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A Garlic Farm Mystery #2
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die
Inheriting her late aunt’s Massachusetts farm is no gift for app developer Mabel Skinner, who is about to learn that even the best-grown garlic can’t ward off murderous intent…
Mabel’s hope of finding an enthusiastic farmer to buy Stinkin’ Stuff Farm is dying a little bit every day. So far, all she’s found are double-dealing developers. But after a heated dispute over grass clippings with an obsessive local rhubarb breeder, she discovers something even more distressing—the breeder in question undisputedly dead in his greenhouse. . . .
Uncomfortably aware that she might be a prime suspect, Mabel stops digging in the dirt long enough to dig up more information about the dead man, and anyone else he might have argued with. The list is longer than she imagined, and includes a persnickety neighbor and a rival rhubarb breeder. With all the ingredients for a homegrown mystery, Mabel must unearth a killer—before the next plot to be dug is her grave. . . .
Mabel’s hope of finding an enthusiastic farmer to buy Stinkin’ Stuff Farm is dying a little bit every day. So far, all she’s found are double-dealing developers. But after a heated dispute over grass clippings with an obsessive local rhubarb breeder, she discovers something even more distressing—the breeder in question undisputedly dead in his greenhouse. . . .
Uncomfortably aware that she might be a prime suspect, Mabel stops digging in the dirt long enough to dig up more information about the dead man, and anyone else he might have argued with. The list is longer than she imagined, and includes a persnickety neighbor and a rival rhubarb breeder. With all the ingredients for a homegrown mystery, Mabel must unearth a killer—before the next plot to be dug is her grave. . . .
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2020
30 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Gin Jones
48 books116 followersGin is a retired lawyer who specialized in ghost-writing for other lawyers. She prefers to write her own books, though, since she doesn't have to worry that her sense of humor might get her thrown into jail for contempt of court. In her spare time, Gin makes quilts, grows garlic, and advocates for patients with rare disorders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 23, 2021
This is a cozy mystery, and this is the second book in A Garlic Farm Mystery series. I have to say that the character, Mabel was different then most other cozy heroines. The mystery in this book was well-crafted, and the characters in this book was realistic and well developed. The ending had twist and turns, and I love the ending so much. This book was suspenseful and pulled me in from the beginning. I have not read the first book in this series, but I think this one can be read as a standalone. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Books) or author (Gin Jones) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
April 6, 2021
In this second installment in the Garlic Farm Mystery series by Gin Jones, Mabel Skinner is getting used to life on the garlic farm but she is still determined to sell it and move back to her quiet life in Maine. While making a late-night run for organic mulch, she gets into a heated argument with another farmer over who gets to take the mulch. The next day, she goes to his house to smooth things over and finds him dead. As one of the main suspects, she becomes determined to clear her name and find the real murderer.
This series is quickly becoming a favorite. I love the characters, the plot, and the descriptions of farming. As an introvert myself, I feel such a connection to Mabel and see a lot of myself in her. I am rooting for her and can't wait to see how her character and the relationships in her life develop.
All in all, a fun mystery that held my attention until the end. I look forward to the third book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This series is quickly becoming a favorite. I love the characters, the plot, and the descriptions of farming. As an introvert myself, I feel such a connection to Mabel and see a lot of myself in her. I am rooting for her and can't wait to see how her character and the relationships in her life develop.
All in all, a fun mystery that held my attention until the end. I look forward to the third book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2021
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die by Gin Jones is the second installment of the cozy A Garlic Farm Mystery series. As with most cozy series each book of the series will have it’s own mystery that is fully solved within the book so it can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There will be however the character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.
Mabel Skinner got so caught up in her job as an app developer and with life in general that she hasn’t been to visit her Aunt Peggy Skinner in years always falling back on sending the occasional card. It still hits Mabel hard when she gets news of Aunt Peggy’s passing since her aunt had always been in good health working hard on her garlic farm. Mabel had packed a bag and found herself heading to western Massachusetts when it’s found that Aunt Peggy left the Stinkin’ Stuff Farm to Mabel.
Now that Mabel finally found the answers to just what happened to Aunt Peggy and proved it was a killer that took her life Mabel is back to her plan of selling the farm. One harvest at the farm was enough for this city girl but Mabel plans to make sure the farm is only sold to a farmer and not a developer. Since a buyer hasn’t been found Mabel is still attempting to keep it going and ends up in a dispute with another farmer over grass clippings. Unfortunately that same man is found murdered so Mabel needs to sleuth out the killer before she becomes suspect #1.
So being a fan of the fun, humorous and quirky in my cozy mysteries the A Garlic Farm Mystery series fit that bill nicely which brought me back to book two. I never knew people went so crazy for garlic before reading these and now I see that farming can be pretty competitive too. It was great to return to the farm although Mabel is thinking of a name change and I vote to leave it, I mean come on it’s great!!! But everyone was back including the cute critters including the alarm kitty. Complete fun yet again so I’ll definitely be back to this series in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Mabel Skinner got so caught up in her job as an app developer and with life in general that she hasn’t been to visit her Aunt Peggy Skinner in years always falling back on sending the occasional card. It still hits Mabel hard when she gets news of Aunt Peggy’s passing since her aunt had always been in good health working hard on her garlic farm. Mabel had packed a bag and found herself heading to western Massachusetts when it’s found that Aunt Peggy left the Stinkin’ Stuff Farm to Mabel.
Now that Mabel finally found the answers to just what happened to Aunt Peggy and proved it was a killer that took her life Mabel is back to her plan of selling the farm. One harvest at the farm was enough for this city girl but Mabel plans to make sure the farm is only sold to a farmer and not a developer. Since a buyer hasn’t been found Mabel is still attempting to keep it going and ends up in a dispute with another farmer over grass clippings. Unfortunately that same man is found murdered so Mabel needs to sleuth out the killer before she becomes suspect #1.
So being a fan of the fun, humorous and quirky in my cozy mysteries the A Garlic Farm Mystery series fit that bill nicely which brought me back to book two. I never knew people went so crazy for garlic before reading these and now I see that farming can be pretty competitive too. It was great to return to the farm although Mabel is thinking of a name change and I vote to leave it, I mean come on it’s great!!! But everyone was back including the cute critters including the alarm kitty. Complete fun yet again so I’ll definitely be back to this series in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 22, 2020
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is the second book in the A Garlic Farm Mystery series by Gin Jones.
