Grilling the Subject by Daryl Wood Gerber
Whenever I write, I get hungry. That’s because I write books about food like the Cookbook Nook Mysteries
Right now, mid-summer, I love a barbecue, which is perfect, seeing as I’m pitching GRILLING THE SUBJECT
Enjoy.
COWBOY BURGERS WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
(Makes 6-8 burgers)
1 sweet yellow onion
¾ cup (6-8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese (plus more to adorn burger)
4 tablespoons mixed herbs *
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 pounds hamburger (15-20% lean)
Prepare barbecue to a medium-high heat.
Peel and chop onion into small bits.
Shred 6-8 ounces of cheddar cheese.
Mix together your favorite herbs. [Suggestion: 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 1 tablespoon dried parsley.] Add salt and pepper.
In medium bowl, mix hamburger, onion, cheese and spices. Mold the mixture into 6-8 thick patties. NEAT TRICK: Put a thumbprint dent in the middle of each patty so that the juices collect there when you grill them.
Cook the burgers approximately 4 minutes on each side. Flip again and cook 2 minutes for medium rare.
Adorn burgers with extra cheese. Serve with or without a bun.
Grilling the Subject (A Cookbook Nook Mystery) 
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – California
Berkley (August 2, 2016)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425279410
E-Book ASIN: B017SCQLSW
Things heat up for bookstore owner Jenna Hart in the latest Cookbook Nook mystery from the Agatha Award-winning author of Fudging the Books.
As the Wild West Extravaganza rides into Crystal Cove, California, Cookbook Nook store owner Jenna Hart is ready to indulge her appetite for grilled and barbecued treats and maybe even try the Texas skip. But when the body of one of her father’s neighbors is found the next morning smoldering in a bonfire, the rodeo revelry is extinguished.
Sylvia Gump had acquired plenty of enemies with her practice of illegally encroaching on her neighbors’ properties—including Jenna’s dad, who was off fishing by himself and has no alibi for the murder. Now it’s up to Cary Hart’s dutiful daughter to clear his name before the real killer turns up the heat and rakes someone else over the coals…
INCLUDES RECIPES
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Welcome to Crystal Cove! Just in time for the Wild West Extravaganza! Jenna is excited about all the tourists arriving and the new people coming into the Cookbook Nook. But grilling isn’t only happening at the festival. Sylvia Gump has been found dead in a bonfire on property shared with her neighbors. Including Jenna’s dad! He was seen in the area and is the prime suspect. Jenna is burning around town trying to prove what everybody knows, that he is no killer! She intends to grill anyone that could have killed the woman. Lord knows she had plenty of enemies!
Another spectacular addition to this series!
Daryl Wood Gerber creates such wonderful characters. They are fun, engaging and so entertaining. I love the way the couples are evolving but this time a surprise visitor to Crystal Cove could throw a huge twist into one of the relationships. I don’t want to spoil anything but the author had my emotions running out of control from mad to sad, and everywhere in between. I even had to reach for a tissue. To me that is the test of a great story. It is more than following the clues and figuring out the guilty party. If the story really makes you feel something, it is a story that will hold you beyond the final page. It is for this reason I recommend this series be read in order. You need to see how everything began.
That being said the mystery part of this story is well written and plotted as well. So many suspects and so many people withholding bits and pieces of the truth. As the pages continued I thought “Are we ever going to pin the right person down?” Then there was the “aha moment” and I realized I had missed some key clues. This author is a master at doing that to me. I hone on something so interesting that I forget to keep track of the details.
One part of this book that I really enjoyed is the location and not just sunny California. Jenna’s father and his neighbors all own a small piece of property that connects their lots. It is a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company. Sadly Sylvia Gump didn’t realize what a treasure this was and abused it terribly. Others also didn’t appreciate it fully either. This is a fantastic idea and I wish more communities would have places like this. In the days when everyone want to put up fences and walls it is refreshing to have community places like this. Years ago I lived in a place where there was a park complete with playground equipment where the neighbors would congregate while their children played, even having cookouts and picnics. What a great way to build a true friendships both for the adults and the kids.
I loved everything about this story! The worst part is now waiting for the next book in the series. Write fast Daryl!! I can hardly wait!!
Praise for Grilling The Subject
GRILLING THE SUBJECT is another fabulous installment of this great series. A fun, fast, intriguing read.
~Lisa K’s Book Reviews
So many suspects. It seems like when Jenny clears someone from her list, something else pops up and they’re back on it. Not an easy one to solve, which keeps Jenny hopping and those pages turning.
