Out of the Frying Pan

Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop Mystery #3

by Robin Allen

Poppy Markham is served another culinary mystery

Feast in the Field, a fine-dining affair put on by the Friends of Good Earth Preserves, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, is the event of the season in Austin's restaurant circuit and one of Poppy Markham's favorite social engagements. This year, the spectacle shifts its focus from the gorgeous dinner to the politics surrounding the election for a new president of the Friends.

Shortly after being announced victorious, diva-restaurateur Dana White is struck down in her own kitchen. Can Poppy figure out who -- of several candidates -- decided to get rid of her?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Food, Culinary

264 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

I am the author of the clean, humorous Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop mystery series that features an Austin, TX public health inspector and lots of behind-the-scenes information about the restaurant industry.

I hold a BA degree in English which qualifies me to work as the following: food server, cocktail waitress, bartender, barista, sales rep, marketing director, freelance writer, technical writer, copy editor, software QA analyst, personal assistant, yoga instructor, knitwear designer, and mystery author.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third “culinary cop” mystery with Austin, TX health inspector Poppy Markham, Poppy is attending the fundraising dinner for Friends of the Farm, featuring head chef and newly-elected president of FOTF Dana White. Dana soon dies, however, after drinking what she thought was champagne but turned out to be food-grade hydrogen peroxide. Under the auspices of county health inspector, Poppy springs into action, investigating this as a suspected food poisoning but knowing full well this is really a murder! Poppy runs across some eye-opening stuff as she tries to determine why someone wanted Dana dead.

Like the first two “Culinary Cop” books, there is strong characterization with Poppy and with many of her friends, relatives, and her boss. She’s also in a love triangle of sorts as she is torn between Drew, manager of her father’s restaurant, and Jamie, a food-blog writer (whom Poppy still has trouble forgiving for his infidelity). Once again an enjoyable, fun, cozy!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy Markham leads an interesting life as a health inspector for Austin, TX, but also as a detective on the side when people close to her die. As Poppy is trying to deal with her crazy family and her own even crazier love life, she is also trying to figure out who murdered the newly elected CSA Friends of the Farm president.

The book combined the love of food and mysteries very well. The one major critique I would give the book that made me rate it lower was that it ended very suddenly. I didn't feel as though the suspense was built up well since Poppy just figures it out pretty quickly in the end. Because of that, I gave it 4 stars. If there were a choice of 3.5 stars, I probably would have rated it that since I base how much I enjoy a book on how well it ends, almost like how a bad dessert can almost ruin an entire meal.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought that a killing could happen on an all organic farm? Meet Poppy Markham, former chef and current county health inspector as she tries to solve the murder of a well known Austin organic chef, and closer to her heart, which boyfriend she’ll choose between the two she cares for. If you like your mysteries served up with a dash of romance and a couple cups of humor, then be ready to jump Out of the Frying Pan – a fun read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy is a great detective. She puts up with her family, her multiple boyfriends and the restaurant community. She's the county health inspector and the chefs and organic growers are willing to kill. Great story.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read book featuring Poppy Markham. Poppy is at a large party when the head chef collapses. The chef dies and Poppy starts asking questions.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author but this book is the 3rd book in the series about Poppy, a health inspector in Austin, TX. Poppy is looking forward to a great dinner with family and friends at the Feast in the Field dinner at the organic family farm Good Earth Preserves. The top chef for the evening Dana White is happily cooking the dinner and greeting friends. The announcement of the new President of the Friends of the Farm is made before dinner and a few people are not happy Dana has been named the new President. Poppy is trying to make a phone call when she hears yelling and crying and investigates, finding the new President on the floor in the kitchen with assistant cooks doing the yelling and crying.

[Kathy Broyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out well. Then after the murder, it got very confusing. All the running around by the main character looking for clues and suspects. Then about half way through the book, it calmed down and got interesting. A nice little love triangle, a funny stepmom and some loveable neighbors all added up to a fun book.

[Melinda Freeland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Robin Allen does it a third time -- creates characters that you love (or love to hate) in a cozy mystery set in Austin that keeps you guessing until the end. You'll enjoy the first two novels in her Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop series as well: If You Can't Stand the Heat and Stick a Fork In It.

[bookscoffeeandcats77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice change for me. I've been reading alot of romance books so a good murder mystery with a little romance was just what I needed. I really like the characters and the mystery was interesting.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the third Poppy Montgomery book. It was just as good as the first two. I love reading about her adventures and her love life. Can't wait for the next book to see how she solves yet another mystery and how her personal decision works out.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

If she had just called the police in the first chapter the book would have ended! I just couldn't understand why she never involved the police. Was she just that full of herself, did she think she would do a better job of finding the killer than the police, I thought she was kind of stupid to put herself in this position. I wouldn't read another book by this author. I like to read a little fluff between the murder & mayhem from reading James Patterson & Michael Connelly but this book was just dumb.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first even though it is the 3rd culinary copy mystery featuring Poppy Markham. Great look inside not only the restaurant business but also inside the world of CSA's at the local farm. There is a huge fund raising event at a local farm where the announcement of the President of organization is to be announced. After the announcement there is a death of the individual who was elected. Who was the one that did the deed.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay, the love-triangle is ended by the end!

I really liked the setting of this one, a huge banquet at the Organic Farm with lots and lots of suspects. Poppy is starting to abuse her food inspector license a bit it this one to get answers. She still has family issues, especially with her step-mother, but she is relatable. And I'm so glad the love triangle is over.

[andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enjoyed previous two.
This was horribly disappointing. Way too many characters/suspects. Plot clunky and uncompelling

[Fairlee Corkran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ireally e enjoyed it and loved the Texas setting.

[Laura Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still really like the author's turns of phrase. I did find the love triangle annoying, but it was not prominent in the long run. Overall it was a good solid mystery.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Out of the Frying Pan by Robin Allen is the 3rd book of the Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop mystery series set in contemporary Austin Texas. Poppy Markham is a health inspector and sometime sleuth. She's trying to decide between boyfriends, a chef and a reporter. She doesn't expect to encounter a murder at the gala fundraiser she attends on an organic farm. When the superstar chef is poisoned, Poppy decides she must solve the crime. She's convinced she knows all the people involved far better than the police. She vows to get ahead of the police gathering clues and doing key interviews. She's at the party with her chef boyfriend, assuming the reporter is on a trip to Europe. But the reporter shows up at the farm. Poppy tries to juggle both relationships while solving the crime. With her extensive food knowledge, she does in fact identify the poison quickly; plus she does know personalities and past conflicts between the key suspects. Her repetitive failed attempts to make a private phone call were tiresome, not credible; her goal of not departing until she solved the crime was unrealistic; but at least, she made one decision: boyfriend choice.

[Tamara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review originally posted: Traveling With T

Summary from Goodreads:

Poppy Markham is served another culinary mystery.

Feast in the Field, a fine-dining affair put on by the Friends of Good Earth Preserves, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, is the event of the season in Austin’s restaurant circuit and one of Poppy Markham’s favorite social engagements. This year, the spectacle shifts its focus from the gorgeous dinner to the politics surrounding the election for a new president of the Friends.

Shortly after being announced victorious, diva-restaurateur Dana White is struck down in her own kitchen. Can Poppy figure out who — of several candidates — decided to get rid of her?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I enjoy cozy mysteries and am always looking for new ones to add to my reading time. However, I’m picky. And I’m sorry to report that I did not connect with Poppy. Might it be because this was the 3rd book in the series and I needed to read book 1 & 2 to forge that connection? Possibly.

The elements were there- mystery, love life/romance, and a typical cozy feeling. Poppy even has a different type job that most cozy characters- which was nice for a change. For me, though, the mystery was just ok. Poppy was just ok.

Will I consider going back and giving the Poppy books another try? Possibly. I might go back and try to read book 1 and see if reading previous books gives me more of a connection to Poppy.

If you are looking for a cozy that is a bit different and has ties to Texas, then Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop might be exactly what you are looking for!

*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vegan food inspector and former chef Poppy Markham wants to enjoy the Friends of the Farm dinner, where organic food will be superbly prepared. But things conspire to keep her from dinner--things like the chef's sudden death. Poppy is fairly sure that the problem isn't food borne illness, but what is it? And why (my question, not hers) doesn't she tell the police what's going on? But then from her hostility to her stepmother to her trouble deciding between her two suitors, Poppy isn't too self-aware. And I wish she'd get a square meal once in a while, instead of finding herself trapped in a barn with a murderer.

[Debra Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eehh. Nice little story, not a lot of substance and a little improbable that a county food safety inspector would be able to solve a poisoning in two days without ever encountering the police or any homicide detectives and then simply call the police and tell them who did it and be believed. Not going to be looking for this author on the shelves any time soon.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book. Although it's #3 in the series, it's the first one that I've read. I would read others after having read it. Poppy is hysterical and very believable as a character. I loved watching her try to solve the murder before the dinner was over while juggling her complicated personal life, too. I will watch for more of this series at the library.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this 2.5 stars because I had to suspend way too much disbelief at Poppy's inept running around, trying to solve the case on her own...but I'm giving it an extra 1/2 star to make it a full three because of her decision at the end...yay!

[Roseann Moss · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOT finishing this book. At this point I do not care who the killer is. TOO much of from the field to the wash shed to the kitchen to nasty cooks. ALL not progressing the story line only running Poppy Markham from place to place. All in a 4 hour period of the story in the first 1/2 of the book.

[David Blaylock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still fun to read stores that take place in Austin.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Out of here and back to the library.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry in this series! I had a twee bit of difficulty keeping track of the characters as there were so many.

[Sabra · Rating 1 out of 5]

How many people can Poppy accuse of the crime in the first chapters? She walks around waving her health inspector badge like some crazy sheriff. Boring.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[audrey]

I can't get past the time travel thing, nor the whole oh-lah-I-am-not-very-secretly-seeing-two-people-without-telling-them-both thing.

[Emily Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Raspberry!