Black and Blueberry Die

Fresh-Baked Mystery #11

by Livia J. Washburn

It's late summer in Weatherford, Texas and Mike Newsom's childhood friend is sweltering in prison for a crime he claims he didn't commit, murdering his wife. So instead of asking his mother to please stop investigating a murder, as he usually does, he asks her and Sam to please help his friend. Danny Jackson, found guilty of beating his wife Roxanne to death at the ritzy hair salon where she works, was sentenced to prison for 30 years. His pleas of innocence fell on deaf ears, so it's up to Phyllis to find what actually happened. She finds there are a lot of secrets and lies being told, and Roxanne was in the middle of them all. Though Phyllis doesn't want to get mixed up in another murder investigation, her son rarely asks for favors, and certainly not favors like this. She has to untangle the lies and comb out the facts to find what happened that dark night. Includes recipes!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

250 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2016

About the author

Under the names Livia J. Washburn and L.J. Washburn, Livia Reasoner has been writing award-winning, critically acclaimed mystery, western, romance, and historical novels for more than thirty years. She began to write in collaboration with her husband, author James Reasoner, and soon branched out into telling her own stories. She received the Private Eye Writers of America award and the American Mystery award for her first mystery, WILD NIGHT, and was nominated for a Spur by the Western Writers of America for a novel she wrote with her husband, James Reasoner. Livia won the Peacemaker Award from Western Fictioneers for her story “Charlie’s Pie”.

Reviews

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I will keep in my memory for some time regarding this book is the content feeling of domesticity. Some banter, some warmth, lots of food, a secure roof over their heads, a level brain under, and a long, lingering look from the characters' POV over their past lives.

Livia J. Washburn herself is an example of success that flies under the radar. She isn't instantly recognizable, she isn't a NYT bestselling author. She is, however quite talented and successful. These days she has been branching out from this series. I want to try her new books, but I'm reluctant to quit this series.

The trick leading to the outcome of this story is that the main character and amateur sleuth, notices something that escapes everyone else's notice. This trick is tricky to pull off, but the author knows how this is vital to her readers' needs. The story is not much inspired here, but it kept me occupied, and I enjoyed it on some level.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike asks his mom for help. His childhood BFF is in prison for murdering his wife. Mike just can't believe he did it. Phyllis, with the help of Sam and lawyer D'Angelo, go about trying to figure out who did it. I did not guess the killer, and some of the recipes look yummy. I've read several of this series and like it.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retirees Phyllis Newsome and Sam Fletcher are asked to help a convicted man appeal his murder case. The fact that Phyllis and Sam have solved over a dozen murder cases makes this request even more attractive to the convicted man and his attorney.

This man is convicted of murdering his wife. The fact that Danny is also Phyllis' son Mike's friend from school makes the cause more important. Phyllis can't see Danny as a killer, although, it has been years since the two boys hung out together in school.

We learn secrets about the school days, friendships, relationships, and gossip within the hallowed halls of a beauty salon.

This book had delectable foods, real puzzles, and it took me to the ending to figure out, with Phyllis who the killer was.

This book includes recipes as a bonus at the ending. They are good ones too! Enjoy this book!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phyllis did it again! I enjoy solving crimes with her and hearing about all the food she and Carolyn make. I’m so glad recipes are included at the end.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phyllis Newsom and Sam Fletcher are back and better than ever! Phyllis has helped solve murders in the past, so when her son Mike, a deputy sheriff, asked her to please help prove his friend Danny's innocence, she reluctantly agreed. Danny has been accused of murdering his wife Roxanne. Phyllis and Sam, working with Danny's attorney Mr. D'Angelo, do everything they possibly can to find the real killer. I love this series and I highly recommend it! Livia J. Washburn is a phenomenal author and I can't wait for the next book!

[Marsha Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story with Phyllis! The food alone is enough to bring readers back but add to the the plots and characters and you have a fun, interesting read.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is never a dull moment for Phyllis. ☺ If she's not babysitting her grandson or baking a pie for her magazine column she can be found proving her son's childhood best friend didn't kill his wife. 😉 All in a days work for this retired teacher. 😊 As Phyllis and Sam look into the case they uncover secrets and lies and unfortunately a motive for the husband to be the killer. 😲 Phyllis knows it is NOT possible and continues to dig. I barely figured out who the killer was before Phyllis but that takedown was EPIC! 😁 Hope Eve gets more material for her books. 😒

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Phyllis Newsom is asked by her son,Mike, to investigate a murder. A friend of Mike's has been convicted of murdering his wife but Mike who is a deputy doesn't think the friend did it. Phyllis also knew the man when he was growing up and doubts he did the crime. She begins to ask questions but can't seem to find the lead she needs. The book was a quick easy read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow after the last book-the candy cane cupcake killer, I stopped reading this series and I don't understand how I missed this book and the next!?! I've been waiting on the author to write more
....was I in a "readers coma??? This book/series is delightful and now I'll play "catch up" by starting the next book-ha!

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland little mystery. Dull characters, simplistic writing style. Perhaps it would have been fun if the black and blueberry pie that the book is titled after had had something, anything, to do with the murder. I didn't care one little bit about a single character in the book, and there was not an instant of suspense.
[But I made the Black and Blueberry pie for my Book Discussion Potluck, and it was a hit. I hadn't even started the book at the time, but that really made no difference since everyone was reading a different "culinary novel or mystery".]

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one down in the series and it didn't disappoint me. I love this series. Probably because I am a 65 yr old geezer myself like the seniors in the series. I like the mystery that is always lurking in the background but I also like the day to day going ons of the household. Sometimes even sharp words between the main characters.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is always a nice, easy read that makes you think but provides all the clues you need to follow along to solve it. This time Phyllis tries to find the real murderer when her son's childhood best friend is convicted of murdering his wife.

[Shilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book is for you. Livia uses very descriptive language and plot twists that make you not want to put this book down! Looking forward to the next adventure with Phyllis Newsome and the gang.

[Deb Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this wonderful series

I had no idea who the murderer was in this book, it had me guessing all the way through the book. Going to start the next book in th series now.

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

I would recommend Black and Blueberry Die to everyone . I always enjoy reading fresh-naked mystery. I love the characters Phyllis and Sam. I even saw a few recipes I would like to try. They sound great!

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually really freaking good! Better than I thought it would be. I highly recommend this if you like reading a murder mystery, and figuring out if someone was actually guilty or actually innocent. So glad I decided to read this as one of the books to get me back into reading again.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Good recipes! Keep this series going Livia!

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phyllis and Sam are at it again solving another murder and getting better at it. A easy book full of banter and a mystery not to hard to solve.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun who done it summer read.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I wasn't as invested in this story as with others in the series.

[Andrea Kalmbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of her best books. The other books in the series have been much more interesting.

[Michelle Fidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. They keep getting better. I've only read a few.

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder of Roxanne (my name!) supposedly by her husband, Danny (my old high school boyfriend's name). Had to read it! lol

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic. although now I want a blueberry pie which I know is not thr point

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis and her friend Sam are trying to get through a sweltering summer. Phyllis's son Mike's friend, Danny, is in prison for killing his wife at the ritzy beauty salon where she works. Mike doesn't think he did it and instead of his usual asking his mother to stay out of things, he asks her to investigate. Phillips doesn't want to but she wants to help her son and his friend. Phyllis starts by asking questions at the salon and the garage where Danny was part owner. It was a little confusing how Phyllis figured out who the real murderer was.

[Roseann Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this mystery series. Plus the recipes at the end of the book are yummy.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series in the past but this one...not so much. Hope the next one is back to it's previous higher quality.

[Fluff Smut & Murder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its sad when an author loses her publishing house – especially when he/she is still putting out a great story. Phyllis is the mystery solving granny from Texas with some excellent recipies - I’m always going to read her Fresh Baked mystery series just because they are quick, easy reads and the food’s pretty darn tasty.

What I loved: I wish Sam and Phyllis would just open their hearts and fall in love for once and all and become a couple. Together they could be the grand-investigators since Sam follows Phyllis like a puppy everywhere anyways.

What I didn’t love: Carolyn is turning into a bitter spinster who is full of sour grapes. Her jealousy of Phyllis can be too much sometimes. Maybe she needs to go off and live on her own.

What I learned: Nothing can be hidden anymore since everyone posts everything online these days.

Overall Grade: B

www.FluffSmutandMurder.com

[Sharon O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series! The characters are likeable and believable!