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thatlemonadelife's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
SILENCE OF THE JAMS has a well thought out plot but more than that, is character driven, bringing the story to life. Amy Flowers owns the Down Home Café and has been in business only a short time. Her best friend and cousin, Jackie, helps her run it. Jackie’s mother abandoned her and as a result, is estranged from her mom, even though she pops into town every so often. Jackie’s story was hinted at a bit in the first book, but in SILENCE OF THE JAMS, her unfortunate circumstance is fully explored. Ms. Lesson captures the essence of the emotional distress and upheaval the situation causes Jackie and her family, weaving it into the mystery plot, creating layers of tension. The social issue of substance abuse is also a part of the equation, highlighting not only illegal abuse but abuse of prescription drugs and how willing people are to share their own medication with others which can result in dire circumstances. This theme is quite apropos with what is currently happening in our society, but the author does so in a manner that isn’t heavy handed and fits right into the plot. I appreciate when an entertaining book can tackle current social issues, making the reader give pause and consider the message given.
Even though there is the subplot of Jackie and her family, Amy is still the central protagonist. She is deeply involved with Jackie’s dilemma, while at the same time trying to find out who murdered the Director of the Chamber of Commerce as he was eating breakfast at her café. She worries people will think it was her fresh batch of strawberry jam that killed him! The author provides plenty of suspects, each with viable reasons why they wanted him dead. One of the supporting characters, Homer Pickens is a truly likable and admirable man. I loved the scenes he showed up in with his wit and couldn’t wait to find out who his daily hero was for inspiration.
Of course the Down Home Café has plenty of mouth-watering food to keep the townspeople coming back! Thankfully, Gayle Leeson has included many delicious recipes at the back of her book and her Peanut Butter Pie recipe. I’ve heard of this pie before, but have never tried it…. and I discovered I’ve been missing out! The recipe was easy to follow and I especially loved the author's trick for making stress-free meringue.
I willingly provided a review after receiving an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Even though there is the subplot of Jackie and her family, Amy is still the central protagonist. She is deeply involved with Jackie’s dilemma, while at the same time trying to find out who murdered the Director of the Chamber of Commerce as he was eating breakfast at her café. She worries people will think it was her fresh batch of strawberry jam that killed him! The author provides plenty of suspects, each with viable reasons why they wanted him dead. One of the supporting characters, Homer Pickens is a truly likable and admirable man. I loved the scenes he showed up in with his wit and couldn’t wait to find out who his daily hero was for inspiration.
Of course the Down Home Café has plenty of mouth-watering food to keep the townspeople coming back! Thankfully, Gayle Leeson has included many delicious recipes at the back of her book and her Peanut Butter Pie recipe. I’ve heard of this pie before, but have never tried it…. and I discovered I’ve been missing out! The recipe was easy to follow and I especially loved the author's trick for making stress-free meringue.
I willingly provided a review after receiving an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
SILENCE OF THE JAMS by Gayle Leeson
The Second Down South Cafe Mystery
Amy Flowers is gearing up for the Independence day holiday when George Lincoln stops by her Down South Cafe. Although he doesn't pester her as much as usual, he ends up causing more trouble when he drops dead right after eating his breakfast! Although everyone is sure he keeled over from a heart attack, including the doctor sitting with him at the time, Amy wonders if he may have been murdered. After all, George rubbed most people the wrong way. Amy decides to look into who may have wanted George dead in order to protect her reputation and that of her cafe, especially since it turns out George was poisoned!
This second Down South Cafe is a fast paced culinary treat. Not only to we have the mystery of George's death, we also have the repercussions of Renee's return to town. Amy's aunt is a fly by night wreaking havoc and upturning the lives of her family whenever she flits into Winter Garden. A solicitous doctor, a threatening brother, an unhappy wife, and a secretary who may have her own agenda make enthralling characters. Gayle Leeson also tackles the serious topic of addiction. The author handles this subject matter realistically without detracting from the storyline.
SILENCE OF THE JAMS combines the love and interdependence of family with a well plotted mystery amidst a backdrop of lip smacking comfort food to create a delectable read.
Recipes included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Second Down South Cafe Mystery
Amy Flowers is gearing up for the Independence day holiday when George Lincoln stops by her Down South Cafe. Although he doesn't pester her as much as usual, he ends up causing more trouble when he drops dead right after eating his breakfast! Although everyone is sure he keeled over from a heart attack, including the doctor sitting with him at the time, Amy wonders if he may have been murdered. After all, George rubbed most people the wrong way. Amy decides to look into who may have wanted George dead in order to protect her reputation and that of her cafe, especially since it turns out George was poisoned!
This second Down South Cafe is a fast paced culinary treat. Not only to we have the mystery of George's death, we also have the repercussions of Renee's return to town. Amy's aunt is a fly by night wreaking havoc and upturning the lives of her family whenever she flits into Winter Garden. A solicitous doctor, a threatening brother, an unhappy wife, and a secretary who may have her own agenda make enthralling characters. Gayle Leeson also tackles the serious topic of addiction. The author handles this subject matter realistically without detracting from the storyline.
SILENCE OF THE JAMS combines the love and interdependence of family with a well plotted mystery amidst a backdrop of lip smacking comfort food to create a delectable read.
Recipes included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
This small town is intriguing and the townsfolk are people I would want as my neighbors! Well except the killers!
This second book is very delightful and of course I love that it is centered around a cafe...which means food! Thankfully the author gives us some recipes at the end and I will be trying out a few of them.
The mystery was well written and while I figured out the killer it wasn't really from any clues, but just a gut instinct. This character just seemed to be up to something shady, and I was right!
There is also another character that turned out to be a surprise and one of the good ones. You wouldn't think that from how this character is portrayed. I can't say too much, don't want to give away any secrets or plot twists.
I even like that the romance continues between Ryan and Amy. It seems rather sweet. And her cousin Jackie even has something going with a long time friend. I also like that the author throws in a drug addicted mother and the agony a family probably goes through dealing with that addiction.
Overall a delightful book and series, definitely check it out if you haven't yet.
This second book is very delightful and of course I love that it is centered around a cafe...which means food! Thankfully the author gives us some recipes at the end and I will be trying out a few of them.
The mystery was well written and while I figured out the killer it wasn't really from any clues, but just a gut instinct. This character just seemed to be up to something shady, and I was right!
There is also another character that turned out to be a surprise and one of the good ones. You wouldn't think that from how this character is portrayed. I can't say too much, don't want to give away any secrets or plot twists.
I even like that the romance continues between Ryan and Amy. It seems rather sweet. And her cousin Jackie even has something going with a long time friend. I also like that the author throws in a drug addicted mother and the agony a family probably goes through dealing with that addiction.
Overall a delightful book and series, definitely check it out if you haven't yet.
peggyemi's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second book in the Down South Cafe Series and I find that I enjoyed the characters just as much the second time around. Amy is down to earth and the relationship with her mom, cousin and great aunt is terrific. I have to say that I think I enjoyed Aunt Bess the most. She is a feisty, fun person and says what she thinks. There were a couple of instances where I chuckled out loud at her antics. I think the author has done a terrific job with the character development so far. They are all personable, likable and have a genuine feel to them.
I thought the mystery was a bit predictable in this installment. I almost never figure out "whodunit" in the mysteries I read, but for me, I felt the identity of the killer was pretty obvious. While I didn't know the motive initially, I thought it was transparent as the story unfolded.
I'm on the fence about this series and not sure if I plan to continue.
I thought the mystery was a bit predictable in this installment. I almost never figure out "whodunit" in the mysteries I read, but for me, I felt the identity of the killer was pretty obvious. While I didn't know the motive initially, I thought it was transparent as the story unfolded.
I'm on the fence about this series and not sure if I plan to continue.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
Amy is the owner of the Down South Café, where once every month (more or less...) there's a dead body! Between her eccentric clients, her family problems and the amazing recipes she creates, the mysterious deaths just add a little bit spicy on the non-stop Amy life.
Who is the murderer this time of the blackmailer?
Amy lives in a nice neighbourhood, with her family near, and that means that their problems too, luckily, they make a common front agains adversities and they teach us that no matter what, you have to give another chance for redemption.
As we start reading this book, we discover that there are a lot of possible killers; the wife, the secretary, the brother... Amy will try to help her detective boyfriend Ryan, so we will enjoy a few romantic dates but some investigation too! But if you are used to mystery books, is possible you will guess quickly who is really the murderer...
This is the second book of the series The Calamity Cafe, but you can read it as standalone.
This book touches the drug addiction and taking prescription pills that doesn't belong to you. I've never understood how you can give to someone a pill that is specially for your ailment to someone that you don't know what effects could cause to them, if you are not a doctor, a prescription pill should be forbidden to share!