Mabel is still looking for a buyer for the farm that she inherited from her aunt. The farm raises the best garlic on the East Coast, but Mabel doesn’t want to be a farmer and only wants to find a buyer that will continue to farm the land.
Mabel and her good friend and mentor, Rory, are going through a nearby development, picking up bags of yard waste that they plan to use as compost for the garlic that will soon need planting. Graham Winthrop soon accosts them, stating that they are stealing “his stuff” that he uses on his rhubarb seedlings.
The next morning, she will apologize to Graham, as she is worried that if he contacts city officials, Rory’s husband, a police officer, might get into trouble. She enters his greenhouse, calling out to him, and receives no response. She takes in how well organized and neat everything is. Mabel is also talking to Graham about his rhubarb garden but soon realizes that won’t happen, as she has come across his dead body. Mabel is sure once the police learn of her argument with Graham, she will become a suspect. Mabel wants this cleared up quickly, so if a buyer is found for the farm, she can head back to Maine’s home. She will soon find a few suspects that might want him out of the picture.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I was hoping that Mabel’s whining about finding a buyer would soon be put to rest. Instead of continually calling her lawyer’s cell phone, and as necessary it was to talk with him, she should have called his business number. I did enjoy the other characters and thought they were interesting and likable.
I enjoyed reading about gardening/farming and hoped that I would find this an interesting series, but it’s not to be.
Mabel is still looking for a buyer for the farm that she inherited from her aunt. The farm raises the best garlic on the East Coast, but Mabel doesn’t want to be a farmer and only wants to find a buyer that will continue to farm the land.
Mabel and her good friend and mentor, Rory, are going through a nearby development, picking up bags of yard waste that they plan to use as compost for the garlic that will soon need planting. Graham Winthrop soon accosts them, stating that they are stealing “his stuff” that he uses on his rhubarb seedlings.
The next morning, she will apologize to Graham, as she is worried that if he contacts city officials, Rory’s husband, a police officer, might get into trouble. She enters his greenhouse, calling out to him, and receives no response. She takes in how well organized and neat everything is. Mabel is also talking to Graham about his rhubarb garden but soon realizes that won’t happen, as she has come across his dead body. Mabel is sure once the police learn of her argument with Graham, she will become a suspect. Mabel wants this cleared up quickly, so if a buyer is found for the farm, she can head back to Maine’s home. She will soon find a few suspects that might want him out of the picture.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I was hoping that Mabel’s whining about finding a buyer would soon be put to rest. Instead of continually calling her lawyer’s cell phone, and as necessary it was to talk with him, she should have called his business number. I did enjoy the other characters and thought they were interesting and likable.
I enjoyed reading about gardening/farming and hoped that I would find this an interesting series, but it’s not to be.
November 17, 2020
This is book two in the series. It was my first time reading this series and I did not notice it wasn’t the first book until I was done. I need to read the first book now because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I put this on my TBR because I happen to love rhubarb and garlic, though not together. There are two rhubarb recipes in the back that were mentioned in the book. I was happy to see the stewed rhubarb as I never had that. When I read it in the book, I thought I was going to have to google it.
Mabel has come to her aunt’s garlic farm with the intention of selling it. However things did not work out that way as quickly as she hoped. When she discovers the body of a murdered man she finds herself high on the suspect list. Will she be able to prove her innocence? Will she find a buyer for the farm? I liked Mabel. She was different from so many sleuths in the cozy mysteries I have read. Her differences made her interesting to me. I especially liked her observations. I like Rory who becomes her friend and the way she kind of forced her way into Mabel’s life. I think she is good for Mabel. Mabel adopts a cat then finds herself the caretaker of a pregnant cat who belonged to the murder victim. I enjoyed reading about the cats. I found myself engrossed in this mystery which I saw as multilayered. There were a few suspects but I honestly was so interested in the whole story, I can’t tell you if they were easy or difficult to guess at. I was caught up in the farm and the rhubarb. I am going to go look at book one now. I’m intrigued. I think you should read it.
I won a kindle copy of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway. No review was required. I voluntarily reviewed this book based on my enjoyment of it. I appreciate Goodreads, Kensington/Lyrical and the author providing a copy of the book for the giveaway.
Mabel has come to her aunt’s garlic farm with the intention of selling it. However things did not work out that way as quickly as she hoped. When she discovers the body of a murdered man she finds herself high on the suspect list. Will she be able to prove her innocence? Will she find a buyer for the farm? I liked Mabel. She was different from so many sleuths in the cozy mysteries I have read. Her differences made her interesting to me. I especially liked her observations. I like Rory who becomes her friend and the way she kind of forced her way into Mabel’s life. I think she is good for Mabel. Mabel adopts a cat then finds herself the caretaker of a pregnant cat who belonged to the murder victim. I enjoyed reading about the cats. I found myself engrossed in this mystery which I saw as multilayered. There were a few suspects but I honestly was so interested in the whole story, I can’t tell you if they were easy or difficult to guess at. I was caught up in the farm and the rhubarb. I am going to go look at book one now. I’m intrigued. I think you should read it.
I won a kindle copy of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway. No review was required. I voluntarily reviewed this book based on my enjoyment of it. I appreciate Goodreads, Kensington/Lyrical and the author providing a copy of the book for the giveaway.
December 4, 2020
I had high hopes for Rhubarb Pie Before You Die by Gin Jones, especially since she has two other mystery series out. I’ve been noticing a trend though, when authors have multiple series out, at least one of them tends to suffer. Perhaps because they have too much going on or authors are expected to pump books out so quickly. Not even 10 years ago you would maybe get one book from an author a year, and be happy about it. But now people are expecting two or more books a year, and some authors even churn out five or six books a year. I know the competition is fierce for readers and the pay isn’t great, but I would rather wait two years for a good book than keep reading mediocre ones.
I did love the premise of Rhubarb Pie Before You Die; an introverted app developer who lives in the city takes over her dead aunt’s busy country farm. It’s ripe for quirky characters and farming mishaps.
And some of the characters were enduring; Pixie, the cat, who barely likes anyone, Billie Jean, the pregnant momma cat who seems to be a bit feral and hates everyone (but I would too if I was about ready to pop), Rory, another farmer who is super supportive, and Josephine, the spunky, older librarian.
