If the Coffin Fits: A Funeral Parlor Mystery

Desiree hasn’t put her dad’s disappearance aside. No one seems to believe her when she says he’s still alive, but she’s determined to prove everyone wrong. When two bodies show up at the funeral parlor, she’s drawn into another mystery. The first is the death of Violet Daughtery, who Desiree’s boyfriend, Nate, is convinced was murdered. The second is Frank Fiore, whose daughters she overheard potentially admitting suspicious actions. Unable to find proof of Frank’s murder, she focuses on helping Nate prove his own murder mystery by digging through Violet’s belongings and discovering strong motives for murder. Her meddling seems to catch the wrong attention as the funeral home receives multiple cancellations. She knows she’s close to uncovering the truth and someone may stop at nothing to keep her from sharing what she knows.

Desiree is risking the family business when she begins meddling around town to solve a murder no one believes is a murder. Lillian Bell incorporates a quirky premise, but every moment is fun and feels like a sleuthing adventure where she’s interrogating people, looking for clues, and gaining a new partner in the form of Violet’s dog. Desiree’s investigative attempts are humorous and often land her in trouble, but it’s the emotional quality of her work that brings the heart. Through the use of the funeral home, several loved ones make their way into a handful of days in Desiree’s life. Their appearances, even brief, give a look at grief and mourning, which is honestly written. Another focus is her determination to find her dad, who everyone has written off as dead, but when she uncovers a clue, another mystery opens up that could change everything. Another delightful read by Bell and a marvelous follow-up to A Grave Issue, If the Coffin Fits has charm and humor with danger and sleuthing adventures with an adorable dog sidekick.

If the Coffin Fits is the second book in the Funeral Parlor Mystery series.