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Dewberry Farm #1
Killer Jam
When Houston reporter Lucy Resnick cashes in her retirement to buy her grandmother’s farm in Buttercup, Texas, she’s looking forward to a simple life as a homesteader. But Lucy has barely finished putting up her first batch of Killer Dewberry Jam when an oil exploration truck rolls up to the farm and announces plans to replace her broccoli patch with an oil derrick. Two days later, Nettie Kocurek, the woman who ordered the drilling, turns up dead at the Founders’ Day Festival with a bratwurst skewer through her heart and one of Lucy’s jam jars beside her…and the sheriff fingers Lucy as the prime suspect. Horrified, Lucy begins to talk to Nettie’s neighbors, but the more she gets to know the townspeople, the more she realizes she’s not the only one who had a beef with Nettie. Can she clear her name, or will her dream life turn into a nightmare?
253 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2015
1333 people are currently reading
2721 people want to read
About the author
Karen MacInerney
52 books1,143 followersI'm the author of the Agatha-nominated Gray Whale Inn mystery series, Tales of an Urban Werewolf. the Margie Peterson mysteries and the Dewberry Farm mysteries (plus a new fantasy in the works). My reading is like my writing: eclectic!
I grew up in the Northeast, but I currently live in Austin with my husband, two kids, and a houserabbit named Bunny. Feel free to visit me online at www.karenmacinerney.com; I love connecting with readers.
I grew up in the Northeast, but I currently live in Austin with my husband, two kids, and a houserabbit named Bunny. Feel free to visit me online at www.karenmacinerney.com; I love connecting with readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
January 26, 2019
This is definitely one of the better cosies I've read in a while. Lucy has been a reporter in Houston for quite a while, and decides to cash in her retirement to buy back the farm her grandparents used to own in rural Buttercup. So, with her sidekicks Chuck the poodle and Blossom the cow she takes up farming, with little knowledge of what she's in for. Then one day an oil drilling truck turns up at her property, as she was unaware the previous owner who sold her the farm had kept the mineral rights. When that previous owner turns up dead a few days later all the evidence points to Lucy. Can Lucy and her friends clear her name before she's arrested and thrown in jail?
I did have fun reading this book, the quirky townspeople, a Houdini cow, and some delicious sounding recipes in the back (I'm definitely going to try the strawberry custard pie!) This is a quick, easy to read cosy, perfect for a wet afternoon, while you're eating strawberry custard pie...
I did have fun reading this book, the quirky townspeople, a Houdini cow, and some delicious sounding recipes in the back (I'm definitely going to try the strawberry custard pie!) This is a quick, easy to read cosy, perfect for a wet afternoon, while you're eating strawberry custard pie...
December 21, 2019
What I know for sure is that this reading experience will not deter or prevent me from reading the sequels.
The author did her homework. She researched a lot. That helped her made up world look complex. But there was no real meat to the mystery.
This book was the dullest in parts, but even the best bits are middling and underwhelming. I have begun previous cozies with 1 or 2 stars before. Here too, I think I'll read on. That's my resolution.
The author did her homework. She researched a lot. That helped her made up world look complex. But there was no real meat to the mystery.
This book was the dullest in parts, but even the best bits are middling and underwhelming. I have begun previous cozies with 1 or 2 stars before. Here too, I think I'll read on. That's my resolution.
January 31, 2023
A quick and fun cozy mystery with a very likable main character. The story is set in a small Texas town. It was easy to follow and had a small cast of characters including Blossom the cow and Chuck the poodle. I will be continuing to read this series.
June 17, 2017
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I enjoyed this book. I was in the mood for a cozy mystery and really wasn't sure which one I wanted to read when I spotted this book in Amazon's Prime Reading. I actually had no idea that there were audiobooks included in the program but that is a whole other story. I decided to borrow this book and take a chance on it since it was the first in a series. It turned out to be a whole lot of fun in the end.
Lucy has just bought her grandmother's old farm in Buttercup, Texas. She really wants to make a go of it and is busy making jams and trying to contain her wandering cow. She runs into problems right away when a truck shows up on her property to look for oil. She learns that when she bought her farm the previous owner, Nettie, retained the mineral rights and there isn't much that she can do to stop her from looking for oil.
I guess pretty early on that Nettie was probably not going to be around for very long. I couldn't stand her character and kind of wanted her to come to a quick end myself. The sheriff is convinced right away that Lucy must be responsible and really doesn't work to hard to actually look for any evidence so it is up to Lucy to prove that she is innocent.
The mystery kept me guessing and I was really never quite sure who the villain would be in this story. There was actually a lot to this story in addition to the mystery. Lucy's best friend is dealing with a difficult situation and Lucy does her best to help. There is even a bit of romance with the local vet who seems to be a pro at catching wandering cows. I loved that there was a touch of humor spread throughout the book.
I enjoyed the narration in the end. This is the first time that I have listened to Teri Clark Linden and it did take me a little bit to get used to her style of narration but that is actually pretty normal for me. Once I really got into the story, I really enjoyed the narration. I think she did a great job with all of the different voices in the story and her pacing was perfect. I would definitely listen to her narration again in the future.
I would recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries. I thought that this was a fun story filled with some really great characters. This was the first time that I have read any of Karen MacInerney's work and look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn't sure that the narration was going to work for me but after a bit, I really started to enjoy it. The mystery was complex enough that I never quite had things figured out and I really liked the characters. I am glad that I picked this one up.