There was just so much repetition. It felt like Jones had mapped out the eight main scenes and just kept repeating the same things in between. Mabel keeps calling her lawyer who fixes everything for her, but he isn’t picking up. Mabel wants to leave, but only when she finds a farmer who will keep running her aunt’s farm. She has to feed the cats and Pixie meows a lot since the farm continually has people stopping by. And Mabel goes over the suspects over and over and over and over.
With so many cozy series out there I won’t be reading more in this one. But there is a reader for every book, so to those who enjoy it, that does make me happy.
I did love the premise of Rhubarb Pie Before You Die; an introverted app developer who lives in the city takes over her dead aunt’s busy country farm. It’s ripe for quirky characters and farming mishaps.
And some of the characters were enduring; Pixie, the cat, who barely likes anyone, Billie Jean, the pregnant momma cat who seems to be a bit feral and hates everyone (but I would too if I was about ready to pop), Rory, another farmer who is super supportive, and Josephine, the spunky, older librarian.
There was just so much repetition. It felt like Jones had mapped out the eight main scenes and just kept repeating the same things in between. Mabel keeps calling her lawyer who fixes everything for her, but he isn’t picking up. Mabel wants to leave, but only when she finds a farmer who will keep running her aunt’s farm. She has to feed the cats and Pixie meows a lot since the farm continually has people stopping by. And Mabel goes over the suspects over and over and over and over.
With so many cozy series out there I won’t be reading more in this one. But there is a reader for every book, so to those who enjoy it, that does make me happy.
December 24, 2020
This is the second book in a series by Gin Jones about Mabel Skinner who inherits her late aunt's garlic farm, Stinkin’ Stuff Farm, in Massachusetts. As an app developer, Mabel is out of her depth as a garlic farmer, so is seeking to sell the farm. Whilst waiting for an appropriate buyer to crop up Mabel is out looking for organic mulch. She encounters Graham Winthrop, a rhubarb farmer with whom she has a disagreement. The next day Graham is found dead in his greenhouse...
I thoroughly enjoyed Rhubarb Pie Before You Die and found it compelling. Although I haven't yet read the series début - Six Cloves Under - this did not mar my appreciation for the story as it was easy to read. I thought protagonist Mabel was a great character as she was personable, and principled in her decision not to want to sell Stinkin’ Stuff to a developer. The mystery itself included enough twists to keep me guessing and turning the pages. Mabel was surrounded and supported by a good bunch and I especially liked her energetic friend Rory, another farmer, and Pixie the cat. It’s fun to be reading a series set on a garlic farm and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Mabel and Pixie. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rhubarb Pie Before You Die and found it compelling. Although I haven't yet read the series début - Six Cloves Under - this did not mar my appreciation for the story as it was easy to read. I thought protagonist Mabel was a great character as she was personable, and principled in her decision not to want to sell Stinkin’ Stuff to a developer. The mystery itself included enough twists to keep me guessing and turning the pages. Mabel was surrounded and supported by a good bunch and I especially liked her energetic friend Rory, another farmer, and Pixie the cat. It’s fun to be reading a series set on a garlic farm and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Mabel and Pixie. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
September 17, 2020
While I didn't realize this is the second book in the series, I loved it as a stand alone! I didn't need to read the first one to enjoy Rhubarb Pie Before You Die. I really enjoyed Mabel as a character she was complex and an introvert, which was a fun change from other cozy heroines. This mystery combined farming, kittens and country living in the best way possible!
January 4, 2021
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die by Gin Jones is the 2nd A Garlic Farm Mystery series. It can be read on its own if you have not read Six Cloves Under. I found Rhubarb Pie Before You Die to be easy to read with an interesting cast of characters that includes cats. Mabel is doing her app work as well as keeping the farm running with help from her friends, neighbors, and co-op members. While Mabel likes the nearby town and the friends she has made, she still wishes to return to her regular life. She is thrilled when the local realtor finds a buyer for the farm who assures her that he is going to maintain the farm and is eager to get started. Mabel decides to have her lawyer check out this buyer before signing on the dotted line. The problem is, though, that her lawyer is failing to answer his phone or return her calls. Mabel’s life if further complicated when she stumbles upon the local rhubarb farmer dead in his greenhouse after she had a public altercation with him over grass clippings (they are organic which is desirable for the farmers). Mabel is once again under suspicion which has her donning her sleuthing cap to prove her innocence. I found Rhubarb Pie Before You Die to be lacking in depth and there is too much repetition especially regarding the list of suspects. She calls her lawyer who does not answer, feeds the cats, the one cat meows frequently, and the sale of the farm are some of the repetitive scenes. The mystery was light and can easily be solved by readers. It was interesting to learn about rhubarb and there are recipes at the end. I do like that Mabel is an introvert who prefers to work at night (I am the same way). This gives us a different type of cozy mystery protagonist. For those looking for an escape story (an easy breezy relaxing story), then you will enjoy Rhubarb Pie Before You Die. Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is a lighthearted cozy mystery with clipping chaos, fervent rhubarb farmer, cute cats, a neglectful lawyer, and an eager beaver buyer.
November 8, 2020
Suddenly orphaned at twelve and more comfortable with computer work than dealing with interpersonal problems, Mabel Skinner is still in western Massachusetts trying to sell her aunt's garlic farm instead of back home in Maine. While doing a sneaky raid on yard waste in another part of town with one of her new friends she comes into confrontational contact with a man who wants the impending compost for his own asparagus operation. But the next day, when she goes to reason with the man, she finds him dead his greenhouse. Guess who the inexperienced detective figures for the chief suspect. Mabel learns sleuthing with the helps of several of her new friends, including the town librarian, while learning if she really wants to sell the farm. Twisty and full of red herrings!
I enjoyed the story a lot and read it in one sitting!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I enjoyed the story a lot and read it in one sitting!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
September 25, 2020
Mabel Skinner is an app developer by choice and a garlic farmer by inheritance. While trying to sell her Aunt Peggy's farm, to a serious and reputable farmer (no developers please!) Mabel finds herself in the middle of lies, rhubarb farming and murder!
