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Spice Shop Mystery #1
Rosemary and Crime
Murder comes well-seasoned in this charming mystery featuring a smart and spunky new amateur sleuth, small-town Georgia spice shop owner Piper Prescott
Piper Prescott, a transplanted Yankee living in the South, has got her sass back. She might be down, but don’t count her out. “Change of life?” she asks. Bring it on. Recently divorced, Piper decides to pursue a dream she’s secretly harbored: owning her own business, Spice it Up!, a spice shop in her adopted hometown, Brandywine Creek, Georgia. But Piper’s grand opening goes awry when the local chef who’s agreed to do a cooking demo is found stabbed. Not only did Piper find the body, she handled the murder weapon and doesn’t have a witness to her alibi, making the case look like a slam dunk to brand new police Chief Wyatt McBride. Desperate to uncover the truth—and prove her innocence—Piper enlists the help of her outspoken BFF Reba Mae Johnson to help track down the real culprit. The pair compile a lengthy list of suspects and work to eliminate them using their own creative brand of sleuthing techniques including stakeouts, breaking and entering, and one very unorthodox chocolate pie. When Piper narrowly avoids being a victim of a hit-and-run, she knows she’s getting closer to the truth, but can she catch the killer and clear her name before she becomes the next victim?
A captivating start to a new series featuring an unstoppably fabulous new crime-solving heroine, a colorful cast of small town characters, and more than a pinch of Georgia charm, Rosemary and Crime is sure to delight fans of Donna Andrews and Jessica Beck.
Piper Prescott, a transplanted Yankee living in the South, has got her sass back. She might be down, but don’t count her out. “Change of life?” she asks. Bring it on. Recently divorced, Piper decides to pursue a dream she’s secretly harbored: owning her own business, Spice it Up!, a spice shop in her adopted hometown, Brandywine Creek, Georgia. But Piper’s grand opening goes awry when the local chef who’s agreed to do a cooking demo is found stabbed. Not only did Piper find the body, she handled the murder weapon and doesn’t have a witness to her alibi, making the case look like a slam dunk to brand new police Chief Wyatt McBride. Desperate to uncover the truth—and prove her innocence—Piper enlists the help of her outspoken BFF Reba Mae Johnson to help track down the real culprit. The pair compile a lengthy list of suspects and work to eliminate them using their own creative brand of sleuthing techniques including stakeouts, breaking and entering, and one very unorthodox chocolate pie. When Piper narrowly avoids being a victim of a hit-and-run, she knows she’s getting closer to the truth, but can she catch the killer and clear her name before she becomes the next victim?
A captivating start to a new series featuring an unstoppably fabulous new crime-solving heroine, a colorful cast of small town characters, and more than a pinch of Georgia charm, Rosemary and Crime is sure to delight fans of Donna Andrews and Jessica Beck.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published December 17, 2013
85 people are currently reading
1728 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
August 31, 2017
This is a totally new series for me; I had not even heard of the series or the author until I stumbled across an ARC for the new one on NetGalley. I requested it, was accepted and now I have to read all four of these books before December; why YES, I am a glutton for punishment; why do you ask? LOL
Thankfully, I really enjoyed this book. I like the characters a lot [except the ones you are not supposed to like re: CJ the ex-husband who is a skirt-chaser and a slimy lawyer to boot] and while there had better not be a freaking love triangle in the mix, I do like Piper's chemistry with both men she is attracted to. I just hope she makes a decision quickly and we are not subject to a drawn out crapola love triangle. That will make the next few books meh before they are even started.
I had thought I knew who the killer was; even said so to a friend when I was at 63% of the book. Turned out I was WAY wrong. Which was totally cool. And made the book even better because of it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loved a good mystery and characters that are full of sass. I am looking forward to reading the rest of them.
Thankfully, I really enjoyed this book. I like the characters a lot [except the ones you are not supposed to like re: CJ the ex-husband who is a skirt-chaser and a slimy lawyer to boot] and while there had better not be a freaking love triangle in the mix, I do like Piper's chemistry with both men she is attracted to. I just hope she makes a decision quickly and we are not subject to a drawn out crapola love triangle. That will make the next few books meh before they are even started.
I had thought I knew who the killer was; even said so to a friend when I was at 63% of the book. Turned out I was WAY wrong. Which was totally cool. And made the book even better because of it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loved a good mystery and characters that are full of sass. I am looking forward to reading the rest of them.
February 12, 2019
Okay. We'll start with what I *did* like about this book. I liked Casey, the dog.
Yep. That's it. Just the poor little pupper that Piper found at the beginning of the book.
This is my first book by Gail Oust and if the other books that she's written are like this one, I won't be reading any more. I haven't been so irritated with a book in a long time. There have been books that I've thrown across the room and, while I didn't do that with this one, it's only because it's a library book. In the books that I've thrown across the room (I'm looking at you, Dean Koontz) it was because of the ending that totally screwed things up. Usually in a book, I like at least one of the main characters. This one? Nope. The only characters that I liked even a little bit were Chief Wyatt McBride and Doug Winters, the vet. The rest? Oh. My. Gosh.
I don't think I've EVER come across a main character that was so freaking judgmental, shallow, or just stupid. She spends most of the book whining about her ex-husband (you're bitter about your divorce - we get it), complaining that McBride is "out to get her" because she was accused of murder, or gossiping to her "BFF" Reba Mae about other people.
