Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
A Marriage to Murder For is the third Hopgood Hall cozy by E.V. Hunter. Released 3rd Feb 2023 by small press indie Boldwood Books, it's 268 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.The other books are also available on KU and the fifth book in the series is due out middle 3rd quarter 2024 from the same publisher.
This is a well written, engaging, and finely constructed amateur sleuth mystery pairing a former investigative journalist (and boutique hotel co-owner) with a handsome PI trying to keep a summer wedding event on a smooth footing during a blistering summer. There's a strong side element of romance, so readers who prefer romance in their cozies will likely enjoy that aspect of the story. The characters are well rendered and mostly believable and the pacing and plot are well done and the denouement and resolution of the various plot threads are satisfyingly wrapped up by the end of the book. It's a continuing series, so if read out of order, some of the character developments and relationships will be spoiled, but otherwise it works fine as a standalone.
Spelling and vernacular are British standard English, but won't pose a problem for readers in context.
Four stars. A fun continuation of a nice light series. With four books extant in the series, and a fifth due out in Aug '24, it would make a good choice for a short binge or buddy read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 16 January, 2024: Reviewed