I am a fan of all of Gin Jones books - from the Helen Binney Mysteries to the Danger Cove Quilting and Market mysteries! The Garlic Farm series has all the things I enjoy about cozies and more! Gin Jones books, including her latest series, all share common traits - keep you reading mysteries, intriguing main characters who are complex yet relatable, solid supporting characters and a writing style that makes the reader feel as if they are sleuthing along with the main character. Rhubarb Pie Before You Die has all these traits!
It's wonderful to add another Gin Jones series to my cozy list!
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I am a fan of all of Gin Jones books - from the Helen Binney Mysteries to the Danger Cove Quilting and Market mysteries! The Garlic Farm series has all the things I enjoy about cozies and more! Gin Jones books, including her latest series, all share common traits - keep you reading mysteries, intriguing main characters who are complex yet relatable, solid supporting characters and a writing style that makes the reader feel as if they are sleuthing along with the main character. Rhubarb Pie Before You Die has all these traits!
It's wonderful to add another Gin Jones series to my cozy list!
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 27, 2020
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die earns 5/5 Rhubarb Leaves....Clever & Engaging!
‘Stinking’ Great! Farming, especially on a budget, takes initiative and creativity. Rory took Mabel Skinner, owner of the Stinkin’ Stuff Farm, out to a subdivision outside of town to pick up garden waste the neighbors have bagged up for removal; it is great “mulch” for her garlic crops, and at no cost, it’s great for the budget. However, Mabel is not the only farmer looking for a deal. Mr. Winthrop grows rhubarb and hopes his breeding program for rhubarb becomes an industry standard, but, right now, he’s causing quite an early morning kerfuffle, demanding and threatening Mabel and Rory, and waking up the neighbors including a councilman. They tentatively agree to split the waste evenly, but Winthrop makes his intentions known...it ain’t over! The next day all the town is buzzing with him stirring up trouble, forcing sides, and threatening a court battle. Mabel goes to his farm planning to offer an apology for the misunderstanding hoping it will squelch his plans to lodge a criminal complaint. Instead, she finds his body covered in the toxic rhubarb leaves...and the police pinpoint Mabel as the number one person of interest.
Gin Jones has penned another clever cozy murder mystery in her Garlic Farm Mystery series involving a delightful, yet soft-spoken introvert who is just biding her time until she can sell the farm she inherited and return to her somewhat solitary existence as an app designer. Her new friends and a couple of ornery felines are key to bringing her out of her shell which is entertaining to witness. The murder mystery written from a third-person perspective had several theories with suspects beyond our poor Mabel’s fight over “mulch” and incorporates interesting avenues from conflicts with the HOA over to the victim’s work with rhubarb. I had the killer on my radar, but inconclusive specifics and misdirection led me on a fun journey ending in a satisfying conclusion. Beyond the murder and fingers pointing at Mabel, she’s also dealing with an additional cat ready to deliver, crops needing to be planted, an offer on the farm seemingly too-good-to-be-true, and a boss pressuring her to return to work now, not later. All in the course of an engaging cozy with a challenging mystery, variety of characters from unique to quirky, and insights into farming, garlic, and rhubarb...Loved it and recipes, too, celebrating this often misunderstood veggie stalk. Each recipe has an informative intro, common kitchen ingredients, and easy to follow directions. Enjoy Rhubarb Crisp, Blueberry Rhubarb Jam, and Stewed Rhubarb.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Kensington thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
‘Stinking’ Great! Farming, especially on a budget, takes initiative and creativity. Rory took Mabel Skinner, owner of the Stinkin’ Stuff Farm, out to a subdivision outside of town to pick up garden waste the neighbors have bagged up for removal; it is great “mulch” for her garlic crops, and at no cost, it’s great for the budget. However, Mabel is not the only farmer looking for a deal. Mr. Winthrop grows rhubarb and hopes his breeding program for rhubarb becomes an industry standard, but, right now, he’s causing quite an early morning kerfuffle, demanding and threatening Mabel and Rory, and waking up the neighbors including a councilman. They tentatively agree to split the waste evenly, but Winthrop makes his intentions known...it ain’t over! The next day all the town is buzzing with him stirring up trouble, forcing sides, and threatening a court battle. Mabel goes to his farm planning to offer an apology for the misunderstanding hoping it will squelch his plans to lodge a criminal complaint. Instead, she finds his body covered in the toxic rhubarb leaves...and the police pinpoint Mabel as the number one person of interest.
Gin Jones has penned another clever cozy murder mystery in her Garlic Farm Mystery series involving a delightful, yet soft-spoken introvert who is just biding her time until she can sell the farm she inherited and return to her somewhat solitary existence as an app designer. Her new friends and a couple of ornery felines are key to bringing her out of her shell which is entertaining to witness. The murder mystery written from a third-person perspective had several theories with suspects beyond our poor Mabel’s fight over “mulch” and incorporates interesting avenues from conflicts with the HOA over to the victim’s work with rhubarb. I had the killer on my radar, but inconclusive specifics and misdirection led me on a fun journey ending in a satisfying conclusion. Beyond the murder and fingers pointing at Mabel, she’s also dealing with an additional cat ready to deliver, crops needing to be planted, an offer on the farm seemingly too-good-to-be-true, and a boss pressuring her to return to work now, not later. All in the course of an engaging cozy with a challenging mystery, variety of characters from unique to quirky, and insights into farming, garlic, and rhubarb...Loved it and recipes, too, celebrating this often misunderstood veggie stalk. Each recipe has an informative intro, common kitchen ingredients, and easy to follow directions. Enjoy Rhubarb Crisp, Blueberry Rhubarb Jam, and Stewed Rhubarb.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Kensington thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
August 30, 2020
Mable Skinner is back again in this second book in the garlic farm series.
Mable is definitely not a country girl, she’s more comfortable in her little world in Maine, writing code and avoiding people as much as possible.
Unfortunately for Mable, she hasn’t been able to find a buyer for her aunt’s farm, so she finds herself having to make plans to get the garlic planted, find helpers, and of course, continue to hope the right buyer comes along.
While making a run for organic clippings with her neighbor and friend, Rory, Mable encounters Graham, another farmer, who seems to be a few eggs short of a dozen.
When Graham threatens to take action against the women, Mable panics and hopes to smooth things over with the disgruntled farmer.
All Mabel knows is Graham is a rhubarb farmer, so taking a deep breath, she heads over to his house, hoping that she can convince him to not press charges.
