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Grilled Cheese Mysteries #7
Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place
Restaurant owner Carly Hale Mitchell has to get her husband off the hook when he’s implicated in the suspicious death of a crooked coworker . . .
When the elderly owner of a historic mansion asks Carly to come visit and make one of her famous grilled cheese sandwiches, Carly can hardly say no. She loves spending time inside the fabled home, and she knows her husband will be at the grand old manse too, rewiring the electrical as part of larger renovations. But sparks fly when he gets into a shoving match with the contractor overseeing the project, and that puts him at the top of the suspect list when the contractor later falls to his death from the roof amid signs of foul play.
Desperate to clear her husband’s good name, Carly puts her restaurant work on the back burner while she tries to track down the real culprit. Thinking it must be someone on the renovation crew or an employee at the mansion, she begins grilling the suspects, only to learn that the victim had enemies throughout the community. Then another dead body is discovered at the mansion, and Carly has to approach the case from a whole new angle—just as the killer is angling to make her the next victim on their list . . .
Includes mouthwatering grilled-cheese sandwich recipes!
Praise for the Grilled Cheese
“A complex mystery and yummy grilled cheese recipes. What’s not to like?” —Kirkus Reviews
“A delightful and determined heroine, idyllic small town, and buffet of worthy suspects make this hearty whodunnit an enticing start to a decidedly delectable new series!” —Bree Baker, author of the Seaside Café Mysteries
“Masterful misdirection coupled with a pace that can’t be beat, Linda Reilly has grilled up a winner for sure!” —J. C. Eaton, author of the Sophie Kimball Mysteries, the Wine Trail Mysteries, and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries
“A well-crafted and fun start to a new series! Carly and her crew serve mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwiches while solving crime in a quaint Vermont town. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and guessing the killer to the very end.” —Tina Kashian, author of the Kebab Kitchen Mysteries
About the
As a child, Linda Reilly practically existed on grilled cheese sandwiches, and today they remain her comfort food of choice. A member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Cat Writers’ Association, Linda is also the author of the Deep Fried Mysteries and the Cat Lady Mysteries. Linda lives in southern New Hampshire with her two feline assistants, both of whom enjoy prancing over her laptop to assist with editing. Visit her on the web at lindareillyauthor.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/Lindasreillyauthor. She loves hearing from readers!
When the elderly owner of a historic mansion asks Carly to come visit and make one of her famous grilled cheese sandwiches, Carly can hardly say no. She loves spending time inside the fabled home, and she knows her husband will be at the grand old manse too, rewiring the electrical as part of larger renovations. But sparks fly when he gets into a shoving match with the contractor overseeing the project, and that puts him at the top of the suspect list when the contractor later falls to his death from the roof amid signs of foul play.
Desperate to clear her husband’s good name, Carly puts her restaurant work on the back burner while she tries to track down the real culprit. Thinking it must be someone on the renovation crew or an employee at the mansion, she begins grilling the suspects, only to learn that the victim had enemies throughout the community. Then another dead body is discovered at the mansion, and Carly has to approach the case from a whole new angle—just as the killer is angling to make her the next victim on their list . . .
Includes mouthwatering grilled-cheese sandwich recipes!
Praise for the Grilled Cheese
“A complex mystery and yummy grilled cheese recipes. What’s not to like?” —Kirkus Reviews
“A delightful and determined heroine, idyllic small town, and buffet of worthy suspects make this hearty whodunnit an enticing start to a decidedly delectable new series!” —Bree Baker, author of the Seaside Café Mysteries
“Masterful misdirection coupled with a pace that can’t be beat, Linda Reilly has grilled up a winner for sure!” —J. C. Eaton, author of the Sophie Kimball Mysteries, the Wine Trail Mysteries, and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries
“A well-crafted and fun start to a new series! Carly and her crew serve mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwiches while solving crime in a quaint Vermont town. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and guessing the killer to the very end.” —Tina Kashian, author of the Kebab Kitchen Mysteries
About the
As a child, Linda Reilly practically existed on grilled cheese sandwiches, and today they remain her comfort food of choice. A member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Cat Writers’ Association, Linda is also the author of the Deep Fried Mysteries and the Cat Lady Mysteries. Linda lives in southern New Hampshire with her two feline assistants, both of whom enjoy prancing over her laptop to assist with editing. Visit her on the web at lindareillyauthor.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/Lindasreillyauthor. She loves hearing from readers!
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Linda Reilly
16 books806 followersLinda Reilly is a mystery writer living with her two feline assistants in southern New Hampshire. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Cat Writers' Association.
Her Grilled Cheese Mystery series featuring grilled cheese lover Carly Hale debuted in January 2022, published by Poisoned Pen Press.
Her first cozy mystery, Some Enchanted Murder, was a finalist for the 2014 Silver Falchion Award in the category "Best First Novel: Cozy, Traditional and Historical."
Linda is also the author of the Cat Lady Mysteries published by Kensington Lyrical and of the Deep Fried mysteries published by Berkley Prime Crime.
ESCAPE CLAWS, her first Cat Lady Mystery, was selected by Modern Cat Magazine, Connie's Book Club, as a "must read" in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue.
CLAWS OF ACTION, her fourth Cat Lady Mystery, was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Cat Writers' Association in its 2019 Communications Contest.
Her Grilled Cheese Mystery series featuring grilled cheese lover Carly Hale debuted in January 2022, published by Poisoned Pen Press.
Her first cozy mystery, Some Enchanted Murder, was a finalist for the 2014 Silver Falchion Award in the category "Best First Novel: Cozy, Traditional and Historical."
Linda is also the author of the Cat Lady Mysteries published by Kensington Lyrical and of the Deep Fried mysteries published by Berkley Prime Crime.
ESCAPE CLAWS, her first Cat Lady Mystery, was selected by Modern Cat Magazine, Connie's Book Club, as a "must read" in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue.
