I am so thrilled to share the cover for the fourth book in the award-winning “Cajun Country” mystery series from Crooked Lane Books, coming October 9, 2018.
Title: Mardi Gras Murder
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Website: ellenbyron.com
Book Synopsis
Southern charm meets the dark mystery of the bayou as a hundred-year flood, a malicious murder, and a most unusual Mardi Gras converge at the Crozat Plantation B&B.
It’s Mardi Gras season on the bayou, which means parades, pageantry, and gumbo galore. But when a flood upends life in the tiny town of Pelican, Louisiana—and deposits a body of a stranger behind the Crozat Plantation B&B—the celebration takes a decidedly dark turn. The citizens of Pelican are ready to Laissez les bon temps rouler—but there’s beaucoup bad blood on hand this Mardi Gras.
Maggie Crozat is determined to give the stranger a name and find out why he was murdered. The post-flood recovery has delayed the opening of a controversial exhibit about the little-known Louisiana Orphan Train. And when a judge for the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant is shot, Maggie’s convinced the murder is connected to the body on the bayou. Does someone covet the pageant queen crown enough to kill for it? Could the deaths be related to the Orphan Train, which delivered its last charges to Louisiana in 1929? The leads are thin on this Fat Tuesday—and until the killer is unmasked, no one in Pelican is safe.
A simmering gumbo of a humorous whodunit, Mardi Gras Murder is the fourth installment in USA Today bestselling author Ellen Byron’s award-winning Cajun Country mysteries.
About the author
Ellen Byron writes the Cajun Country Mystery series. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called A Cajun Christmas Killing, winner of the 2018 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and an Agatha-nominated book, “superb.” Body on the Bayou won the 2017 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery, and was nominated for a Best Contemporary Novel Agatha Award. Plantation Shudders, was nominated for Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne awards, and made the USA Today Bestseller list. She’s written over 200 national magazine articles; published plays include the award-winning Graceland; TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, Fairly OddParents, and pilots. A native New Yorker, Ellen now lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and two spoiled rescue dogs.
I love the cover! I am looking forward to reading the new book. The Cajun Country series has become one of my favorite series.
Thank you so much! I love it too!
What a wonderful cover!
It is! I’m thrilled. Thanks, Cheryl!
Adorable cover! Love the dog.
Thanks, Tina. The dog is an homage, to our late rescue basset, Lucy. Love seeing her on my covers!
I love this cover — especially the beads on the dog and the mask on the skull. Can’t wait for October! Thanks, Dru Ann, for the cover reveal ~
Thanks, Celia! And thanks to Dru for letting me share here!
I had a sneak peak during a special Chicks on the Chase lunch with Ellen at the Left Coast Crime Convention. I can’t wait to read them all.
Thanks, Leanna! So glad you were at the lunch. And hope you enjoy the books!
I’m a big fan of the series, loved Plantation Shudders. Thanks for keeping us up to date, Dru!
Love the cover! Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks so much! Another great charm. 😉
This cover is awesome, especially with Gopher on it. Love how he’s eyeing up that skull and even has his own beads!
I know! The artist, Stephen Gardner, did such a great job with Gopher’s expression.
Such a pretty cover. Love the mask on the skeleton.
Agreed! It’s just a wonderful touch of ominous, isn’t it?
I love this cover and cannot wait to read this one! I’ve been ready since the last book. Perfect Mardi Grad cover! The beads on Gopher are the perfect touch.
Thanks so much, Meg! I’m really excited. There’s a lot going on in the book. Mardi Gras, a gumbo contest, a Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen contest, a Louisiana Orphan Train exhibit. Can’t wait until it’s in my reader friend’s hands!
Nice cover and an intriguing story, Ellen.
Thanks so much, Maya! Can’t wait for “S’more Murders.”
Great cover! Great series!! I’m looking forward to reading Mardi Gras Murder. Can’t wait for October.
Oops, replied in the wrong place, Linda. Sorry about that! See below.
That’s so fun, with beautiful colors! Looking forward to reading it!
Fun is such a good way to describe the cover. And I LOVE the colors of Mardi Gras. You’ll find out what each one stands for in the book! 😉
Thanks so much, Linda. I can’t wait until it’s out!
Love everything about this cover in your next book, Ellen. Looking forward to scarping this up when it comes out!
Yay! Thank you, Nancy. 🙂
Cannot wait to read this! I’d be more than happy to read and review.
Thanks, Sheila! I just found out it’s up on NetGalley. Do you have that? CLB is tight with ARCs. I only get 3 myself, if you can believe it.