On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Irish Stewed (An Ethnic Eats Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Ohio
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
Release Date – May 3, 2016
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425274880
Kindle ASIN: B013Q70CVK
After flopping as a personal chef to a Hollywood movie star, jobless Laurel Inwood finds herself humbled in Hubbard, Ohio, helping her aunt Sophie run her restaurant. Much to Laurel’s dismay, Sophie’s Terminal at the Tracks is not the cozy bistro her aunt would have had her believe—it’s a run-down greasy spoon in an old railroad station. To save the dingy diner, Laurel cooks up a plan to feature alternating ethnic cuisine as specials.
But first, there’s the problem of the body in the booth. Slumped over a table with a receipt spike in his back is Jack Lancer—“the Lance of Justice”—an investigative reporter for local TV news. Assisted by the drop-dead gorgeous owner of the neighboring Irish store—who may or may not be a suspect—Laurel sets out to track down a killer who had no reservations about impaling a newshound. But as she turns up the heat, will she end up in the soup herself?
INCLUDES RECIPES
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Laurel Inwood arrives in Hubbard, Ohio to find two surprises.
- Her aunt Sophie’s restaurant is in nowhere close to what she expected – more greasy spoon – less cozy bistro cafe.
- There is a dead body in a booth with a receipt spike stuck in his back.
What can Laurel do? her “aunt” is having surgery tomorrow and needs Laurel to run the restaurant. Maybe she can make a few “minor” changes. . . but how will business really be after someone was murdered there? She has a prime suspect in mind but can that handsome man really be a murderer. He also wants to help her track down the killer. She doesn’t trust him but he knows the residents of Hubbard better than she does. She may need the Luck of the Irish to get her out of this mess. Save the restaurant and find the killer . . . maybe Hollywood wasn’t that bad.
Reading this book was a delightful way to spend my Saturday. It brought back memories of my mother’s restaurant and the one she worked at while I was growing up. The later was called “the greasy spoon” by everyone. It is always hard to keep businesses like this thriving especially today with so many options. I loved Laurel’s idea and loved that she started her ethic eats concept with Irish comfort foods.
Laurel is smart and can cook virtually anything. She is given a recipe for Irish Stew and she takes it and runs with it. Her upbringing as a foster child gives her an interesting way to look at life and the relationships she makes. Laurel holds nothing back when she confronts her aunt about her deception about Sophie’s Terminal at the Tracks and that she may not be sticking around. She is a tough cookie on the outside and in this first story in this series, just a little bit of the softer inside begins to show. There is a potential for a lot of character growth and I want to get to know her better and Sophia too.
Laurel’s relationship with Declan, the hunky manager of The Irish Shop, is pretty complex. There is romantic tension, but she doesn’t trust him, and their arguments were very couple-ish. He also has a wonderful family that accepted Laurel immediately.
The man who was murdered Jack Lancer—“the Lance of Justice” was a local reporter that appeared to be loved by everyone, until Laural started really digging into his life and the stories he featured. I really enjoyed this way this progressed throughout the book. There were so many surprises in addition to a few twists that kept my eyes riveted to the page.
This series is off to a terrific start. Well-written, nicely plotted and characters I want to know better. I am looking forward to reading French Fried
You can find out about Kylie Logan and her books on her website here.
Coming July 3, 2018
I am giving away my review copy!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
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Contest Will End March 16, 2018, at 11:59 PM CST
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Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
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.”
Thank you for your review on “Irish Stewed” by Kylie Logan which has me putting this book on my TBR list.
Appreciate the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thanks for this lovely feature and giveaway.
I don’t know how I’ve missed the start of this series Thanks for the chance to win it now.
This is a new series to me. I really enjoyed the description of the book and I’m looking forward to reading the book.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Irish Stewed”!
wfnren at aol dot com
This sounds fabulous–I can’t wait to read it!
A diner and recipes! Love those greasy spoon restaurants!
I have this pre-ordered but would still love to win a copy. That way I have a copy to give to my friend and the library too
Sounds like a great read. I am entering for the copy!
Thanks for the giveaway
I just started her League of Literary Ladies series. I bet I’ll enjoy this series, too.