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The Wedding Column Murders
A wedding. A stalker. It’s murder! Someone is stalking the members of New York’s wealthy elite. A series of murders has targeted some of Manhattan’s most affluent families, and the connection appears to be the exclusive wedding announcements column in The New York Primrose. Ethan Balfour, a young member of one such family, is thrust into the middle of the investigation when the police ask his help in navigating the world of his often preposterous – and oblivious – peers. Now, he splits his time between the police and the world of old money and high society, trying to uncover what, if anything, links the murders. Reluctantly, Ethan finds himself drawn ever deeper into the case – until its final shocking revelation. Will the culprit be caught before another member of the illustrious circle falls victim?
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 22, 2021
Why did I continue to read this?
I do not usually do reviews but if I can save anyone the time I will never get back......I kept reading hoping for an upturn that never came. Way too much off the story line detail. The ending is as if he tired of writing the story and just stopped.
I do not usually do reviews but if I can save anyone the time I will never get back......I kept reading hoping for an upturn that never came. Way too much off the story line detail. The ending is as if he tired of writing the story and just stopped.
December 22, 2021
There are mainly two kinds of people who think living in NYC is a good idea – the moneyed elite and the idealistic lunatics. This is the story about the former, specifically about someone who begins to kill off the privileged wealthy scions of well-known and well-connected families. Their names are seemingly chosen from the society pages of a local newspaper at random. Or are they?
The police do their best to investigate and they recruit the protagonist of the novel – one of those loaded scions – to help them navigate the world where people swim in money Donald Duck style.
This book takes a minute to get into, it’s tone at first is very much British upper-class dramatics set in the modern America, but then you get used to it because all that obnoxious pretentiousness is, of course, satire. And that’s just some of it. The political satire elements are very present too. This book doesn’t just spoof its characters, it goes after the world they so luxuriously reside in too.
While I enjoy a good satire, I must admit this one is somewhat heavy-handed. But then again, it takes it upon itself to spoof a period of time that is practically ready-made for spoofing. The recent American past is pretty much a tragicomedy of theatrical proportions, a satire onto itself, the low hanging fruit of subjects.
The writing itself is quite good. The overblown pretentiousness of the tediously useless denizens of this novel is done with wry panache. Overdone at times, too, albeit for strictly comedic effect. It’s a smug novel, though. It sort of tells you how clever it is instead of merely showing you, right down to the gimmick of a trick ending. The protagonist is as glibly smug as the novel itself, and for a good reason, he is, after all, a perfect product of his environment.
Overall, it’s pretty fun, though, and a quick read. I wouldn’t mind checking out what the author does next, provided it’s away from the politics; the man seems to have a knock for dark comedy in bright places. Pretty good find for a random kindle freebie.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
The police do their best to investigate and they recruit the protagonist of the novel – one of those loaded scions – to help them navigate the world where people swim in money Donald Duck style.
This book takes a minute to get into, it’s tone at first is very much British upper-class dramatics set in the modern America, but then you get used to it because all that obnoxious pretentiousness is, of course, satire. And that’s just some of it. The political satire elements are very present too. This book doesn’t just spoof its characters, it goes after the world they so luxuriously reside in too.
While I enjoy a good satire, I must admit this one is somewhat heavy-handed. But then again, it takes it upon itself to spoof a period of time that is practically ready-made for spoofing. The recent American past is pretty much a tragicomedy of theatrical proportions, a satire onto itself, the low hanging fruit of subjects.
The writing itself is quite good. The overblown pretentiousness of the tediously useless denizens of this novel is done with wry panache. Overdone at times, too, albeit for strictly comedic effect. It’s a smug novel, though. It sort of tells you how clever it is instead of merely showing you, right down to the gimmick of a trick ending. The protagonist is as glibly smug as the novel itself, and for a good reason, he is, after all, a perfect product of his environment.
Overall, it’s pretty fun, though, and a quick read. I wouldn’t mind checking out what the author does next, provided it’s away from the politics; the man seems to have a knock for dark comedy in bright places. Pretty good find for a random kindle freebie.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
March 17, 2021
This is a witty and fast-paced story about Ethan Balfour, son of the soon-to-be-sold Balfour and Son investment company. His status amongst the upper echelons of New York society means he finds himself helping the police with their enquiries about a series of murders. All the murders are linked by the fact that each victim had their wedding announced in The New York Primrose – they also all have a connection to Ethan, but possibly only because their social circle is small. Ethan’s knowledge of the inner sanctum is useful to the police and I like his relationship with homicide detectives Allison and Leo. What is the link with the number 5?
