I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Southern Sass and a Battered Bride
by Kate Young
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on April 27, 2021
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 275
Format: Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, IndieBound
At a murder mystery–themed wedding reception on Georgia’s picturesque Peach Cove Island, the bride is doing an awfully good job playing dead . . .
Marygene Brown always figured she’d marry her childhood sweetheart, Alex Myers, not cater his wedding. But the Peach Diner could use the exposure. Most of the island is showing up—although more for the role-playing murder game at the reception than for the widely loathed bridezilla, Lucy Carmichael. Marygene may have to smile through the festivities, but Mama doesn’t have to hold her peace—especially since only Marygene can hear her mother’s ghost. Mama says she sees an aura of darkness around the wedding.
So when Marygene finds Lucy lying beside the wedding cake, buried in batter, with no pulse, it looks like Mama called it. This is no game. And when the bride’s body simply vanishes, it’s up to Marygene and her best friend Betsy (cousin to the groom and no fan of the bride) to solve a real-life mystery—with a little help from Mama’s sassy spirit . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!
Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young is spectacular. Marygene and Betsy are the best. The mystery keeps you guessing and has wonderful recipes that I can’t wait to try at the back.
Who killed Lucy, and why are they framing Marygene?
Marygene Brown
Honestly, I had to pop back into the last book. I was so shocked that Alex was marrying Lucy, I hoped that Marygene and Alex would patch it up. Alas, that is not happening. However, Marygene seems to be in a better space mentally in this installment, well, part of it. She has way more strength than she thinks she does. I also enjoyed her relationship with her mom, and they are getting along better now.
Marygene seems to have moved beyond how she defined herself before. She has a truly great bunch of friends and family around her that love her. Although, she does go through some scary things in this story, especially with her dad, Eddie. Oh, and Javy, is he turning into her newest love interest? Only time will tell.
Betsy Myers
Betsy is the best friend that anyone could ever have. Seriously, she is always there for Marygene. Betsy is scary funny. She packs a gun that she can’t shoot; she has style and is a foodie. Who wouldn’t want her for a best friend? These two are the perfect sleuth partners, Betsy is the comedian of the two, and Marygene figures it out.
Clara Brown
Clara is Marygene’s mom; even though she isn’t a tax-paying citizen anymore, don’t count her out. She is there when Marygene needs her. Really you could say that they are there for each other in the only way they can be.
These are two quotes that tell you a little bit about Clara.
“Ugly words shouldn’t come out of pretty mouths. No matter how much paint you put on the barn, the ugly taints the whole structure,”
“Marygene, my word, wipe that ugly look off your face. Your eyes are bugging out like a Pekinese. It’s mighty unbecoming.”
The Mystery
I will tell you that Ms. Young spins quite a tale. She had me guessing all the way up to the end. I thought I had it, and then I dismissed it as speculation. I should know to stick with my gut.
Anyway, Alex is marrying Lucy because she is supposedly knocked up. Marygene and the Peach Diner cater their wedding. Oh, and it’s a murder mystery reception, and the bride wants to be the victim. Do you see where this is going? So, she is presumed murdered, but her body disappears. Then Marygene and Betsy are almost killed when their van has a cut brake line and a pipe bomb under it. Alex is distraught over losing his bride and their unborn child. Marygene and Betsy are then accused of the murder. It doesn’t stop there, but you will have to read the book for the rest. It is so worth it. Believe me.
Five Stars
My rating for Southern Sass and a Battered Bride is five stars. I finished this book in a matter of a few hours. Marygene is fabulous, and their island is filled with the greatest characters. They make me laugh out loud and tear up too. Ms. Young is an awesome author. I highly recommend this book and the first two in the series.
The recipes are Healthy Pumpkin Muffins, Prosecco Strawberry Cupcakes, Irish Soda Breakfast Bread, The Peach Diner’s Cheesy Potato Soup, Cranberry White Chocolate and Pistachio Biscotti, Pecan Sandies, and Healthy Fudgy Brownies.
Marygene Brown Mysteries
Giveaway
Prize: (1) – $20 Amazon Gift Card and (1) U.S. CANADA – An autographed copy of all three books in the series. Southern Sass and Killer Cravings, Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse, and Southern Sass and a Battered Bride.
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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young. Check out the other stops and giveaway if you have time.
Until the next time,
About Kate Young
Kate Young writes humorous southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she’s reading or cooking.
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