Book Source: Amazon Prime Borrow
I enjoyed this book. I was in the mood for a cozy mystery and really wasn't sure which one I wanted to read when I spotted this book in Amazon's Prime Reading. I actually had no idea that there were audiobooks included in the program but that is a whole other story. I decided to borrow this book and take a chance on it since it was the first in a series. It turned out to be a whole lot of fun in the end.
Lucy has just bought her grandmother's old farm in Buttercup, Texas. She really wants to make a go of it and is busy making jams and trying to contain her wandering cow. She runs into problems right away when a truck shows up on her property to look for oil. She learns that when she bought her farm the previous owner, Nettie, retained the mineral rights and there isn't much that she can do to stop her from looking for oil.
I guess pretty early on that Nettie was probably not going to be around for very long. I couldn't stand her character and kind of wanted her to come to a quick end myself. The sheriff is convinced right away that Lucy must be responsible and really doesn't work to hard to actually look for any evidence so it is up to Lucy to prove that she is innocent.
The mystery kept me guessing and I was really never quite sure who the villain would be in this story. There was actually a lot to this story in addition to the mystery. Lucy's best friend is dealing with a difficult situation and Lucy does her best to help. There is even a bit of romance with the local vet who seems to be a pro at catching wandering cows. I loved that there was a touch of humor spread throughout the book.
I enjoyed the narration in the end. This is the first time that I have listened to Teri Clark Linden and it did take me a little bit to get used to her style of narration but that is actually pretty normal for me. Once I really got into the story, I really enjoyed the narration. I think she did a great job with all of the different voices in the story and her pacing was perfect. I would definitely listen to her narration again in the future.
I would recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries. I thought that this was a fun story filled with some really great characters. This was the first time that I have read any of Karen MacInerney's work and look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn't sure that the narration was going to work for me but after a bit, I really started to enjoy it. The mystery was complex enough that I never quite had things figured out and I really liked the characters. I am glad that I picked this one up.
Book Source: Amazon Prime Borrow
June 25, 2018
Lucy Resnick loved being back in Dewberry Farm, her late grandmother’s home, and a place where she had spent many happy childhood hours. Now it was hers and she planned to make it a lifestyle, with Blossom the milking cow, her vegetable garden and her dewberry jam. Lucy was a new resident of Buttercup but had made a few friends.
But when the elderly Nettie Kocurek was discovered dead at the Founders’ Day Festival, Lucy was an immediate suspect. It seemed that she had motive – but didn’t most of the others in town have motive? Nettie wasn’t well-liked. Could Lucy discover the killer before she was arrested for murder?
Killer Jam is the first in the Dewberry Farm series by Karen MacInerney and I enjoyed it very much. A quick, easy and entertaining cosy mystery, I’ll be looking at the 2nd in the series before too long. There were plenty of red herrings in this one to keep me interested. Recommended.
But when the elderly Nettie Kocurek was discovered dead at the Founders’ Day Festival, Lucy was an immediate suspect. It seemed that she had motive – but didn’t most of the others in town have motive? Nettie wasn’t well-liked. Could Lucy discover the killer before she was arrested for murder?
Killer Jam is the first in the Dewberry Farm series by Karen MacInerney and I enjoyed it very much. A quick, easy and entertaining cosy mystery, I’ll be looking at the 2nd in the series before too long. There were plenty of red herrings in this one to keep me interested. Recommended.
August 9, 2015
Charlaine Harris and Susan Wittig Albert, two of my favorite cozy mystery authors, had nice words for this one so I was really looking forward to reading it. A disappointment, however. Found myself more than once checking to see if I was reading an ARC the editing was so poor. At first the detailed description of everything the heroine, Lucy, saw, smelled, tasted, cooked, mixed, molded was pleasant but it soon became irritating. Her mouth watered everytime food was mentioned and it was mentioned often. It actually watered twice in three sentences when she was in the kitchen of the Blue Onion, owned by one of the locals of the small town of Buttercup, Texas--a name I kept confusing with her milk producing heifer--which unless she is a first calf heifer isn't producing any milk--Blossom.
The ongoing dislike of Czech vs German settlers of this part of Texas also became somewhat tiresome, especially when it seemed to be the basis for the sheriff's single-minded goal of getting Lucy arrested for the murder of his aunt Nettie, a Czech descendent who was thrown over a few decades ago by Lucy's grandfather, who preferred her German grandmother. Old Rooster, the sheriff's name, is as anti-Lucy as his deceased aunt became when she realized that Lucy, an outsider who purchased Dewberry Farm from her, actually had bought back her grandparent's place.
Unfortunately, MacInerney mentions Albert and her amateur sleuth, China Bayles several times in the book. This only reminded me of Albert's books and her more masterful handling of the genre. Actually, it made me feel as though this book was an Albert plot sketch filled in with this author's characters--there was so much similarity.
In summary, if you haven't read Albert this book is fine--slow paced with little meat. But if you, like me, have read almost all of the China Bayle's series you will find this a poor imitation.
This book was won by me in the Good Reads giveaways.
The ongoing dislike of Czech vs German settlers of this part of Texas also became somewhat tiresome, especially when it seemed to be the basis for the sheriff's single-minded goal of getting Lucy arrested for the murder of his aunt Nettie, a Czech descendent who was thrown over a few decades ago by Lucy's grandfather, who preferred her German grandmother. Old Rooster, the sheriff's name, is as anti-Lucy as his deceased aunt became when she realized that Lucy, an outsider who purchased Dewberry Farm from her, actually had bought back her grandparent's place.
Unfortunately, MacInerney mentions Albert and her amateur sleuth, China Bayles several times in the book. This only reminded me of Albert's books and her more masterful handling of the genre. Actually, it made me feel as though this book was an Albert plot sketch filled in with this author's characters--there was so much similarity.
In summary, if you haven't read Albert this book is fine--slow paced with little meat. But if you, like me, have read almost all of the China Bayle's series you will find this a poor imitation.
This book was won by me in the Good Reads giveaways.
August 4, 2015
After years as a journalist in Houston, Lucy cashes in her retirement and buys the farm which once belonged to her grandmother. Her plans are to make jams and other homestyle items to sell at farmers' markets. So when she discovers that Nettie, who sold her the farm, kept the mineral rights to the land and before the ink had even dried on the contract sent an oil exploration truck out to her land she was anything but happy.
Then Nettie shows up dead and the town's sheriff, Nettie's nephew is determined to put Lucy away for the crime. With the police more interested in arresting her than catching the real killer it's left up to Lucy to investigate the crime and catch the killer.
Cozy mysteries have always been a fun way to kill time. I know they're formula. I know they all follow basically the same pattern and I know that I'll probably forget even the best of them after a few days. I don't really care. They're fluff but they're entertaining fluff.
So no, Killer Jam isn't the greatest book ever written. It's not even the greatest book I've read this month, but it's good fun and honestly it's not pretending to be anything else.
Then Nettie shows up dead and the town's sheriff, Nettie's nephew is determined to put Lucy away for the crime. With the police more interested in arresting her than catching the real killer it's left up to Lucy to investigate the crime and catch the killer.
Cozy mysteries have always been a fun way to kill time. I know they're formula. I know they all follow basically the same pattern and I know that I'll probably forget even the best of them after a few days. I don't really care. They're fluff but they're entertaining fluff.
So no, Killer Jam isn't the greatest book ever written. It's not even the greatest book I've read this month, but it's good fun and honestly it's not pretending to be anything else.
July 21, 2015
This was a lovely cosy mystery set in small town America. I always love small town settings- you can imagine yourself being in the neighbourhood. This is the first book in the series and I will definitely look out for the next one. My first by this author aswell.
Lucy buys her grandmother’s farm in Buttercup. Texas. It’s called Dewberry Farm. The farm life appeals to her- escaping from the city hustle and bustle. But one of her neighbours dies and she ends up as the main suspect as one of her jam jars is found by the body.
Lucy discovers that her neighbour had many enemies- so can she discover the guilty party and clear her own name. She was a journalist in her previous life. Can you guess who was responsible?
I loved the writing style- made me keep turning the pages. She adds a humourous touch to the cosy mystery along with a hint of a romance. Bringing in the delightful setting makes for a very well rounded story. It also has the recipes at the end of the book that seem to be so popular now.
With many thanks to Thomas and Mercer and Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
October 6, 2018
Lucy Resnick has bought her grandmother's Dewberry Farm and is enjoying her life as a homesteader until some reps from an oil company visit and inform her that oil drilling has been ordered for her farm. It turns out that the woman who sold her the farm did not sell her the mineral rights along with the farm so there is nothing that can be done.
That same woman, Nettie Kocurek, who is also a thorn in the side to many of the people in town, turns up dead and the sheriff (also a Kocurek) is only too happy to proclaim Lucy as his only suspect. Lucy and her friend Quinn think there is nothing that Sheriff Rooster Kocurek would like more than to see Lucy rot in jail. Lucy knows that she had better start talking to people and investigating on her own (since the sheriff is very lazy and unmotivated) if she expects to keep enjoying life on her farm. After Rooster suspects her in yet a second killing and his deputy confides to Lucy that Rooster is working on getting a warrant for her arrest, she wastes no time in digging right in and finding the person responsible.
This was a really enjoyable mystery. I liked the side story that featured Lucy's friend Quinn who had been in an abusive marriage and the good resolve that finally came for Quinn. Also another little side mystery that had been strangely revealed to Lucy in the form of an old newspaper and a lock box, possibly from her grandmother who may even in death be watching out for her, has an explanation at the end. I like that all the mysteries were neatly finished up. I had a feeling I knew who the killer was but I had no idea about the inner workings, if they had an accomplice in something else, etc. It was a lot of fun to read the end and picture Rooster eating crow (pun intended) for having to admit Lucy was no longer a suspect!
I can't wait to read the next book and see how Nettie's daughter Flora is getting along with her new friends Lucy and Quinn. And I'm enjoying the new friendship that Lucy has with the handsome town vet, Tobias so I hope that will continue. I did have to laugh at the idea of a homesteader having a pudgy poodle as her farm dog but little Chuck sounded adorable!
I know I'll be reading the second book fairly soon because we're discussing it next month in one of the Facebook book clubs. I'm really glad I read this first book because I feel familiar with the characters although I know the author does a great job with her characters and of catching a person up since I started with the 2nd book in her Gray Whale Inn series.
That same woman, Nettie Kocurek, who is also a thorn in the side to many of the people in town, turns up dead and the sheriff (also a Kocurek) is only too happy to proclaim Lucy as his only suspect. Lucy and her friend Quinn think there is nothing that Sheriff Rooster Kocurek would like more than to see Lucy rot in jail. Lucy knows that she had better start talking to people and investigating on her own (since the sheriff is very lazy and unmotivated) if she expects to keep enjoying life on her farm. After Rooster suspects her in yet a second killing and his deputy confides to Lucy that Rooster is working on getting a warrant for her arrest, she wastes no time in digging right in and finding the person responsible.
This was a really enjoyable mystery. I liked the side story that featured Lucy's friend Quinn who had been in an abusive marriage and the good resolve that finally came for Quinn. Also another little side mystery that had been strangely revealed to Lucy in the form of an old newspaper and a lock box, possibly from her grandmother who may even in death be watching out for her, has an explanation at the end. I like that all the mysteries were neatly finished up. I had a feeling I knew who the killer was but I had no idea about the inner workings, if they had an accomplice in something else, etc. It was a lot of fun to read the end and picture Rooster eating crow (pun intended) for having to admit Lucy was no longer a suspect!
I can't wait to read the next book and see how Nettie's daughter Flora is getting along with her new friends Lucy and Quinn. And I'm enjoying the new friendship that Lucy has with the handsome town vet, Tobias so I hope that will continue. I did have to laugh at the idea of a homesteader having a pudgy poodle as her farm dog but little Chuck sounded adorable!
I know I'll be reading the second book fairly soon because we're discussing it next month in one of the Facebook book clubs. I'm really glad I read this first book because I feel familiar with the characters although I know the author does a great job with her characters and of catching a person up since I started with the 2nd book in her Gray Whale Inn series.
April 22, 2019
4.5 stars. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Want to read
September 2, 2025The Cozy Mystery Book Club's August 2025 Title!
YouTube Livestream Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht25D...
YouTube Livestream Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht25D...
June 30, 2017
This was a 3.5 star read for me. I bumped it up rather than down because despite the formulaic story, it had some things that I liked. It is yet another character (female) who leaves the big city to start a new life in a) an idyllic setting where she is the outsider or 2) a place she has some ties to through family. There is a love interest who is a) the local sheriff etc. or b) the local doctor etc. And she immediately starts meddling.
In this case, Lucy decides to "homestead". She buys her late grandmother's farm and a cow. This would be totally unbelievable except for the fact she had spent all her summers as a child on the farm. And she admits she doesn't know enough. There is of course a murder or two and of course she is a suspect.
What I enjoyed about this cozy was that this town has a mix of German heritage and Czech heritage families. They often don't get along. These ethnic groups have a rich history in Texas and I found this aspect of the story interesting. Lucy used to be an investigative reporter so she applies those skills when the first murder occurs.
If you like a cozy mystery for a bit of escape, I don't think you'll go wrong with this one. Recommended for readers who like their cozies. For some reason I got this free from Amazon/Audible.
In this case, Lucy decides to "homestead". She buys her late grandmother's farm and a cow. This would be totally unbelievable except for the fact she had spent all her summers as a child on the farm. And she admits she doesn't know enough. There is of course a murder or two and of course she is a suspect.
What I enjoyed about this cozy was that this town has a mix of German heritage and Czech heritage families. They often don't get along. These ethnic groups have a rich history in Texas and I found this aspect of the story interesting. Lucy used to be an investigative reporter so she applies those skills when the first murder occurs.
If you like a cozy mystery for a bit of escape, I don't think you'll go wrong with this one. Recommended for readers who like their cozies. For some reason I got this free from Amazon/Audible.
July 28, 2015
Fresh start for a homestyle cozy series set in the Lone Star State. Lucy Resnick has moved from the hectic life of a news reporter in Houston to the life of a small town farmer. It's much more fun and relaxing, and she even catches the eye of the handsome local veterinarian. When a local busybody, known for her meanspiritness is murdered at the Founder's Day Festival Jam-Off and a broken jar of Lucy's dewberry Jam is found nearby, Lucy has to use her reporter skills and resources to track down the culprit. What ensues is an absorbing, fast-paced mystery with a warm, country setting, friendly locals, and cute pets. There is a secondary story about a battered ex-wife that extends a serious subject matter through part of the plot. Very entertaining debut for A Dewberry Farm Mystery series by Karen MacInerney.
I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2015
Killer Jam is one of those cozys you just want to sit and read until you're done. It's very entertaining and keeps you guessing all the way through. This is the first in a new series by Karen MacInerney called Dewberry Farms. I'm looking forward to reading the second! Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 19, 2018
A Wonderful Surprise
I'm going to start by saying I'm not a fan of farm based cozys. To me they have a tendency to focus on the running of the farm and I don't give a hoot about reading in every chapter how the MC does the same thing every day.
So when farm came up as a theme for my book club I groaned and started looking through my kindle. And I found Killer Jam.
What a wonderful surprise. This book tells the story of Lucy Resnick, a reporter who was downsized from her job as an investigative reporter and decided to follow her dream of buying her grandmother's farm in Buttercup, Tx.
The woman she bought it from is the sneakiest woman in town. Nettie Kocurek.
She sold Lucy the land but not the mineral rights to the farm.
When she turns up dead Lucy is prime suspect even though it seems odd things were going on before she came to town. And when second murder occurs, sheriff Rooster Kocurek is really out to get her. With the slight twists it makes a story you can't put down.
This book is wonderfully written. The subplot with Quinn is handled tastefully and the characters pop out.
And there maybe a ghost of a chance grandma is still around.
I'm going to start by saying I'm not a fan of farm based cozys. To me they have a tendency to focus on the running of the farm and I don't give a hoot about reading in every chapter how the MC does the same thing every day.
So when farm came up as a theme for my book club I groaned and started looking through my kindle. And I found Killer Jam.
What a wonderful surprise. This book tells the story of Lucy Resnick, a reporter who was downsized from her job as an investigative reporter and decided to follow her dream of buying her grandmother's farm in Buttercup, Tx.
The woman she bought it from is the sneakiest woman in town. Nettie Kocurek.
She sold Lucy the land but not the mineral rights to the farm.
When she turns up dead Lucy is prime suspect even though it seems odd things were going on before she came to town. And when second murder occurs, sheriff Rooster Kocurek is really out to get her. With the slight twists it makes a story you can't put down.
This book is wonderfully written. The subplot with Quinn is handled tastefully and the characters pop out.
And there maybe a ghost of a chance grandma is still around.
August 7, 2020
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.
Lucy just bought a farm and is slowly learning the ropes when the mean old lady who sold her the farm ends up murdered, Lucy is the main suspect due to her farm possibly being temporarily destroyed over mineral rights. But there are plenty of people in the town of Buttercup that would have wanted Nettie Kocurek dead. Only the sheriff isn't looking into anyone else but her. So it's up to Lucy to find the real murderer before the sheriff arrests her.
I couldn't decide between 3 or 3.5 stars so I just went with 3. It took me a bit to get into but in the end, it was a sweet book despite the murders. There was a hint of upcoming romance. There are also a few recipes at the end too which I liked. I might continue with this series. It's available to read AND listen to on KU which is my favorite part of the book.
Lucy just bought a farm and is slowly learning the ropes when the mean old lady who sold her the farm ends up murdered, Lucy is the main suspect due to her farm possibly being temporarily destroyed over mineral rights. But there are plenty of people in the town of Buttercup that would have wanted Nettie Kocurek dead. Only the sheriff isn't looking into anyone else but her. So it's up to Lucy to find the real murderer before the sheriff arrests her.
I couldn't decide between 3 or 3.5 stars so I just went with 3. It took me a bit to get into but in the end, it was a sweet book despite the murders. There was a hint of upcoming romance. There are also a few recipes at the end too which I liked. I might continue with this series. It's available to read AND listen to on KU which is my favorite part of the book.
August 5, 2015
I was really excited to read this first in a new series. Killer Jam was exciting from beginning to end. Lucy Resnick walks away from life in the big city and finds herself living on her grandparents farm. Buttercup is a quaint small town and with the authors great description, I could see the town as I read. Lucy purchased the farm from a woman who did not like her grandmother. After all these years this woman still harbors resentment. Even though Lucy owns the property, she doesn't own the mineral rights. Lucy is surprised to find out they will be drilling for oil right in the middle of her farm. Life on the farm isn't bad, but trying to run the farm, make dewberry jam and keep her Houdini of a cow, Blossom in the pasture sure keeps Lucy on her toes.
When a murder takes place the bumbling sheriff thinks his case is closed, with all evidence pointing directly at Lucy.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this charming series.
When a murder takes place the bumbling sheriff thinks his case is closed, with all evidence pointing directly at Lucy.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this charming series.
August 5, 2019
Rating:
3.5 cozy stars
Trigger:
None.
Short review:
Last couple of days were stressful because of I was moving from one city to another so I needed something which doesn't require much brain cells and cozy reads to divert my mind.
It fits the cozy mystery category, adorn with a handsome beau, troubled best friends, some psychic thrown into mix with quirky and loyal pets...it is rather on slow and simple side. And while it understandable to have food mentioned in story, this is the first book, I think, I have read which hits maximum mention of food. It is not a bad thing but certainly makes you hungry for sweets.
While I was happy to munch on store bought caramel cookies, you might have urge to bake something complicated while reading this. (see what I did there, and now you are craving caramel cookies ;), don't deny that.)
Overall slow pacing but good natured humor to keep you going....
Review in image/gif:
Recommended:
Yes
Aftermath: (possible spoilers)
I think I'm going to continue reading this...
3.5 cozy stars
Trigger:
None.
Short review:
Last couple of days were stressful because of I was moving from one city to another so I needed something which doesn't require much brain cells and cozy reads to divert my mind.
It fits the cozy mystery category, adorn with a handsome beau, troubled best friends, some psychic thrown into mix with quirky and loyal pets...it is rather on slow and simple side. And while it understandable to have food mentioned in story, this is the first book, I think, I have read which hits maximum mention of food. It is not a bad thing but certainly makes you hungry for sweets.
While I was happy to munch on store bought caramel cookies, you might have urge to bake something complicated while reading this. (see what I did there, and now you are craving caramel cookies ;), don't deny that.)
Overall slow pacing but good natured humor to keep you going....
Review in image/gif:
Recommended:
Yes
Aftermath: (possible spoilers)
I think I'm going to continue reading this...
December 14, 2017
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2AZ9mEr
I've been using audio to try new authors and decided to give Killer Jam a try because I like the narrator. And it was good, yall! I might have even listened to it twice now because I forgot to review it the first go around. Oops! It was just as entertaining the second time, though, which is impressive.
The Gist: During the town festival someone met their maker in the jam tent. And Lucy? Well, she's the main suspect. She and the dead lady had been having a disagreement over Lucy's newly purchased farm and been overheard. Damn timing! With a lazy Sheriff on the case it's up to Lucy to clear her own name and hunt down the real killer.
Lucy was a great heroine. She's in her late 30s and gave up city life to buy her grandmother's old farm. She's doing the whole homesteading thing now-- planting crops, selling milk and eggs, creating jam from berries on her property. She's bitten off a lot but she's dedicated, curious and solid. I enjoyed spending time with her and that she never gave up even when things looked helpless. It was fun seeing her farm, too, as she tried new things.
There's a light love interest with the town's veterinarian which was nice. Just the beginnings of things and has me looking forward to seeing where that goes next. And there were some friendships mixed in a well. It was nice seeing Lucy's life as she settled in to the small town.
The mystery was nicely done, too. Kept me guessing as she slowly pieced together clues and tried to figure out the current murder and if it connected to something in the past.
All in all, Killer Jam was an entertaining cozy. A nicely done mystery with a great heroine.
The Narration:
I'm really enjoying Teri Clark Linden. I've listened to a few narrations by her now and she just does a great job. She's a little gruff but it works so well for both male and female voices. Great character distinction and just something about her that pulls me in completely. It was hard to turn my audio app off and do other things once I started listening. She really brings the characters and their stories to life. I listened at 1.20x speed.
July 30, 2016
Loved this book!! Everything about it is great, it is the true definition of a "cozy" mystery. I look forward to the next one.
December 2, 2015
Four stars: A delightful cozy mystery set on a small farm in Texas, with a bit of murder and a dash of romance.
Lucy finishes bottling the last of her batch of Killer Dewberry Jam. Sighing contentedly, she surveys her small farm. After years of running the rat race as a reporter in Houston, Lucy cashed in her retirement fund and buy back her grandparent's farm. Nestled away in the small town of Buttercup, Texas, Lucy is busy learning to become a homesteader in order to make money off her farm. Lucy planted rows of vegetables to harvest and sell at the farmers markets, where she also sells her Killer Dewberry Jam, candles and fresh flowers. So far, she has been able to scratch out a living, but all that changes when trucks show up at her farm prepared to drill for oil. It seems the woman Lucy bought the farm from didn't sell her the mineral rights. Now Lucy's little farm is going to be drilled and prospected for oil, but before that happens, the very same woman is murdered at the town'sFounder's Day Festival, leaving Lucy as a prime suspect. Will Lucy be able to save her farm and clear her name?
What I Liked:
*I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful little cozy. Normally, I reach for a cozy set in a bakery or some time of cozy shop that sells food and treats. This book is a bit different from my normal cozy picks as it is centered around a small farm. I was immediately drawn in by the cute farm with its rows of vegetables, brambles of wild dewberries and an orchard of peach trees, along with a cute, plump poodle and a curious cow. This was a delightful setting, and I found myself completely loving the small farm life.
*For those of you, like me, who love a cozy centered around food, no worries with this one. Killer Jam is packed full of scrumptious food from fresh jam, berry pies, and even freshly made cottage cheese. My mouth was watering at all the yummy and homey food treats. For all of you who love the recipes, this one doesn't disappoint either. There are some rather fun and unique recipes at the end such as fresh cottage cheese, Killer Dewberry Jam, Strawberry Custard Pie, Maple Twists and even a recipe for beeswax jar candles. I loved the food and the recipes.
*The heart of the story centers around Lucy's small farm tucked away in the bucolic town of Buttercup, Texas. The farm was owned by her late grandparents, and Lucy has many fond memories of her time there as a child. Now Lucy is trying her best to become a small farmer. I enjoyed reading all about life on a small farm from milking the cow, to growing a garden and canning jam.
*The murder mystery is interesting. After one of the town's most renowned citizens is murdered, there are many culprits as this woman had a tendency to stir up trouble in order to get her own way. She had lots of enemies, leaving plenty of people with motives for murder. Of course, there is a large list of suspects and many red herrings until the killer is revealed. Even though the killer unmasking wasn't a big shock, it was still enjoyable to unravel the mystery.
*There is a small romance. I liked that it was sweet and simple without any complications such as love triangles or past baggage, and all that. It is moving along nicely settling into a friendship with lots of chemistry, I am eager to see how it will develop.
*I liked that at the end, Lucy ends up making a new and surprising friend. I was most pleased with this development.
*Surprisingly, the story even had a small snippet of paranormal with what seemed like a ghostly presence at the farm, and also with a young girl who seemed to have premonitions. I am hoping for more on both of these story lines in future books.
*The ending draws all the main story threads to a close, for the most part, and leaving the reader content and satisfied, though craving more.
And The Not So Much:
*It seems with a good portion of cozy mysteries, you are presented with a bumbling, ordinary woman who for whatever reason, in this case to clear her own name, steps in to help solve a crime. More times than not, the local law enforcement is inept, which is the cast with the sheriff in Buttercup. I was disgusted by the total lack of professionalism and intelligence in the sheriff. It was unbelievable. Yet that is often the case with cozies, you have to suspend rational belief and just go with it
*There was a bit too much repetition when it came to Lucy mulling over the list of suspects their motives. I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over as Lucy went about her chores thinking on who and why. A bit too much repetition.
*Lucy's close friend, Quinn, is being harassed and threatened physically by her ex husband. This was a rather dark story line, and I wasn't sure as to why it was included. Not a big issue, but it certainly took the story in a darker direction than the murder mystery.
Killer Jam was a delightful and cozy little read, perfect for a sunny summer afternoon. If you enjoy cozies, check out this fun mystery set on a small farm in a little town. It is filled with all the things that you love in a good cozy: friendly characters, small town, charming setting, delicious food and great recipes at the end. This is the first in a new series, so it is a perfect book to get your hands on now as it is just getting started. I had a nice time with this read, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Lucy finishes bottling the last of her batch of Killer Dewberry Jam. Sighing contentedly, she surveys her small farm. After years of running the rat race as a reporter in Houston, Lucy cashed in her retirement fund and buy back her grandparent's farm. Nestled away in the small town of Buttercup, Texas, Lucy is busy learning to become a homesteader in order to make money off her farm. Lucy planted rows of vegetables to harvest and sell at the farmers markets, where she also sells her Killer Dewberry Jam, candles and fresh flowers. So far, she has been able to scratch out a living, but all that changes when trucks show up at her farm prepared to drill for oil. It seems the woman Lucy bought the farm from didn't sell her the mineral rights. Now Lucy's little farm is going to be drilled and prospected for oil, but before that happens, the very same woman is murdered at the town'sFounder's Day Festival, leaving Lucy as a prime suspect. Will Lucy be able to save her farm and clear her name?
What I Liked:
*I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful little cozy. Normally, I reach for a cozy set in a bakery or some time of cozy shop that sells food and treats. This book is a bit different from my normal cozy picks as it is centered around a small farm. I was immediately drawn in by the cute farm with its rows of vegetables, brambles of wild dewberries and an orchard of peach trees, along with a cute, plump poodle and a curious cow. This was a delightful setting, and I found myself completely loving the small farm life.
*For those of you, like me, who love a cozy centered around food, no worries with this one. Killer Jam is packed full of scrumptious food from fresh jam, berry pies, and even freshly made cottage cheese. My mouth was watering at all the yummy and homey food treats. For all of you who love the recipes, this one doesn't disappoint either. There are some rather fun and unique recipes at the end such as fresh cottage cheese, Killer Dewberry Jam, Strawberry Custard Pie, Maple Twists and even a recipe for beeswax jar candles. I loved the food and the recipes.
*The heart of the story centers around Lucy's small farm tucked away in the bucolic town of Buttercup, Texas. The farm was owned by her late grandparents, and Lucy has many fond memories of her time there as a child. Now Lucy is trying her best to become a small farmer. I enjoyed reading all about life on a small farm from milking the cow, to growing a garden and canning jam.
*The murder mystery is interesting. After one of the town's most renowned citizens is murdered, there are many culprits as this woman had a tendency to stir up trouble in order to get her own way. She had lots of enemies, leaving plenty of people with motives for murder. Of course, there is a large list of suspects and many red herrings until the killer is revealed. Even though the killer unmasking wasn't a big shock, it was still enjoyable to unravel the mystery.
*There is a small romance. I liked that it was sweet and simple without any complications such as love triangles or past baggage, and all that. It is moving along nicely settling into a friendship with lots of chemistry, I am eager to see how it will develop.
*I liked that at the end, Lucy ends up making a new and surprising friend. I was most pleased with this development.
*Surprisingly, the story even had a small snippet of paranormal with what seemed like a ghostly presence at the farm, and also with a young girl who seemed to have premonitions. I am hoping for more on both of these story lines in future books.
*The ending draws all the main story threads to a close, for the most part, and leaving the reader content and satisfied, though craving more.
And The Not So Much:
*It seems with a good portion of cozy mysteries, you are presented with a bumbling, ordinary woman who for whatever reason, in this case to clear her own name, steps in to help solve a crime. More times than not, the local law enforcement is inept, which is the cast with the sheriff in Buttercup. I was disgusted by the total lack of professionalism and intelligence in the sheriff. It was unbelievable. Yet that is often the case with cozies, you have to suspend rational belief and just go with it
*There was a bit too much repetition when it came to Lucy mulling over the list of suspects their motives. I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over as Lucy went about her chores thinking on who and why. A bit too much repetition.
*Lucy's close friend, Quinn, is being harassed and threatened physically by her ex husband. This was a rather dark story line, and I wasn't sure as to why it was included. Not a big issue, but it certainly took the story in a darker direction than the murder mystery.
Killer Jam was a delightful and cozy little read, perfect for a sunny summer afternoon. If you enjoy cozies, check out this fun mystery set on a small farm in a little town. It is filled with all the things that you love in a good cozy: friendly characters, small town, charming setting, delicious food and great recipes at the end. This is the first in a new series, so it is a perfect book to get your hands on now as it is just getting started. I had a nice time with this read, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 18, 2021
Excellent beginning for this series! The mystery itself was super, and I love the characters. I'm happy there are already several more titles in the series and will definitely be continuing to follow Lucy's adventures.
January 16, 2019
Lucy Resnick is a recent arrival in the small Texas town of Buttercup, where she has bought her grandmother's old farm and is hoping to set up as a homesteader. All seems to be going well... until one day an oil exploration truck turns up on her property, with orders to look for (and possibly drill for) oil. (Note to self: when buying property, be sure of who retains gas and mineral exploration rights.) Things go from bad to worse when the woman who ordered the drilling, Nettie Kocurek, is found dead at a town festival, with a bratwurst skewer through her heart. Lucy, having a definite motive, is soon cast as the prime suspect – and, in a bid to clear her name, sets about trying to find the real killer.
Here things get complicated. As is frequently the case with cozy mysteries, the victim was so phenomenally unpopular that almost everyone who encountered her had a reason to finish her off. As Lucy probes the web of relationships that underlie the fabric of local life, she discovers enmity, jealousy, long-standing grudges, and – and this was a surprise to me, as a British reader – an enduring historical rivalry between the townspeople of Czech and German origin. In this labyrinth of loves, loyalties and loathing, finding the killer might seem an impossible task. Lucy, however, is intelligent and resourceful and, of course, has an urgent personal reason for wanting to solve the mystery.
Killer Jam was a great, fun read: entertaining, never dull, tightly-plotted. It is, moreover, well-written – which ought to be a given but is, sadly, not. (I recently bought a cozy that reads like the work of a rather dense fifteen-year-old, but for charity's sake I'll refrain from naming names.) Lucy Resnick is a likeable protagonist, with a strong and often humorous voice, and her budding romance with a local vet is nicely handled. Author MacInerney knows how to draw her readers in and keep them with her as, thread by knotted thread, she untangles the mystery. It's never boring and reading it was never a chore – in fact, it seemed I'd barely even picked the book up before I'd finished it. And even though it wasn't too hard to guess who the culprit was, this didn't affect my enjoyment. I'll be reading more from this author...
Here things get complicated. As is frequently the case with cozy mysteries, the victim was so phenomenally unpopular that almost everyone who encountered her had a reason to finish her off. As Lucy probes the web of relationships that underlie the fabric of local life, she discovers enmity, jealousy, long-standing grudges, and – and this was a surprise to me, as a British reader – an enduring historical rivalry between the townspeople of Czech and German origin. In this labyrinth of loves, loyalties and loathing, finding the killer might seem an impossible task. Lucy, however, is intelligent and resourceful and, of course, has an urgent personal reason for wanting to solve the mystery.
Killer Jam was a great, fun read: entertaining, never dull, tightly-plotted. It is, moreover, well-written – which ought to be a given but is, sadly, not. (I recently bought a cozy that reads like the work of a rather dense fifteen-year-old, but for charity's sake I'll refrain from naming names.) Lucy Resnick is a likeable protagonist, with a strong and often humorous voice, and her budding romance with a local vet is nicely handled. Author MacInerney knows how to draw her readers in and keep them with her as, thread by knotted thread, she untangles the mystery. It's never boring and reading it was never a chore – in fact, it seemed I'd barely even picked the book up before I'd finished it. And even though it wasn't too hard to guess who the culprit was, this didn't affect my enjoyment. I'll be reading more from this author...
January 30, 2021
A nice little mystery with lots of scenic and aromatic appeal. This is the first in a series by Karen MacInerney surrounding a community called Buttercup where the protagonist lives on Dewberry Farm, a working farm. It was nostalgist to read as my Great Aunt lived on a farm and did many of the chores that were reflected in the book. The authorities in this book seemed exceptionally inept at resolving a murder, so in classic small town mystery fiction the "everyday" folks have to use their brains and intuition to solve this "who done it." The book is a bit like cotton candy - light, fluffy, sugary, and hard to stop eating/reading once the first page was turned. Definitely not a deep read but satisfying none the less.
I donated this book to the Little Free Library on Wilmington Island, GA
I donated this book to the Little Free Library on Wilmington Island, GA
March 3, 2021
I really liked this first entry in the series. I liked Lucy and the rest of the characters and am rooting for her budding romance which I found refreshing since it's not with a law enforcement officer. The story was good good and the ending exciting, I was definitely turning pages faster as I got towards the conclusion. The products Lucy makes sound so good and I'd love to try dewberries, guess I'll have to look for them next time I'm in Texas. Recipes were included at the end and while I don't think I'm ready to make my own cottage cheese, the strawberry custard pie has possibilities.
March 4, 2020
Good start
Lucy was looking for something more easier and decided to buy her grandmothers farm and start making jam but what she got was more than she expected. Her mean neighbor ends up dead and of course she becomes a suspect since furthermore exactly friendly. So when Lucy decides to ask the neighbors more about Nettie, she finds that Nettie isn't well liked.
Lucy was looking for something more easier and decided to buy her grandmothers farm and start making jam but what she got was more than she expected. Her mean neighbor ends up dead and of course she becomes a suspect since furthermore exactly friendly. So when Lucy decides to ask the neighbors more about Nettie, she finds that Nettie isn't well liked.
February 11, 2023
3.5 stars. Pretty good book, not bad mystery, has all the elements of a cozy.
August 25, 2025
3.5 rounded up. Yet another cozy mystery series I’ll probably keep on reading…
February 24, 2021
I love the Dewberry Farm world. It's made up of a chubby dog, an ornery cow, an amazing vet, a stressed out "bestie" with a stalker husband, and a hint of a ghost. Add murder by bratwurst skewer to town's worst citizen and you've got an amazingly quirky cozy mystery!
The storyline runs well and I never lost interest. Good read!
The storyline runs well and I never lost interest. Good read!
April 20, 2023
3.5 rounding up to 4☆
The first book in this series gave me extremely lovely cozy vibes, which I adore, but the writing was not without its own flaws. I've enjoyed the description of the town Buttercup (which unfortunately, I kept getting confused with Lucy's only heifer Blossom), its residents and the atmosphere at the beginning, but soon after the murder happened and Lucy became the prime suspect, the story felt dragged on by her constant worries of being arrested by the town's two-dimensional sheriff.
However, I would definitely be continuing onto book two as the series seems promising and I dearly hope that Lucy would grow on me more in future books!
The first book in this series gave me extremely lovely cozy vibes, which I adore, but the writing was not without its own flaws. I've enjoyed the description of the town Buttercup (which unfortunately, I kept getting confused with Lucy's only heifer Blossom), its residents and the atmosphere at the beginning, but soon after the murder happened and Lucy became the prime suspect, the story felt dragged on by her constant worries of being arrested by the town's two-dimensional sheriff.
However, I would definitely be continuing onto book two as the series seems promising and I dearly hope that Lucy would grow on me more in future books!
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