The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

 The Cold Case and the Corpse

Book Summary

When foul play pays a visit to a snowy mountain retreat, Hope Early will have to battle the elements to catch a cold-blooded killer . . .

With her first cookbook about to be published, food blogger Hope Early decides it’s the perfect time to attend a weekend retreat with a life coach and take her career to the next level. Her hopes for a life-changing experience are soon dashed, however, when she realizes the woman’s wisdom is nothing more than buzzwords and hollow clichés. Suspecting she’s a fraud, Hope discovers the woman is a longtime con artist and is even linked to an unsolved murder. But before she can learn more, someone puts an end to the life coach’s scam—permanently.

News of the murder has put everyone at the retreat on edge, and the stakes are raised when a fierce snowstorm threatens to strand them all there with the killer. With everyone a suspect and at least one other person pretending to be someone they’re not, Hope’s determined to unearth any clues that link the victim’s sordid past with someone at the retreat. But the killer is dead set on stopping Hope in her tracks, and what started as a weekend to build an exciting future turns into a struggle to survive another day . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

My Thoughts

The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder has Hope Early attending a life coach’s weekend retreat.  I could tell that the weekend was not going to go well from the beginning.  The treacherous driveway to the lodge confirmed my feeling of doom.  The author captured the feeling of being isolated in a lodge during a raging blizzard (at least they had a generator).    The story is easy to read, but slow-paced and repetitive.  

I always enjoy a locked room (in this case lodge) mystery.  There are a handful of suspects, and it seems each person has a secret (what a bunch).  Hope is too pushy when investigating.  It seemed that a couple of the regular characters had attitude problems (Claire was peevish, the mayor was extremely annoying).  The reveal happened suddenly (you need to hit the brakes, or you will slide right by it).  There is a good wrap up at the end.  Hope’s surprises do not end at the lodge.  I had a feeling this particular news was coming after a certain person made a comment early in the story (I do not want to spoil it for you).  The Cold Case and the Corpse is the eighth A Food Blogger Mystery.  This book can be read on its own for those who are new to the series as the author provides all the necessary background information.  There are (of course) recipes at the end of the book (a savory and two sweet).  

The Cold Case and the Corpse is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Food Blogger Mysteries here.  If you follow Debra Sennefelder on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Wednesday, December 10 with At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling.  It is the second book in Home to Green Creek series.  Cold weather has hit Florida.  It was 52 degrees last night (brrr!!!).   What is it like in your part of the country?  This is the perfect weather for settling into a comfy chair under a cozy blanket with a warm drink and a good book to read.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Hidden Corpse by Debra Sennefelder: A Review & a Giveaway!

The Hidden Corpse

(A Food Blogger Mystery)

by Debra Sennefelder

About the Book

The Hidden Corpse (A Food Blogger Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Kensington (March 26, 2019)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-10: 1496715934

ISBN-13: 978-1496715937

Digital ASIN: B07F5YS5XR

Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcée Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger—but murder keeps getting in the mix . . .

When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can't help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn't even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.

But it turns out she wasn't alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

About the Author

Debra Sennefelder, the author of A Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women's Fiction Writers Association and Romance Writers of America.

Author Links:

Website – Facebook – Goodreads 

My Thoughts

The Hidden Corpse by Debra Sennefelder is the second A Food Blogger Mystery.  Hope Early is a food blogger in Jefferson, Connecticut.  While getting ready for the day, Hope notices that architect, Lily Barnhart, who has been missing for three weeks, has yet to be found.  Hope is then off to a photography workshop for bloggers being taught by Cal Barnhart, the missing woman’s husband.  Hope is hoping he can help her take her photographs to the next level since she has been asked to contribute to a cookbook being published by The Sweet Taste of Success.  That evening Peggy Olson, her elderly neighbor, rushes over needing her assistance.  Peggy woke up to smoke in her home from a burning pot on her stove, but she does not remember doing it.  Peggy asks Hope to not tell her niece, Meg who has hinted at putting her in an assisted living facility.  The next evening, Hope returns from a jog to find Peggy’s house on fire.   Peggy perishes from smoke inhalation and a second body is found body is found in the kitchen.  The investigators soon find evidence that the fire was not accidental which has Detective Reid once again questioning Hope.  Despite being told to keep her nose out of the investigation, Hope whips up some cookies (it helps to butter up your suspects) and sets out to ask questions.  It appears that Hope has caught the killer’s attention when a warning note is left on her front door.  Hope has no intention of backing off.  Instead, her passion for justice has been inflamed.  She is determined to find the person responsible for killing the kindly Peggy Olson.  Hope needs to be careful or she could end up the next victim.

 

The Hidden Corpse can be read alone if you have not had the opportunity to read The Uninvited Corpse.  Hope Early is a divorcee who was a television baking show contestant until her life went up in flames.  She now has a blog titled Hope at Home which is doing well, and Hope has been refinishing her new home.  Hope also has a lively puppy named Bigelow (he is a cutie).  She has signed up to take photography workshop from Cal Barnhart, a well-known photographer.  Hope also gets wrangled into helping her sister, Claire get cranky Maretta Kingston elected to the Planning & Zoning Commission.  In the book there is cooking, chatting with friends, eating, recipe planning, working on her home, walking Bigelow, working on her blog, Hope dealing with her sister, flirting and taking photographs (charming cozy moments).  It was interesting to learn more about how a blogger markets their blog.  I had no idea that bloggers had agents.  Hope’s home sounds just lovely (I want it).  She is doing a beautiful job at bringing the house back to life and making it into a home.  There is flirting between Hope and Ethan Cahill, chief of police and longtime friend.  Hope also feels parks of attraction toward Cal Barnhart.  Personally, I wish the author had not gone this direction.  The story would have played better if Hope had just been a good friend to Cal during this troubling time.  The mystery had different aspects to it.  We have a missing woman, a fire, and Peggy’s death.  I like how they tied together.  Hope takes cookies and other edible items with her to question people.  She believes it will make them more willing to talk with her.  Hope needs to work on her questioning technique.  Her method ends up antagonizing people which makes them less willing to talk with her (she might need their help in the future).  Detective Reid is one of those by-the-books officers who frequently tells Hope to stay out of the investigation.  Hope is too curious and even the threat of arrest cannot deter her in her quest for answers.  The Hidden Corpse is a humorous cozy mystery with an intriguing premise, a simmering whodunit, delectable recipes, political intrigue and one adorable canine.

The Hidden Corpse is available at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Google Play, IndieBound.  The first book in A Food Blogger Mystery series is The Uninvited Corpse.  In honor of the tour, the author is giving away five (5) print copies of The Hidden Corpse (sorry but U.S. only).  You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below or click here.  Please take a moment to visit the other stops on the tour (schedule below).  Tomorrow I am reviewing Kitty Confidential by Molly Fitz (aka Melissa Storm).  It is the first book in Pet Whisperer PI series.  Thank you for visiting today.  I hope you have a fascinating day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

March 26 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW*

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