Three Widows and a Corpse by Debra Sennefelder: Review & a Giveaway!

Three Widows and a Corpse

A Food Blogger Mystery

by Debra Sennefelder

Happy Halloween!

About Three Widows and a Corpse

Three Widows and a Corpse (A Food Blogger Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Kensington (October 29, 2019)

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

ISBN-10: 1496715942

ISBN-13: 978-1496715944

Digital ASIN: B07NCN684X

Food blogger Hope Early finds one item not on her scavenger hunt list—a dead husband . . .

Between developing her food blog, Hope at Home, and choosing low-cal recipes for a feature in Cooking Now! magazine, Hope has a full plate. Still, she’s never too busy to compete in a Jefferson, Connecticut, tradition—the town’s annual scavenger hunt.

But as she races with her team to check off the next item, Hope discovers a grisly surprise—the body of shady real estate developer Lionel Whitcomb, shot in a parking lot. His wife Elaine, who’s also in the hunt, gasps and nearly faints. But two other women on the scene cry out that their husband is dead.

It turns out this louse of a spouse was more than a little lax in legally divorcing his former wives. Did one of them put a bullet in the bigamist? Number one suspect and number three wife Elaine begs Hope to investigate. Now Hope is on a new kind of hunt—for a cold-hearted killer and triple widow-maker . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

About Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder, the author of A Food Blogger Mystery series and A 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

Reades can connect with Debra Sennefelder via her Website, Facebook,  and  Goodreads.

My Thoughts

Three Widows and a Corpse by Debra Sennefelder is the third A Food Blogger Mystery.  Hope Early is participating in the town’s annual scavenger hunt which benefits the local community center.  Her team stops at Avery Bistro to obtain an item on the list when Hope notices a familiar looking car in the back parking lot.  She wanders over to find the driver’s side door open and real estate developer, Lionel Whitcomb dead on the ground.  It soon becomes apparent that in addition to Lionel’s shady business dealings, he was also a bigamist.  There are three women claiming to be his wife.  Hope has no intention of getting involved with the case, but her natural curiosity wins out.  The killer is not happy with Hope’s nosiness and issues a series of warnings.  Three Widows and a Corpse can be read as a standalone for those new to this series.  Hope Early is a food blogger and is working on an article for Cooking Now magazine as well as taking care of her animals and working on her home.  I found Three Widows and a Corpse easy to read and it moved along at a steady pace.  Jane Merrifield and her sister, Sally are back along with Drew Adams (reporter and friend), Ethan Cahill (Chief of Police and boyfriend), and Claire Dixon (sister).  When Hope stumbles upon Lionel Whitcomb’s body, she states she is not going to investigate which pleases Detective Sam Reid and Ethan Cahill.  However, Hope cannot help but ask questions especially when witnesses keep showing up at her home unannounced.  Hope asks questions while plying them with her culinary delights.  Of course, she is told by Detective Reid and Ethan several times to stay out of the investigation.  The guilty party warns Hope off, but it just makes Hope more determined expose the killer.  There are several suspects along with misdirection and direct clues. Readers will have no problem identifying the killer long before the solution is revealed.  There is mild foul language in this novel.  Three Widows and a Corpse is the perfect story for those readers who enjoy lighthearted, food related mysteries.  Three Widows and a Corpse is an amiable cozy mystery with a troublesome two-timer, warring widows, a scavenger search, a sad sibling, and a repressive reporter.

Three Widows (I couldn't resist)

Three Widows and a Corpse is available at Amazon*, Amazon UK, B&N, Kobo, Google Play, and IndieBound.  The other two novels in A Food Blogger Mystery series are The Uninvited Corpse and The Hidden Corpse.  If you would like to win a print copy (U.S. Only) of Three Widows and A Corpse, click here to enter.  You can also enter via the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!  Happy Halloween!   Tomorrow I will return with my review of The Roll of the Drums by Jan Drexler.  It is the second novel in The Amish of Weaver's Creek series.  I hope all of you have a spooktacular day filled with plenty of sweet treats. Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

October 28 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 29 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 29 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

October 30 – Carla Loves To Read -REVIEW

October 30 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 31 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

October 31 – Reading Authors - SPOTLIGHT

November 1 - Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 - Laura's Interests – REVIEW

November 1 - Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 2 - Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 - Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW

November 3 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

November 3 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

November 5 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 5 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

November 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW  

November 6 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

November 6 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 7 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

November 8 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 9 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

November 10 – Diary of a Book Fiend – REVIEW

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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*

March 26 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

March 27 - Off

March 28 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW*

March 29 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW*

March 30 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

March 31 – Community Books – REVIEW*

March 31 - Lisa Ks Book Review – REVIEW

April 1 – Literary Gold – REVIEW

April 2 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW

April 2 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 4 – StoreyBook Reviews - REVIEW

April 5 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW*

April 6 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

April 6 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW*

April 7 – Elle G. Reads – REVIEW*

April 7 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

April 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 8 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

April 9 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW*

April 9 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 9 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

The Uninvited Corpse: Food Blogger Mysteries

Welcome!  What to Expect When Your Demon Slayer is Expecting by Angie Fox is the final book in the Biker Witches Mystery series.  The expected release date is April 20.  The Accidental Demon Slayer is the first book in the series and currently free on Amazon.

The Uninvited Corpse by Debra Sennefelder is the first novel in Food Blogger Mysteries.  Hope Early lives in a lovely farmhouse in Jefferson, Connecticut where she writes her blog, Hope at Home.  Hope is off to attend Audrey Bloom’s book signing and garden tour.  Claire, Hope’s sister and a local real estate agent, insists on coming with her in the hopes that Peaches McCoy will be attendance.  Claire is upset that Peaches, a rival real estate agent, stole another listing from her and this one was for the controversial new Whitcomb development.  The event is to promote Audrey’s new book.  Hope, who just cannot help herself, is cleaning up after the guests.  She goes into the study and finds it in a disarray with Peaches dead on the floor.  Detective Sam Reid zeros in on Claire as the killer.  With encouragement from her friends since she has always been good at solving mysteries, Hope delves into the case.  The next night Hope receives a call from Vanessa stating she needs to talk to her right away.  Hope arrives at Vanessa’s house to find the door open and Vanessa dead.  What did Vanessa know that got her killed?  Hope needs to expose the killer before Claire ends up doing twenty to life.  Someone is unhappy with Hope’s snooping and attempts to put her out of commission.  Can Hope reveal the killer before Claire is fitted for an orange jumpsuit?

The Uninvited Corpse is easy to read (I am starting with the positive aspects).  I wish, though, that the author had taken the time to establish Hope’s background.  We are told what happened to her recently and why she has moved to Jefferson to start over (several times), but I wanted to know more about her.  TheUninvited Corpse starts off with the author introducing us to a plethora of characters.  There was just one after another and it was difficult to keep them all straight.  My favorite character is Jane Merrifield, a mystery writer.  I wish the author had made her the main character (I really liked her).  The book seemed disjointed/choppy.  It lacked an ease and flow.  There is the cliché nasty detective that frequently reminds Hope to quit investigating.  As an investigator, Hope is severely lacking.  She was good as a teen in solving mysteries as a part of a library group (which we are told many times), but that was in theory (like me solving cozy mysteries).  Hope asks bad questions and lacks subtlety.  She goes around antagonizing people all around the town (she was relentless).  I am curious if anyone else wondered why Claire never had dinner with her kids?  There was a repetition of information.  The same details are mentioned repeatedly.  And let me not forget the love triangle.  Why do author’s keep putting love triangles in cozy mysteries?   The mystery was simple and easily solved.  The why takes longer to become apparent.  When Hope is not out investigating, she is baking, painting, cooking, chatting, writing blog posts and cleaning (a bit obsessive about it). I do like the cozy elements in the book especially Hope working on her home. Since The Uninvited Corpse is the first book, I am hoping Debra Sennefelder will work out the kinks before the next Food Blogger Mystery.  There are recipes at the end of the book for the food items described in the story.  I am giving The Uninvited Corpse 3 out of 5 stars. 

Thank you for visiting today.  Please consider following my blog by clicking the follow button (upper right).  I will be sharing my review of The Pajama Frame by Diane Vallere on Friday.  I hope you have a very merry day.  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader