Fatal Cajun Festival was a fun and entertaining cosy mystery. I loved several of the characters, including Maggie's grandmother, though I can't say I liked Tammy too much because of her bullying and "mean girl"-tendencies. Another thing that I really loved, was the Louisiana setting, with a hint or two of New Orleans flair, in addition to the mix of French and Cajun patois.

Just like all my book trips to Pelican, LA, I didn't want this one to end! I love that Bo and Maggie have been planning their wedding (even though they've failed at coming up with a date). Vanessa was still able to be snarky, but now she was Maggie's friend, and she came in handy at giving advice on handling a bully seeing how she was one herself not so very long ago. I like the new and improved Rufus too. He's been a dad for a few books now and even though he's not with little Charli's mom, he is crazy about his baby girl. Maggie's friend Gaynell got a chance to shine with her Gator Girls band but she was worried about a high school bully named Tammy coming to the music festival. Tammy was a very rich and successful singer, and when she got there, she proved just how mean she could still be by suggesting that Gaynell was the one who killed her manager.

There was a really good twist in the plot which created another little mystery, and just when the killer was taken care of and the murder was solved, there were still more surprises coming. It was an enjoyable roller coaster ride to the finish and I absolutely can't wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Maggie Crozat’s grand-mere has come up with the idea of Pelican, Louisiana, holding a musical festival in the days leading up to New Orleans’s famous Jazz Fest. Tammy Barker, a native who has gained fame as the winner of the TV singing competition, has agreed to return to headline the event. This isn’t good news for Maggie’s friend, Gaynell, however. Gaynell and Tammy went to high school together, and Tammy seems to have it out for her, even sabotaging Gaynell’s shot at auditioning for Jazz Fest. So when a murder takes place after Tammy’s set opening night of the festival, all eyes are on Gaynell. Can Maggie clear her friend?

This is the fifth book in the series, and it was wonderful to get to visit our friends in Pelican again. Maggie leads a strong cast. While there are quite a few regulars plus the suspects, I didn’t have any trouble keeping the characters straight while I was reading. However, there is a handy character guide in the front of the book if you do need it. The plot is strong with a couple of equally as strong sub-plots to keep the pages turning. I especially enjoyed a sub-plot involving Grand-mere. The twists and turns lead us to a logical climax. My only complaint is how Maggie works with the police, but it was a minor issue overall. We get five recipes and some fun background on things we learn in the story at the end of the book. I always feel like I’ve visited Louisiana when I read one of these books, and this one is no expectation. Fans old and new will be glad they picked it up.

I have to own up to something up front: I grabbed this book on Netgalley thinking it was part of another series. I was a little hesitant to read it because I wasn’t entirely on board with the author’s last book, but I am actually really glad I did as I enjoyed this book so much more than the last one. So thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!

Rants, Raves, and Reviews
Given all the heavy reading I’ve done lately, especially for Judging Book Covers, I was dying (ha!) for something lighter overall. And I just happened to have a cozy mystery in need of reviewing — perfect timing!

Overall, this book flowed better than the last in the series. There are still so many characters, but this time there is a map of who everyone is. And the band members had weird names like “The Sound,” so it was a little easier to keep track of who was who. And having a little bit of a background probably helped.

The overall story is fun, in a suspend your real life kind of way. I mean, if deaths actually happened at a festival they would shut down for awhile, right? (I honestly don’t know but am clinging on to a little bit of my beliefs in people.)

It has definitely been interesting reading cozy mysteries written in a post #metoo world. (Also in a post-Trump world — there is one soft reference to Trump that made me question if I was supposed to like a character or not?) The deaths of several cozy mysteries that have fallen into this category have definitely featured scummy dudes who represent the worst in Hollywood. Pony, Tammy’s manager and the novel’s murderee, fits that perfectly. I can’t always tell who is going to be murdered, but he was clearly the target here. He has a reputation of bedding his way through the music world. Gaynell “lucks” into a meeting with him thanks to Tammy, and he promptly tells her she’s not fuckable. (Edited in the book, because it is a cozy mystery that doesn’t have swear words. Which, I am all for, but don’t say things like “you word-that-rhymes-with-witch” in a yelling argument. It is always going to take me out of the moment.) He then later, on stage in front of several people, tells her that she knows what she can do to get into the business, causing her to snap.

