Robbie Jordan is temporarily leaving Pans ’N Pancakes, her country store in South Lick, Indiana, to visit Santa Barbara, California—where wildfire smoke tinges the air, but a more immediate danger may lie in wait . . . While looking forward to her high school reunion back in California, Robbie’s anticipation is complicated by memories of her mother’s untimely death. At first, she has fun hanging … untimely death. At first, she has fun hanging out with her old classmates and reuniting with the local flavors—avocados, citrus, fish, and spicy Cali-Mex dishes. But then she gets wind of rumors that her mother, an environmental activist, may not have died of natural causes. With the help of friends, Robbie starts clearing the smoke surrounding the mystery—but what she finds could make it hard to get back to Indiana alive . . .
Includes Recipes for You to Try!
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I find it fun to read at least one book in a series where the main character takes a vacation. It makes them more real to me.
In book 7 of the Country Store series, we go to California with Robbie for her high school reunion. It was the perfect vacation to take with Robbie during the Covid-19 restrictions. We get to visit sunny Santa Barbara and “taste” some very yummy food and my favorite were the dishes with avocado as I am always looking for new ways to eat avocados. Of course, it would not be a cozy mystery without an unfortunate murder. This one had me guessing to the big reveal. I liked the addition of her high school best friend as her investigating sidekick but I will be happy to have the regulars back in book 8.
I listened to a few chapters of the audiobook from my library app, Hoopla, and I was not fond of the narrator. She is not bad but her voice did not match how I think Robbie sounds.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
In this seventh installment in Maddie Day’s A Country Store Mystery series, Robbie Jordan has returned to her hometown of Santa Barbara, California, to attend her high school reunion. While catching up with old friends, she learns that her mother, an environmental activist who died suddenly from a brain aneurysm two years ago, may have been murdered by a wealthy and powerful man named Walter Russom. Walter is the father of Robbie’s high school nemesis and owns a pesticide company. His products are known to be very harmful to living things, and Robbie’s mother was determined to get his company shut down. With the help of her high school friends, Alana and Jason, she sets out to uncover the truth about her mother’s death.
This is one of my absolute favorite cozy mystery series and each book gets better and better. It was fun seeing where Robbie grew up and meeting her old friends. I enjoyed the California setting and the mouthwatering descriptions of food. The mystery was well-plotted, with enough clues, suspense, and suspects to keep readers on their toes. I really liked the ending and thought it was a refreshing change from the action-packed reveals that you normally see in cozy mysteries. This is a delightful series, with a charming setting, wonderful, well-developed characters, and delicious recipes. South Lick, Indiana, is one of my favorite fictional small towns, and I look forward to my next visit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
NACHO AVERAGE MURDER by Maddie Day is the seventh book in the Country Store Mysteries series. In this book Robbie Jordan is going back home to Santa Barbara, California for her high school reunion. The plan is to leave her work and responsibilities of owning Pans ‘N Pancakes behind in South Lick, Indiana, meet up with old friends and maybe find some closure from the unexpected sudden death of her mother. For such a fun time, she won’t be needed her often used sleuthing skills – or will she?
Upon arriving back in her hometown, Robbie finds some things never change both for the good and the bad. She finds that some friendships just pick up where they left off even though it’s been years since they have spoken, while others have changed greatly. Seems some hateful feeling and old grudges still linger. It was nice to find that her childhood home looked the same even though owned by strangers now.
When an environmental activist and friend of Robbie’s mom, suggest maybe her mother’s death wasn’t of natural causes, Robbie is determined to find out exactly what happened to her mother and what caused her death. Was it from the aneurysm that she had been told? When this same man turns up dead with a lot of the same symptoms, is it coincidence or is murder involved in one or both deaths?
Robbie enjoys both the B & B where she is staying – become friends with both the owner and her mother – and the wonderful food in town – some that she has really missed since the ingredients are not rapidly available in Indiana.
Will Robbie unearth the facts about Agrosafe and are they connected in some way in either death? Will classmates Alana, biochemist, and Jason, tech detective with the police department, or even new friend Hector help Robbie in her sleuthing and help keep her safe? Will Robbie find the truth about her mother’s death once and for all?
Robbie’s adventure in California had her feeling like Dorothy when she said “I don’t feel like I’m in Kansas anymore”. Can Dorothy find her way home to her true love who she has dearly missed and the business she thorough enjoys or will the Wicked Witch win this one?
Maddie Day always does a fabulous job in keeping you turning the pages in each and every story about Robbie Jordan in the A Country Story Mystery series. Excited with the adventure at hand, she always leaves you with a great desire to read the next installment. So is the case with NACHO AVERAGE MURDER! I was thrilled with each and every book prior to book number 7 and had greatly anticipated this book which I relished with great delight. Now I’ll have to be content while I anxiously await book number eight.
NACHO AVERAGE MURDER is a great book for anyone that loves cozy mysteries, a well written whodunit or for anyone that just loves a wonderful well-crafted, must read book. Although the seventh book in a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. But like potato chips, after you read one, you will be wanting more and more. Highly recommend both author and book. I give NACHO AVERAGE MURDER 5 stars!
I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and have enjoyed each one of them. With Nacho Average Murder, Ms. Day takes Robbie Jordan outside of South Lick and returns her to her childhood home of Santa Barbara. Robbie returns to California to attend her high school reunion and some well-deserved vacation. Unfortunately, while there she is confronted with news about her mother’s death two years earlier, and the death of the man who raised the possibility that it might not have been due to natural causes. Robbie being who she is, can’t resist asking questions and trying to figure out whether this death was natural causes or homicide. This time around, she is aided in her endeavors by her mother’s best friend, and two of her friends from high school. They were enjoyable characters, but to be honest, I missed South Lick and all its midwestern quirks and people. For me, that is what makes this series so enjoyable.
The mystery is solid. Robbie does what she always does and begins asking questions that start to get her into trouble. There are several viable suspects to choose from, but for me, I was concentrating on two specific individuals. As a result, the killer’s identity was not a surprise and I would have liked a bit more to have been flushed out about this character’s motive for the murder. It felt a bit rushed at the end.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read, but I will be happy when Robbie is back in South Lick. For me, the town has become so much a part of the series that I missed it when Robbie left. I wouldn’t mind seeing some of the characters from this book make a visit. I think it could be interesting.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Robbie Jordan is temporarily leaving Pans ’N Pancakes, her country store in South Lick, Indiana, to visit Santa Barbara, California—where wildfire smoke tinges the air, but a more immediate danger may lie in wait . . .
While looking forward to her high school reunion back in California, Robbie’s anticipation is complicated by memories of her mother’s untimely death. At first, she has fun hanging out with her old classmates and reuniting with the local flavors—avocados, citrus, fish, and spicy Cali-Mex dishes. But then she gets wind of rumors that her mother, an environmental activist, may not have died of natural causes. With the help of friends, Robbie starts clearing the smoke surrounding the mystery—but what she finds could make it hard to get back to Indiana alive . . .
Includes Recipes for You to Try! (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Robbie is smart, strong and caring and she likes to see justice served. She goes back to California for her high school reunion, she just wants to have a good time. But that changes when a member of an activist group is murder, she wants to help solve the murder. Especially since her mother was killed in a similar way, and she was an activist too. Robbie has some help from old friends from school and her mom’s old friend. But I really missed Robbie not being in South Lick, Indiana, where her family and friends are and having them help her. But Robbie deserves to go on vacation too.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions made the book much more enjoyable. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. I thought the mystery was well plotted and it was not easily solved.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is a great series and I look forward to reading the next one when it comes out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Nacho Average Murder is seventh in this overall enjoyable series. Robbie owns the most popular breakfast restaurant in South Lick, Indiana, Pans ‘N Pancakes. She is finally taking a vacation to attend her tenth class reunion in Santa Barbara. It is the best time of year for this transplant to the Midwest to visit the “American Riviera”. February in in South Lick is definitely cold for this California girl!
The reunion is only for one evening, but Robbie is staying for a week to enjoy her friends. She met Alana, her best friend, at the reunion, Jason, her high school buddy, and Katherine, who made her disdain for Robbie no secret throughout their time at Chumash High. She danced with Hector, whose mother Carmen owns the B&B where she is staying, as well as the Nacho Average Café where Robbie gets fabulous ideas for tasty new dishes to try at home. The one person she misses seeing is Zoe, who was a close friend until high school, when they drifted to different groups.
Robbie also enjoys time with her mom’s closest friend, Liz, as well as Carmen and her mom. When Robbie learns there might have been something suspicious about her mother’s death, she puts her sleuthing cap on and finds contacts that will help. Paul, an environmental activist who her mom was working with to try to ban a locally made, dangerous pest control, said that the chemical in the pest control may act as if, or cause, a ruptured aneurysm. Since that was her mom’s cause of death, she attempts to obtain a copy of the death certificate and meet the pathologist. Paul is then found dead, someone tries to break into the B&B, and her concern goes into high gear.
The details of the gorgeous setting make it sound perfect, and the foods sound wonderful for this transplant to the Southwest! For those who enjoy cooking, there are some delightful recipes included; I can’t wait to see Buck taste some of these when Robbie adds them to her menu! The characters are defined well through conversations, behaviors, and Robbie’s thoughts. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Robbie’s friends as well as her mom’s, and the relationship she enjoys with Carmen and her mom, Luisa, and would love to see them visit South Lick in the future!
Robbie gets assistance from Jason, who is with the Santa Barbara police department, and bounce ideas off Alana as she would usually do by long distance. Whodunit is easily narrowed down, yet I didn’t feel the usual satisfaction when Robbie helps get the bad guy. It was almost disappointing to not know the whole story behind the resolution as is usually the case. Even so, I highly recommend this to fans of the author, series, and well-written cozy mystery fans who enjoy mysteries with good friend and food.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this book; a review was not required.
Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day the 7th instalment in the “A Country Store Mystery” series. I really enjoy this series and have bought all of them on my kindle, I still need to read some of the earlier ones.
This is the second book I have read in the series , and it can be read as a stand alone. This time round Robbie takes us to Santa Barbara for her high school reunion. While there we meet her high school bff’s as well as some other loveable characters whom I hope we meet again.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting. I loved the descriptions of the food as well as the setting, I could really picture myself there. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and a bit of a cliffhanger at the end.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
Ok, I want to be “…in foodie heaven” just like the main character said describing one of the delicious foods she sampled. I have to admit, I’m craving a good Mexican dish after reading “Nacho Average Murder”. The author, Maddie Day, wrote a book that had me laughing, visualizing the breathtaking scenery and holding my interest on a perfect who-dun-it mystery.
The main character, Robbie, returns to her hometown in California for a high school reunion. She wants to relax and enjoy her time staying at a Mexican flair B&B. But, Robbie hears that her Mother was possibly murdered instead of dying of natural causes. This adds a little twist to her visit, sidetracking Robbie to do a little sleuthing of her own. Will she find leads that will put the murderer behind bars? Will she face danger?
This was such a delightful, cozy mystery. It’s part of Maddie Day’s “Country Store Mysteries”. I really liked Maddie’s fun writing style. The recipes at the end of the book are a plus and know that I will be putting these recipes to the test. If your looking to read a fun who-dun-it but forewarned it will make your tummy rumble, pick up this book soon!
I am so grateful to receive an advance reader’s copy in a giveaway from the author in exchange for an honest and fair review.
High school reunions can really suck when the mean girl is still mean, but they go into serious bad lands when a dead body pops up. Our intelligent sleuthing chef is on the case when someone mentions that her mom’s accident, may not have been so accidental after all then another death pops up so the sleuthing kicks into high gear. It was fun having the main character travel to another setting, but I am looking forward to the next book being in her “normal” location so we get to see all the other characters that she normally interacts with. Definitely worth the read or listen as you prefer and now I am off to try to recreate some of the mouth watering meals that were described!
Robbie Jordan is taking a break from running her restaurant and travelling to California to attend her high school reunion. Going back brings up memories of her mother’s death and when someone tells her they don’t think that death was from natural causes Robbie doesn’t know what to think. her mother was an environmental activist among other things and when another activist dies under mysterious circumstances she goes into investigative mode. What will she find out? Was her mother’s death natural or caused by someone? In between eating delicious food and catching up with old friends Robbie puts herself in danger by asking too many questions. I love the characters and how they are written in a descriptive manner and the description of the food will make you hungry! Great mystery! There are also delicious recipes included. Definitely recommend!
Good, entertaining, and a tad bit edge of your seat . Not sure I liked the abrupt ending but Dorothy gets to go back to Kansas and the Wicked Witch while not dead is not going to be able to be wicked anymore.
I was so hungry reading this book. *insert the laughing emoji* Goodness. The food in this book! Mexican food is one of my most favorite kind of cuisine. If you enjoy Mexican flavors, prepare for this.
In this book Robbie leaves Indiana to attend her high school reunion in California. I wasn’t sure how well I would do with this change. Obviously, the town wasn’t going with her so this meant new characters to meet. I was excited to see where Robbie was from. I expected it to be fun. I was just having mixed feelings because I’m a character type reader. I look at the characters as friends and tend to pick my favorite series by the people in them. I had no reason to worry, though. I really enjoyed Robbie’s friends. It was interesting to see her with friends from her school days. I felt that I got to know Robbie a bit more with this plot. I loved Carmen. She brought to mind a friend I haven’t seen in years making her a special character for me. The mystery was especially interesting to me. Robbie learns that her mother might have not died of natural causes but my have been murdered! I can’t even imagine learning that. Of course, she had to look into it. Who wouldn’t want answers? Who wouldn’t want justice? I don’t want to go into this as it would be too easy to ruin it for others reading. I thought it was well done. It certainly added a more personal touch, for me. I enjoyed visiting California but I think I really like being in Indiana.
This is book 7 in the Country Store Mysteries series. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone. I think I had such an easy time thinking of this as a stand-alone because of the change in location. I personally like this series in order.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review consideration. My review is voluntary and based upon my reading enjoyment. I enjoyed it enough to buy the audiobook.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Robbie Jordan is excited to return to Santa Barbara for her 10th-year class reunion. She is looking forward to catching up with her old friends but it also brings back memories of her mom who passed away 2 years ago. Shortly after she arrives she hears a rumor that her mother, an environmental activist, may not have died of natural causes. A fellow activist then dies of a brain aneurysm, just like her mom. Robbie just has to find the truth so she enlists the help of a couple of high school friends and her mother’s best friend to get the answers she needs. This is not her first investigation but it may be her last.
After six books Maddie Day takes her protagonist on a trip. This can be good and bad. Readers are accustomed to the core characters and the lifestyle of South Lick, Indiana so the new characters we are introduced to have to get us to warm up to them quickly because unless they visit Pans ’N Pancakes in a future book this may be the last we see of them. I will say Ms. Day did a fine job of fleshing out these new characters. I really enjoyed the senior characters, Luisa, the mother of the owner of the B&B where Robbie is staying, and Liz, her mother’s best friend.
The main mystery plot was interesting. I mean if someone told you that your mom may have been murdered, wouldn’t you want to investigate? Robbie took some really questionable risks that had me shaking my head though. I had two suspects high on my list so the reveal wasn’t too surprising, I just needed a few more details. The subplots all flowed naturally alongside of the mystery.
Like the rest of this series, a main focus is the food. This time instead of the usual breakfast fare we are treated to several Mexican dishes served, and yes, recipes are included at the end of the story. From Mexican Chocolate Almond Cakes to Flaky Chicken Empanadas and Nachos, of course. There was an Avocado Huevos Rancheros served at the Nacho Average Cafe that may soon be served at Robbie’s Pans ’N Pancakes.
New characters and an intriguing mystery made Nacho Average Murder a very entertaining read. I do hope some of the characters we met visit Robbie in Indiana.
In this cozy by Day, Robbie goes to her high school reunion and stumbles upon a murder that hits close to home. Definitely add this collection to your TBR pile.
Maddie Day always creates wonderful characters!
Maddie Day’s newest addition to her cozy food series, “A Country Store Mystery” Nacho Average Murder, is out now. Readers who are long time fans of this series will enjoy having Robbie out of Pans ’N Pancakes and into a world they have never known. For Robbie, it’s a look back at her youth, her school days, and her mother. Finding out that someone may have murdered her mom and that same person may be out killing others, spurs her into action.
Robbie is a beloved character, but she isn’t without faults. She is very human in that she has issues, some of which stem from her childhood. Jumping into the middle of a murder investigation of a stranger isn’t without danger. Add in all the food she is eating, and her trip could be a recipe for trouble. I enjoyed learning about Robbie’s old classmates; I would love to see Alana and Jason show up in future books. They gave Robbie a backstory we hadn’t heard before, and it makes her a much more rounded character.
The murder is a real mystery, as no one is sure it is a murder. When the homicide is finally confirmed, it leads to intriguing suspects, including people Robbie knows, some cook up her favorite food dishes, and those she doesn’t know but all have opportunity and motive. When the true killer is revealed, it isn’t a great surprise, but it is a satisfying one.
I enjoyed Nacho Average Murder and the unusual circumstances Robbie finds herself in. The writing was as always top-notch, heartwarming, and filled with lovely sights, sounds, and in this case, tantalizing food smells that leave the reader hungry for more.
Wowzers! Robbie cannot stay away from murder or a mystery…even when she’s in California for vacation and her high school reunion. But danger follows her even there. Can she stay safe while trying to expose the murderer?
As always, a fun book and series. Although I have to admit to being a little disappointed in the ending. I thought it was rather anticlimactic. To the point I was waiting for more…something…after the culprit(s) was/were caught. 3 1/2 stars rounded to 4 since I love this series.
Thank you to the publisher, Kensington, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Nacho Average Murder #7 in the Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day
Tenth reunion finds Robbie in Santa Barbara, reconnecting with old friends, trying to avoid old rivals with unexplained grudges, and paying homage to Sue Grafton
. . . oh, and consuming delectable treats (recipes included).
A hint that Robbie’s mom’s death might have been connected to her work with environmentalists to ban a dangerous chemical leads Robbie to investigate, despite warnings of danger. It’s a complex puzzle, and the adversaries are dangerous, but there are the rewards of beautiful scenery, friendships, and alpacas!
Travel tips: If you forget your graph paper and ruler, you can find crossword software on line. Check the bag going home, as a lost or delayed bag would be less troublesome then. Have the heavy water glasses shipped so you don’t have to carry them. I wanted to step into their final catch-up meeting, for a bit of Kahlua and some of that cake. 😉 Robbie issued invitations to come see her in “that state that starts with a vowel” (Indiana) so we may see some visitors in future books. I love that the tuxedo kitty is named Pajarito and looks and sounds much like Birdie.
No more investigating, Robbie promises (until next time). I enjoyed this trip, looking forward to the next one. <3
Robbie Jordan returns to Santa Barbara for a high school class reunion and to connect with old friends. However, when people start making suggestions that her mother’s recent death was not natural causes as thought but murder Robbie knows she needs to investigate.
The story did a good job of getting me caught up in the Santa Barbara local and had some excellent ideas for yummy food. Top that with a mystery filled with clues that kept me guessing made it an enjoyable read. Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Robbie Jordan is off to Santa Barbara to a high-school reunion. She stays at a similar bed & breakfast to hers back in Indiana except the food is Mexican, yum! Robbie touches base with friends from high school at the reunion. As a surprise, someone suggests that possibly Robbie’s mom may have been murdered by a local agricultural supply firm. Robbie is off and running to see what she can discover.
The murder is solid and the food and her friends are good; however, I miss the characters from Indiana. Looking forward to her return to Indiana with new menu additions.