Before Mabel even has a chance to speak to the man, his annoying neighbor pounces on her, spouting homeowner rules and the many violations the farmer is guilty of.
As Mabel makes her way into the large greenhouse, she isn’t prepared for what she sees, and she certainly isn’t prepared to become the main suspect in a murder investigation.
I felt a genuine connection to Mabel, we both have an introverted personality and try to avoid social interaction as best we can.
I didn’t expect to read this book in one sitting, but I was so intrigued by the story, that I couldn’t put it down.
I was stunned at the reveal and had no idea that it would end that way.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good solid book.
#RhubarbPieBeforeYouDie #NetGalley
Mable is definitely not a country girl, she’s more comfortable in her little world in Maine, writing code and avoiding people as much as possible.
Unfortunately for Mable, she hasn’t been able to find a buyer for her aunt’s farm, so she finds herself having to make plans to get the garlic planted, find helpers, and of course, continue to hope the right buyer comes along.
While making a run for organic clippings with her neighbor and friend, Rory, Mable encounters Graham, another farmer, who seems to be a few eggs short of a dozen.
When Graham threatens to take action against the women, Mable panics and hopes to smooth things over with the disgruntled farmer.
All Mabel knows is Graham is a rhubarb farmer, so taking a deep breath, she heads over to his house, hoping that she can convince him to not press charges.
Before Mabel even has a chance to speak to the man, his annoying neighbor pounces on her, spouting homeowner rules and the many violations the farmer is guilty of.
As Mabel makes her way into the large greenhouse, she isn’t prepared for what she sees, and she certainly isn’t prepared to become the main suspect in a murder investigation.
I felt a genuine connection to Mabel, we both have an introverted personality and try to avoid social interaction as best we can.
I didn’t expect to read this book in one sitting, but I was so intrigued by the story, that I couldn’t put it down.
I was stunned at the reveal and had no idea that it would end that way.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good solid book.
#RhubarbPieBeforeYouDie #NetGalley
April 3, 2021
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is the second installment in the “A Garlic Farm Mystery” series. Mabel, the main character, is an introvert who prefers computers to people. Inheriting her aunt’s garlic farm wasn’t in her life plan. Now all she wants to do is find a buyer for the farm and get back to her quiet solo life.
All of the characters in this book and the first book are easy to like. This is especially true for Rory, the neighbor who has helped Mable from the beginning. The most unlikeable character is Mabel. The first book put Mabel on the farm and trying to bring in the harvest, which isn’t easy when you know nothing about farming, garlic, or harvesting. It’s understandable that she is uncomfortable and just wants to go home. But now, in the second book, nothing seems to have changed. She spends most of her time whining about finding a buyer and calling her lawyer, who is smart enough apparently not to answer. The murder of another farmer and one she has a run-in with just the day before throws her for a loop, and she is confident that the police think she is the killer. But it seems all Mabel cares about is that the investigation might get in the way of selling the farm and her going back to her old life.
This is where the story takes on some unlikable traits. First off, at no time does the detective accuse Mabel of being the killer, there is no evidence that leads to her being the killer, and there are plenty of other suspects that are far more viable and believable. The constant whining about going home and selling the farm is just plain irritating. Mabel doesn’t seem to care about the people who have come to like and even love her, the town’s future, or her aunt’s much-loved farm. She comes off as self-centered and selfish. When the killer is revealed, it comes as no surprise and seems evident from the beginning. The motive is weak but acceptable. The best part of Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is the cats and Rory.
All of this said I feel this series still has great potential. If Mabel can somehow get over herself and start caring about something, or even someone, other than her computer or herself, it will make this a series worth reading.
All of the characters in this book and the first book are easy to like. This is especially true for Rory, the neighbor who has helped Mable from the beginning. The most unlikeable character is Mabel. The first book put Mabel on the farm and trying to bring in the harvest, which isn’t easy when you know nothing about farming, garlic, or harvesting. It’s understandable that she is uncomfortable and just wants to go home. But now, in the second book, nothing seems to have changed. She spends most of her time whining about finding a buyer and calling her lawyer, who is smart enough apparently not to answer. The murder of another farmer and one she has a run-in with just the day before throws her for a loop, and she is confident that the police think she is the killer. But it seems all Mabel cares about is that the investigation might get in the way of selling the farm and her going back to her old life.
This is where the story takes on some unlikable traits. First off, at no time does the detective accuse Mabel of being the killer, there is no evidence that leads to her being the killer, and there are plenty of other suspects that are far more viable and believable. The constant whining about going home and selling the farm is just plain irritating. Mabel doesn’t seem to care about the people who have come to like and even love her, the town’s future, or her aunt’s much-loved farm. She comes off as self-centered and selfish. When the killer is revealed, it comes as no surprise and seems evident from the beginning. The motive is weak but acceptable. The best part of Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is the cats and Rory.
All of this said I feel this series still has great potential. If Mabel can somehow get over herself and start caring about something, or even someone, other than her computer or herself, it will make this a series worth reading.
September 24, 2020
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of RHUBARB PIE BEFORE YOU DIE (Book 2 of the Garlic Farm Mysteries) by Gin Jones in exchange for an honest review. Since inheriting Stinkin’ Stuff Farm from her aunt, socially awkward Mabel Skinner has been determined to leave Massachusetts and to return to her solitary life as an app developer. Mabel’s decision to follow the lead of one of her aunt’s friends leads to a fight with a local attorney and rhubarb farmer over discarded grass clippings. When Mabel seeks out the man to make amends, she finds him dead in his greenhouse. Mabel fixates on the idea that she must be the prime suspect in the case because of her argument with the man the prior evening and because of her bad luck in being the person to discover his body. Believing she’s going to be arrested at any moment, Mabel investigates the man in order to find other plausible suspects. Meanwhile, Mabel gets an offer on her farm, and her app development boss begins pressuring her to return to work.
I liked this book. I really liked that Mabel was O-D-D and that the community embraced her with all of her weirdness. I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries featuring, murder, farms, small towns, real estate, and strange heroines.
#RhubarbPieBeforeYouDie #NetGalley
I liked this book. I really liked that Mabel was O-D-D and that the community embraced her with all of her weirdness. I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries featuring, murder, farms, small towns, real estate, and strange heroines.
