A Roux of Revenge: Chapter 1 - 14

[Jill]

Fall is one of those seasons that you love to see the colors of the trees change from green, to yellow, to red. How can we forget about those wonderful, yummy fall smells of baked apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Fall is also a good time to make a big batch of homemade soups, stews and chili's.

So to kick off fall why not read A Roux of Revenge (Soup Lover's Mystery Series) by Connie Archer. So pull out that oversize sweater, your favorite hoodie, or you favorite blanket, while you warm up your insides with a big bowl or soup, coffee, hot apple cider, hot tea, or your favorite fall beverage. Let's dive into this month's pick and chat with our friends, and enjoy a few laughs, recipes and maybe solve a murder in the process.

Snowflake, Vermont, is known for its skiing in winter—and its soup all year round, thanks to Lucky Jamieson’s By the Spoonful. Autumn brings golden leaves, pumpkin rice soup, the annual Harvest Festival…and murder.

[Tina]

Thank you, PI Jill for a warm welcome to The Parlor's Autumn 2015 Read & Discuss! I can almost taste the spicy pumpkin lattes and see the leaves changing if only in my dreams. Coveting a bowl of this signature pumpkin rice soup, I'm tucking into Roux of Revenge to hold me over 'til I am able to brew up a pot of my own. Well done, PI Jill!

The story starts with a bang. A great hook hints at a rousing mystery adventure. Lots of characters to meet. Paper and pen may help. I'm wondering who the man is and the nature of his agenda. I trust we'll soon find out.

Enjoy the read, PI's. Lots of autumn flavor in this pick!

[Allison]

Pumpkin Rice soup? I may have to try that, it sounds so good!

[Jill]

Dang, I can't have it!!!!!! finding out that I'm a diabetic, I'm not suppose to have rice, potatoes, corn, bread, pasta... in other words...CARBS!

But my doctor said that I can have them in moderation. He suggested I can cheat one day a week, but not go overboard on that day.....just have to work on a happy balance.

[Allison]

Jill wrote: "Dang, I can't have it!!!!!! finding out that I'm a diabetic, I'm not suppose to have rice, potatoes, corn, bread, pasta... in other words...CARBS!

But my daughter said that I can have them in mode..."

Well then you can make a batch of this soup, freeze it in single serve portions and have it all through Autumn! Along with some yummy free books!

[Tina]

Truth be told, I'd omit rice 'cause for myself, I thought it unnecessary. Jill, can you make the recipe sans rice or starches? Like lobster bisque - to my knowledge - is made without carbs and is great that way.

[Jill]

Oh yea I can. Someone also told me that if I rinse the rice to where the water runs clear, I could have it that way, but then I think the rice wouldn't have that creamy texture. This is new to me, so I'm just learning on how to adapt. I can do ok without the starches sometimes, Like I discovered, spaghetti squash, and if I roast the squash first, then use a fork to scrape it, it actually looks like spaghetti, then I put the sauce on top, and it still seems like I'm eating spaghetti... however, the first time I did it, I boiled the squash, ummmmmmm won't be doing that again....lol.....this is going to be a learning curve. And if I eat correctly, and can keep my blood sugar under control then the Dr. will take me off my meds, but I'll still have to control the blood sugar by diet. I'll always be a diabetic wither I'm on the pills or not. So my goal is to get the diet right first and then work on keeping my blood sugar where it's suppose to be.

[Allison]

Does it make a difference if it's wild rice vs. white rice? Not trying to sidetrack you from your eating plan, just wondering.

All I know is cauliflower mashed "potatoes" requires COOKING the cauliflower BEFORE you put it in the food processor. LMAO! Not saying how I come by this information, I'm just sharing.

[Jill]

All rices' have starch in them, which is what I have to stay away from. But, I do like wild rice and brown rice, and sushi......oh the glory days of eating sushi are long gone and left with only a faint memories.....NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will save the days that way I can still eat sushi!

Allison, you are so cute!!!!!! it can't be any worse than what my step-sister did one time. She got some of those frozen dinners and it said already prepared. So she thought all she had to do was thaw it out and serve. That's exactly what she did too.

[Mark Pghfan]

I have also started the book am exactly 20% through it, per my Kindle. A murder right off the bat, a man killed in a car, but not apparently due to a car accident. The lead person, Lucky (who I assume will be the protagonist) is friends with the police chief and therefore in on all the details. The atmosphere of the soup restaurant sounds nice. It would be great to have a small neighborhood place to eat some good food and mingle with your small town neighbors. A lot of characters, as Tina says, and still trying to keep track of them. And what is going on with the young co-worker of Lucky and her mother (can't recollect the name right now...?)

[Tina]

Thanks, I needed that, Jill. As bad a cook I am, I even know to heat thawed entrée. But not to be too cocky for in my youth there was one frozen dessert that I thought all it needed was thawing. lol

And yes, if a recipe doesn't specify whether an ingredient needs cooking or no, I'd get frustrated not knowing what to do and just pass on it denying myself a chance to experience something new. At least you gave it a good try, Jill!

Jill wrote: "All rices' have starch in them, which is what I have to stay away from. But, I do like wild rice and brown rice, and sushi......oh the glory days of eating sushi are long gone and left with only a ..."

[Tina]

Pghfan, that young employee sure became unglued. Wonder what that's all about.

You must be in heaven with all these new recipes, Pghfan. I know this is your forte. Let us know how the cooking goes. ;-)

[Allison]

I have started the book. I put down something else (it was dragging on anyway) so I could get to this much more interesting read. I, too, love the idea of a cozy place to eat and chat with the neighbors.

I wonder if the new Deputy will play a deeper role in this than just newbie to the Sheriff? Seemed like our Sheriff was pretty savvy at the accident scene. He noticed things and started training Deputy right away.

[Mark Pghfan]

Heads up to you all. I will be on vacation for most of next week and my participation will be a little less frequent, depending on my ability to get to a computer. (Part of vacation is to limit that!) I'll still be in, though!

[Mark Pghfan]

A little further in the book, but pretty much nothing about the man in the car. The Janie and Miriam thing has taken over. I hope this has a bearing on the death.

[Allison]

Seems like we have several plots running concurrently with this one. We have the Janie/Miriam thing, we have the Lucky/boyfriend/ex girlfriend thing, we have the body in the car thing. Way too many things lol.

[Mark Pghfan]

I've moved into the next section and will be taking the Kindle with me on vacation. I'll try to check in from time to time.

[Tina]

Whether doctor has a galpal or not, I don't think his choice of Paula is a wise one.

Re: too many things. Seems that was an issue w/last book we discussed. Is this authors' attempt at trying to wow their fans? Subplots are important but too many and it feels like author is trying hard to stand out. Again, nothing against anyone just pondering plotting of modern mysteries.

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "Whether doctor has a galpal or not, I don't think his choice of Paula is a wise one.

Re: too many things. Seems that was an issue w/last book we discussed. Is this authors' attempt at trying to..."

I remember that too, we have discussed multiple plot lines before. Sometimes it works and sometimes it's just too confusing with all the characters, relationships, etc.

Pghfan - have a wonderful vacation! Maybe you'll find a local Author we can all look for.

[Tina]

Thanks for the note, PI Allison. I second that.

I want a fall jaunt to vaca in Salem, MA. Wouldn't that be a hoot?!

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "Thanks for the note, PI Allison. I second that.

I want a fall jaunt to vaca in Salem, MA. Wouldn't that be a hoot?!"

That would be really fun. Actually a vaca anywhere would be great.

[Tina]

Tell me about it, Allison. It's been way too long for this PI!

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "Tell me about it, Allison. It's been way too long for this PI!"

I know, right? Maybe we should choose a mystery for our next read where the person is on vacation so we can live vicariously through them lol. I'm going to Disneyland over Christmas but that will be my 1st vacation in I don't know how long. Any cozy mysteries set in/around Disneyland?

[Jill]

I heard that Salem has an event where they recreate the Witch trials. I think that would be kewl to see.

I know there are some cozies that take place while someone is on vacation, but I don't think I've heard of any set around Disney, however that would make a neat cozy, specially if it was one of the Disney characters...Oh My Gravy, I'm just so full of evilness today!

[Tina]

Don't know of any with Disney backdrop but someone should jump on that idea. Instead of Col. Mustard with poison in the library it would be Captain Hook with water drowning in Pirates of Caribbean ride.

[Tina]

Always wanted to see House of Seven Gables.

Jill wrote: "I heard that Salem has an event where they recreate the Witch trials. I think that would be kewl to see.

I know there are some cozies that take place while someone is on vacation, but I don't thin..."

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "Don't know of any with Disney backdrop but someone should jump on that idea. Instead of Col. Mustard with poison in the library it would be Captain Hook with water drowning in Pirates of Caribbean..."

Ooooo! I like it! I love it! I want someone to write it! That would be so fun...Hook and the Pirates, could be really good.

I know there's the series where the gal is a host to a Seniors travel group...Perils of something or other? I've read 1 or 2 in that series because I just love traveling and hearing about new places.

[Allison]

Passport to Peril, I remembered.

[Tina]

Passport to Peril sounds interesting, Allison. Thanks for the title mention!

[Jill]

Don't think I've heard of that one

[Allison]

Alpine for You is #1 in the Passport to Peril series. Maybe we could read 1 of these sometime?

[Jill]

This sounds good! If no one wants to read it we could also make it a side read.

Maybe we should start making a list as book to read or side reads, seems like we are getting a lot of ideas and might forget the ones we were thinking about...lol....

[Tina]

Lists are good. Feel free, PI's as sometimes side reads are as good as main reads. Speaking of side reads, I've my copy of Spell Booked. How about we kick it off about the 3rd week of Sept? I can post a starter thread about the Sun. of that week. Should be caught up with our other reads by then.

[Jill]

That sounds good to me Tina, I'm so looking forward to reading Spell Book

[Allison]

A list of book ideas/suggestions would be a good idea. Even if we don't use them as a group read it might come in handy when I'm looking for something new.

Spellbook - any time to start is good. Think I've already got it.

[Tina]

Thanks, PI's. See yoooo in (mid) September... Reminds me of a song. I'm showing my age yet again. lol