Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Death Crashes the Party is the first in the Liv and Di in Dixie cozy mystery series. Liv McKay is the established owner of Liv 4 Fun, a party planning business located in the small town of Dixie, Tennessee.
Liv is in the early stages of planning the 40th anniversary party for the Erdman's, when she stumbles upon the bodies of brothers Duane and Darrell Farrell. The men, dressed in Confederate soldier uniforms, also work for McKay's Trucking Company owned by Liv's father in law, Daddy Wayne. It is soon discovered that the brothers may have been involved in running a drug smuggling business using the McKay's trucks.
In an effort to salvage not only the reputation of her party planning business but the future of McKay's Trucking, Liv teams up with her best friend Diane "Di" Souther to find the killer. Also taking an active role in the investigation is Di's love interest Sheriff Eulyse "Dave" Davidson, and Liv's husband Larry Joe.
A great first in a new series it was a refreshing change to have the main character happily married and getting along with her in-laws. Liv and Di have a great friendship, and their conversations and snooping antics will have you occasionally laughing out loud. Yes, there are the typically stupid breaking and entering scenes and bad decision making that cause you to shake your head in amazement, but they keep you turning the pages and rooting for Liv and Di.
A wonderful cast of main and secondary characters, lots of red herrings and great description of life in a small Southern Town. I'll definitely be looking for the second in the series to release.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Liv is in the early stages of planning the 40th anniversary party for the Erdman's, when she stumbles upon the bodies of brothers Duane and Darrell Farrell. The men, dressed in Confederate soldier uniforms, also work for McKay's Trucking Company owned by Liv's father in law, Daddy Wayne. It is soon discovered that the brothers may have been involved in running a drug smuggling business using the McKay's trucks.
In an effort to salvage not only the reputation of her party planning business but the future of McKay's Trucking, Liv teams up with her best friend Diane "Di" Souther to find the killer. Also taking an active role in the investigation is Di's love interest Sheriff Eulyse "Dave" Davidson, and Liv's husband Larry Joe.
A great first in a new series it was a refreshing change to have the main character happily married and getting along with her in-laws. Liv and Di have a great friendship, and their conversations and snooping antics will have you occasionally laughing out loud. Yes, there are the typically stupid breaking and entering scenes and bad decision making that cause you to shake your head in amazement, but they keep you turning the pages and rooting for Liv and Di.
A wonderful cast of main and secondary characters, lots of red herrings and great description of life in a small Southern Town. I'll definitely be looking for the second in the series to release.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
