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Down South Café Mystery #6
Truffles and Tragedy
Down South Cafe owner Amy Flowers learns her chocolate truffles might not be the only things her patrons find "out of this world."
When her cousin, Jackie, asks her to give a presentation to her online class, Amy thinks all she has to worry about is speaking before a group. But then the nitpicky professor collapses. He has been murdered, and hot-tempered Jackie is the prime suspect. Some online forums are even speculating that the professor was an extra-terrestrial, so Amy must sort out fact from fiction to get to the truth.
Certain the real killer is setting Jackie up, will Amy be able to outwit the killer and save her cousin?
When her cousin, Jackie, asks her to give a presentation to her online class, Amy thinks all she has to worry about is speaking before a group. But then the nitpicky professor collapses. He has been murdered, and hot-tempered Jackie is the prime suspect. Some online forums are even speculating that the professor was an extra-terrestrial, so Amy must sort out fact from fiction to get to the truth.
Certain the real killer is setting Jackie up, will Amy be able to outwit the killer and save her cousin?
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2021
31 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Leeson
31 books502 followersGayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series.
The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.
Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”
Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”
The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.
Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”
Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)
I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!
The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.
Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”
Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”
The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.
Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”
Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)
I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 27, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Amy and Jackie work side by side day in and day out and Amy is thrilled that Jackie has gone back to school. Jackie has been known to get her hackles up when she has been wronged which is why she was overheard arguing with her professor over a grade. The prof did not back down so Jackie hopes that her presentation with Amy in the next class boosts her grades.
Amy just begins her talk to the online class when the professor keels over dead with the whole class watching on their screens. Because of their argument, Jackie finds herself topping the suspect list. The professor seems to have a sketchy background, heck an online forum taunts that he just may be an extra-terrestrial. Jackie was clearly set up, Amy just has to find the killer or alternative suspects with motive, means, and opportunity. How hard can that be?
Another gorgeous cover for this book!
I do love these characters. Amy has a huge heart and with her cousin in trouble, she is pulling out all the stops to help her. It’s hard when the evidence is stacking up and her deputy sheriff boyfriend is caught between a rock and a hard place. Everyone is trying hard to not let Aunt Bess know what is going on with Jackie because her reaction could be volatile. You never know what that lady will do, but she always makes me giggle. There’s also a surprise wedding reception in the works for two of the cafe’s regulars so Amy’s hands are full. All the characters are so relatable. They play well off each other and even with all the tragedy, there is time for truffles and humor. Some courtesy of a little bandit. Homer is still my favorite. His Heroes of the Day are always inspiring and uplifting.
The author introduces several new characters for this story. One is downright snooty. Poor Amy did her level best to hold her tongue as long as possible. Most of them played into the mystery. It was not an easy one to solve. There were some epic twists. I chased each clue right along with Amy and was still surprised as all was revealed. I did really enjoy the elopement subplot and what it entailed for Amy.
Of course, there was plenty of food talk. It is A Down South Cafe Mystery and they serve up delicious faire all day long.
Truffles and Tragedy checks every cozy mystery box for me. It is an excellent addition to this series. I can’t wait to see what the gang at the Down South Cafe gets mixed up in next.
Amy and Jackie work side by side day in and day out and Amy is thrilled that Jackie has gone back to school. Jackie has been known to get her hackles up when she has been wronged which is why she was overheard arguing with her professor over a grade. The prof did not back down so Jackie hopes that her presentation with Amy in the next class boosts her grades.
Amy just begins her talk to the online class when the professor keels over dead with the whole class watching on their screens. Because of their argument, Jackie finds herself topping the suspect list. The professor seems to have a sketchy background, heck an online forum taunts that he just may be an extra-terrestrial. Jackie was clearly set up, Amy just has to find the killer or alternative suspects with motive, means, and opportunity. How hard can that be?
Another gorgeous cover for this book!
