From Booklist
Dunn's latest Daisy Dalrymple mystery is number 13 in the series, which may help to explain why it is also the weakest to date. Set in rural Cambridgeshire at the family estate of Daisy's childhood friend, Lucy, the story is so full of lords and ladies and aunts and cousins that keeping track of the cast of characters is almost impossible--despite Dunn's inclusion of a family tree. Not knowing who's who makes it difficult to get caught up in the plot, which involves Daisy's solving the murder of Lady Eva Devnenish while worrying about her own pregnancy and Lucy's ambivalence about her upcoming wedding. Still, the character-driven elements that normally make this series so enjoyable are also present here: the inimitable Daisy herself and her relationship with her husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard. Daisy is such a winning character that fans are apt to forgive the weak plot and just enjoy spending time with one of the more charming female sleuths in the genre. Jenny McLarin
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Book Description
The inimitable Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher and her husband Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher seem to get a reprieve from their sleuthing duties when they are invited to the wedding of their friend, Lucy Fotheringay.
Lucy's grandfather is hosting the ceremony at his beautiful estate and so it promises to be a typical affair with hordes of gossipy aunts and other colorful but not necessarily pleasant relatives. Daisy meets all these characters and observes the ensuing familial fraternization with a certain kind of amusing nonchalance. That is, until Lucy's great aunt is found strangled to death in her bed. Lucy, in the meantime, has arranged to meet her betrothed in the conservatory, but when she arrives she finds him trying to revive her uncle, who has died-or has he been murdered? And just like that a normally celebratory occasion turns suspicious. Now Daisy must sift through a throng of relatives-aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents- once wedding guests and now murder suspects. And she must find the killer quickly before another family member becomes a corpse.
About the Author
Carola Dunn is the author of many previous mysteries featuring Daisy Dalrymple as well as numerous historical novels. Born and raised in England, she lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Mourning Wedding FROM THE PUBLISHER
The inimitable Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher and her husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher, seem to get a reprieve from their sleuthing duties when they are invited to the wedding of their friend Lucy Fotheringay. Lucy's grandfather is hosting the ceremony at his beautiful estate, and so it promises to be a typical affair with hordes of gossipy aunts and other colorful but not necessarily pleasant relations. Daisy meets all these characters and observes the ensuing familial fraternization with a certain amused and amusing nonchalance. That is, until Lucy's great-aunt is found strangled to death in her bed. Lucy, in the meantime, has arranged to meet her betrothed in the conservatory, but when she arrives she finds him trying to revive her uncle, who has died - or has he been murdered? And just like that, a normally celebratory occasion turns suspicious. Now Daisy must sift through a throng of relatives - aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents - once wedding guests but now murder suspects. And she must find the killer quickly before another family member becomes a corpse.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
In Carola Dunn's 13th cozy historical, A Mourning Wedding: A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery, two murders-the first of the bride's great-aunt, the second of her uncle-upset an aristocratic English wedding. Carefully crafted characters, plenty of plot twists, a high-class setting and an altogether satisfactory conclusion make for top-hole entertainment. Agent, Alice Volpe at Northwest Literary Agency. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Plagued with morning sickness, Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher (Die Laughing, 2003, etc.) still manages to offer her detective husband unsolicited yet pertinent information that helps him solve a string of murders. Lucy Fotheringay is beginning to find her upcoming wedding to Lord Gerald Bincombe at her grandfather's country estate a royal pain. Because the Earl of Haverhill was one of 11 children, she has countless relatives to please. Aunt Maud frets endlessly about Uncle Aubrey's health. Imperious cousin Rupert sports a tiresomely social-climbing wife. Dotty cousin Angela Devenish can barely take time from rescuing stray dogs to attend the lavish affair. Angela's brother Edward has affairs of his own to divert him. Even Lucy's mother insists that her giggly pubescent cousins Erica and Ursula simply must be in the bridal party. But most fearsome of all is great-aunt Lady Eva Devenish, who keeps in her journal family secrets that would shame any lord or lady and uses them to keep her fractious family in line-until someone strangles her with a cheap nylon stocking. Then it's up to Lucy's friend Daisy to convince her husband, Scotland Yard detective Alec Fletcher, to step into bumbling Inspector Crummle's shoes before he steps on too many aristocratic toes-but not before there are more aristocratic corpses. Daisy's in rare form here: soothing and smoothing, but all the while snooping as only she can.
Art & Photography
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