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Savvy Summers #2
Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils: A Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26The next delectable mystery featuring quick-witted, unforgettable Savvy Summers, owner of a soul food café in Chicago.
Savvy has her work cut out when an old friend hires her to cater a company luncheon at a nearby office building on Chicago's South Side. Stepping out of her traditional soul food comfort zone, Savvy whips together a menu of Creole classics, with her own spin, of course—mini po’boys with assorted fillings, sunburst salad, and bread pudding using Great Aunt Essie’s famous buttermilk biscuits.
But when someone is found dead in the company’s conference room, Savvy’s culinary creations are suddenly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. While the focus should be on their delicious flavors and inventive techniques, Savvy’s beloved café instead becomes the center of a murder investigation once again.
Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name. Somebody’s hiding something, and with the help of her trusty assistant manager, Penny Lopés, Savvy sets out uncover exactly who is to blame. With familiar faces turning up the heat on her investigation and her café still in hot water, will Savvy be able to save her reputation before it’s too late?
Savvy has her work cut out when an old friend hires her to cater a company luncheon at a nearby office building on Chicago's South Side. Stepping out of her traditional soul food comfort zone, Savvy whips together a menu of Creole classics, with her own spin, of course—mini po’boys with assorted fillings, sunburst salad, and bread pudding using Great Aunt Essie’s famous buttermilk biscuits.
But when someone is found dead in the company’s conference room, Savvy’s culinary creations are suddenly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. While the focus should be on their delicious flavors and inventive techniques, Savvy’s beloved café instead becomes the center of a murder investigation once again.
Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name. Somebody’s hiding something, and with the help of her trusty assistant manager, Penny Lopés, Savvy sets out uncover exactly who is to blame. With familiar faces turning up the heat on her investigation and her café still in hot water, will Savvy be able to save her reputation before it’s too late?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 21, 2026
About the author
Sandra Jackson-Opoku
15 books161 followersSandra Jackson-Opoku is the author of the award-winning novel, The River Where Blood is Born and Hot Johnny and the Women Who Loved Him, an Essence Magazine Bestseller in Hardcover Fiction. She also coedited the anthology Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks. Her fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic works are widely published and produced in Adi Magazine, Midnight & Indigo, Aunt Chloe, Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, New Daughters of Africa, Obsidian, Another Chicago Magazine, storySouth, Lifeline Theatre, the Chicago Humanities Festival, and others. Professional recognition includes a Plentitudes Journal Prize, the Hearst Foundation James Baldwin Fellowship at MacDowell Arts, a National Endowment for the Arts Fiction Fellowship, an American Library Association Black Caucus Award, a City of Chicago Esteemed Artist Award, the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award, a Globe Soup Story Award, the Joan Perry Barnes Fellow in Crime Writing at Storyknife Writers Retreat and a Pushcart Prize nomination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 4, 2026
⋆˙⟡ ── ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ 3★
ⓘ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊.
If you get nothing else from this book, you’ll learn a lot about creole food, cooking, history, grammar, and music. The story itself seemed like it would be straightforward, but between the incessant nicknames and movie references, I started to become a bit overwhelmed.
This cozy mystery follows chef “Savvy” who is trying to uncover how a guest at a luncheon falls dead after consuming one of her meals. Since there were many people of interest, I genuinely didn’t have a clue as to whodunnit. Where I started to lose interest was when other non-related plots began developing out of nowhere. I thought they may somehow tie into the main story, but they just..didn’t. With the anticlimactic conclusion of the murder mystery, I felt the other plot lines were just unnecessary and served as space fillers.
Overall, the book was entertaining but not memorable.
ⓘ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊.
If you get nothing else from this book, you’ll learn a lot about creole food, cooking, history, grammar, and music. The story itself seemed like it would be straightforward, but between the incessant nicknames and movie references, I started to become a bit overwhelmed.
This cozy mystery follows chef “Savvy” who is trying to uncover how a guest at a luncheon falls dead after consuming one of her meals. Since there were many people of interest, I genuinely didn’t have a clue as to whodunnit. Where I started to lose interest was when other non-related plots began developing out of nowhere. I thought they may somehow tie into the main story, but they just..didn’t. With the anticlimactic conclusion of the murder mystery, I felt the other plot lines were just unnecessary and served as space fillers.
Overall, the book was entertaining but not memorable.
April 27, 2026
(4.5 stars rounded up)
Savvy Summers is taking it easy. After a post-holiday break, she's focused on new recipes and pouring love into her restaurant, Essie’s Place. Just like Aunt Essie always says “Aint nothing to do it but to do it”. Even still, Savvy finds herself mixed up in yet another mystery involving people she cares for. Will she be able to figure out what’s going on in her little corner of Chicago? Most importantly, can she keep herself out of danger while she does it?
I - REALLY enjoyed this book. Savvy made me giggle and yell at my Kindle at the same time with her endless need to figure out the truth. One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was that it was so easy to love the characters. They are all so funny and come together so nicely. Throughout the book it truly felt like I was solving the mystery with them, which I really love in a book. Penny was absolutely hilarious during the entire book and I literally have a voice for her in my head.
Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the inclusion of the different types of food that Savvy was cooking throughout the novel. I am a food motivated girl, so truly I was halfway drooling for most of these pages because the descriptions of the food were so detailed. It was also really interesting to be able to learn the history of a lot of popular dishes in Black culture. Specifically, how they have evolved, originating in places like Africa and the Islands and moving through the South and eventually making it to places like Chicago. I definitely enjoyed the sweet treat at the end of the book, that was definitely the cherry on top for me!
I also just have to say that I loved the shout out to a speech pathologist in the book. I'm a speech pathologist and rarely see us represented in a book, so that was really cool to see. In general, this book just felt really relatable in terms of popular references. It really made it feel like the book was happening in real time and like this was something that was going on actively in the moment. I found myself really immersed in the story, and as the plot really picked up it was hard for me to put the book down. I really feel like most people would enjoy this book. It's a quick and easy read, but had me guessing the entire time. Truly a very well done novel!
Thank you, Sandra Jackson-Opoku, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Savvy Summers is taking it easy. After a post-holiday break, she's focused on new recipes and pouring love into her restaurant, Essie’s Place. Just like Aunt Essie always says “Aint nothing to do it but to do it”. Even still, Savvy finds herself mixed up in yet another mystery involving people she cares for. Will she be able to figure out what’s going on in her little corner of Chicago? Most importantly, can she keep herself out of danger while she does it?
I - REALLY enjoyed this book. Savvy made me giggle and yell at my Kindle at the same time with her endless need to figure out the truth. One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was that it was so easy to love the characters. They are all so funny and come together so nicely. Throughout the book it truly felt like I was solving the mystery with them, which I really love in a book. Penny was absolutely hilarious during the entire book and I literally have a voice for her in my head.
Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the inclusion of the different types of food that Savvy was cooking throughout the novel. I am a food motivated girl, so truly I was halfway drooling for most of these pages because the descriptions of the food were so detailed. It was also really interesting to be able to learn the history of a lot of popular dishes in Black culture. Specifically, how they have evolved, originating in places like Africa and the Islands and moving through the South and eventually making it to places like Chicago. I definitely enjoyed the sweet treat at the end of the book, that was definitely the cherry on top for me!
I also just have to say that I loved the shout out to a speech pathologist in the book. I'm a speech pathologist and rarely see us represented in a book, so that was really cool to see. In general, this book just felt really relatable in terms of popular references. It really made it feel like the book was happening in real time and like this was something that was going on actively in the moment. I found myself really immersed in the story, and as the plot really picked up it was hard for me to put the book down. I really feel like most people would enjoy this book. It's a quick and easy read, but had me guessing the entire time. Truly a very well done novel!
Thank you, Sandra Jackson-Opoku, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 7, 2026
I really like this 2nd volume of the Savvy Summers series. I felt much more invested in the characters and I like the deeper dive into their back stories. This mystery felt more complicated than in the first volume. It feels like this series is developing and I can’t wait to read the next installment—hints of great things happening!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for this ebook to read. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for this ebook to read. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils by Sandra Jackson-Opoku (July 2026) [reading in April]
Savvy Summers Mysteries #2
280-page Kindle Ebook story pages 5-249
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery, African-American Fiction
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Featuring: Bibliography for Sandra Jackson-Opoku, Titled Chapters, Café and Catering, Caterers, Chicago, Illinois; Inaccurate Tidbits, Soul Food, Boomer MC, Widow and Divorcée, Police Officer Ex, Investigation, Sexual Innuendos, Small-Town Drama, November, Detectives, Gossip, Great-Aunt Essie’s Epithets, Aunt Essie’s Table - Recipes, Acknowledgments
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🥪🍤⚜️
My thoughts: 📖 26 - Ruben Blades - Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna, Ricky Martin - Enrique Martín Morales, Marc Anthony - Marco Antonio Muñiz, and Benjamin Bratt - English-German father. A stage name is not your surname.
🔖Page 52 of 280 Chapter 6: A Double-Sided Coin - It's busy and slow. I'm going to have to set aside some days to get through this one.
🔖74 Chapter 9: Samson and the Cpd - I am going to sit down tomorrow and really read this book so far it's just too slow to get into. she is constantly dropping music and shows and that takes me out the story.
📖 95 - Jambalaya is a Creole dish similar to paella there is a occasion version of it but it did not originate with Cajun cuisine gumbo on the other hand is a mixture of multiple cultures and there is a disagreement in whether gumbo comes from the Bantu word for okra, ki ngombo or quingombo, or if it's from Choctaw word for filé, kombo. gumbo is used in both Cajun and creole cuisine. so this theory about someone calling gumbo occasion dish being absurd is a huge pothole and then labeling jambalaya a straight-up Cajun dish is another major plot hole I'm so over this story.
🔖163 Chapter 20: Why Did the Rangale Cross the Road? ‐ the more I read this story The more it's starting to feel like a Fern Michaels story for a younger generation, not mine but maybe someone born in the 60s.
This story's tone is a departure from its predecessor. First off, it's cozier, all the profanity and not-so-subtle innuendos were omitted. This one pretty much follows established cozy mystery rules, presenting a clean and wholesome experience. However, in my opinion, it lacked an engaging plot. It's jam-packed with tidbits that feel more like filler than plot development, and it's even more annoying when several those informational snippets are misleading factual assertions. The author acknowledges her unfamiliarity with the Creole cuisine and culture, a point that was obvious from Chapter One and consistently problematic throughout the story. Besides being slow and inaccurate, the mystery was pretty weak. I think this story works if you're into authors like Fern Michaels and Joanne Fluke, but if you like cozies with plots that are light-hearted but still have some punch, this one just doesn't hit the spot. There are eight recipes to enjoy, so it's not a total bust, it's just not for me. I think it's intended for a more mature audience who may prioritize nostalgia and gentle humor over factual precision, perhaps not my mom, but certainly someone's. There is definitely a market for this series, but I think my journey may end here.
Recommend to others: Maybe. Book One was definitely the better of the two stories, this one is more of a traditional cozy but there wasn't enough story here for me.
Savvy Summers Mysteries
1. Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (2025)
2. Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils (2026)
Songs for the soundtrack: "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy, "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It" by John Anderson, "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" by Hank Williams, "Minnie The Moocher" by Cab Calloway and The Blues Brothers, "Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles Of The World" by James Cleveland, "Creep" by Radiohead, "Come Jesus Come" by CeCe Winans, "The Best in Me" by Marvin Sapp, "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" by Carol Channing, "Something Isn't Right Here" by Campbell, Eva, Steven, Skylar and Kylar; "Something Just Ain't Right" by Keith Sweat, "Too Much" by Spice Girls "Little Green Apples" by O. C. Smith, "Little Green Apples" by Patti Page, "The Center Of My Joy" by Richard Smallwood, "It’s My Party" by Lesley Gore, "Out of Your Mind" by True Steppers featuring Dane Bowers and Victoria Beckham, "Lookin' For Love" by Johnny Lee, "What's Love Got To Do With It" by Tina Turner, "Just You Wait" by Eliza Doolittle, "Brown Skin" by India.Arie,
"Money, Money"Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli, "He Never Said a Mumblin' Word" by Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmates, "Somebody’s Watching Me" by Rockwell, "Symphony No. 5" by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel, "Memory" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gayle, "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, "Love's Gonna Last" by Jeffree, "Home on the Range" by Daniel E. Kelley and Brewster M. Higley,
"I'll Fly Away" by Albert E. Brumley, "Born Under a Bad Sign" by Albert King, "Soon As The Weather Breaks" by Bobby Bland, "What A Diff'rence A Day Made" by Dinah Washington, "The Appetite" by DevilDriver, "Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner, "Nearer, My God, to Thee" by Sarah Flower Adams, "Too Good To You Baby" by B.B. King, "This Bitter Earth" by Dinah Washington
Books and Authors mentioned: Proverbs, Jack and the Beanstalk by Joseph Jacobs, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner [based on] My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe [and/based on] Pygmalion by George Bernard Shawn; Agatha Christie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Joseph Fields, Anita Loos, Leo Robin, and Jule Styne, [based on] Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos; Bring It On: The Musical by Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Green, and Jeff Whitty [based on] Bring It On by Jessica Bendinger; The Honeymooners by Jackie Gleason, Cabaret by Jay Presson Allen [based on] Cabaret by Joe Masteroff[based on ] I Am a Camera by John Van Druten [and based on] Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood; Get Out by Jordan Peele, Scent of a Woman by Bo Goldman [based on] Il buio e il miele by Giovanni Arpino; The Chronicles of Narnia by Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely [based on] The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis; Frozen by Jennifer Lee [based on] The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen [and] The Ice Queen by Hans Christian Andersen; Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber [based on] Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot; The Rainy Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ghostbusters by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin, McGruff the Crime Dog by Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, Where's Waldo Series [aka Where's Wally?] by Martin Handford, South Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II [based on] Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener; Cinderella by Charles Perrault, Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, The Princess and the Frog by Ron Clements, John Musker, and Rob Edwards [based on] The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker [based on] The Frog Prince by Brothers Grimm;
Paul Robeson by Gwendolyn Brooks, Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Driving Miss Daisy screenplay by Alfred Uhry [Based on] Driving Miss Daisy play by Alfred Uhry; Perry Mason by Erle Stanley Gardner, Tracy Clark, Mia P. Manansala, Lori Rader-Day, LD Barnes, Susanna Calkins, Eleanor Taylor Bland, Sara Paretsky
Savvy Summers Mysteries #2
280-page Kindle Ebook story pages 5-249
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery, African-American Fiction
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Featuring: Bibliography for Sandra Jackson-Opoku, Titled Chapters, Café and Catering, Caterers, Chicago, Illinois; Inaccurate Tidbits, Soul Food, Boomer MC, Widow and Divorcée, Police Officer Ex, Investigation, Sexual Innuendos, Small-Town Drama, November, Detectives, Gossip, Great-Aunt Essie’s Epithets, Aunt Essie’s Table - Recipes, Acknowledgments
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🥪🍤⚜️
My thoughts: 📖 26 - Ruben Blades - Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna, Ricky Martin - Enrique Martín Morales, Marc Anthony - Marco Antonio Muñiz, and Benjamin Bratt - English-German father. A stage name is not your surname.
🔖Page 52 of 280 Chapter 6: A Double-Sided Coin - It's busy and slow. I'm going to have to set aside some days to get through this one.
🔖74 Chapter 9: Samson and the Cpd - I am going to sit down tomorrow and really read this book so far it's just too slow to get into. she is constantly dropping music and shows and that takes me out the story.
📖 95 - Jambalaya is a Creole dish similar to paella there is a occasion version of it but it did not originate with Cajun cuisine gumbo on the other hand is a mixture of multiple cultures and there is a disagreement in whether gumbo comes from the Bantu word for okra, ki ngombo or quingombo, or if it's from Choctaw word for filé, kombo. gumbo is used in both Cajun and creole cuisine. so this theory about someone calling gumbo occasion dish being absurd is a huge pothole and then labeling jambalaya a straight-up Cajun dish is another major plot hole I'm so over this story.
🔖163 Chapter 20: Why Did the Rangale Cross the Road? ‐ the more I read this story The more it's starting to feel like a Fern Michaels story for a younger generation, not mine but maybe someone born in the 60s.
This story's tone is a departure from its predecessor. First off, it's cozier, all the profanity and not-so-subtle innuendos were omitted. This one pretty much follows established cozy mystery rules, presenting a clean and wholesome experience. However, in my opinion, it lacked an engaging plot. It's jam-packed with tidbits that feel more like filler than plot development, and it's even more annoying when several those informational snippets are misleading factual assertions. The author acknowledges her unfamiliarity with the Creole cuisine and culture, a point that was obvious from Chapter One and consistently problematic throughout the story. Besides being slow and inaccurate, the mystery was pretty weak. I think this story works if you're into authors like Fern Michaels and Joanne Fluke, but if you like cozies with plots that are light-hearted but still have some punch, this one just doesn't hit the spot. There are eight recipes to enjoy, so it's not a total bust, it's just not for me. I think it's intended for a more mature audience who may prioritize nostalgia and gentle humor over factual precision, perhaps not my mom, but certainly someone's. There is definitely a market for this series, but I think my journey may end here.
Recommend to others: Maybe. Book One was definitely the better of the two stories, this one is more of a traditional cozy but there wasn't enough story here for me.
Savvy Summers Mysteries
1. Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (2025)
2. Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils (2026)
Songs for the soundtrack: "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy, "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It" by John Anderson, "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" by Hank Williams, "Minnie The Moocher" by Cab Calloway and The Blues Brothers, "Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles Of The World" by James Cleveland, "Creep" by Radiohead, "Come Jesus Come" by CeCe Winans, "The Best in Me" by Marvin Sapp, "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" by Carol Channing, "Something Isn't Right Here" by Campbell, Eva, Steven, Skylar and Kylar; "Something Just Ain't Right" by Keith Sweat, "Too Much" by Spice Girls "Little Green Apples" by O. C. Smith, "Little Green Apples" by Patti Page, "The Center Of My Joy" by Richard Smallwood, "It’s My Party" by Lesley Gore, "Out of Your Mind" by True Steppers featuring Dane Bowers and Victoria Beckham, "Lookin' For Love" by Johnny Lee, "What's Love Got To Do With It" by Tina Turner, "Just You Wait" by Eliza Doolittle, "Brown Skin" by India.Arie,
"Money, Money"Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli, "He Never Said a Mumblin' Word" by Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmates, "Somebody’s Watching Me" by Rockwell, "Symphony No. 5" by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel, "Memory" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gayle, "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, "Love's Gonna Last" by Jeffree, "Home on the Range" by Daniel E. Kelley and Brewster M. Higley,
"I'll Fly Away" by Albert E. Brumley, "Born Under a Bad Sign" by Albert King, "Soon As The Weather Breaks" by Bobby Bland, "What A Diff'rence A Day Made" by Dinah Washington, "The Appetite" by DevilDriver, "Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner, "Nearer, My God, to Thee" by Sarah Flower Adams, "Too Good To You Baby" by B.B. King, "This Bitter Earth" by Dinah Washington
Books and Authors mentioned: Proverbs, Jack and the Beanstalk by Joseph Jacobs, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner [based on] My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe [and/based on] Pygmalion by George Bernard Shawn; Agatha Christie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Joseph Fields, Anita Loos, Leo Robin, and Jule Styne, [based on] Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos; Bring It On: The Musical by Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Green, and Jeff Whitty [based on] Bring It On by Jessica Bendinger; The Honeymooners by Jackie Gleason, Cabaret by Jay Presson Allen [based on] Cabaret by Joe Masteroff[based on ] I Am a Camera by John Van Druten [and based on] Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood; Get Out by Jordan Peele, Scent of a Woman by Bo Goldman [based on] Il buio e il miele by Giovanni Arpino; The Chronicles of Narnia by Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely [based on] The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis; Frozen by Jennifer Lee [based on] The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen [and] The Ice Queen by Hans Christian Andersen; Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber [based on] Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot; The Rainy Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ghostbusters by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin, McGruff the Crime Dog by Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, Where's Waldo Series [aka Where's Wally?] by Martin Handford, South Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II [based on] Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener; Cinderella by Charles Perrault, Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, The Princess and the Frog by Ron Clements, John Musker, and Rob Edwards [based on] The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker [based on] The Frog Prince by Brothers Grimm;
Paul Robeson by Gwendolyn Brooks, Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Driving Miss Daisy screenplay by Alfred Uhry [Based on] Driving Miss Daisy play by Alfred Uhry; Perry Mason by Erle Stanley Gardner, Tracy Clark, Mia P. Manansala, Lori Rader-Day, LD Barnes, Susanna Calkins, Eleanor Taylor Bland, Sara Paretsky
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils, by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 1.5 ⭐
Well, phooey.
This second in a series was so boring that I quite literally passed out (stone-cold sober in the light of day) multiple times while attempting to read it.
I mean, I was in the mood for something light and fluffy yesterday, but y’all? There was just barely any there there, if you know what I mean.
Characters were definitely caricatures, mystery was just a mess, and I was disappointed because I had enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to more. I mean, heck, it didn’t even make me want a shrimp po’boy. I did finish, though, just because.
Even if this book (which, if it had been a cake, would be considered “flatter than a flitter,” as my mother used to say) was just an extreme example of sophomore slump, I’m still not going to bother with any more of Savvy Summers.
Sigh.
Onward.
DESCRIPTION
The next delectable mystery featuring quick-witted, unforgettable Savvy Summers, owner of a soul food café in Chicago.
Savvy has her work cut out when an old friend hires her to cater a company luncheon at a nearby office building on Chicago's South Side. Stepping out of her traditional soul food comfort zone, Savvy whips together a menu of Creole classics, with her own spin, of course—mini po’boys with assorted fillings, sunburst salad, and bread pudding using Great Aunt Essie’s famous buttermilk biscuits.
But when someone is found dead in the company’s conference room, Savvy’s culinary creations are suddenly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. While the focus should be on their delicious flavors and inventive techniques, Savvy’s beloved café instead becomes the center of a murder investigation once again.
Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name. Somebody’s hiding something, and with the help of her trusty assistant manager, Penny Lopés, Savvy sets out uncover exactly who is to blame. With familiar faces turning up the heat on her investigation and her café still in hot water, will Savvy be able to save her reputation before it’s too late?
Received a complimentary copy of Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils, by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 1.5 ⭐
Well, phooey.
This second in a series was so boring that I quite literally passed out (stone-cold sober in the light of day) multiple times while attempting to read it.
I mean, I was in the mood for something light and fluffy yesterday, but y’all? There was just barely any there there, if you know what I mean.
Characters were definitely caricatures, mystery was just a mess, and I was disappointed because I had enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to more. I mean, heck, it didn’t even make me want a shrimp po’boy. I did finish, though, just because.
Even if this book (which, if it had been a cake, would be considered “flatter than a flitter,” as my mother used to say) was just an extreme example of sophomore slump, I’m still not going to bother with any more of Savvy Summers.
Sigh.
Onward.
DESCRIPTION
The next delectable mystery featuring quick-witted, unforgettable Savvy Summers, owner of a soul food café in Chicago.
Savvy has her work cut out when an old friend hires her to cater a company luncheon at a nearby office building on Chicago's South Side. Stepping out of her traditional soul food comfort zone, Savvy whips together a menu of Creole classics, with her own spin, of course—mini po’boys with assorted fillings, sunburst salad, and bread pudding using Great Aunt Essie’s famous buttermilk biscuits.
But when someone is found dead in the company’s conference room, Savvy’s culinary creations are suddenly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. While the focus should be on their delicious flavors and inventive techniques, Savvy’s beloved café instead becomes the center of a murder investigation once again.
Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name. Somebody’s hiding something, and with the help of her trusty assistant manager, Penny Lopés, Savvy sets out uncover exactly who is to blame. With familiar faces turning up the heat on her investigation and her café still in hot water, will Savvy be able to save her reputation before it’s too late?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Three and one-half stars
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
Savvy Summers can be counted on for delicious soul food, but a creole-inspired luncheon isn’t quite as easy as she’d anticipated, but for former coworker Dorita Holloway, she'd give it her best effort, and so Savvy perseveres and prepares a menu with her own creative spin.
The luncheon, for a special-interest group of university students, is delayed a bit as none of Dori's colleagues are willing to help Savvy bring in the food. But that is not Savvy's only problem . . . tragedy will be attending the luncheon as well.
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Second in the author’s Savvy Summers cozy mystery series, readers will find all the expected characters in place. There is sufficient backstory for this book to work as a standalone for readers who have not yet read the first book in the series.
The story moves quickly as the murder mystery plays out. The food sounds scrumptious; when savvy’s food becomes suspect, readers know they’re in for a surprise-filled mystery. As cozy readers expect, there’s a comfortable mixture of food, character interactions, and mystery investigations. There’s a hefty dose of humor, a rich sprinkling of Aunt Essie's favorite sayings, and recipes to allow readers to recreate the various dishes.
Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, stories that center around food [and poisons], and delightful characters will find much to appreciate here.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#SavvySummersandthePo’boyPerils #NetGalley
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
Savvy Summers can be counted on for delicious soul food, but a creole-inspired luncheon isn’t quite as easy as she’d anticipated, but for former coworker Dorita Holloway, she'd give it her best effort, and so Savvy perseveres and prepares a menu with her own creative spin.
The luncheon, for a special-interest group of university students, is delayed a bit as none of Dori's colleagues are willing to help Savvy bring in the food. But that is not Savvy's only problem . . . tragedy will be attending the luncheon as well.
=========
Second in the author’s Savvy Summers cozy mystery series, readers will find all the expected characters in place. There is sufficient backstory for this book to work as a standalone for readers who have not yet read the first book in the series.
The story moves quickly as the murder mystery plays out. The food sounds scrumptious; when savvy’s food becomes suspect, readers know they’re in for a surprise-filled mystery. As cozy readers expect, there’s a comfortable mixture of food, character interactions, and mystery investigations. There’s a hefty dose of humor, a rich sprinkling of Aunt Essie's favorite sayings, and recipes to allow readers to recreate the various dishes.
Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, stories that center around food [and poisons], and delightful characters will find much to appreciate here.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#SavvySummersandthePo’boyPerils #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savvy Summer’s has done it again! Another murder, another solve. All done against the backdrop of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood without the help of her Chicago Police Department mimesis, female Detective Emmerson Jacobs or her ex-husband Sargent Fanon Franklin. The main question is how can Savvy stay inactive while someone else who has eaten her food ends up dead? Solving this crime is as close to self-defense as Savvy can get.
Savvy’s crew is back, Penny Lopes is full of show tunes, Sargent Fanon Franklin is full of caution, which Savvy considers but generally avoids and Savvy’s oldest friend turns up to complicate matters. While a neighborhood unhoused man and his faithful German Shepard shadow and protect Savvy through her sleuthing, she finds motives and clues that can only be found by an insider.
This tale has everything, long lost relatives, love triangles, rap stars and even a talking dog. Plus, in the back of the book are the recipes and the Aunt Essie sayings.
IF you haven’t read the first book, Savvy Summer’s and the Sweet Potato Crimes, don’t worry, Savvy Summer’s Po’Boy Perils stands alone, allowing you to devour this one first before going back to pick up Savvy Summer’s and the Sweet Potato Crimes at your leisure.
So, pick up your copy, get your favorite reading drink, go to your favorite place and read away. This is sure to be a “Summer’s” favorite.
Thanks to NetGallery for allowing me to be an advance copy reader.
Savvy’s crew is back, Penny Lopes is full of show tunes, Sargent Fanon Franklin is full of caution, which Savvy considers but generally avoids and Savvy’s oldest friend turns up to complicate matters. While a neighborhood unhoused man and his faithful German Shepard shadow and protect Savvy through her sleuthing, she finds motives and clues that can only be found by an insider.
This tale has everything, long lost relatives, love triangles, rap stars and even a talking dog. Plus, in the back of the book are the recipes and the Aunt Essie sayings.
IF you haven’t read the first book, Savvy Summer’s and the Sweet Potato Crimes, don’t worry, Savvy Summer’s Po’Boy Perils stands alone, allowing you to devour this one first before going back to pick up Savvy Summer’s and the Sweet Potato Crimes at your leisure.
So, pick up your copy, get your favorite reading drink, go to your favorite place and read away. This is sure to be a “Summer’s” favorite.
Thanks to NetGallery for allowing me to be an advance copy reader.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savvy Summers and the Po’boy Perils is the second book in the series following the ins and outs of a Chicago soul food restaurant owner. I like Saavy quite a bit; she is smart, curious and persistent. In this episode, it looks like her exploration of New Orleans fare might have poisoned someone at a catering gig at her frenemy’s business. They’ll have to work together to solve the crime.
For some reason this time, Savvy’s best friend and assistant manager, Penny, just seemed quite annoying. She didn’t really contribute much but talked incessantly. There is a subplot around finding a missing father and Penny just seemed unkind. On the other hand, I rather enjoyed the snarkiness from the frenemy. Savvy’s ex-husband has the steady, logical viewpoint.
The main plot did not fully come together for me, and the reason for the murder just seemed silly. Still, I enjoyed the humor, the food descriptions and the subplot around the unhoused man and his dog was touching. The vibe of the neighborhood restaurant is one of my favorite parts. I’m curious to see how that will be handled going forward after the changes set up in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
For some reason this time, Savvy’s best friend and assistant manager, Penny, just seemed quite annoying. She didn’t really contribute much but talked incessantly. There is a subplot around finding a missing father and Penny just seemed unkind. On the other hand, I rather enjoyed the snarkiness from the frenemy. Savvy’s ex-husband has the steady, logical viewpoint.
