Book 45, 2022

[chez_jae]

'Til Death by Carol J. Perry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I finished reading 'Til Death by Carol J Perry last night. It's the 12th part of the "Witch City" mystery series, featuring news programmer Lee Barrett.

As her wedding to Detective Pete Mondello nears, Lee is busy tying up loose ends at the TV station, coordinating the ceremony, looking at houses with Pete, and planning her honeymoon. Lee and Pete decide to visit the island off the Maine coast where an accident claimed the lives of Lee's parents when she was just a child. When Lee starts getting visions relating to that day, she is determined to learn once and for all what really happened. After their wedding, Lee and Pete set out on a road trip and pay a visit to Lee's aunt and uncle on the island. They both get the impression that things aren't what they seem on the surface. Lee's Aunt Doris has episodes of forgetfulness, and her step-uncle, Bill, is taken aback by a ring that Lee is wearing, which had belonged to her mother. Pulling on Lee's experience as an investigative reporter and Pete's instincts as a cop, the two of them begin to dig deeper into the mystery surrounding the death of Lee's parents. What they learn is that someone may have killed to keep a secret and may be willing to do so again.

I enjoy this series, but this particular installment was such a departure that I was left feeling ambivalent about it. Rather than a current murder mystery, Lee and Pete are delving into a cold case. Over half the book was devoted to the pre-wedding preparations, meaning less than half was devoted to the mystery. I miss certain aspects of the series, such as Lee's career as a reporter and the fact that she's moving out of the grand old home she shared with her Aunt Ibby.

Favorite line: "Time is what it is. Live in the moments you have."

It took me longer than usual to finish this book because it simply didn't grip me like others in the series have. Giving this one an average score of three.