Series: A Cajun Country Mystery – Book 4
Author: Ellen Byron
Genre: Cozy Mystery/B&B
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Page Count: 304

Publishing Date: September 10,

The newest addition Fatal Cajun Festival to the “A Cajun Country Mystery” series by Ellen Byron comes from Crooked Lane Books on September 10th. Readers should rush to get this one and the entire cozy series! The 4th book in this series will not disappoint fans. It is brilliantly entertaining, exciting, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing to the very end. These cozies are addictive and fun!

Maggie is easy to like. She is loyal, compassionate, and determined. When her friend’s career and possible prison time threatens Gaynell’s future, Maggie comes to the rescue. Characters in these cozies are lovable, readers connect with, and find them believable. There is at least one member of the cast that readers love, for me its Maggie’s Gran. I wanted her to play a much more significant role in this new book, but the story works well with minimal scenes with her, and other characters that are part of Maggie’s world.

The victim is not likable in the least, exactly the way you want your victim. Towards the end of the book, readers may find themselves feeling sympathy for him. The killer is remorseless and a perfect villain. Red herrings thrive in this book and keep readers on their toes. The unmasking of the murderer in cozies is traditionally the most exciting part of the mystery and this remains true in Fatal Cajun Festival.

I enjoyed reading this book and the series and happily recommend it to readers of cozies everywhere. If you haven’t read any of the books in this series, now is a great time to start. You won’t regret it!

The Cajun Country Mystery series is one of my favorites as I love to follow the Crozat family through their ups and downs of running a family B&B. The main character, Maggie, is out to solve another murder, this time to prevent her good friend, Gaynelle, from going to jail. Maggie's love interest, Bo, has finally proposed but they fake a breakup so Maggie can get close to the potential real killer. The plot was thin in this installment and there were a lot of band members with crazy names to keep track of that made it hard to follow. I was more interested in her grandmother's Swedish death cleaning which had it's own mini mystery to solve. This one didn't have the gripping whodunit that the others in the series had but still a good read and I look forward to the next book.

I think I’ve figured out part of the author’s secret to my inability to outthink the plot: there are always so many other fascinating things going on, I get distracted by the sparkly red herrings and totally overlook the important clues. For this fact alone, I adore this series. I was completely engrossed in the story, invested in the lives of the whole Crozat clan, and desperate to find out what was really going on since I didn’t pick up on the vital information to solve the mysteries. That was such a fun ride, I can’t wait to do it again.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

Cajun Country Live! is a new music festival dreamed up by Maggie Crozat's grandmere. Everyone in Pelican is excited to cheer on their talented friend Gaynell Bourgeois when she performs with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls. The festival's headliner, Tammy Barker, rocketed to stardom on a TV singing competition and left Pelican behind years ago. Tammy may sing angelically but she is a devilish diva who has a serious grudge against Gaynell. Tammy sabotages Gaynell's audition at the upcoming JazzFest and her arranged meeting between Gaynell and Pony is a disaster. When Tammy's lecherous manager Pony Pickner is murdered at the festival, Gaynell becomes the prime suspect. Pretending to break-off her engagement to detective Bo Durand, Maggie infiltrates Tammy's band to get a better look at the musicians and crew behind Tammy's team. Then another band member is attacked and Maggie is threatened with a poisonous snake left in her car. But Maggie is determined to continue her sleuthing to save her friend's life and career.

This was another entertaining read and journey into Cajun country.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

This series is pretty much my favorite cozy mystery series out of all the ones I have tried to date. 🙌 It is well written. 👍 The mystery always keeps me guessing until the end. 👀 There is always a fantastic cast of secondary characters. 👤👤👤 I love the setting. 🎼 Maggie is a very likable main character, and her a Bo's romance is cute (although it moves at a snail's pace). 🐌 Throw in some yummy sounding recipes at the end and you have the makings for a great book (series). 🍴 I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for us next. 👍👍

Fatal Cajun Festival is the fifth book in the 'Cajun Country Mystery' cozy series written by Ellen Byron. This is a delightful series set in Cajun country. I have read the entire series and was pleased to receive this for review. Thank you to the author and to Net Galley for the opportunity. This opinion is my own. I highly recommend this entire series. This is a fun setting of a Louisiana Bed & Breakfast set on a plantation.

