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A Memphis BBQ Mystery #4
Rubbed Out
Even Lulu Taylor—proprietress of Aunt Pat’s Barbeque Restaurant in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee—needs to get out of the kitchen now and then. But at the Rock and Ribs festival, she finds more than a taste of trouble… Reuben Shaw rubs a lot of people the wrong way—including Lulu’s best friend, Cherry, who has the misfortune of being in the booth next to his at the festival. The pigheaded pit master thinks he’s a shoo-in to win the barbeque competition, but he spends more time stirring up trouble than seasoning his spare ribs. Hours after she gets into a quarrel with him, Cherry finds Shaw dead with a butcher knife in his chest. Now it’s her turn to get grilled—by the police. Lulu sets out to clear her friend’s name and finds Shaw had more secrets than his BBQ recipe. She’ll need to act fast, because the real killer will spare no one…including Lulu.Includes recipes!
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
13 people are currently reading
636 people want to read
About the author
Riley Adams
17 books121 followersElizabeth Spann Craig/Riley Adams writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/Signet, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink. She blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010-2013.
Riley’s latest book is Rubbed Out: book four of the Memphis Barbeque mysteries. Her next book, Quilt Trip (written as Elizabeth Craig) releases December 2013. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. Find out more about her books on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com .
Riley’s latest book is Rubbed Out: book four of the Memphis Barbeque mysteries. Her next book, Quilt Trip (written as Elizabeth Craig) releases December 2013. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. Find out more about her books on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 27, 2024
Fun, great setup with the baking contest, plenty of interesting characters. A bit convoluted and complicated, and here again the story could have let the readers experience more of the action, both main and minor characters. This is written in 3rd person, but strictly from the main character's PoV. So if Lulu isn't talking, thinking, or witnessing something, the reader doesn't know either. Unless the narrator states it. Which would be much more engaging 'stated' as q peek into the events as they happen. "Derrick had been slipping out" is much clumsier than a few scenes where Derrick passes through, saying "Goodbye" or "Gotta run" or "See you later". It comes off as both rushed and heavy handed, like a sign "Here's a thread, pay attention, see, I got it in there!" The ending is also quite abrupt - story climax straight to close. No closeout of various threads, no glances toward the future. The reader might want to pick up the next book, to stay with this group - but there isn't one.
May 19, 2019
This is a fun series. What's not to like? Memphis, BBQ, interesting characters, good mystery and story. And recipes in the back....
Nice mellow mystery featuring characters I'd like to meet in a setting I'd like to visit one day. There is good character development and couple of tales going on at the same time to keep the pages turning.
Lulu, the main character, gets involved in the mystery in a natural way. I really don't like it when the amateur sleuth aspect feels forced. This one doesn't. She wants to help.
I like stories set in the South. Atmospheric and funny or atmospheric and Gothic....this one is the first. Colorful.
I can recommend this book, series and author.
Nice mellow mystery featuring characters I'd like to meet in a setting I'd like to visit one day. There is good character development and couple of tales going on at the same time to keep the pages turning.
Lulu, the main character, gets involved in the mystery in a natural way. I really don't like it when the amateur sleuth aspect feels forced. This one doesn't. She wants to help.
I like stories set in the South. Atmospheric and funny or atmospheric and Gothic....this one is the first. Colorful.
I can recommend this book, series and author.
August 5, 2017
This book was really a hoot!!
It's amazing that murder can be funny, but, the drawls and the attitudes of the south,
are really amusing.
Start of a good series.
It's amazing that murder can be funny, but, the drawls and the attitudes of the south,
are really amusing.
Start of a good series.
September 12, 2017
Kindle
December 7, 2018
I fell asleep. The story didn’t really interest me at all. The recipes at the end were interesting, the main bulk of the story was a little predictable.
June 22, 2019
Good mystery! This was a fun addition to the series. I really like Lulu and her best friend Cherry. Reading this, made me hungry for barbecue.
October 1, 2025
Just okay.
July 10, 2013
As a BBQ professional, Lulu Taylor isn’t allowed to complete in the Rock and Ribs festival, but she’s excited to take some time off from her restaurant to attend the event. Lulu wants to give moral support to her best friend, Cherry, who is leading a team and has high hopes of winning the competition. Unfortunately, Cherry’s fun at the festival is dampened by conflicts with the team in the booth next door. Some of the arguments with the neighboring team become heated and cause quite a scene. When the other team’s obnoxious leader, Reuben, is found murdered in his booth, Cherry becomes the number one suspect. It’s up to Lulu to prove her friend’s innocence before Cherry ends up behind bars or the real murderer strikes again.
