Sam Washington runs a mystery bookstore with help from her grandmother, Nana Jo, her twin nephews, and Dawson, the student she took in several books ago (the series starts with The Plot is Murder). In the latest volume she’s also preparing to be a bridesmaid at her mother’s wedding – at least, that is, until a body shows up!

True to the series, one of their friends/family is top of the list of suspicions – and Sam and the ‘Silver Sleuths’ must solve the crime quickly enough to keep that person out of jail and the wedding from being ruined.

I largely enjoyed this book. It doesn’t vary vastly from the previous three, with regular breaks to read bits of Sam’s own ‘period English’ mystery. These provide a bit of a break, a comparison that makes the rest of the book look better (sorry, Sam!), but most importantly a way for Sam’s subconscious to start solving the real-life mystery.

However, as the ‘who why and how dunnit’ elements start to be revealed, it all felt very familiar. I don’t pay enough attention to my cosy reads to pinpoint it exactly, but I could’ve sworn the same plot had been used elsewhere.

Still, I think what I like most about it all is how nice the group is, supportive of each other, making this a lovely as well as non-taxing kind of a read. There are times for that!

https://novelteacorner.com/2019/04/25/wed-read-dead-review/I read my first Mystery Bookshop book (book 3) last year when I requested it on Netgalley not knowing it was the most recent book in a series. The wonderful thing about cozy mysteries is that – often times – you can jump in at any point and still catch up on all the main points, but it was definitely nice to have a point of reference while reading Wed, Read and Dead.

Local bookshop owner, Samantha Washington, loves murder mystery books, her family and solving real-life mysteries. What she doesn’t particularly like is the hot-pink cupcake-like bridesmaid dresses her mother keeps picking out for her! Sam’s mother’s marriage to the wealthy Harold Robertson has everyone in a spin until Harold’s standoffish sister-in-law hires wedding planner Lydia Lighthouse to save the day… or perhaps make it worse. Lydia’s overbearing nature and attitude quickly runs afoul of everyone up until she’s found murdered with her own scarf. Then it’s up to Sam, her grandmother and friends to solve the murder.

This is a cozy mystery with a fast-pace, lots of heart and lots of delicious food mentioned all the time. (I felt like I need to have something sweet on hand the whole time I was reading!)

What I liked most was the reliability of Sam’s situation – her mother’s getting remarried and the entire thing is stressful not only for her, but also Sam and Sam’s sister as they try to cope with their mother’s stress. I also enjoyed reading about Sam’s story a lot more this time round, possibly because I was familiar with her already so I didn’t have to build up a lot of backstory, but also because I think the whole thing felt a lot more natural.

Sam’s group of senior sleuths were, as last time, hilarious and fun and have so many connections with which to find out information that it’s totally unbelievable and yet credible at the same time. The addition of the younger, college-aged characters was great because they added a different dynamic to the mostly over 40 cast of characters and also tied in nicely with a sub-plot about some runaway children which made for some of the most heart-warming scenes.

There were lots of twists and turns, and this made for an enjoyable afternoon read.

Wed, Read & Dead by V. M. Burns is the 4th book in the Mystery Bookshop series, and it is becoming one of my favorite series. Samantha Washington owns Market Street Mysteries bookstore in North Harbor, Michigan. Sam's mother is marrying Harold Robertson, her wealthy boyfriend in a few weeks, so the plans are rushed. Harold's sister-in-law doesn't like Sam's family, and hires a crazy wedding planner. When the wedding planner turns up dead, Sam is determined to find the real killer, and the sleuthing begins. This book was great. It has so many twists and turns. The author did an excellent job, I was hooked from the start. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

For better or worse, in good times and bad, til death... or until everything goes wrong.
Sam's mother is trying to plan a wedding in less than a month and at Christmas! To deal with the stress, Sam writes a historical novel about, well, let's just say that art and life are reflecting each other. Harold, the groom, seems like a sweetheart of a man. Could he possibly be accused of murder before the happy couple can walk down the aisle?

The victim is a nightmare wedding planner. Multiple people want her dead, from clients she has bilked out of thousands of dollars, to vendors never paid for their services, and others who get entangled in her schemes.

Adding to the confusion and stress are other romantic gestures, a couple of adorable, aging poodles, more family than can ever be comfortable together at one time, and two young children who show up unexpectedly (and hungry.) I was interested in the genealogy aspects of this novel.

I love the local flavor in the books in this series. The characters are wonderful and relatable.
Nana Jo and her friends are such a treat.

Will this wedding planning have a happy ending? Will Sam be made to wear the pink tulle nightmare or the tablecloth plaid? Enjoy reading and find out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

Well it's always fun to catch up with Sam and Nana Jo, plus all the girls in their quirky group of sleuths. Give them a mystery and they all get involved in their own way. It WAS kind of obvious who the target was from the start; they might as well have put an x on her head. There was also a moment where Smaug in the Hobbit was called a dinosaur. He's a fire drake, or a dragon.

I love the network Sam is creating around herself, with not just Dawson but now with Lexi and Angelo. I wonder how all that will work in the next book; I bet there is a fresh mystery, maybe involving the kids' parents death. The romance is trotting along nicely too, all things considered.

Can't wait for the next book, which is also out this year (I think) Five stars!

Wed, Read & Dead is the fourth installment in the Mystery Bookshop series, I haven't read any previous books but was able to follow along. The story grabbed my attention right away! I am very happy I chose to read this book and plan on reading the other 3 as soon as I can.

Bookstore owner Samantha Washington sells and solves mysteries in North Harbor, Michigan--including the murder of her mother's wedding planner...

Sam's mother can't wait to wed her wealthy beau, Harold Robertson. The big mystery is how they're going to pull off a lavish wedding in three weeks. Harold's snobby sister-in-law proposes a solution: engage flamboyant wedding planner Lydia Lighthouse. But their beacon of hope quickly sends everyone into a blind rage, most of all the groom-to-be. So when the maddening micromanager is strangled with her own scarf, it's a shock, but not a surprise.

It's a case of art imitating life as Sam pens her next historical mystery set in England between the wars. Lady Daphne Marsh insists on marrying Lord James Browning on Christmas Eve, three weeks hence. But when the fop planning their wedding ends up with a knife in his back, she vows to nab the backstabber before she walks down the aisle.

Meanwhile, when she's not writing, Sam and her beloved and boisterous Nana Jo rush to shine a light on Lydia's killer--so her mother's new husband won't spend his honeymoon behind bars...

This book is filled with wonderful characters that are well-developed and very relatable. The plot had just enough twists and turns that I was guessing who might have done it till the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed Wed, Read & Dead and am looking forward to visiting Sam and Nana Jo again.

I highly recommend this cozy mystery to all my friends and fellow cozy lovers.

I requested and received a advanced reader copy from the publisher and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Loved it! Laughs, love, tears, murder, dogs, children, and friends. A delight to read. You will enjoy catching the clue to the culprit(s). The lovely protagonist writes her own historical mystery within the book. A parallel bonus. Charming series and I am eager for more. Didn't get a thing done today as I had to keep reading.

This installment of the series is absolutely delightful.
Reading about a crazy lavish wedding, an over the top wedding planner and a murder always makes for a fantastic day.
V.M. Burns is a wonderful story teller and always keeps me guessing..

I’m so glad I was introduced to this series. It is everything I enjoy in a cozy mystery and more. The protagonist is an author herself and we get snippets of her book within this one, which is a lot of fun. The author tackles some more serious issues in the book, and does so in a way that leaves you inspired to make a difference in your own community. The mystery was fast paced and I inhaled the book within 48 hours.

Weddings can bring out the worst in people- and wedding planners can generate a lot of annoyance but murder? Lydia Lighthouse was an unpleasant (to say the least) person but Sam knows that her stepfather to be- Harold- was not the one who strangled him. Well, she really hopes not. Together with her band of friends (and Nana!) she investigates to find the culprit. One of the charms of this series (and you'll be fine with this as a standalone) is that Sam, who owns a bookstore, is also a mystery writer and you get a novel within the novel! I am torn between which story I like more but suffice it to say, this is a classic cozy with a twist. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and a fun plot made this a good read.

Loved this mystery. Loved the family aspect, loved the twists and turns and little surprises. Loved the little side stories. This is a fantastic series. Can't wait to read more!

This is the fourth book in the series.

Ms Burns gives us two mysteries within each book. Sam’s mother is to be wed in three weeks, just before Christmas. The wedding planner that has been foisted upon them is killed and the groom-to-be is the prime suspect. Can the Senior Sleuths, and their new found crew resolve this before the wedding? Read an find out.

There is plenty going on in this book. The mystery within the mystery is Sam’s way to clear her head and think through issues.

I liked the twists, turns, and reveals throughout the book. Kept me interested.

I was not disappointed.

Wed, Read & Dead was another great installment in the Mystery Bookshop series featuring an exciting and interesting plot.

Mystery bookstore owner, Samantha Washington, is in the peak of busy season in the weeks leading up to Christmas. But after her mother announces she will be getting married on Christmas Eve, Sam has to squeeze in wedding planning between her hours in the store. With everyone overwhelmed, the groom’s sister-in-law hires wedding planner Lydia Lighthouse to plan the affair. But what should have been the answer to their prayers quickly turns into a nightmare when Lydia disregards everyone’s wishes. After Lydia is found strangled with the groom the lead suspect, Sam and the Sleuthing Seniors set out to find the real killer before Sam’s mother ends up having a jailhouse wedding.

The mystery in this book was very well done and I had a difficult time pinning down a suspect so I was eager to find out who the killer was. Lydia was not a woman who endeared herself to anyone, so there were a number of suspects right from the start. Once again Sam worked the case with Nana Jo as well as the rest of the Sleuthing Seniors. I love how each of the ladies has their own connections and how they’re able to cover numerous leads at once. I was surprised when Detective Pitt agreed to Sam’s help with the case, but it’s nice to see that he’s learned from previous experience that Sam will get involved one way or another. The final showdown with the killer was well done and I enjoyed how everything was wrapped up.

In addition to trying to find Lydia’s killer between running her store, Sam is in the process of writing her next British mystery. Once again Sam draws upon the case in her real life as inspiration for her story which is something I enjoy about these books. I like how Sam uses her writing to work out her theories as it’s definitely led to her having an aha moment several times. I’ve definitely come to enjoy the characters in Sam’s stories throughout the four books.

Wed, Read & Dead, as well as the rest of the series, was a light and easy read that’s perfect for those new to the cozy mystery genre.

Sam's mother announces that she is getting married in three weeks throwing everyone into a tizzy. But when the wedding planner from hell appears, it leads to murder and the groom-to-be is a suspect. As Sam learns more about Lydia Lighthouse and her mother's future in-laws she starts to piece together a list of suspects. Sam and her grandmother's Sleuthing Seniors are a riot and their efforts to solve the crime are terrific.

This is a fun series. I enjoy coming back every time. It was a light, quick, fun read. The writing gets better every time.

Series: Mystery Bookshop - Book 4
Author: V.M. Burns
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Bookstore
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 272

Arriving soon from Kensington Books is the new addition “Wed, Read & Dead” to the Mystery Bookshop Series by V.M. Burns. There is a cozy within a cozy in this book, both will make readers happy, keep them intrigued, and turning the page.

Wed, Read & Dead is a two for one book. The main character, Samantha Washington owns a mystery bookstore and writes mysteries as well. She is always busy but finds time to write while doing everything else her day demands, like helping her mother plan her wedding, and solving murders.

The characters in this cozy mystery book are lovable, they are talented and make readers want to stop by for a visit. Sam’s grandmother, Nana Jo is special, and caring while managing to keep her family, and occasionally those not in her family, in line. No one messes with Sam and Nana Jo’s family and gets by with it for long. They are exactly the type of relatives we all wish we had in our corner.

These characters hold the reader's attention and remain a happy part of their days long after the book has been read and put away. These are great characters and a cozy mystery book has to have compelling characters to keep readers coming back.

The location of Michigan is truly descriptive, and readers will enjoy learning a bit about a state that played such a huge part in the history of the United States. If you have never spent time in this northern state, you will want to after reading this book.

The villain(s) throughout the book is completely believable and a true reprobate, and yet, in some small way helps bring everyone together in the end. The unmasking is lively without putting the character’s in more danger than they can handle. The ending satisfies the reader as an ending to a mystery should.

Both mysteries in the book are easily solved without being too easy. The historical book Sam is writing mirrors what is going on in her family and life and makes for a fun read. Ms. Burns is a wonderful writer, her prose is fluid even when going from one story to the other. This is one of the best cozy mystery books coming out this month and I highly recommend Wed, Read & Dead to readers of all types of mysteries.

Readers will get a thrill from this book. If you enjoy authors such as Vicki Delany and her series “A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery” or the Ellery Adams series “Secret, Book & Scone Society Mystery” you will fall in love with this series and author.

ARC Provided by NetGalley

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of WED, READ & DEAD (Mystery Bookshop Mysteries Book 4) by V.M. Burns in exchange for an honest review. Samantha Washington is delighted with Harold Robertson, the lovely man her mother is marrying; however, she’s less than delighted with the couple’s decision to have the wedding almost immediately. No one is pleased with the snotty wedding planner Harold’s sister-in-law foists upon the couple. Harold, especially, is incensed with the wedding planner’s rude and condescending behavior toward Samantha’s sweet mother. Though Samantha and family joke that Harold is furious enough to throttle the woman, it’s no laughing matter when the woman is later found strangled. Sam, Nana Jo, and their coterie of senior sleuths swing into action to keep Harold from being arrested for the murder. As usual, Samantha works through the events surrounding her by penning a new mystery novel centering around the wedding of Lady Daphne Marsh to Lord James Browning.

I enjoyed this novel. I adore Nana Jo and the family dynamic. The people surrounding the core characters are wonderful in their own right. The more time I spend with the character, the more time I want to spend with them. I recommend this novel to fans of the series, fans of cozy mysteries with themes related to books, weddings, orphans, sassy seniors, and doggies.

#WedReadDead #NetGalley

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion..

This book is the 4th book in V.M. Burn’s Mystery Bookshop Series. Wed, Read & Dead has all of the perfect ingredients to make this a great book. There is intrigue, mystery, of course murder, and a great cast of characters who are intelligent, funny, and a bit quirky.

Samantha (Sam) Washington, an amateur sleuth and widow along with her friends and grandmother Nana Jo are busy trying to solve a murder, and plan a wedding after the wedding planner Lydia Lighthouse is found dead. All of this while finding time to oversee her Market Street Mysteries Bookstore in North Harbor, Michigan, and writing a British historical cozy mystery. .

To make matters worse two children are found hiding in her boyfriend’s restaurant. Frank call Sam over to the restaurant in the middle of the night when he finds them in the back storage area fast asleep. Sam quickly becomes very attached to the children and finds herself debating whether or not to return them to their foster parents. But, when Frank finds out the full story she knows there is only one right choice..

As the Sleuthing Seniors and Frank gather more information on all of the players associated with Lydia they learn she was blackmailing vendors and stealing from clients. So, who really killed Lydia? Well, you will just have to read the book to find out!

I especially liked this book as it is different from your normal novel. This oneprovides us with a sample of the book Sam is writing along with the main story.. You get to read two stories at the same time and I have never encountered that. I found myself wanting to know who killed Lydia, as much as, wanting to know who killed Claiborne

Can’t say enough good things about this cozy mystery. So, go out and buy your copy of Wed, Read, & Dead, I highly recommend this book!!!

This is the first I have read in V.M. Burns Mystery Bookshop series and I was instantly engaged. Who couldn't laugh at the antics of finding a dress for an adult daughter as a bridesmaid to her mother. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments, as well as a good mystery and tender and happy relationships. I enjoyed the way family was defined in this book and the side story of the children was extremely current. I also enjoyed the book within a book, as Sam was writing an historical mystery set in England. All in all I am now a big fan and look forward to many more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is the 4th installment in the Mystery Bookshop series. I love that this is set in Michigan and the author describes the area perfectly. This has a mystery within a mystery (in the book Sam is working on). Samantha Washington has her bookstore and is writing a historic mystery in which the wedding planner is killed. In real life Sam’s Mother Grace is planning a wedding on Christmas Eve to Harold and his sister hires a wedding planner as her gift to them. The wedding planner Lydia ends up dead and Grace is worried that Harold may become a suspect as her threatened her. Nana Jo (Sam’s Grandmother who lives in a retirement community) and Sam begin to investigate so the groom can remain the groom. I enjoy so much the cast of characters in this series to Nana Jo and her friends, her nephews who work at the bookstore and Dawson her assistant who is like her son. This extended family is what I love. This was a solid mystery with clues in the story Sam is writing along with the real murder gives you lots of chances to think you have solved to only find you were wrong. Recommend.