Drop Dead Bread: A Laughing Loaf Bakery Mystery (series starter) By Victoria Kazarian

Thank you to the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.

Drop Dead Bread
A Laughing Loaf Bakery Mystery
Victoria Kazarian

This series starter gets right to business as a cozy mystery with a touch of thriller due to Gracie Markley and her dad being participants in the WITSEC program, as in witness protection. The small and cozy town of River Grove seemed like the perfect place to relocate and start a new and different business. It was looking like a place where Gracie and her dad could reestablish roots. After a year they can breathe a little easier. During that one year, Gracie has been able to successfully launch a bakery business called the Laughing Loaf which is quite different from the tech job she left when she turned her tech secret selling husband in to the Feds.   

All is quiet in the cozy town and Gracie has settled into the life of a baker and according to Beck, her young and aspiring baker, Gracie is no longer the newest resident. Unfortunately, one of those new neighbors is the victim and the other one, is a not so neighborly. Former male model Nico Behrens is found dead on the bakery’s back doorstep with one hand reaching into the doorway. If Gracie wasn’t traumatized enough, she also gets to contend with nature photographer, Nate, the victim’s brother who in his grief decides to file a suit against Gracie claiming that it is her worn steps that led to a fall that caused the death. As members of the WITSEC program, the last thing that Gracie and her dad need is any sort of press coverage local or national due to the homicide. So of course, she is going to need to figure out who did the deadly deed. 

Gracie has a great friend and co-worker support system even though it is small (it will get bigger) and while the Sheriff doesn't want her involving herself in his investigation, he still shows her respect for the clues she finds. I for one respect her taste in music since she often turns up the 80s/90s tunes while mixing, kneading, prepping the dough for those incredible baked goods. The playlist can be found at the back of the book. Gracie is a sweetheart of a character, very relatable and she doesn't seem to make those rash mistakes like asking too many pointed questions. I can see why this series has so many books. It could also be because of the great recipes included at the back of the books. The series starter provides you with Gracie's Basic Scone recipe and it is always good to have a basic scone recipe that can be served with homemade preserves. This recipe was easy to follow, turned out so good that you don't even need preserves or lemon curd to enjoy.

This story was every bit as enjoyable as the scones. I did not guess the villain until the reveal and it held my attention the entire time. I look forward to reading the additional stories and seeing how the characters develop throughout the series.

That Missing Piece is Killing Me : Alice Pepper's Lonely Hearts and Puzzle Club by Roz Noonan

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

That Missing Piece is Killing Me
Alice Pepper's Lonely Hearts and Puzzle Club
Roz Noonan

Book two of the Alice Peppers series starts out with a missing person who may not want to be found, which brings back painful memories for Alice from her past. This story grabbed my attention right away as Alice and her friends follow what few clues, they can find to hopefully lead them to the missing Michelle. Michelle, the very responsible woman who teaches dance and martial arts, is missing in action during the annual children’s book festival, and no one, not even her husband, knows where she has gone. Speaking of Michelle’s husband, Lars makes for a very good suspect for the missing Michelle. He is an arrogant egomaniac artist, at least he is until he turns up dead, stabbed. Since Michelle found his body upon her return home, she is at the top of the suspect list. Now, how is that for a hook! 

This is a stand-alone cozy mystery with a “mature” main character. Librarian Alice Pepper and her lonely hearts and puzzle solving friends are 60-ish but that doesn’t stop them from getting involved, in spite of Alice’s granddaughter Madison’s request to “leave it to the police.” In Madison’s defense, she is the police. 

Alice refers to her group of friends as the Lonely Hearts and Puzzle Club not because it is a real club or because they are lonely but rather, all of the ladies are single. At least the book starts out that way. The little ribbon of romance that is woven into this story gives it a nice subplot when two of Alice’s friends find themselves with admirers. The only possible problem with this is that both men are possible suspects, but they aren’t the only suspects. Lars had a way of making enemies with his caustic attitude that was reserved for no one and utilized with everyone, even his 17-year-old intern. The more you learn about Lars the less it makes sense that Michelle is even on the suspect list. The motive could be money, love, or revenge.

I thought that it was interesting that there is a missing piece to one of the puzzles that Alice’s sets up to work on. I can relate to working on a puzzle and not being able to find the last piece. Thankfully, they turn up on the floor under the table. Alice felt like she was missing a piece to the murder mystery. Alice was also missing a piece of her family which was touched on in the series starter and is completely explained in this book giving the story a nice plot arc. The cozy and real-world elements are blended together to give added depth as well as enjoyment. I look forward to seeing what puzzle Alice puts together in the next book.   

Home Sweet Homicide: A Hometown Mystery #5 by Rosalie Speilman

Thank you to the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.

Home Sweet Homicide

Hometown Mysteries #5

Rosalie Speilman

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Tessa Treslow reporting for maid of honor duty and murder solving, sir. This is the fifth Hometown Mystery book and my first time reading from this series. The story is a stand-alone cozy that takes place in the town of New Oslo, Idaho. Tessa, moved back home after a successful service career to take her place working with her Aunt Edna, restoring vintage vehicles, (and solving mysteries). This latest book does not involve vintage vehicles, but it does involve something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, plus a dead body or two. 

