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Soup Lover's Mystery #1
A Spoonful of Murder
Winter is big business in small-town Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the ski slopes--and what could be more satisfying after a chilly day of carving powder than a steaming bowl of soup?
When Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, she realizes it's time to take stock of her life. Should she sell her parents' house or move in herself? Does she really want to run a restaurant business? And what about her grandfather Jack, who seems to be showing signs of Alzheimer's?
But her life decisions are moved to the back burner after an icy blonde tourist is found frozen to death behind the soup shop. and Lucky is bowled over when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is led out of the kitchen by the police. As suspicion and speculations snowball, Lucky decides that the only way to save her employee and her business is to find out herself who iced the tourist--and landed her chef in the soup...
Recipes included!
When Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, she realizes it's time to take stock of her life. Should she sell her parents' house or move in herself? Does she really want to run a restaurant business? And what about her grandfather Jack, who seems to be showing signs of Alzheimer's?
But her life decisions are moved to the back burner after an icy blonde tourist is found frozen to death behind the soup shop. and Lucky is bowled over when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is led out of the kitchen by the police. As suspicion and speculations snowball, Lucky decides that the only way to save her employee and her business is to find out herself who iced the tourist--and landed her chef in the soup...
Recipes included!
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 7, 2012
About the author
Connie Archer
8 books388 followersConnie Archer is the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mystery Series from Berkley Prime Crime: A SPOONFUL OF MURDER, A BROTH OF BETRAYAL, A ROUX OF REVENGE, LADLE TO THE GRAVE and A CLUE IN THE STEW. Connie's excerpts and recipes can also be found in THE COZY COOKBOOK from Penguin Random House and THE MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK. Connie was born and raised in New England. She now lives on the other coast.
Visit her website at http://www.conniearchermysteries.com
FB: www.Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries
Twitter: @SnowflakeVT
Writing as Connie di Marco, she is also the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Suspense Publishing: The Madness of Mercury, All Signs Point to Murder, Tail of the Dragon, Enter a Wizard Stage Left and Serpent's Doom.
Visit her website at http://conniedimarco.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/zodiacmyster...
Twitter: @askzodia
Visit her website at http://www.conniearchermysteries.com
FB: www.Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries
Twitter: @SnowflakeVT
Writing as Connie di Marco, she is also the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Suspense Publishing: The Madness of Mercury, All Signs Point to Murder, Tail of the Dragon, Enter a Wizard Stage Left and Serpent's Doom.
Visit her website at http://conniedimarco.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/zodiacmyster...
Twitter: @askzodia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
July 18, 2012
"A Spoonful of Murder" is a cozy mystery. It started out well, but I stopped enjoying the story once the murder happened.
I did not like spending time with Lucky. She was extremely self-centered. Lucky was upset when people repeated that a murder victim was found in the alley behind her shop because she felt this was ruining her shop's good reputation. Yet basically on the basis of a vague bit of gossip, she accused three men to their face of having an affair with and murdering the victim and also passed her suspicions on to several of their friends--potentially starting rumors that could ruin their careers and marriages. To her, it was wrong for other people to act in certain ways, but it was always fine for her to do so because "she wasn't trying to harm anyone." She lacked the ability to see life from anyone's perspective except her own.
She's also a criminal. She failed to report a breaking and entering in the victim's house that was directly related to the murder and even cleaned up the scene (so the police wouldn't know it happened). She broke into police evidence and looked through it. This is a lot more serious than just snooping around to help the police out, like in most cozy mysteries.
She also kept pushing people to tell her things that they legally shouldn't or which could cause them to lose their jobs if people found out who told her, yet Lucky couldn't seem to keep her mouth shut about these secrets to protect her friends. She seemed to feel that she had more right to investigate than the police, and she never urged people to go to the police with information that she thought was relevant. Yet she thought badly of the police for "not continuing to investigate" (which wasn't true--they did) and not acting on this information that they didn't even know about. They did act on the little she told them.
Lucky was always jumping to conclusions and thought the worst of practically everyone. She didn't strike me as very bright. She worried that Sage would be instantly convicted, yet the only actual evidence was hardly convicting since a witness to an event before the murder threw reasonable doubt on the DNA evidence. This was hardly a shoe-in case.
At the end, several key characters apologized to her, yet Lucky didn't apologize once for her much worse behavior. And everything turned out just perfect for her in the end. Talk about no consequences for your actions.
The research done for this novel also felt very uneven. The policeman guarding the jail cell could quote the exact rules for why Lucky had to sign in and let him see her driver's licence (and having to submit to those rules angered her), yet--after not searching her--he left her alone where she could have handed anything over to the inmate. He did this several times. This never would have happened, even in a small town. Also, evidence in an ongoing case was left unsecure and in a public place, which wouldn't happen. The Chief of Police seemed competant and professional, but even he arrested Sage based only on the fact that Sage knew the victim and had reasons not to like her. Um, actual, solid evidence is required prior to arresting someone.
So, basically, I strongly disliked Lucky for how she treated people and how foolishly she acted, and I didn't feel the mystery element was handled realistically. I even had a hard time remembering that I should try to solve the mystery since I was so distracted by Lucky's behavior. I also didn't find the reason for everyone staying away from the soup shop to be realistic. Half the people would have been in there asking for gossip on Sage, yet everyone reacted the same way.
There was a minor amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this novel.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
I did not like spending time with Lucky. She was extremely self-centered. Lucky was upset when people repeated that a murder victim was found in the alley behind her shop because she felt this was ruining her shop's good reputation. Yet basically on the basis of a vague bit of gossip, she accused three men to their face of having an affair with and murdering the victim and also passed her suspicions on to several of their friends--potentially starting rumors that could ruin their careers and marriages. To her, it was wrong for other people to act in certain ways, but it was always fine for her to do so because "she wasn't trying to harm anyone." She lacked the ability to see life from anyone's perspective except her own.
She's also a criminal. She failed to report a breaking and entering in the victim's house that was directly related to the murder and even cleaned up the scene (so the police wouldn't know it happened). She broke into police evidence and looked through it. This is a lot more serious than just snooping around to help the police out, like in most cozy mysteries.
She also kept pushing people to tell her things that they legally shouldn't or which could cause them to lose their jobs if people found out who told her, yet Lucky couldn't seem to keep her mouth shut about these secrets to protect her friends. She seemed to feel that she had more right to investigate than the police, and she never urged people to go to the police with information that she thought was relevant. Yet she thought badly of the police for "not continuing to investigate" (which wasn't true--they did) and not acting on this information that they didn't even know about. They did act on the little she told them.
Lucky was always jumping to conclusions and thought the worst of practically everyone. She didn't strike me as very bright. She worried that Sage would be instantly convicted, yet the only actual evidence was hardly convicting since a witness to an event before the murder threw reasonable doubt on the DNA evidence. This was hardly a shoe-in case.
At the end, several key characters apologized to her, yet Lucky didn't apologize once for her much worse behavior. And everything turned out just perfect for her in the end. Talk about no consequences for your actions.
The research done for this novel also felt very uneven. The policeman guarding the jail cell could quote the exact rules for why Lucky had to sign in and let him see her driver's licence (and having to submit to those rules angered her), yet--after not searching her--he left her alone where she could have handed anything over to the inmate. He did this several times. This never would have happened, even in a small town. Also, evidence in an ongoing case was left unsecure and in a public place, which wouldn't happen. The Chief of Police seemed competant and professional, but even he arrested Sage based only on the fact that Sage knew the victim and had reasons not to like her. Um, actual, solid evidence is required prior to arresting someone.
So, basically, I strongly disliked Lucky for how she treated people and how foolishly she acted, and I didn't feel the mystery element was handled realistically. I even had a hard time remembering that I should try to solve the mystery since I was so distracted by Lucky's behavior. I also didn't find the reason for everyone staying away from the soup shop to be realistic. Half the people would have been in there asking for gossip on Sage, yet everyone reacted the same way.
There was a minor amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this novel.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
January 16, 2016
Welcome to Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the slopes and stop into By The Spoonful for a nice hot bowl of soup and a sandwich.
Lucky is forced to return from Wisconsin when she inherits the restaurant after an accident claims both her parents. She has a lot of decisions to make about her Grandfather who seems to be developing Alzheimer's, the restaurant, and basically her future.
When a blonde tourist is found behind dead and frozen behind the soup shop and her chef is the number one suspect Lucky needs to re-prioritize. She takes stock of the situation and decides to save her employee and her business she is going to find out "who iced the tourist and landed her chef in the soup, " being careful not become the next victim du jour.
Dollycas's Thoughts
What a "Souper" idea for a cozy mystery series!
Lucky seems to have a very bad run of luck at the moment. While still grieving for her parents and trying to keep the restaurant open, her rock, her grandfather starts to have memory issues. Add to that a murder right behind their shop. Her soup bowl is running over.
With all this drama the author has set a great foundation for this series. We have met the star and recurring characters and they have been left with plenty of room to grow. The setting is ideal. Plenty of tourists to cause plenty of trouble.
This story touched my heart in a couple of ways. Her grandpa Jack reminded me so much of own grandpa. But it was the soup shop that felt like home. My parents owned a cafe in our small town while I was growing up. Many of the staff were family and those that weren't were quickly adopted in. My parents also helped out those that couldn't pay get a hot meal, just like Lucky's parents. The restaurant was their life. They would have stepped up for anyone exactly the way Lucky did for Sage. I thank the author for reigniting some wonderful memories.
The culinary cozies always give me the same problem. I get so hungry while reading them :) The author has included some recipes for us to try as we wait for A Broth of Betrayal that will hit stores April 2, 2013.
Lucky is forced to return from Wisconsin when she inherits the restaurant after an accident claims both her parents. She has a lot of decisions to make about her Grandfather who seems to be developing Alzheimer's, the restaurant, and basically her future.
When a blonde tourist is found behind dead and frozen behind the soup shop and her chef is the number one suspect Lucky needs to re-prioritize. She takes stock of the situation and decides to save her employee and her business she is going to find out "who iced the tourist and landed her chef in the soup, " being careful not become the next victim du jour.
Dollycas's Thoughts
What a "Souper" idea for a cozy mystery series!
Lucky seems to have a very bad run of luck at the moment. While still grieving for her parents and trying to keep the restaurant open, her rock, her grandfather starts to have memory issues. Add to that a murder right behind their shop. Her soup bowl is running over.
With all this drama the author has set a great foundation for this series. We have met the star and recurring characters and they have been left with plenty of room to grow. The setting is ideal. Plenty of tourists to cause plenty of trouble.
This story touched my heart in a couple of ways. Her grandpa Jack reminded me so much of own grandpa. But it was the soup shop that felt like home. My parents owned a cafe in our small town while I was growing up. Many of the staff were family and those that weren't were quickly adopted in. My parents also helped out those that couldn't pay get a hot meal, just like Lucky's parents. The restaurant was their life. They would have stepped up for anyone exactly the way Lucky did for Sage. I thank the author for reigniting some wonderful memories.
The culinary cozies always give me the same problem. I get so hungry while reading them :) The author has included some recipes for us to try as we wait for A Broth of Betrayal that will hit stores April 2, 2013.
September 28, 2012
What is it with editors and publishers these days? Just to make a buck is it? Well the discrepencies are blatant in this novel. The questions as to why Lucky didn't just move into her parents' house are there. Why is she painting the apartment in one chapter and then nothing is said again about that? It is all just filler. I don't like filler. I want a story that flows. This one doesn't. Random conversations draw me out of the story and say "what?" Interviewing "lovers" of the murder victim and getting the same answer: don't tell anyone else. There is nothing to tell! The reader already knows that Patricia Honeywell sleeps around. Move the story along and stop the filler. and having a conversation with Jack days after the facts is ridiculous. If Lucky were a 3 dimensional character with intelligence she would have gone to the police when she was attacked and the house she had been in turned upside down. If she wants to free Sage, why wouldn't she have told the police so suspicion would have been put out there of someone else? I cannot wait to finish this book so Ican read something else with a lot more substance.
Discrepencies. Terrible. And why in the world would a soup servewr know more to investigate than the police? Makes no sense. the apolgiies at the end? Ridiculous. Glad I am done with this book.
Discrepencies. Terrible. And why in the world would a soup servewr know more to investigate than the police? Makes no sense. the apolgiies at the end? Ridiculous. Glad I am done with this book.
February 25, 2017
This cozy was a little different from others I've read. Because of that it made it interesting. Loved the Grandpa! He was a great character.
February 20, 2015
In A SPOONFUL OF MURDER, my first visit to Snowflake, Vermont was a delightful one. You know, with the exception of a dead body. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Lucky Jamieson, her grandfather Jack, the entire staff of By the Spoonful, as well as Dr. Elias Scott and Mayor Elizabeth Dove.
The entire story held my attention and the search for the killer kept me guessing. There were plenty of suspects to go around and so little to know about the victim, that anything was possible.
They were a few typos or mistakes in the writing, but that happens to anyone and should not be held against the author since it goes to so many others to be checked over and approved and they missed it as well. But the story was so interesting and I was invested enough in knowing who the killer was, that those minor glitches didn’t bother me. Maybe because my reviews normally have flaws and I am the self proclaimed queen of typos. We’re all human. It happens.
That being said, true cozy mystery fans will really enjoy this book. The setting, the people, and the storyline are just the reasons why we read cozies in the first place.
I have also read the next two books in the series, A BROTH OF BETRAYAL and A ROUX OF REVENGE and you can find my reviews on their home pages.
The entire story held my attention and the search for the killer kept me guessing. There were plenty of suspects to go around and so little to know about the victim, that anything was possible.
They were a few typos or mistakes in the writing, but that happens to anyone and should not be held against the author since it goes to so many others to be checked over and approved and they missed it as well. But the story was so interesting and I was invested enough in knowing who the killer was, that those minor glitches didn’t bother me. Maybe because my reviews normally have flaws and I am the self proclaimed queen of typos. We’re all human. It happens.
That being said, true cozy mystery fans will really enjoy this book. The setting, the people, and the storyline are just the reasons why we read cozies in the first place.
I have also read the next two books in the series, A BROTH OF BETRAYAL and A ROUX OF REVENGE and you can find my reviews on their home pages.
February 7, 2017
This first book in the Soup Lover's series was the perfect book to read this time of year when the biting wind chills, snow, sleet and ice arrive. I dislike winter but the bright side of it is I love soups and making soups. Therefore, reading about By the Spoonful Soup Shop was an absolute must! I just wish I had read this earlier. I loved the setting of Snowflake, Vermont, a small town located near a ski resort where tourists flock to By the Spoonful. The characters feel authentic and real. The murder mystery was excellent. I had guessed the culprit pretty early on, but throughout the book I had doubts and thought perhaps my prime suspect was a red herring.
I could find little fault with this cozy. The only thing maybe that the MC Lucky Jamieson tended to go off and sleuth on her own, bringing danger to herself. This is pretty common in cozies, so not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed the touch of romance, the closeness to her landlady and grandfather, re-bonding with her childhood friend, and to top it off, no antagonism with the chief of police.
It's rarely I give 5 stars to any books, especially cozies, but I felt this was well-earned. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book very soon.
I could find little fault with this cozy. The only thing maybe that the MC Lucky Jamieson tended to go off and sleuth on her own, bringing danger to herself. This is pretty common in cozies, so not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed the touch of romance, the closeness to her landlady and grandfather, re-bonding with her childhood friend, and to top it off, no antagonism with the chief of police.
It's rarely I give 5 stars to any books, especially cozies, but I felt this was well-earned. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book very soon.
January 1, 2014
Lucky inherits her parents soup shop, By the Spoonful, after they are killed in a car accident. Her grandfather, Jack, still helps run the shop. They have a great soup chef, Sage, who makes the most unique and delicious homemade soups and sandwiches for their customers. When Sage is accused of killing wealthy Patricia Honeywell, a winter visitor at the local ski resort, he's arrested, and Lucky's left without a soup chef. The majority of her customers stop coming to the shop to eat. Fearing bankruptcy, Lucky launches her own investigation into Patricia's murder. As the clues begin to stack up, the missing links began to fall into place as Lucky's moonlighting as a sleuth leads her straight to a killer's doorstep. Steamy as a hot, fresh bowl of soup, you'll feel warm and cozy sorting through the pieces of this excellent cozy mystery!! Believe me, you'll be looking forward to reading the next book in this series!! Relax and enjoy :0)
November 28, 2018
Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents’ restaurant, By the Spoonful, which is popular with both locals and the winter tourists who come for the skiing in Snowflake Vermont. The eatery’s chef does wonders with soup and the business seems to be thriving … until a woman is found frozen behind the soup shop, and chef Sage DuBois is arrested for her murder!
This has all the elements of a successful cozy mystery series: amateur sleuth, lots of mouth-watering dishes mentioned, a colorful cast of characters to help (or hinder) Lucky’s attempts to investigate, and a potential love interest. I particularly liked the way Lucky went about ferreting out information, although she did take some unnecessary chances. But it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery without our heroine in some danger.
I’d be willing to read more of this series. I might even be willing to try one (or more) of the soup recipes.
This has all the elements of a successful cozy mystery series: amateur sleuth, lots of mouth-watering dishes mentioned, a colorful cast of characters to help (or hinder) Lucky’s attempts to investigate, and a potential love interest. I particularly liked the way Lucky went about ferreting out information, although she did take some unnecessary chances. But it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery without our heroine in some danger.
I’d be willing to read more of this series. I might even be willing to try one (or more) of the soup recipes.
April 3, 2021
A Spoonful of Murder, the first book in Connie Archer’s Soup Lover’s Mystery series, envelops you like a warm hug on a winter day. It is a charming cozy mystery with an emotional heart.
The ironically-named Lucky Jamieson returns home to Snowflake, Vermont to run By the Spoonful, the soup shop she inherits following the automobile accident that killed her parents. Her attention is quickly diverted, however, when a tourist is found murdered outside the restaurant and her chef, Sage DuBois, is arrested for the crime. Convinced that she needs her chef to stem the tide of deserting customers and that Sage is innocent, Lucky sets out to solve a murder.
The mystery here, although interesting, is not complicated. The clues are straightforward, the suspects easily sorted through, and the resolution just on the right side of predictable. Yet, what makes this book special are its characters and its heart. I was impressed with the opening pages. The story began with an emotional punch that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The characters, too, came through as charming and, in some cases, unique. The subplot featuring Lucky’s grandfather, Jack, and his potential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was especially touching. There was even a glimmer of romance for Lucky.
All told, A Spoonful of Murder is a solid start to a series with great potential. I look forward to the time when I will return to Snowflake, Vermont to read the next installment of this cozy series.
The ironically-named Lucky Jamieson returns home to Snowflake, Vermont to run By the Spoonful, the soup shop she inherits following the automobile accident that killed her parents. Her attention is quickly diverted, however, when a tourist is found murdered outside the restaurant and her chef, Sage DuBois, is arrested for the crime. Convinced that she needs her chef to stem the tide of deserting customers and that Sage is innocent, Lucky sets out to solve a murder.
The mystery here, although interesting, is not complicated. The clues are straightforward, the suspects easily sorted through, and the resolution just on the right side of predictable. Yet, what makes this book special are its characters and its heart. I was impressed with the opening pages. The story began with an emotional punch that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The characters, too, came through as charming and, in some cases, unique. The subplot featuring Lucky’s grandfather, Jack, and his potential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was especially touching. There was even a glimmer of romance for Lucky.
All told, A Spoonful of Murder is a solid start to a series with great potential. I look forward to the time when I will return to Snowflake, Vermont to read the next installment of this cozy series.
May 18, 2017
Good first book in the series. I liked Lucky and was rooting for her. The mystery was good. The only thing I found unbelievable was how many people stopped coming to the Spoonful after a body was found out back, I can see business dropping off but usually you have some ghouls who want to see the scene of the crime or get the first hand account from people who found the body.
June 18, 2017
As Mrs. Todd tells Hercule Poirot in The Case of the Clapham Cook, "Well, let me tell you, Mr. High-and-Mighty Poirot, a good cook is a good cook. And when you lose one, it's as much to you as pearls are to some fine lady.", so it's no wonder that when the soup master chef of By the Spoonful Soup Shop is arrested for the murder of a wintering socialite, Lucky is motivated to find the real killer.
Lucky was an interesting heroine. I liked her well enough but she was also fairly obnoxious at times. I didn't really take to her general disdain for the police department of Snowflake (consisting of 2 people) nor did I care for her complaining often about gossip when that's basically how she procured all her intel on the murder. She was as much a gossip as anyone and she really had a hard time keeping anyone's confidence. Not good or cute. Still, I rooted for her to exonerate Sage and save her parents' business. I most liked Lucky when she was interacting with her grandfather. I felt the mystery was, for the most part, well done. Lucky pretty much accused half the town and irked them all, before the obvious finally dawned on her, but this was her first case so I can forgive her lack of finesse, absent sharp critical thinking and terrible negotiation skills with emotionally unhinged parties.
I thought the supporting characters were well done, most especially Jack (Lucky's grandfather), Elizabeth (a family friend & also the mayor of Snowflake) and finally, Sage & Remy. Sophie was brusque in a Peppermint Patty way but I hope she gets more characteristics as the series progresses. I don't read cozies for the romance so I didn't much dial in to the Dr Scott thread.
For the life of me I need cozies to stop having business owners who are in dire straits giving away their profits. There were too many instances here of customers offering to pay and Lucky shooing them off. She lamented all the IOUs her parents had collected from people, she was hard pressed for customers after the murder and for the few that came in, she wouldn't take their money. I wanted to throttle her and it really killed my sympathies. Kindness is nice but it doesn't keep you in ingredients or rent. Also, I wondered why her parents decided to have a soup shop when it seemed that no one in the family was a cook or foodie. It felt very random. I kept hoping/expecting that Lucky would find a clutch of beloved recipes from her parents that the shop was built on or something that explained the passion for soup. The recipes the shop is using seem to be Sage originals & nothing was written down so what did these folks do in the years before Sage? Did they always just go with any cook who could make a serviceable soup since they couldn't afford a high end soup master? I have questions. There are recipes at the end of the book but none of them sound as appealing as some of those mentioned in the book. I need to look up recipes for those.
I'm definitely continuing with the series. It was just the thing to read on a sweltering and humid few days.
Lucky was an interesting heroine. I liked her well enough but she was also fairly obnoxious at times. I didn't really take to her general disdain for the police department of Snowflake (consisting of 2 people) nor did I care for her complaining often about gossip when that's basically how she procured all her intel on the murder. She was as much a gossip as anyone and she really had a hard time keeping anyone's confidence. Not good or cute. Still, I rooted for her to exonerate Sage and save her parents' business. I most liked Lucky when she was interacting with her grandfather. I felt the mystery was, for the most part, well done. Lucky pretty much accused half the town and irked them all, before the obvious finally dawned on her, but this was her first case so I can forgive her lack of finesse, absent sharp critical thinking and terrible negotiation skills with emotionally unhinged parties.
I thought the supporting characters were well done, most especially Jack (Lucky's grandfather), Elizabeth (a family friend & also the mayor of Snowflake) and finally, Sage & Remy. Sophie was brusque in a Peppermint Patty way but I hope she gets more characteristics as the series progresses. I don't read cozies for the romance so I didn't much dial in to the Dr Scott thread.
For the life of me I need cozies to stop having business owners who are in dire straits giving away their profits. There were too many instances here of customers offering to pay and Lucky shooing them off. She lamented all the IOUs her parents had collected from people, she was hard pressed for customers after the murder and for the few that came in, she wouldn't take their money. I wanted to throttle her and it really killed my sympathies. Kindness is nice but it doesn't keep you in ingredients or rent. Also, I wondered why her parents decided to have a soup shop when it seemed that no one in the family was a cook or foodie. It felt very random. I kept hoping/expecting that Lucky would find a clutch of beloved recipes from her parents that the shop was built on or something that explained the passion for soup. The recipes the shop is using seem to be Sage originals & nothing was written down so what did these folks do in the years before Sage? Did they always just go with any cook who could make a serviceable soup since they couldn't afford a high end soup master? I have questions. There are recipes at the end of the book but none of them sound as appealing as some of those mentioned in the book. I need to look up recipes for those.
I'm definitely continuing with the series. It was just the thing to read on a sweltering and humid few days.
September 24, 2023
If you're looking for a pick-me-up, then this is the book to pick up.
September 11, 2016
A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer is the first book of the Soup Lover's mystery series set in contemporary Vermont. Lucky returns to her hometown to take over running By the Spoonful, her parents' soup restaurant, following their tragic death in a car accident. Her grandfather Jack is all the family she has, and he may not have much stamina left. When a murder victim is found behind the shop, the shop's chef Sage is jailed by the police. Lucky trusts her parents' judgment and faith in Sage. She has no idea why the police arrested him. Word of the murder gets out quickly, and the locals stop coming to the Spoonful. Lucky will lose the business if she doesn't find the real murderer, so she snoops...bit by bit rounding up clues. She enlists help from a high school friend who wants Sage to get out of jail as much as Lucky does. She follows up on rumors and gossip, to the point she alienates the local doctor, on whom she had a crush in high school.
The book drags on and on, with Lucky collecting evidence and trying -but failing- to interest the police in following up on it. It's not until halfway through the book that Sage finally explains to Lucky why he was arrested. The plot depends entirely upon a well-worn theme: the police have a suspect in jail, so they stop trying to find the true culprit. (A detective following the clues could have solved the mystery in a few days, rather than the weeks it takes Lucky to eventually work it out.) The mystery wraps up abruptly in the last 11 pages, at a fast pace quite different from the flow of the story. I strongly disagree with the conclusion Lucky and the police chief agree upon at the end: a man who committed bodily assault and covered up the murder should go free.
I chose to read the book due to its setting in a soup shop, new to me in a cozy culinary series. I was hoping to read lots of delicious details about soup ingredients and preparation, similar to the wealth of information about specialty coffee provided in Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse cozies. But with their talented chef in jail, soup creation wasn't covered; Lucky and Jack just served previously prepared and frozen soups. Soup was very suitable for the fierce winter storms in the story, especially with the town's location near ski slopes. I wonder about summer...Lucky also served sandwiches; I guess that's what customers order in hot weather.
Includes recipes: Potato-Yam Soup, Wild Mushroom Soup, Tomato Spinach Soup, Goat Cheese and Pancetta Sandwich, French Toast Sandwich. Mentioned in the story is a butternut squash soup with bleu cheese - sadly, no recipe is given for that intriguing combination.
The book drags on and on, with Lucky collecting evidence and trying -but failing- to interest the police in following up on it. It's not until halfway through the book that Sage finally explains to Lucky why he was arrested. The plot depends entirely upon a well-worn theme: the police have a suspect in jail, so they stop trying to find the true culprit. (A detective following the clues could have solved the mystery in a few days, rather than the weeks it takes Lucky to eventually work it out.) The mystery wraps up abruptly in the last 11 pages, at a fast pace quite different from the flow of the story. I strongly disagree with the conclusion Lucky and the police chief agree upon at the end: a man who committed bodily assault and covered up the murder should go free.
I chose to read the book due to its setting in a soup shop, new to me in a cozy culinary series. I was hoping to read lots of delicious details about soup ingredients and preparation, similar to the wealth of information about specialty coffee provided in Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse cozies. But with their talented chef in jail, soup creation wasn't covered; Lucky and Jack just served previously prepared and frozen soups. Soup was very suitable for the fierce winter storms in the story, especially with the town's location near ski slopes. I wonder about summer...Lucky also served sandwiches; I guess that's what customers order in hot weather.
Includes recipes: Potato-Yam Soup, Wild Mushroom Soup, Tomato Spinach Soup, Goat Cheese and Pancetta Sandwich, French Toast Sandwich. Mentioned in the story is a butternut squash soup with bleu cheese - sadly, no recipe is given for that intriguing combination.
February 25, 2017
First off, I cannot wait for the next book. The characters on this story are all so interesting and you get to look into their lives which I love. Lucky's grandfather is one if the most interesting characters I have read about. This book was chosen to be read for a monthly readers group and I'm glad I participated in it. It was a really good read.
July 6, 2016
This is the first book in the Soup Lover's cozy mystery series. It is a quick, easy to read secular series that is clean and interesting. I loved that it took place in the small town of Snowflake, Vermont in ski country. Lucky Jamieson has come back to take over her parents' restaurant, By the Spoonful after their death in a car accident. She discovers that things in the restaurant aren't in as good shape as her parents' had led her to believe. When a body is discovered behind the restaurant, things go downhill from there. Then when her chef gets accused of the murder things get even worse. Lucky tries to solve the mystery when the local police chief doesn't look further. But her problem is she has a bad habit of jumping to conclusions with each bit of new information which leads to lots of twists and turns. Overall, a good clean cozy that would be great for Jessica Fletcher, Miss Marple type mysteries.
Favorite Quotes: "every second with a loved one counts."
"...your mom and dad.....they cared more about their neighbors and friends who were down on their luck than they did about the profits."
My personal belief---when the tornadoes hit, whatever may have caused them, they put you down on the path that you're supposed to be on."
Favorite Quotes: "every second with a loved one counts."
"...your mom and dad.....they cared more about their neighbors and friends who were down on their luck than they did about the profits."
My personal belief---when the tornadoes hit, whatever may have caused them, they put you down on the path that you're supposed to be on."
September 11, 2012
Lucky Jamieson left everything behind to move back to Snowflake Vermont. Since the death of her parents she inherited the family business, By the Spoonful, a Soup Shop in the busiest tourist season of the year. With a lot on her plate she takes the responsiblity of running the shop with the helpof her grandfather Jack and her chef Sage. But did she take on more than she could handle ? When a tourist is found dead behind the shop, business is no longer heating up. Sage is taken into custody for he murder and business is next to nothing.
Lucky is convinced that Sage isnt the Killer and sets out to find clues that will prove his innocence and hopfully not get her killed in the process.
This was such a wonderful read, Connie keeps you on the egde wanting to know what will happen next!
Lucky is convinced that Sage isnt the Killer and sets out to find clues that will prove his innocence and hopfully not get her killed in the process.
This was such a wonderful read, Connie keeps you on the egde wanting to know what will happen next!
April 20, 2018
was hoping for more humor from this story, but it was rather dry. Lucky started out kinda whiny (ok, so it's understandable, her parents just died), but she never stopped feeling whiny. She kind of fell into solving the mystery presented, but it never seemed like she was very good at putting together the clues, and wound up kind of falling into the correct answer as to who the murderer was, as well. The potential relationship with Elias felt fake and forced.
Multiple editorial errors (calling characters by each others names, repeating sentences & paragraphs) made for some obnoxious reading as well.
I think the author saw a successful formula and ran with it, but I wish it'd come across as authentic.
Multiple editorial errors (calling characters by each others names, repeating sentences & paragraphs) made for some obnoxious reading as well.
I think the author saw a successful formula and ran with it, but I wish it'd come across as authentic.
April 14, 2014
I don't normally go in for cozy mysteries, but I know a lot of people do. I really liked this book. Most of the stuff I read is tantalizingly disturbing, but after reading A Spoonful of Murder, I can see why these cozies are so popular. Connie Archer knows her genre and you will be craving a creamy cup of coffee after you read this. The mystery is sound, the characters true to life, and it's a lively, fun jaunt which will cause no mental disturbances!
February 23, 2020
In spite of several things I didn't like, this book kept me reading, constantly, all day. Well written so that I at one point suspected almost everyone, it still has a few problems for me. For one thing, it begins with the untimely death of the protagonist's parents ... not a pleasant beginning at all. Also, I kept wondering why the restaurant LOST all its business due to the murder? Usually a murder brings out all the curious, and, at least temporarily, is good for business. And finally, as a sleuth, SHE suspected everyone, and accused many, without any concrete evidence at all. While I appreciate the intuition that goes with good detective work, she was very quick to accuse and not very careful in her investigation.
May 14, 2022
This is a fairly predictable but readable cozy murder mystery with an abundance of red herrings and a heap of amateur sleuthing. The local sheriff arrests the chef of the soup shop By the Spoonful for murder on the very thinnest of evidence. Owner of the shop Lucky Jamieson is determined to prove his innocence.
Of the 3 books titled A SPOONFUL OF MURDER, by Connie Archer, A SPOONFUL OF MURDER by Robin Stevens, and A SPOONFUL OF MURDER by JM Hall, this is probably the one with best claim to the title, as the name of the soup shop where most of the action takes place is By the Spoonful.
Even though I have given each a review rating of 4.4, based on their readability, the one by JM Hall wins my vote by the narrowest of margins, as the book with most appeal to my "age group".
Of the 3 books titled A SPOONFUL OF MURDER, by Connie Archer, A SPOONFUL OF MURDER by Robin Stevens, and A SPOONFUL OF MURDER by JM Hall, this is probably the one with best claim to the title, as the name of the soup shop where most of the action takes place is By the Spoonful.
Even though I have given each a review rating of 4.4, based on their readability, the one by JM Hall wins my vote by the narrowest of margins, as the book with most appeal to my "age group".
March 9, 2021
I love soup, especially a nice hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day. Throw in an interesting main character, a blizzard, a little romance, and a murder and you’ve got my attention! There were a lot of characters and a lot going on but everything was easy to keep track of and though the killer was fairly easy to spot there were enough red herrings to keep me wondering. Really good first book in the series.
May 8, 2021
I have such mixed feelings about this book. The writing was not bad. And there were side characters I enjoyed. But the lead, Lucky, drove me nuts. Maybe it was the fact that she hid evidence that could have helped clear the person she was trying to protect. Maybe it was the tampering with the other evidence. Maybe it was the HIPPA violations. I don't know... but the plot annoyed me. I don't know if I will give the series a chance and read the second one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2017
This first book in a series is a traditional New England mystery updated for today. Characters are contemporary and compelling, especially the protagonist, Lucky, who's trying to save the family restaurant while solving the murder that put her chef in prison. Local color and descriptions of the meals served added to the enjoyment. Deftly plotted, with almost everyone, including Lucky's potential love interest, becoming a suspect before the surprising and satisfying solution. Looking forward to the rest in the series!
March 29, 2021
Lucky Jamieson's parents pass away unexpectedly in a car accident, leaving Lucky their soup shop in Snowflake, VT. Lucky is heartbroken about losing her parents and mad at herself for staying away so long. The only family she has left is her grandfather Jack, who was helping her parents run the soup shop. She is relieved that everything has been running so smoothly, in part due to their excelled chef, Sage. However, only a short while in to running the shop, a dead woman is found out behind the restaurant and Sage is arrested for murder. The second Sage is arrested, business completely dries up. Lucky is determined to put the real killer behind bars, not only to save her friend and chef, but to save her business. I really liked this one, and I plan to read more.
November 13, 2021
Very relatable main character. She isn't stringing anyone along and she does know what to say sometimes.
July 20, 2022
Re-read potential. So happy. "Like reading about a murder in Stars Hollow while getting a pedicure"-KP
February 27, 2017
This tasty start to a cozy series is the perfect book to curl up with when the winter weather is blowing outside. I very much enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder and I look forward to catching up on the books in the series that I've missed.
Following the unexpected death of her parents, Lucky Jamieson moves home to Snowflake, Vermont to take over her parents' soup shop. She finds herself as amateur sleuth when her chef is arrested for the murder of a winter tourist. Lucky was a bit of an anomaly for me. I really liked her most of the time, but sometimes I felt she was a bit tacky and pushy when it came to her 'investigation'. She was pretty bold with her actions. I liked her more than I disliked some of her actions, though. Lucky and her grandfather, Jack, were my favorite characters.
The setting for the series is perfect. I love the idea of the ski resort being up on the hill above the town. The tourists mean that there will always be outsiders who can be suspects whenever anything goes awry. I enjoyed the development of friendships (and maybe more) and I know I will enjoy getting to know the characters more.
I purchased this book a few years ago and I'm happy I pulled it off of my shelf to read this winter.
Following the unexpected death of her parents, Lucky Jamieson moves home to Snowflake, Vermont to take over her parents' soup shop. She finds herself as amateur sleuth when her chef is arrested for the murder of a winter tourist. Lucky was a bit of an anomaly for me. I really liked her most of the time, but sometimes I felt she was a bit tacky and pushy when it came to her 'investigation'. She was pretty bold with her actions. I liked her more than I disliked some of her actions, though. Lucky and her grandfather, Jack, were my favorite characters.
The setting for the series is perfect. I love the idea of the ski resort being up on the hill above the town. The tourists mean that there will always be outsiders who can be suspects whenever anything goes awry. I enjoyed the development of friendships (and maybe more) and I know I will enjoy getting to know the characters more.
I purchased this book a few years ago and I'm happy I pulled it off of my shelf to read this winter.
April 22, 2016
A Spoonful Of Murder
A Soup Lover’s Mystery, Book 1
Connie Archer
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Winter is big business in small-town Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the ski slopes--and what could be more satisfying after a chilly day of carving powder than a steaming bowl of soup?
When Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, she realizes it's time to take stock of her life. Should she sell her parents' house or move in herself? Does she really want to run a restaurant business? And what about her grandfather Jack, who seems to be showing signs of Alzheimer's?
But her life decisions are moved to the back burner after an icy blonde tourist is found frozen to death behind the soup shop. and Lucky is bowled over when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is led out of the kitchen by the police. As suspicion and speculations snowball, Lucky decides that the only way to save her employee and her business is to find out herself who iced the tourist--and landed her chef in the soup...
Recipes included! (Goodreads)
Review:
After Lucky’s parents are killed in car accident, she moves back home to run her parent’s soup shop, By The Spoonful. With the help of her grandfather, Jack, she plans to keep the shop going, at least for a while. But when there is a murder outside of the shop, she knows it will not be good for business. And when her chef is accused of the murder and put in jail, she knows that they have a real problem. Knowing that the police have the wrong man behind bars, she feels that she has no choice but to find the killer herself.
The characters were well rounded and well developed. Lucky is struggling to cope with the death of her parents and the responsibilities of keeping the soup shop running and profitable. She also does not know if she should move into her parents house or sell it. Still reeling from the sudden death of her parents, she is having trouble making decisions. She is worried about Jack, because he has been having some memory problems. She realizes that if she loses him, she will be all alone in the world. I really connected with her. Jack is a sweetheart and he was my favorite character. He is such a lovable man and was a real joy to meet.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in creating the characters, the setting and suspense. I really enjoyed reading about the town and the small town setting. It was a typical small town, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and gossip runs wild. It was a place that I would enjoy visiting. I thought the mystery was very well plotted and was carried on well throughout the book. I didn’t figure out the killer until is was revealed at the end.
