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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Curds of Prey in Books

Apr 22, 2023 (Updated Apr 22, 2023)  
Curds of Prey
Curds of Prey
Korina Moss | 2023 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Stabbed the Groom?
The wedding of Summer Harrington, daughter of the richest family in Yarrow Glen, and Nelson Trumbull, the nephew of the town’s mayor, is fast approaching. Willa Bauer is thrilled that several local businesses are involved in the shower, including Curds & Whey. Willa is busy setting up the cheese bar she will be offering, but it gives her a front row seat to a fight between the supposedly happy couple that leads Summer to call off the shower. However, things take a turn when Willa finds Nelson stabbed to death in the stable a little while later. Unfortunately, Willa’s almost boyfriend, Roman, looks to be the prime suspects. Can Willa prove Roman is innocent?

It was wonderful to be visiting Willa and the rest of her friends again. I like how a sub-plot brought in events from the previous book, making it seems like these are real people and not just characters. I’m interested in seeing where some of the storylines go from here. The plot starts quickly, and Willa has some interesting dynamics to deal with as she tries to get to the truth. The climax logically wrapped everything up and kept me turning pages. If you are left craving cheese, you’ll be interested in the three recipes at the end of the book. This story left me hungry for the next entry in the series.
  
The Fragrance of Death
The Fragrance of Death
Leslie Karst | 2022 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder is Nothing to Artichoke Over
Thanks to a sinus infection, Sally Solari has lost her sense of smell. While that would be bad enough under normal circumstances since it interferes with cooking at her restaurant, she is really struggling to prepare her dish for the Santa Cruz Artichoke Cook-Off. However, that quickly becomes the least of the issues when the body of a fellow contestant, Neil Lerici, is found near the end of the day. Sally had been friends with Neil’s sister, Grace, in high school. As the two rekindle their friendship, she can’t help but poke around. But is her old friend guilty of murder?

It's been a few years since we last visited Sally, but I am pleased to say she is back in top form. It was great to catch up with her and her family and friends and see the next steps in some of her relationships. The suspects were strong, which lead to a mystery that was hard to figure out. It kept me engaged the entire time, and once Sally reached the solution, everything fell into place. Each book has focused on a different of the five senses, and I thought the sense of smell was done wonderfully here. Naturally, there are some recipes to enjoy after you’ve finished the book. Fans will be pleased to visit Sally again and will join me in waiting for the next in the series.
  
Till Death Do Us Port
Till Death Do Us Port
Kate Lansing | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This Wasn’t in the Wedding Plan
Parker Valentine is thrilled for her cousin, Emma, who is about to marry the man of her dreams. And Parker is hoping that providing the wine for the reception will help grow her winery. However, the day is facing more than the usual rockiness. Then things take a turn when the wedding planner turns up dead, and Parker teams up with an unlikely ally to figure out who did it.

I’d forgotten just how wonderful this series is before I picked up this book, but I was reminded very quickly. The characters are strong. I love seeing how Parker and the rest of the regulars have grown, and the new characters were just as good. Between drama and the mystery, there’s plenty to keep us turning pages, and it leads to a great climax. The way the author weaves in tidbits about grapes and wine to shed light on the story helps build on the theme. There are some funny moments as well, which really added to my enjoyment. The book is written in present tense, which is different, but I find it well worth the extra effort it takes my brain to adjust in the first couple of chapters. We get three recipes at the end, combined with suggested wine pairings. Fans will enjoy this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, fix that today.
  
Strawberried Alive
Strawberried Alive
Jenn McKinlay | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Shot at Mel?
Mel DeLaura is spending a late night at Fairy Tale Cupcakes in Old Town Scottsdale thanks to a bridezilla who needs a last-minute change to her cupcake order. That’s why she finds herself alone behind the bakery well after dark. She’s just locked up when someone starts shooting at her. Fortunately, they missed, but a neighboring business owner isn’t so lucky the next night. As Mel’s family and friends go into protection mode, another incident happens. What is going on in Old Town?

This book starts right out with the action. The plot is a little different, which I mostly enjoyed. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite work out, leaving us with a climax that felt a little rushed. Don’t worry, everything makes sense. The characters we love are all here, which is wonderful since I love spending time with them, and their interactions provide some great laughs. Much of the action takes place around Old Town Scottsdale, so we get to meet more of Mel’s business neighbors, which is fun. Of course, they also serve as suspects, and they do a great job of it. This book will leave you craving cupcakes, so watch for four delicious sounding recipes at the end. Long time fans will be happy to visit these friends again. If you are new to the series, you’ll soon find herself devouring all of them almost as quickly as you would a cupcake.