Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart

  Christmas Scarf Murder

Book Summary

Stocking stuffers like handknit scarves make the coziest of Christmas gifts—unless they’re used as accessories for murder!

CHRISTMAS SCARF MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR

When grinchy thefts steal the good cheer at a local nursing home, Siobhan O’Sullivan manages to identify one missing item before Kilbane, Ireland’s Christmas tractor parade—a hideous shamrock scarf wrapped around a very dead body. Now, with her holiday farmhouse bash approaching, Siobhan must dash to stop a deadly Secret Santa from gifting another unwanted surprise.

SCARFED DOWN by MADDIE DAY

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas at Pans ‘N Pancakes, as twelve days of menu specials dazzle hungry locals. But the festivities go cold the instant a diner dies while knitting a brilliant green scarf. With Aunt Adele tied into a murder investigation, it’s all on Robbie Jordan to find out who’s really been naughty or nice in South Lick, Indiana.

DEATH BY CHRISTMAS SCARF by PEGGY EHRHART

Suspects pile up faster than New Jersey snow when frosty-tempered Carys Walnutt is found strangled by a handmade scarf auctioned at Arborville’s tree-lighting ceremony. Between a winning bidder hiding behind the alias “S. Claws” and a victim who deserved coal in her stocking, can Pamela Paterson and the crafty Knit and Nibble ladies freeze a killer’s merry murder plot?

 My Thoughts

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart contains three cute holiday themed cozy mysteries.  All three stories are well-written and fit nicely into their respective series.  I like how the Christmas scarf theme fit into each story.  I thought Maddie Day had a clever method of murder.  I wish there had been more investigating by Robbie Jordan in Scarfed Down.  It was nice to catch up with Robbie, Abe, Sean, Adele, and the others. It was cute how Robbie and her staff were making dishes to go with The Twelve Days of Christmas.  I like how Robbie was reading a new book by Becky Clark from A Crossword Puzzle Mysteries. The Christmas scene at the end was sweet.  There is plenty of Christmas cheer in all three novellas. 

I enjoyed the first two stories more than Death by Christmas Day Scarf by Peggy Ehrhart.  There are so many characters introduced in the beginning of the tale.  I felt that the main character did not stand out especially with next to her dynamic best friend.  The mystery was okay, but I find the way it was solved a little odd.  Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor had an interesting mystery along with Christmas fun.  It is a lively story which I liked.  I like how the whodunit came together in the end.  It can be read as a standalone along with Scarfed Down.  I believe Death by Christmas Day Scarf is better for those who are familiar with A Knit and Nibble Mysteries.  Christmas Scarf Murder has three charming Christmas cozies with sweater weather, festooned trees, wonderful waffles, copious knitting, a couple of curious crimes, and cheerful Christmas celebrations.

Christmas Scarf Murder will be out on Tuesday, September 27 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  You can find Carlene O'Connor's other novels here.  Maddie Day is a non de plume for Edith Maxwell.  The eleventh A Country Store Mystery is Four Leaf Clever which comes out January 24, 2023.  You can find Edith Maxwell's books here.  Peggy Ehrhart has the ninth A Knit and Nibble Mystery titled Irish Knit Murder publishing February 21, 2023.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Next time I am featuring Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell. It is the debut of A Sewing Studio Mystery series.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day

Batter Off Dead

Book Summary

Robbie and her new husband Abe O’Neill are enjoying a summer evening in the park with fellow townsfolk excited for some Friday night fireworks. In attendance are senior residents from Jupiter Springs Assisted Living including Roy Bird, father to South Lick’s very own Police Lieutenant Buck Bird. Despite his blindness, Roy is a member of his group home’s knitting circle, spending quality time with some lovely ladies.

 

But when the lightshow ends, one of the knitters who sat with Roy is found dead, a puncture wound in her neck. The poor woman’s death echoes that of Buck’s mother and Roy’s wife—an unsolved homicide. To help find the killer, Robbie’s going to have to untangle the knotty relationships deep in the victim’s past . . .

 

Includes Recipes for you to try!

