If you haven’t read the previous three books featuring veteran Mercy Carr, and her bomb-sniffing dog, Elvis, you must have ignored my reviews. A Borrowing of Bones, the first in Paula Munier’s series, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and deservedly so. The Wedding Plot does nothing to ruin the reputation of this outstanding series.
When Bodhi St. George, the director of spa and well-being of Lady’s Slipper Inn disappears, Mercy’s mother, Grace, takes it personally. She’s matron of honor at the wedding between Mercy’s grandmother, Patience, and Claude Renault, a veterinarian from Canada. She insists Mercy find Bodhi, and, if she can’t, Mercy will just have to take over Bodhi’s duties for the wedding guests.
When Mercy arrives at the farm where Bodhi stays, she learns he’s missing. It’s her dog, Elvis, who discovers a body in the goat barn, stabbed through the heart with a pitchfork. Mercy calls in her boyfriend, Troy Warner, a Vermont game warden, along with his search-and-rescue dog, Susie Bear. Although the team of four are not responsible for the investigation, they certainly have the background to investigate.
Bodhi, ex-special ops, appears back at Lady’s Slipper Inn where Mercy hopes to question him. But, the former soldier disappears time and again, even from his hospital bed. Instead, it’s Mercy who ends up injured. Despite her injuries, she’s determined to find out why former special ops soldiers are showing up before the wedding. However, the true danger might lie with the troubles that erupt when two families gather for a wedding.
The sequel to The Hiding Place is a complex, action-packed page turner with several subplots skillfully resolved. Fans will appreciate the return of beloved characters, including the two dogs. Chapter headings, quotes about love, are appropriate and unusual in a masterful thriller with a climatic wedding scene. And, while I love Mercy, Troy, and the dogs, I have to say it’s Mercy’s grandmother who has my heart.
Paula Munier’s website is https://paulamunier.com/
The Wedding Plot by Paula Munier. Minotaur Books, 2022. ISBN 9781250822369 (hardcover), 352p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.
I was going to say the same thing Her grandmother is my favorite character too. I am #1 for this in the library but still waiting for the book to come in, which is frustrating.
Tomorrow is release date, Jeff, and Macmillan (Minotaur) had a week of international computer problems either earlier this month or late in June, so they might be a little behind. An excuse for the library since it appears they have it on order, if you’re on the list. I think you’ll be just as pleased with the grandmother when you finish this one.