First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma is a slight mystery with four friends who work at Wynton’s, a department store in the 1950’s. I love how eccentric and different the four women are. They spend time together, encourage each other, and lean on each other in hard times. Personally, I wish the story had a deeper spiritual thread for the characters. Maybe show them reading the Bible together and praying. I believe more women need women that will pour into each other’s lives. On the other hand, the mystery is really, really tame. Occasionally, another bride appears dead, and the four women talk about it, but then they move back on with their daily lives. It is not the central aspect of the story, which is what the title does lead the readers to believe that it is. Readers will find the tiny details like the bus ride to ring true for the time period that the story takes place in. Readers will enjoy the little details like the clothes and the order of what women can and cannot do. Mumma has spent some time trying to research and stay true to the time period. Overall, First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma reads okay for a historical fiction piece, but I needed more spirituality in the character’s lives and more attention to the mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Fans of cozy mysteries will delight in this next book in the Women of Wynton mystery series!
The intrepid group of amateur sleuths are joined by a few new characters as they try to puzzle out who is responsible for a string of murders in their little Florida town, targeting young brides and one of their own--dear Miss Vivien.

Another enjoyable 'who-dun-it' with a crime wave that seems to stump everyone. I like how the group of friends rallies around each other, encouraging them in their jobs, friendships and home life. They are a diverse bunch, multi-generational and multicultural. The racial divisions of the 1950's are shown through one character's struggles in particular. "God made each of us unique for a reason."

The author's research into the details of fashion and the period were apparent. I could picture the lovely dresses and remember my mother and grandmother's styles of the time. Historical events and people are mentioned too, which made it interesting.

An enjoyable clean read for historical mystery fans. 4.5 stars