A Mourning Wedding

A Mourning Wedding by Carola Dunn (2004) 280 pages

Daisy Dalrymple, newly pregnant, is invited to come a few days early to the wedding of her good friend Lucy, to be held at the estate of Lucy's grandfather, the 3rd Earl of Haverhill. What hadn't been counted on was the murder of Lucy's great-aunt, Lady Eva, who collected and documented other people's secrets. When the local police find themselves intimidated while questioning the family, who are of the nobility class, Daisy's husband Alec, of Scotland Yard, is called in. Lucy starts to wonder whether she really wants to get married at all. When another death occurs, and then the bridegroom-to-be is attacked, it's clear that someone in the household–or a guest‒is the murderer. As always, there's something about Daisy that inspires people to talk with her. Her insights, in conjunction with the information that Alec and his crew turn up, helps put the pieces together.

This is what I consider a light read, for times when life is so busy that books must be taken in small doses to fit into the schedule.

Dead in the Water

Dead in the Water by Carola Dunn (1998) 250 pages

Daisy Dalrymple, newly engaged to Scotland Yard's Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher, is covering a college regatta as part of her magazine writing duties. It's the year 1923. She's staying with her aunt, uncle and cousin Tish for the weekend. The captain of the rowing team is Rollo, who's dating Tish. Another rower is "Cherry," a cousin of Tish who is dating Tish's close friend. Early on in Daisy's visit, it's quite apparent that two of the other rowers do not get along, to the point where threats are made, so when the bully, DeLancey, dies during a race, and the doctors find that he has head injuries from perhaps the night before, Bott, a poor student who came to Oxford on scholarships, is a suspect, along with the other rowers.

Alec had joined Daisy for the race, and finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to question future in-laws and their friends while investigating the case.

Fast, light read, plus I learned something about boat races.

Damsel in Distress

Damsel in Distress by Carola Dunn (1997) 234 pages

Daisy Dalrymple finds herself helping her friend Philip Petrie find out what happened to Gloria Arbuckle, whom Philip wants to marry. Gloria, daughter to a rich American auto executive, has been kidnapped. Neither Gloria's father nor Philip wants to take a chance and call the police. They also refuse to consult with Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, who Daisy's been dating for several months. Instead, Daisy and Philip impose upon Daisy's extended family (who live on the estate that Daisy grew up at) and invite two other couples to stay at the Dalrymple estate and help them bicycle and motor around the countryside to see if they can locate Gloria, while Gloria's father awaits ransom instructions.

There are dead ends as well as promising leads and lots of excitement. When Daisy goes missing, the group can't hide the fact from Fletcher, who thought he was just coming to  meet Daisy's family for the first time. Fast and fun reading.