Jenna's father, Cary, is the main suspect in the death of a neighbor who annoyed everyone with loud parties. Jenna tries to help clear his name while the town celebrates a Wild West Extravaganza. Half-way through the book, Jenna gets a big surprise. The murderer was in my suspect list, but it was still a fun read. I wish the author had included the orange juice bbq sauce recipe.
Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Grilling the Subject (Cookbook Nook Mystery, Bk 5) on + 687 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Welcome to Crystal Cove! Just in time for the Wild West Extravaganza! Jenna is excited about all the tourists arriving and the new people coming into the Cookbook Nook. But grilling isn't only happening at the festival. Sylvia Gump has been found dead in a bonfire on property shared with her neighbors. Including Jenna's dad! He was seen in the area and is the prime suspect. Jenna is burning around town trying to prove what everybody knows, that he is no killer! She intends to grill anyone that could have killed the woman. Lord knows she had plenty of enemies!
Another spectacular addition to this series!
Daryl Wood Gerber creates such wonderful characters. They are fun, engaging and so entertaining. I love the way the couples are evolving but this time a surprise visitor to Crystal Cove could throw a huge twist into one of the relationships. I don't want to spoil anything but the author had my emotions running out of control from mad to sad, and everywhere in between. I even had to reach for a tissue. To me that is the test of a great story. It is more than following the clues and figuring out the guilty party. If the story really makes you feel something, it is a story that will hold you beyond the final page. It is for this reason I recommend this series be read in order. You need to see how everything began.
That being said the mystery part of this story is well written and plotted as well. So many suspects and so many people withholding bits and pieces of the truth. As the pages continued I thought "Are we ever going to pin the right person down?" Then there was the "aha moment" and I realized I had missed some key clues. This author is a master at doing that to me. I hone on something so interesting that I forget to keep track of the details.
One part of this book that I really enjoyed is the location and not just sunny California. Jenna's father and his neighbors all own a small piece of property that connects their lots. It is a place to gather and enjoy each other's company. Sadly Sylvia Gump didn't realize what a treasure this was and abused it terribly. Others also didn't appreciate it fully either. This is a fantastic idea and I wish more communities would have places like this. In the days when everyone want to put up fences and walls it is refreshing to have community places like this. Years ago I lived in a place where there was a park complete with playground equipment where the neighbors would congregate while their children played, even having cookouts and picnics. What a great way to build a true friendships both for the adults and the kids.
I loved everything about this story! The worst part is now waiting for the next book in the series. Write fast Daryl!! I can hardly wait!!
Welcome to Crystal Cove! Just in time for the Wild West Extravaganza! Jenna is excited about all the tourists arriving and the new people coming into the Cookbook Nook. But grilling isn't only happening at the festival. Sylvia Gump has been found dead in a bonfire on property shared with her neighbors. Including Jenna's dad! He was seen in the area and is the prime suspect. Jenna is burning around town trying to prove what everybody knows, that he is no killer! She intends to grill anyone that could have killed the woman. Lord knows she had plenty of enemies!
Another spectacular addition to this series!
Daryl Wood Gerber creates such wonderful characters. They are fun, engaging and so entertaining. I love the way the couples are evolving but this time a surprise visitor to Crystal Cove could throw a huge twist into one of the relationships. I don't want to spoil anything but the author had my emotions running out of control from mad to sad, and everywhere in between. I even had to reach for a tissue. To me that is the test of a great story. It is more than following the clues and figuring out the guilty party. If the story really makes you feel something, it is a story that will hold you beyond the final page. It is for this reason I recommend this series be read in order. You need to see how everything began.
That being said the mystery part of this story is well written and plotted as well. So many suspects and so many people withholding bits and pieces of the truth. As the pages continued I thought "Are we ever going to pin the right person down?" Then there was the "aha moment" and I realized I had missed some key clues. This author is a master at doing that to me. I hone on something so interesting that I forget to keep track of the details.
One part of this book that I really enjoyed is the location and not just sunny California. Jenna's father and his neighbors all own a small piece of property that connects their lots. It is a place to gather and enjoy each other's company. Sadly Sylvia Gump didn't realize what a treasure this was and abused it terribly. Others also didn't appreciate it fully either. This is a fantastic idea and I wish more communities would have places like this. In the days when everyone want to put up fences and walls it is refreshing to have community places like this. Years ago I lived in a place where there was a park complete with playground equipment where the neighbors would congregate while their children played, even having cookouts and picnics. What a great way to build a true friendships both for the adults and the kids.
I loved everything about this story! The worst part is now waiting for the next book in the series. Write fast Daryl!! I can hardly wait!!
Grilling the Subject by Daryl Wood Gerber is the fifth book in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series. Jenna Hart and the town are getting ready for the Wild West Extravaganza that is coming to Crystal Cove. All the shops have decorated to reflect the wild west theme including Jenna's The Cookbook Nook. Then Jenna finds out that the Shane Maverick is now running the WWE. They used to work together at Taylor and Squib Advertising in San Francisco. Shane is a type of guy that reminds you of a snake oil salesman (just what they do not need). Cary Hart, Jenna's father and the other homeowners in the his neighborhood have been having difficulty with Sylvia Gump over some land. Sylvia is trying to take over other people's property. Sylvia has taken to throwing loud parties (bands with electric guitars) and has even erected an ostentatious fountain (along with hedges and fences). Cary has a loud argument with Sylvia on the phone when she is setting up for another party. The next morning Sylvia is found dead by her fountain. Cary was out fishing at the time (by himself, of course) which means he has no alibi. Jenna will do whatever is necessary to clear her father off the suspect list (which considering Sylvia is quite long). Will Jenna be able to wrangle the real killer? Jenna has felt that someone is following her. She has only been able to see a shadowy figure. Who is it and why are the following her around town? Jenna is in for the shock of a lifetime when she discovers the individual's true identity. Join Jenna as well as her family and friends for barbecue, iced tea, and other delectable delights in Grilling the Subject.
Grilling the Subject is an entertaining novel. It has developed characters, a gorgeous setting in sunny California, and great descriptions of cookbooks. The book is easy to read and has a good pace. The book is 277 pages long and has some recipes from Katie, Jenna, and Bailey at the end (with their comments). I give Grilling the Subject 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The mystery will lead you on a merry chase, but I thought it was easy to solve (I read a lot of mysteries and love solving them). I was surprised by the person who is following Jenna. It was a great twist. While this is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone (the author gives the reader's Jenna's backstory to catch them up). I do, though, highly recommend you go and read the other four books when you get a chance (if you have not enjoyed them yet). I look forward to the next A Cookbook Nook Mystery (and any other books by Daryl Wood Gerber).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The opinions and comments expressed above are strictly my own.
Grilling the Subject is an entertaining novel. It has developed characters, a gorgeous setting in sunny California, and great descriptions of cookbooks. The book is easy to read and has a good pace. The book is 277 pages long and has some recipes from Katie, Jenna, and Bailey at the end (with their comments). I give Grilling the Subject 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The mystery will lead you on a merry chase, but I thought it was easy to solve (I read a lot of mysteries and love solving them). I was surprised by the person who is following Jenna. It was a great twist. While this is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone (the author gives the reader's Jenna's backstory to catch them up). I do, though, highly recommend you go and read the other four books when you get a chance (if you have not enjoyed them yet). I look forward to the next A Cookbook Nook Mystery (and any other books by Daryl Wood Gerber).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The opinions and comments expressed above are strictly my own.