Metzger takes great delight in sending the reader off in all directions in a story which is full of joie de vivre. I love the conversations Ethan has with the various groups of people he meets in the aftermath of the murders and all the theories that are bounced around. Ethan’s Mum ‘my two weaknesses are spirits and true crime’ is surely a woman after my own heart. Ethan lives in a world concerned with carpet samples, champagne get-togethers at the Hamptons and where guests think nothing of turning up to parties on horseback. Old money is valued, and new money looked down upon. I love Metzger’s nod to Sherlock Holmes and the fact that this serial killer is unusual in that he/she uses a different method for each murder. Half-way through, there is another brutal killing, but, for some reason, Ethan’s sister decides not to remove her engagement announcement from the column and the tension mounts. Metzger uses the very likeable Ethan as a mouthpiece through which to make biting and inciteful comments about anything and everything: politicians, IBS and the appearance of bar staff. I also thoroughly enjoyed the ‘entries’ in the Vows column – packed with minutiae concerning each of the victims and their partners.
It’s a dark and thrilling novel with a twisted ending which left me shocked. A brilliant debut.
Metzger takes great delight in sending the reader off in all directions in a story which is full of joie de vivre. I love the conversations Ethan has with the various groups of people he meets in the aftermath of the murders and all the theories that are bounced around. Ethan’s Mum ‘my two weaknesses are spirits and true crime’ is surely a woman after my own heart. Ethan lives in a world concerned with carpet samples, champagne get-togethers at the Hamptons and where guests think nothing of turning up to parties on horseback. Old money is valued, and new money looked down upon. I love Metzger’s nod to Sherlock Holmes and the fact that this serial killer is unusual in that he/she uses a different method for each murder. Half-way through, there is another brutal killing, but, for some reason, Ethan’s sister decides not to remove her engagement announcement from the column and the tension mounts. Metzger uses the very likeable Ethan as a mouthpiece through which to make biting and inciteful comments about anything and everything: politicians, IBS and the appearance of bar staff. I also thoroughly enjoyed the ‘entries’ in the Vows column – packed with minutiae concerning each of the victims and their partners.
It’s a dark and thrilling novel with a twisted ending which left me shocked. A brilliant debut.
December 9, 2021
Not your usual mystery
I almost stopped reading The Wedding Column Murders after the first page, but forged ahead because of all of the five star reviews. While I found the political and social satire amusing, I thought the writing was tedious. There wasn’t much here in the way of a mystery and I figured out who the murderer was early on. Ho hum…
I almost stopped reading The Wedding Column Murders after the first page, but forged ahead because of all of the five star reviews. While I found the political and social satire amusing, I thought the writing was tedious. There wasn’t much here in the way of a mystery and I figured out who the murderer was early on. Ho hum…
January 16, 2022
i thought i was falling asleep because i was reading at night in bed. i was wrong; i was reading a boring book! do yourself a favor & don't waste your time with this one. i kept reading thinking it would get better, but it never did.
April 8, 2021
A series of murders rock the wealthy elite of New York City, rocking the rich little community. Ethan, a member of the 1% has known all the victims and is roped in by the police to help understand the crimes and the elite victims. You see, the police are having trouble getting into the hush hush circles of New York’s Finest.
Ethan’s family, though still on the pedestal, is slipping from their standing and soon will just be a normal human part of the 99%, but Ethan has done a great job of hiding this fact from his friends and the police. He happily gives them insight into the lives of the murdered victims.
The book opens after the first three victims. Ethan, as part of this rich group of young people, knows them all. Not well, in every case, but in passing, at least. And, he spent time with each fairly close to the end of their lives. It took those three murders to find a possible connection. The Vow’s Column in the Primrose. A newspaper column that focused on upcoming nuptials of the rich of New York. Ethan isn’t engaged, but his sister is and her column is set to run in just a couple week’s time.
The police, so desperate for information, keep feeding Ethan more and more sensitive info involved in the case and, as someone who worked in law enforcement (as a civilian) for almost a decade, I knew there was something amiss in all this.
And boy was I right.
As the murders pile up and the meetings between Ethan and the detectives become more frequent, it’s hard to wonder what’s going to stop the killer and who his next victim is.
I’m happy to say I figured out the twist, will you?
Ethan’s family, though still on the pedestal, is slipping from their standing and soon will just be a normal human part of the 99%, but Ethan has done a great job of hiding this fact from his friends and the police. He happily gives them insight into the lives of the murdered victims.
The book opens after the first three victims. Ethan, as part of this rich group of young people, knows them all. Not well, in every case, but in passing, at least. And, he spent time with each fairly close to the end of their lives. It took those three murders to find a possible connection. The Vow’s Column in the Primrose. A newspaper column that focused on upcoming nuptials of the rich of New York. Ethan isn’t engaged, but his sister is and her column is set to run in just a couple week’s time.
The police, so desperate for information, keep feeding Ethan more and more sensitive info involved in the case and, as someone who worked in law enforcement (as a civilian) for almost a decade, I knew there was something amiss in all this.
And boy was I right.
As the murders pile up and the meetings between Ethan and the detectives become more frequent, it’s hard to wonder what’s going to stop the killer and who his next victim is.
I’m happy to say I figured out the twist, will you?
March 28, 2021
At first glance, I assumed I was picking up a straight forward murder mystery to read---maybe even a “cozy” based on the title. But I was in for a huge surprise. Instead, Jeffrey Metzger has utilized the basic framework of a murder mystery to explore societal woes and disparities in a way that is in equal parts clever and thought-provoking. As an overlay to the experience, his style and use of language conjures up an old world flavor.
As I delved deeper, it was not so much the “whodunit” aspect that kept me spellbound as much as Metzger’s razor edge satire and analysis of political and societal contrasts (although the “whodunit” bit did keep me guessing throughout its entirety). Metzger rips open the curtain on the 1% of New York City’s upper crust with first hand details and insights in an eye popping expose’. Additionally, his ironic treatment of recent politics is spot on with aptly named characters such as President Ivan von Clapp with his campaign slogan, “Start Living America’s Great Greatness Again Today”.
Other gems are sprinkled throughout and it is no surprise that this novel is already a bestseller under the category of “Good and Evil Philosophy”. Also, it is worth noting that Metzger has taken on the challenge of first person narration and done a superb job. I won’t give away the twist at the end but, when you get there, it might have your head reeling and keep you thinking long afterwards like it did to me. Highly recommend.
As I delved deeper, it was not so much the “whodunit” aspect that kept me spellbound as much as Metzger’s razor edge satire and analysis of political and societal contrasts (although the “whodunit” bit did keep me guessing throughout its entirety). Metzger rips open the curtain on the 1% of New York City’s upper crust with first hand details and insights in an eye popping expose’. Additionally, his ironic treatment of recent politics is spot on with aptly named characters such as President Ivan von Clapp with his campaign slogan, “Start Living America’s Great Greatness Again Today”.
Other gems are sprinkled throughout and it is no surprise that this novel is already a bestseller under the category of “Good and Evil Philosophy”. Also, it is worth noting that Metzger has taken on the challenge of first person narration and done a superb job. I won’t give away the twist at the end but, when you get there, it might have your head reeling and keep you thinking long afterwards like it did to me. Highly recommend.
November 16, 2025
Good Read
The book was a debut for Mr. Metzger, and he should keep writing books. The ways and means of this book were too farfetched, to the point of my believing the confessed killer was not the real killer. Come back around, dear author, with a book a mite more believable. The author's writing mechanics were good, and it passed the elevator and Scarpetta tests. (It is so strange that since I invented those tests, I have read few books that failed. I pick up thrillers with trepidations because by their nature they have vulgarities. Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta could not get over the lesbian issue. Was she or was she not? Still, if you like real thrillers, go to Ms. Cornwell's POTTER'S FIELD or another of her earlier books They grab and hold on.)
New York's elitest would post engagements in the Primrose News. A week later, the bride would be killed. The simple solution would be to stop posting the upcoming nuptials. Read the book to find out who exhibited common sense.
Jay Balfour's family was hemorrhaging the family wealth. They were on the verge of bankruptcy. (I worried about that family.) Then Jay learned that his peers were all going broke and worried no more about losing everything.
Thank you, Mr. Mertzger, for a good read.
The book was a debut for Mr. Metzger, and he should keep writing books. The ways and means of this book were too farfetched, to the point of my believing the confessed killer was not the real killer. Come back around, dear author, with a book a mite more believable. The author's writing mechanics were good, and it passed the elevator and Scarpetta tests. (It is so strange that since I invented those tests, I have read few books that failed. I pick up thrillers with trepidations because by their nature they have vulgarities. Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta could not get over the lesbian issue. Was she or was she not? Still, if you like real thrillers, go to Ms. Cornwell's POTTER'S FIELD or another of her earlier books They grab and hold on.)
New York's elitest would post engagements in the Primrose News. A week later, the bride would be killed. The simple solution would be to stop posting the upcoming nuptials. Read the book to find out who exhibited common sense.
Jay Balfour's family was hemorrhaging the family wealth. They were on the verge of bankruptcy. (I worried about that family.) Then Jay learned that his peers were all going broke and worried no more about losing everything.
Thank you, Mr. Mertzger, for a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
I want to make this disclaimer before reviewing, I have not read many mysteries. I am trying to branch out and dabble in new genres. With that being said... I'd pass on this one.
There is so much excruciating detail on things that do not pertain to the plot. If they had played into the plot - it'd be far more interesting with trying to piece the puzzle together. Like many other reviewers have noted, there are several conversations that happen that could just be copy paste, it's very redundant. I'm not sure if that was just trying to throw off the trail, but I found it tedious to read. They do not introduce many characters, so the murderer is pretty obvious I thought, which didn't leave much "detective" work for you to do throughout the book, which maybe is why I found the detailed information so tedious to read through because none of it seemed related.
There is so much excruciating detail on things that do not pertain to the plot. If they had played into the plot - it'd be far more interesting with trying to piece the puzzle together. Like many other reviewers have noted, there are several conversations that happen that could just be copy paste, it's very redundant. I'm not sure if that was just trying to throw off the trail, but I found it tedious to read. They do not introduce many characters, so the murderer is pretty obvious I thought, which didn't leave much "detective" work for you to do throughout the book, which maybe is why I found the detailed information so tedious to read through because none of it seemed related.
January 17, 2022
I really tried to like this book. The premise of the story has promise. Many favorable reviews so I hoped I'd discovered a hidden gem. Sadly, no. Had to force myself to keep reading it, there is no action, just tons of long conversations that could have been edited to a third of the length at least. Hopefully this is a first novel...if so, I'm sure that Mr. Metzger will grow from the experience. Writing a book and seeing it through to the end is more difficult than someone who hasn't tried it would imagine. Kudos for the effort.
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December 4, 2021Someone is stalking the members of New York’s wealthy elite. The victims are somehow connected to the exclusive announcements column in the New York Primrose
Ethan Balfour, a young member of one such family is thrust into the middle of the investigation.
As he digs into the world of old money and high society, he finds himself drawn deeper into the case. Can he uncover the identity of the killer before another elite falls victim?
Ethan Balfour, a young member of one such family is thrust into the middle of the investigation.
As he digs into the world of old money and high society, he finds himself drawn deeper into the case. Can he uncover the identity of the killer before another elite falls victim?
December 8, 2021
THIS HAD A BUNCH OF UNLIKABLE CHARACTERS, ALL ABOUT THE RICH AND NEAR RICH, POMPOUS AND OBNOXIOUS PEOPLE.THE STORYLINE WAS A BIT SOAPBOX-ISH AT TIMES BUT IT WAS SPOT ON ABOUT THE TIMES WE’RE LIVING IN NOW. THIS WAS RIPPED FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS HEADLINES, IT WAS LAUGHABLE IN A VERY SAD SCARY WAY, BUT OH SO TRUE. READING THIS MADE ME WONDER WHERE DID ALL THE SANE PEOPLE GO, SEEMS THEY JUST UP AND DISSAPEARED. I DON’T THINK THEY WILL EVER COME BACK. ;D
October 29, 2022
Well...not sure what to call it exactly. Read the first few and last few pages, and that's pretty much the story. The rest is mind-numbingly repetitive with a slide into irrelevant, irreverent and pretty funny commetary on current politics for kicks. I think it's supposed to be set in America as they mention New York a lot, but it read with a British accent and had a sort of late forties Noel Coward noir. Lots of death, lots of speculation, lots of narration and contemporary social commentary.
January 23, 2022
Massively boring
I kept wondering when the story was going to start! It was all the same conversation with different people. Then the long, boring, and unnecessary to the story, part about the president. The reviews from the newspaper and the online journalist, again long and boring.
I kept wondering when the story was going to start! It was all the same conversation with different people. Then the long, boring, and unnecessary to the story, part about the president. The reviews from the newspaper and the online journalist, again long and boring.
January 24, 2022
Wasted hours
This book was hard to read as it endlessly went on about his thoughts regarding every little detail of his day. I just wanted to get to the end and then I thankfully did. Bad book - terrible ending. Maybe it’s not intended to be literature, but some unknown form of written art.
This book was hard to read as it endlessly went on about his thoughts regarding every little detail of his day. I just wanted to get to the end and then I thankfully did. Bad book - terrible ending. Maybe it’s not intended to be literature, but some unknown form of written art.
September 6, 2022
This book was hard to stay in. The main character is Ethan Balfour and he lives in New York City. A series of murders happen to people he knows. The cops seem stumped and bring him in for background on these people. Who they were, what kind of people they were, Who might have had something against them? He claims to be helping them but is he ?
December 4, 2021
I get it
A quick read that held my attention. I found the story telling interesting, the world the characters live in strange and empty. I did figure out who the killer was but the why and how kept me reading until the end.
A quick read that held my attention. I found the story telling interesting, the world the characters live in strange and empty. I did figure out who the killer was but the why and how kept me reading until the end.
February 11, 2022
On second thought I should have given it 2 stars. I skipped through half if not more of the book. I was wondering if the ones talking would ever shut up. Boring. I really don’t care to hear about the authors political leanings. Another BORING. I’m glad the book was free.
August 11, 2022
Not my cup of tea
I wasn't a fan of this one. It felt like there was so much superfluous story that really had nothing to do with the overall story. It was fairly obvious what was going on, but I kept reading hoping for some major twist. There wasn't any twist.
I wasn't a fan of this one. It felt like there was so much superfluous story that really had nothing to do with the overall story. It was fairly obvious what was going on, but I kept reading hoping for some major twist. There wasn't any twist.
February 18, 2026
This book is told from the first-person point of view and feels slow. I had a hard time getting into this story and felt like I was just mired up in dialogue. I also don't love unhappy endings and this one definitely just gets more sad as the story moves along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
This really took a while to get into
I really had a tough time reading this story. I nearly stopped a number of times but I am glad I persevered and finished it. The final twist at the end was unexpected.
I really had a tough time reading this story. I nearly stopped a number of times but I am glad I persevered and finished it. The final twist at the end was unexpected.
December 7, 2021
Sad read
Facebook was a little confusing to me. However, others may like it. I kept thinking it would get more interesting but it never did to me
Facebook was a little confusing to me. However, others may like it. I kept thinking it would get more interesting but it never did to me
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December 14, 2021Read 12/21
December 14, 2021
Thought it was boring & awful. Don't like to give bad reviews but this was not good. 2 stars for a good premise but that's it.
December 15, 2021
A great novel with a twist you won't see coming.
December 20, 2021
Awful
This was a disaster of a read! It got good reviews But I wish I could have the time back i wasted on it.
This was a disaster of a read! It got good reviews But I wish I could have the time back i wasted on it.
December 23, 2021
While there is a mystery here….who is knocking off so many elite New Yorkers…the author used the plot for any number of forays into social and political critiques that got tiresome.
January 1, 2022
3/4 of the book was the narrator speaking with his friends, who were nonessential characters. Almost stopped numerous times. By the 3/4 mark, the plot picked up and ends with a twist.
January 2, 2022
The concept was interesting-someone murdering wealthy New Yorkers- the murderer was ultimately predictable- still unclear why murderer was actually doing it- not much background on this character-many digressions into relevant social and political issues but more on a standalone basis.
January 10, 2022
The political commentary in this book was unnecessary as it really had nothing to do with the plot. I figured out the plot twist pretty much immediately. It was not a compelling read at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews