A Murder of Aspic Proportions by Amy Lillard

 A Murder of Aspic Proportions

Book Summary

The award-winning author’s brand-new Sunflower Café Mystery series, set in small-town Kansas, features a twenty-something advice columnist turned café manager and sleuth, her loyal Yorkie, farm-fresh produce—and murder. Will appeal to fans of Charlotte Hubbard, Molly Jebber, Susan Lantz Simpson, and Kelly Long.

Twenty-something Sissy Yoder never imagined herself running her Aunt Bethel’s café, but her help is needed, so she’s making a go of it. And she must admit that life in tiny Yoder has been anything but

dull–she’s already solved one homicide—after being named the prime suspect in the case! Enjoying a peaceful respite after all that excitement, Sissy just wants to write her advice column, hang out with her loyal Yorkie, Duke, and procure some of local farmer Walt Summers’ scrumptious “To Die For” tomatoes for the Sunshine Café’s menu. But when the unsavory Summers–resented by just about everyone in town–turns up murdered in his garden shed, it’s up to Sissy to roll up her sleeves, dig for some clues, and weed out the culprit . . .

My Thoughts

A Murder of Aspic Proportions by Amy Lillard is a cute, lighthearted cozy mystery.  Amy Lillard has a casual writing style.  It is reminiscent of talking with an old, Southern friend.  The story moves along at a good pace.  There is a cast of quirky characters that includes Sissy Yoder, Aunt Bethel, Lizzie, Gavin Wainwright, and indolent Earl Berry.  Sissy Yoder's temporary stay in Yoder, Kansas may become permanent.  She is discovering that she likes life in the small town.  Sissy especially likes the Chicken Coop, her tiny home that she shares with her small companion, a Yorkie named Duke.  Sissy is getting to know her Amish relatives as well.  She has a fondness for her Lizzie who is on bedrest awaiting the birth of fraternal twins.  Aunt Bethel is quite a character.  She is a bit of a grump, but Bethel loves her family.  The mystery was simple and frustrating.  Emma, a young Amish woman, confesses to the crime.  Deputy Earl Berry should not be in charge of a donut shop much less a town.  That he would let her confess without a lawyer or a parent present is appalling (it is a small town, and he should know that Emma could not have committed the crime).  Earl Berry does no investigating (why is this man an officer of the law).  I can understand why Bethel feels the need to clear Emma.  Sissy, of course, is happy to tag along and help (plus, she has the car).  The mystery is one that can be solved early in the book.  The reason why is mentioned many times.  The reveal was anticlimactic and unsatisfying.  

I did feel that A Murder of Aspic Proportions was a little long.  Fifty pages could have easily been shaved off.  There is repetition of information (Sissy’s convertible Fiat is mentioned eleven times, Duke is mentioned by name over fifty times, her column alias at least eight times).  There is humor in the story which keeps things light.  A Murder of Aspic Proportions is the second A Sunflower Café Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone since the author provides the necessary background information on the main characters.  A Murder of Aspic Proportions is a cute story that is good to read when you need something to lighten your mood or brighten a rainy afternoon.  A Murder of Aspic Proportions is an upbeat tale with a snuffed-out farmer, a cozy convertible, an idle deputy, a false confession, stolen tomato plants, futile fertilizer, and a sleuthing Sissy.  

A Murder of Aspic Proportions is available from Amazon*.  The first book in A Sunflower Cafe Mysteries is Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary.  Amy Lillard has The Amish Christmas Promise (Love Inspired) and When Hattie Finds Love (4th book in the Paradise Valley series) coming out November 28.  You can find Amy Lillard's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Here are some of the books that came out today:  Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns, The Other Mistress by Shanora Williams, Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend by Rachel J. Good, Dead Man's Wake by Paul Doiron, Palazzo by Danielle Steel, A Single Dad in Amish Country by Patricia Johns, Hidden Beneath by Barbara Ross, and Hiss Me Deadly by Miranda James.  I will return tomorrow with A Single Dad in Amish Country by Patricia Johns.  It is the second book in The Butternut Amish B&B series.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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