~ FUONLYKNEW
GRILLING THE SUBJECT is a book about the past, choices and changes made and the impact on today. It’s also a book about loyalty, perseverance, and pushing through.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
The characters are really what makes this book (and this series) stand out for me. Ms. Gerber has a talent for creating believable characters who are easy to like…and believable characters who are easy to dislike (so you don’t mind finding them at the wrong end of a murder).
~Brooke Blogs
Grilling the Subject is delicious read – perfect for an end of summer read (well, perfect any time for those who enjoy a good mystery.) I always enjoy visiting Crystal Cove and catching up with Jenna, Rhett, Bailey, Aunt Vera and the other residents.
~Booklady’s Booknotes
About This Author
Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author DARYL WOOD GERBER
Author Links
Visit Daryl or Avery atwww.darylwoodgerber.com.
Daryl’s Blog – Avery’s Blog – Mystery Lover’s Kitchen – Killer Characters –
Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber
Goodreads: Daryl Wood Gerber Avery Aames
Purchase Links
Today Daryl is giving away one copy of your choice of any of her books. Leave a comment and tell me what you like to eat at a barbecue?
Winner will be randomly chosen August 8!
PLUS
Tour Participants
July 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review, Interview, Recipe
July 28 – fuonlyknew – Review, Recipe
July 29 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Recipe
July 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Recipe
July 30 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Recipe
August 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review, Recipe
August 2 – A Holland Reads – Review, Recipe
August 3 – Back Porchervations – Review, Recipe
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I like the sides the most at a BBQ. I can make a meal of corn, beans and salad.
Sandy, I love sides! They are so fun, tasty, and colorful! ~ Daryl
My favorite thing to eat at a barbecue is ribs, potato salad and corn on the cob. Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
Rob, I love corn on the cob. Truly adore it. I tried to “make popcorn” from it the other day, but it didn’t work. You have to have the real corn that pops to make it in the microwave. Not sure where to find that. Saw it on an internet video. ~ Daryl
I enjoy kale salad and salmon.
Sharon, I just had a kale salad that was great. It was mixed with lots of different lettuces and the kale was chopped fine. ~ Daryl
I like burgers and brats, steak, bbq chicken, cedar plank salmon, kabobs…now I’m hungry. Thank you for the chance to win.
Okay, Daniele, now I’m starved! Thanks a lot! LOL ~Daryl
Looking forward to reading this book.
Kim, I’m so glad to hear that. Tell a friend, too. ~ Daryl
Ribs
Elaine, ribs with a sweet dry rub sauce are my favorites. My family likes a gooey tomato-based sauce. ~ Daryl
I love brats and potato sa
Judy, I’m not sure what potato sa is. LOL Okay, I’m a jokester and a mystery writer, I think I can figure it out. I, too, love potato salad. So delicious. ~ Daryl
I love ribs no matter where but bbq ribs are the best and not so pretty when i eat them as i am disabled so hardly any use of the right hand so i hide when i eat . Love them though! ptclayton2@aol.com
Peggy, I would imagine you could eat ribs one-handed. Might be a little tough, but you sound like you have pluck! ~ Daryl
I like to eat hamburgers and hot dogs. Just simple things.
Linda simple is nice. ~ Daryl
I love barbeques, especially ribs with my homemade coleslaw or macaroni salad or barbeques chicken or hamburgers….I just love barbeque anything. And I love books written by our guest author, Daryl Wood Gerber.
Northstarvance, homemade coleslaw can be so good. It stays crisp and you get just the right amount of sweetness, your taste! ~ Daryl
I love burnt ends, BBQ beans & potato salad. Thanks for the chance to win one of your books.
Howard, my husband loved the burnt ends, too. And beans! I make some crazy good baked beans in a slow cooker. ~ Daryl
This looks like a really good read and I love the cover.
Judy Cox
Lady M, thanks! I adore the cover. My artist really nails “Tigger,” the cat. ~ Daryl
I love hamburgers and hot dogs!!
Linda, just your basics. Always good! ~ Daryl
Can’t wait to read “Grilling the Subject”. This is a great series and that cheeseburger looks so good!
Dianne, thank you for the compliment. ~ Daryl
Really like this series and looking forward to reading this newest addition.
Thanks so much, Susan! ~ Daryl
My favorite thing to eat at a barbecue would be ribs, followed by grilled corn! Yum! Looking forward to the new book! Thanks!
Holden, thanks for chiming in! I personally like ribs AND corn. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw
Oh, Rach, you’re a Southern girl, aren’t you? When I lived in Charlotte, that was often the go-to BBQ meal. Tangy deliciousness. ~ Daryl
Can’t beat pork, slaw and baked beans..and I am a Southern girl too…lol…thank you for the giveaway…Happy Release…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Marilyn, that’s a barbecue menu for sure! ~ Daryl