Tessa hasn’t always gotten along with Jezebel aka Jessie who is engaged to Tessa’s high school boyfriend so why on earth is she agreeing to be her maid of honor? It certainly makes for an entertaining plot as do several of the characters. Jessie, the bride, for one has an unfortunate name, a bit of a reputation that she is trying to put way behind her, four ex-husbands, and a beautiful set of twin girls who can seem a little odd at times. 

Shelby, Jessie’s high school BFF frenemy, is a professional wedding planner, so why wasn’t she asked to help. Most likely because she is a frenemy who irritates everyone every time she opens her mouth. Tessa and the other ladies have everything well in hand, but Shelby tries to steamroll Jessie, the gang and their hard work. Needless to say, I half expected Shelby to be the victim because she is only slightly less repugnant than Jessie's first husband, Zane, the actual victim. Much of my enjoyment while reading this book involves the back and forth between Tessa and Aunt Edna. Everyone needs an Aunt Edna to help keep you straight and to listen when needed or to give advice when you might not want it. Something that Tessa seems to need from time to time to keep her cool when dealing with Shelby, who really should not have been invited in the first place. Tessa didn’t return from duty with PTSD; she came back with a bit of anger and Shelby does a great job of triggering. I appreciate the realness that Ms. Spellman incorporates into the story, from Tessa’s need to contact her therapist to Nick’s loss of limb from his time in the service. There is some light-heartedness to balance out the real-life seriousness.  

In addition, there are some really good red herrings to go along with the shifty suspects to keep you entertained and turning pages. Who is that guy that says he is a PI and who really hired him? Both the bride and the groom are on the suspect list, but we know that they couldn’t have done it, right? One more cozy aspect to this story is that there is also a fur baby, Vince the boxer, who is a butt wiggling ball of fun.  All in all, this is a good read that has me wanting to check out the rest of the series to see how it all started.

 

A Plattering of Murder: A Charcuterie Shop Mystery #4 by J.C. Eaton

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.  

A Plattering of Murder
A Charcuterie Shop Mystery #4
J.C. Eaton

Spirited and savory Katie Aubrey, owner of The Char-Board is back and serving up amazing charcuterie boards at a mystery author event. This is the fourth book in the Charcuterie Shop Mystery series by the husband and wife writing team known as J.C. Eaton. While this is the 4th book, it is a stand-alone and can be enjoyed without reading the preceding books. In addition to a fun story there is a recipe included at the conclusion. Thanks to this series I have learned that charcuterie is for more than just pairing with wine and am going to try my hand at making a dessert board in the near future. 

A Plattering of Murder is like a wild ride on a runaway horse. A horse that Katie had no intention of riding until…her Aunt Regina is questioned as a person of interest and later as a suspect. Alas, many people including Katie can see how this is possible, but Katie knows that Regina isn’t a killer. She can drive a person a bit nuts with her aggressively helpful ways, but she isn’t a killer. She was Richard’s editor; it makes no sense for her to “rub him out.” As with the other books, Katie and friends get involved to help solve this caper, much to the chagrin of local law enforcement. One important thing to know is that Edith, a former food critic, is a ghost and only Katie can see or hear her, which makes for some great scenes. I am surprised that Katie’s friends and coworkers haven’t staged an intervention based on the number of times Katie has to cover up for speaking out loud to Edith with other people around. Not even Ian, Katie’s boyfriend, knows about Edith or Katie’s ability to talk to ghosts.  In addition to the Char-Board crew and Ian pitching in to help with sleuthing, as do Edith and Rosalind, another ghost. That is, Edith and Rosalind are possibly available when they aren’t busy looking over couture from those who have passed on to the great beyond.  Apparently, Grace Kelley’s wardrobe is released at one point and while Edith may be dead, she still wants to look smashing.

One would think that it would be easy to solve this mystery. Katie has access to not one, but two ghosts so why can’t Edith and Rosalind just go ask Richard who did him in? One would be wrong. Edith and Rosalind both report that the other realm is a labyrinth that even the Minotaur killer Theseus would have a tough time navigating. As an armchair sleuth, I found myself writing down clues and suspects and then erasing as the red herrings were added. The side plot with the potentially “haunted” house that Katie’s friend and realtor Maddie, is trying to sell adds a little something as well. I must admit that my main reason for turning page after page was for the comedy aspect that intertwines nicely with the cozy mystery. Katie’s snark just keeps me in stitches, and I cannot wait to see how she becomes embroiled in the next mystery.

Christmas Cozies in July

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.  

Murder at a Scottish Christmas
The Scottish Shire Mystery Series
Traci Hall

Murder at a Scottish Christmas is the 6th book in the Scottish Shire Mystery series. This is a heartwarming cozy series that features Paislee Shaw, a hard-working single mom who owns her own specialty sweater and yarn boutique. Paislee even offers a "knit n sip" for the locals who like to work on a project while being social. This group of ladies are a great sounding board when it comes to reluctant sleuthing or life in general. The characters exude the same warmth and care that Paislee shows to everyone, even people who can be rather annoying, like the victim of this story. It really shouldn't be so hard to find a "first footer" to cross your threshold. This is a lovely tradition involving a dark-haired person walking through your front door after the stroke of midnight, making them the first person to step foot inside your house for the new year. It turns out that this was a tradition that my husband's paternal grandparents celebrated every year. His paternal grandfather was a first-generation citizen with a Scottish heritage. After reading this cozy, I decided that we needed to bring the tradition back. Thankfully we were not waiting on home renovations or running around looking for clues regarding a murder or a puppy smuggling ring. Paislee is an excellent friend, helping Amelia to find her puppy and get justice for her less than savory brother who had finally gotten himself is into more trouble than he could handle. There are plenty of suspects and clue chasing to keep you turning the pages. There is also the banter between DI Zeffer and Paislee. Hamish, the school master might seem like a smart match for Paislee, she is in no hurry to join the ranks of those in a relationship. I for one am #teamZeffer all the way. Looking forward to the next Scottish Shire Mystery.  

A Wonderful Christmas Crime
A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery
Jacqueline Frost

Holly Grey nee White is back for another cozy Christmas murder in the town of Mistletoe. The Gumdrop Gumshoe is making money on her notoriety which is a blessing and a curse.  

Bait and Swiss: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Bait and Swiss
A Cheese Shop Mystery
Korina Moss 

I think that this is my favorite Cheese Shop Mystery yet. All is right in the world of Willa as she and detective Heath have gotten their wires uncrossed, Team Cheese is a well-oiled (mystery) machine and Curds and Whey is thriving after only two years. So of course, this is the time when fate intervenes/interferes, and the past relocates to the present.  Willa mentions in past books that she had been heartbroken, but we do not get the whole story...until now. Surprise, Willa's ex-fiancé, and her ex-friend were thinking or not thinking by showing up in Willa's town to set up a pop-up shop. 

The story is engaging, and the characters are just fun to read about. Willa and her crew are celebrating the second anniversary of Curds and Whey in a cheesetastic way complete with decorations and amazing cheese selections.  The crew is made up of Willa; the cheesemonger extraordinaire, Mrs. Schultz; who likes to say that she is "smack dab" in the middle of her sixties, Baz; Willa's best friend and jack of all trades, and Archie, a young cheesemonger in the making.  Willa has sworn off of sleuthing but once again she is drawn in. After all, she was the person who delivered the tainted treats that would have done in. I have never been a fan of rum filled chocolates, and this just reinforces my hesitation to try them. As with the other mysteries, Team Cheese is on the case as they sift through the clues. Was it a random poisoning or is someone after AJ. There are some very humorous aspects to his reaction of being the supposed recipient of the tainted goods. Willa has a time of it trying to not automatically suspect Pearce and Riley. Wouldn't it be so easy and somewhat like karma if they were to blame? But Willa is above all of that and besides, she has a wonderful new town, her dream business, and a dreamboat of a detective. 

As with the previous Cheese Shop Mysteries, recipes are also provided in this one. I decided to make the Pizza Smashed Potatoes so I could have a little snack while I armchair sleuthed. Looking forward to the next Cheese Shop Mystery with Team Cheese!

An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder: A Bainbridge Island Mystery by Lynn Cahoon

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murders 
A Bainbridge Island Mystery
Lynn Cahoon

Ms. Cahoon had created another winning cozy and probably the best amateur sleuth job EVER. The cherry on the top of this series starter is the scrumptious mac and cheese recipe found at the back of the book. The setting is on Bainbridge Island, which is just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Meet Meg Gates, who is about to go from being a hot mess to a phoenix rising out of the ashes. You cannot help but to empathize with Meg, even if you haven't been essentially left at the altar by your fiancé who ran off on your honeymoon with your bridesmaid. Between heartbreak, lack of a degree, and loss of a job, Meg has no choice but to return home and take a job at the family bookstore. But wait, there is a silver lining to the bookstore job. Thanks to family connections, Meg gets a side gig as a research assistant for successful mystery author, L.C. Aster. This seems fated because Meg has been toying with the idea of writing a book. After reading this book I think that I have found my dream job!   

Who would have guessed that Meg would be able to get on-the-job training for how to write her Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murders. I was drawn into the story right away. As with any good cozy mystery, the amateur sleuth has a furry friend, like Meg's appropriately named rescue cocker spaniel, Watson. She is part of a good group of friends who were once known as the Mystery Crew. This isn't Meg's first try to solve a mystery, although it is the first one that involves murder. 

There are plenty of suspects and red herring because Robert Meade, the victim, was a rather odious person who took advantage of people in trouble. The list of those who had not had the displeasure of interacting with him was a short one, which means that Meg’s Uncle Troy, the town’s police chief will have his work cut out for him. 

Ms. Cahoon introduces us to Emmett’s lobster mac and cheese in the story but in the recipe, she leaves it up to the reader/cook to decide what to add, if one should decide to add anything at all. I gave this easy to make recipe a try and added ham, take a look.