It’s wedding season and Viv’s longtime frenemy Piper May is getting married. She convinces Viv and Scarlett to take on the job of designing the headpieces for her “wedding of the year.” The well-to-do bride and her entourage are delighted to have Viv and Scarlett as their famous hat designer guests, but the hat-making pair are really just looking forward to a getaway at a castle in Sussex. It is to be a weekend full of events, culminating in the big ceremony. Â
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Unfortunately, on the first night of the festivities, the groom is found murdered, and the joyous holiday becomes the stuff of nightmares as no one is allowed to leave the castle until the investigation is complete. Although Scarlett assures Harrison Wentworth, her fiancé, that she and Viv will stay out of harm’s way, circumstances force them to step in when a secret affair between the deceased groom and a bridesmaid comes to light, and the murderer takes another life. Scarlett and Viv vow to unveil the killer’s identity before the wedding adds another to its death toll.
Release Date: Jan 3, 2023
Series:Â A Hat Shop Mystery
Book: 7
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint:Â BerkleyÂ
Price: $8.99
Renowned London hatmaker Vivian Tremont is hired by her frenemy, Piper May, to design the headpieces for her bridesmaids. Viv’s cousin and business partner, Scarlett Parker, convinces Viv to take the job so they both can spend a weekend away at this society wedding being held at a castle in Sussex. Piper is difficult, and her groom is a bully, but Scarlett is determined to enjoy the whole castle experience. In spite of tensions among the wedding party, Scarlett thinks it could be a nice weekend since her friend Andre is the wedding photographer and will be there with her and Viv. However, any hopes of fun are dashed even before the ceremony takes place when Scarlett discovers the groom’s dead body on the floor of the library. When Viv and Andre become suspects because of their history with the groom, Scarlett decides to do her own investigating to find the real killer.
Fatal Fascinator is the seventh book in the Hat Shop Mystery series. It’s been a while since I have read this series, but I was able to easily catch up after the first chapter. Enough background information is given about the characters that new readers will have no trouble enjoying the book. Many of the things I originally liked about this series, such as the frequent moments of humor, are present in this book. I also like the premise of the two cousins running their grandmother’s hat shop. I really like the outgoing Scarlett and her loving fiancé Harrison, who luckily plays an important role in the story. I missed the character of Fiona (“Fee”), who is so much fun, but she was left behind to watch the shop and Scarlett’s dog. Although I find Scarlett to be down-to-earth and relatable, I’ve never warmed to the more aloof Viv. She is amazing when designing hats and putting bullies in their place, but at other times her superior attitude can be annoying.
The castle is a great setting for a mystery, with numerous rooms, secret tunnels, and the rumor of a ghost from a thousand years ago cursing present-day couples. I like the fast pace of the book and think this is a fun read. It is a little light in the actual investigation, but the showdown with the killer is still tense, but entertaining. The book is a nice, light read for fans of Jenn McKinlay or anyone who appreciates cozy mysteries with plenty of humor.
~ Christine
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