Death by Dish

Sparrow Haven Cozy Mystery #3

by Claire Harlow

When a renowned food critic meets her end at Sparrow Haven's annual Tides & Tastings Fair, it's up to librarian and amateur detective Olivia Harper to uncover a deadly recipe for murder.

The picturesque town of Sparrow Haven is abuzz with excitement for the annual Tides & Tastings Fair. Olivia Harper, a talented librarian with a knack for sleuthing, is ready to enjoy the festivities alongside her lovable Golden Retriever Barkley, and her charming beau, veterinarian Ethan Foster.

The joyous occasion turns grim when a renowned food critic meets a bitter end after sampling the town's prized clam chowder. Olivia's friend Milly, who provided special ingredients for the chowder, becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear Milly's name, Olivia plunges into a simmering pot of culinary rivalries, and uncovers layers of deceit among local chefs and restaurant owners. Tensions rise and danger mounts as she inches closer to the truth. Olivia must navigate a maze of devious chefs and clandestine motives to clear Milly's name and catch a cunning killer before the final course is served.

Genres: Fiction

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2023

About the author

I have a deep affection for mysteries that unravel gently, leaving me thrilled, satisfied, and always craving the next adventure.

Living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my family, our energetic Labrador, and a couple of curious cats. I draw inspiration from life's simple pleasures – walks in nature, a good book on a rainy day, and knitting cozy comforts.

When I was young I spent many long afternoons curled up with one of our cats reading Agatha Christie, and wishing I could grow up and solve mysteries like Poirot. Now I’m delighted to turn this passion into crafting each book as a personal puzzle for you to unravel.

I'm excited to welcome you to my world of whodunits, and I hope my books spark as much joy and intrigue in you as they do for me.

Reviews

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were plenty of suspects and I never guessed the whodunit. I liked Fred’s sly way of keeping Olivia from talking about the investigation when she became a paid consultant this time. It did seem kinda weird that Milly couldn’t help out this time. And just maybe Milly found a guy who’s kept her interest. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s still around in the next book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Sparrow Haven Cosy Mystery Series and again features librarian cum amateur sleuth Olivia, her best friend Milly and Olivia's veterinarian boyfriend Ethan. In this book Milly becomes the prime suspect when the judge at the Chowder Competition drops dead immediately after eating the entry that Milly had contributed the miso paste to. Turns out it was poison, but was it in Milly's miso, in the chowder prepared by two other people, or did someone else spike the chowder?

This is what our detective duo - as a suspect Milly cannot become involved - must prove, with the able assistance of Barkley the dog. Once again Olivia investigates with the full permission of Fred, the police chief, which seems unusual, but Olivia does carry her own scene of crime gloves and evidence bags so that makes it all right when she collects evidence. While in real life I am not sure how that would stand up in court, in the context of the story you just have to go with the flow.

There are some twists and turns, and the killer is not obvious until right at the end. The plot device used to determine the killer is unusual, and not entirely believable.

While I think having read the previous books would probably help with understanding the group dynamics, you can easily read this book as a stand alone novel. I am, though, curious about the library that Olivia works at, as she refers to it as "my library". Does she own it? If so, this is something most readers would probably envy. I know I do.

One thing I did enjoy is how well the author describes people and especially places. It is much better than in most cosy mysteries and I found it easy to picture the scenes the story is set in.

A quick and easy, enjoyable read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd installment in the Sparrow Haven Cozy Mystery series. I have enjoyed all of this author's books so far. The only reason I am giving this one a 3 is because it talks about a snake. Any book that mentions the 's' word gets no more than a 3 rating because that is something I just can't read about. In fact, normally it would keep me from finishing a book . I have a huge fear and it will give me nightmares. It was even hard for me to type the word. I skipped several pages of the book because this was talked about. Then for the rest of the book, I would scan each page to make sure there was no mention before reading it. It took away a bit of my enjoyment but since I really like this author, I wanted to finish the book so I plowed on through.

This book is not as good as the other books I have read by this author. This could be due to the fact that I had to skip a few pages. I enjoyed most of the book, except for the passages mentioned above. This took away some of my enjoyment. I'm glad I finished this book because the ending is good but not a big surprise. I'll definitely read more from this author.

