USA Today bestselling author Ellen Byron is back at it with fan-favorite plantation B&B owner Maggie Crozat in a fourth installment of the Cajun Country mysteries. Southern charm meets the dark mystery of the bayou as a hundred-year flood, a malicious murder, and a most unusual Mardi Gras converge at the Crozat Plantation B&B.It’s Mardi Gras season on the bayou, which means parades, … season on the bayou, which means parades, pageantry, and gumbo galore. But when a flood upends life in the tiny town of Pelican, Louisiana—and deposits a body of a stranger behind the Crozat Plantation B&B—the celebration takes a decidedly dark turn. The citizens of Pelican are ready to Laissez les bon temps rouler—but there’s beaucoup bad blood on hand this Mardi Gras.
Maggie Crozat is determined to give the stranger a name and find out why he was murdered. The post-flood recovery has delayed the opening of a controversial exhibit about the little-known Louisiana Orphan Train. And when a judge for the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant is shot, Maggie’s convinced the murder is connected to the body on the bayou. Does someone covet the pageant queen crown enough to kill for it? Could the deaths be related to the Orphan Train, which delivered its last charges to Louisiana in 1929? The leads are thin on this Fat Tuesday—and until the killer is unmasked, no one in Pelican is safe.
A simmering gumbo of a humorous whodunit, Mardi Gras Murder is the fourth piquant installment in USA Today bestselling author Ellen Byron’s award-winning Cajun Country mysteries.
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Laissez le bon temps rouler!
I love Louisiana, with its rich blends of cultures and amazing foods, and have had many a grand adventure not just in New Orleans but in various nooks and crannies. This wonderful novel captures it all plus delivering a clever murder investigation and a romance or two. Even the villains are likable and many traditions–plus recipes –are shared.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Absolutely fantastic cozy mystery!! This new addition to this incredible series is even better then the last book and had me hooked from the very first page due to the amazing story telling. The true Southern charm is captured as Maggie finds herself wrapped up in another murder investigation in the small town of Pelican. With Mardi Gras just around the corner the stress rises as more things keep happening while things are a little strained with Bo. the story really keeps you guessing as it unfolds until we hit the finale which blew my mind while offering an ending that about made me cry. I cannot wait for the next one!! If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a Southern flair then this is really a must read story. I loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron is the fourth book in A Cajun Country Mystery series. The town of Pelican, Louisiana suffered from heavy rains and flooding. Behind the Crozat Plantation B&B, under piles of debris the family finds a dead man without identification. Three weeks later, the town is recovering from the flooding and they are ready for the Mardi Gras celebrations to begin—Laissez les bon temps rouler. The celebrations include a gumbo cook-off, a parade and the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant. Maggie’s grandmother normally is one of the pageant judges, but walking pneumonia has her confined to bed which means Maggie must step up to the plate (despite her opinion of pageants). At the first meeting of the judges, Maggie learns about the controversial Louisiana Orphan Train exhibit. The highlight of the meeting is when a fight breaks out between two of the pageant contestant mothers. On the way home, Maggie is rear ended by Gerard Damboise, head judge and president of the historical society. Maggie finds him bleeding from a gunshot wound. Gerard whispers two last words before he perishes. Maggie wonders if his death is related to the pageant or the orphan train exhibit. Maggie begins scouting for clues in the hopes of resolving Gerard’s murder. Can Maggie unmask the killer before Fat Tuesday?
Mardi Gras Murder can be read alone if you have not read the other novels in A Cajun Country Mystery series. There is a lot going on in Mardi Gras Murder. I only covered the basics in my summary. There is the unidentified dead man, Mardi Gras, the pageant, problems with Tug’s gumbo pot, Gran’s illness, guests at the B&B, Maggie’s relationship with Bo, a mystery at Doucet, a secret room at Grove Hall, the flooding, and the orphan train exhibit controversy. The book is well-written with a steady pace and humor scattered throughout. There are numerous characters, but the author does provide a handy cheat sheet at the beginning of the book (I wish I could have printed it out). Pelican is a small town where everyone knows your business and is happy to pass it along to others. The town goes all out for Mardi Gras. I learned some interesting facts about the holiday along with interesting traditions. The murder mystery has some intriguing points (I do not want to spoil it for you). There is misdirection along with direct clues. Avid cozy mystery readers will have no problem solving the whodunit. All the storylines are wrapped up at the end. There is a sweet ending that will have the romantics smiling, and I love who won the gumbo cook-off. Ellen Byron combines Southern charm, Mardi Gras, humor, a cast of quirky characters and a beguiling mystery into one rousing cozy mystery.
This is a party stopping murder surrounded by food and events, that is hilarious read waiting on Maggie to figure out who done it.
Another fun book in the Cajun Country Series. This one takes place during Mardi Gras in Pelican. The whole family is getting ready for the celebrations. Maggie is a judge for the local pageant and Her father is perfecting his Gumbo. During cleanup a body is found on Crozat. Maggie is determined to identify the victim and solve his murder. When a fellow judge is also killed she is sure the murders are connected. I really enjoy the characters and the small town setting. The author does a really good job with capturing the Cajun background. The mystery was good and the solution made sense. This series should be read in order. Enjoy
Maggie Crozat’s home town of Pelican was flooded out just three weeks ago, but the community is rallying together to repair and rebuild. And they certainly aren’t planning to let that curtail this year’s Mardi Gras celebration. Unfortunately, Maggie has gotten roped in to help with this year’s Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen Pageant, something she is definitely against. However, when she finds one of the judges dead, she begins to wonder if she is in danger because she’s taken on this job. Or does it tie back to the body of the John Doe that was found during the flood?
This is a fantastic book with a creative mystery for us to solve. A strong sub-plot only adds to the fun of the book, and the climax ties everything together perfectly, including a plot point or two I’d forgotten about. The characters are fantastic as always; I truly love the large cast of series regulars. The suspects are strong, although it took a bit to remember how all of them are connected at first. The cast of characters at the beginning certainly helped with that. I did find the timeline felt a bit off at a few points, but this was a minor complaint. I love learning about a completely different region, and author Ellen Byron’s love comes through. The recipes at the end will satisfy the cravings you’ll develop while reading the book.
“Mardi Gras Murder” by Ellen Byron is book four in the Cajun Country Mystery series, but first-time readers will be able to follow along without difficulty. Byron includes any needed background information as part of the current story. A nice list of the “players” is also included to help new and old readers keep track of who is related to whom and who has which job. Small-town Louisiana is full of historic plantations inhabited by endearing and yet quirky people who seem to have a knack for danger and murder. What is bad for them is oh so entertaining for readers.
There is plenty of partying going on at the Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast during Mardi Gras on the bayou, including the expected parades, pageantry, and compelling food and drink. What is not expected is a flood, oh yes, and an unidentified body.
Byron’s characters are realistic and interesting, and several of them are strong suspects. There is a bit humor thrown in along the way as well. This interesting cozy mystery intertwines solving the mystery with snippets of the area’s historical and cultural details. Bonus material at the end of the book includes additional historical and cultural information as well as recipes specific to the story.
I received a review copy of “Mardi Gras murder” from Ellen Byron, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley. It is a fast and enjoyable book to read. One can finish in a short time; there is no headache-inducing stress, and the ending is satisfying.
Mardi Gras Murder, by Ellen Byron, is the fourth book in the Cajun Country Mystery series. The body of a stranger is found in the Crozat family’s backyard after a flood. Everyone is gearing up for the big Mardi Gras celebration that’s to take place in Pelican. When one of the judges of the Gumbo Queen pageant is murdered, it’s up to Maggie to figure out who the killer is or the celebration may not happen.
This is the first book of the series I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the Pelican, Louisiana setting and the people of this small town are delightful. I felt like I was part of the community even though this is the first time I visited here. They all brought wit and a laugh out loud humor to the story. I want to visit again and again.
The mystery of this story is outstanding. I really like the intrigue of who the stranger was, as well as, who murdered the pageant judge. I love a mystery within a mystery, and seeing how it fits together. I could not put this book down. It grabbed my attention and kept me tuned in until the very end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves wonderful characters, a small town feel and a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat to its end.
I received this ARC copy of the book from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for review. This is an honest review.
Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron is the 4th book in the Cajun Country Mystery Series. This is the first book I have read by this author and even though it is book #4 it can very well be read as a standalone. This book has it all for a cozy mystery realistic and zany characters, mystery, humor, and a small town setting this was a light and easy read. This book even contains some historical facts. If you like Mardi Gras and cozy mysteries this book is for you.
The delightful setting of Pelican, Louisiana and the Crozat B & B continues to enchant the reader in this book in the Cajun Country Mystery series. Maggie and her family are getting ready for Mardi Gras in Pelican including the famous gumbo cook-off that her dad, Tug, participates in every year. He even has a special cast iron pot that he keeps in the safe that has been passed down in his family. Also Maggie is reluctantly filling in for her grand mere as a judge in the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen contest. This was interesting and I learned a lot about the rules of these type of contests in this book. I also liked that it brought in new characters to the story. There is also a mystery, a little romance, some laughs and some mayhem thrown in. This series continues to be one of my favorites and I can’t wait for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love Ellen Byron’s mysteries. What can be more fun than a mystery during Mardi Gras! This is a must-read series!
LOVE ALL THE RECEIPES!!!
Mardi Gras Murders by Ellen Byron is simply outstanding, all that a great cozy mystery should be and more. This is the first of the four-book series that I’ve read, but it easily stands alone. I’m eager to read the previous books, however – it’s that good – and I can’t wait to see where Byron takes these characters next.
Mardi Gras Murders is extremely well written with delightful, sometimes quirky characters, great humor, and steeped in the southern charm of the New Orleans area. Pelican, Louisiana was “a community so close-knit that residents occasionally discovered they accidentally married distant cousins.” I was initially a little overwhelmed by the list of characters at the beginning, but it turned out to be very helpful and everyone was pretty easy to keep up with.
