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EM Kaplan
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The Bride Wore Dead: An Un-Cozy Un-Culinary Josie Tucker Mystery (Josie Tucker Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by EM Kaplan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 486 ratings
Snarky food critic Josie Tucker is facing the ultimate career hiccup. With her testy stomach betraying her, she can barely hold on to her lunch, never mind her job. The last thing she needs is having to be a replacement bridesmaid at a society wedding…

But an uncomfortable dress and awkward small talk turn out to be the least of Josie’s worries when the demure bride fails to survive the honeymoon. Now entangled in the groom’s sordid family, Josie finds herself the target of the rich and dangerous.

A tragic death. A desperate mother. A predatory ex. All the ingredients for an unsavory mystery…
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Josie Tucker Mysteries
  2. Print length
    321 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 18, 2013
  6. File size
    1.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Library Journal SELF-e Best Books of 2016 "Josie shines as a funny and sympathetic heroine whose amateur detective work is just as enjoyable as her complicated personal life."--Teva Hutchinson, Atlanta Univ. Center Robert W. Woodruff Lib. BRAG Medallion Honoree
"The Bride Wore Dead has everything a readerexpects from modern crime fiction - sharp writing, an unpredictable plot,quirky characters. But it also holds surprisesfor the reader. As one of the new breedof indie authors, Kaplan has broken many of the rules of crime fiction - withpanache - and created something refreshingly different. Her characterisation has depth. The Bride Wore Dead is populated by peoplewho are not only quirky but real. JosieTucker herself as a woman with a Thai mother and an American G.I. father bringsa blend of old soul and naïve innocence to her amateur sleuthing. The reader relates to her personal issueswith life and love. But Josie'scharacter is never static and Kaplan brings moments of self-discovery into herrelationships with both suspects and friends.Minor characters also keep the reader guessing as their personalitiestake unexpected but plausible turns. Theother real strength of The Bride Wore Dead is the plot. There's a social issue behind the crimes whichanchors the story in contemporary reality but the solution follows its owntrajectory, with unusual but satisfying results. At the end, the loose ends are tied up butthe way is laid for a very interesting future for Josie as the series unfolds."

-Virginia King, former prize-winningpublisher, author of "The First Lie" (BRAG Medallion Honoree)

About the Author

EM Kaplan was an 80s kid, spoonfed on six channels of a VHF dial TV. She grew up reading Agatha Christie and Edgar Rice Burroughs in rural Arizona where there were no sidewalks but plenty of tumbleweeds. A former wannabe spy, trombonist, toilet-cleaner, beginner ninja, and subversive marketeer, she currently lives in the frozen north with her husband, author JD Kaplan, kids, and dog. Where to find her: blog: www.JustTheEmWords.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/emkaplan.author Twitter: www.twitter.com/meilaan Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/emkaplan Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/emkaplan Email: JustTheEmWords@gmail.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GW9I1ZO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ E.M. Kaplan
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 18, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1494277703
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Josie Tucker Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 486 ratings

About the author

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EM Kaplan

EM Kaplan

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While all the other school kids moaned about homework, Emily scribbled satires of her least favorite classes, redrawing teachers as evil alien overlords. She is the living embodiment of the axiom, "It's always the quiet ones."

Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize Quarter Finalist (for Full Slab Dead)

Biblioboard SELF-e Honoree (for The Bride Wore Dead)

B.R.A.G. Medallion (for The Bride Wore Dead)

I.A.N. Book of the Year Finalist (for Dim Sum, Dead Some)

Illinois Soon-To-Be-Famous Finalist (Unmasked)

Illinois Soon-To-Be-Famous Semi-Finalist (Full Slab Dead)

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
486 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this mystery book for its strong female protagonist and convincing villains, with one review noting how the characters jelled together. The story keeps readers in suspense until the last page, and customers find it an easy, enjoyable read with great humor and wit. The writing style receives positive feedback, though opinions about the pacing are mixed, with some saying it moves right along while others mention a slow start. The taste aspect also receives mixed reactions, with some finding it tasty while others describe it as more tart than sweet.

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60 customers mention "Character development"55 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book, particularly appreciating the strong female protagonist and the quirky way the characters interact.

