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Farmers' Market #1
Farm Fresh Murder
First in the Farmer's Market Mystery Series. Becca Robins leads a simple life, making jams and preserves on her very own farm. But when there's a murder in her quaint little town, she puts herself in the line of fire to defend her friend's innocence-and goes from making jam to being in one.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
June 21, 2015
2.5* but really couldn't give it 3* - I usually round up but this just dragged; I had to remind myself that I had this in a challenge so I couldn't quit. It did get better about 2/3 of the way in, but not enough to give it that boost up. I realize I'm in the minority here - I see lots of 4* ratings, so I may give the next one in the series a try to be fair to the author.
March 2, 2011
Well, I knew I was in for a good read when I noticed on the cover that this book came with recipes. You can't possibly write a book showcasing the talents of the vendors participating in a Farmer's Market and not give us some of their secrets. And for the family of vendors at Bailey's Farmer's Market, there are more than their fair share of secrets going on!
Becca Robins, the towns unofficial crime fighter, lives on a small farm with her dog, Hobbit. She sells jams and preserves at Bailey's, which happens to be run by her twin sister, Allison. As the title of the book suggests, a murder has taken place at the market, and Becca, being the overly interested female that she is, gets right in the middle of it. The suspect is her friend and fellow vendor, Abner Justen. The victim; a former friend and long time enemy of Abner's, Matt Simonsen. As Becca starts her own investigation, she starts a frenzy of activity among the vendors that leads you to believe more then one person might be involved. Becca's investigation unlocks a secret from the past; a secret that was recently revealed by an accidental meeting between Abner and...you'll have to read the book and find out. I can tell you that the closer Becca gets to the truth the more danger she encounters and the more desperate the murderer becomes. An added bonus to the book is Becca's love interests. Hmmm-are there two possibilities?
Paige Shelton gives us a look inside a world that most of us would never venture into. Her characters are well written and the story flows smoothly from the start to the finish. Along the way, you'll find yourself wishing you had a jar of Becca's fresh blackberry jam or pumpkin preserves. For me; it made me pull out my kitchen gear and make some fresh "freezer" jam and blackberry cobbler. I really loved this book and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Becca Robins, the towns unofficial crime fighter, lives on a small farm with her dog, Hobbit. She sells jams and preserves at Bailey's, which happens to be run by her twin sister, Allison. As the title of the book suggests, a murder has taken place at the market, and Becca, being the overly interested female that she is, gets right in the middle of it. The suspect is her friend and fellow vendor, Abner Justen. The victim; a former friend and long time enemy of Abner's, Matt Simonsen. As Becca starts her own investigation, she starts a frenzy of activity among the vendors that leads you to believe more then one person might be involved. Becca's investigation unlocks a secret from the past; a secret that was recently revealed by an accidental meeting between Abner and...you'll have to read the book and find out. I can tell you that the closer Becca gets to the truth the more danger she encounters and the more desperate the murderer becomes. An added bonus to the book is Becca's love interests. Hmmm-are there two possibilities?
Paige Shelton gives us a look inside a world that most of us would never venture into. Her characters are well written and the story flows smoothly from the start to the finish. Along the way, you'll find yourself wishing you had a jar of Becca's fresh blackberry jam or pumpkin preserves. For me; it made me pull out my kitchen gear and make some fresh "freezer" jam and blackberry cobbler. I really loved this book and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 16, 2019
This book jumps right into the mystery but doesn’t help us connect to any of the main characters. I didn’t feel any connection and sadly wasn’t a fan of the mystery. I felt like this could have been a third or fourth book
August 29, 2019
A great read, thoroughly enjoyable, and hopefully, as the last sentence in the book says, will lead to a "fruitful future".
October 3, 2023
Becca Robins, a twice-divorced, 30-something single, has found her calling making jams and preserves on her farm. Her twin sister Allison is the manager of the local farmer's market where Becca sells her jams. When Allison calls to find out why Becca is late, sounding extremely nervous and upset, Becca races to Bailey's only to discover a new vendor, Matt Simonsen, has been murdered! Becca's mentor, Abner Justen, is the primary suspect! Becca knows Abner didn't kill anyone and is determined to clear his name but with Abner on the run, it doesn't look good for him.
The first half of the story is really boring. I kept getting confused by all the names and places thrown at me, not to mention Becca's slow process of making jams and preserves. It picked up a lot in the second half and I couldn't put it down. The killer was a little creepy and the final scene went on way too long for my comfort level but it was certainly thrilling. The cozy isn't particularly well done. Becca doesn't spend much time at the farmer's market and I didn't really care about the community very much.
Becca is an Ok heroine. She does a lot of dumb stuff but she also has some sense and calls the detective when she needs to. She's tenacious and a loyal friend, maybe the only friend Abner has. She's a caring sister but doesn't hesitate to do something she knows her sister wouldn't want her to do. Allison is more proper and by-the-book. She's a married mother of a toddler and the manager of Bailey's, the local farmer's market. Allison has a reputation to maintain while Becca's romantic exploits are well known and make her seem eccentric to the locals. She can get away with more than Allison. Allison also seems more nervous than Becca who doesn't let much bother her.
Abner Justen sells wildflowers at the market. He's an old timer and mentored Becca when she was first starting out. She owes him a lot and feels like he's a grandfather figure. How well does she know him? Not well, as it turns out. For starters, everyone else sees Abner as grouchy and secretive. No one else is willing to go to bat for him. Second, Becca doesn't even know where Abner lives! That makes her question their relationship but she still wants to help him.
Matt Simonesen was new to the market. Becca didn't know him at all. He was an old time peach seller who previously sold at another market. As a consequence, no one really knew him well. He kept himself to himself and sounds like he was quiet and hard working. His death was a tragedy for his wife and son.
Barry, a peach seller and friend of Becca, claims he knew Matt and didn't like the man one bit. Barry likes to gossip but his gossip is selective and he isn't sharing everything with Becca! He knows Matt and Abner and apparently Matt's wife as well. They go way back but surely the past has nothing to do with the murder. Barry is Becca's friend so I don't think he's a murderer but he acts suspicious in a couple of scenes, especially towards the end. Carl Monroe, a tall, skinny, soft-spoken man, keeps running from Becca when she tries to question him. That makes him the prime suspect in her mind. It certainly seems suspicious. What is he hiding and why? Did he kill Matt? He has to know something and is avoiding telling Becca. He's even spotted somewhere else and won't acknowledge Becca. Carl is certainly tall enough to have done the deed.
Matt's son Jessup seems shy and he's certainly grieving. How sad for him to have worked side by side with his dad for years and suddenly his dad leaves to go to another market and is murdered! Jessup's mother Penelope shows up late in the story. She seems a little creepy and off somehow. There's a lot she's NOT saying but I think she is grieving the loss of her husband.
Mamma Maria, the pie lady, is a fun character. She's lively, colorful and memorable. Her lemon meringue pie is considered the best ever and she's kind enough to hold one for Becca. Yet, Becca spies Mamma Maria somewhere connected to one of the suspects. Hmm. What's going on there? She can't be the murderer because she works at the Smithfield where Matt's son works! That doesn't make sense for her to go kill Matt at Bailey's. It's a little too far to go and come back to work and pretend nothing happened.
Officer Sam Brion is strict and tough when he's on duty but he's also fair. He's a good detective and knows how to do his job by the book. His problem is he's from the big city and isn't used to country ways or southern ways yet. South Carolina is a lot different from Chicago! Sam is mysterious and handsome out of uniform. Do I detect a future love interest? Another potential love interest is Ian Cartwright, an artist new to the market. Becca is attracted to him physically but feels ashamed because he's 10 years younger. SO? You go girl! Why is it OK for MEN to date younger women and not women? Why is it OK for men to act on lust but not women? Well for starters, Becca doesn't know Ian and he claims he knows where Abner lives and will take Becca. Uh... Becca? Don't get in cars with strange men. Her dog thinks Ian is the bee's knees though so I suppose we have to trust sweet Hobbit. Of course she likes anyone who pays attention to her so... I don't entirely trust Ian.
Abner's sister Helen is devoted to her brother and knows he didn't kill anyone. She doesn't trust strangers much but when she learns Becca is Abner's friend AND Becca makes preserves and jams just as Helen does, they become instant besties. Helen, an elderly woman, has a remarkable memory or so it seems. Are her memories of those long ago days of her brother's youth reliable? Should she be telling tales? Will it lead to the real killer? None of it makes sense, not after 30 years!
Becca's other friends are largely unmemorable and unimportant right now.
I may give the second book a try.
The first half of the story is really boring. I kept getting confused by all the names and places thrown at me, not to mention Becca's slow process of making jams and preserves. It picked up a lot in the second half and I couldn't put it down. The killer was a little creepy and the final scene went on way too long for my comfort level but it was certainly thrilling. The cozy isn't particularly well done. Becca doesn't spend much time at the farmer's market and I didn't really care about the community very much.