CLAWS OF ACTION, her fourth Cat Lady Mystery, was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Cat Writers' Association in its 2019 Communications Contest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 22, 2026
The mystery was interesting and had me going in a few different directions, which I always enjoy. That said, it felt like the investigation stayed a bit too focused in one area, which limited the setting and didn’t give as many characters a chance to really get involved. I still enjoyed the story and the overall vibe of the series, but I was hoping for a little more depth to the investigation this time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
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April 23, 2026Carly receives a request from an elderly woman at "The Peppermint" house to come meet with her. She would like Carly to fix her one of her famous grilled cheese sandwiches. Carly is charmed by the lady and the house and agrees to not only fix Lavinia a sandwich but also feed the crew renovating her house, including Carly's husband Ari. The day arrives and starts out well, but the general contractor falls off the roof and dies. Is it a tragic accident or something else. The authorities find a power cord tampered with and Ari becomes the main suspect. Can Carly find what is going on and save her husband's business but also keep him out of jail?
This one drew me in right away and didn't let go. There were all kinds of suspects, including the gardener, the ex-wife, Lavinia's granddaughter, and the companion. Everyone seems to have a motive as he was not a well-liked fellow. Then there are ghost sounds and the suspicious actions of the Mansion's residents, old secrets as well as tension inside that house.
The mystery was well done, plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. I loved that we got to see all our old friends at the Cafe. It was nice to have Grant make a cameo in the story. This was a stellar Cozy!
Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond The Page for the chance to read this book and give my opinion.
This one drew me in right away and didn't let go. There were all kinds of suspects, including the gardener, the ex-wife, Lavinia's granddaughter, and the companion. Everyone seems to have a motive as he was not a well-liked fellow. Then there are ghost sounds and the suspicious actions of the Mansion's residents, old secrets as well as tension inside that house.
The mystery was well done, plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. I loved that we got to see all our old friends at the Cafe. It was nice to have Grant make a cameo in the story. This was a stellar Cozy!
Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond The Page for the chance to read this book and give my opinion.
April 22, 2026
Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Linda Reilly is a Grilled Cheese Mystery featuring Carly, whose grilled cheese sandwich restaurant had been a genius move. Carly was invited to visit a local “grand dame,” and since she lived in a very intriguing mansion, Carly jumped at the chance. While there, Carly met and enjoyed ninety-two year old Lavinia and agreed to return and make her a grilled cheese sandwich. Her companion just couldn’t pull it off, probably in part because she used non-fat cheese. Carly went all-out on hers. Carly’s husband, Ari, was going to be the electrician on the renovation that was starting soon. At that, the general contractor fell off the roof and landed on the spikes of a fence, killing him. Sadly, Ari was one of the main suspects. Carly really tried not to get involved since anything she found would be tainted by her relationship to Ari. It all started getting complicated, with Lavinia’s companion, Agnes, and her great-niece, Paige.
Carly her her cadre of friends who worked at her restaurant are all entertaining. They have separate lives beyond the restaurant and that makes the whole story much more entertaining. There was a ghost at the mansion and everyone thought Agnes was hearing things until Lavinia heard it, too. Then the worst thing happened when the new contractor and Ari discovered a body in the old coal furnace in the basement. That set off a flurry of computer research by Carly’s friend, Don, who also published a weekly newspaper. What he had found out blew the whole thing up. It was a good investigation. Excellent characters. Great setting and recipes. Good read.
I was invited to read Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Beyond the Page Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BeyondThePagePublishing #LindaReilly #BetweenARoquefortAndAHardPlace
Carly her her cadre of friends who worked at her restaurant are all entertaining. They have separate lives beyond the restaurant and that makes the whole story much more entertaining. There was a ghost at the mansion and everyone thought Agnes was hearing things until Lavinia heard it, too. Then the worst thing happened when the new contractor and Ari discovered a body in the old coal furnace in the basement. That set off a flurry of computer research by Carly’s friend, Don, who also published a weekly newspaper. What he had found out blew the whole thing up. It was a good investigation. Excellent characters. Great setting and recipes. Good read.
I was invited to read Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Beyond the Page Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BeyondThePagePublishing #LindaReilly #BetweenARoquefortAndAHardPlace
May 26, 2026
I had a great time revisiting the cozy town of Balsam Dell, Vermont and everyone in Carly's close knit circle. Carly is one of the most kind-hearted main characters I've ever read in a cozy, although sometimes I think she needs to say no to other people's requests more often. It always feels like I'm hanging out with old friends when I'm there. I did feel the detective was a little too harsh with Carly, but this was addressed beautifully later in the book. While some characters from earlier in the series have moved on with their lives outside of the eatery and out of state, they still make brief appearances, or they are at least mentioned. This feels like real life to me. Throughout our lives, we meet people who eventually move away. However, we may still keep in touch with them and occasionally see them.
I also had fun getting to know the suspects. They had depth, history, and secrets to uncover. The victim wasn't someone who easily made friends, so there are multiple people who could have wanted to see him gone. There were several viable suspects with possible motives and opportunity. I had a hunch early in the book who the culprit was, which turned out to be correct. However, there were enough twists and turns that made me question who I thought it was a few times. I really enjoyed the big reveal, which in itself had a bit of a twist.
The historic mansion combined with major renovations made for a great setting in this mystery. I could visualize the layout of the rooms, as well as the decor. There were times when I was confused about the overall floorplan of the mansion, but I just went along for the ride. Another aspect of the mystery I enjoyed was the jigsaw puzzle. Those who know me, know how much I love jigsaw puzzles. Adding this to a cozy and making it part of the story was absolute perfection!
There is a light-hearted subplot in this installment, which balanced out the seriousness of the mystery. It involved a grilled cheese competition. I loved reading about the mouth-watering creations. It made me wish I was there to taste-test all of them with Carly and her co-workers.
Since Carly and Ari were recently married, there is a new dynamic with there relationship. They clearly love and respect each other, and it was obvious they have great communication. It was fun to read about their day-to-day lives, even something as simple as what they were having for dinner. I also enjoyed reading about another possible budding romance with two of the characters. I'm equally invested in their relationship as I have been with Carly and Ari.
There was only one thing in this installment that felt jarring and out of place for me, and that was one instance of mild swearing. With this being the seventh book in the swearing and not a single swear word before now that I can remember, I've come to expect this series to be completely clean in that respect. So while it doesn't take anything away from the story and it fit in the context, it still felt off for me. I'm hoping this isn't an indication of where the series is going because I prefer cozies to be completely free of swear words.
As with every installment, there are a few mouth-watering recipes at the end of the book. I love how the story behind each one was part of the subplot in the book. And I learned something new. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Roquefort cheese before. Now I'll have to try it!
As I say with most cozies, Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place is a self-contained mystery. You can easily start with this book and not feel lost in the series. However, I'm confident you'll want to go back and read all previous installments to find out how the characters and their relationships have evolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book.
