Cobblered to Death

GIVEAWAY

ROSS, ROSEMARIE
COBBLERED TO DEATH

Out of the frying pan, into the fire...

Courtney Archer is known for hosting the show Cooking with the Farmer's Daughter...despite the fact that she's actually a pediatrician's daughter. Now she's signed on for a role on The American Baking Battle. On this reality show, she can start developing a more authentic image for herself -- and as a bonus, the usual backstabbing and manufactured drama isn't part of the Baking Battle script. But genuine drama is heating up behind the scenes...

During a film shoot in the scenic Pocono Mountains, Courtney has to juggle career commitments like pots on a six-burner stove. Adding to the stress is Mick, a contestant who finds out about her fake farm-girl story. Determined to suceed at her new gig, she whips up a cherry cobbler in a cast-iron fry pan one evening and leaves it out to cool. But the next morning, it's Mick's body that's cooling -- right next to Courtney's pan, now classified as a murder weapon...

My Review:

Woohoo -- a debut cozy mystery series with some unique twists.

First off -- love the baking show backdrop. I've been binge watching The Great British Bake Off and just discovered the Irish version online -- eeeeppp!!! So it was really fun to witness the behind the scenes shenanigans of a similar fictional reality show in this novel. And Ross's comedy show quips are funnier than any I've seen in the real productions. In fact, this author knows how to turn a catchy phrase -- "came up as empty as a dieter's hand in a cookie jar." Lots of fun foodie references which really enhanced the ambiance.

Courtney's caught in a secret that is at odds with her friendly, open personality. The inner turmoil it brings is heightened when a contestant who discovers her secret is murdered hours later. With her cast iron frying pan. Suddenly keeping secrets is the least of her worries because Courtney ends up as a person of interest in the ensuing investigation. So, of course, what's a practical cooking show host to do but turn her hand at sleuthing so she isn't the one led off in handcuffs. :-)

A great cast of intriguing (and sometimes volatile) secondary characters provided lots of scope for this armchair sleuth's active imagination. I love the way Courtney slowly got into her detecting groove and the final showdown was epic! 

While the mystery is solved, the author has left some sub-plots open-ended -- such as the dreaded beginnings of a love triangle -- nooooooooooo!!! A cozy staple, I fear. But she's also done a great job of setting the stage for more deliciously deadly destruction in future books. Can't wait to see what's in store for Courtney next.

I listened to the audible version of this book and enjoyed Callie Beaulieu's narration. Great pacing, distinctive character voices and a whole lot of charm.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Cobblered to Death, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 11 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!