Death and Fondue

Sugar Creek Mystery #3

by Nova Walsh

A picturesque Texas vineyard. A tech company retreat turned deadly. A caterer caught in a bubbling pot of mystery.

Abby Hirsch has established herself as the go-to caterer in her beloved hometown of Sugar Creek, Texas. But her skills are put to the test when a high-profile tech company from California chooses her aunt's charming bed and breakfast for their corporate retreat. Abby’s ready to showcase her culinary talents, until the event turns sour with the mysterious death of the company's CEO, Barry Golding.

As the CEO's past misdeeds come to light and tensions within the tech group rise, Abby finds herself caught in a melting pot of secrets and egos. The vineyard setting is ripe with secrets, and everyone has a motive for murder. With the retreat descending into chaos and her reputation on the line, Abby must navigate through the tangled web of corporate intrigue and personal vendettas.

As things heat up both in the kitchen and with Sheriff Ryan Iverson, Abby slices through layers of intrigue to uncover the truth with the help of her best friend Cassie and their furry companion Cocoa. But can she dip into her sleuthing skills to serve justice before the killer strikes again?

This book

- A vineyard setting with a twist of tech

- Close group of female friends

- Corporate retreat with a deadly agenda

- Caterer turned amateur sleuth

- Clean slow burn romance



Death and Fondue is the third book in the captivating Sugar Creek Mystery Series. Perfect for fans of Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke, this cozy mystery blends tantalizing culinary scenes, small-town charm, and a budding romance into a recipe for suspense. Dive into Abby's latest culinary sleuthing adventure, where deep in the heart of Texas, secrets simmer just below the surface. Pick up your copy of Death and Fondue and get whisked away to Sugar Creek for another delicious mystery!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

222 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2024

About the author

Author Nova Walsh writes culinary cozy mysteries full of humor, shenanigans, and friendships that last a lifetime. She mixes in a healthy dose of amateur sleuthing, some slow-burn romance, and a pinch of comedy in every book she writes.
Nova is a former chef/caterer who still loves to cook but loves to write even more. She’s an enthusiastic, if not totally successful gardener who loves travel, wine, and hanging out with friends.
Nova grew up in the southwest, and now lives in Galveston, Texas, with her husband, son, and dogs. When she isn’t writing, she’s often cooking, spending time with family, or reading a good book with a pup by her side.

Reviews

[Julia (bookishhottakes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death and Fondue is a cozy mystery set in Texas where the main character, Abby, is setting up her own catering business while helping out her Aunt Meg run a B&B.

What I liked: The author, Nova Walsh, has a really great handle on her prose. I found the book to be easy to read but also it offered depth to the narration. It wasn't often that words, sentiments, or descriptors were repeated. In fact there were a number of really great descriptions when it came to food being prepared throughout the story. I'd say that it added a nice quirk that made sense within the story since Abby is a caterer. I think this book sticks to the cozy vibe by focusing mostly on the lives of the Abby and her surrounding friends and family. While a murder does take center stage, it's not presented in a gory or thrilling/fast paced way.

What I didn't like: Even though it's a cozy murder mystery, I did find the pacing to be really slow. It took quite a few chapters for the murder to happen and at times I forgot that the book wasn't a slice of life novel. Because of this, I never felt pulled in by the story and found myself slogging through to find out what happens. Which is why I gave this book 3 stars.

Although Death and Fondue is the third book in the Sugar Creek series, it can be read as a standalone since there's enough exposition to understand who everyone is. In terms of Abby's sleuthing, if you like Miss Marple mysteries, you will probably like how the character in this book goes about solving the mystery.

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

[Ppcfransen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death and Fondue is a lighthearted cozy mystery. It heavily features Abby Hirsch’ adventures in catering and the food buying and food prep involved.

There’s a mystery too, somewhere in the background.

A group of five colleagues, who don’t seem to like each other very much, come to stay at Primrose House, the B&B of Abby’s aunt Meg. One of them makes a nasty fall and the others start to accuse each other of pushing him.

Abby, with some experience in sleuthing and more experience in speculating, enlists friends and family with nosing around. After all, she’s got her catering jobs and her aunt’s birthday and marketing of her catering company to think about.

The story is so lighthearted that I didn’t even feel any tension built up when Abby’s car broke down on the way to a catering gig. That sort of thing would have sent my stress levels up to high, but Abby just made a simple deduction who she could call on for a ride. (Or I may have just thought: “Oh, so that’s why Abby didn’t ask Bertie if she could borrow her SUV, after Bertie indicated she wasn’t going to use it for the day.”)

I read an ARC through Booksirens

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable and easy read, just the type I needed to read after reading a few gritty books lately. A group of tech people arrive to the b&b for a corporate get together and the tension among the group is already palpable. They also have some crazy requirements which ramps up the antagonistic vibe a lot. No surprises then when a couple of murders occur.

I really enjoyed the setting in the b&b. The niceness of Abby and her aunt and the locals is a stark contrast to the horrible guests. All the baking made me drool. I loved how Abby and Cassie just inserted themselves into the investigation effortlessly. Although this is the third in the series, I hadn't read the earlier books but it made no difference. It works very well as a standalone. That being said, I eagerly await the next one later in the year.

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

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were many ignorant and selfish people in that LA group. With all their special orders etc. You don't ask for special orders in a small rural B & B!! And who moves furniture around in a common area to suit them regardless of damages caused?

They should have stayed in LA with their high faluting ways!!!! At least some snooty nasty people were culled from the hurd. The big twists at the end were shocking! I liked how family and friends swooped in to help Aunt Meg. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion .

[Brenda]

"Abby Hirsch has established herself as the go-to caterer in her beloved hometown of Sugar Creek, Texas. But her skills are put to the test when a high-profile tech company from California chooses her aunt's charming bed and breakfast for their corporate retreat. Abby's ready to showcase her culinary talents, until the event turns sour with the mysterious death of the company's CEO, Barry Golding." This is a good mystery. It's full of angst and fun.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I'm sorry to say, but this book was disappointing. 6 only thing I liked was the FMC, Abby's catering 6 the author's descriptions of it.

But, the cozy mystery part? Not my favorite. It was not well done, there was no sleuthing. The answers just literally came to her. I didn't see any work on her part, and I was very disappointed because I love this trope.

The characters were okay, but this didn't do anything for me

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Hirsch is a established caterer in her hometown Sugar Creek, Texas. Her aunt’s Bed and Breakfast host a corporate retreat and then the CEO Barry Golding dies. Abby becomes a amateur sleuth with the help of her friend Cassie and their furry companion try to find out the truth . There are many secrets. A intriguing read with great characters. I received this ARC copy via booksirans and leave a honest review .I recommend this book to other readers .

[Maya Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy read, easily identifiable and made me hungry. The protagonist was warm and strong, the bad guys were hard to read in their design, thoroughly unlikeable and typical of the 'Ugly California Silicon Valley' stereotype. Just as it should have been.
A good read to pass the time but not one to deep dive into. Just what the doctor ordered to settle in a confusing, hectic time of my life.

[Lilly Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be an easy and lovely enjoyable read. The characters are interesting and I always enjoy a light hearted Mystery, with a dash of suspense and a lot of heart and community mixed in. This is a good read to enjoy with a glass of wine and a few hours of Me Time.

This last few months have been challenging to say the least, and being able to read a good book with characters with a lot of heart, romance and compassion was exactly what my weary heart and soul needed.

The recipes sound lovely and I will have to try them out, because who does not love a new recipe to try at least once?

I do not give five stars easily, but this time this story just made my heart feel a lot better, and isn't that what books are all about? An escape for a moment from the typical daily living that can at times weigh heavily in our minds and hearts.

A dash of romance, and sweet kisses, with a cup of heart and compassion, friends and possibility for new adventures. Stir with wild abandon and a glass of wine, and enjoy.

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

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 3 in the "Sugar Creek Mystery" series. Abby Hirsch has established herself as the go-to caterer in her beloved hometown of Sugar Creek, Texas. But her skills are put to the test when a high-profile tech company from California chooses her aunt's charming bed and breakfast for their corporate retreat. When the CEO Barry Golding is found dead Abby and Cassie put their sleuth caps on. This was a pretty good read Barry had a lot of enemies. The people in this group were snotty and stuck up. There was a lot of things going on in this book including the relationship with Sheriff Ryan. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. What more could one ask for--mystery, murder and a bit of romance. The story was well written and though I kind of guessed the villain at first, I was still shocked by the solving of the entire case. I thought the characters were strong and so likeable. Will be looking forward to her next book. Recommend reading. I voluntarily left a review.

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby runs a catering business and has her Commercial Kitchen at her Aunt's B&B. Corporate guests are staying at the B&B and Abby is catering the food at a Winery. The CEO is killed and all of the guests are suspects. Abby and Ryan a Police Officer investigate the case. This was a really fun book and I enjoyed it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death and Fondue is book 3 in the Sugar Creek Mystery series. It can be read as a stand-alone as well.
Pros: The main characters were all likeable.
The setting is a B&B in Sugar Creek, Texas was different and refreshing from all the cozies set in New England.
And finally, it was a well written story.
Con: The only con this book had was that it took quite a few chapters for the murder to take place. Which is why I gave only 4 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[starla mcmanigal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review

I have enjoyed This series The writing is good The characters are A little shallow and for Texas women they are very wimpy subservient even in the real world they would not be good business women. On the other hand I read on because the books are easy with zero stress involved.

[Kerrie A Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby has a catering business and at a fondue party in a winery. A man fell through the wooden rail and died . Ryan Ty, Cassie and Abby try to find out who killed him. Aunt Meg stayed positive until the California group came to the hotel. Read Death and Fondue is well done

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done

This high quality cozy mystery series is loaded with mild and wild personalities and the storytelling has good pacing and flow. Not to mention the small town charm and all the delicious food!

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the mystery, didn't see who did it until the end. worth the read.

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's bad enough having to listen to people on Facebook bash Californians but to have a book I was hoping to "get away from it all" do the exact same thing was very disappointing.

[Alison]

I love Sugar Creek. I was so mad at the group from California that came in and stressed everyone out. Honestly the guy that got murdered deserved it lol. As usual I loved the romance plot line. I can’t wait to read more from Nova!