Marjorie McClelland has everything she ever dreamed of—a wonderful career as a mystery writer and a dashing British fiancé, Creighton Ashcroft. Too bad the entire population of Ridgebury, Connecticut, has their own ideas about the wedding and reception that are vastly different from Marjorie's and Creighton's. So when another mystery is laid at her doorstep, she and Creighton jump at it.

Elizabeth Barnwell has come to seek Marjorie's help to locate her missing husband, Michael. He's disappeared and the only clue he left behind is a key and an address. When Marjorie and Creighton investigate, they find the mutilated body of a young woman, presumably Michael Barnwell's mistress. No one has anything especially kind to say about Veronica Carter, so it's not a surprise to see her brutally murdered.

Who killed Veronica Chase and why? Was it Michael Barnwell? Or was it one of her other previous lovers? Where is Michael Barnwell now? Will Marjorie figure out who the killer is before her former fiancé, Detective Robert Jameson, does? Is anyone safe after the killer strikes again? And will Creighton and Marjorie figure out how to have the wedding of their dreams without upsetting the whole town?

Journey back to the simple life and charm of 1935 in SHADOW WALTZ, a cute lighthearted mystery with some twists and turns. Marjorie and Creighton make a good team in their third outing. Readers should enjoy Ms. Meade's latest in her Marjorie McClelland series, even if they are new to the series as I was. However, readers of the previous books will probably get the most out of the references to prior cases.