S'More Murders: A Five-Ingredient Mystery plus a Giveaway!

 

S'more Murders (A Five-Ingredient Mystery)

by Maya Corrigan

About the Book

S'more Murders:  A Five-Ingredient Mystery

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Kensington (July 31, 2018)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1496709196

Digital ASIN: B0776HN51M

Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on a cookbook with her grandfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, but she’s about to set sail into nearby Chesapeake Bay—straight into a murder case . . .

Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . .

Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes!

About the Author

Maya Corrigan blends her love of food and detective stories in her A Five-Ingredient Mystery series set in a fictional historic town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The first book in the series, By Cook or by Crook, was published in 2014. It was followed by Scam Chowder in 2015, Final Fondue in 2016, and The Tell-Tale Tarte in 2017.

Before taking up a life of crime (on the page), she taught university courses in writing, detective fiction, American literature, and drama. She won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Unpublished Mainstream Mystery / Suspense. Her short stories, written under the name of Mary Ann Corrigan, have been published in anthologies. When not reading and writing, she enjoys theater, tennis, trivia, cooking, and crosswords. Her website features trivia about food and mysteries.

Author Links:  WebPage     Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon  B&N   Kobo  Google Play   BookBub

My Thoughts

S’more Murders by Maya Corrigan is the fifth novel in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series.  Val Dennison has been hired to cater a special dinner hosted by Otto Warbeck who is a collector of Titanic memorabilia.  He wants Val to recreate the last dinner served on the Titanic on his yacht, Abyss.  It is a ten-course meal for eight guests and he insists it be held in a few days on Saturday, April 14 (the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking).  Val is reluctant to take this particular job, but the money she will earn will pay for the repairs needed to Granddad’s home (those blasted termites).  On Saturday Val, Bethany and Granddad board the Abyss and begin their dinner preparations while the yacht heads out into open water.  Bethany oversees the s’more appetizers requested by Otto’s wife, Cheyenne.  After they sit down for dinner, Otto announces he has created a mystery game for them to play while they eat (he even has scripts).  The water becomes choppy due to a storm, the pilot of the yacht is in distress and Otto cannot be found.  Val, with the help of her friends, dives into the case.  There are eight suspects with motive to harm the victim.  Val wades through the clues with the hopes of spearing a killer.

S’more Murders is nicely written, and it has some interesting characters.  I find that Grandad (Don Myer) steals the show from Val.  He is an eccentric and gregarious older gentleman with a zest for life.  Val came across as bland and I am not a fan of her boyfriend, Gunnar.  Gunnar is an amateur actor who wishes to expand his skills.  He is contemplating a change and Val wonders how she will fit in with his plans.  Personally, I would wish Gunnar good luck on his new venture and look for a boyfriend who is more compatible.  I would like to see the author flesh out Val’s character and have her grow as a person.  The mystery was intriguing with multiple suspects and misdirection.  I think that many readers will be surprised when the full solution is revealed.  I could have done with less speculation and rehashing of the clues (it gets old).  I did find the pace to be a little slow, and I had trouble staying invested in the story (my attention wandered).  Val whips up some delectable foods in the story and the descriptions will have your mouth watering (and your stomach growling).  I like how friends and family come together to help and care for each other.  S’more Murders can be read alone if you are new to the series.  Welcome aboard Val’s high seas adventure in S’more Murders.

I appreciate you stopping by today.  Please take the time to visit the other stops on the Great Escapes S’more Murders Tour (see schedule below) and enter the giveaway.  You can enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter form below or click here.  I hope you have a fascinating day.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Italian Iced by Kyle Logan tomorrow. Stay cool and Happy Reading.

Kris

The Avid Reader

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 30 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

July 31 - Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

July 31 - Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 - Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 - Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

August 2 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

August 2 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

August 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy - GUEST POST

August 3 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

August 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

August 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 5 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

August 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 6 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

August 7 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

August 8 – Readeropolis – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 9 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 9 – Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

August 10 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

August 11 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST

August 12 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

The Tell-Tale Tarte: A Five-Ingredient Mystery

Salutations!  On July 11 Rachel Hauck's The Writing Desk will be released. Rachel Hauck is the author of The Wedding Dress, The Wedding Shop and The Wedding Chapel.  Maya Corrigan is the author of A Five-Ingredient Mystery series. The books in this series are By Cook or By Crook, Scam Chowder, Final Fondue, and the latest The Tell-Tale Tarte (get the Poe reference).   You, as a reader, can follow Maya on Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.  

The Tell-Tale Tarte by Maya Corrigan is the fourth book in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series.  Val Deniston is shocked when her grandfather, Don Myer comes home with a new look.  She can tell that he up to something, but Granddad is claiming client confidentiality.  Val is leaving the mall with her best friend, Bethany O’Shay when she sees a man resembling her grandfather collapse in the parking lot.  The man, thankfully, is not her Granddad.  The man does not survive, and he is dressed in Granddad’s new look (same haircut, glasses, hat, and clothes).  What has Granddad gotten into this time?   At dinner that evening with Gunnar, Val discovers the deceased is Emmett Flint.  Emmett was an actor with the local theater group along with Gunnar.  Gunnar, unfortunately, recently had an argument with the man and benefits from his death which puts him at the top of the suspect list.  While catering a book club dinner, Val discovers Granddad’s new job.  He was hired to impersonate Rick Usher.  Was Emmett Flint hired to perform this task as well?  Was the killer after Emmett, Granddad, or Rick Usher?  Val soon finds herself embroiled in a mystery surrounding author, Rick Usher.  To get closer to Usher, Val accepts a job as the families’ personal chef.  Val needs to clear Gunnar’s name and keep her grandfather safe.  When Val is not scouting for clues, she is working at the Cool Down Café, testing recipes for The Codger’s Cookbook (another one of Granddad’s projects), and exploring ways to get her contract on the café renewed.  Will Val uncover the killer before he strikes again?

I found The Tell-Tale Tarte to be a slow starter.  I had a hard time finishing this cozy mystery.  The pace starting out slow and failed to improve.  There is a repetition of information.  I find it annoying to find the same details repeated over and over.  I have not been able to warm up to Val and her grandfather (or any of the characters).  I felt that the characters are lacking in depth.  Val is a hard character to like.  She does not exude warmth or friendliness.  The grandfather’s antics just got on my nerves.  Why does it have to be one zany thing after another?  I do not mind a little bit of quirkiness, but Granddad is over-the-top.  He expects Val to support him in his subterfuge (which she does).  My rating for The Tell-Tale Tarte is 3 out of 5 stars.  The mystery was interesting, but uncomplicated and could be solved early in the story. The suspect pool is minute and the killer sticks out (might as well have been an arrow pointing at the individual).  The subplot of Val’s café contract was too dominant in the book. The details about the contract and who would take over the space are mentioned frequently.  The “romance” between Gunnar and Val does not feel real.  It is like the author determined that there should be a romance in the book so she put it in.  I just do not feel the connection or affection between them.   I did enjoy the Poe references in the book.  I am a fan of Edgar Allan Poe and his works (did a paper or two on him in college).  There are recipes at the end of the book from the Codger.  

If you are a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, you should take a look at the adult coloring books available for sale.  I am currently reading Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.  I will be sharing Gladden the Heart by Olivia Newport next time.   I sincerely hope you have a lovely Saturday.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader