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Cheese Shop Mystery #5
Fondue or Die
The lazy, hazy, dairy days of summer are coming to a close in the Sonoma Valley. . . and so is someone’s life.
The small town of Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. Willa is thrilled to celebrate her favorite thing—she is a cheesemonger after all—and this festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. Too bad the pageant runner, Nadine, is treating Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die and is putting everyone around her on edge. When Willa finds Nadine’s dead body under years’ worth of ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, who steps in to help the pageant after Nadine’s death. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who.
The small town of Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. Willa is thrilled to celebrate her favorite thing—she is a cheesemonger after all—and this festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. Too bad the pageant runner, Nadine, is treating Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die and is putting everyone around her on edge. When Willa finds Nadine’s dead body under years’ worth of ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, who steps in to help the pageant after Nadine’s death. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 22, 2024
31 people are currently reading
4620 people want to read
About the author
Korina Moss
15 books384 followersKORINA MOSS is the author of the Cheese Shop Mystery series set in the Sonoma Valley, which includes multiple Agatha Award nominated books for Best Contemporary Novel and the winner of the Agatha Award for Best First Novel, Cheddar Off Dead. Listed as one of USA Today’s “Best Cozy Mystery Series,” her books have also been featured in PARADE Magazine, Woman’s World, and Writer’s Digest.
Korina is also a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy and traditional mysteries.
For more information or to subscribe to her free monthly #teamcheese newsletter, go to her website korinamossauthor.com
Korina is also a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy and traditional mysteries.
For more information or to subscribe to her free monthly #teamcheese newsletter, go to her website korinamossauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
June 26, 2024
OMGOOODNESS!!! #TEAMCHEESE!
This time the gang is visiting a neighboring town for Dairy days! Along w/ all the other fun events at a festival they will be crowning the dairy days Miss Dairy. Things turn murderous when pageant runner Nadine is killed.
As always Moss paints the perfect picture of cozy! Giving us everything we love about the cheese shop series! Fun times w/ TEAMCHEESE, Archie and possible a new love interest (got Milk), and an appearance from Heath. The pacing and mystery keep you interested from start to finish, and and the mystery kept me guessing!
Cheese Louise this was a great addition to the series!
I would recommend this series to any cozy mystery lover!
For more cozy content subscribe to my cozy mystery YouTube channel the beachbum bookworm.
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Korina Moss, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!
This time the gang is visiting a neighboring town for Dairy days! Along w/ all the other fun events at a festival they will be crowning the dairy days Miss Dairy. Things turn murderous when pageant runner Nadine is killed.
As always Moss paints the perfect picture of cozy! Giving us everything we love about the cheese shop series! Fun times w/ TEAMCHEESE, Archie and possible a new love interest (got Milk), and an appearance from Heath. The pacing and mystery keep you interested from start to finish, and and the mystery kept me guessing!
Cheese Louise this was a great addition to the series!
I would recommend this series to any cozy mystery lover!
For more cozy content subscribe to my cozy mystery YouTube channel the beachbum bookworm.
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Korina Moss, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!
December 11, 2024
This Labor Day, Willa Bauer is participating in the Dairy Days festival held in the next town over. Her employee and friend, Mrs. Schultz, is once again helping out with the Miss Dairy pageant that closes out the festival. But when Willa finds the pageant director dead, plans turn chaotic. The police don’t seem that certain that it was murder, but Willa is concerned about the safety of her friend, so she starts investigating. Can she figure things out?
I’d forgotten just how much I love this series until I picked up this book, but I was soon under the spell of the characters again. We aren’t in the usual locations as much, but that’s a minor complaint. The characters’ relationships continue to draw me in, and I liked the new characters we met as well. At least the ones who weren’t acting suspicious. One relationship gets some wonderful development. The mystery is fantastic. I kept second guessing myself until we reached the climax. I did have a niggle with the ending, but it was minor overall. As usual, these books will make you crave cheese, so you’ll be happy with the three recipes at the end. Fans new and old will find themselves savoring this entry.
Read my full review Carstairs Considers.
I’d forgotten just how much I love this series until I picked up this book, but I was soon under the spell of the characters again. We aren’t in the usual locations as much, but that’s a minor complaint. The characters’ relationships continue to draw me in, and I liked the new characters we met as well. At least the ones who weren’t acting suspicious. One relationship gets some wonderful development. The mystery is fantastic. I kept second guessing myself until we reached the climax. I did have a niggle with the ending, but it was minor overall. As usual, these books will make you crave cheese, so you’ll be happy with the three recipes at the end. Fans new and old will find themselves savoring this entry.
Read my full review Carstairs Considers.
August 12, 2024
Willa owns a cheese shop in Northern California, and the town is holding a dairy festival and a Miss Dairy pageant. When the pageant's organizer is found dead, there is a question of whether or not it is a homicide. Could one of the pageant moms want her daughter to win enough to kill? How about the judge who may or may not be taking bribes? And what about the Chief of Police? That's when Team Cheese, Willa and her friends, are on the case going through the list of suspects. Recipes are included, but be forewarned--reading this book may make you start thinking about cheese. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
February 19, 2025
Great cozy mystery! I like cheese!
August 27, 2025
Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. This festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. The pageant runner, Nadine, treats Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die. When Willa finds her dead body under some ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who.
Korina Moss writes delectable mysteries that I can't get enough of. Fondue or die is another installment to a fabulous mystery series. Willa and Team Cheese are great sleuths who try to work with the town's law enforcement and Heath. Heath and his relationship with Willa are a great side plot to the main mystery. All throughout the story I thought I knew who the culprit was. But I was wrong and surprised in the end. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
Korina Moss writes delectable mysteries that I can't get enough of. Fondue or die is another installment to a fabulous mystery series. Willa and Team Cheese are great sleuths who try to work with the town's law enforcement and Heath. Heath and his relationship with Willa are a great side plot to the main mystery. All throughout the story I thought I knew who the culprit was. But I was wrong and surprised in the end. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
September 20, 2024
I have always enjoyed this series, I absolutely am a big fan of cheese, and this series educates and expands our knowledge as well as always making me hungry. What makes me happy after reading our latest cheesy adventure is that Willa grows and gets a little wiser in each new adventure. Our whole cast of characters is involved in Dairy Days, a big event in the town next door. Willa and Archie are setting up a booth to sell cheesy snack boxes, with Baz' help hauling cheese coolers and helping with booth maintenance, Mrs S is helping with costumes for the Miss Dairy Pageant and everyone is looking forward to something a little fun and different. Everything is going famously until the director of the Dairy Day Pageant is found dead in the on site Museum, unfortunately Willa finds the body and is immediately convinced that this was not an accident. When the local police decide to keep everything low-key until after the Festival, Willa is afraid a killer is about to escape. Fortunately, she involves her friend Heath, who, although out of his jurisdiction, also has a few concerns! This is a very twisty mystery with lots of offshoots to keep us maneuvering and turning in many different directions to try and figure things out. This is a very interesting mystery with a cast of characters that has become one of my favorites. Thanks to #Netgally, #StMartinsPress, and the author for a chance to read. #FondueorDie #KorinaMoss #CheeseShopMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2025
A fun cheesy mystery ! There is a lot of good recipes and I will definitely read more of the series !
September 24, 2024
I received an advance copy via NetGalley.
Moss's Cheese Mystery series is one of my favorites, and this newest release is a solid addition to the series. This book stands well on its own, too, so don't be dissuaded from picking it up just because you haven't read the previous books! (But do so eventually. They are fun!)
Willa Bauer and the rest of "Team Cheese" are working at Dairy Days, an annual festival in a nearby Sonoma Valley town. Drama is swirling around the Dairy Pageant event, where teenage girls compete for a $15,000 scholarship. The pageant head, Nadine, is in a motorized wheelchair after an accident on stage, but continues to rule with an iron fist as mothers squabble and tension builds. When Willa finds Nadine dead under suspicious circumstances, she's appalled that the local law enforcement wants to temporarily squelch the investigation for the sake of the festival. Willa feels compelled to investigate--and she manages to rope in her off-and-on-again beau Heath as well.
I love when a mystery keeps me guessing until the end, and this one did just that. So many twists and turns! A festival makes such a good backdrop for a murder mystery. Of course, cheese is mentioned often throughout the book, and Moss highlighted some excellent ones.
Moss's Cheese Mystery series is one of my favorites, and this newest release is a solid addition to the series. This book stands well on its own, too, so don't be dissuaded from picking it up just because you haven't read the previous books! (But do so eventually. They are fun!)
Willa Bauer and the rest of "Team Cheese" are working at Dairy Days, an annual festival in a nearby Sonoma Valley town. Drama is swirling around the Dairy Pageant event, where teenage girls compete for a $15,000 scholarship. The pageant head, Nadine, is in a motorized wheelchair after an accident on stage, but continues to rule with an iron fist as mothers squabble and tension builds. When Willa finds Nadine dead under suspicious circumstances, she's appalled that the local law enforcement wants to temporarily squelch the investigation for the sake of the festival. Willa feels compelled to investigate--and she manages to rope in her off-and-on-again beau Heath as well.
I love when a mystery keeps me guessing until the end, and this one did just that. So many twists and turns! A festival makes such a good backdrop for a murder mystery. Of course, cheese is mentioned often throughout the book, and Moss highlighted some excellent ones.
November 2, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
The annual district-wide Dairy Days Festival takes place up the road from Yarrow Glen in Lockwood with thousands expected to attend. It will be Willa Bauer's Curds & Whey's first year at the event. Willa is excited to share her themed cheese grazing boxes with the masses. The three-day festival includes goat races, cheese wheel relays, butter sculptures and a Miss Dairy Pageant. Willa's employee and friend Mrs. Schultz will be assisting with the pageant while Archie and Baz help Willa with the Curds & Whey booth.
Pageant director Nadine Hockenbaum has an injury and she is stressed out so she needs Mrs. Schultz and her cousin Mary Ann's help dealing with the contestants and their mothers. Later Willa and Archie visit the Lockwood Historical Society Museum and find Nadine's dead body under a toppled shelving unit, books, and broken pottery. The chief of police quickly deems the death an accident but Willa points out why she thinks it was murder. When Mrs. Schultz agrees to take on directing the pageant she paints a target on her back and becomes a suspect in the murder. Team Cheese, plus one are on the case and will separate the curds and whey and fondue the real killer or die trying.
______
I love #TeamCheese. Ms. Moss has created a group of wonderful characters. Willa, Baz, Archie, and Mrs. Schultz are unique and genuine characters who feel true to life. A multigenerational group of friends who work together to serve up everything cheesy and solve a murder or two in their spare time. They are joined this time by Detective Heath as the case is out of his jurisdiction. Officer Shepherd (Shep) lent a hand too as he was working security at the festival. I love how much the characters have grown since the series started and how they continue to evolve throughout this story. The author gives them all places to shine.
Dairy Days was a fun theme for this story. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I participated in a pageant in my hometown and was thrilled to be crowned 2nd runner-up. For me, it meant a summer full of parades and dinners. For the girls in this pageant, it meant the chance to win scholarship money. Sadly, someone has it in for this pageant and its director.
The mystery Ms. Moss has put forth is a twisty one with a surprising motive. An old mystery is mixed in with a new one and I fell from every twist, turn, and misdirection the author penned so brilliantly. I was right there with Willa when she thought all her clues fell into place but we were both shocked by the dangerous and suspenseful showdown when the truth was revealed. I enjoyed all the detailed descriptions the author provided. I could visualize everything so clearly and my other senses were activated as well.
Fondue or Die is a splendid addition to this cozy cheese-filled series. The story was very well plotted with a mystery that kept me guessing. The characters kept me entertained and the ending left me with a huge smile on my face. I am excited that the next book Bait and Swiss will be released on April 29, 2025. I have saved a spot on my reading calendar.
The annual district-wide Dairy Days Festival takes place up the road from Yarrow Glen in Lockwood with thousands expected to attend. It will be Willa Bauer's Curds & Whey's first year at the event. Willa is excited to share her themed cheese grazing boxes with the masses. The three-day festival includes goat races, cheese wheel relays, butter sculptures and a Miss Dairy Pageant. Willa's employee and friend Mrs. Schultz will be assisting with the pageant while Archie and Baz help Willa with the Curds & Whey booth.
Pageant director Nadine Hockenbaum has an injury and she is stressed out so she needs Mrs. Schultz and her cousin Mary Ann's help dealing with the contestants and their mothers. Later Willa and Archie visit the Lockwood Historical Society Museum and find Nadine's dead body under a toppled shelving unit, books, and broken pottery. The chief of police quickly deems the death an accident but Willa points out why she thinks it was murder. When Mrs. Schultz agrees to take on directing the pageant she paints a target on her back and becomes a suspect in the murder. Team Cheese, plus one are on the case and will separate the curds and whey and fondue the real killer or die trying.
______
I love #TeamCheese. Ms. Moss has created a group of wonderful characters. Willa, Baz, Archie, and Mrs. Schultz are unique and genuine characters who feel true to life. A multigenerational group of friends who work together to serve up everything cheesy and solve a murder or two in their spare time. They are joined this time by Detective Heath as the case is out of his jurisdiction. Officer Shepherd (Shep) lent a hand too as he was working security at the festival. I love how much the characters have grown since the series started and how they continue to evolve throughout this story. The author gives them all places to shine.
Dairy Days was a fun theme for this story. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I participated in a pageant in my hometown and was thrilled to be crowned 2nd runner-up. For me, it meant a summer full of parades and dinners. For the girls in this pageant, it meant the chance to win scholarship money. Sadly, someone has it in for this pageant and its director.
The mystery Ms. Moss has put forth is a twisty one with a surprising motive. An old mystery is mixed in with a new one and I fell from every twist, turn, and misdirection the author penned so brilliantly. I was right there with Willa when she thought all her clues fell into place but we were both shocked by the dangerous and suspenseful showdown when the truth was revealed. I enjoyed all the detailed descriptions the author provided. I could visualize everything so clearly and my other senses were activated as well.
Fondue or Die is a splendid addition to this cozy cheese-filled series. The story was very well plotted with a mystery that kept me guessing. The characters kept me entertained and the ending left me with a huge smile on my face. I am excited that the next book Bait and Swiss will be released on April 29, 2025. I have saved a spot on my reading calendar.
July 6, 2024
Fondue or Die is a well-written and fun cozy mystery. Willa gets caught up in the mysterious death of the Miss Dairy pageant director, at the Dairy Days festival, and something stinks worse than the limburger cheese. The Team Cheese group are on the case. They gather info and help Detective Heath solve the case. I didn't figure out the killer until the very end. If you love cozy mysteries, this one is great. I received a free copy from Netgalley with no expectations.
October 21, 2024
"Fondue or Die (Cheese Shop Mystery #5)" by Korina Moss is set at a cheese and dairy festival in a neighboring town over Labor Day weekend. This means that Willa and crew aren't in their usual territory for some sleuthing. They even get a little help from their regular detective friend, since it's not his jurisdiction.
The mystery starts off around the death of the Dairy Princess Pageant's main coordinator. Then several cold cases seem to pop up. Are they connected or just red herrings? Things start getting complicated and Willa isn't sure who to trust with what.
This one sticks well to the fondue theme. Lots of cheese ideas too. It all sounds so good and exactly like things I really shouldn't have with my health issues. Some yummy recipes at the for what gets mentioned earlier in the book.
The mystery starts off around the death of the Dairy Princess Pageant's main coordinator. Then several cold cases seem to pop up. Are they connected or just red herrings? Things start getting complicated and Willa isn't sure who to trust with what.
This one sticks well to the fondue theme. Lots of cheese ideas too. It all sounds so good and exactly like things I really shouldn't have with my health issues. Some yummy recipes at the for what gets mentioned earlier in the book.
October 21, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5
Yet another fun, cheese-filled adventure, and I just loved it from start to finish! What I wanted to happen DID happen, and as for the mystery itself, let's just say that I didn't guess the murderer or the motive, so that's pretty good!
The setup this time around placed Team Cheese at the annual "Dairy Days" festival, which gives Willa a great chance to sell sampling kits of cheese, and also advertise her store while she's at it. Another part of the festival is a pageant for young teen girls, and which is a pretty big deal as the winner receives a sizeable scholarship. The person running the pageant, Nadine, is as shrewish a woman as you can get, but does surely doesn't mean that she deserves to be murdered, does it? Alas, that is exactly what happens, and so Team Cheese is on the case!
In terms of what I liked about this one, once again I'll have to defer and say that it's the characters that really make this series shine for me. Everyone, from Willa to Baz to Archie and Mrs. Schultz, to Detective Heath and even the new one-off characters introduced for this mystery are just so interesting and likeable, that you can't help but want to follow along and see where the mystery leads!
I will admit though that my #1 hope for this book was for Willa and Heath to patch things up because...*winces* yeah, the previous book DID leave them in a rather rocky place in their relationship, and I was REALLLY hoping that we'd have them reconcile rather than have them still be at odds with one another throughout this book. Thankfully, that does happen, and while it goes down more smoothly than what I expected, I'm not complaining in the least, no siree!
Sooo *sighs happily*, yeah, from start to finish, THIS was a great read, and only makes me all the more excited to keep and keep and KEEP on continuing with this series! Let's go Team Cheese, now and always!
Yet another fun, cheese-filled adventure, and I just loved it from start to finish! What I wanted to happen DID happen, and as for the mystery itself, let's just say that I didn't guess the murderer or the motive, so that's pretty good!
The setup this time around placed Team Cheese at the annual "Dairy Days" festival, which gives Willa a great chance to sell sampling kits of cheese, and also advertise her store while she's at it. Another part of the festival is a pageant for young teen girls, and which is a pretty big deal as the winner receives a sizeable scholarship. The person running the pageant, Nadine, is as shrewish a woman as you can get, but does surely doesn't mean that she deserves to be murdered, does it? Alas, that is exactly what happens, and so Team Cheese is on the case!
In terms of what I liked about this one, once again I'll have to defer and say that it's the characters that really make this series shine for me. Everyone, from Willa to Baz to Archie and Mrs. Schultz, to Detective Heath and even the new one-off characters introduced for this mystery are just so interesting and likeable, that you can't help but want to follow along and see where the mystery leads!
I will admit though that my #1 hope for this book was for Willa and Heath to patch things up because...*winces* yeah, the previous book DID leave them in a rather rocky place in their relationship, and I was REALLLY hoping that we'd have them reconcile rather than have them still be at odds with one another throughout this book. Thankfully, that does happen, and while it goes down more smoothly than what I expected, I'm not complaining in the least, no siree!
Sooo *sighs happily*, yeah, from start to finish, THIS was a great read, and only makes me all the more excited to keep and keep and KEEP on continuing with this series! Let's go Team Cheese, now and always!
October 17, 2024
Team Cheese is back with another murder to solve. The team of Willa, Archie, Mrs. Schultz, and Baz are faced with a slew of suspects when the despised director of the annual Dairy Days beauty pageant is found brutally murdered. The Team, known for their sleuthing skills must uncover any and all clues that will lead the authorities to the bottom of the heinous act on one of their own townspeople.
Fondue or Die is the fifth book in Korina Moss’ Cheese Shop Mystery series. And like the previous novels, it’s a cozy whodunit that revolves around a specialty cheese shop — Curds & Whey and all of its cheese goodness.
The characters are carryovers from the prior novels. But for some reason for me, they lost some of their appeal from Book #4. The characters seemed more subdued — especially Archie who wasn’t as comical as in the past.
As a cozy whodunit, Fondue or Die wasn’t as entertaining. And there really weren’t any surprises or plot twists on the perpetrator. Coupled with an implausible motive, I didn’t find Fondue or Die as good as the author’s prior novel. Four stars.
I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
Fondue or Die is the fifth book in Korina Moss’ Cheese Shop Mystery series. And like the previous novels, it’s a cozy whodunit that revolves around a specialty cheese shop — Curds & Whey and all of its cheese goodness.
The characters are carryovers from the prior novels. But for some reason for me, they lost some of their appeal from Book #4. The characters seemed more subdued — especially Archie who wasn’t as comical as in the past.
As a cozy whodunit, Fondue or Die wasn’t as entertaining. And there really weren’t any surprises or plot twists on the perpetrator. Coupled with an implausible motive, I didn’t find Fondue or Die as good as the author’s prior novel. Four stars.
I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
May 15, 2025
Oh I enjoyed this books so much! I love the found family vibes of these characters and at this point they feel like my own friends. I love how they work together and their personalities mesh so well, even if they seem like unlikely friends. And wow oh wow will this book make your hungry. I am a cheese lover so I was starving the entire time. I am sucker for any type of festival and love the setting for this mystery. I feel meh about pageants, but I love how this book tried to show both sides of it. I also LOVED the shocking twists and reveals and how the story took such a surprising path. It had me smiling so much (also because I adore Archie) and flying through the ending chapters.
I can't wait to continue this series!
I can't wait to continue this series!
September 24, 2024
This is my first time reading anything from this author and for the most part I enjoyed the book. I know I am coming in at the latest book and normally I can catch up pretty quickly with who everyone is and what their role is. I had a harder time doing that with this book. There were almost too many characters and I found myself a bit overwhelmed with trying to remember who everyone was and why they were included in the plot.
I enjoyed the fact that technically there is more than one mystery in this book, so that was a very nice surprise. The writing is smooth and easy to follow. The world building was nice too, I had no trouble envisioning the fair atmosphere and surroundings.
I enjoyed the story though and once I finally caught on with everyone, I had an easier time relaxing into the story. I think this series would be easier understood if the reader reads the previous books before the latest one. Other than that, I really did enjoy the mysteries and Willa. The cheese facts were interesting too.
Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Karina Moss for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.
I enjoyed the fact that technically there is more than one mystery in this book, so that was a very nice surprise. The writing is smooth and easy to follow. The world building was nice too, I had no trouble envisioning the fair atmosphere and surroundings.
I enjoyed the story though and once I finally caught on with everyone, I had an easier time relaxing into the story. I think this series would be easier understood if the reader reads the previous books before the latest one. Other than that, I really did enjoy the mysteries and Willa. The cheese facts were interesting too.
Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Karina Moss for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.
September 15, 2024
The fifth Cheese Shop mystery takes place at Dairy Days which is held over the Labor Day weekend. Willa Bauer and her crew are manning a booth where they are selling taster boxes of their various cheeses.
However, her staff has other responsibilities at the festival too. Mrs. Shultz is busy assisting with the pageant to crown the next Miss Dairy and award a $15,000 scholarship. Mrs. Schultz's job gets more difficult when someone murders Nadine who is in charge of the pageant. With the police deciding to cover up the murder investigation so as not to blight the festival, it is up to Willa and her friends to track down the killer.
This was another fun episode in this cozy series. I enjoyed reading the recipes at the back too.
However, her staff has other responsibilities at the festival too. Mrs. Shultz is busy assisting with the pageant to crown the next Miss Dairy and award a $15,000 scholarship. Mrs. Schultz's job gets more difficult when someone murders Nadine who is in charge of the pageant. With the police deciding to cover up the murder investigation so as not to blight the festival, it is up to Willa and her friends to track down the killer.
This was another fun episode in this cozy series. I enjoyed reading the recipes at the back too.
October 7, 2024
I want to live in Yarrow Glen, I want to eat all the cheese with Willa, I want to be a member of Team Cheese, and I want to see Willa and Heath's relationship develop even more. Book 5 in this series and I wasn't disappointed as it takes place at the Dairy Days festival, when suddenly the pageant director is found dead. There is a lot happening in the book but it's easy to follow and Moss does a good job of laying down some breadcrumbs early in the book to keep the mystery interesting. We have a couple new characters introduced in this installment that I hope are present in future books - June and Beatrice, but I did miss the presence of some characters from previous books...more Constance is always welcome and I fear we've lost Roman and possibly the Meadery. But whatever Moss wants to do, I'm okay with it as long as we get more cheese.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
November 3, 2024
Sinking back into a beloved series should always be this wonderful! Korina Moss has created a great cast of characters to rally around Willa and it's simply a joy to read about them. Fondue or Die is the fifth in the series but it held up to the standards of the previous books. The mystery was solid and the hi-jinx were as expected. I'll continue to read this series as Moss writes more!
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my e-arc. Fondue or Die was released on October 22 so you can pick it up now! #fondueordie #netgalley #cozymystery #cozymysteryreader #cheeseshopmystery
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my e-arc. Fondue or Die was released on October 22 so you can pick it up now! #fondueordie #netgalley #cozymystery #cozymysteryreader #cheeseshopmystery
November 3, 2024
Great addition. This series had the realest argument between characters at the end of the last book and I wondered how we were gonna move forward from it in this book and the author did a great job with that. The mystery was interesting and complicated mixing modern murder with cold case(s) from the past. I love Mrs. Shultz as always and our other characters. Archie seemed realllyyy young in this book and Willa seemed older than her very young 35 is really my only feedback.
January 26, 2025
Another excellent addition to the cheese shop mystery series.
Bonus star added for the FINALLY I let out at the ending 🤣
Bonus star added for the FINALLY I let out at the ending 🤣
May 14, 2025
excellent series
October 4, 2024
4.5 stars
This is the fifth Cheese Shop Mystery book and one of my favorites in the series. Cheeseshop owner Willa Bauer and the rest of #teamcheese must look into the death of a woman who oversees an annual pageant in a neighboring town. It's out of his jurisdiction, but Willa's potential love interest, Detective Heath, is also there helping investigate this suspicious death. I love the book and love the ending!
This is the fifth Cheese Shop Mystery book and one of my favorites in the series. Cheeseshop owner Willa Bauer and the rest of #teamcheese must look into the death of a woman who oversees an annual pageant in a neighboring town. It's out of his jurisdiction, but Willa's potential love interest, Detective Heath, is also there helping investigate this suspicious death. I love the book and love the ending!
September 30, 2024
Willa and Team Cheese are working a booth at the local Dairy Days celebration in a neighboring town. Mrs. Shultz has been asked to help with the beauty pageant. When the pageant's coordinator is killed and Willa and Archie discover the body, Mrs. Shultz seems to be the prime suspect. The local police seem lax in their work on finding the killer, so Willa reaches out to Heath to help. New characters are introduced in this book who will enhance future stories. I found myself unable to put the book down as there were plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing to the end. I particularly enjoyed the ending and the simple recipes included will be a fun way to head into fall. Overall, a fun and enjoyable read!
December 31, 2024
The 5th book in the Cheese Shop mystery series by author Korina Moss finds cheesemonger Willa Bauer taking part in the annual Dairy Days festival. Held on Labor Day weekend in the neighboring town of Lockwood, there's plenty of cheese, milk and butter themed activities on hand.
But the centerpiece for the festival is the Miss Dairy pageant. With a big scholarship on the line, it's a VERY big deal. While Willa is not involved in the pageant herself, she's looking forward to meeting the celebrity guest judge of whom she is a fan.
But with her employees involved in the pageant (Archie is one of the men involved in the stage number and Mrs. Schultz is helping with costumes) she does have an interest when she's not focused on introducing the crowds to her cheese and cheese shop.
But the urge to investigate (which has driven a bit of a wedge between her and Detective Heath) is soon pushing Willa into another case. When she and Archie stumble over the body of the pageant director, it's another dead body that will cause Team Cheese (including Willa's best friend and neighbor Baz, Archie and Mrs. Schultz) to figure out what happened.
Nadine, the pageant runner and victim, had been running the event with an iron hand for years but this year seemed to really be redefining that description. Between complaining stage mothers, a judge she wants to drop off the panel and a suspicious injury that left her on a scooter, someone clearly had it out for the woman.
Despite her observations, Willa is less than pleased to find that the sheriff is ignoring not just what she has to say but is taking marching orders from the Lockwood mayor who wants nothing to get in the way of the festival's success.
But as she digs deeper, the troubling aspects behind Nadine's death turn up any number of possible suspects including the very real possibility that the sheriff himself is involved. Worse yet, the killer knows Willa is looking into things and when a possible attempt is made to harm (or worse yet, kill) Willa, the investigation takes an even more ominous turn.
The show must go on, but that's no guarantee that Willa will do the same if a killer has their way!
The Agatha Award-winning series is now five books in and it is only getting better. Moss does such a great job at giving readers not only a twisty narrative that keeps you guessing but threading in all that information about cheese makes me SO hungry too.
I like the way Willa's insistence on investigating and putting herself in harm's way has driven that wedge between her and the detective. It makes for interesting reading as she realizes what it is that is holding up any relationship between them but is unwilling or unable to stop looking into things when her friends might be in danger.
The change in location for most of the book to the fairgrounds in the neighboring town will keep the Curds & Whey shop fresh for the next book, not that it was in any danger of being overused (in my opinion).
In the end, the reveal of the killer and the rippling effects of the reasons for the death will leave a mark on everyone involved but the determination of Willa to find the truth always makes for one heck of an enjoyable read!
But the centerpiece for the festival is the Miss Dairy pageant. With a big scholarship on the line, it's a VERY big deal. While Willa is not involved in the pageant herself, she's looking forward to meeting the celebrity guest judge of whom she is a fan.
But with her employees involved in the pageant (Archie is one of the men involved in the stage number and Mrs. Schultz is helping with costumes) she does have an interest when she's not focused on introducing the crowds to her cheese and cheese shop.
But the urge to investigate (which has driven a bit of a wedge between her and Detective Heath) is soon pushing Willa into another case. When she and Archie stumble over the body of the pageant director, it's another dead body that will cause Team Cheese (including Willa's best friend and neighbor Baz, Archie and Mrs. Schultz) to figure out what happened.
Nadine, the pageant runner and victim, had been running the event with an iron hand for years but this year seemed to really be redefining that description. Between complaining stage mothers, a judge she wants to drop off the panel and a suspicious injury that left her on a scooter, someone clearly had it out for the woman.
Despite her observations, Willa is less than pleased to find that the sheriff is ignoring not just what she has to say but is taking marching orders from the Lockwood mayor who wants nothing to get in the way of the festival's success.
But as she digs deeper, the troubling aspects behind Nadine's death turn up any number of possible suspects including the very real possibility that the sheriff himself is involved. Worse yet, the killer knows Willa is looking into things and when a possible attempt is made to harm (or worse yet, kill) Willa, the investigation takes an even more ominous turn.
The show must go on, but that's no guarantee that Willa will do the same if a killer has their way!
The Agatha Award-winning series is now five books in and it is only getting better. Moss does such a great job at giving readers not only a twisty narrative that keeps you guessing but threading in all that information about cheese makes me SO hungry too.
I like the way Willa's insistence on investigating and putting herself in harm's way has driven that wedge between her and the detective. It makes for interesting reading as she realizes what it is that is holding up any relationship between them but is unwilling or unable to stop looking into things when her friends might be in danger.
The change in location for most of the book to the fairgrounds in the neighboring town will keep the Curds & Whey shop fresh for the next book, not that it was in any danger of being overused (in my opinion).
In the end, the reveal of the killer and the rippling effects of the reasons for the death will leave a mark on everyone involved but the determination of Willa to find the truth always makes for one heck of an enjoyable read!
September 19, 2024
In FONDUE OR DIE Willa Bauer and the rest of her Team Cheese crew are at Dairy Days, the annual three-day Labor Day weekend festival held in Lockwood. They have a booth to support Willa’s cheese shop, Curds and Whey. Nadine, the director of the festival’s Miss Dairy pageant, is found dead. Was Nadine’s death an accident or was she murdered? Willa intends to find out.
It feels good to return to Willa’s world with her Team Cheese employees from the Curds and Whey cheese shop—Archie, Baz, and Mrs. Schultz. I like the occasional inclusion of words of wisdom from Nancy Fuller, who has a real television cooking show. I also like that Willa’s phone ring tone is “Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese.” The characters are interesting and the plot is well-structured. Although I didn’t solve the mystery, I appreciate the way Korina Moss ties up all the loose ends during the story’s resolution. I look forward to reading future books in the series and finding out what develops between Willa and Detective Heath. This book is a fun read, especially if you love cheese. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of FONDUE OR DIE.
It feels good to return to Willa’s world with her Team Cheese employees from the Curds and Whey cheese shop—Archie, Baz, and Mrs. Schultz. I like the occasional inclusion of words of wisdom from Nancy Fuller, who has a real television cooking show. I also like that Willa’s phone ring tone is “Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese.” The characters are interesting and the plot is well-structured. Although I didn’t solve the mystery, I appreciate the way Korina Moss ties up all the loose ends during the story’s resolution. I look forward to reading future books in the series and finding out what develops between Willa and Detective Heath. This book is a fun read, especially if you love cheese. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of FONDUE OR DIE.
November 7, 2024
I think I'm a little cozy mystery out but this is a decent book. The mystery was good though I did guess some of it before the characters solved it. It made me want to eat cheese. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.
September 19, 2024
The neighboring town is hosting Dairy Days and Willa’s cheese shop, Curds and Whey, has a booth to sell their cheese. Part of the Dairy Days is the Miss Dairy pageant, run by Nadine. Nadine tells everyone she will be making an announcement later and then Willa finds her crushed under a heavy bookshelf in the museum on the grounds. With a sheriff downplaying the probably murder, crooked pageant judges, and pageant moms, there are lots of red herrings.
Being a cheese lover, the descriptions of cheese sound amazing. The characters are varied and fun, and the mystery kept me guessing. This is a fun cozy mystery in a small town setting.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
Being a cheese lover, the descriptions of cheese sound amazing. The characters are varied and fun, and the mystery kept me guessing. This is a fun cozy mystery in a small town setting.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 15, 2024
Not an unbiased review as I love this series and am a Cheesehead.
Time for the annual Dairy Days Fair in the neighboring town and the pageant whose prize is a college scholarship. Willa Bauer is the owner/operator of the local cheese shop and has already been instrumental in solving a murder case or four in her own town. This time Willa not only finds the body of the pageant organizer but seems to be the only one (including the town police chief) to find it obvious that the death was orchestrated and NOT an accident. It's an uphill battle to make others aware without alerting the ever-present press or alarming the woman's relative to much (or distressing the tourists). Together with a few friends she manages to solve this tangled mess without getting herself killed in the process. Another winner!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from the St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley. Thank you!
#CheeseShopMysteriesBk5 Avail Oct 22, 2024
Time for the annual Dairy Days Fair in the neighboring town and the pageant whose prize is a college scholarship. Willa Bauer is the owner/operator of the local cheese shop and has already been instrumental in solving a murder case or four in her own town. This time Willa not only finds the body of the pageant organizer but seems to be the only one (including the town police chief) to find it obvious that the death was orchestrated and NOT an accident. It's an uphill battle to make others aware without alerting the ever-present press or alarming the woman's relative to much (or distressing the tourists). Together with a few friends she manages to solve this tangled mess without getting herself killed in the process. Another winner!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from the St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley. Thank you!
#CheeseShopMysteriesBk5 Avail Oct 22, 2024
October 22, 2024
I absolutely ADORE this series - the town and characters are now familiar friends – each book is like returning home for a visit.
The Dairy Days festival adds an exciting new element to the story and we get a lot of interaction with Lockwood’s Chief of Police, who seems to have his own agenda when investigating the murder
There was a bit of a time jump between the last book and this one and Willa and Detective Heath haven’t spoken in awhile. Luckily, this new murder has Willa reaching out and we get to see Heath in a much more casual light. If you’re like me (#TeamHeath since Book1!) then you’ll be very happy with how Willa and Heath’s relationship plays out in this story!
The usual Scooby Gang (#TeamCheese) is back again and we get lots of time with Mrs Schultz, Archie, and Baz. I love how they’re all so different but have become a ‘family’ – always looking out for each other and being completely supportive and encouraging – they’re one of the reasons I love this series so much.
As for the mystery – this one seemed straightforward but I was constantly being thrown for a loop. There are a ton of red herrings and suspects and so many people were acting suspiciously that I had no idea where to pin my “You’re the Killer” badge!
I really liked how Willa is not only working with Team Cheese, but also with Heath and reporter AJ – he’s become a solid ally, so that has been a surprising, yet welcome, addition. The relationships between all the main and recurring characters is what I love most about this series. Yes, the mysteries are really well done, but it’s so fun to just visit with everyone in Yarrow Glen, even if this adventure is set in a different town.
And of course, who could forget THE CHEESE. Alongside the complex mystery, the familiar characters, and the crazy Dairy Days, the mouth-watering descriptions of all the different kinds of cheese is also what makes me love this series. You will definitely have your cheese knowledge broadened as you read (make sure you’re well stocked up on snacks!)
All in all, another winner in the Cheese Shop Mysteries and I’m already looking forward to the next book!
*** Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
The Dairy Days festival adds an exciting new element to the story and we get a lot of interaction with Lockwood’s Chief of Police, who seems to have his own agenda when investigating the murder
There was a bit of a time jump between the last book and this one and Willa and Detective Heath haven’t spoken in awhile. Luckily, this new murder has Willa reaching out and we get to see Heath in a much more casual light. If you’re like me (#TeamHeath since Book1!) then you’ll be very happy with how Willa and Heath’s relationship plays out in this story!
The usual Scooby Gang (#TeamCheese) is back again and we get lots of time with Mrs Schultz, Archie, and Baz. I love how they’re all so different but have become a ‘family’ – always looking out for each other and being completely supportive and encouraging – they’re one of the reasons I love this series so much.
As for the mystery – this one seemed straightforward but I was constantly being thrown for a loop. There are a ton of red herrings and suspects and so many people were acting suspiciously that I had no idea where to pin my “You’re the Killer” badge!
I really liked how Willa is not only working with Team Cheese, but also with Heath and reporter AJ – he’s become a solid ally, so that has been a surprising, yet welcome, addition. The relationships between all the main and recurring characters is what I love most about this series. Yes, the mysteries are really well done, but it’s so fun to just visit with everyone in Yarrow Glen, even if this adventure is set in a different town.
And of course, who could forget THE CHEESE. Alongside the complex mystery, the familiar characters, and the crazy Dairy Days, the mouth-watering descriptions of all the different kinds of cheese is also what makes me love this series. You will definitely have your cheese knowledge broadened as you read (make sure you’re well stocked up on snacks!)
All in all, another winner in the Cheese Shop Mysteries and I’m already looking forward to the next book!
*** Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
September 8, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
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I really do love the Cheese Shop Mystery series. The store serves as a good basis for the plots and the characters but at heart these are just good, well developed mysteries.
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I really do love the Cheese Shop Mystery series. The store serves as a good basis for the plots and the characters but at heart these are just good, well developed mysteries.
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