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Country Store Mystery #12
Deep Fried Death
In the latest Country Store Mystery by Agatha and Macavity Award-winning author Maddie Day, a killer strikes - with a cast iron skillet - during South Lick, Indiana's annual Outhouse Race festivities, landing Pans 'N Pancakes-owner Robbie Jordan on the suspect list...
Many residents of South Lick, Indiana, claim the Outhouse Race, in which competitors push old-timey outhouse replicas on wheels at the annual Abe Martin Festival on Memorial Day, is the best thing since indoor plumbing. Just because country store and restaurant owner Robbie Jordan has too much to do managing her new deep fryer as well as an old lover reappearing, she’s not going to miss out on the fun. Plus, it’s good for business.
But when a dead body and a cast-iron skillet tumble out of the Pans ’N Pancakes outhouse entry on the race route, it seems someone is trying to frame Robbie—in a most unconventional way. Now she’ll need to be privy to the townsfolks’ secrets as she races to flush out a killer . . .
Many residents of South Lick, Indiana, claim the Outhouse Race, in which competitors push old-timey outhouse replicas on wheels at the annual Abe Martin Festival on Memorial Day, is the best thing since indoor plumbing. Just because country store and restaurant owner Robbie Jordan has too much to do managing her new deep fryer as well as an old lover reappearing, she’s not going to miss out on the fun. Plus, it’s good for business.
But when a dead body and a cast-iron skillet tumble out of the Pans ’N Pancakes outhouse entry on the race route, it seems someone is trying to frame Robbie—in a most unconventional way. Now she’ll need to be privy to the townsfolks’ secrets as she races to flush out a killer . . .
327 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 26, 2023
410 people are currently reading
4286 people want to read
About the author
Maddie Day
29 books1,549 followersMaddie Day is a pseudonym for Agatha Award-winning mystery author Edith Maxwell.
As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.
She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.
Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023
Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.
As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.
She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.
Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023
Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
November 8, 2023
Deep Fried Death is the latest mystery in Maddie Day's Country Store Cozies, and in this chaotic porta-potty race (yep, you heard me), Robbie finds another dead body, and it's her charming eatery's newest competitor. Did someone she love kill the woman? No, but it seems like another case of the cops wanting to harass the poor Indiana woman. Day invokes wonderful middle-of-the-country charm and clever relationships that keep readers loving the series. I always get hungry. I always want to open a B&B. And I always want to solve crimes. That's the motivation these books provide me. And I look forward to the next one.
December 15, 2023
I have read other books by Maddie Day but I don't believe I've read any in this series, The Country Store Mysteries. I've enjoyed this book as much as I have the other series I've read. Reading the other books I knew what to expect from this author's writing style.
This is kind of a funny one, not the murder of course, that's never funny.
Abe Martin Festival on Memorial Day in South Lick, Indiana brings quite the crowd every year. This year the shop owners are drawing the crowd in with a race featuring replicas of outhouses decorated to represent town businesses.
As the race is getting ready to start the shop owners must push their outhouse to the top of the hill in preparation. One particularly heavy outhouse tips and out spills a body that had been knocked over the head with a skillet and the skillet was still in the outhouse representing Pans ’N Pancakes, the country store owned by Robbie. She better do some sleuthing before things get really heated up. Fun to see how she came up with clues to solve this. Plenty of suspects kept everyone busy. This was not a simple case to solve. I look forward to more in this series.
Pub Date 26 Dec 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
This is kind of a funny one, not the murder of course, that's never funny.
Abe Martin Festival on Memorial Day in South Lick, Indiana brings quite the crowd every year. This year the shop owners are drawing the crowd in with a race featuring replicas of outhouses decorated to represent town businesses.
As the race is getting ready to start the shop owners must push their outhouse to the top of the hill in preparation. One particularly heavy outhouse tips and out spills a body that had been knocked over the head with a skillet and the skillet was still in the outhouse representing Pans ’N Pancakes, the country store owned by Robbie. She better do some sleuthing before things get really heated up. Fun to see how she came up with clues to solve this. Plenty of suspects kept everyone busy. This was not a simple case to solve. I look forward to more in this series.
Pub Date 26 Dec 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
January 13, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
It's time for the annual Memorial Day Abe Martin Festival and this year Pans ’N Pancakes has an outhouse in the race. Yes, I said outhouse! Robbie, Danna, and Turner have all taken the morning off to take part in the race. Danna will be the outhouse "driver", Turner will be pushing the outhouse off to a good start, and Robbie will be helping wherever she can while dealing with a bit of morning sickness. But as they maneuvered the outhouse to line up to start it was unusually heavy and when its wheels bumped into a curb it tilted forward and a "dead person" fell out along with a frying pan.
Robbie is again tied to a dead body and she has no choice but to try to find out who put the body in the potty. She also has to be a smart and careful sleuth as she keeps her current condition in mind with every move she makes to plunge out the killer.
____
I was so excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint. All of Ms. Day's characters are true to life and continue to develop in realistic ways. Robbie is embracing her pregnancy while suffering from morning sickness and the reality that she is going to be a mom and the changes it will bring to her life. Danna and Turner are always there for her and even take on an important task. Abe and Sean are away camping as the story begins but with both Robbie and his brother on the suspect list Abe knows she will be investigating but he needs her to stay safe. Buck was great as always but we finally meet his wife, Wanda, and she and Robbie hit it off right away. One of the Pans ’N Pancakes crew has an awesome opportunity that will have them moving to my neck of the woods here in Wisconsin. I am hoping Robbie comes to visit in a future story.
The mystery has a nice number of suspects and several twists. Robbie really tries to stay out of the case but keeps getting drawn in by certain members of law enforcement coming into Pans ’N Pancakes to discuss the case and talk to suspects. I was able to pin down the killer before everyone in the story but that didn't deter from my enjoyment one bit. The fantastic takedown had me on the edge of my seat and the author's detailed account puts her readers right on the scene. I was surprised and applauded by the way Robbie handled it.
As always with books in this series there is a lot of food and eating. I always get so hungry reading about all the delicious offerings at Pans ’N Pancakes. I had never given it much thought that the place didn't have a deep fryer. Now there will be even more yummy things to tempt my tastebuds, including Cheese Fritters (recipe included in the book).
