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Hat Shop Mystery #7
Fatal Fascinator
Hip hip beret! Hatmakers Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont return and must collar a killer when a castle wedding goes awry in New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay’s new Hat Shop Mystery.
It’s wedding season and Viv’s longtime frenemy Piper May is getting married. She convinces Viv and Scarlett to take on the job of designing the headpieces for her “wedding of the year.” The well-to-do bride and her entourage are delighted to have Viv and Scarlett as their famous hat designer guests, but the hat-making pair are really just looking forward to a getaway at a castle in Sussex. It is to be a weekend full of events, culminating in the big ceremony.
Unfortunately, on the first night of the festivities, the groom is found murdered, and the joyous holiday becomes the stuff of nightmares as no one is allowed to leave the castle until the investigation is complete. Although Scarlett assures Harrison Wentworth, her fiancé, that she and Viv will stay out of harm’s way, circumstances force them to step in when a secret affair between the deceased groom and a bridesmaid comes to light, and the murderer takes another life. Scarlett and Viv vow to unveil the killer’s identity before the wedding adds another to its death toll.
It’s wedding season and Viv’s longtime frenemy Piper May is getting married. She convinces Viv and Scarlett to take on the job of designing the headpieces for her “wedding of the year.” The well-to-do bride and her entourage are delighted to have Viv and Scarlett as their famous hat designer guests, but the hat-making pair are really just looking forward to a getaway at a castle in Sussex. It is to be a weekend full of events, culminating in the big ceremony.
Unfortunately, on the first night of the festivities, the groom is found murdered, and the joyous holiday becomes the stuff of nightmares as no one is allowed to leave the castle until the investigation is complete. Although Scarlett assures Harrison Wentworth, her fiancé, that she and Viv will stay out of harm’s way, circumstances force them to step in when a secret affair between the deceased groom and a bridesmaid comes to light, and the murderer takes another life. Scarlett and Viv vow to unveil the killer’s identity before the wedding adds another to its death toll.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 3, 2023
87 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Jenn McKinlay
72 books5,390 followersJenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
June 6, 2024
Fatal Fascinator is the 7th book in the revived Hat Shop Mysteries written by Jenn McKinlay. The series takes place in London where two cousins (one American and one British) run a high-end hat shop that caters to celebrities, royals, and other wealthy types. Viv, the British cousin, is the designer / creator and is asked by a former frenemy to design the bridesmaid hats for her upcoming wedding. Guilted into it by her American cousin, Scarlett later learns her fiancé previously dated the bride. They all arrive for the weekend wedding in a Scottish castle, but one very important guest turns up dead. Whodunit is the key question, but as the shenanigans unfold, a ghostly rumor and a strange case of cyanide poisoning in the news begins to cause concern for the cousins. McKinlay always brings the humor (the scenes where they all sit around punning are quite fun) and the quick unraveling of the guilty party. Another winner!
January 6, 2023
Cousins Scarlett and Viv have agreed to create the hats for the wedding of the season. Scarlett is mainly excited because it means they’ve scored an invitation, and the wedding is taking place in a castle in the country. Even their friend Andre is there as the wedding photographer. But joy turns to tragedy when Scarlett finds the dead body of the groom in the library. With no one allowed to leave while the police investigate, Scarlett can’t help but poked around. Will she figure out what happened?
Since author Jenn McKinlay is so busy writing, we don’t get quite as many entries in this series as in some of her others. That makes it nice to get to revisit these characters again. A few of the regulars have cameos than a real part, but it was still nice to see everyone and see how they are continuing to grow. The book is filled with suspects, but I never had a hard time keeping them all straight. The story was always moving forward, and the plot had a few nice surprises on the way to the climax. The pages just flew by. Meanwhile, there were plenty of moments that made me laugh or grin, including some pun wars, which I always enjoy. Whether you are a fan of the series or just checking it out, you’ll enjoy this book.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Since author Jenn McKinlay is so busy writing, we don’t get quite as many entries in this series as in some of her others. That makes it nice to get to revisit these characters again. A few of the regulars have cameos than a real part, but it was still nice to see everyone and see how they are continuing to grow. The book is filled with suspects, but I never had a hard time keeping them all straight. The story was always moving forward, and the plot had a few nice surprises on the way to the climax. The pages just flew by. Meanwhile, there were plenty of moments that made me laugh or grin, including some pun wars, which I always enjoy. Whether you are a fan of the series or just checking it out, you’ll enjoy this book.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 3, 2022
I have to admit that this is the first book in the series I've read. I am a fan of this authors other series, but for some reason this one slipped through the cracks.