The main plot did not fully come together for me, and the reason for the murder just seemed silly. Still, I enjoyed the humor, the food descriptions and the subplot around the unhoused man and his dog was touching. The vibe of the neighborhood restaurant is one of my favorite parts. I’m curious to see how that will be handled going forward after the changes set up in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
May 6, 2026
I really wanted to love this one because I enjoyed the first book so much, but this sadly feels like a classic sophomore slump.
I still loved the South Side Chicago references and local callouts. Seeing places I know, my bestie’s high school mentioned, and even favorite restaurants name dropped gave the book warmth and familiarity again. That part still worked for me.
Unfortunately, this time around the mystery itself felt messy and unfocused. The pacing was extremely slow, to the point where I struggled to stay invested. A lot of the book felt like filler through repeated pop culture and millennial vs. boomer banter that stopped being charming pretty quickly.
The transitions were also really jarring. More than once, Savvy would be out having a conversation with her ex husband and then suddenly the very next sentence would jump to an entirely different conversation, setting, or even day with almost no transition. It made the story feel disjointed and hard to follow.
The first book’s cozy atmosphere and cultural flavor carried the slower pace better, but here the plot just wasn’t strong enough to support it. I still love what this series represents and the unique South Side voice behind it, but this installment didn’t work for me the way the first one did
I still loved the South Side Chicago references and local callouts. Seeing places I know, my bestie’s high school mentioned, and even favorite restaurants name dropped gave the book warmth and familiarity again. That part still worked for me.
Unfortunately, this time around the mystery itself felt messy and unfocused. The pacing was extremely slow, to the point where I struggled to stay invested. A lot of the book felt like filler through repeated pop culture and millennial vs. boomer banter that stopped being charming pretty quickly.
The transitions were also really jarring. More than once, Savvy would be out having a conversation with her ex husband and then suddenly the very next sentence would jump to an entirely different conversation, setting, or even day with almost no transition. It made the story feel disjointed and hard to follow.
The first book’s cozy atmosphere and cultural flavor carried the slower pace better, but here the plot just wasn’t strong enough to support it. I still love what this series represents and the unique South Side voice behind it, but this installment didn’t work for me the way the first one did
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed returning to Savvy’s world in this cozy mystery. The story has that comforting mix of food, community, and small scale suspense that makes the genre so fun to read. Watching Savvy step outside her usual soul food comfort zone to cater a Creole-inspired luncheon added a fresh twist, and all the descriptions of the dishes made me wish I could visit her café myself.
While the whodunit was fairly easy for me to figure out early on, there was still enough drama, humor, and character interaction to keep me interested from start to finish. The investigation unfolding among workplace gossip, misunderstandings, and hidden motives kept the story moving at a nice pace. I especially enjoyed seeing Savvy team up with Penny again as they worked to clear her name.
More than anything, I keep coming back for the characters. I’m still holding out hope for Savvy and Fanon, and I’d love to see where their story goes next. This was an entertaining, comforting read, and I’m definitely hoping there’s a third installment on the way.
Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
While the whodunit was fairly easy for me to figure out early on, there was still enough drama, humor, and character interaction to keep me interested from start to finish. The investigation unfolding among workplace gossip, misunderstandings, and hidden motives kept the story moving at a nice pace. I especially enjoyed seeing Savvy team up with Penny again as they worked to clear her name.
More than anything, I keep coming back for the characters. I’m still holding out hope for Savvy and Fanon, and I’d love to see where their story goes next. This was an entertaining, comforting read, and I’m definitely hoping there’s a third installment on the way.
Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm typically not a fan of cozy mysteries, but I really enjoyed meeting Miss Savvy, Penny, and the hilarious cast of characters in this book. The cover and title are what caught this New Orleans girl's attention. Savvy is on the case when a po'boy she prepared for someone winds up killing someone. Savvy’s beloved cafe, Essie's Place, instead becomes the center of a murder investigation once again.
Dori, the owner of Lefty Lucy, a business that sells products for left-handed people, want's to teach one of her employee's a lesson, Minerva is always eating and stealing people's food, so Dori puts some explosive hot sauce on the sandwich, hoping it will teach her to never do it again. Instead, she winds up dying and Dori is charged with murder after a poison is found to be the culprit. Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name.
Essie's Place sounds like it serves some delicious food and would definitely be a place I'd love to visit IRL. I'm now planning to read the first work and being introduced to all of these wonderful characters.
Dori, the owner of Lefty Lucy, a business that sells products for left-handed people, want's to teach one of her employee's a lesson, Minerva is always eating and stealing people's food, so Dori puts some explosive hot sauce on the sandwich, hoping it will teach her to never do it again. Instead, she winds up dying and Dori is charged with murder after a poison is found to be the culprit. Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name.
Essie's Place sounds like it serves some delicious food and would definitely be a place I'd love to visit IRL. I'm now planning to read the first work and being introduced to all of these wonderful characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savvy Summers And The Po’Boy Perils is the latest installment of this cozy mystery series. I love cozy mysteries that feature descriptions of mouth watering food and adorable creatures and this book had both in spades. I loved Sergeant Stubby! And the recipes, yum! I plan on making the blueberry bickies soon. There are also a panoply of interesting characters, as well as a mystery that keeps you guessing.
My lone criticism is that there were quite a few passages that were set in one location, on a certain day, and with specific characters. This would change in the next sentence, and everything would be completely different. For example, Savvy would be having dinner at a restaurant with her ex-husband. The very next sentence it would be the following afternoon, and she’d be at her restaurant talking with her coworker. This would happen with no preamble or page break. It’s confusing and takes me out of the story because I have to go back and re-read the sentence to see if I missed something. This happened 4-5 times. Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC.
My lone criticism is that there were quite a few passages that were set in one location, on a certain day, and with specific characters. This would change in the next sentence, and everything would be completely different. For example, Savvy would be having dinner at a restaurant with her ex-husband. The very next sentence it would be the following afternoon, and she’d be at her restaurant talking with her coworker. This would happen with no preamble or page break. It’s confusing and takes me out of the story because I have to go back and re-read the sentence to see if I missed something. This happened 4-5 times. Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savvy Summers is solving murder mysteries again as well as preparing delicious food at Essie's Place. When a person dies after eating a po-boy served by Savvy after a catering event, Savvy becomes entangled in a police investigation once again. Aided by her co-worker, Penny, who breaks out into musical one-liners at any given moment, the ladies need to clear Savvy's reputation and solve the murder as well. Several regular characters are seen in this adventure including Fanon, Savvy's former husband, and Aunt Essie's famous sayings.
This is my second Savvy Summers mystery and it is as enjoyable as the first. The characters are likeable, the mystery is well thought out, the killer once revealed is a definite well I'll be danged moment and it's an overall enjoyable well written read. If you like good food (with bonus recipes at the end), fun characters and interactions, and a good mystery, then you will enjoy Savvy Summers. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
This is my second Savvy Summers mystery and it is as enjoyable as the first. The characters are likeable, the mystery is well thought out, the killer once revealed is a definite well I'll be danged moment and it's an overall enjoyable well written read. If you like good food (with bonus recipes at the end), fun characters and interactions, and a good mystery, then you will enjoy Savvy Summers. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In SAVVY SUMMERS AND THE PO’BOY PERILS, written by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, Savvy is the protagonist. She is the chef-owner of a Southside Chicago soul food café. I want to know what happens.
I like the positive tone of the writing. Savvy’s great grandmother, Essie, may be dead but still feels like a character in this tale. I enjoy reading the sayings Summer repeats, especially those her Aunt Essie used to say. It is also fun to read about various foods. Having titles for each chapter is a nice touch, and I appreciate the inclusion of recipes at the end of the book. This novel can be read as a standalone, despite being one in a series. I wish the death had occurred earlier in the story. In my opinion the characters are interesting, but the plot is slow moving. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of SAVVY SUMMERS AND THE PO’BOY PERILS.
I like the positive tone of the writing. Savvy’s great grandmother, Essie, may be dead but still feels like a character in this tale. I enjoy reading the sayings Summer repeats, especially those her Aunt Essie used to say. It is also fun to read about various foods. Having titles for each chapter is a nice touch, and I appreciate the inclusion of recipes at the end of the book. This novel can be read as a standalone, despite being one in a series. I wish the death had occurred earlier in the story. In my opinion the characters are interesting, but the plot is slow moving. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of SAVVY SUMMERS AND THE PO’BOY PERILS.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils" is the second entry in the Savvy Summers cozy mystery series about a reluctant protagonist and enthusiastic cafe owner on Chicago's South Side. I do love a good cozy mystery and this book largely hits the mark. Savvy is witty and smart and I love the glimpses of Chicago life. The supporting characters are interesting and while the mystery itself is not the most intriguing, the character interactions keep the story, and the reader's interest, going. I am looking forward to what comes next for Savvy as her business moves in a more corporate direction (love the realism of this choice) and her seeming potential love interest has moved on to someone new.
4 stars. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.
4 stars. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sandra Jackson-Opoku, and Minotaur Books for generously sharing an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I quite enjoyed this adventure with Savvy and her crew. An interesting and partially sympathetic cast of characters made this a cool mystery to follow along with. Jackson-Opoku did a great job of creating some good theories for the suspects, making it a fun guessing game of whodunit. The secondary storylines were just as intriguing as the main mystery and kept me invested in seeing how everything came together.
I really enjoyed the flow of this book as the plot progressed at a reasonable pace that made sense for the timeframe of the story. Also, a lot of the background information we got didn’t feel like filler or world building, but actually relevant tidbits that added up in the end.
I’m excited to see how this series continues!💚
I quite enjoyed this adventure with Savvy and her crew. An interesting and partially sympathetic cast of characters made this a cool mystery to follow along with. Jackson-Opoku did a great job of creating some good theories for the suspects, making it a fun guessing game of whodunit. The secondary storylines were just as intriguing as the main mystery and kept me invested in seeing how everything came together.
I really enjoyed the flow of this book as the plot progressed at a reasonable pace that made sense for the timeframe of the story. Also, a lot of the background information we got didn’t feel like filler or world building, but actually relevant tidbits that added up in the end.
I’m excited to see how this series continues!💚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hotter than Texas Pete Hot Sauce!
Ms Savvy blesses us again, with recipes and Aunt Essie’s wisdoms. Not only are lefties represented, but Mrs Sandra Jackson-Opoku expertly represents characters that are generally underrepresented or fail to be fully fleshed out individuals.
Now back to the plot, and the murder mystery. I enjoyed learning about new poisons and truly didn’t know where this story would take us. With lots of flavor and depth, we find compassionate care and loving support through food, community, wisdoms and a little murder!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for allowing me to literally devour this mystery, one bite at the time.
Ms Savvy blesses us again, with recipes and Aunt Essie’s wisdoms. Not only are lefties represented, but Mrs Sandra Jackson-Opoku expertly represents characters that are generally underrepresented or fail to be fully fleshed out individuals.
Now back to the plot, and the murder mystery. I enjoyed learning about new poisons and truly didn’t know where this story would take us. With lots of flavor and depth, we find compassionate care and loving support through food, community, wisdoms and a little murder!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for allowing me to literally devour this mystery, one bite at the time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When the Po'boy Savvy makes ends up killing someone Savvy finds herself and her Cafe at the center of a murder investigation. She takes it upon herself to solve this murder since a lot is at stake for her.
I absolutely adore her as a character and I love that throughout this book she's not only dealing with a crime but also local glass of coworker relationships and just generalized chaos of a town. I know kind of want to go back and read the other book in this series because it's just such a fun time.
The mystery itself is not all that difficult, but there's so much more going on throughout this book that it keeps you hooked and you can't help but want to read every single page.
I absolutely adore her as a character and I love that throughout this book she's not only dealing with a crime but also local glass of coworker relationships and just generalized chaos of a town. I know kind of want to go back and read the other book in this series because it's just such a fun time.
The mystery itself is not all that difficult, but there's so much more going on throughout this book that it keeps you hooked and you can't help but want to read every single page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️
I didn’t hate it — we’re sitting comfortably at a 3.5 for me.
I read the first book and gave that one 3 stars, so it was nice to return to Savvy’s world. This series definitely embodies cozy mystery vibes: small-town energy, light suspense, and a very readable pace.
It just didn’t fully hit for me personally, but I can see how readers who love cozy mysteries would really enjoy this. It’s cute, easy to follow, and consistent with the tone of the first book.
Not a new favorite — but not a bad time either.
I didn’t hate it — we’re sitting comfortably at a 3.5 for me.
I read the first book and gave that one 3 stars, so it was nice to return to Savvy’s world. This series definitely embodies cozy mystery vibes: small-town energy, light suspense, and a very readable pace.
It just didn’t fully hit for me personally, but I can see how readers who love cozy mysteries would really enjoy this. It’s cute, easy to follow, and consistent with the tone of the first book.
Not a new favorite — but not a bad time either.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cozy mysteries aren’t usually my go to genre, but I’ve been trying to branch out and this one sounded like a fun read. Even though I didn’t get to read book one first, I was still excited to read this story.
This story has everything cozy mystery readers love: great food, fun character interactions, and plenty of sleuthing along the way. I enjoyed the included recipes, which had me want to try a few dishes myself.
⭐️ 3.75/5
I’m definitely planning to go back and read book one now that I’ve finished this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the ARC.
This story has everything cozy mystery readers love: great food, fun character interactions, and plenty of sleuthing along the way. I enjoyed the included recipes, which had me want to try a few dishes myself.
⭐️ 3.75/5
I’m definitely planning to go back and read book one now that I’ve finished this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savvy is back and cooking up a storm…and solving another murder. This time it’s one of her culinary creations that seems to have done the deed and Savvy cannot let her business and livelihood take a hit when she knows it wasn’t her doing. Can Savvy serve up another murderer or will the killer truss her up this time?
Another great entry and if you found the first one a little too rough at times, then you will be happier with this one as it’s far cleaner and cozier. Looking forward to the next serving in this series!
Another great entry and if you found the first one a little too rough at times, then you will be happier with this one as it’s far cleaner and cozier. Looking forward to the next serving in this series!
May 6, 2026
This is turning into a great cozy mystery series! Savvy Summers finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery. This book does a wonderful job of teaching you little bits of history without it being overwhelming. For example, she does a brief discussion of how the sandwich “po’boy” got its name. There are tons of musical references (most of which are unknown to me). These little tidbits really make this series special. Some of the things that I didn’t like in the first book were fixed in the second book. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and hopefully the series continues.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book in this series that I've read, and I'm so glad I did.
Savvy is a fun character and her sense of humor is a great part of the book.
Savvy agrees to cater an old friends company lunch, but the people are very odd.
Savvy is shocked when she finds out someone died from eating one of her sandwiches, and as the truth unravels, she realizes that everyone has secrets they wish to keep hidden.
I really liked this book and I am sure other readers will too.
Savvy is a fun character and her sense of humor is a great part of the book.
Savvy agrees to cater an old friends company lunch, but the people are very odd.
Savvy is shocked when she finds out someone died from eating one of her sandwiches, and as the truth unravels, she realizes that everyone has secrets they wish to keep hidden.
I really liked this book and I am sure other readers will too.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a free copy of, Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils, by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Savvy works in Chicago, she is the proud owner of a souls food cafe. Life is going well until someone is murdered, it happens a lot in Chicago. Chicago and its suburbs have an abundance of great restaurants, that any foodie would love. This was a really good read, i enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m glad to see this cozy mystery series continue into a second book! Book two is fast‑paced and fun, though the plot jumps around at times in a way that feels a bit disjointed and occasionally unrealistic. I enjoyed the read overall and plan to continue with the series.
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After I missed book one in this fab series, I vowed that I would grab the next one ASAP and I'm so glad I did. Love the cover, the scrumptious food, and the inimitable cafe owner and mystery solver, Savvy Summers. So much fun! I've tracked down Book One to read next. Hurrah!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I like the main slueth Savvy and the characters within the world such as Penney and her wasband Falon
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Cute but not my muffaletta.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press /Minotaur for an ARC of Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils by Sandra Jackson-Opoku
This is my second Savvy Summers read and I'm completely hooked! I love the culture behind the food! Like, Ms. summers doesn't just run an ordinary sandwich shop. Her food is the definition of soul food because it hits deeper than the digestive tract. Savvy has the ability to bring out real and raw emotion from her patrons through her food and that's a huge part of this book's magic! I hope this series is endless because the way all your senses experience the food in this while reading is one I never want to end. And the food is just one great singular part of this overall great book. The mystery aspect is well thought out and highly entertaining as well! I was going to say how I wish there were recipes, but even if there were, some things can't be replicated by just anybody. Because again, it goes beyond the actual ingredients. Well done as always.
*ADHD side note, do not read on an empty stomach
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
This is my second Savvy Summers read and I'm completely hooked! I love the culture behind the food! Like, Ms. summers doesn't just run an ordinary sandwich shop. Her food is the definition of soul food because it hits deeper than the digestive tract. Savvy has the ability to bring out real and raw emotion from her patrons through her food and that's a huge part of this book's magic! I hope this series is endless because the way all your senses experience the food in this while reading is one I never want to end. And the food is just one great singular part of this overall great book. The mystery aspect is well thought out and highly entertaining as well! I was going to say how I wish there were recipes, but even if there were, some things can't be replicated by just anybody. Because again, it goes beyond the actual ingredients. Well done as always.
*ADHD side note, do not read on an empty stomach
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
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