Robbie Jordan’s rustic country store is growing in popularity. But when a dead body appears, it turns out that Robbie’s home-style cooking attracts hungry customers—and murder! While Robbie scrambles through breakfast orders for her expanding clientele at Pans ‘N Pancakes, tempers run as high as the sticky August heat in South Lick, Indiana. Real-estate developer Fiona Closs plans to build a … plans to build a towering luxury resort at one of the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and not everyone can see the sunny side of the imposing proposition—including Robbie’s furious Aunt Adele, who doesn’t waste a minute concocting protests and road blockades. When tensions boil over and a vocal protester is silenced forever at the resort site, Robbie ditches the griddle to catch the killer. But if slashed tires are any indication, she’ll need to crack this case before her own aunt gets served something deadly next . . .
Includes Recipes for You to Try!
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In the hot August heat of South Lick, Indiana tempers are running high. Fiona Cross has plans to build a luxury resort on one of the most scenic hilltops in the county. Several residents are opposed to this including Robbie’s Aunt Adele. Adele and a group have decided to protest this construction with a road blockade. With already one murder Robbie has to help catch a killer despite her running her growing business to keep her aunt out of the killer’s clutches.
This is the 6th book in this series, I have only read the first couple in the series before now. I had no problems picking this series back up so the book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. Although it’s been a little while since I read the last book I felt like I was coming back to a beloved series. The characters are more developed and complexed but still the same personable and quirky characters they have been from the beginning. The storyline is well written and plotted. The setting of Pans and Pancakes reminds me of a country store in the community I grew up in that I loved to visit. The mystery moves at a quick pace with only a few suspects but there are plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the big reveal. If you like recipes, there are recipes included in the book. I recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers, and I plan on catching up on the books I missed.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
I am now a fan of the Country Store series! This was the first book I’ve read and it will definitely not be the last. The characters are so well developed and I loved how they were so different, lovable, quirky, interesting. The mystery grabs you from the beginning and you are quickly turning the pages to see what will happen next. With the small town feel, the aspect of a small B&B and restaurant, and the dynamics of the relationships, you are in for a delightful visit to South Lick, Indiana.
You will assume you have figured out who is guilty of murder, there are enough twists and turns, random clues, and surprises that you wonder if you are correct. But it’s worth staying invested in the book until the last page!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook for this addition to the series. I much prefer to read the books than listen as I am not a fan of the narrator on the audiobook. She makes Robbie sound a lot older than she is and it kept throwing me off as I thought Aunt Vera was talking.
Book six is a strong addition to the series. Plenty of red-herrings to keep you guessing who the murderer could be. You can read each book as a standalone with no problems. Day does such a good job of describing the area around Bloomington, Indiana that you can’t help wish you could drop in and visit with Robbie and eat some pancakes at Pans-n-Pancakes.
A clean read in that there is no foul language, sexual situations or overly grisly murder scenes.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
STRANGLED EGGS AND HAM by Maddie Day
Development vs. conservation, jobs vs. natural beauty is a common enough dilemma. Here in St. Charles, MO, there is opposition to developers wanting to build homes on a hillside overlooking the KATY Trail, I hope without fatalities.
In South Lick, a resort threatens a beautiful hillside with old-growth trees. Tempers are flaring as a developer ignores rules to illegally clear beautiful trees, and Robbie’s Aunt Adele leads a group to organize peaceful protest. Blocking the highway is perhaps illegal, but it would increase publicity for their cause. Robbie has her hands full trying to run Pans “N Pancakes while trying not to take sides. Often the person in the middle gets the worst of it, and it does help to have friends to lend a hand and watch one’s back, especially when the foe is both ruthless and a weight lifter.
I enjoyed the puzzle of the “who done it” and the descriptions of the intricacies of running a diner . . . and the recipes! Family recipes are featured, Turner’s grandmother’s Indian Spiced Roasted Potatoes and Robbie’s Granny Rose’s Southern Jam Cake. (Hmm, Rose, a Boston midwife . . . a little nod to Edith Maxwell’s Quaker Midwife series? — I like it!)
This was a delightful, fast-paced book, completely engrossing, supplanting chores and sleep, and completely worth it.
Mention of the architecture of Columbus, Indiana, sent me on a Google search — fascinating and impressive, and I didn’t know.
Great and Fast Moving Cozy Mystery
This is a wonderfully entertaining book to read. It is fast-moving and still checks a lot of boxes by including a cute cat, great recipes, a B&B, a small town, lots of ethnic groups and physical fitness. The plot is very well done. There are quite a few suspects with motives to spare. I am putting this author on my favorites list. I saved 4 of the recipes that she included to try myself. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is a Country Store Mystery featuring Robbie Jordan as the owner of a restaurant, a small B&B upstairs, and a vintage cookware shop which often acts as waiting space for the restaurant. The restaurant is open until mid-afternoon leaving plenty of time for bike riding with her friend Lou, or spending time with her aunt Adele. Adele is a big one for causes and presently is involved with protesting a resort that is trying to build on the outskirts of this lovely southern Indiana town. The populace is divided: some hope for jobs, some decry destroying the natural beauty of the area. Both have strong arguments. This particular afternoon they meet Gregory DeGraf, a tenant of Robbie’s, who has also ridden to the lake. He appears to be a friendly, nice guy, who is also an environmental lawyer who volunteers to help Adele and her group of protestors. of course, murder ensues.
As a first time reader of Maddie Day’s work, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was a delightful representation of southern Indiana, with all kinds of interesting characters as part of the action. Robbie is savvy and clever; her aunt Adele is a hoot, and the peripheral characters have their individual personalities. Cozy mysteries make the ugly and unpleasant not so bad. Day has done a good job with that. This book is pleasant, warm, and interesting, despite murders and mayhem. It gives the reader a sold perception of this particular area of the country and its inhabitants as well as giving a mystery to follow and solve. It was a great read. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of this book. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #strangledeggsandham
Is this development worth killing over?
Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is a wonderfully woven tale of politics, development, mystery, and murder in small-town Indiana.
Roberta “Robbie” Jordan
Robbie runs a local breakfast and lunch eatery with a store filled with antique cooking items and a B&B. She is very busy with her businesses and keeping her Aunt Adele out of trouble. Although that doesn’t seem to be working for her. Robbie also likes riding bikes, has a cat, and likes puzzles. She is somewhat of an amateur sleuth, although she is trying to stay out of this whole mess.
I like Robbie as she is a hard worker, seems to be honest with a good head on her shoulders. Robbie was busy as her workers were expectantly off work, and her restaurant business is taking off. Her boyfriend was away at a training seminar. So, I don’t know if it would have been different with him around. Perhaps Robbie would have gotten into more trouble.
What I liked
• I enjoyed the way the townsfolks mostly got along and how they were neighborly. It was nice to see them stepping up to assist Robbie when her help called in.
• The way the author brought the development into the story and showed both sides of how it would affect the town and the people were friendly. Well, most of them.
• I also enjoyed the way the author used the Hoosier slang, totally loved it. I haven’t heard those expressions for the longest time.
• But I think my favorite part was Adele. That woman is a kick in the pants. Here is a quote from the book that describes Adele.
“That Adele,” the man’s wife said, “No flies on her. No sirree, Bob.”
5 Stars for Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day
My rating for A Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is five stars. This book is excellent; the whole thing comes together and flows perfectly. The ending is a bit of a surprise.
Oh, and at the end of the book are some recipes that Ms. Day used in the book. One is for a Southern Jam Cake with Carmel Icing, and I can’t wait to try that recipe. I don’t think I have ever heard of such a cake and it sounds sinful.
I highly recommend this book to all Cozy Mystery readers. It’s the bomb.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
South Lick, IN is in the middle of a feud – those who want a luxury resort at the top of a beautiful hilltop and those who do not. Robbie’s aunt is at the top of the list of protesters who don’t want to see a hoity-toity resort on the majestic and breathtaking hilltop. While Aunt Adele is organizing protests and ways to cause inconvenience, Robbie is trying to keep up with Pans ‘N Pancakes. When one of Aunt Adele’s fellow protesters is discovered dead near the construction site, Robbie becomes reluctantly involved in order to protect her aunt and help keep the peace in South Lick.
One of my favorite cozy mystery series’, Country Store Mysteries consistently delivers engaging mysteries, multiple storylines, and wonderful characters. The plot of Strangled Eggs and Ham is full of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The weaving of several themes throughout the story and expertly connecting everything at the end is wonderfully done. The interwoven storylines keep the story fresh, exciting, and engaging. The author provided several characters who may be involved in the murder and kept the real suspect a surprise. The story was fun, exciting, engaging, and full of suspenseful moments.
The character development continues, and the world building allows for visualization of the characters, locations, and settings. The characters are likeable, realistic, and well-written. Robbie is a great main character. She continues to exude kindness and generosity and is hard working – in and out of Pans ‘N Pancakes. She treats people with respect and dignity, the perfect person to work in a retail/food establishment. She gets involved in things she shouldn’t much to the chagrin of the police department, but her heart is in the right place. Her relationship with Abe is sweet and just a small part of the story. Their romance does not overshadow they mystery or take over.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery that is fast paced (never a dull moment) and will keep you on the edge of your seat, I suggest you give Strangled Eggs and Ham a try.
How delightful, to be back at Robbie’s restaurant and country store, Pans ‘N Pancakes! Even if it is a hot and sticky August, we are treated to an excellent mystery, some of the best neighbors in the Midwest, and all the down home breakfast delights one could ever want.
Robbie Jordan was raised in California, a vast difference year-round from southern Indiana. She enjoys this small town, however, and adores her Aunt Adele, her mother’s sister. One of the things she learned this time from Adele is a brief bit of family history that will be explored more at another time. She and the town are currently listening to the arguments about the new resort that is just a few signatures away from approval. Some folks want the increased taxes generated from tourists and new jobs so they don’t have to move away. Others want the wetlands on the property preserved and don’t want all the traffic and strangers that are sure to appear.
Fiona Closs is the developer of Closs Creek Resort. Adele is leading a group of local people into being part of a peaceful demonstration as she had participated in during the 1960’s. People on both sides of the argument are passionate about their beliefs. An attorney from Indianapolis, down on a vacation and staying in the Bed and Breakfast upstairs from the restaurant, offers his time and advise for Adele’s group. He would have been a great addition to the group as an environmental attorney who works against developers until he was found dead at the resort site. He was to have met Robbie’s friend Lou at the site on the hill to go for an early bicycle ride, but someone was up early that day also. With the vandalism going around Adele, however, Robbie wants the killer found before her aunt is the next person killed. The stakes are higher than anyone would have imagined to build this resort, and I don’t just mean financial stakes.
This is the best novel in the series so far. I am always interested to see Robbie get out her clues – motives – suspects chart, being a champion puzzle solver. It was a challenge to determine who the most likely suspects are, even though motives seem to be related to the resort. With his negative rep for working against developers, it could be someone from any of his past legal proceedings who knew he was vacationing in South Lick, Indiana. I found the mystery fresh and exciting, with surprises to be had throughout. The characters are unique and described well through words and actions. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries that include restaurants, a Midwest setting, good recipes, and a variety of down-home characters.
From a thankful heart: I had an arc of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Strangled Eggs And Ham is the sixth book in the Country Store Mystery series.
Things are in a turmoil in South Lick, Indiana. Fiona Closs a developer wants to build a huge luxury resort just outside of South Lick. Many residents are in favor as there are residents that need employment, but just as many oppose it saying that ruin the serene little community.
One summer day, Robbie and her girlfriend Lou Perlman head out to Lake Lemon for a day of relaxing and swimming. While there they meet Gregg DeGraff, an environmental lawyer from Indianapolis. Soon they are discussing the proposed construction and Greg offers to handle, pro bono, the fight to block the construction of the resort. Robbie on her drive home passes the proposed site and notices that the developer has already started to cut down some trees on the land. The next day she gets a call from Lou who tells her that while out cycling she has found Gregg’s dead body along the side of the road.
The group opposing the development is hit hard by this news, but Robbie’s feisty Aunt Adele says the group is still going to go ahead with their plan to block the road passing the site as a peaceable protest in hopes of gaining support. Then when Adele finds one of her sheep entangled in barb wire, which she has none on her farm, and then she has her tires slashed while at Pan ‘N Pancakes where NIMBY(not in my backyard) are having a strategy meeting for their protest. Robbie soon finds that there is no shortage of suspects for the murder of Gregg.
I really love this series, not only is it well-plotted and told, but I truly enjoy how Ms. Day includes some of the dialects of Brown County, IN., which I find to very interesting. As I live in Northern Indiana, I have heard many of them, but I can always count on learning a few new ones.
Delicious sounding recipes are also included with the books.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this delightful series.
Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is book six in the Country Store Mysteries. It could be read as a standalone. As usual, this is a great, easy to read cozy that will have you guessing until the end. This is one of my favorites.
When a developer is looking to build a resort on the outskirts of town, it splits the town in two. Some are all for it, while others, including Robbie’s aunt, are totally against it.
When then is a murder at the proposed site a lot of fingers are pointed at Aunt Adele and Robbie knows she must jump in and find the guilty party.
The main characters are relatable and the addition of a quirky character adds to the group. There is humor, friendship, a great setting, and a touch of romance. I want to have breakfast at Pans and Pancakes! Recipes are included.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
This is such a fun series and I enjoy each new book. Ms. Day has created a wonderful community and set it in the Midwest town of South Lick Indiana. One of the reasons I love cozy mysteries is that they are so character driven. However, I am not a fan when the author skimps on the mystery. Ms. Day’s series hits all the points I look for in a cozy series. These are strong, quirky, well round, three dimensional characters. The setting is perfect as I live in the Midwest and tend to identify with stories set there. The author does a great job of capturing the small town feel while peppering the dialogue with authentic Midwest accents that give the characters and setting a realistic feel. The mystery is well done and is woven nicely throughout the entire story. While the identity of the killer was not a surprise, the author does a good job of dropping hints and clues that threw me off track. She also threw in a little twist during the reveal that I wasn’t expecting. I always walk away from a Country Story Mystery having been entertained and wanting more.
If you are looking for a series that has wonderful characters, engaging mysteries and written in a way that makes you feel like you are right there in small town Midwest, they I would recommend you try this series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
cozy-mystery, indiana, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, murder, small-business, small-town, family-dynamics
***** Great characters and and a cohesive mystery plot. The concerns and lingo of the characters are classic small town everywhere. And the problems of the small business owner who is the central character are also too familiar to many of us. I have not read any of the other books in the series but that was no deterrent to enjoying this book that I finished in about six hours total. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!