Things heat up for bookstore owner Jenna Hart in the latest Cookbook Nook mystery from the Agatha Award-winning author of Fudging the Books. As the Wild West Extravaganza rides into Crystal Cove, California, Cookbook Nook store owner Jenna Hart is ready to indulge her appetite for grilled and barbecued treats and maybe even try the Texas skip. But when the body of one of her father’s neighbors … of one of her father’s neighbors is found the next morning smoldering in a bonfire, the rodeo revelry is extinguished.
Sylvia Gump had acquired plenty of enemies with her practice of illegally encroaching on her neighbors’ properties—including Jenna’s dad, who was off fishing by himself and has no alibi for the murder. Now it’s up to Cary Hart’s dutiful daughter to clear his name before the real killer turns up the heat and rakes someone else over the coals…
INCLUDES RECIPES
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Grilling the Subject is the fifth book in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries written by Daryl Wood Gerber. I’ve read several other series by the author, plus the previous books in the series, and I’m planning to catch up to the current one before this fall. In this latest installment, Jenna Hart, a California coastal town bookshop/cafe owner, solves crimes in her spare time. When her father is accused of murder after a ruthless property owner tries to cause problems for a group of neighbors, Jenna wants to clear him of any suspicion.
Sylvia Gump, what a name for the dead woman, was obnoxious, but apparently some men (not withstanding her husband) found her attractive enough to fool around with. Realtors were trying to get her out of the neighborhood. Neighbors didn’t like the secrets she kept about them. Which person finally had enough and killed her, then tried to cover it up with the beginnings of a fire? Definitely not Jenna’s dad, but too many people look guilty. Jenna weeds her way through the details, all the while supporting the Wild West Festival that’s come to town. Plus, someone from her past with a terrible tragedy, knocks on her door unexpectedly. Oh, there were a few tears in this book.
I really enjoyed the shock that came this time. I knew it would happen at some point, but I hadn’t expected it in such a complex story already happening with the murder mystery. It all comes to a complicated conclusion, but it really helps transition the book and Jenna toward her future. I’m excited to see what happens in the next installment, and I’ve already ordered a copy. Onward we go…
This was another good book in the series. The characters and town are wonderful. Almost seem real.
Crystal Cove is celebrating all things western, and Jenna and the Cookbook Nook are joining in by promoting BBQ. However, things take a tragic turn when one of Jenna’s father’s neighbors turns up dead in a bonfire. With her father a prime suspect, Jenna must find a way to clear his name.
I truly love the different themes we get in this series, each one adds a unique flavor to the story. The characters are fabulous as well, and they definitely feel like old friends here. Toss in a plots with plenty of suspects and twists and you’ve got the recipe for another winner.
Ride along with Jenna Hart while she delights in the Wild West Extravaganza, tries to solve a murder, and works through some relationship issues. This 5th book in Gerber’s Cookbook Nook series is a definite page turner that keeps you on your toes the whole way through. Jenna is such a down to earth character you will treasure getting to know her and through her some fantastic friends and family. This lovely series is filled with a huge variety of cookbooks, eccentric characters, tasty recipes, plus an awesome cat named Tigger. Gerber has yet to disappoint and I always look forward to her next story!!!