the first building. Conflicts between the step father and daughter lead to bad feelings within that family. On the wedding day a massive storm arrives disrupting the wedding party and the wedding.. in the storm the grandfather is murdered. During the investigation a bedroom is found in one garage with evidence another person had been murdered. A mix weather and conflict and art overpricing. Leads to further investigation.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many elements woven into this story. So many moving parts and characters, including the weather. This was a hard one to figure out. I really wasn't sure who was guilty of what for awhile. It seemed they had some thing to be guilty over. Each told a lie of sorts. Each looking to 'score' something. In the end it all sort of made sense.
I'm also glad for the turn in the Ray - Sue saga part of the story. Somehow I knew it would all work itself out.
It felt like this was the true end of this series, there was a sense of finality to it. I have enjoy the whole series a great deal.

[Scott Kalas · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read to continue a good series

I must be losing my curmudgeon ways, the curmudgeon says three stars, but instead I’m saying, that’s nice to something the curmudgeon would 😝

I’d say more but don’t want spoil it for those who are more 🥲, but will get it at the end.

The story is average Ray Elkins and Sue investigations.the supporting cast of characters are good, no extremes. Perhaps the mother, but I’ve had someone like her in my life, so they do exist.


Now the bummer of having to wait for the next book in the series and finding another good read in the interim.

[Terrev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a nice pleasant read. As usual, I enjoy Stander’s presentation of everyday life’s mundane activities in the pursuit of the resolving the crime. The depiction of tension between locals and summer people was more subtle in this book but there. It was more the difference in economic class. Nothing earth shattering but an enjoyable read in front of the fire while snowed in up north. Plot leading to who dunnit was pretty straightforward, it didn’t come abruptly as his earlier works.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok

Overalll I found this story quite intriguing but the ending very unsatisfying because the guilty couldn’t be pinned down with any definitive crimes. I’m guessing that this scenario is common enough, but in book form just as frustrating . The one person whom was facing definite charges , well, it wasn’t clear enough for me to understand what charges exactly.
It’s a clean story.

[Andy Krahling · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

Reading this is like speaking with an old friend. When I got my first Kindle, maybe 15 years ago, Aaron Stander had several Ray Elkins books available for free. I loved them then, and I still love them now. The Michigan setting is wonderful, the characters of Ray and Sue are believable and realistic, and the plot lines feel true-to-life.

I really like this series - I think the author has done a great job with it.

[tom blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Aaron Stander.

I've enjoyed the Sheriff Elkins books. While there are some issues, it is easy to get caught up in the characters and the story. The settings come off as real for the Northwestern Lower Peninsula. So, good story. Good characters. Good read. Also enjoy that he occasionally mentions reading Jim Harrison, an author who lived for many years in the area the books are set.

[Susan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, I thought I was getting an Aaron Elkins book (Gideon Oliver series), but instead I got this one with Roy Elkins as the main character. 😀 It was an interesting read, I might see if there is anything else in a series, it involved art theft, with a lot of characters, but easy to follow, but I think there must be previous books as there were a lot of references to other scenarios.

[Lydia Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Thriller books captivate readers with their intense narratives and gripping plot twists. This particular story immediately draws readers into its world, compelling them to continue reading from the very first chapter. The engaging writing style and suspenseful tone ensure that readers are hooked, eagerly turning pages to uncover the next thrilling development in the narrative.

[Tweety · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally

This was the best of all of them. Glad you got rid of Hanna.She didn't deserve Ray. Hope him & Sue have a happy life they can fix most anything. Couldn't give it a 5 too much repeats. Aaron, we're not all senile yet 😏
Happy for Simone she's in 7th. Heaven with her two favorite people..
Tweety 🐦🐦 💕👍

[Joyce Noll · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT SERIES!

I have all of Aaron Stander's Ray Elkins books and I love them all. When I try To write a review I get tongue tied and never am really sure what to say. This book kind of has it all, love, mystery, romance and murder. Mr. Stander writes exceedingly well and I am anxiously hoping there are more books to come in this series.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic mystery

I just don't want the story to end. I love how the characters have developed over the years and get lost in the stories from the Ray Elkins series. Books for anyone who likes a good mystery. Read all 11 books in the series!

[kathey loftis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Just couldn’t put this book down. Sue and Ray fit together perfectly. Love the sequence of the books and the complexity of all the characters. PLEASE continue the series. Thanks for the great story. Kathey Loftis

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Try it...you will like it.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy twists and turns of plot. The only regret I can express is that there is not a new Ray Elkins story to read at this time. Hoping the next one is in the works. Thanks, Aaron

[Susan Failor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit!

I love the Ray Elkins series. I was very excited to see this one published. I like the characters and I enjoy the northern Michigan locale. I was born in Michigan and spend part of each summer here. This new book made my summer even better!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheriff Elkins returns and is still recuperating when the bad storm causes problems at a wedding in one of the big summer homes. Also an art heist. And can Sue and Ray figure out other things as well?

Great book by great writer. Enjoy these mysteries.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy the Ray Elkins mystery series and this installment was up to standard. Very intricate plot, did not guess the outcome in advance, personal lives of main characters added bonus, as usual the location played a major role in the story including freeky weather.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful reading

Mr Aaron Stranded is a great author. Great reading. I loved all the eleven books in this series. Make sure you read all of them One getting better than the previous one. Can't say which one I liked more. Now I'm hear waiting for book 12.

[Nanette Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there is Book 12!!

I’m sorry to see these stories come to an end … that said, they are definitely worth a reread. Mr Stander is a great storyteller and if he has any other works, you can bet I’ll be as absorbed in those as I was in Ray Elkins.

[diannscollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies, Lies, and More Lies

Wedding parties, stormy weather, sketchy people - what could go wrong? A dead person and an art theft keep law officers Ray and Sue busy. The lies told by involved persons didn't help matters.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turning mystery

I liked Sue and Elkin. The mystery was good, but pretty apparent part way in. I don’t like books that don’t wrap up everything. Most of it was wrapped up. I enjoyed reading it.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister loaned me this book. She got into it because the series is set in Northwest Michigan where she lives. The book was very good and not too confusing considering it is far into a series. It was realistic in that not everything was wrapped up neatly. I’d definitely read more in this series.

[Susan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I've read every book of the Ray Elkins series. The only problem is having to wait for the next one.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good plot. continuation of good characters. Not a heavy read but a good one.

[Dorothy A Frazzini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

I’ve read all of Ray Elkins books and enjoyed all of them. Each one is special in some way and this might be my favorite. It has a lot of “character” 😄.

[Stella S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are so well written that you not only want to visit where the story takes place, you want to have lunch with them while you are there!