One Taste Too Many

Sarah Blair Mystery #1

by Debra H. Goldstein

For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there’s only one thing scarier than cooking from scratch—murder!
 
Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty‑eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired hometown she never left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and some clumsy domestic skills, she’s the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily—an ambitious chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant . . .
 
Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by Emily’s award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death—being in the kitchen!
 
 Includes quick and easy recipes!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Cats, Animals, Audiobook

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 18, 2018

About the author

Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of Kensington’s Sarah Blair cozy mystery series (Five Belles Too Many, Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also wrote Should Have Played Poker and 2012 IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories, including Anthony and Agatha nominated “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place” and Derringer finalist "Pig Lickin' Cake," have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. Debra served on the national board of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and was president of the Southeast region of MWA and SinC's Guppy Chapter. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com .

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is the first book in the new cozy Sarah Blair Mystery series. Now sometimes cozies have a food theme and sometimes you have a pet theme, One Taste Too Many has a bit of both making it good for the animal lovers and foodies out there.

Sarah Blair is our lead character in One Taste Too Many, she’s a young divorcee who doesn’t have a clue in the kitchen. Sarah’s twin however is a promising young chef but when Emily ends up being found over Sarah’s ex-husband’s dead body Sarah finds herself pulled into the kitchen to help Emily find a murderer before she takes the wrap.

The was a solid opening for a new series with a lot going on in the story. The mystery side to the book had plenty of twists and turns that kept me on my toes trying to figure out the culprit. However, I think maybe for me I thought everything put together was a bit much for a first book as I never really felt I connected to the characters the way I’d like. With potential though I will see how book two turns out since it was an entertaining mystery.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy cozy mysteries. Sometimes I just need something cute and entertaining with just an edge of dangerous...cozies fit that need perfectly! A cute dog/cat/kitschy theme paired with murder and amateur sleuthing! This series caught my eye because of the lovely Siamese cat on the cover. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Siamese cats....so I had to try this series! Cozy mystery fun....a Siamese cat....and a new-to-me author! Happiness all around!

In this first book in the Sarah Blair series, Sarah is newly divorced. She has moved a bit down the ladder from the lavish lifestyle she enjoyed with her husband Bill to a studio apartment and a job as a receptionist in a lawyer's office. But she still has her beloved cat, RahRah -- the one thing her ex-husband let her take when their marriage died. Just as she is coming to grips with her new life, her ex-husband drops dead...and her sister is a prime suspect. Was Bill's death murder-by-rhubarb-crisp?? Or something more sinister? When it looks like her sister might go to jail and her ex's bimbo might be able to legally take RahRah from her, Sarah jumps into sleuthing. Can she help Emily...and manage to somehow keep RahRah??

I listened to the audio book version of this story. I will admit that it took me awhile to get used to the narrator's voice. Emily Beresford gives a great performance, but I took awhile to warm up to her slightly nasal tone. Once the story got going, I got used to Beresford's voice....and was sucked into the plot. This book was a perfect companion for my commutes to work and while working around the house. :) Very enjoyable story! I like the setting and the characters. The mystery is engaging with plenty of sleuthing and twists. I expected part of the ending -- but not all of it. All in all, a very entertaining and fun listening experience! I already have the audio of book 2, Two Bites Too Many, checked out on Hoopla.....and a review copy of the newest book (due out in August) on my review-TBR pile! I will definitely be reading all of this series!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Sarah and Emily Blair are twins and as different as night and day. Emily is a fabulous chef with plans to make it to the top of her field. Sarah married young and divorced 10 years later. She is starting over and has taken a receptionist job at a local law office and lives in a studio apartment with her cat, RahRah.

The restaurant where Emily works has a booth at the Food Expo and the staff will be giving demonstrations and sharing tasty treats. Emily will be making her special rhubarb crisp.

But tragedy strikes when Sarah’s ex is found dead at the convention center before the event even begins. Covered in rhubarb, it is quickly determined he was poisoned, by Emily! Also, with his death, it seems Sarah’s cat RahRah no longer belongs to her. A chef that works with Emily has laid claim to the feline.

As someone that hates to cook, Sarah knows she needs to hang around the expo to try to catch the real killer, even if it means filling in for her talented sister. That is if the killer doesn’t get to her first. She also needs to find a way to keep her cat.

This series is off to a stellar start and I am head over heels with the wonderful cat, RahRah. The cat was rescued during Hurricane Katrina my Sarah’s ex-mother-in-law who loved Sarah, so of course, she took the cat when the woman passed away. Her ex left out some key details about his mother’s will. Now, with him dead the secrets are revealed. Let’s just say he was a first-class a**, and I was happy he was the first victim. Yes, first, because the killing didn’t stop with him.

Ms. Goldstein has created a pair of sisters, twins, that are truly each other’s half. They are smart and fun. Best friends that take care of each other. Sarah is an interesting protagonist. I hope she continues to team up with her sister. I believe we have barely scratched the surface on when the author can take these sisters.

The story has a little bit more of an edge than a typical cozy but doesn’t go too far. It is exciting and fresh with plenty of twists and corkscrew turns. The author drops in the clues with such precision. I was up in the air about the killer right up until the big reveal. Someone on my radar but not at the top of my list. The motives were unclear until all the last clues slid into place.

This was a very entertaining story. A great mystery with characters I want to visit again. I am excited to see where the author takes this series. This one was A Perfect Escape!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this first book in a new series, so many cool twists and possible suspects! I definitely had the wrong person pegged as the killer and never saw it coming until the reveal. This book was so good that it had me doubting some people that I probably should trust. I loved that Sarah (like me) was a Perry Mason fan and based some of her sleuthing on what would Perry or Paul do, lol.

Sarah and her twin Emily were different as night and day when it came to personality and talents. But at least Sarah got to pinch-hit for Emily (who was main person of interest in the murder of her ex brother-in-law) by doing a pretty funny stand-up telling about recipes that the cooking-challenged in the world like to use.

If Bill hadn't been dead from the get-go, he'd have been on my list of people I hoped would be offed. The author did a great job of painting him as real jerk. The other person mentioned who was already dead was actually a favorite character if that's possible, Bill's mom aka Mother Blair. Sarah talked about her so much and the great relationship they'd had, it was almost like she was right there. She'd originally adopted RahRah and when she died, she wanted her beloved cat to go to Sarah.

As far as living characters go, I liked Harlan a lot. He was such a nice boss and incredibly patient with Sarah and all the running off she seemed to do because of helping at the Food Expo. He was just a decent human being, since he was helping a cooking student as well as doing pro bono work without complaining. I'm kind of hoping there's a future for Sarah and Harlan along the way as something more than boss and employee. Emily was a fun, free spirit and a seriously talented chef with great people skills. It was cool how each twin sister had her own separate qualities that made up their duo--I got a kick out of hearing some of their escapades as kids. I'm really anxious to read the next installment when it releases in September!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost didn't request this book as it was the first in a new series and a new author for me. I am glad It decided to because of the cover showing a Siamese cat. I will definitely read this author again as is an exceptional book. There are so many twists and turns it was hard to keep up as the pace was fast and the plot kept changing. I didn't know who was guilty until it was revealed. There are twin sisters, one Emily, noted Chef outgoing and Sarah married and divorced. Emily is a well-known chef. The only thing Sarah has is her Siamese cat, RahRah.
Emily is discovered with the dead body of Sarah ex-husband Bill Blair and the sheriff feels she is guilty of his murder and arrested Emily. Sarah called her employer for help. Emily is out on bailed and has Sarah helping her find answers to the death of Bill. Next Sarah learns that Rah Rah has died and left an animal trust for the cat. Whoever his Rah Rah has control of the carriage house and Rah Rah trust funds. Bill appointed his girlfriend has Rah Rah trustee and Sarah must give him up. Is Emily guilty of murder? What will happen with Rah Rah? Will Sarah find out before joins her ex-husband in death? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. Recipes are included.

Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Blair is starting over at twenty-eight. She’s newly divorced and working at a law firm as a receptionist. She’s not very good at it, but she earns money so it will have to do. The only thing she got out of her marriage is a Siamese cat named RahRah. Her twin sister, Emily, is doing much better than Sarah. She has a brilliant career as a chef. However, things take a dark turn when Sarah’s ex is murdered and the prime suspect is her sister.

As Sarah vows to find the real killer and free her sister, her ex-husband’s girlfriend claims ownership of RahRah. Sarah is shocked that her ex would give the beloved cat to the woman who broke up her marriage. She is determined to find out what her ex-husband was up to before his untimely death.

