Saturday, August 4, 2018

S'More Murders: A Five-Ingredient Mystery plus a Giveaway!

 

S'more Murders (A Five-Ingredient Mystery)

by Maya Corrigan

About the Book

S'more Murders:  A Five-Ingredient Mystery
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Kensington (July 31, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496709196
Digital ASIN: B0776HN51M
Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on a cookbook with her grandfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, but she’s about to set sail into nearby Chesapeake Bay—straight into a murder case . . .

Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . .
Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes!

About the Author


Maya Corrigan blends her love of food and detective stories in her A Five-Ingredient Mystery series set in a fictional historic town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The first book in the series, By Cook or by Crook, was published in 2014. It was followed by Scam Chowder in 2015, Final Fondue in 2016, and The Tell-Tale Tarte in 2017.

Before taking up a life of crime (on the page), she taught university courses in writing, detective fiction, American literature, and drama. She won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Unpublished Mainstream Mystery / Suspense. Her short stories, written under the name of Mary Ann Corrigan, have been published in anthologies. When not reading and writing, she enjoys theater, tennis, trivia, cooking, and crosswords. Her website features trivia about food and mysteries.

Author Links:  WebPage     Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon  B&N   Kobo  Google Play   BookBub

My Thoughts

S’more Murders by Maya Corrigan is the fifth novel in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series.  Val Dennison has been hired to cater a special dinner hosted by Otto Warbeck who is a collector of Titanic memorabilia.  He wants Val to recreate the last dinner served on the Titanic on his yacht, Abyss.  It is a ten-course meal for eight guests and he insists it be held in a few days on Saturday, April 14 (the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking).  Val is reluctant to take this particular job, but the money she will earn will pay for the repairs needed to Granddad’s home (those blasted termites).  On Saturday Val, Bethany and Granddad board the Abyss and begin their dinner preparations while the yacht heads out into open water.  Bethany oversees the s’more appetizers requested by Otto’s wife, Cheyenne.  After they sit down for dinner, Otto announces he has created a mystery game for them to play while they eat (he even has scripts).  The water becomes choppy due to a storm, the pilot of the yacht is in distress and Otto cannot be found.  Val, with the help of her friends, dives into the case.  There are eight suspects with motive to harm the victim.  Val wades through the clues with the hopes of spearing a killer.

S’more Murders is nicely written, and it has some interesting characters.  I find that Grandad (Don Myer) steals the show from Val.  He is an eccentric and gregarious older gentleman with a zest for life.  Val came across as bland and I am not a fan of her boyfriend, Gunnar.  Gunnar is an amateur actor who wishes to expand his skills.  He is contemplating a change and Val wonders how she will fit in with his plans.  Personally, I would wish Gunnar good luck on his new venture and look for a boyfriend who is more compatible.  I would like to see the author flesh out Val’s character and have her grow as a person.  The mystery was intriguing with multiple suspects and misdirection.  I think that many readers will be surprised when the full solution is revealed.  I could have done with less speculation and rehashing of the clues (it gets old).  I did find the pace to be a little slow, and I had trouble staying invested in the story (my attention wandered).  Val whips up some delectable foods in the story and the descriptions will have your mouth watering (and your stomach growling).  I like how friends and family come together to help and care for each other.  S’more Murders can be read alone if you are new to the series.  Welcome aboard Val’s high seas adventure in S’more Murders.

I appreciate you stopping by today.  Please take the time to visit the other stops on the Great Escapes S’more Murders Tour (see schedule below) and enter the giveaway.  You can enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter form below or click here.  I hope you have a fascinating day.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Italian Iced by Kyle Logan tomorrow. Stay cool and Happy Reading.

Kris
The Avid Reader

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 30 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

July 31 - Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

July 31 - Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT


August 1 - Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

August 2 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

August 2 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

August 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy - GUEST POST

August 3 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

August 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

August 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 5 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

August 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 6 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

August 7 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

August 8 – Readeropolis – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 9 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 9 – Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

August 10 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

August 11 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST

August 12 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

6 comments:

  1. Thank you for your review on "S’more Murders" by Maya Corrigan and for being part of the Great Escapes Book Tour.

    This sounds like a marvelous book and one that I can't wait for the opportunity to read.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your excellent review of S'More Murders by Maya Corrigan. This is a new series to me. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.

    salvatoresmom71(at)yahoo(com).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for reading and reviewing S'more Murders! ~Maya Corrigan

    ReplyDelete
  4. The title makes me hungry.
    browninggloria(at) hotmail(dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for introducing me to a new-to-me author. And the chance to win a print book!

    ReplyDelete