In this next in series our Crozet family is preparing for a county music festival and a hometown country music star Tammy is returning to stay at the B&B and preform. She is quite the diva . When her manager is murdered the primary suspect is Maggie's friend Gaynell Tammy blames Gaynell and is quite vocal about the police arresting him. Maggie is convinced her friend did not commit murder and sets out to free him from suspicion.

I love the Southern culture descriptions in this series, the remarkably charming setting and the interesting southern charcters. This is another winning addition to the series with a fun sleuth and pleasing conclusion. A very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in series.

This is the latest installment in Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country series. The manager of a local girl who has made it big in the music industry, is murdered at the Pelican music festival. Maggie’s friend, Gaynell, was overheard threatening him shortly before his murder and she becomes the prime suspect. Maggie sets out to prove her friend’s innocence.

I felt that there was a bit less depth to the mystery and even the character interactions was lacking the usual spark. This is still a solid addition and followers of the series will enjoy catching up with the characters they’ve come to know.

Thank you NetGalley for the reading opportunity.

Fatal Cajun Festival is the fifth book in the Cajun Country Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone but you’ll understand more about the characters if you have read the previous books.

Our protagonist is Magnolia Marie Crozat aka Maggie. A local singer, Tammy Barker, who has won a talent competition comes back to town during the Cajun Country Live!, festival. She sabatoges Maggie’s friend Gaynell and her band during the competition and tries to make Gaynell suspect number one when Tammy’s band manager, Pony, is murdered.

Throw in some surprising reveals in the character’s lives and see an interesting twist in future outcomes in the making.

I look forward to the next book.

I was given an ARC e-book copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

What a fun and interesting cozy mystery! I really enjoyed the characters, the plot, the recipes at the end, and the side stories within the main storyline. This is the 5th book in the Cajun Country Mysteries. I haven't read the other books so a couple of times I had to figure out who was who...but the cat of characters at the front of the book helped.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or remuneration.

Hey there Chere, welcome to Cajun Country. Here is the tale of Mags, Bo, Tammy, a local girl turned famous, and murder. There are many stories within the main story. Love, mayhem, mystery, paternity, food and music prevail. This story will keep you guessing until the very end. It's a must read! Full of Lagniappe and recipes for the stars of the storyline, pralines (use condensed milk instead of whole milk).

There are also recipes for Cajun dishes such as jambalaya and etouffee. Be warned, reading this story will have you wanting to read all of the books by the author.

Maggie Crozat, proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B, plans to be in the cheering section when her friend Gaynell Bourgeois takes the stage with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls at the Cajun Country Live, a festival of music and food. The festival's headliner, native Tammy Barker, rocketed to stardom on a TV singing competition. She has the voice of an angel, and the personality of a demon. Maggie learns that Tammy carries a grudge against Gaynell. She's sabotaged the Gator Girls' JazzFest audition. But, when a member of Tammy's entourage is murdered at the festival, Tammy points to Gaynell. She has plenty of company on that list, including every one of Tammy's musicians. Posing as a groupie, Maggie infiltrates Tammy's band and will have to hit all the right notes to clear her friend's name.
I loved this novel! The plot was full of twists and suspense that made me want to keep reading until the end. The suspects were a bunch of characters with flaws and idiosyncrasies that made them easily identifiable. I think the romantic subplot between Maggie and her fiancé is a nice interlude between the suspenseful moments. I can’t wait until the next one! I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

A fantastic mix of southern family, love, community & murder!
Local girl made it big Tammy Barker has come home to headline the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, but when her manager is killed, she makes sure to point her perfectly manicured finger at Gaynell Bourgeois, her high school rival and singer of a local group also set to perform at the festival. When local girl Maggie Crozat finds out that her friend is being accused, she's determined to find the real killer, even at the cost of her own relationship with the town detective...
A must-read for any lover of cozies, southern hospitality & southern cooking (recipes are included!)