I received this book free from Booksiren as part of the ARC team. The review is my honest opinion

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is the 3rd book in this series and that I’ve read all 3; this book stands alone very well, though. I love the main character, Olivia, who owns a library (although I’ve never heard of a library that wasn’t public or associated with a school or church) and she’s surrounded by two characters that are well fleshed out. Ethan is Olivia’s boyfriend and the local veterinarian; Millie is Olivia’s long-time best friend and the owner of a vintage store. I like the small town setting of Sparrow Haven and this time there’s a fall fair. Millie and 2 other cooks coordinate every year and always win for their clam chowder, but there’s a problem when a judge drops dead shortly after tasting their chowder. Is it murder? If it is, there are certainly tons of suspects, one of which is Millie. Olivia has been helping the sheriff with local cases recently and although he wants her to stay out of the investigation, but he finally hires her as a consultant. This mystery is really well-written and intriguing. I loved trying to solve it along with Olivia. I can definitely recommend this book and series; I was provided an arc, which I really appreciate, but these opinions are my own.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most enjoyable cozy mystery

Number 3 in the Sparrow Haven cozy mystery series I enjoyed this one as much as the first two. In this one Olivia has actually been hired as a consultant by Officer O'Malley since she had so much experience in solving prior mysteries in Sparrow Haven. So Olivia set out to exonerate her best friend Millie from a murder in which a tasting judge has died of poisoning after eating clam chowder at the town's annual Fair. Millie and two other cooks were involved in the preparation of the soup. However, there were plenty of other suspects as so many people hated the judge. Following the evidence was like a "connect the dots" game.

Since Millie was a suspect, she couldn't take part in the investigation. Olivia's boyfriend Ethan helped her investigate and also arranged a successful blind date for Millie, who has unrealistic expectations for men in her life.

I would definitely recommend this series, the writing is great, the characters well thought out, and the plots keep the reader guessing till the end.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in series. The characters are fast becoming friends in this great fictional town, Sparrow Haven. Olivia Harper , Librarian and amateur detective , her golden retriever Barkley and her beau , Ethan Foster, veterinarian are on the case once again, when a renowned food critic comes a cropper by the eating clam chowder… The trouble is Milly , Olivia’s best friend supplied the special ingredient so now she’s suspect number one….But was it the miso or a red herring? Who knew that chefs and restaurant owners were so competitive? Why is police chief Fred so amenable? It's a race against time to find the true killer and expose the motives, to save their friend. But what’s not being told? Brilliant writing, captivating prose, sublime situations and immersive storytelling.
I read a advance copy of this book and my review is voluntary in my own words

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozey mystery murder full of colorful characters and a victim you either liked or hated very little in-between so you have a awful lot of suspects with an abundance of clues to separate keeping as few as possible and lieving the rest to the side. This cozey certainly will have your little grey cells working overtime trying to sort everyone out with each new scandalous clues pointing to a new suspect.Along the way you will discover the beauty of the small town and the ocean its along side of with the alluring discriminations the author gives. You won't be able to put this mystery aside until the exciting plot takes you to its unexpected and climatic conclusion. Acquire " Death by Dish " Book 3 in the Sparrow Haven Cozy Mysteries for hours of intriguing ,delightful and enjoyable entertainment. Kat

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time for the annual Tides & Tastings Fair and Olivia, her Golden Retriever, Barkley and her boyfriend, town Vet, Ethan are excited to test the foods from some of the best culinary chefs and of course her friend, Milly. All was going well until one of the prominent chefs tastes Millie's chowder and ends up dead. Of course, Milly is the number one suspect. But Olivia knows she didn't do it and puts on her investigating cap and goes full on to clear her friend. With so man potential suspects, so many twists and turns and red-herrings, we are led in so many different directions that you can't guess the murderer until the end. Once you start this book, you just can't put it down. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[MileHighSunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful fall day in the charming town of Sparrow Haven. You can feel the excitement in the air, hear the musical laughter of children, and enjoy the aromas from all the food vendors booths. Everyone is shocked when a taste tester literally drops dead during the fall festival!

Olivia and Ethan are immediately drawn action. Could there ever be a worse scenario than working through the exhaustive list of suspects in this case?

The wonderful characters in this series feel like friends you are watching as they dig through clues, sharing their angst as they deal with all of the twists and turns of this mystery.

You will thoroughly enjoy reading this book. It’s a definite page turner!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Stacey]

In book 3, Olivia, Ethan and Barkley are planning to enjoy the annual Tides & Tastings Fair until a food critic is murdered. Olivia's friend Milly is the prime suspect. If you know Milly, you know she didn't do it! Olivia knows and she starts her own investigation to find the killer.

This is one of my favorite series. I love the interactions between the characters because it seems so natural. Barkley is of course, my favorite.

If you like your cozies to be well written, fun to read with a not too easy to solve mystery and great characters, this is the book and series for you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Dish is book 3 in A Sparrow Haven Cozy Mystery by Claire Harlow. I enjoyed this story and I thought it had the feel of small town America. Olivia and Ethan are at the fair when someone dies tasting chowder. Olivia is busy trying to prove het best friend, Milly, did not poison the chowder. I really like how the author writes fresh interesting stories that show a logical romantic progression of Olivia and Ethan. I thought the the murder clues were dropped perfectly that kept me trying to figure out "who did the murder". Death by Dish is a fun cozy. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Dish is book three in the Sparrow Haven Cozy Mystery and it was captivating. In this book, Olivia is on a mission to clear solve a murder and clear her BFF Milly from murder. However, their quest to find the truth comes with twists and turns and yields many suspects. With her sleuthing expertise, Olivia solves the case in a way that keeps the readers on their toes. This mystery had me craving more and I did not want it to end. Another great mystery written by Claire, and I look forward to reading the next mystery with these wonderful characters and seeing Ethan and Olivia's romance move to the next step.

I received this book for free and my review is my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest in the series is quite exciting! I love the vivid descriptive passages that make the sounds of the ocean, the aroma of freshly baked goods, and even textures come to life and permeate the senses! The characters are engaging as they gradually become more complex. The cheerful banter between Ethan and Olivia as they're learn to navigate a new stage in their blossoming relationship is quite entertaining and easily identifiable! Together they endeavour to clear an innocent suspect and find the guilty party in the murder! Reading this mystery is a most pleasant way to spend your time!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Dish

This was an intriguing story! Men, women and children usually all enjoy the idea of a home town fair! This fair is held on n the courthouse Square right in the middle of the small town of Sparrow Haven! As the fair opens for the tasting venue things start off on a bad note! Just as the judge begins taking a sample of the special made just for the fair! The judge took a couple of wobbly steps and fell dead in front of the whole town! The fair was closed quickly and the story became the hit of the town! Could the death be solved quickly? It's a toss up! Who did a why!?!?

[Geraldine Lopez]

This was another really enjoyable mystery with the librarian cum sleuth Olivia Harper. What made it extra special this time was the fact that her best friend and erstwhile fellow sleuth Milly, was actually in the frame for murder!

There were many possible suspects which made the story a classic whodunnit.

I particularly enjoyed the deepening of the main characters and also insights into their families and ongoing relationships.

This book comes with really good ‘feel good factor’.

I look forward to the further deepening of Olivia’s relationship and the next book in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bartley and Olivia Harper head to the Tasting Fair and meet Eathan her boyfriend. Victoria Thorne the esteemed judge suddenly gets sick and dies . Nancy, Chef Antonio and Milly are questioned by Detective Fred O'Malley . Millions Olivia ‘s best friend becomes the main suspect as the crowded was poisoned. Olivia assist Fred on a official manner to investigate further. Olivia being an amateur sleuth in Sparrow Haven. There are many suspects and mayhem to make this a very intriguing read. I received this book via booksirans and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-1/2 stars. Book 3 in series. It's time for Sparrow Haven's annual tasting fair, & Olivia's best friend Milly is part of the clam chowder team. When tasting judge Victoria Thorne drops dead after one taste, Olivia must join forces with boyfriend Ethan & Detective Fred to clear Milly's name. Book can be read as standalone but I've enjoyed how the characters' relationships develop over the series. The author has a talent for describing the settings. I also didn't guess the solution until the very end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparrow Haven Tides and Tastings fair is underway and Olivia and Ethan are at the Clam Chowder tasting booth to support Olivia's best friend Milly who is one of the cooks. The judge, Victoria, takes a spoonful of chowder and falls to the ground dead. The sheriff again asks Olivia to assist in the case, but it will be tricky this time as Milly is one of the suspects. There are lots of suspects to be checked out as Victoria made a lot of people mad at her, but which one is mad enough to kill her…
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia the librarian becomes a paid consultant to the police when her best friend is a suspect in a suspicious death. When a food critic dies at the festival after eating clam chowder that Milly (Olivia’s BFF) helped prepare, Olivia and her boyfriend Ethan conduct an investigation to help clear her name. Another good addition to the series, well written with likeable and realistic characters, a believable plot, humor and a little romance. I received an ARC from BookSirens, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this installment of Sparrow Haven, Olivia has to find a murderer and clear her best friend. That’s not easy to do when so few liked the victim.