I liked how Amy played a curious game with one of her customers, learning history and talking about it is not always that you do everyday, but have an idol character each day make you to learn history without thinking it, I loved the idea! :)
This is a quick read, with mystery, friendship and family, it will keep you intrigued for a while.
Do you really know your neighbours?
Who is the murderer this time of the blackmailer?
Amy lives in a nice neighbourhood, with her family near, and that means that their problems too, luckily, they make a common front agains adversities and they teach us that no matter what, you have to give another chance for redemption.
As we start reading this book, we discover that there are a lot of possible killers; the wife, the secretary, the brother... Amy will try to help her detective boyfriend Ryan, so we will enjoy a few romantic dates but some investigation too! But if you are used to mystery books, is possible you will guess quickly who is really the murderer...
This is the second book of the series The Calamity Cafe, but you can read it as standalone.
This book touches the drug addiction and taking prescription pills that doesn't belong to you. I've never understood how you can give to someone a pill that is specially for your ailment to someone that you don't know what effects could cause to them, if you are not a doctor, a prescription pill should be forbidden to share!
I liked how Amy played a curious game with one of her customers, learning history and talking about it is not always that you do everyday, but have an idol character each day make you to learn history without thinking it, I loved the idea! :)
This is a quick read, with mystery, friendship and family, it will keep you intrigued for a while.
Do you really know your neighbours?
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
I love the Down South Cafe series! It has endearingly quirky characters who feel like friends, a charming setting, hints of romance, mouthwatering food and a well-plotted mystery to keep you guessing. There’s even a PURSE-WHOMPING!! Which you know made my feisty heart happy haha!
In Silence of the Jams (love that title!), we also have a subplot involving addiction and the effect it has on families. These scenes were written with sensitivity as well as authenticity, and the emotions that Amy’s family went through over the addicted family member touched my heart.
The usual characters return in this second book, and both Homer and Aunt Bess continue to delight me. Aunt Bess with her “Lord Have Mercy” pinterest board makes me laugh out loud, and Homer with his hero-of-the-day is huggable in his sincerity and wisdom. Amy is a delightfully charming and relatable heroine! I was delighted to see more of her relationship with hunky (and sweet) deputy Ryan, too. Jackie is put through the emotional wringer in this book, but her bond with Amy continues to be a highlight of the series.
Bottom Line: Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson is delightful on every level. It’s clean as well as being fun, meaningful and intriguing. Compelling (and quirky) characters combine with the charming town of Winter Garden, Virginia, to give the novel the right dose of southern small town flair. The mystery has enough twists and turns to stay intriguing, the solution just out of reach no matter how many times you think you’ve surely got it figured out this time. (I ended up being right with my early-on guess, but there were enough suspects in the mix that I second-guessed myself a lot.) Highly recommended for cozy mystery fans as well as my “clean-read” readers!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
In Silence of the Jams (love that title!), we also have a subplot involving addiction and the effect it has on families. These scenes were written with sensitivity as well as authenticity, and the emotions that Amy’s family went through over the addicted family member touched my heart.
The usual characters return in this second book, and both Homer and Aunt Bess continue to delight me. Aunt Bess with her “Lord Have Mercy” pinterest board makes me laugh out loud, and Homer with his hero-of-the-day is huggable in his sincerity and wisdom. Amy is a delightfully charming and relatable heroine! I was delighted to see more of her relationship with hunky (and sweet) deputy Ryan, too. Jackie is put through the emotional wringer in this book, but her bond with Amy continues to be a highlight of the series.
Bottom Line: Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson is delightful on every level. It’s clean as well as being fun, meaningful and intriguing. Compelling (and quirky) characters combine with the charming town of Winter Garden, Virginia, to give the novel the right dose of southern small town flair. The mystery has enough twists and turns to stay intriguing, the solution just out of reach no matter how many times you think you’ve surely got it figured out this time. (I ended up being right with my early-on guess, but there were enough suspects in the mix that I second-guessed myself a lot.) Highly recommended for cozy mystery fans as well as my “clean-read” readers!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
jlrasa23's review against another edition
5.0
Very hard to put down. The suspects kept me on my toes.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nitabee's review against another edition
3.0
Silence of the Jamsis the second book in this series featuring Amy Flowers, owner of the Down South Cafe series. It's the 4th of July in Winter Garden, Virginia, and Amy's cafe is busy. The Commerce president whom we met in the first book, George Lincoln, is still trying to convince her to sell the cafe to him, so he can build a B&B there, and he actually .