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Adam and Eve Mystery #3
Death on the Menu
Francesca Eve is catering a sombre funeral supper, but the last thing she expects is another murder on the menu…
When elderly millionaire andeccentric entrepreneur Clarence Lightman dies, his nearest and dearest gather one final time at Justice House, Clarence’s beautiful country estate in rural Shropshire, for the reading of his will. But the day ends in uproar when Clarence’s will reveals that whoever solves a series of complex clues will inherit everything, whether that’s one of Clarence’s disagreeable children, his devoted housekeeper, or Francesca herself…
Francescaknows she should stick to the kitchen and stay out of this macabre game, but she is unwillingly drawn into the mystery when she finds Clarence’s son, blood pooling from a deadly thwack to the head, shoved into the larder. Somebody is clearly not playing fair, and Francesca feels sure that they won’t stop until all of the competition has been eliminated.
Francesca must find the murderer, and protect herself and her fellow innocent guests. But trapped in the game until the riddles are solved, she can’t trust anyone. If she can solve the clues, could they lead her to this ruthless killer? And can she find them before they strike again? Fran must use all her wits, not only to hunt down the truth, but just to stay alive…
When elderly millionaire andeccentric entrepreneur Clarence Lightman dies, his nearest and dearest gather one final time at Justice House, Clarence’s beautiful country estate in rural Shropshire, for the reading of his will. But the day ends in uproar when Clarence’s will reveals that whoever solves a series of complex clues will inherit everything, whether that’s one of Clarence’s disagreeable children, his devoted housekeeper, or Francesca herself…
Francescaknows she should stick to the kitchen and stay out of this macabre game, but she is unwillingly drawn into the mystery when she finds Clarence’s son, blood pooling from a deadly thwack to the head, shoved into the larder. Somebody is clearly not playing fair, and Francesca feels sure that they won’t stop until all of the competition has been eliminated.
Francesca must find the murderer, and protect herself and her fellow innocent guests. But trapped in the game until the riddles are solved, she can’t trust anyone. If she can solve the clues, could they lead her to this ruthless killer? And can she find them before they strike again? Fran must use all her wits, not only to hunt down the truth, but just to stay alive…
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2022
198 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Emma Davies
28 books327 followersEmma Davies once applied for her dream job in the following manner;
'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well she's now a forty something mother of three, and is working on the rest.
By day she's a finance manager and looks at numbers a lot of the time, but by night she gets to use actual words and practices putting them together into sentences. Her twitter bio says she loves her family, her job, reading, writing, singing loudly in the car, and Pringles, so that must be true then.
Wave to her on twitter @Emdavies68
Letting in Light is her debut novel, and she is currently working on her second.
'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well she's now a forty something mother of three, and is working on the rest.
By day she's a finance manager and looks at numbers a lot of the time, but by night she gets to use actual words and practices putting them together into sentences. Her twitter bio says she loves her family, her job, reading, writing, singing loudly in the car, and Pringles, so that must be true then.
Wave to her on twitter @Emdavies68
Letting in Light is her debut novel, and she is currently working on her second.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 18, 2022
The third book in the series and I am enjoying them all very much. In Death on the Menu Francesca Eve is catering for a funeral for a man who made his money writing books about and inventing games. His last wish is that his prospective heirs win or lose their inheritances in one final game, a treasure hunt.
Fran is pulled into the game to help a friend compete, and of course she gets Adam to help since his affinity for computer gaming should help him solve the clues. The actual Hunt is intriguing as each clue is solved. It is also tense because there are three teams out there and at least one of them is cheating. Then someone gets killed and it all reaches a new level of danger.
This is another very readable book by Emma Davies. Francesca and Adam make an excellent team, the dialogue is good and the story is great fun. If you like a good cosy then this is for you, but start at #1.
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Fran is pulled into the game to help a friend compete, and of course she gets Adam to help since his affinity for computer gaming should help him solve the clues. The actual Hunt is intriguing as each clue is solved. It is also tense because there are three teams out there and at least one of them is cheating. Then someone gets killed and it all reaches a new level of danger.
This is another very readable book by Emma Davies. Francesca and Adam make an excellent team, the dialogue is good and the story is great fun. If you like a good cosy then this is for you, but start at #1.
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 6, 2022
Puzzles. Riddles. Puzzles within puzzles. If you enjoy figuring out word puzzles, this one is definitely for you. There's even a murder to figure out. Two, in fact.
I'm loath to give away even teasers for this one as part of the fun is trying to figure out the various clues as they pop up. Clues to what? Good question. Elderly millionaire Clarence has died but rather than leave a simple will, he's left his family a series of clues for a treasure hunt. To win they must solve a complicated series of difficult clues, clues leading to more puzzles and clues.
Although there originally as caterer, Fran discovers that Clarence's caretaker, who was in charge of setting up the dinner, is an old friend, Olivia, who to her surprise is also eligible to win the inheritance. As a result,Fran is drawn into the game to help Olivia against the obviously angry, surly, money hungry children. Realizing game oriented puzzles aren't her strong point, Fran ultimately pulls her brilliant but quirky young friend Adam into the game.
An avid gamer, who knows and loved Clarence's work, he's in his element and, in fact, rather quickly figures out the first clue. It's been a delight to see the growth of Adam as this series has progressed. From the shy, uncertain young man that Fran first encountered hiding in a closet to avoid company, he's made huge strides. That said, it made me smile to imagine the look on his face as he got to visit what he probably viewed as a shrine of sorts to Clarence's work. He's quick to focus on the task, however, and proves his worth. As he points out to Fran, words are important in clues. Then, oh, my, Fran discovers a body.
No more hints. I'm not going to ruin the fun of you trying to sort out the puzzles on your own. As I write this, one of the hottest shows on tv is "Only Murders In the Building", which has lately been showcasing jig-saw puzzle pieces in the show. This book made me flash to that idea, that it's all there but your just have to put it together in the right order to see the whole picture. That is true of this book, too. Who do you trust?
Read this one. You won't be sorry. You'll like not just main characters Fran and Adam but enjoy watching Adam's brain spinning as he thinks. Fun and relatively quick read that works nicely as a stand-alone.
Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me to spend some more quality time with Adam and Fran/Eve. I'm not the best at puzzles so it's a good thing Adam was around.
I'm loath to give away even teasers for this one as part of the fun is trying to figure out the various clues as they pop up. Clues to what? Good question. Elderly millionaire Clarence has died but rather than leave a simple will, he's left his family a series of clues for a treasure hunt. To win they must solve a complicated series of difficult clues, clues leading to more puzzles and clues.
Although there originally as caterer, Fran discovers that Clarence's caretaker, who was in charge of setting up the dinner, is an old friend, Olivia, who to her surprise is also eligible to win the inheritance. As a result,Fran is drawn into the game to help Olivia against the obviously angry, surly, money hungry children. Realizing game oriented puzzles aren't her strong point, Fran ultimately pulls her brilliant but quirky young friend Adam into the game.
An avid gamer, who knows and loved Clarence's work, he's in his element and, in fact, rather quickly figures out the first clue. It's been a delight to see the growth of Adam as this series has progressed. From the shy, uncertain young man that Fran first encountered hiding in a closet to avoid company, he's made huge strides. That said, it made me smile to imagine the look on his face as he got to visit what he probably viewed as a shrine of sorts to Clarence's work. He's quick to focus on the task, however, and proves his worth. As he points out to Fran, words are important in clues. Then, oh, my, Fran discovers a body.
