Tag: small town cafe

A Murder of Aspic Proportions review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Sunflower Café Mysteries by Amy Lillard who also wrote the fairly recent cozy mystery Main Street Book Club Mysteries. These are the only two series of hers that I’m familiar with, but I’m interested in reading her Amish Mysteries as well. I’d really enjoyed the book club series and its characters, and I’m finding this series lotsa fun too as I’m getting more familiar with the various characters. Sissy’s little dog Rocky cracks me up! He’s tiny (Bethel also cracks me up calling him a rat dog but I can tell she means it fondly) but like all small dogs, he seems to believe he’s a giant and needs to live up to his name lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AmyLillard

My Goodreads review:

A Murder of Aspic Proportions (A Sunflower Café Mystery, #2)A Murder of Aspic Proportions by Amy Lillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sissy had a super unlikely sleuthing buddy in this case where her Amish cousin had confessed to a murder everyone knew she didn’t commit. She and Aunt Bethel set out to find the real killer knowing there’s no way Emma did this. Bethel surprised me by initiating trips to either visit Emma in jail or talking to possible suspects. And that little stinker Bethel’s secretly a fan of Agent Gibbs, who knew? I’m betting there’s lots of secrets we don’t know about this mysterious little woman who I’m pretty sure Sissy wishes was a teeny bit more loving.

The showdown was almost funny in parts, you’ll see when you read it. Sissy had a side story going on concerning a new hot guy in town, but I’m pretty sure nothing’s gonna come of that. She’s not even sure if she thinks of Gavin in that way. At least he’s a good friend to her which is what she needed still being fairly new to the town. I think it’s pretty cool though how Sissy found all these people she’s related to and really took to them and enjoyed their get-togethers. I’m definitely hoping another book comes out! It’s available Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Pressing the Issue–review

Tari Hann

Here’s the sixth book in one of my favorite series, the Cookbook Nook by Daryl Wood Gerber. She also writes the Cheese Shop mysteries (set in Ohio!) as Avery Aames and I thought it was cool that she referred to one of the characters in this book. Also, one of the visiting characters had spent time at Ohio State so it was fun hearing familiar places mentioned.

My Goodreads review:

Pressing the Issue (Cookbook Nook Mystery, #6)Pressing the Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t want this book to end! From the mystery itself to all the different couples either getting engaged, married or talking about doing that, not to mention a really awesome Renaissance Fair, I could have kept on reading and reading. I wasn’t caught up in the series but have read the first three. I was just anxious to read this one and readers will be happy to know it can be read by itself since everything is always explained well without giving away any juicy details from previous books.

Crystal Cove is having its annual Ren Fair and all the businesses are getting their stalls ready so they can entice fair goers with all their goods and products There’s a new couple in town, temporarily living in Pepper Pritchard’s house (while she lives with her daughter, police chief, Cinnamon…don’t ask how that’s going lol) and they seem to have an air of mystery about them.

Nick Baldini is in charge of the fair as Henry the 8th as always, and putting together a video of “fair-speak” telling newcomers how to speak medieval and have fun with it along with their costumes. When he ends up dead, there is no end to the possibility of suspects. Jenna, as usual, is investigating against police orders of course while everyone tries their best to be business as usual. It didn’t help that poor Bailey and her finace Tito were having Nick plan their wedding which was to be at Baldini vineyards.

Things all around aren’t adding up for Jenna but in true fashion, she manages to help solve the case and put the killer away. One of these days she hopes for Cinnamon to actually consider her a friend without scowling at her investigating.

I love returning to Crystal Cove! All my favorite characters and then some were there. I always get such a kick out of Aunt Vera and her vibes, card readings and all that fun stuff. I really enjoyed how all the characters were getting into the medieval thing and using fair-speak. It was pretty funny when Jenna’s dad was getting into it because in the first couple of books there’s no way he would have. He’s been having a lot more fun in life and lightening up.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for my friends in Crystal Cove!

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