I absolutely loved this book! Rubbed Out is number four in the Memphis BBQ mystery series and is the first I’ve read by this author. Even without the background from the prior books, I immediately connected with the characters. I have to say, the book is so well-written, I took to all the characters, even the suspects. Lulu, the star of the book, is a great main character. She is independent, but nurturing, and is always there for friends and family. I like the interactions between Lulu and her son, Ben, and daughter-in-law, Sara. Ben and Sara are busy running the restaurant while Lulu is at the festival, so they don’t play a large role in the book. I’m assuming prior books gave more depth to Ben and Sara, but I like the little I did see of these characters. Lulu’s twin grand-daughters, Coco and Ella Beth, are adorable. They have a nice mix of intelligence and cuteness and they add to the book with their innocent observations and also by showcasing Lulu’s softer side. Most of all, I adore Lulu’s friend Cherry. Cherry is outgoing and funny and loves being the center of attention, but without becoming grating. Cherry is full of self-confidence and in one instance, Lulu tells Cherry that a new acquaintance isn’t “all that crazy about you.” Cherry’s delightful reply is, “She doesn’t know what she’s missing.” We could all use a little of Cherry’s self-confidence!
There is enough action and red herrings to keep the story interesting until the very end. Although Lulu and her friend feel local police officer Pink Rogers needs some help getting to the truth behind Reuben’s murder, they still have a good relationship with him. Lulu’s involvement in the investigation seems plausible. There are times when Lulu takes unnecessary chances which seem foolish, especially for someone well into middle age, but it is fitting with her independence. The wraps up nicely with a satisfying conclusion, but I was sorry to say good-bye to these characters. I don’t know how I’ve missed this series, but I am already looking forward to the next installment. Recipes are included at the end for anyone who wants to try some of the dishes talked about in the story. Rubbed Out is the perfect book for a day at the pool or better yet, while relaxing at home with something simmering on your own grill.
Fans of Lou Jane Temple or Lila Dare will want to give the latest by Riley Adams a try.
4.5 stars This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book! Rubbed Out is number four in the Memphis BBQ mystery series and is the first I’ve read by this author. Even without the background from the prior books, I immediately connected with the characters. I have to say, the book is so well-written, I took to all the characters, even the suspects. Lulu, the star of the book, is a great main character. She is independent, but nurturing, and is always there for friends and family. I like the interactions between Lulu and her son, Ben, and daughter-in-law, Sara. Ben and Sara are busy running the restaurant while Lulu is at the festival, so they don’t play a large role in the book. I’m assuming prior books gave more depth to Ben and Sara, but I like the little I did see of these characters. Lulu’s twin grand-daughters, Coco and Ella Beth, are adorable. They have a nice mix of intelligence and cuteness and they add to the book with their innocent observations and also by showcasing Lulu’s softer side. Most of all, I adore Lulu’s friend Cherry. Cherry is outgoing and funny and loves being the center of attention, but without becoming grating. Cherry is full of self-confidence and in one instance, Lulu tells Cherry that a new acquaintance isn’t “all that crazy about you.” Cherry’s delightful reply is, “She doesn’t know what she’s missing.” We could all use a little of Cherry’s self-confidence!
There is enough action and red herrings to keep the story interesting until the very end. Although Lulu and her friend feel local police officer Pink Rogers needs some help getting to the truth behind Reuben’s murder, they still have a good relationship with him. Lulu’s involvement in the investigation seems plausible. There are times when Lulu takes unnecessary chances which seem foolish, especially for someone well into middle age, but it is fitting with her independence. The wraps up nicely with a satisfying conclusion, but I was sorry to say good-bye to these characters. I don’t know how I’ve missed this series, but I am already looking forward to the next installment. Recipes are included at the end for anyone who wants to try some of the dishes talked about in the story. Rubbed Out is the perfect book for a day at the pool or better yet, while relaxing at home with something simmering on your own grill.
Fans of Lou Jane Temple or Lila Dare will want to give the latest by Riley Adams a try.
