Just Plain Pickled to Death

Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #4

by Tamar Myers

A well-preserved corpse

A twenty-year-old barrel of genuine Pennsylvania Dutch sauerkraut isn’t Magdalena Yoder’s idea of a great wedding present from her future father-in-law. Especially when it has a corpse in it. And it sure puts Mennonite-born Magdalena, owner of the picturesque PennDutch Inn, in a pickle. She has just one week before she ties the knot with the man of her dreams—and this bride of forty-four will allow nothing to delay her nuptials, even murder.

Of course, Magdalena recognizes the victim, who is as well preserved as a gherkin. It’s her fiancé’s cousin Sarah, who’s been missing for years. Soon Magdalena’s inn is filled with unwanted guests—eccentric aunts and loopy uncles of the deceased. And Magdalena—shrewd as she is peppery—suspects one of them is the killer. Now she is over a barrel, blowing the lid off a mystery two decades old, and digging up a scandal that may shake her Amish hometown to the bedrock and send her to a funeral—her own—instead of her wedding day!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Amish, Humor, Romance

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Tamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.

Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.

In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.

Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.

Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.

Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.

Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery

Reviews

[Dee Dee G · Rating 3 out of 5]

You will end up hating the name pookie bear if you read this lol.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I need a "no brainer" mystery, I read Tamar Myers. I love her sense of humor and her descriptions of people (and religions). Who else would think of having someone find a body that had been dead for 20 years in a barrel of sour kraut? Here is a description of one character....
"Melvin has bulging eyes that operate independantly of each other, only one of several features that make him look like a praying mantis. ....people claim that Melvin was kicked in the head by a bull he tried to milk. That would explain one of convace curves of his face." Funny part is that books from this one, the reader discovers that Melvin is a half brother to the lady giving this description.
(karma gets us) Enjoyed the story.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Plain Pickled to Death (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery)
by Tamar Myers

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Plain Fun!, November 9, 2013



I started reading this series a few books ago and plan on continuing with the Pennsylvania Dutch series until the end. Love it!

This latest entry(for me that is) is a hoot. The fun is just beginning when Magdalena's future in-laws arrive at the PennDutch Inn for her wedding to Aaron Miller. The wedding hasn't even begun to be planned when a murder victim is found in one of their wedding presents...a 20 year old barrel of sauerkraut.

Please don't think you've read it all until you get to the last chapter. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

Lean back and enjoy a fun cozy

[Krystle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because it takes place in Pennsylvania and focuses on the Mennonites. However, the constant bashing of other religions, and use of the word "Dear" got on my nerves.

[Nixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book for what it is, I found myself annoyed by the author over using the word ‘wailing.’ The main character was either whining or wailing so often it rendered the plot more absurd. I can only care about someone like that for so long. It seemed removed from the way the narrator was in the previous books. Also the extensive use of the pet name Pookie Bear just got under my skin.
The wedding was also slightly absurd and I just thought it could’ve been better.
Overall, it was a good read and will probably read the next as the back summary states a plot point not even touched upon in this book.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to like this series more than I actually do. I convince myself that I’ll like them better if I try another one, but usually walk away with very mixed feelings. I like the mysteries with their plots and the amateur sleuthing to find out who’s guilty and who’s not. However, I don’t really like Magdalena as a person, and she comes off as being more churlish then funny. I think the author is trying for funny, but it’s like having too much frosting on a piece of cake. I find myself losing patience with her as the story moves along, and that means I end up reading these books in very small doses.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had read a previous book in this series years ago and hoped this one was better. The author tries to be outrageously funny and just ends up outrageous. Painfully so.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magdalena Yoder and Aaron Miller are going to be married in a few days. As a wedding present, Aaron Sr. sent over a barrel of sauerkraut. When it was opened, Sarah Weaver's body (a cousin of Aaron Miller) was revealed. She had been missing for quite some time. Magdalena wants this murder solved before her wedding!

