cover image Terror in Taffeta

Terror in Taffeta

Marla Cooper. Minotaur, $24.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-250-07256-6

When wedding planner Kelsey McKenna, the narrator of the pseudonymous Cooper’s entertaining debut, discovers bridesmaid Dana Poole passed out in a floral arrangement, it’s logical to think she drank too much at the bachelorette party, but Dana isn’t just hung over. Finding a murderer shouldn’t be Kelsey’s duty, but the mother of the bride, a momzilla extraordinaire, insists the crime falls under “dreadful, unforeseen situations,” and Kelsey decides it’s easier for her to become a snoop than to say no. Things are even more difficult because this is a destination wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with very suspicious police officers Antonio Ortiz and Frank Nolasco and a multitude of potential suspects. Did ex-boyfriend Trevor Reckholtz hate the disagreeable Dana enough to kill her, or did someone outside the wedding group have reason to do it? When there’s another death, Kelsey and her helpful pal, Brody Marx, uncover hints of blackmail. Red herrings and intelligent sleuthing make this cozy a winner. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Agency. (Mar.)