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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated S’more Murders in Books

Jun 25, 2021 (Updated Jun 25, 2021)

Val is on a Collision Course with Murder

Val Deniston has agreed to cater a dinner on a yacht meant to recreate the final dinner for the first-class passengers aboard the Titanic. The evening gets off to a rocky start, and Val begins to question how these particular guests were selected for the invitation. Then the host of the evening vanishes from the yacht. Was it murder? If so, will Val figure out what happened?

If, like me, you are wondering how S’mores got involved in this story, yes the title does make sense. Not that I’m complaining since that is such a wonderful pun. The mystery is strong, with plenty to keep us engaged. I feel like the ending was a little too twisty, and I think we have a question left opened, but that is minor. The big picture definitely comes together for us. The circle of returning characters is smaller, but that was good since it gave us time to focus on getting to know the suspects. We’ve got six more five-ingredient recipes at the end, including a savory take on a s’more. If you are a fan of this series, you’ll be happy with this visit with Val.

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Strangled Eggs and Ham in Books

Jun 27, 2019

Tension Leads Someone to Resort to Murder

Summer may be winding down in South Lick, Indiana, but tensions are on the rise thanks to the proposed resort on the edge of town. Some residents want the jobs it would bring, but others, like Robbie’s Aunt Adele, don’t want the increased traffic and impact on the environment. When a dead body turns up on the proposed construction site, Robbie’s restaurant, Pans ‘N Pancakes, becomes gossip central once again. Can Robbie gather enough clues to solve this case?

The book takes a little time setting up the characters and motives before the murder takes place, but once the murder happens, things are off and running. Robbie combines what she learns while working at her restaurant with sleuthing outside of work hours to reach the logical conclusion. I appreciated how both sides of the resort issue were presented fairly because both sides did have views that needed to be heard. Part of that comes from well-rounded suspects. The series regulars are as fantastic as always; I enjoy spending time with them. If the book leaves you hungry, you’ll be happy with the five recipes at the end. Spending time with Robbie is always a pleasure and this book is no exception.