Drawing from the classic Sense and Sensibility, Tracy Kiely continues the adventures of Elizabeth Parker, the likable Austen-quoting sleuth, in this witty and charming series. Elizabeth Parker suspected that fulfilling her duties as maid-of-honor for her best friend, Bridget, was going to be murder. And no sooner is the last grain of rice thrown than she finds herself staring into the dead eyes of Bridget’s Aunt Roni, a woman whose death is almost as universally celebrated as Bridget’s nuptials. The horror only increases when Harry, Bridget’s cousin, becomes the chief suspect. The idea is ludicrous to the family, because Harry is one of the kindest, most compassionate people imaginable. To complicate matters, Elizabeth’s boyfriend, Peter, appears to be falling for an old flame, a gorgeous wedding planner. Determined to clear Harry of the crime, reign in Bridget’s impulsive brand of sleuthing, and figure out where Peter’s heart lies, Elizabeth sets her mind to work. Tracy Kiely has again brilliantly combined the wit and spunk of Austen’s protagonists with a contemporary, traditional mystery. With a vibrant cast of characters, the lush setting of a Virginia estate, and irresistible humor, she delivers on all counts. "Kiely's characters are instantly appealing, plucky Elizabeth chief among them....Fun throughout, and ultimately moving, 'Murder on the Bride's Side' places Kiely in the first rank of cozy-mystery writers. And any author who can credibly quote Jane Austen and Daffy Duck in the same novel possesses a rich imagination that cries out for being put to use many more times."-- Richmond Times-Dispatch  "A delicious cocktail of death, deceit and romance, all wrapped up in a big bouquet of laugh-out-loud dialogue."-- Jane Austen Regency World The social stratum known as old Richmond, complete with old blood and old money, can be viewed with reverence or disdain, but it takes an especially talented novelist to portray it fairly--and particularly in a mystery.That's what Maryland writer Tracy Kiely does in "Murder on the Bride's Side," her second novel featuring Elizabeth Parker, a fact-checker for a local Virginia newspaper. And unlike its predecessor, the Cape Cod-set "Murder at Longbourn," this one is placed firmly in Richmond.Elizabeth has come to Richmond to be maid of honor to a close friend, Bridget Matthews. The Matthews family estate, Barton Landing, overlooks the James River and is presided over by matriarch (and imperious busybody) Elsie Matthews, Bridget's grandmother. Gathered for the wedding are Elsie's three children and their families:•Oldest son Avery is recovering from a stroke and is considering selling the family landscaping business. Abetting him in the latter is his harridan of a second wife, Roni. Avery (Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispatch ) Tracy Kiely graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in English. She lives with her husband and three children in Severna Park, Maryland. CHAPTER 1 It is bad luck to be superstitious. —ANDREW W. MATHIS “A DEATH IS COMING,” Elsie remarked blandly, glancing upward. I followed her gaze and saw three seagulls gliding on crisp September air. My left temple throbbed slightly at this news. Not, ironically, out of any fear that her prediction would come true, but rather at the explosive effect it might have on the people with me. Elsie is a sophisticated, educated woman, but she has a propensity for fortune-telling that would try the most patient of souls. The year I turned twelve, she told me that I would grow up to “marry a rocker and live a life of international travel.” I had a mad crush on Peter Gabriel at the time and immediately began practicing what I anticipated to be my married name, Elizabeth Gabriel. I even envisioned myself managing his world tours. Obviously, I wasn’t the most perceptive child. I’m now twenty-seven, have never been married, and work as a fact-checker for a local paper in Virginia. As for the international travel, I did once accidentally wander into the duty-free shop at the airport, if that counts. Elsie’s declaration hung in the air, much like the seagulls. Next to me, I was relieved to see that Blythe’s only response was a simple roll of the eyes. Twenty-eight years as Elsie’s daughter-in-law has inured Blythe to Elsie’s fondness for predictions. It still irks her, but she has learned to hold her tongue. Bridget, however, Blythe’s daughter and Elsie’s granddaughter, has not yet learned such restraint. “Elsie!” she burst out. (No one in the grandchild generation ever calls Elsie anything other than Elsie—the mere idea of calling her “Grandma” or “Nanny” is laughable). “For Christ’s sake! Don’t start this crap now. The wedding is tomorrow and my nerves are shot as it is!” Elsie and Blythe, polar opposites in most everything, were united in their response. “Don’t swear, Bridget,” they said automatically. It was a refrain I had heard directed at Bridget many times over the years. It had never had any effect, of cour