This is the seventh book in the Book Retreat series by Ellery Adams, another favorite series and author of mine. I loved the surprise guest who was staying in one of the cottages, because her restaurant’s chef was in the cooking competition. It’s a lot of fun escaping to Storyton Hall, since it’s just one of those places I wish I could really visit, minus any murders, of course!
My Goodreads review:
Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It was way too long since my last visit to Storyton Hall, and it was good to return to read about people I’d love to be friends with. Jane and all the Fins are just so awesome, and the boys are growing like crazy! I got a kick out of them wanting to make and sell jam. Those two, even from the get-go of the series have never gotten on my nerves as far as kids can do in a story. They’re sweet, intelligent and very non-annoying lol. I enjoyed having Jane and Edwin in a good place with their relationship. They’re awfully sweet together.
Speaking of characters, it was just so cool to have Olivia and her dog Captain Haviland from Books by the Bay come to visit and interact with Jane! It was a really fun surprise, and now I do want to make more of an effort to read more in Books by the Bay-so far, I’ve only read the first book. It’d be great to see Olivia guest again sometime.
There was a lot of dangerous stuff going on surrounding the filming of a cooking reality show with book themed challenges, and there were quite a few suspects, secrets and twists. The showdown was partially planned out (I always love how the Fins and the book club spring into action to help Jane), but it still went well as far as catching the perp. As with all this author’s books that I’ve read, it’s so character-driven and so much about people who care about one another that I just didn’t want it to end. But she does do a really nice wrap-up at the end, which gives readers more of that book euphoria that can last quite sometime.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 