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Country Store Mystery #1
Flipped for Murder
In this freshly baked series, author Maddie Day lifts the lid on a small town in southern Indiana, where a newcomer is cooking up a new start--until a murderer muddles the recipe...Nursing a broken heart, Robbie Jordan is trading in her life on the West Coast for the rolling hills of southern Indiana. After paying a visit to her Aunt Adele, she fell in love with the tiny town of South Lick. And when she spots a For Sale sign on a rundown country store, she decides to snap it up and put her skills as a cook and a carpenter to use. Everyone in town shows up for the grand re-opening of Pans ‘n Pancakes, but when the mayor's disagreeable assistant is found dead, Robbie realizes that not all press is good press. With all eyes on her, she'll have to summon her puzzle-solving skills to clear her name, unscramble the town's darkest secrets, and track down a cold-blooded killer--before she's the next to die...
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
1097 people are currently reading
5133 people want to read
About the author
Maddie Day
29 books1,550 followersMaddie Day is a pseudonym for Agatha Award-winning mystery author Edith Maxwell.
As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.
She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.
Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023
Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.
As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.
She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.
Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023
Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 648 reviews
April 19, 2022
After reading the three current books in the Cozy Capers Mystery series, I turned to The Country Store Mysteries by author Maddie Day AKA Edith Maxwell. Flipped for Murder is the first of ten in this collection, and it is quite entertaining. Robbie moves back home to Indiana (well, where her late mother was from) and ends up opening a country store with her aunt. In the process, she makes a few enemies and must figure out how to stay alive in South Lick.
The 2015 debut in this series offers a personal mystery about Robbie's father, a new romance with a local lawyer (after a divorce from her cheating ex-husband), and a murder that points to her as the suspect. Robbie is very likable, quickly showing her Renaissance Woman skills as she begins anew in a land that might not be as familiar as she'd like. Thankfully, she has her mother's friends, her aunt, a few locals who take a liking to her, and some kind local law enforcement professionals who want to help prove she didn't murder the menacing mayor's assistant. Unfortunately, there are at least 6 to 8 other suspects who were being blackmailed by the woman too, so it will be hard to ascertain the truth.
Definitely brought out the true Indiana spirit. The setting is charming. The writing style is reachable. Robbie doesn't really interfere with the investigation, just asks some interesting questions. By the time we realize she's onto the truth about her father's identity, all the stories are coming together, and we've fallen in love with her as a character. I look forward to reading more in the series, especially because the country store is a perfect backdrop for all the town gossip, good recipes, and intriguing stories about the past and the wares she's selling. Great start so far!
The 2015 debut in this series offers a personal mystery about Robbie's father, a new romance with a local lawyer (after a divorce from her cheating ex-husband), and a murder that points to her as the suspect. Robbie is very likable, quickly showing her Renaissance Woman skills as she begins anew in a land that might not be as familiar as she'd like. Thankfully, she has her mother's friends, her aunt, a few locals who take a liking to her, and some kind local law enforcement professionals who want to help prove she didn't murder the menacing mayor's assistant. Unfortunately, there are at least 6 to 8 other suspects who were being blackmailed by the woman too, so it will be hard to ascertain the truth.
Definitely brought out the true Indiana spirit. The setting is charming. The writing style is reachable. Robbie doesn't really interfere with the investigation, just asks some interesting questions. By the time we realize she's onto the truth about her father's identity, all the stories are coming together, and we've fallen in love with her as a character. I look forward to reading more in the series, especially because the country store is a perfect backdrop for all the town gossip, good recipes, and intriguing stories about the past and the wares she's selling. Great start so far!
June 13, 2025
A great start to a series. And for once, the murderer was who I was hoping it was. I only hope number two is as good as number one.
November 6, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Maddie Day has given this series a fine start.
Robbie Jordan is a woman of many talents, business owner, cook, carpenter, and now amateur sleuth. She opens her country store/restaurant with a fabulous turnout only the whole thing put into jeopardy when someone kills the witchy assistant to the mayor and sets up Robbie to take the fall. She doesn’t “flip” out but she does her best to flatten the killer and ride her bike off into the sunset. Not quite how it happens though :)
I liked Robbie at lot. She is fair and hardworking and smart. She really is determined to make her business a success. One thing she is going to have to do is hire more help especially if sleuthing is added to the menu.
The other characters we meet in South Lick are very engaging as well. Next to Robbie I would say her employee, Danna would be my favorite character. I think we have just scratched the surface on all of the characters but Danna is the one I am excited to see more of. She gets her nerve up to put someone in their place in this story and I wanted to jump right into the pages to give her a “high five”. The mayor is a bit over the top but I think Robbie will learn how to handle her.
Day gives us a compelling mystery and an intriguing subplot too. The victim wasn’t like by many so there were plenty of suspects. Robbie did find herself in some hair-raising situations that were pretty intense and made the paging fly. There was just a touch of romance that I anxious to see what develops.
There are recipes in the back of the book and a sneak peak of the next book in the series Grilled For Murder out May 31, 2016. Can’t wait to return to South Lick, Indiana!
Maddie Day has given this series a fine start.
Robbie Jordan is a woman of many talents, business owner, cook, carpenter, and now amateur sleuth. She opens her country store/restaurant with a fabulous turnout only the whole thing put into jeopardy when someone kills the witchy assistant to the mayor and sets up Robbie to take the fall. She doesn’t “flip” out but she does her best to flatten the killer and ride her bike off into the sunset. Not quite how it happens though :)
I liked Robbie at lot. She is fair and hardworking and smart. She really is determined to make her business a success. One thing she is going to have to do is hire more help especially if sleuthing is added to the menu.
