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Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits: The Honeybee Diner Mysteries, Book 1
Not yet published
Expected 13 May 26An addictive, cozy culinary mystery
Welcome to Honeybee’s diner, where the scent of butter and garlic wraps itself around you, thick and comforting. Jessie Haynes’ homestyle cooking feeds the hearts and souls of the good people of Willow Bluff. Until someone puts murder on the menu!
Y’all are invited to dig into a steamin’ plate of meatloaf. The diner’s well-worn red chairs have cradled folks from every corner of Willow Bluff—Jessie’s podcasting bestie, Tee, Old Mr Higgins, two mighty mischievous kittens, Biscuits and Gravy, and every tattling townsperson in between—so when the mayor turns blue after a bite of Jessie’s famous shrimp and grits, she finds herself in seriously hot water…
Suddenly, all eyes are swivelled toward Jessie. For fifty years her family has fed Willow Bluff, and Jessie won’t let one mouthful shatter the legacy of her grandmother’s secret recipes. The mayor’s peanut allergy was the talk of the town, so when traces are found in his food, Jessie must fight to clear her name.
An empty peanut packet in the diner’s pantry has Jessie and Tee hot on the heels of the murderer when another case of food tampering occurs at a nearby bakery. Someone is dishing out delicious death sentences—but how many locals will get served before Jessie can crack the case? Her investigation must be a recipe for success or Honeybee’s will be toast…
This addictive cozy mystery is full of Southern charm, a gripping whodunnit and a feisty amateur sleuth. It’s perfect for fans of Ellery Adams, R. L. Killmore and Joanne Fluke.
Welcome to Honeybee’s diner, where the scent of butter and garlic wraps itself around you, thick and comforting. Jessie Haynes’ homestyle cooking feeds the hearts and souls of the good people of Willow Bluff. Until someone puts murder on the menu!
Y’all are invited to dig into a steamin’ plate of meatloaf. The diner’s well-worn red chairs have cradled folks from every corner of Willow Bluff—Jessie’s podcasting bestie, Tee, Old Mr Higgins, two mighty mischievous kittens, Biscuits and Gravy, and every tattling townsperson in between—so when the mayor turns blue after a bite of Jessie’s famous shrimp and grits, she finds herself in seriously hot water…
Suddenly, all eyes are swivelled toward Jessie. For fifty years her family has fed Willow Bluff, and Jessie won’t let one mouthful shatter the legacy of her grandmother’s secret recipes. The mayor’s peanut allergy was the talk of the town, so when traces are found in his food, Jessie must fight to clear her name.
An empty peanut packet in the diner’s pantry has Jessie and Tee hot on the heels of the murderer when another case of food tampering occurs at a nearby bakery. Someone is dishing out delicious death sentences—but how many locals will get served before Jessie can crack the case? Her investigation must be a recipe for success or Honeybee’s will be toast…
This addictive cozy mystery is full of Southern charm, a gripping whodunnit and a feisty amateur sleuth. It’s perfect for fans of Ellery Adams, R. L. Killmore and Joanne Fluke.
Audible Audio
Expected publication May 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 5, 2026I got a copy of the audiobook from Netgalley and had to stop 10% of the way in at the 7th chapter. It had potential to be a good story. It was just over the top describing of literally everything. Way too much use of literary devices. It seemed as if every other sentence had the word "like" in it. I just couldn't keep listening to it, it highly irritated me and was too slow to build the story due to the previously mentioned issues.
May 8, 2026
I was tempted to DNF this book at multiple points. I was expecting a cozy mystery. Everything was described with flowery and overly colorful descriptions - with a random sentence here and there like ohh no but don’t forget there was a murder. The pacing of the whole book was off, with most of the book dragging on and on and then a super quick wrap up at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I did enjoy this book but felt the story was too long. This is because the characters kept going over the same things or using lots of examples to explain the same thing, it was if the author had a word count that she needed to meet.
Otherwise it was a fun quirky mystery and you could even say it was the bees knees. I liked the characters, especially when they got around to doing the investigating, instead of feeling sorry for themselves. The story is mostly told by Jessie, with the exception of when the rest of the gang got there assignments and they went to interview suspects. This worked well, as I loved following the other characters, especially Tee the podcasting best friend and the quite teenager Matty. I liked the way the different personalities or jobs helped them find clues. Despite there being a murder involved the story is light hearted and even has teasing as a hiding relationship is about to bloom.
As for the investigation, there was plenty of suspects and motives to keep me guessing. I was close but didn't come up with the right suspect. Allergies are a common way to kill people in cozy mysteries (which is a scary thought with so many people living with that problem in the real world) but I think
the way the killer went about it was one of the clever ones. Looking forward to the next book, although maybe not so long, which is a change for me to say as I prefer longer stories.
With Honeybee's dinner celebrating 50 years of business and one that has been passed down through three generations, the last thing present owner Jessie wants is to go out of business. The death of the mayor after taking one bite of her grits could see that happen. The police close down the dinner to investigate how peanuts could get into her food and the rest of the town turns against her. The only way to stay in business is to find out how herself, especially as she knows peanuts have never crossed her threshold. As Jessie, her mum, best friend, employee and new resident, a handsome doctor investigate the more the contamination looks deliberate and the mayor was targeted. Which one of his enemies had a big enough motive to want him dead?
I liked the narrator. She gave each character there own distinctive sounding voice, making them easy to tell apart and turning it into a fun listen.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Otherwise it was a fun quirky mystery and you could even say it was the bees knees. I liked the characters, especially when they got around to doing the investigating, instead of feeling sorry for themselves. The story is mostly told by Jessie, with the exception of when the rest of the gang got there assignments and they went to interview suspects. This worked well, as I loved following the other characters, especially Tee the podcasting best friend and the quite teenager Matty. I liked the way the different personalities or jobs helped them find clues. Despite there being a murder involved the story is light hearted and even has teasing as a hiding relationship is about to bloom.
As for the investigation, there was plenty of suspects and motives to keep me guessing. I was close but didn't come up with the right suspect. Allergies are a common way to kill people in cozy mysteries (which is a scary thought with so many people living with that problem in the real world) but I think
the way the killer went about it was one of the clever ones. Looking forward to the next book, although maybe not so long, which is a change for me to say as I prefer longer stories.
With Honeybee's dinner celebrating 50 years of business and one that has been passed down through three generations, the last thing present owner Jessie wants is to go out of business. The death of the mayor after taking one bite of her grits could see that happen. The police close down the dinner to investigate how peanuts could get into her food and the rest of the town turns against her. The only way to stay in business is to find out how herself, especially as she knows peanuts have never crossed her threshold. As Jessie, her mum, best friend, employee and new resident, a handsome doctor investigate the more the contamination looks deliberate and the mayor was targeted. Which one of his enemies had a big enough motive to want him dead?
I liked the narrator. She gave each character there own distinctive sounding voice, making them easy to tell apart and turning it into a fun listen.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 8, 2026
Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits? More like shrimp and grits with a side of murder.
I’m always thankful for the complimentary ALCs from Bookouture Audio as they make up a big part of my reading life. This one didn’t fully land for me, but it still brought me enjoyment, just not necessarily in the way I expected. I was so excited to jump into a southern cozy mystery because the cover and title completely drew me in while also making me instantly hungry.
On the bright side, we are now having shrimp and grits for dinner tonight because the descriptions and atmosphere in this book were fantastic at painting a picture. The food, the restaurant scenes, and the overall southern small-town vibes were easily the strongest parts of the story. The author clearly has a knack for creating a world that feels lived in, complete with quirky denizens and descriptions so vivid you can practically smell the food while reading.
At the same time though, the flowery language occasionally became distracting for me and pulled focus away from the mystery itself. Speaking of distractions, it almost felt like the author got distracted from the actual central plot: a small-town murder. The mystery often came across as more of an afterthought while the larger focus stayed on the townspeople and cozy atmosphere surrounding them.
Honestly, had this leaned more fully into cozy fiction, women’s fiction, or even an upmarket style that focused more heavily on the emotional aspects and town dynamics, I think I would have enjoyed it considerably more. Those elements felt much stronger and more natural than the mystery side of the story.
As for the narration by Megan Gage, I struggled a bit listening at 1x speed. While her pacing itself was decent, there were little things present that veteran audiobook listeners tend to notice, like lip smacking and muddied word endings. Thankfully, speeding it up improved the experience enough for me to comfortably continue listening, but I still couldn’t push it anywhere near my usual 2x speed because clarity became difficult. This ended up being one where I had to stay around 1.5x and remain pretty dialed in for it to work well for me.
So in the end, I did enjoy a good portion of this read because of the cozy atmosphere it created and the immersive southern setting. I just ultimately found myself disappointed that the mystery elements never quite met the mark for me.
I’m always thankful for the complimentary ALCs from Bookouture Audio as they make up a big part of my reading life. This one didn’t fully land for me, but it still brought me enjoyment, just not necessarily in the way I expected. I was so excited to jump into a southern cozy mystery because the cover and title completely drew me in while also making me instantly hungry.
On the bright side, we are now having shrimp and grits for dinner tonight because the descriptions and atmosphere in this book were fantastic at painting a picture. The food, the restaurant scenes, and the overall southern small-town vibes were easily the strongest parts of the story. The author clearly has a knack for creating a world that feels lived in, complete with quirky denizens and descriptions so vivid you can practically smell the food while reading.
At the same time though, the flowery language occasionally became distracting for me and pulled focus away from the mystery itself. Speaking of distractions, it almost felt like the author got distracted from the actual central plot: a small-town murder. The mystery often came across as more of an afterthought while the larger focus stayed on the townspeople and cozy atmosphere surrounding them.
Honestly, had this leaned more fully into cozy fiction, women’s fiction, or even an upmarket style that focused more heavily on the emotional aspects and town dynamics, I think I would have enjoyed it considerably more. Those elements felt much stronger and more natural than the mystery side of the story.
As for the narration by Megan Gage, I struggled a bit listening at 1x speed. While her pacing itself was decent, there were little things present that veteran audiobook listeners tend to notice, like lip smacking and muddied word endings. Thankfully, speeding it up improved the experience enough for me to comfortably continue listening, but I still couldn’t push it anywhere near my usual 2x speed because clarity became difficult. This ended up being one where I had to stay around 1.5x and remain pretty dialed in for it to work well for me.
So in the end, I did enjoy a good portion of this read because of the cozy atmosphere it created and the immersive southern setting. I just ultimately found myself disappointed that the mystery elements never quite met the mark for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This sweet books opens to a nightmare: while celebrating the 50th anniversary of Honeybee's Hideaway, Jessie's family restaurant, the mayor drops dead at the counter after one bite of her scrumptious shrimp and grits. The community is stunned and, quite frankly, scared. Did Jessie accidentally kill Mayor Dobbs and ruin her family's legacy or is something more sinister afoot? Hoping to clear her name- and regain her customers- Jessie begins to dip her toes in the suspect pool. While what could be the very instrument of death is found in Jessie's pantry, her list of suspects (with motive she doesn't have) continues to grow.
Tee isn't going to let her best friend go down alone. She starts her podcast to clear the air and promote the truth: Jessie is an innocent bystander, a smaller victim of this same crime! And Tee isn't the only one joining in the cause to clear Jessie's name: her closest loved ones- and one very handsome new therapist, Brad Bennet- all take up the mantle.
In the midst of their investigation, a customer at the Pie Palace bakeshop has an allergic reaction that raises new questions and more fears- is any store in town safe? This deliciously cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very last second! I love that the ending makes logical sense and doesn't require suspension of disbelief.
It's books like this that made Hallmark a multi-billion dollar company! I hope they buy the rights from Warren and run a series like the Hannah Swensen Mysteries. As someone who has read all of Joanne Fluke and Ellie Alexander's mysteries, Skylar Warren rises to the top of my favorites list with this clean, faith included, perfect for all ages book! I'll keep my eye out for her second!
Troupes: small town, cozy setting, amateur sleuth, red herring, premature suspect, big reveal
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸implied
Language: 0/5 👀
Big thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!
Tee isn't going to let her best friend go down alone. She starts her podcast to clear the air and promote the truth: Jessie is an innocent bystander, a smaller victim of this same crime! And Tee isn't the only one joining in the cause to clear Jessie's name: her closest loved ones- and one very handsome new therapist, Brad Bennet- all take up the mantle.
In the midst of their investigation, a customer at the Pie Palace bakeshop has an allergic reaction that raises new questions and more fears- is any store in town safe? This deliciously cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very last second! I love that the ending makes logical sense and doesn't require suspension of disbelief.
It's books like this that made Hallmark a multi-billion dollar company! I hope they buy the rights from Warren and run a series like the Hannah Swensen Mysteries. As someone who has read all of Joanne Fluke and Ellie Alexander's mysteries, Skylar Warren rises to the top of my favorites list with this clean, faith included, perfect for all ages book! I'll keep my eye out for her second!
Troupes: small town, cozy setting, amateur sleuth, red herring, premature suspect, big reveal
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸implied
Language: 0/5 👀
Big thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 13, 2026
enjoyed this cozy mystery it’s the kind of book that pulls you in right away with its small town charm and keeps you hooked with a fun fast paced whodunnit.The story centers around Jessie Haynes, who runs Honeybee’s Diner in the tight knit town of Willow Bluff. Her cooking is basically the heart of the community, so when the mayor suddenly dies after eating her shrimp and grits, everything turns upside down. It quickly becomes clear that this wasn’t an accident there were peanuts in the dish, despite everyone knowing about the mayor’s allergy. With suspicion falling on her and her family’s reputation on the line, Jessie teams up with her best friend Tee to find the real killer.What I liked most was the setting and the characters. The diner feels so warm inviting and the town is full of quirky, memorable people (and the kittens, Biscuits and Gravy, were honestly adorable). Jessie is a great main character determined, loyal, and easy to root for, especially since she’s trying to protect not just herself, but her family’s legacy.The mystery itself was really engaging. Just when it feels like Jessie is getting close to the truth, more food tampering incidents pop up, raising the stakes and making things more intense. I liked how it kept me guessing without getting too complicated, which is exactly what I want from a cozy mystery.Overall, this was such a fun and satisfying read. It’s got a great mix of humor, suspense, and heart, with just enough danger to keep things interesting without losing that comforting, small town feel. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong female leads, food centered settings, and a touch of Southern charm, this is definitely one to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a charming introduction to a small Southern town, Willow Bluff, and all its idiosyncrasies. Our action mainly flows around a beloved diner, Honeybee's Hideaway. Jessie has recently taken over the diner from her Mom because of her health issues, since she learned the family business from her grandmother Hattie "Honeybee" Hayes as a child at her knees she came home from Atlanta to take over. On this particular Sunday morning, the Hayes family is celebrating the diner's 50th anniversary when disaster strikes, Mayor Richard Dobbins has joined the celebration and ordered his favorite Shrimp and Grits, but one bite in he is clutching his throat and fighting for air, everyone know the mayor has a severe allergy to peanuts, but unfortunately his epi-pen is nowhere to be found and there are no peanuts in the Shrimp and Grits. Come to find out someone had added peanut dust to the mayor's meal. Who wanted the mayor dead? Why was someone putting the blame on Jesse and Honeybees? Was it the head of the Chamber of Commerce? The local fire chief whose budget was slashed? Or someone more personal? Join Jesse as she tries to save her family's business reputation with the help of family, friends, employees, and a new doctor in town, Bradley Bennett. Come along for a good mystery, interesting characters, and southern food that will make your mouth water! Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for an opportunity to read. #MurderwithaSideofShrimpandGrits #HoneybeesDinerMysteries #SkylarWarren #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder with a side of shrimp and grits is everything that it promises and more! This is a sweet and cozy and delicious diner/small town mystery. The cast of characters is great, led by diner owner Jessie, who has some big shoes to fill when she takes over the diner that her family has been running for 50 years. When someone dies at Honeybees Jessie, along with het friends and family know they need to help figure out how this happened. What follows is a delicious journey through the town of Willow Bluff where we meet many of the towns people and come up with a list of suspects. The investigation is fun and there are plenty of lighthearted moments to keep it easy. Most of the story is told from Jessie’s POV but near the end you follow a few of the main characters as they investigate. There is a hint of romance and lots of small town found family vibes. Did I mention the food? I was hungry the whole book! This should probably come with a cookbook or at least a side of comfort food and pie! The narration for this was good, although I would have loved a few more voices because at times I lost track of which POV I was on. Overall this was a great cozy murder mystery that delivers on everything it offers. Thank you for
the ALC Bookouture Audio and thank you NetGalley for providing this space. This is my honest, voluntary review.
the ALC Bookouture Audio and thank you NetGalley for providing this space. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder With a Side of Shrimp and Grits
by Skylar Warren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Skylar Warren for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is full of familial nostalgia, small-town gossip, and big-city dreams. Jessie, our FMC, returns to Willow Bluff after chasing a dream that doesn’t quite pan out, finding herself back where she may have belonged all along ... working in her family’s restaurant.
When the mayor suddenly drops dead at the restaurant, Jessie is determined to uncover the truth and protect her family’s reputation. She’s supported by a lively cast of friends and family, both new and familiar, including a potential love interest that adds a nice layer to the story.
As Jessie teams up with her best friend T (audiobook life, hoping I got that spelling right!) and others in her circle, they begin questioning suspects, slowly narrowing things down in classic cozy mystery fashion.
This was a fun, engaging listen and a solid addition to the cozy mystery genre. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this series goes next.
My only drawback was the narration. While the narrator has a strong voice, it didn’t quite feel like an authentic fit for this particular story, and at times it pulled me out of the experience.
by Skylar Warren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Skylar Warren for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is full of familial nostalgia, small-town gossip, and big-city dreams. Jessie, our FMC, returns to Willow Bluff after chasing a dream that doesn’t quite pan out, finding herself back where she may have belonged all along ... working in her family’s restaurant.
When the mayor suddenly drops dead at the restaurant, Jessie is determined to uncover the truth and protect her family’s reputation. She’s supported by a lively cast of friends and family, both new and familiar, including a potential love interest that adds a nice layer to the story.
As Jessie teams up with her best friend T (audiobook life, hoping I got that spelling right!) and others in her circle, they begin questioning suspects, slowly narrowing things down in classic cozy mystery fashion.
This was a fun, engaging listen and a solid addition to the cozy mystery genre. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this series goes next.
My only drawback was the narration. While the narrator has a strong voice, it didn’t quite feel like an authentic fit for this particular story, and at times it pulled me out of the experience.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've rounded this one up from 3 and a half stars. The main reason for this is that the book is very much a story of two halves. The first half drags. Nothing happens, or at least things do happen, but it gets buried in all of the filler. I was seriously considering giving up, but once I hit the 50% mark, the story picked up hugely, and things moved along at a much faster pace.
I think part of the slowness is down to the continual food references and descriptions. I think the only books I have read that come close to the amount of food talk would be the Famous Five with their lashings of ginger beer and picnics galore, partly excused by them being written at a time of rationing. Of course, not being familiar with the foods doesn't help. Grits? I'm not sure anything could sound less appetising, based on the name at least.
Once the sleuthing was properly underway, I enjoyed this cosy mystery. The reveal made sense, and I enjoyed that part of it. I think if I were to read another in the series, I'd need a little less padding and a bit faster pace.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
I think part of the slowness is down to the continual food references and descriptions. I think the only books I have read that come close to the amount of food talk would be the Famous Five with their lashings of ginger beer and picnics galore, partly excused by them being written at a time of rationing. Of course, not being familiar with the foods doesn't help. Grits? I'm not sure anything could sound less appetising, based on the name at least.
Once the sleuthing was properly underway, I enjoyed this cosy mystery. The reveal made sense, and I enjoyed that part of it. I think if I were to read another in the series, I'd need a little less padding and a bit faster pace.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. A fun start to a cozy mystery series.
Jessie Haynes loves serving up soul food for the people of Willow Bluff. But then the mayor turns blue after eating her famous shrimp and grits. Suddenly, everyone is whispering about her poisoning him and her restaurant is in trouble. Can she and her friends help solve the mystery before it's too late?
First off, I love a good cozy mystery centering around food. This book definitely fulfills that desire and makes me crave some homestyle southern cooking! I think the legacy of Honeybee's and all it stands for is exactly what I want to see in a small town story. The cast of characters is interesting and keep you laughing throughout the book.
I think the mystery itself was a bit more forgettable. It was fine, but I don't think it's going to be something that will stick out in my memory when I look back on this book.
Overall, I do think this is a good addition to the cozy mystery space and I definitely recommend giving it a read. It's the perfect beach/vacation read. You will have lots of good feelings and a desire to seek out good food by the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Jessie Haynes loves serving up soul food for the people of Willow Bluff. But then the mayor turns blue after eating her famous shrimp and grits. Suddenly, everyone is whispering about her poisoning him and her restaurant is in trouble. Can she and her friends help solve the mystery before it's too late?
First off, I love a good cozy mystery centering around food. This book definitely fulfills that desire and makes me crave some homestyle southern cooking! I think the legacy of Honeybee's and all it stands for is exactly what I want to see in a small town story. The cast of characters is interesting and keep you laughing throughout the book.
I think the mystery itself was a bit more forgettable. It was fine, but I don't think it's going to be something that will stick out in my memory when I look back on this book.
Overall, I do think this is a good addition to the cozy mystery space and I definitely recommend giving it a read. It's the perfect beach/vacation read. You will have lots of good feelings and a desire to seek out good food by the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*** ARC Review ***
This book feels like a cozy mystery and a light thriller had a really comforting, slightly dramatic baby — and it works surprisingly well.
Set in a small-town café that’s been in the family for generations, the story leans heavily into found family, community, and the idea of food as a love language. There’s a strong “women supporting women” vibe throughout, which I really enjoyed, and the characters feel warm, quirky, and easy to root for.
The mystery itself keeps things interesting, with enough suspects and small twists to keep you guessing, while never losing that cozy, low-stakes feeling. There’s also a hint of romance in the background, but it stays very subtle and doesn’t take over the story.
At times, the pacing felt a little slow for my taste, but that’s also part of the charm of cozy reads — it gives you time to settle into the setting and the relationships.
Overall, a warm, engaging, and easy-to-read mystery with heart, food, and a strong sense of community. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something comforting with a touch of intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book feels like a cozy mystery and a light thriller had a really comforting, slightly dramatic baby — and it works surprisingly well.
Set in a small-town café that’s been in the family for generations, the story leans heavily into found family, community, and the idea of food as a love language. There’s a strong “women supporting women” vibe throughout, which I really enjoyed, and the characters feel warm, quirky, and easy to root for.
The mystery itself keeps things interesting, with enough suspects and small twists to keep you guessing, while never losing that cozy, low-stakes feeling. There’s also a hint of romance in the background, but it stays very subtle and doesn’t take over the story.
At times, the pacing felt a little slow for my taste, but that’s also part of the charm of cozy reads — it gives you time to settle into the setting and the relationships.
Overall, a warm, engaging, and easy-to-read mystery with heart, food, and a strong sense of community. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something comforting with a touch of intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
** Thank you to netgalley for giving this ARC to me! All opinions are strictly my own and has nothing to do with the author, what I feel about this book might be completely different from how you feel! It’s all about perspective and personal preference 💖
Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish this and DNF’d @ 24% in. I had this feeling about 7ish chapters in, but I wanted to keep trying. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to keep going and maybe I’d be able to finish it. But I just couldn’t connect to this book in the way I hoped I would.
I just felt as though it was moving too slow for me and I couldn’t really connect to the characters?
This has absolutely nothing to do with anyone but myself, I saw that it was a small town cozy murder mystery and I was sooo excited, I loved the description, the cover, all of it. It sounded like a really exciting read for me. But it was unfortunately not :(
But please anyone don’t let this stop you from trying this book! It seems like an amazing book it just personally wasn’t for me.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish this and DNF’d @ 24% in. I had this feeling about 7ish chapters in, but I wanted to keep trying. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to keep going and maybe I’d be able to finish it. But I just couldn’t connect to this book in the way I hoped I would.
I just felt as though it was moving too slow for me and I couldn’t really connect to the characters?
This has absolutely nothing to do with anyone but myself, I saw that it was a small town cozy murder mystery and I was sooo excited, I loved the description, the cover, all of it. It sounded like a really exciting read for me. But it was unfortunately not :(
But please anyone don’t let this stop you from trying this book! It seems like an amazing book it just personally wasn’t for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun read. The story revolves around the Honeybee Diner in Willow Bluff, a small southern town. The diner owner, Jessie is the latest in a long line of Haynes women who have been making homecooked deliciousness for the town folk.
The larger than life mayor comes in for his usual shrimp and grits and dies right there in the diner. All the towns folk who have sung Jessie's praises have now turned against her. This is the most gossipy town ever. They have the literal wagging fingers and hushed whispers.
Jessie's best friend, Tee is trying her hand at podcasting, and this proving Jessie's innocence is her first big gig. The characters are great. There are several from all walks of life who come together to solve the crime. I enjoy how the sheriff is a smart, knowledgeable woman. She knows Jessie is innocent, but also knows she has to run her investigation correctly and fairly.
I was actually not expecting the killer at first. It was a good twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book.
The larger than life mayor comes in for his usual shrimp and grits and dies right there in the diner. All the towns folk who have sung Jessie's praises have now turned against her. This is the most gossipy town ever. They have the literal wagging fingers and hushed whispers.
Jessie's best friend, Tee is trying her hand at podcasting, and this proving Jessie's innocence is her first big gig. The characters are great. There are several from all walks of life who come together to solve the crime. I enjoy how the sheriff is a smart, knowledgeable woman. She knows Jessie is innocent, but also knows she has to run her investigation correctly and fairly.
I was actually not expecting the killer at first. It was a good twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I saw this book via an instagram post & my lil southern woman self squealed in happiness as I clicked preorder…then the algo kicked in by showing it to me on netgalley.
This book has everything - the premise, the TITLE, & the cover. Swoon. And after zipping through it in 24 hours, I can confirm it lived up to my every expectation of a great small town cozy mystery.
Should we laugh when the Mayor dies after eating the diner’s oh-so-famous shrimp and grits? I sure did!
I adored the friendship between Jessie & Tea, but then the author slaps me around with cats named…ready?
BISCUITS AND GRAVY. Way too adorable.
The book kicked off for me immediately but locked me in around 40%. It’s full of all the fun twists & turns we want in a cozy.
And the final killer? Zero clue. It matched & I gasped ooh which is always a great sign.
This was a truly enjoyable read & I’m thrilled to have a copy on its way on release day. Thank you so much to Skylar Warren, Bookouture, & NetGalley for this fun read! All opinions are obviously mine cause no one else could ever be this unhinged. :)
This book has everything - the premise, the TITLE, & the cover. Swoon. And after zipping through it in 24 hours, I can confirm it lived up to my every expectation of a great small town cozy mystery.
Should we laugh when the Mayor dies after eating the diner’s oh-so-famous shrimp and grits? I sure did!
I adored the friendship between Jessie & Tea, but then the author slaps me around with cats named…ready?
BISCUITS AND GRAVY. Way too adorable.
The book kicked off for me immediately but locked me in around 40%. It’s full of all the fun twists & turns we want in a cozy.
And the final killer? Zero clue. It matched & I gasped ooh which is always a great sign.
This was a truly enjoyable read & I’m thrilled to have a copy on its way on release day. Thank you so much to Skylar Warren, Bookouture, & NetGalley for this fun read! All opinions are obviously mine cause no one else could ever be this unhinged. :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m always leery of anything that is labeled as “unputdownable” as that is rarely the case. Poor marketing aside, this was a good start to a new series. It created an interesting small town with the usual cast of characters that come with it, a cute setting of a diner, and just enough clues to keep you interested. But why was it so long?!!! How else could you fit in every possible cozy mystery trope – MC who returns to town after a long absence to take over the struggling family business and who is wrongfully accused, tons of busybodies who cause more harm than good, greedy people who want the land the diner is on, a podcast, and a little romance. The pacing was off as it dragged in the middle, and, despite its length, it doesn’t introduce anything that hasn’t been covered by other books in the genre; there is nothing new here. I may try the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the review copies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the review copies.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Available May 13, 2026.
Sadly, this book was a DNF for me, but I did give it the college try and made it through 27%.
While I do appreciate a cozy mystery, I don't appreciate repetitive storylines as if the reader forgets what happened in a prior chapter. I don't need every sentence to describe something with figurative and flowery language. Small town feel with everyone gossiping isn't cozy to me. Personally, I would have loved more time at the front end to learn more about Jessie and the history of Honeybee's instead of jumping right in to the mayor's murder (not a spoiler). The relationship between Jessie and the customers was mentioned, but not for me to be invested.
Writing a book is difficult and I do appreciate where I think the story is going, but it just wasn't a book for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Sadly, this book was a DNF for me, but I did give it the college try and made it through 27%.
While I do appreciate a cozy mystery, I don't appreciate repetitive storylines as if the reader forgets what happened in a prior chapter. I don't need every sentence to describe something with figurative and flowery language. Small town feel with everyone gossiping isn't cozy to me. Personally, I would have loved more time at the front end to learn more about Jessie and the history of Honeybee's instead of jumping right in to the mayor's murder (not a spoiler). The relationship between Jessie and the customers was mentioned, but not for me to be invested.
Writing a book is difficult and I do appreciate where I think the story is going, but it just wasn't a book for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 8, 2026
I absolutely loved Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits by Skylar Warren. This is one of those cozy mysteries that truly stands out.
What impressed me most was how well the book balanced strong character, setting, and plot development, which are areas that can sometimes feel a bit thin in the genre. The characters felt fully realized, the setting was vivid and immersive, and the mystery itself was thoughtfully built and satisfying to follow.
At the same time, it didn’t lose any of the charm that makes cozy mysteries so enjoyable. It still had that warm, engaging feel that makes you want to settle in and keep reading.
I also listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story and characters to life.
A perfect blend of depth and comfort, which is exactly what I hope for in a cozy mystery.
What impressed me most was how well the book balanced strong character, setting, and plot development, which are areas that can sometimes feel a bit thin in the genre. The characters felt fully realized, the setting was vivid and immersive, and the mystery itself was thoughtfully built and satisfying to follow.
At the same time, it didn’t lose any of the charm that makes cozy mysteries so enjoyable. It still had that warm, engaging feel that makes you want to settle in and keep reading.
I also listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story and characters to life.
A perfect blend of depth and comfort, which is exactly what I hope for in a cozy mystery.
May 10, 2026
ARC Netgalley review:
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing in this book especially the food, stores and overall atmosphere. It genuinely made me feel like I was there walking the streets alongside the characters. The characters all had distinct personalities and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the story.
The podcast element was such a fun addition. I also think this worked especially well in audiobook format and helped keep the listening experience engaging. The narrator did an amazing job and really brought the story and characters to life. The narration felt natural, immersive and full of personality.
I really liked the family legacy aspect of the story and understood why it was such a major focal point, though I did feel the wording around it became a little repetitive at times since it was mentioned so frequently.
Overall this was an enjoyable audiobook and honestly it made me want to try grits 😁
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing in this book especially the food, stores and overall atmosphere. It genuinely made me feel like I was there walking the streets alongside the characters. The characters all had distinct personalities and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the story.
The podcast element was such a fun addition. I also think this worked especially well in audiobook format and helped keep the listening experience engaging. The narrator did an amazing job and really brought the story and characters to life. The narration felt natural, immersive and full of personality.
I really liked the family legacy aspect of the story and understood why it was such a major focal point, though I did feel the wording around it became a little repetitive at times since it was mentioned so frequently.
Overall this was an enjoyable audiobook and honestly it made me want to try grits 😁
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1/5 stars: This is Warren's first entry in the Honeybee Diner Mysteries series, which is a BIPOC Culinary Cozy Mystery set in Georgia. Featuring a third generation diner owner as she finds herself turning sleuth after the town mayor dies after a taking bite of her famous shrimp and grits. With her family's fifty year old business under threat she'll need to rally all her friends and family to help her uncover who's using people's allergies to kill them fast before they can take her and her diner out for good.
Unfortunately, this just didn't click for me; leading me to DNF it at 23%.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Unfortunately, this just didn't click for me; leading me to DNF it at 23%.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was perfect for me. Murder With A Side Of Shrimp and Grits is exactly that, the mayor turns up at the mayor turns up at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Honeybee Diner and barely has had one mouthful of the above order when he’s dead. Small southern town suspicion looms large over Jessie as the proprietor of the diner especially when the mayors death is declared to be a murder. With her loyal friends and family on board she’s on a quest to prove her innocence and save her families legacy.
Sweet, cozy and packed with southern charm I was all in. I just wish I’d had a booth and a menu!
Great fun excellent writing and narration.
Huge thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
Sweet, cozy and packed with southern charm I was all in. I just wish I’d had a booth and a menu!
Great fun excellent writing and narration.
Huge thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
May 7, 2026
3.5 stars
A fun mystery of "who did it". Jessie and her team were surprising in how well they investigated what happened to the mayor. The band of amatuer sleuths were entertaining - all so determined to find the right answers and clear the diner's reputation while remembering how much the community cares for one another.
Asides from the tragic end to the mayor - the book was very sweet and wholesome. From the way Jessie's friends and family rounded up to support her, to her cute kittens, to the love of her grandmother and the legacy she created.
The ending was a little surprising and went by kind of quickly. I would've liked a longer reveal since there was a lengthy lead up.
Thank you Bookouture Audio for the ARC!
A fun mystery of "who did it". Jessie and her team were surprising in how well they investigated what happened to the mayor. The band of amatuer sleuths were entertaining - all so determined to find the right answers and clear the diner's reputation while remembering how much the community cares for one another.
Asides from the tragic end to the mayor - the book was very sweet and wholesome. From the way Jessie's friends and family rounded up to support her, to her cute kittens, to the love of her grandmother and the legacy she created.
The ending was a little surprising and went by kind of quickly. I would've liked a longer reveal since there was a lengthy lead up.
Thank you Bookouture Audio for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
*** Thank you to the author for a copy of this ARC. All opinions in this review are mine and are freely given.
This was dedicated to God. Why, may I ask? No idea.
The beginning was super interesting & I love a little cozy mystery book!!!
The pacing dragged from 25 to 50% in the book.
“Honeybee’s is more than a plate of shrimp and grits. It’s more than one meal, one moment, one tragedy. It’s history. It’s family. It’s community.” Her voice softened slightly but lost none of its strength. “And so are you.”
And once it got over 50% into the book, it picked back up and there were some crazy twists in the end.
This was dedicated to God. Why, may I ask? No idea.
The beginning was super interesting & I love a little cozy mystery book!!!
The pacing dragged from 25 to 50% in the book.
“Honeybee’s is more than a plate of shrimp and grits. It’s more than one meal, one moment, one tragedy. It’s history. It’s family. It’s community.” Her voice softened slightly but lost none of its strength. “And so are you.”
And once it got over 50% into the book, it picked back up and there were some crazy twists in the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
I was really looking forward to this one, the premise and the cover of the book were incredible but I unfortunately didn't vibe super well with it.
The mystery was interesting, but the story itself was a bit slow and the writing was a little choppy at times. I did really enjoy all of the southern charm throughout the book, someone who has recently moved from the south, it felt like coming home and it definitely put a smile to my face.
Overall I think a lot of people ar really going to enjoy this, but it sadly just wasn't for me. I do want to also mention I was little put off from the dedication being "to god". Nothing wrong with that, but it definitely turned me off a bit right from the start.
I was really looking forward to this one, the premise and the cover of the book were incredible but I unfortunately didn't vibe super well with it.
The mystery was interesting, but the story itself was a bit slow and the writing was a little choppy at times. I did really enjoy all of the southern charm throughout the book, someone who has recently moved from the south, it felt like coming home and it definitely put a smile to my face.
Overall I think a lot of people ar really going to enjoy this, but it sadly just wasn't for me. I do want to also mention I was little put off from the dedication being "to god". Nothing wrong with that, but it definitely turned me off a bit right from the start.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a great first in a new series that I had the pleasure of reading.
Honeybee's diner is a local institution in Willow Bluff, family owned for decades, and now it's Jessie's turn at the helm.
Her cooking is amazing and she's thrilled to be continuing the family legacy, until the mayor suffers a horrible reaction to Jessie's famous shrimp and grits.
All eyes turn to Jessie, and now everything she's loved and worked for is at risk.
Jessie's refuses to be blamed for something she did not do, and she works fervently to prove her innocence.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Honeybee's diner is a local institution in Willow Bluff, family owned for decades, and now it's Jessie's turn at the helm.
Her cooking is amazing and she's thrilled to be continuing the family legacy, until the mayor suffers a horrible reaction to Jessie's famous shrimp and grits.
All eyes turn to Jessie, and now everything she's loved and worked for is at risk.
Jessie's refuses to be blamed for something she did not do, and she works fervently to prove her innocence.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Got the audiobook arc from netgally.
I love a good cozy mystery and this peaked my interest. After the mayor dying at their diner, Jessie need to find out who murderd him and why as all the eyes are on her and her diner. She has help by close friends as well as a new resident of Willow Bluff. Fun and mysterious plot with a hint of romance and a very annoying side character that love to add her unwanted opinion and stir up suspicion. Already looking forward to this having more books in the series
I love a good cozy mystery and this peaked my interest. After the mayor dying at their diner, Jessie need to find out who murderd him and why as all the eyes are on her and her diner. She has help by close friends as well as a new resident of Willow Bluff. Fun and mysterious plot with a hint of romance and a very annoying side character that love to add her unwanted opinion and stir up suspicion. Already looking forward to this having more books in the series
May 4, 2026
ALC from NetGalley - 4.5 stars rounded up - I really enjoyed this book. I listened on 2.5 speed but I thought it was easy to follow and well paced. The characters were likable and I enjoyed the back and forth trying to figure out who did it. I loved the home-town feel and think this is a great addition to cozy mystery books.
I know some reviews say that it’s too slow of a beginning but I thought it really built the scene and I enjoyed the twists and turns at the end. If you’re looking for an easy to read mystery try this one.
I know some reviews say that it’s too slow of a beginning but I thought it really built the scene and I enjoyed the twists and turns at the end. If you’re looking for an easy to read mystery try this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Never underestimate a woman with determination amidst the threat of losing all that three generations of her family had built. When an allergic reaction leading to death happened at Honeybee’s Hideaway a restaurant that had been in Jessie’s family for fifty years, Jessie wasn’t going down without a fight.
This story was a rollercoaster ride in the best way. A whodunnit that will keep you guessing to the very end.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This story was a rollercoaster ride in the best way. A whodunnit that will keep you guessing to the very end.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I highly enjoyed #murderwithasideofshrimpandgrits
Thank you #NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
The storyline was well thought out with a whodunit mystery. When the mayor has an allergic reaction and dies it seems the whole town had reasons to not want him around any longer.
The main characters try to clear Jessie’s name and save Honeybees Diner. Mystery mixed with a little romance blossoming in the story.
I highly recommend this cute novel.
Thank you #NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
The storyline was well thought out with a whodunit mystery. When the mayor has an allergic reaction and dies it seems the whole town had reasons to not want him around any longer.
The main characters try to clear Jessie’s name and save Honeybees Diner. Mystery mixed with a little romance blossoming in the story.
I highly recommend this cute novel.
April 4, 2026
A cozy mystery that was honestly a bit of a slow burn for me. The small-town diner vibes were cute and I liked Jessie, but the pacing did drag in some parts.
That said… the plot twist?? I did NOT expect it at all, which made the whole buildup feel worth it in the end.
Overall, a warm, easy read with a surprising twist, just wish it moved a little faster.
That said… the plot twist?? I did NOT expect it at all, which made the whole buildup feel worth it in the end.
Overall, a warm, easy read with a surprising twist, just wish it moved a little faster.
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