Becca is an Ok heroine. She does a lot of dumb stuff but she also has some sense and calls the detective when she needs to. She's tenacious and a loyal friend, maybe the only friend Abner has. She's a caring sister but doesn't hesitate to do something she knows her sister wouldn't want her to do. Allison is more proper and by-the-book. She's a married mother of a toddler and the manager of Bailey's, the local farmer's market. Allison has a reputation to maintain while Becca's romantic exploits are well known and make her seem eccentric to the locals. She can get away with more than Allison. Allison also seems more nervous than Becca who doesn't let much bother her.
Abner Justen sells wildflowers at the market. He's an old timer and mentored Becca when she was first starting out. She owes him a lot and feels like he's a grandfather figure. How well does she know him? Not well, as it turns out. For starters, everyone else sees Abner as grouchy and secretive. No one else is willing to go to bat for him. Second, Becca doesn't even know where Abner lives! That makes her question their relationship but she still wants to help him.
Matt Simonesen was new to the market. Becca didn't know him at all. He was an old time peach seller who previously sold at another market. As a consequence, no one really knew him well. He kept himself to himself and sounds like he was quiet and hard working. His death was a tragedy for his wife and son.
Barry, a peach seller and friend of Becca, claims he knew Matt and didn't like the man one bit. Barry likes to gossip but his gossip is selective and he isn't sharing everything with Becca! He knows Matt and Abner and apparently Matt's wife as well. They go way back but surely the past has nothing to do with the murder. Barry is Becca's friend so I don't think he's a murderer but he acts suspicious in a couple of scenes, especially towards the end. Carl Monroe, a tall, skinny, soft-spoken man, keeps running from Becca when she tries to question him. That makes him the prime suspect in her mind. It certainly seems suspicious. What is he hiding and why? Did he kill Matt? He has to know something and is avoiding telling Becca. He's even spotted somewhere else and won't acknowledge Becca. Carl is certainly tall enough to have done the deed.
Matt's son Jessup seems shy and he's certainly grieving. How sad for him to have worked side by side with his dad for years and suddenly his dad leaves to go to another market and is murdered! Jessup's mother Penelope shows up late in the story. She seems a little creepy and off somehow. There's a lot she's NOT saying but I think she is grieving the loss of her husband.
Mamma Maria, the pie lady, is a fun character. She's lively, colorful and memorable. Her lemon meringue pie is considered the best ever and she's kind enough to hold one for Becca. Yet, Becca spies Mamma Maria somewhere connected to one of the suspects. Hmm. What's going on there? She can't be the murderer because she works at the Smithfield where Matt's son works! That doesn't make sense for her to go kill Matt at Bailey's. It's a little too far to go and come back to work and pretend nothing happened.
Officer Sam Brion is strict and tough when he's on duty but he's also fair. He's a good detective and knows how to do his job by the book. His problem is he's from the big city and isn't used to country ways or southern ways yet. South Carolina is a lot different from Chicago! Sam is mysterious and handsome out of uniform. Do I detect a future love interest? Another potential love interest is Ian Cartwright, an artist new to the market. Becca is attracted to him physically but feels ashamed because he's 10 years younger. SO? You go girl! Why is it OK for MEN to date younger women and not women? Why is it OK for men to act on lust but not women? Well for starters, Becca doesn't know Ian and he claims he knows where Abner lives and will take Becca. Uh... Becca? Don't get in cars with strange men. Her dog thinks Ian is the bee's knees though so I suppose we have to trust sweet Hobbit. Of course she likes anyone who pays attention to her so... I don't entirely trust Ian.
Abner's sister Helen is devoted to her brother and knows he didn't kill anyone. She doesn't trust strangers much but when she learns Becca is Abner's friend AND Becca makes preserves and jams just as Helen does, they become instant besties. Helen, an elderly woman, has a remarkable memory or so it seems. Are her memories of those long ago days of her brother's youth reliable? Should she be telling tales? Will it lead to the real killer? None of it makes sense, not after 30 years!
Becca's other friends are largely unmemorable and unimportant right now.
I may give the second book a try.
September 3, 2013
While I finished the book and was sufficiently surprised with the killers reveal, I don't think I will read the next in the series. The main character, Becca, was extremely wooden. She was too perfect, I think. I can't really put my finger on why I disliked her so much. She is supposedly very close to Abner, yet you don't get the impression that she is very upset by the possibility of him being the killer. Yes, she seeks out the true killer, but it was more for the farmer's market's reputation.
January 11, 2017
A body is found in the farmer's market one morning. Abner, one of the vendors, is accused of murder after a fight had broken out the previous day. Becca is determined to find the real killer, so Abner can be set free.
I was ready to give up on this novel after 7 pages when the death had already occurred. I really didn't want to read 250 pages of filler until the killer was revealed. Thankfully the novel did get better as it went on and I was surprised about who the killer was.
I didn't love Becca as a main character. I didn't feel that the relationships between her and her twin sister as well as her friends seemed real. She wanted to solve the case so that her friend, Abner, would be released, but she and Abner didn't seem to be that close.
An ok series that I won't be continuing.
I was ready to give up on this novel after 7 pages when the death had already occurred. I really didn't want to read 250 pages of filler until the killer was revealed. Thankfully the novel did get better as it went on and I was surprised about who the killer was.
I didn't love Becca as a main character. I didn't feel that the relationships between her and her twin sister as well as her friends seemed real. She wanted to solve the case so that her friend, Abner, would be released, but she and Abner didn't seem to be that close.
An ok series that I won't be continuing.
April 9, 2016
A mystery book should excite you and this one just didn't for me. I don't really care about any of the characters, so that makes it hard to get interested in a book. The concept is good. I never go to Farmers Markets, but they just sound so fresh and good. Unless of course someone gets murdered there. Ha ha.
January 27, 2020
I loved the first half! The second half she really got nosy, extra nosy with interrogating people, even for a cozy and then two potential love interests came on the scene which I really don’t like. Overall, a fun mystery. I’d read more in this series if I stumble upon them but probably won’t seek them out.
May 2, 2010
This one seemed to take forever to get thru. Didn't care for the main charcter much or any of the others either. Just dragged and dragged. Won't be waiting for another in this series.
September 13, 2017
Becca Robins likes her life as a farmer's market worker. She specializes in amazing jams and preserves and takes a lot of pride in making them as perfect as she can. One day she's running late to the market and arrives to find that one of her fellow vendors, someone that no one apparently knew very well, was murdered. What's worse, her good friend Abner is either the murderer or has been set up to take the fall. Becca knows her friend simply can't be an axe murderer and she can't stand to see him rot in jail as the only suspect, so against the advice of the local police officer on the case and her sister, Allison, Becca continues to investigate.
Along with possibly finding a new love interest and taking her life into her hands a couple of times, life gets very crazy but Becca is determined to prove Abner's innocence. Can she do this and live to tell about it?
I really enjoyed the whole setting of the farmer's market. I live on a farm myself but really don't know anything about canning or preserves so it was interesting to read about it and peek into the lives of Becca's co-workers as the author described what each of them did or specialized in. Becca knew some of them were keeping secrets too. They all seemed to keep to themselves but in the end, it was pretty cool how Becca's friends came to bat for her.
There were a lot of great twists and suspects in this book so I really didn't guess the murderer or the reason until the author revealed it. I have to say the ending was seriously exciting!
The book was well-written, very descriptive without being overly so and I am looking forward to eventually reading the next books in the series. I am Team Sam by the way. ;) You'll just have to read it to figure out what that means!
Along with possibly finding a new love interest and taking her life into her hands a couple of times, life gets very crazy but Becca is determined to prove Abner's innocence. Can she do this and live to tell about it?
I really enjoyed the whole setting of the farmer's market. I live on a farm myself but really don't know anything about canning or preserves so it was interesting to read about it and peek into the lives of Becca's co-workers as the author described what each of them did or specialized in. Becca knew some of them were keeping secrets too. They all seemed to keep to themselves but in the end, it was pretty cool how Becca's friends came to bat for her.
There were a lot of great twists and suspects in this book so I really didn't guess the murderer or the reason until the author revealed it. I have to say the ending was seriously exciting!
The book was well-written, very descriptive without being overly so and I am looking forward to eventually reading the next books in the series. I am Team Sam by the way. ;) You'll just have to read it to figure out what that means!
June 11, 2012
First Line: "What?" I yelled into my cell phone.
When Becca Robins' aunt and uncle were killed in a car accident, her twin sister Allison inherited enough money to pay off her college loans and save some for her children's educations, and Becca inherited the couple's farm. Allison manages Bailey's Farmers' Market in rural South Carolina, and the morning she calls her sister in a panic, Becca has to stop working on her latest batch of jam to head straight over there.
Becca is well acquainted with Bailey's since she makes a living selling her jams and preserves there. When she arrives, she discovers that one of the new vendors, Matt Simonsen, has been murdered. The prime suspect? "Old, bald, and cranky" Abner Justen, seller of extraordinary wildflowers and the man who treats Becca like a daughter. Things are looking bad for Abner-- who's disappeared-- and Becca is determined to call a halt to her jam making until she's found the clues that will lead to the real killer.
This first book in the Farmers' Market series introduces us to homegrown and handmade treasures, a murder that involves unlocking many past secrets, and a cast of very interesting characters. If you're the type of reader who doesn't care for southern vernacular speech, you're not going to find it here. One of the few things that I didn't particularly care for was the fact that the book didn't really feel as though it was set in South Carolina, and I don't mean to infer that a writer needs to have all the characters spouting "y'all" in every sentence. The rural and small town atmosphere, however, is done very well. The mystery is also a good one. I unraveled several clues, did my own deduction, but I still hadn't figured it all out.
As with most cozy mysteries, it was the cast of characters that drew most of my attention. Becca is the most interesting, not just because she is the main character, but because she's flawed. She tends to be very focused and self-centered, and as a result, she's really only socialized with her co-workers at the farmers' market itself. She doesn't know where most of her friends live, and she's only ever invited them to her own home if she's needed help with her work. I liked watching her learn a few uncomfortable truths about herself during the course of her investigation, and I look forward to seeing if she's really learned her lesson. I also liked the character of cranky old Abner as well as another stall owner named Jeanine, who "didn't make a habit of being friendly, but she wasn't rude." Naturally Becca was the character in the spotlight throughout Farm Fresh Murder, and I'm looking forward to seeing the other characters Shelton created being developed more fully in subsequent books.
The farmers' market is a winning setting. Combine that with a keen eye for a mystery and a cast of characters you want to get to know better, and I know I'll be wandering through Bailey's Farmers' Market again in the future.
When Becca Robins' aunt and uncle were killed in a car accident, her twin sister Allison inherited enough money to pay off her college loans and save some for her children's educations, and Becca inherited the couple's farm. Allison manages Bailey's Farmers' Market in rural South Carolina, and the morning she calls her sister in a panic, Becca has to stop working on her latest batch of jam to head straight over there.
Becca is well acquainted with Bailey's since she makes a living selling her jams and preserves there. When she arrives, she discovers that one of the new vendors, Matt Simonsen, has been murdered. The prime suspect? "Old, bald, and cranky" Abner Justen, seller of extraordinary wildflowers and the man who treats Becca like a daughter. Things are looking bad for Abner-- who's disappeared-- and Becca is determined to call a halt to her jam making until she's found the clues that will lead to the real killer.
This first book in the Farmers' Market series introduces us to homegrown and handmade treasures, a murder that involves unlocking many past secrets, and a cast of very interesting characters. If you're the type of reader who doesn't care for southern vernacular speech, you're not going to find it here. One of the few things that I didn't particularly care for was the fact that the book didn't really feel as though it was set in South Carolina, and I don't mean to infer that a writer needs to have all the characters spouting "y'all" in every sentence. The rural and small town atmosphere, however, is done very well. The mystery is also a good one. I unraveled several clues, did my own deduction, but I still hadn't figured it all out.
As with most cozy mysteries, it was the cast of characters that drew most of my attention. Becca is the most interesting, not just because she is the main character, but because she's flawed. She tends to be very focused and self-centered, and as a result, she's really only socialized with her co-workers at the farmers' market itself. She doesn't know where most of her friends live, and she's only ever invited them to her own home if she's needed help with her work. I liked watching her learn a few uncomfortable truths about herself during the course of her investigation, and I look forward to seeing if she's really learned her lesson. I also liked the character of cranky old Abner as well as another stall owner named Jeanine, who "didn't make a habit of being friendly, but she wasn't rude." Naturally Becca was the character in the spotlight throughout Farm Fresh Murder, and I'm looking forward to seeing the other characters Shelton created being developed more fully in subsequent books.
The farmers' market is a winning setting. Combine that with a keen eye for a mystery and a cast of characters you want to get to know better, and I know I'll be wandering through Bailey's Farmers' Market again in the future.
December 3, 2013
My DVR is always full. A variety of shows take up space on the virtual tapes -- reality and competition shows, a soap opera, serial dramas, and even a comedy or two. But there are also quite a lot of mystery and crime programs, too. When my mom and I watch any kind of competition shows or crime dramas, we have gotten into the habit of making guesses about who will be declared the winner,w ho will be sent home, and who the killer is. For the longest time, I would never guess correctly who-dun-it. Now, I get one right every once in a while. But while reading Farm Fresh Murder, I realized that what's even better - and much more fun - is unmasking the killer right along with the sleuth; just like I did as I read the first book in the Farmers' Market Mystery series.
Becca Robins inherited a farm from her grandparents and she couldn't be happier. For the past several years, she has busily grown berries and pumpkins, made jams and preserves, and worked at Bailey's Farmers' Market, which is managed by her twin sister, Allison. Becca is stunned when she finds out that one of the newest vendors at the market has been murdered - even more so when she learns that the main suspect is a good friend. Becca is determined to clear her friend's name, find out who the real killer is, and defend the reputation of the South Carolina market she loves.
Earlier this year, I read the first book in another of author Paige Shelton's series. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into the plots or attached to the characters. Happily, that was not an issue with this story! Becca is smart, independent, and easy to like - as are the other vendors who sell at Bailey's. The series is modern and engaging - one I'm eager to continue reading and very happy to recommend to other readers.
Plus! Just out today is Merry Market Murder - the fifth book in the series. Just in time for the holidays!
Becca Robins inherited a farm from her grandparents and she couldn't be happier. For the past several years, she has busily grown berries and pumpkins, made jams and preserves, and worked at Bailey's Farmers' Market, which is managed by her twin sister, Allison. Becca is stunned when she finds out that one of the newest vendors at the market has been murdered - even more so when she learns that the main suspect is a good friend. Becca is determined to clear her friend's name, find out who the real killer is, and defend the reputation of the South Carolina market she loves.
Earlier this year, I read the first book in another of author Paige Shelton's series. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into the plots or attached to the characters. Happily, that was not an issue with this story! Becca is smart, independent, and easy to like - as are the other vendors who sell at Bailey's. The series is modern and engaging - one I'm eager to continue reading and very happy to recommend to other readers.
Plus! Just out today is Merry Market Murder - the fifth book in the series. Just in time for the holidays!
September 20, 2013
5 Stars!! Becca makes jams & preserves from her own fresh-grown strawberries & pumpkins; & sells them at the local Bailey's Farmers' Market. Her fraternal twin sister, Allison, manages Bailey's. One morning, Becca arrives with her day's goods to find the farmers' market a crime scene---a peach vendor, Mr. Simonsen, was murdered with an axe. Another vendor, Abner Justen, is accused of the killing because they were seen arguing before the body was discovered. Becca knows Abner well enough to know he could not kill anyone. As Becca begins to talk to other vendors and ask about their relationships with Abner, and Mr. Simonsen & his family; she realizes there are lots of secrets between people who make their livings at the farmers' markets. I never guessed who killed Mr. Simonsen until the secrets began to be unveiled towards the end of the book. GREAT COZY MYSTERY!!!
Paige Shelton is a new writer to me, and I was very impressed with her writing skill. She has an exceptional way with words, & her descriptions flow beautifully throughout the story. I received a copy of this book for free from the author, in return for an honest review. I enjoyed this story so much, I've purchased all the other books in the Farmers' Market series, and look forward to enjoying them, as well!!
Paige Shelton is a new writer to me, and I was very impressed with her writing skill. She has an exceptional way with words, & her descriptions flow beautifully throughout the story. I received a copy of this book for free from the author, in return for an honest review. I enjoyed this story so much, I've purchased all the other books in the Farmers' Market series, and look forward to enjoying them, as well!!
April 13, 2015
I loved this book! After I read it, I went and bought the entire series. The characters are so well developed, and so much fun! This is a series I will definitely follow.
March 10, 2019
It was okay and had it's moments, but I found it slow for the first half. I kept checking to see how far along I was as I was reading the ebook version, but once I hit the halfway mark, I flew through it. I had a sneaking suspicion on the outcome, and I was right, but it didn't happen like I thought. I found Becca quite a bit annoying. She was very blunt and had no clue as to what she was doing or how she was coming across to be people. Upon meeting someone, she automatically started to question them and give them the third degree. It gold old real fast. I'm hoping that the other books in the series get better.
March 17, 2023
This is a cute mystery. The characters are pretty likeable. The plot isn’t particularly complicated but it does flow nicely with the usual frustration over bad decisions. It makes an easy read.
September 16, 2024
The main character was pretty bold when investigating, but otherwise I loved it.
March 15, 2017
#1 in the Farmers' Market mystery series. Becca Robins inherited a strawberry farm in SC from her aunt and uncle as she was graduating college. She gave up grad school for a venture in growing, preserving and marketing jams and preserves. For the past ten years she has been selling her goods at the Farmers' Market managed by her twin sister. This is an enjoyable cozy, but unusual in that we meet our protagonist ten years into her career and a veteran of two failed marriages. A large percentage of the characters in this series debut are involved in the murder mystery and it remains to be seen if that poses a restriction on further series entries.
