Poaching is Puzzling by Daryl Wood Gerber

 Poaching is Puzzling

Book Summary

In the cutthroat world of crossword solvers, Jenna Hart will have to decipher some puzzling clues to catch a killer . . .

The annual crossword puzzle contest has drawn contestants from near and far to Crystal Cove, and Jenna watches in amazement as puzzle-themed books fly off the shelves at the Cookbook Nook. Her aunt Vera is putting up a sizable cash prize, and no one is more surprised than Jenna to discover there’s bad blood between Vera and the prominent puzzle constructor who’s acting as master of ceremonies. And when the puzzle guru has his throat slit while he’s out hiking, the police instantly peg Aunt Vera as the culprit.

Jenna can’t stand by and watch her aunt take the fall. It’s been clear since the victim arrived that he had contentious relationships with a number of the contestants—even going so far as to steal puzzles from some of them and claim them as his own—and Jenna’s certain one of them is the killer. Trading puzzle solving for crime solving, she sorts through the convoluted clues and cryptic suspects, hoping to nab the guilty party before they decide she’s a problem they’ll solve with another murder . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

My Thoughts

Poaching is Puzzling by Daryl Wood Gerber is a diverting cozy mystery.  We return to the scenic Crystal Cove, California where Jenna Hart and her Aunt Vera own the Cookbook Nook.  The story is well-written with developed characters.  This is a character driven series.  Jenna is back as well as her Aunt Vera, her husband Rhett, Bailey, Kate, Cary as well as Tigger and Rook.  I enjoyed the crossword puzzle theme for this story.  There are daily crossword puzzles for the townspeople to solve, a crossword puzzle tournament, crossword themed merchandise (cookie jars for example), and the murder of a cruciverbalist (crossword puzzle designer).  The death of Wesley Preston, a renowned crossword puzzle designer, puts Aunt Vera in the crosshairs of Chief of Police Cinnamon Pritchett.  Aunt Vera asks Jenna to investigate.  She knows that the crossword puzzle visitors and contestants will talk to Jenna because she speaks their language.  There are multiple suspects in Wesley’s death.  Wesley managed to antagonize several people in the days leading up to his death.   Jenna asks questions, searches for helpful clues, and gets useful gossip.   The whodunit can be solved before the reveal (the devil is in the details).  The case is neatly wrapped up at the end (thanks to Jenna).  

A crossword puzzle cookie!

I learned a couple of novel words while reading Poaching is Puzzling (like cruciverbalist and turophile) and I enjoyed the addition of the fifty cent words (my favorite type). There are details on how crossword puzzles are crafted along with the crossword puzzle trivia.  I also learned about the different types of knives and their names (there is one for each type of cheese—soft, hard, smooth, and semi-hard).  There is some repetition of minutiae (a pet peeve of mine).  We get to spend time with the cutie Tigger and the clever Rook.  I like that the author includes adorable furbabies in her books.  I look forward to my next visit to Crystal Cove.  Poaching is Puzzling is the twelfth A Cookbook Nook Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone, but you will miss out on the background of the characters and how the couples came together.  Poaching is Puzzling is a crossword centric cozy with clever conundrums, a slain cruciverbalist, enticing appetizers, luscious cheeses, a sparkly spirit staff, shrewd wordsmiths, and a triumphant tournament victor.

Poaching is Puzzling is available from Amazon*.  The other A Cookbook Nook Mysteries can be found here.  You can find Daryl Wood Gerber's other delightful cozy mysteries here.  Thank you for stopping by today. It is hard to believe that April is almost over.  I will return on Tuesday, May 2 with Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle.  It is the tenth A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber

 Simmering with Resentment

Book Summary

With Bride’s Dream Expo in town, it’s all things wedding in Crystal Cove, including at the Cookbook Nook, where owner Jenna Hart is preparing for her own wedding in just a few short weeks. But there’s a dark cloud hanging over the festive mood by the name of Sarita Strachline, a woman Jenna helped convict of arson who is now out of jail and bent on revenge. And when Jenna and Rhett’s intimate prenuptial dinner is rocked by an explosion that nearly takes Rhett’s life, Jenna can’t help but think Sarita is to blame.