I'm thrilled I got to meet Scarlett and Viv, their significant others and the rest of the fabulous characters in this book.
A wedding in a castle sounds absolutely romantic, but a murder tends to put a damper on things.
I'm planning to buy the first book in this series so I can start from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for introducing me to another wonderful series.
#FatalFascinator #NetGalley.
I'm thrilled I got to meet Scarlett and Viv, their significant others and the rest of the fabulous characters in this book.
A wedding in a castle sounds absolutely romantic, but a murder tends to put a damper on things.
I'm planning to buy the first book in this series so I can start from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for introducing me to another wonderful series.
#FatalFascinator #NetGalley.
January 30, 2023
Another fast, funny read by Ms McKinlay. I have always had a soft spot for Scarlet and the trouble she manages to find herself in. This time the wedding of the season is the backdrop for murder and mayhem and you know Scarlet and company are going to be dragged into the middle of the fiasco. If you want an interesting setting, with a wedding as the set up, some truly wacked people and some humor with your mystery, then this book is for you!
January 30, 2023
When there’s a big gap between books in a series, I tend to forget how much I like it. That was the case with the Hat Shop Mysteries but once I started listening, I realized how much I had missed Scarlett, Viv, and the rest of the gang. I loved visiting with them again and being invited into their lives. The mystery was well-paced and filled with humor and just enough clues to keep you guessing right along with them. Highly recommended for fans of mysteries with humor and great characters.
October 15, 2024
It's wedding season, and Vivian is tasked with making hats for her frenemy's wedding. Scarlett tags along for a getaway weekend at the castle.
Then the groom is murdered, and nobody is allowed to leave the castle. Is it a getaway if you can't get away?
Scarlett and Viv have to solve the murder so they can go home.
Then the groom is murdered, and nobody is allowed to leave the castle. Is it a getaway if you can't get away?
Scarlett and Viv have to solve the murder so they can go home.
December 27, 2022
If you've read the other books in the "Hat Shop Mystery" series, you're going to love this one!
Scarlett has gotten herself and her friends in another pickle. Need I say more?
Jenn has a knack for making the most serious situation funny.
Hopefully this isn't the last book in this series...
Scarlett has gotten herself and her friends in another pickle. Need I say more?
Jenn has a knack for making the most serious situation funny.
Hopefully this isn't the last book in this series...
February 16, 2023
Socialite Piper May is getting married in 6 weeks and wants Viv to make the fascinators for her bridal party after the initial designer had to flee the country due to a scandal. She invites Viv and Scarlet plus Andrew, the reluctant wedding photographer, to the wedding festivities in Sussex. The wedding will take place in a real castle in Sussex and Scarlet, eager to scope out wedding venues for herself, is eager to accept on behalf of the shop. Viv and Andre are less eager to leave London and enter the viper's nest that is Piper May and Dooney Portis's impending nuptials. Scarlet and Harry overhear an argument between the groom and an unknown woman. Fleeing the scene, Scarlet and Harry discover a secret tunnel to the castle library where they meet the castle caretaker and learn the story of the castle ghost, a thousand-year-old bride who hurled herself off the tower rather than marry a man she didn't like. The legend says anyone who tries to marry against their will dies. So it shouldn't come as a huge shock when Dooney, who is marrying Piper for her money, turns up dead in the library! He WAS drinking rather heavily but of course the police suspect murder! Andre is terrified and wants nothing to do with the castle, ghost or wedding but Scarlet is intrigued. She and Viv have met the wedding party and none of them seemed to like each other very much. Which one wanted Dooney dead and why? Or is there such a thing as curses after all?
