The Cold Light of Mourning
A Penny Brannigan Mystery
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4.4 • 30 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Elizabeth J. Duncan spins a charming tale of murder and intrigue in her award-winning first novel, The Cold Light of Mourning.
The picturesque North Wales market town of Llanelen is shocked when Meg Wynne Thompson, a self-made beauty who has turned out to be something of an unpopular bride, goes missing on her wedding day…and turns up dead. The last person believed to have seen her is manicurist Penny Brannigan, an expatriate Canadian who has lived in North Wales for almost twenty-five years. When Penny notices that something is not quite right at the funeral of her dearest friend, she becomes emotionally invested in the case, and sets out to investigate.
It seems that several people, including the bride's drunken, abusive father, had reasons to wish Meg dead, but when the trail leads to her groom's home, an explosive secret will shake the small town.
With its bucolic Welsh setting and vivid, colorful characters, this mystery is sure to delight the most discerning of traditional-mystery fans.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A runaway bride is the linchpin of Canadian writer Duncan's delightful debut, which has won the Minotaur/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. Expatriate Canadian manicurist Penny Brannigan is grieving after the death of a dear friend when the major event of the year occurs in the town of Llanelen, Wales. Social climber Meg Wynne Thompson isn't universally loved, and when she disappears on her wedding day, a case of jilting at the altar takes on more sinister overtones. Speculation swirls around various members of the bridal party, including the bewildered groom and the suave best man. But Penny, who thinks there was something odd about one client at her salon on the fateful morning, shares her observations with Det. Chief Insp. Gareth Davies and asks uncomfortable questions that place her and a colleague in danger. The scenic Welsh backdrop, village personalities and a budding romance for Penny add color and interest.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely Lovely
Beautifully written, focused, and well thought out mystery. Reminiscent of Enid Blyton's English villages and prose with Agatha Christie's mystery and character development. I enjoyed it immensely. Can't wait for the next book!