4.5 stars This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2018
Riley Adams has one of the best Foodie Mystery out; her Memphis BBQ series will have you wanting more and more. Rubbed Out book 4 in this series will have any body wanting to go to Memphis for a BBQ Contest and Fair.
January 16, 2016
There’s trouble in Tennessee when a buffoon named Reuben Shaw stirs up more the Barbecue Sauce and rubs nearly everyone at the Rock and Ribs Festival the wrong way. Lulu’s best friend, Cherry, tangled with him as soon as she realized his booth was next to the Graces booth. But no one was more surprised than her to find him dead with a butcher knife in his chest just a few hours later. While the police start grilling suspects including Cherry, Lulu sets off on her own investigation to make sure her friend is spared from ending up behind bars.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was so excited to see this book come out. It has been way too long since our last visit to Aunt Pat’s to visit some of my favorite people. The characters continue to bring the humor to the story. Their little quips never fail to crack me up. From Lulu and officer Pink Rogers to Cherry, Ben, Sara, Monty and on to younger generation these characters are so real and true, they just jump off the page and into your heart.
I really enjoyed the interactions between the generations. Derrick is starting to get comfortable in his new home. He and his new friend Finn have some real heartwarming moments with Lulu and Morty. Finn even helps get Lulu on the right track with her investigation. This was a tough one to solve too!
I hope Riley Adams doesn’t wait too long for the next installment. I am already ready for another huge plate of ribs and another visit to Aunt Pats!!
This is a perfect summer read, so fire up your grill, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, kick back and relax and enjoy this wonderful cozy mystery. There are even some fabulous recipes in the back of the book for you to try.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was so excited to see this book come out. It has been way too long since our last visit to Aunt Pat’s to visit some of my favorite people. The characters continue to bring the humor to the story. Their little quips never fail to crack me up. From Lulu and officer Pink Rogers to Cherry, Ben, Sara, Monty and on to younger generation these characters are so real and true, they just jump off the page and into your heart.
I really enjoyed the interactions between the generations. Derrick is starting to get comfortable in his new home. He and his new friend Finn have some real heartwarming moments with Lulu and Morty. Finn even helps get Lulu on the right track with her investigation. This was a tough one to solve too!
I hope Riley Adams doesn’t wait too long for the next installment. I am already ready for another huge plate of ribs and another visit to Aunt Pats!!
This is a perfect summer read, so fire up your grill, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, kick back and relax and enjoy this wonderful cozy mystery. There are even some fabulous recipes in the back of the book for you to try.
November 12, 2013
RUBBED OUT
By Riley Adams
Up for barbecue? Ribs maybe? While Lulu Taylor is busy running Aunt Pat’s—her
barbecue restaurant in Memphis—her best friend Cherry is helping out their friends at the
Rock and Ribs Festival.
There, Cherry gets into a beef with another contestant in a neighboring booth. Reuben
Shaw apparently, has a tendency to rub people the wrong way and ends up getting ‘rubbed out’
himself. And that happens right after Cherry discovers one of her booth’s tarps is missing. She
finds it—covering a very dead Reuben with a butcher knife in his chest.
Cherry becomes a suspect because people saw her arguing with Reuben—then again, who didn’t?—
and because her tarp was found with the victim. Lulu comes running to the rescue to help her best friend.
It seems that Lulu has a habit of trying to help the police solve crimes and she doesn’t hesitate in getting involved now. Lulu finds that many people have a rocky history with Reuben and she questions anyone and everyone she can. But Lulu sticks her nose into too many places and someone is unhappy. And that someone all but kills her to get her to mind her own business. What would stop most people, doesn’t affect Lulu the same way and she’s bound and determined to find the murderer.
A witty, fun read that not only satisfies a need for a good, down home mystery but comes with what
looks like really yummy recipes, too!
Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”
By Riley Adams
Up for barbecue? Ribs maybe? While Lulu Taylor is busy running Aunt Pat’s—her
barbecue restaurant in Memphis—her best friend Cherry is helping out their friends at the
Rock and Ribs Festival.
There, Cherry gets into a beef with another contestant in a neighboring booth. Reuben
Shaw apparently, has a tendency to rub people the wrong way and ends up getting ‘rubbed out’
himself. And that happens right after Cherry discovers one of her booth’s tarps is missing. She
finds it—covering a very dead Reuben with a butcher knife in his chest.
