Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Oh, my! The situations Lucy Stone and her family get into in this newest mystery have to be read to be believed. This book grabbed me right from the get-go and I could hardly put it down until the end, one of her best, IMHO. Lucy and the family head to France for a spectacular celebration for a wedding. Not all the members are excited about it initially, but with a little mom guilt and a lot of luck, she brings them together, and off they go. As usual, murder and mayhem result and if you are like me, you'll be glued to the book until all is solved. By Lucy, of course.
Mother of the Bride Murder by Leslie Meier has the Stone family traveling to France for Elizabeth's wedding. I have read every book and novella in A Lucy Stone Mysteries. I have enjoyed following Lucy, Bill, and the kids from the beginning. Lucy and Bill are now empty nesters. Lucy is excited to learn that Elizabeth is getting married, but she is disappointed that the wedding is in France. It will be an expensive venture to get all the family members to France plus they will need appropriate outfits for the wedding. I enjoyed seeing all the Stones together. It is a happy reunion and Lucy is tickled pink. With regard to the wedding, I was surprised that Lucy was not consulted (she is the mother of the bride). The groom's mother was like a steam roller. It was her way, and she would flatten anyone in her path. The mystery is disappointing. The mystery does not begin until the body is found close to the halfway mark. A couple of clues or bits of information surface while the family lounges by the pool, fishes, goes sightseeing, and shops. They are stuck in France until the police complete their investigation (French lawâtheir passports were confiscated). Thank heavens they get to stay at the chateau for free. I knew where the body would be found as soon as the item was mentioned. Lucy's family kept telling her she could not poke her nose into the case because they were in France (not in Tinker's Cove). I was surprised that Lucy did not dive into the case. I thought her curiosity would propel her into searching for answers. There is a tiny bit of action. The case is concluded early. The author devoted more time to sex trafficking and climate change than to the whodunit. I have noticed in the last few A Lucy Stone Mysteries that the author addresses serious issues in each book. I found It over-the-top at times (like it is being shoved down your throat). I liked the earlier books in this series, and I wish the author would go back to that style. The extra characters in the story, including Elizabeth's fiancé, were one dimensional. The author did not take the time to flesh them out a little. While I enjoyed catching up with the Stone children, I did not how the author has changed Toby. He got on his soap box a few times about climate change. Young Patrick brags about shooting a gun and killing game. I did not enjoy the dysfunctional groom's family and the rampant discontent. I thought the Stone family would want to explore France and check out the sites (a once in a lifetime opportunity visiting France). Zoe and Sara preferred to lounge by the pool and check out the pool boys. Mother of the Bride Murder was lackluster and one of my least favorite books in this series. Murder of the Bride Murder transports readers to France with a wonderful windfall, lavish chateau, a family reunification, a murdered woman in the moat, an unforeseen visitor, a cool pool, and a nuptial banquet.
