Brenda H. (booksinvt) - , reviewed on 2/1/2022 + 458 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Cheddar Off Dead is the debut of the A Cheese Shop Mystery series set in the small Sonoma Valley town of Yarrow Glen and featuring Cheesemonger and owner of Curds & Whey, Willa Bauer. Willa left her family farm in Oregon at a young age and has spent years traveling around the world studying all types of cheese. Now she's sunk all of her life savings into opening her own small cheese shop and is looking forward to the arrival of magazine critic, Guy Lippinger whose review could easily make or break her new career.

During an early evening cheesemaking class with a few of the local shop owners, Willa quicky learns that not many residents are fans of the critic. His scathing reviews have destroyed some businesses yet he has left others alone for no apparent reason. When Guy finally shows up at Curds & Whey, hours late and drunk, he immediately begins to find fault with the shop and Willa's products. After a nasty exchange with some of the students, and a threat to expose a secret about one of them, Guy stumbles back out the door. The next morning Willa discovers Guy's car out in the alley, with the man stabbed to death inside - the murder weapon is one of her own cheese knives.

The police are looking hard at Willa as a prime suspect, but she knows she's innocent and that there are plenty of others in town who had reason to see Guy dead. Teaming up with her employees, Mrs. Schultz and Archie, and neighbor Baz Tooney, Willa sets outs to clear her name and uncovers a trail of blackmail, resentment and hidden family secrets.

A fast paced read with a delightful cast of characters, a captivating mystery and delicious sounding cheeses (one of which ends up taking down the killer). I'll be looking forward to more adventures with Willa as she settles into her new hometown and begins bonding with members of the community.

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