Whether working as tour guide at the family plantation, serving as beauty contestant judge, or simply taking care of her grandmother, Maggie is a likeable lead character. For a small town, Pelican sure has a lot going on, especially in preparing for Mardi Gras festivities. Maggie’s dad, Tug, had a great approach to making his famous seafood gumbo … “Some men make their wives crazy all year. I save it for Mardi Gras.”
A lot of the action revolves around the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen contest – try saying that real fast! Not long after an unidentifiable body washes up at the back of Maggie’s property, an obnoxious fellow judge is murdered, and everything escalates from there. It was tempting to read fast to discover the solution, but slowing down to savor every page won out – it was that good!
Mardi Gras Murders is a clean read, with no profanity or explicit scenes, and I hope that trend continues. This is a thoroughly entertaining story with surprising depth, and I’m eager for more Cajun Country mysteries. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
It’s Mardi Gras time in Pelican, Louisiana, and everyone wants to let the good times roll! However, a after a flood, a murdered body floats up with no ID, and the partying must wait. Protagonist, Maggie Crozat, her lawman boyfriend, Bo, plus family and friends; must piece together remnants from the past that intertwine with current situations to find out the killer’s motive and solve the mystery. There are interesting historical facts in the plot and the characters are realistic and well-developed. An enjoyable whodunnit with humor!
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane. Thank you.
Pelican, Louisiana is preparing for their Mardi Gras celebration when heavy rains flood the area. Once the waters recede, a body is found on the Crozat Plantation with no identification as to who it might be. Of course, Maggie feels it is her responsibility to figure out who this person is. As preparations get back under way for the celebration, not only must Maggie help at her family’s plantation, act as a guide for her mother’s old plantation, she must now help with the beauty pageant – one of her least liked responsibilities.
Ellen Byron’s Cajun Mystery Series has been a favorite of mine! I always feel like I have gone back home to visit the Crozat family and friends. The descriptions of Louisiana, the food, and the history make this mystery come to life. As Maggie investigates the dead body on the shores of her plantation as well as another murder that occurs, we learn about Orphan Train Exhibit and what it has to do with the bodies.
With humor and romance thrown in, this fourth book is a lesson in learning about the culture, Mardi Gras, and the lives of those from the past. I always enjoy the recipes Ellen throws in at the end as well as an additional little tidbit in true Louisiana style!
cozy-mystery, mystery, friendship, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, family-dynamics, recipes
Which is worse; flooding in the bayou, finding a murdered stranger, the demise of the family gumbo pot, or getting stuck being a judge in a beauty pageant? Humor, suspense, plot twists, red herrings, teenage angst, and just plain craziness abound in this delight of a cozy mystery! Don’t miss the Crozet family antics on the plantation/B&B in Pelican!
Disclaimers: I love Southern Louisiana, I love Cajun food, I’m addicted to this author’s stories, and I requested and received a free review copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
THREE P’s OF PELICAN, LA
Ellen Byron has captured the three P’s of Pelican, LA in Mardi Gras Murder (Cajun Country Mystery #4). She takes her readers on another wild adventure through and unfolds many of the traditions about Pelican’s Past, Pelican’s Pageantry and Pelican’s Pedigrees in this book. Each of these three items play a significant role in Byron’s book. Maggie Crozat is back as our heroine and I like her even more in this book! Byron has continued to grow her character into a woman of quiet strength. She is more likely to think before she says or does anything these days. Maggie’s adoring family is all still around her along with her boyfriend Bo who works in Law Enforcement. As Mardi Gras approaches, Maggie finds herself with many new responsibilities. Then a mysterious death occurs that gains everyone’s attention. Mardi Gras brings out the crazy even in the most normal people! Pelican has quite a few people who aren’t “normal” to begin with so there is plenty of chaos, murder and mayhem! There are plenty of suspects and lots of action to keep your attention from start to finish. I was provided an ARC of this book by the Publisher and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. I have preordered a copy of this book for my own personal library.
Combine Mardi Gras with historic restoration, a gumbo cook-off, and a beauty contest. Add a murder or two, just to spice things up and you’ve got the makings for an entertaining beach read. Having read the first book in this series I was familiar with some of the characters, but this isn’t a prerequisite to enjoy the book. If you’re looking for a pure escape in the form of some light reading, this may just be the ticket.
i liked the book, if you like romance and mystery with a Cajun flare you have to read the book
I think I’ve run out of words to rave about how much I’m enjoying this series. It has complex characters that I’ve fallen in love with; I’ve adored watching Maggie, Bo, and Rufus grow into the multifaceted individuals we see now. There are a variety of twisty little mysteries in every book that layer over top of one another to create an intricate web of deceptions that I still haven’t been able to solve before the end of a book. And there’s what’s happening between Maggie and Bo. It’s dramatic and angsty while still being sweet and perfectly adorable. I can’t wait to read more.
I read a borrowed copy of this book.