Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss

  Cheddar Off Dead

 Book Summary

In Korina Moss's cozy series debut, Cheddar Off Dead, cheesemonger Willa Bauer discovers that her new home in a small Sonoma Valley town is ripe for murder... something here stinks to high heaven, and Willa knows it's not the cheese.

Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is proving that sweet dreams are made of cheese. She’s opened her very own French-inspired cheese shop, Curds & Whey, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. The small town of Yarrow Glen is Willa's fresh start, and she's determined to make it a success – starting with a visit from the local food critic. What Willa didn’t know is that this guy never gives a good review, and when he shows up nothing goes according to plan. She doesn’t think the night can get any worse... until she finds the critic’s dead body, stabbed with one of her shop’s cheese knives. Now a prime suspect, Willa has always believed life’s problems can be solved with cheese, but she’s never tried to apply it to murder…

 My Thoughts

Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss has Willa Bauer opening Curds & Whey in Yarrow Glen, California.  She is hoping for a complimentary review from food critic, Guy Lippinger. Unfortunately, Guy ends up dead after an unpleasant encounter at the shop with one of Willa’s cheese knives in his neck.  The suspect list is small because only the members of her inaugural cheese making class had access to the murder weapon.  The publicity surrounding the murder has caused a lack of customers in the cheese shop.  Willa feels she has no choice but to solve the crime before her shop closes before it even gets off the ground.  Willa gets help from her two employees plus her neighbor, Baz.  The killer does not appreciate Willa’s sleuthing and warns her off.  Willa will need to keep her wits about her if she is solve the case without finding herself facing off with a killer.

Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss is the first book in A Cheese Shop Mystery series.  Willa Bauer has traveled since college learning all about the different variety of cheeses available in the world.  She is now ready to open her own shop.  Willa picked Yarrow Glen in Sonoma Valley for Curds & Whey.  It has only been open a short time when the murder occurs. Willa lacked personality.   She is nice, but she is only okay as a protagonist.  We get to meet Willa along with her two shop employees (Archie and Mrs. Schulz), Baz (I love his real name), and various townspeople.  I found the pacing to be a little slow for my liking.  The author provides descriptions on the town, the shops, the people, and various cheeses (this slows down the pacing but allows readers to visualize the scenes).  I liked the various secondary characters in the series.  It is a well-rounded cast that is diverse in age and experience (from teen to retired drama teacher).  The mystery involves a food critic who is disliked in the town.  It was easy to figure out that the nasty critic would be murdered and there is a small cast of suspects.  There are clues to help readers solve the crime.  It is a light, simple whodunit that can be solved long before the final clues are given, and the reveal occurs.  The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end, but I felt the ending was incomplete (if I said why, it would be a spoiler).  Willa actively investigated the crime by asking questions and eavesdropping on conversations.  She gets help from her two employees and her neighbor, Baz (I like all three of these characters).  Detective Heath is a handsome man (according to Willa) who warns Willa about the dangers of sleuthing. For some reason, Willa doubts the detective’s ability to solve the case.  

My favorite scene in Cheddar Off Dead is when Archie, one of Willa’s employees, comes out in a large cheese costume made by her other employee, Mrs. Schulz.  It is a cute scene.  I hope the author will cut back on romance in future books.  I do not mind a little light romance that plays out throughout the series (I just do not like our fair protagonist admiring the various eligible men and debating the merits of relationships with them).  I read a cozy mystery for the mystery along with friendly characters, charming small town, and that extra bit (whether it is a culinary cozy, pet themed, craft related, etc.).  Cheddar Off Dead is okay, but I do not know if I will continue with the series (it cannot compare to Daryl Wood Gerber’s cheese shop mystery series).  The novel is not long, but it felt like it thanks to the slow pacing and writing style.  Cheddar Off Dead has readers traveling to the Sonoma Valley for delectable cheeses, a knifed critic, several suspicious suspects, an understanding neighbor, eager employees, a dedicated detective, and a curious cheesemonger.  

Cheddar Off Dead comes out Tuesday, March 29 and it is available from Amazon*.  The next A Cheese Shop Mystery is Gone for Gouda which publishes on September 27.  Follow Korina Moss on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for dropping in and reading my latest book review.  On Monday, I am featuring Lost Coast Literary by Ellie Alexander.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  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.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke

 

Book Summary

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke has Andrea upset with Mayor Bascomb.  She ends  up losing her temper with the man over his attitude and doing something she regrets.   Hannah is having dinner at her mother’s penthouse with family and friends when she receives a call from a distressed Andrea.  She had returned to city hall where she found Mayor Bascomb dead in his office.  Someone has murdered the town’s mayor and Andrea is at the top of the suspect list.  Mike and Lonnie are in charge of the investigation.  Their suspect list is longer than Eloise’s Christmas list (in Eloise at Christmastime).  They join forces with Hannah and Norman so they can track down Mayor Bascomb’s killer.  Hannah works in her sleuthing between baking up Easter cookies at The Cookie Jar.  Can the group crack the case before the Easter Bunny hops into town?

My Thoughts

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the 27^th A Hannah Swensen Mystery.  This is not a book that can be read on its own (new readers would be lost).  Hannah Swensen is currently living at Norman’s since the death of her husband, Ross.  Hannah and Moishe are not ready to face the condo and the memories it holds.  Mayor Bascomb is upset with Andrea’s husband, Bill because he arrested his nephew who was driving drunk.  Bascomb has threated Bill’s position and Andrea has taken offense.  She decides to chat with Mayor Bascomb and try to make him see reason.  Unfortunately, Andrea ends up losing her temper after Bascomb makes some derogatory comments.  That night, Andrea takes a piece of Hannah’s triple chocolate cheesecake to Mayor Bascomb to apologize for her actions (which will have readers laughing and applauding) and finds him murdered in his office (I am surprised it took this long).  Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is easy to read with steady pacing).  This book can easily be read in a couple of hours.  Hannah Swensen and all our favorites are back for another adventure.  There is plenty of eating, coffee drinking, cooking, baking, and cat cuddling in this cozy mystery.  Hannah is worried about Moishe because he cannot return to their condo.  He gets upset each time they approach it.  What is a cat mama to do?  Hannah is busy baking up Easter treats at The Cookie Jar.  The death of Mayor Bascomb has a multitude of suspects (how did this man get elected).  The investigation takes a backset to cooking, baking, eating, coffee drinking, and chatting.  The mystery is simple and can easily be solved early in the story.  I prefer a more complicated mystery, but this whodunit does suit the book.  I do feel that the last several books in this series are not on par with the earlier ones (like someone else is writing them).  Recipes are included for the various dishes whipped up in this tale.  Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is a story for fans of the series who want to know how Hannah is faring after the death of her husband and wish to catch up with gang in Lake Eden.  Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is a lighthearted culinary cozy with a surfeit of suspects, a fearful feline, a distraught sister, a scrumptious cheesecake, and a murdered mayor.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find the other twenty-six A Hannah Swensen Mystery novels here.  All of Joanne Fluke's books are here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Bookshop at Peony Harbor by Rosie Summers.  I hope that you have a serene 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.

Death on Windmill Way by Carrie Doyle

Welcome!  I have been keeping busy inside since it is so hot outside.  I am thankful for the invention of air conditioning!  What is it like in your neck of the woods?

Death on Windmill Way by Carrie Doyle has Antonia Bingham as the new owner of East Hampton’s Windmill Inn.  She acquired the property eight months ago when the previous owner, Gordon Haslett passed.  Antonia is also a chef and has a restaurant inside which is slowly gaining in popularity.  One evening, Len and Sylvia Powers mention that the property is said to be cursed because the previous owners except one have died under suspicious circumstances.  This arouses Antonia’s curiosity, so she decides to investigate.  When the other former owner dies, Antonia sets out to solve that crime as well.  Is there a curse on the inn?  Could Antonia be the next victim?

Death on Windmill Way by Carrie Doyle is the first novel in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series.  The cover is just lovely for this cozy mystery.  Antonia Bingham bought Windmill Inn without seeing it in person on the advice of her best friend, Genevieve.  Antonia was anxious for a new start after her divorce from her controlling ex-husband.  The main thing that sold her on the property was the large restaurant because Antonia is a chef who loves to cook.  When Antonia learns that there may be a curse attached to the inn, she decides to do a little snooping.  After all, her childhood nickname was “snoop” per Genevieve and Antonia claims to be a better detective than her former husband.  I had high hopes for Death on Windmill Way, but there were several things that kept me from enjoying this cozy mystery.  Carrie Doyle is a detail-oriented writer.  A person is described down to the color of their nail polish and a room is discussed in detail including where she obtained the fabric and the color of the lamps. Every single person is given this attention along with other properties, rooms, stores, streets, etc.  I felt it was too much detail and bogged down the story.  There was a discourse on bees that went on for several pages and included information that was interesting but not relevant.  There were also some facts in the book that were inaccurate (an example is New York does not recognize common law marriage but a character in the book kept claiming to be Gordon’s common law wife).  There were a variety of characters in Death on Windmill Way.  I liked John Fowler who lives near Antonia and eats at the restaurant each night.  Larry, though, was a piece of work.  I really wish the author had not included the obnoxious man considering how he views women and his inappropriate comments.  Antonia’s best friend, Genevieve is another unlikeable individual.  She is vain and shallow.  I am baffled why Antonia likes Genevieve who cares more about herself than her friend.  

Windmill Cottage, East Hampton

The mystery had multiple suspects, red herrings and pointed clues.  The guilty party could easily be identified early in the story.  The reveal scene is reminiscent of Murder, She Wrote, but Jessica Fletcher got to the point much quicker than Antonia.  The reveal scene seemed to go on forever (I lost track if it was two chapters or three) and lacked concrete facts.  Unlike most cozies, this one does contain foul language.  Death on Windmill Way contains 416 pages which could have easily been edited down with the elimination of repeated case details and the overly descriptive sentences.  The author failed to develop the main character (I know it is shocking, but true).  We are given scant details on her past.  Antonia needs to be fleshed out and made more likeable.  I found Antonia to be contradictory.  She carefully furnishes each room in the inn paying close attention to every detail, but then she lets someone she does not know control the finances.  Antonia seems to be unaware that she has overspent on renovations and not bringing in enough income to pay the number of people she has employed.  I also felt the romance was too soon for Antonia after what she had been through with her husband and she seemed a little obsessed with the man (searching for him each day).  A Hamptons Murder Mysteries has potential.  It just needs editing and rewriting to help achieve it.  The food sounded delectable and the town sounded lovely.  Death on Windmill Way is a culinary cozy mystery with a curious curse, bewildering bees, a fashionista friend, bothersome bookkeeping, and a chef cooking culinary cuisine. 

Old Hook Windmill, East Hampton

Death on Windmill Way releases June 30 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  The other novels in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series Death on Lily Pond Lane (will be out on August 25), Death on West End Road (published on November 24, and Death on Bull Path (releases March 30, 2021).  Please remember that every reader views a book differently.  Please read a sample to see if a book appeals to you.  Thank you for dropping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Game of Dogs Bones by Laurien Berenson.  It is the 25th A Melanie Travis Mystery.  I hope you have a mirthful day.  Take care of yourself, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.