Happy Friday Sweet Friends, and Welcome to The Preppy Book Princess :)
I'm Kirby, and I'm so thrilled I get to welcome you to my little bookish corner of the internet.
I've been reading and reviewing here on my blog since September of 2015, and there's nothing I love more than getting to share my love of the written word with you all.
Last year I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful Christian historical fiction title, and I recently had the opportunity to read the upcoming second release in the series.
I can't wait to tell you guys all about this one, so if you'd like to check out my review of the first title in the series, you can do so using the link below:
Otherwise, keep on reading down below and join me for today's full review.
First Comes Marriage....Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma:
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Publication Date: September 1st, 2025
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Women's Fiction
Series: The Women of Wynton
Synopsis:
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
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
I discovered a new favorite title last year when I picked up The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma, and I was thrilled when I learned this was going to be a series instead of a stand alone title like I'd originally thought. This one had pretty big shoes to fill, and the author did an excellent job of writing a worthy follow up with the same characters and southern sass we all learned to love in the first title.
The majority of First Comes Marriage....Then Comes Murder is set around Miss Vivien's bridal salon as she prepares for the upcoming bridal week at Wynton's. Tragedy strikes however, when some of Miss Vivien's former brides end up being brutally murdered, and leaving local police with no clues to go on. As Miss Vivien finds herself in the center of suspicion, it'll take Audrey, Mirette, Mary Jo and Gigi all working together to get to the bottom of these horrible crimes, and clear their friend's name once and for all.
Told in various POV's that provide a distinct group of voices to the story, this wonderful mystery was every bit as good as the first, and one that I would highly recommend. On top of the mystery, the reader is also given lots of historical information on the way weddings used to be, and on the Civil Rights Movement and Segregation. Coupled with the favorite characters from this first book, this title had everything a reader could have ever wanted, and it was a title that was hard to put down as I was so invested in the story.
My only complaint was the I thought the culprit ended up being fairly obvious, but that's all I'm going to say about it as not to spoil anything for anyone else.
Overall, this was another wonderful read from Donna Mumma, and I'd highly recommend it for anyone looking for a good, clean mystery to pick up in the weeks to come.
Final Rating: 4/5.
Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to advance read and review this title!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour Fiction) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)
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