Sometimes when you read a book, something just clicks and you think “Wow, I really love this book!”. That is what happened when I read A Spoonful Of Murder. I loved the characters, the setting, the mystery and the suspense. I am so excited that this is only the first book in the series because I know I have four more books to read. And I plan on reading them all. I would recommend that you do too.
A Soup Lover’s Mystery, Book 1
Connie Archer
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Winter is big business in small-town Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the ski slopes--and what could be more satisfying after a chilly day of carving powder than a steaming bowl of soup?
When Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, she realizes it's time to take stock of her life. Should she sell her parents' house or move in herself? Does she really want to run a restaurant business? And what about her grandfather Jack, who seems to be showing signs of Alzheimer's?
But her life decisions are moved to the back burner after an icy blonde tourist is found frozen to death behind the soup shop. and Lucky is bowled over when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is led out of the kitchen by the police. As suspicion and speculations snowball, Lucky decides that the only way to save her employee and her business is to find out herself who iced the tourist--and landed her chef in the soup...
Recipes included! (Goodreads)
Review:
After Lucky’s parents are killed in car accident, she moves back home to run her parent’s soup shop, By The Spoonful. With the help of her grandfather, Jack, she plans to keep the shop going, at least for a while. But when there is a murder outside of the shop, she knows it will not be good for business. And when her chef is accused of the murder and put in jail, she knows that they have a real problem. Knowing that the police have the wrong man behind bars, she feels that she has no choice but to find the killer herself.
The characters were well rounded and well developed. Lucky is struggling to cope with the death of her parents and the responsibilities of keeping the soup shop running and profitable. She also does not know if she should move into her parents house or sell it. Still reeling from the sudden death of her parents, she is having trouble making decisions. She is worried about Jack, because he has been having some memory problems. She realizes that if she loses him, she will be all alone in the world. I really connected with her. Jack is a sweetheart and he was my favorite character. He is such a lovable man and was a real joy to meet.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in creating the characters, the setting and suspense. I really enjoyed reading about the town and the small town setting. It was a typical small town, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and gossip runs wild. It was a place that I would enjoy visiting. I thought the mystery was very well plotted and was carried on well throughout the book. I didn’t figure out the killer until is was revealed at the end.
Sometimes when you read a book, something just clicks and you think “Wow, I really love this book!”. That is what happened when I read A Spoonful Of Murder. I loved the characters, the setting, the mystery and the suspense. I am so excited that this is only the first book in the series because I know I have four more books to read. And I plan on reading them all. I would recommend that you do too.
June 23, 2015
This rating depresses me. As a challenge junkie, I need this series. It's got too many things going for it. But I didn't like it. In a review of another cozy, I mentioned how refreshing it was to come by information without losing your decency. This book is the opposite. Lucky wasn't really a good person. She had issues with a couple of random ladies talking about her restaurant badly because there was a murder there, but she asks so many questions and spills so many secrets entrusted to her - always remembering to tell the person she's spilling her guts out to be quiet because she doesn't want the gossip to be spread - but of course, she doesn't mean to harm anyone. She uses a realtor's keys to get into a murder scene, pushing and pushing the poor lady for it until she gives in. The realtor would get in trouble if anyone knew, but Lucky won't spill her guts out, right? Wrong. She blabs to the first person she finds, who is supposedly the town gossip. She checks out the investigation folder right in the police station, convincing her aging grandfather to be her abettor this time. I'm not upset that these devices of sleuthing were used, but I am mystified that these are not thought of as criminal - the only thought Lucky has is to not get caught. And she doesn't! There are zero consequences.
I wish after all these shenanigans the mystery was better, but it was not. The killer becomes known to the reader just after their introduction, because of how it's done. The side characters aren't any good either. I didn't like the romance. I will read one more to see if it improves, and then challenges or no challenges, I'm done with this series.
I wish after all these shenanigans the mystery was better, but it was not. The killer becomes known to the reader just after their introduction, because of how it's done. The side characters aren't any good either. I didn't like the romance. I will read one more to see if it improves, and then challenges or no challenges, I'm done with this series.
September 4, 2012
I read this book in one evening. For a debut book, it truly caught my attention.
A young woman returns to the family business after the tragedy of losing both parents in an automotive accident. Lucky Jamieson hardly feels worthy of her name, but, to her luck, her grandfather Jack is still with her and helping greatly. Jack isn't in the best of health but his spirit and strength helps our Lucky keep the 'By The Spoonful' soup restaurant open and thriving.
Until one day, when one of the restaurants most constant customer, a mysterious woman that orders double on Tuesdays, is found dead behind their dumpster. The Police Chief rushes to find a suspect and arrests, Sage DuBois, the chef.
Lucky is sure the police have the wrong man. Her parents and Jack would never hire a murderer. Then her Grandfather has a PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder,) and she finds herself floundering.
This book is action packed, the characters are likable, the storyline kept my full attention, and I learned some valuable medical information and am enjoying a pot of 'Potato-Yam' Soup from the recipe included.
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
A young woman returns to the family business after the tragedy of losing both parents in an automotive accident. Lucky Jamieson hardly feels worthy of her name, but, to her luck, her grandfather Jack is still with her and helping greatly. Jack isn't in the best of health but his spirit and strength helps our Lucky keep the 'By The Spoonful' soup restaurant open and thriving.
Until one day, when one of the restaurants most constant customer, a mysterious woman that orders double on Tuesdays, is found dead behind their dumpster. The Police Chief rushes to find a suspect and arrests, Sage DuBois, the chef.
Lucky is sure the police have the wrong man. Her parents and Jack would never hire a murderer. Then her Grandfather has a PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder,) and she finds herself floundering.
This book is action packed, the characters are likable, the storyline kept my full attention, and I learned some valuable medical information and am enjoying a pot of 'Potato-Yam' Soup from the recipe included.
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
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