Mama Gets Hitched: A Mace Bauer Mystery

At the start of Sharp's charming third Mace Bauer mystery (after 2009's Mama Rides Shotgun), Mace's 62-year-old Mama is looking forward to marrying husband number five, Sal Provenza, a Bronx native. Alas, Sal's family tagalongs are causing quite a stir in tiny Himmarshee, Fla., in particular C'ndee Ciancio, Sal's brassy, hot-tempered cousin-in-law, who's driving Mama crazy with her efforts to help plan the wedding. When the murder of caterer Ronnie Hodges coincides with the arrival of C'ndee's hunky nephew, Tony, Mace worries that some of Sal's kin may have Mafia ties. Tony's interest in Mace forces her to make a decision about her on-again/off-again relationship with handsome local cop Carlos Martinez, even as Mace assists Carlos in tracking down leads that totally alter their original assessment of the motive for Ronnie's murder. Sibling rivalry, steamy romance, a surprising killer, and plenty of catfish and hush puppies make this Southern cozy a winner. (July)