Mourning Waffles

by Trixie Fairdale

“A clever mystery wrapped in zydeco, sass, and waffle-scented mayhem—Fairdale hits the cozy sweet spot.”
—Traci Andrighetti, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Franki Amato Mysteries

***WINNER - TOP PICK AWARD - Author Shout Literary Awards - 2025***

Cajun curmudgeon, Uma Blanchard, can't catch a break. While getting ready for a long-awaited cruise after her youngest daughter's wedding, her soon-to-be son-in-law is found face-down in his breakfast waffles, shaking the small town of Killjoy, Louisiana, to its deep-fried core.

With her vicious Chihuahua, Cocodrie, in tow, Uma embarks on a hilarious and uniquely southern adventure full of mayhem and mystery. As clues pile up, the self-proclaimed "Queen of Karaoke" sets out to help the begrudging sheriff, Moses Cheramie, and his bumbling deputy, Amos Landry, crack the case. But the plot thickens when the aging amateur sleuth uncovers the

Most of Killjoy had a motive to kill Carl!

With a wily cast of memorable characters, twisted suspects, and a healthy dose of bayou bite, Mourning Waffles is a laugh-out-loud riot and fast-paced whodunit by award-winning author Trixie Fairdale that really lets the good times roll!

Published by Rusty Ogre Publishing.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2025

Reviews

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a witty title like Mourning Waffles....I knew I was in for a deathly sweet treat!


Okay this was actually so entertaining. Great little whodunit with tons of southern sass. If you listen to the audiobook you won't be disappointed. I don't usually enjoy when the author is also the narrator, but Trixie nailed it! Especially Uma... too funny!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun audiobook! I haven't read it, but listening to it in a Southern accent with all of Uma's sass made it an even more enjoyable experience than reading it myself. Uma is sassy, blunt, at times sarcastic, and always spoke her mind regardless of what anyone thought or what was happening around her. I was immediately getting flashbacks of the sharp-tongued matriarch Mama Harper from the Carol Burnett Show, who I always loved and thought hilarious.

Uma's future son-in-law, whom she didn't like nor think was good enough for her daughter, was murdered in her house less than a week before the wedding. With numerous suspects who have a grudge against him, and what will likely be a long police investigation, if she wants to get on her cruise in 4 days, she'll just have to find the killer herself, no matter what the sheriff says.

I haven't read a mystery book in years and I'm not very good at figuring out who the culprit is before they're revealed, so the mystery and suspense of it carried through. But to me, Uma was the star of the show and made of laugh out loud more than once. There were also a lot of other quirky characters. I really enjoyed all the Cajun culture and food references, too.

Trixie Fairdale did a wonderful job bringing these characters and story to life. I can't imagine the hard work it takes to narrate a book into audio and am always impressed when I find a book where the author is also the narrator. This was my first of Trixie's books, and I would definitely listen to more- especially if Uma is leading the charge! A great start to a new series.

Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 4 stars

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Mourning Waffles” is one of those books that sneaks up on you. I picked it up thinking it’d be a goofy little story, and next thing I know I’m laughing on one page and getting misty‑eyed on the next. It’s got that perfect mix of weird charm and real heart, like someone poured their feelings into a waffle iron and hoped for the best.

Some parts wander a bit, like the author got lost in their own syrup, but honestly it didn’t bother me much. The characters feel real, the emotions hit home, and the whole thing has this warm, Southern‑kitchen vibe—even when it’s talking about grief.

If you like stories that are a little odd, a little sweet, and leave you thinking long after you close the book, this one’s worth a read. Four stars from me.

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

[Jessica Bradford]

I loved everything about this book. Erica Summers is becoming one of my must-read authors. I love all of the Louisiana culture references in this story, from the food to the lingo, as well as the landmarks and people. The references to old school music were also a plus in this one, and I found myself with a tinge of nostalgia many times throughout this story. Uma was SASSY and had me laughing out loud at her banter and commentary. The meat of the story was intriguing and had me devour this in one sitting. I was racing to the end to find out who did it, and was pleasantly surprised when the culprit was identified. If you haven't read any of Erica Summer's books, I highly recommend jumping in to this one, I can't wait for book 2 to come out so we can follow Uma.

[Joy Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mourning Waffles" truly delivers as a delightful and charming cozy mystery, immediately captivating the reader from the very first page. The storyline is exceptionally engaging, skillfully weaving together intriguing clues and unexpected twists, while the author's writing style is infused with a delightful warmth and undeniable charm that makes the reading experience incredibly pleasurable. I was particularly captivated by the development of the characters and the nuanced interactions between them; these elements added significant depth and a comforting warmth to the overall narrative, making the story feel both relatable and utterly enchanting.

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

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant narration from Trixie Fairdale who brings the sass, family drama, humour and mystery to your ears.

Uma doesn’t like her future son-in-law, let’s say he really is not good enough or right for her daughter. A week before the wedding he is murdered in her home.
The man had a few people who also had a dislike, grudge against the dead man. With a long list of suspects the police are very busy. Which means the only way Uma can go on her cruise is to help them. The sheriff is not pleased but is unable to stop this feisty and stubborn woman.

A great mystery, with twists, laugh out humour, brilliant characters and a perfect listen.

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

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been having a ball lately with some of these characters and Uma definitely fits in this category. I don't think I'll ever drive like her🤣🤣but lawd I hope I get her bluntness and such. Oh she was a hoot. And the dog...a reminder of why I like big dogs🤣. This was so good. Sadly, I knew who did and man did it make me tear up at the end. Partially because I know how they felt to some degree. I hoping maybe Uma can help them as time goes on. I will definitely keep my eyes open for the next book in this series. I'm super stoked for the next one and hope it comes soon!.

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

[LizJ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mourning Waffles Book 1 of The Uma Blanchard Cozy Mystery Series by Trixie Fairdale is a fun and sassy cozy mystery. Uma our FMC is an older Cajun woman with sass to beat the band and such a pistol, I absolutely adore her! Good storyline, good characters and fabulous world building, I could really feel myself there. The narrator does a great job but the Cajun accent she does while adorable to begin with grated on my nerves a bit toward the end, I know it’s part of portraying the characters but…um there you go. Recommend.

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

[Brittany Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mourning Waffles by Trixie Fairdale is a wonderful cozy mystery. Trixie Fairdale did an incredible job with the narration. The story is entertaining, cozy, interesting, witty, and more.Mourning Waffles is the first book in The Uma Blanchard Cozy Mystery series.

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

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. It had interesting characters. I liked how the author introduced the reader to them at a family event with food. Lots of food and drama. I enjoyed the voice actor who read the mystery. I think the characters really became alive on my tablet for me. It was entertaining.

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

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny

A delight to find a murder mystery that funny too. Already pre-ordered the next book in the series.
Good read.