The murder happens right at the beginning of the book, which was a good start. When Piper found the dead body, she was seriously worried about ruining her sandals in the blood. She wasn't concerned about calling the police and explaining what happened, but her sandals? Really? I mean, honestly! If she'd just explained wtf happened, like how she didn't realize that she'd handled the murder weapon, she'd have saved herself a whole mess of trouble. She did that a few times, too! "Oh, I found a diamond at the crime scene that I shouldn't have been at! I don't want to keep it, but I'm not going to tell the police about it either - why should I?"
If Piper wasn't judging other people (she has no problem pointing out that other women are "fat" and "obviously love to eat judging by their many jiggling rolls" but when her "BFF" - seriously, you're not ten years old and that's overused - freaking eats almost an entire chocolate pie in one sitting, she's fine and not fat because she's got huge breasts? COME ON!) she was complaining about her ex-husband, her teenage daughter, or the bimbo that the slimeball ex ran off with.
The "sleuthing" that was mentioned on the book cover was basically Piper and Reba Mae sitting in a car eating and complaining about having to pee or breaking into places they shouldn't be.
Now, on to the other bits about the book that irritated the snot out of me.
For someone who owns a spice shop, why do you only talk about cumin and peppercorns? It's like all of the talk about the spices was just filler and had no point other than to say "Look! I own my own business even though I'm HARDLY EVER IN IT and complain when my ex-mother-in-law volunteers to help me!" There was a line where Piper says, "Without thinking, I added more black peppercorns to the spice concoction and switched on the grinder." I looked twice to see if I'd missed the point of that sentence, but I couldn't find anything. It was just...there. Also, if chili is too spicy, it's not "scalding" unless there was some steam or hot liquid involved. Scorching probably would have been a better word.
The author switched between five dollar words and hick talk way too often for it to be even remotely believable. Then there was the constant use of "BFF" and modern day slang and older slang. She seemed more at home when she was speaking in the voice of one of the many snobby rich women. Also - fire your editor. There were so many spelling and grammatical errors that I was twitching!
THEN! This part - the ONE part that made me wonder if the author did ANY research at all for anything about this book! Page 80 in my book had Piper saying, "McBride's cool blues cut through me like Luke Skywalker's laser." Luke. Skywalker's. Laser. What the actual fluffernutter?!
This would make Obi-wan cringe, I swear. (Also, Mark Hamill, if you read this book, I'm sorry for that line. I didn't write it, but I feel bad for you and the entire Star Wars fandom.)
When you come to the end, the killer just pops up and - big surprise - it wasn't one of the people Piper thought it was. I had it figured out right away because the people are just *that* bad. Then, boom - it's over and people have moved on. Suddenly the spoiled teenager has got her act together, Piper's business is doing better, and everyone is happy. Piper is even starting to like McBride, even though she spends pretty much the ENTIRE BOOK talking about how much she can't stand him, etc.
I only finished this book to see who the author decided to make the killer. In most books, there is at least SOME inkling of who it is that makes the main character go "Hm...maybe?" In this one, it was like the author got to the end of the book and went, "Oh crap! I forgot to name a killer! Better make it this person!" In that, at least, I wasn't disappointed.
Only read this book if you want to bash your head against a wall, people.
Yep. That's it. Just the poor little pupper that Piper found at the beginning of the book.
This is my first book by Gail Oust and if the other books that she's written are like this one, I won't be reading any more. I haven't been so irritated with a book in a long time. There have been books that I've thrown across the room and, while I didn't do that with this one, it's only because it's a library book. In the books that I've thrown across the room (I'm looking at you, Dean Koontz) it was because of the ending that totally screwed things up. Usually in a book, I like at least one of the main characters. This one? Nope. The only characters that I liked even a little bit were Chief Wyatt McBride and Doug Winters, the vet. The rest? Oh. My. Gosh.
I don't think I've EVER come across a main character that was so freaking judgmental, shallow, or just stupid. She spends most of the book whining about her ex-husband (you're bitter about your divorce - we get it), complaining that McBride is "out to get her" because she was accused of murder, or gossiping to her "BFF" Reba Mae about other people.
The murder happens right at the beginning of the book, which was a good start. When Piper found the dead body, she was seriously worried about ruining her sandals in the blood. She wasn't concerned about calling the police and explaining what happened, but her sandals? Really? I mean, honestly! If she'd just explained wtf happened, like how she didn't realize that she'd handled the murder weapon, she'd have saved herself a whole mess of trouble. She did that a few times, too! "Oh, I found a diamond at the crime scene that I shouldn't have been at! I don't want to keep it, but I'm not going to tell the police about it either - why should I?"
If Piper wasn't judging other people (she has no problem pointing out that other women are "fat" and "obviously love to eat judging by their many jiggling rolls" but when her "BFF" - seriously, you're not ten years old and that's overused - freaking eats almost an entire chocolate pie in one sitting, she's fine and not fat because she's got huge breasts? COME ON!) she was complaining about her ex-husband, her teenage daughter, or the bimbo that the slimeball ex ran off with.
The "sleuthing" that was mentioned on the book cover was basically Piper and Reba Mae sitting in a car eating and complaining about having to pee or breaking into places they shouldn't be.
Now, on to the other bits about the book that irritated the snot out of me.
For someone who owns a spice shop, why do you only talk about cumin and peppercorns? It's like all of the talk about the spices was just filler and had no point other than to say "Look! I own my own business even though I'm HARDLY EVER IN IT and complain when my ex-mother-in-law volunteers to help me!" There was a line where Piper says, "Without thinking, I added more black peppercorns to the spice concoction and switched on the grinder." I looked twice to see if I'd missed the point of that sentence, but I couldn't find anything. It was just...there. Also, if chili is too spicy, it's not "scalding" unless there was some steam or hot liquid involved. Scorching probably would have been a better word.
The author switched between five dollar words and hick talk way too often for it to be even remotely believable. Then there was the constant use of "BFF" and modern day slang and older slang. She seemed more at home when she was speaking in the voice of one of the many snobby rich women. Also - fire your editor. There were so many spelling and grammatical errors that I was twitching!
THEN! This part - the ONE part that made me wonder if the author did ANY research at all for anything about this book! Page 80 in my book had Piper saying, "McBride's cool blues cut through me like Luke Skywalker's laser." Luke. Skywalker's. Laser. What the actual fluffernutter?!
This would make Obi-wan cringe, I swear. (Also, Mark Hamill, if you read this book, I'm sorry for that line. I didn't write it, but I feel bad for you and the entire Star Wars fandom.)
When you come to the end, the killer just pops up and - big surprise - it wasn't one of the people Piper thought it was. I had it figured out right away because the people are just *that* bad. Then, boom - it's over and people have moved on. Suddenly the spoiled teenager has got her act together, Piper's business is doing better, and everyone is happy. Piper is even starting to like McBride, even though she spends pretty much the ENTIRE BOOK talking about how much she can't stand him, etc.
I only finished this book to see who the author decided to make the killer. In most books, there is at least SOME inkling of who it is that makes the main character go "Hm...maybe?" In this one, it was like the author got to the end of the book and went, "Oh crap! I forgot to name a killer! Better make it this person!" In that, at least, I wasn't disappointed.
Only read this book if you want to bash your head against a wall, people.
April 9, 2018
Across the square, a Confederate soldier atop a concrete pedestal stared sightlessly at a couple enjoying ice cream on a wrought iron bench.
Piper Prescott has opened a small spice shop in Brandywine Creek, Georgia following her divorce from her husband, CJ. He is the local boy while she is a Yankee transplant. Temperamental chef, Mario Barrone is scheduled to cook a leg of lamb for her grand opening. The night before the opening, Piper discovers and injured dog behind her shop. The next morning she finds the body of Chef Barrone in his kitchen. New police chief, Wyatt McBride suspects Piper. This of course cause Piper and her best friend, Reba to start their own investigation.
This book caught my interest from the first page and kept it to the end. I loved the characters, the setting and the mystery. I love using spices and visit a couple of local small shops here in town when I can.
The story is well written and the characters seem more like friends than fiction. I love that Piper dropped everything to take care of a helpless dog. She is a strong character that stands up for her beliefs. The interaction with her daughter following the divorce was accurate and believable.
I loved Reba! We all need a friend like Reba to go on stake outs with us and just generally have our back.
Wyatt McBride is a strong character. I really don't want to see a triangle between he, Piper and Dr, Doug Winters.
There were just enough twists and turns to keep the mystery interesting. Piper ends up in several predicaments that have you holding your breath.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
Piper Prescott has opened a small spice shop in Brandywine Creek, Georgia following her divorce from her husband, CJ. He is the local boy while she is a Yankee transplant. Temperamental chef, Mario Barrone is scheduled to cook a leg of lamb for her grand opening. The night before the opening, Piper discovers and injured dog behind her shop. The next morning she finds the body of Chef Barrone in his kitchen. New police chief, Wyatt McBride suspects Piper. This of course cause Piper and her best friend, Reba to start their own investigation.
This book caught my interest from the first page and kept it to the end. I loved the characters, the setting and the mystery. I love using spices and visit a couple of local small shops here in town when I can.
The story is well written and the characters seem more like friends than fiction. I love that Piper dropped everything to take care of a helpless dog. She is a strong character that stands up for her beliefs. The interaction with her daughter following the divorce was accurate and believable.
I loved Reba! We all need a friend like Reba to go on stake outs with us and just generally have our back.
Wyatt McBride is a strong character. I really don't want to see a triangle between he, Piper and Dr, Doug Winters.
There were just enough twists and turns to keep the mystery interesting. Piper ends up in several predicaments that have you holding your breath.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
January 26, 2018
Ero indecisa se dare 4 stelle e mezza oppure 5, alla fine ho deciso di premiare questo primo libro di una serie che avevo adocchiato da diverso tempo. Ho aspettato anche fin troppo a leggerlo! Buona storia, bei personaggi (cucciolo di cane compreso) e possibile storia romantica all'orizzonte: cosa chiedere di più? I possibili colpevoli erano così tanti e con buone ragioni che non sono riuscita a sceglierne uno. Mi congratulo con me stessa per aver deciso di dare una possibilità a questa serie.
August 5, 2018
I enjoyed the relationship of Piper and her BFF Reba Mae but really, really hope that the author is not setting up a long-term romantic triangle amongst the main character, Piper Prescott; Doug Winters, the vet; and Wyatt McBride, the police chief.
I have suffered through a similarly frustrating love triangle scenario over the course of many years and multiple books featuring JoAnne Fluke's main character Hannah Swenson and Norman, the dentist; and Mike, the cop. Amazingly similar in nature, both of these triangles feature one man who is sweet & safe: steady, helpful, and reliable = Norman/Doug and one who is sort of a stud, in law enforcement, very "sexy", and usually commitment-shy = Mike/Wyatt. Been there, done that, boring . . .
