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Terror in Taffeta

Kelsey McKenna has planned out every last detail of her client's destination wedding in San Miguel de Allende. But what she didn't plan on was one of the bridesmaids dropping dead in the middle of the ceremony.

When the bride's sister is arrested for murder, the mother of the bride demands that Kelsey fix the matter at once. Although Kelsey is pretty sure investigating a murder isn't in her contract, crossing the well connected Mrs. Abernathy could be a career-killer. Before she can leave Mexico and get back to planning weddings, Kelsey will have to deal with stubborn detectives, another dead body, late-night death threats—and guests who didn't even RSVP.

You are cordially invited...

About the Author

MARLA COOPER was astonished when, at the age of 18, she realized people could actually get paid to write things. So she switched her major from business to advertising—much to the relief of her accounting professor—and began her career as an advertising copywriter. She later became a freelancer so she could take advantage of perks like working in her pajamas, and now she writes a little bit of everything. It was while she was ghostwriting a book on destination weddings that she found inspiration for her first novel, Terror in Taffeta. Originally hailing from Texas, Marla lives in Oakland, California, with her husband and her polydactyl tuxedo cat.

Reviews

"This mystery novel is a real roller coaster with twists, turns and dips at every corner. Just when readers feel like they know who the bad guys are, their world is rocked by more information and more suspects. The end is unpredictable but believable and readers will be all too delighted to go on this ride that the author has masterfully crafted."

―RT Book Reviews

"This cozy debut introduces a competent new amateur sleuth whose profession is sure to provide myriad problems along with a cast of quirky characters and plenty of motives and red herrings that keep you guessing."

―Kirkus Reviews

"The lush setting adds appeal, and the destination-wedding frame gives the tale a kind of locked room dimension."

―Booklist

"Red herrings and intelligent sleuthing make this cozy a winner."

―Publishers Weekly

Advance Praise

“Feisty and Funny, Marla Cooper’s debut novel shines as she encapsulates the best the genre has to offer: a quick-witted heroine, a puzzling page turner of a plot, and a cast of quirky characters like no other. I highly recommend this terrific first in a series!”

—Jenn McKinlay, NYT bestselling author

“Marla Cooper is one funny lady. Her debut mystery, Terror in Taffeta, crackles with sharp writing and clever plot twists. I definitely say “I do” to this rollicking romp through a wedding from hell.”

—Laura Levine, bestselling author of the Jaine Austen Mystery series

“Like a perfect margarita, Marla Cooper has blended up a tart and delicious Mexican-set bridal mystery for her wacky and charming cozy debut, Terror in Taffeta.”

—Jerrilyn Farmer, bestselling author of the Madeline Bean Mystery series

Dying on the Vine

Kelsey McKenna can't wait to get to work planning a wedding in Napa County. There’s only one problem: her new clients had been working with Babs Norton, the self-proclaimed Queen of Wine Country Weddings—and things did not end well. Kelsey wants to make sure there are no hard feelings, but unfortunately she never gets the chance. When she goes to Babs’ office, she finds the wedding planner dead on the floor.

Babs' high-strung assistant Stefan knows exactly who killed Babs: Kelsey. At least, that's what he very publicly accuses her of at Babs' funeral. When Kelsey decides to do a little sleuthing to clear her name, she uncovers a myriad of secrets and lies. And when a second wedding planner is attacked, Kelsey begins to wonder if she might be next.