Murder in Waiting by Lynn Cahoon is the 11th novel in A Tourist Trap Mystery series. Jill Gardner has her hands full. Jill is Amy's maid-of-honor and she had no idea that Amy would become consumed with the wedding. It seems that all Amy can talk about is the wedding (decorations, where to sit people at the reception, linen colors, table decorations). Jill is trying to plan a bachelorette party in Vegas while handling extra duties at work. Aunt Jackie is wrapped up in Harrold and plans for her own upcoming nuptials. Jill must deal with Sabotage, complaining emails, persistent realtors, a travel writer, and a developer. Just after Jill talks with Frank Gleason from the South Cove Heritage Society, a car hits the man and then takes off. Detective Greg King, Jill's beau, is investigating, but the leads are sparse. I was surprised that Greg accepted Jill's help (he normally tells her to stay out of the case). Jill digs into Frank's background and speaks with his first wife. I found Murder in Waiting to be disjointed with so much going on. The mystery tied together in the end (mostly). I wanted it to be the focus not a side story (which is what it felt like to me). Eating seemed to be have a higher priority than the whodunit (there is a lot of food consumed in this book). I then felt the wrap up was rushed with an odd chase scene. The mystery can easily be solved before the solution is revealed. The trip to Vegas seemed so out of character for Amy and Justin who prefer outdoor activities. I am curious how they can afford a $40,000 wedding (I could not help but wonder considering their occupations). A Tourist Trap Mystery series is character driven. Jill, Aunt Jackie, Toby, Greg, Amy, and the gang are what make this an enjoyable series to read. I like visiting them in each book to see what they are up to. It is nice to see Aunt Jackie happy with Harrold. Emma, of course, continues to be a highlight. It is wonderful that Jill loves books and reading. I like how it is featured in the series. Jill gets ARCs that she devours and she even comments how she loves the smell of books (I concur). Murder in Waiting can be read as a standalone for those new to A Tourist Trap Mystery series. Murder in Waiting is a blithe cozy mystery with a determined developer, an assertive realtor, a scheming saboteur, party planning problems, work worries, and a bridezilla bestie.

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