I have been getting into the "cozy mystery" genre lately, so I was super excited to read this book. I admit, I was a bit confused at the beginning with her "talent" and why she was taken aback by the Detective being there. However, I chalked that up to my fault. This was the first book of Kate Young that I have read, and if I had read the others first, I wouldn't have been so confused.

I enjoyed the family and island dynamic. It seemed quite atmospheric and charming. The author made me want to visit. I also liked that I thought I knew who the killer was, but then there was a twist, so I thought it was someone else. It ended up being an outcome that I did not guess, at all! The only negative that I have is it seemed a bit repetitive at times. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading others by this author.

This is the 3rd installment in the Marygene Brown mystery series. I think this is the best in the series. Marygene and her family (sister Jenna Lynn and half brother Sam) and the Peach Diner are catering her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. It is the rehearsal and Betsy (Alex’s cousin and Marygene’s best friend) thinks Alex is making a big mistake marrying Lucy Carmichael (she is one of the reasons Marygene and Alex broke up over a year ago) but Marygene is assuring her that she has moved on and wants Alex to be happy. Marygene is currently dating Paul, a new resident of Peach Cove who happens to works for a murder mystery company that also is going to be conducting a murder mystery at the wedding reception. Alex shows up after the rehearsal at Marygene’s house and seems conflicted about his upcoming wedding but Marygene wishes him nothing but the best. Marygene’s Mama (who is deceased) appears to her and warns her to be careful as there is something dark going on. The next day at the wedding, Javier who is also a deputy and Alex’s best man suggests she does not pick the right men (suggesting it should be him) and plants a hot kiss on her while Paul looks on. Marygene and Betsy find Lucy as the “victim” in the reception desk they are shocked but think it is all part of the murder mystery. Unfortunately, that is not the case and when paramedics are called everyone is shocked when the body disappears. Alex’s mother and Betsy’s aunt accuses Marygene and Betsy of hurting Lucy. On the way home, Betsy and Marygene are in a car accident and dragged to safety prior to the Peach Diner’s catering van exploding. Eddie who is the Sheriff and Marygene’s father is investigating and furious he did not check the vehicle for the bomb. There were so many twists and turns in this on and you are really kept on your seat. I also like the relationships in this as you see how the small town works and that Marygene is truly a good person and cares so much about her family and town and even Alex after her treats her so horribly. This is the best yet in this series. Definitely a winner and looking forward to the next installment.

SOUTHERN SASS AND A BATTERED BRIDE by Kate Young
The Third Marygene Brown Mystery

Marygene Brown once thought she'd be marrying her first love, Alex, not catering his wedding. Although any romantic notions she had regarding Alex are history, she can't help being a bit emotional, especially as Alex is marrying Lucy, a much despised nasty piece of work. The wedding is unusual, with Alex's fried dough requirement and a murder mystery themed reception. Seeing the bride splayed out by the wedding cake after the service Marygene and Betsy believe Lucy is really getting into the part. When Alex becomes distraught seeing his new wife Marygene soon realizes that Lucy isn't playing. But how could she be dead? Things take an even stranger turn when the body disappears. As Alex goes off the deep end, blaming his cousin and Marygene, Marygene knows she has to help before his family is irreparably damaged and she and Betsy are arrested for murder!

I absolutely love this series, which although it doesn't seem possible, just keeps getting better. The concept of the third Marygene Brown mystery series is brilliant, with enough twists and turns to make me dizzy! An apparent murder, a missing body, an attempted bank robbery, and a family turned against each other make for an exciting read. There are plenty of laughs as well, especially with Betsy whose unfiltered commentary and wacky antics can't be contained. I love how Marygene's mama is growing in her afterlife and how she does whatever she can to help her loved ones. And as for Javier...as Betsy said, "he's a hunk of burnin' Latin love". I know he has me swooning.

SOUTHERN SASS AND A BATTERED BRIDE is a laugh out loud, exciting read that will keep you guessing. Plenty of thrills and quite a few chills will keep you on your toes as Marygene embarks on another mystery with the help of her zany best friend and her mama's spirit.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Alex Myers is getting married but not to his childhood sweetheart Marygene Brown. No, he is marrying Lucy Carmichael and no one is really happy about it. Marygene has consented to cater the event because it is good business, especially because most of the island is attending. They aren’t really coming to support the nuptials, they are coming to take part in the murder mystery reception. Marygene is surprised the bridezilla has consented to be the victim but when she sees the woman on the ground covered in batter she realizes the woman will do anything to be the center of attention.

Looking closely Marygene thinks the woman is doing an excellent job, she really looks dead. OMG! She is dead! Her mama’s ghost had warned her to be careful because there is an aura of darkness around the wedding. Well, she was right and things get even eerier when Lucy’s body disappears. Was she really dead or was it all just an act? Who would have taken a dead body? and how did they do it without being seen? Marygene knows she has to find out because she and her best friend Betsy are high up on the suspect list. She just hopes her mother will be able to see something Marygene is missing because this is no longer a game, it’s murder and other lives are on the line.

Kate Young has created such strong characters with a fantastic family dynamic. Marygene has grown so much since this series began. She is Southern through and through always trying to see the best in everyone even when they are clearly at their worse. She will bend over backward to help, again when people don’t deserve it. This time we saw the worse of Alex and it really shakes Marygene to her core but she remains open to help him even when others have backed away. Betsy and her Aunt Vi are really hurt by his words and actions but they are still able to bring plenty of funny to this story. I just love Marygene’s mother. Her ghostly presence is always interesting. She is still learning about what she can and can’t do but she always shows up when Marygene needs her most. A tragic event within the story shows that even a ghost can grow and evolve. Marygene’s siblings also play a large role in the story. I became invested in these characters early in this series and they continue to warm my heart and surprise me too. This family is close and that is what drives this series.

The story starts out of the gate fast with so much going on. This author excels at blending real-life happenings with the murder mystery. Marygene is pulled in several directions it seems all at the same time. A complicated mystery unfolds with several twists and exciting moments. Marygene takes a wild ride literally this time and it had me holding my breath imagining what could have been and that was just the first time it happened. The pages were flying as each clue dropped and my theories took flight. I did have someone pretty well pinned to the top of my suspect list but there were twists that really surprised me and I was pretty shocked when all was revealed.

As I have said before, the books in this series are so much more than cozy mysteries. Kate Young gives her readers a story full of Southern charm and sass and characters that are realistic and true. The dialogues are cleverly written and the humor is spot-on. Southern Sass and a Battered Bride is a very entertaining story. I definitely need more Marygene, Betsy, and Aunt Vi in my life. I hope to return to Peach Cove Island soon.

This is the third book in the Marygene Brown series by Kate Young. Southern Sass and a Battered Bride is a very unique murder mystery themed wedding that is saturated in Southern Charm. This book has it all! It is filled with family drama, accusations, betrayal, murder and even a bank robbery! There are many twist and turns from the beginning and Young will keep you guessing throughout the book! I have not read the the first two books in this series but Young’s well developed characters and intriguing plot kept this book in my hands! I will definitely go back and read the other two. I recommend you read this book if you enjoy murder mystery with all that Southern Charm!

Thank you NetGalley, Kate Young and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this charming book in exchange for my honest review.
#southernsassandbatteredbride
#kateyoung
#kensingtonpublishing
#netgalley

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride: A Marygene Brown Mystery
By Kate Young
Kensington
May 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

Marygene Brown may have dreamed of planning a wedding on her beloved Peach Cove Island with her childhood sweetheart Deputy Alex Myers, but she never would have imagined that it would be like this. Instead of walking down the aisle to meet her groom, Marygene is catering the reception for Alex and his bridezilla Lucy Carmichael. Lucy isn’t shy about her demands nor her hatred of Marygene, which makes hiring Marygene and then inviting her to bridal parties inexplicable. Only Alex’s mother seems to approve of the self-involved and dismissive bride-to-be, so when Marygene finds Lucy’s body slathered in wedding cake there should be an abundance of suspects.

As a result of conflicts of interests though, mainland Detective Thornton is sent in and he isn’t shy about his opinion that either Marygene or coworker Betsy are guilty. That makes relying on Javier Reyes all the more crucial, as while he may have been the Best Man, he is also another deputy who makes sparks fly when with Marygene. A past abusive relationship has Marygene retreating in a much safer relationship with somewhat nerdy Paul Fowler, whose work with the Sunshine Murder Mystery Company has increased business with Marygene’s Peach Diner catering services. Marygene’s “affliction” that allows her to interact with the protective presence of her late mother also gives her a heads up when something is wrong in Peach Cove, although it would be more helpful if Mama could develop her sensitives a little faster.

This third in the series continues to follow Marygene’s recovery from her trauma as she embraces her family’s legacy on Georgia’s charming Peach Cove Island. In a place where everyone seems to be related or have at least grown up together, there are a surprising abundance of secrets being kept among these quirky characters. Marygene’s bonds with her female friends bolster her and provide much needed entertainment and edible treats, especially as she learns to tiptoe back into the dating world. Alex’s wishy-washiness and wounded-ego neediness may have readers occasionally wanting to kick him in the behind, so it’s rewarding to see Marygene handle their relationship with enviable maturity. And then give him a figurative kick in the behind. Mama also shares her opinion, not just on Marygene’s personal life but on the threats facing Peach Cove and the diner. The island setting is as tantalizing as the Southern cuisine, making it a place one never wishes to leave. A genuinely surprising and very satisfying ending wraps up this fund mystery centered around a heroine who is growing stronger and building a rather unique support base of friends and family.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an opportunity read Southern Sass and a Battered Bride,

Although the story sounded interesting, this book didn’t really work well for me. I just really didn’t care enough for any of the (many) characters, and was just an ok read .

It does have really high ratings overall, so give it a try if you like cozy mysteries !

Marygene is more southern than beignets. But she is also willing to gracefully cater her ex-boyfriend’s wedding to save her family’s beloved Peach’s Diner. Marygene and her best friend, Betsy, run into all kinds of trouble when the bride, Lucy, turns up dead for real in the murder mystery game at the reception. And then, the body promptly disappears. Even Marygene’s dead mother’s spirit doesn’t know where Lucy is now. That is just the beginning of the twists and turns this foodie cozy mystery will take until the surprising conclusion!

I love the spunky southern characters and small-town vibe of Southern Sass and a Battered Bride. The various mysteries were great too. The humor and the recipes added to my delight. I believe this book is my favorite of the series, but I can only rate it the same as the last book, 5 stars!

Thanks to Kensington Books, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars

This is the third book in the Marygene Brown mystery series by Kate Young.

Wow, Young just knocked it out of the park with her newest Marygene Brown mystery! This one is truly a gem! I have read other books in this series but this one really captured my heart.

The mystery made me really question Alex’s integrity. He seemed like he was jumping into marriage with this new bridezillatoo quickly. Shet had a great dislike for Marygene from the get go and Marygene’s previous relationship with Alex which had been over long ago was one of the things that bothered her the most. The story is very layered and full of twists and turns. It is just my sort of thing. I could not for the life of me figure out who could have committed such a crime. Lots of breadcrumbs here.

Quite a big twist happens at the end which made me happy since I was fearful that one of the regular cast might have been fingered for the crime. Whew! Bullet dodged there.

Loved so much about it. If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

Each book gets better and better with this series.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

Appreciated that the book mentioned therapy and coping mechanisms related to recovery from domestic violence. However, the ending is deeply problematic as it hinges on ableism...


SPOILERS: ... the stereotype that mental illness causes crime (the villain is off her meds and it specifies that she's able to play "normal" for a time because she was on her meds then). Before this point in the book I would have given a much higher rating. Not only is the stereotype damaging and inaccurate, this stereotype is used so often in mysteries that it's hardly an interesting end. An ending that did not rely on ableism would have been far more interesting and intelligent, and thus a superior book.