HOORAY! After 2 years the Mim's Whims crew are back. We seem to have missed yet another crucial development in Scarlet and Harry's relationship status. First we missed the engagement and now they're living together permanently! What? When did this happen? The next one better feature a wedding! This one doesn't count because of the ill-fated groom. I thought I knew whodunit but the suspects were good actors. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me speed reading late into the night. I had to slow down and reread it to really get the full impact. Fans of the series will love this one.
Even though the entire crew are not together the whole time, they do all appear on page in the beginning and end. Even little Bella, the adorably spoiled Corgi puppy. She is sooooo cute! She has a bad reputation but really, a little less spoiling and a lot more training will help with her lack of training. I know it's hard because who can resist a Corgi face or heart-shaped bum?! The cover is misleading because she doesn't come along for the adventure. She stays with "Daddy" Harry and with Fee. She'll have fun visiting Aunt Betty and Freddy.
I relate much more to Viv than Scarlet. Scarlet is a people person. She sees people and reads them so she knows what to say to please them. While she has not shown good instincts in the past, I think her judgment has gotten much better. I love her relationship with Harrison. They're so sweet together. He laughs at her bad puns when no one else does and sleuths with her even though he's worried she'll get hurt. Harry is a doting dog dad too. Viv, on the other hand, is the creative one. Hats are her passion and she lets nothing get in the way of her passion. She is business savvy though and knows how to get what SHE wants from the transaction. I enjoyed her reactions whenever Alistair was mentioned. That's different for Viv to show vulnerability and even happiness. Andre is too funny. I feel very bad for him and understand his past trauma and not wanting to take the photos. It's his business but it is a business and I feel he can show up and behave like an adult and show Piper and Dooney he's grown and moved on with his life. It would have helped if he brought Nick. (swoon!) I found it hilarious that Andre is terrified of a ghost. I worked in a supposedly haunted location and most people would tell you they were more afraid of the living outside than the ghosts inside. I feel the same way ... UNLESS Andre is a reluctant groom and Nick is trying to get him to the altar? Then I can see feeling nervous.
Piper May, bridezilla, is a piece of work. She's spoiled, selfish, shallow and manipulative. She's marrying for social status just like someone out of a Jane Austen novel. Like Lucy Steele, she had a man (Harry!) but returned him to the pool because he wasn't a good "return on investment." Her family is new money and Piper's parents are paying a fortune for whatever she wants in order to social climb. Her dad seems to have some control over the money. She thinks he's cheap but her mom seems to be eager to join the upper crust no matter what it takes. Dooney, the groom, is confusing. First I thought he was a major [glassbowl] and then we got a conflicting report. So which was the real Dooley? I went back and reread the book and I think my initial assessment was correct. Dooney is marrying Piper for the money. His family name might be old but they're flat broke and need this wedding to save their material possessions. He doesn't seem to care so much though. Viv says he was "handsy" back in the day and still seems to think he's God's gift to women from the way he reacts to Scarlet when they first meet. He still thinks Viv is in love with him for some reason and then it comes out he was having an affair with a bridesmaid! Yikes! Piper and Dooney deserved each other.
I'm betting the bridesmaid and murderer was Tricia. She's nasty even to Piper. Tricia seems to be a Piper wannabe and jealous of Piper for getting Dooney to marry her. Tricia is insanely rude and cruel to another bridesmaid, Sunny, who is sweet and lovely. So what if she gained some weight in the last year? That's no reason to body shame her. I was hoping Tricia was the murderer or the next victim! Best man Quentin is cut from the same cloth as Dooney. All he cares about is money, booze and women. Could he be the murderer? Perhaps he wanted Piper for himself? There's another motive there I shall not reveal. It certainly wasn't Sunny. She seems too innocent and naïve but it doesn't look good for her.
The parents of the bride and groom do not seem to get along either. Piper's parents have the most to lose from this marriage. It's costing them a lot of money. Mr. May is known for being ruthless in business. I'm sure a prenup would do rather than murder. Mrs. May might have an excuse for murder though or maybe it was accidental? I wonder if Dooney hit on her first?