Desperate to prove Sarita’s guilt but consumed by worries over Rhett’s condition, Jenna reluctantly lays her case out for the police and leaves the investigation in their methodical hands. Still, she can’t help piecing together the clues, and as the evidence begins to mount, Jenna realizes that revenge may be a dish best served cold, but she can cook up a scheme of her own to bring the culprit to justice—she just has to hope it doesn’t blow up in her face . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

My Thoughts

We return to Crystal Cove where the yearly Bride’s Dream Expo is taking place.  Jenna is doing the final preparations for her wedding to Rhett which will take place in a little over three weeks.  Jenna’s happy bubble is burst when she learns Sarita Strachline was released from jail early for good behavior and has returned to Crystal Cove.  Jenna worries that Sarita will come after her and Rhett since they are the ones who helped get her convicted for arson. Jenna is at Rhett’s restaurant for an intimate dinner when an explosion occurs in the kitchen.  Rhett is thrown six feet from the blast and is unconscious.  Jenna is quick to blame Sarita for the crime.  Chief Cinnamon Pritchard tells Jenna to focus on Rhett and leave the investigating to her.  Jenna cannot help it if information happens to come her way.  But then something happens that blow the case wide open.  

Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber is the eleventh A Cookbook Nook Mystery.  For those who are new to the series, each book can be read as a standalone (but you will be missing out on a great series).  I find it better to read a series in order because it allows you to get to know the characters and connect with them.  I found Simmering with Resentment to be well-written with developed characters.  The story moved along at a good pace.  I love visiting Crystal Cove with its quaint shops, friendly residents (most of them), and seaside location.  Jenna has a wonderful group of friends who are there for her no matter what along with her family.  It is time for Jenna and Rhett’s wedding.  The wedding planner has everything in hand and there are just a few last-minute decisions to make (DJ or band for example).  The author’s vivid descriptions allowed me to visualize the town, the bridal expo, the shops, and characters.  I could envision myself in Crystal Cove.  There are mouthwatering food descriptions (recipes at the end of the book).  Jenna and Rhett’s reception is going to have some tasty dishes.  I just love Jenna’s cat, Tigger.  He is one cute and clever cat.  I enjoyed the addition of the kittens that were dropped off at the fire station.  They were a sweet addition to the story.  The mystery was a fun one to figure out.  There are several suspicious suspects along with good clues and misdirection.  One person stood out to me, and I could not wait to get to the end to see if I was right (I love solving whodunits).  I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story.  There are some heartwarming cozy moments that will charm readers.  I was a little disappointed with how the story ended.  I wanted the complete experience (I would say more but then I would spoil it for you).  I am looking forward to my next visit to Crystal Cove.  Simmering with Resentment is an explosive cozy mystery with bridal expo excitement, wedding worries, a returning nemesis, an injured groom, a cornucopia of kittens, mouthwatering morsels, and a probing bride.

Simmering with Resentment comes out Tuesday, April 26 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  You can find the other ten A Cookbook Nook Mysteries here. Daryl Wood Gerber has A Hint of Mischief publishing on June 28.  It is the third book in A Fairy Garden Mysteries.  The first two books in A Fairy Garden Mysteries are A Sprinkling of Murder and A Glimmer of a Clue. Follow Daryl Wood Gerber on Amazon so you will be notified when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams.  It is the fifth A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel.  I hope that you have a scintillating day.  I am off to work in the garden.  I am trying to get our side garden completed before the heat descends on Florida for the summer.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber

  Wining and Dying

 Book Summary

Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber has Crystal Cove buzzing as it prepares for the Fifth Annual Art and Wine Festival.  Jenna Hart is a finalist in the art competition, and she is busy completing her creation. At the opening ceremony, Jenna receives praise for her painting while a fellow finalist creates discord.  Late that evening, Jenna receives a frantic call from Yardley asking her to quickly come to the Crystal Cove Inn.  She arrives to find the problematic artist from earlier in the evening dead in a cabana.  Unfortunately, the evidence points to a friend’s husband and a fellow artist as the guilty party.  Jenna knows he would not harm anyone and works to prove it.  Chief Cinnamon Pritchett does not appreciate Jenna’s involvement or her speculation.  That is not about to deter Jenna who will not let a friend be the fall guy.  

