I love this series! The characters are great and I love the location. With the characters taking a trip to castle was an added bonus. The mystery kept me guessing. I eagerly look forward to the next book!

Fatal Fascinator: A Hat Shop Mystery
By Jenn McKinlay
Berkley
January 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

It’s wedding season in England, that time of year for romance, bridezillas, over-the-top hen parties, and of course brilliantly designed hats and fascinators. It’s for that latter that the Mims Whims hat shop owners Notting Hill have been called upon to design bridal headpieces for the bride-proclaimed “Wedding of the Year,” after the previous designer took off with the fascinators and Piper May’s deposit. Milliner Vivian Tremont wasn’t interested in assisting her frenemy until Viv learns that Waverly Castle is also near the relocated studio of renowned designer Dominick Falco, allowing them all to make a visit to her idol. Even though Piper considers Viv’s business partner and cousin Scarlett Parker to be something of a hanger-on, the bride lures Scarlett in with the opportunity to scout the site for her own future wedding. Scarlett did make herself infamous through a viral video of her crashing her married boyfriend’s anniversary party, but she has since moved on and very happily engaged to the adorable finance whiz Harrison Wentworth. He warns Scarlett to not once again get herself involved in the inevitable chaos that follows Viv, but perhaps he should also have mentioned that he and Piper once went on a few boringly uneventful dates. The daughter of new money bankers, Piper is marrying into an Old Money family who have gambled their way into destitution and are unable to maintain the high costs of a castle on their own. So while the obvious victim of a planned murder should be the heiress with an enviable amount of impending wealth, it’s the intended groom Dooney Portis whom Scarlett finds collapsed and decidedly dead.

After Piper demanded that Viv and Scarlett be fashion consultants and bridal party wranglers, they had thought that their biggest challenge would be dealing with the bridezilla and fat-shaming bridesmaids. Viv has the sense – and confidence – to pass on being a participant in the upcoming hen party, but Scarlett finds herself drawn into the turmoil when she is sympathetic to a browbeaten and shamed bridesmaid. When it soon comes to light that she may have dallied with the groom and vengefully taken retribution before he could walk down the aisle, Scarlett is unable to defend the poor girl and take on investigating on her behalf. Their photographer friend Andre having been bullied as a child by Dooney implicates him as well, so despite the Detective Inspector Stewarts warnings Scarlett once again finds herself delving into the secrets of these class-conscious and snobbish elites. Incriminating photos, blackmail, and financial debts all make for motives in someone making a final objection to the wedding vows.

This 7th of the series will have readers wanting to take the next plane trip to Sussex so that they too can enjoy the enviable sights and history of the gloriously described castle. Tea and other breakfast delicacies are of course a part of the many descriptions, and these prove to be as tantalizing as the intrigue going on among the pseudo upper class society. The legend of the ghost of the McKenna bride, who dooms all of those marrying without true love, adds a fun gothic romance twist to this classic British mystery. The writing is stellar as characters are introduced and developed into a believable cast of suspects, with the reveal of the ultimate culprit proving to be surprising and satisfying. This is a delightful entry into an outstanding series that makes the most of its castle setting and fashion-forward heroes.

Piper May is not Scarlett or Vivian's favorite person but she's getting married in a grand castle in Sussex and the chance to go to the wedding is actually more enticing than the job of making the headgear for the bridal party. Their pal Andre joins them and all is fun until...the groom is murdered. And of course, Vivian and Andre are suspects (along, btw, with most of the rest of the group). It's a classic cozy, with the trio working hard to find answers even as the villain- no spoilers! I've only read one of the preceding books in the series but that wasn't a problem because McKinlay gives good back story. It's both suitably twisty and easy to read (that's a good thing). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read.

Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay is book #7 in the Hat Shop Mystery series. Now imagine planning to get married in a castle where weddings are said to be cursed. Scarlett Parker, her cousin Vivian Turner who is well known for her millinery talent and their photographer friend Andre Eisel end up at Viv's frenemy Piper May's wedding at Waverly Castle. Murder occurs and the amateur sleuths are reluctantly on the case. Tempers are high as all the wedding party and guests are required to remain at the castle while the police investigate. I really enjoyed reading along as these characters solve the case. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Corgi, wedding-madness, milliner, friction, friendship, frustration, castle, whodunit, cozy-mystery, series, verbal-humor, situational-humor, mean-girls, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives****

This is the first I've read from this author/series.
If you like fashion/retail mysteries with interesting, entitled characters and lots of drama, you'll love this. The setting of the posh and historic old castle (of course) has a resident ghost and curse to go with it. Both the bride and groom are awful, self-centered, unpleasant people, and it isn't long before the first body (the groom) shows up -- in the library. Let the sleuthing begin!
I requested and received an EARC from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

3.5 stars

Vivian and Scarlett and the crew at the Hat Shop are back for another adventure. The two cousins, reunited in England, travel to a castle to make ultra chic and expensive hats for a wedding party. Both the bride and groom are awful people, rich and entitled and unpleasant, and it isn't long before the first body shows up -- in the library. Since Vivian and their photographer friend Andre who has accompanied them both have history with the victim, they fall under suspicion.

The setting of the posh and historic old castle of course has a resident ghost and curse to go with it. All the guests are obliged to remain during the investigation so Scarlett and Vivian nose in to help. The ensemble cast is always fun and these are quick and light reads. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In book seven of the Hap Shop Mystery series, Jenn McKinlay returns with a wedding-themed mystery. Hatmarkers Scarlett and Vivian must catch a killer as a wedding they are making hats for lands into trouble. I don’t usually love wedding-themed stories, so I was worried that I wouldn’t like this one as much as the other books in the series. However, I discovered that this book was more than I expected it to be.

Charming and fun, it keeps you on your toes the entire time. It made me want to read more despite the fast-paced nature of it.

I have been enjoying this series since the beginning because the setting and theme of this series is so unique to the genre. If you like fashion/retail mysteries with interesting characters and lots of charm, then I think you’ll enjoy this one. FATAL FASCINATOR is definitely a favorite of the series for me and I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys charming, light-hearted mysteries.

Viv’s longtime “fremeny” Piper begs Viv to make the hats for her upcoming wedding at a castle in the country, and Scarlet talks Viv into accepting the job. When the pre-wedding festivities turn murderous, though, they wish they’d had the sense to say no.

I was excited when I learned that there would be another book in this series that I've loved since the very first book. I have enjoyed learning more about hat making, something I never really gave much thought to before (I don't wear hats except on the coldest of winter days!).

I love the major characters and their various relationships, and was glad that most of them appeared in this book, despite being set in the country rather than at Mims' Whims. I especially like the addition of Bella, a corgi puppy :) I could have done without most of the "guest stars" in this book, who seemed to personify the rich-behaving-badly theme.

As usual for this author, the mystery was well-done, with a good number of potential suspects to consider. I thought I'd figured out whodunnit, and I was right, but the motive took me completely by surprise.

Given the way this book ended, I'm crossing my fingers that there's at least one more book before the series ends. I can't be the only reader who wants to see Scarlet and Harrison actually get married!

I love this series! This book takes place in a castle as an old frenemy of Viv's is getting married and Viv reluctantly agrees to do the bridesmaids' hats at the last minute. I love a good castle mystery, but I do miss the usual London setting for this series. The characters of Viv and Scarlett and Andre are always likeable, and there are plenty of murder mystery hijinx here--secret tunnels, libraries, two murders, and more. But I think the authentic London world the characters usually inhabit supports them better. This wouldn't be the book to dip into if you're not already a fan of this series. But for longtime readers, it's so good to see Scarlett and her gang again!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Scarlett and her cousin Viv, along with their friend Andres, are at a castle for the wedding. When the groom is found dead the plot thickens. Good cozy mystery, and although my first in the series I wasn't lost. Would highly recommend this book and author.

I have to admit that this is the first book in the series I've read. I am a fan of this authors other series, but for some reason this one slipped through the cracks.
I'm thrilled I got to meet Scarlett and Viv, their significant others and the rest of the fabulous characters in this book.
A wedding in a castle sounds absolutely romantic, but a murder tends to put a damper on things.
I'm planning to buy the first book in this series so I can start from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for introducing me to another wonderful series.
#FatalFascinator #NetGalley.

Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay is the latest of The Hat Shop Mysteries and a perfect blend of Bridezilla, upper and lower class British citizens and a castle. The characters grow nicely as they solve another murder and interact with each other and the bridal party. Ms. McKinlay never fails to entertain and this one is no exception.

Fatal Fascinator is a fun cozy mystery as Scarlett and crew are back, this time by attending a wedding at a castle after a last minute urgent request for fascinators for the bridesmaids. Will it provide Scarlett with her own inspiration for her wedding? That's all on hold when she finds the groom murdered in the library. No one really seemed to like him, but that doesn't mean anyone wanted him dead. He was from an old titled family and marrying a wealthy new money bride to restore their fortunes. But the castle carries a curse and many are sure that's what's truly behind his death. I love that Scarlett finds out so much info just by nosing around and listening to gossip along the way to put the pieces together. As the guests are all required to stay by orders of the police, it gives a isolated location vibe as she searches for more information.
I'm so glad this series has continued as I enjoy Scarlett and friends' relationships and crime solving. This setting was fun to get out of London and learn about their feelings towards the country while using the castle as a backdrop for intrigue.

#netgalleyarc I was really excited to see that this series was continuing on! I really enjoy the characters from this series and hope it gets a few more books. This was a classic “who done it?” mystery and the perfect easy read now that I’m back in school. The characters are still extremely likable and I’m a big fan of this author overall. Not a book I’ll purchase for my high school library but I really enjoyed reading it.

I was so glad that this series did not end at six. This was an interesting and entertaining adventure for Scarlett and Viv.

It's been a few years since we got to frolic with Scarlett and Vivian so it's lovely to have them back. McKinlay always has a good time solving mysteries with their crew--an easy, fun read!

The newest mystery in this popular cozy series is lots of fun -- the hat-making takes place in a real castle, at "the wedding of the year." An unusual amount of plot twists and turns truly keeps readers guessing and will hold interest all the way until the end. I look forward to recommending this title.

Jenn McKinlay’s mysteries are always humorous and a little offbeat with heartwarming relationships between close friends. Fatal Fascinator, the seventh Hat Shop mystery, fits that description perfectly.

Scarlett Parker could have saved everyone a great deal of grief if she ignored Piper May’s pleas that Scarlett’s cousin Viv Tremont design the fascinators for the bridesmaids for Piper’s wedding. But, Scarlett, a bride-to-be herself, couldn’t ignore Piper’s comments that it would be “the wedding of the year” held at Waverly Castle in Sussex. A castle! What she should have listened to was her friend Andre’s comments that Piper’s fiance, Dooney Portis, bullied him in school. And, Piper herself said she and Viv were frenemies. What convinced Viv? A famous hatmaker had retired to East Sussex, and Viv had the chance to meet him.

Even when they arrive at the castle, everyone seems on edge. Piper is on edge. Dooney is demanding and pushy. The bridesmaids have breakdowns when it comes to their dresses for the formal dinner. Piper and Dooney’s parents seem to be ignoring each other. Andre isn’t happy with the rumors that the castle is haunted by the ghost of the McKenna bride who died before her wedding. When Scarlett finds a body in the library, she thinks she and her friends can leave the castle. Detective Inspector Stewart has other ideas, saying no one can leave the grounds.

Oh, Scarlett’s off the hook. As an American, she had only met the victim. But, when her friends are considered suspects, and she’s the one who dragged them to the castle, she admits her “overactive conscience” won’t let her drop the subject of the investigation.

McKinlay’s latest book, with secret tunnels, a ghost story, and wedding plans is a fun addition to the Hat Shop series.

A fast and fun read for book 7 in the hat shop mystery series, as Scarlett and her famous hat designer cousin Viv are invited to a customers country wedding weekend in a castle. But when someone dies the first night Scarlett becomes involved solving yet another murder.