Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews

[snugglekitty]

This book was a recommendation from cywrain in a book review community I'm part of, bookshare. I was looking for mystery suggestions, having somewhat struck out in trying to find new mystery authors on my own.

Meg Lanslow has been dragged back to her hometown to be the maid of honor in not just one but three weddings - her brother's, her mother's remarriage, and her best friend's. She runs herself ragged trying to cope with flakey brides, catty brides, manipulative brides, slutty bridesmaids, reluctant grooms, slinking grooms, absent grooms, a dad that loves to "preview" the buffets, and yes, peacocks. And then a disliked guest winds up dead. Did she really fall off the bluff? Or could it be murder?



"I looked up and saw on his face the unmistakable, slightly glassy-eyed look of a man who has made up his mind to make his move. The sort of look that sends pleasant shivers down your spine when you see it on the face of the right man. And on the wrong man, makes you mentally kick yourself and wonder why the hell you didn't see this coming and head it off.
'Don't even think of it,' I said.
He reached up to take my chin in one hand. I put my hand against his chest and shoved slightly. 'Go away,' I said.
He didn't budge. I felt suddenly a little afraid. Barry was so much larger than me, and stronger, and so aggressively determined... and then a wave of temper replaced the fear.
'I mean it, Barry. Move it or lose it.'
He leaned a little closer.
I mentally shrugged, grabbed his arm with both hands, and twisted. Hard.
'Owwwwwwwwwwwwww!' he yelled, and jumped back, nursing his arm.. 'What's wrong?"
I lost it.
'What's wrong!' I yelled. 'What's wrong! I told you to let me go, and I meant it. Did you think I was kidding? Flirting with you, maybe?'" p 132



Murder With Peacocks reminded me a lot of the new Jennifer Crusie book, Agnes and the Hit Man, although it is both less violent and less funny. They have in common the wedding plan element, main characters who are being taken advantage of, and a Southern small-town summer setting. Agnes and the Hit Man made me laugh out loud a lot. Murder With Peacocks occaisionally made me chuckle. I'm curious to see where the series goes. The main character can be a bit passive-aggressive at times, and I hope she will develop a backbone for matters other than just her personal safety. Three stars.

Comments

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

Have you read Blanche on the Lam? That trilogy is one that is cool and important to me. The main character is a black feminist cleaning lady.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I haven't read it, but I will give it a try. Thanks! It looks like it's a lot more than a trilogy now, though...