A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard

 A Murder for the Sages

Book Summary

Twenty-something advice columnist and amateur sleuth Sissy Yoder loves helping out at her Aunt Bethel’s Sunflower Café in Yoder, Kansas. It connects her to family, to the close-knit community—and to the suspicious events that always seem to bubble beneath small-town life . . .

The unusual death of local herb farmer, Ginger Reed, is the talk of Yoder. Naturally, Sissy is intrigued. The official report classifies Ginger’s demise as an accident, concluding that she ran herself over with a tractor. But Sissy’s cousin, Naomi, a friend and longtime employee of Ginger’s, insists that’s impossible. When she asks for Sissy’s help in unearthing the truth, Sissy’s on the case—accompanied as ever by her loyal Yorkie companion, Duke . . . 

The deeper Sissy digs, the longer the list of suspects grows—and none of them are Ginger. Near the top is Ginger’s resentful sister-in-law, Mallory. Next is Naomi’s brother, Lloyd, who’s bitter about the oil derrick presumably pumping black gold from Ginger’s land—land that once belonged to his family. Naomi herself could be a suspect—it’s her tractor, after all. But the investigation stalls when Naomi makes a shocking turnaround in her story. Is she lying? And if so, why? Then a missing dog, a desperate lawyer, and a teenage con artist are added to the mix, and the puzzle becomes hopelessly complicated. If Sissy doesn’t solve it quickly, she’ll be lost in the weeds as a killer reaps a deadly harvest . . .

My Thoughts

A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard is the third A Sunflower Café Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series.  This is a lighthearted story with plenty of humor.  Sissy Yoder does not believe the local herb farmers death was an accident.  It is not often that someone is run over by their own tractor.  Sissy’s cousin, Naomi insists it was impossible and wants Sissy to ferret out the truth.  Sissy, of course, is intrigued and decides to do a little snooping around.  Sissy’s job at The Sunflower Café allows her to hear the latest gossip.  The more Sissy digs, the more suspects she uncovers.  It is a fun mystery. I do feel there is too much repetition.  The same details and phrases do not need to be repeated excessively (an example is that Sissy works at the Sunflower Café). It begins to feel like filler.  I do know how Sissy endures her pushy and annoying mother.  Mrs. Yoder feels that Sissy is wasting her journalism degree by working at the café.  She is unaware that Sissy does have a syndicated column (the woman could not be trusted with that information—talk about loose lips).  There are a variety of quirky characters in the story.  Amy Lillard has a vivid imagination.  I love Sissy’s darling little dog, Duke.  I also find Sissy’s Chicken Coop to be darling (perfect for one person and a small dog). Yoder, Kansas has not been the same since Sissy has arrived. I wonder what Sissy will get up to next time.  

A Murder for the Sages can be obtained from Amazon*.  The first two books in A Sunflower Cafe Mysteries are Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary and A Murder of Aspic Proportions.  Amy will have the novella Christmas Lily in Christmas Lily in A Lancaster Amish Christmas on August 15.  You can follow Amy Lillard on Amazon and they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for visiting today.  I will be featuring An Amish Country Reunion by Patricia Johns tomorrow.  I hope that you have a cheerful day (we need more joy in our lives considering the political situation, gun violence, and all the other negative news).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris 

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.  

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 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard

 Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary

Book Summary

Looking for a fresh start, advice columnist Sissy Yoder heads to small-town Yoder, Kansas, to help in her aunt’s café. But when a milkman is murdered, the newcomer becomes the prime suspect . . .

After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag, picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus, she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed . . .

My Thoughts

Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard is the debut of A Sunflower Café Mysteries. We meet Sissy Yoder and her Yorkshire terrier, Duke.  They have traveled to Yoder, Kansas to help her aunt, Bethel who broke a leg.  Bethel needs help running the Sunflower Café.  Sissy is glad for an excuse to get away from Tulsa, Oklahoma after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her apartment.  Unfortunately, Sissy’s fresh start begins with the murder of the local milk delivery driver in the back doorway of the Sunflower Café.  Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry has Sissy at the top of his suspect list.  The only way to clear her name is for Sissy to find the real culprit. I like Amy Lillard’s casual writing style.  It is welcoming and friendly.  The pacing is leisurely and could have used an injection of caffeine.  Sissy Yoder is a friendly character who has an adorable dog named Duke of York (aka Duke).  We meet a cast of quirky characters as Sissy works in the café and investigates the mystery.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Yoder.  It sounds like a quaint small town that is a mixture of English and Amish. I thought Sissy’s new home was clever and cute (I am not going to spoil it for you).  

The murder of the milkman happens early in the story.  Sissy is the prime suspect even though she barely knew the man.  There are several suspects since the milk delivery driver is the local lothario.  There are few clues which makes it challenging for Sissy to solve.  Sissy gets help from local reporter, Gavin.  I wish the whodunit had been stronger and more complex.  I also thought the mystery needed a better conclusion with any lingering questions answered.  I kept hoping the bumbling deputy sheriff would find himself the next victim.  In the end, Sissy finds the final piece of the puzzle and identifies the guilty party.  Gavin Wainwright is a reporter for the Sunflower Express, the local underground newspaper.  He helps Sissy with the mystery plus he is her new love interest.  I did feel it was a little soon for a love interest since Sissy is still getting over her ex-boyfriend.  I am hoping that the romance will progress slowly.  

I like Sissy’s job as the syndicated advice columnist Aunt Bess.  Aunt Bess is a sassy, know it all seventy-year-old grandmother (at least that is what everyone thinks).  Aunt Bess is plain spoken with plenty of helpful advice (Sissy should take some of it herself).  There are quotes from Aunt Bess at the beginning of each chapter.  Of course, Sissy has to have a cover occupation because no one knows that she is Aunt Bess.    The food descriptions will have your mouth watering, especially for chocolate peanut butter pie.  I enjoyed my first visit to Yoder, Kanas.  I am curious what trouble Sissy will stumble upon next time.   Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is cute cozy with the delightful Duke, the grabby Bethel, the loving Lottie, the laid-up Lizzie, the bullying Earl Berry, the scrumptious chocolate peanut butter pie, the grinning Gavin, and a suspicious Sissy.

Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary will be out on Tuesday, June 28 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  Amy Lillard has The Amish Matchmaker coming out on September 27.  It is the second novel in the Paradise Valley series.  You can find Amy Lillard's other novels here.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my book review.  Tomorrow I am featuring Suspects by Danielle Steel.  I hope that you have a cheerful day.  I am off to work on another project around the house.  I am trying to get one item off the to do list each day (that should tell you how long a list it is).  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.