Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Murder Most Finicky is the fourth in the Pawsitively Organic cozy mystery series. Kristan "Stan" O'Connor is enjoying the success of her homemade pet treat business in Frog Ledge, Connecticut.
Stan has been invited along with other star chefs to the prestigious Rhode Island home of Sheldon "Mr Pastry" Allyn. Sheldon has promised backup investment money to Stan to help her establish a storefront for growing business. In exchange, Stan has agreed to participate in a presentation along with the other chefs for a representative of the Food Channel, with one lucky participant given the opportunity for their own reality show.
Stan is reluctant to leave Frog Ledge and boyfriend Jake McGee, but once she learns that Nutty, her beloved Maine Coot cat is going to be a part of the 3 day weekend she hops in the car for the short trip to Newport. Upon arrival to the mansion, Stan stumbles upon the dead body of chef Pierre LaPorte. Things go from bad to worse when fellow chef Kyle McLeod goes missing and becomes a prime suspect and then celebrity replacement chef Vaughn Dawes disappears mid flight from the West Coast.
To complicate matters even more Stan is contacted by her sister Caitlyn whom she has a distant relationship with at best. Caitlyn admits that she's been having an affair with Kyle and is now worried that his disappearance means that something has happened to him as well. Caitlyn begs Stan to help her find Kyle and to uncover the real killer.
A fun plot with a great cast of characters and animals that will keep you turning the pages. A twist in the relationship between Stan and Jake at the end definitely has me looking forward to the release of the next in series.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review, I am more than happy of offer my honest opinion.
Stan has been invited along with other star chefs to the prestigious Rhode Island home of Sheldon "Mr Pastry" Allyn. Sheldon has promised backup investment money to Stan to help her establish a storefront for growing business. In exchange, Stan has agreed to participate in a presentation along with the other chefs for a representative of the Food Channel, with one lucky participant given the opportunity for their own reality show.
Stan is reluctant to leave Frog Ledge and boyfriend Jake McGee, but once she learns that Nutty, her beloved Maine Coot cat is going to be a part of the 3 day weekend she hops in the car for the short trip to Newport. Upon arrival to the mansion, Stan stumbles upon the dead body of chef Pierre LaPorte. Things go from bad to worse when fellow chef Kyle McLeod goes missing and becomes a prime suspect and then celebrity replacement chef Vaughn Dawes disappears mid flight from the West Coast.
To complicate matters even more Stan is contacted by her sister Caitlyn whom she has a distant relationship with at best. Caitlyn admits that she's been having an affair with Kyle and is now worried that his disappearance means that something has happened to him as well. Caitlyn begs Stan to help her find Kyle and to uncover the real killer.
A fun plot with a great cast of characters and animals that will keep you turning the pages. A twist in the relationship between Stan and Jake at the end definitely has me looking forward to the release of the next in series.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review, I am more than happy of offer my honest opinion.
Murder Most Finicky by Liz Mugavero is the fourth book in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. Stan Connor has been invited to Newport, Rhode Island by Sheldon Allyn (a celebrity pastry chef). Sheldon is to be Stan's new partner in her pet patisserie (that she is going to open in Frog Ledge, Connecticut). Stan makes food and treats for animals (mostly dogs and cats). Her business is called Pawsitively Organic. Sheldon has invited out all the chefs he has invested in (time and money) for the weekend (Stan believes it to be a relaxing and enjoyable time). Stan's Maine Coon Cat Nutty was also included in the invitation. Stan arrives at the parking lot where she was told to leave her car and is blindfolded by Joaquin Leroy, Sheldon's assistant. The final destination is to be a secret for all the invitees. After a bumpy and long ride they arrive at the beautiful mansion (Stan discovers once the blindfold is removed). However, this weekend is going to be anything but relaxing.
Instead of getting to enjoy a relaxing weekend, they are told they are going to have to cook a five course meal for a presentation to people from The Food Channel (which seems to only benefit Sheldon). Unfortunately, things go awry when Stan finds the body of Pierre LaPorte. Everyone has to vacate the mansion and go to a local hotel (a very nice hotel). Then Kyle McLeod (a vegan chef) disappears. What is going on (and then a replacement chef, Vaughn Dawes does not show up). Stan sets out to find the killer of Pierre as well locate the missing Kyle McLeod (and make sure Vaughn Dawes is okay). Something fishy is going on and it is not Stan's cat treats!
I have loved the previous books in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series, but Murder Most Finicky was not as good as the others (I liked it). I think it was because we are missing the townspeople. The people of Frog Ledge, Connecticut help make the book (they are fun and quirky). Some of the people from the town were included, but I thought something was missing. I found the suspect pool to be too small which made for an extremely obvious killer. The writer, though, does provide good clues for the reader to follow. There are some funny moments in the book (which made me laugh) and there are some great recipes at the end of the book (I will be trying the animal recipes for my pets). I was left with one question at the end of the book. What happened with Caitlyn? Caitlyn Connor Fitzgerald is Stan's sister, and she had a little issue (and needed Stan's assistance). I want to know what happened between Caitlyn and her husband, Michael. I give Murder Most Finicky 4 out of 5 stars. I liked the book, but I did not love it. It was just missing a little something (and needed a better mystery).
I received a complimentary copy of Murder Most Finicky from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Instead of getting to enjoy a relaxing weekend, they are told they are going to have to cook a five course meal for a presentation to people from The Food Channel (which seems to only benefit Sheldon). Unfortunately, things go awry when Stan finds the body of Pierre LaPorte. Everyone has to vacate the mansion and go to a local hotel (a very nice hotel). Then Kyle McLeod (a vegan chef) disappears. What is going on (and then a replacement chef, Vaughn Dawes does not show up). Stan sets out to find the killer of Pierre as well locate the missing Kyle McLeod (and make sure Vaughn Dawes is okay). Something fishy is going on and it is not Stan's cat treats!
I have loved the previous books in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series, but Murder Most Finicky was not as good as the others (I liked it). I think it was because we are missing the townspeople. The people of Frog Ledge, Connecticut help make the book (they are fun and quirky). Some of the people from the town were included, but I thought something was missing. I found the suspect pool to be too small which made for an extremely obvious killer. The writer, though, does provide good clues for the reader to follow. There are some funny moments in the book (which made me laugh) and there are some great recipes at the end of the book (I will be trying the animal recipes for my pets). I was left with one question at the end of the book. What happened with Caitlyn? Caitlyn Connor Fitzgerald is Stan's sister, and she had a little issue (and needed Stan's assistance). I want to know what happened between Caitlyn and her husband, Michael. I give Murder Most Finicky 4 out of 5 stars. I liked the book, but I did not love it. It was just missing a little something (and needed a better mystery).
I received a complimentary copy of Murder Most Finicky from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
