Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper is the first book in the NEW “Destination Wedding” mystery series. Publisher: Minotaur Books, March 2016

Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna is just a few hours away from wrapping up her latest job: a destination wedding in the charming, colonial Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende. The reception is all set up, the tequila donkey is waiting outside, and the bride and groom are standing on the altar, pledging their eternal love. But just as the priest is about to pronounce them husband and wife, one of the bridesmaids upstages the couple by collapsing into a floral arrangement, a definite wedding “don’t.” Kelsey soon discovers that the girl hasn’t just fainted–she’s dead.

Losing a bridesmaid is bad enough, but when the bride’s sister is arrested for murder, the demanding mother of the bride insists that Kelsey fix the matter at once. And although Kelsey is pretty sure investigating a murder isn’t in her contract, crossing the well-connected Mrs. Abernathy could be a career-killer. Before she can leave Mexico and get back to planning weddings, Kelsey must deal with stubborn detectives, a rekindled romance, and late-night death threats in this smart, funny cozy mystery debut.

When her client demands she solves the murder of a bridesmaid and get her daughter out of jail, what else is Kelsey to do, but play the role of a reluctant amateur sleuth in this delightfully engaging tale.

This was a fun read that had some amusing moments, especially with the witty repartee brandied about in this mystery that was enjoyable from beginning to an ending that left me wanting more. The author did a great job in the pacing, the comfortable tone and the flow in the telling of this story. The action was non-stop throughout most of this story and the suspect list was few but I liked how the author kept me on my toes as to who was behind it all and as the drama came to its conclusion, it all became clear as to who was the killer. I like the duo team of Kelsey and Brody and the location was the perfect setting in this debut series and I can’t wait to see what awaits this team in the next book in this likable new series.