Aaron's family had descended on the PennDutch Inn, several aunts and their husbands. Magdalena also tracked down Sarah's father, Jonas Weaver. A search of the Miller family farm reveals some family secrets; but nothing about the murder. Jonas had a diary and the Miller pack-ratting reveals a bunch of letters. It is revealed that Jonas Weaver was sterile, so his wife Rebecca had to have had an affair. The person who fathered Sarah may be the murderer! Magdalena goes to confront Jonas, only to be tied up and nearly BBQ'd. Her dream wedding is rained out, so she has her wedding in the barn.

Susanna has also gotten a job. She names paint samples! And she's good at it - she won a contest at work and dedicated the paint sample book to her sister! Books go out next season.

Uncle Rudy and Auntie Vonnie (Veronica) were eventually revealed. Uncle Rudy killed Rebecca Weaver to cover up their affair because he needed the money that Veronica brought him from her part ownership of the farm. Veronica turned a blind eye to Rudy's affair, but Rudy killed Sarah anyway as she saw something that she wasn't supposed to see - and she might tell Veronica. I'm not sure why that would have put Veronica in jail along with Rudy.......

Recipes:
Magdalena Yoder's Wedding Feast, from Soup to Nuts
First the Soup: Great-Granny Yoder's Onion Cheese Soup
Then some Salad: Freni Hostetler's Wilted Dandelion Salad
The Meat Course: Auntie Leah's Pork Chops mit Sauerkraut und Apples
Potatoes, Please: Auntie Magdalena's Potato Dumplings
Finally the Nuts: Barbara Hostetler's Save-The-Day Pecan Pies

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUTHOR: Tamar Myers
TITLE: Just Plain Pickled to Death
DATE READ: 12/20/20
TIME/PLACE: 2:30 pm in bed in MBR
RATING: 7/10
FIRST SENTENCE: Sarah Weaver was found dead in a barrel of pickled sauerkraut.
GENRE: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Crime Fiction
PUB DATE/PUBLISHER: Oct 1, 1997 Signet
TYPE: Paperback
# OF PAGES: 267
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: series #4 PA Dutch Mystery with Recipes
CHALLENGE: 52 Books in 52 Weeks - A book with recipes inside / Goodreads Bookcrossing Library Challenge - A Crime novel
LIST READ: favorite authors
CHARACTERS: Magdalena Yoder, sister Susannah, Aaron Yoder, Diane Lefcourt
LOCATION: Hernia, PA
COMMENTS: This series is light-heartedly funny and I can't keep from laughing. What happens when a double funeral proceeds a wedding? When the entire Amish/Mennonite family is invited is one of them the killer? As Alanis says "It's like rain on your wedding day"

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are so funny. First of all, each title is a food pun and there are recipes throughout. This is one of the few series I read out of order. I just read them as I find them. I am fascinated by her descriptions of Mennonites and Amish. Magdalena is difficult to picture, but she and all the rest of the characters are a hoot. If you want a quick mystery read that makes you laugh, this is the series for you.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the title. I don't mind surprise endings, but it's annoying when it seriously comes from nowhere. Far more clever when you realize all the hints were there.; I did not see it that way. Author seems more interested in clever (and sometimes amusing) dialogue that goes nowhere. There was also no substantive reason or little motivation for protagonist's insistence on having to solve this murder on her own.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of this book is about the week leading up to the marriage of Magdalena Yoder and Aaron Yoder. The book starts with the discovery of a body in a barrel of sauerkraut given as a wedding gift from her future father-in-law. Magdalena wants to find the killer once they learn the body is Sarah, a cousin that has been missing for years. The book was a quick easy read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madelena has really gotten herself in a pickle this time, and RIGHT as she is getting ready for her long-awaited wedding and foray into married life! ACH, what a mess! But she handles it with her usual style and, erm...~cough cough~ grace, and as always, leaves us laughing!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been curious about Amish and Mennonite culture, and while this book may not tell me much about how these folks live, it sure was entertaining! This is the first book by this author and in this series that I've read, but I will likely seek out others.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series. The characters are all a bit goofy and throwing a strange word your way. Laugh out loud funny.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth mystery featuring the most unusual Amish/Mennonite woman on the earth, in my opinion.

There were a few too many characters and this made the story line confusing.

[Kathie Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Tamar Myers and her humor! I do a lot of heavy reading and these light witty mysteries are a breath of fresh air!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Magdalena's attitude.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really more like 3.5 stars. Cute cozy mystery. Have to suspend disbelief a few times (and the laws of physics at least once), but a fun, light read.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

MARRIED!!!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Nancy Giles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting. Are very religious sects so snarky to one another, in real life?

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah weaver was my 2great grandmother son I had to read it. Love the humor and the story!

[Kena K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this from a lending library so I haven't read the previous books in the series. It was silly and funny, good twist too

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the series. I've actually surprised myself by reading this many and even more surprising is that I plan to continue. Magdalena seems such a prickly, ill-tempered and cold person - and yet, there's a strength and even an odd sort of goodness that compels me to want to read more.

In this novel, we meet her fiance Aaron's aunties who are also referred to as the "Beeftrust". We assume it is due to their size given Magdalena's description of them, but later find out there is another reason. All auntie's having quite different personalities, I found myself reacting to each one much the same way as Magdalena did. (So what does that say about me? Prickly, ill-tempered, and cold?)

The mystery was good - less formulaic than the previous three in the series. The humor was outrageous. Twice I got an extremely long case of the giggles and as a matter of fact laughed until the tears ran down my face. This is where there is room for an interesting debate: how funny would Magdalena saying, "Well, I never!" in response to one of Aaron's newly introduced aunties have been, had I not had the context of the previous 3 books? It's hard to say . . .

However, I do know that I am enjoying the series the deeper I get into it. And goodness sakes, other readers must be too. There are umpteen more books to go in this rather unusual series, and I plan to read at least a couple more.

[Patrice Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This must be one of the author's first books, if not the first book in this Mennonite mystery series. As the main protagonist is a Mennonite woman, the author inserts Mennonite and Amish culture into a basic mystery story. The main character, a Mennonite woman with a younger, crazy sister who does not follow the Mennonite ways and lifestyle, owns a bed and breakfast called the PennDutch Inn. She is about to be married to the love of her life Aaron. Freni, her Amish cousin and cook, opens a wedding gift, a barrel of saurkraut from her future father-in-law, and discovers the dead body of a woman who has been missing for several years. The main character has a great sense of humor which is infused throughout the book. I enjoy the uniqueness of this book series, the Amish and Mennonite cultural aspects to the story and the main character's sense of humor.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magdalena Yoder, the owner of the Penn-Dutch Inn is finally getting married. Not only is she busy planning her wedding, and dealing with her future husband's relatives who are staying at the Inn, but her future father-in-law gives her a barrel of sauerkraut as a wedding gift, which contains the remains of Aaron (the groom's) cousin who has been missing for 20 years. Magdalena doesn't want anything to spoil her wedding and tries to find the killer before the day of her wedding.

As always, Myers fills the book with quirky characters, many of whom are suspects. Her books are laugh out loud funny, in fact, I'm still laughing over the last two pages!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this last night. It was a good book. Strange but kept my interest. It is about Pennsylvania Dutch people. There are receipes throughout the book, although I did not find any that were interesting enough to copy. It was a mystery and I had no idea who dun it. It was a fast read and something I didn't really have to think about. Right now it seems to be the only kind of book that appeals to me.
I don't want to have to think about what I'm reading or try to figure out what the author is trying to say. It was worth the time.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a humorous, entertaining cozy mystery. The narrator is Magdalena Yoder,a Mennonite, and she is finally getting to marry the man of her dreams. She finds herself having to solve two twenty-year old murders before the festivities can begin.

Her husband-to-be has five uncles and their wives who come early and stay at Magdalena's inn, the Penn-Dutch. Each of these people has their own quirks and problems, and possibly, one of the uncles is the murderer!

With so many different people I had a tough time keeping the uncles straight. Otherwise it was a very fun read.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, no-brainer, funny mystery. Not great literature, but hit the spot for right now. Magdalena Yoder is quirky and good for a chuckle. And I'm always up for a good whodunnit. The ending kinda irritated me. I felt a little as if Myers wrote this book herself not knowing the culprit and then just picked a person out of the hat at the end. There was not much, if any, groundwork laid leading up to who the killer was. Oh well, it was still fun to read.