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Tory Bauer Mystery #1
The Missionary Position: The First Delphi, South Dakota Mystery
Delphi, South Dakota is a dusty little prairie town, the kind people drive through on their way to bigger cities. But as Tory Bauer, middle-aged, widowed, overweight, cranky waitress might say, “Everything that happens in big towns, happens here too. We just don’t look as good naked.”
In The Missionary Position, later revised and republished as Funeral Food, the first of six mysteries featuring the crew at the Delphi Café, Tory would like nothing more than to get through the hot June days waiting tables, and her nights reading mysteries and thinking about the married Stu McKee. The last thing she wants is to be involved with a real-life mystery, but when a handsome young Mormon Missionary is found, dead, in the café’s mop closet, Tory is drawn into the investigation, and what she discovers shakes the foundations of her small town world.
In The Missionary Position, later revised and republished as Funeral Food, the first of six mysteries featuring the crew at the Delphi Café, Tory would like nothing more than to get through the hot June days waiting tables, and her nights reading mysteries and thinking about the married Stu McKee. The last thing she wants is to be involved with a real-life mystery, but when a handsome young Mormon Missionary is found, dead, in the café’s mop closet, Tory is drawn into the investigation, and what she discovers shakes the foundations of her small town world.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Kathleen Taylor
24 books29 followersKathleen Taylor is a freelance knitwear designer and a prolific writer. She is the author of the popular book Knit One, Felt Too, and her knitting designs have appeared in more than 50 different magazines. She lives in Redfield, South Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 16, 2016
Funeral Food is the first book in a six book series. I feel like I found a gem of a new series to read. The reason why are characters, the location and the humor. Tory Bauer is a waitress at the café in the small town. She is over 40, overweight and a recent widow. She lives with a co-worker and the co-worker son in a trailer at the edge of town. The POV is given by Tory. She is very witty.
Before I mention the other characters, I want to write about Delphi South Dakota. Delphi is where the book takes place. It is a hot dusty town in the summer and the winters are harsh. It is a small town where each day goes by nearly the same as the day before. That changed when a body was found by Tory in the cafe's closet. Television trucks arrive in Delphi to report the news about the murder. The town was described so well that I could visualize the town and feel the heat. The town was almost a character in itself.
The residents of Delphi were quirky and unique. They would come into the café. All had weaknesses which were shown and made them more life like. The murder happened quite a way into the book. You can see it building towards the crime but the solution to the murder was not evident.
This series has been out of print but fortunately has been put in a kindle format. I liked it so much that I purchased book 2,3 and 4 after reading Funeral Food. If you like mysteries with humor, a great location and interesting characters, you should like this book.
I would like to make a correction. As of June 2016, all six books are now out in trade paperback form.
Before I mention the other characters, I want to write about Delphi South Dakota. Delphi is where the book takes place. It is a hot dusty town in the summer and the winters are harsh. It is a small town where each day goes by nearly the same as the day before. That changed when a body was found by Tory in the cafe's closet. Television trucks arrive in Delphi to report the news about the murder. The town was described so well that I could visualize the town and feel the heat. The town was almost a character in itself.
The residents of Delphi were quirky and unique. They would come into the café. All had weaknesses which were shown and made them more life like. The murder happened quite a way into the book. You can see it building towards the crime but the solution to the murder was not evident.
This series has been out of print but fortunately has been put in a kindle format. I liked it so much that I purchased book 2,3 and 4 after reading Funeral Food. If you like mysteries with humor, a great location and interesting characters, you should like this book.
I would like to make a correction. As of June 2016, all six books are now out in trade paperback form.
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February 23, 2026Funny. Light entertainment. Fast-paced. Small town South Dakota.
August 6, 2008
I rated this 4 stars not for literary excellence, but rather for entertainment. I thought that this series was great fun and I love the idea that it is set in SoDak. I always say that being from SoDak is like being part of an elite club (you know the 6 degrees of separation that you can do with anyone from there) and it is fun to see it written about in a book.
