Flood Waters Reveal a Murder Victim

As Pelican, Louisiana prepares for their Mardi Gras celebration, a terrible storm dumps tons of water on the town leaving many homeless and others with a massive cleanup project. Cleaning up behind the Crozat Plantation B&B, the cleanup team finds a body under the rubbish. Not someone who died in the floods, but a murder victim.

The town isn’t about to let the storm or a murder ruin their Mardi Gras celebration. The Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen Pageant must go on and when Maggi’s grandmother is unable to serve as a judge, Maggie is tapped to take over. She hates the role, particularly when one of the judges is murdered and others are threatened.

Maggie would rather be working on the painting, damaged by the flood waters, that she has been asked to restore, or helping to prepare for the Orphan Train Exhibit. Then there’s her relationship with Detective Bo Durand that seems to have taken a wrong turn.

This is a delightful cozy mystery. The descriptions of Pelican and the historic mansions are worth the read. The characters, particularly Maggie’s grandmother, are delightfully quirky. It makes you want to visit the town for Mardi Gras.

The Orphan Train Exhibit adds a bit of history and the plot is complex. It all keeps you guessing and hoping that Bo and Maggie can work things out.

I recommend this book is you enjoy colorful cozy mysteries.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

I love a great Southern Mystery and this series is one of the best. Mardi Gras Murder is fourth book in the Cajun Country Mysteries. Maggie is a great sleuth and is surrounded by hilarious friends and family, (even when she isn't amused). Mardi Gras is the perfect backdrop for this mystery and adds great southern charm to the story. The mystery was unique and I liked how the mystery unraveled. The only downside was the book ended way to fast and I can't wait for the next one.

Laissez le bon temps rouler!

I love Louisiana, with its rich blends of cultures and amazing foods, and have had many a grand adventure not just in New Orleans but in various nooks and crannies. This wonderful novel captures it all plus delivering a clever murder investigation and a romance or two. Even the villains are likable and many traditions--plus recipes --are shared.

Mardi Gras Murder was the first in the series for me, but easy to follow as a standalone.
Ellen Byron wrote a quick, fast-paced light story that was perfect for a busy weekend.
The writing was good and the details of Louisiana was descriptive enough for me to get a nice visual of what life could be like I the small town of Pelican. The mystery was creative and I did not guess the end, which is unusual for me.

Thank you Netgalley for a Digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was ok. The mystery was fine but coming to this as a first time reader of the series, I found the characters a bit hard to connect to - I just didn't get what their motivations were for some of their actions which made a fair few bits of the story fall flat. And the random interspersions of Cajun didn't work for me - there seemed to be no rhyme, reason or consistency to when they were happening which meant they didn't really feel like an organic part of the narrative.

Never mind.

It's Marti Gras Season in the town of Pelican. When a John Doe, and a judge for the Miss Pelican Marti Gras Gumbo Queen are found murdered Maggie is looking for answers. I enjoyed this book. This is the first book that I have read of Ellen Bryon, but it won't be my last.

Mardi Gras Murder

by Ellen Byron

Mardi Gras Murder takes place in Pelican, Louisiana, as the townsfolk work together to recover from flooding. Maggie Crozat is an artist who works at her family’s B & B as well as a tour guide at Doucet, the plantation that belonged to her mother’s family. The story starts with action as a body no one can identify shows up during the cleanup, but the author, Ellen Byron, also very quickly gives a background introducing many of the characters. It is fortunate that Byron includes a list of characters because I had to refer back to it may times. Families and lineage are very important in determining status in Louisiana, and it seems like everyone is related to or at least knows everyone else in Pelican.

The plot gets complicated as Maggie has to substitute for her grandmother as a judge in the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen competition, there is another murder, and Maggie uncovers a lot of local secrets. The storyline is interesting, and I enjoyed the Louisiana setting and a generous sprinkling of Cajun French dialogue. It was also fun to read about the local cuisine, frequently leading me to the Internet for personal searches to learn more. Gopher, a Bassett hound pictured on the cover, attracted me to the book, but he has only a minor presence. All in all, Mardi Gras Murder is an enjoyable read.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #4 in the Cajun Country Mystery Series. There are a LOT of characters in this book, but the author seems aware of potential issues and manages them well. This was my first foray into the series, but I enjoyed it.
2. A detail that makes a fun side story, but is inaccurate: A cast iron pot used for the gumbo cook-off had been passed down the family line. The seasoning that had accumulated over the years was supposedly ruined when some dogs licked it. Actually “seasoning” does not affect the flavor of foods cooked in the pot. Seasoning makes it nonstick and prevents rusting. The well-seasoned, prized pot need not have been discarded. A simple hand washing, heating to dry, and wiping with lard or oil would have restored the pot quite satisfactorily.

Publication: October 9, 2018— Crooked Lane Books

Memorable Lines:

He made himself sound important, but it came across as someone trying very hard to inflate a small balloon.

“Boy, I had a bad case of SDS back there,” Denise said. She saw the puzzled expression on Maggie’s face. “Southern Door Syndrome, where you take almost as long to say goodbye as you stayed at the party.”

“You know the old cliché, chére. Ninety-nine percent of American families are dysfunctional, and the other one percent is lying about it.”

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron is the fourth book in A Cajun Country Mystery series. The town of Pelican, Louisiana suffered from heavy rains and flooding. Behind the Crozat Plantation B&B, under piles of debris the family finds a dead man without identification. Three weeks later, the town is recovering from the flooding and they are ready for the Mardi Gras celebrations to begin—Laissez les bon temps rouler. The celebrations include a gumbo cook-off, a parade and the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant. Maggie’s grandmother normally is one of the pageant judges, but walking pneumonia has her confined to bed which means Maggie must step up to the plate (despite her opinion of pageants). At the first meeting of the judges, Maggie learns about the controversial Louisiana Orphan Train exhibit. The highlight of the meeting is when a fight breaks out between two of the pageant contestant mothers. On the way home, Maggie is rear ended by Gerard Damboise, head judge and president of the historical society. Maggie finds him bleeding from a gunshot wound. Gerard whispers two last words before he perishes. Maggie wonders if his death is related to the pageant or the orphan train exhibit. Maggie begins scouting for clues in the hopes of resolving Gerard’s murder. Can Maggie unmask the killer before Fat Tuesday?

Mardi Gras Murder can be read alone if you have not read the other novels in A Cajun Country Mystery series. There is a lot going on in Mardi Gras Murder. I only covered the basics in my summary. There is the unidentified dead man, Mardi Gras, the pageant, problems with Tug’s gumbo pot, Gran’s illness, guests at the B&B, Maggie’s relationship with Bo, a mystery at Doucet, a secret room at Grove Hall, the flooding, and the orphan train exhibit controversy. The book is well-written with a steady pace and humor scattered throughout. There are numerous characters, but the author does provide a handy cheat sheet at the beginning of the book (I wish I could have printed it out). Pelican is a small town where everyone knows your business and is happy to pass it along to others. The town goes all out for Mardi Gras. I learned some interesting facts about the holiday along with interesting traditions. The murder mystery has some intriguing points (I do not want to spoil it for you). There is misdirection along with direct clues. Avid cozy mystery readers will have no problem solving the whodunit. All the storylines are wrapped up at the end. There is a sweet ending that will have the romantics smiling, and I love who won the gumbo cook-off. Ellen Byron combines Southern charm, Mardi Gras, humor, a cast of quirky characters and a beguiling mystery into one rousing cozy mystery.

A nice & cosy mystery with a romance for a touch of spice. Like many I always think of New Orleans when I think of Mardi Gras. It was interesting to learn about small town celebrations and the traditions of Mardi Gras. The recipes at the end of the book are a nice touch. In addition to be being a good book, it has sparked interest in actual historical events of the Orphan Train.

I will leave a 4 star review on Amazon under name of Connie
Thanks for granting me access to this book

Ellen Byron’s Mardi Gras Murder is a good read with an intriguing mystery and some great twists.

It’s Mardi Gras time in Pelican, Louisiana! There’s also a beauty pageant on and lots of drama over a controversial exhibit on the Louisiana Orphan Train. Our protagonist Maggie Crozat has her hands full. However, she is determined to solve the mystery of the murder of an elderly stranger whose body washes up during a flood. Who is he? Why did someone kill him? And will he be the last body to turn up?

My favourite part of this book is the Louisiana setting. Byron does a great job with the small-town setting. I really enjoy all the wonderful descriptions of the culture, the history, and the food. I especially love all the Mardi Gras action!

However, Maggie is a little boring. I don’t think that she has much of a personality and I couldn’t connect with her at all. She’s an okay but dry narrator. I am also not a fan of the relationship drama between her and Bo, her detective boyfriend.

There are also way too many characters in this book and I had a hard time keeping track of them. Moreover, many of them are very stereotypical so they really don’t make a lasting impression on me.

The recipes are a really nice addition. I also quite like the Lagniappe section which gives readers some nicely succinct but relevant background information into several of the main topics in the book.

This is the fourth book in the Cajun Country mystery series but I think it works fine as a standalone. This is the first book that I read in the series and I had no problem understanding what was going on.

Although I am not a huge fan of Maggie and I didn’t particularly care for the other characters, the book is a good and quick read with a wonderful setting. The mystery is interesting and I would read the other books in this series.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I'm reading this book in the wake of Hurricane Michael and all the destruction left in its' wake. I though it very ironic that the murder in this book took place during a major flood in Pelican, LA. This cozy-mystery series is one of my favorites and each book is just wonderful.

Maggie Crozat is an artist who has returned home to Pelican, LA after a failed relationship and is trying to rediscover her place in this tight knit community. It so happens that Maggie seems to be a magnet for murder and this time discovers a body that a recent flood deposited behind her family's Crozet Plantation B&B. The timing couldn't have been worse with Mardi Gras right around the corner and the town of Pelican does Mardi Gras is a really big way. The stranger was murdered and that puts a damper on the festivities. But, nothing stands in the way of a Mardi Gras celebration and the parades, pageants and gumbo cook-off must go on.

As Maggie and her boyfriend, Pelican PD Detective Bo Durant, investigate the pieces are few and just don't fit. When the Historical Society President and pageant judge is also murdered, the mystery just deepens. Could there be a connection to a proposed exhibit on the historic Orphan Train? More than murder is on Maggie's mind too. She has discovered a what appears to be a map hidden underneath a painting at the historic Dorcet Plantation and she and Bo need to have "the talk" and Maggie is scared about the outcome.

Praise for another great book in the Cajun Country Mystery series!! To the series that started my Cozy Mystery obsession and for always leaving me wanting more of Pelican, CHEERS!!!

Being born and raised in and around New Orleans, I am always hesitant and very judgmental when I read books set in the area. Ellen does a great job of separating New Orleans from the small Cajun town. I also learn something from each of her books that I didn't even know about areas in my home state of Louisiana. I wasn't aware of how the smaller towns celebrate their Mardi Gras. It took me to the end of the book, the Lagniappe section, to understand why she kept calling the people Mardi Gras.

This series is set in a small town in the Cajun areas of Louisiana. Your name and lineage still matter in these parts even if all the family plantations are now bed and breakfasts and museums. History and Culture are a very important part. Makes you wonder why all these outsiders keep showing up and turning up dead. People in small towns have secrets, some are willing to do whatever they have to to keep their secrets. Will Maggie, Gran, and the rest of the Crozat family be able to figure out what is going on before its too late? Flood waters, Mardi Gras, Pageants, Cook-offs, and Murder, what more can you ask for.

This is my first book by Ellen Byron, but it won’t be my last. If you like a good small town, southern book, you’ll like this one. It was so typical and funny about the lineage of families. I don’t think it’s quite as bad as it used to be or maybe I just haven’t met the right folks. I love Maggie and her family! I’m ready for some Gumbo. There is definitely some truth in this book, especially about seasoning that special black iron pot. There are certainly some characters in Pelican and I think you’ll enjoy meeting them. This story also touches on some real-life situations, which just makes it be a better story to me. Check it out, I think you’ll be glad you did. I received this ARC from NetGalley. My opinion is my own.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. As always, thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

A few things you should know about me: I tend to enjoy cozy mysteries like I enjoy Hallmark movies — they're light, fun, formulaic, and easy to digest. Knowing that and that the cover is kind of amazing, I requested this book. I might have also thought it was part of a different series originally...or at least a first book (not the 4th.)

Knowing that these books are meant to be easy to digest...this one wasn't so much for me. There are so many characters — far too many honestly, and I almost needed a town cheatsheet to remember who is related to whom. On top of that, there are too many plot points that the ending lacks....anything. It's too rushed to even really wrap up the murders, the treasure subplot, the boyfriend subplot, the gumbo subplot, the mardi gras subplot, the pageant subplot...

I might go back and start this series to see if that helps, but overall, this one was a miss for me. 2.5/5 stars.

Maggie Crozat's home town of Pelican was flooded out just three weeks ago, but the community is rallying together to repair and rebuild. And they certainly aren't planning to let that curtail this year's Mardi Gras celebration. Unfortunately, Maggie has gotten roped in to help with this year's Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen Pageant, something she is definitely against. However, when she finds one of the judges dead, she begins to wonder if she is in danger because she's taken on this job. Or does it tie back to the body of the John Doe that was found during the flood?

This is a fantastic book with a creative mystery for us to solve. A strong sub-plot only adds to the fun of the book, and the climax ties everything together perfectly, including a plot point or two I'd forgotten about. The characters are fantastic as always; I truly love the large cast of series regulars. The suspects are strong, although it took a bit to remember how all of them are connected at first. The cast of characters at the beginning certainly helped with that. I did find the timeline felt a bit off at a few points, but this was a minor complaint. I love learning about a completely different region, and author Ellen Byron's love comes through. The recipes at the end will satisfy the cravings you'll develop while reading the book.

Heavy rains have flooded the bayou and Maggie Crozat's family bed and breakfast is currently housing Pelican, Louisiana residents who have been displaced by the flood. There was a fatality, an elderly man unknown by anyone in the area. It's soon determined the stranger didn't die in the flood - he was murdered! Even though Maggie is busy preparing for the town's local Mardi Gras celebration, which includes serving as a judge in the Gumbo Queen contest, she finds time for sleuthing when another murder occurs in her beloved hometown.

This book is the fourth in the series. I've read all of the prior books, but a list of characters at the beginning of the book will help new readers quickly catch up on who's who in Pelican. Although the first victim is a stranger, the second victim is well-known in the town, but not well-liked. This gives Maggie plenty of suspects to question, including the not-so grieving widow, some overly competitive pageant moms, and someone who has made their displeasure over a proposed "Cajun Orphan Train" exhibit well-known. Maggie is a likable, enthusiastic amateur detective who will do whatever it takes to support her family and keep the peace in her hometown. She and her boyfriend, Bo, make a great couple, but have realistic problems to work through in their relationship.

I like the humor throughout the book and the description of Louisiana culture and customs. In addition to the information shared as part of the story, the author includes so much interesting material on the Cajun orphan train and the Mardi Gras celebration at the end of the book. She also includes several recipes for featured dishes such as gumbo and a King Cake.

I wasn't able to guess the killer or the motive, but I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery along with Maggie. Some parts of the ending are a little pat, but I like how things are resolved and enjoyed the upbeat conclusion to the book.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Crooked Lane Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron is the 4th in this series but you do not have to read them in order.
This is the 3rd one I have read 3 and was not disappointed.

When a body, without any ID, is found in the yard of the family plantation/Bed and Breakfast, Maggie is again on the search for answers.

The book has a great setting, a quirky cast of likeable characters, and plenty of twists and turns that have you guessing until the end. Byron definitely takes you to Louisiana. When the story ended, I found myself missing Maggie and the gang.

There are also some recipes to try.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC for an honest review.

This series just keeps getting better and better. Maggie (Magnolia Marie) Crozat is, unfortunately, very familiar with finding dead bodies and getting involved with homicide investigations. Some might say she's a murder magnet but others say she is destined to speak for the dead. Her boyfriend, Bo, is a cop and recognizes her talent. She is an artist and he values her keen observational skill. Plus, Bo knows that she can go places and gather intel that the police would never be able to get. It's a good partnership. Add Maggie's friends and family - I love her parents and her Grandmama - and this becomes a stellar cast of characters. One nice relationship is between Maggie and Xander, Bo's son who has Aspergers. They are connected by their love of art and some puppies and kittens.
Maggie sure has a heck of a lot on her plate in this homicidal outing. There has been monumental flooding and the only fatality is a John Doe, washed up on Crozat property. The police have their hands full due to their building being flooded out. Add the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen beauty pageant and the battle to create the award winning gumbo (her father and mother square off on that subject) and, sure enough, another homicide turns up, almost in Maggie's lap. Now what do the John Doe, the next dead body, some secrets, old and new, have to do with each other? Who will win the beauty contest, the gumbo cook off and who will end up carted away in handcuffs? Have no doubt, Maggie and her crew will get to the bottom of all of these questions.
After reading this fun mystery, I want to take a trip to Pelican, Louisiana and not only see the sights (sans corpses, please) but to partake in gumbos and King Cakes. My taste buds are oh, so ready to taste the delights of Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll, indeed.