Deep Fried Death is a delightful addition to this series. Genuine characters, an intriguing mystery, and racing outhouses kept me wonderfully entertained. "What more could a woman want?"
It's time for the annual Memorial Day Abe Martin Festival and this year Pans ’N Pancakes has an outhouse in the race. Yes, I said outhouse! Robbie, Danna, and Turner have all taken the morning off to take part in the race. Danna will be the outhouse "driver", Turner will be pushing the outhouse off to a good start, and Robbie will be helping wherever she can while dealing with a bit of morning sickness. But as they maneuvered the outhouse to line up to start it was unusually heavy and when its wheels bumped into a curb it tilted forward and a "dead person" fell out along with a frying pan.
Robbie is again tied to a dead body and she has no choice but to try to find out who put the body in the potty. She also has to be a smart and careful sleuth as she keeps her current condition in mind with every move she makes to plunge out the killer.
____
I was so excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint. All of Ms. Day's characters are true to life and continue to develop in realistic ways. Robbie is embracing her pregnancy while suffering from morning sickness and the reality that she is going to be a mom and the changes it will bring to her life. Danna and Turner are always there for her and even take on an important task. Abe and Sean are away camping as the story begins but with both Robbie and his brother on the suspect list Abe knows she will be investigating but he needs her to stay safe. Buck was great as always but we finally meet his wife, Wanda, and she and Robbie hit it off right away. One of the Pans ’N Pancakes crew has an awesome opportunity that will have them moving to my neck of the woods here in Wisconsin. I am hoping Robbie comes to visit in a future story.
The mystery has a nice number of suspects and several twists. Robbie really tries to stay out of the case but keeps getting drawn in by certain members of law enforcement coming into Pans ’N Pancakes to discuss the case and talk to suspects. I was able to pin down the killer before everyone in the story but that didn't deter from my enjoyment one bit. The fantastic takedown had me on the edge of my seat and the author's detailed account puts her readers right on the scene. I was surprised and applauded by the way Robbie handled it.
As always with books in this series there is a lot of food and eating. I always get so hungry reading about all the delicious offerings at Pans ’N Pancakes. I had never given it much thought that the place didn't have a deep fryer. Now there will be even more yummy things to tempt my tastebuds, including Cheese Fritters (recipe included in the book).
Deep Fried Death is a delightful addition to this series. Genuine characters, an intriguing mystery, and racing outhouses kept me wonderfully entertained. "What more could a woman want?"
October 13, 2023
This is book #12 in the Country Store Mystery series, and I loved it! It's once again set in the Hoosier area of the midwestern states, and the main characters are friends and customers of the Pans'N'Pancakes restaurant which is owned and operated by Robbie Jordan, the protagonist. As usual, there were multiple guest characters who are suspects for the murder, and none of them are very nice people. I enjoyed the character development very much and look forward to reading future books in the series when they are published. I highly recommend books written by Maddie Day!
December 25, 2023
This might be my favorite in the series so far. It might be because, considering her current health situation (no spoilers), Robbie didn’t go running into danger haphazardly, which was nice. She still investigated, which let us follow along, but let the authorities handle most of the dirty work, which she should. I did figure out who the murderer was about halfway through, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this one. Looking forward to the next one and all the changes that are coming for the residents of South Lick.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for an honest review.
December 21, 2023
All my fave characters made an appearance in this book and Buck was on fire with his usual funny Buckisms, lol. I really enjoy his character! It was pretty cool that he, Wanda and state detective Octavia were in this book, and we finally got to meet Buck’s wife who was super nice (wouldn’t’ve expected any less) as well as another law enforcement officer who turned out being actually friendly after Robbie was worried the woman had suspected her.
Who knew it’d take being a mommy soon that’d make Robbie back off from her dangerous adventures she usually had during an investigation. I was super proud of her during the finale and loved that outcome. She’s got some of the best people on her team and they came up with just the perfect reward for the case being over.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.
Who knew it’d take being a mommy soon that’d make Robbie back off from her dangerous adventures she usually had during an investigation. I was super proud of her during the finale and loved that outcome. She’s got some of the best people on her team and they came up with just the perfect reward for the case being over.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.
December 27, 2023
Deep Fried Death is the twelfth book in the A Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day.
Robbie and her employees, Danna and Turner, built a rustic outhouse mounted on two wheels. They entered it in an outhouse race at the Abe Martin, a Hooiser cartoon character from a hundred years ago, Festival on Memorial Day. Danna will be riding in the outhouse, but first, she and Turner start to push the outhouse to the starting line when they bump into a curb. The door on the outhouse pops open, and a body falls out along with a skillet. The body is quickly identified as Evermina Martin, and the skillet is quickly determined to be the murder weapon. Evermina owns the restaurant across from Robbi’s Pans ‘N Pancakes, and her fondest wish was to put Robbie out of business. At first, the police are interested in Robbie. Still, when Robbie’s brother-in-law comes under suspicion, she decides that even with her being with child, she will cut back on her involvement but will do some investigation. Robbie will discover several subjects that she will need to investigate.
I love this series; it has wonderful, engaging, and well-developed characters. I particularly liked that Robbie took into consideration her pregnancy and stayed away from putting her life and her future baby’s life in danger. Of course, Buck is there with his “down home” witticisms. Even his cousin, Wanda, had a few of her own to contribute. The story is well-written and plotted. I feel I am there with the characters in each book in the series. The story has enough twists and turns that I kept guessing until the end who the killer was.
Delicious-sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this fun series.
Robbie and her employees, Danna and Turner, built a rustic outhouse mounted on two wheels. They entered it in an outhouse race at the Abe Martin, a Hooiser cartoon character from a hundred years ago, Festival on Memorial Day. Danna will be riding in the outhouse, but first, she and Turner start to push the outhouse to the starting line when they bump into a curb. The door on the outhouse pops open, and a body falls out along with a skillet. The body is quickly identified as Evermina Martin, and the skillet is quickly determined to be the murder weapon. Evermina owns the restaurant across from Robbi’s Pans ‘N Pancakes, and her fondest wish was to put Robbie out of business. At first, the police are interested in Robbie. Still, when Robbie’s brother-in-law comes under suspicion, she decides that even with her being with child, she will cut back on her involvement but will do some investigation. Robbie will discover several subjects that she will need to investigate.
I love this series; it has wonderful, engaging, and well-developed characters. I particularly liked that Robbie took into consideration her pregnancy and stayed away from putting her life and her future baby’s life in danger. Of course, Buck is there with his “down home” witticisms. Even his cousin, Wanda, had a few of her own to contribute. The story is well-written and plotted. I feel I am there with the characters in each book in the series. The story has enough twists and turns that I kept guessing until the end who the killer was.
Delicious-sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this fun series.
October 7, 2023
#DeepFriedDeath #NetGalley featuring Robbie Jordan is an exciting addition to this series by Maddie Day.
Robbie owns Pans N' Pancakes, a well known restaurant in South Lick, Indiana.
Robbie is enjoying her pregnancy, well, not the morning sickness, but her apparent love for the baby she's carrying is apparent throughout the book.
It's time for the Memorial Day Outhouse Race, and even though she's got a lot on her plate, she's excited to participate with her employees.
After a rough start, the teams are ready to roll their outhouses to victory, but for the Pans N' Pancakes gang, things take a horrible turn when a body falls out their entry.
Robbie is horrified to find out it was the body of a new business owner, one who seemed determined to badmouth Robbie's restaurant.
The suspect list is long, but with the help of the fantastic duo of Buck and Wanda Bird, Robbie cautiously asks questions, while avoiding the killer at all costs.
I'm very happy to recommend this book to others .
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Robbie owns Pans N' Pancakes, a well known restaurant in South Lick, Indiana.
Robbie is enjoying her pregnancy, well, not the morning sickness, but her apparent love for the baby she's carrying is apparent throughout the book.
It's time for the Memorial Day Outhouse Race, and even though she's got a lot on her plate, she's excited to participate with her employees.
After a rough start, the teams are ready to roll their outhouses to victory, but for the Pans N' Pancakes gang, things take a horrible turn when a body falls out their entry.
Robbie is horrified to find out it was the body of a new business owner, one who seemed determined to badmouth Robbie's restaurant.
The suspect list is long, but with the help of the fantastic duo of Buck and Wanda Bird, Robbie cautiously asks questions, while avoiding the killer at all costs.
I'm very happy to recommend this book to others .
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
March 11, 2025
Eeeep I am just so excited for Robbie. I cannot imagine working and running a cafe while in the throes of morning sickness, but her strength and resolve really shine through. Also the running of the Outhouse race cracked me up; I love silly small town traditions like that. Of course with Robbie's luck it had to involved a murder victim, but she is up to the task of investigating this one. I was completely stumped and loved Robbie work the room of her cafe while gleaming clues from suspects, witnesses and the police force. I love the way she handled everything in a safe way for both her and her baby. There are some very sad, but tender family moments at the end and I cannot wait to see more of Robbie and her friends and family.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and have to admit, it's not my favorite, but it was still easy to enjoy the story.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and have to admit, it's not my favorite, but it was still easy to enjoy the story.
December 6, 2023
A number of universities have bed races, Wisconsin had a coffin race this past Halloween, but this creative mind had an outhouse race in southern Indiana! Robbie and Abe own and operate a country store named Pans 'n Pancakes with lodgings upstairs for a few guests. A corpse fell out of their entry (outhouse) at the beginning of the race, and that made for a whole lot of trouble for several residents. Great characters and a cohesive mystery plot are the best assets. Add in the concerns and lingo of the characters which are classic small town everywhere, the problems of the small business owner (who is the central character) and a lot of witticisms. Great but quick read!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 18, 2023
Deep Fried Death is the newest addition to the Country Store Mysteries series by Maddie Day, The book's protagonist, Robbie Jordan, is the owner of Pans 'N Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana, Her restaurant is participating in an Outhouse Race but when preparing to race her team makes a gruesome discovery. Now Robbie, who is pregnant, is doing her best to find out what happened without putting herself in harms way.
The book is a typical cozy mystery, with plenty local flavor. The plot is predictable but engaging and the main characters are likable. The author also includes recipes for some of the dishes featured in the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
The book is a typical cozy mystery, with plenty local flavor. The plot is predictable but engaging and the main characters are likable. The author also includes recipes for some of the dishes featured in the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 23, 2023
I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Deep Fried Death is the 12th book in this series and I am so happy this series is still ongoing as it's one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Deep Fried Death was another great read and I really enjoyed it. This series just feels so familiar and starting a new book makes me feel cozy and comfortable.
Robbie gets involved in another mystery when at the start of the outhouse race she's participating in a dead body falls out of her outhouse. The killer seems to try and frame Robbie and then the older brother of her husband is a suspect as well, so Robbie can't help but get involved. The mystery was a solid one with some suspects and some questions surrounding everything. I would've liked a bit more progress at times and details towards the end, but I enjoyed following Robbie as she investigates. I thought the motive was a bit on the weaker side, but the resolution and wrap up was well done. I also appreciated how she's more careful now that she's pregnant and does her best not to get in danger.
My favorite part of this series is reading about Robbie, her store, her employees and all her other friends and family. It's just such a cozy read and I have fun seeing what Robbie and the rest cook up in her restaurant and how her business goes. The progression and changes in Robbie's life throughout the series is fun and I like seeing what's going on in her life now. Seeing her relationship with her husband Abe as well as his son Sean going well is great. And I also like how she treats and interacts with her employees.
To summarize: This series is still going strong and is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. The mystery was a solid one and I liked seeing it all play out. I would've liked a bit more progression at times and details at the end. I also thought the motive felt a bit weak, but I liked seeing everything fall on it's place. I enjoy reading about Robbie and how she investigates and also appreciated how she's extra careful in this one as she's pregnant. I like reading about Robbie's daily life and her restaurant and how she interacts with other characters. Another awesome read and I look forward to the next one!
Deep Fried Death is the 12th book in this series and I am so happy this series is still ongoing as it's one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Deep Fried Death was another great read and I really enjoyed it. This series just feels so familiar and starting a new book makes me feel cozy and comfortable.
Robbie gets involved in another mystery when at the start of the outhouse race she's participating in a dead body falls out of her outhouse. The killer seems to try and frame Robbie and then the older brother of her husband is a suspect as well, so Robbie can't help but get involved. The mystery was a solid one with some suspects and some questions surrounding everything. I would've liked a bit more progress at times and details towards the end, but I enjoyed following Robbie as she investigates. I thought the motive was a bit on the weaker side, but the resolution and wrap up was well done. I also appreciated how she's more careful now that she's pregnant and does her best not to get in danger.
My favorite part of this series is reading about Robbie, her store, her employees and all her other friends and family. It's just such a cozy read and I have fun seeing what Robbie and the rest cook up in her restaurant and how her business goes. The progression and changes in Robbie's life throughout the series is fun and I like seeing what's going on in her life now. Seeing her relationship with her husband Abe as well as his son Sean going well is great. And I also like how she treats and interacts with her employees.
To summarize: This series is still going strong and is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. The mystery was a solid one and I liked seeing it all play out. I would've liked a bit more progression at times and details at the end. I also thought the motive felt a bit weak, but I liked seeing everything fall on it's place. I enjoy reading about Robbie and how she investigates and also appreciated how she's extra careful in this one as she's pregnant. I like reading about Robbie's daily life and her restaurant and how she interacts with other characters. Another awesome read and I look forward to the next one!
December 3, 2023
Never read a Country Store Mystery when you are hungry...it's torture. The descriptions of the delicious food are delightfully tempting and the murders are delightfully devious and creative! Join Robbie and the denizens of South Lick for the annual Outhouse Race, and watch as thing go downhill faster than the Outhouse Race participants!
October 10, 2023
Thank you to Maddie Day for an ARC of Deep Fried Death. This is the second Country Store Mystery I have read. I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
I really love the setting of Pans 'N Pancakes - Robbie Jordan's restaurant and cookware store. I also like Robbie-she's brave, strong and always looks out for her loved ones.
As with the other book I read, I could not figure out who the murderer was. I thought I knew and of course, I was wrong!
I also really love all the kitchen scenes and recipes included, especially the Strawberry Coffeecake.
Robbie's relationship with her aunt Adele is one of my favorite relationships in the book. I think Adele is funny and the perfect aunt - always willing to help and always looking out for her niece.
I am excited to read the other books in this series.
I also read Maddie Day's Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries and enjoy them just as much.
I really love the setting of Pans 'N Pancakes - Robbie Jordan's restaurant and cookware store. I also like Robbie-she's brave, strong and always looks out for her loved ones.
As with the other book I read, I could not figure out who the murderer was. I thought I knew and of course, I was wrong!
I also really love all the kitchen scenes and recipes included, especially the Strawberry Coffeecake.
Robbie's relationship with her aunt Adele is one of my favorite relationships in the book. I think Adele is funny and the perfect aunt - always willing to help and always looking out for her niece.
I am excited to read the other books in this series.
I also read Maddie Day's Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries and enjoy them just as much.
October 23, 2023
Pans & pancakes have entered a submission into the outhouse races to advertise the restaurant. When at the beginning of the race the body of a rival restauranter falls out of the outhouse, Robbie finds herself as a suspect. As she asks questions of others who had problems with the victim, she finds not everyone is as they seem.
This was an interesting addition to the series. As Robbie is pregnant things are changing and the way she has to do things are changing as well. It will be interesting to see what happens after the baby comes.
This was an interesting addition to the series. As Robbie is pregnant things are changing and the way she has to do things are changing as well. It will be interesting to see what happens after the baby comes.
February 2, 2024
Not for me
Had to give this a 2 star only because of writer bashing certain things. Just not sure I want to read any more of this authors work. Sorry
Had to give this a 2 star only because of writer bashing certain things. Just not sure I want to read any more of this authors work. Sorry
January 7, 2024
So much fun to visit with Robbie, Abe, Buck, Danna and the whole crew! Everyone is in this book. Robbie and the crew have supplied an entry in the famous Outhouse Race as part of the Abe Martin Festival for Memorial Day weekend, only when they go to move the Pans 'N Pancakes entry into place out falls a dead body. It's not just any dead body, but the dead body of the women who had just opened a rival restaurant in South Lick and was badmouthing Robbie and her place on social media. Not only that but as they were in Nashville, Buck and company are not in charge of the investigation. Although Robbie would like to stay out of things, especially with her special circumstances, when the police start questioning her and her brother-in-law Don both as suspects questions will have to be asked. Can Robbie run her very busy restaurant, get her new frier hooked up, figure out who really did it and keep herself safe? It worth the time to find out!
December 17, 2023
"Deep Fried Death” the 12th book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day. I just love this series! I love the setting of South Lick, Indiana and I love Robbie and her staff at Pans N Pancakes they are like one big family. Now that she’s pregnant and been married to Abe for a year what could go wrong …
But when a dead body and a cast-iron skillet tumble out of the Pans ’N Pancakes outhouse entry on the race route, it seems someone is trying to frame Robbie—in a most unconventional way. Now she’ll need to be privy to the townsfolks’ secrets as she races to flush out a killer . . .
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.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with down home characters and a small town atmosphere.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
But when a dead body and a cast-iron skillet tumble out of the Pans ’N Pancakes outhouse entry on the race route, it seems someone is trying to frame Robbie—in a most unconventional way. Now she’ll need to be privy to the townsfolks’ secrets as she races to flush out a killer . . .
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.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with down home characters and a small town atmosphere.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
June 4, 2024
2.5 stars
Robbie Jordan and her team from Pans n'Pancakes is about to participate in an outhouse race in nearby Nashville. Robbie runs into her ex who has moved back to the area and he and his wife, Detective Sergeant Olivia Slade, are participating in the race. Also participating is another diner owner who seems to have the hots for Jim and is determined to put Robbie out of business Robbie is concerned that the officious organizer lacks security overnight while the outhouses are unattended. Sure enough, her fears come true the next morning when Turner goes to push the outhouse and the dead body of Evermina Martin, fellow diner owner, tumbles out. Olivia is on the scene right away and Wanda Bird assists as well but the new chief Haley Harris, seems to have her sights set on pinning the crime first on Robbie and then on Robbie's brother-in-law, Dan. With her husband Abe out of town, it's up to Robbie to help Dan and solve the mystery.
I accidentally skipped a book but no matter. I didn't need to read it. This book needs better editing because the police discovered evidence at the end of the book that was right there in the beginning and the conclusion didn't make sense. None of it really made sense. What on earth and why is the Abe Martin Day Festival? She explained it but it didn't sink in. I don't understand... why outhouses? There was also a random lengthy passage about the status of the IU women's basketball team that didn't make sense plonked into the story. This story dragged at first but picked up in the middle. Ignoring the filler, I couldn't put it down. I didn't guess whodunit and Robbie didn't either until it was almost too late. The reveal felt confusing because the motive wasn't revealed until later in the story and came out of thin air.
In this book Robbie is in the early stages of pregnancy and feels the need to mention it on every page. She goes into great length about her morning sickness, her diet, etc. etc. in every chapter. It's waaayyyy too much. I don't like her very much to begin with and I like her even less now. Robbie is still so judgmental. She's very sizeist/fatphobic and judges Wanda, who is pregnant, for gaining back weight she lost and then hopes she, Robbie, stays trim through her own pregnancy! Robbie keeps claiming she has to protect her baby and stay safe but she involves herself in the investigation when she's told specifically not to. She also dead names someone which I think is the fault of the author trying to incorporate modern, young people into the book while not fully understanding the language used to describe said people. Len is Len. (Len is the sibling of Robbie's friend Lou.) Len used to play for the IU women's basketball team .... the correct way to conclude the sentence is "before his transition." Just an FYI in case that's a trigger for someone. She doesn't describe people by the color of their skin but does feel the need to denote whether someone is of a darker shade than her own olive. NO NO NO do not wonder what the baby's complexion will be? SHEESH! What rock does Robbie live under? Hello Harry and Meghan drama! I understand that question coming from King Charles and others of the older generations but Robbie is supposed to be 31. Does is matter what complexion the baby has? That can change over time. My brother was fair as a baby and now he's what Robbie would call olive with dark hair. I'm the opposite. Robbie always sounds older than she is. What is Alice's restaurant and why does 31-year-old Robbie even know that reference? Too obscure. I have no idea what she means.
Aunt Adele has gone from caring and interesting to a nosy gossip. Robbie's employees, Danna and Turner are mostly just there to support her. They don't have a big role in the story. I like Danna and Turner has come along nicely. Abe is kind of a jerk. He's selfish. He goes away with Sean on a camping trip during his and Robbie's first anniversary! He's busy studying for an exam to get a new job in wildlife management or something. His biggest offence, in my book, is withholding family information from Robbie. Um HELLO . They've known each other a few years now and been married for one and NO ONE thought to mention it? Does Sean know? Sean is a cool kid. He has a new pet and a new girlfriend so he isn't on page much. He's excited about his new baby sibling but because he and his friends know where babies come from, he's embarrassed his old dad is doing the thing that makes babies. EW! I feel you Sean! I'm disappointed Phil seems to be exiting stage right. I will miss him. I don't think Madison is exactly opera central but maybe he'll end up at the Met eventually. I got a kick out of a character from Cape Cod moving to Indiana and influencing the way the young people speak but I've never heard anyone say they'll miss someone "wicked bad." It's more like really or very. "That hurt wicked bad!" or "It was a wicked bad storm." Or "That tastes wicked good!" Apparently it's generational...
Evermina was not a nice woman. She was paranoid and too lazy to do anything that would make her diner better than Robbie's. She only wanted to conduct a smear campaign. Robbie tried to be friendly and feels there's room for more than one, especially given how busy her place is. They have different menus, atmosphere and everything. Robbie also has her B&B. She may have had a reason for wanting to own a diner but didn't have the business sense.
Is it bad of me to want Jim Shermer to be the murderer? He's embarrassed meeting Robbie again and has been back for two years without talking to her or seeing her. What a douche! Everminia or whatever the heck her name is comes on to him, which is not OK. It makes him feel uncomfortable but he doesn't do anything about it. He's embarrassed by that too. I can see him pushing her away and accidentally killing her but maybe not hitting her over the head with a cast iron skillet. What about Olivia? Just because she's law enforcement doesn't mean she's not seeing red over another woman trying to poach her man? I think she did it!
Camilla Kalb, another restaurant owner, seems suspicious to me. She bristles when Robbie asks questions and seems to be lying or evading the truth somehow. It's rumored she may have killed her husband who was elderly and had money. Most likely the killer is Zeke Martin, the cranky, pedantic race manager. Rumor has it he was once married to Evermina and moved on without divorcing her. Yes that's not nice but the reaction from the megachurch ladies towards the WOMAN was way out of proportion to the "crime." I knew I would run into problems with a book set in Indiana. This is the first time though judgy church people have shown up at least. MYOB ladies! You wouldn't think the basketball players would support the biddies but they do. Another suspect is Wendy Corbett, a gift shop owner now involved with Zeke. Don is so not a murderer. He's a weak willed, whiny man who can't even stay married to a lovely woman for long without doing something dumb and ruining the relationship. He's not the same blustery man who ran against Corinne for mayor.
Chief Harris is tough. She doesn't know Robbie and apparently isn't used to small town ways. She is only doing her job and Robbie is being childish in trying to avoid her. However, she should respect Robbie's business hours and understand Robbie is the sole proprietor of the restaurant AND B&B, operating a busy breakfast and lunch place with only two assistants. Her aunt helps out in a pinch but I wouldn't tell that to the chief, might not be legal. Octavia is a little less intense and more understanding. She's a good detective and I think in another life the women would be friends. I liked Wanda up until now. She's a little overzealous and serious in her new job. Off duty she's as friendly as ever. Buck is not on this case officially so he's free to come and eat and gossip. He asks Robbie to gossip even though he knows her "condition." His wife is a pediatrician (not an OB-GYN so how and where she had her kids has nothing to do with her medical training) and kind of way more awesome than I expected. I expected Buck's wife to be Suzy Homemaker and as aw shucks as he is. She seems wise, thoughtful and kind.
The Covenant Hope Church people are creepy. Can one of them be the murderer? Can we shut down this place, please? They clearly have money and feel free to judge people from their moral high ground perch in the sky. Two women make a scene in Robbie's restaurant and for that I would have kicked them out. Who is sister Isabel? Is this the mysterious Isabel Cooper Olivia Slade was asking about? This woman seems to have money and is pumping it into the church. She seems a little threatening and creepy. There has to be something shady going down at the church she doesn't want Robbie to know about.
The cameo by the Chicago Senior Gay Men's Chorus was so out of place. They're awesome, what are they doing in Indiana? Robbie's guests don't seem very open-minded and tolerant. Fred is a cheapskate and more judgmental than Robbie while Helen is nicer. They seem to be affiliated with the megachurch.
I've never been in love with this series. It popped up on Hoopla and I needed something to read so I grabbed it. I probably won't do that again, especially if it's going to be all about Robbie trying to juggle business, baby and sleuthing.
trigger warnings:
s---t shaming
dead naming
megachurch
"Whose complexion will the baby have?"
Robbie Jordan and her team from Pans n'Pancakes is about to participate in an outhouse race in nearby Nashville. Robbie runs into her ex who has moved back to the area and he and his wife, Detective Sergeant Olivia Slade, are participating in the race. Also participating is another diner owner who seems to have the hots for Jim and is determined to put Robbie out of business Robbie is concerned that the officious organizer lacks security overnight while the outhouses are unattended. Sure enough, her fears come true the next morning when Turner goes to push the outhouse and the dead body of Evermina Martin, fellow diner owner, tumbles out. Olivia is on the scene right away and Wanda Bird assists as well but the new chief Haley Harris, seems to have her sights set on pinning the crime first on Robbie and then on Robbie's brother-in-law, Dan. With her husband Abe out of town, it's up to Robbie to help Dan and solve the mystery.
I accidentally skipped a book but no matter. I didn't need to read it. This book needs better editing because the police discovered evidence at the end of the book that was right there in the beginning and the conclusion didn't make sense. None of it really made sense. What on earth and why is the Abe Martin Day Festival? She explained it but it didn't sink in. I don't understand... why outhouses? There was also a random lengthy passage about the status of the IU women's basketball team that didn't make sense plonked into the story. This story dragged at first but picked up in the middle. Ignoring the filler, I couldn't put it down. I didn't guess whodunit and Robbie didn't either until it was almost too late. The reveal felt confusing because the motive wasn't revealed until later in the story and came out of thin air.
In this book Robbie is in the early stages of pregnancy and feels the need to mention it on every page. She goes into great length about her morning sickness, her diet, etc. etc. in every chapter. It's waaayyyy too much. I don't like her very much to begin with and I like her even less now. Robbie is still so judgmental. She's very sizeist/fatphobic and judges Wanda, who is pregnant, for gaining back weight she lost and then hopes she, Robbie, stays trim through her own pregnancy! Robbie keeps claiming she has to protect her baby and stay safe but she involves herself in the investigation when she's told specifically not to. She also dead names someone which I think is the fault of the author trying to incorporate modern, young people into the book while not fully understanding the language used to describe said people. Len is Len. (Len is the sibling of Robbie's friend Lou.) Len used to play for the IU women's basketball team .... the correct way to conclude the sentence is "before his transition." Just an FYI in case that's a trigger for someone. She doesn't describe people by the color of their skin but does feel the need to denote whether someone is of a darker shade than her own olive. NO NO NO do not wonder what the baby's complexion will be? SHEESH! What rock does Robbie live under? Hello Harry and Meghan drama! I understand that question coming from King Charles and others of the older generations but Robbie is supposed to be 31. Does is matter what complexion the baby has? That can change over time. My brother was fair as a baby and now he's what Robbie would call olive with dark hair. I'm the opposite. Robbie always sounds older than she is. What is Alice's restaurant and why does 31-year-old Robbie even know that reference? Too obscure. I have no idea what she means.
Aunt Adele has gone from caring and interesting to a nosy gossip. Robbie's employees, Danna and Turner are mostly just there to support her. They don't have a big role in the story. I like Danna and Turner has come along nicely. Abe is kind of a jerk. He's selfish. He goes away with Sean on a camping trip during his and Robbie's first anniversary! He's busy studying for an exam to get a new job in wildlife management or something. His biggest offence, in my book, is withholding family information from Robbie. Um HELLO . They've known each other a few years now and been married for one and NO ONE thought to mention it? Does Sean know? Sean is a cool kid. He has a new pet and a new girlfriend so he isn't on page much. He's excited about his new baby sibling but because he and his friends know where babies come from, he's embarrassed his old dad is doing the thing that makes babies. EW! I feel you Sean! I'm disappointed Phil seems to be exiting stage right. I will miss him. I don't think Madison is exactly opera central but maybe he'll end up at the Met eventually. I got a kick out of a character from Cape Cod moving to Indiana and influencing the way the young people speak but I've never heard anyone say they'll miss someone "wicked bad." It's more like really or very. "That hurt wicked bad!" or "It was a wicked bad storm." Or "That tastes wicked good!" Apparently it's generational...
Evermina was not a nice woman. She was paranoid and too lazy to do anything that would make her diner better than Robbie's. She only wanted to conduct a smear campaign. Robbie tried to be friendly and feels there's room for more than one, especially given how busy her place is. They have different menus, atmosphere and everything. Robbie also has her B&B. She may have had a reason for wanting to own a diner but didn't have the business sense.
Is it bad of me to want Jim Shermer to be the murderer? He's embarrassed meeting Robbie again and has been back for two years without talking to her or seeing her. What a douche! Everminia or whatever the heck her name is comes on to him, which is not OK. It makes him feel uncomfortable but he doesn't do anything about it. He's embarrassed by that too. I can see him pushing her away and accidentally killing her but maybe not hitting her over the head with a cast iron skillet. What about Olivia? Just because she's law enforcement doesn't mean she's not seeing red over another woman trying to poach her man? I think she did it!
Camilla Kalb, another restaurant owner, seems suspicious to me. She bristles when Robbie asks questions and seems to be lying or evading the truth somehow. It's rumored she may have killed her husband who was elderly and had money. Most likely the killer is Zeke Martin, the cranky, pedantic race manager. Rumor has it he was once married to Evermina and moved on without divorcing her. Yes that's not nice but the reaction from the megachurch ladies towards the WOMAN was way out of proportion to the "crime." I knew I would run into problems with a book set in Indiana. This is the first time though judgy church people have shown up at least. MYOB ladies! You wouldn't think the basketball players would support the biddies but they do. Another suspect is Wendy Corbett, a gift shop owner now involved with Zeke. Don is so not a murderer. He's a weak willed, whiny man who can't even stay married to a lovely woman for long without doing something dumb and ruining the relationship. He's not the same blustery man who ran against Corinne for mayor.
Chief Harris is tough. She doesn't know Robbie and apparently isn't used to small town ways. She is only doing her job and Robbie is being childish in trying to avoid her. However, she should respect Robbie's business hours and understand Robbie is the sole proprietor of the restaurant AND B&B, operating a busy breakfast and lunch place with only two assistants. Her aunt helps out in a pinch but I wouldn't tell that to the chief, might not be legal. Octavia is a little less intense and more understanding. She's a good detective and I think in another life the women would be friends. I liked Wanda up until now. She's a little overzealous and serious in her new job. Off duty she's as friendly as ever. Buck is not on this case officially so he's free to come and eat and gossip. He asks Robbie to gossip even though he knows her "condition." His wife is a pediatrician (not an OB-GYN so how and where she had her kids has nothing to do with her medical training) and kind of way more awesome than I expected. I expected Buck's wife to be Suzy Homemaker and as aw shucks as he is. She seems wise, thoughtful and kind.
The Covenant Hope Church people are creepy. Can one of them be the murderer? Can we shut down this place, please? They clearly have money and feel free to judge people from their moral high ground perch in the sky. Two women make a scene in Robbie's restaurant and for that I would have kicked them out. Who is sister Isabel? Is this the mysterious Isabel Cooper Olivia Slade was asking about? This woman seems to have money and is pumping it into the church. She seems a little threatening and creepy. There has to be something shady going down at the church she doesn't want Robbie to know about.
The cameo by the Chicago Senior Gay Men's Chorus was so out of place. They're awesome, what are they doing in Indiana? Robbie's guests don't seem very open-minded and tolerant. Fred is a cheapskate and more judgmental than Robbie while Helen is nicer. They seem to be affiliated with the megachurch.
I've never been in love with this series. It popped up on Hoopla and I needed something to read so I grabbed it. I probably won't do that again, especially if it's going to be all about Robbie trying to juggle business, baby and sleuthing.
trigger warnings:
s---t shaming
dead naming
megachurch
"Whose complexion will the baby have?"
November 30, 2023
In “Deep Fried Death”, the latest Country Store Mystery by Maddie Day, Pans 'N Pancakes-owner Robbie Jordan finds herself on the suspect list when a body falls out of her outhouse entry at the start of an Outhouse Race. Robbie is anxious to clear her name but is being very careful because she is pregnant and will do anything she can to protect her unborn child. But will that be enough to catch a killer?
I really enjoyed this book! I love the Country Store/Restaurant setting – I get hungry just reading these books and wish Pans 'N Pancakes really existed so I could go there to eat! I love the way the characters have grown over the course of the series – the changes continue in this book and are nicely done. The mystery itself is well done with plenty of suspects – I wasn’t overly surprised when the killer was revealed but I did think there were a couple of loose ends that I wish had been tied into the mystery. Finally, I was seriously impressed with the way Robbie acted when the killer was about to be revealed – she was the total opposite of a Too Stupid To Live Character and did everything right – kudos to Maddie Day for a great way of handling the situation.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this book! I love the Country Store/Restaurant setting – I get hungry just reading these books and wish Pans 'N Pancakes really existed so I could go there to eat! I love the way the characters have grown over the course of the series – the changes continue in this book and are nicely done. The mystery itself is well done with plenty of suspects – I wasn’t overly surprised when the killer was revealed but I did think there were a couple of loose ends that I wish had been tied into the mystery. Finally, I was seriously impressed with the way Robbie acted when the killer was about to be revealed – she was the total opposite of a Too Stupid To Live Character and did everything right – kudos to Maddie Day for a great way of handling the situation.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
January 3, 2024
I enjoy this series. Who is the killer and why did they put the body in Robbie's outhaouse?
December 27, 2023
Maddie Day’s DEEP FRIED DEATH begins with an outhouse race. ;-)
It’s so good, with twisty puzzles, wit, surprises, and good people looking out for one another.
I admire Robbie’s good sense and caution, eating, sleeping, and being careful for two.
Recipes included for fritters and coq au vin . . . might just inspire me to cook.
Short review, broken wrist healing — thank goodness for ebooks! Read it in one day!
It’s so good, with twisty puzzles, wit, surprises, and good people looking out for one another.
I admire Robbie’s good sense and caution, eating, sleeping, and being careful for two.
Recipes included for fritters and coq au vin . . . might just inspire me to cook.
Short review, broken wrist healing — thank goodness for ebooks! Read it in one day!
November 12, 2023
Maddie Day is a new to me author and this is the first cozy mystery I have read of hers. Set in South Lick Indiana, the author had me guessing who the murderer was. I enjoyed the book and will look for more in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
April 22, 2024
What kind of man goes off on a camping trip with his son by a previous marriage leaving his pregnant wife alone on their first wedding anniversary? And did I mention that the camping trip was in an area out of reach by cell phone??? Maddie may have been OK with it, but it really lowered my opinion of Abe in a big way. Shame on him. The camping trip could have waited until school was out.
It's frustrating enough when authors marry off their strong, independent female main characters. Having them get pregnant just worsens the situation. I really don't want the details of her morning sickness, thank you very much. How on earth is she ever going to manage her busy restaurant when the baby comes.
The mystery in this one was sort of lack luster for me. There was a continuity problem that left me confused. The cast iron skillet fell out of the outhouse at same time as the body—a fact that is repeated several times. Yet near the end of it Maddie says that Wanda found the skillet in a Nashville dumpster. Do books no longer have editors, or are those editors so overworked that they miss important details like that?
It's frustrating enough when authors marry off their strong, independent female main characters. Having them get pregnant just worsens the situation. I really don't want the details of her morning sickness, thank you very much. How on earth is she ever going to manage her busy restaurant when the baby comes.
