Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil . . . and now they’re engaged!But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most “fowl” need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. … disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.
Sabotage!
Will an undercover mission unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?
‘Engagement and Espionage’ is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries series, is a full-length cozy mystery, and is a spin-off of Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series. This novel is best read after ‘Beard Science,’ Winston Brothers #3.
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I got an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Jenn & Cletus’s first story, Beard Science, ended at Thanksgiving, and Engagement & Espionage picks up just after New Years. The turmoil Jenn stirred up with her parents by standing up for herself is still boiling over. Jenn may have felt ignored and invisible for the first twenty two years of her life, but she has certainly made a big impression in the lager Green Valley baking community. You thought the bikers were bad — beware bitter bakers!
This was a well-crafted mystery. Everyone in Green Valley is connected, and everyone is passively or actively up to shenanigans…so pieces of the mystery start to become clear, but with all the players — I didn’t quite have it all figured out until Jenn & Cletus did.
We get to see lots of the Winstons who are still in town. As someone who has four siblings, I appreciate all the different dynamics between the siblings. Cletus has his way of seeing his siblings through the lens of who they used to be transposed over who they are — but all the grumpy grudges are easily pushed aside when they need each other.
I love that we get to see the crackling desire Jenn & Cletus have for each other, and how it is thwarted as Cletus and Jenn continue to grow toward their best selves and try to peel off the layers of bad habits/self-destructive behavior.
I look forward to this mystery miniseries of Jenn & Cletus building something amazing together, and using their sneaky skills to for some well-intentioned underhanded capers.
***5 Stars***
This was an all around good time read.
Not that I’m all that surprised considering how much I adore the Winston clan to begin with, but getting to witness both Cletus and Jen’s devious minds in action while they work on their ever evolving relationship was a lot of fun. Add in getting to spend some quality time with most of the Winston clan, and I was definitely in my happy place.
As for the mystery that Cletus and Jenn found themselves embroiled in. It was very well thought out, a tinsy bit crazy and over the top at times, but a highly enjoyable ride. I will admit that I figured out a piece of the puzzle early on, but was definitely surprised by the various twists and turns and liked how everything worked out in the end.
Since I don’t want to give too much away, I will simply say that this book has me loving Cletus and Jenn even more than I already do. Watching as they worked through some of the roadblocks in their relationship just solidified why I think they are perfect for each other. And as for the rest of the Winston clan, hanging out with them is always a good time and I cannot wait to see what kind of mischief finds its way to Jenn and Cletus’ doorstep next!
~ Copy provided by SBPR & voluntarily reviewed ~
I’ve been waiting for this cozy mystery series since Penny Reid first announced it. I even have a list about why I was so excited about this series.
1. I love a good mystery (Murder, She Wrote is 100% my jam)
2. I love Cletus.
3. This felt a little bit like an extended epilogue; I can’t resist a story that extends the original story.
The best part about E&E was the relationship growth we saw between Jenn and Cletus. I loved that they weren’t perfect. Both had their faults, yet they had open communication and empathy. There were moments where we saw the inherent sweetness between the two that reminded me of why I love this couple so much.
The mystery was fun, but it felt a little…unsettled? It was solved but I wanted more information about it. What happened to the culprits? What were the repercussions?
E&E was a great foray into the mystery world and I’m totally on board for more.
If you have read The Winston Brothers, you will be very familiar with Cletus and his Jenn. Their book is third in that series and is called Beard Science. If you haven’t read the previous series, what’s wrong with you?!! There are a whole bunch of amazing brothers you will absolutely love! This new series is set in the same town of Green Valley, and comes after book four of the original, and you will appreciate Cletus and Jenn’s dynamics more, and their families, if you read The Winston’s as well. What I loved about this first book was not only the mystery but we get so much more of Jenn and Cletus and their budding relationship. Cletus has a very secretive side that aids him in his shenanigans, though a softer side is revealed from him that heightens his devotion to his Jenn. Add in that the rest of the Winston Clan – minus Jethro and his bride, as they are still on their honeymoon – who make appearances throughout the book, and I was over the moon. I felt like I was visiting old friends and didn’t want to leave them.
Cletus is a clever man, others think he is a simpleton, but that only causes them to monologue which makes Cletus wiser than his opponents. And Jenn is learning his ways, and this helps them be a collaborative team in solving who killed Mr Badcock’s chickens and causing problems for Jenn’s Bakery. Things don’t add up as to why Jenn’s suppliers are closing up and not selling to her anymore. I love the way Cletus thinks and how he gets revenge on his adversaries and even his siblings. Especially the one he pulled off with Shelly’s help – hilarious! And his brothers are none the wiser!
If I didn’t make it clear enough, I not only loved the original series, but I am falling in love all over again with Cletus, Jenn and the rest of the Winston’s in this new spin off. To me it was more about the couple with a mystery astutely written to give us an entertaining and witty story.
It’s been a rough couple of months for some of us, hasn’t it? I know for my household it’s been a roller coaster of life events so when I come across a novel that can sweep me away from all of my worries, it’s only right that I share that with everyone, right? Right.
Engagement and Espionage was the perfect escape from all the craziness of the outside world. I mean who better than Cletus and Jenn to completely amuse and distract us all with their own craziness? And let me remind you, where there is Cletus, there is craziness. I loved every second of it. I only thought I loved the first book with Cletus and Jenn but this book ….being in his head…*chef’s kiss* it was perfect. He’s one of my all time favorite characters; I love everything about him–his quirks, his machinations and manipulations, and his complete adoration and respect for Jenn are just a few of the reasons why I love him. And Jenn and the way she loves? I love her heart. I love how she loves and cares of all of the people in her orbit.
Separately they are fun; together they’re nearly impossible to stop reading. Their longing for each other and the constant interruptions, the way this novel shows us how they began to align their lives after the fell in love, how their families fit into it all, and of course, the various mysterious happenings had my complete attention until I reached the last two words: “The End”. I swear I tried to slow down my reading of this novel but I was completely powerless to the charm of Cletus and Jenn.
This novel just felt like the humorous cozy mystery I didn’t even know I needed in my life. The cast of characters and their trademark reactions to each other had me smiling and starved for more. Luckily for me, this is book one of four. I can’t wait to see what these guys get up to and into next.
I do like how different this book was. Everyone should give cozy mysteries a shot, Penny just adds some spice to it. I just can’t get over Jenn’s parents! Definitely puts the cake on separation wars to the extreme. Cletus and Jenn, their relationship is getting more intricate as how Jenn is trying to deal with basically her supplier for her bakery. I just loved out the story sorta spin out into a campy over the top scenario and just watching it unfold was interesting.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*3 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
It was nice to be back in the world of the Winston’s and Green Valley, but this one was a little bit lacking for me. It had the enjoyable elements of our favourite characters, but it felt a little bit too repetitive from what we’ve already been through with them .
I found the whole thing to be just a little bit silly. I did enjoy the book, it just wasn’t my favourite of Penny Reid’s. I’m probably going to be in the minority for my thoughts on this, and obviously everyone has different personal opinions on books, and this is mine.
There is a level of comfort with the whole thing, coming back to our favourite family and characters, and thats always nice, because its always nice to get extra pieces of characters that we’ve fallen in love with, and see what’s happening in their worlds now.
Overall, it was an easy and fluffy read, just a little bit, I don’t know, not there enough for me.
I’m sure there are plenty of others who will have different opinions and love this one. I do look forward to what Penny brings us next though.