Body on the Bayou

When you read Ellen Byron’s book, you are transported to Louisiana. I was transported to the beautiful deep south of this charming mystery. I loved this second book in the Cajun Country Mystery Series.

So let me just say that I laughed. I laughed a lot through this book, and it could be because I am a Yankee, and not a southern belle. Or it could be because the secondary characters were so hilarious that I could stop imaging some of them as hillbillies ( I mean this in the most loving manner). Seriously, Vanessa the bride to be in this story, literally stole the book. Her whole family is a riot. And poor Maggie for putting up with such a self centered family.

Please read the entire review at: show more target="_top">https://bibliophile.reviews/book-review/cozy/body-on-the-bayou show less

The writing could be a little bit tighter, but as it is, this was a good cozy mystery that kept me reading pretty much non-stop.

The start was a little slow, and the writer forced the reader to endure a romantic conflict a la tortured silence that I could have done without and she drove me crazy with all the silly euphemisms for swearing, but the ending had me reaching for the kleenex. That last page bumped my rating up to the full 4 stars both because it was touching and unexpected without being at all overplayed.

The mystery plotting was well done; I was inclined at first to criticise the author for taking the route of fingering the least involved character, but thinking about it, the clues were there and I just didn't put them show more together. My bad, not hers.

A fun cozy with a heart warming sweet side, a little zaniness, and a pretty good murder mystery. show less

I liked the setting of the story and I really enjoyed most of the characters. I have to say though I was very disappointed in the name of the victim who was killed. When the character was introduced , she was rude, annoying and everyone hated her. She had a reputation for being nasty and hard to get along with. I would have liked a bit more suspects in the book and maybe a different victim. When it is obvious after a few pages who is going to be killed, I was a tad upset.

But not to fear, because the author brings a great story with silly happenings, moody people and a bride that needed to take a very long nap. There is a shining star in Maggie. She seems to be running around with her head chopped off trying to please the bride to be. show more Maggie had more patience than I would have. There is a bit of a romance in the book that has all the makings for a big fight between two families. It's funny how something that happened a long time ago,can still cause hatred between these families. I did like the Cajun theme and thought the author did a good job on describing the area and food . I can't forget to mention the overbearing utterly mean Rufus. What a big attitude downer he is. Why would anyone want to be his friend? The story is really over the top at times with the wedding preparations and silly things the bride wants. I had to laugh at the shenanigans with the bride and her bridesmaids. I kinda think I would like to see this made into a movie. I have already picked out the actors.

Overall I enjoyed the story and the author did a great job of character development. I guess I was upset at who was killed, because she was such a nasty person. That made me realize how good the author did in writing her character. . I did enjoy the ending though and I will have to read another book from this author because for some reason she has piqued my curiosity.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Great Escape Book Tours. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it. show less

Poor Maggie. She's been saddled as Maid of Honor to the bridezillas of bridezillas - her co-worker Vanessa Fleer, and only because Vanessa couldn't find anyone else who wanted the job. She's planning a nightmare wedding, changing plans, and expecting Maggie to do the near impossible to make her wedding the dream she wants. The only hitch is the fact that Vanessa is eight months pregnant and a hormonal nightmare. It's bad enough to be around a bridezilla, but a pregnant bridezilla? The thought gives me shudders...

Maggie just wants to get back to her life of a tour guide at Doucet Plantation (complete with hoop skirt and wig), helping out at her family's B&B, and painting in her spare time. She thought she'd put finding dead bodies behind show more her...but unfortunately, there's another one in front of her. Vanessa's nightmare of a cousin Ginger is found dead near the Crozat B&B, and she drags Maggie into the investigation as part of her Maid of Honor duties. It soon becomes apparent that Ginger had more enemies than friends, and in multiple cities no less. But with so many enemies, how is Maggie to figure out which one had the strongest motive to do the woman in?

Full Review: http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016/12/body-on-bayou-cajun-country-mystery.htm... show less

When Maggie is asked by Vanessa to be her Maid of Honor, she wants to say no, but doesn't. Vanessa is bridezilla plus. Her relatives are no treat either. When Vanessa's cousin, Ginger's body is found on the plantation, Maggie is once again investigating to save the Plantation.

Body on the Bayou is a perfect blend of mystery, and humor. I often found myself laughing out loud. I really enjoy Maggie's family. Her mother, father and grandmother are the epitome of southern hospitality. The characters are realistic, from friends to frenemies. The plot was well developed, with many twists. I absolutely love the setting and some day, hope to visit Louisiana. Maybe I will get the opportunity to stay at a plantation home in the bayou some day so I show more can experience the area. If you love a cozy with humor and atmosphere, make sure you pick up this series. show less

Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron is the second book in A Cajun Country Mystery series. Magnolia Marie Crozat (who prefers Maggie) is a docent at Louisiana Doucet Plantation that was owned by her ancestors. Maggie is also a painter and helps with the families bed and breakfast (Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast). Maggie has agreed to act as Vanessa Fleer’s maid of honor (even though she does not like Vanessa) in hopes of repairing the rift between the Durand and Crozat families. Rufus Durand is Vanessa’s fiancé, and he believes that a Crozat ancestor placed a curse on all Durand relationships. Maggie is hoping to soften Rufus’ attitude toward her family. But Maggie did not count on Vanessa’s turning into a bridezilla or firing show more her wedding planner (why pay someone if you can get someone to do it for free). Then Maggie finds out that Vanessa wants her cousin, Ginger Fleer-Starke (along with her assistant and intern) to stay at the Crozat B&B (for free). When Rufus finds out, he starts laughing hysterically (not a good sign), and Maggie is warned to keep Ginger away from stairs (this does not bode well for the Crozat’s). Ginger is sweet as sugar the first night of her stay (she arrived a week early), but the next day Maggie finds out why Rufus was laughing. After some Ginger related shenanigans at the co-ed bridal shower (which Maggie had to host and pay for), Maggie finds Ginger dead with her head in the bayou. The suspect list is long with Vanessa near the top of Acting Police Chief Hank Perske’s list. Vanessa pleads with Maggie to find the real killer before her wedding day. Maggie starts her investigation with the help of Bo Durand (in between wedding preparation and planning the bachelorette party). But then Trent Socher, Ginger’s assistant turns up dead at the bachelorette party. He was killed with Vanessa’s wedding gift from Rufus (a small silver pistol—so romantic). Maggie needs to work quickly or this wedding will not go off as planned (though Maggie would like to avoid the maid of honor dress that reminds her of a neon Vegas showgirl outfit). Can Maggie find the real culprit before Vanessa and Rufus’ wedding begins? You will have to read Body on the Bayou to find out!

Body on the Bayou was not my cup of tea. It was a too over-the-top silly for my tastes. It was just one inane thing after another (my mother claims I do not have a sense of humor). My favorite character is Bo’s son, Xander. Such a little sweetie. I thought the killer’s identity was easily figured out (I knew who it was as soon as the character was introduced). It was also very easy to figure out who was going to be killed. I mean who didn’t want to kill Ginger. Two clues are all that is needed to solve the mystery (if you need them). I thought too much of book devoted to Maggie and Bo’s “relationship” or lack of one. I like subtle romance in cozy mysteries. I give Body on the Bayou 3 out of 5 stars. The book is easy to read and can be finished in just a few hours. Body on the Bayou is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read alone. Ellen Byron gives us all the background information to bring a reader up-to-date. While this novel was not for me, others will enjoy the humor in it. I suggest getting a sample (if you have an e-reader) to see if the books suits you. Body on the Bayou has a sweet ending that will make you sigh with pleasure.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions are strictly my own. show less

cozy-mystery, family-dynamics, friendship, USA, law-enforcement, murder, recipes, laugh-out-loud

What fun! The impending bride and her mother are nutz, the bride's cousin makes the mob look honest, Maggie is worried about problems with her boyfriend, and then there's the murders. The characters certainly are, the setting is marvelous, the plot twists are unexpected, and the herrings are all red. There is no problem for a reader who dives into this one without reading the other, and no problem should you also discover that you bought this one a while ago but it got legs and walked off before you even read it!
Well this time I got the audio. Meredith Mitchell does a fantastic narration.