I just love this series! The audiobook is one of my favorites because of the narrators. This one had a good amount of twists and make me want to run to the English countryside. Scarlett finds herself in front of another dead body but this time it might be a castle curse, if one believes in ghosts. I hope there are more of this sleuthing crew!

I love castles, and I have always been fascinated by the hats worn in England on all sorts of occasions. Fatal Fascinator encompasses both of these wonderfully intriguing items and has a delightful murder to boot. Hat makers Viv and Scarlett are back, and this time they are taking things up a notch!

After Scarlett convinces Viv to spend a weekend at a beautiful castle and create hats for a frienemies upcoming wedding, she thinks it will be smooth sailing. But not long after arriving at the castle, a murder takes place, and the wedding is canceled. Scarlett feels it is her responsibility to find out who the killer is and keep Viv or her best friend, Andre, from either becoming victims or suspects.

The suspects are contained in the castle, but the list includes guests, bridal party members, family, and staff. There are plenty of people to pick from and several motives that could work for a variety of suspects. Evidence is a bit harder to come by, as even the hats play a vital part, and readers may feel as if they are going around in circles. But as with all of the books in this series, eventually, you realize who the killer has to be and, like Scarlett, set out to prove it. When the killer is uncovered, many will be surprised or delighted, depending on your take on the entire story.

The setting for this book, a castle, is beyond imagination and gives all of us a nice feeling of history, England, Sussex in particular, and hats. The hats, which, no matter how hard you try, you really want to see and wear. Fatal Fascinator is enjoyable, a quick read, and filled with everything that makes England fascinating to so many across the globe. I hope readers who haven’t picked this book up or started this series do so right away and enjoy it as much as I do.

I was so happy to get to spend time with Scarlett, Viv, and friends again! Jenn McKinlay is one of my favorite authors and the Hat Shop Mysteries my favorite of all her series. Fatal Fascinator did not let me down. Scarlett and Vivian travel to a castle for a wedding and end up having to stay when the groom is murdered. For a mystery, there is also quite a bit of humor and a little bit of romance.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One of my favorite and most recommended authors, both for her mysteries and romances.
Always enjoy reading about familiar characters that I enjoy!

I love anything that Jenn McKinlay writes and I am so glad that she continues the story with the Hat Shop series. I love the dynamics between Scarlett and her cousin Vivian, and I am so thrilled that Scarlett and Harrison are engaged. Can't wait to read more from this series.

I was so excited when I heard there was a new book in the Hat Shop Mystery. After a three year wait, I easily picked right back up with my favorite cozy cast for this fun destination wedding turned crime scene. Scarlett and photographer Andre tag along with Viv to attend a prestigious countryside wedding. The client has hired Mim’s Whims to create custom fascinators for her bridesmaids. Sadly they never get to use them because the groom winds up poisoned in the library during the dinner rehearsal.

This was a fun addition to the series. The cast leaves their typical London setting and heads to a beautiful castle in the outskirts of Sussex. I love exploring the site. It had elaborate rooms, an amazing library, intricately planned gardens, hidden tunnels and even tales of a ghost haunting the residence.

The mystery was captivating with plenty of drama, a few red herrings and plausible suspects. I pegged the culprit, but was still surprised to learn about their motive.

I was happy to see my beloved Harry join the crew as well as Fe and Nick. They truly make a wonderful group of friends. Their pun wars made me smile. After this ending and the discussions of a certain couple’s upcoming nuptials, I hope there will be news of another book soon.

Renowned London hatmaker Vivian Tremont is hired by her frenemy, Piper May, to design the headpieces for her bridesmaids. Viv’s cousin and business partner, Scarlett Parker, convinces Viv to take the job so they both can spend a weekend away at this society wedding being held at a castle in Sussex. Piper is difficult, and her groom is a bully, but Scarlett is determined to enjoy the whole castle experience. In spite of tensions among the wedding party, Scarlett thinks it could be a nice weekend since her friend Andre is the wedding photographer and will be there with her and Viv. However, any hopes of fun are dashed even before the ceremony takes place when Scarlett discovers the groom’s dead body on the floor of the library. When Viv and Andre become suspects because of their history with the groom, Scarlett decides to do her own investigating to find the real killer.

Fatal Fascinator is the seventh book in the Hat Shop Mystery series. It’s been a while since I have read this series, but I was able to easily catch up after the first chapter. Enough background information is given about the characters that new readers will have no trouble enjoying the book. Many of the things I originally liked about this series, such as the frequent moments of humor, are present in this book. I also like the premise of the two cousins running their grandmother’s hat shop. I really like the outgoing Scarlett and her loving fiancé Harrison, who luckily plays an important role in the story. I missed the character of Fiona (“Fee”), who is so much fun, but she was left behind to watch the shop and Scarlett’s dog. Although I find Scarlett to be down-to-earth and relatable, I’ve never warmed to the more aloof Viv. She is amazing when designing hats and putting bullies in their place, but at other times her superior attitude can be annoying.

The castle is a great setting for a mystery, with numerous rooms, secret tunnels, and the rumor of a ghost from a thousand years ago cursing present-day couples. I like the fast pace of the book and think this is a fun read. It is a little light in the actual investigation, but the showdown with the killer is still tense, but entertaining. The book is a nice, light read for fans of Jenn McKinlay or anyone who appreciates cozy mysteries with plenty of humor.

~ Christine

It's been awhile since the last book in this series came out so I was super excited to see this new book and it didn't let me down. Despite the challenging personalities involved in the "wedding of the year" Scarlett just can't resist a castle wedding. I loved her enthusiasm for the grandeur of the historic building though it does sour as time goes on.

Just who had wanted to the rather dreadful groom dead and why? Scarlett, Viv, and Andre do a bit of sleuthing which mostly consists of paying close attention to all the drama around them as well as an occasional useful bit of eavesdropping. I really didn't know the whos and the whys until the very end when Scarlett figured it out and it was a thoroughly entertaining time getting there.

This is a light fun cozy mystery with a great setting. If you're looking for a quick read with likable characters this is a fun series.

Great new installment to this series! I liked that this was set at a castle wedding but provided a unique setting for the gang and set up a locked room mystery with so many new characters. This was a quick read and very enjoyable!

It's wedding season at the hat shop. Scarlet and her cousin Vivian are busy crafting and creating some of the most lovely headwear to be seen in London. A bride-to-be, claiming her wedding is to be the one of the year, requests for a rush job of fascinators for her bridal party. After a little reluctance, Vivian agrees to the request, while Scarlet convinces Vivian to attend the event as promotion for the hat shop. A weekend in the country is not something that Vivian nor their photographer friend Andre looks forward to. With what Scarlet picture should be a fairy tale wedding things take a turn when the groom is found dead. Then only a short time later the would have been best man is found dead as well. Can a hat shop crew figure out who the killer is before one of them falls victim themselves.

I am a fan of Jenn McKinley’s works across-the-board, but the hat shop series seems to hold a special place with me. It might just be because it’s the first one of her series I have stumbled across. It’s been three years since we’ve had time in London with our beloved, milliners, Scarlet and Vivian. Even though Fatal Fascinator takes us away from the beloved hat shop, Scarlet and Vivian get an adventure in a castle. Scarlet is now a doggy. Mom and I loved the interaction with her little corgi and all the characters. Even though she wasn’t there for most of the book, she was brought up quite often. As always with the hat shop books, you get a big dose of humor, a bit of glamorous fashion, and a mystery that will keep you on your toes. I love the stuff Scarlet gets herself into some of the most unpredictable situations and yet her friends find this as normal. Those are what you call true friends.

Fatal Fascinator is a brilliant addition to the hot shot mystery series.

Jenn McKinlay is back with another Hat Shop Mysteries book! This is exciting as she does not write as many in this series as often as she does with other series. I see you, my favorite, Cupcake Murder Mysteries! Fatal Fascinator is the 7th book in the series, and we see again cousins, Viv and Scarlett. They have been asked to create the hats for a wedding which will take place at a Scottish castle. The bride is Viv’s frenemy, and she learns that her fiancé dated the bride at one time. Suddenly, the groom is murdered, and the girls have a case on their hands. Before it can be solved, however, another person dies. Can the two help solve the case before another falls victim to the killer?

I loved this addition to the Hat Shop Mysteries series. One thing I especially loved was how punny it was. Seriously though, I did love when the had fun doing all the puns (No rhyming intended.). This was a fun new addition for any fan of Cozy Mysteries. It is great whether you have been reading them in order, or if you have never read one before. I cannot wait to recommend this book to everyone!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fatal Fascinator is the latest release in the Hat Shop Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. Once again poor Scarlett has the misfortune of finding yet another dead body. She and her friends decide to investigate to figure out who the murderer is, but before they get too far in their investigation the murderer strikes again. As Scarlett starts to put the clues together the killer attacks her not once but twice. Will the calvery come to Scarlett’s aide in time? Read Fatal Fascinator to find out.
I loved visiting with Scarlett, Harrison, and their friends again. Reading Fatal Fascinator was like catching up with an old friend. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery lovers out there. Jenn McKinlay truly has a gift for creating some well developed characters that are very entertaining, realistic, and unforgettable.

When cousin Vivian Tremont is asked to design the hats for a wedding set in a castle, American Scarlett Parker can't think of anything better than spending the weekend in the country in a real-life castle. Perhaps she and Harrison should get married in a castle. But when she finds the groom dead, she discovers the castle isn't so enchanting.

I love Jenn McKinlay's Library Lovers series and I really enjoy her Cupcake Bakery series, but I haven't quite gotten in to the Hat Shop Mysteries. Two years ago I listened to book 6 through my digital library and I thought perhaps it was just because I was jumping into the series. But I still didn't get the "must read" vibe reading Fatal Fascinator which is book 7 in the series.

I'm not sure why I don't love it. It is well-written and the characters are good. Perhaps it is just that I don't care about fashion, whereas I love books, libraries, and cupcakes. I do love hats, but they aren't really focused on in the story since Scarlett isn't a hatmaker.

If you are a Jenn McKinlay fan then I think you should definitely check out this series. Unlike the other two series I read by her, this on is set in England. Scarlett's mother is British and when Scarlett's aunt dies, she leaves the hat shop to her and her cousin. Her cousin Vivian has the creative talent for designing hats and Scarlett has the people skills to handle the clients.

I don't really remember much about book 6 but I didn't have any trouble figuring out the characters. It might be helpful that Vivian, Scarlett, and their photographer friend Andre are at the destination wedding so the "regular" characters are limited. Series regulars Harrison, Nick, Alastair, Fiona, and of course, the dog Bella all make an appearance but they are only briefly on the page. So if you haven't tried this series but want to start with this book, I don't think it will be a problem.

The mystery was good. I figured out how the murder happened but not who did the killing before the end of the book.

My review is published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/01/fatal-fascinator-by-jenn-mckinlay-review.html

I like the characters and that we went outside of London for this mystery. The mystery kept me guessing and I liked the castle setting. Were they going to meet the ghost? (Not telling). I also like the relationship between the friends. It is good to have support when trying to solve a murder (or two)

Thank you to the author, publisher or NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an hones review.

Cousins Scarlett and Viv have agreed to create the hats for the wedding of the season. Scarlett is mainly excited because it means they’ve scored an invitation, and the wedding is taking place in a castle in the country. Even their friend Andre is there as the wedding photographer. But joy turns to tragedy when Scarlett finds the dead body of the groom in the library. With no one allowed to leave while the police investigate, Scarlett can’t help but poked around. Will she figure out what happened?