 My Thoughts

Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber is the 10^th A Cookbook Nook Mystery.  It is always a pleasure to visit Crystal Cove where Katie is sure to be whipping up a delectable treat for Jenna and her friends.  Jenna Hart and Rhett Jackson are working with their wedding planner on their upcoming nuptials.  The final touches are also being done on their new home.  The characters are the backbone of this charming series.  They are warm and friendly.  I like how they have evolved since the beginning of the series.  The author lets this engaging cast of characters continue to grow, but she has not rushed it (like the romance between Rhett and Jenna).  I just love Jenna’s cat, Tigger (I have a weakness for ginger cats). There are plenty of cozy moments for readers to enjoy interspersed with the mystery.  When a fellow artist is killed and a friend is framed, Jenna works to uncover the truth.  There are several suspects along with good clues and a red herring.  I liked piecing together the clues and solving this whodunit.  I also enjoyed the suspenseful reveal.  One of these days, Chief Cinnamon Pritchett will arrest Jenna out of pique.  There were some great cookbook references including a couple for cookies (those are the ones I jotted down).  I look forward to Jenna and Rhett’s wedding (hopefully in the next book).  There are recipes at the end of the book including one for Katie’s wine cookies.  Wining and Dying can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series, though, I think it is best read in order.  Wining and Dying is a delightful tale with wonderful wines, pretty paintings, tasty treats, a departed painter, wedding woes, a curious cat, and a framed friend.  

Wining and Dying releases Tuesday, April 27 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series here.  Daryl Wood Gerber has A Glimmer of a Clue publishing June 29.  It is the 2nd A Fairy Garden Mystery.  Thank you for visiting today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams.  It is the 7th A Book Retreat Mystery.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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

Shredding the Evidence by Daryl Wood Gerber

Good Day!  There are some fabulous new books releases on April 28.  The titles include:  Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder, Proof of Murder by Lauren Elliott, Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower, Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams, The Wedding Dress by Danielle Steel, and Tents, Trails & Turmoil by Tonya Kappes. Do one of these titles appeal to you?

Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling author of The French Bistro Mysteries, featuring a former chef who is now an up-and-coming bistro owner in Napa Valley, and The Cookbook Nook Mysteries, featuring an admitted foodie and owner of a cookbook store in picturesque coastal California. Under the pen name Avery Aames, Daryl writes the Agatha Award winning, nationally bestselling The Cheese Shop Mysteries set in fictional Providence, Ohio. Daryl also writes suspense novels, including the Aspen Adams books and stand-alones, which have garnered terrific reviews.

Prior to her career as a novelist, Daryl wrote screenplays and created the format for the popular TV sitcom Out of this World. A fun tidbit for mystery buffs, Daryl was also an actress and co-starred on Murder, She Wrote, as well as other TV shows. Daryl is originally from the Bay Area and graduated from Stanford University. She loves to cook, read, golf, swim, and garden. She also likes adventure and has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  For more information about Daryl Wood Gerber and her books, visit her website.