The other characters we meet in South Lick are very engaging as well. Next to Robbie I would say her employee, Danna would be my favorite character. I think we have just scratched the surface on all of the characters but Danna is the one I am excited to see more of. She gets her nerve up to put someone in their place in this story and I wanted to jump right into the pages to give her a “high five”. The mayor is a bit over the top but I think Robbie will learn how to handle her.
Day gives us a compelling mystery and an intriguing subplot too. The victim wasn’t like by many so there were plenty of suspects. Robbie did find herself in some hair-raising situations that were pretty intense and made the paging fly. There was just a touch of romance that I anxious to see what develops.
There are recipes in the back of the book and a sneak peak of the next book in the series Grilled For Murder out May 31, 2016. Can’t wait to return to South Lick, Indiana!
November 24, 2022
DNF'd at page 272. * SPOILER ALERT* Why did this stupid female character (who lives alone) have not put an alarm on the doors, and cameras in her restaurant/home to prevent sabotagers and killers from being prevented from breaking into his home? I know it's just a book, and it's a cozy one where there are many clichés and we shouldn't take it seriously, but my patience has limit. And IMHO, there are too many pages in this book.
September 24, 2017
Robbie Jordan has just moved from California to Brown County, Indiana where she finds life a lot slower and easier as well as realizing her dream of having her own country store and small restaurant. Pans 'n Pancakes is in South Lick, IN but people are soon finding out that Robbie's food is much tastier than her rival, Ed's, who has his restaurant in neighboring Nashville, IN. When the disagreeable assistant to the new mayor is found murdered and Robbie becomes a person of interest in the case, she can't help but wonder if someone could deliberately be trying to pin this on her to force her out of business.
I seriously enjoyed this book from start to finish! The characters were all so amazing and I loved how Robbie's friends and employees all pitched in to help her out when needed. I thought it was a nice touch that the main officer on the case, Buck, wasn't always reprimanding Robbie or telling her to just cook and do her job and he'll do his. He genuinely appreciated her information she passed along even though he had to keep her in mind as a suspect since for awhile he had no others. It was kind of nice to only have to focus on one murder. Also Robbie was in just enough danger to keep it interesting but I didn't feel as nervous for her as I sometimes do when the sleuth is doing her investigating. I liked the little romantic hint, nothing too overbearing. I'll say right now I'm Team Jim so even as sweet as Abe is, I am still rooting for Jim to be the one for Robbie. I'm definitely going to keep reading this series!
I seriously enjoyed this book from start to finish! The characters were all so amazing and I loved how Robbie's friends and employees all pitched in to help her out when needed. I thought it was a nice touch that the main officer on the case, Buck, wasn't always reprimanding Robbie or telling her to just cook and do her job and he'll do his. He genuinely appreciated her information she passed along even though he had to keep her in mind as a suspect since for awhile he had no others. It was kind of nice to only have to focus on one murder. Also Robbie was in just enough danger to keep it interesting but I didn't feel as nervous for her as I sometimes do when the sleuth is doing her investigating. I liked the little romantic hint, nothing too overbearing. I'll say right now I'm Team Jim so even as sweet as Abe is, I am still rooting for Jim to be the one for Robbie. I'm definitely going to keep reading this series!
October 27, 2015
FLIPPED FOR MURDER, book one in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day was everything I hoped it would be and more! This delicious new mystery won me on page one. The rest of the story was a full course meal that left me happily satiated.
I adored lead character, Robbie Jordan right away. Her character is filled with kindness, enthusiasm, and determination. She was a joy to read and get to know. I look forward to spending more time with her in future installments. The entire supporting cast of characters were a delight. Multi-layered, real, and some of them, just plain fun!
FLIPPED FOR MURDER is a first rate mystery with a wonderfully imagined plot. Author Maddie Day kept this story going at an excellent fast pace, with edge of your seat, page turning writing that held me entranced. Truly a tasty whodunit with a menu packed full of suspects. I chewed on the possible outcome, drinking it all in right up until the shocking reveal!
If you’re limited to the amount of new series you can start, you must add FLIPPED FOR MURDER to your list. It is by far one of the best coxy mysteries I’ve read this year!
Check out the back of the book for mouth-watering recipes, and an excerpt of book two, GRILLED FOR MURDER!
I adored lead character, Robbie Jordan right away. Her character is filled with kindness, enthusiasm, and determination. She was a joy to read and get to know. I look forward to spending more time with her in future installments. The entire supporting cast of characters were a delight. Multi-layered, real, and some of them, just plain fun!
FLIPPED FOR MURDER is a first rate mystery with a wonderfully imagined plot. Author Maddie Day kept this story going at an excellent fast pace, with edge of your seat, page turning writing that held me entranced. Truly a tasty whodunit with a menu packed full of suspects. I chewed on the possible outcome, drinking it all in right up until the shocking reveal!
If you’re limited to the amount of new series you can start, you must add FLIPPED FOR MURDER to your list. It is by far one of the best coxy mysteries I’ve read this year!
Check out the back of the book for mouth-watering recipes, and an excerpt of book two, GRILLED FOR MURDER!
March 1, 2025
This was a fun start to the Country Store Mystery series. Robbie Jordan has recently moved to the town of South Lick, Indiana, where her aunt Adele lives. She buys an old store and turns it into a store/cafe. She’s off to a great start when she becomes a suspect in a local murder. While doing some “investigating” to clear herself, she finds some old town secrets and trues to unravel them. But not everyone wants the past dug up.
This book starts the series out on a good foot. Robbie and her surrounding characters are fun and interesting. Robbie even has a romance starting. I’d maybe rate it 3-1/2 stars but rounding down to 3. It was a fun and easy listen and I plan to see where the series goes.
This book starts the series out on a good foot. Robbie and her surrounding characters are fun and interesting. Robbie even has a romance starting. I’d maybe rate it 3-1/2 stars but rounding down to 3. It was a fun and easy listen and I plan to see where the series goes.
July 11, 2020
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Cozy Mystery | Culinary Cozy
FIRST THOUGHTS: An intriguing mystery in a brand-new series that has me hankering for more! I love the characters, the town, and the delicious recipes!
MY REVIEW:
I’ve been on a cozy mystery kick this summer and have been slowly going through my TBR so that I can finally start to read the books I’ve been wanting to read for ages. Flipped for Murder is one of those books and I am so glad I finally took the plunge and read it! This is the perfect start to an older series and I’m excited to continue with the other books. Robbie is an excellent sleuth and I love her country store restaurant. The mystery is on point- I had suspicions but nothing concrete- and the plot is as thick and delectable as molasses! All in all, this is a solid read and I can’t wait for more!
Maddie Day is a pro at cozies, and I plan to slow catch up on her backlist. I suggest cozy mystery lovers who haven’t had the chance to read her books do the same! They are too good to be missed!
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Cozy Mystery | Culinary Cozy
FIRST THOUGHTS: An intriguing mystery in a brand-new series that has me hankering for more! I love the characters, the town, and the delicious recipes!
MY REVIEW:
I’ve been on a cozy mystery kick this summer and have been slowly going through my TBR so that I can finally start to read the books I’ve been wanting to read for ages. Flipped for Murder is one of those books and I am so glad I finally took the plunge and read it! This is the perfect start to an older series and I’m excited to continue with the other books. Robbie is an excellent sleuth and I love her country store restaurant. The mystery is on point- I had suspicions but nothing concrete- and the plot is as thick and delectable as molasses! All in all, this is a solid read and I can’t wait for more!
Maddie Day is a pro at cozies, and I plan to slow catch up on her backlist. I suggest cozy mystery lovers who haven’t had the chance to read her books do the same! They are too good to be missed!
February 23, 2025
Really enjoyed this start to a new series. Roberta a delightful lead character and her cat Birdie stole the story as they warmed my heart as I read on to see who the murderer was.
November 28, 2015
First, thank you to Kensington Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Flipped For Murder is the first in a new series located in small town southern Indiana. Robbie Jordan has just opened her new country store/diner, Pans & Pancakes (why not Pots & Pancakes? hmm.) when the mayor's assistant is found murdered.
There was a lot to like about the story; the characters were charming, a picturesque locale, and I enjoyed the local lingo. I live in Indiana and hear many of these phrases daily, so it made me smile. The plot was well-paced and had a lot of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I look forward to reading more.
However, there were a few things that detracted from the story for me. I can suspend disbelief to a certain extent, but there's a limit, and for me that limit came when, right after the murder victim was found, the cop came around to question the main character and asked her if she killed the victim, then recorded it on his tablet. No. Just no. Even someone who has only watched an hour of Law & Order: SVU could tell you that you don't ask a question like "Did you kill the victim?" to a person who hasn't been Mirandized because nothing that is said is admissible in court, so there's no reason to note it. And don't get me started on the subject of direct evidence vs circumstantial evidence. In the acknowledgements section, the author writes, "Officer Garnet Watson helped out with a few questions of police procedure, which I might not always have followed." I would rethink that.
There was also a question of the back story, which is neatly summed up in the book's description but I think more details (or starting the story a little earlier than the store's opening day) might have eased the way into the story. Also, the reader doesn't really get a sense of the victim, other than what other people said about her, so there was a disconnect there. Starting the story a little earlier would definitely help set up some of the plot points a little more subtly.
I also felt like there was too much rehashing of each event after the fact. It started to feel more like filler and I found myself flipping through pages of it after awhile.
Overall, a charming start to a promising new series, and an enjoyable read. And I darn sure will be making those cheesy biscuits in the very near future!
Flipped For Murder is the first in a new series located in small town southern Indiana. Robbie Jordan has just opened her new country store/diner, Pans & Pancakes (why not Pots & Pancakes? hmm.) when the mayor's assistant is found murdered.
There was a lot to like about the story; the characters were charming, a picturesque locale, and I enjoyed the local lingo. I live in Indiana and hear many of these phrases daily, so it made me smile. The plot was well-paced and had a lot of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I look forward to reading more.
However, there were a few things that detracted from the story for me. I can suspend disbelief to a certain extent, but there's a limit, and for me that limit came when, right after the murder victim was found, the cop came around to question the main character and asked her if she killed the victim, then recorded it on his tablet. No. Just no. Even someone who has only watched an hour of Law & Order: SVU could tell you that you don't ask a question like "Did you kill the victim?" to a person who hasn't been Mirandized because nothing that is said is admissible in court, so there's no reason to note it. And don't get me started on the subject of direct evidence vs circumstantial evidence. In the acknowledgements section, the author writes, "Officer Garnet Watson helped out with a few questions of police procedure, which I might not always have followed." I would rethink that.
There was also a question of the back story, which is neatly summed up in the book's description but I think more details (or starting the story a little earlier than the store's opening day) might have eased the way into the story. Also, the reader doesn't really get a sense of the victim, other than what other people said about her, so there was a disconnect there. Starting the story a little earlier would definitely help set up some of the plot points a little more subtly.
I also felt like there was too much rehashing of each event after the fact. It started to feel more like filler and I found myself flipping through pages of it after awhile.
Overall, a charming start to a promising new series, and an enjoyable read. And I darn sure will be making those cheesy biscuits in the very near future!
October 29, 2015
Robbie Jordan has been working hard to open Pan ‘n Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana, and her hard work is paying off. On opening day, the place is packed, and her new customers seem to really like the food. Unfortunately, that afternoon, the disagreeable assistant at city hall is murdered with one of Robbie’s signature biscuits in her mouth. Worried that her status as a murder suspect will ruin her fledgling business, Robbie begins to investigate. But can she find the real killer?
This is a wonderful first book in a new series. The characters are already sharp and fun, and I can’t wait to visit them again in future books. The plot is solid with some good twists along the way to a logical and suspenseful ending. The descriptions are wonderful, and I felt like I was right there in Indiana with Robbie. I can’t wait to visit again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is a wonderful first book in a new series. The characters are already sharp and fun, and I can’t wait to visit them again in future books. The plot is solid with some good twists along the way to a logical and suspenseful ending. The descriptions are wonderful, and I felt like I was right there in Indiana with Robbie. I can’t wait to visit again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
March 12, 2016
Two REALLY good firsts in series in a row! That hasn't happened in awhile! I like Robbie, her aunt and the rest of the cast of characters in the small Indiana town of South Lick. The people and town remind me of southern Ohio where I was raised. Robbie's mom has recently passed away and she's getting over a bad marriage, so she returns to the place she spent her summers when she was growing up. She's just opened her restaurant/country store, Pans 'n Pancakes, when the mayor's assistant is found murdered...with one of Robbie's restaurant's signature biscuits shoved in her mouth! The list of people who aren't sad to see the spiteful woman dead is a long one, but someone is trying to frame Robbie. Excellent characters, a familiar setting and a great story all come together in a fun read! RECOMMEND!
October 12, 2020
I really liked it! Once again #readforkimberly does not let me down! This is a good start to the series. I enjoyed the characters and Robbie’s new restaurant/store, Pans’n’Pancakes. This seems like it is going to be a fun series and I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
October 27, 2015
The first in a new series. I noticed many of my friends were adding it and decided to read it. I was not disappointed as I found the characters were developed and the writing excellent. Robbie Jordan has open a country restaurant that has long been her dream. Problems occur that were not suspected. Someone is trying to shut her down with dirty tricks. There is number of individuals that don't like the idea of the store. Before long Robbie becomes the major suspect in a murder. She needs answers before they succeed. I am looking forward to the next book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read the book. The opinIons are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read the book. The opinIons are my own.
December 31, 2020
Three years after returning to her mother's hometown in southern Indiana, Robbie Jordan is finally opening the country store café of her dreams. With the help of a couple of good friends she's busy flipping pancakes, burgers and serving soups and sandwiches to tourists and locals, including the new mayor, Corrine Beedle and her snippy assistant, Stella Rogers. Stella did all she could to block Robbie from opening the store, preferring not to follow laws, so her son Roy could live in the apartment in back. Robbie finally prevailed against the odds and it looks like her business will be a success, until Stella is found murdered and Robbie becomes the chief suspect. Robbie knows someone is trying to frame her for murder and the local police are not equipped to handle a murder case. They're too slow to solve this mystery so Robbie must use her puzzle-solving skills to save her business.
The synopsis of the book sounds fun but it's misleading. Robbie has lived in South Lick for three years already and already has an established network of family and friends. Even so the world has to be built for the reader so everyone and everything is described in detail. The dialogue is written out as it is spoken, in a southern sort of uneducated drawl while Robbie speaks standard California English. There are way too many things going on in this story for just one book. It's unclear whether any or all of them are related to the murder. Whodunit was kind of obvious but with everything else going on, it caused a lot of red herrings so I wasn't sure who actually murdered Stella. I found this book too long and tedious. The setting wasn't my thing. It's too southern. Like Robbie, I don't understand why everyone needs to carry a gun! There's too much savory and healthy cooking going on in this book. Who goes to a diner to eat whole wheat banana chocolate chip pancakes? gross. Robbie doesn't even do her own baking. Her friend Phil does the baking mostly at home and brings it in to sell. I wouldn't be interested in that either unless he has a commercial kitchen at home! If I can make it, I don't buy it. Not even the recipes saved this book for me.
I didn't click with Robbie. She's into bike riding and healthy food. When she sneered at pasty, white flour pancakes I knew there was no way we would ever be friends. Plus she adopts a cat without trying to find an owner first. I never get along with the cat heroines for some reason. I also can't relate to Robbie's strong need to find her father all of a sudden. Since the loss of her mother, she's feeling a lack of family but what about her Aunt Adele who is like a mother figure? Her search reveals information that's just way too unbelievable and coincidental. What I do like about Robbie is that she stays at work long after she sends everyone home and she doesn't run off chasing after suspects in the middle of a work day. She leaves once - to find information about her dad. She doesn't even really get nosy or ask too many questions, as the villain believes. She asks a few but she's asking questions largely of the police. Robbie's love interest Jim is her lawyer. I think this is unethical. They're moving quickly and would like to be more hot and heavy than they have time for. Jim is a nice guy. He's kind of bland and boring. They both drink a lot more alcohol than I'm used to seeing from characters in cozy mysteries.
Aunt Adele is a down home Indiana farmer. She's tough but loves her niece. Adele will always be there for Robbie when Robbie needs her but knows how not to be intrusive or controlling. Her new old friend Vera is a lively senior citizen with a fondness for antique cookware. The two of them seem to have an enormous amount of energy when they're together and listening to them would make me tired.
Stella's friend Philostrate (Phil) is so much fun. I'd rather read about him as a main character. He loves to bake and sing - at the same time. He's always cheerful and willing to help out when he has a spare moment off from his job. Phil also has a good relationship with his grandfather, Samuel. I also really like Danna, Robbie's new employee. Danna has a unique sense of style, knows who she is and what she doesn't want out of life. I don't blame her for coming to work for Robbie. Her previous working conditions were horrific. She's a hard worker and quickly learns the ropes and becomes devoted to Pans 'n Pancakes. Not so interesting is Officer Buck Bird. He's slow and lazy. Some of his slowness is natural, growing up partly in Kentucky, but he's definitely slow to react when Robbie needs him. I don't like how he comes in and eats before getting down to business. It's obvious he's in way over his head and needs help to solve a murder. Wanda is a much better officer. She's more quick to act and takes Robbie's concerns seriously.
Birdie is Robbie's new cat. She assumes he's a stray and brings him in off the streets. I assumed he belonged to Stella or to someone because he's so friendly and comfortable around humans. I assumed incorrectly. I don't know much about cats but my bff adopted a black and white stray cat and she did not act as affectionate and friendly as Birdie. I'm not a cat person and would have tried to find his owner. While I appreciate the fundraiser for the animal shelter, it's too long and detracts from the mystery. Birdie appreciates the donations though. Abe O'Neill, Don's younger brother, is another potential love interest for Robbie. He's attractive, charming but very much a local. I don't see it working out as a romantic partnership, plus he's loyal to his brother who may or may not be a murderer or at the very least, a sore loser. Lou, another new friend for Robbie, is friendly and outgoing but she breaks a lot of privacy laws for Robbie. I don't blame her for wanting to help but if Robbie was better at using the internet and translating things she wouldn't need Lou to break the rules. She's better off bike riding with Lou and the other grad students. Georgia, the library aide, is friendly and supportive but what she does with her personal life really isn't right. It's not prudish or overly moral to believe that.
Corinne Beedle, the new mayor of South Lick, is a force of nature. She doesn't take no for an answer and she's determined to get her own way. The only thing she can't do is get rid of her assistant, Stella. Stella is mean, nasty and rude. It's no surprise she ended up dead. It's possible Corinne killed her assistant. She knows her to use a gun and loves to be in control. Why would she jeopardize her position like that though? I don't think she did it. A more likely suspect is Don, a "middle-aged man with a pained expression," who lost the mayoral race (to a woman) by three votes. When he lost, he refused to believe it and demanded a recount. Upon recounting the votes, he lost by more votes than in the first count! Note to readers: This book was published in 2015! Wishful thinking or psychic ability to see the future? Don is not a good guy. He's angry about Corinne's win and thinks she's an illegitimate mayor. He recognizes Robbie's last name and remembers her mother-well! Robbie has a lot of questions about THAT! Don's past is troublesome and rather unbelievable. I sure do think his past is connected to the present murder! Don and Ed both seem to be modeled after another Don with a comb over.
Ed Kowalski is another excellent candidate for murderer. He's Robbie's biggest competition, owning a greasy spoon breakfast and lunch place in the county seat of Nashville. He's furious about Robbie's new business and eyes her as competition, even though his business is 5 miles away and they serve different types of food. Ed is an angry man and willing to do whatever it takes to save his business, even something illegal. It soon becomes clear that Ed is morally bankrupt and there are good reasons his business is rumored to be failing. I don't like him one bit. He needs to be in jail for one reason or another even if he's not the murderer. Roy, Stella's son, is a few pancakes short of a stack or so everyone says. They also say he's harmless. If he does have an intellectual disability, his mother didn't get him the help he needs and he should be in a group home. This man is not safe to be allowed on the streets. He's as rude as his mother and just all around dumb. He doesn't like Robbie much for "stealing" the restaurant from him. I don't think he's smart enough to frame Robbie for murder but I think he could be the murderer and someone else tried to cover it up!
This series just isn't for me. The setting is too southern and the food too savory and healthy for my tastes. I did get a kick out of the Don coincidence though.
The synopsis of the book sounds fun but it's misleading. Robbie has lived in South Lick for three years already and already has an established network of family and friends. Even so the world has to be built for the reader so everyone and everything is described in detail. The dialogue is written out as it is spoken, in a southern sort of uneducated drawl while Robbie speaks standard California English. There are way too many things going on in this story for just one book. It's unclear whether any or all of them are related to the murder. Whodunit was kind of obvious but with everything else going on, it caused a lot of red herrings so I wasn't sure who actually murdered Stella. I found this book too long and tedious. The setting wasn't my thing. It's too southern. Like Robbie, I don't understand why everyone needs to carry a gun! There's too much savory and healthy cooking going on in this book. Who goes to a diner to eat whole wheat banana chocolate chip pancakes? gross. Robbie doesn't even do her own baking. Her friend Phil does the baking mostly at home and brings it in to sell. I wouldn't be interested in that either unless he has a commercial kitchen at home! If I can make it, I don't buy it. Not even the recipes saved this book for me.
I didn't click with Robbie. She's into bike riding and healthy food. When she sneered at pasty, white flour pancakes I knew there was no way we would ever be friends. Plus she adopts a cat without trying to find an owner first. I never get along with the cat heroines for some reason. I also can't relate to Robbie's strong need to find her father all of a sudden. Since the loss of her mother, she's feeling a lack of family but what about her Aunt Adele who is like a mother figure? Her search reveals information that's just way too unbelievable and coincidental. What I do like about Robbie is that she stays at work long after she sends everyone home and she doesn't run off chasing after suspects in the middle of a work day. She leaves once - to find information about her dad. She doesn't even really get nosy or ask too many questions, as the villain believes. She asks a few but she's asking questions largely of the police. Robbie's love interest Jim is her lawyer. I think this is unethical. They're moving quickly and would like to be more hot and heavy than they have time for. Jim is a nice guy. He's kind of bland and boring. They both drink a lot more alcohol than I'm used to seeing from characters in cozy mysteries.
Aunt Adele is a down home Indiana farmer. She's tough but loves her niece. Adele will always be there for Robbie when Robbie needs her but knows how not to be intrusive or controlling. Her new old friend Vera is a lively senior citizen with a fondness for antique cookware. The two of them seem to have an enormous amount of energy when they're together and listening to them would make me tired.
Stella's friend Philostrate (Phil) is so much fun. I'd rather read about him as a main character. He loves to bake and sing - at the same time. He's always cheerful and willing to help out when he has a spare moment off from his job. Phil also has a good relationship with his grandfather, Samuel. I also really like Danna, Robbie's new employee. Danna has a unique sense of style, knows who she is and what she doesn't want out of life. I don't blame her for coming to work for Robbie. Her previous working conditions were horrific. She's a hard worker and quickly learns the ropes and becomes devoted to Pans 'n Pancakes. Not so interesting is Officer Buck Bird. He's slow and lazy. Some of his slowness is natural, growing up partly in Kentucky, but he's definitely slow to react when Robbie needs him. I don't like how he comes in and eats before getting down to business. It's obvious he's in way over his head and needs help to solve a murder. Wanda is a much better officer. She's more quick to act and takes Robbie's concerns seriously.
Birdie is Robbie's new cat. She assumes he's a stray and brings him in off the streets. I assumed he belonged to Stella or to someone because he's so friendly and comfortable around humans. I assumed incorrectly. I don't know much about cats but my bff adopted a black and white stray cat and she did not act as affectionate and friendly as Birdie. I'm not a cat person and would have tried to find his owner. While I appreciate the fundraiser for the animal shelter, it's too long and detracts from the mystery. Birdie appreciates the donations though. Abe O'Neill, Don's younger brother, is another potential love interest for Robbie. He's attractive, charming but very much a local. I don't see it working out as a romantic partnership, plus he's loyal to his brother who may or may not be a murderer or at the very least, a sore loser. Lou, another new friend for Robbie, is friendly and outgoing but she breaks a lot of privacy laws for Robbie. I don't blame her for wanting to help but if Robbie was better at using the internet and translating things she wouldn't need Lou to break the rules. She's better off bike riding with Lou and the other grad students. Georgia, the library aide, is friendly and supportive but what she does with her personal life really isn't right. It's not prudish or overly moral to believe that.
Corinne Beedle, the new mayor of South Lick, is a force of nature. She doesn't take no for an answer and she's determined to get her own way. The only thing she can't do is get rid of her assistant, Stella. Stella is mean, nasty and rude. It's no surprise she ended up dead. It's possible Corinne killed her assistant. She knows her to use a gun and loves to be in control. Why would she jeopardize her position like that though? I don't think she did it. A more likely suspect is Don, a "middle-aged man with a pained expression," who lost the mayoral race (to a woman) by three votes. When he lost, he refused to believe it and demanded a recount. Upon recounting the votes, he lost by more votes than in the first count! Note to readers: This book was published in 2015! Wishful thinking or psychic ability to see the future? Don is not a good guy. He's angry about Corinne's win and thinks she's an illegitimate mayor. He recognizes Robbie's last name and remembers her mother-well! Robbie has a lot of questions about THAT! Don's past is troublesome and rather unbelievable. I sure do think his past is connected to the present murder! Don and Ed both seem to be modeled after another Don with a comb over.
Ed Kowalski is another excellent candidate for murderer. He's Robbie's biggest competition, owning a greasy spoon breakfast and lunch place in the county seat of Nashville. He's furious about Robbie's new business and eyes her as competition, even though his business is 5 miles away and they serve different types of food. Ed is an angry man and willing to do whatever it takes to save his business, even something illegal. It soon becomes clear that Ed is morally bankrupt and there are good reasons his business is rumored to be failing. I don't like him one bit. He needs to be in jail for one reason or another even if he's not the murderer. Roy, Stella's son, is a few pancakes short of a stack or so everyone says. They also say he's harmless. If he does have an intellectual disability, his mother didn't get him the help he needs and he should be in a group home. This man is not safe to be allowed on the streets. He's as rude as his mother and just all around dumb. He doesn't like Robbie much for "stealing" the restaurant from him. I don't think he's smart enough to frame Robbie for murder but I think he could be the murderer and someone else tried to cover it up!
This series just isn't for me. The setting is too southern and the food too savory and healthy for my tastes. I did get a kick out of the Don coincidence though.
July 7, 2021
Opening day was a smash hit for Robbie on the grand opening of her new store and restaurant, but all the pancakes go flat when she finds herself a suspect on the list of people who might have killed a local woman. Things go even more awry when it appears someone is working hard to frame her for the murder or is it a frame job!?! Lots of details in this first book of the series that totally had me hooked as I got to know the main character, her background story and the characters around her. The narrator does a good job of bringing the characters to life in the audio version of the book and I can't wait to listen to the next book to see what happens in Robbie's world next!
July 23, 2021
If you bother to read this book, and I don't think you should, certainly don't do it in audiobook form. The main character is supposed to be a 20-something woman but the narrator makes it sound like a woman in her 50's or 60's. Also, the "mystery" in this was terrible and the romance was excruciating. Seriously, it's like Maddie Day read a formula for how to write a cozy mystery, and basically read a soulless book. Do not remotely recommend. Is it possible to rate a book 0 stars?
January 21, 2016
A take-charge protagonist, a fun cast of characters (with a few odd ones mixed in), and a small town Indiana setting made this one of the best cozies I’ve read in a long time. The surprises that popped up along the way sure kept me guessing, but the conclusion was logical and delightfully satisfying. This was a down home heckuva good series debut.
August 3, 2019
The book was just ok for me. I felt it to be slow and at times I was bored. It did seem to have filler added in descriptions. A friend recommended it to me as her reading group really liked the book. That seems to be the consensus on here with the other reviewers.
October 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this cozy. It made you feel all the appropriate feelings!
September 22, 2021
Robbie opens her new restaurant and finds herself in trouble when the murder victim is found with biscuit stuffed in her mouth, biscuit made in Robbie's store. Robbie is a hard working person, there was so going on in her store, Pans N Panckes. She was always on her feet. The helpers in her store were great side characters as well, especially Danna. And there was the mystery of Robbie's father as well. I don't know why but I never get the murderer right 😂 so the ending was a surprise but it made sense. I feel there's going to be a love triangle in the upcoming books but having read one of the books later in the series, I know who Robbie ends up with. So I'm a little partial towards the character already.
June 15, 2015
I was provided with an advance uncorrected proof of Flipped for Murder, and this is my fair and honest review.
In Flipped for Murder, Robbie Jordan has recently left behind her West Coast life and a cheating ex-husband for a fresh start and a return to family roots in quaint South Lick, Indiana. Robbie jumps into this new life completely when she decides to open Pans 'n Pancakes, a combination breakfast/lunch spot and cookware shop in the heart of town. It's not long before her superior cooking skills draw all the locals to the newest eatery in town, and as Robbie's neighbors pass through they bring with them a compelling assortment of intrigues, complicated relationships, rivalries, and even murder. As Robbie emerges as a likely suspect in the death of the new Mayor's prickly assistant, she realizes she must take investigative matters into her own hands or risk being charged with the crime.
The plot of this new mystery by Maddie Day zips along at a nice pace and is fleshed out with an assortment of quirky characters. Suspense continues to build until the very satisfying conclusion. The highlight for me, though, was the addition of a subplot - Robbie's unraveling of her personal mystery, the big question mark of who her father might be - that helps to develop Robbie more fully as a protagonist and elevates this book into a more satisfying read than most cozies. As Robbie learns some of the truths her mother never revealed before her untimely death, she develops into someone who is deeper than a stock amateur sleuth.
After this first of a new series, I look forward to more of Maddie Day's work and more of the unique setting of small town Indiana. A promising debut.
In Flipped for Murder, Robbie Jordan has recently left behind her West Coast life and a cheating ex-husband for a fresh start and a return to family roots in quaint South Lick, Indiana. Robbie jumps into this new life completely when she decides to open Pans 'n Pancakes, a combination breakfast/lunch spot and cookware shop in the heart of town. It's not long before her superior cooking skills draw all the locals to the newest eatery in town, and as Robbie's neighbors pass through they bring with them a compelling assortment of intrigues, complicated relationships, rivalries, and even murder. As Robbie emerges as a likely suspect in the death of the new Mayor's prickly assistant, she realizes she must take investigative matters into her own hands or risk being charged with the crime.
The plot of this new mystery by Maddie Day zips along at a nice pace and is fleshed out with an assortment of quirky characters. Suspense continues to build until the very satisfying conclusion. The highlight for me, though, was the addition of a subplot - Robbie's unraveling of her personal mystery, the big question mark of who her father might be - that helps to develop Robbie more fully as a protagonist and elevates this book into a more satisfying read than most cozies. As Robbie learns some of the truths her mother never revealed before her untimely death, she develops into someone who is deeper than a stock amateur sleuth.
After this first of a new series, I look forward to more of Maddie Day's work and more of the unique setting of small town Indiana. A promising debut.
September 9, 2016
Shortly after her mother's death, transplanted Californian Robbie Jordan sets up shop in the small Indiana town where her Mother grew up. Part restaurant, part vintage cookware store, Pans'N'Pancakes places proprietress Robbie Jordan firmly in the tradition of other sleuthing shopkeepers and cooks after the mayor's disagreeable assistant turns up dead with one of Robbie's cheese biscuits in her mouth.
Sometimes you just want a cozy little murder mystery - and from that perspective debut novel Flipped for Murder dishes up the goods. However, the recipe could use some refining. While reiterating the information discovered is part of the formula of a cozy, Maddie Day did it frequently enough to be annoying. I also thought Robbie was trying too hard to be appealing to everyone. Not only does she cook and run a business, but she bicycles and extols the stress-reducing benefits of exercise, AND even though the adult entertainment stays off-screen her gaining the instant attentions of not one but two men strays just a bit too close to trying to create an superheroine for my taste.
Sometimes you just want a cozy little murder mystery - and from that perspective debut novel Flipped for Murder dishes up the goods. However, the recipe could use some refining. While reiterating the information discovered is part of the formula of a cozy, Maddie Day did it frequently enough to be annoying. I also thought Robbie was trying too hard to be appealing to everyone. Not only does she cook and run a business, but she bicycles and extols the stress-reducing benefits of exercise, AND even though the adult entertainment stays off-screen her gaining the instant attentions of not one but two men strays just a bit too close to trying to create an superheroine for my taste.
January 4, 2021
Maddie Day never disappoints
I started reading this series with book five and had to come back fir the first four. She never disappoints and I’ve enjoyed several of her series to date.
I started reading this series with book five and had to come back fir the first four. She never disappoints and I’ve enjoyed several of her series to date.
March 4, 2018
I picked up this book because I read a profile of the author on the Jungle Red Writers blog. She's also an active commenter on the blog as well.
The first book in the Country Store Mystery series introduces readers to Robbie Jordan, the owner of Pans 'n Pancakes, a newly opened country store in South Lick, Indiana. Combining the country store aspect with a breakfast joint as well as selling cookware.
Robbie is a cook and a carpenter. She's described as nursing a broken heart but I never really got the feeling she was all that upset over the end of her relationship. Instead, I thought the mourning for her mother was more of an aspect of why she might be sad at times.
She's got her Aunt Adele, her real estate lawyer friend Jim, genius dessert man name Phil and as the story starts, Danna, new employee that harbors a secret about her previous job.
The grand reopening of the store sets up the story as the town's mayor drops by accompanied by her ever present aide. But when the aide later turns up dead, Robbie is the first suspect. The dead woman made it a living hell trying to get the permits to redo and open the country store and the initial thought is that Robbie got revenge.
Obviously that is quickly disproved and soon Robbie can't help but get immersed in finding the killer. But the victim, Stella Rogers, made a living a backstabbing and blackmailing a number of people in town so the list of suspects is not only long, but less than grief stricken over her death.
Of course, there are other concerns for Robbie as she launches her new business. Someone is trying to put her out of the restaurant game before she really gets started. There's also the matter of the creepy son of Stella, the rather sadly named Roy. Said to be "not all there", he is convinced that Robbie stole the property from him and makes a nuisance of himself.
Robbie also ends up dealing with questions of her past when revelations about some suspects leads to her finding out about her potential birth father, someone she'd never know the identity of. In this, I thought it might be something that would've been better suited to introduce in the 2nd book but still I can see how it works as a subplot here.
I was pretty happy to have picked up this book. I did it on a lark and wasn't sure what to expect. But I was very entertained and found myself happy that there were three more books in the series already so I could read more about Robbie and the country store.
Truth be told, I was halfway through the book when I went out and bought books 2 and 3 in the series.
The first book in the Country Store Mystery series introduces readers to Robbie Jordan, the owner of Pans 'n Pancakes, a newly opened country store in South Lick, Indiana. Combining the country store aspect with a breakfast joint as well as selling cookware.
Robbie is a cook and a carpenter. She's described as nursing a broken heart but I never really got the feeling she was all that upset over the end of her relationship. Instead, I thought the mourning for her mother was more of an aspect of why she might be sad at times.
She's got her Aunt Adele, her real estate lawyer friend Jim, genius dessert man name Phil and as the story starts, Danna, new employee that harbors a secret about her previous job.
The grand reopening of the store sets up the story as the town's mayor drops by accompanied by her ever present aide. But when the aide later turns up dead, Robbie is the first suspect. The dead woman made it a living hell trying to get the permits to redo and open the country store and the initial thought is that Robbie got revenge.
Obviously that is quickly disproved and soon Robbie can't help but get immersed in finding the killer. But the victim, Stella Rogers, made a living a backstabbing and blackmailing a number of people in town so the list of suspects is not only long, but less than grief stricken over her death.
Of course, there are other concerns for Robbie as she launches her new business. Someone is trying to put her out of the restaurant game before she really gets started. There's also the matter of the creepy son of Stella, the rather sadly named Roy. Said to be "not all there", he is convinced that Robbie stole the property from him and makes a nuisance of himself.
Robbie also ends up dealing with questions of her past when revelations about some suspects leads to her finding out about her potential birth father, someone she'd never know the identity of. In this, I thought it might be something that would've been better suited to introduce in the 2nd book but still I can see how it works as a subplot here.
I was pretty happy to have picked up this book. I did it on a lark and wasn't sure what to expect. But I was very entertained and found myself happy that there were three more books in the series already so I could read more about Robbie and the country store.
Truth be told, I was halfway through the book when I went out and bought books 2 and 3 in the series.
March 16, 2017
This is the first book in the new "Country Store Mystery" series. I have had this one on my tablet for awhile and now that I have read it, I wish I had gotten to it sooner. I will definitely be checking out the rest in this series. A 4.5 star read for me. In Flipped for Murder, Robbie Jordan has recently moved back to her hometown of South Lick Indiana and opened a quaint restaurant and cookware shop called Pans 'n Pancakes. Her mother had recently died in California and her marriage to a cheating man had fallen apart. Being a chef, Robbie's breakfast and lunch cafe quickly began to draw customers from the other cafes. As Robbie begins to feel like her business is about to take off, there is a murder and it looks like someone is trying to frame her. She is a suspect, but certainly not the only one. As the mystery unravels, we find out that Stella, the victim, had a large number of enemies. Robbie wants to clear her name as even being a suspect, has a detrimental effect on her business.
The plot of this new mystery by Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell, moves quickly and had me reading with interest. Her characters are wonderful albeit a little quirky, it is a small mid-western town. Robbie and her employee Danna, are a great pair. They work hard, and play harder. Robbie has a love interest in Jim, but what is going to happen with Abe? There is a side mystery to the main one regarding Robbie's personal history. As she investigates the murder, she gets some information that might just lead her to her father, whom she has never met or even knew his name. This element gave Robbie a much more complex personality as we got glimpses of her childhood. The mystery and suspense continues to build until the very satisfying conclusion. I will say that I had figured out the murderer, but it was very interesting to see Robbie follow the clues to the end. A great read for any cozy mystery lover.
The plot of this new mystery by Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell, moves quickly and had me reading with interest. Her characters are wonderful albeit a little quirky, it is a small mid-western town. Robbie and her employee Danna, are a great pair. They work hard, and play harder. Robbie has a love interest in Jim, but what is going to happen with Abe? There is a side mystery to the main one regarding Robbie's personal history. As she investigates the murder, she gets some information that might just lead her to her father, whom she has never met or even knew his name. This element gave Robbie a much more complex personality as we got glimpses of her childhood. The mystery and suspense continues to build until the very satisfying conclusion. I will say that I had figured out the murderer, but it was very interesting to see Robbie follow the clues to the end. A great read for any cozy mystery lover.
August 26, 2017
This is a great book to read while sitting in the back yard under an umbrella. What a fun story with clear imagery and a good who dun it! Looking forward to the next in the series
Want to read
February 27, 2025While I have marked this as a to-read I am sadly falling heavily to judging a book by its cover fault. It’s just so unappealing to me that I haven’t wanted to pick it up.
May 3, 2023
This was such a great book and I can't wait to continue the series!
September 16, 2020
After a renovation project, Robbie Joedan opens her country store and restaurant to good crowds -- and someone who wants her business shut down. When the mayor's assistant is killed, Robbie finds herself in hot water as a suspect in the murder. Can she figure out who the real murderer is before her goose is cooked?
First in a new series, this novel is like coming home to a small town and a cast of characters readers will want to get to know.
First in a new series, this novel is like coming home to a small town and a cast of characters readers will want to get to know.
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