Detective Stewart seems like a fair and competent fellow but I'm not sure how he missed the murder method. He needs to be sure of his facts before he makes an arrest and the clues do point to one person. He's not the type of detective who wants civilians nosing around or telling him they just "know" someone isn't a murderer. Viv and Andre are suspects in his mind and he won't let them or Scarlet leave the castle.
This castle comes complete with servants. Mr. Jenkins is the butler and very proper. Archie Carlton is the caretaker of the castle and seems protective of the library for some reason. I'm not entirely sure I trust him. One more fun character is Dominick Falco, a retired hatmaker who lives in the village near the castle. He's lively with a twinkle in his eye and a passion for millinery that rivals Viv's. I hope he visits Mim's Whims because I'd like to see more of him.
It will be at least another 2 years before we get the next book in the series (boo). It better not feature a big time jump and surely HAS to include the wedding! We missed out on the proposal so we need the wedding. Also, more Corgis!
HOORAY! After 2 years the Mim's Whims crew are back. We seem to have missed yet another crucial development in Scarlet and Harry's relationship status. First we missed the engagement and now they're living together permanently! What? When did this happen? The next one better feature a wedding! This one doesn't count because of the ill-fated groom. I thought I knew whodunit but the suspects were good actors. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me speed reading late into the night. I had to slow down and reread it to really get the full impact. Fans of the series will love this one.
Even though the entire crew are not together the whole time, they do all appear on page in the beginning and end. Even little Bella, the adorably spoiled Corgi puppy. She is sooooo cute! She has a bad reputation but really, a little less spoiling and a lot more training will help with her lack of training. I know it's hard because who can resist a Corgi face or heart-shaped bum?! The cover is misleading because she doesn't come along for the adventure. She stays with "Daddy" Harry and with Fee. She'll have fun visiting Aunt Betty and Freddy.
I relate much more to Viv than Scarlet. Scarlet is a people person. She sees people and reads them so she knows what to say to please them. While she has not shown good instincts in the past, I think her judgment has gotten much better. I love her relationship with Harrison. They're so sweet together. He laughs at her bad puns when no one else does and sleuths with her even though he's worried she'll get hurt. Harry is a doting dog dad too. Viv, on the other hand, is the creative one. Hats are her passion and she lets nothing get in the way of her passion. She is business savvy though and knows how to get what SHE wants from the transaction. I enjoyed her reactions whenever Alistair was mentioned. That's different for Viv to show vulnerability and even happiness. Andre is too funny. I feel very bad for him and understand his past trauma and not wanting to take the photos. It's his business but it is a business and I feel he can show up and behave like an adult and show Piper and Dooney he's grown and moved on with his life. It would have helped if he brought Nick. (swoon!) I found it hilarious that Andre is terrified of a ghost. I worked in a supposedly haunted location and most people would tell you they were more afraid of the living outside than the ghosts inside. I feel the same way ... UNLESS Andre is a reluctant groom and Nick is trying to get him to the altar? Then I can see feeling nervous.
Piper May, bridezilla, is a piece of work. She's spoiled, selfish, shallow and manipulative. She's marrying for social status just like someone out of a Jane Austen novel. Like Lucy Steele, she had a man (Harry!) but returned him to the pool because he wasn't a good "return on investment." Her family is new money and Piper's parents are paying a fortune for whatever she wants in order to social climb. Her dad seems to have some control over the money. She thinks he's cheap but her mom seems to be eager to join the upper crust no matter what it takes. Dooney, the groom, is confusing. First I thought he was a major [glassbowl] and then we got a conflicting report. So which was the real Dooley? I went back and reread the book and I think my initial assessment was correct. Dooney is marrying Piper for the money. His family name might be old but they're flat broke and need this wedding to save their material possessions. He doesn't seem to care so much though. Viv says he was "handsy" back in the day and still seems to think he's God's gift to women from the way he reacts to Scarlet when they first meet. He still thinks Viv is in love with him for some reason and then it comes out he was having an affair with a bridesmaid! Yikes! Piper and Dooney deserved each other.
