Another cozy by Mary Daheim. This time Judith McMonigle Flynn is faced with Her husband Joe's first wife, Vivian, moving back into the neighbourhood. Considering there is no love lost between the women, and Joe still feels some responsibility toward Vivian, there is not a lot of fun to come.

This time, Vivian is back having become quite rich from her most recent husband who has suddenly died and left her a pot of money. When the house next to hers goes on the market she scoops it up and decided to built a huge house that definitely doesn't fit the current style of the neighbourhood and upsets the neighbours. To let the neighbourhood in on her plans she throws a big party the same night as the annual yearly one. As a surprise a dead body is discovered in her backyard, and once again the mystery is afoot!

Judith says she isn't going to get involved, but the urge is too strong, besides the expectations of her cousin Renie and the neighbours. There is also the curiosity of the fact the Vi was widowed but is now married to the hunk that was her step-son. And then there is Vi's assistance, a beautiful young lady. What is the connection?

Will Judith solve the murder? Will the obscenely huge home be built? Will Joe finally stop feeling responsible for Vi? Read the book and find out! ( )

I'm still enjoying this series and this is one of the better books. Judith and Renie, as usual, get involved in a murder. This time it is a body found in "Herself's" back yard during a party. Herself is Joe's ex-wife, Vivian (or Vi) and Judith deals with her but not well. Joe is off on a case so isn't around to lend assistance in Judith's quest for the killer.

Plenty of suspects to look at, Herself, her four adult children although Joe's daughter, Caitlin, is pretty much eliminated. Then there are some of the strange guests at Judith's B&B as well as Herself's current (6th) husband and his family. I didn't guess the killer, wasn't even close but I enjoyed the ride.

I'll keep reading this series and try and get caught up. ( )