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Mina Kitchen #4
Perfectly Pickled
Spring is here--finally--and things are looking up! Our intrepid hero, Mina Kitchen, has a new car. Well--it's new to her. And she even has a boyfriend or two lined up. But that's because her BFF, Trixie, signed her up on Cupidsbow.com behind her back. Some prospective dates appear a bit odd--but never mind; it's good to make new friends, right? But all hope of smooth sailing vanishes when Mina hits another bump in the road: she loses her part-time job at Chi-Chi's cosmetic counter. And Chef Jack hasn't been scheduling her at Squirrel Run Acres lately, and her catering for James' massage gigs are replaced by a new, full-time (and gorgeous) assistant. WTH? To make matters worse, her financial calamities become outnumbered by the steady stream of corpses floating her way. Never mind the dead bodies pouring forth from her aunt's church, St. Bart's Episcopal--they're experiencing a new take on mass exodus. Congregation members are trading up at the Pearly Gates quicker than a greased geezer through a glass casket--that is to say, they're dropping like flies. The grim mortgage reaper looms, when suddenly Mina's solvency is rescued as she stumbles upon a full-time job. A rather peculiar job, with some definitely peculiar co-workers. Who try to kill her--and Chef Jack. Can Mina finally climb out of her proverbial--and literal--holes? Or will she wind up getting backhoed alongside a maniacal murderer? And where the heck's a Lavender Cosmo when you really need one? Vinnie, her mini mountain lion-sized cat insists everything will turn out fine--but his idea of fine usually revolves around cans of Finicky Fare, and not much else. If you're looking for funny novels, chatty animals (in the guise of pets)--and recipes--read this book. Perfectly Pickled packs sit-com humor with stand-up dialogue, a murder mystery and suspense. You'll cheer for Mina; hiss at the bad guys and sip your very own Lavender Cosmo along the way, courtesy of the author--the recipe's in the back of the book, along with others, all vetted by Lund's real-life favorite caterer, her husband, Chef Andrew.
342 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2015
300 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 28, 2020
Light hearted silly mystery/ romance. Good to get your mind off the horrors of the world.
February 5, 2016
Liz Lund continues to entertain me, and make me laugh out loud with her books. In this book, Mina Kitchen has a problem with dead bodies showing up where she is or has just been. One was a blind date that she met through an online dating service for which a friend had signed her up. Rumors of poisoning don't help her future as a caterer. Mina is still looking for a job when the book begins, and again when it ends. In between she continues to have jobs that are nightmares, the worst being her job for Graves Funeral Home. She continues to do some part-time catering work, including a funeral luncheon disco style- Funny!!! The names of various characters in this book are hilarious: Phil O'Malarky, Bertha Krumbs, Detective Appletree, and Charlie Fisch. While the other host of characters from other Mina Kitchen books, Vito, Trixie, K. and more, are in this book, they are in more of a minor role. This book really concentrates on Mina. Finally, things are looking up in Mina's love life. I look forward to reading the next book to find out what is happening between Mina and Chef Jack.
June 6, 2021
Mina Kitchen Cozy Mystery #4, EBk-M, Kindle, @ 2015, Read 6/5/21. Fiction, Humor, Cozy Mystery, Death, Cooking. Free Recipes. I'm somewhat surprise at all the 4 and 5☆ Ratings. Although it was a little humorous, mainly because of the silly situations Mina gets into, it seemed to plod along for me. A few of the recipes looked interesting, but probably not enough for me to try them. I'd give it 2☆'s at best. Just Okay!
January 17, 2019
It takes me a minute to read in Mina's voice, but once I'm there, I love it. I figured out the "who" rather early, but the why and the other twists at the end were unexpected. There are a few things left unfinished at the end and I really wanted to know how they turned out. Guess I'll need to read the next story to find out. :)
March 11, 2018
A cute, fun read.
I enjoyed reading this book, the way the characters interacted with each other. Poor Sheldon, but I guess we all know someone who has been in that situation. I will read more in this series.
I enjoyed reading this book, the way the characters interacted with each other. Poor Sheldon, but I guess we all know someone who has been in that situation. I will read more in this series.
January 26, 2020
It's ok
Perfectly Pickled is ok. There are a couple of funny scenes that I enjoyed. However, it seemed like the characters were not all fleshed out, like the detective. And the plot plodded along at some points.
Perfectly Pickled is ok. There are a couple of funny scenes that I enjoyed. However, it seemed like the characters were not all fleshed out, like the detective. And the plot plodded along at some points.
December 10, 2021
I get a little exhausted from following Mina around in her hyperactive world. This round was intriguing, with the new job, the Texan and the other unique weirdos. These books are light hearted and easy to enjoy, full of lively characters and busy plot lines.
July 30, 2023
Murder mixed with Puns
I have never laughed so heartily while reading a "Who done it".
Not to give the plot or ending away, it's hard to keep up with all the bodies falling all around and keep a job in this little book. But if was fun to try.
I have never laughed so heartily while reading a "Who done it".
Not to give the plot or ending away, it's hard to keep up with all the bodies falling all around and keep a job in this little book. But if was fun to try.
May 18, 2017
A funny, entertaining and attention keeping cozy mystery.
I would never have thought of who done it.
If you like a little humor with your dead bodies, try this book.
I would never have thought of who done it.
If you like a little humor with your dead bodies, try this book.
August 25, 2019
Another great read!
December 31, 2019
This was reviewed as a funny book. Not!
July 26, 2020
Still laughing. Great read!
September 1, 2020
Good one.
I did like the story. I did laugh out loud, quite a bit. I didn't like all the grammar errors. It interfered with smooth reading.
I did like the story. I did laugh out loud, quite a bit. I didn't like all the grammar errors. It interfered with smooth reading.
January 10, 2021
Hilarious and fun
Great read. I love Mina's quirky narration. She's fun and adorable. I look forward to reading more by Lizz Lund.
Great read. I love Mina's quirky narration. She's fun and adorable. I look forward to reading more by Lizz Lund.
December 12, 2021
Fun read
A little convoluted at times, but it eventually works itself out. Good read with interesting people and plot. I will read more from this author
A little convoluted at times, but it eventually works itself out. Good read with interesting people and plot. I will read more from this author
July 2, 2022
Zany but unable to turn away
Characters are somewhat familiar and like old friends—with odd proclivities. Not to be missed, along with job hunting. Do read this.
Characters are somewhat familiar and like old friends—with odd proclivities. Not to be missed, along with job hunting. Do read this.
December 1, 2020
I just bought Kindle Unlimited. Now starting with book 1.
Love this series
Love this series
November 2, 2019
This is a amusing story. The mystery is easy to solve but the characters are funny and the friendships and romances are clean and sweet.
April 16, 2015
This is my first book by Lizz Lund and let me tell you, it won’t be my last! Filled with quirky characters, hysterical dialogue and a main character who always seems to be surrounded by hijinx, Perfectly Pickled is one of the best cozy mysteries I have read since Janet Evonovich’s Stephanie Plum series.
Mina Kitchen (yes that is her real name) is a wannabe chef trying to pay the bills before her cat, Vinnie, has no choice but to go on strike. She’s a typical single gal with insecurities and a penchant to cook when under stress. Not to mention the stack of bodies who seem to keel off whenever she is around.
In an effort to pay her rent, she takes a job as a secretary at a… wait for it … mortuary. Groans Mina is creeped out to the max but needs the money. She even puts up with freaky Sheldon, who has a total crush on her.
Mina is surrounded by a large cast of wacky friends and a handsome chef giving her mixed signals. The on-again off-again romance between her and Chef Jack is sweet and made me smile.
All in all, Perfectly Pickled is perfectly delightful. It was a quick read and Lizz Lund has a rare gift for comedy. The one-liners are sprinkled throughout the dialogue and there were many times when I would laugh out loud. Who knew that there was such a thing as mortuary humor? If you like cozy mysteries and/or looking for a funny story, you have to pick up this book!
The recipes are scrumptious and so is the lavender cosmo.
Favorite Character: Mina. I could relate to her more than I would like to admit. She is one of the most loveable characters I have met and I love how things just seem to happen to her. How does she cope? She cooks up enough for an army and it is all worthy of a Michelin star.
Favorite Line: “My feet tingled and I smelled cookies.” ~Mina
Mina Kitchen (yes that is her real name) is a wannabe chef trying to pay the bills before her cat, Vinnie, has no choice but to go on strike. She’s a typical single gal with insecurities and a penchant to cook when under stress. Not to mention the stack of bodies who seem to keel off whenever she is around.
In an effort to pay her rent, she takes a job as a secretary at a… wait for it … mortuary. Groans Mina is creeped out to the max but needs the money. She even puts up with freaky Sheldon, who has a total crush on her.
Mina is surrounded by a large cast of wacky friends and a handsome chef giving her mixed signals. The on-again off-again romance between her and Chef Jack is sweet and made me smile.
All in all, Perfectly Pickled is perfectly delightful. It was a quick read and Lizz Lund has a rare gift for comedy. The one-liners are sprinkled throughout the dialogue and there were many times when I would laugh out loud. Who knew that there was such a thing as mortuary humor? If you like cozy mysteries and/or looking for a funny story, you have to pick up this book!
The recipes are scrumptious and so is the lavender cosmo.
Favorite Character: Mina. I could relate to her more than I would like to admit. She is one of the most loveable characters I have met and I love how things just seem to happen to her. How does she cope? She cooks up enough for an army and it is all worthy of a Michelin star.
Favorite Line: “My feet tingled and I smelled cookies.” ~Mina
June 22, 2016
I love this series. Lizz Lund is a master at the one liners! Mina Kitchen is once again in the throws of unemployment. Her cooking stints at Squirrel Run have dried up and her catering for James' Massage business has been taken over by a new assistant. She has a job at the mall but that seems destined to be short lived also.
Trixie her best friend has sneakily signed Mina up at a dating site, Cupids Bow. The one thing Mina never seems to be short of is Dead Bodies and with a rash of deaths at St. Barts Episcopal she is more than a little freaked out with the possibility of full time employment at a funeral parlor.
Mina is still using her cooking addiction as stress relief and to make things worse she received a pasta cutter for Christmas and her kitchen is overrun with pasta drying over the curtain rods. Her newest invention, a Lavender Cosmo, is a welcome addition to her crazy life.
I have read all of the Lizz Lund books and love them. Mina is quirky and surrounded by even quirkier pets and friends. How does she manage to get into so many predicaments? The book is funny and a very quick read that flows as smoothly as Mina's Cosmo. The characters are well developed and I look forward to revisiting them with each book. Recipe's are included so you can have your very own Lavender Cosmo while enjoying the antics of the life of Mina Kitchen.
Trixie her best friend has sneakily signed Mina up at a dating site, Cupids Bow. The one thing Mina never seems to be short of is Dead Bodies and with a rash of deaths at St. Barts Episcopal she is more than a little freaked out with the possibility of full time employment at a funeral parlor.
Mina is still using her cooking addiction as stress relief and to make things worse she received a pasta cutter for Christmas and her kitchen is overrun with pasta drying over the curtain rods. Her newest invention, a Lavender Cosmo, is a welcome addition to her crazy life.
I have read all of the Lizz Lund books and love them. Mina is quirky and surrounded by even quirkier pets and friends. How does she manage to get into so many predicaments? The book is funny and a very quick read that flows as smoothly as Mina's Cosmo. The characters are well developed and I look forward to revisiting them with each book. Recipe's are included so you can have your very own Lavender Cosmo while enjoying the antics of the life of Mina Kitchen.
July 11, 2015
Mina has finally gotten a real job. As the office manager for a funeral parlor. She has also begun to have a love life - of sorts. There's The guy from the dating website - who ends up dead on her first date, the guy from work who is a total bore and talks way too much (and is WAY too interested in Mina) and possibly? (hopefully? for Mina) Chef Jacque that she sometimes works with at Squirrel's Run, a catering and wedding location.
