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Soup Lover's Mystery #2
A Broth of Betrayal
Even a town called Snowflake, Vermont, has a summer season. In August, Lucky Jamieson’s By the Spoonful serves chilled soups—celery and green onion, cream of asparagus—and salads. The shop also serves as a gathering place to talk about cold-blooded murder…
A protest to stop the construction of an ugly car wash in the middle of the town’s picturesque Village Green is interrupted by the discovery of a skeleton that may date back to the Revolutionary War. While the remains pose a historical mystery, a present-day murder shakes the town to its core when local auto mechanic Harry Hodges is found dead in his shop.
Straining the patience of Chief of Police Nate Edgerton, Lucky soon finds herself in the soup again when her dear friend Elizabeth, the Mayor of Snowflake, goes missing. No matter how much trouble she has to stir up, Lucky is determined to use her noodle to uncover a killer and recover her friend…
Recipes included!
A protest to stop the construction of an ugly car wash in the middle of the town’s picturesque Village Green is interrupted by the discovery of a skeleton that may date back to the Revolutionary War. While the remains pose a historical mystery, a present-day murder shakes the town to its core when local auto mechanic Harry Hodges is found dead in his shop.
Straining the patience of Chief of Police Nate Edgerton, Lucky soon finds herself in the soup again when her dear friend Elizabeth, the Mayor of Snowflake, goes missing. No matter how much trouble she has to stir up, Lucky is determined to use her noodle to uncover a killer and recover her friend…
Recipes included!
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 2, 2013
55 people are currently reading
938 people want to read
About the author
Connie Archer
10 books390 followersConnie Archer is the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mystery Series from Berkley Prime Crime: A SPOONFUL OF MURDER, A BROTH OF BETRAYAL, A ROUX OF REVENGE, LADLE TO THE GRAVE and A CLUE IN THE STEW. Connie's excerpts and recipes can also be found in THE COZY COOKBOOK from Penguin Random House and THE MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK. Connie was born and raised in New England. She now lives on the other coast.
Visit her website at http://www.conniearchermysteries.com
FB: www.Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries
Twitter: @SnowflakeVT
Writing as Connie di Marco, she is also the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Suspense Publishing: The Madness of Mercury, All Signs Point to Murder, Tail of the Dragon, Enter a Wizard Stage Left and Serpent's Doom.
Visit her website at http://conniedimarco.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/zodiacmyster...
Twitter: @askzodia
Visit her website at http://www.conniearchermysteries.com
FB: www.Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries
Twitter: @SnowflakeVT
Writing as Connie di Marco, she is also the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Suspense Publishing: The Madness of Mercury, All Signs Point to Murder, Tail of the Dragon, Enter a Wizard Stage Left and Serpent's Doom.
Visit her website at http://conniedimarco.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/zodiacmyster...
Twitter: @askzodia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 26, 2023
Like the previous book, A Broth of Betrayal is warm and comforting like a bowl of hot soup on a cold day. Purely a pick-me-up and comfort food for the soul.
February 20, 2019
This book was so good! It was told from a couple of viewpoints which I really liked - the view of Lucky and Elizabeth. Excellent addition to this series! Put it on your TBR list!
4.8 stars
4.8 stars
April 25, 2019
2.5**
Book two in the Soup Lover’s Mystery series. There’s a lot going on this summer in Snowflake, Vermont. A developer is running afoul of local residents with his plans to build a big car wash in a prominent location. Construction workers uncover a skeleton that may require examination by an archeologist or historian. There’s to be a Revolutionary War battle re-enactment. The village’s car mechanic is found murdered in his office. The mayor has gone missing. And then another murder takes place.
At least Lucky tries to leave the murder investigations to the police, but she is all over trying to find Elizabeth, who is the Mayor (and a close family friend). And, of course, instead of working with one of the teams of volunteers who are searching for clues, she has to go off on her own without telling anyone where she is or when to expect her.
The main problem I have with this story line is that despite ALL the stuff that’s going on, it feels as if the action is dragging. And what’s with the insistence on using Naval time-telling? Yes, I know that Lucky’s grandfather was in the Navy but do both Jack and Lucky have to keep time this way? Over and over there’s a reference to “four bells” and then a translation to “2 o’clock.” I just found this irritating.
Book two in the Soup Lover’s Mystery series. There’s a lot going on this summer in Snowflake, Vermont. A developer is running afoul of local residents with his plans to build a big car wash in a prominent location. Construction workers uncover a skeleton that may require examination by an archeologist or historian. There’s to be a Revolutionary War battle re-enactment. The village’s car mechanic is found murdered in his office. The mayor has gone missing. And then another murder takes place.
At least Lucky tries to leave the murder investigations to the police, but she is all over trying to find Elizabeth, who is the Mayor (and a close family friend). And, of course, instead of working with one of the teams of volunteers who are searching for clues, she has to go off on her own without telling anyone where she is or when to expect her.
The main problem I have with this story line is that despite ALL the stuff that’s going on, it feels as if the action is dragging. And what’s with the insistence on using Naval time-telling? Yes, I know that Lucky’s grandfather was in the Navy but do both Jack and Lucky have to keep time this way? Over and over there’s a reference to “four bells” and then a translation to “2 o’clock.” I just found this irritating.
July 7, 2017
This one zipped right along and had quite a lot going on. There's a skeleton found on the town green that's being dug up for the construction of a car wash (of all things), Harry the autobody repair shop owner is found murdered in his office and Elizabeth Dove, Snowflake's mayor, has gone missing. As if that weren't enough, someone else dies by immolation. There's a lot to be sorted out with all the dead but there's also some historical artifact theft going on. With all this, the two person Snowflake P.D. definitely needs a few more hands. It's the State Police and Lucky that assist in their own ways.
It was nice to see familiar characters from the first book. Sophie and Lucky's friendship has been reestablished, Sage is happily ensconced in the kitchen conjuring epic eats, though Remy was completely absent & not mentioned, Jack's health is on the upswing as is business at the Spoonful. Also to the good was Lucky's somewhat improved relationship/opinion of local law enforcement. She sneered less and really only seemed to have a problem with one of the two officers now. On the downside, she seemed to feel it was fine for her to do a little B&E of someone's cabin, in her quest (not cool) & her lips are still playing fast and loose with confidences she's asked to keep. There were a host of new people to meet and some that stood out best were Rowena, local reporter, Guy Doucette, worked for Harry at the autoshop and the Ranks (Norman owns lots of Snowflake properties including The Spoonful & his wife, Cordelia, is a Daughter of the American Revolution).
I enjoyed the pace for the most part but there was a little too much recapping for the reader of events that have already taken place in the mystery. It's not so long a book that readers would lose the threads of the mysteries so that was a bit annoying.
For the main mystery, I enjoyed the reveal but I'm going to need the guilty not to keep being the one Lucky never suspects or the very last people Lucky chats to and seems to avoid speaking with in depth for the whole of the book until the end. It's tedious and turns into a tell while reading. And I'm hoping that Lucky will have a bit more safety sense as the series goes on. If this book wasn't a PSA for being sure to tell someone where you're going just in case something happens to you, I don't know what it is. Still, I will continue on with the series because it has more good points than bad. I very much enjoyed the game of cascading dominoes of murders and murderers this one had. I would've liked Lucky's access to crime scenes and police inquiries to be a little more hard won so that you don't hate the other characters for giving her things they reasonably shouldn't/wouldn't. For the life of me I can't understand why Nate, the chief of police would let her accompany him on an inquiry, even if they are getting along. Elizabeth had one of these strange access for Lucky moments too with the only reasoning of it being okay that she knows and likes Lucky. It's no way to show procedure and makes all involved look bad.
This time Sage's recipes mentioned in the book had me highlighting to look up similar recipes for real life. He makes a really interesting African inspired soup with peanut butter that piqued my interest & the recipe is included. Recommended for cozy mystery fans.
It was nice to see familiar characters from the first book. Sophie and Lucky's friendship has been reestablished, Sage is happily ensconced in the kitchen conjuring epic eats, though Remy was completely absent & not mentioned, Jack's health is on the upswing as is business at the Spoonful. Also to the good was Lucky's somewhat improved relationship/opinion of local law enforcement. She sneered less and really only seemed to have a problem with one of the two officers now. On the downside, she seemed to feel it was fine for her to do a little B&E of someone's cabin, in her quest (not cool) & her lips are still playing fast and loose with confidences she's asked to keep. There were a host of new people to meet and some that stood out best were Rowena, local reporter, Guy Doucette, worked for Harry at the autoshop and the Ranks (Norman owns lots of Snowflake properties including The Spoonful & his wife, Cordelia, is a Daughter of the American Revolution).
I enjoyed the pace for the most part but there was a little too much recapping for the reader of events that have already taken place in the mystery. It's not so long a book that readers would lose the threads of the mysteries so that was a bit annoying.
For the main mystery, I enjoyed the reveal but I'm going to need the guilty not to keep being the one Lucky never suspects or the very last people Lucky chats to and seems to avoid speaking with in depth for the whole of the book until the end. It's tedious and turns into a tell while reading. And I'm hoping that Lucky will have a bit more safety sense as the series goes on. If this book wasn't a PSA for being sure to tell someone where you're going just in case something happens to you, I don't know what it is. Still, I will continue on with the series because it has more good points than bad. I very much enjoyed the game of cascading dominoes of murders and murderers this one had. I would've liked Lucky's access to crime scenes and police inquiries to be a little more hard won so that you don't hate the other characters for giving her things they reasonably shouldn't/wouldn't. For the life of me I can't understand why Nate, the chief of police would let her accompany him on an inquiry, even if they are getting along. Elizabeth had one of these strange access for Lucky moments too with the only reasoning of it being okay that she knows and likes Lucky. It's no way to show procedure and makes all involved look bad.
This time Sage's recipes mentioned in the book had me highlighting to look up similar recipes for real life. He makes a really interesting African inspired soup with peanut butter that piqued my interest & the recipe is included. Recommended for cozy mystery fans.
January 16, 2016
Snowflake, Vermont is picturesque town frequented by tourists from the nearby Snowflake Ski Resort during the winter season. Off season it is home to year round residents, many who own businesses supported by the tourists. But there is a new business trying to open and none of the residents are happy. An ugly car wash has been approved by the town council and the people are protesting with a march in front of the site. Then all of the sudden the digging stops, it seems they have uncovered a skeleton that may date back to the Revolutionary War.
The town is then shaken by two more discoveries. Local mechanic, Harry Hodges, has been found dead in his shop and the mayor of the town, Lucky’s friend, Elizabeth has gone missing. Lucky plans to use her noodle to find her friend and the killer no matter how much trouble she stirs up.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book is full of wonderful mysteries, a skeleton discovered, a missing person, and a murder. The pages flew by.
Archer has created such lively characters. Lucky is a strong protagonist who doesn’t mind finding herself “in the soup” as she tries to save her friend or catch a killer. Her romance with her middle school crush, Dr. Elias Scott is progressing nicely. My favorite character is Lucky’s grandfather Jack, a retired Navy man who still tells time according to bells. He is devoted to his granddaughter and truly her right arm as she runs the business left to her by her parents.
I found the historical element in this story very interesting. Bodies hastily buried during the Revolutionary War being found today like this one can have a very eventful story when researched. The reenactment of The Battle of Bennington was a great way to tie this element together in this town to with a sultry summer activity.
I was also intrigued by the story that evolves as historic towns try to stay true to the historic quality and feeling as modern needs try to fit in. The car wash may have not been so bad with a few architectural elements to help in blend in with the surrounding businesses.
After reading the first book in this series, A Spoonful of Murder, I knew the author had a “souper” idea for her cozy series and that her stories would be filled with drama. She exceeded my expectations with this installment. I liked it even better than the last. She gives us a taste of the next story, A Roux of Revenge, and she has definitely whetted by appetite for more. My next visit to Snowflake cannot come soon enough!
The town is then shaken by two more discoveries. Local mechanic, Harry Hodges, has been found dead in his shop and the mayor of the town, Lucky’s friend, Elizabeth has gone missing. Lucky plans to use her noodle to find her friend and the killer no matter how much trouble she stirs up.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book is full of wonderful mysteries, a skeleton discovered, a missing person, and a murder. The pages flew by.
Archer has created such lively characters. Lucky is a strong protagonist who doesn’t mind finding herself “in the soup” as she tries to save her friend or catch a killer. Her romance with her middle school crush, Dr. Elias Scott is progressing nicely. My favorite character is Lucky’s grandfather Jack, a retired Navy man who still tells time according to bells. He is devoted to his granddaughter and truly her right arm as she runs the business left to her by her parents.
I found the historical element in this story very interesting. Bodies hastily buried during the Revolutionary War being found today like this one can have a very eventful story when researched. The reenactment of The Battle of Bennington was a great way to tie this element together in this town to with a sultry summer activity.
I was also intrigued by the story that evolves as historic towns try to stay true to the historic quality and feeling as modern needs try to fit in. The car wash may have not been so bad with a few architectural elements to help in blend in with the surrounding businesses.
After reading the first book in this series, A Spoonful of Murder, I knew the author had a “souper” idea for her cozy series and that her stories would be filled with drama. She exceeded my expectations with this installment. I liked it even better than the last. She gives us a taste of the next story, A Roux of Revenge, and she has definitely whetted by appetite for more. My next visit to Snowflake cannot come soon enough!
April 28, 2013
This is book two in the Soup Lover's Mystery series . I adore this series!
