Body on the Bayou

A Cajun Country Mystery

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Pub Date Sep 13 2016 | Archive Date Sep 13 2016

Description

Winner of the 2016 Best Humorous Mystery Lefty Award and shortlisted for the Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Award, Body on the Bayou finds Maggie Crozat once again using her artist's eye to spot clues and help.

The Crozats feared that past murders at Crozat Plantation B&B might spell the death of their beloved estate, but they've managed to survive the scandal. Now there's a trés bigger story in Pelican, Louisiana: the upcoming nuptials between Maggie Crozat's nemesis, Police Chief Rufus Durand, and her co-worker, Vanessa Fleer.

When everyone else refuses the job of being Vanessa's Maid of Honor, Maggie reluctantly takes up the title and finds herself tasked with a long list of duties--the most important of which is entertaining Vanessa's cousin, Ginger Fleer-Starke. But just days before the wedding, Ginger's lifeless body is found on the bayou and the Pelican PD, as well as the Crozats, have another murder mystery on their hands.

There's a gumbo-potful of suspects, including an ex-Marine with PTSD, an annoying local newspaper reporter, and Vanessa's own sparkplug of a mother. But when it looks like the investigation is zeroing in on Vanessa as the prime suspect, Maggie reluctantly adds keeping the bride-to-be out of jail to her list of Maid of Honor responsibilities in Body on the Bayou, Ellen Byron's funny and engaging follow up to her critically acclaimed novel Plantation Shudders.

Winner of the 2016 Best Humorous Mystery Lefty Award and shortlisted for the Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Award, Body on the Bayou finds Maggie Crozat once again using her artist's eye to spot...


Advance Praise

"Cozy readers who fell under the spell of the eccentric and charming Crozat family will welcome their return...Diane Mott Davidson and Lou Jane Temple fans will line up for this series." - Library Journal

“A tight plot, an appealing setting, and a smart, good-hearted protagonist with a caring, supportive family and lots of friends give this story everything cozy readers could want.” – Publishers Weekly

“Who did the deadly deed? Often amusing characters and plenty of red herrings make Byron’s second Cajun Country mystery an entertaining read.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Southern charm and humor permeate Ellen Byron’s Body on the Bayou, a Louisiana murder mystery rife with suspenseful twists, relationship drama, and delectable cooking…Aside from the backdrop, the characters are the most compelling aspect of the novel, as even minor players possess unique and memorable personalities.” – Foreword Reviews, 5-star review

“Not only is the story a whole lot of fun to read, with a historical plantation setting, but there are also mouthwatering recipes for every reader to sink their teeth into.” – Suspense Magazine

"Body on the Bayou is a perfect mix of Southern charm, spicy people, fantastic food, and murder...Once again, Ellen Byron has given us a murder mystery masterpiece!" – Night Owl Reviews, Top Pick

"Cozy readers who fell under the spell of the eccentric and charming Crozat family will welcome their return...Diane Mott Davidson and Lou Jane Temple fans will line up for this series." - Library...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781629537689
PRICE $25.99 (USD)

Average rating from 35 members


Featured Reviews

I was hooked from the first page to the last by this delightful, laugh out funny cozy mystery. It's filled with colorful characters, clever surprises and a lot of Cajun flavoring. When Maggie Crozat agrees to become the maid of honor at her co-worker Vanessa's wedding she never thought it would enmesh her in another murder investigation. But when Vanessa's cousin Ginger is found dead and the evidence points to Vanessa, Maggie must once again delve into investigating so the wedding can go on. This is a multi-dimensional mystery that kept me guessing (and laughing) all the way through. I highly recommend it.

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This is the second time this week that I've visited Pelican, LA and checked in at the Crozat B & B. I was needing another serious dose of Cajun mystery, mischief, mayhem and murder and this is definitely the place to get THE DOSE! I really liked Byron's first book in this series, Plantation Shudders, but I LOVED this book! I read it in about 4 hours! It was everything you could want in a quick, cozy suspense mystery. Actually, Byron ALWAYS gives you bonuses because there's never only ONE mystery or only ONE murder. Byron has the ability to masterfully describe characters and place and you feel as though you are participating in the story with them. The characters we were introduced to in Plantation Shudders seem to have more depth to them and then the new characters--WOW! Each new character brings an important part to the story and deepens the many mysterious happenings. Please keep this series going for a long time to come!

Special thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair an honest review.

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