Liv McKay is a party planner in the small town of Dixie, Tennessee. She's very pleased with the way her Fourth of July celebration has been going - everyone seems to be having a good time, and enjoying the day. Well, almost everyone - town councilman Bubba Rowland has just been found dead in a porta-potty, shot through the rear of the receptacle, and with so many people attending the event, it seems Sheriff Dave Davidson has his work cut out for him trying to find a killer.

Liv McKay has a habit of finding bodies. Well, not really, but they sure have a habit of finding her, and this time is no different. While she didn't technically find the body of Bubba Rowland, she's thick in the middle of it, because the day after his murder, Liv's mother Virginia announces her engagement to Earl Daniels, who's been Bubba's business rival and a thorn in his side for years. When it's discovered that Bubba was killed with Earl's shotgun, which was in his locked truck, it looks as if the sheriff has the crime locked up as well. But with Liv's Mama pleading for her help to free Earl, Liv enlists the aid of her best friend Di Souther, and while the Fourth ended with a bigger bang than was what originally intended, their plan to unearth Bubba's real killer could send them both permanently underground if they're not careful...

What a delightful mystery to unravel. It appears that it's already solved, with no access to the murder weapon by anyone except Earl, and he's so forthcoming about that information that he's practically putting himself in the electric chair. But Liv believes he's innocent, and isn't about to have her mother's heart broken, so once again she enlists the help of her best friend Di to find out who got his gun and framed him for the crime.

It could have been a number of people who were attending the celebration, but sorting through the suspects isn't going to be easy, since there were so many there. And to top things off, her mama's now decided she wants Liv to plan her over-the-top wedding, complete with swans and a gondola. It also doesn't help that her sister Emma is dead-set against the wedding, and her father-in-law is acting strange to everyone. So will Liv be able to set Earl free or will Emma get her way and the wedding will be called off due to imprisonment?

What a delightful read this turned out to be. While I have enjoyed the series from the beginning, I believe this one is my favorite. The characters are rich and lively, their growth apparent as the series progresses. The interaction between them is realistic, and with just enough brass on Liv's part to be convincing without being exaggerated.

When we find out who the murderer is (because we know it just can't be Earl), it's believable and deftly done; the ending is satisfying and even a hint of the next book is given. Ms. Fee is a talented writer and in this book she serves up a real slice of southern charm, wit, and humor. I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended. ( )

This was my first encounter with Liv and Di, the two amateur sleuths in One Fête in the Grave by Vickie Fee. I really enjoyed the action, the details of the job of being a party planner, and the character interactions. Mama and her wedding plans were an absolute hoot! There was just enough humor to make me smile/laugh at just the right times. Based on this book, I have just ordered the other two books in the series.

I gratefully received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, which in no way influenced my opinions, which are solely my own. ( )

One Fete in the Grave by Vickie Fee is the third book in A Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series. Liv McKay is enjoying the fireworks on the Fourth of July with her husband, Larry Joe when they hear a scream. Helen Maples (the screamer) is standing in front of a portable bathroom. When Sheriff Davidson and Deputy Horton run over and look inside, they find Councilman Bubba Rowland inside. Councilman Rowland is dead and looks like he perished from a shotgun wound. Liv was responsible for the town’s annual Fourth of July day long festival and is first to be questioned. Sheriff Davidson wants to know if Liv witnessed any altercations with the victim (and unsurprisingly there were a couple). On Sunday Liv and Larry Joe are invited to dinner at her mother, Virginia’s home. At the end of the meal, Virginia and her boyfriend, Earl announce that they are getting married. But the good wishes are short-lived when it is discovered that Earl’s rifle was the murder weapon. Virginia wants Liv to clear Earl’s name so they can move forward with their wedding. It turns out that many people wished Bubba harm. He was not a well-liked man and he abused his position on the city council. While narrowing down the suspect list, Liv keeps Virginia busy with wedding plans. Virginia has some over-the-top ideas for her special day (which includes swans and a Viking gondola). Will Liv find the killer or will her mother’s wedding venue be the local jail?

One Fete in the Grave is easy to read and can easily be a stand-alone. A Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series is for readers who prefer novels that are humorous and light in content. I was a little bored by this one. The mystery was not complex and is easily solved (the clues are not subtle and killer stands out). Several things are repeated throughout the book. They include the events of the Fourth of July, Emma’s dislike of Earl, and the new development (a secondary storyline). Food descriptions seem to dominate the story. I really do not need a description of every meal Liv ingests especially since she eats from Taco Belles frequently (yes, I spelled it correctly). I give One Fete in the Grave 3 out of 5 stars. I prefer novels that have more depth, less repetition of information, and a mystery that is difficult to solve. If you prefer a light hearted, humorous cozy mystery, then pick up a copy of One Fete in the Grave. ( )