Murder at the Wedding by Anita Davison Book Review

About the Book:

The couple are determined their low-key celebration will go without a hitch, but there can't be an "I do" while the vicar is missing. And when he's found dead a victim of a poisoning in the crypt behind the church, Hannah knows only she and Aunt Violet can find out who did it.

Hannah's beloved thinks she shouldn't interfere. But if he fails to remember that an independent woman in 1916 doesn't do what she s told to by a man, the dead vicar may be the least of his worries

Then the vicar's own fiancé appears on the scene, even though nobody knew he was engaged. And suddenly it becomes clear someone has a secret, one shocking enough to kill for.

Will the intrepid pair of amateur sleuths catch the murderer before they kill again? Or will it be 'til death parts them all?

My Review:

Hannah and Aunt Violet are on the case when the inexperienced investigating detective under Aidan's supervision seems to be less than competent. Who could possibly want to murder a vicar, one who seemed to be a nice man with no obvious enemies? The situation is muddied a bit when it surfaces that the vicar had recently and secretly married. The bride's father is extremely angry. Is he the villain?

I like the setting of this series. It is 1916, during the war. Davison adds atmosphere with historical descriptions, such as a staff shortage at a hotel restaurant as the women are practicing with their guns. Women are driving cars, as Hannah does, much to her mother's dismay. And some women are getting to vote, but only if they fulfill requirements, like owning land. But there is also the beginning tragedy of the influenza epidemic as soldiers return from over sea deployments.

I like how Davison has her characters grow as the series advances. Hannah is now married and she must navigate asking her husband rather than just going off on an adventure. She also has to now manage the manor house with an extensive staff.

I like this series and will be watching for the next adventure with Hannah and Aunt Violet.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the earlier books in this series, Murder in the Bookshop, Murder in the Library, Murder at Midwinter Manor, and  Murder in Covent Garden.

About the Author:

Anita is the author of the Flora Maguire Mysteries and the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books. The first four books in the serios, Murder in the Bookshop, Murder in the Library, Murder at Midwinter Manor and Murder in Covent Garden are available. Book 5, Murder at the Wedding releasing in October, 2025.

Boldwood Books, 273 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)