Scan barcode
randombookgrl's review against another edition
5.0
When skeletal remains are found after a fire at the home of a local doctor, speculation runs rampant that they belong to the doctor's long missing wife. shortly thereafter, the missing woman's sister is found dead. With no shortage of suspects, starting with the miserable doctor himself and including
former lover and step-son of the dead women, a possibly grieving estranged husband, an unhappy tenant, and even the newly discovered long lost brother of her assistant, Robbie finds herself digging for clues to figure out who's responsible before she becomes victim number 3!
I vaguely remember reading books 1 and 2 in the series, many moons ago...now I'm wondering why I didn't continue with the series! While the main characters are engaging and enjoyable, this tale does introduce some extremely unlikeable ones, including the racist, bigoted misogynist doctor who leads the list of suspects. The setting itself leaves the reader with the desire to go visit this small town, where breakfast and lunch are always freshly served at the charming little restaurant and the adorable aw-shucks demeanor of the local law enforcement officer hides a mind more clever than the casual observer might expect. The mystery itself with was fun, containing enough clues to point you in different directions before wrapping up pretty much how you might (probably) anticipate.
I definitely plan on going back to re-read the first books, as well as the rest of the series that I missed!
former lover and step-son of the dead women, a possibly grieving estranged husband, an unhappy tenant, and even the newly discovered long lost brother of her assistant, Robbie finds herself digging for clues to figure out who's responsible before she becomes victim number 3!
I vaguely remember reading books 1 and 2 in the series, many moons ago...now I'm wondering why I didn't continue with the series! While the main characters are engaging and enjoyable, this tale does introduce some extremely unlikeable ones, including the racist, bigoted misogynist doctor who leads the list of suspects. The setting itself leaves the reader with the desire to go visit this small town, where breakfast and lunch are always freshly served at the charming little restaurant and the adorable aw-shucks demeanor of the local law enforcement officer hides a mind more clever than the casual observer might expect. The mystery itself with was fun, containing enough clues to point you in different directions before wrapping up pretty much how you might (probably) anticipate.
I definitely plan on going back to re-read the first books, as well as the rest of the series that I missed!
pussreboots's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cozyreads1988's review
As always I love Robbie and her day to day life at her restaurant/store. The ending was sweet and made me happy. The mystery wasn’t that entertaining to me tho I mainly enjoyed the characters and town Christmas events.
morticia32's review against another edition
3.0
Book 8 in the series.
It's Christmas time in South Lick.
I really like this series. For one thing, Robbie actually spends time at her business, not just snooping around. And Robbie is likeable, and a down to earth person who genuinely cares for her friends.
This book had an old murder, a new murder and a mysterious stranger too. All in all, it had an interesting plot, and I was really hoping that the stranger turned out to have honest motives, so I wasn't disappointed.
My one complaint is the amount of local slang used. Do people in Indiana really talk like this all the time? I grew up in the Midwest and we might have had some local slang, but for the most part just talked like normal. This quirky addition kind of makes all the local folks feel a bit too "local yokel" and I find it distracts from the story.
All in all, I liked it and I look forward to seeing Robbie and South Lick again soon.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via, NetGalley*
It's Christmas time in South Lick.
I really like this series. For one thing, Robbie actually spends time at her business, not just snooping around. And Robbie is likeable, and a down to earth person who genuinely cares for her friends.
This book had an old murder, a new murder and a mysterious stranger too. All in all, it had an interesting plot, and I was really hoping that the stranger turned out to have honest motives, so I wasn't disappointed.
My one complaint is the amount of local slang used. Do people in Indiana really talk like this all the time? I grew up in the Midwest and we might have had some local slang, but for the most part just talked like normal. This quirky addition kind of makes all the local folks feel a bit too "local yokel" and I find it distracts from the story.
All in all, I liked it and I look forward to seeing Robbie and South Lick again soon.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via, NetGalley*
belovedbrat's review
3.0
first reviewed here: https://belovedgraceful-carissasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2020/12/candy-slain-murder.html
Title: Candy Slain Murder
Author: Maddie Day
Ch 56
Pg: 311
Series: A Country Store Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Publisher: Kensington
Candy Slain Murder is the eighth book in the A Country Store by Maddie Day. And while I did enjoy this one with the Christmas setting unfortunately the mystery fell flat for me because I figured out who did it by the fifth chapter. But still an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Title: Candy Slain Murder
Author: Maddie Day
Ch 56
Pg: 311
Series: A Country Store Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Publisher: Kensington
Candy Slain Murder is the eighth book in the A Country Store by Maddie Day. And while I did enjoy this one with the Christmas setting unfortunately the mystery fell flat for me because I figured out who did it by the fifth chapter. But still an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
jenn0889's review against another edition
3.0
Candy Slain Murder is the 8th instalment of the Country Store Mystery series set in South Lick, Indiana. In typical small-town fashion Robbie Jordan's store Pans 'N Pancakes is busy as the holiday season approaches. Of course, it is never smooth sailing at Pans 'N Pancakes as Robbie becomes enmeshed in solving a cold case involving the wife of Dr. Geller, a local surgeon who is greatly disliked by the community for being racist and a known white supremacist.
Robbie's assistant Danna also has a mystery of her own when a long lost half brother shows up at Pans 'N Pancakes to introduce himself. Danna's Mom, the mayor of South Lick Corrine made the difficult decision to have her first-born son adopted so he could have a better chance at having a great life. Now, it looks like the family has the opportunity to come back together.
When a second body is found a roster of likely suspects emerges, and someone in town alleges that Danna's brother Marcus might have had something to do with it.
I have noticed lately that many cozy writers are attempting to had more diversity to their books and I am so glad! Marcus as a character identifies as being a Muslim, and faces racism throughout the book. Robbie Jordan also identifies faults with South Lick being very Christmas-centred stating that the town would benefit from recognising other faiths/beliefs at the Christmas lighting ceremony. Maddie Day hits the sad reality that systemic racism is very much a thing that needs to be addressed, while still keeping this book cozy.
I am glad that I gave this series a second chance.
Thank you to Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Robbie's assistant Danna also has a mystery of her own when a long lost half brother shows up at Pans 'N Pancakes to introduce himself. Danna's Mom, the mayor of South Lick Corrine made the difficult decision to have her first-born son adopted so he could have a better chance at having a great life. Now, it looks like the family has the opportunity to come back together.
When a second body is found a roster of likely suspects emerges, and someone in town alleges that Danna's brother Marcus might have had something to do with it.
I have noticed lately that many cozy writers are attempting to had more diversity to their books and I am so glad! Marcus as a character identifies as being a Muslim, and faces racism throughout the book. Robbie Jordan also identifies faults with South Lick being very Christmas-centred stating that the town would benefit from recognising other faiths/beliefs at the Christmas lighting ceremony. Maddie Day hits the sad reality that systemic racism is very much a thing that needs to be addressed, while still keeping this book cozy.
I am glad that I gave this series a second chance.
Thank you to Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
jedimom9's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
1.0
I was hoping to discover a new series to read as I always enjoy cozies, particularly when they are holiday themed, but this one was a thumbs down for me. The plot was thin, the murderer was obvious and the dialogue was uncomfortably awkward. I am sure the author thought she was throwing in some really "cute country slang" but they came off as forced and idiotic. She even tried to insert some progressive ideas in it but they were so cursory and superficial it just cheapened the attempt. The recipes weren't even good and the book felt incredibly long even though it was under 300 pages. I will not read more from this author.
readwithaimee's review against another edition
3.0
This was the first full book i've ready in the Country Store Mystery series, and I enjoyed it! I love reading about Robbie's restaurant/shop, Pans 'N Pancakes. In these weird quarantine times, this book really made me miss going out to breakfast! Day really captures the bustling atmosphere of a local diner, complete with delicious daily specials.
When a house fire uncovers the skeleton of an unknown victim, the town of South Lick, Indiana, is thrown into full investigative mode. Do the remains belong to a local doctor's long-missing wife? What happened to her?
Robbie tries to stay out of the investigation, but Pans 'N Pancakes is South Lick's gossip hub, and she gets sucked in (and maybe, just maybe, she actually wants to be involved...) Then, another suspicious death occurs that could be tied to the discovery of the skeleton.
Day includes a lot of suspects throughout this book and I changed my mind a handful of times before the final reveal.
Thank you Kensington Books for the NetGalley ARC!
When a house fire uncovers the skeleton of an unknown victim, the town of South Lick, Indiana, is thrown into full investigative mode. Do the remains belong to a local doctor's long-missing wife? What happened to her?
Robbie tries to stay out of the investigation, but Pans 'N Pancakes is South Lick's gossip hub, and she gets sucked in (and maybe, just maybe, she actually wants to be involved...) Then, another suspicious death occurs that could be tied to the discovery of the skeleton.
Day includes a lot of suspects throughout this book and I changed my mind a handful of times before the final reveal.
Thank you Kensington Books for the NetGalley ARC!
skinnypenguin's review against another edition
4.0
Received this from the Goodreads.com Giveaways for an honest review.
This is the second book in this series that I have read and I liked this one more than the other one. It can be read as a stand alone and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Will go back and read the prior books in the series.
This story is set shortly before Christmas when I body is found in a house after a fire. The house belongs to a doctor and he said his wife went missing 10 years before. The police start investigating then the woman's twin sister, who is not very nice, is also found dead. The main character, Robbie, has some history with the lead police investigator but is able to let any issues between them pass. Several other things are going on at the same time. He employee, Danna, is surprised when she finds out she has a brother she never knew about who had been given up for adoption. He shows up in town and wants to get to know the family he never knew. He experiences some harassment over his race and religious beliefs and is also a suspect in one of the murders. Quite a few other people also are considered suspects and Robbie helps investigate. She wants her town to go back to being a happy place and does what she can to help out.
Robbie's restaurant is a gathering place for all the locals and tourists and she is very busy. She manages this along with investigating. Her employees are more like family and when she gets super busy there are others who are willing to jump in and help. She manages to fit in a romantic relationship and tries to befriend everyone. I like the characters and the small town feel to the story.
Love the recipes at the end of the book.
This is the second book in this series that I have read and I liked this one more than the other one. It can be read as a stand alone and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Will go back and read the prior books in the series.
This story is set shortly before Christmas when I body is found in a house after a fire. The house belongs to a doctor and he said his wife went missing 10 years before. The police start investigating then the woman's twin sister, who is not very nice, is also found dead. The main character, Robbie, has some history with the lead police investigator but is able to let any issues between them pass. Several other things are going on at the same time. He employee, Danna, is surprised when she finds out she has a brother she never knew about who had been given up for adoption. He shows up in town and wants to get to know the family he never knew. He experiences some harassment over his race and religious beliefs and is also a suspect in one of the murders. Quite a few other people also are considered suspects and Robbie helps investigate. She wants her town to go back to being a happy place and does what she can to help out.
Robbie's restaurant is a gathering place for all the locals and tourists and she is very busy. She manages this along with investigating. Her employees are more like family and when she gets super busy there are others who are willing to jump in and help. She manages to fit in a romantic relationship and tries to befriend everyone. I like the characters and the small town feel to the story.
Love the recipes at the end of the book.
More...