I have suffered through a similarly frustrating love triangle scenario over the course of many years and multiple books featuring JoAnne Fluke's main character Hannah Swenson and Norman, the dentist; and Mike, the cop. Amazingly similar in nature, both of these triangles feature one man who is sweet & safe: steady, helpful, and reliable = Norman/Doug and one who is sort of a stud, in law enforcement, very "sexy", and usually commitment-shy = Mike/Wyatt. Been there, done that, boring . . .
May 8, 2021
I consider Miss Marple “cozy” but Piper Prescott at Spice It Up will do in a pinch (of salt). A silly little series that I’m really enjoying, no surprises just good clean fun.
The characters are all likable even if very stereotypical. The more I read, the more I feel like they are becoming friends - except for 16 year old Lindsay who I’d like to smack and take away ALL her privileges!
Just a comment - any Southern girl worth her weight in sweet tea should know that to run zig zag from an alligator is a myth. He’s gonna get you, sure as shootin’!
The characters are all likable even if very stereotypical. The more I read, the more I feel like they are becoming friends - except for 16 year old Lindsay who I’d like to smack and take away ALL her privileges!
Just a comment - any Southern girl worth her weight in sweet tea should know that to run zig zag from an alligator is a myth. He’s gonna get you, sure as shootin’!
December 20, 2013
Rosemary and Crime is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Gail Oust who is also the author of the Bunco Babes Mystery series.
This debut introduces Piper Prescott, recently divorced and the mother of a teenage daughter, who is on the verge of opening a spice shop in small town Georgia. Anxious about the store's success she has convinced a local chef to host a cooking demonstration in store but the morning of the launch Piper discovers the body of Mario stabbed to death in the kitchen of his restaurant and herself a suspect in his death. With the brand new police Chief, Wyatt McBride, breathing down her neck, Piper enlists the help of her best friend, hair stylist, Reba Mae to help her prove her innocence and unmask the real killer before her business goes bust, or the murderer comes after her.
The plot of Rosemary and Crime follows the traditional cozy mystery narrative, with Piper, and BF Reba Mae, stumbling across clues, gossip and evidence from which they put together half baked theories that get them in more trouble than they were in to begin with. I have to admit Oust nearly lost me near the beginning when Piper tried to keep pertinent information from the police, it wasn't necessary since the she would have remained a suspect anyway and it just made her look stupid. Thankfully that event doesn't set a precedent and though Piper makes mistakes she is rarely obstructive outright and to her credit puts most of the pieces together eventually.
I liked Piper who is contending not only with being a suspect in a murder investigation but also a smarmy ex husband, who left her for a pageant beauty queen half her age, a sulky teenage daughter, the stress of a new business and a charming suitor.
I have to admit I was primarily drawn to sample Rosemary and Crime because Piper is the owner of a spice shop, something different to the 'foodie' cosy genre which is full of bakeries and diners. I don't understand spices much at all so I was hoping to pick up a few tips and was a bit disappointed not to find a recipe or two.
Still, Rosemary and Crime was a quick, fun and easy read which I enjoyed and I'd like to follow the series as it continues.
January 4, 2014
Welcome to Brandywine, Georgia. Piper Prescott has decided to follow her dream and open Spice It Up! A shop that features the best spices from around the world. Her ex-husband predicts the idea will be huge failure but with a little help of her BBF, Reba Mae, and even her ex-mother in-law she is determined to make it a success.
But when she goes to meet with the chef she is featuring at her Grand Opening she finds he is not going to be cooking anything for her or anyone else. She finds him stabbed to death in his kitchen. The new police Chief Wyatt McBride quickly decides Piper makes a perfect prime suspect. Piper and Reba Mae will do anything to change his mind and go to great lengths to prove her innocence even putting their own lives in danger.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A fun and spicy debut for this new culinary cozy series.
Gail Oust has introduced us to some wonderful characters. Piper is a strong woman dealing with a new divorce, a new business, and a teenage daughter playing one parent off the other. Then there is her ex’s girlfriend who is closer to his daughter’s age than his own. She tries to become their daughter’s best friend by taking her shopping and telling her school really isn’t that important. Their older son is away at college. Piper also has a very prim and proper ex-mother-in-law and a best friend that has her back no matter what and is pretty far from prim and proper. There is also a hunky vet, a hunky police chief, and a fantastic little furry friend to round out the cast.
She has also created quite the whodunit with plenty of suspects. Piper does get herself into a few sticky situations because she acts without thinking things through or is not sure she trusts the police chief but thankfully they are few and far between. The tense situations are balanced with humor to keep the story cozy.
I really enjoyed this first adventure with Piper and hope there will be many more. I feel we have just scratched the surface with the antics originating from Piper’s Spice It Up!!
But when she goes to meet with the chef she is featuring at her Grand Opening she finds he is not going to be cooking anything for her or anyone else. She finds him stabbed to death in his kitchen. The new police Chief Wyatt McBride quickly decides Piper makes a perfect prime suspect. Piper and Reba Mae will do anything to change his mind and go to great lengths to prove her innocence even putting their own lives in danger.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A fun and spicy debut for this new culinary cozy series.
