One Hex of a Wedding - Yasmine Galenorn

One Hex of a Wedding
A Chintz ‘n China Mystery
Yasmine Galenorn
Berkley Prime Crime

Mystery

At 37, tea shop owner Emerald (Em) O’Brien never thought she’d get married again. But she is, to Joe, a man almost ten years younger. During an engagement party thrown by friends, her worst fear is realized. Her ex-husband, Roy, appears, due to the loose but well-meaning lips of their ten-year-old son. It isn’t long before Roy is drunk and making a scene. Fortunately, Emerald sent the kids home before the fists started flying. Roy has some choice words for her and her intended, and he threatens them both before he leaves.

The following day, while setting up for a barbeque, an unseen assailant shoots Joe. The injury isn’t life-threatening, but that’s only by chance; it could have been much worse. Of course, the man who tops the suspect list is Roy. Em knows that Roy has a temper, and can hold a grudge a lot better than he can hold his liquor, but she just can’t believe that he would go this far.

Emerald is a self-described “village witch,” and there are interesting tendrils of the paranormal that float through this story. I loved the description of Emerald’s spiral garden path and its calming effect. The mystery is interesting and combines bits of paranormal with the more earthly aspects of whodunit. This is the latest in this series of cozy mysteries. It’s the first I’ve read, but it certainly will not be the last. It’s not necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one, as the author provides background in a succinct way, without interrupting the flow of the story. Having said that, I’ll be seeking out the previous installments and looking forward to the next one.

Rating: 8
August 2006
ISBN# 0-425-21117-7 (paperback)