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Farmers' Market #2
Fruit of All Evil
Read Paige Shelton's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.
Becca Robbins sells her farm-made jams and preserves at the local farmers' market to make a living. But when a local lovely decides to tie the knot at the same market, someone else decides to make a killing-and only Becca has the down-home know-how to shut the lid on a canny killer.
Becca Robbins sells her farm-made jams and preserves at the local farmers' market to make a living. But when a local lovely decides to tie the knot at the same market, someone else decides to make a killing-and only Becca has the down-home know-how to shut the lid on a canny killer.
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
April 6, 2013
I really wanted to like this series. I am a huge fan of the cozy-mystery genre and find those with a culinary theme especially intriguing. The first book in this series was awkward, but that's not uncommon when a "cozy heroine" gets her start investigating mysteries, so I figured I'd give the rest of the series a shot. This second book, however, is an absolute trainwreck. I actually like the descriptive style used by the author, so it was especially frustrating for me to dislike the book so much; unfortunately, the characters are just completely unbelievable and, dare I say, unloveable. I realize that cozy mysteries are built on characters who are too curious and too nosy for their own good, but the main character in this series, Becca, is just stupidly impulsive. The obligatory law enforcement associate continuously feeds her compliments about her intuition, but for someone who is supposed to be an ace detective, he misses a lot and divulges too many sensitive details for no reason. There's a Navy-man in this book, and, being in the military myself, I could not stop rolling my eyes and had to resist throwing the book across the room every time she described the hush-hush nature of his "active duty." Ugh.
I pushed myself to finish reading this book because I do hate to leave something unfinished (and I kind of hoped it would get better), but I won't be reading the 3rd book in this series, despite already having checked it out from the local library. What a disappointment.
I pushed myself to finish reading this book because I do hate to leave something unfinished (and I kind of hoped it would get better), but I won't be reading the 3rd book in this series, despite already having checked it out from the local library. What a disappointment.
October 23, 2023
Becca Robins, jam and preserves maker, is excited to be her friend Linda's Number One for Linda's upcoming farmer's market wedding to Navy SEAL Drew Forsyth. All the Bailey's vendors are eager to be involved and even some other folks from nearby are pitching in to make Linda's day perfect. As Becca happily makes plans, Linda's soon-to-be-monster-in-law, Madeline Forsyth comes charging through the market looking for Linda. Madeline commands Linda attend a dinner at Madeline's house and also demands Becca come too, with a date. When Becca and Ian, the last to arrive, show up at the house, Madeline is nowhere to be found. When the chef can't hold back dinner any longer, the search is on. The hunt for Madeline brings Linda, her fiancé Drew, Becca, Ian and Drew's cousins to Madeline's bedroom suit where she is lying dead and bloodied on the bed. Oh dear! Becca is concerned about Drew's reaction to his mother's death and worries he may have something to hide. She doesn't want to see Linda hurt so she'll just start asking nosy questions and if she finds something interesting, she'll tell Officer Sam Brion. Her search takes her back to her childhood on the farm and into the curious world of banking, to a neighbor's chicken coop and a dairy farm. What is the connection? Who killed Madeline and why? Will Linda's wedding go on as planned in a few days or will they have to postpone until Drew returns from his next mission?
The plot was good. I sort of guessed something like that was going on but not the entirety of who and why. Becca keeps coming across really unhinged murderers. I didn't feel the need to stay up all night reading this but if I had, I may have figured out the whole thing. Since I had already read book 3 by mistake, I knew who the killer was NOT but since I didn't know WHO it was, I was surprised.
I'm not sure I totally like Becca. On one hand, she's very sweet to Linda and a helpful Number One. Her wedding plan is fun and perfect for Linda. Not sure about Drew though. On the other hand, Becca's investigation takes her into TSTL territory THREE times and she's nearly killed because of it. Asking questions, getting to know Madeline's family is one thing but the rest of what she does is crazy. I also think she's with Ian because he's attractive and it feels a little bit forbidden because he's younger. I don't get much of a connection between them beyond friendship. I do agree with her that it's too soon to meet the parents. If they lived nearby that would be different but they're in another state! Ian is OK. They're a new couple but he's pushing her to meet the folks. He insists it's no big deal but it is! He's also planning for a future together and I think it's too soon. There's no reason why they can't have fun together. Becca doesn't always tell him the truth about her investigation. Ian is more level-headed than Becca and she knows he'll tell her to tell Sam and Sam will disapprove. Ian wants Becca to be safe but he loves her for who she is. Now Sam is most certainly in love with Becca. He probably bends a million laws with her and gives her information she doesn't need to know, invites her into an investigation/wellness check "as a friend". Becca is lucky because any other detective would have arrested her. I think Officer Norton is itching to. She's all cop - black and white, no nonsense. Sam is more soft-hearted and able to see the human side of investigating in a small town.
It was fun getting to know Linda better. She seems very sweet and down home country. She's uncomplicated. Linda always looks on the bright side and sees the best in everyone. I don't understand why Drew's career in the military needs to be mentioned in whispers or why Linda even gives HINTS to Becca. If I were Linda, I'd see my mother-in-law's murder and my fiancé's reaction as a sign the wedding needs to be called off. Drew is very stoic and maybe it is his military training, but not to request emergency leave is a little weird. He doesn't seem very upset that his mother was murdered, in her own home! Anyone could have walked in on that scene and interrupted the murder, thus putting themselves in harm's way. As a Navy SEAL, maybe Drew should be assisting with the investigation. Or maybe he killed his mother. His behavior certainly doesn't indicate he's grieving.
Madeline Forsyth was a nightmare. She was just horrible, awful, demanding and manipulative. Sweet, sincere Linda can't see it and claims Madeline had a softer side. I don't think foreclosing on family farms and properties where the owners don't even know this is coming is not soft. Madeline is a businesswoman and a ruthless one. She always gets her own way and I have a feeling she wants certain properties for some reason. Either that or something shady was going down at the bank. She was either killed because she was doing something shady or she knew about something. Or maybe one of the many people she crossed finally did her in.
Madeline's family is super weird and again, if I were Linda, I'd think twice about marrying Drew. His cousins are all creepy. Best man Alan gives Becca the creeps. He asks her if she's thought about selling her property and even after she says no, he tells her to name her price. He doesn't believe her when she says there's no price. He's pushy like his aunt. He also seems to always know where Becca is and what vehicle she's in. He's a creeper for sure. Did he kill his aunt? I don't know what the motive would be but it has to be tied to the farm foreclosure notices. Did she cross him in business? Did he need her out of the way? Sally is overly emotional and the one directing the search for Aunt Madeline. She suggests some weird places to look, almost as if she knows where the body is hidden but makes it harder to point to her by suggesting other places. Sally really worshipped her aunt but what if her aunt pushed her too far and tried to make Sally do something Sally knew was wrong or didn't want to do? Or what if Sally got tired of always trying to please her aunt and do what her aunt wanted her to do?
"Mid" and Shawn, Sally's brothers, seem to have a silent communication method. There's some undercurrent between them Becca picks up on but isn't sure what's going on. They're both weird. Shawn is kind of a bully and Mid seems to be sensitive. He's artistic and likes to sculpt but I get the impression that's not valued or allowed in this family. Shawn and Mid own the family dairy, one Becca remembers fondly from her childhood. Does Mid want to break away from the family business? Did he argue with his aunt and then kill her?
Another suspect is Levi, the chef, who was in the house at the time of the murder. How could he not know his employer was being murdered? She seems like the micromanaging type and I would have expected her to come down and inspect the kitchen and taste the food before it went to table. However, I think if Levi was going to kill Madeline, he would use poison in her food. Likewise, Drew has better methods of killing his mother. It can't be one of them. What about Jeanine the egg farmer? While she's small, she's a farmer and a tough old bird. She's disappeared and Becca is worried for her friend's safety. Is Jeanine's disappearance connected to the murder? Becca gets the impression Jeanine is the paranoid sort but I don't think she is. Bud Morris is another suspect. Madeline's bank was about to foreclose on his property. Ian has been in talks to buy the property though so why would the bank foreclose if the sale is close to being done? Something is fishy here.
I liked the animal characters better than the humans. Buster the cat and the chickens are hilarious and that calf is sooo cute!
I already have book 4 on my nightstand. I'll give it a read and see how I feel about this series after that. So far, it's not a favorite but entertaining for a bit of light reading.