Shredding the Evidence by Daryl Wood Gerber has Jenna Hart preparing the shop for Food Bowl Week in Crystal Cove, California.  Local restaurants are offering their best and most creative dishes including Intine, Rhett’s new French bistro.  Kylie O, the food critic for the Crystal Cove Courier, is determined to cover all the Food Bowl events on her own much to Tito Martinez’s frustration.  When Kylie is found dead on a Pilates machine, Tito ends up the prime suspect.  Bailey needs Jenna prove Tito’s innocence before her husband ends up a cook at the local prison.  Shredding the Evidence is the ninth A Cookbook Nook Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend each book in this charming series.  I always enjoy visiting Crystal Cove with its darling shops and friendly (well, most of them of are) residents.  I have liked watching Jenna, Cary Hart, Aunt Vera, Bailey and the other develop as characters.  It is lovely to see Aunt Vera in a romance, Bailey enjoying her new baby girl, Jenna and Rhett planning their wedding and Cinnamon expecting a baby.  The annual Food Bowl Week  means an influx of tourists to sample the delectable food and purchase gifts which includes cookbooks plus related items from the Cookbook Nook.  Kylie Obendorfer (you can see why she preferred Kylie O) is murdered and there are a variety of people who would have liked to see her dead.  As a food critic, Kylie did not hold back.  She was equally as rude in her private life.  Unfortunately, Tito had a public argument with Kylie the day before her death.  Bailey has no intention of letting her husband linger on Cinnamon’s suspect list.  I liked the misdirection as well as the method of murder.  I was caught by surprise when Cinnamon did something completely unexpected that left Jenna equally flabbergasted (for a moment).  There were a couple of side storylines in Shredding the Evidence.  Aunt Vera’s romance has upset her romantic partners children, Eugene Tinsdale is thinking of selling the Crystal Cove Courier, Rhett is overwhelmed at his new restaurant, redecorating is happening at Jenna and Rhett’s new home plus they are planning their wedding.  I just love Tigger, Jenn’s cat, and his adorable antics.  I like how the shredding theme was incorporated into the book in clever ways.  The food descriptions will have your mouth watering and, luckily, there are recipes at the end of the book for some of the food dishes mentioned.  Shredding the Evidence is a fun cozy mystery with delectable delights, a cute cat, wedding woes, a horrifying homicide, a beloved baby, relationship tribulations, and throngs of tourists.  

Shredding the Evidence is available from Amazon*.  To find other booksellers, click here.  You can read an excerpt from the book plus watch a book trailer by visiting Daryl Wood Gerber's website. The other novels in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series can be found here.  Pressing the Issue is the 6th book in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series and, at the time I wrote this blog, the ebook version is $.99 on Amazon.  Daryl Wood Gerber is debuting A Fairy Garden Mystery series on June 30 with A Sprinkling of Murder (I will feature on July 1 as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour).  Thank you for visiting today. Tomorrow I am featuring A Sister's Courage by Molly Green. I hope you have an amazing day.  Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Sifting through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber: Review & Giveaway

Sifting Through Clues

(A Cookbook Nook)

by Daryl Wood Gerber

About the Book

Sifting Through Clues (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

8th in Series

Beyond the Page (April 23, 2019)

Print Length: 235 pages

ASIN: B07NQNFC45

The Agatha Award–winning author of Wreath Between the Lines returns to the Cookbook Nook, where culinary mysteries are giving everyone food for thought . . .

Book clubs from all over have descended on Crystal Cove to celebrate the library’s Book Club Bonanza week, and Jenna Hart has packed the Cookbook Nook with juicy reads and tasty cookbooks. But she’s most excited about spending an evening with the Mystery Mavens and their moveable feast, when they will go from house to house to share different culinary treats and discuss the whodunit they’re all reading. It’s all good food and fun for the savvy armchair detectives, until one of the members of the group is found murdered at the last stop on the tour.

As if that weren’t enough to spoil her appetite, Jenna discovers that all the evidence points to her friend Pepper as being the guilty party. And with Pepper’s chief-of-police daughter too close to the case to be impartial, Jenna knows she’ll have to step in to help clear her friend’s name before a bitter injustice sends her to jail. Sifting through the clues, Jenna unearths any number of possible culprits, but she’ll have to cook up a new way to catch the killer before Pepper’s goose is cooked . . .

Includes tasty sweet and savory recipes!

About the Author

Agatha Award-winning Daryl Wood Gerber writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries as well as the French Bistro Mysteries.  As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. Daryl also writes stand-alone suspense. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!

Author Links

VISIT MY WEBSITE: www.darylwoodgerber.com

SIGN UP FOR MY Newsletter, which comes out once a month and with a new release:  http://www.darylwoodgerber.com/contact.php#mailing-list

Facebook, Twitter, Bookbub, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, Amazon

My Summary of Book

Sifting through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is the eighth A Cookbook Nook Mystery.  Jenna Hart co-owns the Cookbook Nook and Nook Café in Crystal Cove.  Jenna, Aunt Vera and the store staff are busy preparing for Book Club Bonanza week (another creation by their esteemed mayor).  Book clubs will be descending upon the town and the Crystal Cove Mystery Mavens to which Jenna belongs will be hosting a progressive dinner where they will discuss The Diva Serves High Tea (by Krista Davis).  After a busy day at the Cookbook Nook, Jenna is ready to enjoy good friend and companionship with her friends at the progressive dinner.  The group enjoys their first three courses and then depart for dessert at Ivy’s.  Upon arrival they find the door ajar, music playing, desserts ready to eat and Ivy dead on the kitchen floor with a rose quartz shard protruding from her chest.  Chief Cinnamon Pritchett and Deputy Marlon Appleby quickly arrive to contain the scene and question the ladies.  Unfortunately, Pepper Pritchett, Cinnamon’s mother, quickly rises to the top of the suspect list.  A distraught Pepper asks for Jenna’s assistance in clearing her name.  Jenna soon finds that Ivy had upset numerous townspeople, many did not like her business practices and Ivy had a penchant for spreading people’s secrets.  Jenna examines the clues and narrows down the list of culprits by confirming their alibis.  Jenna needs to catch the killer before Pepper ends up behind bars.

My Thoughts

Sifting through Clues is the eighth delightful installment in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series.  It can be read as a standalone, but why would you not want to read to.  I recommend reading all the books in this charming culinary mystery series.  I thought Sifting through Clues was well-written and it progresses at a steady clip.  The author provides descriptions that allowed me to visualize the characters, their shops and the tourist friendly town (I would love to visit this town).  The characters are friendly and developed.  There is also a quirky character or two (like Aunt Vera) which is guaranteed to provide humor.  Tigger, Jenna’s cat, is back with his feline antics and to provide cuddles when needed.  I like that the author provides a cast of characters at the beginning of the book which helped to refresh my memory.  There is plenty going on in our characters lives.  Bailey is expecting her first baby, Tina is having boyfriend trouble, Cinnamon’s father whom she has never met has come to town, Crusibella wants to buy Ivy’s shop, Pepper is having trust issues regarding her male suitor, the town is flooded with tourists for the Book Club bonanza plus Jenna and Rhett cannot decide on a wedding date or venue (I told you it was busy).  I enjoyed the references to cookbooks and other cozy mysteries.  I had to laugh when Jenna noticed To Brie or Not to Brie (by our esteemed author) in the window of the local cheese shop.  I liked the unique mystery.  It starts with a rose quartz crystal sticking out of the victim’s chest.  There are other items with unique symbolism (you will have to read the book to find out more).  It was interesting to learn about crystals and what they represent.  There are good clues to aid readers in solving the crime plus a red herring or two and plenty of suspects.  Jenna wore some book themed t-shirts with cute sayings on them.  Two of my favorites were “Good things come to those who read” and “There is no friend as loyal as a book”.  There are recipes at the end of the book for the tasty sweet and savory items featured (Katie created some sumptuous offerings for the Nook Café).  I look forward to the next A Cookbook Nook Mystery to learn if Jenna and Rhett pick a wedding venue (great opportunity for an out of town mystery).  Sifting through Clues is one of those books that you want to read quickly to find out what happens, but you also do not want it to end. 

Sifting through Clues comes out on April 23 and can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Google Play.  There is a nice prize package for the giveaway (two books of winners choice, recipes cards, cat apron, and more).  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!  Please take the time to visit the other stops on the tour for guest posts, reviews, spotlights, recipes, character interviews, and individual giveaway (see schedule below).  Thank you for joining me today.  I hope everyone has a very Happy Easter!  I will be reviewing The Memory House by Rachel Hauck on Monday as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour (there is a giveaway).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

April 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW

April 15 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

April 15 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

April 15 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW

April 15 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

April 16 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

April 16 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

April 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Ascroft, eh? - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 17 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW

April 17 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

April 17 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

April 17 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 17 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 18 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

April 18 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

April 18 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 18 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

April 18 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW

April 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 19 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

April 19 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – MJB Reviewers - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 19 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

April 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

April 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

April 20 – A Blue Million Books - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 20 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 21 – Moonlight Rendezvous - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

April 21 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

April 21 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

April 21 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

Wreath Between the Lines by Daryl Wood Gerber: Review and Giveaway!

Wreath Between the Lines (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)

by Daryl Wood Gerber

About the Book

Wreath Between the Lines (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

7th in Series

Beyond the Page (November 8, 2018)

Print Length: 221 pages

ASIN: B07GC4FJK4

The Agatha Award–winning author of Pressing the Issue returns to the Cookbook Nook, where Jenna Hart is busy decking the halls and ducking a killer . . .

The holidays are Jenna Hart’s favorite time of year, but just as she’s decorating the Cookbook Nook for all the festive events, her imperious older sister makes a surprise visit, anxious that her husband’s been more naughty than nice. To make matters worse, her father’s good friend Jake shows up on her doorstep with a frantic report that his friend has been murdered—trussed with Christmas lights and impaled with a tree star.

Worried that Jake was the intended victim, Jenna makes a list of suspects and checks it twice. Swapping her Santa’s hat for a sleuthing cap, she gets busy investigating Jake’s long-lost sister, his Grinch of a neighbor, and a stamp collector who covets Jake’s most treasured piece. When Jake himself is poisoned and nearly dies, Jenna knows she’ll have to do whatever it takes to corner the culprit before it’s lights out for Jake . . .

Includes tantalizing holiday recipes!

About the Author

DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California.  As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.

Author Links:

Visit Daryl or Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com.

“They” blog on www.mysteryloverskitchen.com as well as www.killercharacters.com

Daryl’s Blog – http://www.darylwoodgerber.com

Avery’s Blog – http://www.averyaames.com

Mystery Lover’s Kitchen – http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

Killer Characters – http://killercharacters.com

Facebook:  Daryl and Avery

Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber

Goodreads: Daryl Wood Gerber  and Avery Aames 

My Thoughts

Wreath Between the Lines by Daryl Wood Gerber takes us to Crystal Cove, California just two weeks before Christmas.  Jenna Hart owns the Cookbook Nook, and her shop is filled with customers looking for gifts for the cook, baker, and reader in their life. The Crystal Cove Christmas Festival is taking place and since wreaths are the theme, every shop features a unique wreath.  Jenna is surprised to see her sister, Whitney and her family.  Jenna’s niece, Lacey and her group are participating in a cappella competition.  In addition, Whitney is worried that her husband is cheating on her while Lacey wishes to avoid her critical mother.  Late one evening, Jake Chapman knocks on the door needing assistance.  Jake found his friend, Geoffrey strangled with Christmas lights and impaled with a tree topper.  Jenna is worried it was a case of mistaken identity and the killer might try again.  Jenna dons her sleuthing cap once again, makes a list of the suspects and sets out to wrap up the murder before Santa rides into town.  Could it be the neighbor angry over Jake’s Christmas decorations or a philatelist after Jake’s rare and valuable Blue Mauritius?  Someone has been naughty, and Jenna has no intention of letting them have a merry holiday.

Wreath Between the Lines is a joyful cozy mystery. I like the warm, friendly characters that have grown over the course of the series.  Bailey, Katie, Rhett, Jake and Tigger return and are ready to celebrate Christmas.  I am hoping that Whitney has seen the error of her ways and we see a change in her in future installments.  Crystal Cove is a quaint town with lovely shops and activities year round.  I like a cappella competition taking place in town with Lacey’s unusual group.  The mystery was multi-faceted with multiple suspects, red herrings, and good clues.  While pinpointing the grinch is a cinch, I wanted to keep reading Wreath Between the Lines to see how the various storylines would play out.  While Wreath Between the Lines is the seventh book in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, it can be read alone.  Everything a reader needs to know about Jenna is included for new readers.  I could have done without the frequent references to Jenna’s former job working at Taylor & Squibb (you know I am not a fan of repetition).  I truly loved the Christmas spirit woven throughout the story.  There is a delightful description of the wreath on the front door of the Cookbook Nook along with the Dickensian carolers who are strolling around the village.  The narratives of the delectable cuisine will have your mouth watering.  Wreath Between the Lines has a heartwarming ending.  Wreath Between the Lines combines charming characters, a cozy town, Christmas festivities, romance and murder into one jolly cozy mystery. 

