Saturday, October 27, 2018

Final Roasting Place: A Cook-Off Mystery by Devon Delaney

Felicitations!  A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle will be published on November 6 along with Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon, A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry and The Skeleton Makes a Friend by Leigh PerryA Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston along with Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower will be out on November 13.  Now is the time to start making a list of books you will buy with that gift card you are expecting to receive for Christmas (my mother has one and keeps hinting for an Amazon gift card)!  

Final Roasting Place by Devon Delaney is the second novel in A Cook-Off Mystery series.  Sherry Oliveri is appearing on Sunny Side UP with Carmell and Brett to compete in the News Twelve Appetizer Cook-Off in Augustin, Connecticut.  Sherry takes home the prize with her Spicy Toasted Chickpea and Almond Bites.  If her father, Erno had been the judge, the mushroom appetizer would have won (he certainly scarfed down enough of them).  Before Sherry and Erno can depart the station, the power goes out.  When electricity is restored, Carmell Gordy is slumped over the news anchor desk with something metal sticking out of her neck.  The weapon turns out to be a rug hooking tool that points the police in Erno’s direction.  Erno ends up collapsing and on doctor ordered bed rest.  Sherry and her friend, Amber Sherman come up with a plan to clear Erno and find the Carmell’s killer.  They soon learn that Carmell was not popular at the station because of her ambitious nature.  When the killer strikes again, Sherry knows she must be getting close.  Which one of her suspects is guilty of the killings?

Final Roasting Place can be read as a standalone for those of you who have not picked up Expiration Date.  The author provides the necessary background on Sherry, her friends, family and why she enters cooking competitions.  I found Final Roasting Place easy to read with steady pacing.  There is plenty of shopping, cooking and baking in the story. Food is worked into all aspects of the book.  Sherry is a type A personality who likes things done a certain way and items their place.  I am glad that her panic attacks are not as frequent, and she is learning to deal with them (breathing techniques).  I am happy she went back to her maiden name of Oliveri, so she will quit telling people how to properly pronounce Frazzelle.  Now, though, Detective Raymond Bease (like grease) is doing it. Sherry’s friend, Amber Sherman returns in Final Roasting Place.  She is a lovely individual with a kind, caring personality.  Amber rushes to town when she heard about Erno’s troubles and is offering to help with the shop and clear his name.  The conversations between Sherry and father are awkward. I do like that they have a close relationship and Erno supports Sherry in her cooking endeavors.  There is a similar problem with the dialogue between Sherry and Detective Raymond Bease.  There are two cute dogs in the story, Bean and Chutney.  Bean needs a home since his owner, Carmell passed away.  The mystery has ties to the town’s upcoming Founder’s Day celebration.  There is misdirection, several suspects and pointed clues.  I loved the unique murder weapon.  If you are an avid mystery reader, you will find the whodunit easy to solve.  I enjoy the rug hooking aspects of the story.  There is hand dyeing of yarn, descriptions of rugs and explanation on how to use the tool.  I would love a cozy mystery series based on a rug hooking store.  I am giving Final Roasting Place 3 out of 5 stars.  There are recipes for a few of Sherry’s dishes at the end of the book.  Final Roasting Place is a light-hearted cozy mystery with food descriptions that will have your mouth watering. Guilty as Charred is the next installment in A Cook-Off Mystery series which comes out June 25, 2019.

Thank you for reading my review.  I will feature The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor tomorrow.  It is a gripping historical novel that takes readers back to World War II (popular theme lately in historical books).  I hope that you have a relaxing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris
The Avid Reader

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