There have been some original murder weapons in mysteries before. An icicle pops to mind. However, Honeymoons Can Be Hazardous definitely has the most original weapon used lately. A newlywed bride is killed by a giant cuckoo in front of her hotel. The cuckoo was cut loose from its cable sending it plunging five feet down from its giant clock into the victim. You might say that is a truly cuckoo way to die!
Millie is an Amish widow who dabbles in matchmaking and murder. Her non-Amish friend Lois has a problem. After being startled by seeing her fourth ex-husband in her small town of Harvest, Ohio, she is rude to both him and his new wife. Lois convinces Millie to go with her to the couple’s hotel to apologize. Prior to even seeing her ex, his bride is killed by the cuckoo. Lois begs Millie to help her clear her ex-husband’s name so she will not have the mental anguish of being attracted to a murderer. Millie agrees and the game is afoot!
I love the Harvest stories from both this series and the Amish Candy Shop one. This book brings in some reality with the problem of drug and alcohol addiction prominently featured. While I agree it is an important issue, it broke into my usual carefree fantasy that these humorous cozy mysteries provide. However, the interactions between Millie and Lois along with their friends and neighbors did provide a bit of cheerfulness. Due to this change in tone, Honeymoons Can Be Hazardous, unfortunately, receives a 3 star review from me.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.