May 16, 2012
This story, grabbed me from the start. The characters bring it to life, bring the town to life. They are somewhat odd, very flawed, and real. The murder, doesn't happen until half way into the book. But that's ok. Because we are so entwined in the characters lives, we don't notice the passage of the pages. At least I didn't. You feel the heat and smell the dust. And who did it? Well, I'll let you find that out for yourself. But I will say, I did not really see that coming. Only in my head, jokingly, did I think that perhaps this person committed the murder.
I will definitely be adding the next books in the series to my reading list.
I will definitely be adding the next books in the series to my reading list.
May 11, 2012
An under-rated cozy series (cozy without being vanilla or twee) with humor and a terrific sense of place.
January 7, 2023
Wow after what I thought was a kind of slow start that didn't grab me the ending was totally unexpected and really kind of sad.
I really like Tory Bauer and the other various characters in the book except Del and Big Dick who are just unpleasant and mean. I really like Presley Dels son.
The story line was decent and the writing was excellent after that slow start. A series I am sure I will keep reading.
I really like Tory Bauer and the other various characters in the book except Del and Big Dick who are just unpleasant and mean. I really like Presley Dels son.
The story line was decent and the writing was excellent after that slow start. A series I am sure I will keep reading.
September 6, 2011
It was nice to get back to Delphi and have a good visit with Tory. I originally read this many years ago, and loved the whole series. Now that they are available as ebooks, I plan on revisiting the rest of them!
February 21, 2021
I’m excited that this is the first book of a series because I have to follow this decidedly different, dare I say a little bit oddball, definitely eccentric group of characters to see what they get into next. Tori Bauer, widowed from her decidedly randy husband Nicky, lives with his cousin Delphine and her son Presley in a trailer on Main Street in Delphi, South Dakota. They both work at the same diner but on different shifts. Del is well known for being friendly with her favors when she’s in the mood, but her main man is the deputy sheriff, Big Duck Albrecht.
It takes a while for some of Delphi’s inhabitants to grow on you. It’s like a wind blown Mayberry, but Big Dick is no Andy Taylor and definitely not Barney Fife. But you have the Old Farts at the diner every morning plus the preacher across the street as well as the mechanic and the grocery store next door. And there is a library and a hardware store. Take note!
Tori’s mama takes care of HER mama out at her home place. And two sweet Mormon missionaries pop in and out of the cafe, and Del has set her sights on one of them. For shame. So many little stories are going on within the main one, but they really do matter.
The murder that takes place is a shocker, and solving it has a lot of twists and a couple of big surprises. Funeral Food is alternatively a bit scary, a bit sweet, and a lot of fun.
It takes a while for some of Delphi’s inhabitants to grow on you. It’s like a wind blown Mayberry, but Big Dick is no Andy Taylor and definitely not Barney Fife. But you have the Old Farts at the diner every morning plus the preacher across the street as well as the mechanic and the grocery store next door. And there is a library and a hardware store. Take note!
Tori’s mama takes care of HER mama out at her home place. And two sweet Mormon missionaries pop in and out of the cafe, and Del has set her sights on one of them. For shame. So many little stories are going on within the main one, but they really do matter.
The murder that takes place is a shocker, and solving it has a lot of twists and a couple of big surprises. Funeral Food is alternatively a bit scary, a bit sweet, and a lot of fun.
January 1, 2021
I was really confused at first. I was reading the books in order of the publishing date, but everyone lists this book as the first one. So now I know that Kathleen wrote this one first, but it didn't get published until after the first two. Why? I'm not sure, but Kathleen wrote a nice little author's note stating that this one was first.
Tory is pretty happy in her life at Delphi. She is a waitress at the local cafe and lives with her best friend Del and knows what is going to happen every day. But then she goes to get the mop and finds a dead body. Specifically, Charles the Mormon missionary.
