Book Review: Killer Wedding

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Killer Wedding     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jerrilyn Farmer
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Maddie Bean # 3
Avon, Mar 2000, $5.99, 256 pp.

Madeline Bean and Wesley Westcott co-own Madeline Bean Events, an enterprise that plans events for clients. Recently, the company organized a successful welcome celebration for the visiting Pope. This has led to a large demand for their services among the rich and famous. However, the courts have prevented Maddie from accepting any work due to an injunction filed by the owners of her former company. Los Angeles’ most prominent wedding consultant Vivian Duncan wants Maddie to buy her out of her wedding consultant business. Though the thought of coordinating a wedding leaves Maddie with hives, she is unable to reject the offer to the vindictive woman.

At the posh Silver-Bell wedding reception, Maddie decides to tell Vivian no. However, before she can complete her quest, Maddie finds Vivian’s dead body. Someone obviously killed the wedding consultant and Maddie is determined to find out who the murderer is. Her search soon uncovers a wide range of suspects who had motive and opportunity to kill Vivian. Even as she conducts her own brand of sleuthing, Maddie finds time to be enamored with the lead detective and a jewel thief.

With the enjoyable and witty KILLER WEDDING, award winning Jerrilyn Farmer seems heading towards another Agatha or Anthony nomination. The independent heroine is a role model who thinks for herself, is nonjudgmental, yet is not afraid to voice her opinions. The fast-paced story line includes other likable characters that have appeared in previous Maddie Bean tales. Anyone who reads this novel will become a Bean collector for the series contains one of the better amateur sleuth.

Harriet Klausner

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