New in the national bestselling series— Magdalena Yoder solves a case of hotcake homicide.
During a church breakfast, Minerva J. Jay,... read full description
During a church breakfast, Minerva J. Jay,... read full description
reviews
Oct 24, 2009
Kay
rated it: 
Yes, people really do think Magdalena Yoder is nuts - and I was beginning to wonder about that myself. But a character has an insight that Magdalena uses this as a cover to throw people off. I find it fascinating, after reading the 17 books in this series in less than a year's time, to see how the character has morphed over time. I don't know if all of the changes have been intentional on the author's part - or whether Magdalena has led Tamar Myers along the road. I've learned that many auth
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Jun 30, 2009
Jan
rated it: 
This light hearted comedic mystery was just what I needed. Unfortunately, I began with #17 as opposed to #1 but it was semi-easy to follow. Magdalena is a Pennsylvania Dutch B&B owner, semi-married to a Jewish doctor who recently stopped living with his mother. Magdalena is also 8.5 months pregnant (at the age of 48) is the mayor of the little Mennonite community she resides in and regularly gets involved in homicides. Unlike Diana Mott Davidson, the recipes included in this book are not pre
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Jan 30, 2010
Erin
rated it: 
I've been reading this series for years, and I'm completely torn about how I feel about the books now. I love that Magdalena has changed and grown, but the books are becoming more and more caricature. I almost feel like the author annoys herself while she's writing, makes jokes about what annoys her, but continues the series because she feels like she has to resolve any loose ends of the series. The mystery is secondary to parading Magdalena through Hernia and seeing what will come out of her mo
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Nov 06, 2011
Chloe
rated it:
Batter off Dead
Author: Tamar Myers
Date Published: February, 2009
Genre: Mystery
Report by: Chloe Backman
Batter off Dead is a mystery about how a women, named Minerva J. Jay was killed. The protagonist, Magdalena, is trying to figure out how she died. She knows the Minerva was killed at a pancake breakfast at the church in their small town called Beechy Grove. Minerva had a big appetite and ate a lot of pancakes. After eating them, she died. Nobody seemed More...
Author: Tamar Myers
Date Published: February, 2009
Genre: Mystery
Report by: Chloe Backman
Batter off Dead is a mystery about how a women, named Minerva J. Jay was killed. The protagonist, Magdalena, is trying to figure out how she died. She knows the Minerva was killed at a pancake breakfast at the church in their small town called Beechy Grove. Minerva had a big appetite and ate a lot of pancakes. After eating them, she died. Nobody seemed More...
Aug 26, 2009
Kelsey
rated it:
I was at the library with the intent of getting some books for my recent vacation to the Oregon Coast. However, instead of being able to browse, I was forced to grab the first couple decent looking books my eyes fell on because of the two screaming kids I had in tow. Fun times. While the corniness of this book's title was a bit off-putting, it turned out to be the funniest mystery I have ever read! It was witty and engaging--my husband often heard me giggling or laughing out-right. Magdalena Yod
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Jan 01, 2010
Mascanlon
rated it: 
Well I stopped reading this Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries a few years ago. The stories where so ridiculous (someone died in a barrel of sauerkraut in the last one I read) and the main character constant speech just plain annoying. I know they are meant to be spoofs but they are just not my cup of tea. I was at the library and looking at new mysteries and saw this new one. I decided to give them another try...bad idea. I still dislike them although I do enjoy the author's Den of Antiquity se
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Feb 10, 2009
Susan
rated it:
Innkeeper Magdalena Yoder-Rosen is almost ready to have her first baby (at the age of 48!) but is helping out at the Beechy Grove Mennonite Church Men's Brotherhood pancake breakfast. When the gluttonous, unpleasant Minerva J. Jay falls dead at her feet, Magdalena has no idea that Minerva was murdered. And by the time she finds out, she's already giving birth. The investigation pauses until Magdalena is ready to jump back in action, but once she does she soon tracks down a killer.
Jul 18, 2009
Mommalovesbaby
rated it:
Another funny book to add to the series. Tamar delivers again!
I can understand some reviewers not being thrilled with this book if they haven't read any others in the series. The main character definitely evolves and develops through the series.
However, Tamar Myers always delivers up yummy recipes and a good juicy murder. I love her writing style and her quick easy reads!
I can understand some reviewers not being thrilled with this book if they haven't read any others in the series. The main character definitely evolves and develops through the series.
However, Tamar Myers always delivers up yummy recipes and a good juicy murder. I love her writing style and her quick easy reads!
Apr 03, 2011
Kwoomac
rated it:
I disliked this book so much that I couldn't finish it. I can only say that of a handful of books in my life ! Over the top corny, annoying main character, completely unbelievable situations and characters. This is the 17th in a series about a Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite woman who is frequently involved in solving murders. Murder She Wrote without the charm.
Jan 07, 2010
Francine
rated it:
I love Tamar Myer's books but I found this one to be a bit over-the-top with silliness. It took away from the story. There's always been humour with Ms. Myer's books, one of the things that I love about them, but this one took it a bit too far. I hope the next one is toned down a bit as the character, one I used to love, is becoming irritating.
Feb 10, 2009
Carol
rated it:
A fun read. Magdalena is indeed a hoot. I admit I had some trouble keeping track of all the characters, though. ("George - let's see, he's the one who...?") And the number of times that Magdalena comments on writing style/criticism - the amount of "wailing", for example - is a bit much this time.
Jul 31, 2009
Jeanne
rated it:
Sorry, but the title was a lot more intriguing than the book. I liked the character of the Mennonite private detective/mayor/new mother, but the storyline (for a mystery) was silly and frankly, boring. Don't think I would read another one of her novels.
May 16, 2011
Virginia
rated it:
Didn't think too much of this book. It seemed the words used were the main focus of the book. The story was lacking and two references to Mormons were not true and not in keeping with what I think the Mennonites would really think about other religions.
Aug 06, 2011
Jenni
rated it:
I like Diane Mott Davidson's books better than these. I do like the "cooking" premise and usually get these because of the recipes. This one had lots of pancake recipes. I read about 1/2 and then thumbed through the rest.
Apr 26, 2010
Laurie
rated it:
I probably shouldn't have jumped into a series at #17, but I was on vacation, I saw it at the independent bookstore, it looked entertaining...eh. Don't think I'll read the others in the series; I found the main character/narrator too over-the-top.
Jun 17, 2011
Lynn
rated it: 
A cozy Yoder mystery. What can I say it has it all: people falling dead into their pancakes, Amish/Mennonites,crazy relatives and a very pregnant amateur detective.
Mar 13, 2009
Mardi
rated it:
Kitchy and light...just what I expected from Tamar Myers. A really quick read with no deep thought required...just what I was looking for the past few days!
Aug 18, 2009
Kitty Tomlinson
rated it:
Magdelena Yoder, eight months pregnant, helps solve the murder of Minerva J. Jay, who drops dead at an all-you-can-eat church breakfast.
Sep 20, 2011
Shawna
rated it:
I love Myers sense of humor. However, the constant mention of religion was a turn off. the recipies were a nice addition.
Aug 07, 2009
Tammy
rated it:
The Magdalena Yoder books are a little cheesy, but I really like the characters, and the ending to this one was really cute :)
Jun 05, 2010
Mailis
rated it:
The wordplay gets repetitive and tiresome after a while, even if there are some ingenious jokes to find there.
Mar 23, 2009
Susan
rated it:
Magdalena has solved another murder. I love the way she goes about solving her crimes. She is witty and sticks to her guns. I love reading the series on her.
Feb 28, 2011
Silentchef
rated it:
Funny, fast, murder mystery read. Nothing to write home to mom about, oh yeah, mom gave me the book.
Jul 15, 2009
Janice
rated it:
This was the first book I've read in this series - and it was the last too. Hands down the worst book I've read - maybe ever? Why did I finish it? I was away from home and it was the only book with me.
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Jul 21, 2009
Robin
rated it:
A woman murdered at a pancake breakfast - not my favorite - seemed to drag...
Aug 25, 2010
Deneen
rated it:
Okay book, the series is getting stale and the character is starting to annoy me. Too far fetched this time. I have the #18 in the series here, but am not sure if I'm even going to read it.
Apr 16, 2009
Susan
rated it:
Dependably entertaining as all Tamar Myers works are. I didn't really care for the political jabs--don't think they add anything to the story--but overall loved reading about the next phase of Magdalena Portulaca's life with Gabe the Babe (and the baby!).
Mar 22, 2009
Kristina
rated it:
I had been tired of the Tamar Myers books but found this one to be quite good again. For some reason, the Magdalena Yoder character can get on my nerves after a while. In this one, she has just given birth and is dealing with new motherhood, marital issues and the death of an arch rival at the church pancake breakfast.
