Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on a cookbook with her grandfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, but she’s about to set sail into nearby Chesapeake Bay—straight into a murder case . . . Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who … The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . .
Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes!
PRAISE FOR FINAL FONDUE
“Corrigan keeps her simple mixture of pleasant characters, murder, and recipes in the oven.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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Synopsis:
Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on a cookbook with her gradfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, but she’s about to set sail into nearby Chesapeake Bay—straight into a murder case . . .
Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . .
Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I thought that Val was a smart hardworking woman who has a brain in her head, which I enjoy. The relationship between her and her grandpa felt very genuine and that made them both seem more realistic to me. I like when the protagonist has a relationship with an older person, such as a grandparent. I also enjoyed getting to meet Val’s friend Bethany and I enjoyed their interactions.
I really liked the premise of this book. I liked the fact that it revolved around the Titanic. It was fun reading about the last dinner and some of the other memorabilia that was included in the book.
The mystery was well plotted and perfectly paced. I liked the fact that there were only a handful of suspects to consider because that was all that was on the yacht. There were enough clues to sift through and some twists and turns that I did not see coming. The mystery was not easy to solve and I was not one hundred percent sure of the culprit until it was revealed at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the first book in this series that I read and I did not have any trouble following the story and characters. I will be reading the other books in this series when I can.
Synopsis:
Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on a cookbook with her gradfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, but she’s about to set sail into nearby Chesapeake Bay—straight into a murder case . . .
Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . .
Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I thought that Val was a smart hardworking woman who has a brain in her head, which I enjoy. The relationship between her and her grandpa felt very genuine and that made them both seem more realistic to me. I like when the protagonist has a relationship with an older person, such as a grandparent. I also enjoyed getting to meet Val’s friend Bethany and I enjoyed their interactions.
I really liked the premise of this book. I liked the fact that it revolved around the Titanic. It was fun reading about the last dinner and some of the other memorabilia that was included in the book.
The mystery was well plotted and perfectly paced. I liked the fact that there were only a handful of suspects to consider because that was all that was on the yacht. There were enough clues to sift through and some twists and turns that I did not see coming. The mystery was not easy to solve and I was not one hundred percent sure of the culprit until it was revealed at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the first book in this series that I read and I did not have any trouble following the story and characters. I will be reading the other books in this series when I can.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Once again, I’m jumping into book 5 of a series that has 5 books in it. No spoilers were given for previous books that I could determine so I was impressed. If there were, they didn’t jump out at you. Val Deniston is very close to her grandfather. They live and work together so when he reels in a themed dinner party, Val takes it despite her reservations. The last dinner on the Titanic doesn’t sound like the best idea to her but she pretty much clears her schedule to take it on along with her rather difficult client. What she didn’t plan to take on was helping to solve the murder that takes place halfway through the meal!
I have to admit, this book kept me guessing. Rather than waiting for the big reveal to confirm what I had guessed, I had to learn along with everyone else. I did guess at what the victim’s motives were for the game that he created rather early. I’m not sure if that was supposed to be a secondary mystery as well but it was definitely the easier of the two for me to figure out.
The characters are great, the relationships believable, it remained fun when it could have been overly dark, and I was definitely impressed from beginning to end. This is definitely a must-read and I can’t wait to find the rest of the books in the series. Let’s hope this one lasts a long time.
Recipes include Chateau Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus Vinaigrette, Classic S’mores, S’mores Tartlets, and Savory Cheese S’mores.
Thank you to Kensington, Maya Corrigan, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
I read this book when I was on vacation with my family and it was a great vacation read. It was easy to pick up and put down and still follow what was going on in the story. The characters were relatable, and I always enjoy when the protagonist has a strong relationship with one of their grandparents. The Titanic tie-ins were a lot of fun and left me craving more information about the historic voyage, as well as craving a s’more (or two)!
Full review here:
https://cozyexperience.com/smore-murders-book-review/
Val Deniston has agreed to cater a dinner on a yacht meant to recreate the final dinner for the first-class passengers aboard the Titanic. The evening gets off to a rocky start, and Val begins to question how these particular guests were selected for the invitation. Then the host of the evening vanishes from the yacht. Was it murder? If so, will Val figure out what happened?
If, like me, you are wondering how S’mores got involved in this story, yes the title does make sense. Not that I’m complaining since that is such a wonderful pun. The mystery is strong, with plenty to keep us engaged. I feel like the ending was a little too twisty, and I think we have a question left opened, but that is minor. The big picture definitely comes together for us. The circle of returning characters is smaller, but that was good since it gave us time to focus on getting to know the suspects. We’ve got six more five-ingredient recipes at the end, including a savory take on a s’more. If you are a fan of this series, you’ll be happy with this visit with Val.
Great story line with an unexpected twist at the end. Loved the characters.
The Five Ingredients series returns with Val catering a 10 course meal on a yacht to commemorate the anniversary of the Titanic sinking. Wealthy lawyer and yachtsman, Otto Warbeck, is a Titanic fanatic who invites an eclectic mix of guests to his dinner party aboard his yacht, The Abyss. During the dinner party, he has the guests play a mystery game that is a little too close to reality. When Otto ends up missing during the middle of the party, no one can say what happened to him. His body is later found and the police are unsure if it was murder or suicide. Another of the guests is then later found shot and dies. Val investigates, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, Gunnar. Another great mystery by Maya Corrigan. I loved the mystery within a mystery in this book. I also love the theme as I don’t like to cook and the less ingredients the better! I look forward to what is next for Val and Grandad, the Codger Cook, as well as seeing what happens with Val’s romantic life. Great recipes included!
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I swear this series just keeps getting better and better. This time Val agreed to cater a fancy Titanic dinner on a yacht with grandpa’s help. Things are going great with the mystery dinner until the host disappears and the person driving is knocked out. If course Val has to get involved along with her friends leading a story that will keep you hooked with the little clues plus details. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a culinary flair you have to try this one. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
S’more Murders by Maya Corrigan is the fifth novel in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series. Val Dennison has been hired to cater a special dinner hosted by Otto Warbeck who is a collector of Titanic memorabilia. He wants Val to recreate the last dinner served on the Titanic on his yacht, Abyss. It is a ten-course meal for eight guests and he insists it be held in a few days on Saturday, April 14 (the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking). Val is reluctant to take this particular job, but the money she will earn will pay for the repairs needed to Granddad’s home (those blasted termites). On Saturday Val, Bethany and Granddad board the Abyss and begin their dinner preparations while the yacht heads out into open water. Bethany oversees the s’more appetizers requested by Otto’s wife, Cheyenne. After they sit down for dinner, Otto announces he has created a mystery game for them to play while they eat (he even has scripts). The water becomes choppy due to a storm, the pilot of the yacht is in distress and Otto cannot be found. Val, with the help of her friends, dives into the case. There are eight suspects with motive to harm the victim. Val wades through the clues with the hopes of spearing a killer.
S’more Murders is nicely written, and it has some interesting characters. I find that Grandad (Don Myer) steals the show from Val. He is an eccentric and gregarious older gentleman with a zest for life. Val came across as bland and I am not a fan of her boyfriend, Gunnar. Gunnar is an amateur actor who wishes to expand his skills. He is contemplating a change and Val wonders how she will fit in with his plans. Personally, I would wish Gunnar good luck on his new venture and look for a boyfriend who is more compatible. I would like to see the author flesh out Val’s character and have her grow as a person. The mystery was intriguing with multiple suspects and misdirection. I think that many readers will be surprised when the full solution is revealed. I could have done with less speculation and rehashing of the clues (it gets old). I did find the pace to be a little slow, and I had trouble staying invested in the story (my attention wandered). Val whips up some delectable foods in the story and the descriptions will have your mouth watering (and your stomach growling). I like how friends and family come together to help and care for each other. S’more Murders can be read alone if you are new to the series. Welcome aboard Val’s high seas adventure in S’more Murders.
This is one of the best written mystery books I’ve read in a very long time. The author is creative and I loved the theme of having a dinner party on a yacht. I have always been fascinated by the Titanic. It was so full of promise on that fateful day and many lives were lost. There have been sightings of the lost ship in the sea and artifacts recovered to keep the intrigue of the Titanic going.
Val is one sharp person. She is busy with her granddad and his cookbook while also running a fitness cafe. Wen Val is offered the opportunity to cater a dinner party with the Titanic as the theme, she decides to take the job. I was hooked as soon as Titanic was mentioned in the book. The host wants her recreate the last meal served on that fateful night. What a big chore Val has taken on. Thank goodness she gets help to pull the dinner off. After changing the menu a bit, the party is booked. I loved that the guests were going to be playing a murder-mystery game during the evening. I have always wanted to attend something like that. It would be fun to play detective for one night.
As the evening goes along, the game begins and that is when the real mystery starts. it seems the host has met with an unfortunate accident . The author is good at leaving subtle hints in the story of what happened and I tried so hard to figure out who went off script and killed the host. Val finds herself deep in the investigation and has a list of suspects that all look guilty. There are unexpected twists in the story that heightened my suspicions, but I was never able to figure out who the killer was until the author revealed it.
I admire the way the author cleverly put together a story that was intriguing, wonderful characters and an ending that was very satisfying. The author has included the menu from that horrific night aboard the Titanic along with recipes from the famous Codger Cook’s recipe that Val and her granddad were working on. I love how knowledgeable the author was about the Titanic and how masterfully she wove an historical event into a story that was one of my favorite books this year.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
Grab something to munch on and your white board before you begin this tangled tale.
Was the Titanic cursed? Does that curse carry over a hundred plus years later?
Is Val a murder magnet or does she just have really bad luck?
Val thinks the opportunity to cater a several course meal on a luxury yacht is exciting, until she discovers all the details. The guest list is puzzling, the addition of s’mores unusual for such a sophisticated gathering, and oh how tangled the clues will become as she and her “staff” try to recall the comings and goings of the guests.
Naturally, when a murder occurs, the spouse, who it appears has the most to gain, is a prime suspect. Sadly, a young man is caught in the crosshairs of this investigation, putting his future at risk. Motives run from chickens to racism to financial gain and revenge. See why I said to keep that white board close?
Friendship and family all add depth to the storyline. Will the real murderer be discovered? Could the authorities discover the truth without Val’s assistance?
I enjoyed finding out.
Another enjoyable outing with Val and her grandfather (but mostly Val). While one thinks there are a group of stock mystery character suspects (younger wife, unhappy stepson, etc.), they, and the story, surprised me.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is number 5 in the series and the first that I have read. This can be read as a standalone book.
When I began reading this story, I thought “Uh-oh! This is going to be really dark.” I was never so glad to be wrong. The premise is interesting albeit creepy- a Titanic meal recreation onboard a sailing vessel. Hey the Titanic went down on its maiden voyage- why wouldn’t you think something bad was going to happen?
What I liked:
1. the characters- they were believable.
2. the author shows us that people in need will accept being bullied or enticed into things like catering an event they did not want to do despite warnings from others.
3. the police in this cozy were not treated as imbeciles or bumblers.
4. 4. Recipes included. Even though not any I would want to make except the cheese s’mores.
It was sad that so many people had plausible motives to kill in this story and that people reap what they sew. Yes, it’s a mystery but there was so much going against the yacht owner.
I don’t know Val’s (our sleuth) complete romantic history but I don’t think Gunnar is the one for her. But I may be proven wrong in future episodes.
I recommend this book and will be looking for the previous four to catch up.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the author and these are my own opinions.
S’More Murders kept me on the edge of my seat. I love Val, her granddad, and the cast of characters in this book. It was very well written, and I didn’t want it to end. This is the first book I’ve read by Maya Corrigan, but it definitely will not be my last. The story flowed, and it was a real page turner. I love the descriptions of the food, and there are recipes at the end of the book. If you love a great cozy mystery, with murder, mayhem, and food, then this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!