Monday, September 1, 2025

Donna Mumma: First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder

 By Kelly Bridgewater

 Vivien's Bridal Creations Found at Murder Scenes  Mid-century glam meets murder mayhem in a series of cozy mysteries at Wynton's Department Store.   It is 1956 in Levi City, Florida. Vivien Sheffield, renowned bridal gown designer and consultant for Wynton's Department Store, is facing the greatest challenge of her career. Someone has been killing brides who wore one of her custom gowns in their wedding! Vivien's fellow employees and close friends—Audrey, Mary Jo, and Gigi—and her assistant Mirette spring into action to save Miss Vivien and the young brides of Levy City before the murderer succeeds at destroying Vivien's business at Wynton's. . .and her reputation.   Be sure to also read The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma


My Thoughts:
First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma is a slight mystery with four friends who work at Wynton’s, a department store in the 1950’s. I love how eccentric and different the four women are. They spend time together, encourage each other, and lean on each other in hard times. Personally, I wish the story had a deeper spiritual thread for the characters. Maybe show them reading the Bible together and praying. I believe more women need women that will pour into each other’s lives. On the other hand, the mystery is really, really tame. Occasionally, another bride appears dead, and the four women talk about it, but then they move back on with their daily lives. It is not the central aspect of the story, which is what the title does lead the readers to believe that it is. Readers will find the tiny details like the bus ride to ring true for the time period that the story takes place in. Readers will enjoy the little details like the clothes and the order of what women can and cannot do. Mumma has spent some time trying to research and stay true to the time period. Overall, First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma reads okay for a historical fiction piece, but I needed more spirituality in the character’s lives and more attention to the mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

No comments:

Post a Comment