Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed A Spoonful of Murder (Soup Lover's, Bk 1) on + 419 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Lucky Jamieson has lost her parents and has inherited their soup shop, By the Spoonful. She has also inherited her grandfather Jack, who at times seems distracted and confused. She is worried that her only relative has the beginnings of Alzheimer's. One morning the body of a blond tourist is found frozen to death behind the shop. Her chef, Sage, because of a past history with the dead woman, quickly becomes the prime suspect in her death and is arrested for her murder. Nate, the town police chief refuses to listen to Lucky's alternate theories, so in typical stereotypical amateur detective fashion,she takes it upon herself to find the real killer and clear Sage of the crime. Throw in one good looking doctor for some romance.....All in all was an OK read, and I will follow up by reading the next book in the series.....
Helpful Score: 3
This book, to me, was a little bit hard to get into. But once I got to 30 pages or so, the plot started to build, the characters started to take shape and I ended up enjoying it alot. I lived in Vermont for 10 years and can just picture the town of Snowflake. Reminds me of Stowe. I will definately move on a read the next in the series. Also, there is little to no swearing or violence in it. Very gentle cozy.
Helpful Score: 2
Welcome to Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the slopes and stop into By The Spoonful for a nice hot bowl of soup and a sandwich.
Lucky is forced to return from Wisconsin when she inherits the restaurant after an accident claims both her parents. She has a lot of decisions to make about her Grandfather who seems to be developing Alzheimer's, the restaurant, and basically her future.
When a blonde tourist is found behind dead and frozen behind the soup shop and her chef is the number one suspect Lucky needs to re-prioritize. She takes stock of the situation and decides to save her employee and her business she is going to find out "who iced the tourist and landed her chef in the soup, " being careful not become the next victim du jour.
What a "Souper" idea for a cozy mystery series!
Lucky seems to have a very bad run of luck at the moment. While still grieving for her parents and trying to keep the restaurant open, her rock, her grandfather starts to have memory issues. Add to that a murder right behind their shop. Her soup bowl is running over.
With all this drama the author has set a great foundation for this series. We have met the star and recurring characters and they have been left with plenty of room to grow. The setting is ideal. Plenty of tourists to cause plenty of trouble.
This story touched my heart in a couple of ways. Her grandpa Jack reminded me so much of own grandpa. But it was the soup shop that felt like home. My parents owned a cafe in our small town while I was growing up. Many of the staff were family and those that weren't were quickly adopted in. My parents also helped out those that couldn't pay get a hot meal, just like Lucky's parents. The restaurant was their life. They would have stepped up for anyone exactly the way Lucky did for Sage. I thank the author for reigniting some wonderful memories.
The culinary cozies always give me the same problem. I get so hungry while reading them :) The author has included some recipes for us to try as we wait for A Broth of Betrayal that will hit stores April 2, 2013.
Lucky is forced to return from Wisconsin when she inherits the restaurant after an accident claims both her parents. She has a lot of decisions to make about her Grandfather who seems to be developing Alzheimer's, the restaurant, and basically her future.
When a blonde tourist is found behind dead and frozen behind the soup shop and her chef is the number one suspect Lucky needs to re-prioritize. She takes stock of the situation and decides to save her employee and her business she is going to find out "who iced the tourist and landed her chef in the soup, " being careful not become the next victim du jour.
What a "Souper" idea for a cozy mystery series!
Lucky seems to have a very bad run of luck at the moment. While still grieving for her parents and trying to keep the restaurant open, her rock, her grandfather starts to have memory issues. Add to that a murder right behind their shop. Her soup bowl is running over.
With all this drama the author has set a great foundation for this series. We have met the star and recurring characters and they have been left with plenty of room to grow. The setting is ideal. Plenty of tourists to cause plenty of trouble.
This story touched my heart in a couple of ways. Her grandpa Jack reminded me so much of own grandpa. But it was the soup shop that felt like home. My parents owned a cafe in our small town while I was growing up. Many of the staff were family and those that weren't were quickly adopted in. My parents also helped out those that couldn't pay get a hot meal, just like Lucky's parents. The restaurant was their life. They would have stepped up for anyone exactly the way Lucky did for Sage. I thank the author for reigniting some wonderful memories.
The culinary cozies always give me the same problem. I get so hungry while reading them :) The author has included some recipes for us to try as we wait for A Broth of Betrayal that will hit stores April 2, 2013.
Helpful Score: 2
Was rather disappointed. It just didn't hold my interest. Nothing redeeming or memorable about any of the characters. Even though Lucky lost her parents the writing didn't make me feel any empathy for her. Halfway through the book I wasn't even remotely curious who killed the victim. That's when I realized it was time to put the book down and move on.
