Monday, May 25, 2020

Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse by Kate Young: Review & Giveaway!

Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse


A Marygene Brown Mystery


by Kate Young

About Southern Sass & A Crispy Corpse


Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Kensington (May 26, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1496721470
ISBN-13: 978-1496721471
Digital ASIN: B07W4MRDKR
On Georgia’s picturesque Peach Cove Island, a killer is serving up a two-for-one special . . .

After their mama's passing, Marygene Brown returned to Peach Cove Island to help her sister Jena Lynn run the family diner, renowned for its homemade peach desserts. But Mama is never too far away—her sassy spirit haunts the island, and more specifically Marygene. Lately Mama has been warning her that the dead will seek her out to solve their murders, an idea Marygene is far from peachy keen on.

But that prophecy appears to be coming true when she goes skinny-dipping off the island and swims right into a woman's charred corpse floating in the waves. And when Marygene and her brother Sam come upon a second burned body in a wine cellar at an event they're catering, it appears they have a double homicide on their hands. It soon turns out the victims have more in common than their charred remains, and Marygene will need to double down to find a killer who has no aversion to playing with fire. Good thing Mama has her back . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!
 And this

About Kate Young


Kate Young writes Southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she’s reading or cooking.
Skinny dip in the ocean. Amazing!

Author Links





No Skinny Dipping by SteveDelamare on DeviantArt
Skinny Dipping

My Thoughts


Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse by Kate Young has Marygene Brown going for an early morning swim sans bathing suit.  Unfortunately, Marygene encounters a corpse while frolicking in the ocean.  She quickly calls her father, Sheriff Eddie Carter who arrives with Deputy Alex Myers, Marygene’s beau and the reason she was taking an early morning swim.  Eddie’s new hire, Deputy Javier Reyes takes Marygene’s statement at the station which leaves a bitter taste in her mouth after the encounter.  The Peach Diner, owner by Marygene and her sister, Jena Lynn, cater Yvonne Brooks open house showcasing her renovations of Palmer house.  Marygene and her brother, Sam take extra champagne down to the cellar and find a charred corpse leaning against a wall.  Time to call Eddie again.  The two bodies have Marygene perplexed and she knows her mother has the information she needs.  Pesky rules, though, prevent Clara from giving that type of aid.  Marygene and Betsy begin asking questions and end up ruffling a few feathers.  Marygene may find herself in limbo with her mother if she is not careful.
Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse by Kate Young is the 2nd A Marygene Brown Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone because the needed background information is provided.  We return to Peach Cove Island, Georgia where deceased souls who have been murdered are drawn to Marygene Brown.  Marygene gets a help with the cases from her mama, Clara who is in limbo (she should have done more good deeds while alive).  Marygene co-owns The Peach Diner with her sister, Jena Lynn.  Marygene is a wonderful baker whose pastries are in demand by the island’s residents and tourists.  Marygene is having relationship troubles with beau, Deputy Alex Myers.  Alex was seen doing something that landed him in hot water with Marygene.  Alex wanted his cake and to eat it too (if you get my drift).   Deputy Javier Reyes is new to the force and sparks fly between him and our protagonist.  It looks like Alex has competition.  I wish less time had been devoted to Marygene’s love life.  It was a little much for me. Marygene deserves a good guy who is understanding, kind, and loyal.  There are a variety of colorful characters whose antics had me laughing.  Betsy, an employee and friend, is a hoot.  The food descriptions will have your mouth watering.  Thankfully, there are recipes at the end of the book.  I like the author’s conversational writing style which made Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse was easy to read.  The story moved along quickly.  The mystery was an enjoyable one to solve.  It was complex (love that) with a variety of clues, several suspects and misdirection.  I had a good time assembling the clues and arriving at a solution.  There is a dramatic reveal where I got to see if my deductions were correct.  There was plenty of action in this story that helped move this story along quickly toward the end.  The paranormal element is fun and enhances the series.  Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse is a capricious cozy mystery with a disdainful deputy, unabashed bathing beauty, a chill cellar, pretty pastries, a defensive dad, and crispy corpses.  
This classic, Southern Peach Pie is absolute dessert perfection! Filled with summer's juiciest, sweetest fresh peaches and made with a flaky, buttery double-crust dusted with sanding sugar, this fresh peach pie is as beautiful as it is delicious and wonderful served à la mode with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Southern Peach Pie
Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse can be purchased from AmazonB&N, Kobo, and IndieBound.  The 1st A Marygene Brown Mystery is Southern Sass and Killer Cravings.  Now for the giveaway!  As part of the tour, the author is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card!  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Leave a comment for an extra entry.  Good Luck!  Kate Young's next book is On Borrowed Crime which releases October 6.  It is the debut of A Jane Doe Book Club Mystery series.  Thank you so much for dropping by today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my review of Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower.  It is the 5th An Amish Candy Shop Mystery.  I hope you have a fun and safe Memorial Day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Tour Participants


May 25 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

May 25 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

May 25 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW  

May 26 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE

May 26 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW


May 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 27 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 27 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW  

May 28 – Diane Reviews Books - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 28 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW

May 28 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW

May 28 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT

May 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW

May 29 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

May 29 – I'm Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

May 29 – T's Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

May 30 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

May 30 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 30 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 30 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Laura's Interests – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

May 31 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

June 1 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

June 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

June 1 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

June 1 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
by Sally Storch
*This post contains affiliate links.

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for your review on "Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse" by Kate Young and for being part of the book tour.

    Sounds like a fabulous book and one I would greatly enjoy having the opportunity to read. Definitely on my TBR list now. Love the cover and title too!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  2. Sounds like a book I would love to read. Thanks for the chance.

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  3. This is a new author to me, it sounds like a fun series.

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  4. Mystery is one of my favorite gemres :)

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