"...Josie Tucker is a quintessential protagonist. She is cynical and savvy. She is flawed but self-aware. She is highly skilled in many ways, yet humble...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed E.M. Kaplan's writing style. The characters are witty and engaging. Josie comes across as a great accidental detective...." Read more

"...I can actually relate to the main characters, flaws and all, because they are not stupid...." Read more

"...Josie is an interesting and well-developed character. I felt her 3 friends were less so, especially two of the three...." Read more

59 customers mention "Suspense"49 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful plot of the book, which keeps readers engaged until the last page.

"I was engrossed within the first few pages. The story, the character, the dialogue, and Kaplan’s balanced and witty prose were quickly addictive...." Read more

"...doesn't see the world through rose-colored glasses; she is a realist and a pragmatist, and I admire that...." Read more

"...She has a nice narrative sense and, as a result, 'The Bride Wore Dead' moves right along with none of those little bumps in the road that slow a..." Read more

"...This book is well written, the story flows very well and there are some funny moments, and some intense ones...." Read more

48 customers mention "Enjoyment"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining, with interesting elements that draw readers into the mystery.

"...the dialogue, and Kaplan’s balanced and witty prose were quickly addictive...." Read more

"...The characters are witty and engaging. Josie comes across as a great accidental detective...." Read more

"...Josie is an interesting and well-developed character. I felt her 3 friends were less so, especially two of the three...." Read more

"...the story flows very well and there are some funny moments, and some intense ones. Can Josie find the truth for the mothers?..." Read more

46 customers mention "Readability"46 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and enjoyable to read, with one describing it as a great page turner.

"...A good read - not super light, but not too gruesome either. I look forward to reading more Josie Tucker in the future." Read more

"...A nice book, but could have been great with better editing." Read more

"...Also well done is the depiction of a life in a small town which I expect is much the same whether it's a small town in Arizona or a small town in..." Read more

"...I enjoyed this book and love Josie as I have read the last 2 of the series at this point first." Read more

30 customers mention "Writing style"26 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, with one customer noting the excellent narration and another highlighting the wonderful dialog, while another mentions there are no glaring spelling mistakes.

"...The story, the character, the dialogue, and Kaplan’s balanced and witty prose were quickly addictive...." Read more

"I have just finished this mystery. I really enjoyed E.M. Kaplan's writing style. The characters are witty and engaging...." Read more

"...reading the book and that would be a shame because Kaplan is a very fine writer with a nice light touch when the occasion calls for it...." Read more

"...This book is well written, the story flows very well and there are some funny moments, and some intense ones...." Read more

25 customers mention "Humor"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its wit and sarcastic tone, with one customer noting the delightful self-deprecation.

"...I delighted in several moments, character descriptions, and subtle ironies, but here are a few of my favorites:..." Read more

"...book is well written, the story flows very well and there are some funny moments, and some intense ones. Can Josie find the truth for the mothers?..." Read more

"...For lovers of mystery, comedy and strong female protagonists The Bride Wore Dead is a sure love!" Read more

"...reading I was saying to myself "this is good!" The opening is so humorous and engaging with the presentation of a wonderfully smart, quirky..." Read more

15 customers mention "Pace"10 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it moves right along while others mention a slow start.

"...character, the dialogue, and Kaplan’s balanced and witty prose were quickly addictive...." Read more

"...The action is fast paced and Ms. Tucker finds herself the object of some unwanted attention by suspects in the case but Kaplan doesn't make the..." Read more

"...Arizona, and in the back story about her parents, which made reading a little confusing...." Read more

"...The story slowly builds to a climax that didn’t let me stop reading. Great flow & dialog & gruesome premise." Read more

11 customers mention "Taste"7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the taste of the book, with some finding it tasty and spicy, while others describe it as more tart than sweet.

"...Kaplan has created a spicy, lovable character with Josie Tucker. She is a tiny built, Asian lady with stomach issues...." Read more

"...The fact that a person shot both of them in the head...very cheesy and questionable! Sorry but no." Read more

"...Her talents rise to the top of a delicious brew and like froth they overflow the rim cascading slowly down the side...." Read more

"...finished, The Bride Word Dead, and I can attest that it is a gratifyingly tasty read—suspenseful to the last page...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Michael D. Durkota
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Bride Wore Dead is an enthralling mystery fueled by an extraordinary heroine.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was engrossed within the first few pages. The story, the character, the dialogue, and Kaplan’s balanced and witty prose were quickly addictive. I am rarely guilty of binge reading; I generally read slowly and I stick to a fairly strict regime of reading for thirty minutes to an hour each day. That said, The Bride Wore Dead wrecked my daily routine. I didn’t want to wrap presents anyway, so it was a joyful distraction.bride-wore-dead

    Josie Tucker is a quintessential protagonist. She is cynical and savvy. She is flawed but self-aware. She is highly skilled in many ways, yet humble. Taken out of her quiet, reclusive comfort-zone she stumbles and makes mistakes, but manages to find her way. The unplanned desert expedition is allegorical; I read it so fast and feverishly the first time through that I had to go back and re-read it after I caught my breath. There is so much depth to the character and her story that I may have to go back and re-read from page one. When you see references to Immanuel Kant, Holden Caulfield, and bodhisattvas it’s difficult to resist digging deeper.

    I delighted in several moments, character descriptions, and subtle ironies, but here are a few of my favorites:

    “The Latin incantations reminded her of a horror movie…” [Passage describing a wedding]
    “Greta Williams seemed like a person who rarely, if ever, was pleased about how things were going.”
    “Josie brimmed with fermented good wishes.”
    “A few drops of red wine stained the place in front of her, the red liquid spreading through the cloth so that she could see the crisscross pattern of the fibers.”
    “You paged me this morning at 4:30. You said you were dying and you told me to bring a priest.”
    “His silver crew cut hinted at a former police or military career or the desire to have had one.”
    “The pleated skirt and tight sweater might still fit, but there was something indecent about her world outlook.”
    “He shot her a look that made her feel like she’d forgotten some of her clothing. Like her shirt.”
    “Other than the beatings, and the anxiety, I enjoyed myself. For the most part.”

    Bottom line: The Bride Wore Dead is an enthralling mystery fueled by an extraordinary heroine. I’m looking forward to the second in the series, Dim Sum, Dead Some.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Terri
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have just finished this mystery. I really enjoyed E.M. Kaplan's writing style. The characters are witty and engaging. Josie comes across as a great accidental detective. As she sleuths, you can see how her own weaknesses can get her in trouble. A good read - not super light, but not too gruesome either. I look forward to reading more Josie Tucker in the future.
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  • Kate Bruner
    5.0 out of 5 stars More tart than sweet
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I really like this book. I love mystery novels, but I don't really want to read about excessive violence, so I read a lot of so-called "cosies." Many of them are just too damn sweet. This book, however, seemed a combination of Emily Post and Robert B. Parker. I can actually relate to the main characters, flaws and all, because they are not stupid. Josie is a wonderful change of pace from so many cosy protagonists who annoy me immensely by letting their mother/sibling/lover pressure them into doing things they don't want to do and then whining about it ad infinitum ad nauseum. She has uncertainties and problems, but she is a survivor and can take care of herself, and best of all, she doesn't see the world through rose-colored glasses; she is a realist and a pragmatist, and I admire that. And I am absolutely thrilled with Greta Williams. She does what she believes is right, no matter the price to herself. And she accepts her consequences with dignity. All in all, I have found a series, I think, that I can relish for a long time to come.
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  • Ann
    3.0 out of 5 stars Needs a good editor.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book, but...I couldn't go higher than 3 stars due to the serious need for a good editor. On top of the occasional missing word, the book is rife with highly distracting temporal continuity problems. For example, Josie reflects on her mother, a young bride brought to the States, and subsequently a young mother working at the commissary and learning English. So, being generous, let's say that her mom was 25 when she had Josie. Fast forward to Josie's memories of high school, during which Josie's father died suddenly, her mom opened a restaurant, began to have problems, was diagnosed with alzheimer's and put in home, after which Josie moved to Arizona and spent a few years in high school there. Ok...so all that happened in 1-2 years, to a woman that was, what? At best 41 years old? It's pretty rare for someone so young to be completely overcome by alzheimer's disease. I suppose it's possible, but really, if that is what the author wants to convey, she should have remarked on the rarity of such a diagnosis. Instead, I get the distinct impression that she just didn't really think the timeline through. There are various other temporal issues, for example, the description of the time frame between the wedding and the Josie's trip to Arizona was confused and off, but I won't go on.