Content:
Mentions of "blush making activity" (engaged couple, dating couple)
all activity happens off page
The plot was good. I sort of guessed something like that was going on but not the entirety of who and why. Becca keeps coming across really unhinged murderers. I didn't feel the need to stay up all night reading this but if I had, I may have figured out the whole thing. Since I had already read book 3 by mistake, I knew who the killer was NOT but since I didn't know WHO it was, I was surprised.
I'm not sure I totally like Becca. On one hand, she's very sweet to Linda and a helpful Number One. Her wedding plan is fun and perfect for Linda. Not sure about Drew though. On the other hand, Becca's investigation takes her into TSTL territory THREE times and she's nearly killed because of it. Asking questions, getting to know Madeline's family is one thing but the rest of what she does is crazy. I also think she's with Ian because he's attractive and it feels a little bit forbidden because he's younger. I don't get much of a connection between them beyond friendship. I do agree with her that it's too soon to meet the parents. If they lived nearby that would be different but they're in another state! Ian is OK. They're a new couple but he's pushing her to meet the folks. He insists it's no big deal but it is! He's also planning for a future together and I think it's too soon. There's no reason why they can't have fun together. Becca doesn't always tell him the truth about her investigation. Ian is more level-headed than Becca and she knows he'll tell her to tell Sam and Sam will disapprove. Ian wants Becca to be safe but he loves her for who she is. Now Sam is most certainly in love with Becca. He probably bends a million laws with her and gives her information she doesn't need to know, invites her into an investigation/wellness check "as a friend". Becca is lucky because any other detective would have arrested her. I think Officer Norton is itching to. She's all cop - black and white, no nonsense. Sam is more soft-hearted and able to see the human side of investigating in a small town.
It was fun getting to know Linda better. She seems very sweet and down home country. She's uncomplicated. Linda always looks on the bright side and sees the best in everyone. I don't understand why Drew's career in the military needs to be mentioned in whispers or why Linda even gives HINTS to Becca. If I were Linda, I'd see my mother-in-law's murder and my fiancé's reaction as a sign the wedding needs to be called off. Drew is very stoic and maybe it is his military training, but not to request emergency leave is a little weird. He doesn't seem very upset that his mother was murdered, in her own home! Anyone could have walked in on that scene and interrupted the murder, thus putting themselves in harm's way. As a Navy SEAL, maybe Drew should be assisting with the investigation. Or maybe he killed his mother. His behavior certainly doesn't indicate he's grieving.
Madeline Forsyth was a nightmare. She was just horrible, awful, demanding and manipulative. Sweet, sincere Linda can't see it and claims Madeline had a softer side. I don't think foreclosing on family farms and properties where the owners don't even know this is coming is not soft. Madeline is a businesswoman and a ruthless one. She always gets her own way and I have a feeling she wants certain properties for some reason. Either that or something shady was going down at the bank. She was either killed because she was doing something shady or she knew about something. Or maybe one of the many people she crossed finally did her in.
Madeline's family is super weird and again, if I were Linda, I'd think twice about marrying Drew. His cousins are all creepy. Best man Alan gives Becca the creeps. He asks her if she's thought about selling her property and even after she says no, he tells her to name her price. He doesn't believe her when she says there's no price. He's pushy like his aunt. He also seems to always know where Becca is and what vehicle she's in. He's a creeper for sure. Did he kill his aunt? I don't know what the motive would be but it has to be tied to the farm foreclosure notices. Did she cross him in business? Did he need her out of the way? Sally is overly emotional and the one directing the search for Aunt Madeline. She suggests some weird places to look, almost as if she knows where the body is hidden but makes it harder to point to her by suggesting other places. Sally really worshipped her aunt but what if her aunt pushed her too far and tried to make Sally do something Sally knew was wrong or didn't want to do? Or what if Sally got tired of always trying to please her aunt and do what her aunt wanted her to do?
"Mid" and Shawn, Sally's brothers, seem to have a silent communication method. There's some undercurrent between them Becca picks up on but isn't sure what's going on. They're both weird. Shawn is kind of a bully and Mid seems to be sensitive. He's artistic and likes to sculpt but I get the impression that's not valued or allowed in this family. Shawn and Mid own the family dairy, one Becca remembers fondly from her childhood. Does Mid want to break away from the family business? Did he argue with his aunt and then kill her?
Another suspect is Levi, the chef, who was in the house at the time of the murder. How could he not know his employer was being murdered? She seems like the micromanaging type and I would have expected her to come down and inspect the kitchen and taste the food before it went to table. However, I think if Levi was going to kill Madeline, he would use poison in her food. Likewise, Drew has better methods of killing his mother. It can't be one of them. What about Jeanine the egg farmer? While she's small, she's a farmer and a tough old bird. She's disappeared and Becca is worried for her friend's safety. Is Jeanine's disappearance connected to the murder? Becca gets the impression Jeanine is the paranoid sort but I don't think she is. Bud Morris is another suspect. Madeline's bank was about to foreclose on his property. Ian has been in talks to buy the property though so why would the bank foreclose if the sale is close to being done? Something is fishy here.
I liked the animal characters better than the humans. Buster the cat and the chickens are hilarious and that calf is sooo cute!
I already have book 4 on my nightstand. I'll give it a read and see how I feel about this series after that. So far, it's not a favorite but entertaining for a bit of light reading.
Content:
Mentions of "blush making activity" (engaged couple, dating couple)
all activity happens off page
November 1, 2017
The heated reviews here are almost as entertaining as the book.
I saw it on a Halloween display table at the library among a heap of books promising BLOOD MURDER and DEATH GHOST HORROR, so it immediately caught my eye. How could I not give something called Fruit of All Evil a read? Especially when it's hailed as "as satisfying as visiting the farmer's market on a sunny afternoon." And it includes recipes!
What a delightful little romp in hasty prose and ridiculous plot points. Mechanical errors include excessive subject/verb disagreement and one paragraph that ends with a jaunty little comma instead of the probable period. The story itself was ridiculous at best. But I closed the book and realized I'd been reading with a grin the entire time.
I saw it on a Halloween display table at the library among a heap of books promising BLOOD MURDER and DEATH GHOST HORROR, so it immediately caught my eye. How could I not give something called Fruit of All Evil a read? Especially when it's hailed as "as satisfying as visiting the farmer's market on a sunny afternoon." And it includes recipes!
What a delightful little romp in hasty prose and ridiculous plot points. Mechanical errors include excessive subject/verb disagreement and one paragraph that ends with a jaunty little comma instead of the probable period. The story itself was ridiculous at best. But I closed the book and realized I'd been reading with a grin the entire time.
May 16, 2020
#2 in the Farmers' Market Mystery series
I have no idea why it took me so long to read this 2nd book in the series. My review says that I enjoyed the first, and I definitely found this to be a pleasant diversion as well. Plus it read quickly and easily. I like the twin sisters--Becca (our MC) who makes jams and sells at the farmers' market and Allison who is the manager of the market. In this book Becca is the Number One (maid of honor) for Linda, another seller, who is getting married to her Navy Seal boyfriend. When Drew's mother is murdered, everything's put on hold, of course. As Sam (friendly policeman) works to solve the case, Becca does some investigating on her own. Again, I found her just a bit reckless for my taste, although in this case things worked out for the best. And some of the info Sam shared with her seemed unbelievable, although I suppose in a small town there might be fewer restrictions and he sort of directed her towards what he wanted her to discover for him anyway. There were some very funny scenes, such as chasing the chickens and the cat in Jeanine's yard or communing with the baby calf at the dairy. Ian, Becca's boyfriend, is another enjoyable character, and their romance got more serious throughout this episode. Some exciting scenes, with a big climax at the end. I was annoyed, as always, by the typos in this paperback book. Is proofreading a lost art?
I have no idea why it took me so long to read this 2nd book in the series. My review says that I enjoyed the first, and I definitely found this to be a pleasant diversion as well. Plus it read quickly and easily. I like the twin sisters--Becca (our MC) who makes jams and sells at the farmers' market and Allison who is the manager of the market. In this book Becca is the Number One (maid of honor) for Linda, another seller, who is getting married to her Navy Seal boyfriend. When Drew's mother is murdered, everything's put on hold, of course. As Sam (friendly policeman) works to solve the case, Becca does some investigating on her own. Again, I found her just a bit reckless for my taste, although in this case things worked out for the best. And some of the info Sam shared with her seemed unbelievable, although I suppose in a small town there might be fewer restrictions and he sort of directed her towards what he wanted her to discover for him anyway. There were some very funny scenes, such as chasing the chickens and the cat in Jeanine's yard or communing with the baby calf at the dairy. Ian, Becca's boyfriend, is another enjoyable character, and their romance got more serious throughout this episode. Some exciting scenes, with a big climax at the end. I was annoyed, as always, by the typos in this paperback book. Is proofreading a lost art?
