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4.0 out of 5 stars
a great place to visit, Feb 9 2001
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!
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