Book Review: Bridesmaids Revisited

Reviewed By: Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Bridesmaids Revisited     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Dorothy Cannell
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Ellie Haskell # 10
Penguin, 2000, $5.99, 246pp

Its pure pleasure to discover many books into a series, that the characters remain fresh, their lives move forward, growing and changing. Cannell has outdone herself in this regard in "Bridesmaids Revisited."

Ellie has sent her husband and the children on a vacation so she can do some intense redecorating without intervention. But her plans change when she receives an invitation and a message saying her long dead grandmother Sophia wishes to speak with her. By representing her need to visit an old classmate, Ellie's housekeeper, Mrs. Malloy, insinuates herself into the trip to investigate. Each of them find mystery and murder surround their hosts.

This gem fits neatly into that small genre of genealogy themed mysteries introducing us to Ellie's long dead mother, longer dead grandparents, and some new cousins, New characters appear which will undoubtedly become regulars in the series adding new avenues to adventure.

This story has more suspense and imminant danger lurking that the average for this series. While the characteristic humor, and spoofy romance is there, she's written it into a gothic mystery Ellie is reading during her visit, that blends perfectly into the plot. There is plenty of delicious foreshadowed expectation and yet there is a suprise ending that I had no clue was going to occur. Cannell just keeps getting better.

Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM