Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Who Moved My Goat Cheese is the first in the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series set in the small town of River Vista, Idaho featuring Angie Turner. Angie has inherited her Grandmother's farmhouse and along with best friend Felicia Williams has moved back home to open a Farm to Fork restaurant, The County Seat.
Goat farmer Gerald Moss plummets to his death on a canyon trail and despite having only met the man twice Angie suspects his death was more than an accident and sets out to find the killer accompanied by her Saint Bernard puppy, Dom.
I was looking forward to reading this book but overall was very disappointed even though there's so much potential for a great series. So many things stuck out that I just couldn't get over - Angie who is the owner/head Chef of The County Seat, spends about two hours total in her new restaurant prior to it's grand opening and seems to shove most of the work on Felicia. As head Chef, even on opening night the author pens the phrase "she steps into the kitchen and takes over the expediting". Other than a recipe for Potato Soup at the end of the book there is basically no reference to recipes or ingredients although Angie does seem to cook a little at home.
The title of the series gives the impression that Angie will be buying her produce and essentials for the restaurant from the Farmer's Market and local farmers, yet not one vendor or farmer other than Old Man Moss is ever introduced. Old Man Moss' goat cheese and secret cheese cave are mentioned but the author leaves the question of what the cheeses are and what will happen to them after his death totally unanswered. Ian McNeal is the owner/manager of the Farmer's Market and other than an occasional mention of his looking in on Moss' goats he has nothing to do with farming and lives in a tiny upstairs apartment.
Real estate development and one agent in particular is introduced but the circumstances surrounding her relationship with Old Man Moss are abandoned about halfway through the book and she's never mentioned again. With Precious the goat on the cover, you'd think she would be featured prominently but again, after the first couple of chapters other than an occasional reference to feeding her she also seems to disappear from the story line (not sure the purpose of adopting a baby goat if you are only going to leave it unattended in a stall - the responsible thing would be to either get a companion or return her to the goat farm - or better yet, have Precious and Dom form a bond).
Perhaps others will not be as critical as I and really love this book. I enjoy the authors other series so will give Book #2 in the Farm-to-Fork series, but will not be listing it at the top of my must read list.
Goat farmer Gerald Moss plummets to his death on a canyon trail and despite having only met the man twice Angie suspects his death was more than an accident and sets out to find the killer accompanied by her Saint Bernard puppy, Dom.
I was looking forward to reading this book but overall was very disappointed even though there's so much potential for a great series. So many things stuck out that I just couldn't get over - Angie who is the owner/head Chef of The County Seat, spends about two hours total in her new restaurant prior to it's grand opening and seems to shove most of the work on Felicia. As head Chef, even on opening night the author pens the phrase "she steps into the kitchen and takes over the expediting". Other than a recipe for Potato Soup at the end of the book there is basically no reference to recipes or ingredients although Angie does seem to cook a little at home.
The title of the series gives the impression that Angie will be buying her produce and essentials for the restaurant from the Farmer's Market and local farmers, yet not one vendor or farmer other than Old Man Moss is ever introduced. Old Man Moss' goat cheese and secret cheese cave are mentioned but the author leaves the question of what the cheeses are and what will happen to them after his death totally unanswered. Ian McNeal is the owner/manager of the Farmer's Market and other than an occasional mention of his looking in on Moss' goats he has nothing to do with farming and lives in a tiny upstairs apartment.
Real estate development and one agent in particular is introduced but the circumstances surrounding her relationship with Old Man Moss are abandoned about halfway through the book and she's never mentioned again. With Precious the goat on the cover, you'd think she would be featured prominently but again, after the first couple of chapters other than an occasional reference to feeding her she also seems to disappear from the story line (not sure the purpose of adopting a baby goat if you are only going to leave it unattended in a stall - the responsible thing would be to either get a companion or return her to the goat farm - or better yet, have Precious and Dom form a bond).
Perhaps others will not be as critical as I and really love this book. I enjoy the authors other series so will give Book #2 in the Farm-to-Fork series, but will not be listing it at the top of my must read list.
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? by Lynn Cahoon is the first story in A Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. Angie Turner has moved to River Vista, Idaho to live on the farm she inherited from her grandmother (Nona). She has partnered with her best friend, Felicia Williams to open The County Seat which has a farm-to-table concept. It is only three weeks until they open, and the pair are still working to line up all their local vendors. One of the vendors they would like to work with is Gerald Moss of Moss Farm who sells goat cheese. The one caveat is the crusty Mr. Moss who only sells his products to people he likes. Fortunately for Angie, Mr. Moss and his goat Precious take to Angie right off. He talks to her about his farm, his cheese cave and a secret that he will enlighten her on in the future. The next morning Angie is told that Mr. Moss is dead. Angie soon discovers that not many people cared for Mr. Moss or are upset at his passing. This distresses Angie especially since Mr. Moss knew her Nona, and it sets her on the path to solving his murder. When Angie goes to investigate the scene of the crime, she comes across Precious and ends up with a new farm resident. Angie fits in her sleuthing in between setting up the restaurant, taking care of Precious and Dom (her St. Bernard pup), purchasing supplies for the restaurant, and visits from her neighbor, Mrs. Potter. Who disliked Mr. Moss enough to kill him? Angie is determined to find out in Who Moved My Goat Cheese?
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? is a good start to A Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. I liked the authors conversational writing style and the story had a steady pace. It made reading Who Moved Goat Cheese? a pleasure. The story has good characters, but I wished the author had given readers more of Angie's backstory. I hope we learn more about Angie and Felicia in the next story. I loved Dom, Angie's St. Bernard puppy. He reminds me of my dog, Doozy (his name tells you about his character). Dom was a delightful addition to the story as was Precious, the goat. Both were quirky, entertaining and added levity to the story. I like the theme of farm-to-table and it was nicely incorporated into the mystery. The mystery had several suspects and there was good misdirection. I was able to identify the killer early in the story, but it took longer to find out why this person killed Mr. Moss. The mystery had some intriguing elements (I would say more but I do not want to spoil it for you). I would like to have a little more action in the next book in the series. The life lesson about not being able to change the past and not to dwell on it is a good addition to the book. It is one many people struggle with daily (myself included). I am giving Who Moved My Goat Cheese? 4 out of 5 stars. I will be reading Killer Green Tomatoes when it comes out. Who Moved My Goat Cheese? is a feel-good cozy mystery that readers of Lynn Cahoon and cozy mysteries will enjoy.
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? is a good start to A Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. I liked the authors conversational writing style and the story had a steady pace. It made reading Who Moved Goat Cheese? a pleasure. The story has good characters, but I wished the author had given readers more of Angie's backstory. I hope we learn more about Angie and Felicia in the next story. I loved Dom, Angie's St. Bernard puppy. He reminds me of my dog, Doozy (his name tells you about his character). Dom was a delightful addition to the story as was Precious, the goat. Both were quirky, entertaining and added levity to the story. I like the theme of farm-to-table and it was nicely incorporated into the mystery. The mystery had several suspects and there was good misdirection. I was able to identify the killer early in the story, but it took longer to find out why this person killed Mr. Moss. The mystery had some intriguing elements (I would say more but I do not want to spoil it for you). I would like to have a little more action in the next book in the series. The life lesson about not being able to change the past and not to dwell on it is a good addition to the book. It is one many people struggle with daily (myself included). I am giving Who Moved My Goat Cheese? 4 out of 5 stars. I will be reading Killer Green Tomatoes when it comes out. Who Moved My Goat Cheese? is a feel-good cozy mystery that readers of Lynn Cahoon and cozy mysteries will enjoy.