Since author Jenn McKinlay is so busy writing, we don’t get quite as many entries in this series as in some of her others. That makes it nice to get to revisit these characters again. A few of the regulars have cameos than a real part, but it was still nice to see everyone and see how they are continuing to grow. The book is filled with suspects, but I never had a hard time keeping them all straight. The story was always moving forward, and the plot had a few nice surprises on the way to the climax. The pages just flew by. Meanwhile, there were plenty of moments that made me laugh or grin, including some pun wars, which I always enjoy. Whether you are a fan of the series or just checking it out, you’ll enjoy this book.

Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful story. I am pleased to see the return of A Hat Shop Mysteries. Scarlett Parker and her cousin, Vivian Tremont are back. Viv agrees to make the bridesmaid’s hats for Piper May’s upcoming wedding. Scarlett convinces Viv to attend the event which will give them a weekend in the country. Unfortunately, their relaxing weekend goes awry when the groom is found dead. The lead detective declares that no one can leave while the crime is being investigated. Scarlett, of course, cannot resist digging into the case. She gets help from Viv and her dashing fiancé, Harrison Wentworth. Can the trio discover the killer’s identity before he strikes again? Fatal Fascinator is a fun story to read. I love the characters, especially Scarlett. She is a lively woman. Scarlett is engaged to Harrison and has a darling puppy. Things are never dull when Scarlett is around. Vivian is a fashionista who is more reserved than her American cousin. Harrison is a sweet guy who loves Scarlett. The mystery was interesting, but it a little weak. The murder of the fiancé occurs around the halfway mark. I wish it had happened sooner. By the time the whodunit happens, I knew who and how. I had an inkling as to the why. I am hoping the author will up her game in the next A Hat Shop Mystery. Fatal Fascinator is the seventh A Hat Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I do recommend reading all the books in this engaging series. There is humor throughout the story. Scarlett manages to get herself in the oddest predicaments. Fatal Fascinator is a diverting tale with an unbending bride, a precious puppy, superfluous luggage, a lifeless fiancé, a determined detective, fashionable fascinators, and a wedding date debate.

Jenn McKinlay knocks it out of the park again in her latest cozy mystery. This time, we see Scarlett, Viv, and Andre whisked away to the countryside for a wedding, for which Viv provides last-minute bridesmaid hats, Andre is photographing, and Scarlett is there to smooth over any ruffled feathers. But shortly after they arrive, Scarlett discovers the body of the groom! The police insist everyone remain in the castle while they investigate, and Scarlett can't help but doing some investigating of her own.

The castle wedding was a perfect new and logical location to bring our hat shoppe gang for a new mystery to solve. It introduced a generally closed environment, loads of new characters, and a fun setting. I was also shocked by parts of the conclusion--and I'm pretty hard to fool! I typically listen to this series on audiobook, which I think is the best way to "read" it, as it has the most fabulous narrator who champions numerous accents and voices, but I enjoyed reading this one on ebook, as well. It's a quick read and easy to binge!

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Fatal Fascinator is the most recent addition to the Hat Shop Mystery Series by Jenn McKinlay. I have enjoyed other cozy mysteries by McKinlay, and Fatal Fascinator did not disappoint. This was the first from the series that I have read, and now plan to read the others. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Viv and Scarlet are hired to design the headpieces for a wedding at a castle. Unfortunately the groom is found murdered! Will the hat designers be able to find the murderer before another of the wedding party is murdered? The hat series is so much fun to read. Culture clashes between Americans and Brits is a highlight of this series.

I love this series by Jenn McKinlay. It's set in England, involves a hat shop, has great characters, and there's always a good mystery. This installment takes the hat shop crew to an English country wedding where the wedding of a not too pleasant aristocrat is taking place. On the first night of the wedding festivities, the groom is murdered and the castle where the wedding is taking place is locked down. The hat makers don their sleuth hats and work to solve the murder. This entertaining romantic mystery is fast paced and kept me guessing for quite awhile. I really enjoyed this fun, quick read and would recommend it to all cozy mystery fans. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this.