In this book we meet a lot of the same characters as book 1 but we also meet some new ones too. The story is about a little town called Snowflake in Vermont where our main character Lucky owns a restaurant called By The Spoonful. The book is filled with wonderful characters and I do have a few favourites such as Lucky's granddad Jack and her dear friend Elizabeth. The setting of the story is wonderful and in this book we learn that a developer is trying to build a car wash in the centre of this idyllic town much to all the residents horror. It is not long before someone turns up dead and then the mysteries start to mount up. I read this in a few hours as I just could not put it down. I only wish the next book in this series was out already as it is going to be soooo hard to wait for book three.
In this book we meet a lot of the same characters as book 1 but we also meet some new ones too. The story is about a little town called Snowflake in Vermont where our main character Lucky owns a restaurant called By The Spoonful. The book is filled with wonderful characters and I do have a few favourites such as Lucky's granddad Jack and her dear friend Elizabeth. The setting of the story is wonderful and in this book we learn that a developer is trying to build a car wash in the centre of this idyllic town much to all the residents horror. It is not long before someone turns up dead and then the mysteries start to mount up. I read this in a few hours as I just could not put it down. I only wish the next book in this series was out already as it is going to be soooo hard to wait for book three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2013
This was even better than the last one. And it had one of my favorite themes, by which I mean something less profound than the larger literary themes, like man v nature. No, it had the sort of perfect village mystery scenario with encroaching development, and people who consider it important to be solidly connected to the long arc of local history. I thought this story had great characters, and was very exciting compared to the standards of the cozy genre. Actually, I'm kind of down, because I consumed it so fast, and now poof -- that's it -- it will be another year or so before I can catch up with Lucky again, assuming there are more planned of course. I almost wish I had discover the series later, after they were all in the bag.
May 23, 2014
This was definitely better than the first book in the series. My biggest complaint were all the characters with similar names or all starting with the same letter. It got confusing and I kept having to go back and reread who these people were. A little more variety in character names could help.
Examples:
Horace
Hank
Harry
Barry
Rowena
Richard Rowland
Rod
Examples:
Horace
Hank
Harry
Barry
Rowena
Richard Rowland
Rod
April 28, 2024
The good citizens of Snowflake, VT are up in arms about a car wash that's slated to be built right on the beautiful green space in the middle of town. Things grow heated when the ground breaking begins, but everything comes to a halt when a skeleton is discovered buried there. The townsfolk are in a celebratory mood after the reprieve, but that soon vanishes when Harry, the owner of the auto shop, is found murdered at his place of business. Not long after, Lucky's friend Elizabeth (the mayor of Snowflake) vanishes without a trace. Lucky feels the incidents must be connected. Tensions rise as the days go by with no sign of Elizabeth, culminating in another murder. Lucky becomes ever more frantic in her efforts to locate Elizabeth, and she can only hope her friend is still alive.
The plot was interesting in a convoluted sort of way. Things didn't seem connected at first, but as the story progressed, those connections became clearer. I liked the fact that Lucky was devoting far more of her time searching for Elizabeth than trying to do any amateur investigating. It added plausibility to the storyline.
Good story, four stars
The plot was interesting in a convoluted sort of way. Things didn't seem connected at first, but as the story progressed, those connections became clearer. I liked the fact that Lucky was devoting far more of her time searching for Elizabeth than trying to do any amateur investigating. It added plausibility to the storyline.
Good story, four stars
April 17, 2017
It is August in Snowflake and it isn't only the weather that's heating up, the majority of the town is up in arms at the building of a car wash in the centre of town (totally out of character with the rest of the buildings!), so demonstrations are planned - but during one of them a skeleton is found and things go downhill from there on it with murder and kidnapping on the menu!
September 17, 2021
I have not read this series in quite a while, but I did enjoy the first book. Well this book rocked. Cozies normally read along at a comfortable pace but this story line really drew me in and kept me buzzing through....On to the next in the series.
July 22, 2019
This is a cute mystery. I read the first one also, but so far they haven't grown on me as much as I'd hoped.
March 24, 2021
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this second entry in the series. There was a lot going on and trying to figure out how things were connected or not was a real puzzle. I do wish there had been a bigger storyline with the construction site body. The characters are likeable and I like the small town setting. It was summertime in this book and the recipes at the end reflect it. Not sure I’d try any of them (maybe the chicken salad) but I enjoyed reading them.
I enjoyed this second entry in the series. There was a lot going on and trying to figure out how things were connected or not was a real puzzle. I do wish there had been a bigger storyline with the construction site body. The characters are likeable and I like the small town setting. It was summertime in this book and the recipes at the end reflect it. Not sure I’d try any of them (maybe the chicken salad) but I enjoyed reading them.
April 21, 2013
Broth of Betrayal is the second book in the a Soup Lover's Mystery series. A delightful addition, it is.
The folks of Snowflake, VT are excited about preparing for the Revolutionary War enactment in town, but are also upset by the imminent construction of a car wash in this quaint little town.
Harry Hodges has been helping to organize demonstration, hoping to get the site of car wash moved to another location. On the day of the demonstration some bones are uncovered as excavation begins and Hodges is found dead in his repair auto repair shop. Upon testing of bones that were found, it is determined that they date back to the Revolutionary War days. Then Richard Rowland, the owner of the proposed car wash, dies in fire of the construction site office trailer.
But, most discerning to Lucky is that Elizabeth, Mayor of Snowflake and a second mother to her, has gone missing.
Lucky begins to look into Elizabeth disappearance, while her father and his cronies from By The Spoonful start looking into Hodges and Rowland's murders.
A wonderful follow up to A Spoonful Of Murder. This is a great story with the enjoyable and believable characters from the first book back again. Maybe there is some romance in store for Lucky.
Will be looking for the next book.
The folks of Snowflake, VT are excited about preparing for the Revolutionary War enactment in town, but are also upset by the imminent construction of a car wash in this quaint little town.
Harry Hodges has been helping to organize demonstration, hoping to get the site of car wash moved to another location. On the day of the demonstration some bones are uncovered as excavation begins and Hodges is found dead in his repair auto repair shop. Upon testing of bones that were found, it is determined that they date back to the Revolutionary War days. Then Richard Rowland, the owner of the proposed car wash, dies in fire of the construction site office trailer.
But, most discerning to Lucky is that Elizabeth, Mayor of Snowflake and a second mother to her, has gone missing.
Lucky begins to look into Elizabeth disappearance, while her father and his cronies from By The Spoonful start looking into Hodges and Rowland's murders.
A wonderful follow up to A Spoonful Of Murder. This is a great story with the enjoyable and believable characters from the first book back again. Maybe there is some romance in store for Lucky.
Will be looking for the next book.
February 20, 2015
It was so good to be back in Snowflake, Vermont. A BROTH OF BETRAYAL reconnected me with all the delightful characters that I got to meet in A SPOONFUL OF MURDER. Lucky Jamieson and her grandfather Jack, as well as the rest of the characters from the first book, were as I remembered them, but even more fleshed out.
I enjoyed the storyline of the skeleton from Revolutionary War days and the connection it had to someone in present day Snowflake. The mystery of who killed auto mechanic Harry Hodges was well written and not an easy one to solve. And if two mysteries aren’t enough for you, the Mayor of Snowflake, Elizabeth Dove, goes missing! As the readers we get to know where she is, but her friends and co-workers have no idea. My only problem with this part of the story…for Elizabeth to be Mayor, it took too long for anyone to notice she was missing and do something about it. Putting that aside though, it was interesting to see all the storylines play out and to finally get to the reveal(s).
I liked A BROTH OF BETRAYAL and the characters enough to read the next book in the series, A ROUX OF REVENGE. You can find my review for it and the first book in the series, A SPOONFUL OF MURDER on their home pages.
I enjoyed the storyline of the skeleton from Revolutionary War days and the connection it had to someone in present day Snowflake. The mystery of who killed auto mechanic Harry Hodges was well written and not an easy one to solve. And if two mysteries aren’t enough for you, the Mayor of Snowflake, Elizabeth Dove, goes missing! As the readers we get to know where she is, but her friends and co-workers have no idea. My only problem with this part of the story…for Elizabeth to be Mayor, it took too long for anyone to notice she was missing and do something about it. Putting that aside though, it was interesting to see all the storylines play out and to finally get to the reveal(s).
I liked A BROTH OF BETRAYAL and the characters enough to read the next book in the series, A ROUX OF REVENGE. You can find my review for it and the first book in the series, A SPOONFUL OF MURDER on their home pages.
January 3, 2015
It's Sizzling in Snowflake!
It's a sizzling hot summer in Snowflake, Vermont, and it's not only the weather that's broiling. An extremely unpopular commercial venture in the heart of downtown has the townspeople hot under the collar. Stir in 18th--Century skeletal remains discovered during groundbreaking ceremonies and the pot AND plot are soon boiling over!
A planned reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle quickly takes a backseat in Snowflake when Elizabeth Dove, the town's mayor and Lucky Jamieson's lifelong friend, goes missing. Despite an intensive and ongoing search, there is no trace of Elizabeth as the days drag by.
Adding fuel to the fire, the owner of the town's garage is found murdered in his repair shop. And when despised developer Richard Rowland burns to death in his construction site trailer, things turn from hot to blazing.
A compelling cast of shady and eccentric secondary characters and intriguing sub-plots compel the reader through the pages of Lucky and crew's second Soup Lover's Mystery. With twists and turns and red herrings galore, this is a read that will have you burning the midnight oil.
Tasting this wonderful second novel featuring Lucky Jamieson and the crew of the By the Spoonful Soup Shop will leave you hungering for more!
It's a sizzling hot summer in Snowflake, Vermont, and it's not only the weather that's broiling. An extremely unpopular commercial venture in the heart of downtown has the townspeople hot under the collar. Stir in 18th--Century skeletal remains discovered during groundbreaking ceremonies and the pot AND plot are soon boiling over!
A planned reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle quickly takes a backseat in Snowflake when Elizabeth Dove, the town's mayor and Lucky Jamieson's lifelong friend, goes missing. Despite an intensive and ongoing search, there is no trace of Elizabeth as the days drag by.
Adding fuel to the fire, the owner of the town's garage is found murdered in his repair shop. And when despised developer Richard Rowland burns to death in his construction site trailer, things turn from hot to blazing.
A compelling cast of shady and eccentric secondary characters and intriguing sub-plots compel the reader through the pages of Lucky and crew's second Soup Lover's Mystery. With twists and turns and red herrings galore, this is a read that will have you burning the midnight oil.
Tasting this wonderful second novel featuring Lucky Jamieson and the crew of the By the Spoonful Soup Shop will leave you hungering for more!
May 14, 2013
Safe, picture perfect Snowflake, Vermont is not what the surface shows, as 'By the Spoonful' restaurant owner, Lucky Jamieson is finding out.
Not only is the town in an uproar about the construction of a car wash downtown spoiling the ambience of the town for the tourists and year rounders alike, now there has been a senseless, or so it seems murder of the town's auto repair owner, Harry.
As the town readies for their annual Revolutionary War re-enactment, a skeleton is found dating to those precise days, which will lead to controversy as well.
Then to add to Lucky's fear and confusion, her second Mother figure, Mayor Elizabeth has disappeared and now even the FBI is searching for her.
As bodies add up, trailers are torched, missing persons remain missing, and long ago secrets are torn open to expose even more secrets...this novel will have you turning the pages non-stop as you try to ferret out the culprit.
I did not see the ending coming. It was a twist and turn path and at times beyond painful. Ms. Archer has a golden mystery series here. I look forward to her next one out, "A Roux of Revenge."
Not only is the town in an uproar about the construction of a car wash downtown spoiling the ambience of the town for the tourists and year rounders alike, now there has been a senseless, or so it seems murder of the town's auto repair owner, Harry.
As the town readies for their annual Revolutionary War re-enactment, a skeleton is found dating to those precise days, which will lead to controversy as well.
Then to add to Lucky's fear and confusion, her second Mother figure, Mayor Elizabeth has disappeared and now even the FBI is searching for her.
As bodies add up, trailers are torched, missing persons remain missing, and long ago secrets are torn open to expose even more secrets...this novel will have you turning the pages non-stop as you try to ferret out the culprit.
I did not see the ending coming. It was a twist and turn path and at times beyond painful. Ms. Archer has a golden mystery series here. I look forward to her next one out, "A Roux of Revenge."
April 29, 2013
I received this book through GoodReads First Reads. This book follows Lucky who owns her recently deceased parents restaurant, By The Spoonful. This is the 2nd book in the series and I could not put it down. Her town of Snowflake is demonstrating against a car wash that's being built in the middle of it and an old skeleton is found. After that Harry, the town's mechanic, is found murdered and the town mayor Elizabeth (who is very close to Lucky) goes missing. Lucky starts searching for Elizabeth while juggling her business, her relationship with the town doctor Elias, and everything else that's happening in Snowflake. This book was riveting. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries. And, as a bonus, the book also contains recipes for some of the meals mentioned in the book. I can't wait for the 3rd book in the series to come out and will DEFINITELY be picking up the 1st the next time I'm at a bookstore. Enjoy.
April 29, 2013
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
It is the 2nd book in the Soup Lover's Mystery series. Set in the small town of Snowflake, Vermont, with memorable characters and a good storyline. A fun little whodunit. Oh and a fun added bonus in the back of the book... recipes of soups and salads that are served in the By the Spoonful (the soup shop owned and ran by amateur-sleuth and heroine Lucky Jamieson)
I am definitely going to read the 1st book, A Spoonful of Murder and then the 3rd.
It is the 2nd book in the Soup Lover's Mystery series. Set in the small town of Snowflake, Vermont, with memorable characters and a good storyline. A fun little whodunit. Oh and a fun added bonus in the back of the book... recipes of soups and salads that are served in the By the Spoonful (the soup shop owned and ran by amateur-sleuth and heroine Lucky Jamieson)
I am definitely going to read the 1st book, A Spoonful of Murder and then the 3rd.
May 7, 2013
Lucky Jamieson, who runs a soup restaurant, is upset at the local murder--especially since her Grandfather, Jack, and she discovered the corpse. And she's outraged at the attempt by a returning native son to build a car wash on the local green. But what really has her in a state is the disappearance of mayor Elizabeth Dove, Lucky's mother's best friend and her surrogate mother after her parents' death. The culprit was a bit obvious, but I enjoyed the atmosphere.
January 2, 2014
The town of Snowflake has a dark underbelly. The mystery had a few layers that when finally revealed, I had to pay attention just to keep up with the whos and whys of why it all happened. I like how the relationship between Lucky and Elias is progressing. I'm warming up to Sophie. She was a pill in the first book and I didn't think she and Lucky would get along again like they did in the past. I'm not sure the DAR story line had to be there. It felt unresolved in the end.
May 18, 2013
THE SECOND BOOK IN THIS LOVELY SERIES WA DEFINITELY WORTH THE WAIT! IF YOU LIKE HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS ALONG WITH A SWEET MYSTERY-YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK. AGAIN, SOUP RECIPES ENTICE YOU AND SUMMER IS BEAUTIFUL IN SNOWFLAKE! I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE MORE LIFE IN LUCK'S LOVE INTEREST--BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE NEXT BOOK THUS MAKING THIS SERIES EVEN MORE FUN TO READ!
May 13, 2013
I really enjoyed this second book in the series of the soup lover's mysterys. It was fast moving
and full of suspense. I liked the characters and the turn paging challenge of what would happen
next. I do plan on reading the next book, this author is writing and reading it soon.
and full of suspense. I liked the characters and the turn paging challenge of what would happen
next. I do plan on reading the next book, this author is writing and reading it soon.
April 7, 2013
good plot, hints on characters but with the twists + turns-the ending is Good!
June 1, 2018
The book begins with the year 1777 when someone is murdered. Then we fast forward to the present day where the people of Snowflake are completely against a car wash in town. (Really? You'd rather just stand in your driveway and wash your cars on a regular basis? Or do these people drive to another town that has a car wash?) I also wondered why they didn't suggest somewhere else in town for the car wash, maybe not so close to the town square. Honestly, why would he want to build it in the town square anyway? All they had to do was suggest somewhere a little farther out. But I digress...
When bones are discovered on the construction site, it is immediately shut down until they can determine how old the skeleton is. Then they discover the body of a local and the mayor goes missing, and Lucky realizes that she's going to get involved whether the police chief wants her to or not.
Well, I wanted to like this book, but it was just not interesting enough to keep my attention. Lucky is not a likable person at all, and the story line was depressing as a previous reviewer mentioned - two murders, someone being kidnapped by a mentally unstable person and another burned alive, etc.; there just wasn't anything good happening to anyone.
Not to mention Elias has to be the most boring person on the face of the earth, no wonder he wound up in this town. He's also quite well versed in things anthropologists would know about but probably not a medical doctor. Not that I'm disputing it, but I seriously doubt if medical school teaches one about pH levels in soil.
I wish I could say something better about this series, but the only thing I can think of is that I'm not going to waste my time on the rest of the books. Not even the recipes were appetizing. Who on earth is going to eat peanut butter soup? Sorry, but I'm donating the rest of the books in this series to our local library; maybe someone will find them more to their taste (pun intended).
When bones are discovered on the construction site, it is immediately shut down until they can determine how old the skeleton is. Then they discover the body of a local and the mayor goes missing, and Lucky realizes that she's going to get involved whether the police chief wants her to or not.
Well, I wanted to like this book, but it was just not interesting enough to keep my attention. Lucky is not a likable person at all, and the story line was depressing as a previous reviewer mentioned - two murders, someone being kidnapped by a mentally unstable person and another burned alive, etc.; there just wasn't anything good happening to anyone.
Not to mention Elias has to be the most boring person on the face of the earth, no wonder he wound up in this town. He's also quite well versed in things anthropologists would know about but probably not a medical doctor. Not that I'm disputing it, but I seriously doubt if medical school teaches one about pH levels in soil.
I wish I could say something better about this series, but the only thing I can think of is that I'm not going to waste my time on the rest of the books. Not even the recipes were appetizing. Who on earth is going to eat peanut butter soup? Sorry, but I'm donating the rest of the books in this series to our local library; maybe someone will find them more to their taste (pun intended).
August 10, 2019
A protest to stop the construction of an ugly car wash in the middle of the town’s picturesque Village Green is interrupted by the discovery of a skeleton that may date back to the Revolutionary War. While the remains pose a historical mystery, a present-day murder shakes the town to its core when local auto mechanic Harry Hodges is found dead in his shop. Lucky starts looking into the murder when her dear friend Elizabeth, the Mayor of Snowflake, goes missing. No matter how much trouble she has to stir up, Lucky is determined to uncover a killer and recover her friend.
Lucky is a likable character and along with her friends and co-workers, the story has a full set of great characters. The descriptions of the town the reenactment and the people in it are really good. The storyline was good giving you two mysteries to solve the murder and who had kidnapped Elizabeth. The only character I just don't like is her love interest I just can't bring myself to root for him. He, on one hand, seems to be sweet but then he is pushing her to commit and seems to be patronizing her with I know I can't tell you to stay out of trouble. Plus he just kind of blows her off with it will be all just fine. I just don't like him.
Lucky is a likable character and along with her friends and co-workers, the story has a full set of great characters. The descriptions of the town the reenactment and the people in it are really good. The storyline was good giving you two mysteries to solve the murder and who had kidnapped Elizabeth. The only character I just don't like is her love interest I just can't bring myself to root for him. He, on one hand, seems to be sweet but then he is pushing her to commit and seems to be patronizing her with I know I can't tell you to stay out of trouble. Plus he just kind of blows her off with it will be all just fine. I just don't like him.
March 29, 2021
The locals in Snowflake, Vermont are unhappy with a builder with ties to the town erecting a car wash in town. During the protest, a body is found but it looks to be very old. While the body is being exhumed a local has been killed and the mayor has gone missing. Will Lucky find out what is happening before she becomes the next victim?
I was a little apprehensive starting this series, especially since I started with book two. I had heard a lot of negative chatter regarding book one. Well, book two was a great read. A lot was going on and I had to keep the storylines straight with a few written notes. I am not sure I have read a cozy mystery with three murders and kidnapping before.
There are cold soup recipes included. They are not my cup of soup but I am sure they will tickle someone's fancy. The peanut butter soup sounds interesting.
I plan on continuing this series.
I was a little apprehensive starting this series, especially since I started with book two. I had heard a lot of negative chatter regarding book one. Well, book two was a great read. A lot was going on and I had to keep the storylines straight with a few written notes. I am not sure I have read a cozy mystery with three murders and kidnapping before.
There are cold soup recipes included. They are not my cup of soup but I am sure they will tickle someone's fancy. The peanut butter soup sounds interesting.
I plan on continuing this series.
March 24, 2021
I enjoyed the first book in this series but I felt like this one was more polished and even more interesting than the first. I've grown to really like the characters, though I don't quite get the relationship between Lucky and Elias. They seem to be moving a LOT faster than feels natural. There was a lot going on in this book, we have a murder, followed by a disappearance, followed by another murder, all seeming to somehow connect to a murder that takes place over 200 years earlier. I did figure out who the killer was pretty early on but I was never quite sure I was right because the connection was unclear until the last few chapters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
May 22, 2025
An eyesore of a car wash coming to the quaint downtown has the community up in arms. When a skeleton is discovered at the construction site, folks hope that's an end to the car wash. Then someone in the community winds up dead. There's a missing Mayor and then another murder. There's mysteries to be solved here.
It had been quite a while between my reading book 1 and this next one in the series, so I had forgotten many of the characters. I felt a bit lost and that I should have known more about relationships as I read the book. Note to self: don't wait years between installments!
Writing is crisp and good. A solid book.
It had been quite a while between my reading book 1 and this next one in the series, so I had forgotten many of the characters. I felt a bit lost and that I should have known more about relationships as I read the book. Note to self: don't wait years between installments!
Writing is crisp and good. A solid book.
August 28, 2017
An oddly endearing little culinary cozy, despite the heroine's tendency to melodrama and the author's POV bobbles. (If you're going to be telling your story from two POVs, add the second one in waaaaaaaaaaay before page 50. Also don't then add in three seconds from a third POV on page 200. Get it together.)
The included recipes undered my whelm, but the recipes that weren't included, but were just sprinkled throughout the book (set, as it is, in a diner) sounded amazing and included enough detail they could be re-created at home.
The included recipes undered my whelm, but the recipes that weren't included, but were just sprinkled throughout the book (set, as it is, in a diner) sounded amazing and included enough detail they could be re-created at home.
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