Book Review: May the Best Man Die

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

May the Best Man Die     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Deborah Donnelly
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Carnegie Kincaid # 3
Dell, Oct 2003, $5.99, 421 pp.

Wedding planner Carnegie Kincaid may create other events from time to time but she draws the line at bachelor parties. She is understandably perturbed to get a call from her bride ordering her to go to the Hot Spot to straighten something up for the groom. When she arrives at the famous club, the best man asks her to make a liquor run. She walks out in a huff and when she returns to her office, she looks out her window and sees the best man and her best friend’s brother fighting.

The next day a policeman comes to her office asking her to identify a body at the morgue because Carnegie’s business card was found in his pants pocket. A reluctant Carnegie identifies the body as Jason Kraye, the best man. She then goes on to tell the police officer about the fight she witnessed and the police arrest Darren. Lily is furious at Carnegie for ratting out her brother and a remorseful Carnegie swears to her friend she will find out who the killer is. Her promise almost costs Carnegie her life.

Each book in this funny and fascinating amateur sleuth series is better than the one before. The author, a talented writer with a wicked knack for creating crisp dialogue and sharp characters, allows her heroine to grow and change so that readers feel she is believable. Despite the fact that two murders take place in MAY THE BEST MAN DIE, there is no violence in the novel so fans of cosies will want to obtain this weeding bell blues novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner