On Georgia’s picturesque Peach Cove Island, a killer is serving up a two-for-one special . . . After their mama’s passing, Marygene Brown returned to Peach Cove Island to help her sister Jena Lynn run the family diner, renowned for its homemade peach desserts. But Mama is never too far away—her sassy spirit haunts the island, and more specifically Marygene. Lately Mama has been warning her that … been warning her that the dead will seek her out to solve their murders, an idea Marygene is far from peachy keen on.
But that prophecy appears to be coming true when she goes skinny-dipping off the island and swims right into a woman’s charred corpse floating in the waves. And when Marygene and her brother Sam come upon a second burned body in a wine cellar at an event they’re catering, it appears they have a double homicide on their hands. It soon turns out the victims have more in common than their charred remains, and Marygene will need to double down to find a killer who has no aversion to playing with fire. Good thing Mama has her back . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!
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Marygene Brown has recently moved back home to Peach Cove, a small island off the Georgia coast, to help her sister and brother run the family diner. Her deceased mother may be physically gone, but her spirit haunts the island, and more specifically Marygene. According to her mother, because of their connection, spirits will seek Marygene out to solve their murders. And much to Marygene’s dismay, this turns out to be true. When she goes skinny dipping off the island, she swims right into a woman’s charred corpse. Later, she finds a second burned corpse in her friend’s wine cellar. The investigation reveals that the remains belong to twins, Kayla and Pamela Dryer, who both vanished two decades ago. Marygene is determined to uncover the truth, especially when it becomes apparent that the people closest to her know a lot more about the twins than they’re letting on.
This delightful read is full of humor, southern charm, and memorable characters. The writing style flows smoothly, and the story has a good pace that will keep the reader engaged and turning pages. The author did a wonderful job with the descriptions, which made it easy to visualize the lovely island setting and to feel like you’re part of the small tight-knit community of Peach Cove. Marygene is a feisty and likable main character. I enjoyed getting to know her and the residents of Peach Cove. Her friend and co-worker, Betsy, was a hoot, and I loved Marygene’s interactions with her mom and Javier. I didn’t care for Alex and his short temper and would much rather see Javier as her love interest. The murder mystery had enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep me guessing until the action-packed reveal.
Overall, this was a charming cozy mystery, with mouthwatering descriptions of food, a touch of paranormal, and a well-crafted murder mystery. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this second book of this good series Marygene goes home to peach Cove to help run the family diner after her mom died. She finds out she has psychic abilities and see’s her mom . Marygene and her brother Sam find two dead bodies and have to try and solve the murders as fast as they can before they lose business in the Diner. A fun quick book to read great storyline and love the recipes that was included in the book well worth reading
amateur-sleuth, small-business, small-town, ghosts, family-dynamics, abusive-spouse
She thought it was a quiet early morning to think through some relationship issues, so she lazed on the island’s beach nekkid until the foul smelling burnt corpse washed up near her. Then her mother’s ghost showed up and she knew that meant that she had to solve the crime even though she was a caterer not a detective. She does a fair job of sleuthing, finding another fried corpse, and having arguments with a boyfriend and also a police detective. Lots of plot twists, distractions, and red herrings. Very unusual!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from KensingtonBooks via NetGalley.
The second book in Kate Young’s Marygene Brown Mystery series is a fun and humorous adventure featuring Marygene, family and friends. Although this is the second book, let me just say it can definitely be read as a standalone. In this latest mystery, Marygene is enjoying an early morning skinny dip when a burned corpse touches her. Later, she is at an open house for her friend Yvonne when she discovers a corpse in the wine cellar. Being Marygene, she is determined to solve the crimes regardless of any danger to her. The action is ramped up in this book, with secrets everywhere and lots of suspects for Marygene to eliminate before she can find the killer. There are a few surprising twists and a lot of southern humor mixed in. There is also a new character, a deputy named Javy, a rival for Alex and his quest for Marygene’s affections, so there is a love triangle going on in this book. That’s why I love this author’s books! The writing is clean (since Marygene’s ghostly mama who appears to her occasionally does not like bad language) and the clues are numerous. The recipes at the end of the book alone make the book worth buying! After all, who doesn’t want the recipe for “Roadkill”? It’s actually a real thing served at Marygene and Jena Lynn’s diner and I almost wet myself laughing the first time I read about people ordering it. It’s the kind of fun that had me laughing aloud, reading parts to my spouse and just thoroughly enjoying a light mystery read that satisfied the mystery lover in me and called to my southern roots. I can’t wait for Marygene’s next adventure and to find out more about her on again/ off again relationship with Alex and mama’s ghostly appearances that help solve the crimes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery that is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, ya’ll!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Southern Sass and a Crispy Corspe is the second book in the series. I enjoyed the first book in the series, and this one was just as good if not better. It is so well written, action packed and leaves you guessing whom will be the culprit. This book added in a few new characters, but also kept the ones we learned to love in the first book. I have a food addiction and the sound of all these foods is so compelling makes me want to run out and find a small diner with desserts like those in this book. I would highly recommend this book to others. I received this book from the author and publisher and this is my fair and honest review.
I’m torn between OK and like. When I finished I wasn’t super excited to jump into the next book, so I’m going with 3.5 stars.
On the plus side, this was a very dense book, lots of characters, details, info. on people who don’t currently play a big role and an interesting mystery. The author really worked at developing Marygene’s world.
Not so plus, the characters, especially Marygene, didn’t really capture my interest. There were light moments and southernisms, but I didn’t find them truly amusing. The paranormal element just seemed superfluous.
I got this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.