Gail Oust has introduced us to some wonderful characters. Piper is a strong woman dealing with a new divorce, a new business, and a teenage daughter playing one parent off the other. Then there is her ex’s girlfriend who is closer to his daughter’s age than his own. She tries to become their daughter’s best friend by taking her shopping and telling her school really isn’t that important. Their older son is away at college. Piper also has a very prim and proper ex-mother-in-law and a best friend that has her back no matter what and is pretty far from prim and proper. There is also a hunky vet, a hunky police chief, and a fantastic little furry friend to round out the cast.
She has also created quite the whodunit with plenty of suspects. Piper does get herself into a few sticky situations because she acts without thinking things through or is not sure she trusts the police chief but thankfully they are few and far between. The tense situations are balanced with humor to keep the story cozy.
I really enjoyed this first adventure with Piper and hope there will be many more. I feel we have just scratched the surface with the antics originating from Piper’s Spice It Up!!
December 7, 2020
First book in new series for me. It was a great read with great characters and plot.
July 9, 2018
I'd been curious about this series since a new one had recently come out but it was such a long-running series, I decided to start at the beginning and read this one when I found it on the Overdrive library app. I quickly became engrossed in this little Georgia town with all its quirky, gossipy characters. It was definitely a well-written, well-thought out plot and I didn't guess the killer until the author started the reveal. The showdown was pretty exciting.
Piper Prescott had just gotten divorced from her husband who was now dating a girl who was 24 years old. CJ and Piper shared a son, Chad, and a high school freshman, Lindsey. They were on fairly good terms but Piper had no patience for the girl CJ was dating who was nearly half her own age...and his.
Piper's new shop, Spice It Up!, was slowly becoming popular in the small town and she was hoping that a local chef named Mario would come and do a recipe demonstration to help tell people about spices she had available. When she found an injured puppy, it led her to eventually going into Mario's restaurant and finding his very dead body. New police chief McBride seemed obsessed with wanting to charge Piper with the crime, so she and her bestie, Reba Mae (who honestly made me think of the singer with the same first name) started investigating the others who would have a reason to want Mario out of the picture.
There were a lot of characters in the book but as I read, some of them were minor players and I found out the more major ones weren't really hard to keep track of after all. I just loved Reba Mae, Piper's best friend! What's not to love about a sassy Southerner for a best friend? Being a hairdresser gave her access to all the town's best gossip and sometimes it even came in handy. I really liked Dr. Doug Winters, the local veterinarian who patched up the injured puppy that Piper ended up adopting. They seem like a cute couple...but then there is also something interesting developing between Piper and the police chief, once he figured out she wasn't guilty, that is.
I know I want to keep reading this series. Melly, CJ's mom was such a hoot! She could be a snooty woman of wealth but I loved that she was willing to watch the store for Piper whenever she needed her. I think that Piper made a lot of headway with her daughter, Lindsey, too and that despite being a teen spoiled by her rich daddy, Lindsey will turn out just fine.
Piper Prescott had just gotten divorced from her husband who was now dating a girl who was 24 years old. CJ and Piper shared a son, Chad, and a high school freshman, Lindsey. They were on fairly good terms but Piper had no patience for the girl CJ was dating who was nearly half her own age...and his.
Piper's new shop, Spice It Up!, was slowly becoming popular in the small town and she was hoping that a local chef named Mario would come and do a recipe demonstration to help tell people about spices she had available. When she found an injured puppy, it led her to eventually going into Mario's restaurant and finding his very dead body. New police chief McBride seemed obsessed with wanting to charge Piper with the crime, so she and her bestie, Reba Mae (who honestly made me think of the singer with the same first name) started investigating the others who would have a reason to want Mario out of the picture.
There were a lot of characters in the book but as I read, some of them were minor players and I found out the more major ones weren't really hard to keep track of after all. I just loved Reba Mae, Piper's best friend! What's not to love about a sassy Southerner for a best friend? Being a hairdresser gave her access to all the town's best gossip and sometimes it even came in handy. I really liked Dr. Doug Winters, the local veterinarian who patched up the injured puppy that Piper ended up adopting. They seem like a cute couple...but then there is also something interesting developing between Piper and the police chief, once he figured out she wasn't guilty, that is.
I know I want to keep reading this series. Melly, CJ's mom was such a hoot! She could be a snooty woman of wealth but I loved that she was willing to watch the store for Piper whenever she needed her. I think that Piper made a lot of headway with her daughter, Lindsey, too and that despite being a teen spoiled by her rich daddy, Lindsey will turn out just fine.
May 8, 2021
Is this going to be another cozy series with a heroine who can't choose between two men? I hope not. One star removed for that -- and because there wasn't a single recipe in the book, even though one in particular (the lamb with rosemary and juniper berries) is mentioned several times. ... A decent enough clean read, except for a few minor curse words.
June 4, 2018
An easy, light and enjoyable “mystery-esque” read. Super cheesy at times, but lots of great quips that make this a fun story to get lost in.
I think my rating would have been a 4, but I did not entirely enjoy some of the stereotypical comments about character’s gender roles, appearance and weight... seemed shallow in the character development to focus on, however they don’t wreck the easygoing storyline so it’s easy to deal with for what the book is.
I definitely liked the characters enough to check the second book in the series out!
I think my rating would have been a 4, but I did not entirely enjoy some of the stereotypical comments about character’s gender roles, appearance and weight... seemed shallow in the character development to focus on, however they don’t wreck the easygoing storyline so it’s easy to deal with for what the book is.
I definitely liked the characters enough to check the second book in the series out!
June 3, 2013
A good cozy mystery reminiscent of Lorna Barrett and Diane Mott Davidson! Piper and Reba Mae are great together. A woman dealing with opening a brand new business, finding a dead body and being the prime suspect, an ex-husband who decided to "trade her in for a younger model", and a teenage daughter who blames her for the divorce.
I really enjoyed the book and recommend it for cozy mystery lovers.
I really enjoyed the book and recommend it for cozy mystery lovers.
January 7, 2016
Okay, but not the best. The MC was annoying and there were a few other minor problems with it. I'll probably read at least the next one, and from there, who knows?
February 22, 2019
AUTHOR Oust, Gail
TITLE Rosemary & Crime
DATE READ 02/21/19
RATING 3/C
FIRST SENTENCE Across the square, a Confederate soldier atop a concrete pedestal stared sightlessly at a couple enjoying ice cream on a wrought iron bench.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Cozy Mystery/2013/Minatour/310 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #1 in Spice Shop
CHALLENGE Author Alphabet O 14/26; GR 2019 Reading 27/111; Cozy Challenge (Snoop A) 4/10
GROUP READ GR Cozy
CHARACTERS Piper Prescott/ recently divorced and new business owner of Spice It Up
TIME/PLACE Present/ GA
COMMENTS I struggled to pass page one. Phrases like "I declare, Piper Prescott, you've gone and outdone yourself." "Unless my memory's failing, you told me I was out of my cotton pickin' mind the 1st time I mentioned a spice shop." I have been living in the South for over a decade … NEVER hear anyone talk like this. It sounds ridiculous. There are other things I could mention … but don't want to be entirely negative. This was my least favorite aspect of the book -- her writing style was awful jumping back and forth with fake southern vernacular, trying to be hip and using overused acronyms and explaining them as if they haven't been used a million times (ie BFF) and including overused and dated metaphors. Enough said….why did I turn the page and last until the end -- it was a book club selection and also I was curious enough to find out who did it … even if not a big surprise. My rating is a generous 3/C because I was interested enough to finish. One more thing, the spice shop -- this had so much potential! Why not include recipes and maybe more information on the particular spice focus? Her shop seemed overly large (if she had living quarters above) to consist of only selling spices, seems like she could incorporate other items related to the spices … cookbooks, spice grinders, etc.
TITLE Rosemary & Crime
DATE READ 02/21/19
RATING 3/C
FIRST SENTENCE Across the square, a Confederate soldier atop a concrete pedestal stared sightlessly at a couple enjoying ice cream on a wrought iron bench.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Cozy Mystery/2013/Minatour/310 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #1 in Spice Shop
CHALLENGE Author Alphabet O 14/26; GR 2019 Reading 27/111; Cozy Challenge (Snoop A) 4/10
GROUP READ GR Cozy
CHARACTERS Piper Prescott/ recently divorced and new business owner of Spice It Up
TIME/PLACE Present/ GA
COMMENTS I struggled to pass page one. Phrases like "I declare, Piper Prescott, you've gone and outdone yourself." "Unless my memory's failing, you told me I was out of my cotton pickin' mind the 1st time I mentioned a spice shop." I have been living in the South for over a decade … NEVER hear anyone talk like this. It sounds ridiculous. There are other things I could mention … but don't want to be entirely negative. This was my least favorite aspect of the book -- her writing style was awful jumping back and forth with fake southern vernacular, trying to be hip and using overused acronyms and explaining them as if they haven't been used a million times (ie BFF) and including overused and dated metaphors. Enough said….why did I turn the page and last until the end -- it was a book club selection and also I was curious enough to find out who did it … even if not a big surprise. My rating is a generous 3/C because I was interested enough to finish. One more thing, the spice shop -- this had so much potential! Why not include recipes and maybe more information on the particular spice focus? Her shop seemed overly large (if she had living quarters above) to consist of only selling spices, seems like she could incorporate other items related to the spices … cookbooks, spice grinders, etc.
June 30, 2018
Piper is divorced but not letting that get her down (although she wishes CJ her ex would stop overriding her decisions re their daughter!), she has sunk all the money she got from the divorce into a spice shop and the grand opening is the next day, well it would be grand if she hadn't had a public argument with the chef who was going to do a cookery demonstration to signal the opening and the use of spices, a chef that she then finds dead! Not only did she find the body she had picked up what turned out to be the murder weapon and the new chief of Police has added 2 and 2 and come up with life behind bars (if not the death penalty) for Piper. Her alibi has gone missing and now she and her best friend need to hunt around to find out who is the killer, Piper needs to stop CJ from letting Lindsay (their daughter) fail her school year, oh and stop Melly (her ex mother in law) from rearranging the shop stock!
A great start to a series about spices and spicy murder, with a not unusual premise of the main character having a change of life for some reason this book delivers a spicy punch and I am glad I finally got around to reading it (I really must diminish my TBR list more if this is the kind of great book I have missed out on!)
A great start to a series about spices and spicy murder, with a not unusual premise of the main character having a change of life for some reason this book delivers a spicy punch and I am glad I finally got around to reading it (I really must diminish my TBR list more if this is the kind of great book I have missed out on!)
May 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast moving, funny at times, and good character choices. Piper fulfilled her dream of owning her own business. She was able to create a Spice Shop and loved it.
However, a murder occurs and she is the one to find the body. She is the prime suspect and her and her BFF become sleuths to find out who the real murderer is. There are many suspects since the victim was not liked due to his bad temper and personality. Piper needs to clear her name before
the culprit ends up killing her. The new sheriff in town is constantly watching and trying to discover who did it. Luckily he comes to her aid before it is to late.
However, a murder occurs and she is the one to find the body. She is the prime suspect and her and her BFF become sleuths to find out who the real murderer is. There are many suspects since the victim was not liked due to his bad temper and personality. Piper needs to clear her name before
the culprit ends up killing her. The new sheriff in town is constantly watching and trying to discover who did it. Luckily he comes to her aid before it is to late.
May 15, 2023
Very cute murder mystery with culinary flavor sprinkled in! Part of a series that I plan to finish. Normally I read and feel out the first book in a series to see how I like it and whether I want to further read it. This was a fun book that I enjoyed and was light hearted. Probably similar to what it would look like if I was accused of murder and I appreciated the reality of it.
April 10, 2018
Piper Prescott has used the money from her divorce settlement to set up a spice shop in Brandywine Creek, GA. For her grand opening a local chef has agreed to come in and do a cooking demonstration. Piper finds him with a knife in his back and not only is she out her opening act but her finger prints are on the murder weapon! The characters are great and I really enjoyed getting to know them. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
June 27, 2022
DNF. This was a disappointment. The tireless cliches and the exaggerated southern dialogue over shadowed an otherwise promising plot.
did-not-finish
December 6, 2024Didn't click with this, early DNF.
March 1, 2025
A very fun read - great cozy mystery.
Read
December 18, 2022DNF. I did not enjoy this at all…
December 7, 2015
I enjoyed Rosemary and Crime by Gail Oust. It is an excellent start to a new series, the Spice Shop Mysteries.
Piper Prescott is recently divorced, after being married to attorney CJ Prescott for 20+ years. He decided to trade up for a newer model -- or beauty queen, rather -- twenty-four-year-old Amber Leigh Ames. Piper put her entire divorce settlement into beginning her dream business of a spice shop, Spice It Up!, in Brandywine Creek, Georgia.
For the big draw of the Grand Opening of Spice It Up!, Piper has scheduled a cooking demonstration of Roast Lamb with Juniper and Rosemary by Mario Barrone, owner and chef of local fine-dining establishment Trattoria Milano. Mario is as renowned for his temper as he is for his cooking, and redhead Piper has a bit of a temper herself.
On the eve of the grand opening, Mario has a big argument with Piper in her shop, about the condition of the juniper berries for his demo. Mario and Piper end up on the sidewalk in front of the shop as the argument draws to a close, with a crowd of passersby to watch the fireworks.
Piper finds Mario's body in his restaurant the next morning, and it appears that he's been murdered. Piper must still proceed with her grand opening because she needs the customers, and their purchases. Since she still needs a big draw, she realizes she will have to do the cooking demonstration.
Unfortunately, Piper has never prepared Roast Lamb with Juniper and Rosemary. Her demo doesn't go quite as smoothly as Mario's would have. The account of her disastrous demonstration is one of my favorite parts of Rosemary and Crime.
Because of the public argument Piper had with Mario, and a few other reasons, the new police chief Wyatt McBride believes that Piper is the prime suspect for Mario's murder. Piper, with her BFF and sidekick Reba Mae, decide to investigate the case on their own and discover the real culprit.
Piper and Reba Mae think they're being Nancy Drew and Bess Marvin, but they're more like Lucy and Ethel with their madcap misadventures, as they sleuth to uncover Mario's killer. Piper's detective work builds to an exciting climax.
I really like the way Rosemary and Crime ends:
[Note: I received a complimentary copy of Rosemary and Crime in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.]
Piper Prescott is recently divorced, after being married to attorney CJ Prescott for 20+ years. He decided to trade up for a newer model -- or beauty queen, rather -- twenty-four-year-old Amber Leigh Ames. Piper put her entire divorce settlement into beginning her dream business of a spice shop, Spice It Up!, in Brandywine Creek, Georgia.
For the big draw of the Grand Opening of Spice It Up!, Piper has scheduled a cooking demonstration of Roast Lamb with Juniper and Rosemary by Mario Barrone, owner and chef of local fine-dining establishment Trattoria Milano. Mario is as renowned for his temper as he is for his cooking, and redhead Piper has a bit of a temper herself.
On the eve of the grand opening, Mario has a big argument with Piper in her shop, about the condition of the juniper berries for his demo. Mario and Piper end up on the sidewalk in front of the shop as the argument draws to a close, with a crowd of passersby to watch the fireworks.
Piper finds Mario's body in his restaurant the next morning, and it appears that he's been murdered. Piper must still proceed with her grand opening because she needs the customers, and their purchases. Since she still needs a big draw, she realizes she will have to do the cooking demonstration.
Unfortunately, Piper has never prepared Roast Lamb with Juniper and Rosemary. Her demo doesn't go quite as smoothly as Mario's would have. The account of her disastrous demonstration is one of my favorite parts of Rosemary and Crime.
Because of the public argument Piper had with Mario, and a few other reasons, the new police chief Wyatt McBride believes that Piper is the prime suspect for Mario's murder. Piper, with her BFF and sidekick Reba Mae, decide to investigate the case on their own and discover the real culprit.
Piper and Reba Mae think they're being Nancy Drew and Bess Marvin, but they're more like Lucy and Ethel with their madcap misadventures, as they sleuth to uncover Mario's killer. Piper's detective work builds to an exciting climax.
