Title: The Bride Wore Size 12
Author: Meg Cabot
First published September 24, 2013
400 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9780062134899 (ISBN10: 0062134892)
Rating: 3.9
Overview
Heather Wells is back and ready to solve yet another murder mystery, but this time it’s personal. With her wedding to PI Cooper Cartwright just around the corner, Heather is already feeling the pressure.
When a former student comes back to campus with some shocking news, Heather knows that things are about to take a turn for the worse. Suddenly, every person in the dorm where she works is a possible suspect, and Heather finds herself in the middle of a full-blown murder investigation.
But that’s not all – her long-lost father is also back in town, and he’s got some secrets that could change everything. With so much on her plate, Heather has no choice but to put her detective skills to the test once again.
Will she be able to solve the case before her own wedding bells turn into wedding bullets? Only time will tell in this thrilling and hilarious new installment of the Heather Wells series by Meg Cabot.
About the Author
Meg Cabot, also known as Jenny Carroll and Patricia Cabot, was born on February 1, 1967, which happened to be during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a sign believed to bring bad luck. However, growing up in Bloomington, Indiana, not many people were aware of this superstition.
It wasn’t until Meg became a teenager and struggled in her freshman Algebra class, eventually cutting her own bangs, that she began to feel the weight of the fire horse stigma.
After six years as an undergrad at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City during a sanitation worker strike to pursue a career as an illustrator. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much success in this field and turned to her favorite hobby of writing novels for emotional support.
To pay her bills, Meg worked various jobs including a ten-year stint as the assistant manager of a dormitory at NYU, which she still occasionally misses.
Meg is now a renowned author of almost fifty books for both adults and teens, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide. Her most notable works include The Princess Diaries series, which has been translated into over 38 languages and made into two popular movies by Disney.
She has also written other successful series such as the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You?, as well as novels like Teen Idol, How to Be Popular, and Queen of Babble.
Currently, Meg is working on a children’s series called Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls and a new paranormal series called Abandon, set to debut in the summer of 2011. When she’s not writing, Meg divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with her husband and their cats, including one-eyed Henrietta.
Meg’s husband doesn’t know that he married a fire horse, so please don’t tell him.
Editoral Review
The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot is the fifth and final installment of Cabot’s popular Heather Wells mystery series, first published on September 24, 2013. Cabot is a renowned author known for her young adult series such as The Princess Diaries and the Mediator series.
The Bride Wore Size 12 is a mix of drama, suspense and romantic comedy, with undertones of mystery, and touches on themes of friendship, trust, and redemption. The story follows the determined Heather Wells, who works as an assistant director of a residence hall at New York College.
Heather is determined to solve the murder case of the Student Life Coordinator, who was found dead in the basement of the residence hall. Amidst the investigation, Heather deals with other personal issues, such as planning her wedding to her ex-con fiancé, Tad.
Along with her eccentric coworkers, Heather delves deeper into the case and the secrets of the college administration. Cabot’s characters are vibrant and relatable, with Heather being the standout heroine.
Heather embodies a strong-willed, headstrong woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, even when faced with danger. Cabot illustrates Heather’s growth throughout the series, showing her vulnerability and emotional struggles, which create a deep connection with readers.
The writing style in The Bride Wore Size 12 is engaging, witty, and easy to follow. Cabot keeps the reader intrigued with her use of cliffhangers, subplots, and comic relief throughout the book.
The author does not shy away from mature themes such as death, mental health, and relationships, which makes the story more realistic and relatable. One of the strengths of The Bride Wore Size 12 is its fast-paced and well-structured plot.
Cabot weaves the subplots seamlessly into the main storyline, creating a complex and gripping mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. The setting of the college is vividly described, which adds to the authenticity of the story.
However, one of the weaknesses of the book is the predictability of the romance between Heather and Tad. The love triangle between Heather, Tad, and Cooper, a private investigator, feels forced and clichéd, detracting from the main storyline.
Overall, The Bride Wore Size 12 is a satisfying conclusion to the Heather Wells mystery series, and a great standalone read for mystery and romance lovers. The book is recommended for readers who enjoy light-hearted mysteries, strong female characters, and witty dialogue.
The Washington Post gives The Bride Wore Size 12 a rating of 4 out of 5, for its well-crafted plot, relatable characters, and engaging writing style.
