Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Murder on the Menu by Fiona Leitch

 Murder on the Menu

Book Summary

Still spinning from the hustle and bustle of city life, Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is glad to be back in the Cornish village she calls home. Having quit the Met Police in search of something less dangerous, the change of pace means she can finally start her dream catering company and raise her daughter, Daisy, somewhere safer.

But there’s nothing quite like having your first job back at home be catering an ex-boyfriend’s wedding to remind you of just how small your village is. And when the bride vanishes, Jodie is drawn into the investigation, realizing that life in the countryside might not be as quaint as she remembers.

With a missing bride on their hands, murder and mayhem lurks around every corner…

But surely saving the day will be a piece of cake for this not-so-amateur sleuth?

The first book in the Murder on the Menu cozy mystery series. Can be read as a standalone. A humorous cozy mystery with a British female sleuth in a small village. Includes one of Jodie's Tried and Tested Recipes! Written in British English. Mild profanity and peril.


My Thoughts

Jodie Parker has left London and the police force to return to her hometown with her daughter, Daisy. Jodie is opening a catering business.  She happens upon a job catering a wedding for an old beau while shopping for a sofa.  The fiancé does not appear keen, but Tony is gung-ho especially since the wedding is less than a week away.  Jodie is prepared to work hard to show what she can do, but she is unprepared for a missing bride and a dead ex-wife.  Jodie gave up policing to please her daughter who was worried about her safety.  But old habits die hard.  Jodie cannot help but do a little snooping. 

 Murder on the Menu by Fiona Leitch is the first A Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery Novel.  Murder on the Menu is set in Cornwall which means British terms and slang.  There was not as much as I would have expected, and it is easy to discern the words based on the context.  I wish the author had provided vivid descriptions of this beautiful area.  I also wanted to know more about Jodie’s hometown, Penstowan besides it is small and there is a beach.  The mystery was fun to solve.  It is not a predictable mystery which was the best part of the book.  The details are wrapped in the long reveal.  Murder on the Menu is a lighthearted British cozy.  There are humorous situations and remarks.  The story does contain some mild profanity.  There is a potential romance for Jodie with DCI Nate Withers.  It is a good thing DCI Withers likes Jodie since she frequently gets in the way of his investigation.  The nickname “Nosey” suits Jodie to a T.  I have to wonder if Jodie’s heart is really in starting her new business.  She spends her time investigating instead of getting her new business off the ground.  There is a recipe at the end of the book.  If you enjoy blithe and witty cozies with a British twist, then you will enjoy reading Murder on the Menu

Murder on the Menu is available from Amazon*.  The other novels in A Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery series are A Brush with Death, A Sprinkle of Sabotage, and A Murder under the Mistletoe.  The fifth A Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery is A Body at the Bake-Off.  The release date is listed as December 1, 2049 (I have feeling this is an error).  Thank you for popping in today.  I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Welcome to Piney Falls by Joann Keder tomorrow.  Please stop by tomorrow to learn more about the book.  I hope that you have a pleasant day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

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