Cherry becomes a suspect because people saw her arguing with Reuben—then again, who didn’t?—
and because her tarp was found with the victim. Lulu comes running to the rescue to help her best friend.
It seems that Lulu has a habit of trying to help the police solve crimes and she doesn’t hesitate in getting involved now. Lulu finds that many people have a rocky history with Reuben and she questions anyone and everyone she can. But Lulu sticks her nose into too many places and someone is unhappy. And that someone all but kills her to get her to mind her own business. What would stop most people, doesn’t affect Lulu the same way and she’s bound and determined to find the murderer.
A witty, fun read that not only satisfies a need for a good, down home mystery but comes with what
looks like really yummy recipes, too!
Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”
August 22, 2013
It is time for Memphis, Tennessee's 'Rock and Ribs' festival and although professional chefs can not enter, Lulu Taylor, Proprietress of Aunt Pat's Barbeque is attending to support her friends, the Graces while they enter the 'Patio Porkers' contest.
In this fourth novel of the series that finds us drooling with the delicious descriptions of the location featured (recipes in the back,) Lulu and Cherry happen on the next booth's leader, a detestable man named Reuben Shaw. There is no lack of suspects we find out but why Reuben is dead becomes more the question. Although Lulu first begins investigating to get Cherry off the suspect list, she is soon drawn into the search by trying to understand what happened to Reuben himself to change him from a cheerful, fun loving man, to an angry, loud, undependable worker and father.
This novel fully explored each suspect and motive. You feel that Lulu is a friend and is including you in all her mental exercises during the challenge of finding the culprit. When a second man, and one of the prime suspects is found murdered, the case becomes more tense.
This series is improving. I am becoming fond of the characters and have started looking for the next release. Keep writing dear Author, we readers are out here.
In this fourth novel of the series that finds us drooling with the delicious descriptions of the location featured (recipes in the back,) Lulu and Cherry happen on the next booth's leader, a detestable man named Reuben Shaw. There is no lack of suspects we find out but why Reuben is dead becomes more the question. Although Lulu first begins investigating to get Cherry off the suspect list, she is soon drawn into the search by trying to understand what happened to Reuben himself to change him from a cheerful, fun loving man, to an angry, loud, undependable worker and father.
This novel fully explored each suspect and motive. You feel that Lulu is a friend and is including you in all her mental exercises during the challenge of finding the culprit. When a second man, and one of the prime suspects is found murdered, the case becomes more tense.
This series is improving. I am becoming fond of the characters and have started looking for the next release. Keep writing dear Author, we readers are out here.
February 26, 2014
This was my second visit to Aunt Pat's barbecue restaurant in Memphis Tennessee and it was as tasty a cozy mystery can be. Lots of Memphis flavor...Elvis, blues, Beale St anjd of course Memphis barbecue. While some might be turned off by the almost cliché details used by the author, it really is a fun read for those who enjoy quirky characters and plenty of suspects to go around. Lulu Taylor is a satisfying amateur sleuth and the plot kept me guessing. As soon as I thought I had figured it out there would be a plot twist that blew my theory. It is difficult to read any culinary mystery without getting hungry and Riley Adams' book is no exception. There is a lot of humor, mystery, fairly detailed for a short mystery, older characters who are clever, fuuny and vibrant and last but not least recipes at the end!
June 25, 2013
"Rubbed Out" is a humorous cozy mystery. It's the fourth in a series, but you can follow this story without having read the first novel, and this novel didn't spoil the mysteries in the previous novels.
The characters were engaging and reacted realistically to the situations. The details about the area, the festival, and the people brought the story alive in my imagination without slowing the pacing. Whodunit was high on my suspect list, but so many people had a motive that whodunit wasn't obvious.
There were no sex scenes. There was a very minor amount of fake bad language (as in, one "heck"). Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
The characters were engaging and reacted realistically to the situations. The details about the area, the festival, and the people brought the story alive in my imagination without slowing the pacing. Whodunit was high on my suspect list, but so many people had a motive that whodunit wasn't obvious.
There were no sex scenes. There was a very minor amount of fake bad language (as in, one "heck"). Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
August 30, 2013
This is the first book in the series which I have read. I believe it would have been easier to follow if I had started at the first book.
The mystery is an interesting one. And I recommend you get the first book in the series and enjoy the atmosphere.
Lulu Taylor runs a barbecue restaurant in Memphis. Her fame as a cook is almost equaled by her ability to solve a mystery.
The victim in this case is a man who is a reprehensible character who takes advantage of everyone he meets. So, the suspects are many.
Lulu wants to find the murderer so her friend, Cherry is off the hook. Other than Cherry, there are other secondary characters who make the book a nice Southern story.
It was a fun read, the recipes at the end make the reader want to go heat up the stove and get to work.
The mystery is an interesting one. And I recommend you get the first book in the series and enjoy the atmosphere.
Lulu Taylor runs a barbecue restaurant in Memphis. Her fame as a cook is almost equaled by her ability to solve a mystery.
The victim in this case is a man who is a reprehensible character who takes advantage of everyone he meets. So, the suspects are many.
Lulu wants to find the murderer so her friend, Cherry is off the hook. Other than Cherry, there are other secondary characters who make the book a nice Southern story.
It was a fun read, the recipes at the end make the reader want to go heat up the stove and get to work.
July 26, 2013
I love this series. Lulu and the gang are very likeable characters. There is a big BBQ festival in town, and Cherry and the other Graces have a booth. The booth next to theirs is causing problems because one of the people working the booth has a definite attitude problem. When he turns up dead later anyone who was nearby becomes a suspect, including Cherry. Lulu snoops around to try and get the info that will let Pink know that her dear friend isn't a murderer.
This series of books are nice easy books to read and the recipes in the book sound very good. I hope there will another in the series.
This series of books are nice easy books to read and the recipes in the book sound very good. I hope there will another in the series.
August 2, 2014
This was a hard book to get through. I loved revisiting Lulu and the supporting characters surrounding Aunt Pat's bbq, but I felt as though 2/3 of the book was Lulu and Cherry just talking about possible whodunit scenarios. Finishing this book was a core, which is the opposite end of the spectrum for which cozy mysteries are supposed to fill. These should be fun, easy reads with an interesting mystery that keeps you turning pages long after your bedtime. I hope the next entry in the Memphis Bbq series is more like Aunt Pat's bbq - satisfying, filling, and keeps you coming back for more.
September 11, 2013
Mrs. Lulu, Cherry and the Graces are back at it again with some seriously good BBQ and top notch mystery sleuthing! This time things heat up when one of the competitors at the world famous "Rock and Ribs" BBQ competition and festival gets stabbed, and it's up to the gang at Aunt Pats to find out who did it! This mystery will keep you guessing and your mouth watering with all the mention of great food!
July 17, 2013
These are decent little cozy mysteries that read fast. The stories remind me alot of the Tea Shop mysteries as the plotting moves along and the main characters rely heavily on gossip and putting themselves in harms way to help the police arrest the suspects. There's really not alot of problem solving going on but in this series the characters are likeable enough. This one focuses mostly on Lulu and Cherry with Flo and Evelyn making a couple of cameos.
March 24, 2020
Like Quilt or Innocence this series is growing on me. Lulu and Cherry are funny. And I like the Back Porch Blues Band. And Derrick.
August 31, 2013
Not the best Of this series but pretty good. Lulu seemed to never be in the kitchen and there wasn't much BBQ food talk in this one, other than in the beginning, and I missed that. I do hope this series continues!
November 30, 2013
I enjoyed this BBQ mystery. It wasn't fast paced or exciting but it moved along at a steady rate and was enjoyable reading in my cushy chair with Spiced Chai and that's what reading a cozy is all about.
February 3, 2017
This was a slow read for me. I was sometimes bored, often skimmed through sections. Had it been the first in a series, I might have been more forgiving, but the author has had time to solidify the writing and tighten the plotting. I'll not be continuing this series.
July 23, 2016
Lulu and Cherry at it again.
I really loved the way this novel ended, Lulu solved it and survived with a little help from her friends and family.
I really loved the way this novel ended, Lulu solved it and survived with a little help from her friends and family.
August 29, 2013
I thought this latest novel in this series was just ok. I figured out whodunit before the end? I still will read the series.
September 26, 2013
I found this to be just an ok read.
My full review can be found here: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/223527...
My full review can be found here: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/223527...
August 21, 2013
So-so cozy mystery.
December 1, 2013
Not as good as the previous in the series but I still enjoy it.
August 30, 2013
An e a s y read! very nice, I'm just sorry it's over--
December 16, 2013
Another awesome mystery with Lulu and the gang from Aunt Pat's. Fun and light and just what I needed to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews