This was my first book by Debra Sennefelder, quite a fun book it was with the entire picture of the murderer falling into place during cooking!
Hope, our main lead and a full time food blogger with agent and sponsor deals, enrolled herself in local photographer Cal’s class whose wife had disappeared. Meanwhile, neighbor Peggy’s house was set on fire and an extra body was found along with Peggy in the burnt house. Whose body was that? And why had the person been killed? Hope investigates… Not really sure if the cops were good investigators as there were no revelations from them.
There were references to Hope’s previous stints in the field of publishing and participating in a reality show, but it didn’t have anything to do with the present murder. Hence the book was easy to follow. I liked Hope’s sleuthing, she was quite a busybody and was shocked if people threatened her back when she accused them of murder. Imagine that!!
Hope’s relationships with her sister, her dog, local sheriff whom she wanted to date, her best friend and journalist Drew all were endearing. Small town politics was well shown, everyone had their quirks and apparently long memories. She made many enemies, but that was part of the game. It was quite enlightening to see fellow food bloggers feeling competitive with her, one did go a bit too far.
One of my strongest niggle, she seemed attracted to every man; Cal caused tingles when he kissed her, being with Ethan caused her heart to beat fast, and there was a lawyer whom she found attractive on a date, and he turned out to be gay… Sighhh
Overall, a good read with some hop, skip, and jumping over some parts.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Kensington, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Have you read books from this author? What would you recommend?
Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and, as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person. Born and raised in New York City, she now lives in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre‑hospital care, retail, and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled shih‑tzus, Susie and Billy. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America.
When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn’t even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.
But it turns out she wasn’t alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . .
Publication Date: 26th March 2019
Publisher: Kensington
26 Responses
The cover is so nice and cheerful, didn’t expect to read about corpses!
Hahaha it is a cozy mystery… There is always murder in such books… 😂
Very amusing indeed *chuckles*
😂😂I am glad you got it.. She was funny expecting people to like her accusations 😂😂
I know 😂😂😂😂
Sounds like a light and easy read for a day’s distraction
True that. It was a fun read… She accused everyone and then huffed when they puffed 😂😂
I rarely read cosy mysteries, so this wouldn’t be for me.
I have to stop them… I only eat while reading them ughhh… My jeans don’t fit ❤️
Good review Shalini. I did not read this one yet, I did at to my list on Amazon but I have not had time to even read. I am going to be in deep (you know what) if I don’t get busy reading. I have a review tour coming up too soon. But man I have been busy doing everything else, promoting blitz, cover reveals, etc. I also promote on Instagram too and that shit is time consuming UGH 😳 I am going to pull my hair out here soon 🤣 Have a fab weekend love ❤
Haha thank you so much Jody…. Ooooh you are hot and happening, all over the social media
What review tour are you in?
I love the contrast of a happy and shiny sunny kitchen with such a title!
I loved the cover… Now gotta stop with the cozies… They are fattening. I eat when I read them… On a strict diet no baked goods
Haha. Sounds cute.
So you’re back to taking chance on the cozies? What did this one have you snacking on?
I need to fit into my favorite jeans, it doesn’t go up my thighs.. Hot sweaty sex is not on the cards now darlin so now it is hot sweaty walks for the next 2 months.
Can you believe I have chocolates at home? Asked sis to buy me some… Sheesh… I don’t like chocolates, I feel weird after eating them yet I eat while reading cozies… Weird cravings and no before you ask me, I am not pregs 😂😂
Hahahahaha
Sadly I understand what you mean about food cravings when reading cozies. There’s always something I want to eat after.
*shaking head* nooo I am doomed… I have 3 for this month. And I want to start on Erin’s book too *looking at shaking hips* stop shaking now
Oooh and I can say for sure there’s lots of cake in Erin’s 🤨😂
Really? There is cake? I don’t like cake… But I may just pop next doors to buy one.. 3 new cake shops in the neighborhood 🙈
That’s tough… delicious… but tough 🤣❤️😘
Wonderful review, Shalini! Your niggle made me laugh. Falling head over heels for every guy, that’s funny. 😛
Hahaha shhh only I found that niggle… Everyone has loved the book 🤷🏻♀️
Hope seems like one hell of a fun character, am already in love with her! And that cover is so cuuuute
haha Hope sounds so funny with her accusations and all these men she was attracted to 😀 Glad you enjoyed reading this one, Shalini.