A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon

 A Fatal Footnote

Book Summary

Writer-in-residence Penelope Parish will need to use every trick in her quaint British bookshop to unravel a murderous plot that threatens to ruin a ducal wedding.

The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Upper Chumley-on Stoke has all the makings of a fairy tale, complete with a glowing bride and horse-drawn carriage. But it wouldn't be much of a story without a villain, and as American Gothic novelist Penelope Parish is coming to learn, happy-ever-afters are as fraught in this charming British town as they are in her books.

When the Duke's former girlfriend is found murdered at the reception it's up to Penelope and her newfound family at the Open Book bookshop to catch the killer before they strike again

My Thoughts

A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon has Penelope Parish attending the wedding of American author Charlotte Davenport and Arthur Worthington, the Duke of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke.  It is a lavish weekend that ends with a bang when Cissie Emmoth, the Duke’s former girlfriend, is found dead just as the fireworks are about to begin.  Charlotte asks Penelope to investigate when her new husband becomes the prime suspect.  Penelope asks questions, observes, obtains local gossip, and digs up clues in her quest for the truth.  A Fatal Footnote is the 2^nd book in The Open Book Mystery series.  I recommend reading this series in order.  I have not had the opportunity to indulge in Murder in the Margins, and I felt it when I started A Fatal Footnote.  There are some entertaining, quirky characters in this series.  They go with the quaint town of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke.  The author captured the setting with her vivid descriptions.  The whodunit has a variety of suspects along with misdirection.  I enjoyed solving this fun mystery.  I liked that it was a lively mystery and that Detective Maguire got one up on the stoic Met detective.  I would have preferred a better wrap up because at the end of A Fatal Footnote, I was left with a couple of unanswered questions.   When not writing or investigating, Penelope must deal with her sister who arrived unexpectedly.  Beryl King is going through a rough time and needed to escape.  Penelope is a little surprised (and dismayed) Beryl chose to visit her since they are not close sisters.    A Fatal Footnote is a cute cozy mystery an American romance author, an anxious sister, a desperate duchess, a riot of rumors, and tons of tea.  

A Fatal Footnote is available from Amazon*.  The book in The Open Book Mystery series is Murder in the Margins.  Peril on the Page publishes March 1, 2022.  You can find Margaret Loudon aka Peg Cochran's other novels here.  Thank you for visiting today.  I really appreciate it.  Tomorrow I am featuring Pockets of Purpose by Laurie Smith.  It is the 2nd book in The Pocket Quilt Series.  I hope that you have a killer day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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