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Down South Café Mystery #3
Honey-Baked Homicide
The owner of a delightful Southern cafe tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It's fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers' Down South Cafe has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she's happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon's body outside the cafe early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects--and they're all buzzing mad. She'll have to use all of her skills--and her Southern charm--to find her way out of this sticky situation...
It's fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers' Down South Cafe has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she's happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon's body outside the cafe early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects--and they're all buzzing mad. She'll have to use all of her skills--and her Southern charm--to find her way out of this sticky situation...
279 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 5, 2017
67 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Leeson
31 books501 followersGayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series.
The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.
Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”
Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”
The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.
Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”
Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)
I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!
The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.
Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”
Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”
The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.
Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”
Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)
I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 15, 2017
“Like a good stew, the plot thickens.”
I can’t say enough how much I love this cozy mystery series. In fact, the Down South Cafe books are one of my go-to series in this genre. They are clean, entertaining, well-plotted and full of yummy food.
All the fave characters return to the Down South Cafe in Honey-Baked Homicide, plus a few new faces for flavor. Aunt Bess continues to be my favorite, with her feisty personality and her hilarious pinterest boarding. Her Lord Have Mercy and People I’ve Outlived boards are good examples of the humor potential here, and Leeson makes full use of it without it being overdone. Aunt Bess doesn’t take over the story – she just shows up when they need some spice. For that matter, Dilly (and her hearing-aid eavesdropping skills plus her raccoon) and Homer (and his hero of the day complete with always situation-appropriate quotes) add their own dose of humor and heart when needed as well. Never too much of these good characters, but just enough to keep us smiling – and waiting to see what they’ll do when they next pop in.
Amy is the perfect cozy mystery heroine because she’s completely relatable and doesn’t go asking for trouble (too much). Most of her investigating/snooping occurs while just chatting up guests at the cafe… or fielding suspects as they insert themselves into her life. It makes sense, it feels natural, and it keeps the peace in her romance with her detective boyfriend Ryan. Who, for his part, is protective without being hovering and really seems to value her input instead of begrudgingly tolerating her theories (as cozy mystery detective boyfriends seem to often do).
The case in Honey-Baked Homicide has lots of twists and turns and more suspects around every bend. I had my eye on a couple of strong possibilities as far as whodunit …. and I was completely wrong. Which is a testament to Ms. Leeson’s mystery-crafting skills because I grew up watching Murder She Wrote, y’all.
Bottom Line: If you haven’t yet started reading the Down South Cafe mysteries, you are missing out on some good reads. Each book can stand on its own, but I love the series so much I’d recommend you just go ahead and start at the beginning. The setting nicely supports the plot, and the supporting characters are both quirky and endearing. Amy’s relationship with her family is sweet and healthy, and there’s such a great mix of wit and suspense wrapped up in a cozy package. A great choice anytime you want an entertaining, clean, and well-written read with fun characters you’ll want as friends! (The recipes at the back are a nice bonus, too!)
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
I can’t say enough how much I love this cozy mystery series. In fact, the Down South Cafe books are one of my go-to series in this genre. They are clean, entertaining, well-plotted and full of yummy food.
All the fave characters return to the Down South Cafe in Honey-Baked Homicide, plus a few new faces for flavor. Aunt Bess continues to be my favorite, with her feisty personality and her hilarious pinterest boarding. Her Lord Have Mercy and People I’ve Outlived boards are good examples of the humor potential here, and Leeson makes full use of it without it being overdone. Aunt Bess doesn’t take over the story – she just shows up when they need some spice. For that matter, Dilly (and her hearing-aid eavesdropping skills plus her raccoon) and Homer (and his hero of the day complete with always situation-appropriate quotes) add their own dose of humor and heart when needed as well. Never too much of these good characters, but just enough to keep us smiling – and waiting to see what they’ll do when they next pop in.
Amy is the perfect cozy mystery heroine because she’s completely relatable and doesn’t go asking for trouble (too much). Most of her investigating/snooping occurs while just chatting up guests at the cafe… or fielding suspects as they insert themselves into her life. It makes sense, it feels natural, and it keeps the peace in her romance with her detective boyfriend Ryan. Who, for his part, is protective without being hovering and really seems to value her input instead of begrudgingly tolerating her theories (as cozy mystery detective boyfriends seem to often do).
The case in Honey-Baked Homicide has lots of twists and turns and more suspects around every bend. I had my eye on a couple of strong possibilities as far as whodunit …. and I was completely wrong. Which is a testament to Ms. Leeson’s mystery-crafting skills because I grew up watching Murder She Wrote, y’all.
Bottom Line: If you haven’t yet started reading the Down South Cafe mysteries, you are missing out on some good reads. Each book can stand on its own, but I love the series so much I’d recommend you just go ahead and start at the beginning. The setting nicely supports the plot, and the supporting characters are both quirky and endearing. Amy’s relationship with her family is sweet and healthy, and there’s such a great mix of wit and suspense wrapped up in a cozy package. A great choice anytime you want an entertaining, clean, and well-written read with fun characters you’ll want as friends! (The recipes at the back are a nice bonus, too!)
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
December 8, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Fall in Winter Garden, a perfect time to visit the Down South Café. Amy Flowers has just made a honey of a deal with beekeeper Stu Landon to sell his honey and use it in her recipes. The first batch was selling quickly so she went to visit him in hopes of a few more jars to sell. She arrived to find Stu upset with his neighbor for using a pesticide on his crops that is killing his bees. Amy leaves with the promise of a delivery of more jars in the morning and Stu ready to face off with his neighbor.
When she arrives at the café the next day, Stu is there waiting for her in his truck. When she walks up to his truck she notices something is wrong and when she opens the door to help him she realizes she is too late, the man is dead and it wasn’t from natural causes. The town is soon abuzz about his death and she can’t believe the long list of suspects. It is going to take some sweet skills to catch the killer and Amy finds herself right in the middle of another murder investigation.