For my full review, click here: https://caboodleofcozies.blogspot.com...
I also had fun getting to know the suspects. They had depth, history, and secrets to uncover. The victim wasn't someone who easily made friends, so there are multiple people who could have wanted to see him gone. There were several viable suspects with possible motives and opportunity. I had a hunch early in the book who the culprit was, which turned out to be correct. However, there were enough twists and turns that made me question who I thought it was a few times. I really enjoyed the big reveal, which in itself had a bit of a twist.
The historic mansion combined with major renovations made for a great setting in this mystery. I could visualize the layout of the rooms, as well as the decor. There were times when I was confused about the overall floorplan of the mansion, but I just went along for the ride. Another aspect of the mystery I enjoyed was the jigsaw puzzle. Those who know me, know how much I love jigsaw puzzles. Adding this to a cozy and making it part of the story was absolute perfection!
There is a light-hearted subplot in this installment, which balanced out the seriousness of the mystery. It involved a grilled cheese competition. I loved reading about the mouth-watering creations. It made me wish I was there to taste-test all of them with Carly and her co-workers.
Since Carly and Ari were recently married, there is a new dynamic with there relationship. They clearly love and respect each other, and it was obvious they have great communication. It was fun to read about their day-to-day lives, even something as simple as what they were having for dinner. I also enjoyed reading about another possible budding romance with two of the characters. I'm equally invested in their relationship as I have been with Carly and Ari.
There was only one thing in this installment that felt jarring and out of place for me, and that was one instance of mild swearing. With this being the seventh book in the swearing and not a single swear word before now that I can remember, I've come to expect this series to be completely clean in that respect. So while it doesn't take anything away from the story and it fit in the context, it still felt off for me. I'm hoping this isn't an indication of where the series is going because I prefer cozies to be completely free of swear words.
As with every installment, there are a few mouth-watering recipes at the end of the book. I love how the story behind each one was part of the subplot in the book. And I learned something new. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Roquefort cheese before. Now I'll have to try it!
As I say with most cozies, Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place is a self-contained mystery. You can easily start with this book and not feel lost in the series. However, I'm confident you'll want to go back and read all previous installments to find out how the characters and their relationships have evolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book.
For my full review, click here: https://caboodleofcozies.blogspot.com...
April 26, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. The 7th entry in the Grilled Cheese Mystery finds Carly drawn into the dark mysteries of Peppermint House after a contractor falls to his death while renovating the house with Carly's husband, Ari, as a prime suspect. Meanwhile, Carly is also trying to manage the day to day operations of her grilled cheese shop.
I've read several of this and have mixed feelings. The actual mystery and associated history and Peppermint House and its inhabitants is well-crafted and makes me want to keep reading, and I just don't find Carly engaging at all. Her friends, family, customers, and those she crosses paths with while investigating are interesting, likeable, and more complex. There is no substance to Carly other than having no boundaries and stumbling into murder. Her constant internal monologue is off putting. Most cozies have a MC I could be friends with if they existed in real life. I don't think I would like Carly, and that makes me sad.
I want the MC to be as engrossing as the mystery she is solving. I don't feel Carly has developed at all across the 4 books I've read. The 3 stars is only because the mystery was well done.
I've read several of this and have mixed feelings. The actual mystery and associated history and Peppermint House and its inhabitants is well-crafted and makes me want to keep reading, and I just don't find Carly engaging at all. Her friends, family, customers, and those she crosses paths with while investigating are interesting, likeable, and more complex. There is no substance to Carly other than having no boundaries and stumbling into murder. Her constant internal monologue is off putting. Most cozies have a MC I could be friends with if they existed in real life. I don't think I would like Carly, and that makes me sad.
I want the MC to be as engrossing as the mystery she is solving. I don't feel Carly has developed at all across the 4 books I've read. The 3 stars is only because the mystery was well done.
May 3, 2026
Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place is the seventh cozy mystery in the Grille Cheese Mysteries series. Carly is asked to make a grilled cheese lunch at an old mansion her husband is helping remodel. It sounds like a great idea until someone is murdered while Carly is there. When her husband is one of the suspects she must unravel the mystery before the wrong person is blamed. Will she figure out the truth before it’s too late?
I have enjoyed this series since I discovered it and this latest mystery was definitely not a disappointment. I was quickly pulled into the mystery and had a good time trying to put the puzzle together. I liked the twists and turns in this mystery and it kept me on my toes. This is a good character driven mystery series and I love the setting of the grilled cheese restaurant. This book is definitely full of mystery, coziness and fun characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next in this series.
I have enjoyed this series since I discovered it and this latest mystery was definitely not a disappointment. I was quickly pulled into the mystery and had a good time trying to put the puzzle together. I liked the twists and turns in this mystery and it kept me on my toes. This is a good character driven mystery series and I love the setting of the grilled cheese restaurant. This book is definitely full of mystery, coziness and fun characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next in this series.
April 22, 2026
Another fun visit to Balsam Dell and Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery along with all her friends and family. Carly’s hubby Ari found out what it was like to be the prime suspect in a murder this time when the contractor he was working with was killed on the job. Carly made a good friend in the older lady who owned the house getting renovated and soon found herself facing off with a killer in that house. I’d sorta suspected that person but wasn’t sure why, so I was on the fence the entire time about it. The showdown could’ve gone seriously sideways but thanks to another new friend, Carly lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
April 4, 2026
I love reading the Grilled Cheese cozy mystery series so I was looking forward to reading the latest novel. It was another solid read, with the usual suspects. The author does a great job sprinkling the novel with red herrings and she keeps you guessing until the end. While the storyline kept my interest, the ending was anti-climatic and a tad disappointing. Despite this, the book was entertaining and I look forward to reading what murder mystery Carly finds herself in next!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
April 22, 2026
Carly is invited by the 92 year old owner of the Peppermint House, an old family mansion for a visit. She’s excited to see the mansion and her husband is about to help on the renovation. Carly agrees to return and make Lavinia Carly’s famous grilled cheese sandwich. Unfortunately, on the day of the second visit the contractor dies as he falls off the roof. Carly’s husband is one of the suspects. This is an interesting mystery as Carly tries to find the real murderer.
April 25, 2026
My Favorite Series of my favorite comfort food
I love this series , I have always loved grill cheese when I am sick or have emotional stress I always turn to my comfort food .
