Caramel Pecan Roll Murder - A Review

 

Caramel Pecan
Roll Murder

by

Joanne Fluke

A Review

I quickly became confused as I began reading this cozy mystery. Was I reading a cozy mystery loaded with recipes or was I reading a cookbook with a side of cozy mystery. I first stumbled on a couple of recipes in the last few pages of the book - they sounded good and there were not too many. But as I began to read the mystery from the beginning of the book, I found myself inundated with more and more recipes. Some chapters (note: not every chapter has recipes) seemed to have more pages with recipes than mystery. What made this discovery even more discouraging was that a vast majority of the recipes would not be allowed to be a part of my diet by my physician - they looked good, but they would not be allowed . There were exceptions - Reuben Omelets, Baked Scotch Eggs, and Wild Rice Soup, would all pass muster, but the vast majority of recipes were sweet treats and/or desserts.

The mystery itself was well written. The Walleye fishing tournament brought some of the best fisherman out for the week as well as many of the locals. Hannah Swensen was a local pastry chef (and source for many of the recipes) and a helpful amatuer detective. The story held my interest as I wandered through the recipe collection. I really thought I had figured out the guilty party early on, but I was caught off guard. Despite misreading the clues, I still found the culmination of the mystery to be satisfying. 

The mystery will receive 4-½ stars; the book as a whole will receive only three stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Her Daily Bread - A Review

 

Her Daily Bread

by

Kate Wood

Reviewing this book requires me to ask two questions First, would I purchase this book for myself?  Second, would I purchase this book for my wife or daughter-in-law?

This is a devotional book with one recipe substituted per week in lieu of the devotional. The devotionals are personal reflections on the author’s life. They each conclude with a Biblical reference or two, related to though not directly addressed in the daily devotionals.  The individual entries are not scholarly, but they are well-written thoughts offered for six days a week for a year. 

The recipes offered each week come from seven distinct categories: Snacks, Soups, “Sides, Salads, and Sauces”, Entrees, Breakfast, Beverages, and Desserts. The recipes, themselves, are a bit more high-end than I would expect at my daily family’s meals - perhaps at a special meal when entertaining guests.

 

Back to my two questions. Would I buy this book for myself: NO! Would I buy this book for my wife or daughter-in-law: maybe, as a birthday or Christmas present? They would find refreshment in the devotionals. I do not know how much use they would make of the recipes.  I will give the book 3-½ stars.

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Coconut Layer Cake Murder - A Review

Coconut Layer Cake Murder

by

Joanne Fluke

A Hannah Swensen Mystery

1 Simple Cozy Mystery

25 Assorted Tasty Recipes

5-6 Good Friends 

Mix together for about 5-1/2 hours until 350 pages in length. Be sure to skip at least two nights of good sleep till done. When completed, you will have one fun book, ready to recommend eagerly to other readers.

That is how it seemed this Joanne Fluke book was put together. The cozy mystery centers on a young man who takes a friend home after dinner; but when the morning arrives, she is dead and he is charged with murder. The police have found their suspect; Hannah Swensen and her friends are not so sure. They will spend the next week searching for clues and putting together a puzzle that will lead to the guilty party.

The mystery is not as involved as most cozy mysteries that cross my desk, but it is fun. And when it is wrapped with two dozen appetizing recipes (appetizers, soups, entrees, and a lot of deserts) the reader has a great book. My favorite recipes included Meaty Minestrone Soup, Lemon Glazed Chicken Breasts, and Peach Cake (though my favorite dessert was hard to choose - though my doctor would not me touch any of them).

A gentle read - full of fun food. Enjoy your evening.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.