All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely killers…
Everybody’s talking about Hemlock’s annual fall festival headliner band, ShakesPierre. Everyone but Tess Harrison, whose breakup with Pierre, the lead singer, left them both singing the blues years ago. And now that Pierre is back, he’s publicly putting his feelings for Tess in the spotlight.
So when Pierre ends up stabbed in the alley outside Tess’s bakery, she’s the number one suspect—especially since she’s famously known for her quality kitchen knives. But the evidence strikes a false note with Maddie and Jenna Bell, who are determined to clear their friend’s name and make sure the real murderer plays…uh, pays for his crime.
The clues lead them out of Hemlock and into danger far outside of Sheriff Jackson Bradley’s jurisdiction. Can Maddie save everyone before the real killer strikes back and Tess goes down for a crime she didn’t commit?
Titles in The Wedding Bell Mysteries series include – Slay Bells Ring – A Crime of Fashion – Ending on a Die Note –
Title: Ending on a Die Note
Series: The Wedding Bell Mysteries #3
Author: Nancy Robards Thompson
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published: October 7, 2021
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Ending on a Die Note brings The Wedding Bell Mysteries series to a close, and what a fun, entertaining ride it’s been in this small town full of interesting residents… and a few not-so-nice ones as well.
It’s time for the fall festival in Hemlock, and a blast from Tess’s past is about to endanger her future when an ex returns to town, declares his everlasting love… and ends up dead outside of her shop. The murder weapon? A knife and everyone’s aware of Tess’s sharp knives – so of course, with their history and her love of knives, she must be the culprit, right? Wrong. And her friends are about to set out to clear her name and bring the murderer to justice. But this time they’ll be leaving town and the helping (keeping them out of trouble) hand of Sheriff Jackson.
Following the clues will get Maddie and Jenna Bell in some intriguing situations. There are plenty who would love to see harm come to Tess’s ex, Pierre, but finding the right one will take some sleuthing and a touch of danger before their friend can be cleared. And since this is a cozy mystery I’m very careful about possible spoilers, so to find out all the answers you’ll need to pick up Ending on a Die Note for yourself.
I’ve always had a good time in this series. The characters are interesting, the interactions among them believable, and there are always a few red herrings or sudden twists that make putting the puzzle pieces together to solve the crime… entertaining. I don’t need to know whodunit before the reveal, but it is fun to follow the clues given and make my choices for the ultimate bad guy. Ending on a Die Note was no exception to that solid rule of always delivering a solid, good story in this series. I had such fun here but also a bit sad to be leaving these familiar faces behind. But, never say never for who knows what this author will have in store for us next.
If you enjoy a really good Cozy Mystery, then The Wedding Bell Mysteries should be on your need-to-read list.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
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