Maggie Crozat has the Halloween heebie-jeebies in USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron’s howlingly funny sixth Cajun Country mystery.Maggie Crozat, proprietor of a historic Cajun Country B&B, prefers to let the good times roll. But hard times rock her hostelry when a new cell phone app makes it easy for locals to rent their spare rooms to tourists. With … tourists. With October–and Halloween–approaching, she conjures up a witch-crafty marketing scheme to draw visitors to Pelican, Louisiana.
Five local plantation B&Bs host “Pelican’s Spooky Past” packages, featuring regional crafts, unique menus, and a pet costume parade. Topping it off, the derelict Dupois cemetery is the suitably sepulchral setting for the spine-chilling play Resurrection of a Spirit. But all the witchcraft has inevitably conjured something: her B&B guests are being terrified out of town by sightings of the legendary rougarou, a cross between a werewolf and vampire.
When, in the Dupois cemetery, someone costumed as a rougarou stumbles onstage during the play–and promptly gives up the ghost, the rougarou mask having been poisoned with strychnine, Maggie is on the case. But as more murders stack up, Maggie fears that Pelican’s spooky past has nothing on its bloodcurdling present.
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Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron is a brilliant southern mystery. Ms. Byron’s writing captures this fun, polite, Louisana charm that makes it, so fun to read.
Did Maggie kill her cousin over a border issue? Will Maggie have a happy Halloween for the first time in a long time?
The Crozat family B and B and the others in Pelican Louisana are hosting Pelican’s Spooky Past weekend trips to bring in more business. Although, these weekends just aren’t adding up to what the innkeepers expected.
There is a rougarou running around scaring their guests and causing havoc. Then Maggie’s long lost cousin turns out to be a shyster who doesn’t want to be part of the family; just take them for whatever she and her family can. However, after an argument with Maggie, she is found murdered. To make things worse, the Pelican Police force is sharing the investigation with the neighboring town of Ville Blanc’s Police, where Detective Griffith has decided that Maggie or someone in her family is the killer.
This isn’t all, though; there is someone stealing things from their house. The local newspaper is reporting that the Crozats are suspects, and now they are losing customers. Then the cousin’s husband is shot. Yes, Maggie and Bo have their hands full. And did I mention Halloween is coming up?
The Crozats
I loved it all. Maggie keeps moving forward, and her family is so great. Gran keeps them cordial and classy, Ninette is cooking the most fabulous Halloween treats (recipes in the back). Tug is supportive and always lending a hand.
Maggie shows her kindness by helping people, even when she doesn’t have time. She sees things that most people don’t, and her intuition is knocking out the suspects. However, this family is hit with so many things throughout the course of this installment. I did like seeing the comeuppance that some of the players got was justly due.
Five Stars
I love this series, and Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron is such a marvelous addition. One day I plan to read the entire series one after the other. Since I haven’t done that yet. I will tell you that this installment is filled with fabulous characters, a beautiful setting, and the right mix of mystery, history, and community. My rating for Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron is five stars. I thoroughly recommend it to all you cozy mystery fans out there.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
I thought Murder in the Bayou Boneyard was well-written with developed characters. I always enjoy visiting Pelican, Louisiana. There is nothing better than to be there at Halloween. I enjoyed the spooky happening and learning about the Rougarou. I just loved that this was a double mystery. There are spooky sightings, a pesky police detective, a chatty parrot, and various suspects. This was a fun mystery to solve. Murder in the Bayou Boneyard had plenty going on in it which made the story zip by so quickly. There were some quirky characters including bird who lands Maggie in hot water. Maggie and Gran are both engaged. They are going to have a double wedding. Gran has taken over the wedding planning for the extravaganza. She is particularly enjoying the cake tastings. I just loved the screaming doorbell at the Crozat Bed and Breakfast (I want one for my house). Murder in the Bayou Boneyard can be read as a standalone. I recommend reading this entertaining series in order. It will allow you to know the characters, their relationships, and the town. The ending was delightful. There is a bounty of food in this story (had my stomach growling). There are recipes at the end for some of the items featured in the book including Ninette’s Holy Trinity Chicken and Cajun Pecan Cookie Fingers. Murder in the Bayou Boneyard is an entertaining cozy mystery with a creepy cemetery, a wrathful Rougarou, a determined detective, a prolix parrot, multiple murders, a bold bridezilla, and problematic property line polemic.
Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron is the sixth book in the Cajun Country Mystery. I have read all of the series and was not disappointed with number six. I am already waiting for book seven.
It’s close to Halloween and Maggie is getting ready to open up the spa on the B&B’s property. She has hired her cousin, Susannah, from Canada as the masseuse and the entire family has moved to the plantation, including her adult step children. In addition, Maggie is working on the local B&B’s Pelican’s Spooky Past packages, hoping to bring more guests to the local area. Oh, and throw in planning the double wedding for her and her grandmother. When it’s let out the cousin and her husband are planning on selling a portion of their land, Maggie confronts Susannah and fires her. Maggie just wants to enjoy the evening and has taken a van load to the local historic Dupois cemetery for a play that is part of the package. When a “rougarou” appears and drops dead at the end, everyone is shocked when the victim is Susannah. Due to the location of the cemetery there are two police departments investigating. one department is set on Maggie being arrested for the murder, the other knows she is innocent. Then when another murder occurs, Maggie knows she has to kick it in gear or she won’t make it to the altar.
This is an easy to read Cozy that has it all. Byron has plenty of suspects and plot twists that has you guessing to the end. I love the setting and the main characters are likeable. There is friendship, family, humor, and romance through out. Recipes are also included.
I was given an ARC by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an honest review.
Maggie always seems to find a body or be around when someone is murdered. In the new Halloween themed addition to the “A Cajun Country Mystery” series, Murder In The Bayou Boneyard, Maggie and crew are at it again.
Even with her wedding on the horizon, and her grandmother going all out and really needs Maggie to keep her from going to far overboard, Maggie finds a way to get involved in another murder investigation. To make matters worse, she also has her squatter cousins to get rid of. The cast of characters in this series are well known to anyone who enjoys cozies that make you laugh, cry and long for good cajun food. The added twist this time is trying to convince Maggie that Halloween is a holiday she can enjoy, even with bodies dropping like flies. This holiday won’t go off without a hitch, or two, or three…
The suspect pool is limited to the local townsfolk and a few new additions. The victim(s) aren’t all innocent in one way or another, but no matter what type of person they were, Maggie must find the killer. Her search isn’t easy as the Halloween holiday has everyone running around in rougarou costumes and playing what appears to be silly pranks. Maggie solves the murders while putting herself in danger and almost upsetting her and her grandmother’s wedding plans. Readers may be surprised by the unveiling of the killer. The recipes are delectable.
Murder In The Bayou Boneyard is a fun engrossing read that will keep readers happy. The descriptions of locations and food make you want to visit Cajun country to enjoy all it has to offer; food, music, history, and folklore, everything needed for a wonderful adventure. I wouldn’t mind spending a holiday or two with the Crozat’s, especially Halloween. I was thrilled with this latest addition to the series and look forward to the next installment.
I love this series so very much! It’s funny and entertaining in a way that’s quintessentially southern, taking us deep into the heart of Cajun country and making us feel like we’re right there with the characters. The mystery is a compelling, twisty thing that kept me guessing for the entirety of the book. There are so many devious red herrings I couldn’t settle on a suspect until the big reveal showed us the true villain. (FYI, I was wrong on just about all counts.) I adore books and series with big, nosy, involved families. When they’re in a small-town setting with other equally nosy, quirky residents, I love them even more. I think that’s one of the things this series excels at: it’s cast of unique characters and how they all interact. Even the most passing of the supporting cast has depth and personality. They may resemble the stock images, but there’s always a flair that sets them apart. I never want to see this series come to an end, because I want to continue reading it for as long as possible.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
Maggie Crozat coordinator of the family B&B in Cajun country has organized a Cajun Halloween festival to drive business. She’s invited a distance cousin to come down to be a masseuse in the new spa. As usual one good turn doesn’t lead to another as the masseuse is a lot of trouble. When she turns up dead with Maggie as the main suspect, Maggie has to solve the murder.
This is a great Halloween read but a good read period. It’s the end of the book before the murderer is revealed. Lots of good character interaction. I loved it.
What a treat this book was! It had great characters (I love Maggie and her Grand-mére), some excellent mysteries, and danger seemingly around every corner. I enjoyed everything about this book and look forward to the next one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
#NetGalley #MurderintheBayouBoneyard #EllenByron #CrookedLaneBooks
Murder in the Bayou Boneyard is an incredibly fun mystery set in Louisiana around Halloween. Maggie and her family own a B&B in her family’s plantation home and have joined forces with the other B&Bs in the area for a tourism promotion with a historically creepy theme. There are quite a few newcomers in this story, including a newly discovered distant cousin, a group of actors, a local techie-turned-Airbnb investor, and the usual visitors to town. There are more than one murder, and Maggie and her family are right in the crosshairs of a nearby PD as most likely culprits. Maggie has to work hard to clear her name, while helping run the B&B, working her day job, preparing for her wedding, and spending time with her fiance and his son. There’s a lot going on that kept my interest throughout, and I loved the Halloween theme with the historical Louisiana twist. This mystery kept me on my toes and I was second-guessing myself and suspecting nearly everyone aside from the main characters. All in all, a very enjoyable read in a series I’ve grown to love. Can’t wait for the next book in the Cajun Country Mysteries!
I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Loved New Orleans when I visited there and this is a great story set in that area. You just might learn some things about Louisiana while you are enjoying this story. Be sure to read the Lagniappe at the end of the story. I loved these characters. I enjoyed staying with the folks at the Crozat B and B. The story line is great and you may have a surprise or two. Be sure to check out the recipes that are included. These folks do like to eat! I’d be right there with them. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
This series just keeps getting better and better! A rougarou, a murderer, an unknown villain messing up local businesses, and obnoxious new-found relatives from Canada are contributing to a fraught Halloween in Pelican.
Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mysteries are, for this reader, guaranteed to be a page-turning, edge of my seat, laugh out loud, suspenseful read, and the newest addition to this fab series, Murder in the Bayou Boneyard, does not disappoint! Visiting Canadian relatives, a hipster with a desire to conquer Pelican’s real estate market, scary rougarous, a chatty parrot, and a murder or two combine to make this latest mysterious romp down in the bayou a perfect cozy! Murder in the Bayou Boneyard – ça c’est bon, cher … très, très bon! A+++
I felt immersed in all things Louisiana while reading this story. The setting does an excellent job of putting the reader in small town Louisiana complete with mansions, food and even rougarous. The setting also proved to be an excellent backdrop for the Halloween theme of this story. Add some murders for the mystery and Gran exploring every aspect of the perfect wedding for humor and it becomes a well balanced plot.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
PAST & PRESENT BROUGHT TOGETHER BY A ROUGAROU!
One of my favorite delights is getting settled in my recliner with a large glass of Sweet Tea, and reading the latest installment of Ellen Byron’s outstanding Cajun Country Mysteries!! This entire Series has been such a delight from beginning through the present. Byron’s Crozat Family’s characters are endearing, compelling, entertaining, warm, inviting, loving and their way of life is contagious! The villains are always exasperating, exhausting, devious, conniving, cold-blooded and still cannot manage to outsmart the Crozats no matter how hard they try! Once murder is involved, they will rally the troops and work together to solve the mystery!
In Byron’s latest release, MURDER IN THE BONEYARD, Halloween has come to Pelican, LA and no one loves an opportunity to CELEBRATE anything MORE than the Lovely People in the Great State of Louisiana! Five plantation B&Bs have decided to host “Pelican’s Spooky Past” by offering special packages featuring regional crafts, unique menus, and a pet costume parade. The highlight is the spine-chilling play Resurrection of a Spirit which takes place in the neglected Dupois cemetery. All of the guests are having a great time until there are several sightings of the rougarou (a cross between a werewolf and vampire). The Crozats’ soon find themselves in dire straights after some relatives come to town and stir up all manner of trouble. Add a little murder to the mix and you will soon find that you have almost enough different ingredients to make a good ole Jambalaya! Oddly enough, the Rougarou manages to play a very important part in bridging past and present together and solve all the Crozats problems!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
I have really enjoyed the books in the Cajun Country mystery series. And Murder in the Bayou Boneyard is a great addition. The characters are wonderful and you find yourself having strong emotions for each one. I love the people of Pelican, Louisiana. They re such a delightful group of people. It’s just the folks from a nearby town and some of the visitors that make life difficult.
