This is the second book in the newer Cook-Off Mysteries series by Devon Delaney. I read that the author had participated in cook-offs herself, so the info presented in her books is firsthand experience. It sounds like she’d won some impressive prizes too–look her up on Goodreads and you can read her bio there.
I enjoyed this book very much even though I haven’t yet read the first one. I had gotten an ARC of it awhile back, but I had also bought the Kindle copy of it as a pre-order. I’m anxious to read the first book and will be looking forward to the third book coming out next June.
My Goodreads review:
Final Roasting Place by Devon Delaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I hadn’t read the first book yet in this series and I do intend to do that, but I can’t say I was ever lost in this one. The only thing I was a little bit confused on was Detective Bease’s age–I kind of wanted to picture him as Columbo given his description, but I have a feeling he’s closer in age to Sherry. I quickly got to know Sherry and her gotta-love-him dad, Erno. I got a kick out of her dad and his two lady friends who were quick to take care of him when he had a panic attack. Bease was a good detective too. I don’t really know enough about him to hope Sherry takes him up on his lunch invitation or not. The next books I’m sure will reveal that.
Sherry had just won another cook-off at a TV station when the power went out, her dad was missing temporarily, and when the power came back on, one of the news anchors had been stabbed to death with a tool that came from Sherry’s dad’s rug making store. Sherry’s good friend Amber came in to help her watch the store since Dad had had a panic attack while being questioned by Det. Bease. Sherry knew she’d better get to the bottom of this, especially after another murder occurred. Someone seemed to be trying to frame her father.
I really enjoyed these main characters! Erno was a well-respected businessman who had some quirky quotes he’d give on different occasions. Amber was a really awesome friend to Sherry when she came to pitch in at the store.
I had actually guessed the killer, but only because of an earlier clue. It was fun to see how this person got taken down at the end. When real life slows down a bit, I will be reading the first in this series so I can see how it all got started. Looking forward to the next book that I noticed comes out next June–I think by then I can have the first one read 😉
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 