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.
Simmering with Resentment: A Cookbook Nook Mystery
Cozy Mystery
11th in Series
Setting – California
Beyond the Page Publishing (April 26, 2022)
Paperback : 263 pages
ISBN-10 : 1954717911
ISBN-13 : 978-1954717916
Kindle ASIN : B09VQY4KHR
With Bride’s Dream Expo in town, it’s all things wedding in Crystal Cove, including at the Cookbook Nook, where owner Jenna Hart is preparing for her own wedding in just a few short weeks. But there’s a dark cloud hanging over the festive mood by the name of Sarita Strachline, a woman Jenna helped convict of arson who is now out of jail and bent on revenge. And when Jenna and Rhett’s intimate prenuptial dinner is rocked by an explosion that nearly takes Rhett’s life, Jenna can’t help but think Sarita is to blame.
Desperate to prove Sarita’s guilt but consumed by worries over Rhett’s condition, Jenna reluctantly lays her case out for the police and leaves the investigation in their methodical hands. Still, she can’t help piecing together the clues, and as the evidence begins to mount, Jenna realizes that revenge may be a dish best served cold, but she can cook up a scheme of her own to bring the culprit to justice—she just has to hope it doesn’t blow up in her face . . .
Includes mouthwatering recipes!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Jenna and Rhett’s big day is almost here but Sarita Strachline is back in Crystal Cove looking for revenge. Jenna helped seal her conviction for arson, a crime she tried to blame on Rhett. When Rhett and Jenna try to have a cozy dinner by themselves it is blown up literally landing Rhett in the hospital. They are convinced Sarita is responsible for the explosive act.
Worried about Rhett and trying to keep all the wedding arrangements on track Jenna agrees to leave the investigation to the police. Then her prime suspect meets her demise. Much to the dismay of Police Chief Cinnamon Pritchard Jenna jumps into the investigation and puts a target on her back. Will Jenna live long enough to say “I do” or has her luck finally run out?
I have been excited about Jenna and Rhett’s nuptials before they even got engaged and was excited that this was the book where it would finally take place. They are so in love and that radiates whenever they are together. They are surrounded by a great cast of supporting characters. Jenna’s Aunt Vera is always my favorite but every character within these pages is well developed and continues to grow as the story continues. They are engaging and diverse and every reader can find someone to identify with.
The author puts forth a complicated mystery. A mystery her protagonist really tries not to get involved in but it is clear her insight is needed. There were more suspects than I anticipated at first and I really enjoyed all the twists and turns and following all of the clues. I had an inkling who the guilty party was but I was wrong and very surprised when all was revealed and a little sad too.
I did enjoy the subplots about the weddings and some kittens left at the firehouse. Kittens are always fun and Wedding Planner Extraordinaire Harmony Bold was great. She kept Jenna calm through all things wedding related including some “mini snafu”s.
Ms. Gerber does a fabulous job of setting a scene making it so easy to visualize each place, everything that is happening, what people are wearing, and the food they are eating. Oh, the food. Do not read any of Daryl Wood Gerber‘s books with an empty stomach. The food descriptions will have you craving every bite of food discussed. For this book, I would recommend flipping to the back of the book to find the recipe for Banana Mocha Cupcakes and baking them up before you start reading the story. That way when the cravings start you will have some tasty treats to enjoy while trying to solve this Cookbook Nook Mystery.
Simmering with Resentment
As always I recommend reading the series from the start for maximum enjoyment but this story can be read on its own as well.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Agatha Award–winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, the Cheese Shop Mysteries (as Avery Aames), the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense, and two other stand-alone suspense thrillers. Little known facts about Daryl are that she’s jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, has hitchhiked around Ireland by herself, and has appeared on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She loves to read, cook, and golf, and has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
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Simmering with Resentment!
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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.”
