Murder Strikes a Sour Note Erin Murphy, manager of Glacier Mercantile (aka the Merc), is tuning up for Jewel Bay’s annual Jazz Festival. Between keeping the Merc’s shelves stocked with Montana’s tastiest local fare and hosting the festival’s kick-off concert, Erin has her hands full. Discord erupts when jazz guitarist Gerry Martin plummets to his death from the rocks above the Jewel River. The … rocks above the Jewel River. The one-time international sensation had fallen out of sync with festival organizers, students, and performers. Was his death an accident—or did someone even the score?
Erin investigates despite the warning signs not to get involved. And when the killer attacks, she orchestrates her efforts into one last crescendo, hoping to avoid a deadly finale.
Praise for the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries:
“A pleasing read with a thoughtful heroine, a plethora of red herrings, and some foodie tips.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A lighthearted and amusing story with the added bonus of several yummy recipes.”—Mystery Scene
“Treble at the Jam Fest has all the necessary elements to satisfy cozy mystery lovers: likeable, believable characters, a fast-moving plot, and a logical ending. Great fun!”—Suspense Magazine
“A delicious mystery as richly constructed as the layers of a buttery pastry. Wine, enchiladas, and song make for a gourmet treat in the coziest town in Montana!”—Krista Davis, New York Times bestselling author of the Domestic Diva Mysteries
“Leslie is a fellow foodie who loves a good mystery and it shows in this delightful tale!”—Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author of the Coffeehouse Mysteries
“Music, food, scenery and a cast of appealing characters weave together in perfect harmony in Leslie Budewitz’s latest book.”—Sheila Connolly, author of the Orchard Mysteries and the County Cork Mysteries
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Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz is book four in the A Food Lovers’ Mystery series. This is the first one of the series I have read. I was able to get current quickly. I will go back and read previous books because I want to get a couple of answers regarding a couple characters.
Being a lover of food Cozies, I was excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. There is just enough side story that runs through out the mystery side. I felt like I was in Montana. The main and supporting characters are likeable and relateable. There is humor and romance. The plot twists and amount of suspects was perfect and I was guessing to the end. I also liked having recipes included.
I was given an ARC by Beyond The Page via NetGalley for an honest review.
I loved hanging out in Jewel Bay. They have some of best stores there. I do love some good music and it sounds like there was plenty at the festival, along with some delicious food. They even share some of the recipes with you. What could possibly go wrong? I enjoyed the story and being with the characters as they handled the challenges they were faced with. I loved having Tanner come to town and I hope he can come visit his best friend Adam again. I can’t wait to join Erin and the other Murphy girls to see how their lives are progressing. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz is a Food Lovers’ Village Mystery and was originally published in 2017. It features Erin Murphy and half-Italian, half-Irish woman who had returned to a small town in Montana in order to reawaken her family’s business: the Merc, which is a specialty food store, featuring organic and locally-sourced foods. In her store she has a hand-made chocolate shop and a patio, which she shares with a cowboy bar for special events. She is the local amateur sleuth who helps the police solve the few crimes that happen there. Right now they are all into the annual Jazz Festival by hosting a before-the-festival-starts evening of music offering a preview of what is to come. Full of great music and good food, only a few little things marred the evening: a couple of tiffs involving performers. Then the next morning, there is a murder. The star of the festival falls of a ledge (or is he pushed?).
Erin is a good character, at 33 still working through the intricacies of life, especially regarding her boyfriend, Adam, and their relationship, which is one of several story lines. The setting is fantastic, the characters endearing, and the murder mystery a good one. The only issue I had with the book is the pacing. I felt like it dragged in some spots, making it difficult for the reader to hang in. There is plenty of activity, murder-related and not as well as a plethora of characters, some regulars, some just for this story. As always in a cozy mystery, all the problems are solved by the end of the book and everyone lives happily ever after!
I was invited to read a free ARC of Treble at the Jam Fest by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own. #netgalley #trebleatthejamfest
I really enjoy Leslie Budewitz’ Food Lovers Village series. I’ve “read” the first 4 via Audible, and the narration is as good as the story! 🙂