A Groom with a View by Jill Churchill

Book Details
A Groom with a View by Jill Churchill
Paperback, 288 Pages
2000, Avon Books
ISBN: 0380794500
Series: Book 11 of Jane Jeffry

Synopsis
Jane Jeffry thinks that a remote, rundown monastery-turned-hunt club is an odd place to hold a wedding. But the doubting suburban single mom is being paid to plan the fabulous event, not to say "I do." With overnight guests already arriving, Jane and best friend Shelley must rush to transform the musty, moosehead-lined halls into a matrimonial wonderland, under the scrutiny of the mousy bride-to-be's rich, most demanding daddy.

Then the lights go out, thanks to a violent, unexpected storm. As guests and "help" alike huddle in their flower-bedecked monks' cells, one almost-participant takes a suspicious slippery tumble to a very sudden death. But the marriage show must go on--despite Jane's nagging near certainty that the victim was ceremoniously "helped" down the stairs. And Jane's going to have to come up with a murderer and a motive, even as the first strains of bridal march begin--or else this fantasy wedding could turn into a real killer of an occasion.

Review
I love a wedding themed cozy and A Groom with a View has everything from the initial planning to the reception. Unfortunately, it is also hugely predictable. The killer was obvious when first introduced, well before anyone was murdered. You didn't know who was going to die or why, but it was certain that one specific person was going to be behind it.

A Groom with a View focuses on Jane, Shelley and the wedding. Mel shows up later, but none of the kids were present. There was no domesticity like most of the other books, which I didn't mind but may disappoint fans who enjoy watching Jane juggle single motherhood and murder investigations.

The concept of the mystery was solid and the reasons behind the murder were creative, yet convincing. Nothing could save this book from mediocrity because we could never get in Jane's shoes and try to sleuth out the killer. Knowing how things would turn out throughout the book with the only surprise being the reasons behind the murder makes A Groom with a View less than thrilling.

Rating

Links

Jill Churchill's website