September 14, 2017
This series is so much fun!
November 7, 2024
Not too great.
January 16, 2016
We were introduced to twin sisters Becca and Allison and Bailey's Farm Market in Farm Fresh Murder last April and "I LIKED" that debut so much I could hardly wait to get this new book in my hot little hands.
In this installment Becca agrees to be Maid of Honor for her friend Linda who sells scrumptious pies at Bailey's. Becca thinks helping Linda plan the Farm Market themed wedding "will be as easy as pie". That is until until the mother of groom is found murdered just days before the wedding date. It is then that Becca meets all the groom's relatives and while most are cousins, they are more like the crazy uncle everyone seems to have in their family that no one talks about. Could any of these relatives actually be crazy enough to kill the designated matriarch of the family? Becca seems to find herself "in a bit of a pickle" as she tries to solve the murder so the impending nuptials can take place before the groom has to leave on "special assignment."
I am absolutely in love with everything about this book. The setting, the characters, the main mystery, the off shoot mystery, the budding romance, the wedding plans, the recipes, every part of this story.
Becca's romance is moving forward with Ian with a little trepidation at first. The wacky family of the groom that has been introduced adds not only humor but the perfect slice of intrigue. I just know Linda's groom Drew's "special assignment" has a story all it's own. Our favorite characters from the first book are back trying to make the perfect wedding for their friend.
I have to add that I read this book on a snowy, chilly Wisconsin day, but through the author's words was transferred right into some wonderful warm weather and could almost smell the wild flowers and taste the berries. It makes me anxious for Spring to get here, just as Paige said in her guest post.
This is a perfect story to get you out of those winter doldrums and start planning for the garden season that will soon be here. I hope you will all rush out to get this book today so your can enjoy your own slice of FRUIT OF ALL EVIL!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
In this installment Becca agrees to be Maid of Honor for her friend Linda who sells scrumptious pies at Bailey's. Becca thinks helping Linda plan the Farm Market themed wedding "will be as easy as pie". That is until until the mother of groom is found murdered just days before the wedding date. It is then that Becca meets all the groom's relatives and while most are cousins, they are more like the crazy uncle everyone seems to have in their family that no one talks about. Could any of these relatives actually be crazy enough to kill the designated matriarch of the family? Becca seems to find herself "in a bit of a pickle" as she tries to solve the murder so the impending nuptials can take place before the groom has to leave on "special assignment."
I am absolutely in love with everything about this book. The setting, the characters, the main mystery, the off shoot mystery, the budding romance, the wedding plans, the recipes, every part of this story.
Becca's romance is moving forward with Ian with a little trepidation at first. The wacky family of the groom that has been introduced adds not only humor but the perfect slice of intrigue. I just know Linda's groom Drew's "special assignment" has a story all it's own. Our favorite characters from the first book are back trying to make the perfect wedding for their friend.
I have to add that I read this book on a snowy, chilly Wisconsin day, but through the author's words was transferred right into some wonderful warm weather and could almost smell the wild flowers and taste the berries. It makes me anxious for Spring to get here, just as Paige said in her guest post.
This is a perfect story to get you out of those winter doldrums and start planning for the garden season that will soon be here. I hope you will all rush out to get this book today so your can enjoy your own slice of FRUIT OF ALL EVIL!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
December 3, 2020
I only made it as far as chapter 5 before setting it aside for the recycling. The characters are totally unbelievable, but I intended to give it a shot right up until the woman was murdered and the guests were separated for their interviews. In only two or three pages the main character has already stolen evidence from the scene of the crime (with no reason being given for this action) and withheld information from the police about the furtive behavior of the other guests. True she tells the officer about the behavior later, but only after she hems and haws and behaves like it's being pried out of her. She's nothing but a nosy busybody.
