Marriage and Murder: A Sexy, Small Town Cozy Mystery

4.25 stars--MARRIAGE AND MURDER is the second instalment in Penny Reid’s contemporary, adult SOLVING FOR PIE: CLETUS AND JENN MYSTERIES romantic, suspense series focusing on engaged couple Cletus Winston, and Jenn Donner-Sylvester. MARRIAGE AND MURDER can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading book one ENGAGEMENT AND ESPIONAGE as the events in book two are as of a direct result from the events in book one. The Solving For Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries is a spin off from the author’s Winston Brothers series. Cletus Winston and Jenn Sylvester’s original story can be found in book three of the Winston Brothers series BEARD SCIENCE. NOTE: Although the series is categorized as a ‘cozy mystery’-meaning no $ex, violence or swearing on the pages- there is $ex, violence and foul language, so in actuality I would not say, by definition, this is a true cozy mystery series. SOME BACKSTORY: In book one ENGAGEMENT AND ESPIONAGE Jenn’s father Kip Sylvester scammed a number of people in the small town of Green Valley, and in the wake of these scams left several townsfolk looking for payback and revenge, targeting Jenn, and her mother in the process. Told from dual first person perspectives (Jenn and Cletus) MARRIAGE AND MURDER follows in the aftermath of Jenn and Cletus’ almost engagement party but gun shots, murder and a missing mother in law-to be finds Cletus and Jenn on the short list of suspects in the wake of secrets and the revelation that Jenn is about to inherit everything and more. As Cletus begins to unravel a series of clues leading to the who, what and how, Jenn’s role as suspect turns victim with potentially deadly consequences. What ensues is the ongoing relationship and romance between Jenn and Cletus, and the fall-out of sins from the past are about to destroy our story line couple. The relationship between Jenn and Cletus continues to grow as Jenn’s attachment and need for Cletus begins to take on a life of its’ own. The $ex scenes are passionate, seductive and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar characters including most of Cletus’ siblings and their significant others- Congressman Billy Winston, Drew and Ashley, Jethro and Sienna, Beau and Shelly, Roscoe; Deputy Jackson James; Jenn’s mother Diane Donner, her father Kip Sylvester, and Kip’s lady friend Elena Wilkerson; Jenn’s brother Isaac aka Twilight; Wraith’s MC treasurer Jason aka Repo; and farmer Kenneth Miller. The requisite evil has many faces. MARRIAGE AND MURDER is a story of betrayal and vengeance; greed and jealousy; love and forever. The premise is intriguing, suspenseful and intense; the romance is captivating; the characters are animated, dynamic and edgy.

This was a delightfully fun and highly entertaining read with romance, sizzling sensuality, family drama, a murder mystery, and my best-loved character from among my favorite family of quirky hillbillies, Cletus. I am enamored with him as well as his intended bride Jenn. They are an adorable couple and both with odd and complicated family dynamics. The storylines were intriguing, the characters were delectably peculiar, and the writing was cleverly amusing and kept me fully engaged on all thrusters. I hope to be reading these tales into perpetuity with these characters reaching the age of having spirited nursing home shenanigans.

I so love this spin off series about Cletus and Jenn. This is a couple that is so underestimated by most folks has a love that outshines everything! This story picks up with Cletus and Jenn finally celebrating their engagement. And what a party it is. Mayhem ensues and a new mystery needs to be solved. Cletus has got to be one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read. His quirkiness, and his love for Jenn is just inspiring and the talent of Ms. Reid to be able to create such a unique hero is just a testament to her writing talent. I love how past characters make appearances, but they don't overshine the main plot of the story, they just add to it. This story is full of mystery, love, charm and swoons. Oh and as the title says, marriage! But I am not going to spoil it for you. Another stellar story from the great mind of Penny Reid, get your hands on it!