Board to Death by J.C. Eaton

 Board To Death

Book Summary

With loose cattle and a murderer hiding in plain sight, Katie’s got to think fast before making her next move, or it will be her last

Charcuterie chef, Katie Aubrey, is all agog, having been selected to cater a spectacular dining experience at The Pinnacle, a prestigious five-star senior residence. With twenty distinct charcuterie boards for the individual residents, Katie is certain this event will give her the publicity she needs to move up in the culinary world. But things don’t go as planned. A number of loose cattle block Cave Creek Road and the word sabotage is on everyone’s lips. To make matters worse, Edith Ellroy, former food critic and intolerable ghost, who occupies Katie’s residence, creates additional havoc at Katie’s Char-Board restaurant. Still, Katie and her crew manage to have everything in order for the event. But just as they think all will go well, she and one of her employees, discover the lifeless body of The Pinnacle’s manager under a date palm tree at the residence.

The situation turns dicey when the pocket knife belonging to Katie’s sous chef, who was creating the charcuteries at the Pinnacle, is found at the murder scene. Fearing that he will be arrested based on circumstantial evidence, Katie has no choice but to do some sleuthing on her own. Unfortunately, Edith decides to take part as well. Katie finds a way into the victim’s room to see what information may be on her computer, but before she can investigate, another resident walks in and tells Katie that she believes she knows who the murderer is. To get to the bottom of it, the woman holds a dinner in her suite and invites Katie to join a few trusted residents who want the murder solved ASAP.

Unfortunately, the plan doesn’t materialize because another victim from The Pinnacle is found dead. This time it’s one of the housekeepers, a young woman. Katie is certain that the first murder was premeditated but the recent one was not. In spite of Edith’s hindrance, Katie solicits the help of her boyfriend and snoops around the house belonging to the owner of the Pinnacle. And just as she thinks she’s on to something, The Pinnacle is sabotaged when its refrigerant line is cut. Katie knows she’s close to an answer but so is the sheriff’s office who now have more evidence against Javie. Undaunted, Katie continues to poke around, only to discover a clever connection between the loose cattle and the two murders. But when she tries to pull the threads together, she finds herself at the end of the rope.

My Thoughts

Grab your crackers, cheese, and clue notebook—Board to Death by J.C. Eaton serves up a mystery platter with plenty of laughs. The cast is delightfully quirky, from Katie Aubrey, a charcuterie chef trying to keep life neatly arranged, to Edith Ellroy, a chaos-creating ghost who seems determined to garnish every situation with trouble. I could not help feeling for Katie, because it seems Edith may be sticking around until she finally sashays into the hereafter. 

The mystery is fun and lively, packed with twists, turns, red herrings, and lots of humor. Edith and the other ghosts manage to be helpful, hindering, and hilarious—sometimes all at once. I do wish the ending had been a little clearer, but it still delivered a comical finish. While Board to Death is the fifth book in A Charcuterie Shop Mystery series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, I recommend sampling the whole series, because this entertaining crew is worth coming back for. Consider this one a tasty little whodunit with extra ghostly seasoning.

Calling all cozy mystery lovers—grab your favorite snack board and get ready to nibble your way into a delicious whodunit! Board to Death by J.C. Eaton is available now on Amazon, along with the other tasty titles in A Charcuterie Shop Mysteries. Be sure to follow J.C. Eaton on Amazon so you never miss a fresh new release. I’ll be back on Tuesday, August 25 with the thrilling Taken Without a Trace by Hope Welborn. Until then, keep your clues close, your snacks closer, and your TBR pile happily towering!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of thi book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.