I like the level headed way Olivia goes about the investigation. It doesn’t hurt that she has a handsome man at her side to assist, her beau Ethan. Barkley, who has the best dog name ever, does his part also.

I love the character development and the interactions between characters. I couldn’t put this down until I figured out who did it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is a great character and a well-known amateur sleuth in town. A poisoning death occurs at a chowder taste-testing at the county fair and her best friend Milly is the top suspect, Detective Fred O’Malley appoints Olivia as a consultant with the provision that she not share anything with Milly. A complicated case, because the murder victim, Victoria, is not a very nice or likable lady, the sleuths have their work cut out for them. A number of odd twists and turns also add intrigue. I enjoyed this book, which I received an advance copy of for free and write this review voluntarily.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series. Book 3 shows Olivia and Barkley and Ethan, of course, at the Tides and Tastings Fair. Of course, there is a murder and they have to get involved to prove their friend did not commit the murder. This series is very well written, and I really enjoy that Olivia and Milly work with the police and they work together, not just getting in the way of the police.

I really like Ethan and Olivia together, hopefully even more romance in the future books.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the Sparrow Haven Tides and Tastings Fair. A food critic dies after tasting a clam chowder. Miĺly is a murder suspect. Olivia becomes a consultant to the investigation and tries everything to clear her bestie’s name. This is another great read in this series. Entertaining, easy to read, nice characters. I like Milly’s sense of humor. A recommendation.

I received an advance review copy fot free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder in fair creates a long list of suspects! Poor Olivias to investigate suspects so Millie's name is clear and not a murderer. A town fair and a food judging, the judge takes a taste of Millies team, falls dead after one bite. Best friends since birth really challenges Olivias ability to keep the two things separate. each person on Olivias interview list are Art, Antique, Veteran, Silversmith, are keeping her busy. I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to more in the future

[Alison Hoeksema · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Olivia Harper and her dog Bartley meet her boyfriend Ethan at the village Tasting Fair, the last thing they expect to see is the judge die in front of them! The three chefs involved in cooking the dish respnsible include her best friend Milly. Olivia and local detective then work together to solve the mystery in an attempt to clear Milly. There various suspects and their confusing actions make this an interesting read.
I received an ARC, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[MarR]

Good, fun read. Will keep you guessing as to just how such a thing could happen to the food critic after just one bite. Puts a real damper on the tasting fair. Things get pretty upset when Olivia finds out her best friend is the number one suspect. Can Olivia and her dog, Barkley, along with her beau, a veterinarian find the real killer? True that “Too many chefs can spoil the soup.” I recommend this book and author.

[Darlene C Robold · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very wordy. Seemed to go on and on. The minute the murderer was introduced I knew who it was. Needs a grammar editor, me vs I especially . I have begun to really dislike Olive’s attitude with Ethan when he tries to discuss marriage and children. Her anger, and feeling betrayal and manipulation are excessive. The man has been nothing but understanding and steps back, but he has a right to try to see if there is a future for them.

[Brenda]

When a renowned food critic meets her end at Sparrow Haven's annual Tides & Tastings Fair, it's up to librarian and amateur detective Olivia Harper to uncover a deadly recipe for murder. This is an excellent mystery with multiple twists and turns. The culprit is the son of a suspect.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Malgorzata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, where we follow Olivia and Fred, and Ethan while they are trying to find murderer of Victoria. The main suspect is Olivia's best friend, so she is working really hard to find a culprit. I was hold in suspense till the end and was engaged all the time of reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cozy mystery in Sparrow Haven. There were a lot of twists and turns, and the story kept you on your toes. I also enjoyed the developments in the characters lives from the previous books. I liked this one a lot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.