So… I used to read the Stephanie Plum series and loved them because of the dynamic between Stephanie and Lula. I gave up the series about book 18 because I couldn’t handle the love triangle any more, but I really missed the crazy exploits and sassy dialogue. I found it again in the Marygene Brown Mysteries by Kate Young. The dynamic between Marygene and Betsy is fabulous and I actually chuckled a few times… which rarely happens to me when I read cozies!

I had the pleasure of reading the first book in the series, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings, which I really enjoyed too, but the kooky dynamic between Marygene and Betsy was quite there yet. I missed book two, so I’m not sure if it was developed in that one, but Southern Sass and a Battered Bride had it in spades. And some of the things that happen in book three have the kooky and outrageous aspects that I loved from the Plum series.

Besides this great duo, many other characters in the series are very well developed and a pleasure to read too. I had mentioned in my book review for Southern Sass and Killer Cravings that I would like to visit most of the cozy towns, but I would want to actually live in Peach Cove Island, and after reading book three it’s even more true. The community is fantastic, peppered with some kooks and lots of caring people that I can’t wait to get to know even more.

In the first book the love aspect was kind of still up in the air, and from the tidbits I gathered from this book some things happened that made Marygene and Alex not get together, which I am actually happy about. And the new man on the horizon is a partner that I am very excited to see what will happen next.

The mystery was very well cultivated and it took me by surprise, which I always love when that happens. Southern Sass and a Battered Bride is a fantastic addition to the series and to the cozy genre. Although I don’t go back and read a book if I miss it in a cozy series, I will be reading book two…. And am really looking forward to book four! ( )

MaryGene Brown owns the Peach Diner, along with her sister and brother. Today they're catering the wedding of MaryGene's high-school sweetheart, Alex Myers, and his bride Lucy Carmichael. MaryGene isn't happy about the wedding, even though she doesn't love Alex anymore, not to mention she has a new beau of her own, Paul.

The strangest thing is the bride wanted to be part of a murder mystery at her reception, and while they're setting everything up, Marygene sees that Lucy, who's disliked by everyone except Alex and his mother, Regina, is playing the victim. When it's quickly discovered that she's not playing but has been killed, everyone is kept from the scene. But when her body disappears quickly after that, it's now a crime that needs to be solved quickly.

Alex is distraught and blaming everyone for hating Lucy; his mother is blaming family members; the town doesn't care; and Marygene's father, Eddie, the chief of police, is determined to figure everything out. But then there's a near-fatal accident, and Alex brings in help from outside, which only upsets the locals. With Marygene's mama's help, she plans on finding the truth...even if it puts her in danger once again...

This is the third book in the series, and I truly enjoyed it as much as the first two. I do love the interactions between Marygene and her family members, and I especially love the fact that her mama, who is an island spirit tied to Marygene, is keeping watch over her and helping her whenever she can. I l think that this aspect is much of the magic of the series, and it makes it more entertaining to read.

We also see that Marygene is going through changes in her life, and determined to overcome her past and learn from it. She's gaining inner strength, and is more confident in this book than the previous two. Her best friend, Betsy, is a real character -- she professes to be one type of person, but when she's caught up in the middle of a murder investigation, her true personality emerges, It's a trip to watch her go through the emotions. Soon Marygene also realizes that she might be a suspect in the murder, so she knows that she needs to clear herself by getting involved, but soon discovers that might not be so easy to do.

The action is practically non-stop, from Alex lashing out at everyone, the disappearance of a deceased bride, people who might not be who they claim to be, the addition of an Atlanta homicide detective that Marygene's locked horns with once before, and other events I will not list here in order not to ruin this book for others; I will say that this is probably the best book in the series so far and it kept me reading in one sitting (much to my dismay, as I realized I should have been doing a few house chores instead).

When the murderer was discovered, there were clues leading up to it, but you have to put them together much as Marygene did. Finding the murderer isn't enough; it's the reasons behind it that count, and they were motives as old as time. All in all, this is quite an engaging mystery drenched in southern charm and I hope to see the next in the series soon. Highly recommended. ( )