The Cold Light of Mourning
by Elizabeth J. Duncan
Published by Minotaur Books
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Stephanie Boyd
The Cold Light of Mourning is set in the beautiful and serene northern Wales countryside. A young but unpopular bride goes missing the day of her wedding and then turns up dead. The last person known to have seen her was manicurist Penny Branningan, a former Canadian, who moved to North Wales over twenty years ago and set up shop. Penny, who is also an artist, has a unique ability to observe details so when she notices a few details that put the police on the right track, she also put herself and her friend right in the thick of the mess and potentially in the sight of the murderer.
I love to discover a new author and especially a new cozy mystery series. The Cold Light of Mourning is a first novel and an excellent start for a new series with an endearing main character and a cast of delightful secondary characters.
Penny is a fun and quirky character that I’d love to have as a friend. There is a lot going on in Penny’s life at the same time as the mystery surrounding the missing bride, and it is so well integrated that you will find yourself crying and laughing along with Penny in this tale. The Wales village is beautiful and the people charming. As with most cozies, Penny seems to be unable to stay out of trouble and keep her nose out of police business–and of course she means well. But Penny is not bumbling or airheaded; she is bright and notices extraordinary details that actually makes the case. Luckily the police officer she gives the information to is wise enough to listen and sharp enough to recognize that Penny is on to something. Unfortunately the bad guy seems to come to a similar conclusion.
There is a touch of romance in this story too that I hope to see expanded in a later book! I was utterly delighted with this story and can’t wait for a sequel.
Armchair Interviews says: This is a debut novel worth taking a risk on, order a copy today, you will not be disappointed.
Author’s Web site: http://www.ElizabethJDuncan.com