Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed Pressing the Issue (A Cookbook Nook Mystery) (Volume 6) on + 157 more book reviews
Daryl Wood Gerber writes several successful mystery series and is consistently good. This is the first Cookbook Nook story that I've read, but I easily connected with the characters and would like to read the earlier stories. The main characters, warm and sometimes quirky, are well drawn and endearing.
The coastal California setting of Crystal Cove is vividly conveyed, making its beach and shops a place I'd love to visit. But the real setting, one that literally becomes a major character, is the Renaissance Festival. Food, crafts, theater, costumes, faire speak ⦠the author does a great job of conveying the essence of the fair and enveloping readers in its atmosphere.
Jenna, owner of the bookstore, is an appealing lead character with logic and sensitivity. Rarely do police and amateur investigators get along, but I'd love for the Police Chief to appreciate Jenna's insight and intuitiveness. The murder victim was a likeable figure, making this story touching. It's probably not appropriate to enjoy the scene when the protagonist's life is being threatened, but the final revelation was quite creative and had me smiling.
Pressing the Issue is a clean read, which I greatly appreciated. This is a perfect story for cozy mystery fans and I look forward to more Cookbook Nook mysteries.
I was provided a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The coastal California setting of Crystal Cove is vividly conveyed, making its beach and shops a place I'd love to visit. But the real setting, one that literally becomes a major character, is the Renaissance Festival. Food, crafts, theater, costumes, faire speak ⦠the author does a great job of conveying the essence of the fair and enveloping readers in its atmosphere.
Jenna, owner of the bookstore, is an appealing lead character with logic and sensitivity. Rarely do police and amateur investigators get along, but I'd love for the Police Chief to appreciate Jenna's insight and intuitiveness. The murder victim was a likeable figure, making this story touching. It's probably not appropriate to enjoy the scene when the protagonist's life is being threatened, but the final revelation was quite creative and had me smiling.
Pressing the Issue is a clean read, which I greatly appreciated. This is a perfect story for cozy mystery fans and I look forward to more Cookbook Nook mysteries.
I was provided a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Kristina A. reviewed Pressing the Issue (A Cookbook Nook Mystery) (Volume 6) on + 1528 more book reviews
Pressing the Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber is the sixth book in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series. Jenna Hart is busy getting the Cookbook Nook ready for the Crystal Cove Renaissance Fair. Bailey Bird, though, is of little help since she is out of sorts. Bailey is getting married in two weeks to Tito Martinez at Baldini Vineyard. Lola Bird has not helped matters by telling Bailey that she has a bad vibe about the nuptials. Bailey receives a cryptic message from Nick Baldini and it sounds like he is in trouble. Jenna and Bailey rush to his home to find him on the floor with blood coming from a head wound. They check for a pulse and find their King of the Renaissance Fair, Nick is dead. Jenna quickly contacts Police Chief Cinnamon Pritchett who warns Jenna to stay out of the investigation. The murder weapon turns out to be a winepress that Nick had shown them earlier in the day. Bailey is thrown into a tailspin. What will happen to her wedding? Jenna quietly (does not want to incur Cinnamon's wrath) begins asking questions to find out more about Nick and who could have wished him harm. Time is running out because soon the Renaissance Fair visitors will be departing, and the killer could be hiding among them. Who could have committed this dastardly deed? Will Bailey and Tito have their wedding?
Pressing the Issue can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included in the book. Returning to Crystal Cove is like visiting old friends. It is a charming town with welcoming townspeople, a beach, and inviting shops. The main characters are warm, friendly and relatable. It was lovely to catch up with Jenna, Bailey, Kate, Rhett and Aunt Vera. The descriptions of the Renaissance Fair are vivid. I enjoyed reading about the costumes, food and activities (the Renaissance Fair speak was entertaining and amusing). It felt like I was there enjoying it with them. There are delightful book descriptions (cookbooks and some cozy mysteries). The tantalizing food narratives will have your mouth watering (recipes included at the end of the book). I appreciated how the author incorporated Charlotte Bessette of Fromagerie Bessette into the story (from the Cheese Shop Mystery series written under her Avery Aames pen name) and her mention of Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes). The mystery was enticing, but avid cozy mystery readers will find it child's play to solve. There are several suspects and some good misdirection that will lead readers down the wrong path. I do wish that Police Chief Pritchett would start working with Jenna on the investigations. Cinnamon knows that Jenna's natural curiosity will not keep her away from looking into a case and Jenna is good at ferreting out information. I found the ending to be endearing. I am rating Pressing the Issue 4 out of 5 stars.
Pressing the Issue can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included in the book. Returning to Crystal Cove is like visiting old friends. It is a charming town with welcoming townspeople, a beach, and inviting shops. The main characters are warm, friendly and relatable. It was lovely to catch up with Jenna, Bailey, Kate, Rhett and Aunt Vera. The descriptions of the Renaissance Fair are vivid. I enjoyed reading about the costumes, food and activities (the Renaissance Fair speak was entertaining and amusing). It felt like I was there enjoying it with them. There are delightful book descriptions (cookbooks and some cozy mysteries). The tantalizing food narratives will have your mouth watering (recipes included at the end of the book). I appreciated how the author incorporated Charlotte Bessette of Fromagerie Bessette into the story (from the Cheese Shop Mystery series written under her Avery Aames pen name) and her mention of Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes). The mystery was enticing, but avid cozy mystery readers will find it child's play to solve. There are several suspects and some good misdirection that will lead readers down the wrong path. I do wish that Police Chief Pritchett would start working with Jenna on the investigations. Cinnamon knows that Jenna's natural curiosity will not keep her away from looking into a case and Jenna is good at ferreting out information. I found the ending to be endearing. I am rating Pressing the Issue 4 out of 5 stars.
