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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I have always enjoyed this series and this book did not disappoint. I like the characters and the book flows well. I can’t wait for the next one!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We’re back in South Lick, Indiana where it isn’t just the weather that is making people HOT!
Fiona Closs is pressuring the South Lick relevant committees to approve her plans to build a luxury resort on a beloved scenic hilltop just outside of town. Robbie’s Aunt Adele is leading the charge to stop the project in its tracks. Robbie’s B&B lodgers even join the cause. When one of the protestors is killed at the site for the proposed resort Robbie gets fired up and is determined that killer will rot behind bars. She really turns up the gas when her aunt looks like the killer’s next target.
I have such a clear picture of Pans ‘N Pancakes in my mind that as soon as I open up a new book it feels like I am walking across the porch, through the front door and plopping myself at a corner table so I can just sit back and relax with a bird’s eye view of everything happening in South Lick. Robbie’s shop is a popular place and all the key players come through its doors at one time or another. The restaurant’s regulars are fonts of information too.
Ms. Day introduces the new characters and gives them substance before the crime takes place. She also gives a little background of the recurring characters for new readers of the series. She is truly an expert at character development.
Robbie Jordan is an excellent protagonist. She has a huge heart and she often wears it on her sleeve. She is also smart and resolute. As in a previous book, she is shorthanded at the restaurant but that doesn’t keep her from asking questions or making her puzzles to find the killer. She has grown so much over the course of this series as have all the others in the regular cast. With her beau out of town, she had one less sounding board but I loved that Robbie caught herself before making one of those TSTL (too stupid to live) decisions and even commented on it.
Adele is another strong character with her fingers in almost everything going on around her. This time I was really impressed at the way she was open to listening to her opposition. It may not have changed her mind but she did give them a chance.
We are kept on our toes by the author too. She sets a very fast pace and she gives us a small heap of suspects. There was an abundance of twists and I always enjoy following Robbie’s lead and the way she organizes her thoughts. The story really builds to an exciting ending.
Robbie Jordan has become quite a home in her adopted community. I have enjoyed each of her adventures/investigations. I can’t wait for more.
You can’t go wrong with a book by Maddy Day or her other pseudonyms. She always pens a wonderful whodunit!
Summer may be winding down in South Lick, Indiana, but tensions are on the rise thanks to the proposed resort on the edge of town. Some residents want the jobs it would bring, but others, like Robbie’s Aunt Adele, don’t want the increased traffic and impact on the environment. When a dead body turns up on the proposed construction site, Robbie’s restaurant, Pans ‘N Pancakes, becomes gossip central once again. Can Robbie gather enough clues to solve this case?
The book takes a little time setting up the characters and motives before the murder takes place, but once the murder happens, things are off and running. Robbie combines what she learns while working at her restaurant with sleuthing outside of work hours to reach the logical conclusion. I appreciated how both sides of the resort issue were presented fairly because both sides did have views that needed to be heard. Part of that comes from well-rounded suspects. The series regulars are as fantastic as always; I enjoy spending time with them. If the book leaves you hungry, you’ll be happy with the five recipes at the end. Spending time with Robbie is always a pleasure and this book is no exception.
While even southern Indiana is not considered by anyone to be the “deep south,” this wonderful series has its share of quirky characters and quaint phrases. Relatives are generally both a bone of contention as well as a source of warmth and comfort. If you like small town. close knit communities and raw, southern grit and humor, this is a book for you!
At under thirty, Robbie Jordan can’t be compared to Mrs. Fletcher of Cabot Cove fame, although she is quickly catching up to her in mysteries to solve and dead bodies discovered. When she bought a quiet little store selling vintage pots and pans and upgraded it to a gathering place for breakfast, lunch and gossip, she had no idea how involved she and her store would be in ALL the activity happening in and around South Lick.
How dangerous can it be to invite a few people to stay upstairs in rented rooms and offer breakfast? A few tourists, some parents who drop their kids off for college, nice people, I am sure. They aren’t going to get involved in town business or scandals, are they?
Robbie had no clue what was in store for her when she relocated to a quiet midwestern community to be close to her aunt Adele.
Be sure to start this book after a full breakfast. Your stomach will be aching to try all the delicious food you encounter mentioned along the way. Fortunately there are recipes included at the end.
Along the way to figuring out all the discord surrounding new development on a picturesque hilly area, other secrets will be revealed, along with some red herrings.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping us entertained as she builds the tension towards an action packed ending.
I love this series and am always happy when a new book releases and I can spend some time again with Robbie in her country store Pans and Pancakes. In Strangled Eggs and Ham Robbie has her hands full again, business is going well so she has a lot of work. Then tensions are brewing with a potential new resort coming to town and not everyone is happy with it. And then someone ends up death and the mystery starts in earnest.
I liked the mystery in this book. The tensions with the possible resort felt realistic and with two sides and lots of people having an opinion for or against the resort. I liked how from the start there are 4 main suspects and a few other potential ones, but no one has a solid alibi and at the same time there is no strong evidence pointing to anyone. And that’s how it stays for most of the book, with more clues and information being uncovered, but till the end I wasn’t quite sure who had done it. I was thinking in the right direction and it made sense when the reveals happen at the end.
Besides the solid mystery, I really like the every daily life style of this series. We see Robbie working at her restaurant, biking and just living her life. While it might sound bland, I find it really interesting to read about Robbie’s daily life and how the store is doing. I also like how Robbie isn’t running away from work to investigate, she only investigates on her free day or after her work and sometimes she picks up conversation or clues while she is working.
Robbie is a great main character, she acts responsible and handled the mystery in a smart manner. She rarely runs off anywhere along when she knows it might be dangerous. And she communicates well with the police, who also are quite capable. I like her interactions with the police and how Buck comes to eat at her restaurant quite regularly as well. I also like to read how she handles her business and how her bed and breakfast and her store is doing.
There are a bunch of familiar side characters again and a bunch of new ones who are relevant to the mystery. Robbie’s aunt Adele plays an important role in this book as she’s the leader of the anti resort group and Robbie is afraid she might get herself in danger.
To summarize: this was such a fun read and this continues to be one of my favorite cozy mysteries. This one has a solid mystery and a main character who is likable, smart and capable. There also is enough of Robbie’s daily life and other plot lines sprinkled in. I just enjoy reading about Robbie’s life and her pans and pancake store. I liked how the mystery was set up, there are some main suspects form the start and those stay suspects till the end when you finally find out who did it. All in all another great installment in this series and I am already looking forward to the next book.
A lovely little family-friendly mystery involving land development and requiring a long weekend to read. I received a paperback Advance Reader Copy that I read in bed, so it took me two and a half weeks. This voluntary review is my own opinion.
I couldn’t put this book down! I stayed up all night to read it. It’s that good!
Robbie Jordan owns a country store/restaurant/bed and breakfast in Indiana. The business seems to be going well; however, there’s a possibility of a resort being built in the area. Robbie isn’t concerned about competition and sees the possibility of employment for those in the area. However, others are more concerned about the environment and loss of habitat. When one of Robbie’s bed and breakfast visitors is found dead at the construction site, concerns rise.
This is my first experience reading in this series. I find the characters enjoyable and the mystery well-written. Read and enjoy, I did.
Strangled Eggs And Ham
Country Store Mysteries, Book #6
Maddie Day
5 Stars
Synopsis:
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 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 . . . (Amazon)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story right from the very start. South Lick, Indiana, seems like a fun place to visit, even with all of the murders.
The characters are well developed and well developed. Robbie is a strong character with lots of great qualities. She loves her family and friends and she is not afraid of putting herself out there when she sees an injustice. I enjoyed spending time with her and her Aunt Adele, you can tell they care a lot about each other. Aunt Adele is a real firecracker. The secondary characters added a lot to the story.
The mystery was well developed and carried on well throughout the book. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and the mystery was not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. When I spend time with Robbie, I know I am in for a great time.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Strangled Eggs and Ham is a charming cozy mystery. It can be read alone if you have not read the previous books in A Country Store Mystery series. I like the setting of South Lick, Indiana and how the author captured the accents and colloquialisms of individuals who live in the Midwest. Buck certainly has some unique phrases and I am amazed at that man’s appetite. Robbie Jordan has her hands full running the restaurant and her B&B. Robbie is a friendly main character and who likes to be active (bikes all over) and stay proactive. Aunt Adele is a hoot. Adele is spry and has no qualms about breaking the law (she actually hopes to get arrested). She is against the proposed resort and has some plans in place that will cause quite a ruckus. Her friend, Vera is a willing coconspirator. The mystery provided a couple of suspects and there are good clues to aid the reader in solving Geoffrey’s death. The reveal is suspenseful, and action packed. There are a couple of unanswered questions at the end. There is supposition, but I wish we had a firm resolution. I enjoyed how the resort issue was handled by the town. There are recipes at the end for some of the delights Robbie whipped up for guests at Pans ‘N Pancakes. Strangled Eggs and Ham is an enticing cozy mystery with the friendly town, quirky residents, tantalizing food, good gossip, and one nosy parker out to solve a perplexing puzzler of a whodunit.
I am such a fan of this series and Strangled Eggs and Ham is my favorite so far. I love following Robbie’s day to day activities which make the characters feel so real. Maddie Day incorporates little details that often have me responding aloud, “Yes, that’s it!” or “I know exactly she feels.” As much as I love the mysteries and appreciate that Robbie tries to practice some caution in as she looks into questions she has about murder, it is the amazing characters that make me look forward to the next book as soon as I finish the current one.
Everyone who follows the Country Store Mysteries think that they are the series’ biggest fan. Well everyone, you’re wrong. I am! 😉 Seriously, author Maddie Day has created such a delightful series, it’s no wonder it is so well loved.