I really like the way Rosemary and Crime ends:
It leaves me eager to read the next book in the series!"Thanks again, McBride," I called out.
He paused and shot me a killer smile over his shoulder. "See you around. And, Piper, just for the record, I do have a first name. It's Wyatt. Feel free to use it."
Hmmm ...
[Note: I received a complimentary copy of Rosemary and Crime in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.]
February 22, 2017
Registered on Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...
Really cute cozy mystery. I loved the fact it takes place in the south, it makes for fun characters. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. The main character and her best friend are a hoot.
Really cute cozy mystery. I loved the fact it takes place in the south, it makes for fun characters. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. The main character and her best friend are a hoot.
October 30, 2013
Enjoyable start to a new cozy mystery series which I plan to continue reading.
The basic formula of Rosemary and Crime is standard cozy: Single (divorced) working woman with colorful sidekick BFF accidentally gets involved in a murder and tries, clumsily, to solve it to clear her name. There are a couple of potential love interests, including the hunky new cop in town. I have nothing against sticking to the formula especially if the main character is engaging and the rest of the characters likable without verging into too cute for words quirkiness. I also liked the fact Piper's mother in law didn't become the stock enemy type character.
Piper does verge a bit close to stupidity once or twice. Even after the chief tells her she's no longer a suspect, she continues to worry about it, she also has problems with her ex and daughter, but in the end handles them well enough that it didn't frustrate me.
The basic formula of Rosemary and Crime is standard cozy: Single (divorced) working woman with colorful sidekick BFF accidentally gets involved in a murder and tries, clumsily, to solve it to clear her name. There are a couple of potential love interests, including the hunky new cop in town. I have nothing against sticking to the formula especially if the main character is engaging and the rest of the characters likable without verging into too cute for words quirkiness. I also liked the fact Piper's mother in law didn't become the stock enemy type character.
Piper does verge a bit close to stupidity once or twice. Even after the chief tells her she's no longer a suspect, she continues to worry about it, she also has problems with her ex and daughter, but in the end handles them well enough that it didn't frustrate me.
November 7, 2013
After Piper Prescott's husband leaves her for a former beauty queen, she uses all her savings to start up a small gourmet spice shop. But on the eve of the grand opening, an local chef turns up dead--and Piper is the prime suspect!
This follows the "cozy mystery" formula pretty closely, but it was different enough that I enjoyed it more than some. The protagonist has a high school daughter, and that relationship was explored as well as her relationship with her ex-husband, which gave the story a dimension I hadn't seen in a lot of the mysteries I've read. The cast of characters is fun and the Southern dialect, for the most part, rang true, except for the part where she referred to a "coke" as a "soda." I wish there were recipes to accompany the descriptions of foods and spices, but even without that this is a promising first title and I look forward to future entries in the series.
I received my copy free from NetGalley.
This follows the "cozy mystery" formula pretty closely, but it was different enough that I enjoyed it more than some. The protagonist has a high school daughter, and that relationship was explored as well as her relationship with her ex-husband, which gave the story a dimension I hadn't seen in a lot of the mysteries I've read. The cast of characters is fun and the Southern dialect, for the most part, rang true, except for the part where she referred to a "coke" as a "soda." I wish there were recipes to accompany the descriptions of foods and spices, but even without that this is a promising first title and I look forward to future entries in the series.
I received my copy free from NetGalley.
December 30, 2024
Rosemary and Crime by Gail Oust introduces Piper Prescott, recently divorced and about to open her new spice business, Spice it Up. Unfortunately on the day of her opening, she finds the chef who was to give a cooking demonstration at her shop murdered and she becomes the prime suspect. To avoid being arrested and to save her business she decides it is up to her to find the real murderer.
I enjoyed getting to know the people in Brandywine Creek, a town in Georgia, as well as Casey, a lovable dog who almost ends up a murder victim also. The mystery was well written and easy to become wrapped in, and I look forward to reading more of the series. Would have liked to have some of the mentioned recipes included.
I enjoyed getting to know the people in Brandywine Creek, a town in Georgia, as well as Casey, a lovable dog who almost ends up a murder victim also. The mystery was well written and easy to become wrapped in, and I look forward to reading more of the series. Would have liked to have some of the mentioned recipes included.
October 29, 2013
I received this book as part of the First Reads Goodreads program.
I flew through this book. Perfect for snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot tea. My only complaint is the frustrating way Piper handles her situation. There were many ways she could have made life easier for herself, but then again it wouldn't have been as entertaining I suppose.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Reba Mae and her relationship with Piper. I wish Oust had spent more time on the Chief and elaborated more on his situation, but leaves more for the next book! Hoping Oust has another novel in the works!
I flew through this book. Perfect for snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot tea. My only complaint is the frustrating way Piper handles her situation. There were many ways she could have made life easier for herself, but then again it wouldn't have been as entertaining I suppose.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Reba Mae and her relationship with Piper. I wish Oust had spent more time on the Chief and elaborated more on his situation, but leaves more for the next book! Hoping Oust has another novel in the works!
April 23, 2020
Rosemary and Crime was an entertaining escape. Piper, the main character, was, for the most part, relatable and likable. Oust was a bit heavy-handed with cliches and predictable scenarios but if you're looking for a light-hearted escape with a bit of romance and mystery Rosemary and Crime will take you away for a few fun hours.
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