No more hints. I'm not going to ruin the fun of you trying to sort out the puzzles on your own. As I write this, one of the hottest shows on tv is "Only Murders In the Building", which has lately been showcasing jig-saw puzzle pieces in the show. This book made me flash to that idea, that it's all there but your just have to put it together in the right order to see the whole picture. That is true of this book, too. Who do you trust?
Read this one. You won't be sorry. You'll like not just main characters Fran and Adam but enjoy watching Adam's brain spinning as he thinks. Fun and relatively quick read that works nicely as a stand-alone.
Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me to spend some more quality time with Adam and Fran/Eve. I'm not the best at puzzles so it's a good thing Adam was around.
September 24, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Death On The Menu' by Emma Davies.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 22nd September 2022.
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in her 'Adam And Eve Mystery Series' but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'A Year At Appleyard Farm', 'The Little Island Secret', 'My Husband's Lie', 'After The Crash' and 'Death On Disguise' (First book in the 'Adam And Eve Mystery Series' and would recommend them all!!
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I am a huge fan of Emma and if this book is half as good as 'A Year At Appleyard Farm', 'The Little Island Secret', 'My Husband's Lie', After The Crash' and 'Death On Disguise' it is bound to be an epic read!! The synopsis stated that 'If you love Clare Chase, M.C. Beaton and The Thursday Murder Club you’ll adore this thrilling mystery.' I am a huge fan of Clare Chase so am interested to see if it will live up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 22 chapters. The chapters are medium to long in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Shropshire, England 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited and stayed in Shropshire so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise any places mentioned in the book.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Francesca Eve and Adam Smith. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
WOW!!! JUST WOW!!! YET ANOTHER ADDICTIVE ADDITION TO THE FANTASTIC 'ADAM AND EVE' SERIES!! I LOVE HOW YOU CAN JUMP FROM GENRE TO GENRE ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY AND WHETHER IT IS A ROMANCE, WOMEN'S FICTION OR MURDER MYSTERY YOU SLAM DUNK IT EVERY TIME AND THIS BOOK IS NO EXCEPTION!!!
Another huge success by Emma Davies!!! This book is beautifully written and filled with vivid descriptions to the point where I can hear the trees rustling in the wind and taste Frank's divine dishes while curled up on the sofa reading. The cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!! AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING COSY MYSTERY!!!!
I must admit that I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this fantastic series when I read 'Death In Disguise' but I will start by repeating that you Emma are a lady of many talent! The first book of yours that I fell in love with was 'My Husband's Lie' which was a psychological fiction filled with mystery and suspense, I then read 'A year at Applewood farm' which was filled with romance, I moved onto 'The Little Island Secret ' which was a gorgeous romantic holiday fiction and the last book I read by you was 'After The Crash' which was a romantic mystery. I then moved onto the first in this series 'Death In Disguise, somehow I think I may have missed' Death On The Dinner Plate' and now I have just finished this absolutely addictive page turner and yet again you have outshone yourself!! Does your talent have no boundaries? Not many people can jump from one genre to another and even less do it well but you have done an absolutely fantastic job Emma!!!! Congratulations and I am looking forward to your next successful surprise!!
The storyline is absolutely addictive starting off with the perfect atmosphere for a cosy mystery being a treasure hunt after the death of an author!! A unique and perfectly fitting start for an murder mystery!! This is most definitely one the best cosy murder mysteries I have ever read!!! It was filled with murder, suspense, mystery, humour and rammed full of red herrings!! What more could you ever ask for in a cosy mystery? This book is perfect to read curled up by a fire or relaxing on a beach. There were so many different red herrings and different leads that Emma took me down and I enjoyed solving the puzzles and clues along with Fran and Adam. I would never have worked out who the killer was so a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Emma for managing to surprise me. I have read several books by authors who have only ever written mysteries and yet have worked out the whodunit by 50% in some which is a pet hate for me. However, you normally write romance novels and amazing ones at that, and yet managed to completely shock me!!! I also loved how everything was explained and tied up as another pet hate of mine is when a piece of the puzzle is mentioned then seemingly forgotten and never spoken of again. Emma, I absolutely LOVED this book which is an absolutely, perfectly explosive addition to what has promised to be an absolutely epic new series!!! I would LOVE to see this book, well this whole series turned into a movie which is sure to be a huge hit. Keep up the amazing work and I cannot wait for your next success whether it's another romance or the fourth part in this fantastic series!!
Although this is the third book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I absolutely love Fran and was over the moon to meet her again!!! When I started this series and I realised that she was a 50 year old caterer I did not know what to expect but straight away her personality lit up like a lighthouse. She made me laugh until I had tears streaming down my face. I can't remember the last time a character made me laugh so much! She is such a realistic character that jumps out of the pages and who is smart, caring and intriguing. The fact that this was a cosy murder mystery was even better as she definitely made it lighter than most I have read. She is such a larger than life and bubbly character who says it as it is, doesn't take any crud and has the most gorgeous personality. She is friendly, knows what to says who to trust and the fact that she swears now and again makes her my perfect cup of tea!! Fran is definitely the type of woman I would want by my side whether I wanted to laugh, cry or have a 5 course meal. I immediately clicked with her after the first few pages of 'Death In Disguise' and she hasn't left my mind since. The second I started reading this book it felt like I had only just finished saying Goodbye to her as qshe materialised in front of me again. I am happy to say that the same went with Adam who was nervous, funny and minced his words. They are complete opposites who made the perfect team. Again, neither knew each other previously when they first met yet they hit it off straight away and they work just as well together in this book as they did the first. They make one of the best teams I have ever met!! They make a perfect pairing and I cannot wait to meet them both again. They are most certainly the type of characters whose personalities stay with you for a long time and I've already started missing them... Hint hint Emma 😉
DO NOT PICK THIS BOOK UP INTOL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ⚠!!
Yet one more HUGE CONGRATULATIONS Emma on the best cosy mystery series I have ever read and I am impatiently waiting for the next success in this series!!
Overall an absolutely addictive, hilarious, fun, light hearted cosy mystery which will keep you up until 2am turning the pages
Genres covered in this novel include Murder Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as FANS of Agatha Christie, Clare Chase, Helena Dixon, Martin, M.C. Beaton, 'The Thursday Murder Club' and anyone who loves an amazing cosy mystery and especially you reading this!! .
287 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £7.99 in paperback which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#DeathOnTheMenu #Bookouture #EmmaDavies #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@EmmaDavies @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
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Review for 'Death On The Menu' by Emma Davies.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 22nd September 2022.
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in her 'Adam And Eve Mystery Series' but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'A Year At Appleyard Farm', 'The Little Island Secret', 'My Husband's Lie', 'After The Crash' and 'Death On Disguise' (First book in the 'Adam And Eve Mystery Series' and would recommend them all!!
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I am a huge fan of Emma and if this book is half as good as 'A Year At Appleyard Farm', 'The Little Island Secret', 'My Husband's Lie', After The Crash' and 'Death On Disguise' it is bound to be an epic read!! The synopsis stated that 'If you love Clare Chase, M.C. Beaton and The Thursday Murder Club you’ll adore this thrilling mystery.' I am a huge fan of Clare Chase so am interested to see if it will live up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 22 chapters. The chapters are medium to long in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Shropshire, England 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited and stayed in Shropshire so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise any places mentioned in the book.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Francesca Eve and Adam Smith. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
WOW!!! JUST WOW!!! YET ANOTHER ADDICTIVE ADDITION TO THE FANTASTIC 'ADAM AND EVE' SERIES!! I LOVE HOW YOU CAN JUMP FROM GENRE TO GENRE ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY AND WHETHER IT IS A ROMANCE, WOMEN'S FICTION OR MURDER MYSTERY YOU SLAM DUNK IT EVERY TIME AND THIS BOOK IS NO EXCEPTION!!!
Another huge success by Emma Davies!!! This book is beautifully written and filled with vivid descriptions to the point where I can hear the trees rustling in the wind and taste Frank's divine dishes while curled up on the sofa reading. The cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!! AN ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING COSY MYSTERY!!!!
I must admit that I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this fantastic series when I read 'Death In Disguise' but I will start by repeating that you Emma are a lady of many talent! The first book of yours that I fell in love with was 'My Husband's Lie' which was a psychological fiction filled with mystery and suspense, I then read 'A year at Applewood farm' which was filled with romance, I moved onto 'The Little Island Secret ' which was a gorgeous romantic holiday fiction and the last book I read by you was 'After The Crash' which was a romantic mystery. I then moved onto the first in this series 'Death In Disguise, somehow I think I may have missed' Death On The Dinner Plate' and now I have just finished this absolutely addictive page turner and yet again you have outshone yourself!! Does your talent have no boundaries? Not many people can jump from one genre to another and even less do it well but you have done an absolutely fantastic job Emma!!!! Congratulations and I am looking forward to your next successful surprise!!
The storyline is absolutely addictive starting off with the perfect atmosphere for a cosy mystery being a treasure hunt after the death of an author!! A unique and perfectly fitting start for an murder mystery!! This is most definitely one the best cosy murder mysteries I have ever read!!! It was filled with murder, suspense, mystery, humour and rammed full of red herrings!! What more could you ever ask for in a cosy mystery? This book is perfect to read curled up by a fire or relaxing on a beach. There were so many different red herrings and different leads that Emma took me down and I enjoyed solving the puzzles and clues along with Fran and Adam. I would never have worked out who the killer was so a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Emma for managing to surprise me. I have read several books by authors who have only ever written mysteries and yet have worked out the whodunit by 50% in some which is a pet hate for me. However, you normally write romance novels and amazing ones at that, and yet managed to completely shock me!!! I also loved how everything was explained and tied up as another pet hate of mine is when a piece of the puzzle is mentioned then seemingly forgotten and never spoken of again. Emma, I absolutely LOVED this book which is an absolutely, perfectly explosive addition to what has promised to be an absolutely epic new series!!! I would LOVE to see this book, well this whole series turned into a movie which is sure to be a huge hit. Keep up the amazing work and I cannot wait for your next success whether it's another romance or the fourth part in this fantastic series!!
Although this is the third book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I absolutely love Fran and was over the moon to meet her again!!! When I started this series and I realised that she was a 50 year old caterer I did not know what to expect but straight away her personality lit up like a lighthouse. She made me laugh until I had tears streaming down my face. I can't remember the last time a character made me laugh so much! She is such a realistic character that jumps out of the pages and who is smart, caring and intriguing. The fact that this was a cosy murder mystery was even better as she definitely made it lighter than most I have read. She is such a larger than life and bubbly character who says it as it is, doesn't take any crud and has the most gorgeous personality. She is friendly, knows what to says who to trust and the fact that she swears now and again makes her my perfect cup of tea!! Fran is definitely the type of woman I would want by my side whether I wanted to laugh, cry or have a 5 course meal. I immediately clicked with her after the first few pages of 'Death In Disguise' and she hasn't left my mind since. The second I started reading this book it felt like I had only just finished saying Goodbye to her as qshe materialised in front of me again. I am happy to say that the same went with Adam who was nervous, funny and minced his words. They are complete opposites who made the perfect team. Again, neither knew each other previously when they first met yet they hit it off straight away and they work just as well together in this book as they did the first. They make one of the best teams I have ever met!! They make a perfect pairing and I cannot wait to meet them both again. They are most certainly the type of characters whose personalities stay with you for a long time and I've already started missing them... Hint hint Emma 😉
DO NOT PICK THIS BOOK UP INTOL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ⚠!!
Yet one more HUGE CONGRATULATIONS Emma on the best cosy mystery series I have ever read and I am impatiently waiting for the next success in this series!!
Overall an absolutely addictive, hilarious, fun, light hearted cosy mystery which will keep you up until 2am turning the pages
Genres covered in this novel include Murder Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as FANS of Agatha Christie, Clare Chase, Helena Dixon, Martin, M.C. Beaton, 'The Thursday Murder Club' and anyone who loves an amazing cosy mystery and especially you reading this!! .
287 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £7.99 in paperback which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#DeathOnTheMenu #Bookouture #EmmaDavies #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@EmmaDavies @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
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September 28, 2022
3 1/2 stars. I love myself a treasure hunt and this book delivered in a clever cozy with plenty of twists and turns. There were things I definitely did not see coming. I had not read any books previously in this series (you do not have to read any before to understand what is going on) and I very much enjoyed the characters.
The two main characters who do the investigating were an unusual duos. Francesca (Eve) was a married woman with a teenage son (both who are not really around in this book, but don't worry she was a happily married woman) who ran a catering business. When she catered a dinner where a will was read she soon found herself pulled in by her friend--a possible recipient of the will--to figure out the clues in a treasure hunt that would lead to the treasure. Of course, she asked her friend and fellow amateur detective, Adam, in his late twenties/early thirties, who designed video games for a living, to help. Then the accidents began happening, followed by murder...
This duo were not a couple and there will not be a romance here. It was just friendship. You don't find friendships between a woman and man with maybe a 15 or 20 year age difference (a guess) as the lead characters in a cozy very often but it worked here.
I enjoyed the book very much. Not only did I like the treasure hunt there were twists and turns and some action to keep me riveted to the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.
The two main characters who do the investigating were an unusual duos. Francesca (Eve) was a married woman with a teenage son (both who are not really around in this book, but don't worry she was a happily married woman) who ran a catering business. When she catered a dinner where a will was read she soon found herself pulled in by her friend--a possible recipient of the will--to figure out the clues in a treasure hunt that would lead to the treasure. Of course, she asked her friend and fellow amateur detective, Adam, in his late twenties/early thirties, who designed video games for a living, to help. Then the accidents began happening, followed by murder...
This duo were not a couple and there will not be a romance here. It was just friendship. You don't find friendships between a woman and man with maybe a 15 or 20 year age difference (a guess) as the lead characters in a cozy very often but it worked here.
I enjoyed the book very much. Not only did I like the treasure hunt there were twists and turns and some action to keep me riveted to the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.
September 16, 2022
Cyphers and cryptic puzzles are the backdrop in this third book in the Adam and Eve Mystery series. Francesca Eve and Adam find themselves scratching their heads more than once as they feverishly work to solve clues while once again solving a murder. The man who has died had three adult children. Could one of them be the murderer who betrayed and killed their father?
Despite a generational gap of two decades between Fran and Adam. the pair make a perfect crime-fighting duo. Although amateur sleuths, they are more than adept at finding and solving clues, no matter the danger. Since the man that has died has three adult children, that is the beginning of Fran and Adam's inquiries.
As Fran was fulfilling another of her jobs as a traveling caterer, she has a bit of freedom roaming about the house, asking questions at every turn. What is more is that Fran and Adam get a bit caught up in the game of winning the inheritance left by the victim. In short, the victim laid out a bunch of mysterious clues, and whoever solved this intriguing puzzle would net the inheritence.
Quite naturally, Fran is certain the inheritance is the objective of the murder, but is loath to believe that one of the man's own children could have wanted their father dead, never mind be the actual killer. Along with Adam and her old friend Olivia, they are in a race against time to find all the answers needed to bring the killer to justice.
I really loved Adam's role in this third book in this enjoyable series. Adam is a computer whiz and an experienced gamer, thus making this cat and mouse game of solving clues something that he excelled at. The clues themselves were as entertaining as the story in Death on the Menu, making this book a true delight from beginning to end. As someone who can't get enough of technology, puzzles and games, this book was a strong favorite of mine. Emma Davies is an excellent author and every book I have read by her thus far has been an enjoyable ride.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Despite a generational gap of two decades between Fran and Adam. the pair make a perfect crime-fighting duo. Although amateur sleuths, they are more than adept at finding and solving clues, no matter the danger. Since the man that has died has three adult children, that is the beginning of Fran and Adam's inquiries.
As Fran was fulfilling another of her jobs as a traveling caterer, she has a bit of freedom roaming about the house, asking questions at every turn. What is more is that Fran and Adam get a bit caught up in the game of winning the inheritance left by the victim. In short, the victim laid out a bunch of mysterious clues, and whoever solved this intriguing puzzle would net the inheritence.
Quite naturally, Fran is certain the inheritance is the objective of the murder, but is loath to believe that one of the man's own children could have wanted their father dead, never mind be the actual killer. Along with Adam and her old friend Olivia, they are in a race against time to find all the answers needed to bring the killer to justice.
I really loved Adam's role in this third book in this enjoyable series. Adam is a computer whiz and an experienced gamer, thus making this cat and mouse game of solving clues something that he excelled at. The clues themselves were as entertaining as the story in Death on the Menu, making this book a true delight from beginning to end. As someone who can't get enough of technology, puzzles and games, this book was a strong favorite of mine. Emma Davies is an excellent author and every book I have read by her thus far has been an enjoyable ride.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
September 22, 2022
When elderly millionaire and eccentric entrepreneur Clarence Lightman dies, his nearest and dearest gather one final time at Justice House, Clarence’s beautiful country estate, for the reading of his will. . Francesca Eve has been hired to cater for a meal prior to the reading of the will, she's surprised to find her best friend from Primary School Olivia was the companion of Clarence. But the day ends in uproar when it is revealed that whoever solves a series of complex clues will inherit everything . Fran agrees to help Olivia in the hunt for clues & of course calls Adam to help.
The third outing for Adam & Eve & it was another engrossing read, there are lots of twists & turns especially as to who is telling the truth & who can be trusted. Clarence’s three children were estranged but they all tell different sides to the story. There's also the underlying thread as to whether Clarence died of natural causes. I was as confused as Fran but loved being on the journey to find the villain
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The third outing for Adam & Eve & it was another engrossing read, there are lots of twists & turns especially as to who is telling the truth & who can be trusted. Clarence’s three children were estranged but they all tell different sides to the story. There's also the underlying thread as to whether Clarence died of natural causes. I was as confused as Fran but loved being on the journey to find the villain
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 23, 2022
When she's called by an old schoolfriend to cater for a funeral, Fran finds herself in the middle of a dangerous mystery. She doesn't know who she can trust and whether they are all safe. Her friend had been acting as a companion to an elderly gentleman who used to write mysteries and devise games with clues.
He'd been estranged from his family and they seem to have arrived to hear the will and disappear with their inheritance. They discover he has left one last game for them to solve clues to be able to inherit. If they work together they all inherit. if they work alone they run the risk of not inheriting at all. What will they all decide to do and will family ties prove strong or dangerous?
This was a really great read, feeling the tension between the family and Frans friend. In turn looking at each character with suspicion. Fran has a friend who has worked with her on previous mysteries and I enjoyed his character.
I will be looking out for more of Emma Davies mystery collection.
He'd been estranged from his family and they seem to have arrived to hear the will and disappear with their inheritance. They discover he has left one last game for them to solve clues to be able to inherit. If they work together they all inherit. if they work alone they run the risk of not inheriting at all. What will they all decide to do and will family ties prove strong or dangerous?
This was a really great read, feeling the tension between the family and Frans friend. In turn looking at each character with suspicion. Fran has a friend who has worked with her on previous mysteries and I enjoyed his character.
I will be looking out for more of Emma Davies mystery collection.
August 12, 2022
Francesca is the amateur sleuth/caterer who is called by an old friend to cater a funeral meal for a famous elderly author/gamester. The man's offspring are rather poisonous gits who don't want to do as the will demands but are too greedy to let it go at that. Let's just say that cooperation is not their strong suit. Fran is there to serve as witness and her friend Adam comes along for support and sleuthing. Loved this fairly lighthearted whodunit!
I requested and received a digital ARC of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I requested and received a digital ARC of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
August 29, 2022
Ah, what a fabulous story. I absolutely loved it, racing through in no time. If you have read either of the other books in the Adam and Eve series then you will know that this pair of amateur sleuths, caterer Fran Eve and computer game programmer, Adam, have a knack for finding themselves in very compromising, and often deadly, situations. Not that this was ever the intention, they just have this ability to be in the right place at the wrong time …
Called on to cater for a funeral by an old school friend, Fran has no idea the amount of trouble she is about to find herself in. A claim of death under suspicious circumstances, a ‘treasure hunt’ to determine an inheritance and a set of complex and curious clues set by a man whose entire life was built upon the love of a good puzzle. Adam’s childhood hero and muse in fact, and someone who for sheer deductive reasoning would give Adam a run for his money.
I loved the real mystery - quite literally - at the heart of this story. The variety of different challenges set for those who were engaged on this quest to follow. It gives us as readers something beyond the normal murder mystery to try and solve. To try and out puzzle the puzzler, and to decipher the various codes alongside the characters, many of which made me smile, and really appreciate the web of clues that the author spun for us all.
What really did make me smile though was the setting. The series is set in my home county, so often the places that the characters visit are known to me, and whilst some of the setting may be entirely fictitious, much of it this time around it is very, very, familiar to me. I have lost count of how many times I have wandered around the National Trust property which forms a central part of this story. One thing is for sure - I’ll never look at it in quite the same way again! Emma Davies really has brought the place to life, with perhaps a touch of artistic licence but essentially true to life. If you were to visit, you will recognise much of what appears in these pages, although I’d recommend doing it during normal commercial hours …
This is a mystery within a mystery, packed with characters you can;t quite trust, with the obvious exception of Adam and Fran. I loved that Adam got to put his very brilliant mind to real use, and that the ambiguity and uncertainty over the characters meant a real game of bluff and double bluff. This is cosy mystery at its best, a puzzle to entertain the best minds. Even Miss Marple and Poirot would have been impressed.
If you love a great story, a lot of mystery and fabulously fun and fresh characters, and can handle the many references to cake and fabulous foodstuffs that will make you salivate as you read, I can’t recommend this series enough. Why not give them all a go. I’m loving them.
October 26, 2022
Francesca (Fran) Eve’s old school chum, Olivia, has hired her to cater the funeral dinner for Clarence Lightman. Mr. Lightman, an author who created games based on his books, died a wealthy man. His will makes one last effort to reconcile his fractured family by sending his “nearest and dearest” on a treasure hunt. His children do not take this news well, and they’re really unhappy when they learn that Olivia – the “hired help” – has the right to try to unravel the clues and claim an inheritance for herself.
This book is nearly impossible to put down! The treasure hunt premise is unique and a lot of fun. The characters end up in some pretty outlandish situations trying to chase down the clues that lead to the fortune. And in addition to trying to sort out the clues, Fran and Adam are trying to track down a murderer.
There’s some stiff competition among the teams (Marcus and Cate, two of Lightman’s children; Saul, the third of Lightman’s children; and Fran, Olivia, and Adam). At least one of the teams is playing dirty, and we know it isn’t our fearless protagonists. The fact that someone is willing to stoop to murder really ramps up the tension in the story.
And the characters! Fran is a delight. She’s close to my age, which makes me appreciate her that much more. She and Adam seem like they’d be as different as chalk and cheese, but their personalities actually work well together. I like that Fran isn’t someone who has to be in charge all the time. She realizes that Adam has the skill set they need to work out the clues here, and she doesn’t hesitate to let him take the lead on that. She knows her strengths and is fine with letting others shine when it’s what works best. And even the minor characters, like Margaret, the family solicitor, are fleshed out nicely.
There were plenty of twists and turns in the story, and Davies kept me guessing until the end. I love a book where I can’t solve the mystery until the reveal smacks me in the head!
If you like a modern story with a unique premise and a cozy mystery that will have you second-guessing what you think at every turn, I highly recommend Death on the Menu!
This book is nearly impossible to put down! The treasure hunt premise is unique and a lot of fun. The characters end up in some pretty outlandish situations trying to chase down the clues that lead to the fortune. And in addition to trying to sort out the clues, Fran and Adam are trying to track down a murderer.
There’s some stiff competition among the teams (Marcus and Cate, two of Lightman’s children; Saul, the third of Lightman’s children; and Fran, Olivia, and Adam). At least one of the teams is playing dirty, and we know it isn’t our fearless protagonists. The fact that someone is willing to stoop to murder really ramps up the tension in the story.
And the characters! Fran is a delight. She’s close to my age, which makes me appreciate her that much more. She and Adam seem like they’d be as different as chalk and cheese, but their personalities actually work well together. I like that Fran isn’t someone who has to be in charge all the time. She realizes that Adam has the skill set they need to work out the clues here, and she doesn’t hesitate to let him take the lead on that. She knows her strengths and is fine with letting others shine when it’s what works best. And even the minor characters, like Margaret, the family solicitor, are fleshed out nicely.
There were plenty of twists and turns in the story, and Davies kept me guessing until the end. I love a book where I can’t solve the mystery until the reveal smacks me in the head!
If you like a modern story with a unique premise and a cozy mystery that will have you second-guessing what you think at every turn, I highly recommend Death on the Menu!
July 11, 2023
These characters are so relatable, both recurring and new ones populating each book. While meeting the basic definition of a cozy, the author flips the script. A happily married main character, eliminating the falling for the detective and certainly avoiding a stupid love triangle. Not enlisting a bestie as her sidekick but the son of a former murder suspect from the first book. Being a caterer, the possibilities of new locations and characters are endless.
This time Francesca is catering a dinner at a country estate. The will of recently deceased, Clarence, will be read. Long estranged adult children are there as well as well as some of his good friends. Longtime companion/housekeeper, Olivia, is also there. She hired Francesca unaware she was the Francesca who had been her best friend in primary grades.
The will ends in a scavenger hunt with the prize being the bulk of the inheritance goes to the winner. When it is determined wording of the will allows Olivia to be eligible to compete, she enlists Francesca who in turn calls on Adam to come to the estate. His knowledge of puzzles seems a perfect fit for the task.
Again, this author veers very far away from the too-stupid-to-live trope while managing to put the main characters in danger. The twists and turns along the way cause doubts of who can be trusted. Not a straightforward cozy but a delight.
Highly recommend this series for those who steer away from British cozies. It seems when British authors are writing for the US market they -or their editors- feel compelled to lay the Brit speak on too thick. That is not the case with this series. There are a few instances but no more than a book trying to mimic southern charm.
This time Francesca is catering a dinner at a country estate. The will of recently deceased, Clarence, will be read. Long estranged adult children are there as well as well as some of his good friends. Longtime companion/housekeeper, Olivia, is also there. She hired Francesca unaware she was the Francesca who had been her best friend in primary grades.
The will ends in a scavenger hunt with the prize being the bulk of the inheritance goes to the winner. When it is determined wording of the will allows Olivia to be eligible to compete, she enlists Francesca who in turn calls on Adam to come to the estate. His knowledge of puzzles seems a perfect fit for the task.
Again, this author veers very far away from the too-stupid-to-live trope while managing to put the main characters in danger. The twists and turns along the way cause doubts of who can be trusted. Not a straightforward cozy but a delight.
Highly recommend this series for those who steer away from British cozies. It seems when British authors are writing for the US market they -or their editors- feel compelled to lay the Brit speak on too thick. That is not the case with this series. There are a few instances but no more than a book trying to mimic southern charm.
October 1, 2022
Rating: 4.2/5
The cosy mystery genre is a heavily populated one and, unfortunately, many of the books that make it into print are pretty mediocre parodies of themselves. Far too many could be better described as cheesy mysteries rather than cosy mysteries. Thankfully, this Adam & Eve series from Emma Davies is a cut above the vast majority of examples.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series and although I liked the second one too, I didn't feel that it quite matched up to its predecessor. I am pleased to report that order has been restored and "Death on the Menu" marks a return to the quality level of book one ... I would suggest it may even be slightly better. There is a sound mystery adventure at the heart of the story. It is a "whodunnit" in the traditional style, but the plot has a proper structure that has been robustly put together and bears fictional scrutiny - though it does depend on a number of convenient elements that you could only get away with in a novel of the cosy variety.
If you are new to the series then "Death on the Menu" could quite easily be read as a standalone and be enjoyable enough, but I would suggest that potential readers would derive even more from the experience if they were already familiar with the two lead characters. Although the plot here is not directly related to either of the previous books, there are some references to those earlier mysteries that could be construed as very mild spoilers, if you were to go back and read them afterwards.
I have no hesitation in recommending this to fans of the genre and I will certainly be back for book four in the series.
The cosy mystery genre is a heavily populated one and, unfortunately, many of the books that make it into print are pretty mediocre parodies of themselves. Far too many could be better described as cheesy mysteries rather than cosy mysteries. Thankfully, this Adam & Eve series from Emma Davies is a cut above the vast majority of examples.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series and although I liked the second one too, I didn't feel that it quite matched up to its predecessor. I am pleased to report that order has been restored and "Death on the Menu" marks a return to the quality level of book one ... I would suggest it may even be slightly better. There is a sound mystery adventure at the heart of the story. It is a "whodunnit" in the traditional style, but the plot has a proper structure that has been robustly put together and bears fictional scrutiny - though it does depend on a number of convenient elements that you could only get away with in a novel of the cosy variety.
If you are new to the series then "Death on the Menu" could quite easily be read as a standalone and be enjoyable enough, but I would suggest that potential readers would derive even more from the experience if they were already familiar with the two lead characters. Although the plot here is not directly related to either of the previous books, there are some references to those earlier mysteries that could be construed as very mild spoilers, if you were to go back and read them afterwards.
I have no hesitation in recommending this to fans of the genre and I will certainly be back for book four in the series.
September 25, 2022
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Francesca Eve is catering a sombre funeral supper, but the last thing she expects is another murder on the menu…. When elderly millionaire and eccentric entrepreneur Clarence Lightman dies, his nearest and dearest gather one final time at Justice House, Clarence’s beautiful country estate in rural Shropshire, for the reading of his will. But the day ends in uproar when Clarence’s will reveals that whoever solves a series of complex clues will inherit everything, whether that’s one of Clarence’s disagreeable children, his devoted housekeeper, or Francesca herself…
Francesca knows she should stick to the kitchen and stay out of this macabre game, but she is unwillingly drawn into the mystery when she finds Clarence’s son, blood pooling from a deadly thwack to the head, shoved into the larder. Somebody is clearly not playing fair, and Francesca feels sure that they won’t stop until all of the competition has been eliminated.
Francesca must find the murderer, and protect herself and her fellow innocent guests. But trapped in the game until the riddles are solved, she can’t trust anyone. If she can solve the clues, could they lead her to this ruthless killer? And can she find them before they strike again? Fran must use all her wits, not only to hunt down the truth, but just to stay alive…
I love these whodunit little mysteries and the ability of the reader to go through the mystery with Francesca and Adam. With this particular mystery, I loved the clue aspect and trying to figure them out for myself.
Francesca Eve is catering a sombre funeral supper, but the last thing she expects is another murder on the menu…. When elderly millionaire and eccentric entrepreneur Clarence Lightman dies, his nearest and dearest gather one final time at Justice House, Clarence’s beautiful country estate in rural Shropshire, for the reading of his will. But the day ends in uproar when Clarence’s will reveals that whoever solves a series of complex clues will inherit everything, whether that’s one of Clarence’s disagreeable children, his devoted housekeeper, or Francesca herself…
Francesca knows she should stick to the kitchen and stay out of this macabre game, but she is unwillingly drawn into the mystery when she finds Clarence’s son, blood pooling from a deadly thwack to the head, shoved into the larder. Somebody is clearly not playing fair, and Francesca feels sure that they won’t stop until all of the competition has been eliminated.
Francesca must find the murderer, and protect herself and her fellow innocent guests. But trapped in the game until the riddles are solved, she can’t trust anyone. If she can solve the clues, could they lead her to this ruthless killer? And can she find them before they strike again? Fran must use all her wits, not only to hunt down the truth, but just to stay alive…
I love these whodunit little mysteries and the ability of the reader to go through the mystery with Francesca and Adam. With this particular mystery, I loved the clue aspect and trying to figure them out for myself.
September 25, 2022
Francesca Eve was hired to plan a dinner for the funeral of Clarence Lightman, a well known millionaire and entrepreneur. When Clarence’s family and closest friends gather at his estate, for the reading of his will, things don’t necessarily go as planned. The attendees are instructed that they must solve a series of clues in order to inherit everything Clarence owned. Francesca is in the kitchen tending to her cooking duties until she is pulled into the game by a friend. The clues are stacking up but unfortunately so are the victims. Francesca must find the killer and solve the clues before the killer gets away with the money and murder.
This cozy mystery was the perfect whodunnit. I had no idea who the killer was until the very end. I found this story to be completely unpredictable and addictive. I couldn’t put it down. It was a fun read and also left me flying through the pages. I loved the plot twists and turns throughout the incredible story. The scavenger hunt was absolutely perfect, and such a joy to read. I couldn’t wait to find out the next clue. This fun and cryptic read is a must read for any cozy mystery fan. I loved it and I highly recommend it.
Thank you Emma Davies for such an amazing addition to the wonderful Adam and Eve Mystery Series. I really enjoyed this installment and I can’t wait until the next book in this series. Loved it!.
This cozy mystery was the perfect whodunnit. I had no idea who the killer was until the very end. I found this story to be completely unpredictable and addictive. I couldn’t put it down. It was a fun read and also left me flying through the pages. I loved the plot twists and turns throughout the incredible story. The scavenger hunt was absolutely perfect, and such a joy to read. I couldn’t wait to find out the next clue. This fun and cryptic read is a must read for any cozy mystery fan. I loved it and I highly recommend it.
Thank you Emma Davies for such an amazing addition to the wonderful Adam and Eve Mystery Series. I really enjoyed this installment and I can’t wait until the next book in this series. Loved it!.
August 26, 2022
Oh dear! Have I said this before? I LOVED this book! I am so sorry that I missed the first two in this series and need to go find them. And I wish I had never given a book 5 stars before so that this one would stand out. Maybe instead it needs more than 5 stars! Make this book 5+ stars!
Emma Davies has used a device to tell this story that I have never seen before. There is a death and, as follows, a will. The coroner says it was a heart attack which it very well could have been, but, of course, in the back of some minds, it could have been murder! The deceased left a will that had some strange stipulations - there is a treasure hunt and the winner gets the inheritance. Will the children work together and share or compete against each other.
The searching for the clues in the treasure hunt made this book so much fun! We didn't have the characters going over and over again the facts of the death and who might have done it. In fact, for most of the book, we don't even know that there was a murder at all! How delightful to read a story instead of rehashing facts we already know like so many cozy mysteries do.
I really hope that the author's other books are as entertaining as this one is.
Emma Davies has used a device to tell this story that I have never seen before. There is a death and, as follows, a will. The coroner says it was a heart attack which it very well could have been, but, of course, in the back of some minds, it could have been murder! The deceased left a will that had some strange stipulations - there is a treasure hunt and the winner gets the inheritance. Will the children work together and share or compete against each other.
The searching for the clues in the treasure hunt made this book so much fun! We didn't have the characters going over and over again the facts of the death and who might have done it. In fact, for most of the book, we don't even know that there was a murder at all! How delightful to read a story instead of rehashing facts we already know like so many cozy mysteries do.
I really hope that the author's other books are as entertaining as this one is.
August 24, 2022
3.75 stars
This quite readable series features oddball investigative partners Fran, a middle-aged mom and caterer, and Adam, a college aged designer of video games. The two met during the first book of the series which had Adam's mom as a murder suspect.
Fran is intuitive, logical, nurturing and smart. Adam has a great tech mind and is good at figuring stuff out.
This time around, a childhood friend of Fran's asks her to cater a funeral dinner for her boss, who happens to be a fantasy author and board game designer and a hero of Adam's. The boss was mostly estranged from his three children after a business falling out years before. So the old man devised a clever set of puzzles to determine who will inherit his estate.
When Fran's friend needs help, Fran and Adam sign on. But the puzzle turns deadly and they have to decide who they can trust.
The two main characters are quite likable and these mysteries are well-paced with interesting plots. This is a fun series to follow. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This quite readable series features oddball investigative partners Fran, a middle-aged mom and caterer, and Adam, a college aged designer of video games. The two met during the first book of the series which had Adam's mom as a murder suspect.
Fran is intuitive, logical, nurturing and smart. Adam has a great tech mind and is good at figuring stuff out.
This time around, a childhood friend of Fran's asks her to cater a funeral dinner for her boss, who happens to be a fantasy author and board game designer and a hero of Adam's. The boss was mostly estranged from his three children after a business falling out years before. So the old man devised a clever set of puzzles to determine who will inherit his estate.
When Fran's friend needs help, Fran and Adam sign on. But the puzzle turns deadly and they have to decide who they can trust.
The two main characters are quite likable and these mysteries are well-paced with interesting plots. This is a fun series to follow. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2022
A very different case for Adam and Eve
One with evidence that sometimes deceive.
It had me guessing - and rethinking again
The guilty party is never quite plain!
A childhood best friend, three siblings, too,
Are all involved in this story I highly recommend to you.
There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing all the way through
As this disparate pair try to solve each clue.
An elderly author and entrepreneur dies
But at his funeral only his carer cries.
His grown children have been estranged for years
And now have no time for any tears.
In his will he sets a treasure hunt puzzle for them to solve
Who will inherit this will resolve.
Will they work together or alone, decisions to make.
Whatever they choose they need to win the money to take.
This story was filled with surprises and more
As Adam and Fran the clues endeavour to explore.
I really appreciated the unexpected twist towards the end
When Fran finds out more about her old friend.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
One with evidence that sometimes deceive.
It had me guessing - and rethinking again
The guilty party is never quite plain!
A childhood best friend, three siblings, too,
Are all involved in this story I highly recommend to you.
There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing all the way through
As this disparate pair try to solve each clue.
An elderly author and entrepreneur dies
But at his funeral only his carer cries.
His grown children have been estranged for years
And now have no time for any tears.
In his will he sets a treasure hunt puzzle for them to solve
Who will inherit this will resolve.
Will they work together or alone, decisions to make.
Whatever they choose they need to win the money to take.
This story was filled with surprises and more
As Adam and Fran the clues endeavour to explore.
I really appreciated the unexpected twist towards the end
When Fran finds out more about her old friend.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
March 6, 2023
Fran Eve is hired to cater a funeral meal and is surprised to find that a childhood friend, Olivia, is in charge of the arrangements. Clarence Lightman, a writer and puzzle designer, has died and his estranged family has gathered for the funeral and the reading of his will. The will sets in motion a treasure hunt, the winner of which will inherit the estate. Olivia, Clarence’s companion and friend as well as employee, is also eligible to participate in the treasure hunt. With Adam joining in to help with the clues the three race to find the final clue before Clarence’s estranged children do. But as the hunt gets more intense there is murder and the very real possibility that Clarence’s death was also murder.
This is really fast-paced for an Adam and Eve mystery with the majority of the action taking place over the course of 24 hours. Once again Adam and Eve’s differing talents complement each other and facilitate the solution to the clues bringing them closer to the solution. These are really enjoyable mysteries that is getting better with each entry in the series. I look forward to the next entry. Recommended
This is really fast-paced for an Adam and Eve mystery with the majority of the action taking place over the course of 24 hours. Once again Adam and Eve’s differing talents complement each other and facilitate the solution to the clues bringing them closer to the solution. These are really enjoyable mysteries that is getting better with each entry in the series. I look forward to the next entry. Recommended
September 22, 2022
The third book in the Adam and Eve series has a twisty plot and a small cast of suspects, many of whom are unlikeable. Francesa meets a childhood friend when she gets a job catering for the funeral of an author and game designer. The man died unexpectedly but had left a detailed will and a wish that his estranged children, several people he knew, his solicitor and companion attend a meal after his funeral.
The story features a treasure hunt, which the participants must solve to gain their inheritance. Deceit, lies, secrets and an underlying sense of danger define this cosy mystery. Adam, a fan of the dead author, is drawn into the treasure hunt as he and Francesa Eve help her friend solve the clues.
The reader gets to solve the clues with Adam and Francesca making this an immersive read. The dynamic between the two amateur sleuths works well, and the plot has plenty of false leads. I love the main characters, the suspense build-up and the plot twists. It's my favourite book in the series so far.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
The story features a treasure hunt, which the participants must solve to gain their inheritance. Deceit, lies, secrets and an underlying sense of danger define this cosy mystery. Adam, a fan of the dead author, is drawn into the treasure hunt as he and Francesa Eve help her friend solve the clues.
The reader gets to solve the clues with Adam and Francesca making this an immersive read. The dynamic between the two amateur sleuths works well, and the plot has plenty of false leads. I love the main characters, the suspense build-up and the plot twists. It's my favourite book in the series so far.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
September 30, 2022
This time Fran is asked to cater for a funeral supper for a famous author by an old school friend of hers. Following the reading of the will there is a treasure hunt where Fran, aided by Adam, help the old friend take part against the author's estranged children. I enjoyed the previous book in the series and was looking forward to this one and again wasn't disappointed. With plenty of twists and turns it kept me guessing all the way up to the end with various characters taking it in turns to be the guilty party. I was really pleased with myself that I actually guessed the answer to one part of the clues - but that's where it ended as I had to be led to the answers to all the rest of them. Not a fast action thriller, but a very satisfying cosy murder mystery and again I'm really looking forward to reading the next one. I do sometimes miss this author's previous romance series The Little Cottage on the Hill though. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
October 7, 2022
Francesca is happy to take on any catering job, but catering for a formal dinner after a funeral is a new one for her. However when she discovers the deceased is the employer of an old friend she is delighted to see her again. Olivia had been the housekeeper of the author who became very wealthy from writing mystery books & games. Clarence was estranged from his family but they are all there for the reading of the will. After a few bequests the bulk of his fortune will go to the person who solves his final treasure hunt. This does not go down well! The solicitor reading the will is not enamoured of the family & tells Olivia there is nothing to stop her solving the mystery. This is the sort of thing Fran's nerdy friend Adam excels at! But it's not going to be plain sailing!
I missed the second in this series but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, possibly even more than the first. Full of interesting characters & riddles it was a great read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
I missed the second in this series but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, possibly even more than the first. Full of interesting characters & riddles it was a great read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
July 5, 2025
Unfortunately sometimes the feathers of a family can be ruffled by the reading of a will. In this tale, for the deceased Clarence Lightman, his decision to have his family compete in a game where the winner inherits his whole fortune, causes quite the uproar from his three children! Rubbing my hands with glee, I couldn’t wait to dive in a see how it would all unfold.
I really enjoyed this mystery and once again being reunited with Francesca and her mystery solving companion Adam. As the caterer for the funeral supper, Francesca becomes tangled up in the game when she stumbles upon the body of one of Clarence’s sons. Someone will stop at nothing to make sure they get their hands on this fortune, even murder!
Davies does a great job of keeping the reader engaged throughout. There are not a lot of characters to suspect, which you would think would be easy to solve, but she expertly keeps you second guessing yourself, with twists and turns aplenty. All round, this is another fun and riveting read and I can’t wait for more from this mystery solving duo.
I really enjoyed this mystery and once again being reunited with Francesca and her mystery solving companion Adam. As the caterer for the funeral supper, Francesca becomes tangled up in the game when she stumbles upon the body of one of Clarence’s sons. Someone will stop at nothing to make sure they get their hands on this fortune, even murder!
Davies does a great job of keeping the reader engaged throughout. There are not a lot of characters to suspect, which you would think would be easy to solve, but she expertly keeps you second guessing yourself, with twists and turns aplenty. All round, this is another fun and riveting read and I can’t wait for more from this mystery solving duo.
August 6, 2022
When Clarence Lightman dies, his heirs are ready to claim his millions. Only Clarence had another idea. He put together a series of riddles and puzzles for those whom he was willing to bequeath his fortune, both family and employees. Whomever solves them first is the heir…and everyone is on their game!
Only one person isn’t playing by the rules, they’re trying to eliminate the competition and Francesca is sure they’re going to keep eliminating the others until they win. Now it’s become a game of staying alive rather than solving the clues. Can Frances protect the others and keep herself alive as well? Only time will tell.
A FABULOUS mystery that has you trying to solve the riddles and puzzles along side the others. Once you have the piece click together, you’ll realize the clues were there all along…but you’re so focuses on trying to solve the clues along with who’s not playing fair that you missed a few things. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read in a while!
Only one person isn’t playing by the rules, they’re trying to eliminate the competition and Francesca is sure they’re going to keep eliminating the others until they win. Now it’s become a game of staying alive rather than solving the clues. Can Frances protect the others and keep herself alive as well? Only time will tell.
A FABULOUS mystery that has you trying to solve the riddles and puzzles along side the others. Once you have the piece click together, you’ll realize the clues were there all along…but you’re so focuses on trying to solve the clues along with who’s not playing fair that you missed a few things. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read in a while!
September 20, 2022
The Adam and Eve Mystery Series is becoming a favorite as both Francesca and Adam are well plotted and interesting characters.
There's always something unusual and they remind me of the Golden Age puzzles. There's no locked room or impossible crime but there's always some puzzle to solve.
This one was great as there's a whodunit, a dysfunctional family, a treasure hunt, and a highly entertaining story.
It's a slow burning story but I enjoyed how the author introduced the different characters and the setting.
Both are important for the mystery part and I enjoyed it even if there's no murder.
Adam and Francesca are as likeable as usual and the author did an excellent job in developing the other characters.
A solid mystery that kept me hooked and guessing.
I can't wait to read other stories, this one is highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
There's always something unusual and they remind me of the Golden Age puzzles. There's no locked room or impossible crime but there's always some puzzle to solve.
This one was great as there's a whodunit, a dysfunctional family, a treasure hunt, and a highly entertaining story.
It's a slow burning story but I enjoyed how the author introduced the different characters and the setting.
Both are important for the mystery part and I enjoyed it even if there's no murder.
Adam and Francesca are as likeable as usual and the author did an excellent job in developing the other characters.
A solid mystery that kept me hooked and guessing.
I can't wait to read other stories, this one is highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 15, 2022
I was delighted once again to be approved to read this book and review it as I’ve reviewed the previous two books in the series and it’s my favourite Cozy Crime series. You can see my previous reviews right here on my ➡️ Blog
The story just gets straight into the thick of it right from the beginning, Frans just getting back to normal after the events six months ago when her and Adam helped solve a murder.
When what seems to be a straight forward catering job for a funeral turns into complex game of puzzles and riddles with real life consequences what will Fran do take a backseat or take part?.
This is another fantastic instalment in this cozy crime series ( I hope it’s not the last) .
I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery so much, I think this might even be my favourite Adam & Eve Mystery so far even though I was reading and thought “oh no is Adam not in this book”.
The story just gets straight into the thick of it right from the beginning, Frans just getting back to normal after the events six months ago when her and Adam helped solve a murder.
When what seems to be a straight forward catering job for a funeral turns into complex game of puzzles and riddles with real life consequences what will Fran do take a backseat or take part?.
This is another fantastic instalment in this cozy crime series ( I hope it’s not the last) .
I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery so much, I think this might even be my favourite Adam & Eve Mystery so far even though I was reading and thought “oh no is Adam not in this book”.
September 29, 2022
Though part of a series, does well as a stand alone too.
Francesca has been asked to cater for a funeral supper for an eccentric rich businessman who has died. He was an elderly man and the death was not considered suspicious until everyone who benefited from the will gathered around. Clarence was not going to make it easy for the beneficiaries and he came up with a treasure hunt with cryptic clues.
Francesca's friend Olivia had been Clarence's secretary and right hand man and all of them are appalled at the greed displayed by the three children to fight and grasp their inheritance. Finding the dead body of the eldest son whilst in pursuit of clues was unexpected but quite probable as the story winds on, because it is becoming a no holds barred quest for the money.
A good story, Francesca and Adam her help mate in all things detective do a good job in this cosy.
Francesca has been asked to cater for a funeral supper for an eccentric rich businessman who has died. He was an elderly man and the death was not considered suspicious until everyone who benefited from the will gathered around. Clarence was not going to make it easy for the beneficiaries and he came up with a treasure hunt with cryptic clues.
Francesca's friend Olivia had been Clarence's secretary and right hand man and all of them are appalled at the greed displayed by the three children to fight and grasp their inheritance. Finding the dead body of the eldest son whilst in pursuit of clues was unexpected but quite probable as the story winds on, because it is becoming a no holds barred quest for the money.
A good story, Francesca and Adam her help mate in all things detective do a good job in this cosy.
August 20, 2022
Fran is employed by old school friend Olivia to cater the funeral of Clarence, a wealthy man with a penchant for games. He has left a will, in which he describes a set of puzzles and games for his three child to follow. Is it as clear as that however? Someone commits murder and refuses to play fair, but who? Can Fran and friend Adam solve the puzzles set by Clarence to find the murdered, and can they stay safe as they do?
A fun cosy mystery, I loved trying to solve the puzzles along with the characters. I'll definitely be looking out for more in this series, Fran and Adam are a great partnership.
A fun cosy mystery, I loved trying to solve the puzzles along with the characters. I'll definitely be looking out for more in this series, Fran and Adam are a great partnership.
October 3, 2022
Book three in the Adam & Eve mystery series and another cracking instalment in this cosy mystery series that I have followed since book one and just as the other two this was another entertaining read.
Adam & Eve finding themselves in the thick of things again join forces to do some ammeter sleuthing this time in the form of a treasure hunt but this is not any ordinary hunt there's a lot at stake!
I love the partnership between Adam & Eve despite the decade of age between them their respect that they have for one another shines through, they complement each other in all the best ways.
Adam & Eve finding themselves in the thick of things again join forces to do some ammeter sleuthing this time in the form of a treasure hunt but this is not any ordinary hunt there's a lot at stake!
I love the partnership between Adam & Eve despite the decade of age between them their respect that they have for one another shines through, they complement each other in all the best ways.
September 24, 2022
I received a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review. I enjoyed this book so much. All the characters were great and their interactions were superb. My only issue was the beginning, since I go into these review books with little to no knowledge of the overarching narrative I didn't understand Adam's significance until he showed up and once he did I felt like the book can't alive. The mystery was excellent the meandering path to who did it was enjoyable. I felt like I was right there with Fran the entire way and didn't feel like I knew more or less than she did.
September 23, 2022
This was a great third entry in the Adam and Eve series, and provides readers with not only a murder mystery, but a treasure hunt, the winner of which will inherit the estate of Clarence, an author and game developer. Fran and Adam are called in to help decipher the clues, but find themselves not at all sure who among those on the treasure hunt is being truthful, and who is out to win at any cost.
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