She’s handling a bridezilla—and hunting a killer . . . Moving from Minnesota to Arizona was a big change for Sophie “Phee” Kimball. She’s much closer to her mother’s retirement community now—which can drive her a little crazy, but at least her mom, Harriet, has her book club and her chiweenie dog, Streetman, to keep her company. And now there’s even more activity, with Aunt Ina’s upcoming … with Aunt Ina’s upcoming wedding. The seventy-four-year-old bride has roped Phee into working on the tent, the pastries, and even her headpiece in preparation for the ceremony. But it’s Harriet who really gets demanding when a dead body turns up yards from her front door.
Aunt Ina’s fiancé is acquainted with the victim—a local millionaire restaurateur murdered at the golf course. Working for a private investigator, Phee is drawn into the case—not just professionally but personally, since Harriet is in a panic about her safety. With a killer on the loose, Phee vows to figure out the plot—that is, if her side job as a wedding planner doesn’t kill her first . . .
Praise for J.C. Eaton
“Sophie ‘Phee’ Kimball has a lot on her plate in this captivating whodunit, but this feisty, take-charge heroine is definitely up for the challenge. Fun characters, a touch of humor, and a great mystery, the perfect combination for a cozy.”
—Lena Gregory, author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries
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Sophie “Phee” Kimball is settling into her new life in Arizona, but it’s about to get crazier thanks to her aunt’s recent engagement. Phee keeps getting asked to help plan the wedding, and finds herself juggling her job as the accountant for a PI, the wedding, and her mother’s phone calls of outrage about the wedding. Phee’s PI boss is working on a murder that took place near her mother’s house, and as Phee works on the wedding, she begins to wonder if there is a connection. Can she solve the case?
I loved the first book in the series, so I was looking forward to revisiting the characters. Sadly, this one didn’t live up to the first. The mystery was overshadowed by the wedding plans. I expected they would come together at some point, but that point came a little late in the book for my tastes. Meanwhile, the climax to the mystery was a little weak as well. Some of the characters walked a fine line between funny and annoying in the first book, and I found them more annoying than funny here. That’s not all the characters. Phee herself is still a strong and sympathetic main character, and I really like several of the supporting characters. And that isn’t to say I didn’t laugh over the course of the book either. I especially laughed at the climax. Considering how much I enjoyed the first book, I’m definitely going to give Phee another visit.
Between her Aunt’s hysteria and her Mom’s nagging it was a miracle that Phee didn’t explode! Funny but serious at times with characters that have very easily become friends who I can’t wait to visit
Boring, poorly written
Another great entry into the Sophie Kimball Mystery series. Sophie has gotten more comfortable in her home in Arizona and has taken to working along side former co-worker and fresh retiree, Nate in the private investigations business. She’s there to balance the books and make sure business runs smooth, but this doesn’t keep her from getting involved in the murder that is just too close to home. Join Sophie as she investigates a local murder that is closely connected to her Aunt’s upcoming wedding, while she is placed in a predicament with family that basically makes her the wedding planner. So many moments will have you laughing out loud. Wedding shenanigans are always the best and you definitely don’t want to miss the Aviary Tree for deserts! A great summer read!
Definitely a few laugh-out-loud moments in this book. As someone with an older mom, I can really relate to quite a few of Phee’s adventures. Good mystery. Funny relatives. Can’t wait for the new character coming in the next book. Will be a fun addition.
After moving to Arizona to work for her former boss from Minnesota, Phee is trying to adjust. Her Aunt Ina is getting remarried and keeps asking Phee to do things. One disaster after another occurs and there are 2 deaths as well as a missing groom. Can the wedding be pulled off and the murders solved? A great second book in this series with lots of laughs!
This was a nice escape. I did become a bit frustrated with Phee, the main character. She was always complaining about how overly-dramatic her Mom and Aunt Ina were. However, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Phee is just as much a drama-queen as the other two. The mystery was enjoyable but there seemed to be a lot of distractions in the plot. Her Aunt having a meltdown over something or her boss running off to investigate. Would I read another by this author? Probably. This is only the second in the series and so she has more time to flesh out the characters.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.