Tory doesn't want to be involved. The sight of the dead body is horrible enough. But she keeps finding inconsistencies. Like it or not, Tory is about to become an investigator.
Tory is pretty happy in her life at Delphi. She is a waitress at the local cafe and lives with her best friend Del and knows what is going to happen every day. But then she goes to get the mop and finds a dead body. Specifically, Charles the Mormon missionary.
Tory doesn't want to be involved. The sight of the dead body is horrible enough. But she keeps finding inconsistencies. Like it or not, Tory is about to become an investigator.
October 20, 2020
As a South Dakotan myself I found this book to me. It's the first in a series of six books. It has a little bit of a cozy mystery, but reads more like a Janet Evanovich novel. The main character and sleuth is Tori Bauer, a 40 something year old waitress living in the small town of Delphi South Dakota. And it really feels like South Dakota, with the hot summers and the harsh frigid Winters. The mystery is really funny and also quite interesting, a Mormon missionary is found idead in the broom closet at the diner.
June 13, 2018
I have been attempting to read more fiction by local authors. This novel is one I found in a second hand store. The setting is a small town on the South Dakota Plains. The plot was sort of Peyton Place meets murder mystery. Some of the writing was very good, but the plot was not the best. I didn't figure out the "who done it" until near the end - but none the less, will not likely seek out this author to read again.
September 9, 2025
With some editing (cutting out the graphic description of how to perform a sex act), I would have given this book five stars. I lived in South Dakota, near Aberdeen, for several years, and thoroughly enjoyed the local color reflected in this book. The plot was interesting and fresh with some good twists to keep
the reader engaged. The typos, though few, were distracting.
I will read more by this author, being on alert to skip unnecessary graphic details.
the reader engaged. The typos, though few, were distracting.
I will read more by this author, being on alert to skip unnecessary graphic details.
July 5, 2017
This story has an interesting title but the tale does little to enhance the state of South Dakota. The characters are crazy in their daily lives, the mystery turns out to have two deaths, and the finish leaves the reader with many questions. copy right 1998
November 10, 2021
A small South Dakota town, great earthy characters, light, fun, so many twists especially the big one at the end of the book which I never saw coming. A writing friend introduced me to the Tory Bauer mystery series and I'm so happy to know there are 5 more waiting for me to enjoy.
January 27, 2020
Reading this in 2020 is like time travel.
April 12, 2020
Interesting murder mystery. Not for the young. The story grew on me and the ending was certainly a surprise
August 16, 2020
South Dakota Nice
The author, Kathleen Taylor, knows her small towns and families. She places them into a South Dakota summer and something was bound to happen.
The author, Kathleen Taylor, knows her small towns and families. She places them into a South Dakota summer and something was bound to happen.
November 19, 2020
Stumbled upon these many years back. I love how the author uses the weather and captures the South Dakotans unique personalities. And I totally relate to the main character.
March 16, 2021
eh?
i read (really skimmed) this in a hospital waiting room
i dont really have anything to say about it. not rly memorable. mormons and all that
i read (really skimmed) this in a hospital waiting room
i dont really have anything to say about it. not rly memorable. mormons and all that
January 20, 2022
Aw, just a good 90s cozy mystery. I'll be onto the next.
July 28, 2022
An intriguing and funny cozy mystery with realistic and enjoyable characters. Didn't see the twist coming which was nice.
Read
October 28, 2022DNF, tendré que buscar otro libro ambientado en Dakota del Sur porque no he podido pasar del 30% con este.
September 8, 2025
This story moved very slowly for me and the author was very detailed in every moment and the ending was kind of a mess.
January 19, 2026
I think I have read this book more than once. But have no review oe recollections of it at all.
April 29, 2020
A sleepy small town in South Dakota, Delphi is inhabited by eccentric longtime residents who are used to the hardscrabble and difficult existence. The local diner is a gathering place for these residents, and the occasional highway driver, where they catch up on anything worth knowing. Tory Bauer is a waitress at this establishment along with her housemate. As we are introduced to the story, there are two visitors to the little town of Delphi; a pair of Mormon missionaries there to convert the ‘heathen’. Instead one is converted to the first murder they have had in some time. Our waitress Tory finds the body and as she becomes more and more entangled in the mystery she finds out hidden secrets abound in her tiny town. With the help of her housemate and son, some of the locals, and even her mother, she plods to the most shocking secret and culmination to our mystery.
This story was just okay for me. I found the housemate and her flirtatiousness to be a bit over the top and irritating, the pacing a little off, and some of the locals beyond credulity. However, for an escapist read it was alright. I loved the twist end.
This story was just okay for me. I found the housemate and her flirtatiousness to be a bit over the top and irritating, the pacing a little off, and some of the locals beyond credulity. However, for an escapist read it was alright. I loved the twist end.
November 28, 2024
I read this because I had to find a book set in South Dakota to read for the Read A Book from Each State challenge. I'm sure I could have found something by Louise Erdrich - doesn't she do South Dakota, as well as North?
Things I liked about this book: I liked Tory Bauer, the main character. I liked her being middle-aged, heavy, horny for the feed store guy, happy to work at the diner and stay home reading a lot, and a little bit snarky.
I liked the way it ended and I didn't figure out the solution to the murder mystery until right before it was revealed. It was kind of a giggle.
Things I disliked about this book: Everything else.
Slow. Almost all "tell", very little "show". No murder until Chapter 11! I like a slow burn, but the first 10 chapters were just telling us the backgrounds of every character in town.
It wasn't very blood curdling. I was expecting chopped body parts in the diner food, from the cover! Disappointed. And yes, I realized from the start that this was a cozy mystery, but still.
There was no funeral, and very little concentration on food, despite it being largely set in a diner.
Waaaay too much Del and her sexual exploits. I didn't care about her.
The plot was uneven; the murder feels plonked down in the middle and honestly not very important. If I ever get murdered, I hope someone will have a little more emotion about it than anyone in this book does about the victim! It feels very much like an "oh well, that's inconvenient" thing. After the murder there's a super weird Santa Clause scene (but the events are taking place in summer); then there's a steamy sex scene; then there's an awkward "I didn't know my friend was in love with me" scene; and then we get back to the murder - oh yeah! There was a murder. Even a cozy mystery should have a little more scare to it - shouldn't it?!
Anyway, I've now read my South Dakota book.
Things I liked about this book: I liked Tory Bauer, the main character. I liked her being middle-aged, heavy, horny for the feed store guy, happy to work at the diner and stay home reading a lot, and a little bit snarky.
I liked the way it ended and I didn't figure out the solution to the murder mystery until right before it was revealed. It was kind of a giggle.
Things I disliked about this book: Everything else.
Slow. Almost all "tell", very little "show". No murder until Chapter 11! I like a slow burn, but the first 10 chapters were just telling us the backgrounds of every character in town.
It wasn't very blood curdling. I was expecting chopped body parts in the diner food, from the cover! Disappointed. And yes, I realized from the start that this was a cozy mystery, but still.
There was no funeral, and very little concentration on food, despite it being largely set in a diner.
Waaaay too much Del and her sexual exploits. I didn't care about her.
The plot was uneven; the murder feels plonked down in the middle and honestly not very important. If I ever get murdered, I hope someone will have a little more emotion about it than anyone in this book does about the victim! It feels very much like an "oh well, that's inconvenient" thing. After the murder there's a super weird Santa Clause scene (but the events are taking place in summer); then there's a steamy sex scene; then there's an awkward "I didn't know my friend was in love with me" scene; and then we get back to the murder - oh yeah! There was a murder. Even a cozy mystery should have a little more scare to it - shouldn't it?!