I’m very excited each time I read a new book in this series. But also a little nervous at first. I mean, how can author Day pen a story even better than the one before? How can she keep it fresh, and interesting? Because she’s brilliant, that’s how! Every book in this series is better than the last, and STRANGLED EGGS AND HAM is no exception. From page one until the end, I was glued to my seat. I’m telling you, it would have had to have been an emergency of global proportions to drag me away from this book.
The best in the series to date (if you didn’t already get that from everything I said above), STRANGLED EGGS AND HAM is a fabulous mystery within an equally wonderful character centric tale. I found myself so invested in the story, that when my dog barked, I was startled to find I wasn’t really in South Lick, Indiana within the walls of Pans ‘N Pancakes. I’m honest in saying, I could even smell the food! Speaking of, the recipes included are high on the yummy scale.
Exciting, fun, engrossing, surprising . . . I could go one and on with positive adjectives to describe just how much I loved STRANGLED EGGS AND HAM. But instead, I think you should get a copy and see for yourself. You’ll be happy that you did!
Series: A Country Store Mystery – Book 6
Author: Maddie Day
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 416
Publishing Date: June 25, 2019
The latest in the “A Country Store Mystery” cozy mystery series by Maddie Day (AKA: Edith Maxwell) Strangled Eggs and Ham from Kensington books hits book stores next week. And it will fly off the shelves!
Ms. Maxwell knows how to write a cozy mystery series. Her characters are lively, fascinating, and just what the reader wants and anticipates. Robbie is no exception. She’s hard-working, dedicated, and loveable. Aunt Adele is the eccentric ex-hippy who teaches her niece to stand up for what she believes in. This makes everyone worry. Other characters are just as loveable and help keep Robbie on target in her life.
The setting of this cozy mystery series could be any small town in America. Reading about the town and the inhabitants fills the reader with a sense of warmth, community, and home. From the highest hill to the beach, this community has it all. Even when murder comes to call, the people of South Lick rally to stop a killer.
The murderer seems to be an opportunist, or maybe a grudgeful person from the victim’s past. Either way, it looks like someone is out to get Robbie’s aunt next. No matter what the motive, Robbie must find the killer before Aunt Adele falls victim at the killer’s hands. It doesn’t take long before Robbie and Adele find themselves facing a murderer. Both women are strong-willed and determined, a killer is no match for them.
This cozy mystery series is why people enjoy cozies so much. It has everything a good mystery should have, twists and turns, red herrings, resolutions, with a character-driven plot that keeps readers turning the page and looking forward to the next installment. The writing is top notch, the scenario plausible, and the killer unsympathetic. It is a pleasure to read and to recommend Strangled Eggs and Ham.
Strangled Eggs and Ham is the 6th book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day. Even though this is the first book I have read in the series I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting and have since purchased the other books in the series.
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 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 . . .
I love the setting of South Lick, Indiana and the quirky characters. The protagonist Robbie is strong and independent and i especially love her aunt Adele who is spunky as all get out. The characters are well rounded and seem real as I could relate to each of them.
There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends. The plot and story were good and seemed to flow at a good pace. This has been added to my favourite series pile, I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with down home characters and a small town atmosphere.
I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Life is busy enough running a restaurant, shop and small B&B, but when your 70+ year old aunt decides to be an activist, life is going to get even more complicated. Toss a dead body into the mix and life is almost too much! Great plot, super characters and great setting all equal a great entertaining read or listen if you are in to audiobooks like I am!
Robbie Jordan, owner of the Pans ‘N Pancakes country restaurant in South Lick, Indiana, is pleased that business is booming. When a developer is determined to build a luxury resort on the most scenic hill in the county tempers flare. Not everyone agrees on whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing. Protests are planned but when one of the protesters is killed things come to a halt. When her Aunt Adele experiences vandalism Robbie goes to work investigating. Are the two connected? Why would someone want the protester dead? Great characters and a well written mystery makes this a book you won’t want to miss. I love this series and can’t wait to read more! There are also several delicious recipes included. I happily recommend this book!
Reading this series takes me back to the small town where I grew up. This author has realistically captured the personalities, behaviors, and aura of small town life. Her stories are interesting and we’ll written. Her story lines are never boring. Love this series.
I loved this book and plan to read more in this series!! I highly recommend this book!!
That was CRAZY! Aunt or not Adele crossed so many lines and didn’t even care because she was having fun. (not cool) Robbie needs to hire some new employees as back up or they need to stop having so many murders in town.
Enjoyable reading. Robbie’s Aunt Adele and her friends are preparing to protest a resort that is being proposed. When a lawyer staying at Robbie’s Bed and Breakfast steps in to help, it seems like a good plan. However, the man is found murdered and the main players in the resort camp are the prime suspects. Several sabotage events occur and it was interesting to follow along with Robbie as she tried to puzzle out clues and find a killer. This is a truly enjoyable series with interesting characters of all ages. The food served at Pans and Pancakes sounds delicious and I wish it was a real place to go visit and eat at! Looking forward to more books in this series and seeing what’s next for Robbie and Abe!