And a full-scale theme wedding put together and held in five days time? Is this writer entirely out of her mind? Not only would any sensible bride get hitched at the courthouse and plan the wedding for when the groom gets back from his tour of service, but everything for it is being taken care of by the other farmer's market vendors. As f-ing if that poor man is going to have time to put together your flower arrangements on top of his own work in 5 days. Does the writer even realize how much time it takes to bake enough pies to keep pie stand going without adding on catering a wedding by the end of the week without advance warning so the extra ingredients can be accounted for? Stupid question, obviously not.
And a full-scale theme wedding put together and held in five days time? Is this writer entirely out of her mind? Not only would any sensible bride get hitched at the courthouse and plan the wedding for when the groom gets back from his tour of service, but everything for it is being taken care of by the other farmer's market vendors. As f-ing if that poor man is going to have time to put together your flower arrangements on top of his own work in 5 days. Does the writer even realize how much time it takes to bake enough pies to keep pie stand going without adding on catering a wedding by the end of the week without advance warning so the extra ingredients can be accounted for? Stupid question, obviously not.
May 13, 2011
Fruit of All Evil
By Paige Shelton
Copyright March 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
“Becca Robbins sells her farm–made jams and preserves at the local farmers’ market to make a living. But when a local lovely decides to tie the knot at the same market, someone ese decides to make a killng…”
Becca’s best friend Linda asks her to be her maid of honor for her wedding. So with a wedding to plan, her business to run, and oooops did I forget the dead Mother of the Groom? Becca who multitasks fairly well is now off and running. She enlists her sister’s help with some of the wedding plans so she can find out who killed Mom in Law.
Paige Shelton has an evil sense of humor, which is why I love her books. She manages to drop her heroine into some really strange situations where she has to use all her wits and experience to clear things up and get her life back to “normal”.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book as a gift and I reviewed it for my own pleasure and entertainment of others.
By Paige Shelton
Copyright March 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
“Becca Robbins sells her farm–made jams and preserves at the local farmers’ market to make a living. But when a local lovely decides to tie the knot at the same market, someone ese decides to make a killng…”
Becca’s best friend Linda asks her to be her maid of honor for her wedding. So with a wedding to plan, her business to run, and oooops did I forget the dead Mother of the Groom? Becca who multitasks fairly well is now off and running. She enlists her sister’s help with some of the wedding plans so she can find out who killed Mom in Law.
Paige Shelton has an evil sense of humor, which is why I love her books. She manages to drop her heroine into some really strange situations where she has to use all her wits and experience to clear things up and get her life back to “normal”.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book as a gift and I reviewed it for my own pleasure and entertainment of others.
July 19, 2015
In Paige Shelton's Fruit of All Evil, the 2nd installment in the Farmer's Market Mystery series, this one would send you goosebumps and break you in a cold sweat. Becca Robins was back to solve another crime, when it hit close at home. As "Number One" for her fellow vendor friend Linda, she helped set up a surprise wedding for her, before her fiancé has to go overseas in the military. But stop the press, after Madeline Forsyth had arranged for everyone to meet in an impromptu dinner party, she was late to the party... because she was murdered in her own home. Now it was up to Becca to find out who done it and why, when she examined everyone who feared Madeline and learned some shocking twisted truths at the bank and from Drew's own family. Before she knew, she learned who had done it and why, before it was too late for her.
October 18, 2014
This is the second book in the series but the first one I've resc and I don't plan on it being the last. I liked the characters and I felt that Becca balanced her nosiness with some common sense. The pace of the book was good and so was the mystery.
June 14, 2017
Only two books into this series and I think I'm done with it. Sorry, folks, but the main character is just too random for me. I don't care for her sex life, she breaks the law too easily, stupidly puts herself into dangerous situations...shall I go on?? Nope. I'm done.
