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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
Grilled for Murder by Maddie Day is the second book in the Country Store Mystery series Robbie Jordan is the owner of Pans ‘N Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana. It is a restaurant and country store (has great vintage cookware). Robbie has agreed to cater a welcome home party for Erica Berry Shermer. Erica recently lost her husband, Jon Shermer (twin brother to Jim Shermer, local attorney and Robbie’s romantic interest) and is returning to South Lick from Chicago. Erica has been home a month, but her parents want her to feel welcome. Erica arrives late to the party. She is flirtatious with a few of the men, but she is rude to others. The party ends late, and Phil (Robbie’s friend and baker) offers to close up for her (since she has to get up so early). The next morning Robbie is a little sluggish and eager for her coffee. Robbie comes downstairs and finds Erica dead in the store next to the pickle barrel. This is not a good start to her day! Detective Octavia Slade is the State Police Homicide Detective assigned the case. It turns out that Jim Shermer knows Octavia (they dated). Phil ends up being a prime suspect in the murder and Robbie knows Phil would not hurt anyone. Robbie wants to clear Phil of the crime and find the real culprit (this murder is affecting her business). It is suggested that Robbie enter the Nashville Gingerbread Log Cabin competition. She could enter a miniature Pans ‘N Pancakes made of gingerbread, icing, and candy. Robbie has her hands full with the restaurant, the gingerbread competition, decorating the place for Christmas, the investigation, ordering supplies for the restaurant, her stolen Christmas tree, and complications with her love life. Will Robbie be able to find the killer before the killer comes after Robbie?
Grilled for Murder may be the second book in the series, but you can read it alone (the author provides the necessary background material). The book is easy to read and has good characters (and a quaint, small town), but the focus of the book was not on the mystery (more on romance, stolen Christmas tree, dancing, her forgetfulness with regard to ordering supplies for the restaurant, etc.). Figuring out the killer was extremely easy (you just need one clue—I will not tell you which one). I give Grilled for Murder 3 out of 5 stars. I have read other books by this author and this is not her best work (sorry, just being honest). Did you know that Maddie Day is a nom de plume for Edith Maxwell? Do not get me wrong. It is not a bad book. I like this authors writing style and the unique murder weapon. It makes for a pleasant reading experience. I just wanted more in Grilled for Murder. I wanted more focus on the murder mystery and subsequent investigation (it is supposed to be a mystery novel). Will I read the next book in the Country Store Mystery series? Yes, I will be reading the next book to see if there is improvement. One thing that is particularly appealing to me is the description of the vintage cooking equipment (I grew up with two antique dealers for aunts and we have always had antiques in our home).
I received a complimentary copy of Grilled for Murder by NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Grilled for Murder may be the second book in the series, but you can read it alone (the author provides the necessary background material). The book is easy to read and has good characters (and a quaint, small town), but the focus of the book was not on the mystery (more on romance, stolen Christmas tree, dancing, her forgetfulness with regard to ordering supplies for the restaurant, etc.). Figuring out the killer was extremely easy (you just need one clue—I will not tell you which one). I give Grilled for Murder 3 out of 5 stars. I have read other books by this author and this is not her best work (sorry, just being honest). Did you know that Maddie Day is a nom de plume for Edith Maxwell? Do not get me wrong. It is not a bad book. I like this authors writing style and the unique murder weapon. It makes for a pleasant reading experience. I just wanted more in Grilled for Murder. I wanted more focus on the murder mystery and subsequent investigation (it is supposed to be a mystery novel). Will I read the next book in the Country Store Mystery series? Yes, I will be reading the next book to see if there is improvement. One thing that is particularly appealing to me is the description of the vintage cooking equipment (I grew up with two antique dealers for aunts and we have always had antiques in our home).
I received a complimentary copy of Grilled for Murder by NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
colleend's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
mbedrosian's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
holly_keimig's review
4.0
Another cute Country Store Mystery. Robbie finds another dead body in her store and must help clear the name of her friend.
mollymareep's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Well! This nice change from the other cosy mysteries, I listened to! I wasn't a 100% sure I would be loving this series after the first book. However, I orderly gasped 3 times when I was caught off guard and there was a slight twist Or surprise in the storyline.
It was a little bit more violent ( a tiny bit) than other cosy mysteries. However, I don't see that as an issue, but others might. ( as I saw somebody writing a review for the last book and brought up the fact that there were swear words in it ha ha ha!!)
My main criticism this time would be there. A lot of little similar things that happene last time repeated (in a slightly different way) in this book?
I was looking forward to listening to the next installment but audible only has book 6 next?!?!?! I will have to try and find it somewhere else :(
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Racism
kimdavishb's review
5.0
GRILLED FOR MURDER, was a delicious read! The setting held special meaning for me because my in-laws lived in Illinois, ten miles from the Indiana border, and I’ve spent a lot of time there. Being born and raised in Southern California (and living fairly close to Santa Barbara where Robbie grew up!) the colloquialisms of those two Midwest states caught me off-guard early on. Maddie captures the sayings and mannerisms of the townspeople perfectly! The plot had several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming while the mystery surrounding the father Robbie never knew she had, intrigues me. I am anxious to learn more!!! There are so many appealing characters woven into the story along with some romantic angst, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the book. The author also provides several recipes with her book. I tried her Overnight French Toast recipe and it will now be my go-to recipe when I need to serve breakfast or brunch to guests!
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cpgunning's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0