So why is nothing going according to plan? Nickie’s father is embroiled in a savings and loan scandal, which is jeopardizing his health, along with his family’s safety. Carnegie is soon on high alert, when a murder, a kidnapping, and the continued threat of violence look to dethrone Nickie’s wedding plans. However, that’s the least of her worries, when it appears someone may be out to silence the wedding lady permanently.

I’ll admit when it comes to amateur sleuths I’m a bit shallow - I have to like them. Happily, Carnegie is one of the most memorable and likeable sleuths I’ve read about in some time. She’s charming, funny, intelligent, with a personal life just messed up enough to keep her real. She does come off slightly paranoid in the beginning, but hey, the girl does have a dead body to deal with by chapter 2. Did she really see a shadowy figure lurking about or is it just her imagination getting away from her?

Donnelly keeps things interesting and moving along thanks to Carnegie’s paranoia, and her interesting love life. Her involvement with Nickie brings the possibility of romance with the family lawyer - although that same connection also brings a chain-smoking reporter hoping to dig up some dirt. With her patience stretched to the limit, and her life in danger, Carnegie has to decide where her loyalties lie.

Veiled Threats has just the right amount of charm to make it a quick, enjoyable read without being cutesy. It has a light humor to it, instead of the over-the-top the variety that can very often backfire. Let’s fact it - weddings never go according to plan, and Carnegie’s humorous outlook on what is often the absurd just gives her another notch on the likeability meter. Memorable secondary characters like Boris the Mad Russian Florist and Mary, a homeless woman that crashes weddings, along with Donnelly’s breezy writing style, add even more appeal.

Indications are that more Carnegie Kincaid books are to follow, which makes Veiled Threats a solid start for what could be an entertaining edition to the cozy ranks. With her charm, intuition and the unpredictability of weddings, Carneige could find herself a very busy sleuth. Here's hoping that her business stays above water.

--Wendy Crutcher