I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters are charming, and the setting descriptions make me want to visit Wales. I'll be continuing with the series. ( )

enjoyed this one ( )

I love finding new series that I actually like. This was such a great cozy read! The plot was good with a plausible mystery that I didn’t fully guess until the end was revealed. The main characters were believable and had personalities that really came through in the story. I did think that the introduction of Victoria was a little forced and her fast friendship with Penny was a little awkward and a little implausible. Overall, it was a great book! ( )

Great new series set in Wales. Will look to read more.

The picturesque North Wales market town of Llanelen is shocked when Meg Wynne Thompson, a self-made beauty who has turned out to be something of an unpopular bride, goes missing on her wedding day—and turns up dead.

The last person believed to have seen Meg alive is local manicurist Penny Brannigan, who vows to find the killer. Seems that several people—including those on the guest list—had reasons to wish Meg dead. But when the trail leads Penny to the groom, a red-hot secret threatens to shake the small town to its very core… ( )

The Cold Light of Mourning by Elizabeth Duncan
Penny Bannington series Book #1
3 Stars

From The Book:
The picturesque North Wales market town of Llanelen is shocked when Meg Wynne Thompson, a self-made beauty who has turned out to be something of an unpopular bride, goes missing on her wedding day--and turns up dead.

The last person believed to have seen Meg alive is local manicurist Penny Brannigan, who vows to find the killer. Seems that several people--including those on the guest list--had reasons to wish Meg dead. But when the trail leads Penny to the groom, a red-hot secret threatens to shake the small town to its very core.

My Thoughts:
I picked the book for a challenge that I was participating in. I knew it was a cozy and they are not my favorites...so I really don't want to pick the book apart. I can only say that it was okay. It was too easy to figure out who one of the guilty parties was and the second person was someone who was in your face obvious once the author revealed the twist in the story. I didn't get the motive for the murder even after the author revealed it. Reading about changing appointment times and canceling appointments became rather mundane and repetitive stuff after the first few times of Penny re-scheduling clients so she could go off investigating just wasn't my cuppa tea. Those that really like cozy mysteries will probably like it a lot more than I did. ( )