Here Today, Gone Tamale

A Taste of Texas Mystery #1

by Rebecca Adler

Reporter turned Tex-Mex waitress Josie Callahan is about to go from serving queso to solving cases…
 
After losing her newspaper job in Austin and having her former fiancé unfriend her on Facebook, Josie Callahan scoops up her Chihuahua, Lenny, and slinks back to Broken Boot, Texas. Maybe working as head waitress at Milagro—her aunt and uncle’s Tex-Mex restaurant—isn’t exactly living the dream, but it is a fresh start.
 
And business is booming as tourists pour into Broken Boot for its famous Wild West Festival. But when a local jewelry designer is found strangled outside Milagro after a tamale-making party, Josie’s reporter instincts kick in. As suspects pile up and alibis crack faster than taco shells, Josie needs to wrap up this case tighter than her tía’s tortillas—before another victim calls for the check…
 
INCLUDES TEX-MEX RECIPES!

From the Paperback edition.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Food, Foodie

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

Rebecca Adler is the pen name of author Gina Lee Nelson. Gina grew up on the sugar beaches of the Florida Gulf Coast. Drawn to the Big Apple by the sweet smell of wishful thinking, she studied acting on Broadway until a dark-eyed cowboy flung her over his saddle and high-tailed it to the Southwest.

Prior to writing women’s fiction, Gina always found a way to add a touch of the dramatic to her life: dinner theatre in Mississippi, can-can club in Florida, flower shop in Germany, acting school on Broadway and a giant Furskin at the New York Toy Fair.

A former president of North Texas Romance Writers, Gina is currently both a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America. She's currently content to pour her melodramatic tendencies into writing the The Taste of Texas Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime--cozy, humorous, mysteries with a hint of romance and a sweet, Southern-fried flavor.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

On my quest to catch up on any book series I've enjoyed in the past, today I began reading the 'A Taste of Texas Mystery' series by Rebecca Adler. I'd won an ARC of the third book in the series last year and wrote a review upon completion. I liked the series and started from the beginning this week with Here Today, Gone Tamale.

Josie, a late 20s young woman in Texas, is not Latina. Her mother's sister married someone of Latino descent. They run a TexMex restaurant with the husband's mother, known as Abuelita. While she's not really Josie's grandmother, something must have happened with Josie's parents in the past (we don't know yet) for her to feel like the aunt and uncle are her closest family. After a failed engagement and termination from her job as a reporter at a paper in a bigger city, Josie returns home to wait tables at her family's restaurant and find a part-time job on the local paper. The restaurant is hosting a charity tamale event where one of the townspeople, Dixie, is found dead out back by the dumpster. Was it the mayor or his wife who argued with Dixie? A former friend or her daughters who are selling Dixie's jewelry? A waiter who didn't like that Dixie tried to kiss him? A nephew looking for an inheritance? Or someone in Josie's family with a past secret?

Adler delivers a fun mystery in a unique setting for me. I like the TexMex backdrop and the non-traditional (for a cozy) environment and ethnicity of the supporting cast. There's a layer of flavor and culture which is endearing and comforting. The mystery has a few red herrings and some good clues, and we worry about Josie -- she's flirting with her ex-bf who is now dating the town beauty queen winner, and her dog has been kidnapped when Josie starts investigating the murder. I felt the same about this debut as I did the third book in the series: it's good and has potential, but it was missing a little something to stand out quite yet for me. I'll still keep reading the series as I like it, but I hope the setting is more connective and clear in the future. All the characters are interesting and good, but I'm not attached to anyone yet. It might be the kind of series where you fall into it after 3 or 4 books. I'll order the second one next month and see if I'm fully baked in like the tamales are in this edition!

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie Callahan is back working at her family’s Tex Mex restaurant while she figures out what is next in her life. She’s just in time for the Wild Wild West Festival that brings in the tourists to the small town of Broken Boot. But the tamale making party at the restaurant ends in tragedy when a local artist is found murdered behind the restaurant. Who would want to kill her?

It took me a little while to fully get into this book. There were a bunch of characters early on, and I struggled to keep them all straight. Likewise, the mystery got off to a slow start. But as I kept reading, I grew to like the characters and really got into the story. The ending was surprising and suspenseful. I can easily see this growing into a charming series.

NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

We arrive in Broken Boot just in time for the Wild West Festival and so does Josie Callahan. She has been dumped by her fiancé and lost her newspaper job in Austin. She has come home to regroup. The festival and its preparations should keep her busy and her mind off things. Her family owns Milagro, a Tex-Mex restaurant. The whole festival committee is coming together there to make the tamales for the tamale eating contest under the watchful of the tamale making queen, Senora Mari. The night ends with one of the committee members dead and Josie using her investigative skills to catch a murderer.

Adler is off to a great start with this series. There are many unique characters, like Lenny, a lovable long haired chihuahua. Yes, human characters too, but he just stole my heart. We have Josie, a smart woman and a smart sleuth. Her aunt and uncle, the staff at the restaurant, and the head of the family Senora Mari. Note, she is not a woman to mess with for several reasons. There is the whole festival committee and they take unique to a whole new level. We also have Deputy Quinton Lightfoot and Ryan Prentice, Josie’s old boyfriend, added to the mix. There are a lot of characters but they all have a purpose and a place in the plot. They are all very believable characters too with plenty of room for growth.

Speaking of the plot, it is really good, it almost sizzles. I was surprised how everything fell into place. I always say a first book in a series is a heavy lift because we need to meet the characters and we still expect a quality mystery. Rebecca Adler delivers both aptly in this debut. She also mixes in humor and a spark of romance.

I can guarantee you will be hungry when you finish this book, but never fear, Senora Mari’s recipe for tamales is in the back of the book along with some others for you to try.

I am excited about this series, this one was fun to read. Fix yourself a margarita and enjoy this tasty mystery.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Mexican restaurant and delicious sounding food, since I love Tex-Mex. Also liked the long haired Chihuahua Lenny, and the main character Josie, but felt 100 pages could have been cut from the book!

Just felt there was no point to all the 'filler', from the murder to the end of the book.

I started skimming a lot, because I didn't find it engaging enough.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good first in series. Not great, but good enough that I'll read the next one. About a 3.5 star read. I like the heroine and the fact that she's making the best of a situation she didn't want. Had a good idea who the killer was. People will go great lengths for those they love.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really 4.5 stars, but I rounded up.

Very good; actually this was probably the best recently-released, first-in-a-series that I've read in a long time. The killer wasn't transparent and the characters and setting were great. However, the author seems to be setting up for a possible love triangle in future books. Let's hope not.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but I just had a hard time getting into it. The main character doesn't have much personality and I just didn't care about her. It took me a long time to finish.

[Book Concierge · Rating 2 out of 5]

First in a series. Josie Callahan has lost her journalist job in Austin AND had her former fiancé unfriend her on Facebook. So, she returns, tail between her legs, to Broken Boot, Texas. She’s living above her Aunt and Uncle’s restaurant and waiting tables to make ends meet. The town’s Wild Wild West Festival is a big tourist attraction, and businesses count on the increased traffic to keep going. But when a local artist is found behind the restaurant, one of the restaurant’s staff is arrested for her murder. Josie doesn’t think the Sheriff is up to the task of investigating, so she uses her reporting skills to ferret out information that will point to the real killer.

As cozies go, this is okay, but the plot is weak and Josie seems too clueless to be a big-city reporter. I did like a number of the supporting cast, including her pet long-haired Chihuahua, Lenny. But I was irritated beyond words that the publishers and/or author didn’t bother to use the proper spellings / alphabet for Spanish words that are used – e.g. Senora vs Señora. That’s just lazy.

I’ll probably read another just to see how the possible romantic dilemma works out. And there are some decent recipes included at the end.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

HERE TODAY, GONE TAMALE is a spicy start to a hot new series. Gracias Ms. Adler.

In this delicious new story and first in the A Taste of Texas Mystery series, author Rebecca Adler introduces the reader to a fiery protagonist, Josie Callahan and her quirky, loveable family who are owners of Milagro, a Mexican restaurant. We also get to meet Lenny, Josie’s long haired Chihuahua. I adored this little pup!

HERE TODAY, GONE TAMALE is a well written, wonderfully plotted mystery that had me both on the edge of my seat, and laughing out loud. Like a plate of great nachos, I savored every crumb of this story while trying to solve the clever whodunit. The exciting reveal was a wonderful dessert after the satisfying meal of this read.

If you’re a fan of cozies and looking to start a new series, give HERE TODAY, GONE TAMALE a try.

Like Tex-Mex? Check out the back of this book for some mouthwatering recipes!

[Alissa Kowalski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun characters, interesting twists, and a cozy Tex Mex setting! There were a lot of storylines to follow and sometimes the details overwhelmed the plot, but definitely a nice cozy debut! Still waiting on Lenny's blog though...

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/he...


Here Today, Gone Tamale
A Taste of Texas Mystery, Book #1
By Rebecca Adler
ISBN 9780425275917
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Reporter turned Tex-Mex waitress Josie Callahan is about to go from serving queso to solving cases…

After losing her newspaper job in Austin and having her former fiancé unfriend her on Facebook, Josie bookCallahan scoops up her Chihuahua, Lenny, and slinks back to Broken Boot, Texas. Maybe working as head waitress at Milagro—her aunt and uncle’s Tex-Mex restaurant—isn’t exactly living the dream, but it is a fresh start.

And business is booming as tourists pour into Broken Boot for its famous Wild West Festival. But when a local jewelry designer is found strangled outside Milagro after a tamale-making party, Josie’s reporter instincts kick in. As suspects pile up and alibis crack faster than taco shells, Josie needs to wrap up this case tighter than her tía’s tortillas—before another victim calls for the check…

Review:

This is a non-stop feast for cozy mystery lovers! First in a new series, Here Today, Gone Tamale is a fast-rising star on the cozy mystery ‘foodie’ horizon. I thoroughly enjoyed it in spite of – or maybe due to – various eccentric characters. The characters pulled this reader in from the beginning and didn’t let go until the bad guy/ gal was revealed. Josie Callahan was invited to leave her young career as an investigative reporter from an Austin newspaper and she finds out by Facebook that her fiance was now an ex. She returned to the home of her aunt and uncle with Lenny, her chihuahua, in Broken Boot, Texas where she grew up after losing her parents when she was twelve. Josie and Lenny moved into the upstairs apartment of Uncle Eddie and Aunt Linda’s Tex-Mex restaurant, Milagro, and became the head waitress, having worked there through her teen years.

Josie is a personable, witty, intelligent young woman who seems to enjoy the restaurant even more than the newspaper! That was evident when the story opened to a tamale making party, a tamalada, to serve at the Wild Wild West Festival’s tamale-eating contest to benefit the county Children’s Home. Josie enjoyed being part of the activities, from refreshing everyone’s beverages to catching up with the people she hadn’t spoken with for a while. There were only a couple dampers on the evening, the first being that her college boyfriend came in, looking better than ever, with Hillary, the snarky former beauty queen who had applied for the same position in Austin that Josie was chosen for until she was let go. The second and worst was finding the dead body of Dixie Honeycutt, the outspoken artisan who created the special necklace and matching accessories to be auctioned off at the Festival. She had become so drunk at the tamalada that she had been outdoors waiting for her nephew to pick her up, where last Dixie had seen of her. Later, the tamalada over and almost everyone gone for the night, Josie finds her dead body behind the restaurant by the dumpster.

Josie, not keen to stay by herself after the Sheriff and Deputy Lightfoot were finished with her, took Lenny to stay with her uncle and aunt. She didn’t stay long, as there was a restaurant to run when the police allowed them to re-open. As a wannabe investigative reporter, Josie had another job to do. She knew that the young man jailed on suspicion was not the killer, for young Anthony was their busboy who hoped to become part of the waitstaff. He was a hard worker, supporting and caring for his younger siblings. There were so many suspects, so little time…the nephew who seemed eager to get what money was left for him to help with his various habits, or maybe the person who had the missing jewelry she designed for the auction. Sure, most people didn’t like Dixie but one doesn’t just kill someone simply because they are obnoxious, does one? But then, how many people would take poor Lenny to send a message to Josie to stop seeking the killer?

Josie is someone that I would want on my side if I were in trouble! Her tireless efforts while working at the restaurant and the festival were admirable, a reflection of the kind of friend and investigative reporter she is. It was great fun to get to know her and see the townspeople through her eyes. Everyone had some kind of secret, secrets that kept this reader from eliminating them as suspects or get to know them better. Josie and her family members were three-dimensional, as was Anthony. Those who were part of the tamalada are seen throughout the story, including Elaine and her daughters, and the Mayor and his wife. Most were likable, except of course Hillary, the current queen of Josie’s ex-boyfriend. Lenny, the brave little pup, is Josie’s delightful little co-star.

The plot was like an onion, in that every time Josie had a lead, it had masked yet another lead, another suspect. There had to be a heart to the onion…but how many more layers could there possibly be? It was full of excitement and suspense, and the conclusion was so satisfying that I can’t wait to see the next one – and a possibility of romance for Josie! I heartily recommend Here Today, Gone Tamale for those who enjoy well-written ‘foodie’ cozy mysteries with an irresistible protagonist and surprising ending. Red herrings aside, it has the right amount of wide-awake suspense, fun and friendship to make it a must-read!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here Today, Gone Tamale is the first book in the Taste Of Texas Mystery series.

A fun new series that I am looking forward to seeing more books in it. The book has interesting and believable characters with just the right amount of humor to round the story out. One has to love Senora Mari, she “runs” the restaurant, even though her niece thinks she does. I just love her character, she's from the “old school” and I can just envision the eye rolls, expressions and gestures when she is many of the scenes.

Josie Callahan has returned to her hometown of Broken Boot, Texas and is head waitress at her aunt and uncles Tex-Mex restaurant, Milagro. Nit exactly where she wants to be at this time of her life, but she is with family and folks who love her.

The story begins as the town is getting ready for the Wild, Wild West festival. The committee organizing the festival has gathered in Milagro for a tamale making party that will be used in a tamale eating contest with proceeds going to the county's children's home. As everyone is working in the kitchen, Dixie Honeycutt, a hippie type who is stuck in the 70's and a designer/maker of jewelry, arrives. She and Elaine get into a bit of a heated discussion about the necklace that Dixie was to make for auction. Later, as everyone is leaving, Josie can see that Dixie is in no shape to get how safely and Josie calls Dixie's nephew to come get her. A short time later, Josie finds Dixie's body near the dumpster out back. When the police arrest Anthony, a part time waiter at Milagro, Josie feels the need to determine who might have killed Dixie. Dixie has had numerous run-ins with folks in the area, so Josie will have a difficult time ahead of her to find the killer.

Delicious sounding recipes are also included with the book.

Looking forward to the next book in this enjoyable series.

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I would like to say I won this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book, and will definitely look for more in the series, but there were some things I wasn't crazy for. Too many characters, I would have to stop and think who someone was in relation to Josie. Too many trite clichés, and I found the actual murderer slightly unbelievable. The motive just didn't ring true for me.

Things I DID like: I loved Lenny, I'm a sucker for a cute, feisty dog and he was all that. I liked Josie, and I always love descriptions of food and I certainly like recipes. I wanted to go right into the kitchen and try that tamale recipe as soon as I got finished.

All in all, a fun read and I appreciate Goodreads for allowing me to win this book. Thank you, Goodreads!!

[Bridgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a scale of 1 to Coco, this Tex-Mex thriller comes in at a 6. It served up interesting characters (I must know more about Linda's digital Chuck Norris scrapbook), locales I'd love to visit (who wouldn't want to dance the night away at Two Boots?), and an excellent cozy pet in Lenny (still waiting on that blog...). It lost some ground during the twist and turns and often alluded to backstory that we weren't privy to but as a first attempt into the world of cozy by the author it was a success! She definitely won me over with her bigger than Texas cozy puns and I am sure I'll mosey on back to Broken Boot in the future.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay start to a series. The MC, Josie, was too much of a ditz for me. Some of the other characters I liked but you didn't get enough of them. I liked her friend Patti better. Senora Mari was a hoot too.

Not a series that I would go out of my way to make sure I get when the next comes out as I follow too many series now that I really enjoy so much better.

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a give away from Goodreads. It was a cute well written story with likeable characters, really looking forward to trying some of the recipes included at the end of the book.

[Mason]

A journalist taking a new career direction and a Tex-Mex restaurant setting are a unique combination for a new series by author Rebecca Adler.

HERE TODAY, GONE TAMALE is the first installment in Adler’s A Taste of Texas Mystery series. This is a delightful story that blends family, friends, good food and small town atmosphere with an intriguing murder mystery.

Josie Callahan has lost her newspaper job in Austin, her fiancé dumps her and he unfriends her on Facebook. Packing up Lenny, her Chihuahua, Josie returns to Broken Boot (Texas) to help out in Milagro, a Tex-Mex restaurant owned and operated by her aunt and uncle.

The town is gearing up for the Wild, Wild West Festival and a tamale making party is held at Milagro. Even a heated discussion between jewelry designer Dixie Honeycutt and committee chairperson Elaine Burnett doesn’t put a damper on the activities. However, that changes when Dixie is found dead a short-time later behind Milagro and the restaurant’s part-time waiter is arrested. Josie’s reporter instincts take over as she becomes determined to find the real killer.

The author has created likable characters that readers will find appealing. The interaction among the characters pulls readers in. The mystery will keep you guessing as the story moves at a steady pace.

With an eye for detail and a taste for delicious dishes, the author blends the search for the killer with the on-going activities of a restaurant. She stirs in eccentric characters and a touch of romance for a well-seasoned story mystery lover will devour.

HERE TODAY, GONE TAMALE is a sizzling start to a fun new series. Readers are also treated to a number of Tex-Mex recipes mentioned in the story.

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

[Once Upon a Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexual Content: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content: Mild
Violent Content: Minimal

Here Today, Gone Tamale is the first book in the new “A Taste of Texas Mystery” by Rebecca Adler. Josie Callahan is back at home in Broken Boot, Texas after losing her reporter job and her fiancée. Determined to help out her family at their Tex Mex Restaurant, Josie is sure that she will eventually figure out something else to do with her life.

Tourists abound in Broken Boot for the annual Wild Wild West Festival and Josie is working on making the tamale’s. But it doesn’t take long for the cantankerous jewelry designer to show up dead on the street near the family’s Milagro Restaurant. Josie had called the women’s nephew to pick her up because she was in no condition to drive, but he was a no show.

The victim alienated half the town, but who hated her enough to kill her? Was it her nephew, who may inherit? Suspects pile up and people’s alibi’s don’t hold water. Josie decides to investigate, but she gets too close to the truth and her beloved dog Lenny is attacked.


Here Today, Gone Tamale starts off quickly, slows down and then picks up the pace again. An interesting story, with many secondary characters, it makes for a fun read. An old nemesis of Josie’s and an old boyfriend and an interesting sheriff all add a little humor and a hint of possible romance to the story. Overall a good in a new series.

-- WENDY

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great new addition to the cozy mystery genre. If you love southwestern sunsets, tamales and a cowboy two-step, then this just might be the book for you. Sure enough, early on there's a murder and it turns out that there are quite a few folks with motive. But surely they've got the wrong guy, right? With so much going on with a town festival, the local constabulary aren't able to devote the energy needed to investigate thoroughly which leaves former Austin Gazette reporter, Josie Callahan no choice but to search out the clues herself. She has to clear the name of her family's restaurant's best worker and that of the restaurant too, while she's at it. Can she do it before she gets caught in the cross hairs? There's lots of twists and turns and just enough foreshadowing for the ending to make sense but not so much as to give it away too soon. Saddle up for a delightful fast-paced ride!!

I am grateful to author Rebecca Adler, publisher Penguin Random House LLC and Goodreads Giveaway program for having provided a free uncorrected proof copy of this book. Their generosity did not, however, influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably would really give this a 3 1/2, only for the reason that it seemed disjointed to me. I couldn't get into a flow with it. A character comes in, you're given the impression that they are likeable and fun, they turn out to be anything but that. This happened with a couple of things that it seemed the author changed her mind how it was to be. I also found the police to be irritating, in few places at how they reacted. That being said the characters are likeable, I came to love Senora Mari, such a feisty lady. I like the interaction between Josie and her friend and family, all believable. The mystery was excellent, I kept bouncing back and forth as to who did it. It all wrapped up to a satisfying conclusion and what a conclusion it was. All and all I think that this is a very good start to a new series. I will continue on with this series.
There is also the bonus of some wonderful sounding recipes.
I was lucky enough to have won a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cast of strong characters and small town Texas setting make for a fantastic adventure. Josie Callahan is back home in Broken Boot working at her family's Tex-Mex restaurant after her job in Austin got downsized and her boyfriend unfriended her on Facebook. It's time for Broken Boot's Wild Wild West Festival and after a tamale making party at the restaurant, Josie finds the body of the local jewelry designer out the back door. Working to clear the busboy/waiter who is arrested for the crime keeps Josie and her Chihuahua, Lenny busy and in hot water. The restaurant theme works extremely well with the setting and characters. The murder plot is different, complex and totally absorbing. This new series is a must for cozy readers wanting food, dogs and a highly unusual murder adventure. I can't wait for the next book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am between a 3 and a 4 with this book and I chose the 4, because I really enjoyed the setting and the restaurant. My familiarity with things Texas is very limited.I also really liked the cover, because I have been to Mexican restaurants in other places that looked similar and welcoming. The 3 is because the book itself was a little short and somethings needed to be told. Two examples are when the murder was committed and Dixie's necklace. Josie, her family, and friends are worth another visit.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful, suspenseful first - in - series. Josie and pup Lenny are the best thing to happen in Broken Boot, Texas for a while! The humor, continually increasing suspense, red herrings and plot twists make this a series I want to watch in the future! Highly recommend to foodies, particularly those who enjoy south/southwest US cooking. Also dog lovers, and those who appreciate the light-hearted waitress who proves herself as an investigative reporter.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, like the title, is a bit quirky. The lead character is part sleuth and part neurotic so it keeps the story interesting. The characters in this book come across as realistic and have depth. The book is a easy read and very entertaining. I really enjoyed it. I didn't add any details because I did not want to spoil anything for readers. I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real Texas hometown murder mystery

Great writing with Texas slang and twang! Very sassy! At the start of the Wild Wild West Festival the local jewelry designer, Dixie is murdered but due to the investigative skills of Josie, a former reporter, the mystery will be solved!! A fun who done it read!!!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Texas Sized Mystery

Here Today, Gone Tamale proves to be a great Mystery ala Murder She Wrote. Lots of humor and true to life characters give the book an extra special flare. The cozy mystery takes readers on a fun ride, and the bonus recipes at the end are an added plus. Warning: Don't read this book while you're hungry.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the protagonist, Josie Callahan. She is witty and loyal. Maybe a bit of a flake! I don't think the story was very believable in the description of the murder. Lots of details were left out and other unnecessary details were rehashed. I will give this series another try. I think there is great potential .

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just the quick, easy, and fun read I was ready for. Set in western Texas, this book is full of tantalizing references to tamales, and other Tex Mex foods prepared and served in Josie Callahan's family's restaurant. Throw in a murder to solve, a few choice villains, and a possible romance, and this was a delightful read.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery and the people were just kind of "eh". The townspeople were confusing in how they treated Josie and I never really got much of a sense of Josie. There is a love triangle in the making - which I hate.

The villain had a stupid reason for killing - she said bad things about her daughter - really, that is a reason to kill someone?

[Gwen Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, good characters. I won this from Goodreads and enjoyed it, thank you. I look forward to getting to know these people better, as I assume there will be sequels.