    A nice book, but could have been great with better editing.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • gendot
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Josie is a food critic who develops GI issues, which derail her main career. She gets involved
    in solving the death of a bride, for whom she had been a stand-in bridesmaid just 5 days prior. Josie
    is an interesting and well-developed character. I felt her 3 friends were less so, especially two of the three.
    The method of the bride's demise and Josie's nearly-died-but-survived experience were too
    Implausible for me. And yes, I remember I am reading fiction.
    All in all, I think (and hope) the author and Josie will grow together, making for a fun, engaging series.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • nanamama777
    1.0 out of 5 stars selten so gelangweilt, selten so eine unsympathische Hauptfigur...
    Reviewed in Germany on November 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    ich verstehe nicht, dass alle bisherigen Rezensionen so positiv ausgefallen sind. Die Hauptfigur ist weinerlich bis mürrisch aber in keiner Weise sympathisch, der Schreibstil ist überhaupt nicht flüssig und schon auf den ersten 17 Seiten häufen sich die Fehler, und wir reden hier nicht von vergessenen Kommata oder ähnlichem. Wenn es um einen Pulli geht, den er trägt, aber anstelle von "he" ein "she" benutzt wird, frage ich mich ernsthaft, ob hier jemals Korrektur gelesen wurde. Die ersten 17 Seiten waren schon eine Qual, es wird auch nicht wirklich besser und ich glaube kaum, dass ich es noch bis zum Ende schaffen werde.
    Bei cozy mysteries erwarte ich sicherlich keine tiefsinnige Literatur, aber hier ist selbst der geringe Preis von 2,99 noch zu viel. Von entspannter und leichter Lektüre erwarte ich zumindest dennoch, dass die Autorin die Personalpronomen nicht durcheinander wirft.
    Fazit: no go.
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  • Gus
    5.0 out of 5 stars The prickly Josie Tucker food writer, becomes super sleuth.
    Reviewed in Australia on August 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Josie Tucker is a journalist, no sorry, a food writer with tummy issues. Ms Tucker gets caught in a murder where she is bridesmaid.
    Well that's how it all starts. She turns herself into a amateur detective and tries her hardest to solve the case. I won't go into anymore
    of the story line and give away what happens. EM Kaplan has done a wonderful job in creating the characters, good and bad. A good solid read which gets the grey matter working overtime. I'm giving this book a 4.8 Star read
    Report
  • Sharon E. Leighton
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good traditional mystery with good non-traditional characters
    Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Beginning with a reluctant Josie acting as a replacement for a bridesmaid who dropped out of a big society wedding, and going on to explore the meaning of family, community, identity, and love, this is a top-notch mystery. It faces some tough questions on the way to whodunit, and does it with charm and excitement. Josie herself is a likeable character, generally intelligent, although she does make one rather dumb move when she returns to the place where her prime suspect is staying "because it's safe". Yeah, right. The author covers this mistake in judgment by suggesting that that was an excuse to go where she wouldn't bother anyone, and this fits with her personal insecurity. The whole plot hangs together logically, which is always refreshing. I'll probably read more Josie Tuckers.
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  • STEVIE BOY
    5.0 out of 5 stars Think Stephanie Plum with gastric issues!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Among all the indie author works I've read this year, the quality of the writing of this novel is second to none. The characters are well-drawn and engaging and the story zips along without a pause. If I said there's a chick-lit feel to the opening don't write it off as stereotypical. Think Stephanie Plum with gastric issues! It's smart and entertaining, at times very funny and others quite alarming. With locations you could reach out and touch and tension that builds to a dramatic conclusion, I thoroughly recommend this first instalment in the Josie Tucker series.
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  • Ben
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun ride
    Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I'm astonished by the quality of writing in this book.
    The writer goes out of her way to make it fun and it's a success.
    Josie is a strong protagonist that I quickly grew attached to, to me she's now a friend.
    Report

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