Two of Meg’s cousins, members of Mother’s vast Hollingsworth clan, are getting married, and both have chosen Caerphilly for their Christmas destination wedding . . on the same day, in the same venues. But while they’re cousins they’re also lifelong enemies. Mother’s efforts to keep the peace are wearing her down, and the battling brides (and their mothers) are making the holiday season miserable for everyone. So Meg steps in to keep the peace. And it was going badly even before she stumbles over the murdered body of the wedding photographer.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of suspects. The photographer has been hitting on many of the guests, bridesmaids . . . possibly even one or both of the brides. He’s also been slinking about and taking candid shots that are unflattering, embarrassing . . . occasionally even incriminating.

Can Meg help the local police nab the killer in time for the weddings to go on as planned? Unless, of course, the killer was one of the brides or grooms, in which case she needs to identify the killer in time to reveal their identity when she hears those fateful words, “If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace.”

It is Christmas in Caerphilly and once again chaos reigns in the Langslow household. Along with the usual Christmas hustle and bustle Meg finds herself involved in the weddings of two cousins, both of whom are marrying on the same day and along with being bridezillas in general are at each other’s throats each trying to outdo the other. With the two wedding parties spread out between Meg’s house, her mother’s house as well as her sister-in-law’s house everyone has their hands full with brides and bridesmaids and then the wedding photographer gets murdered.

I love the Christmas entries in this series as the celebration trappings add to the general chaos that is often Meg’s family. The story this time moves along quickly. The murderer was not obvious until Meg made what, at least to me, was a very uncharacteristic move of blathering what should have been confidential details of the investigation to people she barely knew. It seemed like knowing the wedding drama had to be dealt with the murder just got a “oh yes, BTW here is the murderer” solution that disappointed me, not in the identity of the murderer but how it was revealed. The results of the two weddings were satisfying if predictable. While this is not a strong entry in the series it was still an enjoyable read and I really wish I did not have to wait until next August for the next book. Recommended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

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