Pies and Prejudice This Month's Cozy Mystery Book Club

 

I really, really enjoyed Ellery Adams' Secret, Book and Scone society. This series is an earlier series by the same author, Pies and Prejudice is the first book in that series. I picked up this book to read because it's the January 2023 selection for the Cozy Mystery Book Club. 

On Tuesday, January 31st, you can watch the live stream where Angela and Ben will talk about the book and all of us Cozy Mystery Book Club in the comments where we chat and share our thoughts and hot takes on the cozy of the month-- 

I listened to the audio version of this book. I stumbled a little in my listening because a few southern accents seemed very over the top to me, I don't know if that was on purpose or not.  The mystery and the whodoneit of this book are good.  The pie-baking talk is nice and if you enjoy a slueth who actively tries to figure out the murder, this book fits that bill. 

The book includes a high school nemesis and for me, that is a trope I don't enjoy.  Our MC has moved back to Georgia after she catches her husband of 7-years cheating. She was in New York City during her marriage and during that time she didn't speak to her mother at all. This really didn't make sense to me throughout the book. She doesn't speak to her mom for 7 ye but comes home with just the clothes on her back and her dog when she catches her husband in flagrant delicato with not one but two women, but her mom redoes a place for her to stay and her mom and her aunts fun a business for her --the Charmed Pie Shoppe. The text for me didn't make it clear why she and her mom wouldn't have spoken. There isn't a big enough riff. 

The book has light magical realism and is pretty standard cozy until the very end. The book ends with reveals that move it from magical realism to contemporary fantasy. Depending on how large a part magical beings play in book two, this may or may not appeal to you. Will I read the next book in this series?  First I need to read the rest of the books in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series because I loved the first book and want to return to Miracle Springs, NC. Once I have caught up on that series, I plan to check out the synopses for the second book in this series in order to decide if it's a book I'd enjoy or if I should check out Ellery Adams other series. 

3 Stars for Pies and Prejudice and 5 stars for writer Ellery Adams. 

Mango, Mambo and Murder By Raquel V. Reyes

 

A new book series by Raquel V. Reyes! Raquel did a wonderful job of putting together a very entertaining cozy mystery with just the right amount of mouth-watering food talk.  What makes this book different than many cozies is that Miram is the mom of a toddler. Usually, our sleuths are single and in their 20s or they may have older or grown kids. I enjoyed reading Miriam and Manny's daily interactions.

As a fan of the show Veronica Mars (but not the reboot) I really enjoyed Detective Pullman referring to Miriam as Veronica Mars, he is right, she inserts herself into the investigation, asks uncomfortable questions, and then puts herself in danger. Yes, she is a Veronica Mars!  I loved that Miriam has a best friend with a voice of reason. Hopefully, Miriam will listen to Alma from time to time so she doesn't get herself hurt in future stories! 

I greatly enjoyed the subplot where Miriam is able to share her knowledge as a food anthropologist via a youtube show.  Now that leads me to wonder since she is getting recognized by strangers by the end of this book--will that affect how she is able to sleuth in future books?  It could be used as a way she can get information from people or into places she wouldn't be able to get into otherwise, but it also means people will notice her more.  What a fun development, I am really looking forward to seeing where Raquel V. Reyes takes us next. 

My last comment, I really, really hope that moving forward the series doesn't have drama between Miriam and Robert.  I would like her marriage to be solid so she has that safe place to fall back to whenever future murder investigations stress her out.

As you can tell, I found this book to be very engaging, I enjoyed meeting Miriam, and reading her adventure as well as all the cooking scenes. I'm ready to read book two today! 

5 Stars to Mango, Mambo and Murder

#NetGalley #MangoMamboandMurder 

#TheSundayPost My Belated Mother's Day!

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.  See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Last Sunday we celebrated Oldest Son's birthday with his favorite pizza, so I opted to request any Mother's Day celebration for me to be moved this Sunday. Since I recently went to Love's Sweet Arrow and purchased a nice stack of books for myself, I don't really need any presents for Mother's Day.  Instead, I'm expecting my family to put up my pool. 

 I was planning to get a pool last summer to celebrate being done with cancer treatment and the momentous occasion of being alive for half a century; however, the global pandemic caused a run on pop-up pools and also ruined my plans to have old lady backyard pool parties. 

I bought a pool and all the supplies necessary for it, about five minutes after President Biden signed the stimulus bill and now tomorrow is the day my wonderful family can get that pool set up!  The forecast is calling for temperature in the 80s later this week...and I can't wait to float in my pool with a book in my hand! 

How are things by you?  I hope you had a good week! Comment below and share any fun summer plans you have coming up! 

What I'll be reviewing this week: