Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is the first in a series featuring Marygene Brown and set on Peach Cove Island, GA. Returning back home a victim of domestic abuse, Marygene is hoping to take the time to heal and also rebuild her relationship with step siblings Jena Lynn and Sam. Jena Lynn has been running the family Peach Diner since their mother's death and Sam has been behind the counter cooking. Marygene is the one with the flair for baking so she plans on helping out as much as possible.

Marygene has only been home a few days when diner regular, Mr. Ledbetter drops dead while eating his birthday cake that was baked by Jena Lynn. Knowing that her sister would never intentionally harm anyone, Marygene sets out to uncover the truth. Thwarted at every turn by Detective Davis Thornton, she is forced to team up with her estranged father, Sheriff Eddie, the mysterious reporter Roy Calhoun who seems to have a hidden agenda, and her father's deputies Felton Powell and Alex Myers, her high school beau. Much to her surprise, her deceased mother also appears during critical times to offer up clues and becomes an integral part of the story.

A little darker than most cozies, the author pens a tale of murder, domestic abuse, infidelity, greed and the importance of forgiveness and rekindling strained relationships. A plot thick with twists and turns and more than a handful of suspects, makes for a fast paced read.

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Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is set on a small island off the Georgia coast called Peach Cove. The Peach Diner was started by Marygene's grandmother, Nanny after her husband gambled and drank away their money. Marygene has a natural talent for cooking and baking. She knows what is needed to elevate a dish and how to fix a wonky recipe. I thought Southern Sass and Killer Cravings was nicely written and it moved along at a steady pace. I liked the author's conversational writing style which made the story easy to read. Southern manners and hospitality are the code in the South. Southern women are polite and always have sweet tea ready for guests (even if they are unwelcome). I liked that Marygene is a friendly yet flawed character (realistic) who has gotten herself out of a bad marriage. She has made mistakes and knows that she needs to make amends (to family and friends). There are an assortment of characters in the story that include Marygene's sister, her half-brother, biological father, shop owners, residents, a reporter, and land developers. Betsy Myers, Marygene's best friend, is over-the-top and boisterous (she is quite a characters). With Carl Ledbetter's father dead, he is ready to let developers buy the land he inherited for high rise condos and a resort. Other residents do not want this type of development which leads to animated debates. There is plenty of action throughout the story, but I could have done without the repetition of case details. The mystery was mixed for me. The method of murder and the killer's identity are easily discerned by avid cozy mystery readers. It was interesting, though, following the investigation to learn more about the victim and why he was killed. There are two potential love interests for Marygene. Personally, I thought it was too soon for Marygene to move on after her abusive marriage (she still had bruises on her neck). There is mild foul language in Southern Sass and Killer Cravings and references to the abusive Marygene suffered. My favorite phrase from the book is âthe past always has a way of coming back and biting you in the keisterâ (so true). There are recipes from The Peach Diner included at the end. Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is a humorous cozy mystery that is perfect to read on the front porch in a cozy rocking chair with sweet peach tea on a table nearby. Southern Sass and Killer Cravings has Southern hospitality, friendship, sweet tea, gossip, tasty treats, a dead man, secrets, an island spirit and a new amateur sleuth.

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