Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery) by Debra H. Goldstein #Review / #Giveaway Great Escapes Book Tour @KensingtonBooks

Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
by Debra H. Goldstein

About Four Cuts Too Many

Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Alabama
Publisher: Kensington (May 25, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1496732219
ISBN-13: 978-1496732217
Digital ASIN: B08GY52GS6

Sarah Blair gets an education in slicing and dicing when someone in culinary school serves up a main corpse in Wheaton, Alabama . . .

 

Between working as a law firm receptionist, reluctantly pitching in as co-owner of her twin sister’s restaurant, and caretaking for her regal Siamese RahRah and rescue dog Fluffy, Sarah has no time to enjoy life’s finer things. Divorced and sort-of dating, she’s considering going back to school. But as a somewhat competent sleuth, Sarah’s more suited for criminal justice than learning how many ways she can burn a meal.

 

Although she wouldn’t mind learning some knife skills from her sous chef, Grace Winston. An adjunct instructor who teaches cutlery expertise in cooking college, Grace is considering accepting an executive chef’s position offered by Jane Clark, Sarah’s business rival—and her late ex-husband’s lover. But Grace’s future lands in hot water when the school’s director is found dead with one of her knives in his back. To clear her friend’s name, Sarah must sharpen her own skills at uncovering an elusive killer . . .

 

Includes quick and easy recipes!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Southwind’s sous chef Grace Winston is teaching a class on knives as part of the culinary program at the local college. The first class is going well until the program’s director interrupts the class leading to Grace getting hurt. The director and Grace have an argument heard by many witnesses until she walks out to meet Sarah and cool down. When Grace and Sarah return to the classroom to clean up and ready the room for the next instructor they are barred from the room. Inside the program director is dead and one of Grace’s knives is the murder weapon. Sarah immediately calls her boss to come to represent Grace and she sharpens her senses to learn what all the gawkers in the hallway are saying. She is going to need all the information she can get to clear her friend’s name and cut through every clue to catch the real killer.

So much happens within the pages of this book it is virtually impossible to put down. In addition to Sarah working her day job at Harlan’s legal office, walking dogs at the local animal shelter, and helping to organize their fundraisers, she helps out at the restaurants she owns with her twin sister, fends off whatever plans her nemesis and business rival, Jane Clark has to steal business from Southwinds, has dinner with at least once a week with her mother and her gentleman friend, tries to have a personal life that may include a date or two and still have time to spend with her rescue dog, Fluffy and Siamese cat RahRah. Add to that a murder investigation and maybe some college classes. I wish I had half her energy.

The character interactions and development are what draws me into these stories. Everything feels true to life and the dialogues are realistic. I was especially taken with Harlen this time and his selflessness, he has a huge heart.  I love the way the pets are presented in the story. They have real personalities and are important in the scenes.

The murder mystery is seamlessly blended with a variety of subplots. I was surprised by the number of suspects that were brought to light. Many were not even on my radar and I did not have anyone pinned down before Sarah revealed all. Her quest to prove her theory was dangerous and exciting to read. Some things really surprised me as the story was brought to a close.

Four Cuts Too Many is a Great Escape and wonderful addition to this character-driven series. The author crafted a clever whodunit that kept me guessing until the very end. I am very curious about where she plans to take her characters next. She never disappoints so I am excited for Five _______ Too Many.

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About Debra H. Goldstein

Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award-winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer finalists. Debra serves on the national boards of Mystery Writers of America and is president of SEMWA. She previously was on Sisters in Crime’s national board and president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter.

Author Links

Website    Blog    Facebook    Linked In

Twitter @DebraHGoldstein    GoodReads   BookBub

Purchase Links:

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound – 

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Great Escapes Praise for Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
by Debra H. Goldstein

Another great character-driven smooth Southern cozy mystery. See if you can beat Sarah to solve the crime!
~Diane Reviews Books

I love this series! Author Debra H. Goldstein gives the reader wonderful characters, plots, and food!
~My Reading Journeys

There are positive relationships, conflicts, twists, and turns, and a surprise reveal of the killer. I really liked the relationship of Wanda with Kait and the way Kait’s mild dementia was handled.
~Christa Reads and Writes

FOUR CUTS TOO MANY is a delicious mystery dealing with ambition and greed delectable for both foodies and those inept, or at least not too adept, in the kitchen.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

Sarah is back and just and as fun as ever . . . a satisfying ending that will leave the reader happy. Makes for a great read for cozy fans. The adorable critters ate just an added bonus.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

I really liked this one and got pulled into the story right away . . . I loved every minute of this mystery.
~Moonlight Rendezvous

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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.”