Julia Bonatti is alarmed by the astrological signs looming over Geneva Leary’s wedding day, but nobody asked Julia’s opinion and being a bridesmaid means supporting the bride no matter what. Even with the foreboding Moon-Mars-Pluto lineup in the heavens, no one’s prepared for the catastrophes that strike: a no-show sister, a passed-out wedding planner, and a lethal shooting in the dead of night.
With anger and grief threatening to tear the Leary family part, Julia is determined to understand how such a terrible tragedy could occur. As she digs deeper into the family’s secrets, her astrological insights will lead her to the truth about a criminal enterprise that stretches far beyond the California coast.
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MY REVIEW
And I thought my wedding day was chaotic!
Julia Bonatti is once again able to use her talents in astrology to find her way through a tragedy and mystery that hits close to home. The signs had pointed to bad day of epic proportions, but Julia thought maybe things were not that bad when all that happened at the reception was the bride's wayward sister causing a scene and the wedding planner collapsing and being carried off by an ambulance. But at the bride's parents' home after the festivities, the groom shoots at whom he believes is an intruder, but it turns out to be said bride's wayward sibling, who later dies.
This is my second encounter with Julia and her abilities. I appreciate the way astrology is shown, without all the 'smoke and mirrors' that usually accompany presentation of the practice of the paranormal activities. Astrology is not something I follow with zeal, but I do read my horoscope in the paper, like many people. I enjoy learning more about the practice, even when getting lost in all the houses and ascendants, etc.
The secondary story of the mousy woman divorcing her cheating husband was definitely engaging and I'm sure I was not the only one who fist-pumped at the outcome of that!
At one point, Julia is hiding in the cabinet at a back room of a club, while bad guys are outside in the room, moving some boxes. The tenseness of that situation had my heart in my throat! I probably would have lost 5 pounds of water in sweat while waiting to get out of there, and while I could stand to lose a few pounds, I don't think I will employ that particular strategy in my arsenal of weight-loss tools! *lol*
I have enjoyed both of Ms. di Marco's series (Zodiac and Soup Lovers'), and All Signs Point to Murder is a worthy addition to the collection. And now I will make a prediction: Julia Bonatti, astrologer, is going to be busy for a long time!
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MEET THE AUTHOR
, was released in June 2016 and the second, All Signs Point to Murder
, available for pre-order now, will be released on August 8, 2017.Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. Some of her favorite recipes can be found in The Cozy Cookbook
and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook
. Connie is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
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GIVEAWAY!!!
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Click on the banner above to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of All Signs Point to Murder by Connie di Marco, as well as interviews with the author and guest posts. You can also find out how to become a blog host for future book tours while you are there.
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.)
Hi LuAnn ~ thanks for hosting me today! Lori told me you had a bit of trouble, but I'm glad you're back on line. Happy reading and I'm so glad you enjoyed All Signs!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read "All Signs Point to Murder". Book sounds like an amazing read. I think it will be interesting to see how astrology will fit into the story.
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