Wreath Between the Lines is available on Amazon.  You can find the other six books in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series here on Amazon.  In honor of the tour, Daryl Wood Gerber is hosting a giveaway.  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Before you depart, please leave a comment below for an extra entry.  The other stops on the tour (schedule below) include guest posts, recipes, author interviews, and recipe guest posts.  Thank you very much for stopping by today. On November 17, I am featuring Murder at Harbor Village by G.P. Gardner.  May you have a festive day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 8 – The Book's the Thing - REVIEW, RECIPE GUEST POST

November 8 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT  

November 9 – That's What She's Reading – SPOTLIGHT

November 9 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 10 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

November 11 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW

November 12 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

November 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower - RECIPE GUEST POST

November 13 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW

November 13 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

November 14 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

November 14 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

November 15 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

November 16 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

November 16 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW

November 17 – cherylbbookblog – REVIEW

November 18 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 18 – Varietats – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, RECIPE GUEST POST

November 19 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

November 19 – Carole's Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT

November 20 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

November 20 – The Montana Bookaholic - REVIEW, RECIPE GUEST POST

November 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book  - REVIEW

November 21 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

November 21 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

Pressing the Issue: A Cookbook Nook Mystery

Happy Book Release Day!  Claws for Concern by Miranda James, The Book of Secrets by Melissa McShane, The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen, Death of an Honest Man by M.C. Beaton and Pressing the Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber are out today.

Pressing the Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber is the sixth book in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series.  Jenna Hart is busy getting the Cookbook Nook ready for the Crystal Cove Renaissance Fair.  Bailey Bird, though, is of little help since she is out of sorts.  Bailey is getting married in two weeks to Tito Martinez at Baldini Vineyard. Lola Bird has not helped matters by telling Bailey that she has a bad vibe about the nuptials.  Bailey receives a cryptic message from Nick Baldini and it sounds like he is in trouble.  Jenna and Bailey rush to his home to find him on the floor with blood coming from a head wound.  They check for a pulse and find their King of the Renaissance Fair, Nick is dead.  Jenna quickly contacts Police Chief Cinnamon Pritchett who warns Jenna to stay out of the investigation.  The murder weapon turns out to be a winepress that Nick had shown them earlier in the day.  Bailey is thrown into a tailspin. What will happen to her wedding?  Jenna quietly (does not want to incur Cinnamon’s wrath) begins asking questions to find out more about Nick and who could have wished him harm.  Time is running out because soon the Renaissance Fair visitors will be departing, and the killer could be hiding among them.  Who could have committed this dastardly deed?  Will Bailey and Tito have their wedding?

Pressing the Issue can be read alone.  Everything a reader needs to know is included in the book.  Returning to Crystal Cove is like visiting old friends.  It is a charming town with welcoming townspeople, a beach, and inviting shops.  The main characters are warm, friendly and relatable.  It was lovely to catch up with Jenna, Bailey, Kate, Rhett and Aunt Vera.  The descriptions of the Renaissance Fair are vivid.  I enjoyed reading about the costumes, food and activities (the Renaissance Fair speak was entertaining and amusing). It felt like I was there enjoying it with them.  There are delightful book descriptions (cookbooks and some cozy mysteries).  The tantalizing food narratives will have your mouth watering (recipes included at the end of the book).  I appreciated how the author incorporated Charlotte Bessette of Fromagerie Bessette into the story (from the Cheese Shop Mystery series written under her Avery Aames pen name) and her mention of Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes).  The mystery was enticing, but avid cozy mystery readers will find it child’s play to solve.  There are several suspects and some good misdirection that will lead readers down the wrong path.  I do wish that Police Chief Pritchett would start working with Jenna on the investigations.  Cinnamon knows that Jenna’s natural curiosity will not keep her away from looking into a case and Jenna is good at ferreting out information.  I found the ending to be endearing.  I am rating Pressing the Issue 4 out of 5 stars. 

The other novels in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series are Final Sentence, Inherit the Word, Stirring the Plot, Fudging the Books and Grilling the Subject.  I will return on Wednesday with my review of Claws for Concern by Miranda James.  May you have an enticing day full of delightful books!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader