Author Vickie Fee hits all the right notes with this third entry in her Liv and Di in Dixie cozy mystery series. Comfortable characters oozing with Southern charm, a tightly knit small town community, and the murder of a not-so-likable town councilman come together to make a satisfying read. Its Fourth of July setting makes it a good poolside read.

ONE FETE IS THE GRAVE is my first adventure with Liv and Di, but it was relatively easy to pick up the main characters’ back stories without reading the two previous books. Bubba Rowland’s death takes place right away so there is no buildup to his demise. I know there are differing opinions between killing off a character too soon and waiting too long to do so, but here I wish there had been a little more to introduce us to Bubba so that I could decide right away if I was sad or glad that he met an untimely end. The circumstances of his death are certainly original and memorable. Since Liv’s mother’s new fiancé Earl is deemed the prime suspect almost immediately, it makes perfect sense that Liv wants to investigate and clear her future step-father’s name. There are a few suspects, and each of their introductions is sprinkled throughout the book. Their motives are all valid. I vacillated back and forth between a couple of the suspects, but as soon as one key bit of information was revealed, I correctly guessed the killer’s identity. This relatively early revelation did not hinder my enjoyment of the rest of the story.

The recurring characters are likable and come across as real people. There are a few that are stereotypical Southern folks, but I know some people just like them in real life. Stereotypes are, after all, rooted in truth. I greatly appreciate that there is no love triangle in this series. It is refreshing for our protagonist to be in a drama free marriage. Speaking of drama, Liv’s mother drove me a little crazy with her grandiose ways. I really want to know what exactly Larry Joe is doing with the bathroom renovation. Though the mystery is solid, it is Liv and Di’s friendship that will keep me coming back for more,

I enjoyed ONE FETE IN THE GRAVE and recommend it to any fan of the cozy mystery genre.

Vickie Fee puts a smile on your face from page one to the end. The clever method of murder, mama's wedding plans, and many other situations will have you chuckling and eager to read more.

ONE FETE IN THE GRAVE is a cozy festival of mystery, mayhem, and fun!

In this third installment of Fee’s series, ONE FETE IN THE GRAVE started off with one of, if not the best murder scenes I have read. In keeping with cozy guidelines, it’s not gory, but that doesn’t mean the image won’t stick in your head for a while. Oh yeah, you’ll see this one every time the victim’s name is mentioned.

Author Fee kept a steady stream of intrigue going, while also keeping the story fun and light, and everything moving along with a great flow. I became lost in her world of Dixie, TN. Seriously, more than half way through this book, I finally came up for air and food. I was so engrossed in the story, I lost all track time!

Since reading book one, DEATH CRASHES THE PARTY, I have loved everything about the Liv and Di in Dixie Mysteries. Author Vickie Fee has created wonderfully fun and richly written southern characters that always make me smile. She also has a real feel for what makes a mystery cunning and exciting. ONE FETE IN THE GRAVE is no different. This is the strongest, and best of the series by far. As a matter of fact, I think Ms. Fee has set a new bar for herself.

Oh! You have got to check out the back of the book when you’ve finished the story. There are pages of tips on throwing a great Fourth of July part, and for a baby shower! And these tips also come with recipe ideas!

Nicely paced cozy with two intrepid amateurs in Liv and Di (the names are bit too cute for me but go with it.). I like the party planning business and the setting. The mystery isn't that complicated, making this perfect for a relaxing read. You know that Earl's going to be cleared but who is the murderer? Hmmmmm. I had not read the earlier books in this series but I was fine with this one and I'll look for Fee in the future. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 3 in the series.

I am really enjoying this series, with it's southern charm, simmering secrets, and eccentric townspeople. It's a fun series, with party planner Liv up to her eyeballs in wedding plans for her newly engaged mother as well as investigating a murder where the number one suspect just happens to be the Groom to be.

I laughed out loud many times while I was reading this and it was nice to see Di have more of a role in this book. It is Liv and Di in Dixie, after all.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a lovely book and I loved all the characters

This is another entertaining book by Vicki Fee about Liv-4-Fun, a party planning business, and it's owner Liv McKay. Liv is no stranger to solving murders with the help of her good friend Di, and this book is no exception. Only this time the accused is the newly announced fiance of Liv's mama, Earl Daniels. What follows is a mystery with many twists and turns that compels you to read until the very end, often ignoring meals or bed time.

The author recalls explicit details when using Liv's memory to remember the day of the murder. Everything about the murder is carefully revealed a little at a time until you think you know exactly what happened. Meanwhile there are parties to give and plan. Also Liv is roped into planning her mama's wedding extravaganza, and that has some pretty funny details for the reader. Somehow Liv is not amused as the wedding guest list continues to grow and the details become more bizarre! There is never a lack of action on the part of Liv and best friend Di, and support from Larry Joe, Liv's husband and hard working home bathroom remodeler.

From start to finish you will be immersed into Liv's world of Dixie, Tennessee. This is the third book in the series and is enjoyable as a stand alone mystery.

Awesome third book in the series! Loved the mystery, the characters, and Mama's crazy wedding as a sub-plot. This book is a lot of fun and very easy to read. Didn't figure out the killer until everyone else did...the twists and turns keep you guessing till the end. Looking forward to the fourth book!

