In this 4th book in the 'Weezie and Bebe Mysteries', set in Savannah, Georgia, a couple of big events are in the offing. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
As the story opens, Weezie Foley has a lot on her mind. She's making arrangements for her Christmas Eve wedding to Daniel Stipanek, which is a week away; she's on the hunt for vintage treasures to sell in her antique shop; and she has to convince her reluctant best friend BeBe Loudermilk, who's almost 8 months pregnant, to attend her own baby shower.
To add to Weezie's concerns, Daniel is the current 'guest chef' at a New York City restaurant, and the eatery owner - who looks like a young Sophia Loren - is leaning all over Daniel in a promotional newspaper photo.
Sophia Loren
Weezie's wedding venue is her own home, and she was hoping for a small simple affair. That's apparently not to be however, because the people supplying the food and flowers (all of whom are Weezie's colleagues/friends) have other ideas. Thus Weezie has to taste dozens of fancy hors d'oeuvres;
survey decorations fit for a palace;
and make sure she doesn't have a 'William and Kate' type spectacle - which her friends Cookie and Manny would happily arrange if she let them. 😊
Weezie's pal BeBe, meanwhile, has concerns of her own. She's busy running her small hotel; her belly is huge; her feet are swollen; and her baby's live-in father, Harry - who works as Captain of a charter fishing boat - is away a lot. In addition, BeBe learns something about her creepy first husband Richard that could impact her life. The mystery part of the book revolves around BeBe's attempts to find Richard and straighten things out, which proves hard to do.
For the most part, the story is a light-hearted romp, including fun scenes of BeBe's baby shower, which features life-size naked-baby balloons and games like 'the dirty diaper guessing game.'
Dirty diaper guessing game (don't worry....it's candy)
On the seriocomic side, BeBe does a spot of breaking and entering; enlists the help of the Coast Guard; and deals with the contractors refurbishing her house, who tend to substitute their own ideas for hers.
In the midst of all the mayhem, Weezie impulsively decides to visit Daniel in New York City, and her whirlwind sightseeing and thrift store shopping is fun and entertaining. Weezie gets to take the subway, see Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree;, visit the Plaza Hotel; enjoy a Broadway show, have a luxe dinner; and more. Weezie also picks up some wonderful goodies for her antique store.....some of which are put to good use at the wedding.
The book includes appearances by popular ongoing characters, including: Weezie's mom - a notoriously bad cook who insists on baking the groom's cake; Weezie's dad - who seems to be developing dementia; Weezie's attorney uncle, who's in danger of breaking the law; and a couple of beloved pet dogs who add to the havoc.
I enjoyed the book, which is a pleasant light read. Recommended to fans of Southern chick-lit mysteries.
Rating: 3 stars
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