I do love these characters. Amy has a huge heart and with her cousin in trouble, she is pulling out all the stops to help her. It’s hard when the evidence is stacking up and her deputy sheriff boyfriend is caught between a rock and a hard place. Everyone is trying hard to not let Aunt Bess know what is going on with Jackie because her reaction could be volatile. You never know what that lady will do, but she always makes me giggle. There’s also a surprise wedding reception in the works for two of the cafe’s regulars so Amy’s hands are full. All the characters are so relatable. They play well off each other and even with all the tragedy, there is time for truffles and humor. Some courtesy of a little bandit. Homer is still my favorite. His Heroes of the Day are always inspiring and uplifting.
The author introduces several new characters for this story. One is downright snooty. Poor Amy did her level best to hold her tongue as long as possible. Most of them played into the mystery. It was not an easy one to solve. There were some epic twists. I chased each clue right along with Amy and was still surprised as all was revealed. I did really enjoy the elopement subplot and what it entailed for Amy.
Of course, there was plenty of food talk. It is A Down South Cafe Mystery and they serve up delicious faire all day long.
Truffles and Tragedy checks every cozy mystery box for me. It is an excellent addition to this series. I can’t wait to see what the gang at the Down South Cafe gets mixed up in next.
March 26, 2021
A fun read in a series I enjoy. Love the characters and of course all the food talk. Amy is happy for cousin as she attends college looking for her own goals, and everything is going well until Jackie is being framed for the death of one of her professors. Who wanted Jackie out of the way enough to frame her for murder, you know Amy and the gang at the Down South Cafe are not going to let things get out of control for Jackie!
April 11, 2021
Gayle Leeson’s Down South Cafe series is one of my very favorite cozy mystery series. It’s always clean, always fun, and always has me craving yummy comfort food haha! Sadly, I missed the last two books in the craziness that was last year, but I jumped at the chance to review Truffles and Tragedy and will make it a priority to catch up on those two books I’ve missed. Because I. Love. This. Series.
Amy and her crew of family and friends (Jackie, Roger, Ryan, Scott, Homer, her mom, her dog, her cat, other diner regulars & staff, and of course Great Aunt Bess) are a delightful mix of personalities who each add their own special something to every book. This latest installment is no exception. Catching up with these characters is like catching up with dear friends, and the fact that Jackie is in the crosshairs this time around had me solidly invested in solving the case right along with Amy.
Bottom Line: I adore the Down South Cafe series, and I adored the latest installment, Truffles and Tragedy! Despite the fact that a man was murdered, I still managed to smile most of the way through the book (especially when Aunt Bess was up to her usual feisty antics). Amy and crew are fabulous as always, and the mystery was very well-plotted and layered. Add in a spoiled raccoon (yes, you read that right) and a surprise wedding reception and you’ve got a delightful read from beginning to end. I can’t wait for my next visit to the Down South Cafe, courtesy of Gayle Leeson!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Amy and her crew of family and friends (Jackie, Roger, Ryan, Scott, Homer, her mom, her dog, her cat, other diner regulars & staff, and of course Great Aunt Bess) are a delightful mix of personalities who each add their own special something to every book. This latest installment is no exception. Catching up with these characters is like catching up with dear friends, and the fact that Jackie is in the crosshairs this time around had me solidly invested in solving the case right along with Amy.
Bottom Line: I adore the Down South Cafe series, and I adored the latest installment, Truffles and Tragedy! Despite the fact that a man was murdered, I still managed to smile most of the way through the book (especially when Aunt Bess was up to her usual feisty antics). Amy and crew are fabulous as always, and the mystery was very well-plotted and layered. Add in a spoiled raccoon (yes, you read that right) and a surprise wedding reception and you’ve got a delightful read from beginning to end. I can’t wait for my next visit to the Down South Cafe, courtesy of Gayle Leeson!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
November 20, 2024
I really enjoy the characters in this series. They are all very likable and it is fun spending time with them. I love the Café and all the cooking and baking that takes place. But the ‘mystery’ is weak and uneventful. There are too many characters that are introduced much to quickly. And the names are so similar, it got confusing at times. Then the endings feel rushed and unfinished. Hopefully the next book has a better written mystery.
February 20, 2022
3-1/2 stars
I feel very neutral about this book. It's not great, it's not bad, it's just perfectly decently written and plotted. But that sounds lukewarm, and I did enjoy it and hanging around with its characters. I had no problem figuring out the relationships or anything despite having missed the five previous books. And I enjoyed the investigation, although I did find people at the college a little more willing to answer nosy questions from strangers than I would be.
It's a compliment when I say that the writing style reminded me of the Sookie Stackhouse books: Amy has a very practical and straightforward attitude, and there is a lot of day-to-day normal work going on throughout the story.
However, despite the assertion in the actual jacket blurb that some people think Professor Treadway may have been an alien, that's just a weird red herring that probably shouldn't even be in the story. Unlike Sookie, Amy is thoroughly grounded in the real world, with no magical critters or space aliens hanging out in her cafe.
I wouldn't go out of my way to read any more books in this series or from this author. But if I see another one at the library, I would be inclined to pick it up.
And woo-hoo, here ends my reviews for 2021, which was a much better reading year than 2020 when I barely seemed able to get through anything.
Amy Flowers is pretty busy running her Down South Cafe, preparing a surprise wedding reception for some friends, and hauling out to one of those friends' houses at the edge of town every evening to leave a biscuit for a raccoon while the friends are on their honeymoon. But when Amy agrees to give an entrepreneurial talk to her cousin's online business class and the professor keels over on camera, Amy can't help trying to find out who might have had a motive to harm him.I saw a review for another book in this series that sounded like fun, so I picked this 6th installment up since it's the one my library has.
I feel very neutral about this book. It's not great, it's not bad, it's just perfectly decently written and plotted. But that sounds lukewarm, and I did enjoy it and hanging around with its characters. I had no problem figuring out the relationships or anything despite having missed the five previous books. And I enjoyed the investigation, although I did find people at the college a little more willing to answer nosy questions from strangers than I would be.
It's a compliment when I say that the writing style reminded me of the Sookie Stackhouse books: Amy has a very practical and straightforward attitude, and there is a lot of day-to-day normal work going on throughout the story.
However, despite the assertion in the actual jacket blurb that some people think Professor Treadway may have been an alien, that's just a weird red herring that probably shouldn't even be in the story. Unlike Sookie, Amy is thoroughly grounded in the real world, with no magical critters or space aliens hanging out in her cafe.
I wouldn't go out of my way to read any more books in this series or from this author. But if I see another one at the library, I would be inclined to pick it up.
And woo-hoo, here ends my reviews for 2021, which was a much better reading year than 2020 when I barely seemed able to get through anything.
March 27, 2021
TRUFFLES AND TRAGEDY by Gayle Leeson
The Sixth Down South Cafe Mystery
Amy Flowers is proud of the success of her Down South Cafe. She supports her staff too, whether it's encouraging Scott in his baking endeavors or her cousin, Jackie, who is getting her business degree. Amy is even giving an online presentation for Jackie's class. Soon after she begins the professor seems to suddenly become ill and collapses during the live feed. When it's discovered the professor was poisoned, hot tempered Jackie jumps to the top of the suspect list due to a loud disagreement with the man. When evidence is found implicating Jackie, Amy knows someone must be setting her up. As her boyfriend begins a formal investigation Amy rallies the Down South Cafe staff and they start their own investigation. Who wanted, not only the professor dead, but Jackie to take the blame?
The sixth Down South Cafe Mystery combines family loyalty with a perplexing murder. Amy has to balance her desire to prove her cousin's innocence with her trust in her boyfriend, Ryan, a deputy investigating the murder. She does an admirable job too, being there and supporting Jackie as well as being there for Ryan, and doing a little sleuthing on her own...and with the help of her crew. It's a well thought out mystery with a multitude of red herrings that led me on a merry chase for a killer, and the correct motive.
I loved the whole subplot of Dilly's racoon. I was also introduced to two characters I'd be be happy to punch; or at least pull their hair, drag them through the mud, and break their high heels. Bless their hearts.
TRUFFLES AND TRAGEDY is a tasty mystery as comforting as the food served in the Down South Cafe. Savory with a bite, I relish the next installment.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Sixth Down South Cafe Mystery
Amy Flowers is proud of the success of her Down South Cafe. She supports her staff too, whether it's encouraging Scott in his baking endeavors or her cousin, Jackie, who is getting her business degree. Amy is even giving an online presentation for Jackie's class. Soon after she begins the professor seems to suddenly become ill and collapses during the live feed. When it's discovered the professor was poisoned, hot tempered Jackie jumps to the top of the suspect list due to a loud disagreement with the man. When evidence is found implicating Jackie, Amy knows someone must be setting her up. As her boyfriend begins a formal investigation Amy rallies the Down South Cafe staff and they start their own investigation. Who wanted, not only the professor dead, but Jackie to take the blame?
The sixth Down South Cafe Mystery combines family loyalty with a perplexing murder. Amy has to balance her desire to prove her cousin's innocence with her trust in her boyfriend, Ryan, a deputy investigating the murder. She does an admirable job too, being there and supporting Jackie as well as being there for Ryan, and doing a little sleuthing on her own...and with the help of her crew. It's a well thought out mystery with a multitude of red herrings that led me on a merry chase for a killer, and the correct motive.
I loved the whole subplot of Dilly's racoon. I was also introduced to two characters I'd be be happy to punch; or at least pull their hair, drag them through the mud, and break their high heels. Bless their hearts.
TRUFFLES AND TRAGEDY is a tasty mystery as comforting as the food served in the Down South Cafe. Savory with a bite, I relish the next installment.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
January 26, 2023
Amy Flowers owns the Down South Cafe.
She can make anything including her famous chocolate truffles.
Amy is asked by her best friend, Jackie, to give a presentation at a local college online about cooking.
Jackie is enrolled in the school. But, during the presentation, the professor hosting the class drops dead.
Jackie is named as the prime suspect.
Amy is determined to find the real killer since she know her best friend would never murder anyone. Lots of great characters and light mystery.
A good book if you just want something easy and fun!
She can make anything including her famous chocolate truffles.
Amy is asked by her best friend, Jackie, to give a presentation at a local college online about cooking.
Jackie is enrolled in the school. But, during the presentation, the professor hosting the class drops dead.
Jackie is named as the prime suspect.
Amy is determined to find the real killer since she know her best friend would never murder anyone. Lots of great characters and light mystery.
A good book if you just want something easy and fun!
March 11, 2021
I enjoy the secondary characters in this series almost as much as our main cast.
Homer with his daily heroes and words of wisdom, and this time an elusive raccoon.
The story centers around the staff and regulars at Amy's renovated and comfortable cafe.
Two have run off to elope and Amy decides to prepare a surprise reception for their return.
It is Amy who almost has the most shocking surprise.
Jackie, Amy's cousin is working diligently towards her college degree, and continues her shifts at the cafe. While attending an online class with Amy by her side, her professor collapses, and Jackie is set up for the crime. The evidence is mounting, even with Amy's deputy sheriff boyfriend on their side. The cafe crew can not sit idly by and watch Jackie framed.
This is college hijinx taken too far.
Will all that is happening going to strain Amy's relationships and possibly her business reputation?
Can they pull together, clear Jackie's name and pull off a surprise wedding reception as well?
Full of tension and devious twists, maybe even some alien intervention, the whole story mixes into a delicious concoction.
Homer with his daily heroes and words of wisdom, and this time an elusive raccoon.
The story centers around the staff and regulars at Amy's renovated and comfortable cafe.
Two have run off to elope and Amy decides to prepare a surprise reception for their return.
It is Amy who almost has the most shocking surprise.
Jackie, Amy's cousin is working diligently towards her college degree, and continues her shifts at the cafe. While attending an online class with Amy by her side, her professor collapses, and Jackie is set up for the crime. The evidence is mounting, even with Amy's deputy sheriff boyfriend on their side. The cafe crew can not sit idly by and watch Jackie framed.
This is college hijinx taken too far.
Will all that is happening going to strain Amy's relationships and possibly her business reputation?
Can they pull together, clear Jackie's name and pull off a surprise wedding reception as well?
Full of tension and devious twists, maybe even some alien intervention, the whole story mixes into a delicious concoction.
June 21, 2021
Great book! Amy’s cousin, Jackie, is the prime suspect in the murder of her professor in this latest book. Jackie had recently argued with her professor over a paper on which she received a grade she didn’t feel was right. Amy is a guest speaker during Jackie’s online class and the two watch in horror when the professor collapses during the class. When the man dies, Jackie becomes a suspect and Amy believes that someone is trying to frame her cousin. She starts looking at other suspects, including a professor who believes that the deceased professor was an alien, the female professor the man had been dating (who seems a little strange), and another woman who was a guest speaker and her niece. With help from her friends, Amy is determined to find the killer and clear Jackie’s name. Amy is also planning a surprise wedding reception for Dilly and Walter, who have eloped and are on their honeymoon. Amy has been taking over the feeding of a biscuit to Dilly’s racoon friend and starts to spoil the wild animal. A fun book with interesting suspects and characters who seem like a family. I always enjoy this series and hope to see more of these fun characters!
May 25, 2021
Amy Flowers owns the Down South Cafe and is proud of her cousin, Jackie, for pursuing her own dreams even though it takes Jackie away from the cafe. When Jackie asks Amy to do a presentation in her online class, Amy's a bit nervous but they're both shocked when Jackie's professor collapses in class and it turns out to be murder. Jackie soon becomes the prime suspect and it seems like someone is setting her up. Can Amy save her cousin and help find the real killer?
I've really enjoyed this series and this book is a great read. The book has a fantastic storyline which I liked very much; however, there were several errors throughout that detracted from the story for me. Otherwise, I love the characters and think that the relationships are well-done and believable. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and read the book in one sitting while the mystery kept me engaged and guessing. This is a wonderful series and I'm very eager for more. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the most enjoyment and benefit.
I've really enjoyed this series and this book is a great read. The book has a fantastic storyline which I liked very much; however, there were several errors throughout that detracted from the story for me. Otherwise, I love the characters and think that the relationships are well-done and believable. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and read the book in one sitting while the mystery kept me engaged and guessing. This is a wonderful series and I'm very eager for more. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the most enjoyment and benefit.
March 17, 2021
Gayle Leeson grabs your imagination and whisks you away to the Down South Cafe before you can blink!
Things seem to be going smoothly at the Down South Cafe, Jackie has settled into the routine of college and cafe and Amy is happy with her family (both by blood and the staff and regulars at the cafe), then things start to take a downturn, a rather snooty lady finds the cafe "underwhelming" for an afternoon tea and Jackie is disgruntled with her professor (who has marked her down two grades because she didn't format a paper exactly to his standards!), all this is nothing compared to seeing the same professor die on screen during an on-line presentation!
Now Jackie is the Prime Suspect when it turns out to be murder - so Amy decides to find out the truth before her cousin Jackie swaps the Down South Cafe for a cell!
Things seem to be going smoothly at the Down South Cafe, Jackie has settled into the routine of college and cafe and Amy is happy with her family (both by blood and the staff and regulars at the cafe), then things start to take a downturn, a rather snooty lady finds the cafe "underwhelming" for an afternoon tea and Jackie is disgruntled with her professor (who has marked her down two grades because she didn't format a paper exactly to his standards!), all this is nothing compared to seeing the same professor die on screen during an on-line presentation!
Now Jackie is the Prime Suspect when it turns out to be murder - so Amy decides to find out the truth before her cousin Jackie swaps the Down South Cafe for a cell!
April 27, 2025
Jackie, Amy's cousin, asks Amy to give a business-related presentation during her online class. During the online class, the professor collapses and soon after dies. Unfortunately, Jackie becomes a suspect. Amy proceeds to investigate to clear Jackie.
It was fun to revisit Amy and all the secondary characters. The characters are great, and I enjoy the fun interactions. The mystery was interesting, and the killer was not easy to guess. The author did a great job utilizing red herrings. I also liked the fact that she included recipes at the end.
It was fun to revisit Amy and all the secondary characters. The characters are great, and I enjoy the fun interactions. The mystery was interesting, and the killer was not easy to guess. The author did a great job utilizing red herrings. I also liked the fact that she included recipes at the end.
March 28, 2021
A visit home is always nice
Its always nice to visit Winter Garden, Virginia. This time it to attend a wedding reception. But, when Jackie is accused of murdering one of her college professors, everybody helps to prove her innocence. Just like the rest of the books in this series, the story line is infectious and while I know it will be a while before the next one comes out, I can't wait to finish it.
Its always nice to visit Winter Garden, Virginia. This time it to attend a wedding reception. But, when Jackie is accused of murdering one of her college professors, everybody helps to prove her innocence. Just like the rest of the books in this series, the story line is infectious and while I know it will be a while before the next one comes out, I can't wait to finish it.
April 11, 2024
4.5 Stars
Amy and crew are back and this time one of their own is accused of murder! I did think there was some information of Amy's thoughts that we could do without. All in all, it was a fun mystery to solve. I'm just learning there's another book in the series that's out already so I'm excited to read it!
Amy and crew are back and this time one of their own is accused of murder! I did think there was some information of Amy's thoughts that we could do without. All in all, it was a fun mystery to solve. I'm just learning there's another book in the series that's out already so I'm excited to read it!
June 6, 2021
This was wonderful! I love this series. The cast of characters is so clever, and engaging. It was like visiting old friends. The mystery was well written, and I didn’t guess the killer before the main character. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!!
March 26, 2021
Wonderful
Great cozy series full of charming characters. I love my visits to the cafe and can't wait for the next adventure.
Great cozy series full of charming characters. I love my visits to the cafe and can't wait for the next adventure.
October 30, 2022
The story entertained as always but the numerous grammatical errors distracted and detracted.
December 27, 2022
Nice cozy mystery. Very interesting in that the recipes in the back are web sites where the author copied the recipes.
February 25, 2023
enjoyed the series, next are the companion series...
February 20, 2025
Cozy and cute.
November 24, 2022
It's Easter time at the Down South Cafe. Jackie, Amy's cousin has stepped back a little from the cafe so that she could attend school full time for her accounting degree. She asked Amy to present in one of her online classes as a guest. Things go sideways when the professor collapses on the feed and dies. Unfortunately for Jackie, she was last seen arguing with the hot-headed professor and quickly becomes the prime suspect. Amy must act quickly to help Jackie out because this isn't just about solving a crime, it's now about clearing her cousin's name.
With this book, the Down South Cafe Series has come to an end. Overall, I did enjoy each book but certain things just didn’t feel make them feel like a normal cozy. I definitely wanted a bit more romance in each of them. I feel that the main character’s romance was always a back burner item. I will say I finished every book hungry as they talked about food almost non-stop
On the Cat Scale:
😸😸😸
With this book, the Down South Cafe Series has come to an end. Overall, I did enjoy each book but certain things just didn’t feel make them feel like a normal cozy. I definitely wanted a bit more romance in each of them. I feel that the main character’s romance was always a back burner item. I will say I finished every book hungry as they talked about food almost non-stop
On the Cat Scale:
😸😸😸
July 25, 2021
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I have been in love with this series since book one and it just keeps getting better. This time Amy is geared up to give a business presentation during her cousins online class. It starts well but then the teacher collapses making them call 911. One would think being online would be the perfect alibi but Jackie is being set up to take the fall. Worried for her and Aunt Bess Amy teams up with her friends to clear her. Investigating while also running the cafe makes for a busy time but Amy handles it well. Add in the adorable raccoon and you get a cozy that is a delight to read. A total must read series for fans of cozies with a culinary theme. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
I have been in love with this series since book one and it just keeps getting better. This time Amy is geared up to give a business presentation during her cousins online class. It starts well but then the teacher collapses making them call 911. One would think being online would be the perfect alibi but Jackie is being set up to take the fall. Worried for her and Aunt Bess Amy teams up with her friends to clear her. Investigating while also running the cafe makes for a busy time but Amy handles it well. Add in the adorable raccoon and you get a cozy that is a delight to read. A total must read series for fans of cozies with a culinary theme. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
March 18, 2024
An average entry into the Down South Cafe series that left me on the fence about visiting with Amy and the gang should there be another entry in the series.
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