The author has created a unique band of characters. Amy Flowers has a huge heart, she always wants to help people so she is in the perfect business. The Down South Café has its daily regulars like Dilly and Homer, but people like Stu, Chad Thomas, and Mr. Dougherty from Ives Oil and Gas are new visitors. Stu has lived near town for many years, but he keeps to himself so people don’t know too much about him. Chad Thomas is Stu’s neighbor and he brings his wife to the cafe for the very first time. Mr. Dougherty is in town on business and has been using the café as his place to meet with people. We also meet Stuart’s children and nephew after his death. Their interactions with Amy at the café are complicated. All the other characters we have come to love have returned in this installment too.
The murder mystery is complex and unfolds at a steady pace with plenty of drama. Amy becomes the center of attention for two characters wrath and she handles it much better than I would. I found myself drawn to the most obvious suspect and was surprised when the final twist blew my entire thought process out of the water.
Gayle Leeson has written a honey of a mystery and I “bee-lieve” it is the best one so far in this series. She also includes several recipes to whet your appetite. The descriptions within the story had my stomach growling.
Southern charm, fabulous characters, and a fantastic mystery come together for a great read. It can be read on its own, but I suggest you read all three in order to get to know these characters
Fall in Winter Garden, a perfect time to visit the Down South Café. Amy Flowers has just made a honey of a deal with beekeeper Stu Landon to sell his honey and use it in her recipes. The first batch was selling quickly so she went to visit him in hopes of a few more jars to sell. She arrived to find Stu upset with his neighbor for using a pesticide on his crops that is killing his bees. Amy leaves with the promise of a delivery of more jars in the morning and Stu ready to face off with his neighbor.
When she arrives at the café the next day, Stu is there waiting for her in his truck. When she walks up to his truck she notices something is wrong and when she opens the door to help him she realizes she is too late, the man is dead and it wasn’t from natural causes. The town is soon abuzz about his death and she can’t believe the long list of suspects. It is going to take some sweet skills to catch the killer and Amy finds herself right in the middle of another murder investigation.
The author has created a unique band of characters. Amy Flowers has a huge heart, she always wants to help people so she is in the perfect business. The Down South Café has its daily regulars like Dilly and Homer, but people like Stu, Chad Thomas, and Mr. Dougherty from Ives Oil and Gas are new visitors. Stu has lived near town for many years, but he keeps to himself so people don’t know too much about him. Chad Thomas is Stu’s neighbor and he brings his wife to the cafe for the very first time. Mr. Dougherty is in town on business and has been using the café as his place to meet with people. We also meet Stuart’s children and nephew after his death. Their interactions with Amy at the café are complicated. All the other characters we have come to love have returned in this installment too.
The murder mystery is complex and unfolds at a steady pace with plenty of drama. Amy becomes the center of attention for two characters wrath and she handles it much better than I would. I found myself drawn to the most obvious suspect and was surprised when the final twist blew my entire thought process out of the water.
Gayle Leeson has written a honey of a mystery and I “bee-lieve” it is the best one so far in this series. She also includes several recipes to whet your appetite. The descriptions within the story had my stomach growling.
Southern charm, fabulous characters, and a fantastic mystery come together for a great read. It can be read on its own, but I suggest you read all three in order to get to know these characters
December 10, 2017
I finished Honey-Baked Homicide by Gayle Lesson just before 10 last night. This is the third in the series and more complex than the previous two. While my favorite character Homer is an important side character, I would have loved to have had more time with Aunty Bess. Honestly that is the only fault I could find in this mystery. It is a very good one, I enjoyed the characters and the story. I did not have it figured out when the twist was revealed. It was sad and cozy all at the same time. This one is out now and has some great recipes at the end too!
December 27, 2017
For the third straight year, the Down South Café Mysteries has a permanent place on my top 5 favorite cozy mystery series list!
From the first sentence of book one in this series, THE CALAMITY CAFÉ, I knew it was a series I was going to love. Now having read this third book, HONEY-BAKED HOMICDE, I have no doubt I will remain a forever fan.
The words of this excellent story flew across the pages with ease, making for a quick read. I became lost in the words. I could hear the sounds, and smell the aromas of the different dishes, making me feel like I was a part of the story, and not just a reader.
HONEY-BAKED HOMICIDE was a well thought out mystery. Ms. Leeson had me going around in circles trying to guess who the killer was, and the reasoning behind it.
On a small negative note (Not neg enough to keep me from giving HONEY-BAKED HOMICDIE a 5 star rating), protagonist Amy Flowers is unfortunate enough to discover another body. I know that’s the way it goes in cozies, and I accept it 100%. That being said, I don’t care for all the victims from each book being found in or near the café. Any more deaths around her business would have to start scaring away her customers. Well, except Homer LOL.
On a big happy note, this delightful series by author Gayle Leeson is everything I look for in cozy mysteries. A lovely small town setting, characters I adore, a business that I would totally frequent, and wonderful writing that follows the outline of true cozies. Perfect for all ages, the author proves you can have a successful mystery without the use of cursing, or getting “edgy”. Series like this one are what hooked me on the cozy mystery sub-genre to begin with.
From the first sentence of book one in this series, THE CALAMITY CAFÉ, I knew it was a series I was going to love. Now having read this third book, HONEY-BAKED HOMICDE, I have no doubt I will remain a forever fan.
The words of this excellent story flew across the pages with ease, making for a quick read. I became lost in the words. I could hear the sounds, and smell the aromas of the different dishes, making me feel like I was a part of the story, and not just a reader.
HONEY-BAKED HOMICIDE was a well thought out mystery. Ms. Leeson had me going around in circles trying to guess who the killer was, and the reasoning behind it.
On a small negative note (Not neg enough to keep me from giving HONEY-BAKED HOMICDIE a 5 star rating), protagonist Amy Flowers is unfortunate enough to discover another body. I know that’s the way it goes in cozies, and I accept it 100%. That being said, I don’t care for all the victims from each book being found in or near the café. Any more deaths around her business would have to start scaring away her customers. Well, except Homer LOL.
