Murder at Morningside

Sandra Bretting

May 2016 · A Missy DuBois Mystery Book 1 · Lyrical Press

About this ebook

A Southern bridal designer unveils a coldhearted killer among Louisiana’s elite in this cozy mystery series debut by the national bestselling author.
 
Hat designer Missy DuBois caters to the sophisticated Southern bride at her hat shop, Crowning Glory, on Louisiana's Great River Road. Hired to craft a veil for a socialite getting married at Morningside Plantation means Missy can bask in the height of antebellum atmosphere. But when the bride is found dead in a women's bathroom, Missy finds herself entangled in one unceremonious murder.
 
The list of suspects includes a gaggle of bridesmaids shedding nary a tear and a family with no shortage of enemies. It seems anyone at the mansion may have done away with the bride-to-be. While Missy has Southern charm to spare, she's going to need more than manners and a manicure to put a hat pin on this murderous affair.

Ratings and reviews

Murder at Morningside by Sandra Bretting is the first A Missy DuBois Mystery novel. Melissa “Missy” DuBois and her friend, Ambrose are at the Morningside Plantation to assist with a wedding of Trinity and Sterling. Ambrose is doing the gown (owns Ambrose’s Allure Couture) and Missy the veil (owns Crowning Glory). Unfortunately, before the bride and groom so can say their I Do’s, the bride is found dead in the bathroom (what a horrible place to kick the bucket). Who would want to kill a pregnant woman about to be married (Missy noticed the baby bump earlier in the day)? Missy had met Ivy Solomon, step-mother of the bride, earlier at a tea (and hat contest) Missy now feels that they are friends and sets out to find the killer (friends after an hour). Trinity was well-liked, but her father Herbert Solomon was not because of his oil refinery (and cheapskate ways). Would someone kill Trinity to get back at her father? Then there is the strange “ghost” being seen around the hotel. Will Missy be able to find the killer? You will have to read Murder at Morningside to get the answer. I found Murder at Morningside to be contrived (very fake). Missy DuBois is a true Southern woman (or what people believe a Southern woman to be) who keeps using various southern expressions like “bless her poor little heart” and “butter my biscuit” (I have yet to hear one southern person say any of these phrases. Maybe I live in the wrong state). I was not a fan of Missy (she was okay but no very believable as a real life character). How can you consider someone a friend after knowing them an hour? It seemed like a lame excuse to look into a murder (it would have been better if she had just admitted she was to curious for her own good). The characters were not developed. We get basic information on them, but they were not brought to life. There is quite a bit about a fashion show that Missy volunteers herself and Ambrose to organize and run (in a very short amount of time from scratch which is unlikely). The book is easy to read, but I just did not enjoy it. The mystery was child’s play to solve (the killer was extremely apparent). I give Murder at Morningside 2.5 out of 5 stars. I am not a fan of these silly mystery novels (which I do not know they are until I read them). I will not be reading the next book in the series (for which I am sure the author will grateful). I received a complimentary copy of Murder at Morningside from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

liked the characters and the way the story moves.

About the author

Sandra Bretting has written for several national newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle and the Los Angeles Times. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she currently lives with her family in Houston, Texas. Readers can visit her website at www.SandraBretting.com.