#RhubarbPieBeforeYouDie #NetGalley
January 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book so much more than the first one. I liked the first book, but I didn't like Mabel very much until more toward the end. In this book, she was continuing to become more human and actually interact with people in person. Before, she seemed like a clone or a robot just going through her app work. I believe Rory and Emily had a lot to do with transforming her into someone a lot more likable, and now I can say I do like her a lot better. She was much warmer this time to her friends and even let a feral cat have kittens at her house. Maybe someday she'll realize that letting Charlie into her life wouldn't be such a terrible thing either! ;)
I definitely hadn't guessed the killer, and the showdown was pretty exciting. I think Mabel was finally coming to realize she didn't hate it so much on the farm because during the book, she seemed to really focus herself on the crops and getting the place sold. With her logical thinking, Mabel was turning into quite the amateur sleuth. Now if she'd just realize she needs a sidekick!
I definitely hadn't guessed the killer, and the showdown was pretty exciting. I think Mabel was finally coming to realize she didn't hate it so much on the farm because during the book, she seemed to really focus herself on the crops and getting the place sold. With her logical thinking, Mabel was turning into quite the amateur sleuth. Now if she'd just realize she needs a sidekick!
December 21, 2020
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die by Gin Jones is the 2nd book in A Garlic Farm Mystery series, and it's another great edition. Mabel Skinner inherited her aunt Peggy's garlic farm after her sudden death. Mabel likes computers, not farms, so she is trying to sell Stinkin Stuff Farm in Massachusetts. Stinkin Stuff Farm grows the best garlic around, and she will only sell the farm to a farmer, not a developer. When Mabel visits the rhubarb farm planning to apologize, she finds the owners dead body. It took me awhile for me to like Mabel, I have not met anyone who is that introverted. I am really looking forward to the next book. I recommend this book and the first book, Six Cloves Under, to all cozy mystery lovers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 9, 2020
Mabel has inherited her Aunt’s Garlic Farm. After a disagreement over collecting grass clippings with a local Rhubarb farmer she becomes number one suspect when he is found murdered next day. This cozy mystery follows Mabel trying to sell the Garlic farm interspersed with her trying to clear her name. Mabel is not used to confrontation. Anything for a quiet life. Mabel is really taken out of her comfort zone and a bit of pure luck will finally help her solve the mystery. Mabel was a character that was very introverted and may not be everybody’s idea of a private investigator.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2020
Mabel Skinner has taken a break from her job as an app developer to search for someone to buy her garlic farm called Stinkin’ Stuff Farm which she’d inherited from her aunt, Peggy Skinner.
Rory Hansen, a friend of her aunt’s has been helping run the farm till Mabel finds a buyer.
Following a dispute with another farmer named Graham Winthrop over bags of mulch, Mabel finds him dead in his greenhouse. Worried that she might be labeled a suspect, Mabel decides to do a little bit of digging of her own: look deeper into Graham’s life to find out who and why someone may have wanted him dead.
Overall, good mystery with delectable rhubarb recipes at the end of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Gin Jones, and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book.
Rory Hansen, a friend of her aunt’s has been helping run the farm till Mabel finds a buyer.
Following a dispute with another farmer named Graham Winthrop over bags of mulch, Mabel finds him dead in his greenhouse. Worried that she might be labeled a suspect, Mabel decides to do a little bit of digging of her own: look deeper into Graham’s life to find out who and why someone may have wanted him dead.
Overall, good mystery with delectable rhubarb recipes at the end of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Gin Jones, and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book.
August 20, 2021
I like Mabel. I think I'm drawn to characters who don't understand social cues, because of how no-nonsense they are. Mabel is nosy, but she takes reasonable precautions. She also considers her lawyer one of her best friends, and is as such very cautious about who she does business with. There's a would-be love interest, but he's not a cop, and there's little drama there as well. There's are two cats in this one, and they're not supernatural or anything. There's one that warns her when a visitor approaches, but that's well within what a cat can reasonably do. The mystery is decent enough, but what I really like is the main character and the friends she finds herself surrounded by.
December 30, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery! Even though it is the second book of the series, it was easy to read as a stand-alone book. The plot was complex and full of tangents to lure the reader away from the real murderer. I absolutely loved the characters! They were all over the place. There was an emotional wreck, an overdriven hobby farmer, a stalker land developer, a persnickety HOA President, an aloof realtor/mayor, and a high-strung neighbor. All great suspects for the murder of a rhubarb enthusiast. I can't wait to read more of the series! I would recommend this book to all lovers of cozy mystery reads!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
September 7, 2020
Book 2 in the Garlic farm series.
Mable Skinner is still trying to sell the farm, only considering farmers limits the pool of buyers considerably. Her broker brings a developer in, she finds out before she signs and sends him on his way, but he really wants the farm. He's not above nastiness to get it.
Mabel and Rory get into a confrontation with Graham Lambert over grass clippings...the night before he's murdered, and she is the one to find the body after going there to apologize. It doesn't look good for Mabel. There's a new rookie detective looking for a quick resolution, and she seems to be it. She can't get in contact with her favorite attorney and is under pressure.
She and her friends look for the answers themselves...and find them. Oh boy does she find them.
Written with humor and intrigue, this is a winner.
I requested and received a Netgalley ARC to peruse and offer my opinion gratis.
Mable Skinner is still trying to sell the farm, only considering farmers limits the pool of buyers considerably. Her broker brings a developer in, she finds out before she signs and sends him on his way, but he really wants the farm. He's not above nastiness to get it.
Mabel and Rory get into a confrontation with Graham Lambert over grass clippings...the night before he's murdered, and she is the one to find the body after going there to apologize. It doesn't look good for Mabel. There's a new rookie detective looking for a quick resolution, and she seems to be it. She can't get in contact with her favorite attorney and is under pressure.
She and her friends look for the answers themselves...and find them. Oh boy does she find them.
Written with humor and intrigue, this is a winner.
I requested and received a Netgalley ARC to peruse and offer my opinion gratis.
September 7, 2020
Mabel Skinner finally has an offer for her Aunt’s farm, but when she finds that the buyer is a developer, she vows to do her best to make the farm more enticing for a buyer that will actually farm the land. Reviewing her Aunt’s journals she sees that Aunt Peggy had planned to put in a crop of rhubarb. When Mabel happens upon the body of a local rhubarb hobby farmer, she decides she will make an offer for some of the man’s plants…once she clears herself from being the main murder suspect.
