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A Mercy Carr Mystery #4
The Wedding Plot
The Wedding Plot, USA Today bestselling author Paula Munier's fourth Mercy Carr mystery, finds Mercy and Elvis at a deadly Vermont wedding.
Love never dies a natural death…
When Mercy’s grandmother Patience marries her longtime beau Claude Renault at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn, it promises to be the destination wedding of the year. Just as the four-day extravaganza is due to begin, the inn’s spa director Bodhi St. George disappears—and Mercy’s mother Grace sends Mercy and Elvis to find him. But what they discover instead is a stranger skewered by a pitchfork in the barn on the goat farm where St. George lived.
As Mercy tries to figure out who the victim is and where St. George is hiding, the bride and groom’s estranged relations gather for the first of the pre-wedding festivities. Long-buried rivalries and resentments surface—and Mercy realizes that they’re all keeping secrets that could tear both families apart. When Elvis interrupts the escalating melodrama to alert Mercy to an intruder on the estate, she finds a wounded St. George in the cottage where she and Troy are staying. St. George is not who he says he is—but when he escapes from the hospital and disappears again, Mercy thinks he’s gone for good. With the wedding imminent and the families at each other’s throats, she decides finding St. George will have to wait.
The big day arrives—but the danger is far from over. With the families and the festivities still under threat, it’s up to Mercy and Elvis together with Troy and Susie Bear to stop the killer and save the bride and groom—before death do they part.
Love never dies a natural death…
When Mercy’s grandmother Patience marries her longtime beau Claude Renault at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn, it promises to be the destination wedding of the year. Just as the four-day extravaganza is due to begin, the inn’s spa director Bodhi St. George disappears—and Mercy’s mother Grace sends Mercy and Elvis to find him. But what they discover instead is a stranger skewered by a pitchfork in the barn on the goat farm where St. George lived.
As Mercy tries to figure out who the victim is and where St. George is hiding, the bride and groom’s estranged relations gather for the first of the pre-wedding festivities. Long-buried rivalries and resentments surface—and Mercy realizes that they’re all keeping secrets that could tear both families apart. When Elvis interrupts the escalating melodrama to alert Mercy to an intruder on the estate, she finds a wounded St. George in the cottage where she and Troy are staying. St. George is not who he says he is—but when he escapes from the hospital and disappears again, Mercy thinks he’s gone for good. With the wedding imminent and the families at each other’s throats, she decides finding St. George will have to wait.
The big day arrives—but the danger is far from over. With the families and the festivities still under threat, it’s up to Mercy and Elvis together with Troy and Susie Bear to stop the killer and save the bride and groom—before death do they part.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2022
204 people are currently reading
4361 people want to read
About the author
Paula Munier
27 books618 followersPAULA MUNIER is the author of the bestselling Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, Writing with Quiet Hands, and the acclaimed memoir Fixing Freddie. The first novel in her mystery series, A BORROWING OF BONES (Minotaur, 2018) was inspired by the hero working dogs she met through Mission K9 Rescue, her own Newfoundland-retriever-mix rescue Bear, and her lifelong passion for crime fiction. In her fabulous day job as Senior Literary Agent and Content Strategist for Talcott Notch Literary, she represents many great writers. Her specialties include crime fiction, women’s fiction, upmarket fiction, MG/YA, high-concept SFF, and nonfiction. She lives in New England with her family, Bear, Freddie, and a torbie tabby named Ursula.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
July 26, 2022
3.5⭐
This series features former Army MP Mercy Carr and retired bomb-sniffing Belgian Malinois, Elvis. Her love interest is Vermont Fish and Wildlife Game Warden Troy Warner and his sidekick search and rescue Newfoundland Retriever mix, Susie Bear.
It's June in Vermont and Mercy's grandmother is getting married at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn near Eshqua Bog Preserve. Days before the big day, the spa director who is vital to the wedding has gone missing and Mercy is asked by her mother to find him. Mercy and Elvis start looking for Bohdi when Elvis leads her to a body. Mercy ends up with more questions than answers and finds herself in tight situations.
This isn't a cozy mystery, but I enjoyed parts about the goats and creamery which has a cozy feel to it. I find that the story moves at a steady pace with multiple plotlines that drive the story forward. Because I didn't read the first three books, I did have difficulty keeping track of the secondary characters. I think if I had read the books before this one, I would appreciate the development in The Wedding Plot more. That said, it can be read as a standalone, especially if you like working dogs and a small quiet town setting.