Add to this, there are too many folks dropping dead at St. Bart's, and although most seem to be accidents or natural causes, everyone is beginning to sense that something might be amiss. And then there's Mina's new co-worker who is also Sheldon's mom, Bertha, who Mina keeps running into, especially near all the dead people, just before they become dead. Add to this, Trixie is trying to help plan some sort of party for some sort of promotion for her boyfriend Mike, the US Marshall. K. is also in on the planning, as is Chef Jacque, and they all want Mina's assistance for that.
Read it to find out what all the mess is about. And if you can keep a straight face, and not laugh yourself into hysteria, you're a better person than I am.
Add to this, there are too many folks dropping dead at St. Bart's, and although most seem to be accidents or natural causes, everyone is beginning to sense that something might be amiss. And then there's Mina's new co-worker who is also Sheldon's mom, Bertha, who Mina keeps running into, especially near all the dead people, just before they become dead. Add to this, Trixie is trying to help plan some sort of party for some sort of promotion for her boyfriend Mike, the US Marshall. K. is also in on the planning, as is Chef Jacque, and they all want Mina's assistance for that.
Read it to find out what all the mess is about. And if you can keep a straight face, and not laugh yourself into hysteria, you're a better person than I am.
November 22, 2015
Zany!!
Mina, the main character of the book, offers a cross between Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Millhone in this very funny novel. Mina, who moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to escape a "situation", is more of an innocent and naive woman, tho, with a warm heart, a cooking obsession, kooky friends and she has trouble saying no to anyone. Somehow she solves mysteries without intending to. I suggest that you start at the first book and continue from there. As a Jersey girl myself, I hope Lizz continues with this series for many books to come.
Mina, the main character of the book, offers a cross between Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Millhone in this very funny novel. Mina, who moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to escape a "situation", is more of an innocent and naive woman, tho, with a warm heart, a cooking obsession, kooky friends and she has trouble saying no to anyone. Somehow she solves mysteries without intending to. I suggest that you start at the first book and continue from there. As a Jersey girl myself, I hope Lizz continues with this series for many books to come.
May 7, 2016
Cheered me up
This was a great read with some yummy recipies as an added bonus. The author admits that she believes silly is ok and I really needed some silly. Between my life not going so well and having read too much dark , heavy stuff I was very down. This was a fun book that did the trick. Enjoy.
This was a great read with some yummy recipies as an added bonus. The author admits that she believes silly is ok and I really needed some silly. Between my life not going so well and having read too much dark , heavy stuff I was very down. This was a fun book that did the trick. Enjoy.
October 18, 2019
A cooking curse
Nina has the family curse for cooking. Trying to start up her own catering business, in between jobs, her friend giving her the boot. What next? Oh! A murder of course. This humorous story of solving murder and crazy cooking
Curse, along with a drop out from witness protection...oh by the way has a swiftering dust problem all add up to fun murder mystery.
Nina has the family curse for cooking. Trying to start up her own catering business, in between jobs, her friend giving her the boot. What next? Oh! A murder of course. This humorous story of solving murder and crazy cooking
Curse, along with a drop out from witness protection...oh by the way has a swiftering dust problem all add up to fun murder mystery.
March 9, 2016
Meh
I generally like cozy mysteries, they are not heart pumpingly gripping but we know that going in. This book was a bit too slow, somewhat scattered within the story line and a bit weak.
I generally like cozy mysteries, they are not heart pumpingly gripping but we know that going in. This book was a bit too slow, somewhat scattered within the story line and a bit weak.
June 26, 2015
This cozy was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the characters and the story.
March 28, 2016
Well and written and filled with humor...maybe a little too much for my taste because is feels like the author was trying too hard, but I did enjoy the book.
April 23, 2016
Good
the woman who has so many part-time jobs that she just keeps running from one to another.trouble just is always be hind her
the woman who has so many part-time jobs that she just keeps running from one to another.trouble just is always be hind her
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews