The time seems ripe for success as Angie Turner opens her farm-to-table restaurant in her Idaho hometown—until her new tomato supplier is accused of murder and Angie has to pick the real killer . . . To Angie, nothing tastes more like summer than her Nona’s fried green tomatoes. Eager to add the recipe to the menu at the County Seat, she’s found the perfect produce supplier—her sous chef … supplier—her sous chef Estebe’s cousin, Javier. Just one problem: ladies’ man Javier’s current hot tomato Heather has turned up dead, and he’s the prime suspect. Somehow, between managing her restaurant and navigating a romantic triangle between Estebe and Ian, the owner/manager of the farmer’s market, Angie needs to produce evidence to clear Javier—before this green tomato farmer gets fried . . .
Praise for Lynn Cahoon’s Tourist Trap Mysteries
“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.”
—Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries
“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”
—Fresh Fiction
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Killer Green Tomatoes is the 2nd book the ‘Farm-to-Fork Mystery’ series by Lynn Cahoon. I read the first one last month, since I’m current on another of her series that I enjoy, and will read the next one soon. I want to be ready for the 4th book which releases at the end of the year. I enjoyed this second book about the same as the first one, which is always a good thing. I prefer the ‘Cat Latimer’ series, but this one is definitely growing on me–even if I don’t like green tomatoes!
Angie and Felicia’s new restaurant is finally open and doing well. Their head chef takes Angie to visit his cousin, a produce supplier. Angie wants to use his products, but the next time she hears from him, he’s being interrogated for murdering his girlfriend. Soon after, he disappears. Although Angie doesn’t want to get involved, she’s drawn back into another investigation because her chef is busy trying to protect and find his cousin. It puts her at odds with the sheriff, then her neighbor takes a vacation, enlisting Angie to watch her elderly grandmother. Angie’s life is way too busy to deal with everything, especially when a bunch of kooky customers start claiming she’s two-timing Ian with her head chef and that she’s stolen recipes from other people.
The main mystery was a little light for me. It had great potential, but it felt like a few links or scenes were missing to provide enough shock value and red herrings. Not a huge issue, as it was filled in with many side stores and humor… but as a mystery, I wanted something more complex. I guessed the villain a little too soon, yet at the same time, the books are shorter than most cozies, so there wasn’t a lot of room for multiple suspects. That said, I really like the characters, setting, and writing.
Lynn Cahoon builds good stories and shares realistic dialog. Angie can be a bit rude or direct for my taste, but she’s never mean. I’ve known people like that, so it feels like a nice comparison to reality, especially in the food and restaurant business. I look forward to the third book which I’ll be ordering this evening. I hope to finish it next week, as I have a few other reads already included in my schedule.
Killer Green Tomatoes
Farm-To-Fork Mystery, Book #2
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The time seems ripe for success as Angie Turner opens her farm-to-table restaurant in her Idaho hometown—until her new tomato supplier is accused of murder and Angie has to pick the real killer . . .
To Angie, nothing tastes more like summer than her Nona’s fried green tomatoes. Eager to add the recipe to the menu at the County Seat, she’s found the perfect produce supplier—her sous chef Estebe’s cousin, Javier. Just one problem: ladies’ man Javier’s current hot tomato Heather has turned up dead, and he’s the prime suspect. Somehow, between managing her restaurant and navigating a romantic triangle between Estebe and Ian, the owner/manager of the farmer’s market, Angie needs to produce evidence to clear Javier—before this green tomato farmer gets fried . . .
Praise for Lynn Cahoon’s Tourist Trap Mysteries
“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.”
—Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries
“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”
—Fresh Fiction (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I like that all of the people working at the County Seat, Angie and Felicia’s restaurant, are like family instead of employees. You can tell that they care about and really like each other. It is not surprising that Angie wants to help find the killer of her sous chef’s cousins girlfriend, even though she swore she has hanging up her sleuthing shoes. Ian, her boyfriend, is a good guy and their relationship is moving along nicely. And I really enjoyed Angie’s houseguest and the way they interacted, it was sweet and added another aspect to the story. I feel like I could be friends with this cast of characters. And I loved all the animals that were included in this book.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I was pulled into the story from the very first. There was plenty of talk about food (Angie does own a restaurant) but it was not so overwhelming that it took over the story. There is even a recipe in the back of the book for the reader to try if they are so inclined.
There are two mysteries to solve: a murder and a kidnapping. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. Throw is some twists and turn and red herrings and they are not easily solved. I had part of it right but not completely.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Killer Green Tomatoes by Lynn Cahoon, is #2 in the Farm to Fork series.
I enjoy eating fried green tomatoes ,on occasion, and I was happy for another visit with these characters in Idaho. The mystery has a surprising ending—it was fun to follow th twisty path. I started this series with book 3 and I am going back to read it in order. Lynn Cahoon has a way of making her characters feel so real —with real life difficulties to overcome, and pleasures to enjoy. I do recommend this light mystery series .
I like that the protagonist of this series is a chef. I love to cook, so enjoyed the scenes where Angie and her fellow restaurant cooks are trying out recipes. Her recipes made me drool more than her romance with Ian did, but this is the second book in the series, so maybe the chemistry happened in book 1. I should have read them in order:) Or maybe I’m just too enamored of Jill’s boyfriend, Greg King, in the Tourist Trap mystery series. In this book, though, the pace of the mystery kept me turning pages and the characters held my interest. The suspects were especially good. The actual wrap-up of the mystery didn’t quite satisfy me, but I sure enjoyed the ride.
This book was okay but not wildly entertaining. I actually got tired of reading it but the story was okay. I did finish it and it was really strange who ended up being the bad guy. Didn’t expect that.
Killer Green Tomatoes is book 2 in Lynn Cahoon’s Farm to Fork Mystery Series. Angie Turner, and her business partner Felicia, are experiencing success on the opening of their restaurant the County Seat. Angie’s team of chef’s have come together in a tight-knit crew, as well as Felicia’s front room staff. When her main chef, Estebe, suddenly has family problems, Angie and the team must work together to keep the kitchen running smoothly. Estebe’s cousin, Javier Easterly, becomes Angie’s main produce supplier. When Javier is charged with his girlfriend’s murder, Estebe asks for Angie’s help to find the real murderer!
Great characters in a setting that invokes a sense of family and community. Lynn has a way with words as she describes the food featured at her restaurant that makes me want to visit. Angie also shares the antics of her sweet St. Bernard puppy Dom, as well as Precious her goat, and Mabel her hen. You really feel like you are getting the farming experience as well as following Angie as she solves the clues to catch a murderer. I am enjoying getting to know all the characters and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this second of the series by Ms. Cahoon. Angie’s sous chef introduces her to his cousin for some fresh produce which then entangles Angie into helping when his cousin is arrested for murder. Add the temporary houseguest of her neighbor Mrs. Potter who is with Angie for a week while her granddaughter is away on vacation. Mrs. Potter tries to be helpful but isn’t always so which keeps you guessing what she’ll get into next. Angie definitely is kept busy.
The mystery was good, I was led down a couple of false trails until I figured it out. Love these characters and will continue on with this series.
Fun to read and no profanity
Killer Green Tomatoes stands up well to Lynn Cahoon’s other books and to other cozy mysteries out now. The mystery is complex enough to keep the reader guessing and the personal relationships are real enough to make the reader feel part of the community. The warm and well-developed or developing relationships are among the greatest strengths that Ms. Cahoon brings to her books and that is my favorite aspect to any light mystery so her books are a must purchase for my.
Just when The County Seat opens for business, sous chef Estebe is pull away by family problems. His cousin my be aggravating but he isn’t murder no matter what the evidence shows. Naturally, Angie can’t resist trying to find the real killer, especially since the police seem to have no clue and she wants her sous check back and working with a clear mind.
Idaho’s own Jessica Fletcher! Angie is getting into the groove with the restaurant and with being a girlfriend to Ian when there is a murder in the alley behind the restaurant. The prime suspect the playboy cousin of her sous chef (who is also her new produce supplier). Angie sets out to solve the mystery and stumbles across bat-crap crazy almost in-laws and her high school nemesis who never grew up. Hold onto your seats because the wigs are flying!
The restaurant is up and running and doing very well. In the middle of their busy season, Estebe needs to take a week off for a family celebration. Just before this celebration, Estebe’s cousin is accused of murder. Due to Angie’s success at solving the goat milk murder, his family thinks she can solve this one as well. The deeper into it she gets the more evidence mounts against Javier.
A fun, light read with very likable characters. It’s a happy little mystery and a fun read.
Killer Green Tomatoes is the second installment in this fast paced and fun series.
Angie just connected with a new supplier for her farm-to-table restaurant when the owner is suspected of killing his girlfriend and disappears. Since he is related to her sous chef Estebe she agrees to ask a few questions….
When her neighbour asks her to take care of her elderly mother it leads to some complications and some good chuckles.
Lots of twists and turns and some serious fun had me glued to the pages. I had a great time reading this book.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with a copy.
This is a super good author very entertaining
Very good plot. Liked the characters. Believable story line. Refreshing.
Great mystery and great for people who love farming and the whole farm to table concept. Really interesting characters also flavor this series!!!
Killer Green Tomatoes by Lynn Cahoon is the second story in A Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. Angie Turner is the co-owner as well as the head chef at County Seat. She has been trying to recreate her Nona’s fried green tomato recipe for the restaurant, but she has yet to get it exactly right. Estebe Blackstone, Angie’s sous chef, knowing that Angie is looking for good produce suppliers recommends Pamplona Farms which is run by his cousin, Javier Easterly. Javier is quite the flirt and is known for his rotating girlfriends. The produce, though, is exceptional and Angie is excited to create new dishes for the County Seat with the fresh veggies. One day Estebe gets a call at work from an agitated Javier. His latest girlfriend, Heather was found murdered behind the Red Eye Saloon after a very public disagreement. Javier is accused of the crime and Estebe asks Angie for her assistance. Angie will need to work in her investigating in between managing the restaurant, filling in for Estebe, making sure her farm animals get fed and taking care of her temporary roommate. Erica, Mrs. Potter’s granddaughter, has the chance to take a vacation in Cabo, but she needs someone to take care of Mrs. Potter. Angie agrees to watch out of for her elderly neighbor despite her misgivings. Angie is in for a busy and entertaining week. Things are heating up and Angie needs to be careful or she will get burned.
I enjoyed reading Killer Green Tomatoes. I like the author’s conversational writing style and the engaging characters that she created. Angie is a smart, hardworking woman who is getting her new business off the ground. I find Angie to be a likeable and relatable main character with her unusual pets of Mabel, the chicken and Precious, the goat as well as the lovable, Dom (her St. Bernard puppy). Mrs. Harriet Potter is a delightful addition to the series. I am glad that she had a more prominent role in Killer Green Tomatoes. Mrs. Potter provided levity with her well-meaning antics (you will have to read the book to find out what I mean). Angie’s romance with Ian is progressing. I appreciate that the author is not rushing their relationship. They are taking the time to get to know each other. Working in time for dates is difficult, though, with their busy schedules and the pesky murders. The mystery was well-plotted and is woven throughout the story. The author manages to combine the cozy and mystery elements, so they are balanced. If you are an avid reader of cozy mysteries (like me), then you will not have a problem arriving at the solution. There are many cozy moments in Killer Green Tomatoes with friendship, animals, cooking, romance, mishaps, creating new recipes and, of course, eating. I like how everyone who works at the restaurant comes together for a meal each week. It gives all the workers a chance to try the food and get to know each other. Killer Green Tomatoes can be read as a standalone. Personally, I would read Who Moved My Goat Cheese? prior to Killer Green Tomatoes. It will allow you to see the development of the characters and the restaurant. My rating for Killer Green Tomatoes is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). There is a recipe for fried green tomatoes at the end of the book.
This was such a fun cozy. First, because it is set in Idaho and I am from that area. It was fun trying to determine where River Vista was supposed to be. I knew the different towns and sights that were mentioned. I also liked Angie and her friends. They are an interesting mix of characters. The murder was odd. Why would someone murder such a young, innocent girl. So I was was surprised with the ending.
I would definitely read another in this series.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I really like Lynn Cahoon’s books. The second installment of the Farm –to Fork Mystery series does not disappoint.
The cover is adorable. The St Bernard is just saying “come on in.” The characters are well-developed, strong, and believable. Ms Cahoon also writes the Cat Latimer and Tourist Trap mystery series.
The twists, turns and misdirection were wonderful. Once again we are shown how everyone in a small town thinks they know your business or they just make it up and spread it around.
Angie Turner and Felicia Williams are a month into running their own restaurant in a town outside of Boise. Angie’s sous chef, Estebe has family that is under investigation for murder. Angie and Felicia along with the gang delve into the case.
Mrs Potter stays with Angie while Erica takes a vacation. This leads for some interesting episodes for both of them. I like how the author dealt with aging family members and friends.
So find out if Javier killed Heather. If not, then who did and why? I kept turning the pages to find out.
Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Underground for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my own opinions.
Killer Green Tomatoes is the 2nd in the Farm to Fork Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. Having read book one I was excited to read this and was not disappointed..
When her sous chef’s cousin, Javier, girlfriend of the month is found murdered he becomes the main suspect. Chef Estebe wants Angie to investigate. Yes, Javier is a womanizer but he surely is not a murderer, or is he.
As much as Angie has vowed to not get involved in another murder, she is again drawn into the investigation. Now in addition to searching for the murderer, she is also keeping an eye on her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Potter, who is keeping Angie on her toes.
There is mystery, humor , and a touch of romance. Cahoon does a great job keeping you up on Angie’s friend and resturant partner, Felicia, her employees, her farm critters, and puppy Dom.
The story has a great flow and twists, turns, and surprises. I was guessing until the end.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley for an honest review.