My husband of 54 yrs doesn’t understand my need for one but always makes me one when I need it .
My mom was not a good cook , but she always made me my grill cheese just right growing up .
I love this series , I have always loved grill cheese when I am sick or have emotional stress I always turn to my comfort food .
My husband of 54 yrs doesn’t understand my need for one but always makes me one when I need it .
My mom was not a good cook , but she always made me my grill cheese just right growing up .
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April 30, 2026So I love this series, reading this volume is like visiting old friends at this point. We are at book 7 and we have a cast of characters around Carly. I figured out the mystery but it was really enjoyable seeing how it was investigated. I liked the grilled cheese competition as well. I do still think that the MC acts older than she is but it didn't bug me in this volume.
5/6 stars
5/6 stars
April 22, 2026
This series is one of my all time favourites. A deeply deliciously written mystery with interesting and entertaining characters.
I look forward to devouring further books in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I look forward to devouring further books in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
April 27, 2026
I loved it!!!
May 3, 2026
I love visiting Balsam Dell. Carly and Ari, newly married, have settled into their new home. When the elderly heir of a peppermint candy company asks Carly to come to her historic mansion and make her one of her famous grilled cheese sandwiches, it's an offer Carly can't refuse. Especially since Ari is currently working there, renovating the home. Unfortunately, an accident occurs while she's there and all signs point to Ari as the main suspect. Carly must sift through an interesting bunch of suspects and uncover hidden secrets in order to clear her husband's name. With twists that kept me guessing, intriguing suspects, delicious recipes, and a charming setting, Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place is a fantastic addition to the Grilled Cheese Mystery series!
May 4, 2026
I really enjoy this series, great characters
April 21, 2026
I’ll have to backtrack and catch up on the couple of books I missed in Linda Reilly’s Grilled Cheese Mystery series, but I couldn’t pass up her newest book, Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place, which is number seven. I received it as an ARC from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
Restaurant owner Carly Hale Mitchell is known for her fabulous homestyle grilled cheese sandwiches that are served in her popular café. She has also developed a reputation, for better or for worse of finding herself in the thick of the action whenever there is a murder.
When Lavinia Goodrich, a wealthy senior citizen invites Carly to tea one afternoon, Carly is puzzled but delighted. The elderly lady resides in an old, historic mansion, which Carly has always been curious to see. It turns out Lavinia has a request; she’s heard so much about the restaurant that she wants Carly to make her a grilled cheese sandwich! Her caretaker refuses to serve her anything that might raise her cholesterol! As they are getting to know one another over tea and cookies, they hear a commotion -
The house is about to undergo some repairs and renovations; Carly’s husband Ari has been hired as one of the subcontractors. Apparently, there a disagreement of some sort ensues and eventually, the lead contractor falls from the roof to his death. Ari seems to be an immediate suspect.
Naturally, Carly wants to do all she can to prove her husband’s innocence and to find the true cause of the contractor’s death. Even when the police chief warns her not to get involved, she just can’t help herself, can she? Besides that, she’s drawn to the older woman and is concerned about her well-being.
Aside from the mystery, the book contains the usual congeniality among the restaurant staff, including a grilled cheese sandwich contest, with a recipe included at the end!
As for the mystery, there are multiple suspects, plus a couple other minor mysteries on the side. At about two-thirds of the way through, I was confident that I knew the killer and pretty sure of the motive. There were a few surprises at the end about other characters, however. All in all, this was an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing
Restaurant owner Carly Hale Mitchell is known for her fabulous homestyle grilled cheese sandwiches that are served in her popular café. She has also developed a reputation, for better or for worse of finding herself in the thick of the action whenever there is a murder.
When Lavinia Goodrich, a wealthy senior citizen invites Carly to tea one afternoon, Carly is puzzled but delighted. The elderly lady resides in an old, historic mansion, which Carly has always been curious to see. It turns out Lavinia has a request; she’s heard so much about the restaurant that she wants Carly to make her a grilled cheese sandwich! Her caretaker refuses to serve her anything that might raise her cholesterol! As they are getting to know one another over tea and cookies, they hear a commotion -
The house is about to undergo some repairs and renovations; Carly’s husband Ari has been hired as one of the subcontractors. Apparently, there a disagreement of some sort ensues and eventually, the lead contractor falls from the roof to his death. Ari seems to be an immediate suspect.
Naturally, Carly wants to do all she can to prove her husband’s innocence and to find the true cause of the contractor’s death. Even when the police chief warns her not to get involved, she just can’t help herself, can she? Besides that, she’s drawn to the older woman and is concerned about her well-being.
Aside from the mystery, the book contains the usual congeniality among the restaurant staff, including a grilled cheese sandwich contest, with a recipe included at the end!
As for the mystery, there are multiple suspects, plus a couple other minor mysteries on the side. At about two-thirds of the way through, I was confident that I knew the killer and pretty sure of the motive. There were a few surprises at the end about other characters, however. All in all, this was an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing
May 24, 2026
Another delicious cosy mystery that is fun without being too taxing.
Peppermint House is maybe my new favourite murder location. A rich mansion of a house with hidden doors, secret passages, bricked up rooms? With a history about a candy maker that basically went paranoid crazy at the end of his life? Who ruled (and in some ways ruined) the lives of his children? Yes please. What a great location for a murder.
I just wish we'd spent more time actually around the house, rather than in the three or so rooms we see because all the hints say this is an amazing place.
The characters as ever, make this book and I actually really enjoyed the friction we see between Carly and the Chief, because it makes perfect sense, and as the layers are peeled back on what is really going on, it makes even more sense.
I also really really liked the more unusual little character beats - we have a new dog in the family and it isn't a puppy/related to the case. That's lovely. We love a MMC who uses his words, says he doesn't like what she's doing because he's worried for her, but trusts and respects her enough to not even try and stop her. Actual friendships between people of the opposite sex that isn't romance - although I didn't like how even though the characters say that, Carly still doesn't quite believe it.
A mystery that stretches back decades, this twisted itself on its head about two thirds of the way through and completely flips what had been important. I both loved and didn't love that, I loved the twist, the rearranging of what we knew. I didn't love that it felt like a lot of the investigating up until this point had been a waste of time.
What annoyed me and kept it from getting any higher is the mystery isn't really solved on purpose. It's accidental and could have happened at any time, to any one. Yes, the pieces were there and I think they would have gotten to the correct conclusion given a little more time, but I wanted our heroes to actually work it out. It cheapened it a tiny bit for me, although I had a lot of fun getting there.
The recipes. Oh my word the recipes. No lie, I have taken a screen shot of the Taste of Italia grilled cheese and will one day be trying that because it sounds incredible. I'm pretty sure I put on five pounds just reading this and imagining all the delicious food in it.
Roll on Grilled Cheese number eight!
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Peppermint House is maybe my new favourite murder location. A rich mansion of a house with hidden doors, secret passages, bricked up rooms? With a history about a candy maker that basically went paranoid crazy at the end of his life? Who ruled (and in some ways ruined) the lives of his children? Yes please. What a great location for a murder.
I just wish we'd spent more time actually around the house, rather than in the three or so rooms we see because all the hints say this is an amazing place.
The characters as ever, make this book and I actually really enjoyed the friction we see between Carly and the Chief, because it makes perfect sense, and as the layers are peeled back on what is really going on, it makes even more sense.
I also really really liked the more unusual little character beats - we have a new dog in the family and it isn't a puppy/related to the case. That's lovely. We love a MMC who uses his words, says he doesn't like what she's doing because he's worried for her, but trusts and respects her enough to not even try and stop her. Actual friendships between people of the opposite sex that isn't romance - although I didn't like how even though the characters say that, Carly still doesn't quite believe it.
A mystery that stretches back decades, this twisted itself on its head about two thirds of the way through and completely flips what had been important. I both loved and didn't love that, I loved the twist, the rearranging of what we knew. I didn't love that it felt like a lot of the investigating up until this point had been a waste of time.
What annoyed me and kept it from getting any higher is the mystery isn't really solved on purpose. It's accidental and could have happened at any time, to any one. Yes, the pieces were there and I think they would have gotten to the correct conclusion given a little more time, but I wanted our heroes to actually work it out. It cheapened it a tiny bit for me, although I had a lot of fun getting there.
The recipes. Oh my word the recipes. No lie, I have taken a screen shot of the Taste of Italia grilled cheese and will one day be trying that because it sounds incredible. I'm pretty sure I put on five pounds just reading this and imagining all the delicious food in it.
Roll on Grilled Cheese number eight!
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
May 25, 2026
Grilled Cheese Queen Carly is back - this time called to Peppermint House at the behest of the ageing but sprightly lady of the house Lavinia; who just wants to have a good grilled cheese sandwich made for her. Peppermint House is undergoing some major renovations and Carly's devoted husband Ari is the main electrical contractor. But when the head of the principal construction company is found dead following an argument between the two men, suspicion falls on Ari quickly. Can Carly clear her husband's name?
This was great fun, with lots of delicious food in the mix to boot. I am a newcomer to the Grilled Cheese Mysteries but have to say, I didn't feel like it. I was given enough of a set up and introduction to all of the major players to enjoy this without feeling like I'd missed anything - which is always something I appreciate!
I love the genuine affection that comes across between all of the characters, even Lavinia who is a new addition to the cast is someone you warm to through the chapters. Peppermint House and its backstory are great - I'm disappointed that we didn't actually get to see much of the building but the decades old mystery and family secrets were great. The mystery was well plotted and well thought out, and the conclusion was satisfying after a big reveal which switched the readers understanding of what came before.
There are a couple of reasons for this not being a 4* read. Firstly there were some characters which really needed to be fleshed our more, Marianne and Jolene for instance both ended up really just being there to move the plot along. The murder itself actually ended up being incidental to the book, which feels like a bit of a dis-service to the victim even if he wasn't the most pleasant person. And finally...Carly didn't actually *solve* the case. Not intentionally at least. It all came together in a way which made sense but in terms of actual investigation...it's really not Carly who does the legwork. She kind of just happens to be in the right place at the right time.
None of that really dimmed my enjoyment though, this book was a great companion to my weekend and I cannot wait for the next one.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me the ARC in exchange for an honest review -
This was great fun, with lots of delicious food in the mix to boot. I am a newcomer to the Grilled Cheese Mysteries but have to say, I didn't feel like it. I was given enough of a set up and introduction to all of the major players to enjoy this without feeling like I'd missed anything - which is always something I appreciate!
I love the genuine affection that comes across between all of the characters, even Lavinia who is a new addition to the cast is someone you warm to through the chapters. Peppermint House and its backstory are great - I'm disappointed that we didn't actually get to see much of the building but the decades old mystery and family secrets were great. The mystery was well plotted and well thought out, and the conclusion was satisfying after a big reveal which switched the readers understanding of what came before.
There are a couple of reasons for this not being a 4* read. Firstly there were some characters which really needed to be fleshed our more, Marianne and Jolene for instance both ended up really just being there to move the plot along. The murder itself actually ended up being incidental to the book, which feels like a bit of a dis-service to the victim even if he wasn't the most pleasant person. And finally...Carly didn't actually *solve* the case. Not intentionally at least. It all came together in a way which made sense but in terms of actual investigation...it's really not Carly who does the legwork. She kind of just happens to be in the right place at the right time.
None of that really dimmed my enjoyment though, this book was a great companion to my weekend and I cannot wait for the next one.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me the ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5/5 stars: This is Reilly's seventh entry in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery set in Vermont. Featuring a grilled cheese restaurant owner as she finds herself turning sleuth in order to clear her husband's name after he winds up at the top of the suspect list in a crooked contractor's suspicious death. The victim was overseeing a historic mansion's renovation project in which her electrician husband was in charge of rewiring. Determined to track down the real culprit, she'll begin grilling the suspects. Thinking it must be either someone on the renovation crew or an employee at the mansion, she'll have to widen her focus when she learns the victim had tons of enemies. And after another dead body's discovered, she'll have to work fast before the killer strikes again.
With plenty of twists and turns, Reilly has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Reilly's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• For Animal Lovers: The MC has an adorable little Morkie.
• Features plenty of drool worthy food descriptions and includes several yummy sounding grilled cheese recipes.
Reilly touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Up to No Gouda. Highly Recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Reilly has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Reilly's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• For Animal Lovers: The MC has an adorable little Morkie.
• Features plenty of drool worthy food descriptions and includes several yummy sounding grilled cheese recipes.
Reilly touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Up to No Gouda. Highly Recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 stars
This is the seventh book in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series. This works fine as a standalone but if you enjoy this one, you'll want to go back and read the earlier books.
In this book, grilled cheese restaurant owner Carly Hale Mitchell becomes acquainted with 91-year-old Lavinia Goodrich. Lavinia is having extensive rehab work done on her historic home, Peppermint house. Carly's husband, Ari, is the electrical subcontractor for the project. The general contractor, Tate Watson, is a hard person to work for and when sabotage on the job causes his death, Ari is one of the suspects. Carly refuses to let her husband go down for a crime he didn't commit. Through her sleuthing, she uncovers plenty of other suspects, but finds herself in danger and doesn't know who to trust.
There are three elements to this book - the central mystery, Carly's business, and Carly's personal life. The mystery is interesting and since there were so many suspects with motive and opportunity, I kept changing my mind about who I thought was guilty. Carly is doing so much investigating, we don't get as many scenes with her running the restaurant in this installment. There is a subplot with a grilled cheese recipe for customers that was fun, and recipes for the three winning recipes are included. I miss the time Carly used to spend with her best friend, Gina, but there are some sweet scenes between her and Ari. Carly makes a couple of poor decisions in this one, but Ari is always there to support her. Everything works together for a fun culinary cozy mystery that left me hoping for more books in the series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is the seventh book in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series. This works fine as a standalone but if you enjoy this one, you'll want to go back and read the earlier books.
In this book, grilled cheese restaurant owner Carly Hale Mitchell becomes acquainted with 91-year-old Lavinia Goodrich. Lavinia is having extensive rehab work done on her historic home, Peppermint house. Carly's husband, Ari, is the electrical subcontractor for the project. The general contractor, Tate Watson, is a hard person to work for and when sabotage on the job causes his death, Ari is one of the suspects. Carly refuses to let her husband go down for a crime he didn't commit. Through her sleuthing, she uncovers plenty of other suspects, but finds herself in danger and doesn't know who to trust.
There are three elements to this book - the central mystery, Carly's business, and Carly's personal life. The mystery is interesting and since there were so many suspects with motive and opportunity, I kept changing my mind about who I thought was guilty. Carly is doing so much investigating, we don't get as many scenes with her running the restaurant in this installment. There is a subplot with a grilled cheese recipe for customers that was fun, and recipes for the three winning recipes are included. I miss the time Carly used to spend with her best friend, Gina, but there are some sweet scenes between her and Ari. Carly makes a couple of poor decisions in this one, but Ari is always there to support her. Everything works together for a fun culinary cozy mystery that left me hoping for more books in the series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another delicious installment in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries. These books always make me hungry...
Carly is the proprietress of a grilled cheese diner in Balsam Dell, Vermont. She is excited when she is invited to Peppermint House, a historic mansion where her husband is helping with renovations by re-doing the electrical wiring of the building. Unfortunately, while there the builder has an accident and winds up impaled on an iron fence. What starts out as a probable tragedy of a life cut short turns into a murder plot when his equipment is found sabotaged and Carly's husband is the prime suspect because he argued with the victim.
Carly is tied up in knots because she has put herself in danger before solving murders, but this one is so close to home that she cannot help but get involved. However, given her closeness to the suspect, any of her findings are automatically suspicious as if she is trying to draw attention away from her husband.
I really liked this book in terms of the relationship dynamic between all the characters. I didn't find the new additions, except maybe Lavinia, likeable. I did enjoy the grilled cheese contest and I might even attempt some of the recipes in the back. The usual cozy crew of the stories is what keeps me coming back, although I did think the murder investigation leaping to Ari as a suspect was a little ridiculous. If we thought everyone who ever argued with a murder victim was a suspect, nothing would ever get done because police would be chasing bogus leads...
My thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.
Carly is the proprietress of a grilled cheese diner in Balsam Dell, Vermont. She is excited when she is invited to Peppermint House, a historic mansion where her husband is helping with renovations by re-doing the electrical wiring of the building. Unfortunately, while there the builder has an accident and winds up impaled on an iron fence. What starts out as a probable tragedy of a life cut short turns into a murder plot when his equipment is found sabotaged and Carly's husband is the prime suspect because he argued with the victim.
Carly is tied up in knots because she has put herself in danger before solving murders, but this one is so close to home that she cannot help but get involved. However, given her closeness to the suspect, any of her findings are automatically suspicious as if she is trying to draw attention away from her husband.
I really liked this book in terms of the relationship dynamic between all the characters. I didn't find the new additions, except maybe Lavinia, likeable. I did enjoy the grilled cheese contest and I might even attempt some of the recipes in the back. The usual cozy crew of the stories is what keeps me coming back, although I did think the murder investigation leaping to Ari as a suspect was a little ridiculous. If we thought everyone who ever argued with a murder victim was a suspect, nothing would ever get done because police would be chasing bogus leads...
My thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.
April 29, 2026
BETWEEN A ROQUEFORT AND A HARD PLACE is the seventh book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly. This was another delicious visit to Carly Mitchell’s Grilled Cheese Eatery in Balsam Dell, Vermont, with mouthwatering food, great company, and a devious mystery to solve! The author has created a cast of memorable and lovable characters, starting with the protagonist, Carly. You can always count on a warm, cozy feeling as you read, with their close bonds and caring natures, despite a murder happening. This time it’s Carly’s new husband, Ari, who is suspected of killing an unscrupulous contractor, and despite her husband’s reluctance in getting her involved, she jumps in to clear his name. I enjoyed seeing more of Ari this time around, and while he could be overprotective of Carly, he appreciated her talents in sussing out clues and tracking down killers. Another aspect of this series that I like is that Carly works hand-in-hand with the police, turning over clues instead of trying to do it all on her own.
The mystery is well-plotted, with many suspects to keep the reader guessing. I’ll admit I didn’t have them on my radar at all, but in looking back, realized I’d fallen for all the misdirection. Between the charming interaction of the characters and the investigations going on, the pace was spot on and drew me in as I turned page after page. If you enjoy sweet, character-driven cozy mysteries with a strong plot, you’ll enjoy Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The mystery is well-plotted, with many suspects to keep the reader guessing. I’ll admit I didn’t have them on my radar at all, but in looking back, realized I’d fallen for all the misdirection. Between the charming interaction of the characters and the investigations going on, the pace was spot on and drew me in as I turned page after page. If you enjoy sweet, character-driven cozy mysteries with a strong plot, you’ll enjoy Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 16, 2026
3 1/2 stars. This has all the things you want when reading a book in a cozy mystery series you have read before: returning to familiar characters that are like visiting old friends; things going on that are just normal everyday things or maybe an event in town--here the grill cheese shop is hosting a contest for the best new grilled cheese recipe; and of course a fun mystery with plenty of twists. Ok, I did guess who it was about half way through but there were plenty of misdirection that kept me guessing.
What I also enjoyed in this book was how the police kept on warning Carly that her amateur sleuthing when her husband is the prime suspect could backfire. When she finds a possible clue and passes it to the police, they rightly say that she has ruined the context of the item, chain of custody and the court can easily say she planted the item. Of course, she is going to investigate but I get annoyed when amateur detectives don't find trouble with proper procedure or the police at least some of the time. I also enjoyed that one of her suspects caught on she followed them and not all of the people questioned were happy to answer questions. Too often it is way to easy for the amateur detectives to get everyone to answer their invasive and personal questions and sometime with the implication of being accused to murder with ease, not to say sometimes even happily.
I eagerly await more in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
What I also enjoyed in this book was how the police kept on warning Carly that her amateur sleuthing when her husband is the prime suspect could backfire. When she finds a possible clue and passes it to the police, they rightly say that she has ruined the context of the item, chain of custody and the court can easily say she planted the item. Of course, she is going to investigate but I get annoyed when amateur detectives don't find trouble with proper procedure or the police at least some of the time. I also enjoyed that one of her suspects caught on she followed them and not all of the people questioned were happy to answer questions. Too often it is way to easy for the amateur detectives to get everyone to answer their invasive and personal questions and sometime with the implication of being accused to murder with ease, not to say sometimes even happily.
I eagerly await more in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I give this book 4.5 stars. I like that in this book, Carly and Ari have a lot of together time. At the start of this book, Carly is invited to visit with 91 year old Lavinia Goodrich at her home Peppermint House, a historic Italian style mansion originally built by a peppermint candy developer. Lavinia has heard all about Carly's wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches and asks her if she would be willing to come and make one for her. Since Ari will be starting to work on updating the electrical system in the old mansion as part of a big restoration, Carly is thrilled to return to complete her request. Unfortunately, while she is there fulfilling her promise, there is a tragic accident when the general contractor falls off the roof onto a spiked iron fence. When it turns out that the cord on his nail gun was deliberately damaged, this becomes a murder and Ari becomes a suspect! You know Carly will do whatever to clear her husband. Who wanted the contractor gone, the great grand niece of the mansion owner who had a relationship with him, his angry ex-wife, or maybe the lawn maintenance guy who had words with him. Come along for a wild ride to find a killer as well as a grilled cheese recipe contest at the restaurant, lots to keep you reading and wondering! Thanks to #Netgally, #BeyondthePagePublishers, and the author for an opportunity to read. #BetweenaRoquefortandaHardPlace #AGrilledCheeseMystery #LindaReilly #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Between a Roquefort and A Hard Place by Linda Reilly
Publishing Date: April 21, 2026
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, NetGalley, Beyond the Page and Linda Reilly for this ARC.
This is the 7th book in the Grilled Cheese series. Loved it!!!! Carly's husband., Ari, is helping renovating a house that is owned by 91 year old Lavinia She lives there with her caregiver, Agnes. Agnes believes the house is haunted even before someone dies there while Carly is there! Of course, Carly gets involved with trying to find who the murderer is especially since Ari is a suspect.
I enjoyed that the murder happened in a house known as the Peppermint House. Well, didn't enjoy that someone was murdered but the setting was interesting. I actually pictured a house that I use to drive by in my old town. It also had a tower and I always wanted to see the inside. Anyhow, the mystery was interesting with so many suspects and motives. I really loved meeting Lavinia, she melted my heart. Can we get more of her?! All the charcters are well developed and it's always great to hear what some are doing after meeting them in previous books. I always say that it's like catching up with old friends! Can't wait for the next one in this series especially with that ending!!!
This book also had some mouth watering grilled cheese recipes! Had my mouth watering.
Publishing Date: April 21, 2026
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, NetGalley, Beyond the Page and Linda Reilly for this ARC.
This is the 7th book in the Grilled Cheese series. Loved it!!!! Carly's husband., Ari, is helping renovating a house that is owned by 91 year old Lavinia She lives there with her caregiver, Agnes. Agnes believes the house is haunted even before someone dies there while Carly is there! Of course, Carly gets involved with trying to find who the murderer is especially since Ari is a suspect.
I enjoyed that the murder happened in a house known as the Peppermint House. Well, didn't enjoy that someone was murdered but the setting was interesting. I actually pictured a house that I use to drive by in my old town. It also had a tower and I always wanted to see the inside. Anyhow, the mystery was interesting with so many suspects and motives. I really loved meeting Lavinia, she melted my heart. Can we get more of her?! All the charcters are well developed and it's always great to hear what some are doing after meeting them in previous books. I always say that it's like catching up with old friends! Can't wait for the next one in this series especially with that ending!!!
This book also had some mouth watering grilled cheese recipes! Had my mouth watering.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited when I saw this book was coming out, because I wondered if Carly’s story arc was complete with her marriage to Ari in book 6. I really enjoy the Grilled Cheese Mysteries.
Carly and her coworkers at the restaurant are looking for a few good grilled cheese recipes and hold a competition to gather new ideas. This adds a fun element to the story that is outside the mystery.
Carly is asked to visit Peppermint House and meet Lavinia the elderly lady who lives there. Lavinia enjoys a good grilled cheese sandwich, and Carly gets the chance to cook in the historic home’s kitchen.
Ari, Carly’s husband, is doing the electrical for renovation work that Lavinia has asked be done. This puts both Carly and Ari on-site when the contract falls from the roof to his death. When Ari becomes a suspect, Carly is more than ready to investigate.
Peppermint House holds some secrets and the unraveling of this mystery will test Carly’s limits like never before.
This one took some turns I wasn’t expecting. A reader unfamiliar with the series might be able to pick this one up and enjoy it, but this series is comfort food for the soul and is best savored from first book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to read a pre-publication copy of the book.
Carly and her coworkers at the restaurant are looking for a few good grilled cheese recipes and hold a competition to gather new ideas. This adds a fun element to the story that is outside the mystery.
Carly is asked to visit Peppermint House and meet Lavinia the elderly lady who lives there. Lavinia enjoys a good grilled cheese sandwich, and Carly gets the chance to cook in the historic home’s kitchen.
Ari, Carly’s husband, is doing the electrical for renovation work that Lavinia has asked be done. This puts both Carly and Ari on-site when the contract falls from the roof to his death. When Ari becomes a suspect, Carly is more than ready to investigate.
Peppermint House holds some secrets and the unraveling of this mystery will test Carly’s limits like never before.
This one took some turns I wasn’t expecting. A reader unfamiliar with the series might be able to pick this one up and enjoy it, but this series is comfort food for the soul and is best savored from first book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to read a pre-publication copy of the book.
April 28, 2026
"Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place" is book #7 in the "Grilled Cheese Mystery" by Linda Reilly.
Carly is drawn into another murder mystery when she is invited to a historic mansion to prepare grilled cheese sandwiches for the elderly owner Lavinia Goodrich. Ari Mitchell (Carly's husband) is also working on rewiring the electrical system for the home as part of a major reno. Unfortunately, he is overheard having an argument with the contractor - who later falls from the roof of the home and dies. Carly is determined to clear her husband's name.
This story had a wealth of twists and unexpected turns. Several viable suspects with potential motives for the killing. A couple of subplots that may or may not have been related to the killing kept me turning the pages to see how it would all play out. I did change my mind a couple of times before settling on the culprit but the full truth was still a bit more than I expected.
As always with this series, we are given a bit more insight into the personal lives of the core characters as well as descriptions of some mouth watering grilled cheese delights! (A few recipes are included at the end of the book!)
Overall, this was an excellent read in a delicious cozy mystery series!
Carly is drawn into another murder mystery when she is invited to a historic mansion to prepare grilled cheese sandwiches for the elderly owner Lavinia Goodrich. Ari Mitchell (Carly's husband) is also working on rewiring the electrical system for the home as part of a major reno. Unfortunately, he is overheard having an argument with the contractor - who later falls from the roof of the home and dies. Carly is determined to clear her husband's name.
This story had a wealth of twists and unexpected turns. Several viable suspects with potential motives for the killing. A couple of subplots that may or may not have been related to the killing kept me turning the pages to see how it would all play out. I did change my mind a couple of times before settling on the culprit but the full truth was still a bit more than I expected.
As always with this series, we are given a bit more insight into the personal lives of the core characters as well as descriptions of some mouth watering grilled cheese delights! (A few recipes are included at the end of the book!)
Overall, this was an excellent read in a delicious cozy mystery series!
May 6, 2026
It’s been ten months since Carly and Ari got married, and they are happily settling into married life. At her restaurant, she and her employees are working on a grilled cheese competition. But Carly drops everything when she is invited to Peppermint Mansion, the biggest and most mysterious house in the area, to cook a grilled cheese for the elderly owner. The mansion is undergoing renovations, and Ari is handling the electrical. But while Carly is there, the general contractor dies. The police quickly determine it wasn’t an accident and start looking at Ari as their prime suspect. Can Carly clear her husband?
I was happy to see another entry in this fun series. The mystery gets started quickly and kept me engaged with some good suspects and twists on the way to the logical conclusion. We did get to see the supporting characters again, although they blended a bit into each other. Carly and her husband still shone. We also get three more delicious sounding grilled cheese recipes. Fans of the series will be glad they picked this one up.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I was happy to see another entry in this fun series. The mystery gets started quickly and kept me engaged with some good suspects and twists on the way to the logical conclusion. We did get to see the supporting characters again, although they blended a bit into each other. Carly and her husband still shone. We also get three more delicious sounding grilled cheese recipes. Fans of the series will be glad they picked this one up.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Peppermint House is the most famous local historic home in Balsam Dell, so when Carly gets an invitation to make grilled cheese for the woman who lives there she jumps at the chance. Of course, everywhere Carly goes, death is sure to follow and this time he's pointing the finger directly at Ari.
I've been reading this series since the first book came out and it's always a reliably good read. Carly is a great MC, it's been fun to watch her get her restaurant up and running, meet love love of her life, and get married, and now she's dreaming of the pitter patter of little feet. Of course in between all these wonderful things, she's solving murders.
The characters in this book were all very shady and I had no idea until the very end who had done the dirty deed (actually the ending was a bit confusing so even as I was reading it I wasn't quite sure who was guilty until the very end). All that shadiness combined with a historic home with a stone tower made for a very exciting read. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the next book. I think we're in for a nice surprise!
Thank you to Linda Reilly, Beyond the Page, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
I've been reading this series since the first book came out and it's always a reliably good read. Carly is a great MC, it's been fun to watch her get her restaurant up and running, meet love love of her life, and get married, and now she's dreaming of the pitter patter of little feet. Of course in between all these wonderful things, she's solving murders.
The characters in this book were all very shady and I had no idea until the very end who had done the dirty deed (actually the ending was a bit confusing so even as I was reading it I wasn't quite sure who was guilty until the very end). All that shadiness combined with a historic home with a stone tower made for a very exciting read. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the next book. I think we're in for a nice surprise!
Thank you to Linda Reilly, Beyond the Page, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Engaging mystery lathered in butter with a big helping of melty cheese. I love the grilled cheese mysteries! Carly is back, married now to Ari, and living her best life. She is asked by a rich, local elderly woman Lavinia Goodrich to come to her mansion and make her a special grilled cheese sandwich. The request seemed strange, but Carly has always wanted to see inside the mansion that is called the Peppermint House. Ms. Goodrich has a live in caretaker, a landscaper, and a great niece who assist in taking care of her home and property. Ari has been hired to do electrical work at the mansion, as it is currently under renovation. Somebody died on the property while Carly was making Lavinia's sandwich, now she must work to find out if it was an accident or more, and to keep their good name free of gossip.
I was excited to see the release of this ARC and I can't wait to see what is in store next for Carly and friends in the next adventure! Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for the ARC. I can't wait to try the newest recipes included in the back of the book.
I was excited to see the release of this ARC and I can't wait to see what is in store next for Carly and friends in the next adventure! Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for the ARC. I can't wait to try the newest recipes included in the back of the book.
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