Bride and Doom [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean Hager (Author)

Book Description

Series: Iris House B & B Mystery | Publication Date: November 7, 2000

Matrimony or Murder

Wedding bells will soon be tolling for Tess Darcy, who is finally to tie the knot with longtime love Luke Fredrik.To celebrate the much anticipated occasion, Tess's Aunt Dahlia and Cousin Cinny are hosting a bridal shower at the Victoria Springs Country Club, the sacred domain of Julian Walker, superchef extraordinaire, who is as thoroughly despised as his culinary masterpieces are adored. So it is not a complete surprise when the dictatorial kitchen artiste is real shock is when Iris House cook Gertie Bogart is fingered as the prime suspect.

This lethal brouhaha could easily ruin Tess's upcoming wedding -- and land Gertie in the slammer for a crime Tess is certain her friend did not commit. To rescue both, Tess will have to temporarily exchange her wedding veil for a sleuthing hat. But by doing so, she risks raising the ire of a killer -- which, in turn, raises the likelihood of Tess winding up dead before wed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jean Hager captures the heartaches, hopes, fears, and foolishness of everyday people." -- --Carolyn Hart

About the Author

Jean Hager has been writing mysteries, though unpublished, since she was twelve years old. The Iris House series grew out of the author's love for Bed-and-Breakfast inns and their sometimes eccentric guests. Ms. Hager is also the author of two Cherokee mystery series.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Avon (November 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380803763
• ISBN-13: 978-0380803767
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,165,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-crafted cozy, November 12, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bride and Doom (Mass Market Paperback)

As Tess Darcy prepares for her upcoming wedding, she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery as she tries to clear her cook, Gertie from being the prime suspect. This is a very enjoyable book with an interesting plot and likable characters. The story moves along at a good pace without unnecessary, diverting details, and the subplot of Tess'wedding adds a cozy feel. I highly recommend this book for those mystery fans who like light, cozy stories.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a great place to visit, February 8, 2001

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bride and Doom (Mass Market Paperback)

The Iris House B&B would be a great place to spend a few days. It might not be terribly relaxing, but if the stories set there are any indication, one would be treated to a beautifully decorated, very comfortable room; prize-winning cuisine; a cozy library up in the remodeled attic--and possibly a real-life mystery or two.

The previous books in this series have introduced us to Tess Darcy, the owner of Iris House, which was a surprise bequest. Not knowing what to do with it, she converted it into the B&B, and has managed to fill it with various groups of intriguing and sometimes murderous clients. Along the way, she has become engaged to the handsome Luke Fredrik, added an apartment for them to the original house, and acquainted us with her staff and family--those who still live in Victoria Springs and her father's second family, now residing in France.

Of course, there is a somewhat bumbling chief of police who really doesn't like Tess very much, and who can blame him, when she's so much more intelligent and logical than he is? Even so, Tess never comes across as a know-it-all; rather, more like a woman any other woman would be pleased to call 'friend'. Certainly, any woman in trouble would like such a friend.

As one might guess from the title, this book centers around the wedding of Tess and Luke. A bridal shower is being given at the country club, and when the officious master chef is found with his own butcher knife in his chest, everyone present takes a turn at being the main suspect. It's a near thing, though, for Gertie Bogart, the cook at Iris House. Finally, however, all the clues fall into place, and the wedding takes place as scheduled.

This reader hopes that marriage and a family do not spell retirement for Tess. At least, not until I can go spend some time there. I highly recommend Iris House for any reader of cozy mystery novels, especially, but I'm sure anyone would be made welcome!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Killer" Suspense From Beginning to End, December 30, 2001

By 

Tonya Ramagos (Chattanooga, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bride and Doom (Mass Market Paperback)

Part of the Irish House series, this mind-boggling mystery begins with the preparations of Tess Darby's wedding to her beloved Luke Fredrik. A bridal shower is held at the Victoria Springs Country Club. From the start, tempers flare as the club chef, Julian Walker, despises anyone stepping foot in his kitchen domain-most of all the Irish House cook, Gertie Bogart. Then Julian is found murdered and the finger is pointed to Gertie. In two weeks Tess rushes to clear the name of her dear friend and cook by diving into an investigation of her own to determine who the real killer is. As the suspect list begins to grow, postponing her wedding seems inevitable.

Jean Hager has created a wonderful amateur sleuth mystery full of likely suspects that will keep you guessing until the final page. Each character is developed to the max explaining their hopes, their fears, and touching emotions. While the victim is obvious from the start, solving the murder proves to be a difficult task for even the best mystery minds. A thrilling, captivating read!