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A Comfort Food Mystery #1
Do or Diner
When Trixie Matkowski agrees to take over her aunt’s diner, she pictures lakeside views and delicious comfort food in the small town where she spent summers as a child. But the sweet scene turns sour when someone puts murder on the menu…
Trixie is in need of a fresh start away from her cheating ex-husband, but she may be biting off more than she can chew when she moves to upstate New York to run her family’s famed Silver Bullet Diner. Not only is she caught off guard by the small town’s resident heartthrob, Deputy Ty Brisco, but her first health inspection turns into a nightmare…when the inspector keels over in his Blue Plate Special.
It seems someone made a deadly addition to an old family recipe, and Trixie is determined to find out whodunit. But between serving up orders and sniffing out clues, she’d better watch her back—or her next meal might be her last.
Includes recipes!
Trixie is in need of a fresh start away from her cheating ex-husband, but she may be biting off more than she can chew when she moves to upstate New York to run her family’s famed Silver Bullet Diner. Not only is she caught off guard by the small town’s resident heartthrob, Deputy Ty Brisco, but her first health inspection turns into a nightmare…when the inspector keels over in his Blue Plate Special.
It seems someone made a deadly addition to an old family recipe, and Trixie is determined to find out whodunit. But between serving up orders and sniffing out clues, she’d better watch her back—or her next meal might be her last.
Includes recipes!
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
58 people are currently reading
1641 people want to read
About the author
Christine Wenger
49 books128 followersChristine Wenger has worked in the criminal justice field for many years. She has a master's degree in probation, parole administration & sociology from Fordham University, but the knowledge gained from such studies certainly has not prepared her for what she loves to do--write romance! A native central New Yorker, she enjoys watching bull riding & rodeo with her favorite cowboy, her husband Jim.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
July 19, 2013
I've read a lot of culinary cozy mysteries, everything from doughnuts and cupcake bakeries to low-cal eating. However this is the first time I've read a culinary cozy that features "comfort food" in a diner location. That is the exact setting for Christine Wenger's first cozy mystery, Do or Diner.
After a failed marriage, Trixie Matkowski has bought her Aunt Stella's diner, Silver Bullet Diner. Having spent her summers in picturesque Sandy Harbor, Trixie is looking forward to getting to know the locals again and serving up some delicious comfort food! However, when a health inspector turns up dead before she's even settled in, Trixie worries she could be headed for bankruptcy. Especially when it's discovered that the health inspector was poisoned!!
Do or Diner is the perfect first novel in a new series. There is the adorable protagonist. Trixie is funny as you watch her trying to fit into the art of running a diner. Even though she spent summers there she still has a lot to learn, including "Dinerese" - the language the waitresses you use, ie. "a cowboy on a raft" is actually a western omelet on toast!!
With the warm diner atmosphere and the sexy, texan police chief, Ty Briscoe, Do or Diner reminded me of Agatha Christie meets Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (both of which I love!). It was a great mystery, great cozy town and I can't wait for book two to take a trip back to Sandy Harbor.
After a failed marriage, Trixie Matkowski has bought her Aunt Stella's diner, Silver Bullet Diner. Having spent her summers in picturesque Sandy Harbor, Trixie is looking forward to getting to know the locals again and serving up some delicious comfort food! However, when a health inspector turns up dead before she's even settled in, Trixie worries she could be headed for bankruptcy. Especially when it's discovered that the health inspector was poisoned!!
Do or Diner is the perfect first novel in a new series. There is the adorable protagonist. Trixie is funny as you watch her trying to fit into the art of running a diner. Even though she spent summers there she still has a lot to learn, including "Dinerese" - the language the waitresses you use, ie. "a cowboy on a raft" is actually a western omelet on toast!!
With the warm diner atmosphere and the sexy, texan police chief, Ty Briscoe, Do or Diner reminded me of Agatha Christie meets Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (both of which I love!). It was a great mystery, great cozy town and I can't wait for book two to take a trip back to Sandy Harbor.
February 7, 2014
Sorry, book, but I'm bored. You've got all the right elements - lively cast of characters, pleasant rural setting - but I just can't get invested in you. Maybe it's that your protagonist is so busy moving in, trying to get a handle on running this diner she's bought, trying not to wilt under absurd accusations of murder, brooding about her fink of an ex-husband, and resisting attraction to the Texan transplant deputy sheriff, that my reader-relationship with her is a kind of sympathetic suppressed panic rather than empathy. Or maybe it's that the murder accusation is so absurd that my inner editor won't stop saying "Seriously, Wenger, couldn't you have given the lady a week to settle in so the accusation would look at least *vaguely* credible?"
I mean, the advice for a writer to start a book with active, plot-related stuff going on is not bad advice, but I feel that the cozy mystery subgenre is a partial exception to that rule. The story really has to get the reader invested in the character and setting at least as much as, if not more than, in the plot - because the plots of these things are pretty darn formulaic. It's only the characters and settings that distinguish them from one another. This book doesn't take the time to do that before charging into a plot that, to me, makes even less sense than the average cozy.
I mean, the advice for a writer to start a book with active, plot-related stuff going on is not bad advice, but I feel that the cozy mystery subgenre is a partial exception to that rule. The story really has to get the reader invested in the character and setting at least as much as, if not more than, in the plot - because the plots of these things are pretty darn formulaic. It's only the characters and settings that distinguish them from one another. This book doesn't take the time to do that before charging into a plot that, to me, makes even less sense than the average cozy.
March 11, 2016
After going through a miserable divorce, Trixie Matkowski is ready to start a brand new life. She moves to upstate New York and buys her aunt’s diner. Trixie is more than a little excited to enter this new endeavor doing what she loves – cooking.
However, things don’t go as smoothly as she would have liked. A bad health inspection leads to the death of the inspector. Unfortunately, the death occurs in Trixie’s diner as the inspector was eating one of her specials. This doesn’t sit well with the town as business takes a nosedive, not to mention that Trixie is the prime suspect in the murder. She certainly doesn't want to end up penniless and in jail.
The handsome Deputy Ty Brisco is investigating the situation, but Trixie can’t leave her future in someone else’s hands. Against Ty’s wishes, Trixie runs her own investigation and puts herself right in the middle of danger.
This is the first book in the “A Comfort Food Mystery” series. I’ve been wanting to read this for the longest time and I finally got around to it. It was well worth the wait. It’s filled with colorful characters and a strong heroine who doesn’t intend to sit on the sidelines waiting for her knight in shining armor. She’s a “take action” type of woman.
The relationship between Ty and Trixie grows throughout the book. I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops in future books.
It’s a fast-paced story with dozens of twists and turns. I was totally on the wrong track but towards the end I realized where this story was going. The author did a good job leading the readers astray and giving us a well-written start to, what looks like, a fun series.
Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
However, things don’t go as smoothly as she would have liked. A bad health inspection leads to the death of the inspector. Unfortunately, the death occurs in Trixie’s diner as the inspector was eating one of her specials. This doesn’t sit well with the town as business takes a nosedive, not to mention that Trixie is the prime suspect in the murder. She certainly doesn't want to end up penniless and in jail.
The handsome Deputy Ty Brisco is investigating the situation, but Trixie can’t leave her future in someone else’s hands. Against Ty’s wishes, Trixie runs her own investigation and puts herself right in the middle of danger.
This is the first book in the “A Comfort Food Mystery” series. I’ve been wanting to read this for the longest time and I finally got around to it. It was well worth the wait. It’s filled with colorful characters and a strong heroine who doesn’t intend to sit on the sidelines waiting for her knight in shining armor. She’s a “take action” type of woman.
The relationship between Ty and Trixie grows throughout the book. I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops in future books.
It’s a fast-paced story with dozens of twists and turns. I was totally on the wrong track but towards the end I realized where this story was going. The author did a good job leading the readers astray and giving us a well-written start to, what looks like, a fun series.
Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 1, 2016
It's a snowy March in upstate New York, home of the Silver Bullet Diner and guest cottages recently taken over by Beatrix Matkowski. When Mr. Cogswell, the health inspector, dies in the kitchen after eating the daily special, Trixie must do some fast sleuthing or she may lose the diner. This debut cozy series story sticks to your ribs and shows promise for future books. I look forward to reading book two.
June 17, 2019
Do or Diner by Christine Wenger was a cute and easy cozy mystery to read for a lazy summer afternoon. I enjoyed meeting all of the characters and the mystery kept me guessing. There are only five books in the series and my library has four of them so I look forward to more fun with Trixie, Antoinette Chloe, Deputy Ty Briscoe in this small town.
February 11, 2015
Finally no more book slump. This is the fourth book I have read since my last reading slump. I loved this book. It is a quick pace book, which I like. Great flow and great story. Now on to the next!!
August 11, 2013
An ok first book that has quite a few things going for it, and a few things that, well, need work.
Excellent setting: small town, up-state New York on the lake. Trixie buys not only a diner, but a house, 12 cottages, and a bait shop from her aunt. Talk about lots of options for murder and mayhem going forward. The author has created a setting that won't get stale as she'll be able to rotate her plots around different areas of Trixie's business, as well as around the town itself.
The characters seem well developed. I don't think you can dislike Ty; the author knows how to write 'charming' into a male lead. Trixie is a good solid lead too; she has a painful past but she's not mired in it, nor is she drowning in her own melancholy and dragging her readers with her. Trixie is focussed on looking ahead and it makes me want to read more. I really like Jaunita - something about her character makes me laugh.
The plot was...expected but unexpected for me. I'll leave it at that so as not to go spoilerish. But it was a solid first effort.
What needed work? The writing in some areas. There's an entire scene/conversation between Trixie and a character named Antoinette Chloe Brown at ACB's house that was just so unbelievable as to spiral into the ridiculous. It was choppy and would never happen. Unbelievable even in the cozy world. It stuck out in my mind for the rest of the book, colouring my overall opinion. Also sticking out - her truly insane belief that Ty, the detective on the case, should allow her to investigate with him, as his partner. Really? Her ex-husband is a deputy sheriff! In what universe is any ex-wife of a cop that naive as to think the lead investigator in a murder is going to let her help investigate?! My opinion? It lowered the overall quality of the book, which has a lot of strengths.
These lowpoints weren't enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Most firsts are awkward. Fingers crossed the second one will find a better groove.
Excellent setting: small town, up-state New York on the lake. Trixie buys not only a diner, but a house, 12 cottages, and a bait shop from her aunt. Talk about lots of options for murder and mayhem going forward. The author has created a setting that won't get stale as she'll be able to rotate her plots around different areas of Trixie's business, as well as around the town itself.
The characters seem well developed. I don't think you can dislike Ty; the author knows how to write 'charming' into a male lead. Trixie is a good solid lead too; she has a painful past but she's not mired in it, nor is she drowning in her own melancholy and dragging her readers with her. Trixie is focussed on looking ahead and it makes me want to read more. I really like Jaunita - something about her character makes me laugh.
The plot was...expected but unexpected for me. I'll leave it at that so as not to go spoilerish. But it was a solid first effort.
What needed work? The writing in some areas. There's an entire scene/conversation between Trixie and a character named Antoinette Chloe Brown at ACB's house that was just so unbelievable as to spiral into the ridiculous. It was choppy and would never happen. Unbelievable even in the cozy world. It stuck out in my mind for the rest of the book, colouring my overall opinion. Also sticking out - her truly insane belief that Ty, the detective on the case, should allow her to investigate with him, as his partner. Really? Her ex-husband is a deputy sheriff! In what universe is any ex-wife of a cop that naive as to think the lead investigator in a murder is going to let her help investigate?! My opinion? It lowered the overall quality of the book, which has a lot of strengths.
These lowpoints weren't enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Most firsts are awkward. Fingers crossed the second one will find a better groove.
January 16, 2016
Leaving her cheating ex-husband behind Trixie heads to upstate New York to take over the reins at her family’s famed Silver Bullet Diner. With very little explanation her aunt leaves town and leaves Trixie in charge. Sadly things go quickly downhill when the health inspector face plants into the Blue Plate Special, deader than a doornail.
Trixie has full plate trying to keep the diner going and trying to find the person responsible for the inspector’s last supper. She also needs to be sure not to become the next target of this comfort food killer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I grew up living above and working in my parent’s cafe that was so much like the Silver Bullet Diner. My mother served comfort food gleaned from her mother’s recipe box. My grandma ran a restaurant too! Sadly our family is no longer in the restaurant business. It is stories like this one that stir up some very precious memories.
Christine Wenger made this reader feel right at home in this story. The characters are fun and easy to relate with. Trixie Matkowski is a girl after my own heart. The cooks, the waitresses, the competition from other eateries all rings true. Even the meal scrounging food inspector hits the mark but I have never seen one die before :) Every cozy needs a hunky male and Wenger delivers with Deputy Ty Brisco, always in the right place at just the right time.
Kudos Christine!! Your cozy debut is a comfort foodie and cozy reader’s delight!!!! Can’t wait for A Second Helping of Murder!! coming in April 2014!!
Trixie has full plate trying to keep the diner going and trying to find the person responsible for the inspector’s last supper. She also needs to be sure not to become the next target of this comfort food killer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I grew up living above and working in my parent’s cafe that was so much like the Silver Bullet Diner. My mother served comfort food gleaned from her mother’s recipe box. My grandma ran a restaurant too! Sadly our family is no longer in the restaurant business. It is stories like this one that stir up some very precious memories.
Christine Wenger made this reader feel right at home in this story. The characters are fun and easy to relate with. Trixie Matkowski is a girl after my own heart. The cooks, the waitresses, the competition from other eateries all rings true. Even the meal scrounging food inspector hits the mark but I have never seen one die before :) Every cozy needs a hunky male and Wenger delivers with Deputy Ty Brisco, always in the right place at just the right time.
Kudos Christine!! Your cozy debut is a comfort foodie and cozy reader’s delight!!!! Can’t wait for A Second Helping of Murder!! coming in April 2014!!
August 14, 2013
This was an awesome book that I couldn't hardly put down. It kept my attention from the very beginning. It was a great cozy and it kept me guessing up till the very end. This is the first book in the Comfort Food Mystery Series and I am really looking forward to the next book in this series (there is an excerpt of it in this book and it sounds really good). I really liked Trixie. She was bound and determined to continue her aunt's and uncle's legacy by keeping the Silver Bullet Diner successful. She wouldn't give up even when hunky cop Ty Briscoe asked her to not interfere in the investigation. This cozy is filled with quirky characters, and Ms. Wenger did such a great job that I feel like I know these characters personally. There are also some yummy recipes in the back that I want to try. Thank Christine for such a wonderful cozy mystery, I honestly can't wait for the next one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.
January 3, 2022
I really enjoyed the start of this series. I liked Trixie and am rooting for her to succeed at the point. You've also got to love a cute Texas cowboy in upstate New York. I was disappointed at who the culprit was, not my first choice at all. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
November 20, 2017
This one was a recommendation from Goodreads, and they were spot on. From the charming characters to the kept-me-guessing mystery, it was one that I read from first page to last in a day. I love books that are so engrossing.
Also, it made me crave pork chops and scalloped potatoes. Good ol' home cooked food. I guess something called the "Comfort Food Mystery Series" will do that, eh?
All in all, great book I'd recommend to all lovers of cozies!
Also, it made me crave pork chops and scalloped potatoes. Good ol' home cooked food. I guess something called the "Comfort Food Mystery Series" will do that, eh?
All in all, great book I'd recommend to all lovers of cozies!
October 1, 2019
This was such a cute first book in this series. I thought Trixie was great and loved the small town. I love amateur sleuth mysteries and can't wait to read the next one. There are also some great recipes at the end.
August 5, 2013
Trixie Matkowski is thrilled but very nervous when her Aunt Stella practically gives her the vacation spot of her childhood, Sandy Point, with an offer she won't be able to resist. And she doesn't resist. She is now the new owner of the Silver Bullet Diner, Victorian house, summer cottages, bait shop and a huge chunk of valuable waterfront land.
This is the first book in a new series The Comfort Food Series, and in many ways this cozy is as comforting as apple pie. The Diner is especially meaningful to Trixie, who loves to cook. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and trustworthy and this 24-hour Diner is always full. In a small resort town one doesn't usually expect anything out of the ordinary to occur. But this small town is not without its share of mysteries and murder.
On her very first day the food inspector dies in the Diner kitchen. This definitely is not a good omen! Especially when it turns out that he was poisoned. When word gets around the small town, Trixie suddenly finds herself with lots of food and no customers, except for the enticing cowboy Ty, Deputy Sheriff Ty Brisco. Just what Trixie needed in her life...not. Hadn't she just divorced from Deputy Dog...oops, I mean Deputy Doug? Doug the cheater? Definitely Ty is a man she should avoid, even though they have agreed to share a friendly lost dog that has decided the Diner is home.
Determined to solve the mystery and get her clientele back before she goes bankrupt, Trixie does some investigating on her own. Naturally, Ty does not want her doing this, but she does turn up a few leads and evidence, sometimes by hilarious means. Christine Wenger writes with a flow I enjoyed, great characterization, description, humor and mystery. It is my opinion that the series will do very well, and those recipes that are included sound wonderful. Comfort food indeed.
This is the first book in a new series The Comfort Food Series, and in many ways this cozy is as comforting as apple pie. The Diner is especially meaningful to Trixie, who loves to cook. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and trustworthy and this 24-hour Diner is always full. In a small resort town one doesn't usually expect anything out of the ordinary to occur. But this small town is not without its share of mysteries and murder.
On her very first day the food inspector dies in the Diner kitchen. This definitely is not a good omen! Especially when it turns out that he was poisoned. When word gets around the small town, Trixie suddenly finds herself with lots of food and no customers, except for the enticing cowboy Ty, Deputy Sheriff Ty Brisco. Just what Trixie needed in her life...not. Hadn't she just divorced from Deputy Dog...oops, I mean Deputy Doug? Doug the cheater? Definitely Ty is a man she should avoid, even though they have agreed to share a friendly lost dog that has decided the Diner is home.