The mystery in this one was sort of lack luster for me. There was a continuity problem that left me confused. The cast iron skillet fell out of the outhouse at same time as the body—a fact that is repeated several times. Yet near the end of it Maddie says that Wanda found the skillet in a Nashville dumpster. Do books no longer have editors, or are those editors so overworked that they miss important details like that?
November 16, 2023
Only in Southlick would you find an outhouse race. And as participants into this race, Robbie and her team have an entry of their own. While they’ve set up for the race, when they return the next day, for the actual event, a body falls out of their outhouse. Now with their outhouse, leaving them in deep Doodoo as suspects, Robbie and the gang, I need to figure out who done it, otherwise, she may end up giving birth in the jail house.
I adore this series, as I do all series written by Maddie Day. With a strong female protagonist, vintage, cookware, and tons of red herrings, this series never disappoints. If you haven’t read a book by Maddie day, yet, each one reads fine t as a standalone, so give it a read and k ow you’ll want seconds and thirds in this series once you do!
I adore this series, as I do all series written by Maddie Day. With a strong female protagonist, vintage, cookware, and tons of red herrings, this series never disappoints. If you haven’t read a book by Maddie day, yet, each one reads fine t as a standalone, so give it a read and k ow you’ll want seconds and thirds in this series once you do!
February 23, 2024
Would give 3.5 stars if I could.
Fairly enjoyable cozy mystery, though I figured out who dunit early on. Also, the main character, who I've liked throughout the series got annoying at times, especially when she ignored her business (restaurant full of customers and her employees trying to get her attention to help!) to do some sleuthing. I would not have wanted to work for her during those times.
Fairly enjoyable cozy mystery, though I figured out who dunit early on. Also, the main character, who I've liked throughout the series got annoying at times, especially when she ignored her business (restaurant full of customers and her employees trying to get her attention to help!) to do some sleuthing. I would not have wanted to work for her during those times.
October 2, 2023
I am a fan of this series. I could just imagine the outhouse race and wondered how it would work with no brakes! The characters are really becoming so rounded and weaving in with each other . South Lick is such a real place. I do wonder how a pregnant Robbie will affect future books in the series.
September 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that Robbie is pregnant and how she takes care of the baby. All the food sounds delicious, made me hungry. I wasn’t too surprised at who the killer is but the story does make it a option. #DeepFriedDeath #NetGalley
April 12, 2024
This is a DNF from me, dawg.
To be fair- I jumped into this on book 12. Take my review with a grain of salt on this.
Here's my issue. I just hopped over onto this train from reading Murder at the Lobstah Shack, which is a different series but by the same author. And in that book, I was feeling pretty mid-level "ick" that the main character is being very pressured to have babies she isn't sure she wants to have, but is essentially at an ultimatum level with her boyfriend. So then I grab this book, and the main character is happily married and pregnant.... except her supposedly wonderful, shits-rainbows husband isn't even bothering to be in town on their one year anniversary? The bar for Mr. Wonderful is that low, apparently. I'm *hoping* that if I finished this book Abe would have actually been planning a huge one year anniversary surprise for our main character. It definitely feels super, super, *super* icky that nothing is alluding to that being the case. Why is Day writing so many female characters who gotta make babies with mediocre men? Why don't the heteros just go to therapy, and get in touch with what they actually want, or have proper standards for their partners?
It doesn't feel a little icky to me, its like, a lotta icky. Plus the way the character keeps going on and on about motherhood and pregnancy in every chapter? It was so much, and so detracting from the story itself. I have a bunch of books from this series checked out right now and I don't think I want to double back to them tbh.
I did love that apparently this series has a trans character. I don't love that in the same sentence it was mentioned that he was trans, the author immediately deadnamed him. What is that. Don't do that. (If I do go back to read earlier books it will only be to see if this person transitions in the course of the books, though. I'm invested that there's a trans character at all).
I also loved that this book starts off with an outhouse race. Honestly, it was just all downhill from there.
To be fair- I jumped into this on book 12. Take my review with a grain of salt on this.
Here's my issue. I just hopped over onto this train from reading Murder at the Lobstah Shack, which is a different series but by the same author. And in that book, I was feeling pretty mid-level "ick" that the main character is being very pressured to have babies she isn't sure she wants to have, but is essentially at an ultimatum level with her boyfriend. So then I grab this book, and the main character is happily married and pregnant.... except her supposedly wonderful, shits-rainbows husband isn't even bothering to be in town on their one year anniversary? The bar for Mr. Wonderful is that low, apparently. I'm *hoping* that if I finished this book Abe would have actually been planning a huge one year anniversary surprise for our main character. It definitely feels super, super, *super* icky that nothing is alluding to that being the case. Why is Day writing so many female characters who gotta make babies with mediocre men? Why don't the heteros just go to therapy, and get in touch with what they actually want, or have proper standards for their partners?
It doesn't feel a little icky to me, its like, a lotta icky. Plus the way the character keeps going on and on about motherhood and pregnancy in every chapter? It was so much, and so detracting from the story itself. I have a bunch of books from this series checked out right now and I don't think I want to double back to them tbh.
I did love that apparently this series has a trans character. I don't love that in the same sentence it was mentioned that he was trans, the author immediately deadnamed him. What is that. Don't do that. (If I do go back to read earlier books it will only be to see if this person transitions in the course of the books, though. I'm invested that there's a trans character at all).
I also loved that this book starts off with an outhouse race. Honestly, it was just all downhill from there.
December 17, 2023
Once again Robbie and crew will have you laughing and sleuthing! The story starts with an outhouse race and of course ends in catching a murderer while a wonderfully woven plot wraps both ends together quite nicely and with optimum entertainment! If you haven't started this series yet, I suggest that you start with the first book and work your way through. It will give you hours upon hours of quality entertainment as well as a load of backstory on all the characters that live in South Lick. I promise you'll love the setting, the story lines and the people, the trifecta of great cozy mysteries! FYI: the previous books in the series are available on audiobook if you like audio's and the narration is wonderful so I am assuming this one will eventually hit audio as well. However, if you just love reading a good book by yourself then you have found a great series to enjoy for days to come. The author weaves a vivid story that lets you really get to know the characters and the multi-generational characters means there is someone for everyone to love and champion as their favorite character. While Robbie is the main character, all the characters are wonderful!
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