It's Mardi Gras in the small town of Pelican, Louisiana. A body is found on the plantation after a flood. An autopsy reveals he did not die of natural causes.

There is a lot going on in this book, it kept me engaged and wanting to know what happens next and will this be the end for Bo & Maggie.

What I liked:
The cover is adorable and vibrant.
The characters – interesting, great personalities.
The humor.
The flair of Louisiana.

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron

The fourth installment of the Cajun Country mystery series finds the small Louisiana town of Pelican recovering from floods that washed away far too many of their residents’ worldly goods. While some are forced to relocate, hopefully temporarily, the Crozat family has been fortunate in having ancestors who built their home high enough from the Mississippi that they can lend a hand instead of needing assistance themselves. With Mardi Gras coming up in a few short weeks, the town of Pelican is going to need all the help it can get as it prepares for the festivities in the aftermath of disaster.

Of course, not everyone will be able to celebrate: the body of a stranger was found amidst the washed-up wreckage just outside the Crozat Plantation B&B. Since no one is able to identify him, the case is put on the police department’s back burner. Not even our amateur crime-solving heroine, Maggie Crozat, is capable of solving the murder of a complete stranger.

What she is capable of, despite her dismay and constant protests, is taking over for her ailing Grand-mere in judging the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen teen pageant. The judging committee is full of eccentric characters, headed by Gerard Damboise, the president of the St Pierre Parish Historical Society. Gerard is obsessed with local history and lineage and doesn’t care whose toes he steps on in order to preserve his idea of decorum. Annoying as he can be, however, it still comes as a terrible shock to the community when he’s shot to death. Maggie’s connections and unique observational skills are invaluable in helping her boyfriend, Pelican Police Department Detective Bo Durand, investigate the case, but they may also put her in mortal danger as a relentless killer will stop at nothing to make sure that the past the victim was obsessed with stays buried with him.

Mardi Gras Murder is a rich stew of mystery, personality and celebration as thick and tasty as the gumbo over which the residents of Pelican vie to outdo one another. Ellen Byron really brings Cajun country to life, with details of its past and present culture vividly rendered throughout. I also enjoyed the romantic subplot, as Maggie’s relationship with Bo hits an all too common stumbling block. It was heartening to see them handle it in a way that is ultimately healthy but still wrenchingly painful to undergo, even at secondhand.

In addition to the mystery and some very interesting author notes, Mardi Gras Murder includes a wonderful recipe section featuring 8 different dishes. Since I love oysters, I decided to try out this one:

QUOTE
Oyster Soup

8 tsp. butter
1 bunch scallions, chopped
½ cup finely chopped parsley
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 tsp. flour
1 cup oyster liquid
1 qt. milk
3 dozen oysters, cut in thirds (you can buy them in jars at the grocery store and use the liquid for the recipe)
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute scallions and celery in butter. Add parsley and cook for two minutes. Blend in flour, stirring constantly. Don’t let it brown!

Add oyster liquid and milk, and stir, stir, stir. Cook slowly over low heat for 30 minutes, and again, stir! Before serving, add the oysters and cook for five more minutes.

Serves 6-8.
END QUOTE

This was so delicious that even my husband, who dislikes celery, had several bowlfuls! I seasoned it with garlic salt and pepper in increments throughout the cooking process, and highly recommend that you taste the soup constantly to make sure this comes out the way you intend it to. I enjoyed the soup as an appetizer, and as an entree with Texas toast, and thought it tasted just as good the next day as day of.

Next week, we travel north to get back up to speed with one of my favorite series, and bake some cookies in the process. Do join me!