In Seattle’s Pike Place Market, Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece is savoring her business success, but soon finds her plans disrupted by a killer in the latest from the national bestselling author of Guilty as Cinnamon. Pepper Reece’s to-do list is longer than the shopping list for a five-course dinner, as she conjures up spice blends bursting with seasonal flavor, soothes nervous brides fretting … soothes nervous brides fretting over the gift registry, and crosses her fingers for a rave review from a sharp-tongued food critic. Add to the mix a welcome visit from her mother, Lena, and she’s got the perfect recipe for a busy summer garnished with a dash of fun.
While browsing in the artists’ stalls, Pepper and Lena drool over stunning pottery made by a Market newcomer. But when Lena recognizes the potter, Bonnie Clay, as an old friend who disappeared years ago, the afternoon turns sour. To Pepper’s surprise, Bonnie seems intimately connected to her family’s past. After Bonnie is murdered only days later, Pepper is determined to uncover the truth. But as Pepper roots out long-buried secrets, will she be digging her own grave?
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Spices are essential to making our food and drinks taste better. Leslie Budewitz’s ‘A Spice Shop Mystery’ series is essential to making our cozy mystery reading schedules even better. I want to kick myself for waiting several years before picking up this series, but at the same time the next book doesn’t release until June 2019, so I might have been frustrated waiting that long if I had finished them sooner. With all 3 published ones under my belt, I can say two things: (1) I’m a definite fan and (2) It’s time to move on to her next series which takes place in the NW USA too.
In Killing Thyme, Pepper’s finally got everything under control. Her shop is doing well, Pepper has two great employees to replace the ones she lost in the last book, her mom is coming for a visit from South America, and she’s dating a cute and kind reporter. But with her mom comes a secret from the past hurling quickly like a typhoon at Seattle’s Pike Place Market where you’d never expect one to appear. A fellow store artisan is not who she appears to be… and when she’s found dead early one morning, Pepper’s forced into protecting her mother from being punished for a crime she didn’t commit (at least we think so). Throw in a few cute ‘dates’ with the reporter, a couple of accidents with her friends, and a very curious bracelet that appears from nowhere and you’ve got quite a mystery to solve.
I think the series’ setting has fully fallen into place. We have a wonderful group of supporting characters and stores that make each book connective and fun. My favorite parts besides the murder mystery occur when Pepper goes for her daily walk around the market and catches up with friends we’ve come to adore. Having Arf, her awesome dog, makes it all the more enticing, too. Sometimes she learns a clue, others it’s just more confusion. Budewitz knows how to drop just enough to make us squint and scratch our chin over what’s the truth and what’s a lie. I enjoy this series and was glad to get to know some of Pepper’s family. Her mom’s a hoot and I can only imagine what she was like as a pseudo-hippie nearly 40 years earlier. The best part… we finally learn Pepper’s REAL NAME! Another great installment in the lives of the curious and ‘glamorous’ life in Seattle’s finest market… can’t wait to visit again in June. Thanks for an amazing and strong beginning to my 2019 reads, LB!
Love this author and this series!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Seattle again. Just in time for a visit from Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece’s mother, Lena. Pepper also has a lot on her plate at work. Grabbing a few minutes with her mom they take a tour around the Market. Pepper wanted to connect with a new pottery vendor and was surprised when her mom recognized the potter from their past. She has thought the woman was dead. Sadly a few days later she was murdered in her studio. Pepper does remember some snippets of the woman and is afraid that her mother is going to be at the top of the suspect list. She also knows that her friend Kristen’s family could be implicated. The more she digs in the more secrets she seems to uncover. At first, she may just have been Killing Thyme but as her investigation continues she needs to worry about someone killing her.
Ms. Budewitz has created a wonderful cast of characters. Pepper has hired two new employees, Matt Kemp, and Cayenne Cooper. Matt has retail experience and with a name like Cayenne, this has to be the perfect job. Pepper’s mom also arrives from South America, her dad is nearby too, off on a fishing trip with Kristen’s dad. We also meet the woman who becomes the victim, Bonnie Clay. A woman with a lot of secrets. Secrets that may have led to her death. A couple of characters have moved on but all my favorites are back, including Detectives Spencer and Tracy, but they are joined by a cold case detective, John Washington. Pepper’s dog Arf is back too.
The mystery is very intriguing and could harken back to the 1980s when Bonnie and several others including Pepper, Kristen, and their families lived communally in the house where Kristen now lives. A house that has just had major renovations and where Kristen made a wonderful discovery. A discovery that may have played a big part in Bonnie’s death. A discovery that could play a part in a cold case. The author plotted everything out so well. I was kept guessing right up to the very end.
I really enjoyed getting to know about Pepper’s past and her mother’s too. I think her mom and I would be fast friends. We also find out Pepper’s real name!!!
Another shining visit to Seattle’s Pike Place Market. This is my favorite book in this series so far. Chai Another Day comes out soon and I can’t wait!
I used the audio book and the voices were spot on
The setting is Pike Place Market near the waterfront in Seattle. The author has either worked there, lived near there or frequented the market a lot. I’m from the Seattle/Tacoma area and she is spot on with her descriptions and ambiance. Her cozies are fun to read, the writing excellent and characters well defined. Have so far read three in this series. Would give all of the 5 stars.
Well developed characters and a wonderful story make this a must read!
Relaxing easy read. Could be your life
The mystery was good [was not 100% sure who the killer was and then was wrong, so that is a huge bonus] and the new surrounding characters were lovey and the addition of Pepper’s mom was also lovely, but….
“Oh parsley POOP” said over and over and over drove me close to insane [the odd obnoxious idioms is what drew me AWAY from the other series this author writes] and even though I have her newest book on the list, I am not sure I will be reading it. We will see how this one sits.
The Seattle Spice Shop is located in
the famous Seattle Marketplace in the
state of Washington.
The shop is owned and run by Pepper
Reece. Pepper lives in a loft nearby the
Shop with her Airedale Terrier named,
Arc.
The beginning of the book introduces
the characters involved in the story to
follow. I always find the character intro
a helpful to start any book.
It was interesting learning about all the
spices Pepper and her staff mix together
for various teas, rubs, salads bake goods
and drinks.
Pepper’s mother surprises her by coming
from Costa Rica to visit. Then a friend of
her mother’s from the past turns up at a
stall at the market selling her pottery.
The potter goes by the name Betty Clay.
But she had been known to Pepper’s
mother as Peggy Manning. That was
before Peggy disappeared years ago.
Meanwhile Pepper best friend finds an
expensive bracelet in the house where
they grew up.
When the bracelet is stolen and the
potter turns up dead, Pepper begins her
own investigation.
Pepper’s digging opens up the past days
in the lives of her parents and friends. It
also open up a cold case.
The author blends the past and present
in a suspenseful, puzzling, well plotted
mystery. Dark secrets come to light.
Murder, robbery, danger and drama season
the adventures that Pepper and her friends
manage to get involved.
The characters are well defined, colorful,
interesting and entertaining.
Come along with Pepper and cast to get a
tour of the Seattle Marketplace and the
surrounding city.
Recipes included at the end.
The whole world of the spices would appeal to any who loves trying new things. The recipes are wonderful and are inspiring.
Nice way to get to know the Seattle pike place market. Showcases spices well makes one hungry. Main character believable and doesn’t always put herself in stupid situations. I bought & read more of the books and enjoyed each one. Endings usually a surprise. Recommend.
I wasn’t crazy about this book. I found I just couldn’t care about the characters.
Reading this book made me purchase and read all the books that this author has written to date.
Descriptions are too wordy but gives a good view of Pikes Market in Seattle as well as some of the other areas of Seattle. This one got a bit tedious; I enjoyed the earlier 2 more.
An entertaining read!
Absolutely loved the series!
Ok but could not keep up with all the people…
I enjoyed that the mystery in this book was based on a tragedy in the past that involved a community of people. The untwisting of that story kept me intrigued.
I am enjoying this series.
Always enjoy Pepper!