Maggie Crozat, the Great- Great - Great Granddaughter of Magnolia Marie Doucet, works at the Doucet Plantation as a tour guide, while she lives on the Crozat Plantation grounds in shotgun styled home common to that area of the state. Both sides of her family are "Louisiana royalty". The Crozat plantation has been remodeled into a Bed and Breakfast since times have been hard, and now the family does the work that is no longer done by servants along with the hired cleaning crew. The story takes up at the exciting time of "Fete L'ete", and the town of Pelican. "Fete Lete" is a celebration that honors the ending of summer season. The Bed and Breakfast is filled with all varieties of interesting guests that all have their own agendas as we soon learn. During a dark storm...is there any other type ???, two guests "depart" rather spectacularly. When the lights come back on, the local police are almost living at the door. The Chief of Police hates the Crozat's family because of a "Curse" that was placed by them on his family 150-years or so ago, and he continues to feud with the family and carry a grudge. The plantation is now a crime scene, and it is up to Maggie...why I don't know...to solve these crimes. I've never quiet understood the reasoning behind it being okay to allow common, non-law enforcement citizens do the work of the police in these stories...but what I cared for much less than that was the "supposed to be funny" labeling of a cross dresser by the all-white guests and the paid staff as “Norman Batesy”....not once but several times. If you need romance in your mystery there is a connection and a bit of romantic tension flying between Maggie and Bo. I did wonder how the 150-year-old feud and curse between the two families was going to make a relationship between them work, but I really don't think I care enough to read the next one to find out. ( )

Digital audiobook performed by Meredith Mitchell

Book one in the Cajun Country cozy mystery series introduces the reader to Maggie Crozat and her family, who run an historic Louisiana plantation as a B&B. They’ve filled the inn with guests in town for the food festival. It’s an eclectic bunch, including elderly honeymooners, a trio of frat boys, and a group of women calling themselves the Cajun Cuties. But when two guests die of decidedly NOT natural causes, Maggie and her folks are suspects in murder.

This has all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery. A likeable amateur sleuth, romantic tension between the leading lady and the hunky cop, a gaggle of potential suspects, secrets galore, some delicious food and a loveable Basset hound named Gopher. And a few great recipes to whet the appetite.

Meredith Mitchell does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She has a nice Southern accent and sets a good pace. I can practically smell the magnolias…. ( )

Fluff. But distracting characters. Usual problem with series in claustrophobic settings- how the heck do so many murder s happen in one very small place? ( )

A fun cozy mystery that's a little special than your average cozies. Truly enjoyed the mystery, characters and southern charm. ( )

I am now planning my trip to Louisiana after reading this book. I want to see the plantation mansions and eat some of that amazing food they talked about in this book. I also want to stay at a B&B just like Croazat Plantation B&B. Of course when I visit, I can do without the murder and intrigue, but this book needed it to have it all. When Maggie returned home she did not expect to be trying to solve a mystery. She wanted to work on her art and to help her parents wIth the family business. When a death occurs at the B&B and it turns out to be murder, Maggie wants to make sure it is solved quickly and does not ruin the family. When it looks like the sheriff is going to take his sweet time solving the crime, Maggie steps in. When the new detective shows up and is related to Rufus, she is worried he will be just like his cousin and spend his life trying to ruin her family, but she is mistaken.

This was a well plotted story and the murder was very difficult to figure out. In fact, I did not know who was responsible until it was revealed. Magnolia (Maggie) and her friend Gaynelle are characters I would love to get to know. They were smart, fun, honest and open to new information and events. The characters that we were meant to dislike were also well-written. There appears to be some romance in the future for Maggie and Bo, the next book will tell. Maggie's family is the epitome of the Southern Upper Crust, without the snobbery. They are gracious, honest and Gran is a hoot. I am looking forward to picking up the next book in this series. A great new series for cozy mystery lovers. ( )