The second book in the series, Mabel is slowly coming out of her antisocial shell and finding that she actually cares for her new friends. Though she vows to return to Maine, she will only do so when she knows her Aunt’s farm is in good hands, This is a fun series and I’m looking forward to Mabel’s unfolding story and seeing what the future has in store for her.
The second book in the series, Mabel is slowly coming out of her antisocial shell and finding that she actually cares for her new friends. Though she vows to return to Maine, she will only do so when she knows her Aunt’s farm is in good hands, This is a fun series and I’m looking forward to Mabel’s unfolding story and seeing what the future has in store for her.
September 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It moves nicely without any slow spots. The characters are great, I love the interaction between them and I loved the cats, especially momcat. The mystery is interesting and the big surprise is who the killer is. I was definitely surprised. #RhubarbPieBeforeYouDie #NetGalley
December 6, 2020
Thank you NetGalley, Gin Jones and Kensington Books for the ARC of Rhubarb Pie Before You Die.
This is my personal review.
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is the second book in the series A Garlic Farm Mystery.
Mabel has inherited her late aunt’s garlic farm - - Stinkin’ Stuff- which is a very fitting name for a garlic farm.
She is planning to sell the farm so she can get back to her life as an app creator.
She has a great group of characters surrounding in her to help move the story along. Even with the help of all the others the story moves awfully slow for me. The mystery surrounds who killed the a local farmer.
I enjoyed the book but really wanted to get involved with the story a bit more.
I loved the recipes at the end of the book and thank you very much for those.
This is my personal review.
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die is the second book in the series A Garlic Farm Mystery.
Mabel has inherited her late aunt’s garlic farm - - Stinkin’ Stuff- which is a very fitting name for a garlic farm.
She is planning to sell the farm so she can get back to her life as an app creator.
She has a great group of characters surrounding in her to help move the story along. Even with the help of all the others the story moves awfully slow for me. The mystery surrounds who killed the a local farmer.
I enjoyed the book but really wanted to get involved with the story a bit more.
I loved the recipes at the end of the book and thank you very much for those.
September 16, 2020
I have been looking forward to reading this book since I finished the first one and I LOVED it! Gin Jones's books are always outstanding and Rhubarb Pie Before You Die, the 2nd book in A Garlic Farm Mystery, fits right in. Like all of her other books, it is on the serious side for a cozy but it fits all elements and readers who enjoy a cozy mystery or anyone who appreciates books with great characters are sure to love it. This unique and awesome series is set on a garlic farm established by the protagonist aunt. Mable not only has no real interest in farming, she is an introvert programmer who wants to get back to the life of solitary work that she loves, but she feels that she owes it to her deceased aunt to make sure that her legacy continues as a small farm.
While the reader does get some general information about farming, it is pretty interesting as presented and the focus to the story is on the wonderful characters and the mystery plot. In spite of herself, Mabel has become attached to several of her aunt's friends who have reached out to help her. I adore Rory, Emily, Josephine the librarian, Charlie, a developer who is also handsome enough that it took a while for Mabel to trust him, and Pixie the cat and invader alert system. She lets Mabel know when anyone drives onto the property; apparently, she is no more fond of company than Mabel. I can relate to Mabel Skinner in so many ways!
When Mabel trips over a body, literally, she becomes one of the main suspects. It doesn't help that the detective is young and obviously inexperienced. Naturally, Mabel feels that if she doesn't come up with some good suspects, she will be the only one on the list.
I requested an ARC of the book from NetGalley because I just couldn't wait, and I knew I would be spreading the word so that part is never an issue. I have loved all of Gin Jones books but I think this is my favorite series and once again, I can't wait for the next one.
While the reader does get some general information about farming, it is pretty interesting as presented and the focus to the story is on the wonderful characters and the mystery plot. In spite of herself, Mabel has become attached to several of her aunt's friends who have reached out to help her. I adore Rory, Emily, Josephine the librarian, Charlie, a developer who is also handsome enough that it took a while for Mabel to trust him, and Pixie the cat and invader alert system. She lets Mabel know when anyone drives onto the property; apparently, she is no more fond of company than Mabel. I can relate to Mabel Skinner in so many ways!
When Mabel trips over a body, literally, she becomes one of the main suspects. It doesn't help that the detective is young and obviously inexperienced. Naturally, Mabel feels that if she doesn't come up with some good suspects, she will be the only one on the list.
I requested an ARC of the book from NetGalley because I just couldn't wait, and I knew I would be spreading the word so that part is never an issue. I have loved all of Gin Jones books but I think this is my favorite series and once again, I can't wait for the next one.
February 14, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: Mabel is an unusual heroine. Whereas so many of our cozy heroines are extroverted and interact easily with others, Mabel is an introverted hermit who functions best in her own little womb where she is a computer programmer. When she inherits her aunt’s garlic farm, she is determined to keep it going until she find the right buyer who will continue her aunt’s legacy. What she does not consider are all the locals who befriend her and become part of her life. Her life on the farm is so different from the life she led.
She is also unprepared for the sleazy real estate people who want to buy her farm for redevelopment. It seems every day brings a new set of challenges and the one person on whom she has relied implicitly seems to be MIA. Then she discovers the body of a difficult man whom she just met in a testy confrontation. While she has no connection to him other than wanting to help assure his beloved rhubarb plants don’t die and to take care of the pregnant cat she discovers on site, the local cop decides she is an easy suspect. To put it mildly he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
It is going to take all of Mabel’s skills to sift through the various clues and the other suspects to find out who killed him. She is such an interesting character as she tries to deal with all these people and trials and tribulations. She is smart although she recognizes her inability to
read emotions and people. But in spite of her desires to be left alone, she finds herself opening up. Plus, while she does manage to get herself into precarious situations, she is neither reckless nor foolish. She is someone with whom we can share further adventures.
Four purrs and two paws up.