Farmers' Market mystery - Becca Robins makes and sells jams and preserves at Bailey's Farmers' Market in Monson, South Carolina. When she arrives in response to her sister's summons, she finds it has turned into a crime scene, with a murdered peach vendor as the featured item of the day. And her old friend Abner Justen is the prime suspect.
Farmers' Market mystery - Becca Robins makes and sells jams and preserves at Bailey's Farmers' Market in Monson, South Carolina. When she arrives in response to her sister's summons, she finds it has turned into a crime scene, with a murdered peach vendor as the featured item of the day. And her old friend Abner Justen is the prime suspect.
May 14, 2019
Though I learned about, and wanted to read, this series a while back, it wasn't farmer's market season at the time. I know cozy mysteries have a way of making me want to visit or consume their central theme, so I waited until spring, and farmer's market season, to start it.
Once I finally did start this book, I read it all in one sitting. I loved everything about it! The characters are wonderful and I was quickly invested in their well beings. I loved reading about the jams Becca makes and Bailey's Farmer's Market. The food goods sound amazing and the market sounds like such a wonderful place to visit. I'm a sucker for a good farmer's market, and this one sounds like one of the best Even if it's fictional.
The story and mystery were great. It moved so fast that I could hardly believe I had made it to the end. And I was very, very thankful I had the next in the series to start right away.
I recommend this book to cozy lovers, particularly ones with any love of farming, gardening, baking, preserve making, or farmer's markets!
*5 Stars
Once I finally did start this book, I read it all in one sitting. I loved everything about it! The characters are wonderful and I was quickly invested in their well beings. I loved reading about the jams Becca makes and Bailey's Farmer's Market. The food goods sound amazing and the market sounds like such a wonderful place to visit. I'm a sucker for a good farmer's market, and this one sounds like one of the best Even if it's fictional.
The story and mystery were great. It moved so fast that I could hardly believe I had made it to the end. And I was very, very thankful I had the next in the series to start right away.
I recommend this book to cozy lovers, particularly ones with any love of farming, gardening, baking, preserve making, or farmer's markets!
*5 Stars
February 20, 2014
Life at Bailey's Farmer's Market is about to change when a local peach grower is found murdered and one of the old-timers tops the list of suspects. But local berry farmer and jam maker, Becca Robinson is convinced that her friend and market mentor, Abner, may be a cranky old man at times and a bit secretive, but he is no murderer. Filled with captivating characters and plenty of red herrings throughout, this first installment of the Farmer's Market Mystery series is simply a very enjoyable read! I absolutely love the setting and concept for this series, and of course the inclusion of recipes makes for a sweet added bonus. Paige Shelton has created an outstanding cozy mystery with so many twists and turns that I was left guessing until the very end. Becca's character is very well-developed and although a bit tenacious and bold, she comes across the pages as very real... and very likable. Of course, as an avid jam maker and home canning enthusiast myself, I may be a bit biased but I found this to be a perfect summer read...a country setting, farmers, fresh fruits and vegetables, canning recipes, and of course a murder..what more could you ask for? Certainly one of the best cozy mysteries that I have read yet and I can't wait to read the next installment in this wonderfully fresh series and once again meet up with the farmers at Bailey's.
June 5, 2016
I liked it!! I'm new to the cozy mystery genre and this is only the sixth cozy I've read but I enjoyed it! I liked the inner monologue of the main character (don't most of us talk to ourselves like that?! lol), but her lack of subtlety when conversing with others (some that were supposed to be her friends) left me a little anxious! She's quirky (I laughed out loud in some places), but she's also very blunt which made me wonder how she managed to keep so many friends while having that kind of odd personality trait! Anyway, the story also included a hint of romance but interestingly seemed to set up the possibility of a love triangle in the future! I'll have to read the rest of the series to find out. Overall, I really liked the farmers market, work the land, make your own preserves, do your own thing theme. I would have enjoyed more details about the whole small time farm life and I have to wonder about the reality of only growing (and preserving) two kinds of fruit and somehow making enough money to pay the bills all year 'round. Oh, and the mystery..... I suspected the villain early on.... but the whole thing turned out to be a little more psychotic then I anticipated! I was surprised and pleased!
March 15, 2020
Becca Robins lives on her farm and makes jams and preserves that she sells at the local farmers market. Her twin sister manages the market. Her life moves at a relaxing pace and she can’t imagine anything different. When a murder rocks the small town, everything changes. When her friend is accused of the murder Becca can’t let him go to jail for a crime she is sure he did not commit. She drags her sister along on her quest to find the truth, whether it is what she wants it to be or not.
