Weekend Book Reviews

Biscuits and Slashed Browns by Maddie Day is the fourth book in the Country Store Mystery series.  Robbie is extra busy at Pans 'N Pancakes thanks to all of the tourists in town for the maple syrup festival.  One of the visitors is a professor who makes enemies every where he goes.  He is found murdered, and the suspect list is large.  Robbie has to balance running the restaurant on her own while trying to solve the mystery.  I have read the previous books in this series, but this one easily stands on its own.  The characters are down-to-earth and fit well together.  The mystery was strong and kept me guessing until the end.  This is a strong series, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book.

Sarah Graves' latest book is Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake, part of the Death by Chocolate Mystery series.  Jake and her friend, Ellie, are owners of the Chocolate Moose, a chocolate themed bakery.  When the man who has been threatening to turn them into the health department is found dead in the bakery, Ellie is the only suspect.  Other people turn up injured and a big storm is on the way.  To make matters even worse, Jake has lost contact with her son.  This book has so much going on that it was hard to keep track at times.  On the positive side the story moves at a fast pace with several twists and turns.  While it was slightly unbelievable at times, I do not mind the fictional side being strong.  The action went right up until the end.  I look forward to seeing what happens to the characters in the next book.

Curses, Boiled Again! by Shari Randall is the first book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series.  Allie is an injured dancer who has returned home to recuperate and help her Aunt Gully at her Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack.  When Gully is invited to participate in a best lobster roll contest, it seems the perfect way to put her lobster shack on the map.  Unfortunately all four judges are poisoned by a competitor's lobster rolls, and one dies.  Gully soon becomes the only suspect.  Allie sets out to prove her aunt is innocent.  This is a great start to a new series.  The characters are fun.  Allie's quirky friend, Verity, is my favorite.  The mystery was fast paced and kept me guessing until the end.  I look forward to more from this author!

disclosure:  I received these books through NetGalley and St. Martin's but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!