Brenda H. (booksinvt) - , reviewed on 4/10/2018 + 458 more book reviews

Mardi Gras Murder is the fourth installment in the Cajun Country Mystery series set in the bayou town of Pelican, Louisiana and featuring plantation docent and artist, Magnolia Marie "Maggie" Crozat. Mardi Gras is quickly approaching and Maggie finds herself thrust into the midst of the celebration which will culminate on the lawn of her family's Crozat Plantation B & B.

An unidentified body has washed ashore on the Crozat land following a major flood. Maggie's father "Tug" is determined to win the annual gumbo cookoff and is driving her mother nuts with his messy kitchen takeover. Maggie's Gran has developed walking pneumonia and appointed Maggie as her replacement on the judge's panel for the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen.

Not a fan of beauty pageants, Maggie has her hands full dealing with the pageant moms and fellow judge, Gerard Damboise. Gerard has no intention of giving the most qualified teen the title and instead has already made his mind up that the daughter of the town's most prestigious family will be the winner. A fender bender results in Gerard tumbling out of his vehicle into Maggie's arms muttering a mysterious statement before taking his last breath. Convinced that the unidentified man and Gerard's death are connected, Maggie sets out with the help of family and friends to find a killer.

A fast moving plot with a a touch of Louisiana bayou history. Maggie learns about the secret lives of plantation owners that include the Orphan Train, hidden rooms for the mentally ill, and uncovers a hidden treasure map behind an old painting.

Readers will be delighted with the return of many series regulars including Detective Bo Durand and his son, Xander. I recommend starting the series from the beginning to evolve with the characters but this new addition can also be read as a stand alone.

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