The audiobook is excellent. Kathleen McInerney did a wonderful job voicing this relatively huge cast.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available July 19, 2022!
This series features former Army MP Mercy Carr and retired bomb-sniffing Belgian Malinois, Elvis. Her love interest is Vermont Fish and Wildlife Game Warden Troy Warner and his sidekick search and rescue Newfoundland Retriever mix, Susie Bear.
It's June in Vermont and Mercy's grandmother is getting married at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn near Eshqua Bog Preserve. Days before the big day, the spa director who is vital to the wedding has gone missing and Mercy is asked by her mother to find him. Mercy and Elvis start looking for Bohdi when Elvis leads her to a body. Mercy ends up with more questions than answers and finds herself in tight situations.
This isn't a cozy mystery, but I enjoyed parts about the goats and creamery which has a cozy feel to it. I find that the story moves at a steady pace with multiple plotlines that drive the story forward. Because I didn't read the first three books, I did have difficulty keeping track of the secondary characters. I think if I had read the books before this one, I would appreciate the development in The Wedding Plot more. That said, it can be read as a standalone, especially if you like working dogs and a small quiet town setting.
The audiobook is excellent. Kathleen McInerney did a wonderful job voicing this relatively huge cast.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available July 19, 2022!
March 10, 2024
It's an amusing thriller with a slight sinister side, that finds Mercy Carr having more than just her hands full with pre-wedding mayhem at the location of her grandmother’s upcoming nuptials at the Lady’s Slipper Inn, when the spa director goes missing... an unidentified person is found dead on the property of the local goat farm...and her special four-legged friend, Elvis, accidentally uncovers the skeletal remains of a woman who seems to have been murdered and buried more than twenty years ago. The story moves along smoothly. The characters are persistent, resourceful, and clever and the plot is engaging filled with twists, turns, surprises, red herrings, familial drama, danger, tension, a smidge of romance, and murder. What more could a good mystery need? Overall, this book is a clever, fun, and an easy read. If you are a fan of lighthearted mysteries with intelligent, helpful, four-legged friends...this one is for you. I only gave it 3 stars, not because there was anything "off" about the book and nothing about the authors abilities...it was just a bit too much on the "cozy side" for my liking.
September 11, 2024
First off one of the things I like most about this book was the "Love" quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They were awesome and inspiring. The next thing is how well Mercy and Troy work together. And, finally, how much Troy gets Mercy and loves her. It has been a long road for these two filled with a lot of bumps, but they are together, and I loved the ending, even if I do wish it didn't seem like an afterthought. The mystery kept me guessing, but I did figure out the baddie if not the motive.
It's June in Vermont and a wedding is planned at the Lady Slipper Inn owned by Mercy's billionaire friend Daniel Feinberg. The Inn is rich in history and 5-Star accommodations. Mercy Carr's grandmother, Patience, is getting ready to marry her long-time beau, Claude Renault. When the spa and wellness director, Bodhi St. George goes missing, Mercy's perfectionist mother, Grace, and her Aunt Prudence, who just happens to be the manager, task Mercy with finding him. What Mercy and Elvis, her dog, find is a dead body. Not Bodhi but someone on the goat farm where Bodhi lived.
Now, Mercy has never been one to leave a murder investigation to the police and this time is no different, especially when no one knows who the victim is or what he was doing at the farm. Then Elvis finds another body, this one buried for years, near Mercy's cottage. But Mercy also has wedding obligations, and no one wants her getting involved in the investigation.
Weddings can bring out the best or the worst in families. This one brings together the groom's family and they definitely fit the worst category. As Mercy digs in, she discovers some interesting information about them and has some real concerns about her grandmother's soon to be new family.
When a wounded Bodhi shows up in Mercy's cottage it becomes clear that someone is out to kill him, but who would go after the yogi instructor? Mercy has a few clues and when she is shot too, Troy and Mercy double down to find the perp. But with the wedding a day away they have to attend to the business at hand and that is the feuding Renault's and getting the wedding off without any more bloodshed. That may be an unattainable goal as the weather fails to cooperate for the outdoor wedding, the power fails, and a killer is stalking the wedding party.
It's June in Vermont and a wedding is planned at the Lady Slipper Inn owned by Mercy's billionaire friend Daniel Feinberg. The Inn is rich in history and 5-Star accommodations. Mercy Carr's grandmother, Patience, is getting ready to marry her long-time beau, Claude Renault. When the spa and wellness director, Bodhi St. George goes missing, Mercy's perfectionist mother, Grace, and her Aunt Prudence, who just happens to be the manager, task Mercy with finding him. What Mercy and Elvis, her dog, find is a dead body. Not Bodhi but someone on the goat farm where Bodhi lived.
Now, Mercy has never been one to leave a murder investigation to the police and this time is no different, especially when no one knows who the victim is or what he was doing at the farm. Then Elvis finds another body, this one buried for years, near Mercy's cottage. But Mercy also has wedding obligations, and no one wants her getting involved in the investigation.
Weddings can bring out the best or the worst in families. This one brings together the groom's family and they definitely fit the worst category. As Mercy digs in, she discovers some interesting information about them and has some real concerns about her grandmother's soon to be new family.
When a wounded Bodhi shows up in Mercy's cottage it becomes clear that someone is out to kill him, but who would go after the yogi instructor? Mercy has a few clues and when she is shot too, Troy and Mercy double down to find the perp. But with the wedding a day away they have to attend to the business at hand and that is the feuding Renault's and getting the wedding off without any more bloodshed. That may be an unattainable goal as the weather fails to cooperate for the outdoor wedding, the power fails, and a killer is stalking the wedding party.
April 27, 2022
Mercy Carr, an Army veteran, and her working dog Elvis are participating in her grandmother's wedding at the luxurious Lady Slipper Inn. The only problem is Mercy keeps finding dead bodies and putting herself in harm's way. Always there to help are handsome game warden Troy and his lovable newfie, Susie Bear. Will the wedding ever happen? Why did the resort's yoga instructor disappear? Likable characters, a twisty plot, and great dogs make this a must read for anyone who likes dogs and mysteries. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
August 21, 2022
My thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Wedding Plot.
4.5 Stars
As Mercy’s grandmother, Patience, prepares to marry her longtime beau at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn, it promises to be the year's destination wedding. What can go wrong, you ask? Throw in the bride and groom's wacky families, dead bodies, the biggest storm of the season, and loss of electricity. Thank goodness for Mercy and Elvis, together with Troy and Susie Bear! They are on the case and vow to stop the killer. Can they save the day for the bride and groom—before death do they part?
This is my favorite book in the Mercy and Elvis series, so far. It isn't a light and cozy series but there is some humor, and ex-military Mercy and ex-military Elvis are a fabulous team. The Wedding Plot may be the most action-packed book of the series, so far. It also has Mercy's relationship with her mother finally moving forward.
I've complained in the past about Susie Bear being described as having a pumpkin head over and over. I'm happy to say that it was probably only a few times in this book. (I hope that wasn't because Susie Bear didn't have a large role in The Wedding Plot.) It definitely helped me have a more positive outlook on this series!
I recommend it!
4.5 Stars
As Mercy’s grandmother, Patience, prepares to marry her longtime beau at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn, it promises to be the year's destination wedding. What can go wrong, you ask? Throw in the bride and groom's wacky families, dead bodies, the biggest storm of the season, and loss of electricity. Thank goodness for Mercy and Elvis, together with Troy and Susie Bear! They are on the case and vow to stop the killer. Can they save the day for the bride and groom—before death do they part?
This is my favorite book in the Mercy and Elvis series, so far. It isn't a light and cozy series but there is some humor, and ex-military Mercy and ex-military Elvis are a fabulous team. The Wedding Plot may be the most action-packed book of the series, so far. It also has Mercy's relationship with her mother finally moving forward.
I've complained in the past about Susie Bear being described as having a pumpkin head over and over. I'm happy to say that it was probably only a few times in this book. (I hope that wasn't because Susie Bear didn't have a large role in The Wedding Plot.) It definitely helped me have a more positive outlook on this series!
I recommend it!
August 18, 2022
Enjoyable despite far too many coincidences. I really think Mercy should know better than try to solve murders in her bridesmaid dress. It was beginning to remind me of the first slapstick episode of the Brady Bunch.
August 13, 2022
Mysterious, cosy, and intricate!
In this satisfying fourth instalment in the Mercy & Elvis Mysteries, The Wedding Plot, Munier has written an amusing, sinister thriller that finds former MP Mercy Carr having more than just her hands full with pre-wedding mayhem at the location of her grandmother’s upcoming nuptials, the Lady’s Slipper Inn when the spa director goes missing, an unidentified person is found dead on the property of the local goat farm, and her special sidekick Elvis accidentally uncovers the skeletal remains of a woman who seems to have been murdered and buried more than twenty years ago.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are persistent, resourceful, and clever. And the plot is an engaging tale full of twists, turns, surprises, red herrings, familial drama, danger, tension, a smidge of romance, and murder.
Overall, The Wedding Plot is a clever, fun, easy read by Munier that is absorbing, entertaining, and the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted mystery featuring some very intelligent, helpful, four-legged friends.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this satisfying fourth instalment in the Mercy & Elvis Mysteries, The Wedding Plot, Munier has written an amusing, sinister thriller that finds former MP Mercy Carr having more than just her hands full with pre-wedding mayhem at the location of her grandmother’s upcoming nuptials, the Lady’s Slipper Inn when the spa director goes missing, an unidentified person is found dead on the property of the local goat farm, and her special sidekick Elvis accidentally uncovers the skeletal remains of a woman who seems to have been murdered and buried more than twenty years ago.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are persistent, resourceful, and clever. And the plot is an engaging tale full of twists, turns, surprises, red herrings, familial drama, danger, tension, a smidge of romance, and murder.
Overall, The Wedding Plot is a clever, fun, easy read by Munier that is absorbing, entertaining, and the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted mystery featuring some very intelligent, helpful, four-legged friends.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2023
2.5 stars. I kept checking to see how many pages were left to read. Not to see how the book ended, just hoping it would end soon.
July 22, 2022
Paula Munier’s insanely readable Mercy Carr series has so far never disappointed, and The Wedding Plot is no exception. As the book opens, Mercy’s mother, Grace, has been meticulously planning her mother’s wedding to her long-time beau Claude at the swanky inn her aunt Prudence runs (with an iron fist). Between these two intimidating ladies, the wedding is proceeding on a path that looks to have Mercy in bridesmaid’s satin pumps and a blowout hairdo before she knows it.
It would not be a mystery novel, however, if all went as planned. Frist, the spa’s yoga instructor disappears, and Mercy is pressed into service, leading the wedding guests through the classes he was supposed to take on. And while all this sounds slightly like a cozy set up – wedding, yoga instructor (and wait, there are goats) – it’s far from it. Munier takes a normal domestic situation – a wedding, something everyone has experienced as guest or participant – and turns it into an action novel.
Turns out the yoga instructor may not have been exactly as he presented himself, and when a dead man turns up in one of the barns at the goat farm (I told you!) where he lived, things accelerate. While in previous novels, Munier has brought the wild beauty of Vermont to the forefront, in this novel she writes about the goat cheese that also makes Vermont famous. The details of the goats and the woman who owns the farm all provide the rich Vermont background readers have come to expect.
When the wedding festivities actually begin, with Mercy and her boyfriend Troy (and their dogs) in attendance, troubles on the groom’s side of the family begin to make themselves apparent. Again, Munier is using this very normal domestic situation and amping it up with a kind of legendary family friction, devolving at one point to fist fights. The book is grounded by the domestic, and kept in flight by the action, which involves Mercy, Troy, and their trained rescue dogs, Elvis and Susie Bear, with a healthy tally of bodies and gun fights throughout.
Mercy reminds me very much of the character that drew me to mystery fiction as an adult: Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski. Like V.I., Mercy is incredibly stubborn, incredibly brave and incredibly smart, but all those things sometime combine to make her actions horrendously irritating to her family who are (somewhat foolishly) hoping for a no-drama wedding weekend. When Mercy finally dons her bridesmaid’s dress you feel sorry for the dress. You just know it’s destined for ruin.
The mystery part of the novel is clever and intertwined with all the threads of the novel, including some old bones discovered by Elvis and Susie Bear in the woods by the inn where the wedding is taking place. I was rooting for the wedding to happen but in true master of suspense fashion, Munier keeps the reader guessing until the very end about what is going to happen on that front, as well as many others. This was a fast, fun, intelligent read, sweetened (as these books always are) by the literary epigraphs that begin each chapter. True to this book’s theme, they are all about love. I’ll jump in – I loved this book.
It would not be a mystery novel, however, if all went as planned. Frist, the spa’s yoga instructor disappears, and Mercy is pressed into service, leading the wedding guests through the classes he was supposed to take on. And while all this sounds slightly like a cozy set up – wedding, yoga instructor (and wait, there are goats) – it’s far from it. Munier takes a normal domestic situation – a wedding, something everyone has experienced as guest or participant – and turns it into an action novel.
Turns out the yoga instructor may not have been exactly as he presented himself, and when a dead man turns up in one of the barns at the goat farm (I told you!) where he lived, things accelerate. While in previous novels, Munier has brought the wild beauty of Vermont to the forefront, in this novel she writes about the goat cheese that also makes Vermont famous. The details of the goats and the woman who owns the farm all provide the rich Vermont background readers have come to expect.
When the wedding festivities actually begin, with Mercy and her boyfriend Troy (and their dogs) in attendance, troubles on the groom’s side of the family begin to make themselves apparent. Again, Munier is using this very normal domestic situation and amping it up with a kind of legendary family friction, devolving at one point to fist fights. The book is grounded by the domestic, and kept in flight by the action, which involves Mercy, Troy, and their trained rescue dogs, Elvis and Susie Bear, with a healthy tally of bodies and gun fights throughout.
Mercy reminds me very much of the character that drew me to mystery fiction as an adult: Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski. Like V.I., Mercy is incredibly stubborn, incredibly brave and incredibly smart, but all those things sometime combine to make her actions horrendously irritating to her family who are (somewhat foolishly) hoping for a no-drama wedding weekend. When Mercy finally dons her bridesmaid’s dress you feel sorry for the dress. You just know it’s destined for ruin.
The mystery part of the novel is clever and intertwined with all the threads of the novel, including some old bones discovered by Elvis and Susie Bear in the woods by the inn where the wedding is taking place. I was rooting for the wedding to happen but in true master of suspense fashion, Munier keeps the reader guessing until the very end about what is going to happen on that front, as well as many others. This was a fast, fun, intelligent read, sweetened (as these books always are) by the literary epigraphs that begin each chapter. True to this book’s theme, they are all about love. I’ll jump in – I loved this book.
August 4, 2022
I often found myself laughing in this one due to Mercy seemingly tripping over dead bodies. I know people tease her for finding dead people, but in this one...it was often. I think what made it more unusual was that it was at the "destination wedding" site of her grandmother. You wouldn't think a senior wedding and dead bodies would go together, but they did.
There was so much hiding behind the scenes here, that as Mercy helped investigate things each answer brought 10 questions. By the end of the book things weren't surprising, rich people hiding their bad deeds, but who they were and what was happening in the present was. I think Mercy's grandmother made a wise choice at the end about the wedding, as did Mercy.
It will be fun to see where things go from here for them all.
There was so much hiding behind the scenes here, that as Mercy helped investigate things each answer brought 10 questions. By the end of the book things weren't surprising, rich people hiding their bad deeds, but who they were and what was happening in the present was. I think Mercy's grandmother made a wise choice at the end about the wedding, as did Mercy.
It will be fun to see where things go from here for them all.
July 18, 2022
This was the first book I have read in this mystery series featuring Mercy Carr, a former Army MP and her canine sidekick is Elvis.
Because I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series, I really wish I knew the backstory of many of the characters in this book. While it did affect my understanding of some of the relationships involved, it didn’t get in the way of my enjoyment of the mystery.
The mystery is twisty and interesting; I was engaged throughout trying to figure out whodunit!
I liked Mercy, Troy, and the dogs so much, I plan to read all of the books in this series.
Thank you to Minotaur books for my #gifted ARC of The Wedding Plot.
Because I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series, I really wish I knew the backstory of many of the characters in this book. While it did affect my understanding of some of the relationships involved, it didn’t get in the way of my enjoyment of the mystery.
The mystery is twisty and interesting; I was engaged throughout trying to figure out whodunit!
I liked Mercy, Troy, and the dogs so much, I plan to read all of the books in this series.
Thank you to Minotaur books for my #gifted ARC of The Wedding Plot.
August 6, 2022
Great mystery
I love a good dog mystery, and the Mercy Carr series is one of the best I’ve ever read. Great characters. Great dog. Interesting plots. The latest in the series, The Wedding Plot, is her best yet. It involves a family wedding, but with corpses and old bones showing up, Mercy and Elvis are called to action. Lots of plot twists and turns keep things interesting through the satisfying climax. Highly recommended, even if you’re not a dog lover like me.
I love a good dog mystery, and the Mercy Carr series is one of the best I’ve ever read. Great characters. Great dog. Interesting plots. The latest in the series, The Wedding Plot, is her best yet. It involves a family wedding, but with corpses and old bones showing up, Mercy and Elvis are called to action. Lots of plot twists and turns keep things interesting through the satisfying climax. Highly recommended, even if you’re not a dog lover like me.
October 27, 2025
3 1/2
Really enjoyed the Grandmother. This dragged in places and was not as good as the previous stories though the family dynamics made it worth the read the whole was so/so for how it got to the end. Really liked the end.
Really enjoyed the Grandmother. This dragged in places and was not as good as the previous stories though the family dynamics made it worth the read the whole was so/so for how it got to the end. Really liked the end.
August 20, 2022
This book (and I assume the series) will be catnip, pardon the expression, to dog-lovers. Afghanistan veteran Mercy and "the smartest dog in the world" Elvis are on hand to help Mercy's grandmother, who is Elvis's favorite veterinarian, marry her French-Canadian fiance Claude. But there seem to be several people who want to stop the wedding, perhaps because that would be better for Claude's corrupt family. Fortunately, Mercy's game-warden boyfriend and his dog are on hand to help, as is his boss, a friendly billionaire, and a number of less helpful State Police.
September 15, 2022
Strong addition to a great mystery series featuring Mercy and her dog, Elvis, along with game warden, Troy, and his search and rescue dog, Susie Bear. Going to a wedding in her family is fraught with enough tension for anyone but especially when murder makes an appearance. Well plotted with interesting dynamic characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
Enjoyed this. Convoluted plot with multiple bad guys.
August 23, 2022
Ok, it’s official. I’m in a full-blown doggie reading binge. This marks the third book I’ve read this month with a doggie MC. I love my cozy, doggie, mystery series. They’re a nice break from the gruesome murder and violent mayhem that I read so much of these days. While these stories will often center around a murder, the investigations never seem to be as dangerous, violent, and gruesome as so many other murder stories often are. Hence, the genre “cozy” mysteries.
I like this particular duo, Mercy & Elvis, and usually enjoy their adventures and escapes. Mercy is a former MP who’s been kind of aimlessly existing (not sure how she survives with no employment) with her former bomb sniffing dog, Elvis, since both were honorably discharged and returned to Mercy’s hometown in Vermont. It’s here that Mercy and Elvis and their motley crew of friends and relatives look after each other and solve a few crimes in the process in their small town.
The book summary pretty much lays out the two different storylines going on in the book so, I’m not going to repeat any of it here. However, what the book summary didn’t reveal or the story itself are any of the details of when and how Mercy and Troy got back together. The end of the last book had them breaking up and Mercy walking out on Troy after finding out that he was married. This book starts with them together like nothing happened and absolutely no details on when they got back together. WTH?????
Pretty early in the story, I started thinking that perhaps that Paula Munier didn’t write this book or that the person who did write it didn’t read the previous book. Whoever wrote this book did a disservice to the MC’s, Mercy and Troy, and their relationship. Starting with the passage where they’re asked if they’re together and Troy says yes, and Mercy says no. A few pages later their sleeping together. I could go on, but I won’t waste the time and space other than to say that this break in character development was another missed opportunity by Munier.
It's kind of insulting that Munier thinks her fans/readers are too stupid to pick up on this vital omission. Seriously!!!!! Who knows, maybe it’s Munier who forgot what happened in her last book. Whatever, stuff like that can actually take away from a storyline when a simple resolution can add to it. Munier missed an opportunity here. What do I know though? I’m not a writer; I’m just an avid reader.
The storylines were interesting enough and the investigation of the crimes were intriguing enough with some intense and scary moments for the MC’s. The end (final 10-15%) was a bit of a hot mess but ended on a good note. I was just glad to finally finish it. Unfortunately, this was not my fave installment of the series. It was the lead up to the end and the resolution to the case and my earlier complaints that resulted in my feelings about this installment in the series. I’m still of the mindset that Munier didn’t write this book because the writing style and quality just seemed so lacking. If I could give it a 2.5star rating, I would. I still intend to continue with the series and won’t blow it off because of one not so good installment.
I like this particular duo, Mercy & Elvis, and usually enjoy their adventures and escapes. Mercy is a former MP who’s been kind of aimlessly existing (not sure how she survives with no employment) with her former bomb sniffing dog, Elvis, since both were honorably discharged and returned to Mercy’s hometown in Vermont. It’s here that Mercy and Elvis and their motley crew of friends and relatives look after each other and solve a few crimes in the process in their small town.
The book summary pretty much lays out the two different storylines going on in the book so, I’m not going to repeat any of it here. However, what the book summary didn’t reveal or the story itself are any of the details of when and how Mercy and Troy got back together. The end of the last book had them breaking up and Mercy walking out on Troy after finding out that he was married. This book starts with them together like nothing happened and absolutely no details on when they got back together. WTH?????
Pretty early in the story, I started thinking that perhaps that Paula Munier didn’t write this book or that the person who did write it didn’t read the previous book. Whoever wrote this book did a disservice to the MC’s, Mercy and Troy, and their relationship. Starting with the passage where they’re asked if they’re together and Troy says yes, and Mercy says no. A few pages later their sleeping together. I could go on, but I won’t waste the time and space other than to say that this break in character development was another missed opportunity by Munier.
It's kind of insulting that Munier thinks her fans/readers are too stupid to pick up on this vital omission. Seriously!!!!! Who knows, maybe it’s Munier who forgot what happened in her last book. Whatever, stuff like that can actually take away from a storyline when a simple resolution can add to it. Munier missed an opportunity here. What do I know though? I’m not a writer; I’m just an avid reader.
The storylines were interesting enough and the investigation of the crimes were intriguing enough with some intense and scary moments for the MC’s. The end (final 10-15%) was a bit of a hot mess but ended on a good note. I was just glad to finally finish it. Unfortunately, this was not my fave installment of the series. It was the lead up to the end and the resolution to the case and my earlier complaints that resulted in my feelings about this installment in the series. I’m still of the mindset that Munier didn’t write this book because the writing style and quality just seemed so lacking. If I could give it a 2.5star rating, I would. I still intend to continue with the series and won’t blow it off because of one not so good installment.
September 1, 2023
It sounds like the author had a very difficult time losing a loved one while the book, so that might explain why the writing issues that were present to varying degrees in the first three books all coalesced into a disaster in this book. The author describes some things over and over and then just skips whole scenes that are fairly integral to the plot, such as it is. For example, the wild and unexplicated jumps in relationships are frustrating. Mercy thought a lot on page about her dead fiancé in the first three books, although we never get much depth (usually a story he told). She thought a little about why she was angry at Troy in the third book. But there was no explanation associated with rapid and significant changes in their relationship throughout this book, which would be fine if it wasn't a big plot point. Either don't make their relationship part of the plot or actually write about it. Many other aspects of the story follow these same gaps and leaps.
June 21, 2024
I gave the previous book in this series an enthusiastic 5 stars. This one gets 2.5 reluctantly rounded up to 3. It missed the mark for me. It was boring. Yes, there were bodies and some dangerous situations but they were so far apart and there was just not much of interest in between. I really felt like the author was just trying to get her word count in doing things like describing how cheese is made. Mercy came off as being far more concerned with strangers than her own family. I'm hoping this was just an off effort and the series get back on track with the next book.
April 3, 2022
Maybe because I missed reading the first three books in this series, I found The Wedding Plot confusing and way more complicated than it needed to be. Also there were too many characters and it was difficult to keep track of who was related to whom. Entertaining to a point but maybe I need to read the others to fully appreciate the book
July 19, 2022
For some reason this book feels a bit different from the previous ones and I’m not sure why. It does have a good mystery and surprised me with the ending, It was a quick read for me.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
July 11, 2022
I won this book on Goodreads. Mercy’s grandmother is getting married at the Slipper Inn, the spa director disappears and when they go looking for him they find a stranger has been killed. Lot of old rivalries surface and everything isn’t what it looks like.
February 4, 2024
Not the best in the series. For an intelligent woman, the main character Mercy makes some irrational choices. I love the dogs though.
August 19, 2022
This is the fourth book in the series featuring Mercy Carr and her Belgian Malinois, Elivs and Mercy's significant other, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Game Warden, Troy Warner and his Newfoundlander, Susie Bear. This story follows Mercy's mother, Grace, as she plans the wedding for Mercy's grandmother, Patience, and her Quebecois fiancé at the luxurious, local Lady Slipper Inn. Days before the wedding, the Spa's director, Bodhi, goes missing and Mercy's mother asks her to investigate. Mercy and Elvis begin looking for Bodhi when Elvis leads her to a body at the local goat farm/creamery and the bodies begin to pile up.
This book had more action than some of the previous books but for me, was not as enjoyable. Claude's dysfunctional family was a little bit too much of a caricature of a family feuding about money and I didn't understand why Patience's old flame was part of the story. I really enjoy Mercy and Troy together and they make a good investigative team. Once the mystery was solved, the ending seemed like just a convenient way to end.
I really have enjoyed this series thus far, but this was not my favourite book in the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest reivew.
This book had more action than some of the previous books but for me, was not as enjoyable. Claude's dysfunctional family was a little bit too much of a caricature of a family feuding about money and I didn't understand why Patience's old flame was part of the story. I really enjoy Mercy and Troy together and they make a good investigative team. Once the mystery was solved, the ending seemed like just a convenient way to end.
I really have enjoyed this series thus far, but this was not my favourite book in the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest reivew.
February 13, 2023
The Wedding Plot
3 Stars
Mercy's grandmother is tying the knot at an exclusive resort, and Mercy is under strict instructions not to become involved in any murders. But when the spa director disappears and a body is found in the barn where he lived, Mercy and her trusty Belgian malinois, Elvis, are on the case.
While this latest installment is satisfying overall, the pacing is off, with a lot of meandering in the middle and a rushed ending. Moreover, there is a glaring inconsistency with the previous book, namely Mercy's sudden .
The mystery itself is convoluted at times as there are several threads and numerous characters to keep track of. While everything ultimately comes together, it can be difficult to discern who is related to whom and which plot thread they are connected to. The eventual explanation is convincing, although it is easy to guess the culprit, albeit not the exact motive.
Despite the abovementioned issues, there are some delightful moments between Mercy and Troy as well as Mercy's family - they certainly are an eclectic bunch. Kathleen McInerney's narration of the audiobook is also an added bonus. She is absolutely fantastic.
Looking forward to Mercy & Elvis's further adventures.
3 Stars
Mercy's grandmother is tying the knot at an exclusive resort, and Mercy is under strict instructions not to become involved in any murders. But when the spa director disappears and a body is found in the barn where he lived, Mercy and her trusty Belgian malinois, Elvis, are on the case.
While this latest installment is satisfying overall, the pacing is off, with a lot of meandering in the middle and a rushed ending. Moreover, there is a glaring inconsistency with the previous book, namely Mercy's sudden .
The mystery itself is convoluted at times as there are several threads and numerous characters to keep track of. While everything ultimately comes together, it can be difficult to discern who is related to whom and which plot thread they are connected to. The eventual explanation is convincing, although it is easy to guess the culprit, albeit not the exact motive.
Despite the abovementioned issues, there are some delightful moments between Mercy and Troy as well as Mercy's family - they certainly are an eclectic bunch. Kathleen McInerney's narration of the audiobook is also an added bonus. She is absolutely fantastic.
Looking forward to Mercy & Elvis's further adventures.
December 12, 2022
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my free ARC of The Wedding Plot. I was not familiar with this mystery series featuring Mercy Carr, a former Army MP and her canine sidekick is Elvis as well as her Game Warden boyfriend Troy and his canine Suzy Bear. The author gives enough background that jumping in mid-series was not a problem. The mystery takes place in Vermont with characters that are well-developed. While an amateur detective running across multiple dead bodies is always a stretch, the mysteries (one current and one cold case) are interesting and keep the reader interested. The murders take place while Mercy's family gathers for her grandmother's wedding, so there is family drama also. .#mercycarr #PaulaMunier #TheWeddingPlot
April 28, 2022
Mercy Carr is attending the wedding of her grandmother Patience at a resort run by her grand Aunt Pru. It is going to be a three-day extravaganza and her mother Grace who has planned everything is driving Mercy crazy. But then the spa director, Bodhi St. George disappears, and Mercy finds herself drawn into an investigation with her lover game warden Troy Warner. Then there is another murder and many of the characters from the previous three books in the series are brought into the story to some degree. Mercy also finds some disturbing information about the family Patience is marrying into. Of course, Elvis and Susie Bear the dogs play their part in protecting their humans. This is not a cozy series but there is some humor, and ex-military Mercy, and ex-military Elvis are a good team. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2022
Book #4 in the Mercy Carr Mystery Series. This one has it all - Mystery, Romance, Suspense and wonderful characters. I was intrigued by the lead character and now I plan to read books 1-3 in this series. Loved the creative style of this new to me author. I can guarantee I will be actively searching for more of her books. Kathleen McInerney is one of my favorite narrators. I know that when I pick up an audio book by Ms. McInerney that I will enjoy myself.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
May 22, 2025
Book #4 in this exciting, fast moving series. I like all the characters, especially the dogs, Elvis and Susie Bear. Mercy’s grandmother, Patience, and her longtime beau, Claude, are finally going to get married. But as usual Mercy and Elvis discover a body and then one catastrophe after another, are threatening the likelihood of the wedding happening. Several unexpected twists in here, some bad and some surprisingly good.
August 30, 2022
I'm always in awe of people who get shot and then bound out of bed immediately to continue solving a mystery. I'd be enjoying my time in bed for all it's worth. Guess that's why I'm an arm chair Nancy Drew, not an actual sleuth!
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