Slay Bells Ring

I loved reading Slay Bells Ring by Nancy Robards Thompson, book one in her The Wedding Bells Mysteries. Wedding Planner Jenna Bell is organizing the wedding of her former high school sweetheart, which is to be their small town’s event of the year. When the groom is a no-show, she doesn’t panic, at least until he turns up dead and she becomes the number one suspect. Jenna’s mother, Maddie, decides to put her cozy mystery writing skills to use in order to clear her daughter’s name. This does not bode well with her boyfriend, Chief of Police Jackson Bradley. No matter how much he cares for her, he does not want this writer-turned-amateur-sleuth interfering with his murder investigation. What’s a sleuth to do? Especially when nearly the entire town is picking sides and the Gossip Brigade is churning out rumors. Maddie and Jenna soon discover that this mystery is far from cozy when it hits too close to home. I genuinely enjoyed reading this funny, sweet and intriguing book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms Robards Thompson kept me on my toes guessing who the killer was, until I turned the last page. Her writing had me feeling as if I was there, watching the events unfold. I never suspected the person who was the murderer. Great job stumping me!! I highly recommend Slay Bells Ring to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This cozy mystery is by a new to me author but one I will definitely look for in the future. The two main characters, Jenna and her mum, Maddie, are both very likeable, and the relationship between them is wonderful. Jenna's ex, Riley, is getting married, and his wedding is the first to be organised by Jenna with her new wedding planning business. Maddie runs a bridal shop but also writes mysteries. When someone is found dead (I am being very careful not to drop any spoilers!), Maddie uses her amateur sleuthing skills to lead them through various escapades in an attempt to try to find out who the murderer is, much to the consternation of Police Chief, Jackson. I really enjoyed this book, it is paced just right and kept me guessing to the end. The only slight niggle for me is that the narrative is told in alternating pov's of Jenna and Maddie - each chapter tells you whose pov it is, but even so I found I had to keep reminding whose turn it was, and had to read back a little each time to get it straight in my head. However, this is just me, others might really like the alternating pov narrative. Other than that I really liked the writing style and the story itself. I am happy to know that this is the first in a series, can't wait for book #2!

I love a really good cozy mystery and do not read them often enough. This will change because of author Nancy Robards Thompson's book Slay Bells Ring. I will read this series and any of her other books as well. I enjoyed the mother/daughter combo. How they love each other, yet true to life got on each other's nerves from time to time. BUT if push comes to shove, no one messes with mama bear's daughter. The claws will come out! I have to say I did not figure out who done it exactly myself so I will leave most things out in my review. This book is a wonderful cozy mystery that I enjoyed reading and look forward to more from this series, hopefully quickly.