Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid Series: Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries #2
Published by Cipher-Naught on March 2, 2021
Pages: 347
Format: ARC
Genres: Mystery, Romance
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The Devil is in the details . . .
Cletus Byron Winston wishes to marry Jennifer Anne Donner-Sylvester (aka The Banana Cake Queen) posthaste! He’s spent the last year wanting nothing more than for the celebrations to be brief, libations flowing, and BYOB (bring your own blueberries). His future mother-in-law has other plans, plans his intended has been willing to indulge, much to Cletus’s chagrin. Therefore, so must he. To a point. But truth be told, he wouldn’t mind if the meddlesome matriarch disappeared, at least until the nuptials are over.
On the night of Cletus and Jenn’s long-awaited engagement party, just when the surly schemer is of a mind to take matters into his own hands, a shocking event upends everyone’s best laid plans and sends the small hamlet of Green Valley into complete disarray. The final months leading up to Cletus and Jenn’s matrimonial bliss are plagued with chaos and uncertainty. Will Cletus and Jenn finally make it to the altar? Or will murder and mayhem derail their happily-ever-after?And most importantly, who done it?
‘Marriage and Murder’ is the second book in the cozy mystery series Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries. It is best read after Winston Brothers #3, ‘Beard Science’ (which can be read as a standalone) and Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries #1, ‘Engagement and Espionage.’
Marriage and Murder is the second book in the Solving for Pie series, and while it is loosely tied to the first book, it can be read as a standalone. Readers of the Winston Brothers series may enjoy it more though.
Penny Reid’s writing is as clever as I have come to expect from her, and the fact that this murder mystery is more complicated and serious than the one in the first book is welcomed. I liked the different layers; however, the story is simply too long and drawn out. I prefer my mysteries — even comedic mysteries — to be more fast-paced. I’m not a fan of hanging threads, and unfortunately the book ends without a complete resolution for some of the key parties involved.
I doubt I’ll ever tire of the Winstons, though, and we get plenty of the entire Winston family in this book. I adore Cletus and his cunning and humorous ways. I am also fond of Jenn, who is completely devoted to Cletus and no longer the shrinking violet she once was. It’s been wonderful to see her blossom. Cletus is so far gone for Jenn that he’s a distracted, mushy mess and it’s a wonderful thing to witness.
Even though Marriage and Murder isn’t my favorite of Reid’s, there is no denying the appeal of the characters and the entertainment they bring to this series.
Recommended for fans of:
Weddings
Close-knit families
Light mysteries
** I received an early copy of this book to voluntarily read and review. **
About Penny Reid
Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
I’m going to read this one, too. I like my mysteries to be fast-paced too, though. I’m a little worried, but it’s Penny Reid so I’m sure I’ll be fine. Great review!