Cooking Up A Storm

by Ashleigh Quinn

Weather 100% chance of mystery, mischievous grannies, and a chili cook-off . . .

Autumn accepted a part-time job as the local weather girl. It sounded like a fun weekend gig, but the cook-off contestants served more than chili this year.

When renowned food critic turned judge dropped dead, one of the grannies became suspect #1. Now, Autumn must batten down the hatches to save her innocent friend.

But can she navigate the storm front before the real culprit escapes?

This cozy mystery novella is a quick whodunit with twists, turns, and a touch of humor.

This is book 4 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Novella

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2024

Reviews

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I hate to read out of order in a series, I quickly read the 3 previous books. The first one starts out a bit slow, then the second and 3rd books are better. This book is my fave of the lot. Autumn Davis has moved to Texas to continue working on her app for getting better predictions about dangerous weather and their patterns. I found that information fascinating and how the author describes the storm chasers in this and the last book. Autumns’ friend Thora is the leader of the storm chaser group and they work together to post live streams to the local TV news. However, they have a competitor group that isn’t very nice. During this ‘episode’ of the story, Autumn is acting also as a freelancer live reporter for the Chili cook off festival. Hilda, Thora’s absolutely hilarious grams is hurt so she makes her buddy, cook for her. Hilda and her four cronies from book club are a riot. Thora and Autumn and company spend a good third of their time trying to ride herd on Hilda especially, and some of her cronies. Things get crazy at the cook off, and someone dies. Autumn’s hottie boyfriend is a Texas Ranger and he is on assignment (Nathan). There is a lot of crazy going on in this book that has the local authorities going a bit bonkers trying to find the truth. I spent a lot of time laughing, and giggling while reading. I also felt bad for a lot of the people who were accused before they found the true culprit. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aparna J · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its captivating plot to its impeccable narration, Cooking Up A Storm by Ashleigh Quinn kept me utterly engrossed, thanks to its compelling storyline and masterful storytelling. This is the fourth book in The Weather Girl Mysteries series.

Autumn Davis, a weather reporter for Spur City News, is not only tracking storms but also developing an app to predict them. Her skills are put to test when she covers a local cooking competition and the sudden death of a popular food critic turned judge throws the event into chaos.


With one of the friends, who's an elderly, wrongly accused, Autumn steps into the role of detective. As she stirs through clues and suspects, she must solve the case quickly—before the real perpetrator slips away. This cozy mystery novella mixes humor with suspense, offering readers a delightful and twisty read. I highly recommend it to all the cozy mystery lovers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in a really fun series that you can't put down until the end. Autumn is a part time weather reporter, predicting weather and tracking storms. Her good friend, Thora is the lead in the storm chasing group who feeds Autumn live feeds of storms. It is time for the annual Chili Cook off and a famous judge was coming to town to judge the event. When he tastes one of the entrants and drops dead on the spot, and one of Autumn's friends, Barb, from the book club is arrested, Autumn has to investigate. While trying to investigate, Autumn and Thora has to keep control of the hilarious book club, especially Hilda, who just happens to be Thora's grandmother! There are so many funny moments that will really make you laugh and of course the turns and twists in the investigation. I love this series and can't wait for Autumn's next adventure! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightfully light hearted and endearing cozy mystery with murder. Once again the weather girl and friends are on the case when a s celebrity food critic dies during a small town cook off. The array of familiar vibrant, colorful and quirky characters are back along with a few new characters and of course this is a cozy murder mystery so there's a deadly schemer hidden within their small town that needs to be found before any one else is hurt. Although it's the characters that first capture your attention it's a plot full of mayhem, secrets,betrayals, intrigue and murder that will have you turning comical page after intriguing page without stop until you've reached its unexpected and climatic conclusion. Acquire " Cooking Up A Storm " today for a captivating and enjoyable experience. Kat

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a cooking contest turns deadly! Who doesn't like a little friendly competition, right? But when somebody ends up dead before it's all said and done??? Was it the Chilli, or the vee sting. I enjoyed the search for motives. It uncovered a lot. Autumn and cohorts jump onto sleuth mode and try to figure this one out. I was stunned at the possible suspects. Was this person that hated, or was it just an unfortunate series of accidents??? Competition isn't supposed to be kill or be killed, but maybe somebody had a target on their back so to speak? Anyway you slice it, I was intrigued and kept turning pages and guessing without luck. A great little mystery, I enjoyed immensely.

[Robin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

really 3.5 stars rounded to 4
I have read all of the books in this series, and I like the characters and how the mystery played out. This was an easy to read mystery that was fun and entertaining. However, although the writing has steadily improved over the series, there are still typos and misused words, and point of view changed to first person (I liked third person, with insight to each character). That being said, I will probably read the next book just to see how the series ends.
I received a free copy via Booksprout, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there no end to Autumn’s talents. Not only is her weather predicting improving , she gets a one off gig hosting the chilli festival. Things go smoothly until the judge keels over . When Autumns friend seems to be enemy number one, Autumn gets to predict another outcome as she delves into the mystery to save her friend from incarceration and find the true culprit while weathering a storm. Great immersive , quirky , cosy read . Well written with good humour and excellently crafted mystery. Scene settings sublime .

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly short cozy and enjoyable mystery! Weather girl, Autumn Davis, is also covering the Chili Cook-off and interviews the judge Mr. Dagen, a rude and generally grumpy man who dies after tasting all the chilis. Unfortunately, because the man was so unpleasant, there are quite a few suspects! Autumn is a dedicated amateur sleuth with a few cases under her belt, and starts asking questions to try and figure out who’s responsible. I received a free copy of this book through BookSprout and write this review voluntarily.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chili to die for!

Autumn’s news reporting on the chili cookoff in their small town becomes news of a different sort when a renowned food critic dies during the contest. When one of her elderly friends is arrested, Autumn joins forces with her friends and her best detective to find out who or what was responsible.

This is a cute series. Thora’s granny is hilarious! I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn hasn't given up reporting the weather, but she is working on a App that is an early warning system for severe weather. You would think that would be enough, but she continues to be 'right place right time' and comes across a dead body. Using her great sleuthing skills - will she be able to solve the mystery and identify the killer? Is it murder or accidental??.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn Davis a storm chasing weather girl and reporter. She did reporting about events around town and has invented a device to predict bad weather ahead of time. She is also an amateur detective. She gets involved in chili cook off where the head judge dies, was it his health or murder? Did she sell her invented device?

I really enjoyed this story. Well written. I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess he was already too far dead


When a gig covering the local chili cook off ends with the celebrity food critic dead weather girl and part time storm chaser, Autumn and her friends are on the case. A cozy tale full of twists and turns and some hilarious hijinks from the elderly members of her ‘book club’ make this a must read.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One more reason I will never be a judge at a cooking competition! It seems to be dangerous. Autumn helps gather the clues and put the pieces together in this fun and quirky cozy novella. This is an entertaining series that has all of the elements of fun cozy mystery. This can be enjoyed as a standalone.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn Davis was a weather reporter and she was at the Chili Cook-Off festival where Holland Dagen  the special judge dies. Carol Truett becomes the main suspect.  There is a lot of mayhem and humour to make this captivating from the start.  I received this ARC copy via booksprouts and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chili cookout.

A fun and entertaining cozy mystery as a chili cookout goes wrong. Autumn's instincts and tenacity as she investigates the crime alongside the police is enjoyable to follow. I recommend this book.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short cozy mystery that will have you turning the pages to figure out who did it. This book is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. We follow Autumn as she and her friends play detective to figure out the latest murder at the chili cook off. I love Barb and Ruth’s antics and was laughing my head off about Hilda and her clotheslining people with her cast.

[Malgorzata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading this novella with quick pace and interesting story. Characters are enjoyable, authentic and funny.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Genoveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I need a quiet departure from the romance genre these always fit the bill. This one was especially intriguing as there were many possibilities as to who had actually done the deed. Like I was not expecting that ending!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and entertaining, you will come to love these characters as they inch their way into your heart. A no nonsense Autumn rules. You will be charmed Recommended.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who added the peanuts and why and how??? I have a peanut allergy and want to know!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

This is a fun story with a good mystery. The characters are interesting and work well together. It is short enough to read in a day.

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was never edited

I have highlighted a lot of things and left notes. Very sloppy writing. Books can’t be uploaded in such terrible shape.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a small town chili cook off with a big town food critic that just happens to die during the taste testing. Unsure whether it was murder or an allergic reaction sends Autumn out hunting for the truth. The contestants were checked and rechecked until the verdict was in. Great book 4 in the series but the story works on its own also.

[Hyacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a cute, short, and quick read. The characters were engaged, and I got in a few chuckles.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable cozy murder mystery novella in the weather girl series staring Autumn Davis. Autumn and her friends are on the hunt for the murderer of the rude food critic and cook-off judge. This group of characters are a fun bunch. The mystery had several suspects with a few twists. It is a quick fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.