Nick’s mother is driving Jess crazy with wedding plans, so a mysterious early morning call from former veterinary school classmate Erin is an odd, but welcome diversion. When Erin fails to show at the meeting place, Jess is annoyed, but later she learns that Erin was murdered just prior to their meeting. 

Jess makes a condolence call to Erin’s widower, Ben, also a former classmate, and realizes Ben has a few motives for wanting Erin dead.  While the pair has a good vet business, Ben had recently become involved with a pet store and partner Donald Drayton, a partnership that made Ben a lot of money quickly, but may not be so profitable now. 

Because Jess was most likely the last person to speak to Erin (and because she’s naturally nosey) she feels compelled to look into Erin’s murder. Something that will keep Jess busy and keep her from committing a murder of her own, that of her mother-in-law to be.  

Monkey See, Monkey Die is a funny, fast-paced mystery with an enjoyable cast of characters. Jess vacillates between being very excited about her wedding to being terrified of the choices she is about to make. Other than the fact that they were once good friends and Jess was the last person to speak with Erin, there is very little motive for Jess to look into her murder, though she does so with great enthusiasm.

Animal lovers will find plenty to enjoy, though there are also some scenes that they may find disturbing. The twist at the end, while unexpected, doesn’t fit in neatly with Jess’s investigation. A leave ‘em hanging (or at the altar) ending assures fans of this series that Jess and Nick will be back before long, but perhaps not married, with another dead body near by.                                           

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry