Another deadly fun Chef-to-Go mystery from New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson!The back-to-school season can be murderIt’s the beginning of the university’s fall semester and Dani can’t wait for the college students to return to Normalton, Illinois—after all, without them, there is no one to support her Lunch-to-Go service, which is a vital part of her Chef-to-Go business. But … a vital part of her Chef-to-Go business. But Normalton University’s orientation week is marred by a mysterious murder, along with a series of car-jackings and sightings of a mysterious creature in a pond on campus. And with the whole town feeling unsettled, Dani finds herself dealing once again with the infuriatingly handsome Spencer Drake, the head of security at the university.
Although Dani vowed that her life would never again be boring and routine after she quit her stifling corporate job, she had no idea that she’d end up dealing with such strange happenings—not to mention murder. But as the trouble in Normalton draw worryingly close to home, Dani realizes that if the killer isn’t caught soon, she may be the next one who is found scone cold dead.
Praise for Denise Swanson’s Chef-to-Go mysteries:
“Fast-paced and fun… Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable.” —Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author
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Swanson’s strongly drawn characters and vivid descriptions make this… a pleasure to read.
Dani is the kind of character we love to cheer for. Following her dream to be a personal chef and caterer, she has a huge heart and does everything she can for the people she cares about. Of course, this trait is what compels her to stay on the case until the killer is caught. A delicious read!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It’s Orientation Week at the university and freshman are flocking to take part. Dani Sloan is hoping to draw new students to her Lunch-To-Go business in addition to getting the word out about her catering and personal chef services to keep Chef-To-Go going strong. Unfortunately, the area is also dealing with several car-jackings, of which one of Dani’s tenants is a victim, and an eerie creature appearing at twilight in the pond on campus. Ivy’s uncle Spencer is the head of security and he has his hands full.
Dani also finds out the Ivy has been giving food left over from their catering events to the homeless who are camped out near the university. At first, Dani thinks this is a wonderful idea, but then they find Ivy’s contact person dead in his tent. Dani wants to do anything she can to help find the killer so she teams up with Spencer AND the new hunky detective, Gray Christensen. Spencer is not pleased with her new alliance at all.
Dani, Ivy, Tippi, and Starr are still figuring out their living/working situation but Chef-To-Go is off to a great start. While Dani is like a big sister and friend to the girls she is learning that sometimes she must put the boss hat on as well. Dani’s relationship with Spencer is moving very slowly because they are both so busy and are getting over past relationships, but a new man entering Dani’s life has Spencer rethinking things. Some people don’t but I enjoy the beginning of a romantic triangle. Gray can really shake things up and shake things out for Dani. I am excited to see how the author continues the romantic side of Dani’s life.
Ms. Swanson has entangled these wonderful characters in complicated mystery too. With each turn of the page, I became deeper ensconced into this mystery. Twist after twist truly kept me guessing. The ending was super exciting.
I was really drawn in by the homeless plight that was featured. Homeless veterans, families, teens. It has become so prevalent in this nation and two sides were clearly portrayed with this story.
Again, the college setting opens up so many possibilities. All the core characters are involved in college life in different ways giving the story different views of all the happenings. The author has described the layout so well that I could easily picture the events happening all over and around the campus.
There is also plenty of food being made, sold, and passed around throughout the whole story. Enticingly described, I could easily whip up some of the tasty treats from those descriptions, but I was surprised there were no recipes at the end of the book.
A complex mystery featuring likable and interesting characters set at a fine school of knowledge featuring delectable food. This book checks all my boxes for a fabulous cozy mystery. I highly recommend Leave No Scone Unturned to all foodie cozy lovers!
Loved it and can’t wait to read more in the series! Dani stumbles upon some strange events and later murder in the college town where she runs her catering business. She is tossed into the chaos that could jeopardize her income, and her sleuthing serves as a bridge (or is it a love triangle) between the police and the campus security.
Dani is back with the college staff of three living at her place and helping her run her chef to go business. Ivy, Starr and Tippi are suppose to helping Dani with her business on the university campus but seem a bit too into frats, boys, and secrets. Meanwhile Dani is still thinking about Spencer, head of security on campus and the uncle of Ivy.
This is a good stand alone cozy mystery but excels as a series with the college kids and Dani growing and changing over time. New adventure awaits as car jackings and the news of a mysterious creature in a canal on campus. And Dani has an interested detective that loves to cook at her home and is investigating a homicide.
This is a fun cozy with the stuff college students get into but with the reality of stolen cars and break ins making it realistic.
Kudos for introducing the homeless situation and the differing views on it. Dani feels her business is being attacked because Ivy started feeding the camp of homeless people. The fact working people can’t make enough to live in an apartment was very informative.
Dani meets some new people like Gray and a hair salon owner, Hillary, and even a new reverend. And the military families are also brought forward in this book and delved into.
A good 4.5 reading with some laughs, scares, thoughtful discussions, and a hint of romance.
Love this series.
Summer is winding down and students are returning to campus for the beginning of the fall semester. Dani is pleased that her business will again be picking up. The majority of her Lunch-to-Go clients are students.
Orientation at Normalton University does not go as planned. In addition to car-jackers making their way onto the campus there are sightings of an unknown creature in a canal near campus. Things get worse when a man is found dead in a homeless camp hidden between the canal and the university. The entire town is in an uproar and are looking to blame the homeless and those who are helping them. Dani finds herself working to help find a murderer. She joins the new local detective and Spencer, the head of security at Normalton University and father of her tenant Ivy. Dani discovers she still has in interest in Spencer, while the new detective seems to be interested in her.
I love this book and I am sad that I have to wait so long for the next book in the series. The characters are well-developed and interesting. I was a bit surprised at Dani’s interaction with Hilary. I felt that Hilary’s personality was off-putting. The action in this book moves at a steady pace and I didn’t want to put it down. I recommend this book. It is able to stand alone, but book one was also very good and should be read.
The school year is about to start and Dani is looking forward to promoting her business during the orientation going on in the quad, with all the new incoming freshman she is sure to attract new business. When the orientation is over she heads home to put everything away and comes across one of her renters, Ivy, talking to an unsavory looking man. She comes to learn that the man is part of the homeless population that has a place in the outskirts of the college. Ivy has been giving out any of their left overs from Dani’s catering business to the homeless and the man Deuce is her go between with all the homeless. When Deuce ends up dead Dani feels the need to investigate and help find his killer. The detective on the case is eager to have her help and the two decide to help each other out with information. Follow along as they look into his death meanwhile coming across a group of zombies, a monster that only comes out at certain times, and a group of carjackers in the area. With all that is going on will they be able to find a killer among these groups or are they looking in the wrong direction? This is a great new series filled with a fun setting, a mixture of wonderful characters, and a plot that will have you eyeing everyone when it comes to the killer. I can’t wait to see what Dani gets into next!!!
If you enjoy cozy mysteries you will really enjoy this story. It is well written with a smart plot. The story provides a number of clues but you do not realize it until it all comes together near the end. There are also a couple of romantic possibilities that make a good side story.
In addition, for us long term Denise Swanson fans we get a brief visit with some Scumble River characters that cross over into this series.
This is the second in the Chef-to-Go series but could easily be read as a stand alone. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
It’s the beginning of the university’s fall semester and Dani can’t wait for the college students to return to Normalton, Illinois. After all, without them, there is no one to support her Lunch-to-Go service, which is a vital part of her Chef-to-Go business. But Normalton University’s orientation week is marred by a mysterious murder, along with a series of car-jackings and sightings of a shadowy creature in a pond on campus. With the whole town feeling unsettled, Dani finds herself dealing once again with the infuriatingly handsome Spencer Drake, the head of security at the university.
Although Dani vowed that her life would never again be boring and routine after she quit her stifling corporate job, she had no idea that she’d end up dealing with such strange happenings, not to mention murder. As the trouble in Normalton draws worryingly close to home, Dani realizes that if the killer isn’t caught soon, she may be the next one who is found scone cold dead.
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Series: Chef to-go Mysteries – Book 2
Author: Denise Swanson
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary/B&B
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
From Sourcebook comes Denise Swanson’s latest edition to the Chef to-go Mystery series, Leave No Scone Unturned.
Normalton, Illinois is as far from its names derivative as you can get. There is nothing normal about the town or its residents. And Dani isn’t the average chef or B&B owner. Her business is dependent on the influx of college students, and murder is not conducive to parents keeping their kids enrolled.
Dani is a lovable character. She loves and cares deeply about those around her, from the girls who board and work with her, her neighbors, to her friends. It is no wonder she gets involved with murder investigations. The main character in this series is truly a wonderful creation of the author and why she is a New York Times best Seller.
Secondary characters are well rounded, with enough detail to make them interesting, and affable. Dani’s love interest, Spencer is not blatantly macho, but has enough masculinity to keep readers happy. The villain, although a murderer can be charming. Not all the suspects are disagreeable but they have issues that amuse the reader and keep the story moving forward.
Although there isn’t a great deal of information about the town of Normalton, what there is, reminds many of us why small to medium towns have a huge draw for readers. College towns in particular keep readers inquisitive and lend an air of youthful enthusiasm to this series and others.
I did not find it hard to figure out the killer’s identity, or the motive, and for some this will be a sticking point. There are some wonderful mouth-watering foods described in the book, but the recipes were not included as they often are in many culinary based cozies. Regrettably, I found the lack of recipes to be a disappointment.
Over all, Leave No Scone Unturned is a quick fun read with enjoyable characters. The plot stays on target and doesn’t roam too far from the main idea. The book is well written and will give readers a few hours of relaxing pleasure.