She is also unprepared for the sleazy real estate people who want to buy her farm for redevelopment. It seems every day brings a new set of challenges and the one person on whom she has relied implicitly seems to be MIA. Then she discovers the body of a difficult man whom she just met in a testy confrontation. While she has no connection to him other than wanting to help assure his beloved rhubarb plants don’t die and to take care of the pregnant cat she discovers on site, the local cop decides she is an easy suspect. To put it mildly he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
It is going to take all of Mabel’s skills to sift through the various clues and the other suspects to find out who killed him. She is such an interesting character as she tries to deal with all these people and trials and tribulations. She is smart although she recognizes her inability to
read emotions and people. But in spite of her desires to be left alone, she finds herself opening up. Plus, while she does manage to get herself into precarious situations, she is neither reckless nor foolish. She is someone with whom we can share further adventures.
Four purrs and two paws up.
January 5, 2021
We are at the garlic farm almost immediately after the last visit. Mabel has had one harvest and is hoping not to have to participate in another. Luck is not on her side in this goal, neither are her new community and friends.
I will start off by pointing out the thing that struck me as the oddest here. The quarrel begins strangely without much content, which forms the basis of the rest of the narrative. Throughout Mabel assumes herself to be prime suspect but no one points out the extreme improbability given the utter lack of reason. This irked me throughout the book because nothing anyone said made her more valuable as a suspect! Mabel basis her investigation solely on this point and keeps circling back to it.
Now that I have pointed out the weird part, I want to mention the investigation itself. Despite the inane fear that drives Mabel to investigate, she does a good and thorough job figuring things out.
The case is about the death of a largely disliked man who wanted to start a new trend. I guessed the culprit around the same time as Mabel, so she did a pretty good job of leading me to it. This is a good second book for the series and other less finicky people than I will enjoy because life in this town is always happening.
I will definitely be picking up the next in the series if I get the chance.
I received an ARC of the book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
I received and ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
https://superfluousreading.wordpress....
September 20, 2020
🌟 Book review 🌟
🧄 App developer Mabel inherits her aunt's Stinkin’ Stuff Farm and moves to the farm, to try and sell it. After a dispute over grass clippings with a local rhubarb breeder, she discovers the breeder dead in his greenhouse. Mabel knows she might be a prime suspect, so she starts digging up more information about the dead man and the list of people he's been arguing with is longer than she imagined.
♥️ I liked:
🚜 The farm. I really enjoyed learning a bit about farming life, I didn't even know that garlic farms were a thing, to be honest. Also, I didn't know anything about barn cats and I loved reading about it.
👩 The characters. Mabel is a great character and her love for both App developing and farming is really unique. I liked seeing her getting used to village life, with people coming round all the time, forcing her to be more extrovert and talkative. I also enjoyed her bonding with Rory, Emily and Josephine the librarian.
🌾 I also really appreciated the fact that Mabel doesn't want to sell the farm to a developer, but only to a farmer, to keep her aunt legacy.
🔍 The whodunnit. The last chapters of the book kind of blew my mind, I wasn't expecting it at all. So well done to the author for not making the story too obvious and easy to understand.
📑 The recipes at the end of the book. Who doesn't like a book with recipes?
🤔 I wasn't so sure about:
The pace. I found some chapters maybe a bit too slow, more difficult to read than others.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 A nice cosy mystery, perfect for a slow Sunday on the sofa.
🧄 App developer Mabel inherits her aunt's Stinkin’ Stuff Farm and moves to the farm, to try and sell it. After a dispute over grass clippings with a local rhubarb breeder, she discovers the breeder dead in his greenhouse. Mabel knows she might be a prime suspect, so she starts digging up more information about the dead man and the list of people he's been arguing with is longer than she imagined.
♥️ I liked:
🚜 The farm. I really enjoyed learning a bit about farming life, I didn't even know that garlic farms were a thing, to be honest. Also, I didn't know anything about barn cats and I loved reading about it.
👩 The characters. Mabel is a great character and her love for both App developing and farming is really unique. I liked seeing her getting used to village life, with people coming round all the time, forcing her to be more extrovert and talkative. I also enjoyed her bonding with Rory, Emily and Josephine the librarian.
🌾 I also really appreciated the fact that Mabel doesn't want to sell the farm to a developer, but only to a farmer, to keep her aunt legacy.
🔍 The whodunnit. The last chapters of the book kind of blew my mind, I wasn't expecting it at all. So well done to the author for not making the story too obvious and easy to understand.
📑 The recipes at the end of the book. Who doesn't like a book with recipes?
🤔 I wasn't so sure about:
The pace. I found some chapters maybe a bit too slow, more difficult to read than others.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 A nice cosy mystery, perfect for a slow Sunday on the sofa.
February 26, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
I’ll be honest, the first thing that attracted me to this book was the word rhubarb in the title. I love rhubarb pie and rhubarb crumble so that grabbed my attention straight away. I also loved the autumnal colours on the front cover as well.
This is the second book in this cozy mystery series but I did not feel lost even though I have not read the first book. It tells the story of Mabel who has inherited a farm from her aunt that mainly grows stinky things like garlic. Mabel is an app designer by profession and becoming a farmer is not a natural progression for her. She is desperate to sell the farm but passionately wants to honour her aunt’s wishes that it remains a working farm and the land is not developed into something else. That in itself provides an interesting story line but add in the fact that Mabel discovers the murdered body of a local rhubarb farmer, and she seems to be number 1 suspect- then you’ve got the ingredients of a really juicy cozy mystery.
I really enjoyed this one, and found the writing style easy and quick to get through. I have to pat myself on the back as I did peg the murderer as a suspicious so and so pretty early on, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. Definitely recommend.
I’ll be honest, the first thing that attracted me to this book was the word rhubarb in the title. I love rhubarb pie and rhubarb crumble so that grabbed my attention straight away. I also loved the autumnal colours on the front cover as well.
This is the second book in this cozy mystery series but I did not feel lost even though I have not read the first book. It tells the story of Mabel who has inherited a farm from her aunt that mainly grows stinky things like garlic. Mabel is an app designer by profession and becoming a farmer is not a natural progression for her. She is desperate to sell the farm but passionately wants to honour her aunt’s wishes that it remains a working farm and the land is not developed into something else. That in itself provides an interesting story line but add in the fact that Mabel discovers the murdered body of a local rhubarb farmer, and she seems to be number 1 suspect- then you’ve got the ingredients of a really juicy cozy mystery.
I really enjoyed this one, and found the writing style easy and quick to get through. I have to pat myself on the back as I did peg the murderer as a suspicious so and so pretty early on, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. Definitely recommend.
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