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Willow Crier Cozy Mysteries #1
Chili to Die for
Alternate Cover Edition can be found here
A northerner by birth, Willow moves south when she inherits her grandfather’s ice cream shop. From the slow southern dialect to the crazy drivers, Willow finds herself at odds with what most call “southern charm.” She becomes obsessed with cook-offs and bake-offs, wanting those trophies for her mantle. With the chili cook-off just around the corner, Willow manages to provoke one of the judges to a fit of road rage. When that judge ends up face down, dead, in a bowl of Willow’s chili, police chief Grice looks to the newest town resident as his number one suspect. Willow must find out who wanted Ms. Delonda Posey dead before the good citizens of Turtle, OK run her Yankee bottom out of town.
A northerner by birth, Willow moves south when she inherits her grandfather’s ice cream shop. From the slow southern dialect to the crazy drivers, Willow finds herself at odds with what most call “southern charm.” She becomes obsessed with cook-offs and bake-offs, wanting those trophies for her mantle. With the chili cook-off just around the corner, Willow manages to provoke one of the judges to a fit of road rage. When that judge ends up face down, dead, in a bowl of Willow’s chili, police chief Grice looks to the newest town resident as his number one suspect. Willow must find out who wanted Ms. Delonda Posey dead before the good citizens of Turtle, OK run her Yankee bottom out of town.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2015
343 people are currently reading
996 people want to read
About the author
Lilly York
16 books31 followersLilly York? How about Lilly Belle; a mis-plant northerner, living in a southern world. Southern charm is lost among late nights with a two year old granddaughter, heat flashes competing with hell, copious re-runs of Murder She Wrote with Jessica Fletcher catching the bad guy, and a vivid imagination keeping insanity at bay.
In both humor and mystery, Lilly draws inspiration from terrible twos, a 24 year old daughter who questions her sanity, a son who constantly spews bad puns, and a husband who has selective hearing. Though, that’s perfectly alright with her, because what can you love more than a good laugh and a family so dysfunctional they almost seem functional?
In both humor and mystery, Lilly draws inspiration from terrible twos, a 24 year old daughter who questions her sanity, a son who constantly spews bad puns, and a husband who has selective hearing. Though, that’s perfectly alright with her, because what can you love more than a good laugh and a family so dysfunctional they almost seem functional?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 8, 2017
First in a series. This was novella length. A quick fun cozy to fit in between other books. Three recipes at the end of the story. I will pick up the next books in the series as the book/e-book budget allows.
April 19, 2018
Great recipes included
A fun fast moving cozy mystery. Well written and quite a few laughs along the way. A little thick on the southern accents which are not found much in Oklahoma but it is a quirky area just the same. A good read!
A fun fast moving cozy mystery. Well written and quite a few laughs along the way. A little thick on the southern accents which are not found much in Oklahoma but it is a quirky area just the same. A good read!
August 25, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I purchased this book because it was set in Oklahoma, a state I needed to fill for my Literary Escapes Challenge.
Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, and Willow Crier comes when she inherits her grandfather’s ice cream shop. She also enters cook-offs with a pure drive to win. But the latest chili cook-off comes with a huge hitch. Willow has met one of the judges and that meeting did not end well. When that judge falls dead face down in Willows chili she becomes the police chief’s prime suspect. She becomes close to the chief as she strives to find more viable suspects.
I did not like the way this story began. No introduction, readers just drop in with Willow in an argument with another driver that quickly escalates and is recorded by others and appears on social media. Willow is not alone in her vehicle, a woman who we later learn is her daughter is also a witness to this bit of road rage. This intro leads up to an event in chapter two. Maybe had I had access to the prequel before I read this story instead of after I would have known the main players. I do blame the novella-length for the author not providing a better introduction of her protagonist.
Also due to the shorter length, Willow is quickly cleared of any wrong doing to set up a very friendly relationship with the police chief. We do get to know the characters a little better but I would have appreciated more of a backstory for Willow. There are also several other characters we get to meet as Willow ferrets out the real killer but not to the depth I would like.
What I really liked about this story was the relationship that was built between the Turtle police chief Steve Grier and Willow. He decided she needed a watch dog and knew just where to get her the perfect puppy and it also opened a way for her to meet more of his family. Then together they worked on finding the killer. It turns out the victim has plenty of enemies but I did tag someone quickly for the crime.
This book sorely needed better character development and the mystery was an easy solve but this series does show some promise. I do want to get to know these characters and see where Ms. York takes them.
Chili to Die For was a Satisfactory Excursion. The author did write 6 books in this series so I hope she adjusted to the novella length and provides more details about her characters and stronger mysteries.
I purchased this book because it was set in Oklahoma, a state I needed to fill for my Literary Escapes Challenge.
Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, and Willow Crier comes when she inherits her grandfather’s ice cream shop. She also enters cook-offs with a pure drive to win. But the latest chili cook-off comes with a huge hitch. Willow has met one of the judges and that meeting did not end well. When that judge falls dead face down in Willows chili she becomes the police chief’s prime suspect. She becomes close to the chief as she strives to find more viable suspects.
I did not like the way this story began. No introduction, readers just drop in with Willow in an argument with another driver that quickly escalates and is recorded by others and appears on social media. Willow is not alone in her vehicle, a woman who we later learn is her daughter is also a witness to this bit of road rage. This intro leads up to an event in chapter two. Maybe had I had access to the prequel before I read this story instead of after I would have known the main players. I do blame the novella-length for the author not providing a better introduction of her protagonist.
Also due to the shorter length, Willow is quickly cleared of any wrong doing to set up a very friendly relationship with the police chief. We do get to know the characters a little better but I would have appreciated more of a backstory for Willow. There are also several other characters we get to meet as Willow ferrets out the real killer but not to the depth I would like.
What I really liked about this story was the relationship that was built between the Turtle police chief Steve Grier and Willow. He decided she needed a watch dog and knew just where to get her the perfect puppy and it also opened a way for her to meet more of his family. Then together they worked on finding the killer. It turns out the victim has plenty of enemies but I did tag someone quickly for the crime.
This book sorely needed better character development and the mystery was an easy solve but this series does show some promise. I do want to get to know these characters and see where Ms. York takes them.
Chili to Die For was a Satisfactory Excursion. The author did write 6 books in this series so I hope she adjusted to the novella length and provides more details about her characters and stronger mysteries.
June 21, 2018
A quick, easy read. Needed editing but was doable. Good mystery.
February 15, 2022
A transplanted Yankee settles down in the southern state of Oklahoma to run her grandfathers ice cream shop. Willow loves entering food competitions, and she claims that her chili is to die for. Literally.
In this story Willow has entered her first chili bake-off competition. Things turn bad when one of the judges dies after taking one bite of Willows Chili. Willow then sets out to clear her name.
This was well written. And also a fast read. Even I chose the wrong person to be the murderer. But then again, we also did not have all the details. They only showed up at the very end.
The 3 recipes at the end sound delicious as well.
I would definitely be interested in reading Book 2 sometime.
July 5, 2017
Short and cute mystery. Character descriptions were kept light and simple. Nice touch adding recipes in the end.
August 2, 2018
I know it's a short story but this book was too rushed. Nothing was stated about Willow's past making her virtually unknown and the fact that the Police Chief was ok with her investigating when she had no reason to was baffling. She wasn't even considered a suspect when her daughter said they had to clear her name and solve the crime. I'm marking this as a DNF at a quarter of the way in. I just skipped to the end to see who did it. Won't even waste my time.
September 30, 2016
A real cute and fun book, I really liked it
May 17, 2018
Willow Crier has moved to Oklahoma from parts north as a result of inheriting her grandfather’s ice cream shop and is determined to make it – and herself – a go in the tiny town of Turtle. She begins by entering cook-offs, the latest featuring chili, and encounters her first difficulty driving home with her supplies – a fellow motorist, angry that she’s ambling far below the speed limit, throws a road rage fit at Willow’s window, which she and her fellow drivers record. She shrugs it off until she shows up for the contest – and finds that the road rage lady is none other than Delonda Posey, vicious local food vlogger and one of the three competition judges. Add to that the fact that the lady in the next stall is the sanctimonious Annabelle Butterfield, who needles Willow on everything from her northern heritage to her lack of makeup, and it looks like it’s going to be a rough day.
And then Delonda lands face down in a bowl of chili, instantly dead.
After being quickly cleared of the murder, Willow takes it upon herself to solve the crime, and at the same time, strikes up a romance-tinged friendship with Turtle police chief Steve Grier. He helps her find a companion dog, Clover, and the three of them work to find the killer. Seems Delonda had a long list of enemies, so Willow also enlists the help of her college-aged daughter, Embry, and several friends, most of whom had suffered under the judge’s sharp tongue, and patch clues together to discover just who in this tiny Southern town wanted to kill Miss Posey – although the four-legged detective makes the final call.
I enjoyed this sweet little mystery, but it has a number of flaws. Ms. York doesn’t provide any background for Willow – where she came from, whether she’s divorced or widowed, no family connections other than the fact her grandfather owned the ice cream shop she inherited. Nor does the author reveal until Chapter 8 that Delonda Posey was African-American, through a tone-deaf remark by the deceased’s mother about a particular enemy: “She was some little white girl … all you people look the same to me.” Delonda also had a concerned boyfriend, Tayven, who Willow promises to keep informed, but he vanishes from the pages after their first conversation. Finally, there are a number of glaring typos, the most egregious being the use of “communist” instead of “columnist” in Chapter 17. Hopefully all these errors will be resolved in future installments, as this is a nice start to what could be a cute cozy series.
And then Delonda lands face down in a bowl of chili, instantly dead.
After being quickly cleared of the murder, Willow takes it upon herself to solve the crime, and at the same time, strikes up a romance-tinged friendship with Turtle police chief Steve Grier. He helps her find a companion dog, Clover, and the three of them work to find the killer. Seems Delonda had a long list of enemies, so Willow also enlists the help of her college-aged daughter, Embry, and several friends, most of whom had suffered under the judge’s sharp tongue, and patch clues together to discover just who in this tiny Southern town wanted to kill Miss Posey – although the four-legged detective makes the final call.
I enjoyed this sweet little mystery, but it has a number of flaws. Ms. York doesn’t provide any background for Willow – where she came from, whether she’s divorced or widowed, no family connections other than the fact her grandfather owned the ice cream shop she inherited. Nor does the author reveal until Chapter 8 that Delonda Posey was African-American, through a tone-deaf remark by the deceased’s mother about a particular enemy: “She was some little white girl … all you people look the same to me.” Delonda also had a concerned boyfriend, Tayven, who Willow promises to keep informed, but he vanishes from the pages after their first conversation. Finally, there are a number of glaring typos, the most egregious being the use of “communist” instead of “columnist” in Chapter 17. Hopefully all these errors will be resolved in future installments, as this is a nice start to what could be a cute cozy series.
April 29, 2018
A lighthearted, fast paced, humorous murder mystery that can be read in one sitting. The book starts out with the main character, Willow talking to herself while she is driving, but then it seems a narrator describes what she is doing in the 3rd person and then a bit into the book, it switches back to first person with Willow and her 24 year old daughter, Embry who seemed to have a bit more street smarts in some areas than her mother. Then there is Police Chief Steve Grice who comes into the Chili cook-off competition to investigate the death of one of the judges, Delonda, who she had a road rage incident with while driving to the contest, and while questioning Willow appears to immediately form some kind of crush on her and she on him which blooms into a full fledged dating situation very quickly. And of course Willow, her daughter and her best friend, Janie feel they have to prove Willow had nothing to do with the murder of the judge since she died with her head in Willow's chili bowl. In the course of investigating and having a "first" date with the police chief to his sister's house, where she adopts Clover a rescue dog who seems to play a part in Willow and Embry's lives right away. I received and ARC copy of this book from the author, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
July 2, 2017
Chili to Die for (A Willow Crier Cozy Mystery Book 1)
Lilly York
This is a fun little cozy mystery that is high in entertainment. The characters are well developed and the story-line flows nicely. I love that this book focus’ more on the mystery and not so much the romance. The interactions between Willow and her daughter is everything I hope to have with my girls when they’re grown. It’s sweet and loving. Police chief Grice is so fun, and his relationship with the towns people is entertaining. His relationship with his sister her husband is adorable. This book just flat hits all the notes for a fun loving, light, entertaining read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
Lilly York
This is a fun little cozy mystery that is high in entertainment. The characters are well developed and the story-line flows nicely. I love that this book focus’ more on the mystery and not so much the romance. The interactions between Willow and her daughter is everything I hope to have with my girls when they’re grown. It’s sweet and loving. Police chief Grice is so fun, and his relationship with the towns people is entertaining. His relationship with his sister her husband is adorable. This book just flat hits all the notes for a fun loving, light, entertaining read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
March 2, 2021
When I started on this book, I was expecting it to take a few days to read. However, I read it in only two days and didn't really spend that much time on it. The author gets right to the point. There is enough background information on the characters to make the story interesting, but no time is wasted. Willow Crier is a very likeable heroine, with good instincts and she would be a nice person to know.
The story revolves around a chili tasting contest where one of the judges dies while tasting the bowls of chili. Of course this leads to many possible suspects, but not at all easy to figure out. Willow, however, is bound and determined to find the killer, and of course does so. Once again let me say that the book is very enjoyable to read.
The story revolves around a chili tasting contest where one of the judges dies while tasting the bowls of chili. Of course this leads to many possible suspects, but not at all easy to figure out. Willow, however, is bound and determined to find the killer, and of course does so. Once again let me say that the book is very enjoyable to read.
September 4, 2025
Willow Crier is adapting to her new environment. Now that the Yank has moved into the south, she struggles sometimes to keep up with customs and etiquette. That doesn’t stop her from calling out a stranger and videoing the incident. Then the stranger shows up as a judge at a chili contest that Willow has entered. Will this ruin her Chili’s chances? And will it somehow affect business at her ice cream shop? Or will something more sinister come into play forcing her to get to know her neighbors better?
Definitely follows the rules of a cozy mystery: single lady, crime to be solved, butting heads with the police over interference, and a lovable pet who may just save the day.
Definitely follows the rules of a cozy mystery: single lady, crime to be solved, butting heads with the police over interference, and a lovable pet who may just save the day.
April 24, 2020
Willow competes in a chili competition and one of the judges drops dead into her bowl of chili. Now Willow is determined to find the killer since everyone is looking at her as the murderer.
I enjoyed this tale. I liked the characters especially Willow and her daughter Emery as well as the Chief of Police. The world building is good. The mystery is believable but I am surprised that the chief allowed Willow to investigate along with him. That's where my disbelief kicked in. But this is good escapist relief from the COVID-19 news. I look forward to the rest of the series.
I enjoyed this tale. I liked the characters especially Willow and her daughter Emery as well as the Chief of Police. The world building is good. The mystery is believable but I am surprised that the chief allowed Willow to investigate along with him. That's where my disbelief kicked in. But this is good escapist relief from the COVID-19 news. I look forward to the rest of the series.
August 24, 2022
This was book 1 in the
"Willow Crier"
This was a short quick read that I liked. Willow moves south when she inherits her grandfather’s ice cream shop. Willow becomes obsessed with cook-offs and bake-offs when one of the judges ends up dropping dead while eating a bowl of her chilli she becomes the prime suspect she has to clear her name. I liked Willow but she acted immature or younger than she is. I liked all of the secondary characters in this book. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
October 16, 2023
CHILLI TO DIE FOR
I FELT THE BOOK CHILLI TO DIE FOR BY LILLY YORK WAS A LIGHT AND HUMOROUS INTRODUCTION TO A WELLRENOWNED AND EXPENSIVE EATERY AND ITS THEREUPON COMPETITORS. WOMEN REALLY LOVE COOKING. THEY LOVE MAKING DINNER, AND THEY LOVE FEEDING IT TO OTHERS. TO DIE FOR, NO ONE REALLY KISSES THE COOK UNTIL THE TABLE IS SET. WOMEN DON'T PAY LIP SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND THEY ESPECIALLY DON'T SPILL THE BEANS ON THE INGREDIENTS TO SUCCESS. CHILLI TO DIE FOR IS NAME OF THE GAME AND THE BLISTERING PAYOFFS.
I FELT THE BOOK CHILLI TO DIE FOR BY LILLY YORK WAS A LIGHT AND HUMOROUS INTRODUCTION TO A WELLRENOWNED AND EXPENSIVE EATERY AND ITS THEREUPON COMPETITORS. WOMEN REALLY LOVE COOKING. THEY LOVE MAKING DINNER, AND THEY LOVE FEEDING IT TO OTHERS. TO DIE FOR, NO ONE REALLY KISSES THE COOK UNTIL THE TABLE IS SET. WOMEN DON'T PAY LIP SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND THEY ESPECIALLY DON'T SPILL THE BEANS ON THE INGREDIENTS TO SUCCESS. CHILLI TO DIE FOR IS NAME OF THE GAME AND THE BLISTERING PAYOFFS.
May 23, 2017
What I liked cute, well paced, quick read, the protagonist didn't put herself into any ridiculous life threatening situations. What I didn't like on more than one occasion we are left to assume what the problem is, or what Willow is talking about.
All in all an enjoyable read.. will definitely pick up the next one.
All in all an enjoyable read.. will definitely pick up the next one.
July 28, 2018
A competition Lily wanted to win, her chili was going to knock them dead. Which it literally did. The same woman Willow posted on Facebook after an incident yesterday, and to find out she was a judge, a dead judge today.
Can’t afford to lose everything, so to solving murder, is a must. It was a quirky, cozy to enjoy, will look for more by the author.
Can’t afford to lose everything, so to solving murder, is a must. It was a quirky, cozy to enjoy, will look for more by the author.
August 15, 2022
A good cozy murder mystery.
This cozy mystery was fun to read. Willow is excited to enter her town's chili cook off. She is shocked when one of the judges drops dead after tasting her chili. She and her daughter look for clues to prove someone else is the killer. Lots of suspects and lots of clues.
This cozy mystery was fun to read. Willow is excited to enter her town's chili cook off. She is shocked when one of the judges drops dead after tasting her chili. She and her daughter look for clues to prove someone else is the killer. Lots of suspects and lots of clues.
April 5, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved it! Willow runs the town sweet shop - but she loves to make chili too. The death of one of the judges inspires Willow to investigate.
April 24, 2018
A toned down version of Stephanie Plum but with baked goodies and ice cream. I love the recipes at the end a nice added bonus. Great mystery with a bit of a Southern Charm, definitely enjoyed this gonna keep reading the next one too.
August 15, 2018
A Sweet Murder Story!
This is an easy reading book. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. the writer has a way with her words that makes it feel like you are solving the mystery too. A great read!
This is an easy reading book. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. the writer has a way with her words that makes it feel like you are solving the mystery too. A great read!
September 20, 2018
Delicious humor
I very much enjoyed reading Chili to Die For. The characters were very funny and yet still relatable. It was a quick read and I look forward to reading more from this book series. If you like mysteries and humor This is the right series to read.
I very much enjoyed reading Chili to Die For. The characters were very funny and yet still relatable. It was a quick read and I look forward to reading more from this book series. If you like mysteries and humor This is the right series to read.
November 3, 2018
Peanuts for higher
Wow what a laugh fest, a delightful ,comical ,mystery.I found myself laughing out loud with no one in the house but me. If you need a little laughter in your life this a great picker upper. Kat
Wow what a laugh fest, a delightful ,comical ,mystery.I found myself laughing out loud with no one in the house but me. If you need a little laughter in your life this a great picker upper. Kat
October 7, 2020
Not one of my favorites
The main character seems a bit abrasive. Nice enough, but just not what I've come to expect from this type of book. It was a decent story and it ended well. However, I'm not going to read book 2.
The main character seems a bit abrasive. Nice enough, but just not what I've come to expect from this type of book. It was a decent story and it ended well. However, I'm not going to read book 2.
October 2, 2022
Chili to die for
Willow Crier was so on point clearing herself in this whodunit clean cozy mystery. I enjoyed all the characters and can't wait to read the next book.
Thank you Lily York
I would recommend this book to anyone
Willow Crier was so on point clearing herself in this whodunit clean cozy mystery. I enjoyed all the characters and can't wait to read the next book.
Thank you Lily York
I would recommend this book to anyone
July 7, 2017
What a fun book! Willow just can't help herself. Of course she gets into trouble. Read on to find out how she gets out. I'm looking forward to the next book.
July 26, 2017
The writing was not enjoyable. There are too many short sentences in it, so the storytelling doesn't feel flowing.
And i don't feel connection with the characters too
And i don't feel connection with the characters too
December 14, 2017
This was a fun quick read.
April 17, 2018
A very entertaining well written clean story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews