The Final Vow (A Living History Museum Mystery)

The Final Vow by Amanda Flower is the third book in A Living History Museum series. Kelsey Cambridge is the Director of Barton Farm in New Hartford, Ohio. She currently is planning the wedding of Krissie Pumpernickel and Eddie Cambridge, Kelsey's ex-husband (awkward). Krissie insists on being married on Barton Farm and, thanks to her father, it is going to happen (spoiled much). Vianna Pine, Krissie's wedding planner, is ensuring that Krissie gets her dream wedding. Krissie wants twinkle lights in the church steeple and candles inside the church. Unfortunately, it is a safety hazard, and Kelsey must put her foot down (I recommend lanterns with battery operated candles). Late that night Kelsey is disturbed by Jason who reports there is a body at the base of the church steps. Kelsey contacts 911 and runs to the church. Kelsey finds Vianna dead outside the church with a string of lights dangling from a window. She also notices a shadowy figure inside. Kelsey gives chase until she falls on tree roots in the dark. It is later discovered that Vianna did not fall, she was pushed. Krissie is thoroughly distraught when she hears that the church is a crime scene. This would ruin her wedding. Kelsey, ever the fixer, starts talking to suspects trying to narrow down the culprit. In addition, she must take on Vianna's tasks for the wedding. There is the added problem of missing artifacts from a trunk in the storeroom. Is the theft related to the murder? Kelsey soon discovers that Vianna was hiding a big secret that would have impacted many lives. Will Kelsey be able to solve Vianna's murder while pulling off Krissie's dream wedding? You will have to get a copy of The Final Vow to find out!



The Final Vow was nicely written, easy to read, and has a good pace. I like the main characters of Kelsey and her family along with Chase and a few of the employees. While The Final Vow is the third book in A Living History Museum series, it can be read alone. The author provided readers with all the necessary background information. However, you would understand the Kelsey, her job and various relationships better if you read the first two books in the series. I give The Final Vow 4 out of 5 stars. The book has a good mystery, and I think that many readers will be surprised by the killer's identity. Amanda Flower provided good, subtle clues. I am tired of Detective Candy Brandon and her nasty attitude. I keep hoping she will find a job in another town. The romance was a little too dominant for my taste. I was glad, though, to finally see some growth from Kelsey at the end of the novel. I was surprised (and disappointed) that Krissie was not bumped off. She is a totally unlikeable woman (she has been overly indulged by her parents and now Eddie) and the ultimate bridezilla. It did make for a humorous and gratifying cozy mystery. I will definitely be reading the next book in A Living History Museum series.