September 26, 2015
Review soon
October 9, 2022
Second in the series, this picks up several months after book #1 – but you wouldn’t have to have read the first one to enjoy the second. The whole market was involved in putting together a wedding for one of the sellers, Linda. Her fiancé, Drew, a navy seal, was being called away on a mission at the end of the week. They wanted to marry –at the market -- before he left. Becca was the “maid/matron #1” for the bride. She had 5 days to put together the wedding. It was a whirlwind, but things were coming together when Drew’s mother, manager of the local bank, informed Becca that she was giving a dinner that evening for visiting relatives and the bridal party. .. However, when the guests were gathered, the hostess didn’t show. …They finally found her murdered in her bedroom. --- Who killed her? Was it someone from the market? Was the wedding to be postponed until Drew returned from his assignment? Of course, Becca had to help find the murderer and save the wedding. --- Another pleasant read.. a murder without lots of blood (but more than Book #1
March 24, 2017
#2 in the Farmers' Market mystery series. Come visit Bailey's Farmers' Market in Monson, South Carolina, where Becca Robins sells her jams and preserves. This food-centric cozy is an enjoyable read with engaging characters and is a fine representative of the genre. Not overly suspenseful but worth the price of admission is the sequence where Becca and a calf bring to mind a venerable TV situation of communication with animals - "What's that Lassie? Timmy has fallen into a well?"
Farmers' Market mystery - Twice-divorced jam maker Becca Robins is glad to help prepare for a wedding not her own-that of her pie vendor friend, Linda McMahon, to Navy SEAL Drew Forsythe. Becca once again turns sleuth after Drew's much disliked bank owner mother, Madeline, fails to show at a dinner and is later found strangled in her bedroom. Suspects include unhappy bank clients who've received bogus foreclosure letters.
Farmers' Market mystery - Twice-divorced jam maker Becca Robins is glad to help prepare for a wedding not her own-that of her pie vendor friend, Linda McMahon, to Navy SEAL Drew Forsythe. Becca once again turns sleuth after Drew's much disliked bank owner mother, Madeline, fails to show at a dinner and is later found strangled in her bedroom. Suspects include unhappy bank clients who've received bogus foreclosure letters.
July 13, 2017
One would think that a strawberry preserve seller at a farmers' market would lead a quiet existence, right? Wrong! Becca, unfortunately, becomes part of a murder mystery while at a dinner party thrown for her friend, Linda and fiance Drew. Becca, besides being a strawberry and pumpkin preserve seller at the market is Linda's 'Number One' for the upcoming wedding. Becca is not sure what is more uncomfortable; having to be someone's bridesmaid or being embroiled in another murder investigation...
Enjoyable read with recipes included. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Enjoyable read with recipes included. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
June 24, 2018
Unlike others, it seems, I liked the second book in the Farmers Market Mysteries. I feel like we've got a feel for who the characters are in the first book, so it makes the 2nd one easier to get into. In fact, I dare say I liked this one better than the 1st. Yes, Becca is a nosey busybody, but isn't that what these books are all about?
I'm not sure how I'd have to feel about my mom (or future mother-in-law) to try and get married less than a week after she was murdered, but I have a great mom so I have no basis of comparison! And this family is all sorts of messed up. Poor Drew!
I liked it and I'm excited about trying the recipes that are included!
I'm not sure how I'd have to feel about my mom (or future mother-in-law) to try and get married less than a week after she was murdered, but I have a great mom so I have no basis of comparison! And this family is all sorts of messed up. Poor Drew!
I liked it and I'm excited about trying the recipes that are included!
July 24, 2018
I liked this book. It was entertaining, and that’s why I read. Becca raises strawberries and pumpkins and makes preserves, which she sells at the Farmer’s Market that her twin sister runs. Her friend Linda is marrying Drew, a Navy seal who has to leave on a mission so they’re moving the wedding up. But someone kills his mother, who is a very unpopular bank president. Lots of people are angry at her, so a lot of suspects. Becca just can’t help herself, she investigates on her own, even though Sam, the police officer in charge, tells her not to. They both end up in trouble, but sister Allison saves the day! Can’t wait to find the next one of the set.
February 19, 2021
It's been quite a while since I read the first book, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the setting and characters. This mystery featured one of the most dysfunctional type families that provided quite a few good suspects. Becca again talked Sam into letting her go with him to different places, and he gave in mainly so he'd know where she was, lol. I wasn't sure whodunit, so I just read on and enjoyed a really exciting showdown. The ending was a sweet happily ever after for two of Becca's good friends, and all was explained either by Sam or when it was being confessed by the perp.
September 28, 2021
Becca kind of bums me out. She acts like if she doesn't investigate the crime will never get solved. She's kind of off putting. When she "interviews" Drew she believes she's doing it for Linda, but Linda is an adult who knows her fiancee much better than Becca does so maybe butt out? She even manages to piss off Linda. This is all after she tampers with a crime scene, steals evidence and scales the outside of a building. She does weird, impulsive things that honestly, should get her arrested. It would be fun if, again, she wasn't so unlikeable.