I'm betting the bridesmaid and murderer was Tricia. She's nasty even to Piper. Tricia seems to be a Piper wannabe and jealous of Piper for getting Dooney to marry her. Tricia is insanely rude and cruel to another bridesmaid, Sunny, who is sweet and lovely. So what if she gained some weight in the last year? That's no reason to body shame her. I was hoping Tricia was the murderer or the next victim! Best man Quentin is cut from the same cloth as Dooney. All he cares about is money, booze and women. Could he be the murderer? Perhaps he wanted Piper for himself? There's another motive there I shall not reveal. It certainly wasn't Sunny. She seems too innocent and naïve but it doesn't look good for her.
The parents of the bride and groom do not seem to get along either. Piper's parents have the most to lose from this marriage. It's costing them a lot of money. Mr. May is known for being ruthless in business. I'm sure a prenup would do rather than murder. Mrs. May might have an excuse for murder though or maybe it was accidental? I wonder if Dooney hit on her first?
Detective Stewart seems like a fair and competent fellow but I'm not sure how he missed the murder method. He needs to be sure of his facts before he makes an arrest and the clues do point to one person. He's not the type of detective who wants civilians nosing around or telling him they just "know" someone isn't a murderer. Viv and Andre are suspects in his mind and he won't let them or Scarlet leave the castle.
This castle comes complete with servants. Mr. Jenkins is the butler and very proper. Archie Carlton is the caretaker of the castle and seems protective of the library for some reason. I'm not entirely sure I trust him. One more fun character is Dominick Falco, a retired hatmaker who lives in the village near the castle. He's lively with a twinkle in his eye and a passion for millinery that rivals Viv's. I hope he visits Mim's Whims because I'd like to see more of him.
It will be at least another 2 years before we get the next book in the series (boo). It better not feature a big time jump and surely HAS to include the wedding! We missed out on the proposal so we need the wedding. Also, more Corgis!
January 3, 2023
Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful story. I am pleased to see the return of A Hat Shop Mysteries. Scarlett Parker and her cousin, Vivian Tremont are back. Viv agrees to make the bridesmaid’s hats for Piper May’s upcoming wedding. Scarlett convinces Viv to attend the event which will give them a weekend in the country. Unfortunately, their relaxing weekend goes awry when the groom is found dead. The lead detective declares that no one can leave while the crime is being investigated. Scarlett, of course, cannot resist digging into the case. She gets help from Viv and her dashing fiancé, Harrison Wentworth. Can the trio discover the killer’s identity before he strikes again? Fatal Fascinator is a fun story to read. I love the characters, especially Scarlett. She is a lively woman. Scarlett is engaged to Harrison and has a darling puppy. Things are never dull when Scarlett is around. Vivian is a fashionista who is more reserved than her American cousin. Harrison is a sweet guy who loves Scarlett. The mystery was interesting, but it a little weak. The murder of the fiancé occurs around the halfway mark. I wish it had happened sooner. By the time the whodunit happens, I knew who and how. I had an inkling as to the why. I am hoping the author will up her game in the next A Hat Shop Mystery. Fatal Fascinator is the seventh A Hat Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I do recommend reading all the books in this engaging series. There is humor throughout the story. Scarlett manages to get herself in the oddest predicaments. Fatal Fascinator is a diverting tale with an unbending bride, a precious puppy, superfluous luggage, a lifeless fiancé, a determined detective, fashionable fascinators, and a wedding date debate.
August 4, 2022
I’m so glad to see this series back. After a few years, I was afraid it had ended. Like most Americans, I love the idea of a British castle wedding, so I was primed to love this book. Even though I figured out the murder method super early (even before the murder), I didn’t figure out who or why, which kept me in suspense. While I always love the Hat Shop Mysteries, this wasn’t my favorite because being away from London, it lacked some of the best characters and the bay shop setting. Also, there was a lot of set up in this one, meaning the murder didn’t happen for quite a while, which led to some odd pacing.
September 20, 2022
Number seven in the Hat Shop Mystery series has Viv and Andre (reluctantly) and Scarlet (enthusiastically) trekking to a castle in Sussex to attend a wedding where Viv has designed the hats for the bride and bridesmaids. But the bride is terrible and the groom is horrible. Oh, but the castle is so lovely. However, before they can get married, the groom is found dead, by Scarlet of course. Now they're stuck and the castle seems ominous rather than charming. The fun, fast read was full of hijinx and mystery!
Release Date: 1/3/2023
Release Date: 1/3/2023
January 10, 2024
Scarlett (a.k.a. Ginger) Parker is always up for a challenge, and her newest challenge is to convince her cousin Vivian (a.k.a. Viv) Tremont to consent to create fascinators for Piper May's wedding. Neighbor Andre Eisel is also hopeful that Scarlett can be her usual convincing self, as like Viv, Andre is not a fan of the countryside, even if the countryside equates to photographing a wedding at Waverly Castle. During their stay, Scarlett may learn more history than just the castle's history.
One of my favorite delights of the series is reading the newest puns shared by Scarlett, Vivian, Harrison (a.k.a. Harry), Andre and his partner Nick Carroll, and sometimes Fee. No one is impressed by Scarlett's puns, but the contributions of all are hysterical and one of the many highlights of reading this series.
I loved the incentive that Scarlett used to encourage Viv's consent to make her unique creations for Piper's bridesmaids. Scarlett will remember using the needed transportation to keep her promise to Viv and I doubt I was the only reader to remember my 1st experience.
Although the cover art is not what normally triggers my reading of any particular title, some book covers add to my appreciation of the novel and, in this case, the series. The author gives credit in the Acknowledgements.
One of my favorite delights of the series is reading the newest puns shared by Scarlett, Vivian, Harrison (a.k.a. Harry), Andre and his partner Nick Carroll, and sometimes Fee. No one is impressed by Scarlett's puns, but the contributions of all are hysterical and one of the many highlights of reading this series.
I loved the incentive that Scarlett used to encourage Viv's consent to make her unique creations for Piper's bridesmaids. Scarlett will remember using the needed transportation to keep her promise to Viv and I doubt I was the only reader to remember my 1st experience.
Although the cover art is not what normally triggers my reading of any particular title, some book covers add to my appreciation of the novel and, in this case, the series. The author gives credit in the Acknowledgements.
"Much gratitude to the amazing art department (Berkley Crime Prime), and cover artist Robert Gantt Steele and book designer Laura K. Corless. You capture the spirit of the books perfectly."I couldn't agree more.
February 5, 2023
What a good book!! It's been awhile since we've had a chance to visit with Scarlett, Viv and the gang, but they are just as much fun as ever. This time, it's a destination wedding at a thousand year old castle in the English countryside, and although it starts out with just Scarlett, Viv and Andre, by the time the murderer is revealed, the gang is all there. Ms McKinlay is excellent at dropping clues that are seemingly extraneous information, and builds a story that ends up with the reader on the edge of their seat!!
February 19, 2023
Milliner Scarlett Parker persuades her cousin Sarah that they should provide fascinators for the bridal party that is gathering at a famous castle, although the bride is obnoxious Piper and her groom is a noted jerk. When the groom's body is found dead--by Scarlett, of course--the local police confine the wedding party to the castle for the weekend while they investigate. Scarlett is sure that the chief suspects--an unhappy bridesmaid, for one--are innocent, but when a second body is found, it's a game-changer for everyone.
March 30, 2023
I love this series so much. The characters, the setting, the hats, the drama....it's so well written and I can just immerse myself in the story so easily. It had me gasping and and laughing and sighing with happiness. Even though I missed the hat shop in this story, the haunted castle was such a great setting, with it's library, gardens and secret passages. Scarlett is such a caring person and she doesn't even really have to investigate this time, but happens to be in the right place at certain times. Also I love love love had and Harrison so much! My only qualm is that I wish we saw a bit more Viv because she is a riot, but she does help in this story which I really enjoyed. I hope this series continues for a long time!
January 2, 2023
Jenn McKinlay knocks it out of the park again in her latest cozy mystery. This time, we see Scarlett, Viv, and Andre whisked away to the countryside for a wedding, for which Viv provides last-minute bridesmaid hats, Andre is photographing, and Scarlett is there to smooth over any ruffled feathers. But shortly after they arrive, Scarlett discovers the body of the groom! The police insist everyone remain in the castle while they investigate, and Scarlett can't help but doing some investigating of her own.
The castle wedding was a perfect new and logical location to bring our hat shoppe gang for a new mystery to solve. It introduced a generally closed environment, loads of new characters, and a fun setting. I was also shocked by parts of the conclusion--and I'm pretty hard to fool! I typically listen to this series on audiobook, which I think is the best way to "read" it, as it has the most fabulous narrator who champions numerous accents and voices, but I enjoyed reading this one on ebook, as well. It's a quick read and easy to binge!
Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 9/10
The castle wedding was a perfect new and logical location to bring our hat shoppe gang for a new mystery to solve. It introduced a generally closed environment, loads of new characters, and a fun setting. I was also shocked by parts of the conclusion--and I'm pretty hard to fool! I typically listen to this series on audiobook, which I think is the best way to "read" it, as it has the most fabulous narrator who champions numerous accents and voices, but I enjoyed reading this one on ebook, as well. It's a quick read and easy to binge!
Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 9/10
May 27, 2023
The very best thing about this series is the wonderfully diverse characters, who get along and work together so beautifully to solve mysteries. There is a bit of "silliness" about the whole thing that can be equally annoying and endearing. This particular mystery is laced with "extra" characters, who are elite rich, high society, and it is quite a delight to "put them in their places". Just a good fun read.
January 21, 2023
It’s always a treat to visit with the gang at Mim’s Whims hat shop…this is my new favorite book of the series.
September 11, 2023
One of my favorite series! The characters are great - smart and funny. I enjoyed the English countryside castle setting in this one. The mystery was good and kept me guessing up until the exciting resolution.
January 4, 2023
Wish I could give more than 5 stars!!!! Love this series!!!!
December 18, 2022
Piper May is not Scarlett or Vivian's favorite person but she's getting married in a grand castle in Sussex and the chance to go to the wedding is actually more enticing than the job of making the headgear for the bridal party. Their pal Andre joins them and all is fun until...the groom is murdered. And of course, Vivian and Andre are suspects (along, btw, with most of the rest of the group). It's a classic cozy, with the trio working hard to find answers even as the villain- no spoilers! I've only read one of the preceding books in the series but that wasn't a problem because McKinlay gives good back story. It's both suitably twisty and easy to read (that's a good thing). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read.
November 28, 2022
Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay is book #7 in the Hat Shop Mystery series. Now imagine planning to get married in a castle where weddings are said to be cursed. Scarlett Parker, her cousin Vivian Turner who is well known for her millinery talent and their photographer friend Andre Eisel end up at Viv's frenemy Piper May's wedding at Waverly Castle. Murder occurs and the amateur sleuths are reluctantly on the case. Tempers are high as all the wedding party and guests are required to remain at the castle while the police investigate. I really enjoyed reading along as these characters solve the case. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
January 26, 2023
Love these characters and their adventures but this story was a bit less engaging. Somewhat repetitive and a bit predictable with a few surprising twists to keep it rolling. On a personal note, I was a bit thrown, I listen to the audiobooks and the reader was "Lindsay", of the Library Lovers series so had a bit of difficulty picturing Scarlet because she had Lindsay's voice.
February 28, 2023
I love castles, and I have always been fascinated by the hats worn in England on all sorts of occasions. Fatal Fascinator encompasses both of these wonderfully intriguing items and has a delightful murder to boot. Hat makers Viv and Scarlett are back, and this time they are taking things up a notch!
After Scarlett convinces Viv to spend a weekend at a beautiful castle and create hats for a frienemies upcoming wedding, she thinks it will be smooth sailing. But not long after arriving at the castle, a murder takes place, and the wedding is canceled. Scarlett feels it is her responsibility to find out who the killer is and keep Viv or her best friend, Andre, from either becoming victims or suspects.
The suspects are contained in the castle, but the list includes guests, bridal party members, family, and staff. There are plenty of people to pick from and several motives that could work for a variety of suspects. Evidence is a bit harder to come by, as even the hats play a vital part, and readers may feel as if they are going around in circles. But as with all of the books in this series, eventually, you realize who the killer has to be and, like Scarlett, set out to prove it. When the killer is uncovered, many will be surprised or delighted, depending on your take on the entire story.
The setting for this book, a castle, is beyond imagination and gives all of us a nice feeling of history, England, Sussex in particular, and hats. The hats, which, no matter how hard you try, you really want to see and wear. Fatal Fascinator is enjoyable, a quick read, and filled with everything that makes England fascinating to so many across the globe. I hope readers who haven’t picked this book up or started this series do so right away and enjoy it as much as I do.
After Scarlett convinces Viv to spend a weekend at a beautiful castle and create hats for a frienemies upcoming wedding, she thinks it will be smooth sailing. But not long after arriving at the castle, a murder takes place, and the wedding is canceled. Scarlett feels it is her responsibility to find out who the killer is and keep Viv or her best friend, Andre, from either becoming victims or suspects.
The suspects are contained in the castle, but the list includes guests, bridal party members, family, and staff. There are plenty of people to pick from and several motives that could work for a variety of suspects. Evidence is a bit harder to come by, as even the hats play a vital part, and readers may feel as if they are going around in circles. But as with all of the books in this series, eventually, you realize who the killer has to be and, like Scarlett, set out to prove it. When the killer is uncovered, many will be surprised or delighted, depending on your take on the entire story.
The setting for this book, a castle, is beyond imagination and gives all of us a nice feeling of history, England, Sussex in particular, and hats. The hats, which, no matter how hard you try, you really want to see and wear. Fatal Fascinator is enjoyable, a quick read, and filled with everything that makes England fascinating to so many across the globe. I hope readers who haven’t picked this book up or started this series do so right away and enjoy it as much as I do.
April 5, 2026
Okay its been a while since I read this series because I didn't want to read the last book and part of me wished I hadn't because it was just boring and predictible.
The characters who seemed to be amusing before were just irritating and it was so slow moving the book was over a third of the way through before the first murder and there were just to much side things that didn't even have anything to do with the mystery or major plot. If it wasn't for loving Scarlett and Harrison I would have rated this less.
Not my favorite of this series and I think not a good way to finish this series.
The characters who seemed to be amusing before were just irritating and it was so slow moving the book was over a third of the way through before the first murder and there were just to much side things that didn't even have anything to do with the mystery or major plot. If it wasn't for loving Scarlett and Harrison I would have rated this less.
Not my favorite of this series and I think not a good way to finish this series.
October 6, 2023
This is another excellent mystery in the Hat Shop Mystery series. In this story, Scarlett and Viv go to a castle to help with a wedding of a woman that could best be described as a 'frenemy' of Viv's, as well as of some others at the event. When the groom is discovered murdered on the eve of the festivities, there are several suspects, but Scarlett and Viv and Scarlett's fiancé Harry must find out who the real murderer is.
January 24, 2023
In this story , Scarlett and Viv, are invited to attend a wedding in Sussex after Viv agrees to make the bridesmaids hats. The wedding is being held in a castle with a ghost. Even before the wedding the first murder happens, the groom is killed and secrets are revealed. Scarlett wants to solve the murder so everyone can leave the castle. The book was a quick easy read.
January 12, 2023
I highly enjoyed this book! The mystery was interesting, the setting was super fun, and I really liked catching up with Scarlett and the gang. I figured out the means but the murderer took quite a while. McKinley leaves just enough breadcrumbs and clues to keep you wanting to read more.
February 19, 2023
What a fun return to the Hat Shop mysteries! I really enjoyed the story of this one with some of the crew "trapped" at a Castle while a murder is being solved. The ending was a surprise and made for a great read. Another fantastic Jenn McKinlay story!
April 24, 2023
I saw this at the library and thought it looked fun and it did not disappoint. Turns out this is the 7th in the series so I may need to go back and read some more or try one of her other cozy mystery series that also look good. Glad I saw this on display.
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