Anyway, I've now read my South Dakota book.
November 30, 2014
I so, SO enjoyed this book. I have a couple complaints but they are very small in the scheme of things. Cozy mysteries are always hit and miss with me, they're either totally awesome, or I can't get through the first chapter. I knew right away that this was going to be one of the awesome ones. The setting and side characters are so perfectly done and add a lot of humor and richness to the story. Tory herself is incredibly likable (which I'm finding to be rare in these types of books, a likable heroine. Usually they're petty and obnoxious.)
My complaints are:
1) The mystery itself was great and I definitely did not see the end coming right up to when it happens. That being said, the plot line relies heavily on Tory having sudden epiphanies. She's just sitting there and WHAM it all falls into place. Which is not very believable. Sure, she reads a lot of detective novels and knows every inhabitant of the town like the back of her hand. But that doesn't make her an FBI profiler with a genius IQ.
2) At the beginning of every chapter there would be like a page and a half of...random facts about life. That would then somehow lead into whatever Tory was thinking about. These really, really annoyed me, especially towards the end. All I wanted was to know what would come next. These long, rambling asides were totally pointless and frustrating.
But I still loved it and I really can't wait to get to the next one. I'm attached to all of these idiot side character so much already, I can't handle it.
My complaints are:
1) The mystery itself was great and I definitely did not see the end coming right up to when it happens. That being said, the plot line relies heavily on Tory having sudden epiphanies. She's just sitting there and WHAM it all falls into place. Which is not very believable. Sure, she reads a lot of detective novels and knows every inhabitant of the town like the back of her hand. But that doesn't make her an FBI profiler with a genius IQ.
2) At the beginning of every chapter there would be like a page and a half of...random facts about life. That would then somehow lead into whatever Tory was thinking about. These really, really annoyed me, especially towards the end. All I wanted was to know what would come next. These long, rambling asides were totally pointless and frustrating.
But I still loved it and I really can't wait to get to the next one. I'm attached to all of these idiot side character so much already, I can't handle it.
February 16, 2017
not fan of sex, cussing,not my definition of a cozy type of mystery to read. It was pretty boring the murder didnt happen till chapter 11. I lost interest in reading it story was all over the place.
January 22, 2013
An interesting cozy mystery that hit me with a total surprise at the end. The murderer was an interesting choice and not necessarily a welcome one. I really loved that the book was set in South Dakota, with lots of references to live there. The small town of Delphi was filled with fascinating and quirky characters. Our heroine, Tory Bauer, is a down-to-earth, regular small town native. Other characters included Del Bauer (her cousin and roommate), Presley (Del's son), Nick (Tory's friend), Stu (Tory's wannabe boyfriend), Big Dick (local deputy and bully), and various other townsfolk and family members. As waitress in the local café, Tory has excellent opportunities to investigate the murder in a very sensible fashion, without a lot of danger. I liked that there's a bit of romance involved, as well as the usual connections and relationships that develop within a small group. All in all it was good, and I'll probably read more in the series.
June 14, 2014
A cozy cute little mystery. I thought the town was the cute, the MC was funny and the drama was interesting at times.
but wow, it took a long time to muddle through the drama. I know small town is small town, but this first book introduces you to THE WHOLE TOWN. For the first 75 pages or so....I was getting bored. I'd been introduced to so many characters (and their respective sex life - yikes!) that I was lost and confused.
When the mystery finally happened, the book flew but I still wasn't terribly invested. I would pick up book 2 as a fun summer read as long as I could get it from the library.....
but wow, it took a long time to muddle through the drama. I know small town is small town, but this first book introduces you to THE WHOLE TOWN. For the first 75 pages or so....I was getting bored. I'd been introduced to so many characters (and their respective sex life - yikes!) that I was lost and confused.
When the mystery finally happened, the book flew but I still wasn't terribly invested. I would pick up book 2 as a fun summer read as long as I could get it from the library.....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews