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With new husband L. J. Remarchik (Lucas to his friends) in tow, best-selling mystery author B. R. Emerson (Bea to her friends) attends another writing conference where murder seems to be the theme. Not fictional murder, though. Real murder. It’s starting to become a joke with her friends, because every time Bea attends a conference, someone gets killed, and she’s always the one who finds the body.
When authors gather for the Thirtieth Gala anniversary dinner of the Twin Cities chapter of the MrWAR organization (Mystery/Romance Writers and Readers), ebook author Julie Garza accuses Rita Green of stealing her work, enabling Rita to sign with an agent and sell to a publisher for a hefty sum. Plagiarism is a serious accusation, and it requires serious proof to back it up. Julie tells Bea that she has the proof, but she ends up murdered before she can produce it.
Once again, Bea finds herself caught in the middle of a mystery that she wants no part of—since, inevitably, she becomes a target.
Talk about a cast of catty female writers! Mayhem, Marriage, and Murderous Mystery and Manuscripts is loaded with them. These authors are among the most malicious gossipers and backstabbers I’ve ever read, and they make this novel somewhat of an irritation to read. I’m just not one of those readers who find female cattiness a source of entertainment. But if you do, you’ll absolutely love this latest mystery by J. L. Wilson.
B. R. Emerson is a likable character—because she tries not to pay any attention to gossip. Instead, she looks for the truth. At times, though, her political correctness got on my nerves. I rolled my eyes when she mentioned that she had “Persons of Honor” at her wedding instead of “Matrons and Maids of Honor.” Don’t get me wrong; I think it’s okay to be politically correct—especially if you think that someone’s feelings may be hurt if you’re not. But sometimes it all just seems to go too far, and it ends up sounding a bit silly.
That said, though, the plot is both complex and suspenseful. A whole host of suspects will keep you guessing and trying to unravel the clues to figure out who killed Julie. Trust me—it’s a snarled, complicated plot, and you probably won’t figure it out until the last few pages, which is a good thing.
As far as mysteries go, Mayhem, Marriage, and Murderous Mystery Manuscripts isn’t a great one, but if you like gossiping, backbiting females and a politically correct amateur sleuth, you might want to check it out.