November 16, 2022
Decent mystery. I will admit that the protagonist makes me cringe sometimes when she does things that are clearly incredibly stupid, but I like her enough to keep reading. One thing that bugs me is the recipes in the back. These are allegedly recipes from vendors are farmers markets, so unless the stereotype of Americans always cooking with crappy pre-made pie filling and pudding mix is true, these must be crappy cooks. How hard is it to post a recipe that actually uses fresh peaches and not peach pie filling? It’s just kind of sad, that’s all.
March 24, 2025
This book had all the action a good mystery needs. I was on the edge of my seat reading the wrap up......I have to say I literally had no idea where all the leads were going to end up but it sure wasn't what I thought.
I think what I enjoy most about her writing is the depth of her characters. Even though this is a new series for me and it's only the second book, I feel like I know the characters so well. I am comfortable reading about them and seeing what sorts of trouble they can get into.
Time to start book #3 tonight......
I think what I enjoy most about her writing is the depth of her characters. Even though this is a new series for me and it's only the second book, I feel like I know the characters so well. I am comfortable reading about them and seeing what sorts of trouble they can get into.
Time to start book #3 tonight......
June 20, 2017
I actually liked this installment in the series less than the first. The "homey" characters were missing in this one, and the list of suspects was not likable at all. The mystery seemed stilted from the start, and the solution struck me as ridiculous. I'm not sure how I feel about Becca's love triangle, and to be honest, I think Allison would make a much better main character. Not sure about continuing the series....
August 8, 2017
I enjoyed the book , Becca and all the vendors at the market. When Becca is asked to be maid of honor, or the Number 1, she had no idea that solving the murder of the Mother-in-law to be would be among her duties!!!! While I do enjoy these stories I find that Becca often does something to solve a murder that an intelligent person, which she usually seems to be, would never do, this takes a bit away from the story for me.
January 28, 2018
Paige Shelton told a good story and she told it well. So well that I kept reading even though I found Becca, the main character, sometimes annoying with her nosiness and some of the situations unbelievable, but then anything goes when it comes to crazed murders and amateur sleuths. And that's why I continued reading to the last page. I had to see how Shelton got plucky Becca out of those mad moments.
March 3, 2020
Becca is helping plan Linda & Drew's wedding, as he will have to deploy soon on a secret mission. At a dinner at Drew's mother's home, the host is strangely absent. That is, until the guests find her dead on her bed. Will the killer be found before the wedding date? The murderer was a little bit easy to discern, but the mystery was good anyway. There's recipes, a cute calf, a cat scared of chickens, and some romance.
June 21, 2020
Why is the main character so stupid? She claims she wants to "help" solve the murders, so why does she deliberately hide evidence from the police? It's not as if she thinks they're incompetent. I really want to like this series because I love the concept of the local farmer's market, but this book didn't spend much time there. It spent most of the time inside the main character's head—which is a very confusing place to visit!
September 5, 2025
once I started I didn't feel like stopping, Becca vowed she wouldn't get involved in another murder investigation but she did. Ian wants her to meet his family in Iowa and Becca is reluctant. Drew and Linda's wedding is on schedule to be done before he leaves for a top secret Seals mission. Becca investigates the murder of Drew's mother at a dinner party at her house -- someone from the dinner is the killer? CAn't be.
March 23, 2018
Fruit of All Evil is book 2 in the Farmers Market Mystery. I really enjoyed this book. Its a fun mystery of who killed the mother in law!? I am a romance junkie and there is a slight romance in it but its not the main focus. I can't wait to read the next book in this series and find out what happens next! I gave this book 4 stars.
August 19, 2018
Good, solid mystery--with a few delicious-looking recipes at the end! I always enjoy Paige Shelton's books.
As for this one, I wonder if there is something between Becca and Officer Brion (Sam), despite Becca's adoration for Ian, her boyfriend. Gonna read the rest of this series to see how those relationships pan out.
As for this one, I wonder if there is something between Becca and Officer Brion (Sam), despite Becca's adoration for Ian, her boyfriend. Gonna read the rest of this series to see how those relationships pan out.
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