On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Veiled in Death (A Wedding Planner Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Publisher : Kensington (September 29, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496717554
ISBN-13 : 978-1496717559
Kindle ASIN : B082WSL4S4
Audiobook ASIN B08FRSSV5W
Wedding planner Mallory Shepard doesn’t have time to organize her own nuptials—because right now she’s engaged in solving a murder . . .
When Mallory discovers some old lace at a Port Quincy antique shop, she knows it’ll make a perfect headpiece. But she’s barely gotten it out of the store before Helene Pierce tears it from her hands. Helene claims it’s a family heirloom that went missing when her late husband died in a hit-and-run twenty-five years ago.
The conflict gets more complicated when the veil is attributed to none other than famed seamstress Betsy Ross. Mallory may have a genuine museum piece on her hands, but meanwhile, Independence Day is right around the corner and she has to host the town’s Revolutionary War re-enactment. Then it becomes clear there’s a bigger mystery behind all this history when a local woman is murdered with a musket—and Mallory’s investigation could set off some fireworks . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We arrive in Port Quincy shortly before the 4th of July. Mallory Shepard is helping her dear friend Bev Mitchell plan her upcoming wedding. They are at the Antique Emporium “foraging for antique pieces to gussy up her wedding”. Bev is also pushing Mallory to set the date for her own wedding. While they are checking out Mallory helps extricate something from an old hat box. It is a beautiful piece of old lace that would make a perfect veil. She is excited to purchase it. But then as she is leaving the store Helene Pierce rips it from her hands asserting it is a family heirloom that was stolen when a hit-and-run killed her husband 25 years ago. She claims the lace was made by Betsy Ross.
Mallory and her sister Rachel are also organizing a new gala celebrating Port Quincy’s founding. Cordials and Cannonballs will feature a reenactment of a battle from the Revolutionary War that took place over 200 years ago right in Port Quincy. Again, Helene Pierce is causing trouble. She wants to forbid women from taking part in the reenactment. The big day arrives and the event appears to be a success even with the low-hanging fog. Then screams break out. Bev’s fiance and Mallory’s stepfather are injured and a local woman is dead.
Historic lace and reenactment murder. Mallory finds herself in the middle of it all. Can she get to the truth? or will she die before she gets to say “I do”?
I have always been amazed at how Mallory could juggle everything she needed to get done for weddings and the B&B and her amateur sleuthing. Her sister Rachel helped but it still was a lot. Now, it this installment they finally hire an assistant and Pia is an excellent fit. She and Rachel become quick friends as they try to press Mallory to set a wedding date. Mallory’s fiance Garett is a wonderful man and he has a beautiful 14-year-old daughter Summer. They too are ready for the wedding to take place. Then you have Carole, Mallory, and Rachel’s mother who wants a quick wedding because she wants grandchildren NOW! She is overbearing but she loves her daughters. Her husband, Doug is pretty easygoing and knows how to handle his wife. Chief of Police, Truman Davies is Garrett’s dad making murder and lace investigations interesting. Helene truly is Mallory’s nemesis and pops up everywhere. I enjoy how the characters have grown since the start of this series. They are genuine and engaging and a couple are pretty stubborn.
Because this is the final book in the series a lot takes place within the pages. The mysteries intertwine and a cold case is brought back to life. The veil needs to be authenticated. The murder weapon musket must be examined. Many questions must be asked and answered. Twists unraveled and clues followed. All while so much is happening in Mallory’s personal life. She even receives a wild request from her ex and his new bride.
I do have to say I had moved this book down my To-Be-Read stack several times since it was released because a friend told me one scene would be a trigger for me after losing my son to suicide. I needed a book with a wedding word in the title for my Alphabet Soup June Mini Challenge so I decided to read it now. The scene still hit me hard but I handled it, moved on, and didn’t let it detract my enjoyment of the story one bit.
Veiled in Death wrapped this series up in a fabulous fashion. Ms. Blackmoore left the characters we have come to love in good places. She wrapped up any dangling threads all while giving readers mysteries we could sink our teeth into. She leaves her readers with A Perfect Escape.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
A native Pittsburgher. She was an attorney in Pittsburgh and a librarian in Florida before becoming a writer. Stephanie is a fan of everything black-and-yellow.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.
I am giving away a Kindle copy!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Follow Kensington Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries!
Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The Contest Will End July 5, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”