Determined to solve the mystery and get her clientele back before she goes bankrupt, Trixie does some investigating on her own. Naturally, Ty does not want her doing this, but she does turn up a few leads and evidence, sometimes by hilarious means. Christine Wenger writes with a flow I enjoyed, great characterization, description, humor and mystery. It is my opinion that the series will do very well, and those recipes that are included sound wonderful. Comfort food indeed.
September 23, 2014
Needing a new start, Trixie Matkowski has bought her aunt’s diner in upstate New York. Her first day at the new owner, someone poisons the health inspector by adding mushrooms to a family recipe. Who is trying to drive Trixie out of business?
This was a fun debut with a plot that grew as the book progressed. The characters were distinct, although they could be a bit better developed. I had some nitpicks with timing and how little sleep Trixie got, but they were minor. This was a fun series debut.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This was a fun debut with a plot that grew as the book progressed. The characters were distinct, although they could be a bit better developed. I had some nitpicks with timing and how little sleep Trixie got, but they were minor. This was a fun series debut.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
July 7, 2018
Trixie Matkowski has moved from Philadelphia after her divorce and bought her Aunt Stella's lakeside complex: Silver Bullet Diner, house, and cottages on Lake Ontario in upstate NY. Before she has even fully moved in the local restaurant inspector dies in the diner kitchen from mushroom poisoning. Mushrooms only in the dish that Marvin ate. There are several viable suspects; people who didn't like Marvin, people who want the property, and people who benefit from her loss of business. Trixie is determined to stay and get the case solved quickly. There is a Texan transplanted hunky Deputy and a great bunch of side characters. Looks to be the start of a good series.
February 19, 2015
After her husband's death, Aunt Stella leaves her small hometown after selling Trixie "the point", namely a huge Victorian home, several summer cottages, and a Silver Bullet Diner on Lake Ontario. Trixie is more than ready for a new start, having been freshly divorced and downsized from her job in Philadelphia. The diner is a treasure and stays hopping with business. Before she even has a chance to unpack, Trixie jumps into her work and manages to learn the diner lingo as she cooks up order after order. But when the local health inspector keels over dead while eating the daily special, matters quickly change. Business tanks and Trixie is the first suspect in the eyes of the new deputy sheriff, Ty, a sexy Texan transplant. Trixie is determined to help find the real killer before she has to close the diner.
This was a very quick read and a delightful story with delicious sounding recipes at the end. I fell in love with the characters, the diner atmosphere and cryptic lingo, and the small town atmosphere that holds Trixie's childhood memories. The shared custody of Blondie was a nice touch. The story was well-written and paced perfectly. Would definitely like to read the next book in this series.
This was a very quick read and a delightful story with delicious sounding recipes at the end. I fell in love with the characters, the diner atmosphere and cryptic lingo, and the small town atmosphere that holds Trixie's childhood memories. The shared custody of Blondie was a nice touch. The story was well-written and paced perfectly. Would definitely like to read the next book in this series.
January 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this first book of a new series.
Trixie is newly divorced and has bought her aunt's diner and property in New York to start over. But the health inspector is murdered in her kitchen which causes a huge drop in business.
I really liked Trixie. She is spunky, compasionate and not stupid. She cares about her new business, employees and the town. Ty is the new hunky sheriff from Texas and they immediately hit if off and she actually shares the information she finds out about the murder.
Her employees are all interesting as are the townspeople we meet. The mystery is good as well. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Trixie is newly divorced and has bought her aunt's diner and property in New York to start over. But the health inspector is murdered in her kitchen which causes a huge drop in business.
I really liked Trixie. She is spunky, compasionate and not stupid. She cares about her new business, employees and the town. Ty is the new hunky sheriff from Texas and they immediately hit if off and she actually shares the information she finds out about the murder.
Her employees are all interesting as are the townspeople we meet. The mystery is good as well. I look forward to the next book in the series.
September 23, 2013
I really loved this book, which is the first in a new series. The main character just purchased her aunts's diner, where she cooks, interacts with customers and is trying to put her own spin on the townspeople's favorite dishes. There is a real sense of community in this book and I could really picture the icy cold lakeside town where the book took place. The writing was funny and fast moving- I got so caught up in reading one night that I didn't realize it was almost 3 am! Yikes! Totally recommended!
October 7, 2019
I really enjoyed reading Do or Diner by Christine Wenger. It's the first book in Wenger's Comfort Food Mystery series. The book was a fast-paced read and all of the characters were both realistic and likeable - normal, everyday hardworking people - not bizarrely eccentric & kooky, a fact that I truly appreciated . . . (except for the mayor, the greedy creep, I did not like him). I also didn't figure out whodunit until the big reveal. The recipes at the end of the story were an added bonus. I plan to try out the G. R. M.'s Snowball Cookie recipe during the next holiday season.
February 6, 2015
I enjoyed this book. Now, the writing was a little uneven, the suspected motives were rushed into and the expository bits dragged on a little too much at the beginning, but the characters were enjoyable. Wegner managed to avoid the over-the-top small town folks that populate so many similar books. Quirks were tempered and seemed natural. I could imagine meeting almost all the characters in real life. I was especially fond of the deputy sheriff, who didn't hesitate to call the main character on some things that she needed to be called on, but managed to do it in a nice way.
August 23, 2013
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and the "small town" feel of the story.
As Trixie is getting settled into her "new" home, that her Aunt gives her, she is also becoming acquainted with the "Silver Bullet Diner" that has been in her family for a long time.
Trixie has alot of recipes that were handed down thru the family, and she is anxious to try them out at the Diner. But, she also needs to help solve the murder, and to help clear her name off of the murder suspect list!
As Trixie is getting settled into her "new" home, that her Aunt gives her, she is also becoming acquainted with the "Silver Bullet Diner" that has been in her family for a long time.
Trixie has alot of recipes that were handed down thru the family, and she is anxious to try them out at the Diner. But, she also needs to help solve the murder, and to help clear her name off of the murder suspect list!
March 5, 2016
Trixie left her cheating Ex Husband and moved to Up state New York to take over ownership of Her Family's Silver Bullet Diner.Her Aunt leaves soon after on a trip and leaves Trixie in charge. Sadly things go bad fast when the Health Inspector dies face down in the Blue plate special. Trixie has a full plate trying to keep the Diner running and going over the past due bills and other accounts. Not to mention trying to find out who was responsible for the Health Inspectors last meal!
November 12, 2013
More a 2.5 star read for me. The main character was a very nice, good-hearted person, but a lousy sleuth. There were too many things that were just not believable to me, especially the visit she paid to one of the people she suspected. Loved the cowboy cop, but on the whole this just didn't do it for mel I'll probably read the next one, but if it doesn't improve a lot I won't continue.
March 4, 2023
Loved it
Saw this series while looking for a new cozy mystery to read. I like the characters and the storyline was well done.
Trixie is a fun character, I like her attitude and her sense of humor.
Saw this series while looking for a new cozy mystery to read. I like the characters and the storyline was well done.
Trixie is a fun character, I like her attitude and her sense of humor.
February 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this cozy and can’t wait to read the next ones! I loved the little town feel to it, the characters are great. I love the descriptions of the foods as usual! The mystery was great, the interactions, the sleuthing! It has all the elements of a good cozy and done well!
February 28, 2019
Trixie Matkowski is recently divorced and has moved to a small town in upstate New York, where she's purchased her widowed aunt's diner, home, and vacation cottages. She plans on running the diner just as her family has done for generations, and renting out the cabins every summer to tourists.
But when she checks the mail, she sees a notice that states the health inspector is due that very day, and heads over to diner to see if she can fix the small infractions that were listed. But it seems as if the inspector has already arrived...and left permanently. He's dead, and it seems her daily special has killed him.
But Trixie notices that there are mushrooms in the mix, and her special doesn't contain mushrooms. Now it's up to Deputy Ty Brisco and the rest of the police department to figure out who poisoned the man and why. But Trixie knows if it isn't found out soon, her diner may close forever...
I really wanted to like this book, but Trixie - and Ty - grated on my nerves. Trixie is newly divorced and it seems had no problem walking away from her cheating husband while selling him every single thing that she owns. Really? The girlfriend got her husband, but she also gets the house and all the antiques she's acquired in ten years of marriage and, even though Trixie got paid nicely for it, she has no problem handing over her entire life - and husband - to another woman? This just doesn't ring true. There was nothing she wanted to keep? Nothing that mattered more than money? She didn't have any feelings about him cheating but handed over everything? She seems odd right off the bat.
Then, her aunt sells her the diner and leaves. She doesn't spend any time with her showing her how everything works, who the employees are, how she pays the bills/employees, etc. Obviously her aunt doesn't care if the diner fails, because she doesn't care if Trixie knows how to run it. The cook is a hysterical nut job, the handymen royal jerks. The two waitresses make goo-goo eyes at Ty and ignore everyone else when he's around. (There must be a dearth of handsome men in this town). Her aunt and Juanita have things in common - when a new cook is hired, Juanita bails on her without showing her the ropes.
Then, because she's afraid of losing customers, she starts giving away coffee and food. I guess she has no idea what profits are, either. She must have gotten a lot of money from turning over her home and possessions to her ex-husband.
But I really lost interest when it was painfully obvious that Trixie had just been running the diner for about an hour and Ty accuses her of murder. Oh, sure. She had no idea who the health inspector was, had no feelings of hatred for him, but decided to kill him because he was going to give her a bad rating. Yeah, that's believable. I'm stunned that this man barely meets her and decides she's capable of murdering someone she's never met. I guess he figures because she's new in town she must be guilty.
At any rate, the book lost me at that point, and I really, really like mysteries and try to give them a chance. But these things caused me to lose enjoyment in the book, and therefore, in the entire series. Sorry, but I couldn't like it and see no reason to read any others in the series.
But when she checks the mail, she sees a notice that states the health inspector is due that very day, and heads over to diner to see if she can fix the small infractions that were listed. But it seems as if the inspector has already arrived...and left permanently. He's dead, and it seems her daily special has killed him.
But Trixie notices that there are mushrooms in the mix, and her special doesn't contain mushrooms. Now it's up to Deputy Ty Brisco and the rest of the police department to figure out who poisoned the man and why. But Trixie knows if it isn't found out soon, her diner may close forever...
I really wanted to like this book, but Trixie - and Ty - grated on my nerves. Trixie is newly divorced and it seems had no problem walking away from her cheating husband while selling him every single thing that she owns. Really? The girlfriend got her husband, but she also gets the house and all the antiques she's acquired in ten years of marriage and, even though Trixie got paid nicely for it, she has no problem handing over her entire life - and husband - to another woman? This just doesn't ring true. There was nothing she wanted to keep? Nothing that mattered more than money? She didn't have any feelings about him cheating but handed over everything? She seems odd right off the bat.
Then, her aunt sells her the diner and leaves. She doesn't spend any time with her showing her how everything works, who the employees are, how she pays the bills/employees, etc. Obviously her aunt doesn't care if the diner fails, because she doesn't care if Trixie knows how to run it. The cook is a hysterical nut job, the handymen royal jerks. The two waitresses make goo-goo eyes at Ty and ignore everyone else when he's around. (There must be a dearth of handsome men in this town). Her aunt and Juanita have things in common - when a new cook is hired, Juanita bails on her without showing her the ropes.
Then, because she's afraid of losing customers, she starts giving away coffee and food. I guess she has no idea what profits are, either. She must have gotten a lot of money from turning over her home and possessions to her ex-husband.
But I really lost interest when it was painfully obvious that Trixie had just been running the diner for about an hour and Ty accuses her of murder. Oh, sure. She had no idea who the health inspector was, had no feelings of hatred for him, but decided to kill him because he was going to give her a bad rating. Yeah, that's believable. I'm stunned that this man barely meets her and decides she's capable of murdering someone she's never met. I guess he figures because she's new in town she must be guilty.
At any rate, the book lost me at that point, and I really, really like mysteries and try to give them a chance. But these things caused me to lose enjoyment in the book, and therefore, in the entire series. Sorry, but I couldn't like it and see no reason to read any others in the series.
September 29, 2017
Still reading, but I keep trying to decide what I don't like about this book. There is a flatness to the story. When I start a book before bed and can't for the life of me remember what I was reading the next day that's a bad sign.
But aside from the lack of spark, it's the "small town charm" that rubs me wrong. Not sure if it is the portrayal or that's how it is in small towns. (I'm a suburbs girl.) There is something so disingenuous about a couple of women going from distrust to confiding after a boquet of flowers, a meatloaf dinner, and some tea. It's fake over-the-top politeness over cattiness.
There is also a vibe. Been reading a bunch of these cozy mysteries lately. And while none of the do gooders should be messing in police business, some seem genuinely helpful in a unique skills sort of way. Here, not so much. Just gossiping, bumbling, and destroying the chain of evidence left and right.
Non-spoilery quote from the epilogue:
"Besides, there was hardly any crime in Sandy Harbor.
No crime? What was I thinking? I’d just almost, sort of, more or less, very nearly, basically, somewhat solved a murder on my own. Okay, maybe I had help."
But aside from the lack of spark, it's the "small town charm" that rubs me wrong. Not sure if it is the portrayal or that's how it is in small towns. (I'm a suburbs girl.) There is something so disingenuous about a couple of women going from distrust to confiding after a boquet of flowers, a meatloaf dinner, and some tea. It's fake over-the-top politeness over cattiness.
There is also a vibe. Been reading a bunch of these cozy mysteries lately. And while none of the do gooders should be messing in police business, some seem genuinely helpful in a unique skills sort of way. Here, not so much. Just gossiping, bumbling, and destroying the chain of evidence left and right.
Non-spoilery quote from the epilogue:
"Besides, there was hardly any crime in Sandy Harbor.
No crime? What was I thinking? I’d just almost, sort of, more or less, very nearly, basically, somewhat solved a murder on my own. Okay, maybe I had help."
August 18, 2014
3.5 stars
This was a good first-in-series mystery, set in a small town in upstate New York. Trixie is starting over -- taking over the family business, a diner and vacation cottages on "the point". She's moving in, trying to figure out how to run her diner, getting to know her neighbors and staff when business takes a turn for the worse -- the health inspector is poisoned in her kitchen. Desperate for business to return to the Silver Bullet Diner, she starts investigating on her own.
I liked Trixie -- she's equal parts determined and vulnerable; she's likeable but still fallible. This has all the makings of a great mystery series. There is a wonderful sense of place -- a believable small town with all its quirky characters, plus a fresh (diner) setting with some quirks of its own. Even the supporting characters help to draw you into their world. All make for a promising start for more stories from Trixie and her friends.
This was a good first-in-series mystery, set in a small town in upstate New York. Trixie is starting over -- taking over the family business, a diner and vacation cottages on "the point". She's moving in, trying to figure out how to run her diner, getting to know her neighbors and staff when business takes a turn for the worse -- the health inspector is poisoned in her kitchen. Desperate for business to return to the Silver Bullet Diner, she starts investigating on her own.
I liked Trixie -- she's equal parts determined and vulnerable; she's likeable but still fallible. This has all the makings of a great mystery series. There is a wonderful sense of place -- a believable small town with all its quirky characters, plus a fresh (diner) setting with some quirks of its own. Even the supporting characters help to draw you into their world. All make for a promising start for more stories from Trixie and her friends.
December 5, 2015
Great book - I've found a new author & cannot wait to read more of this series! The characters are believable and the way they interact is refreshing.
Trixie was betrayed by her deputy husband whose "new girlfriend" gave her enough money for a down payment on her aunt's diner with the promise she would never go back. Who does Trixie meet when she gets to her new town but the irresistible new deputy, Ty, who she wants no part of but she can't stay away. Matters turn worse when the health inspector dies after eating a meal at her diner. Someone added an extra ingredient to the old family recipe and Trixie is bound & determined to help figure out who it was. The entire story was entertaining and I was surprised at the end by who killed the inspector. I really enjoyed the interaction between Trixie & Ty along with the others that work in the diner. Give this book a chance; you won't be sorry you did.
Trixie was betrayed by her deputy husband whose "new girlfriend" gave her enough money for a down payment on her aunt's diner with the promise she would never go back. Who does Trixie meet when she gets to her new town but the irresistible new deputy, Ty, who she wants no part of but she can't stay away. Matters turn worse when the health inspector dies after eating a meal at her diner. Someone added an extra ingredient to the old family recipe and Trixie is bound & determined to help figure out who it was. The entire story was entertaining and I was surprised at the end by who killed the inspector. I really enjoyed the interaction between Trixie & Ty along with the others that work in the diner. Give this book a chance; you won't be sorry you did.
July 18, 2014
This was such a terrific mystery. The story was written in close first person, and the main character, Trixie, drew me in immediately. Having just taken over her aunt's diner in the dead of a snowy winter, she finds herself having to solve the poisoning death of the local health inspector. Either that or lose all her business and possibly get blamed for the crime. I trekked happily along with her as she hunted down clues and scribbled names onto her suspect list. Trixie was brave, caring, and persistent -- my idea of the perfect protagonist. I wish I could say I'm looking forward to book two . . . but I've already read it! Somehow I started the series out of order.
I simply loved this cozy. I felt as if I were a kid again, curling up on the sofa with a chocolate milk and a Nancy Drew book. You can bet I'll be pouncing on book three the moment it hits the shelves!
I simply loved this cozy. I felt as if I were a kid again, curling up on the sofa with a chocolate milk and a Nancy Drew book. You can bet I'll be pouncing on book three the moment it hits the shelves!
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