Las Vegas knows how to party, and for once, event planner Liv McKay won’t be entirely behind the scenes. The Dixie gang is in Sin City to celebrate Mama and Earl’s rockin’ Elvis-themed wedding. And between juggling the botched bachelorette party and a problem-plagued soirée back home, Liv’s ready to double down on some fun. Mama & Earl’s happily-ever-after seems like a sure thing, but all … thing, but all bets (and nuptials) are off when they get to the Burning Love Wedding Chapel. Their Elvis-impersonating minister has left the building . . . permanently. And even worse, Liv’s cousin, Little Junior, is suspected of his murder.
With Mama’s happy ending on the table and Little Junior about to lose it all, the stakes are higher than ever. Liv and her best friend, Di, must hit the Strip to find the real killer before he finally plays his ace…
“High energy, dead bodies and exposed lies. . . . A must read.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on Death Crashes the Party
“A wonderful cozy mystery.”
—Suspense Magazine on It’s Your Party, Die If You Want To
“Readers should welcome this look at a very Southern lifestyle, complete with appended party plans.”
—Kirkus Reviews on One Fete in the Grave
more
Liv, Di, and much of Liv’s family is heading to Vegas for Liv’s mother’s wedding to Earl. They are excited to meet up with Liv’s cousin, Little Junior, who is trying to become an Elvis impersonator, but in the meantime is driving a cab in the city. The wedding is supposed to take place in the Burning Love Wedding Chapel, but before the bride and groom can even get to “I Do,” the Elvis impersonator who is supposed to be marrying them drops dead. When the police decide it was murder, they begin looking at Liv’s cousin as the killer. Even though Liv is far from home, can she still figure out who the killer really is?
I have found the pacing in the series to be off, and this book continues the trend as the murder comes late in the book. We get some set up before that happens, but there is plenty of time spent with some sub-plots early in the book as well. The mystery, when it starts, is strong, providing some fun suspects and surprises before we reach the logical ending. The sub-plots partially allow us to check in with folks back in Dixie, Tennessee, so I’m not complaining too much. Having said that, the sub plot involving Liv’s best friend Di and her boyfriend drove me crazy since both of them were behaving stupidly. This book is best for fans of the series since they will fully appreciate some of what happens here. And they will really enjoy this trip.
‘Til Death Do Us Party
A Liv And Di In Dixie Mystery, Book #4
Vickie Fee
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Las Vegas knows how to party, and for once, event planner Liv McKay won’t be entirely behind the scenes. The Dixie gang is in Sin City to celebrate Mama and Earl’s rockin’ Elvis-themed wedding. And between juggling the botched bachelorette party and a problem-plagued soirée back home, Liv’s ready to double down on some fun.
Mama & Earl’s happily-ever-after seems like a sure thing, but all bets (and nuptials) are off when they get to the Burning Love Wedding Chapel. Their Elvis-impersonating minister has left the building . . . permanently. And even worse, Liv’s cousin, Little Junior, is suspected of his murder.
With Mama’s happy ending on the table and Little Junior about to lose it all, the stakes are higher than ever. Liv and her best friend, Di, must hit the Strip to find the real killer before he finally plays his ace… (Goodreads)
Review:
I love the all of the characters in this book. They are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. I just think that Liv are Di are the best friends and I love reading about their conversations and the things that they do. They never met a mystery that they did not want to solve, and with this one being more personal, they are ready to go all in. I liked getting to spend more time with Liv’s family and seeing what was happening in their lives.
I really liked the setting of Las Vegas for this book. Having visited there myself, I knew exactly the places that were mentioned and I enjoyed that a lot. It is great when a reader can relate to the setting, it just makes the book more personal. And the Elvis impersonator aspect brought a lot of laughs.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy fun read. It allowed me to see the action and locations through the eyes of the characters, which made me more engaged in my reading. The mystery was well plotted and had enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. I was not fully convinced of the culprit until it was revealed.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. If you like reading a cozy where the characters feel like friends, and one that has a lot of humor, this is the book for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Such a fun cast of characters! They’ll keep you laughing at their antics from cover to cover.
This is my favorite! Great storyline and a few additional characters. This book was a lot of fun with the gang going to Las Vegas for a wedding which then turned into solving a murder.
TIL DEATH DO US PARTY by Vickie Fee is fourth book in the A Liv And Di In Dixie Mystery series. It’s the story of Liz McKay’s blended family and their adventures while in Las Vegas for Mama & Earl’s upcoming wedding.
As an event planner, Liz had planned her Mom and Earl’s upcoming elaborate wedding. With a last minute venue change, Earl pays to fly the entire wedding party to Las Vegas for an Elvis themed wedding at the Burning Love Wedding Chapel. Once in Vegas, they reconnect with Liz’s cousin, Little Junior, who is an Elvis impersonator. He becomes their unofficial tour guide in his full time job of driving a taxi.
All seems to be going smooth until the wedding, when the Elvis impersonating minister drops death just as Mama is walking down the aisle. While investigating the death, the police arrest Little Junior for poisoning the minister. All thoughts of the wedding are put on hold while they concentrate their efforts to find evidence to spring Little Junior from hoosegow. Mama asked Liz to find the proof using the sleuthing skills she has used in the past. Finding out about the people involved, leads them to doing the leg work to eliminate or add people to their suspect list. In the end, they all play a part in finding the evidence to approach the police with.
During all their escapades, Liz is trying to deal with a 50th graduation anniversary party back at home via phone call with her associate to solve the continual problems that arise. Junior, Little Junior’s Dad, is hospitalized with a possible heart attack from the stress of his son being imprisoned. They still have to find a venue for her Mama’s wedding so Earl and her can tie the knot. Di, Liz’s friend, is dancing with danger by spending time with her rotten ex risking her possible now relationship with Dave. Liz has to find a way to get her sister to accept her Mama’s wedding to Earl.
Can they find the evidence needed to free Little Junior? Who can they trust and who is not telling the truth? Once they find evidence, will the police listen to them? Will proving their theory lead to another murder? Will Mama and Earl tie the knot and if so where?
TIL DEATH DO US PARTY is a wonderfully written cozy that will have you guessing and second guessing whodunit along with Liz. Yes there is a murder and it’s a huge part of the story, but getting to know Liz and her family and friends will have you rubbing your head one moment and then laughing the next. What a wonderful and colorful group of people to be all one extended family tree! Recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fun read. I will be recommending it to my friends. It can definitely be read as a standalone although part of a series.
This is a zany murder mystery that will keep you hooked until the end.
What could possibly happen at a wedding in Vegas?
Event planner Liv McKay is heading to Vegas to celebrate the nuptials of her mama and Earl at an Elvis themed chapel but runs into more trouble than she bargained for. For starters, they have a bachelorette party that doesn’t turn out as expected and then the Elvis impersonator wedding officiant dies just seconds before pronouncing the couple husband and wife.
If that isn’t the worse of things, Liv’s cousin Little Junior is listed as the prime suspect. Can Liv and her bestie Di figure out who the real killer is and also get mama and Earl hitched?
This book is filled with humorous and fun-loving southern characters, more twists and turns than can imagine, and a mystery that will keep you guessing.
This was a great mystery. I felt as if I was right there with the gang in Las Vegas. Well drawn and heart warming characters and a well developed mystery with some humour mixed in.
My favourite character was Liv’s cousin Little Junior. He is such a sweet and nice guy. When he was arrested for murder there was no question that Liv and Di had to clear his name and find the real killer.
The story was fast paced and kept my interest from the first to the last page.
I very much enjoyed this installment and I am looking forward to the next one.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with an advance copy.
Liv McKay’s family and friends fly to Las Vegas, Nevada to see Liv’s mama, Virginia, and her hunka burning love, Earl get hitched and off on their honeymoon in a luxury Winnebago! However, as luck would have it, before the nuptials are completed the Elvis impersonator/minister collapses and is a goner. Suspicious minds want to know just how that happened, and Deputy Dave has some friends in the LVPD who help set up a sting op using Liv as the bait to catch the double-crossing murderers who planned to let mama’s nephew, Little Junior take the rap for the murder.
This fast moving plot is a winner for this reader, and all the Dixie, Tennessee gang is on hand to enjoy the fun and frivolity of Vegas. As expected, plenty of mishaps tickled my funny bone. When everyone returns home to Dixie, the newlyweds are welcomed back with a special reception. This is the fifth book in the series, and I can’t help falling in love with each story.
Party Tips and Recipes included for your enjoyment.