Mostly, it is standard cozy mystery tropes, which I am fine with. But what elevated it some for me is the kind of subplot going on of is Tammy bullying Gaynell or is Maggie overreacting? I mean, it is clear that Tammy is pulling some high school mean girl tricks (enough to cause slight anxiety in my stomach, thank you childhood) but at first they’re so subtle that you can’t quite tell.

I will say my biggest complaint with cozy mysteries is that the climax of the book — the part where our amateur detective is kidnapped or in trouble in some way with the killer — is almost always super short and under developed. This book unfortunately suffers from that as well. I like the climax, but I wanted more. More lead up, more interaction, just more. It’s barely felt like two pages. And the reason for Tammy’s bullying could have been more for me. Not the exact reason (it’s fine) but the discussion of it could have been more? Still, I like that reveal and what happens after it. It made me laugh quite a bit.
Maggie’s grandmother was one of my favorite characters of the last book, and I’m a bit bummed she’s fairly sidelined in this book. She spends the whole book essentially cleaning out their house, doing a “death cleaning” (cleaning out things that she doesn’t want to leave to her son and granddaughter after she dies). That being said, I loved the scenes with her. She has a shocking revelation, and I just wanted more of this! But major kudos to the author for how the twist is revealed.

Final Thoughts
Overall, it isn’t the best cozy mystery I’ve read this year, but it’s definitely a good one. And as someone who seriously misses Cajun food (COME ON NYC, GET GOOD CAJUN FOOD), I am seriously excited to see the shrimp etouffe recipe in the back. And I am even more excited to back and read more of this series.

I liked this book even if I don't think it's the best in the series.
Even if it's entertaining it's not gripping as the previous instalment.
I was happy to meet the fleshed out cast of characters and read about their life and development.
The mystery was quite good even and kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Fatal Cajun Festival is the fifth in the Cajun Country Mystery series by Ellen Byron. I have read every book in this series and it is one of my all time favorites. Having said that, I feel you could read this as a stand alone but you will benefit from reading all of the books.
Our protagonist, Maggie Crozat, and her family own a B&B in Pelican, LA. and it's time for Cajun Country Live, a music festival Maggie's friend and co-worker, Gaynell has an all girls band, the Gator Girls and will be performing and hoping this will be the big break for them. But when there is a murder on the stage of a member of the headliners entourage, all eyes are on Gaynell. Maggie knows she couldn't nor wouldn't have done it. It's up to Maggie and her detective finace, Bo to find the actual killer.
You get plenty of twists and turns, romance, humor, and family and friendship.
This is a well written, easy to read cozy mystery
Warning, you may have a craving for pralines but there are recipes included.
I was given an ARC by the publisher and NetGalley and have provided an honest review..

Fatal Cajun Festival is an engaging cozy mystery that will have your craving etouffee and a beignet. Fatal Cajun Festival by Ellen Byron is the fifth A Cajun Country Mystery. This is a series that I recommend reading in order because it will allow you to get to know the characters and the town. I enjoy Ellen Byron’s conversational writing style. Her story welcomes you and I soon find myself immersed in the story. There is a great cast of characters in A Cajun Country Mystery series. I like their Southern charm and Louisiana quirkiness. Maggie comes from a close family and lives with her grandmother, Charlotte. Maggie was happy to put her wedding plans on the back burner to help with the festival. She designed the graphics for the festival and is also making the pralines (they are yummy) to sell at the Pelican Praline booth. Unfortunately, the Crozat B&B kitchen is off limits thanks to Tammy and her entourage with their special meal requests. Maggie must rely on the kindness of her friends and relatives for the use of their kitchens. I liked Gaynell with her sweet demeanor and beautiful voice. Gaynell and the Gator Girls played lively tunes that set my toes to tapping. I thought the mystery was clever from the way the individual was killed to the killer. You need to pay careful attention to the clues, or you will end up fingering the wrong person. Charlotte is sorting through her belongings and uncovers some information about her deceased husband that raises questions and sends her on a journey. The joyful ending will have you beaming. At the end of the book there are a couple of recipes including one for pecan pralines. Fatal Cajun Festival is a harmonious cozy mystery with lip-smacking pecan pralines, toe tapping Cajun tunes, a dramatic diva, an electric stage, a clever killer and a sneaky sleuth.

The fifth book in the Cajun Country Mystery series by Ellen Byron. Maggie Crozat and her family and friends are back in another fun book for this series. When mysteries happen in Pelican, LA, Maggie is quick to help investigate and find the guilty party.

In this book, a local festival is happening in Pelican. Tammy, a singer, returns to her hometown of Pelican to headline the festival. Tammy holds a grudge against Gaynell, one of Maggie's friends. Along with Tammy are her manager and band members. When Tammy's manager is killed, Gaynell becomes a suspect, and Maggie sleuths to prove Gaynell's innocence.

I have now read three books in this series, and have enjoyed each one. I plan to go back and read the two books I skipped. The mysteries for each book are standalone stories, but the personal events happening with the characters is a continuing storyline.

Fun characters in a delightful setting. I love the quirkiness and Southern charm of Pelican and its residents. An entertaining read for fans of cozy mysteries.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although I'm sure you'd enjoy reading 1-4, Book 5 functioned fine for me as a standalone for several reasons. (Magnolia) Maggie Crozat is proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B in Pelican, Louisana. Her fiancé is Detective Bo Durand. Gaynell Bourgeois is Maggie's best friend and soon to be person of interest. I'll further mention Tammy Barker, the local girl mega country star come back to gloat.

It is Maggie's Grand-mère (Charlotte Crozat) who suggests the little town have a Cajun Country Live! Festival to catch music fans on their way to the larger fest. Maggie will gear up her booth with Pelican Pralines as well as offer her paintings.

Being a headliner, Tammy arrives amid huge pomp with her entourage, totally over-shadowing another local musician, Gaynell. There is bound to be a clash and Gaynell and her Gator Girls land in the middle. Tammy's manager is soon discovered in some bushes. Dead. Before Tammy's group moves on to the Jazz Festival, Maggie will have to move fast to clear Gaynell's name.

This book exudes that enthusiastic feel good time--food and music. The mystery gets complicated, but then you're immersed in the whole atmosphere of the Louisiana Cajun Country.

The dialogue is peppered with a mix of French and Cajun patois. It is the history and tidbits of the area that I most appreciated. It is well-paced and I didn't guess either the perp or the reason, which provides a fascinating twist, even entirely plausible. The conclusion came on the heels of another of Maggie's open mouth, insert foot moments. She did annoy me a couple times. Gaynell's character was engaging. I loved the recipes!

I received this digital ebook from the publisher and NetGalley and was thoroughly entertained, grateful to have the opportunity to read and review. I'm totally onboard for Book 6! Recommended to those mystery fans who don't always get a cozy and to anyone looking for an entertaining read. (Eat first.) 4.5/5 stars

See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/09/10/fatal-cajun-festival-by-ellen-byron-a-bookreview-cozy/

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

The characters in this cozy-mystery are just great. I love the slow burn romance between Bo and Maggie, who between solving murders in Pelican, LA have gotten engaged. They just need to set the date. I love how Bo respects Maggie and asks for her help in solving this murder.

Native daughter, Country music star Tammy Barker, jump started her career by winning Sing It a TV talent show, like Carrie Underwood. Tammy has a whole lot of attitude like Reba, except she's not a nice person. She is back in Pelican to headline the first Cajun Country Live! Music Festival. Also performing at the Festival and looking for her big break will be Maggie's best friend, Gaynell Bourgeois and her girl band, the Gator Girls. There are bad feelings between Tammy and Gaynell since high school and Tammy does her best to ruin Gaynell's big chance. When one of Tammy's posse is murdered she does everything she can to implicate Gaynell.

Gaynell is just lucky to have Maggie and Bo on her side and that there are a whole lot of people, everyone in Tammy's entourage (including Tammy) who make just as good suspects. Maggie makes it her job to get close to the musicians and find out who really committed the murder.

I’m loving this series and these characters. We’ve all known that mean girl or that bully. Can they change their ways? I’ll let you decide that. Have you ever done a “death cleaning”? You just have to love Gran! You may be surprised what you find! I think Gran may wonder how her life might have been different if circumstances had not played out the way they did. I love the setting of this story. Small towns are my favorite. I can’t wait to see how Maggie and Gran’s plans play out! Hope you enjoy this series as much as I do. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Once again Ellen Byron takes us to the fictional town of Pelican, Louisiana, where rising country star Tammy Baker returns to her hometown bringing with her a group of musicians with problems of their own, and it doesn't take long for a member of her entourage to be murdered. When Maggie's friend Gaynell is accused of the deed, Maggie and her hunky fiance, Detective Bo Durand, must work together to find the real murderer and clear her name.
Another rollicking good time set in the bayou, Agatha Award winning author Ellen Byron shows readers exactly why her Cajun Country Mystery Series is an absolute must for all lovers of cozies, Scrumptious recipes are included at the end, and I'm really looking forward to making the pralines!. 5 stars, A+, and highly recommended!

I just love this author. And this series never disappoints. All the characters are so well developed. We got to see all our lovable peeps from earlier books in the series. Maggie is one of my favorites. The story kept me guessing all the way to the end. My favorite thing about the series is how it’s set in Louisiana. Also, the books can be read as stand alone or in any order. I’ve only been to Louisiana one time but I absolutely loved it. It’s so magical, whether in the country or the city.

**Thank you NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review**

Ellen Byron hits the nail on the head when it comes to capturing small town Louisiana and Cajun whimsy. This mystery is set at a plantation bed and breakfast and revolves around Tammy Barker, who made it big on a television show music competition and has returned to perform at her hometown cultural festival. Tammy was also the bully among the girls in her class and her return with her Hollywood manager and band brings drama and the death of her manager.

Having grown up in Louisiana I was surprised to see the author is from out of state. Her work at capturing the character and little details of rural Louisiana and the locals' interaction with the Hollywood crew was humorous and entertaining.

Overall, I found the book a fun read and the characters interesting. A large cast of possible suspects kept me reading and engaged and from start to finish and questioning who would be implicated in the crime. I am new to cozy novels and have read good ones and bad and my impression is that this one had more depth and variety to the storyline than others. This book is one in a series of Louisiana cozy mysteries and makes a fine stand alone read. I don't have anything negative to report and look forward to reading more by this author. My rating is 4 Stars: I really liked it! For reference my version of a 5 star review is “I absolutely loved it! It will stay with me for a long time and/or I would read it again in the future. Highly recommended.”

As a reviewer for NetGalley, I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#FatalCajunFestival #NetGalley

"Fatal Cajun Festival" the 5th installment in the "A Cajun Country Mysteries" by Ellen Byron. Even though this is the first book I have read in the series I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting and have since purchased the other books in the series.

Louisiana B&B owner Maggie Crozat kicks up her heels at a country music festival--but she'll have one foot in the grave if she can't bring the killer of a diva's hanger-on to heel.

Grab your tickets for Cajun Country Live!, the pickers' and crooners' answer to the legendary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Maggie Crozat, proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B, plans to be in the cheering section when her friend Gaynell Bourgeois takes the stage with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls.

The festival's headliner, native daughter Tammy Barker, rocketed to stardom on a TV singing competition. She has the voice of an angel...and the personality of a devilish diva. But Maggie learns that this tiny terror carries a grudge against Gaynell. She's already sabotaged the Gator Girls' JazzFest audition. When a member of Tammy's entourage is murdered at the festival, Tammy makes sure Gaynell is number one on the suspect list.

Gaynell has plenty of company on that list--including every one of Tammy's musicians. Posing as a groupie, Maggie infiltrates Tammy's band and will have to hit all the right notes to clear her friend's name.
The protagonist Maggie is a strong, independent woman. The characters are well rounded and seem real as I could relate to each of them. I especially loved Maggie's family as they provide humor, quirkiness especially her feisty grand-mère. The town of Pelican Cove, Louisiana is interesting too.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have read in this series and I love it. I have some catching up to do though. Maggie is a strong character and I enjoyed reading about her family’s bed and breakfast. This book had some twists and turns that kept me guessing. I look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fantastic addition to a terrific series. Cajun diva causes havoc. Several surprises. Kept me guessing. Lots of heart and triplets. What fun!

Maggie Crozat is pretty jazzed at her beloved grandmère’s idea for encouraging tourism during the slow season of their small Louisiana town. Hoping to take advantage of business on its way to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Charlotte Crozat proposes that Pelican should hold its own music festival on the Sunday to Thursday leading up to the bigger event. When Tammy Barker, local girl made good through a reality singing competition program, agrees to headline, the Cajun Country Live! Music and Culture Fest looks to be a sure success.

So it’s a surprise to Maggie when her younger friend and co-worker, Gaynell Bourgeois, seems less than enthused by Tammy’s return. Gaynell is a talented musician herself, and with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls, is hoping to make an impression at both festivals. Gaynell finally confides in Maggie that Tammy had bullied her back in high school, so they’re both understandably wary when the country star and her team arrive to stay at Maggie’s family’s B&B.

At first, Tammy appears to have matured past her high school behavior, even offering to set Gaynell and her band up with her own manager, Pony Pickner. But when Pony makes an unwanted pass at Gaynell, and Tammy’s proverbial claws start to show, Gaynell’s dreams of stardom begin to fade… and that’s even before Pony is found dead and Tammy accuses Gaynell of murder.

Even if Maggie weren’t already an (unofficial) auxiliary member of Pelican’s police department, Gaynell’s plight would definitely encourage her to investigate. But it will mean pretending to break off her long hoped-for engagement with handsome police detective Bo Durand in order to pose as a groupie on the rebound, so she can uncover the secrets of Tammy and her entourage, and find out who really wanted Pony dead.

This was another winning entry in the Cajun Country mystery series, packed full of local color and pizzazz. I felt truly immersed in the music and the characters depicted, and very much enjoyed the subplot regarding Grandmère’s efforts at <i>döstädning</i>, the Swedish tradition of paring down one’s belongings as the end of life approaches. It’s always a pleasure to come back to Pelican and enjoy the company of its denizens (and the cover art is definitely my favorite of the series so far!)

It’s also great to read about the mouth-watering food! Ellen Byron included recipes for five of the dishes described, and I decided to try out the following:

QUOTE
Shrimp Etouffèe

½ pound butter or light butter
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
¼ cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, such as Tony Chachere’s
1 tablespoon flour (or 2 tablespoons if you want to thicken the sauce more)
1 cup either shrimp stock, crawfish stock, chicken stock, or water
1 pound peeled shrimp or peeled crawfish tails
6 cups cooked white rice

Using medium to high heat, melt the butter in a heavy, large skillet. Add the onion, pepper, celery, garlic, parsley, salt, and Cajun seasoning. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, then reduce the heat a bit and cook until the onion softens.

Add the flour, stirring well. As soon as the flour begins to stick to the bottom of the skillet, add the stock slowly until you’ve added it all to the mixture, stirring well to combine.

Simmer the mixture until it bubbles, add the shrimp or crawfish, and stir well. Bring the mixture to a bubble again, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer the ètouffèe for ten to fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve over 1 cup of white rice per serving. Or, if you want to make it low calorie, serve it over riced cauliflower instead of rice.

Serves 6.
END QUOTE

I used lobster stock with this dish, because I’m fancy (and already had a bottle in my fridge) like that. I figured it didn’t matter so long as I used something seafood-y, given the other options presented in the recipe. I am not, however, fancy enough to pass over the convenience of using instant rice. Neither choice detracted from the rich, velvety taste of this seafood, vegetable and rice dish, though! Even my lovely assistant Karin, who doesn’t care for peppers, and my husband, who doesn’t care for celery, enjoyed the ètouffèe. Personally, I could have done with a little more of both vegetables, and perhaps more spiciness, but this easy recipe would serve as a great introduction to Cajun cooking for anyone wanting to explore the cuisine.

Next week, we head north to investigate murder and mischief on the banks of Lake Michigan, while making delightfully gory Halloween candy. Do join me!

Fantastic setting and characters, as well as a fast pace, make this well written book a joy to read.

Lively characters, and a compelling mystery. The Cajun setting is engaging, it's hard not to smile as you read this book. The abundance of quirk, and the many plot twists, make for a fast and fun read.