Agnes Sharp and the Wedding to Die For

The melancholy final installment of Swann’s Agnes Sharp trilogy (after Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime) finds Agnes and her octogenarian housemates in the English village of Duck End planning a wedding. Jack, an ex-contract killer, and Bernadette, a blind former police informant, have decided to hold their nuptials at the ritzy Foxglove Manor in Duck End. The only snag is that Foxglove requires at least 20 people to attend the ceremony. Glamorous vlogger Charlie suggests that her fellow attendees go online to find dates to pad out the guest list, and retired policewoman Agnes reluctantly agrees, while nursing private fears that Bernadette—her best friend—is about to abandon her. When the housemates receive an ominous RSVP letter whose author promises to “be there to make sure your big day goes off with a bang,” Agnes secretly opens an inquiry to avoid worrying Bernadette. With the help of a private investigator, she tries to uncover the source of the threat—and discovers a recent murder in the process. As always, Swann offers witty reflections on aging and stocks the narrative with charming, eccentric characters, but the book’s surprisingly sad home stretch may catch fans off guard. Still, it’s a solid send-off for a strong series. (Apr.)