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication Date: April 27, 2021

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young is the third book in the Marygene Brown Mystery series. I had not read the previous books, but was able to jump right in and read this as a standalone mystery.

This was such a sweet cozy mystery. I really felt for Marygene, who had to cater the wedding of her childhood sweetheart. I loved that there is a supernatural element to this book! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the other books in the series! The characters were great and funny!

I'm so grateful to Kate Young, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book in the Marygene Brown Mystery series and dare I say it is my favorite so far! I found myself completely captivated throughout the whole story, attempting to come up with my own theories about the mystery. Throughout this story, we also really got to see Marygene's friendship with Betsy, which in my opinion added another element to Marygene for me, slowly opening herself up to us more in each book.

Thank you Kate Young and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

SOUTHERN SASS AND A BATTERED BRIDE, the third Marygene Brown Mystery, is one wild ride! Fasten your seatbelts and hang on tight.

I enjoyed the two previous books in this Southern cozy series, but this third installment is over-the-top greatness. Protagonist Marygene faces a lot of trials here starting with catering her longtime sweetheart’s wedding reception…where the bridezilla is murdered and disappears. This is followed by life and death danger, robbery, a body dump, and the ultimate frame job. I do not want to give too much of the plot away. Marygene and her best friend Betsy become the prime suspects, and Marygene, with the help of her ghostly mother, will not rest until the mystery is solved.

Author Kate Young has created a wonderful, quirky group of characters with a small community island setting. Everyone is related, by birth or marriage, and gossip is king. Marygene has baggage from her abusive past that she is bravely working through and doing her best to morph the relationship with her high school sweetheart Alex from romance to friendship. She is strong, resilient, and determined. She is driven to help victims get justice with the help of her deceased mother who is trying to make amends while in limbo herself. Alex, always hot-headed, lashes out at Marygene at one point, and it is so vicious that it brought tears to my eyes. Author Young makes readers care that much about the characters and their world.

The story is fast paced and compelling. It was truly impossible to put down – I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next. Like I said above, a wild ride. There are plenty of clues and lots of misdirection, things happen that totally change the direction of the puzzle. I had my suspicions about one obvious character, but I was blown away by how it all finally played out.

I am stingy with my five star ratings, but SOUTHERN SASS AND A BATTERED BRIDE is worthy. It is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year, and I cannot wait to see what Marygene gets into next. Highly recommended to any cozy mystery reader, especially those who enjoy a Southern setting, zany tight-knit characters, and ghosts.

I received an ARC of this title from the Author and Kensington Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

This is the third book in the Marygene Brown series. Marygene is catering the wedding of her former boyfriend and his obnoxious bride. The bride has chosen a murder mystery theme for the reception. When Marygene discovers the bride sprawled on the ground she assumes it it part of the game. It soon becomes clear that this is not a part of the plan. Marygene and her best friend Betsy must prove that they are not responsible for the death of the bridezilla.

I have enjoyed each of the books in this series. The Peach Diner sounds like somewhere I would want to eat. I was a bit surprised that Marygene would cater Alex's wedding after the way he treated her in the last book. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Alex was so incredibly horrible to Marygene and Betsy that I wanted to slap him. I never quite got the chemistry between him and Lucy.

Marygene is dating Paul. He works for the murder mystery company. I really did not click with him. i am so anxious for Marygene to realize the man that is right under nose.

Marygene and Betsy have one of the best friendships in anything that I read. I love how they each watch out for the other and always have each others back.

The mystery had a lot of twists and turns. I had suspicions early on about a character. The revelation was a bit unexpected. As always, Marygene's mother adds to the storyline. Her ghostly presence creates a great plot on its own.

The recipes sound yummy and I may have to try a couple.

This is fun series that I recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young is the third in her Marygene Brown series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though I have not read the first two. The backlist is now on my TBR list. The characters are ,by turns, wonderful, zany, some are mean, but all are necessary to the plot. A lot is going on and that is just the way I like it---a missing bride, a dead body, a missing body, and to top it all off, Marygene is a suspect. No good deed goes unpunished ---she catered the wedding for her ex- boyfriend and his bridezilla, just to be nice. The pace is quick , the twisty turns race to a surprise conclusion. Anddd---the recipes in the back look yummy. We tried the Healthy Pumpkin Muffins --great!--- and hope to make the Cranberry, White Chocolate, and Pistachio Biscotti. Fans of light mystery, or cozy mystery are sure to love this.
I requested, and received, an ARC of this book from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, I always review books that I enjoy.
#SouthernSassandaBatteredBride #NetGalley

Although the third in the series, Southern Sass and a Battered Bride was the first instalment for me. Kate Young's series features Marygene Brown who owns the Peach Diner along with her sister, Jena Lynn. Marygene is providing the catering for a murder/mystery-themed wedding for her childhood sweetheart, Alex Myers and bridezilla Lucy Carmichael. Marygene is managing to put a smile on her face for the nuptials, but then she finds Lucy lying on the floor sprawled out in front of the wedding cake covered with funnel cake batter.

The cast of characters is completely engaging, especially Marygene’s best friend and co-worker, Betsy and Aunt Vi. Marygene has strong bonds with Jena Lynn and Sam, her brother, as well as her father, Eddie, and even the spirit of her dead mum. Set on Peach Cove Island, Georgia this book is jammed with drama and action. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Southern Sass and a Battered Bride and I will be checking out the first instalment, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings as soon as I can.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series, but I enjoyed it as a standalone and was able to gather details about the past books too. I may have liked it even more if I had read the series from the beginning. Regardless, it’s an enjoyable mystery with a little bit of kookiness mixed in.

There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and the banter between Marygene and her BFF Betsy are my favorite parts. Those two are a hoot!

When you need an escape from reality grab a drink and comfy blanket to curl up with this cozy mystery!

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)

Southern Sass and A Battered Bride is another winner in the Marygene Brown Mystery series! I reviewed Southern Sass and A Crispy Corpse last May, so as soon as I saw this one was available, I couldn't wait to read it! I definitely was not disappointed! Though you don't need to read the first two books in the series (I didn't read the first) to read this one, you'll enjoy and appreciate the characters more.

Have you ever been to a murder mystery dinner? I have, and it was a blast. However, I have never been to a murder mystery themed wedding!! Creepy, right? But you gotta do what the bride wants you to do, and Alex's bride-to-be wants this. Marygene and the Peach Diner crew agree to cater it; and, of course, the murder mystery themed wedding turns into a real murder mystery.

I am enjoying this series so much! In case you missed it in the synopsis, Marygene's mom "haunts" her, but her haunting is usually helpful since the dead are drawn to Marygene. This time, her mom isn't quite sure what's happened to the bride since she doesn't seem to have crossed over. That makes Marygene's job a lot tougher. Is the bride really dead? Who knows? Her body disappeared from the wedding, and seemingly from everywhere. You're going to love following the clues carefully laid out by the author. There are plenty of red herrings that keep you guessing.

There's plenty of action and excitement in Southern Sass and a Battered Bride. Marygene's love life is still up in the air, but you just might find out a thing or two in this book! The characters are so well-written that they just jump off of the page.

If you're looking for a new cozy mystery series with great characters and original mysteries, check out the Southern Sass books by Kate Young! You won't be disappointed!

In the third Southern Sass Mystery, Marygene is the caterer not the bride, at Alex's wedding. Later, Marygene becomes the investigator when Alex's new wife is murdered, and then her body vanishes. Saying much more will spoil the book. I've enjoyed each book in the series and hope there is a fourth.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many twists and turns in this book you will never want to put it down. Marygene finds herself in the uncomfortable position of catering her ex-boyfriend's wedding but then the bride turns up dead.....or is she?

The plot is excellent and the mystery fast paced with some suspense and topped off with a dash of romance. I haven't read the first two books in the series and had no trouble following this story but will certainly go back to read them too.

Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.