On a big happy note, this delightful series by author Gayle Leeson is everything I look for in cozy mysteries. A lovely small town setting, characters I adore, a business that I would totally frequent, and wonderful writing that follows the outline of true cozies. Perfect for all ages, the author proves you can have a successful mystery without the use of cursing, or getting “edgy”. Series like this one are what hooked me on the cozy mystery sub-genre to begin with.
June 17, 2019
Things are buzzing at the Down South Cafe, especially after a homicide victim is found in the parking lot with his throat slit. Amy is more than a little curious, and her inquiries are likely to get her into more than a little trouble. The third in this delightful series, this cozy has it all: an intriguing mystery, likable returning characters, (including the eccentric Aunt Bess and the charming Homer), and a dashing and handsome cop who is always ready to hold hands with Amy or slap handcuffs on the bad guys. Entertaining and exciting, this cozy is a sweet read.
March 15, 2018
Synopsis:
The owner of a delightful Southern café tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Café has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the café early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects—and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills—and her Southern charm—to find her way out of this sticky situation... (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to spend time with Amy, Jackie, Aunt Bess and Amy’s mom. The woman all have unique personalities and they are all strong women in their own way. I liked getting to read about their interactions and conversations.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and pulled me right into the story from the beginning. The mystery was well plotted and had enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider, and it was not an easy one to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I have read all of the books in this series and they are all good.
The owner of a delightful Southern café tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Café has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the café early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects—and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills—and her Southern charm—to find her way out of this sticky situation... (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to spend time with Amy, Jackie, Aunt Bess and Amy’s mom. The woman all have unique personalities and they are all strong women in their own way. I liked getting to read about their interactions and conversations.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and pulled me right into the story from the beginning. The mystery was well plotted and had enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider, and it was not an easy one to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I have read all of the books in this series and they are all good.
November 28, 2017
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one was flat. The writing is kind of juvenile and written in a way that someone in late grammar school might write or read. It was almost like someone else wrote the book. The murder mystery was good -- but at times I wondered if the author knew who did it and then just made a decision who did at the end.
December 7, 2017
HONEY-BAKED HOMICIDE, the third book in Gayle Leeson’s Down South Café Mystery series is an entertaining read that combines both a twisty-turvey murder plot along with a cornucopia of colorful characters. Amy Flowers, owner of the Down South Café in Winter Garden, Virginia is a caring but curious protagonist. I enjoyed her interaction with her patrons, her friends, and her family. When she decides she needs to get involved and start asking questions to find the murderer of reclusive beekeeper, Stu Landon, she starts uncovering secrets of not only the victim, but other people in town. Some would rather those secrets stay hidden and it’s not long before Amy is in danger.
When I started the book I thought I knew who the victim and the suspects would be but then the author threw in her twists and I was back to guessing while the story took me for an enjoyable ride. Along the way the reader is treated to delicious sounding meals at Amy’s café along with bits and pieces about the plight of the honeybee. We get to spend time with one of my favorite characters, Homer Pickens, who introduces us to a new hero every day. I love his obscure quotes from his heroes, often times people I’ve never heard about. Yet, they have interesting and insightful words of wisdom to impart through Homer which gives the reader pause to consider and take to heart.
While reading, you’ll be drooling over many mentions of amazing meals and thankfully the author provides several recipes at the back of the book. I tried her recipe for Chocolate Pistachio Bundt Cake... oh my goodness, absolutely delicious... this is definitely a keeper!
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I started the book I thought I knew who the victim and the suspects would be but then the author threw in her twists and I was back to guessing while the story took me for an enjoyable ride. Along the way the reader is treated to delicious sounding meals at Amy’s café along with bits and pieces about the plight of the honeybee. We get to spend time with one of my favorite characters, Homer Pickens, who introduces us to a new hero every day. I love his obscure quotes from his heroes, often times people I’ve never heard about. Yet, they have interesting and insightful words of wisdom to impart through Homer which gives the reader pause to consider and take to heart.
While reading, you’ll be drooling over many mentions of amazing meals and thankfully the author provides several recipes at the back of the book. I tried her recipe for Chocolate Pistachio Bundt Cake... oh my goodness, absolutely delicious... this is definitely a keeper!
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 5, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
January 30, 2021
Amy and her crew are back...including Babe Ruth 😉 Another quick read with her trying to solve the mystery of who killed the beekeeper. I was actually a little surprised about how it ended. I thought it was someone else. Good story and now to get the next one!
August 12, 2019
Synopsis:
The owner of a delightful Southern café tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Café has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the café early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects—and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills—and her Southern charm—to find her way out of this sticky situation... (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to spend time with Amy, Jackie, Aunt Bess and Amy’s mom. The women all have unique personalities and they are all strong women in their own way. I liked getting to read about their interactions and conversations.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and pulled me right into the story from the beginning. The mystery was well plotted and had enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider, and it was not an easy one to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I have read all of the books in this series and they are all good.
The owner of a delightful Southern café tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Café has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the café early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects—and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills—and her Southern charm—to find her way out of this sticky situation... (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to spend time with Amy, Jackie, Aunt Bess and Amy’s mom. The women all have unique personalities and they are all strong women in their own way. I liked getting to read about their interactions and conversations.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and pulled me right into the story from the beginning. The mystery was well plotted and had enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider, and it was not an easy one to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I have read all of the books in this series and they are all good.
December 9, 2023
Not quite as enjoyable as previous books but still a worthy read and a solid series.
December 1, 2017
Honey-Baked Homicide is the third book in the A Down South Cafe Mystery series.
It’s always a joy to stop by the Down South Cafe and check in with Amy Flower, her waitresses, and her loyal customers.
Amy has agreed to display beekeeper, Stu Landon’s delicious honey on consignment. It is an immediate hit and a couple days later heads out to his farm to replenish the stock. Landon is one who keeps to himself but does share with Amy that his neighbor has been spraying pesticides during the day and is sure that is why his bees are dying off and says that he will have to confront his neighbor, Chad Thomas. The next morning as Amy is arriving to open the cafe she see Landon’s pickup truck in her parking lot. When she goes to help him she finds he is past help, he is dead.
Amy wants to know who killed him, why and why he was left in her parking lot. It soon comes to light that he was the “whistleblower” at the pesticide company he was working for and had moved to Winter Garden to start a new life. Amy soon learns that a gentleman, Walter Jackson, who had asked Amy where Landon lived was the man Landon had blown the whistle on. Talking with Jackson later, Amy wants to believe his story that he just wants to make amends with Landon. She also needs to learn more about Chad Thomas, who is known to be a bit of a hothead and also wanted to buy Landon’s farm. She wonders how far he would go to buy the farm. When his children come to make funeral arrangements and having conversed with them, she wonders if his estrangement from them could lead them to take his life.
With the help of her cousin Jackie and her boyfriend, Deputy Ryan Hall and the internet, she sets off to uncover the murderer.
This series has a wonderful cast of characters and the story is well-plotted and told at an even pace. Amy’s Aunt Bessie and Dolly didn’t play a big role but did make appearances. My favorite character, Homer Pickens stops in every for his sausage biscuit and mention his hero of the day and provide a few quotes from the hero.
Delicious recipes are also included with the book.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
It’s always a joy to stop by the Down South Cafe and check in with Amy Flower, her waitresses, and her loyal customers.
Amy has agreed to display beekeeper, Stu Landon’s delicious honey on consignment. It is an immediate hit and a couple days later heads out to his farm to replenish the stock. Landon is one who keeps to himself but does share with Amy that his neighbor has been spraying pesticides during the day and is sure that is why his bees are dying off and says that he will have to confront his neighbor, Chad Thomas. The next morning as Amy is arriving to open the cafe she see Landon’s pickup truck in her parking lot. When she goes to help him she finds he is past help, he is dead.
Amy wants to know who killed him, why and why he was left in her parking lot. It soon comes to light that he was the “whistleblower” at the pesticide company he was working for and had moved to Winter Garden to start a new life. Amy soon learns that a gentleman, Walter Jackson, who had asked Amy where Landon lived was the man Landon had blown the whistle on. Talking with Jackson later, Amy wants to believe his story that he just wants to make amends with Landon. She also needs to learn more about Chad Thomas, who is known to be a bit of a hothead and also wanted to buy Landon’s farm. She wonders how far he would go to buy the farm. When his children come to make funeral arrangements and having conversed with them, she wonders if his estrangement from them could lead them to take his life.
With the help of her cousin Jackie and her boyfriend, Deputy Ryan Hall and the internet, she sets off to uncover the murderer.
This series has a wonderful cast of characters and the story is well-plotted and told at an even pace. Amy’s Aunt Bessie and Dolly didn’t play a big role but did make appearances. My favorite character, Homer Pickens stops in every for his sausage biscuit and mention his hero of the day and provide a few quotes from the hero.
Delicious recipes are also included with the book.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
August 16, 2019
With Amy Flower's expanding her sell through section she expects money in the till, not murder in the morning!
Amy has teamed up with a local beekeeper, Stu Landon, to sell his honey on a commission basis, it proves so popular that she goes to his farm to ask if he can provide some more, which he agrees to do the following morning, Amy therefore isn't surprised to see his rather ramshackle pickup truck in the car park the next morning, she is surprised when he doesn't follow her in, but she figures he has fallen asleep whilst waiting for her, he turns out to be asleep alright, but it is the sleep of the dead!
No-one knew much about Stu, so they are stunned when they discover he has an ex-wife and two children (one a paralegal, the other at college), Amy initially gets on fine with the daughter, until the finger of suspicion falls on the son, add in the possibility of people having natural gas under their properties, maybe a battered wife, the death of some of the bees and fingers pointing every which way and Amy has more on her plate that just some hash browns.
Amy has teamed up with a local beekeeper, Stu Landon, to sell his honey on a commission basis, it proves so popular that she goes to his farm to ask if he can provide some more, which he agrees to do the following morning, Amy therefore isn't surprised to see his rather ramshackle pickup truck in the car park the next morning, she is surprised when he doesn't follow her in, but she figures he has fallen asleep whilst waiting for her, he turns out to be asleep alright, but it is the sleep of the dead!
No-one knew much about Stu, so they are stunned when they discover he has an ex-wife and two children (one a paralegal, the other at college), Amy initially gets on fine with the daughter, until the finger of suspicion falls on the son, add in the possibility of people having natural gas under their properties, maybe a battered wife, the death of some of the bees and fingers pointing every which way and Amy has more on her plate that just some hash browns.
April 23, 2019
Cute cozy. This is a new author to me.
Amy Flowers owns the Down South Cafe. A local beekeeper asks to sell some of his honey at the cafe.
But, the next day Stuart Landon is found dead in his truck in front of the cafe.
It just doesn't make sense, who would want to harm the beekeeper ? Of course, Amy and friends now have to figure it out. But there is a gas and oil man looking for natural gas deposits under the local properties to develop. Hmm, could that have anything to do with it? And what about Stuart's family?
A light read and entertaining.
Amy Flowers owns the Down South Cafe. A local beekeeper asks to sell some of his honey at the cafe.
But, the next day Stuart Landon is found dead in his truck in front of the cafe.
It just doesn't make sense, who would want to harm the beekeeper ? Of course, Amy and friends now have to figure it out. But there is a gas and oil man looking for natural gas deposits under the local properties to develop. Hmm, could that have anything to do with it? And what about Stuart's family?
A light read and entertaining.
July 7, 2023
Such a good series
I’d love to go to the Down South Cafe. I really like the characters in this series, Amy is great and I enjoy sleuthing with her. The mystery was good and kept me guessing.
I’d love to go to the Down South Cafe. I really like the characters in this series, Amy is great and I enjoy sleuthing with her. The mystery was good and kept me guessing.
January 19, 2018
great suspense and humor both. interesting topic
October 28, 2024
I enjoyed this book. The characters are likable and the story is fast paced. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 15, 2024
A cute, easy read mystery, I did not figure out the murderer.
December 31, 2017
The killer just didn’t make sense. Not giving anything away, but it just didn’t gel. Plus the Carver boys were nothing but a distraction. On top of it all, the narrator was so artificial and saccharine, it was hard to keep listening.
December 22, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ho...
Honey-Baked Homicide
Down South Cafe Mystery, Book #3
By Gayle Leeson
ISBN: 9781101990827
Author’s website: gayleleeson.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
The owner of a delightful Southern cafe tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Cafe has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the cafe early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects–and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills–and her Southern charm–to find her way out of this sticky situation.
Review:
What a wild ride this mystery is! Returning to The Down South Cafe in Winter Garden, Virginia, is sweeter with each new novel and I don’t just mean Amy’s delectable baked treats. The recipes for the cakes at the end of the book sound SO good! This novel has everything that makes a good cozy mystery – interesting occupations, a small town with a full range of quirky people, a murder that has no obvious suspect, and pretzel-type twists that kept this reader completely in the dark of who the bad guy/ gal might be, even 30 pages from the end.
Amy’s cafe has been open about a month, and business is good. She has been dating Deputy Ryan Hall for a few weeks, and life couldn’t be better. Her cousin and best friend, Jackie, has been dating Roger, the contractor who did the remodel on the Cafe. Luis, the student who buses the tables and runs the dishwasher, know the customers and is protective of the ladies.
Amy has begun to sell Stu Landon’s honey from his local farm bees; the first day was so successful that she goes to his farm to get more before next week’s delivery. Stu, a very private person who has been rumored to have been a spy or CIA agent before moving to Winter Garden, was having a bad day. His neighbor, Chad, sprayed his fields that day and hundreds of Stu’s bees had died. He offered to deliver more honey to the Cafe in the morning.
The next morning, Amy sees Stu in his pickup truck in the parking lot, and went to let him know she would open up for him. Stu was dead, clearly murdered. The suspect list at first seemed short. There was concern about a distinguished man who had come into the cafe the day before wanting to know where Stu lived. Walter Jackson sounded honest, but Amy wouldn’t give up the information. Stu planned to see the farmer, Chad Thomas, after Amy left the day before, Could he have been the culprit? Deputies had confirmed Stu had been murdered someplace else and put in his truck that had been moved to the Cafe’s parking lot.
While the team of investigators was still in the parking lot, a young woman came in from out of state, claiming to be Stu’s daughter. She and Amy try to work together to find who may have killed her father. In the midst of the challenges, a representative from Ives Oil and Gas is doing testing throughout the town to see if there was natural gas in the area. Stu’s son Brendan was a wild young man running around with his cousin. Rude and threatening, Amy kicked them out of the Cafe. And Chad wanted desperately to purchase Stu’s land. The ‘motive’ list grows.
I love this small town full of delightful, caring people! Each are well-rounded. We learn the most about Amy, since we see the story through her eyes. Other characters such as Amy’s family, Ryan, Jackie, Cafe customers, and others are well-defined. A couple of the regulars always catch my eye, such as Homer, who has a new hero and quote every day, and Dilly, who takes a biscuit to the racoon who comes to her every evening for it.
This novel drew me in from the beginning and kept me riveted throughout. Honey-Baked Homicide has plot twists and turns through to the very end! With less than 30 pages to go, I still had absolutely no idea who killed Stu, why Walter Jackson was really in town, and the possible involvement of Stu’s son in the events. To say I was stunned to find out the truth is an understatement – I had not even considered this person as the bad guy/ gal, so well was this mystery written. There is at least one more surprises at the end that is fun, leaving wide the door to see what happens in the next book. I highly recommend Honey-Baked Homicide – it can be read as a standalone, yet I can promise you’ll want to read the first two!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Honey-Baked Homicide
Down South Cafe Mystery, Book #3
By Gayle Leeson
ISBN: 9781101990827
Author’s website: gayleleeson.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
The owner of a delightful Southern cafe tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . .
It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Cafe has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the cafe early one morning.
As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects–and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills–and her Southern charm–to find her way out of this sticky situation.
Review:
What a wild ride this mystery is! Returning to The Down South Cafe in Winter Garden, Virginia, is sweeter with each new novel and I don’t just mean Amy’s delectable baked treats. The recipes for the cakes at the end of the book sound SO good! This novel has everything that makes a good cozy mystery – interesting occupations, a small town with a full range of quirky people, a murder that has no obvious suspect, and pretzel-type twists that kept this reader completely in the dark of who the bad guy/ gal might be, even 30 pages from the end.
Amy’s cafe has been open about a month, and business is good. She has been dating Deputy Ryan Hall for a few weeks, and life couldn’t be better. Her cousin and best friend, Jackie, has been dating Roger, the contractor who did the remodel on the Cafe. Luis, the student who buses the tables and runs the dishwasher, know the customers and is protective of the ladies.
Amy has begun to sell Stu Landon’s honey from his local farm bees; the first day was so successful that she goes to his farm to get more before next week’s delivery. Stu, a very private person who has been rumored to have been a spy or CIA agent before moving to Winter Garden, was having a bad day. His neighbor, Chad, sprayed his fields that day and hundreds of Stu’s bees had died. He offered to deliver more honey to the Cafe in the morning.
The next morning, Amy sees Stu in his pickup truck in the parking lot, and went to let him know she would open up for him. Stu was dead, clearly murdered. The suspect list at first seemed short. There was concern about a distinguished man who had come into the cafe the day before wanting to know where Stu lived. Walter Jackson sounded honest, but Amy wouldn’t give up the information. Stu planned to see the farmer, Chad Thomas, after Amy left the day before, Could he have been the culprit? Deputies had confirmed Stu had been murdered someplace else and put in his truck that had been moved to the Cafe’s parking lot.
While the team of investigators was still in the parking lot, a young woman came in from out of state, claiming to be Stu’s daughter. She and Amy try to work together to find who may have killed her father. In the midst of the challenges, a representative from Ives Oil and Gas is doing testing throughout the town to see if there was natural gas in the area. Stu’s son Brendan was a wild young man running around with his cousin. Rude and threatening, Amy kicked them out of the Cafe. And Chad wanted desperately to purchase Stu’s land. The ‘motive’ list grows.
I love this small town full of delightful, caring people! Each are well-rounded. We learn the most about Amy, since we see the story through her eyes. Other characters such as Amy’s family, Ryan, Jackie, Cafe customers, and others are well-defined. A couple of the regulars always catch my eye, such as Homer, who has a new hero and quote every day, and Dilly, who takes a biscuit to the racoon who comes to her every evening for it.
This novel drew me in from the beginning and kept me riveted throughout. Honey-Baked Homicide has plot twists and turns through to the very end! With less than 30 pages to go, I still had absolutely no idea who killed Stu, why Walter Jackson was really in town, and the possible involvement of Stu’s son in the events. To say I was stunned to find out the truth is an understatement – I had not even considered this person as the bad guy/ gal, so well was this mystery written. There is at least one more surprises at the end that is fun, leaving wide the door to see what happens in the next book. I highly recommend Honey-Baked Homicide – it can be read as a standalone, yet I can promise you’ll want to read the first two!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
December 9, 2017
Honey-Baked Homicide is the third book in Gayle Leeson's Down South Café Mystery Series. Amy Flowers' business is doing well and she's agreed to a consignment deal to sell honey for Stuart Landon, a local beekeeper. Her customers are excited to have local honey on the menu and available for purchase at the counter. When Stuart's dead body is found in his truck by Amy one morning, she knows she has to figure out what happened. Why was he killed and what is the purpose of parking him in front of the cafe?
Amy finds out that Stuart Landon is not only a keeper of bees but a keeper of secrets, as well. He isn't who the town thinks he is, which expands the murder investigation outside of Winter Garden. There are also numerous suspects in town, too. There are property disputes, issues with pesticides, and right in the middle of everything comes a surveyor looking for natural gas deposits. As secrets get revealed, Amy knows that someone very sinister is prowling around town but can she sniff them out before anyone else dies?
As in the previous books, the murder takes place in a small town with family roots and stories that span several generations. The death occurs near the beginning of the book, giving the author a lengthy time frame to develop more of the Winter Garden, VA world and set the stage for murder and mystery solving. We are reacquainted with the key characters and introduced to many new ones.
I must confess - I didn't like this book as much as I like books 1 and 2. The pacing of the book was different, a little bit slower, than the first two books. I didn't become immersed or completely engaged in Honey-Baked Homicide like I did with the first two books in the series. This doesn't mean I hated the book by any means. I actually enjoyed it - a lot - just not as much as The Calamity Cafe or Silence of the Jams.
I enjoyed the storyline and the plot of Honey-Baked Homicide does pull the reader along on a wild tale of murder and suspense. The descriptions of the world in Winter Garden were vivid and I felt like I was right there in the middle of the town and involved in the investigation. The dialogue between all of the characters was believable and well done. I enjoyed the interactions between Amy and Ryan and like the pace the author is using to build up a potential relationship.
The book is full of suspense with twists and turns around every corner. There are so many suspects, from within the town and from other cities, to choose from. The author does a great job disguising the murderer and the motive along with everything else related to the mystery. I recommend the Down South Cafe Mystery series and suggest you start with Book 1. You'll get to know the key players before meeting them again in Honey-Baked Homicide.
I truly hope we do get another few books in the series. Amy and her wonderful town have so much more to share with the readers.
Amy finds out that Stuart Landon is not only a keeper of bees but a keeper of secrets, as well. He isn't who the town thinks he is, which expands the murder investigation outside of Winter Garden. There are also numerous suspects in town, too. There are property disputes, issues with pesticides, and right in the middle of everything comes a surveyor looking for natural gas deposits. As secrets get revealed, Amy knows that someone very sinister is prowling around town but can she sniff them out before anyone else dies?
As in the previous books, the murder takes place in a small town with family roots and stories that span several generations. The death occurs near the beginning of the book, giving the author a lengthy time frame to develop more of the Winter Garden, VA world and set the stage for murder and mystery solving. We are reacquainted with the key characters and introduced to many new ones.
I must confess - I didn't like this book as much as I like books 1 and 2. The pacing of the book was different, a little bit slower, than the first two books. I didn't become immersed or completely engaged in Honey-Baked Homicide like I did with the first two books in the series. This doesn't mean I hated the book by any means. I actually enjoyed it - a lot - just not as much as The Calamity Cafe or Silence of the Jams.
I enjoyed the storyline and the plot of Honey-Baked Homicide does pull the reader along on a wild tale of murder and suspense. The descriptions of the world in Winter Garden were vivid and I felt like I was right there in the middle of the town and involved in the investigation. The dialogue between all of the characters was believable and well done. I enjoyed the interactions between Amy and Ryan and like the pace the author is using to build up a potential relationship.
The book is full of suspense with twists and turns around every corner. There are so many suspects, from within the town and from other cities, to choose from. The author does a great job disguising the murderer and the motive along with everything else related to the mystery. I recommend the Down South Cafe Mystery series and suggest you start with Book 1. You'll get to know the key players before meeting them again in Honey-Baked Homicide.
I truly hope we do get another few books in the series. Amy and her wonderful town have so much more to share with the readers.
February 7, 2018
Honey-Baked Homicide is the third book in the Down South Cafe mystery series, featuring Amy Flowers, the proprietor of the cafe. This book starts out with Amy trying to make a bit more money by selling honey at her cafe from a local beekeeper, Stu Landon. It's a hit, of course, so she asks him to bring by more. Unfortunately, .
I enjoy the cast of characters in this series. Amy's mom is always there for her, and her Aunt Bess is funny and feisty. Amy's boyfriend, police officer Ryan, is very present, always stopping by the cafe for a meal, telling Amy some things about the case, not being too domineering or assertive. He invites her to his place for dinner, which is sweet since Amy's always the one feeding everyone else. Homer and Dilly, the elderly cafe regulars, turn up just enough and are amusing. Of course, there's also Amy's cousin/best friend, Jackie, who works at the Down South Cafe, and her boyfriend, Roger, who insists on installing security cameras at both the cafe and Amy's home after Amy finds evidence of someone lurking outside her house one night.
I enjoy the cast of characters in this series. Amy's mom is always there for her, and her Aunt Bess is funny and feisty. Amy's boyfriend, police officer Ryan, is very present, always stopping by the cafe for a meal, telling Amy some things about the case, not being too domineering or assertive. He invites her to his place for dinner, which is sweet since Amy's always the one feeding everyone else. Homer and Dilly, the elderly cafe regulars, turn up just enough and are amusing. Of course, there's also Amy's cousin/best friend, Jackie, who works at the Down South Cafe, and her boyfriend, Roger, who insists on installing security cameras at both the cafe and Amy's home after Amy finds evidence of someone lurking outside her house one night.
December 12, 2017
This is third in the delightful Down South Cafe Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, or in order with the first two (readers won't want to miss those). There are uniquely fun, caring residents in Winter Garden, Virginia, many of whom we meet at Amy's restaurant. After all, how many people would be eager to buy a biscuit to take to the wild raccoon who comes daily to the door? Or a very positive man who chooses a new hero every day, learning more about that person and keeping in mind a quote from that person?
These are some of the people who rally around Amy, along with her family and friends, when she suspects a stalker watching her home after Stu Landon, from whom the Cafe had just started offering his honey for sale? Stu was found dead, murdered, in his truck in the Cafe's parking lot. There are only a couple potential suspects. Then his daughter and son come to town, surprising everyone since there was never an idea that he had a family anywhere. A former co-worker from years ago comes to town looking for him, and a representative of an oil company is in town to check everyone' property for the potential of gas reserves underground...he was going to do more testing on Stu's land.
This novel is very well-written with surprises throughout. The community is described well, and the mystery is...a real mystery throughout! Every time I thought I knew who the killer was, something happened to prove me wrong. I was quite surprised, however, with the resolution. My hat is off to the author for another home run mystery! I highly recommend it - a not-to-be-missed current cozy mystery.
These are some of the people who rally around Amy, along with her family and friends, when she suspects a stalker watching her home after Stu Landon, from whom the Cafe had just started offering his honey for sale? Stu was found dead, murdered, in his truck in the Cafe's parking lot. There are only a couple potential suspects. Then his daughter and son come to town, surprising everyone since there was never an idea that he had a family anywhere. A former co-worker from years ago comes to town looking for him, and a representative of an oil company is in town to check everyone' property for the potential of gas reserves underground...he was going to do more testing on Stu's land.
This novel is very well-written with surprises throughout. The community is described well, and the mystery is...a real mystery throughout! Every time I thought I knew who the killer was, something happened to prove me wrong. I was quite surprised, however, with the resolution. My hat is off to the author for another home run mystery! I highly recommend it - a not-to-be-missed current cozy mystery.
January 29, 2018
The Down South Cafe mystery series by Gayle Leeson is one of my favorites! In this book, Honey-Baked Homicide, Amy Flower (owner of the Down South Cafe) gets pulled into a mystery when her honey supplier is found dead in his truck in her cafe parking lot.
The small town of Winter Garden is in a tizzy trying to find out if the beekeeper, Stuart Landon, had a secret life. Amy wants to find out who would want to do this to her honey supplier and WHY they would put his truck and body in her parking lot. Did the murderer want to implicate Amy?
Amy Flower is a great sleuth that you'll really like pulling for. She is smart and never cocky. Amy's family dynamic is so fun and reminds me of the closeness I have with my family. Her best friend and cousin, Jackie, is so likeable as is her mom and Aunt Bess. The character of Aunt Bess reminds me of someone I know and so I had a LOL moment in the book. Amy's boyfriend, Officer Ryan Hall, also adds to the fun dynamic of the group. I am already looking forward to the next Down South Cafe Mystery!
The small town of Winter Garden is in a tizzy trying to find out if the beekeeper, Stuart Landon, had a secret life. Amy wants to find out who would want to do this to her honey supplier and WHY they would put his truck and body in her parking lot. Did the murderer want to implicate Amy?
Amy Flower is a great sleuth that you'll really like pulling for. She is smart and never cocky. Amy's family dynamic is so fun and reminds me of the closeness I have with my family. Her best friend and cousin, Jackie, is so likeable as is her mom and Aunt Bess. The character of Aunt Bess reminds me of someone I know and so I had a LOL moment in the book. Amy's boyfriend, Officer Ryan Hall, also adds to the fun dynamic of the group. I am already looking forward to the next Down South Cafe Mystery!
March 18, 2019
I liked the setting of this book when I started reading it. Small town cafe, farmer communities, nice old people and an unexpected crime to solve. However, it all came apart pretty quickly. The plot was all over the place. It didn't feel like it was very well strung together, more like a bunch of unrelated happenings that eventually led to a very underwhelming conclusion.
Characters were so monotone to the point they were annoying and they didn't add anything to the story. A bunch of recipes were mentioned through the book in an attempt to make it all the more quaint and cutesy (meh) and some of them were even included into the narration, which wasn't really necessary.
I didn't like it much. I have a hard time finding redeeming qualities on this book. Writing was average at best, characters were bland, the plot was inconsistent, ending was abrupt and disappointing. Giving it two stars instead of one only because it was short.
Glad I got this second-hand by less than a dollar!
Characters were so monotone to the point they were annoying and they didn't add anything to the story. A bunch of recipes were mentioned through the book in an attempt to make it all the more quaint and cutesy (meh) and some of them were even included into the narration, which wasn't really necessary.
I didn't like it much. I have a hard time finding redeeming qualities on this book. Writing was average at best, characters were bland, the plot was inconsistent, ending was abrupt and disappointing. Giving it two stars instead of one only because it was short.
Glad I got this second-hand by less than a dollar!
December 13, 2017
Another winner in this delicious and surprising mystery series.
Amy Flowers is doing well making the cafe her own. Many of the new recipes she tests are accepted by her loyal clientele. She wants to expand into offering local products as well, beginning with jars of honey from a beekeeper who is a bit of a recluse.
When that beekeeper is found murdered in the cafe parking lot things get interesting quickly.
Who wants him dead and why leave his body where it is quickly discovered?
The discovery that he has a family and local family connections are just the tip of many twists to come. Amy finds herself tangled up in the middle.
A great cast of characters including Homer and his daily heroes.
A mysterious man from the victim's past, is his appearance coincidence or a huge clue.
Amy finds herself drawing unwanted attention. There are several very tense moments.
The ending will catch you by surprise.
I accepted this book via Netgalley to review.
Amy Flowers is doing well making the cafe her own. Many of the new recipes she tests are accepted by her loyal clientele. She wants to expand into offering local products as well, beginning with jars of honey from a beekeeper who is a bit of a recluse.
When that beekeeper is found murdered in the cafe parking lot things get interesting quickly.
Who wants him dead and why leave his body where it is quickly discovered?
The discovery that he has a family and local family connections are just the tip of many twists to come. Amy finds herself tangled up in the middle.
A great cast of characters including Homer and his daily heroes.
A mysterious man from the victim's past, is his appearance coincidence or a huge clue.
Amy finds herself drawing unwanted attention. There are several very tense moments.
The ending will catch you by surprise.
I accepted this book via Netgalley to review.
February 5, 2018
Amy Flowers is expanding her cafe by selling local honey provided by Stu Landon. Stu keeps to himself but his honey is popular. The day after Amy goes to request more honey Stu is found dead in his truck in the parking lot of Down South Cafe.
Then things get interesting. Stu was actually Stu Landon Carver. He was in hiding from his past and he had a daughter Madelyn and a son Brendan. Madelyn and Amy start to become friends. Brendan and his cousins Joey start to cause problems for Amy. And there is the mystery of who killed Stu. Then there is the neighbor Chad Thomas, who sprays a pesticide that kills Stu's honey bees. Mr. Dougherty is in town testing for gas deposits under the town.
It all adds up to a bit of a surprise where the murderer is concerned. Amy and Ryan's relationship is developing and Amy is good to surround herself with the insight of others as she faces situations and follows clues.
Then things get interesting. Stu was actually Stu Landon Carver. He was in hiding from his past and he had a daughter Madelyn and a son Brendan. Madelyn and Amy start to become friends. Brendan and his cousins Joey start to cause problems for Amy. And there is the mystery of who killed Stu. Then there is the neighbor Chad Thomas, who sprays a pesticide that kills Stu's honey bees. Mr. Dougherty is in town testing for gas deposits under the town.
It all adds up to a bit of a surprise where the murderer is concerned. Amy and Ryan's relationship is developing and Amy is good to surround herself with the insight of others as she faces situations and follows clues.
September 15, 2023
I listened to this as an audiobook--unfortunately the narrator's Southern accent was not my favorite choice.
Amy starts selling honey from the local beekeeper on consignment (hence the honey part of the title). Though Amy does lots of baking, I don't recall any specific baking with honey mentioned in the book. The homicide part comes when Amy finds the local beekeeper in the cafe parking lot--dead.
I like the relationship between Amy and Ryan (local police deputy). I also like the friendship between Amy and Jackie.
Partway through the book, I had a fleeting thought that the author might throw us a curveball and make Homer the killer. I don't know why I thought that--perhaps just because it's usually the person I suspect least who ends up being the killer in these. (Thankfully, Home was not the killer, so hopefully we will get to hear about his daily heroes for many books to come!)
Amy starts selling honey from the local beekeeper on consignment (hence the honey part of the title). Though Amy does lots of baking, I don't recall any specific baking with honey mentioned in the book. The homicide part comes when Amy finds the local beekeeper in the cafe parking lot--dead.
I like the relationship between Amy and Ryan (local police deputy). I also like the friendship between Amy and Jackie.
Partway through the book, I had a fleeting thought that the author might throw us a curveball and make Homer the killer. I don't know why I thought that--perhaps just because it's usually the person I suspect least who ends up being the killer in these. (Thankfully, Home was not the killer, so hopefully we will get to hear about his daily heroes for many books to come!)
December 14, 2017
You never know who the killer might be in Winter Garden...or what might be on the menu at the Down South Cafe.
I really enjoy these books because it seems like I can never figure out the killer. I might come close now and again. I'm not sure if there are a lot of clues on this one, but there are many possibilities and it comes down to greed. I was quite surprised how the story unfolded at the end!
All the characters interact with each other quite well despite any quirky behavior. Aunt Bess always cracks me up and Homer always has some words of wisdom from his hero of the day. It is amazing how whoever the hero is, there is an appropriate quote to fit the situation.
I am enjoying the relationship between Amy and Ryan. They definitely have chemistry but are taking it slow and enjoying each other's company.
I really enjoy these books because it seems like I can never figure out the killer. I might come close now and again. I'm not sure if there are a lot of clues on this one, but there are many possibilities and it comes down to greed. I was quite surprised how the story unfolded at the end!
All the characters interact with each other quite well despite any quirky behavior. Aunt Bess always cracks me up and Homer always has some words of wisdom from his hero of the day. It is amazing how whoever the hero is, there is an appropriate quote to fit the situation.
I am enjoying the relationship between Amy and Ryan. They definitely have chemistry but are taking it slow and enjoying each other's company.
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