by Tamar Myers,
Doubleday, 1994
A Pennsylvania Dutch mystery with recipes.
An avid mystery reader, I am always on the lookout for a new cozy series to enjoy. Especially while I wait for the next installments from M.C. Beaton (Agatha Raisin), Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen), Jill Churchill (Jane Jeffry - I think I've read the last one, actually), and Robin Hathaway (Dr. Fenimore and Dr. Jo Banks).
This is not a bad beginning for what I believe is Tamar Myers' first book. It's certainly first in this series. Her main characters, straight-laced, never-married, Amish woman Magdalena Yoder, and her flamboyant, divorced, free-spirited younger sister, Susannah Yoder Entwhistle, provide delightful counterpoints for each other. Magdalena, the primary heir of their parents' estate, has turned the family property into a Bed and Breakfast establishment, with temperamental Aunt Frini as its on-again off-again cook, and Uncle Mose as its steady behind-the-scenes jack-of-all-trades.
When Magdalena messes up the weekend's reservations by allowing a group of deer hunters and a group of animal rights protesters to share space at the inn, all hell breaks loose. It isn't long before one of the guests is found at the bottom of a steep staircase and Magdalena fears a possible lawsuit. After she is shot at in the woods, she fears more than that. It doesn't help when another guest is found dead, clutching Mama's best Dresden Plate quilt.
What are the real relationships between the guests? Does one of them have a motive for murder? Can Magdalena piece the story together before there are any more fatalities?
While I was a little disappointed in the ending (the who-dun-it), I found much to enjoy in this book. The interactions between the main characters are hilarious, and I was amused by the author's inclusion of her husband and herself in the story (as good-as-gold police chief, Jeff Myers, and his mule-mouthed wife, "Tammy"). There are also delicious Pennsylvania Dutch recipes to dry. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and expect the mysteries to get better as Myers' gets more experience in the genre.
Showing posts with label culinary mysteries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culinary mysteries. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Cream Puff Murder
by Joanne Fluke,
Kensington, 2009
This long-awaited installment in the Hannah Swensen culinary mystery series doesn't disappoint.
Hannah's mother, Delores, has penned her first romance novel, and Hannah has to prepare the refreshments as well as appear in a Regency costume Delores has ordered. Unfortunately, the dress is too small and Hannah goes on an intensive diet and exercise program in order to fit into it in time.
Meanwhile, Ronni Ward is doing her level best to lure every man she encounters and antagonize every woman. Her success leads to her untimely demise in the jacuzzi at the Heavenly Bodies fitness club.
Several of Hannah's male acquaintances are suspect, including her sometimes-boyfriend, police detective Mike Kingston. Hannah must investigate to clear their names and discover the real killer.
Along the way, she develops new insights into both Mike's character and the character of her other love interest, dentist Norman Rhodes.
While I figured out who-done-it fairly early on, I thoroughly enjoyed Fluke's latest dish, and am only sorry that I'm apt to have several more months' wait before the next title is released. I guess while I wait I'll just have to try all the wonderful recipes included in the book! Thankfully, a few lower calorie options are available.
Kensington, 2009
This long-awaited installment in the Hannah Swensen culinary mystery series doesn't disappoint.
Hannah's mother, Delores, has penned her first romance novel, and Hannah has to prepare the refreshments as well as appear in a Regency costume Delores has ordered. Unfortunately, the dress is too small and Hannah goes on an intensive diet and exercise program in order to fit into it in time.
Meanwhile, Ronni Ward is doing her level best to lure every man she encounters and antagonize every woman. Her success leads to her untimely demise in the jacuzzi at the Heavenly Bodies fitness club.
Several of Hannah's male acquaintances are suspect, including her sometimes-boyfriend, police detective Mike Kingston. Hannah must investigate to clear their names and discover the real killer.
Along the way, she develops new insights into both Mike's character and the character of her other love interest, dentist Norman Rhodes.
While I figured out who-done-it fairly early on, I thoroughly enjoyed Fluke's latest dish, and am only sorry that I'm apt to have several more months' wait before the next title is released. I guess while I wait I'll just have to try all the wonderful recipes included in the book! Thankfully, a few lower calorie options are available.
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Catered Murder (Mystery with Recipes)
by Isis Crawford,
Kensington, 2003
When outspoken Bernie returns to small town Longley from L.A. for a respite from a bad marriage, she assists at A Little Taste of Heaven, the catering business owned by her more stodgy sister, Libby. When the guest of honour at one of their events dies after drinking cyanide-laced water they provided, threatening their business, the sisters decide to do some private investigating, with the occasional word of advice thrown in by their father, a wheel-chair bound former police chief.
Numerous suspects make the job difficult. Was there anyone who liked the victim? And when a second person is found shot to death, the mystery doubles.
Engaging characters and a well developed plot with plenty of red herrings make this a delectable read. While there's only one recipe I would actually try (for Devil's Food Cake), I am definitely going back for second helpings with the author's next installment.
Kensington, 2003
When outspoken Bernie returns to small town Longley from L.A. for a respite from a bad marriage, she assists at A Little Taste of Heaven, the catering business owned by her more stodgy sister, Libby. When the guest of honour at one of their events dies after drinking cyanide-laced water they provided, threatening their business, the sisters decide to do some private investigating, with the occasional word of advice thrown in by their father, a wheel-chair bound former police chief.
Numerous suspects make the job difficult. Was there anyone who liked the victim? And when a second person is found shot to death, the mystery doubles.
Engaging characters and a well developed plot with plenty of red herrings make this a delectable read. While there's only one recipe I would actually try (for Devil's Food Cake), I am definitely going back for second helpings with the author's next installment.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Catering to Nobody
by Dianne Mott Davidson
Bantam, 2002
Goldy Bear, owner/operator of Goldilocks Catering (where everything is "just right"!), is in a pickle. The local constabulary has closed down her business until they feel satisfied that she had nothing to do with the poisoning of a funeral attendee (her former father-in-law, no less) at an event she catered. A single mom, whose wealthy ex is less than reliable at making child support payments, Goldy depends on her business to pay the bills.
Fortunately for Goldy, the lead investigator on the case, Tom Schultz, takes a fancy to her despite her strong-willed ways, and invites her to participate in finding clues. Her livelihood on the line, Goldy takes the job seriously. What, if anything, connects the death of her child's former teacher, the poisoning of her father-in-law, her new tenant/assistant's changed behaviour, and her son's fascination with Dungeons and Dragons? The results may surprise you.
I liked this better than Crime Brulee, but not as well as the Hannah Swensen or Agatha Raisin mysteries. I do, however, look forward to reading the next in the series while I wait for new HS and AR books to appear.
Bantam, 2002
Goldy Bear, owner/operator of Goldilocks Catering (where everything is "just right"!), is in a pickle. The local constabulary has closed down her business until they feel satisfied that she had nothing to do with the poisoning of a funeral attendee (her former father-in-law, no less) at an event she catered. A single mom, whose wealthy ex is less than reliable at making child support payments, Goldy depends on her business to pay the bills.
Fortunately for Goldy, the lead investigator on the case, Tom Schultz, takes a fancy to her despite her strong-willed ways, and invites her to participate in finding clues. Her livelihood on the line, Goldy takes the job seriously. What, if anything, connects the death of her child's former teacher, the poisoning of her father-in-law, her new tenant/assistant's changed behaviour, and her son's fascination with Dungeons and Dragons? The results may surprise you.
I liked this better than Crime Brulee, but not as well as the Hannah Swensen or Agatha Raisin mysteries. I do, however, look forward to reading the next in the series while I wait for new HS and AR books to appear.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Crime Brulee
a Culinary Mystery with Recipes
by Nancy Fairbanks,
Wheeler, 2001
Carolyn Blue, food writer, is on assignment in New Orleans. Her husband and several of their friends are there as well for a meeting of the American Chemical Society - a great opportunity to mix business with pleasure. But when Carolyn's best friend, Julienne, disappears from the first dinner gathering after a nasty spat with her husband, Nils, Carolyn is the only one to suspect that something sinister has happened. When no one else (including the police) seems interested in actively looking for Julienne, Carolyn takes on the task herself.
Midway through our heroine's harrowing search, I was pretty sure I knew which of three possible culprits had committed the dirty deed, and the conclusion of the book confirmed my suspicions. Still, this was a good read, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The reader also gets a vivid tour of New Orleans and a strong sense of its inhabitants.
Several of the mystery series I read have comical or humorous elements; I wouldn't include this series among them.
by Nancy Fairbanks,
Wheeler, 2001
Carolyn Blue, food writer, is on assignment in New Orleans. Her husband and several of their friends are there as well for a meeting of the American Chemical Society - a great opportunity to mix business with pleasure. But when Carolyn's best friend, Julienne, disappears from the first dinner gathering after a nasty spat with her husband, Nils, Carolyn is the only one to suspect that something sinister has happened. When no one else (including the police) seems interested in actively looking for Julienne, Carolyn takes on the task herself.
Midway through our heroine's harrowing search, I was pretty sure I knew which of three possible culprits had committed the dirty deed, and the conclusion of the book confirmed my suspicions. Still, this was a good read, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The reader also gets a vivid tour of New Orleans and a strong sense of its inhabitants.
Several of the mystery series I read have comical or humorous elements; I wouldn't include this series among them.
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