I have read the fourth book in this series and I wanted to go back and meet the characters from the beginning. I enjoyed this book. The story is woven together very well with several characters that have been connected for years. The development of the characters is done well, leaving us wanting to know more about those who we can assume will be in the next book (I read the book so long ago I don’t remember much). The story takes place all over the county. I’ve never been to South Carolina and I have a hard time picturing the landscape. The story moves steadily and is engaging. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I recommend this book.
I have read the fourth book in this series and I wanted to go back and meet the characters from the beginning. I enjoyed this book. The story is woven together very well with several characters that have been connected for years. The development of the characters is done well, leaving us wanting to know more about those who we can assume will be in the next book (I read the book so long ago I don’t remember much). The story takes place all over the county. I’ve never been to South Carolina and I have a hard time picturing the landscape. The story moves steadily and is engaging. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I recommend this book.
August 18, 2012
Farm Fresh Murder is a fun, fast read featuring Bailey's, a South Carolina farmers market, with a host of growers and crafters offering their goods. Becca Robins is the amateur sleuth, who makes jams and preservatives in a traditional, methodical and delicious manner. It's no surprise that she solves crimes the same way.
I loved the focus on food, the confusion of close, long standing protective relationships, the hard work of making a living off the land and the complexity of making a living in the local market. Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton is a perfect read on a long, hot afternoon, sipping raspberry lemonade in the shade.
--Ashland Mystery
I loved the focus on food, the confusion of close, long standing protective relationships, the hard work of making a living off the land and the complexity of making a living in the local market. Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton is a perfect read on a long, hot afternoon, sipping raspberry lemonade in the shade.
--Ashland Mystery
August 30, 2019
I wasn't very impressed. The author tries to do too much here, especially introducing too many characters. It begins with the murder, never introducing the victim as a character, and we never learn that much more about him. He's mostly there to be a dead body- not a person that people wanted to kill. I never really felt like I understood or really knew any of the people- not even the narrator, Becca. She tries to come off as a girl-next-door, but then she has these moments when she's talking about her two ex-husbands and lusting after Ian where she seems more sophisticated and worldly. There were times when she seemed a bit creepy, going after Ian primarily for his young looks. I also wasn't fond of the love-triangle set up between her, Ian, and Sam.
August 10, 2015
The farmers' market in this book is WAY more exciting than any I've ever been to in my life. There's murder, secrets, and all sorts of intrigue going on.
This is my first book by Paige Shelton, and I'm sure it won't be my last--in fact, I'm picking up the first book in her Gram’s Country Cooking School Mystery series from the library later today. I also plan to continue reading this series!
The characters are very well developed, and I look forward to getting to know more about them. The settings are also very explicitly described, and easy to picture.
There are some great recipes at the end of the story as well.
This is my first book by Paige Shelton, and I'm sure it won't be my last--in fact, I'm picking up the first book in her Gram’s Country Cooking School Mystery series from the library later today. I also plan to continue reading this series!
The characters are very well developed, and I look forward to getting to know more about them. The settings are also very explicitly described, and easy to picture.
There are some great recipes at the end of the story as well.
March 13, 2013
This is the first book in a cozy mystery series called Farmers' Market Mystery. Becca is a jam and preserves maker who grows her own fruit on her farm, and sells her jams and preserves at a farmers' market where her twin sister Allison is the manager. Early one morning a new merchant is found murdered. When another long time seller at the market is arrested for the murder Becca refuses to believe the kind, old man she knows could be the murderer. She sets out to prove it and, in doing so, puts her own life in danger.
March 15, 2015
Okay, so, the dialogue did somewhat read as though the author hadn't heard humans talk before, I don't want anyone's love interest to be described as possessing "magic spit", and the author seems to know about as much about farmer's markets as I do - i.e. it's a market where you can buy... farm things. Still, despite this bitching, I had a nice time reading this and the plot actually made sense, so, I will totes read more in this series if acquiring them involves absolutely no effort or money on my part.
November 3, 2015
What a fun new series! I love the setting of the farmers market and love how all of the characters are some kind of farmer or make their own stuff. Becca is a great character and it was really fun to follow her investigating. The other characters (especially Allison and Ian) were good too and really made this novel interesting. Of course I'm interested in where the romance will go. I will definitely be continuing with this series.
July 7, 2020
What a fun mystery ...story! I loved the market and all the talk of homemad yummies! It is garden season as I read this and it makes me want to hit a market and do all the making things!
I didn't guess who the murderer was and that that made for a good cozy mystery, that just have kept me reading past my bed time!
I see a fruitful future of reading this author!
I didn't guess who the murderer was and that that made for a good cozy mystery, that just have kept me reading past my bed time!
I see a fruitful future of reading this author!
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