Maggie; her beau, Bo; and family are wonderful individuals. They have you wishing you could visit the Crozat Plantation B & B. Great mystery. Fun holiday activities. Delicious recipes. What more could you want from a book?!
Thank you to NetGalley and crooked Lane Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I enjoyed this book. I haven’t read the other ones in this series but didn’t have any problems figuring out what was going on. I loved the characters and their interactions. The setting of Cajun country and the tidbits about the culture were great. Especially enjoyed the food references. All in all, a YUMMY read!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
I do like this series and how the author always incorporates some genuine Cajun Country details, this time besides the usual new local foods introduced there are funeral and creepy details like Rougarous which fit the Halloween time setting.
Maggie and her family get bit in the butts by some human gators and things look bleak until one of the gators gets killed and they’re the prime suspects. This story was jam packed with action and details. Because of that I think it leans more towards a standard mystery. There’s a lot here for a true cozy.
Looking forward to the next book especially to see how the ending of this one plays out.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
It’s fun to read about cultures and locations that are different from mine. This mystery takes place in the Louisiana Bayous where voodoo priestess and rougarous, and murder happen. Maggie and her family run the Crozet B&B. It is Halloween week and all the B&B’s are hosting a scary weekend throughout October. In preparation Maggie offers a job to a distant relative. The relative isn’t a nice person and there is tension between the families. The new relative turns up murdered and the police and the whole Crozet family in their sights. At least the Ville Blanc Police think the Crozets are quilty. Pelican police do not. What a romp. Nasty relatives, scary happenings, missing antiques, what’s a girl to do? Maggie tries to stay out of the investigation, but it’s hard when you are suspect number 1.
That characters are fun. I enjoyed all the twists and multitude of suspects and the history of the area. This book is easy-to-read and a nice escape. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book and offer my honest opinion.
This is a fun cozy mystery that is perfect for Halloween. I like the fact that the folklore of Rougarou was included in the book. The main characters are unique and likable. However, the “new” relatives were not very likable. However, the story would not be the same if they were likable. The mystery is entertaining with several twists and turns and no shortage of suspects. I look forward to the next in the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
What a delightfully entertaining experience Ellen Bryon brings us in Murder in the Bayou Boneyard, the 6th book in her award-winning Cajun Country Mysteries! The fantastic characters will win your heart while haunting and homicide will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. Realistic, well developed characters, a setting that will put River Road on your bucket list, and a sometimes eerie but always complex plot make Murder in the Bayou Boneyard the perfect complement to this must- read series.
Offering the flavor of River Road, the warmth of a loving family, and an invasion of ghosts, ghoulies and Rougarou, Halloween at the Crozat’s B&B should seem perfect, if you like that sort of thing, but there is nothing about the holiday that Maggie likes. In spite of her aversion to the much-celebrated but too strange holiday, she applies her marketing skills to drawing much needed guests during the slow month of October with a haunted history theme. In her spare time, Maggie locates Tug’s great-niece and encourages her to join the family’s new spa as massage therapist. What could go wrong when family involved?
While Gran is playing bridezilla and planning their double wedding, Maggie and the family are dealing with spooky things, theft, shifty businessman, and murder right in their pack yard, a crime for which they look appear to be the perfect suspects.
I requested a copy of Murder in the Bayou Boneyard from Netgalley because I am totally in love with the series. All my friends will be hearing about it between now and it’s September release, but they expect that. I enjoy sharing books that excite me as all the books in this series do.
Louisiana, small-business, small-town, law-enforcement, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, friendship, bed-and-breakfast, greed, rivalry, theft
If you’ve never read any of the other books about the folks in Pelican, Louisiana you won’t get lost in this one, but you’ll probably want to read the others anyway just for fun. If you’ve read the others, like me, you’ll love this one, too! The Crozats and all of Pelican are fun and engaging people who make you feel like you just want to go there for a visit to the B&B, the town, and the historical plantations.
This fast paced and engaging mystery begins with some awful people who are supposed to be relatives, an apparent supernatural sighting, and the first murder. There is sleuthing, rivalry between police departments, disputed properties, a Halloween festival, thefts, a pesky visiting parrot, anguish, a nasty entrepreneur, plot twists, red herrings, misdirection, and humor.
I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!