A Baked Ham

Classic Diner #4

by Jessica Beck

When a local actor is killed after making a pass at Moose’s wife, Victoria and her family must find the culprit before Moose is locked up for murder. It’s not going to be easy though, because Benny Booth had a real talent for making enemies!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2013

About the author

Jessica Beck is a pseudonym used by
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.

Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.

When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...

Reviews

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved my visit back to Jasper Fork. When an actor at the local theater is killed right after an argument with Moose he and Martha become chief suspects. Which of course means Victoria and Moose have to clear their names.

I really love Victoria and Moose as the main characters. I love their interactions both have a take me as I am attitude both fiercely love their spouses and each other. They are fun, determined and make the story line. Add in the side characters Greg (Victoria's spouse) and Martha (Moose's spouse), the sherrif and the cast is set for a lovely fun book.

The story line was very good with a lot of twists and I love the descriptions of the foods and the recipes in the back. I have to try the cheesy smashed potatoes.

A really good read with a well written story with fun characters.

[Jennifer Kovaleski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters in this series are what keep me coming back to read the next. The author writes family well and the grandfather/granddaughter relationship is endearing. The mystery was average but highly enjoy the process.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had some really bad acting and some good lying. The six suspects are not helpful in breaking the case, but Victoria stumbles onto the evidence the killer tried to hide in the end.
Enjoy!

[Mary Simmons-hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charcters are well written but story is slow.

[Rhea Folland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Intriguing to the last pages!

[Doris Ayres]

Another Moose and Victoria investigating a murder in Jasper Fork, North Carolina.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this series by Jessica Beck. They are what I consider "Cozy Mysteries". Considering they are murder mysteries there is very low violence. They are not in the Christian category but they are clean. Language is not offensive and I haven't read a sex scene yet. The main characters are 3 generations of long-term strong marriages. This type of material is refreshing. The story is interesting, captivating, and well-written. Plus it's not a difficult read.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is torture. But I will read this book. (This is my mantra.) the premise is ridiculous. Victoria and grandpa with the sheriff's blessing investigate murders. It is not exactly a Barney Fife situation but it's close.

Thankfully this was an easy evening read. I feel I must suffer through the next 2 books though so - onward!

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I pick up a volume of this series, I know that I'm going to be enjoying a good solid mystery. Not only is the novel filled with familiar fictional friends, but at the conclusion you can make dinner with the special recipes included.

This is a gentle cozy murder mystery.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this primarily for the characters as I really do enjoy this family's interactions with each other. However, their "sleuthing" in this one left a lot to be desired for me.

[Cathy Hendren]

Victoria gets herself involved with the murder of a local actor. This time her grandfather is accused of the murder. It was a little slower than the others.

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great mystery - the solution found on the second last page. This author is getting very good with her writing.

[Dawn Weiskopff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Liked the concept and she didn't reveal the murderer till the end. She does this in a lot of her books and I must be getting old because I always think it is someone else.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It's a fun quick read!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

another "fun" read!