My Thoughts

Robbie and her new husband, Abe O’Neill, have just finished enjoying fireworks in the park and are ready to head home when they hear a scream.  Vi Perkell had come to the park with some of her fellow residents from Jupiter Springs Assisted Living.  She was with Lieutenant Buck Bird’s father, Grant Bird.  Unfortunately, Vi is dead from a puncture wound to her neck.  The next morning, Buck stops by Pans ‘N Pancakes for sustenance and mentions that the crime is eerily similar to his mother’s murder which has never been solved.  Robbie has good instincts when it comes to solving crimes.  With Robbie’s restaurant being the equivalent of an office water cooler, she can pick up the latest gossip and ask some subtle questions.  Robbie will need to unravel the clues and knit them together if she is going to help catch the killer.

Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day is the tenth A Country Store Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  However, if you read the series in order, it allows you to get to know the characters and the town.  I thought Batter Off Dead contained good writing and developed characters.  The book moved along at a steady pace.  I like the small-town atmosphere in this series.  Robbie Jordan is happily married to Abe and her restaurant is doing very well.  The restaurant is busier than ever.  We follow Robbie as she goes about her day-to-day life in South Lick, Indiana.  I like how the author incorporates Indiana phrases and history of the area into the story.  The mystery has two components.  It involves a murder in the present and one in the past.  Both have a tie to Lt. Buck Bird.  There were a handful of suspects in the death of Vi Perkell. Robbie asks questions and listens to diners to gather clues.  Robbie needs to be careful, or she could get burned.  The whodunit is wrapped up with a tense reveal and all my questions were answered.  I like that we get to meet Buck’s father and grandmother.  Simone, Buck’s grandmother, is sharp as a tack and a stylish dresser.  Grant, Buck’s father, is a sweet man who can no longer see but creates lovely, knitted items.  A friend of Robbie’s is pregnant, and it makes her think about the future.  I enjoyed my visit to South Lick where I got to catch up with Robbie, Abe, Buck, and the others plus I got to solve a crime.   There are recipes at the end for some of the items served at Pans n’ Pancakes.  Batter Off Dead is a warm tale with delectable crepes, a cold case, a copycat crime, a crafting club, curious clues, and a caught killer.

Batter Off Dead is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Country Store Mysteries here.  Maddie Day has Murder in a Cape Cottage coming out September 27.  Follow Maddie Day on Amazon to get updates on her latest book releases.  It is the 4th A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series.  Thank you for joining me today.  On Monday, I am sharing my review of The Inn at Mirror Lake by Debbie Mason.  It is the fourth A Highland Falls Novel.  I hope that you have a fun weekend (or restful if that is what you prefer).  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.

No Grater Crime by Maddie Day

 No Grater Crime

Book Summary

Robbie Jordan's Pans 'N Pancakes boasts delicious eats and the best vintage cookware finds in South Lick, Indiana. 

No Grater Crime by Maddie Day has Robbie Jordan enjoying a day of shopping with her Aunt Adele at the Scottsburg Antique Fair.  Robbie is looking for vintage cookware items to sell at Pans N’ Pancakes.  She finds some great items including a beautiful grater with a green handle.  The next day, the restaurant is hopping.  Robbie is serving a mushroom omelet that is turning out to be popular.  The couple opening an antique shop across the street stop by as well.  Robbie notices that Hattie Sands browses through her selection of antique cookware.  Around lunchtime, Lt. Buck Bird stop by with some distressing news.  The people who ate her mushroom omelet have become ill and one man is in a bad way.  The health department shuts down the restaurant when the last patron departs and that is when Robbie hears the one customer passed away.  She also discovers that many of her vintage cookware tools including the pretty grater have disappeared.  The next day a food truck parks in front of the new antique shop and opens for business.  Robbie is distressed over what happened with the mushrooms and decides to do a little digging.  She intends to get answers especially when she hears that she is going to be charged in the customer’s death.

My Thoughts

No Grater Crime by Maddie Day is the 9^th A Country Store Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series (but you will be missing out on some cute country cozy mysteries).  Robbie Jordan is getting married in a month and still has some details to finalize.  Her life becomes complicated when customers become ill after eating her mushroom omelet.  Her restaurant is shut down leaving Robbie with unanswered questions and a dead patron.  To top it off, some of her vintage implements have disappeared and a food truck opens across the street.  No Grater Crime is a cute story that is action packed.  I have been looking forward to Robbie and Abe’s wedding.  They are such a sweet couple.  I thought the author captured the area with her word imagery (of South Lick, Indiana) plus the dialects, dialogue, and references to nearby cities.  It is funny how people call items by different names depending on what area of the country they are from.  One example is soda.  When I lived in Ohio, we called it pop.  When I moved to Florida, I was told it was soda.  I like that the author includes different examples.  The mystery was interesting.  There are multiple suspects in this whodunit that easily could have done the deed including Abe’s ex-wife.  I had a good time following the mystery and seeing how it turned it (I love to solve the crimes).   I would have liked a more thorough wrap-up.  I was also baffled as to why Robbie never reported the missing items.  It seemed odd.  The ending will delight fans of the series.  No Grater Crime is an enticing tale with mortal mushrooms, a purloined utensil, a lookie-loo, food truck trouble, and a wonderful wedding. 

No Grater Crime publishes Tuesday, August 24 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Country Store Mystery series here.   You can find Maddie Day's other novels here and Edith Maxwell's here.  I hope you have found a new book and author today.  I will return on Monday with The Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly.  It is the 3rd A Victorian Village Mystery.  I hope you have a fun filled weekend.  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.

Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day

 Murder at the Taffy Shop

Book Summary

Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day has Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida stumbling upon her friend, Gin Malloy bending over the prone body of Beverly Ruchart.  One touch confirms that Beverly is dead.  Beverly was not a liked woman in Westham thanks to her constant stream of complaints and insults.  Gin quickly rises to the top of suspect list when it is learned that Beverly insulted her at a dinner party the previous night and Gin had brought a box of her chocolates to the poisoned victim.  Mac and the Cozy Capers work to prove Gin’s innocence and unwrap the killer.  

My Thoughts

Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day is the 2^nd book in A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series.  The book can be a little confusing in the beginning, but everything a new reader needs to know is soon provided.  There is a group of friendly characters in this series.  I like the members of the book group as well as Mac’s family, especially her spunky grandmother.  Mac’s African Grey, Belle is a delight.  He has some great lines with my favorite being, “Cheese it, call the cops.”.  Westham, Massachusetts is a cozy town with some charming shops. I enjoyed the descriptions of this tourist town (I want to visit).  I did find the pacing to be on the slow side. The story needed more action.  There is also a repetition of information that is annoying.  In the first third of the book, it is mentioned a minimum of four times how Mac is not ready to marry and have children (I got it the first time).  Case details are repeated as well (how the body was found especially).  The whodunit had several suspects since Beverly rubbed most people the wrong way.  I found it particularly easy to solve this whodunit (my mother says it is because I read so many mysteries).  I have no doubt that most readers will solve this one long before the reveal.  I enjoyed the references to other cozy mysteries.  I would love a cozy mystery book group in my complex. Cozy mystery readers who like warm, relatable characters living in a cozy town where they can follow their day-to-day activities, will enjoy this book.  Murder at the Taffy Shop is a cute cozy mystery with a bothersome Beverly, a verbose Belle, a gregarious Gin, a cute Cokey, and a well-meaning Mac.  

Murder at the Taffy Shop can be obtained from Amazon*.  The first novel in A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series is Murder on Cape Cod.  The third book in the series is Murder at the Lobstah Shack which publishes November 30.  You can find Maddie Day's other novels here and Edith Maxwell's here.   Thank you for stopping by today.  I will see you next time when I return with another book review.  I hope that you have a captivating 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.

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day

Book Summary

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day has Robbie Jordan’s Pans ‘N Pancakes hopping in South Lick, Indiana.  It is December and business has been brisk in the diner and with the items she sells in the store.  Danna Beedle, one of Robbie’s employees, gets a shock when a man comes into the restaurant claiming to be her half brother.  It appears the town’s esteemed mayor has a skeleton in her closet.  And speaking of skeletons, a fire breaks out at Dr. William Geller’s home.  In the attic, fireman find the skeletal remains of a female.  People wonder if it is the wife of Dr. Geller who disappeared over a decade ago.  No one wants answers more than the missing woman’s twin sister, Toni.  Unfortunately for Robbie, Detective Octavia Slade is on the case.  When Toni is found dead in her home, Robbie wonders if the two cases are connected.  Despite being warned against investigating by Octavia, Robbie cannot help but ask a few questions. Robbie needs to be careful or she could end up the town’s guardian angel instead of their favorite chef/sleuth.  

My Thoughts

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day is the 8^th A Country Store Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series.  I thought Candy Slain Murder was easy to read thanks to the author’s conversational writing style and steady pacing.  The story has developed characters and a charming small-town setting.  There is a cast of quirky characters that add humor to the story.  It is time for the holidays in South Lick, Indiana.  The shops are decked with lights, snow is falling, and it is almost time for the town’s tree lighting ceremony.  Robbie Jordan has been run off her feet at the restaurant which is good for her bottom line. We get to see what it takes to run her small restaurant.  Her interactions with customers and her employees as well as coming up with the daily specials. Robbie decorates her Christmas tree with help from Abe and Sean.  I enjoyed this sweet scene.  The romance between Robbie and Abe is progressing nicely.  Robbie can imagine spending the rest of her life with Abe and his son, Sean.  Danna Beedle is stunned when a man comes into the restaurant and introduces himself as her half-brother.  She is looking forward to getting to know him, but Robbie wonders if the man is on the up and up.   There are two mysteries to solve this time around.  A current one and one from a decade ago.  Robbie questions multiple suspects gathering information that she passes along to Lt. Buck Bird and Detective Octavia Slade.  I would have preferred a more unique solution.  The case wraps up nicely with some suspenseful drama.  The book has a very special ending that fans of the series will love.  There are recipes at the end for those items that had our mouthwatering while reading this heartwarming tale.  Candy Slain Murder is a sweet story with buttery biscuits, a skeletal sibling, handmade hats, a toxic twin, a chilly climate, plus festive fun with family and friends.  

Candy Slain Murder publishes Tuesday, September 29 and it can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  The other novels in A Country Store Mystery series can be found here.  You can find Maddie Day's other books here.  Nacho Average Murder (Book 7) is currently $1.99 (digital) on Amazon and available through Kindle Unlimited.  Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Edith Maxwell.  You can find her novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis.  It is the debut of A Maya and Sandra Mystery series.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day & Alex Erickson

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O’Connor has Siobhan O’Sullivan in Kilbane, Ireland looking forward to a quiet Christmas with her family.  Siobhan is surprised by the hot cocoa dunk tank that Paddy O’Shea dreamed up for the Christmas carnival.  Before departing for the pantomime, Siobhan looks for her dog, Trigger and cannot find him.  She hears a similar story from a little boy who is searching for his Christmas puppy.  When the dunk tank rolls out, Paddy is found floating in it.  Siobhan is quick to note some pertinent clues that will help in the search for the killer.  During the investigation, Siobhan learns Paddy had been up to some mischief that put him squarely on Santa’s naughty list.  Did Paddy’s Christmas tom foolery get him killed?

Christmas Cocoa and A Corpse by Maddie Day has Robbie Jordan down one staff member at Pans ‘N Pancakes during the busy holiday season.  Robbie and her boyfriend, Abe are having dinner with his parents as well as Jed and Willa Mae Greenberg.  Karinde Nilsson drops off Abe’s Christmas puppy early so Willa Mae agrees to watch him until Christmas Day so the little fellow will remain a surprise.  The next morning, Lt. Buck Bird arrives at the restaurant with a solemn face and announces that Jed Greenberg was found dead near the library.  He had been walking the puppy and slipped on a patch of ice hitting his head.  Howard, Abe’s father, is at the top of the suspect list which has Robbie searching for answers to clear his name.

Death by Cocoa by Alex Erickson has Krissy Hancock along with Rita Jablonski taking part in a Christmas themed escape room game.  Lewis Coates, the creator of the game, introduces them to the other players and then gives them instructions before departing the room.  After escaping from the first phase, the players come out to find Lewis dead on the floor.  Krissy finds herself locked in with a killer.  They all must work together to escape with the hope that the killer does not strike again.  Krissy figures it a bonus if she can wrap up the crime before she departs as well.  Which one of her fellow contestants did in the escape room creator?

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Alex Erickson contains three cozy novellas that are a part of the following series:  An Irish Village Mystery series, A Country Store Mystery series and A Bookstore Café Mystery series.  I thought they were three entertaining Christmas cozies.  They are all well-written and full of Christmas spirit.  The three mysteries were interesting with various levels of complexity.  The escape room mystery was my favorite, and I particularly enjoyed the description of the escape room puzzles.  I have read books from all three series, so it was not a problem for me to read each story.  I already knew the characters plus the settings.  Maddie Day has my favorite writing style.  It is like conversing with old friends.  I like how hot cocoa played a part in each story with Christmas Cocoa Murder featuring it in a unique way (a dunk tank).  We get to enjoy Christmas festivities in three different towns from two countries.  I especially appreciated that all three stories featured intelligent female protagonists who are resourceful and do not break down at the sight of a dead body.  I am glad that Kensington puts out these holiday novella collections and I hope that they continue to do so.  It is a chance to catch up with our favorite series and solve a mystery (a definite bonus in my book).  Christmas Cocoa Murder has three cocoa connected conundrums, a swarm of suspects, many missing mutts, sharp sleuths and copious Christmas cheer.

Christmas Cocoa Murder can be obtained through Amazon* (Amazon UK).   Carlene O'Connor writes An Irish Village Mystery series with the fifth book being Murder in an Irish Cottage which releases on February 25, 2020.  Ms. O'Connor also has Murder in Galway which is the debut of A Home to Ireland Mystery series coming out on April 28, 2020.  Maddie Day writes  A Country Store Mystery series which Nacho Average Murder publishing on June 30, 2020.  She also has Murder on Cape Cod releasing on December 31 which is the debut of A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery.  Alex Erickson writes A Bookstore Cafe Mystery series.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I am featuring A Child from the Ash Pits by Chrissie Walsh tomorrow.  There will be an excerpt from the book plus a giveaway.  I hope that you have a pleasurable day.  Take care and Happy Reading!  

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day: Review, Excerpt and Giveaway!

Strangled Eggs and Ham

A Country Store Mystery

by Maddie Day

About the Book

Strangled Eggs and Ham (A Country Store Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

6th in Series

Kensington (June 25, 2019)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-10: 1496711254

ISBN-13: 978-1496711250

Digital ASIN: B07HW1D15K

Robbie Jordan’s rustic country store is growing in popularity. But when a dead body appears, it turns out that Robbie’s home-style cooking attracts hungry customers—and murder!

While Robbie scrambles through breakfast orders for her expanding clientele at Pans ‘N Pancakes, tempers run as high as the sticky August heat in South Lick, Indiana. Real-estate developer Fiona Closs plans to build a towering luxury resort at one of the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and not everyone can see the sunny side of the imposing proposition—including Robbie’s furious Aunt Adele, who doesn’t waste a minute concocting protests and road blockades. When tensions boil over and a vocal protester is silenced forever at the resort site, Robbie ditches the griddle to catch the killer. But if slashed tires are any indication, she’ll need to crack this case before her own aunt gets served something deadly next . . .

Includes Recipes for You to Try!

About the Author

Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef and holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-nominated author, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning short crime fiction. She lives with her beau and three cats in Massachusetts.

As Edith Maxwell, she writes the A Local Foods Mystery series (Kensington Publishing) and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Midnight Ink).  You can find all Maddie’s/Edith’s identities at www.edithmaxwell.com. She blogs every weekday with the other Wicked Cozy Authors at wickedcozyauthors.com. Look for her as Edith M. Maxwell and Maddie Day on Facebook and @edithmaxwell and @maddiedayauthor on Twitter.

Excerpt from Strangled Eggs and Ham

MURDER, SHE COOKED

I kept my voice as soft as I could, so the other diners wouldn’t overhear. “I talked to my friend Lou a few minutes ago. She found his body. He was staying upstairs in my B&B.”

Her pale eyebrows went north.  “How did you already hear he was dead?” I asked.  “Police scanner app.” She pointed to the phone.  “But the site is within South Lick town limits, so not in our jurisdiction.”

I knew the county sheriff handled homicides in unincorporated territory, as they had in June with the murders in neighboring Beanblossom.  “Jurisdiction,” I said. “Does that mean they’ve already decided it was an unnatural death?”

“Starting to look like it.” She started to say more but clamped her mouth shut, instead.  “How so?” I doubted she’d tell me, but it was worth a try.  “Not at liberty to divulge.”  Yeah. As I’d thought. “Did Buck go on the call?”

Wanda shrugged. “No idea. Probably.”  “Miss?” A diner waved from across the room. “I’m in a bit of a hurry?”  I held up my index finger in acknowledgment as I sighed. “Did you want to order?” I asked Wanda.  “Pancakes, bacon, and biscuits with gravy,” she muttered at the phone. She looked up and added, “Please.”

“You got it.” I headed over to the customer who was in a hurry, and then to the cooking area and handed Danna the order slips. Another homicide in South Lick. Another unnatural death. I was starting to feel like I lived in Cabot Cove. But this wasn’t Maine. It wasn’t a television show. I wasn’t Jessica Fletcher. This was real life, right here in Indiana . . .

My Summary

Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is the sixth A Country Store Mystery.  Robbie Jordan owns Pans ‘N Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana.  The town is currently in an uproar thanks to Fiona Closs, a developer, who wants to build an upscale resort on top of one of the most beautiful hills in the county.  Robbie’s Aunt Adele is leading the protest against the development, but not everyone is against the new project.  Geoffrey DeGraaf, a lawyer, was enticed to extend his stay by Robbie’s best friend, Lou.  He has agreed to provide legal advice to the Adele’s South Lick Anti-Resort Coalition.  The next day, Robbie gets a call from a distraught Lou who went to meet Geoffrey for a ride.  She found Geoffrey strangled at the site of the resort.  With the restaurant overwhelmed with customers and a lack of staff, Robbie is busier than a one-armed paper hanger.  But after a series of incidents intended to scare off Aunt Adele, Robbie becomes determined to find the saboteur.  So, Robbie slings aside her spatula to sift through the clues with the intent on serving up the killer to local law enforcement. 

My Thoughts

Strangled Eggs and Ham is a charming cozy mystery.  It can be read alone if you have not read the previous books in A Country Store Mystery series.  I like the setting of South Lick, Indiana and how the author captured the accents and colloquialisms of individuals who live in the Midwest.  Buck certainly has some unique phrases and I am amazed at that man’s appetite.  Robbie Jordan has her hands full running the restaurant and her B&B.  Robbie is a friendly main character and who likes to be active (bikes all over) and stay proactive.  Aunt Adele is a hoot.  Adele is spry and has no qualms about breaking the law (she actually hopes to get arrested).  She is against the proposed resort and has some plans in place that will cause quite a ruckus.  Her friend, Vera is a willing coconspirator.  The mystery provided a couple of suspects and there are good clues to aid the reader in solving Geoffrey’s death.  The reveal is suspenseful, and action packed.  There are a couple of unanswered questions at the end.  There is supposition, but I wish we had a firm resolution.  I enjoyed how the resort issue was handled by the town.  There are recipes at the end for some of the delights Robbie whipped up for guests at Pans ‘N Pancakes.  Strangled Eggs and Ham is an enticing cozy mystery with the friendly town, quirky residents, tantalizing food, good gossip, and one nosy parker out to solve a perplexing puzzler of a whodunit.

 

Strangled Eggs and Ham is available at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Google Play, and IndieBound.  The next book in A Country Store Mystery series is Nacho Average Murder which releases March 31, 2020. To enter the giveaway, you can use the Rafflecopter form below or click here. Good Luck! Please take the time to visit the other stops on the tour (schedule below) for author interviews, character interviews, recipes, excerpts, reviews, character guest post, and guest posts.  Thank you for joining me today and I hope I have helped you find a new book to read.  I will be back tomorrow with my review of A Ghostly Suspect by Tonya Kappes.  May you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

June 24 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW, EXCERPT

June 24 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW

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June 25 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW

June 25 – Socrates Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

June 25 – ❧Defining Ways❧ - SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

June 26 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 26 – Celticlady's Reviews - SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

June 26 – Author Teresa Watson – CHARACTER INTERVIEW  

June 27 – The Avid Reader - REVIEW, EXCERPT

June 27 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW

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July 3 – The Cozy Pages - SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

Death Over Easy: A Country Store Mystery plus a Giveaway!

Death Over Easy (A Country Store Mystery)

by Maddie Day

About the Book

Death Over Easy (A Country Store Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Kensington (July 31, 2018)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1496711236

Digital ASIN: B0776H5T7B

Restaurateur Robbie Jordan is ready for the boost in business a local music festival brings to South Lick, Indiana, but the beloved event strikes a sour note when one of the musicians is murdered . . .

June’s annual Brown County Bluegrass Festival at the Bill Monroe Music Park in neighboring Beanblossom is always a hit for Robbie’s country store and café, Pans ‘N Pancakes. This year, Robbie is even more excited, because she’s launching a new bed and breakfast above her shop. A few festival musicians will be among Robbie’s first guests, along with her father, Roberto, and his wife, Maria. But the celebration is cut short when a performer is found choked to death by a banjo string. Now all the banjo players are featured in a different kind of lineup. To clear their names, Robbie must pair up with an unexpected partner to pick at the clues and find the plucky killer before he can conduct an encore performance . . .

Includes Recipes for You to Try!

About the Author

Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef and holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-nominated author, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning short crime fiction. She lives with her beau and three cats in Massachusetts.  As Edith Maxwell, she writes the Local Foods Mysteries (Kensington Publishing) and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Midnight Ink).  You can find all Maddie's/Edith's identities at www.edithmaxwell.com. She blogs every weekday with the other Wicked Cozy Authors at wickedcozyauthors.com. Look for her as Edith M. Maxwell and Maddie Day on Facebook and @edithmaxwell and @maddiedayauthor on Twitter.

Purchase Links

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My Thoughts

Death Over Easy by Maddie Day is the fifth novel in A Country Store Mystery series.  Robbie Jordan owns Pans ‘N Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana.  Robbie currently has her father and his wife visiting from Italy and they are staying in her newly refinished B&B rooms over her restaurant.  It is June and time for the Brown County Bluegrass Festival that is being held in nearby Beanblossom.  It will mean extra business for her restaurant plus some of the musicians are staying in her B&B.  Robbie enjoys an evening at the festival despite Pia Bianchi causing some disharmony.  The next morning Lt. Buck Bird stops by for breakfast and mentions that Pia was found dead at the Beanblossom covered bridge that morning.  She was strangled with banjo strings (ouch). When Sue Berry ends up at the top of the suspect list, Robbie swings into action. Pia managed to antagonize a notable number of people giving Robbie a suspect list longer than an operetta.  Robbie will need to compose the clues into a harmonious tune to pick out the cut-throat killer. 

Death Over Easy is nicely written and has a steady pace which makes for a satisfying reading experience.  I like the characters in the story.  Robbie is a smart, strong woman who has started a new business as well as doing construction on the upstairs rooms to expand her business.   It is sweet that Robbie is finally getting to know her father, Roberto Fracasso.  I wish his wife, Maria spoke better English, so we could get to know her as well.  The town of South Lick is quaint small town with friendly residents.  The author has created a cozy environment.  It is like visiting old friends when I pick up a new A Country Store Mystery.  It is neat how each book features a different theme or event and I enjoy the various vintage kitchen tools mentioned.  There are many pleasing cozy moments throughout the story as Robbie cooks, attends the festival, spends time with her kitten, and interacts with her friends, co-workers, boyfriend and family.  The mystery was straightforward with some misdirection, a handful of suspects, a search through the woods, and a twist at the end.  I like that the local police work with Robbie and are not portrayed as dullards.  While Death Over Easy can be read alone, you would be missing some of the background on Robbie Jordan.  I recommend reading A Country Store Mystery series in order.  There are recipes at the end for a couple of the dishes featured in the story.  Death Over Easy is a charming cozy mystery that will have you eager for the next A Country Store Mystery.

The other novels in A Country Store Mystery series are Flipped for Murder, Grilled for Murder, When the Grits Hit the Fan, and Biscuits and Slashed Browns.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will feature To Catch a Witch by Heather Blake tomorrow.  Before you depart, make sure to enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter form below or click here.  Also, please take the time to visit the other stops on the Great Escapes Death Over Easy Virtual Book Tour (see schedule below).  Stay cool and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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