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kimdavishb's review
5.0
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up for the entire book! It kept me turning pages to find out what happens next with twists and turns in the plot. Callie is a sympathetic protagonist, juggling her new business with raising her young daughter on her own and trying to keep her widowed father happy. Her grandmother, while not on scene that often, is a hoot and a source of comfort to Callie. The interaction between the characters seemed genuine and has set the stage for growth. And of course there’s the food…Jenny provides so many amazing food descriptions that I could almost smell and taste what she was making! She has included numerous recipes at the back of the book and they all sound incredibly delicious. I made her Crème Brûlée Cupcakes and they were utterly delectable and can't wait to try more of her recipes!
peggyemi's review
4.0
This is terrific debut cozy mystery by author Jenny Kales. It is full of wonderful, hearty colorful Midwestern characters. Callie and her family are likable and people that you would want to know. The story is well written with a good pace, strong plot and a terrific mystery. Ms. Kales provides the reader with plenty of viable suspects who emerge as the story unfolds. There are plenty of twists, turns and clues that are designed to misdirect the reader's attention. The mystery started off in the first few pages of the book and came to a very satisfying ending with the identity of the killer being a surprise to me.
A full review will be posted on my blog on July 6, 2016.
I was gifted a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
A full review will be posted on my blog on July 6, 2016.
I was gifted a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales had me stumped from the minute Callie found her new boyfriend deceased at his house.
Will Callie find the real killer?
Calliope "Callie" Costas
Calliope Costas, who likes to be called Callie, runs her own business called Callie's Kitchen, and she loves her shop as it brings in money that she desperately needs as a single mom. She needs the money for her child's doctor bills and just to be able to live without asking her father for help. Callie was born and raised in Crystal Bay, Wisconsin, and loves the fact that she is raising her daughter in her hometown as well. Her ex-husband is still a big part of their daughter's life. Callie is a strong woman who has just been led astray by the victim, putting her business in danger of failing.
I like Callie as a character and that she does something she loves without sacrificing her wants for her dad's sake. Callie has always wanted to run her own business, and she is, but her dad would like her to return to the family's restaurant, where it's safe. Safe means that it's a well-known establishment, so it already has a customer base, unlike Callie's Kitchen.
The Victim
We start with Callie running late to her date with the victim and finding him dead instead of being busy in his kitchen cooking their dinner. Callie thought she knew her boyfriend from the small amount of time that they had been dating. The amount of time was three months, so not that long at all. Callie is in the crosshairs of a police detective as their main suspect since many clues have been leading back to her. That isn't good when she has her ten-year-old daughter to think about. Callie decided that she would help the police by investigating herself, and along the way, poor Callie found out that the guy she knew wasn't really who she thought he was.
I have to say that I was impressed with how Ms. Kales decided on her victim and how he isn't who many people thought he was. Having a victim with a different persona that he put on in front of the residents to say other people was awesome to read. I did feel sorry for Callie, as it seemed like she was just being used. Ms. Kales did have me believing two of her red herrings. I never would have thought it was who did it until the confession.
Five Stars
I am rating On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales five stars and a recommendation to everyone. Ms. Kales is a fantastic author; I can't wait to read more of her books. I know I have the next two to read, and then I will be caught up in this series.
Oh, and don't forget to check out the recipes at the back of this book. They are Loukoumades, Callie's Greek Chicken Stew aka Kota Kapama, George's Spanakopita (Greek Spinach-Cheese Pie), Mini Greek Yogurt Coffee Cakes with Streusel Topping, My Big (Low) Fat Greek Salad, and Creme Brulee Cupcakes. You can find these littered throughout the story, and I love reading about them, even if it makes me hungry just thinking about how good they must taste. Of course, that means that you should have something to eat while reading.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
Will Callie find the real killer?
Calliope "Callie" Costas
Calliope Costas, who likes to be called Callie, runs her own business called Callie's Kitchen, and she loves her shop as it brings in money that she desperately needs as a single mom. She needs the money for her child's doctor bills and just to be able to live without asking her father for help. Callie was born and raised in Crystal Bay, Wisconsin, and loves the fact that she is raising her daughter in her hometown as well. Her ex-husband is still a big part of their daughter's life. Callie is a strong woman who has just been led astray by the victim, putting her business in danger of failing.
I like Callie as a character and that she does something she loves without sacrificing her wants for her dad's sake. Callie has always wanted to run her own business, and she is, but her dad would like her to return to the family's restaurant, where it's safe. Safe means that it's a well-known establishment, so it already has a customer base, unlike Callie's Kitchen.
The Victim
We start with Callie running late to her date with the victim and finding him dead instead of being busy in his kitchen cooking their dinner. Callie thought she knew her boyfriend from the small amount of time that they had been dating. The amount of time was three months, so not that long at all. Callie is in the crosshairs of a police detective as their main suspect since many clues have been leading back to her. That isn't good when she has her ten-year-old daughter to think about. Callie decided that she would help the police by investigating herself, and along the way, poor Callie found out that the guy she knew wasn't really who she thought he was.
I have to say that I was impressed with how Ms. Kales decided on her victim and how he isn't who many people thought he was. Having a victim with a different persona that he put on in front of the residents to say other people was awesome to read. I did feel sorry for Callie, as it seemed like she was just being used. Ms. Kales did have me believing two of her red herrings. I never would have thought it was who did it until the confession.
Five Stars
I am rating On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales five stars and a recommendation to everyone. Ms. Kales is a fantastic author; I can't wait to read more of her books. I know I have the next two to read, and then I will be caught up in this series.
Oh, and don't forget to check out the recipes at the back of this book. They are Loukoumades, Callie's Greek Chicken Stew aka Kota Kapama, George's Spanakopita (Greek Spinach-Cheese Pie), Mini Greek Yogurt Coffee Cakes with Streusel Topping, My Big (Low) Fat Greek Salad, and Creme Brulee Cupcakes. You can find these littered throughout the story, and I love reading about them, even if it makes me hungry just thinking about how good they must taste. Of course, that means that you should have something to eat while reading.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent start to a cozy series. The story had different suspects and some investigating for valid reasons, with the main character being a suspect. The recipes in this one were plentiful and look delicious, I'll definitely be trying a few of them. Can't go wrong with adding cinnamon in the stew, either. Callie is a compassionate main character but she did irritate me a bit with being a little too nice and naive with the police considering the way they were treating her. I wasn't too surprised about the villain considering I started suspecting something myself, but that was more because there weren't as many left in the suspect pool.
debrajoreads's review against another edition
4.0
So much fun!! I had no idea who the killer was until the end.... It could have been anyone!! Well played Ms. Kales.
When Callie finds her boyfriend, Drew, dead in his home, she becomes suspect number one. Add in the fact that there may be more motive for her to want her him dead, she sets out to do her own investigating to clear her name. While sleuthing around the small foodie town of Crystal Bay, Wisconsin, she starts to uncover that there is a lot more to the people of this town. She begins to realize that everyone has secrets and reasons to hate Drew, but are any of the reasons enough to kill him over?
This book also made me hungry, as I love Mediterranean dishes. There are several recipes in the back of the book that I will definitely try, especially the Greek Coffee Cakes!
I am invested in Callie's story and the future of Crystal Bay.... onto Spiced and Iced.
When Callie finds her boyfriend, Drew, dead in his home, she becomes suspect number one. Add in the fact that there may be more motive for her to want her him dead, she sets out to do her own investigating to clear her name. While sleuthing around the small foodie town of Crystal Bay, Wisconsin, she starts to uncover that there is a lot more to the people of this town. She begins to realize that everyone has secrets and reasons to hate Drew, but are any of the reasons enough to kill him over?
This book also made me hungry, as I love Mediterranean dishes. There are several recipes in the back of the book that I will definitely try, especially the Greek Coffee Cakes!
I am invested in Callie's story and the future of Crystal Bay.... onto Spiced and Iced.
stasha2006's review against another edition
5.0
“On the Chopping Block” by Jenny Kales
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#1 Callie’s Kitchen Mystery
Kindle Unlimited
Book 83 in 2020
This was a fun Culinary Cozy Mystery and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Callie Costas owns a Greek Kitchen on the popular business district in small town Crystal Bay, WI. She is determined to keep her business alive, but finds it almost impossible when she’s a suspect in her boyfriends murder. Callie found Bistro owner Drew dead in his kitchen with a chefs knife in his chest. When Callie finds out she’s a suspect she has to figure out how to clear her name. What’s her motive? A culinary business contest with a large cash prize announced the winner days before Drew’s death. He had won and wanted to celebrate. Callie supppsedly was 2nd place, which means no prize. With Drew out of the picture does that mean she won? Gossip spreads through the small town like a wild fire causing her business to suffer. When Callie decides to play Nancy Drew she uncovers some of the towns juiciest secrets. Can she clear her name? Who killed Drew and why?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#1 Callie’s Kitchen Mystery
Kindle Unlimited
Book 83 in 2020
This was a fun Culinary Cozy Mystery and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Callie Costas owns a Greek Kitchen on the popular business district in small town Crystal Bay, WI. She is determined to keep her business alive, but finds it almost impossible when she’s a suspect in her boyfriends murder. Callie found Bistro owner Drew dead in his kitchen with a chefs knife in his chest. When Callie finds out she’s a suspect she has to figure out how to clear her name. What’s her motive? A culinary business contest with a large cash prize announced the winner days before Drew’s death. He had won and wanted to celebrate. Callie supppsedly was 2nd place, which means no prize. With Drew out of the picture does that mean she won? Gossip spreads through the small town like a wild fire causing her business to suffer. When Callie decides to play Nancy Drew she uncovers some of the towns juiciest secrets. Can she clear her name? Who killed Drew and why?
thelovelylibrarylady's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
After discovering the magic of cozy mysteries earlier this year, I decided to give this title a try when I saw that it was on Kindle Unlimited. Overall, this book was good, but not great. I did not figure out the mystery - which is always a positive when reading this genre. However, I do not know if it is because of good writing or because I didn't care enough to try to figure it out. I never really felt connected to the characters, even the protagonist who the readers spend the most time with and I am not sure I would go out of my way to recommend this book to other readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage
angrygreycatreads's review
4.0
I have had this on my Kindle for a little while and randomly chose it last night. I remember buying it because I found the cover so enticing!
The theme behind this cozy is a meals from scratch business with a Greek flavor, ran by the Callie of Callie’s Kitchen. Callie is the protagonist and has a sidekick in the form of a lawyer pal, a curmudgeon of a father, a thorn in her side Detective, and a dead boyfriend. Detective Sands is trying to leave no stone unturned, but Callie is determined to help solve the case because the future of her fledgling business might just depend on clearing her name.
The mystery had quite a few suspects and motives for Drew’s murder, enough to keep you guessing. The chemistry between Callie and Detective Sands was well done and speaks well for future development. The relationship between Callie and her ex was a breath of fresh air. Too often in novels, exes are demonized or were abusive or committed some crime or abandoned the protagonist. This was handled very realistically, just two people trying to co-parent after divorce. The townspeople provide a colorful background cast and the setting of Wisconsin is new to me.
Enjoyable, quick cozy with a fun theme and well drawn characters.
The theme behind this cozy is a meals from scratch business with a Greek flavor, ran by the Callie of Callie’s Kitchen. Callie is the protagonist and has a sidekick in the form of a lawyer pal, a curmudgeon of a father, a thorn in her side Detective, and a dead boyfriend. Detective Sands is trying to leave no stone unturned, but Callie is determined to help solve the case because the future of her fledgling business might just depend on clearing her name.
The mystery had quite a few suspects and motives for Drew’s murder, enough to keep you guessing. The chemistry between Callie and Detective Sands was well done and speaks well for future development. The relationship between Callie and her ex was a breath of fresh air. Too often in novels, exes are demonized or were abusive or committed some crime or abandoned the protagonist. This was handled very realistically, just two people trying to co-parent after divorce. The townspeople provide a colorful background cast and the setting of Wisconsin is new to me.
Enjoyable, quick cozy with a fun theme and well drawn characters.
dollycas's review
4.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
As soon as I saw this book was set in Wisconsin I added it to my reading list. I also love watching the show Chopped in all its forms on the Food Network, so knowing a Chopped type competition was a catalyst in this story didn’t hurt either. I wish the actual contest had been part of the story.
Callie Costas was raised by her father and was expected to take over his restaurant when he retired, but she decided to venture out on her own and open “Callie’s Kitchen”. Her business was doing o.k. but if she had won the local Chopped Challenge she would have been able to add more staff and upgrade a few things. Her divorce was amicable for the most part, and her daughter is growing up fast. She also has a little Yorkie to snuggle with, but maybe it was time to start dating and find a man to snuggle up with. Enter Drew, another restaurant owner, and winner of the Chopped contest. They finally have time for a real date – at his house – with him cooking her dinner – to celebrate his win. She never thought the night would be ruined by a murder and her being in a detective’s sights as a prime suspect. Before anyone else gets CHOPPED, including herself, she is going to start her own search for the killer.
This was a fun read for me on so many levels. My parents used to run a restaurant much like Callie’s and the first thing I noticed was that girl needs more staff, especially if she is going to leave so much on her “errands”. Max is a great worker but they are going to burn themselves out quickly. The food they make, especially the little coffee cakes, almost had me drooling all over my Kindle.
The characters were all very realistic. Even Detective Sands with his yummy British accent. Callie is surrounded by people that love her and want her to succeed even as her business dwindles because she is suspected of murder. I really like that she is a woman my age and following her dreams. All of the characters are very well developed and engaging but I know there is so much more to tell. I want to get to know them better.
Wisconsin is beautiful in the fall and fictional Crystal Bay, said to somewhere in the Lake Geneva area, is wonderfully portrayed. The leaves changing their color, the weather getting cooler, a time that is already getting to close to happening in real life here this year. I am a summer girl at heart.
The mystery went in a whole different direction that I had not expected and when I saw where it was headed I thought I had it pinned down to one or two individuals. It all came together for me before it did for Callie, but that big climatic scene when she figured it out had me on the edge of my seat. After that story ended by putting a huge smile on my face.
This series is off to an excellent start. While I hate to see the crime rate of Crystal Bay rise, I can’t wait to return there for another visit soon.
As soon as I saw this book was set in Wisconsin I added it to my reading list. I also love watching the show Chopped in all its forms on the Food Network, so knowing a Chopped type competition was a catalyst in this story didn’t hurt either. I wish the actual contest had been part of the story.
Callie Costas was raised by her father and was expected to take over his restaurant when he retired, but she decided to venture out on her own and open “Callie’s Kitchen”. Her business was doing o.k. but if she had won the local Chopped Challenge she would have been able to add more staff and upgrade a few things. Her divorce was amicable for the most part, and her daughter is growing up fast. She also has a little Yorkie to snuggle with, but maybe it was time to start dating and find a man to snuggle up with. Enter Drew, another restaurant owner, and winner of the Chopped contest. They finally have time for a real date – at his house – with him cooking her dinner – to celebrate his win. She never thought the night would be ruined by a murder and her being in a detective’s sights as a prime suspect. Before anyone else gets CHOPPED, including herself, she is going to start her own search for the killer.
This was a fun read for me on so many levels. My parents used to run a restaurant much like Callie’s and the first thing I noticed was that girl needs more staff, especially if she is going to leave so much on her “errands”. Max is a great worker but they are going to burn themselves out quickly. The food they make, especially the little coffee cakes, almost had me drooling all over my Kindle.
The characters were all very realistic. Even Detective Sands with his yummy British accent. Callie is surrounded by people that love her and want her to succeed even as her business dwindles because she is suspected of murder. I really like that she is a woman my age and following her dreams. All of the characters are very well developed and engaging but I know there is so much more to tell. I want to get to know them better.
Wisconsin is beautiful in the fall and fictional Crystal Bay, said to somewhere in the Lake Geneva area, is wonderfully portrayed. The leaves changing their color, the weather getting cooler, a time that is already getting to close to happening in real life here this year. I am a summer girl at heart.
The mystery went in a whole different direction that I had not expected and when I saw where it was headed I thought I had it pinned down to one or two individuals. It all came together for me before it did for Callie, but that big climatic scene when she figured it out had me on the edge of my seat. After that story ended by putting a huge smile on my face.
This series is off to an excellent start. While I hate to see the crime rate of Crystal Bay rise, I can’t wait to return there for another visit soon.
natesbookstack's review
5.0
Sometimes a genre book pops up onto your Facebook by an author you follow and you see that their spanakopita recipe is in the book and it is FREE! I rushed to buy On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales. I had a couple books before I started but seemingly big brother knew I had bought a Jenny Kales book and she was all over my social media and all I wanted was to visit Crystal Bay and meet Callie Costas.
As with all self published books I think that there is a certain level of is this edited and formatted correctly because we have all seen the doozy ones. Let me tell you this Jenny Kales is a fantastic author and everything looks amazing. This book was a breath of fresh air in the cozy scene. Not only was I in love with all of the characters at the beginning but this book starts with the murder and you are already sympathetic to the murdered victim. Jenny Kales thanks her cover artist at the end and if you look at the covers of her three books they are stunning and even look better then some of the covers coming out now. Also her printed copies are very affordable and look equally as gorgeous. I might just have to invest in them. I am so excited to continue this series and see what else Callie is capable of!
As with all self published books I think that there is a certain level of is this edited and formatted correctly because we have all seen the doozy ones. Let me tell you this Jenny Kales is a fantastic author and everything looks amazing. This book was a breath of fresh air in the cozy scene. Not only was I in love with all of the characters at the beginning but this book starts with the murder and you are already sympathetic to the murdered victim. Jenny Kales thanks her cover artist at the end and if you look at the covers of her three books they are stunning and even look better then some of the covers coming out now. Also her printed copies are very affordable and look equally as gorgeous. I might just have to invest in them. I am so excited to continue this series and see what else Callie is capable of!