One Fete In The Grave
A Liv and Di In Dixie Mystery, Book #3
Vickie Fee
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Party planner Liv McKay has outdone herself this time. She’s put together an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration for the town of Dixie, Tennessee including breathtaking fireworks and an exciting Miss Dixie Beauty Pageant. Maybe a little too exciting.
As the party is winding down, Liv s sense of triumph fizzles when the body of town councilman Bubba Rowland is discovered on the festival grounds. And now the prime suspect in his murder is Liv’s mother’s fiance, Earl, who had a flare-up recently with Bubba. To clear Earl’s name, Liv and her best friend Di burst into action to smoke out the real killer before another life is extinguished . . .
A small Southern town with charm as well as bodies provides a terrific backdrop for two appealing sleuths. Down home and delightful. Carolyn Hart" (Goodreads)



Review:

The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. You cannot help but love Liv and Di, they are best friends and would do anything for each other. They get into some precarious situations, and it was quite enjoyable finding out how they got out of those situations. I was very happy to get to spend time with both of them. The secondary characters added a lot to the story.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching the action taking place all around me. I thought the mystery was carried on well throughout the book and there were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through that I was unable to figure out the killer until it was revealed at the end. Just the way I like it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a skillfully crafted cozy mystery. The author combines great characters, a believable small town southern setting, mystery, suspense and humor and turns all of these things into a great book. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This storyline of the Live and Di Dixie Mystery Series is well plotted and the characters are well developed. It is very entertaining. Liv a party planner always finds herself involved in a mystery. Fee's style of writing gives you insights into the murder she crafts the twists and turns that keeps you turning the page and just when you think you know who did it , she throws another curveball in. love this series and hope to see more.

This continues to be a fairly entertaining series, though I feel that the story gets bogged down with so many random details (so much time is spent talking about what they are eating for dinner) that it can drag a little bit through the middle as they slowly progress in their investigation. I enjoy Liv and her circle, and the characters are what will probably bring me back to this series.

Vicki Fee writes a home run of a cozy in her third installment of the Liv and Di in Dixie series, One Fete in the Grave.

This novel starts with a bang as councilman Bubba Rowland is found dead at the town’s July 4th celebrations. Liv’s mother’s fiancé, Earl, quickly becomes a suspect, and Liv and her super sleuth friend, Di, must work to help clear Earl’s name, all while planning parties and delivering the mail.

Great read – while the mystery is well paced and plotted, I really enjoyed the solid dash of realism that Fee offers. Liv’s husband has been working on bathroom renovations for what seems like eons, Di lives in a trailer park and works as a mail carrier, and they are constantly juggling family members and commitments. I found this realism refreshing. There is a lot of authentic southern charm in this novel, from the sweet tea to chocolate cakes.

This was my first read in this series, and it certainly won’t be my last, and I am eager to recommend this series to other friends.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington publishing for an ARC.

Oh my gosh, that definitely started with a bang - literally - and the plot didn't slow down after that. It was a nice balance of investigating, family time, and Liv's party planning business. The mystery was well written, with a fair amount of suspects and clues.

This is the third book in the Liz and Di in Dixie series and it is a wonderful addition. Liz and Di successfully plan the 4th of July festival but they didn't plan finding a body in the port-a-potty after the fireworks. With Mama's boyfriend Earl the main suspect Liz and Di start the investigation to clear his name. This cozy series is smooth and fun and the recipes are yummy.

I've been a fan of this series from the start.
Each book gets better and I'm always excited when I see a new book is coming out.
Liv is the ultimate party planner and ending the 4th of July celebration with a huge bang is exactly what Liv is counting on.
What she doesn't count on is another dead body and this one is close to home.
Liv has to investigate and find the truth, putting herself in harm's way.
This story will have you longing for your own celebration.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

One Fete in the Grave is the third installment in the Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series set in Dixie Tennessee and featuring Liv McKay and Di Souther. Liv runs a party planning business Liv 4 Fun, best friend Di is a mail carrier, and both have a knack for solving crimes.

Liv has been hired by the town council to organize the annual Fourth of July celebration. Competition amongst the bakers was fierce, rumors were swirling that the judges were bought off during the Ms. Dixie Beauty Pageant, and the firework show was spectacular. Overall a successful job for Liv until the body of councilman Bubba Rowland is found shot in the head with his pants down in a port a potty.

It's seems plenty of people had it in for Councilman Rowland. When someone close to Liv is named as the prime suspect, she and Di set out to find a killer. Their investigation uncovers a shady investment scheme and hints of adultery, things in Dixie aren't as innocent as they seem.

A fast paced storyline with well developed characters both new and returning. Strong family dynamics and friendships draw you in from the first page. A big wedding is coming up and the bride's outrageous demands will have you laughing out loud. Definitely a series not to be missed.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

As far as the novel was concerned, it was fun. I found it a bit difficult to follow at times, because I felt like you needed to know what was going on in previous books to know what was going on. But, it was well written and enjoyable for the most part.

Vickie Fee's 'Liv & Die In Dixie' series is a treat.
In this addition to the series, an unlikeable character is murdered in a port-a-potty, in the blaring sun at a Fourth of July picnic. Does that evoke a picture?
Liv McKay,owner of 'Liv 4Fun' who helped with the arrangements, is drawn into the murder investigation when her stepdad to be becomes the prime suspect, due to the help of the real murderer.
Liv, her husband Larry Joe and her friends Di and Violet lend a hand to the local police by making quiet inquiries to add to their pool of information......but not quietly enough, the murderer corners Liv and Di and they're forced to get even more creative to survive.
Mystery and humor, with a touch of romance is on tap. Grab this one for a fun summer read. You won't regret it.

Vickie Fee's latest Liv and Di in Dixie offering is spectacular. Party planner Liv and her friend Di must find the real killer of Bubba before Earl, Liv's Mama's new fiancé, is put away for the crime. The mystery is sharp, and the regular cast of characters are engaging and well drawn. I feel as if I am visiting this Southern town, with all of its charm and intrigue. The ending was a complete surprise and I am anticipating much more from Liv and Di in the future.

Fans of this series will be happy with this latest offering.
I have not read the previous books in the series and it would have helped to have done so.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.