Fatal Cajun Festival by Ellen Byron is the 5th book in the Cajun Country Mystery series, and a perfect blend of mystery and humor. Not only is this book really funny, I often found myself laughing out loud, it has a great mystery. There are twists and turns around every corner, which kept me reading page after page. I found this book to be a quick read, I read it in one day, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries with quirky characters, I highly recommend this book and series.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you.

This was another great addition to the Cajun Country Mystery series. It is always good to return to Pelican and it's unique residents. In the fifth book of the series, Pelican is hosting a music festival featuring country star Tammy Barker. Tammy and her entourage have invaded the Crozat Plantation with the force of a hurricane. When one of the visitors is killed on stage, Maggie and Bo join forces to find the killer before they strike again. Dealing with local girl turned superstar diva will take all of Maggie's patience and crime solving savvy.
This was a great mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Eagerly awaiting the next book and the forthcoming wedding.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of the book for review.

I actually haven't read any of the other books in this series, but this book is definitely a quick stand alone read! If there is one thing Louisiana LOVES, it is our festivals- they run the gamut all over the state, ALL year long, so everything about the Cajun Country Live! Fest ran true to form. You'll see much of the plot coming way ahead of time, but that doesn't take away from this fun Summer read, and there just might be a surprise or two at the end of it! This is a welcome introduction to Southern charm mysteries, and just might entice you to read all the books in the series before Fall!

This was a fun cozy and gave a nice look into life in Cajun Country life. The town of Pelican is host "Cajun Country Life!". The main draw is a home town girl who has made it big named Tammy. Maggie's family B&B is is hosting Tammy and some of her "people". When Tammy's manager is murdered, the finger is pointed at Maggie's friend Gaynell. Maggie is set to prove her innocence along with her fiance Bo, who is a police officer.

The story is filled with jealousy, egos, and intrigue. I like Maggie and her fiends. Lots of quirky characters, and Cajun info. The mystery kept me turning the pages.

Fans of this series will be thrilled with this latest offering. I strongly suggest you read the series in order.

Louisiana B&B owner Maggie Crozat kicks up her heels at a country music festival--but she'll have one foot in the grave if she can't bring the killer of a diva's hanger-on to heel.

Grab your tickets for Cajun Country Live!, the pickers' and crooners' answer to the legendary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Maggie Crozat, proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B, plans to be in the cheering section when her friend Gaynell Bourgeois takes the stage with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls.

The festival's headliner, native daughter Tammy Barker, rocketed to stardom on a TV singing competition. She has the voice of an angel...and the personality of a devilish diva. But Maggie learns that this tiny terror carries a grudge against Gaynell. She's already sabotaged the Gator Girls' JazzFest audition. When a member of Tammy's entourage is murdered at the festival, Tammy makes sure Gaynell is number one on the suspect list.

Gaynell has plenty of company on that list--including every one of Tammy's musicians. Posing as a groupie, Maggie infiltrates Tammy's band and will have to hit all the right notes to clear her friend's name

My thoughts:
Rating:4.5
After reading this one I now want to read books 1-4 in the series , because who wouldn't want to read a cozy mystery that has food, fun ,murder and a festival and at the very end recip recipes to fix, the characters are fun and I loved the down to home feeling the story gives and has , as well as the sassings of the main character Maggie ,plus I loved how she loved her fiance 's son. Can't wait to read more of this series .With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Well now I need some pralines!!! Plantations, a festival, girl fights, and music. What's not to like? Gran and her death cleaning was a diversion. Since I help people downsize I totally get the need to clean out and throw out. The music bands were an motley crew and the end was a major twist. I thought this was a good story.

Now that Maggie Crozat and Bo Durand are officially engaged, everyone in Pelican wants to know when they will set the date. Maggie and her family are too busy with festival season to think about planning a wedding.
When Grandmere decides Pelican needs a festival to precede the New Orlean's Jazz & Heritage Festival, she ropes Maggie into helping her organize Cajun Country Live! The featured artist is none other than hometown-girl-makes good Tammy Barker. Before the festival even begins, one of Tammy's entourage is murdered.