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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
melanietalksbooks's review
4.0
The mystery is good but it feels like an old lady pretending to be younger. I’m 27, have an 18 year old brother and when I said “for shizzle” was the slang used in this book he laughed and went “omg who says that with a straight face?” Because that was a term in the 90s. As a 27 year old, I cannot understand how you can be that serious with someone you’ve only hung out with a few times. I cannot believe she would want to stay with a guy who did not want to be with her. If someone does not want you, how low does your self esteem have to be to want them to stay with you even if they don’t want you? That is why I had to remove one star. Otherwise it was fine for a cozy mystery.
karen_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is another hit for Ms. Day. Grilled for Murder is the second installment in this series and I enjoyed it as much as the first book. It is a fast paced romp through South Lick as Robbie tries to puzzle out another murder while staying out of danger. The mystery is solid with plenty of suspects, twists and turns. I like the way the author crafts her mysteries; just when I think I know who did it, she throws in some red herrings and distractions and I move on to another suspect. All our favorite characters are back and they are developing along nicely. I really like Robbie and her aunt Adele.
A strong mystery full of twists, turns and suspects coupled with well written characters makes this a highly entertaining book. I will be back for the third book in the series to see what happens next for Robbie.
Expected publication date is May 31, 2016. A full review will be posted on my blog closer to the date of release.
I received an ARC of this book from Kensington through Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion as the thoughts expressed are my own.
A strong mystery full of twists, turns and suspects coupled with well written characters makes this a highly entertaining book. I will be back for the third book in the series to see what happens next for Robbie.
Expected publication date is May 31, 2016. A full review will be posted on my blog closer to the date of release.
I received an ARC of this book from Kensington through Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion as the thoughts expressed are my own.
lolasreviews's review
4.0
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
As I really enjoyed the first book I couldn't wait to get started on the sequel. As soon as I got approved for a copy on netgalley I started reading this one and I can gladly say it's as good as the first book. I really enjoyed being back in this small town and Robbie her country store. The story starts with her hosting a welcome back party and then the next day she finds the person for whom the party was dead in her store. Robbie can't help get involved in this puzzle.
The mystery was well done, although I wasn't too surprised when we found out who the murderer was it also hadn't been too obvious and I had a few other suspects as well. There were a few well placed clues and I liked trying to figure out the mystery alongside Robbie. She was trying to stay away and not get herself in danger,but she still was interested in the mystery ad tried to help a bit. I did think it was handled realistically how she got involved.
Besides the mystery there are a few other sub plot lines and events. We get to see how the store is doing and Christmas is coming up. Then there is some focus on the side characters and a bit of romance. Enough was going on to keep my attention and I really enjoyed this book. The country store and Robbie her cooking and baking is still one of my favourite parts of the book. And it has a nice mix between focus on the murder and other plot lines.
I also was pleasantly surprised by how the romance developed. I began to have my doubt at first as I wasn't feeling it, but then things changed and I liked up seeing in which direction her relationships went. It really is a sub plot and not much focus, but it adds a nice touch.
To summarize: I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in the series. there is an interesting murder mystery and while I wasn't too surprised by the murderer it wasn't too obvious either and there were some other suspects as well. I liked being back in this small town and Robbie her country store and I liked seeing the storylines develop and see how the characters were doing. There is enough focus on the mystery, but also enough other subplots to keep my attention. All in all a great book and I am already looking forward to the next one!
As I really enjoyed the first book I couldn't wait to get started on the sequel. As soon as I got approved for a copy on netgalley I started reading this one and I can gladly say it's as good as the first book. I really enjoyed being back in this small town and Robbie her country store. The story starts with her hosting a welcome back party and then the next day she finds the person for whom the party was dead in her store. Robbie can't help get involved in this puzzle.
The mystery was well done, although I wasn't too surprised when we found out who the murderer was it also hadn't been too obvious and I had a few other suspects as well. There were a few well placed clues and I liked trying to figure out the mystery alongside Robbie. She was trying to stay away and not get herself in danger,but she still was interested in the mystery ad tried to help a bit. I did think it was handled realistically how she got involved.
Besides the mystery there are a few other sub plot lines and events. We get to see how the store is doing and Christmas is coming up. Then there is some focus on the side characters and a bit of romance. Enough was going on to keep my attention and I really enjoyed this book. The country store and Robbie her cooking and baking is still one of my favourite parts of the book. And it has a nice mix between focus on the murder and other plot lines.
I also was pleasantly surprised by how the romance developed. I began to have my doubt at first as I wasn't feeling it, but then things changed and I liked up seeing in which direction her relationships went. It really is a sub plot and not much focus, but it adds a nice touch.
To summarize: I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in the series. there is an interesting murder mystery and while I wasn't too surprised by the murderer it wasn't too obvious either and there were some other suspects as well. I liked being back in this small town and Robbie her country store and I liked seeing the storylines develop and see how the characters were doing. There is enough focus on the mystery, but also enough other subplots to keep my attention. All in all a great book and I am already looking forward to the next one!
rynflynn12's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
geminiunicorn_6890's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jodyladuemcgrath's review
4.0
Grilled for Murder by Maddie Day is the second book in the Country Store Mystery series. Robbie, the owner of a country store diner, Pans N Pancakes, has agreed to cater a welcome home party for Erica Shermer, the widow of Robbie's boyfriend's twin brother. We learn that Jim had a twin brother named Jon who committed suicide about a year ago. (This comes out of nowhere, as it was never even hinted at in the first book, and it seems like a plot device to me, but oh well.) Erica does not seem like a very nice person, flirting with married men, accused of stealing, racial slurs, etc. The next morning, Robbie finds Erica's body in the restaurant and the front window of her store has been busted out also. It seemed like no one liked Erica, but who hated her enough to murder her? And why leave her in her restaurant?
I actually liked this book more than the first. It seems like Ms. Day has worked the kinks out and really found a good rhythm with the series. Most of the characters were consistent with the first book, but some made moves that seemed out of character to me. I think the author wanted to go in a different direction with one aspect of the backstory and just made the pieces fit to do it. It seemed odd to me, but I didn't like that direction in the first book. I must not have been the only one! All the townsfolk are still quirky and charming and her business seems to be doing well.
The mystery aspect of this book, was kind of a joke. It was way easy to solve and if Robbie would have acted like any other person who had a crime scene in their business would have acted, it would have been solved way early. Ms. Day made Robbie oblivious to this giant clue, which al out any reader would figure out instantly and know who the murderer was. There were no twists or anything. And the reason behind the murder, was stupid and also didn't make any sense.
That being said, I really liked the book. I am not sure why, after I really think about everything, but I completely enjoyed it. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series!
I actually liked this book more than the first. It seems like Ms. Day has worked the kinks out and really found a good rhythm with the series. Most of the characters were consistent with the first book, but some made moves that seemed out of character to me. I think the author wanted to go in a different direction with one aspect of the backstory and just made the pieces fit to do it. It seemed odd to me, but I didn't like that direction in the first book. I must not have been the only one! All the townsfolk are still quirky and charming and her business seems to be doing well.
The mystery aspect of this book, was kind of a joke. It was way easy to solve and if Robbie would have acted like any other person who had a crime scene in their business would have acted, it would have been solved way early. Ms. Day made Robbie oblivious to this giant clue, which al out any reader would figure out instantly and know who the murderer was. There were no twists or anything. And the reason behind the murder, was stupid and also didn't make any sense.
That being said, I really liked the book. I am not sure why, after I really think about everything, but I completely enjoyed it. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series!