Read time: 4 minutes
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 216 pages
⏱ Duration: 4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Storm Publishing | ARC by NetGalley
📅 Release Date: January 6, 2026
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
Newly minted celebrant and camper-van traveler Daphne Jones rolls into the charming town of Little Bridges to officiate a wedding that goes tragically sideways. When the groom drops dead minutes after the vows, Daphne’s sharp instincts and big heart thrust her into sleuthing mode. With tangled family secrets, suspicious deaths, and more than one character hiding a motive, Daphne must navigate the small-town drama to uncover the truth, before someone decides she’s gotten too close for comfort.
Let’s Talk Murder:
I have to say it upfront, the mystery itself? Genius. Twisted, suspenseful, and packed with exactly the kind of unhinged family dynamics I love in a cozy mystery. A wedding-day murder, a suspicious pattern of deaths, and a small town with too many secrets? Absolutely my comfort zone. The plot kept tightening its grip as Daphne followed the threads, and I genuinely didn’t see all the turns coming.
Now for the part that tripped me up: multiple POVs. I love a well-done dual perspective, but this one occasionally left me checking who was speaking mid-paragraph. The frequent POV shifts, especially when they happened inside chapters disrupted the otherwise engaging flow. It’s a minor gripe but enough to mention.Then there’s Daphne and John. Adorable, devoted, but maybe too expressive in their devotion? Their relationship sometimes read like they’d just met, all dazzling passion and endless declarations. Sweet, sure. But for a mature couple, it edged into the land of “we get it, you love each other.”
Overall? A strong entry in the cozy mystery genre that left me excited for more Daphne adventures (John chapters optional).
Would I Recommend it?
Thoroughly entertaining cozy mystery with brilliant twists and addictive small-town suspense, despite some POV confusion and overly lovey-dovey moments that didn’t quite land for me. I powered through and loved the ride enough to anticipate the next in the series. Perfect for fans seeking light-hearted yet gripping amateur sleuth stories. Mark your calendar for the release on January 6, 2026, and add it to your TBR if wedding whodunits are your jam!
If you like celebrant sleuths,
Here are a few cozy mysteries I’d nudge across the table and say try this next:
- Marriage Spells Murder by Bella Colby
Another celebrant at the center of the chaos. This one with a magical twist. Think wedding drama, murder at the altar, and a sleuth who has to juggle vows and a body. Cozy, clever, and fun. - Daph on the Beach by Philippa Nefri Clark
If you’re curious about where Daphne’s story began (or want to see how it’s evolved), this earlier version is worth a look. Same core mystery energy, same celebrant-sleuth setup. - Death Down the Aisle by Verity Bright
Not a celebrant, but very much wedding-adjacent chaos. A historical cozy with scandals, secrets, and nuptials that go spectacularly wrong. Perfect if you like your mysteries served with manners and mayhem. - Malice, Matrimony, & Murder (Anthology)
Bite-sized wedding-themed cozies from multiple authors. Ideal if you enjoy seeing how many ways a wedding can unravel before dessert is served. - A Wedding to Die For by A. R. Winters
Weddings specialist and secret witch turns sleuth when her bride is dead. Same delightful disaster energy.
Basically, if your ideal cozy includes white dresses, dark secrets, and at least one person who should’ve objected louder, these should keep you happily sleuthing.
Tea, Vows, and a Body — What Do You Say?
Do multiple POVs add depth for you, or pull you out of the story? And how much romance is too much romance in a cozy mystery? Let’s talk in the comments.
Book Links:
Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #SupportLocal
indiebookstores.ca
bookshop.org
Goodreads
Follow Phillipa Nefri Clark for latest book news on her author page
Check out more books from Storm Publishing
🎄 Psst… Don’t Miss Our Christmas Cozy Giveaway!
I’m hosting a special Holiday Free Book + Giveaway sponsored by cozy mystery author Jodie Morgan, and it’s happening between December 13 to December 23, 2025!
Every visitor can claim a FREE copy of Gifts of Goodwill, and you can also enter to win a free copy of Recipe for Revenge, a culinary cozy mystery delivered to winners on Christmas Eve.
(Freebie + giveaway entry available exclusively on the giveaway blog page.)
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A wedding-day murder is such a classic cozy hook 🕵️♀️ and you make the twists sound genuinely fun. I appreciated how clearly you laid out what worked for you and what didn’t, especially the POV shifts. That kind of balance makes a review really helpful.
Thank you so much. In spite of my experience, I’d highly recommend you try this book because a wedding officiant being an amateur sleuth is a wonderful concept