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emaschman's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
rspencer's review against another edition
4.0
Mercy Carr and Elvis, along with Troy Warner and Susie Bear, find much more than they expect at her grandmother's wedding. Her grandmother is finally planning to marry her longtime inamorato, and Mercy's mother is organizing the event like a drill sergeant. When the resort's yoga instructor goes missing, she drafts Mercy to replace him. Mercy doesn't plan to find trouble, but it always seems to land in her lap, especially when she decides to search for the missing yogi.
Thanks to St Martin's Press for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.
Thanks to St Martin's Press for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.
tksheffield's review against another edition
5.0
A great mystery with dogs!
The Wedding Plot, by Paula Munier.
If you enjoy learning while reading, this mystery is for you. I appreciated the author's talent of explaining things--how cheese is made, how goats are kept, how dogs behave--while telling a compelling mystery. Paula's gift of storytelling permeates this novel. The reader is entertained by her exceptional writing skills. She weaves descriptive elements of setting (love Vermont!) and characters' livelihoods (keeping goats, running an Inn, etc.) while moving the mystery forward.
The story was complicated, with multiple twists and turns. Mercy Carr and Elvis, her wonderful dog, are attending a family wedding at an historic Inn in Vermont. (It's summertime, and the flowers and scenery are stunning--worth reading for those descriptions alone!) Family drama ensues, with multiple characters popping in, upsetting the perfect wedding Mercy's mother has planned for a family member.
It gets dark, at times. Some of the conversations between characters lag. I feel they could have been edited with little to no effect on the plot and the pace would move faster. And, as another reviewer said, it's a cross between a cozy and traditional mystery. If you're looking for a traditional cozy, this may be more intense that you like. But Mercy and Elvis are fantastic characters, and Paula is an excellent storyteller!
The Wedding Plot, by Paula Munier.
If you enjoy learning while reading, this mystery is for you. I appreciated the author's talent of explaining things--how cheese is made, how goats are kept, how dogs behave--while telling a compelling mystery. Paula's gift of storytelling permeates this novel. The reader is entertained by her exceptional writing skills. She weaves descriptive elements of setting (love Vermont!) and characters' livelihoods (keeping goats, running an Inn, etc.) while moving the mystery forward.
The story was complicated, with multiple twists and turns. Mercy Carr and Elvis, her wonderful dog, are attending a family wedding at an historic Inn in Vermont. (It's summertime, and the flowers and scenery are stunning--worth reading for those descriptions alone!) Family drama ensues, with multiple characters popping in, upsetting the perfect wedding Mercy's mother has planned for a family member.
It gets dark, at times. Some of the conversations between characters lag. I feel they could have been edited with little to no effect on the plot and the pace would move faster. And, as another reviewer said, it's a cross between a cozy and traditional mystery. If you're looking for a traditional cozy, this may be more intense that you like. But Mercy and Elvis are fantastic characters, and Paula is an excellent storyteller!
gadrake's review against another edition
3.0
Like the first three entries enormously. This one a bit less in part because it deviated somewhat from the tone of the first three. The title and the cover especially scream "cozy mystery" and the plot which centers on a wedding doesn't help. I like cozy mysteries too but am not clear why the author had a good thing going with a traditional nature-related series going and then chose a sillier route.
So a good read if you no expectations of it other than escapism.
So a good read if you no expectations of it other than escapism.
llrobinett's review against another edition
4.0
Elvis is the best part of this series. I love every scene where he plays an integral part. The family dynamics in this book are interesting and add a bit of humor to the story (Mercy's family). The plot was believable, though I do continue to be thrown by the way-back-when references to the early 2000s. I feel old enough without that reminder! ;o)
lakeshorelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
There isn't a category for well written complex mysteries, but there should be. I picked up the first one in this series [b:A Borrowing of Bones|37638044|A Borrowing of Bones (Mercy & Elvis Mysteries #1)|Paula Munier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519918735l/37638044._SY75_.jpg|59225460] from the new book shelf and was very pleasantly surprised. Of course, then I had to endure long wait times for each new book. However, you should begin at the beginning, because you want to get to know the characters, and follow the long arc of romance as it evolves within the mysteries.
I thought this was a good outing for Mercy and Elvis, the world's smartest dog, according to Marcy. There are interesting characters and a vivid setting. I figured out the mystery, but I was surprised by the ending. Recommended for fans of Julia Spenser-Fleming.
A quibble: Elvis is a Belgian Malinois, and in the first 3 books, the author referred to "the Malinois" often, probably too often. I don't know if her editor suggested the change, but in this book the dog is alternately referred to as a Shepard. Which is a different dog, though they do look somewhat alike. It pulled me out of the story and annoyed me every time it happened -- whatever the thinking behind it, it just looks like bad copy editing or a continuity error. PLEASE, @Minotaur Books change this in the next edition. If you think the author uses the phrasing too often (and I'd agree) then have her use his NAME. If you think people won't know what the dog is, and are unable to look it up (hint: search for AKA Malinois), then explain it in a preface note. But please, Elvis is a great character, but he can't be two kinds of dog.
I thought this was a good outing for Mercy and Elvis, the world's smartest dog, according to Marcy. There are interesting characters and a vivid setting. I figured out the mystery, but I was surprised by the ending. Recommended for fans of Julia Spenser-Fleming.
A quibble: Elvis is a Belgian Malinois, and in the first 3 books, the author referred to "the Malinois" often, probably too often. I don't know if her editor suggested the change, but in this book the dog is alternately referred to as a Shepard. Which is a different dog, though they do look somewhat alike. It pulled me out of the story and annoyed me every time it happened -- whatever the thinking behind it, it just looks like bad copy editing or a continuity error. PLEASE, @Minotaur Books change this in the next edition. If you think the author uses the phrasing too often (and I'd agree) then have her use his NAME. If you think people won't know what the dog is, and are unable to look it up (hint: search for AKA Malinois), then explain it in a preface note. But please, Elvis is a great character, but he can't be two kinds of dog.
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
Another entertaining installment in this series . The mystery was interesting, as were the family dynamics. Anyone who has ever been in a big wedding knows about how it heightens family tensions, which provides a good backdrop to the action.
booklovingmom_'s review against another edition
5.0
The Wedding Plot is the fourth Mercy and Elvis Mystery and focuses on Mercy’s grandmother’s wedding. When a body turns up at the wedding site, Mercy and her trustee dog, Elvis, are on the case, uncovering a hidden plot.
This is the first in this series that I have read, so I have no background information, but I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to start this series from the beginning. I really loved this book and would consider it a cross between a thriller mystery and a cozy mystery, which to me is the perfect combination. I found this hard to put down, I kept wanting to see what would come next. I also really enjoyed the characters of Mercy and Troy. I really look forward to seeing what else this series has to hold. This is definitely a book I would recommend to mystery fans!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book!
This is the first in this series that I have read, so I have no background information, but I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to start this series from the beginning. I really loved this book and would consider it a cross between a thriller mystery and a cozy mystery, which to me is the perfect combination. I found this hard to put down, I kept wanting to see what would come next. I also really enjoyed the characters of Mercy and Troy. I really look forward to seeing what else this series has to hold. This is definitely a book I would recommend to mystery fans!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book!
alittlediamond's review against another edition
4.25
I like Mercy and Elvis. I like SAR dogs. I could do without Mercy's annoying mother. But the book was fun and kept my attention. And...dogs!