This is the first book of a new cozy mystery series and it sure starts off with a bang. I just love getting in on the ground floor of a new series and this is certainly a good one.

The characters literally jump off the pages (or in my case off my e-reader screen). Sarah and Emily are a wonderful sister pair. They work together beautifully. Both are quite likeable characters. I especially liked Sarah, being we both share the love of cats.

It’s a fast-moving, intriguing plot set in the world of food. The action takes place mainly at a food expo. I couldn’t put this one down until the end. RahRah has a huge part in the story, so I was immediately won over. To add to my enjoyment - I was totally off the track about who the culprit was. I didn’t figure it out until the end when Sarah did. I love stories that surprise me.

One book and I’m already hooked on this series. Great characters, setting and a cat! I’m in :)



FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Blair is awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from her twin sister Emily who exclaims that Bill is dead and the police think Emily is responsible. Sarah isn’t that upset that her ex-husband is dead, but she is surprised that Emily is the chief suspect. But Emily was found with Bill, who had eaten her rhubarb crisp despite the fact that he hated rhubarb and avoid the nuts Emily used because of his allergies. What is really going on? Meanwhile, Sarah gets a shock when Bill’s current girlfriend, Jane, produces a will that claims Jane gets custody of RahRah, the Siamese cat that Sarah has had ever since Bill’s mother died several years ago. Can Sarah prove she should keep RahRah while clearing Emily of murder?

While it doesn’t take much to intrigue me with a culinary cozy, I found Sarah’s status as a cook of convenience to be a great pull for this series. For more serious culinary lovers, Emily works as a line chef and is part of a culinary festival taking place in their town, so all abilities are covered, although the two recipes at the end are definitely on the simple side. The mystery starts strong, with us learning about Bill’s death on the first page. I did find it harder to care about the sub-plot involving RahRah; I think it’s more because I’m not a pet person so I needed more time to warm up to him before I would care. Still, both storylines reach great climaxes, and Sarah manages to figure out all the twists along the way. The characters have some room to grow, but the main cast, including the suspects, are all solid, providing a good base for future growth. Fans of culinary cozies will enjoy this tasty debut.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Blair signs on to help her sister Emily, an ambitious chef, at a trade show featuring food booths and cooking demonstrations. The competition heats up when Sarah’s ex-spouse drops dead after eating a spoonful of her sister’s signature rhubarb crisp. Other evidence seemingly points Emily’s way, and when she’s arrested for murder, Sarah goes into full sleuth mode to find the real killer. A restaurant’s reputation is at stake, and so is her sister’s life. Sarah can’t trust anyone on their team and least of all, her own cooking skills. Can she muddle along well enough to catch the murderer before she ends up next on his lethal menu? A shifty group of suspects in a fun food expo setting will keep readers guessing. With all the twists and turns, I didn’t foresee the surprise at the end. Clever, witty, and delicious!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second book in this series first, so had to go back and read this one to get all the back story, and I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this story and it filled in any gaps I had. And I love the cover of this one as well.

Sarah and her twin Emily are as different as night and day. Sarah is divorced, working for a lawyer, living in a small apartment with a cat named Rah Rah and is a terrible cook. Emily is a chef, trying to salvage a new business and a bit quieter than her twin. I loved the way they support and stick up for one another. When Emily is arrested for the murder of her ex-brother-in-law, Sarah steps in and does a cooking demonstration. It was hilarious as she did a stand-up comedy routine for all the cooking challenged in the world. when it came to personality and talents. Of course Sarah works hard to clear her sister's name and even puts herself at risk to save Emily. Bill, the dead man, and his bimbo Jane, were easy to dislike. As Jane tried to steal Emily's life and Sarah's cat, I wanted something terrible to happen to her. The mystery was a twisty one, with one clue here and a different one there. Red Herrings abounded and when another character ends up dead, it made it even harder to figure out. I thought I knew who the culprit was and I was partially right, but there was another person that I had not suspected at all. This was a well-plotted and written series and I am glad that I went back to read this one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first installment in the Sarah Blair series. She is working at a law office and living with her beloved Siamese cat, RahRah. When Sarah's twin sister Emily returns home, Emily takes a chef's job and is immediately suspected of killing her former brother-in-law, Sarah's ex-husband Bill. Emily and her co-workers are in a food competition at the exposition center. Just as Sarah's boss is working to get Emily cleared of Bill's suspicious death, Emily finds herself at the center of a homicide. Meanwhile, Bill's new will brings more problems for Sarah as his new girlfriend supposedly has a legal claim to RahRah. Who can she trust? Will trusting the wrong person leave her the killer's next victim?


The setting was a fresh twist on the usual restaurant setting for a food cozy. The book was well-written and the plot had surprising twists, especially towards the very end. The pacing was a bit off for me about a third of the way through but I am glad I continued on because it picked back up nicely. I usually have some idea of the killer's identity but this one was a huge surprise. I really loved RahRah; the cat had such a presence throughout the book. I could also empathize with Sarah's heartbreak at the possibility of having to lose him due to legal wrangling; I went over six months without seeing my now deceased cats while my ex-husband stalled in court and kept "the boys" from me. I look forward to seeing where this series goes in the next installment.


Thanks to the author and the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntary.

[V.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well written, well plotted mystery. The pace was great and there were enough twists to keep me engaged and guessing whodunit until the end.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

Somehow even in my worst reading slumps, I can always count on a good cozy to help me out of it. This was one of those great cozies that fit the bill! There was enough mystery and suspects to keepme guessing, and as well as being a cat themed mystery (my favorite!) it had a culinary aspect as well. The two themes worked well, and I liked having an in with the legal parts of the murder mystery. In the end I felt like it wasn't tied up as well as it could have been, but that was the only let down.

A good start to what I hope becomes a favorite series. Four stars.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis:

For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there's only one thing scarier than cooking from scratch--murder!

Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty-eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired hometown she never left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and some clumsy domestic skills, she's the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily--an ambitious chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant . . .

Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by Emily's award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death--being in the kitchen!

Includes quick and easy recipes! (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to know Sarah and Emily, twin sisters. Sarah has not had it easy, being divorced and not having very much money. Her sister, Emily, is a very good cook, not so much Sarah. But Sarah will help Emily any way she can, especially when Emily is a person of interest in a murder (or maybe two). Hopefully Sarah is a better detective than a cook.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I could picture the Civic Center and all of the booths that were there. It looks like a great event to go to, with lots of good food. The mystery is well plotted and was carried on well throughout the entire book. There were a lot of twists and turns and red herrings thrown in to make this a more difficult mystery to solve.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well crafted cozy mystery. This was a very good start to a new cozy series and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was an okay read. It was a little hard to follow at times, and the characters were very temperamental.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is the first book in the Sarah Blair Mystery series, and my first book by this author. What a great start to a new series! Sarah and Emily are twins who are very different. Sarah recently divorced, is working at a law firm as a receptionist. Emily is a chef, who is high achieving. When Emily is found standing over the body of Sarah's ex husband, the mystery begins. Sarah is determined to find the real killer, knowing her sister is innocent. Once I started this book I could not stop reading it. It was a quick read that kept me guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this book for all cozy mystery book lovers, you will not be disappointed.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this quirky mystery

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah is divorced at age 28 giving up her luxury lifestyle and lives in a cramped apt in her hometown Her twin sister is a chef determined to get ahead. Sarah’s ex dies and her sister is blamed since he died eating her rhubarb crisp. Sarah had been taking care of their cat but her ex had left money to the cat and that the cat should go to his girlfriend. Sarah is fighting to keep the cat and to prove it wasn’t her sister’s fault that her ex died,

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is the first A Sarah Blair Mystery. Sarah Blair is a twenty-eight year old divorcee living in Wheaton, Alabama in a small studio apartment with her Siamese cat, RahRah while working as a receptionist for a local lawyer. Sarah is awakened during the night by a phone call from her twin sister, Emily. She is at the police station and the prime suspect in death of Sarah’s ex-husband, Bill. Sarah immediately calls her boss, Harlan and rushes to the police station. Peter Mueller, Wheaton’s police chief, is questioning Emily when Sarah and Harlan arrive at the station. Emily is a chef at Southwind, a local upscale restaurant, and in charge of the Southwind booth at the upcoming Food Expo. She states Bill called and told her there was a problem and to come down immediately. Emily found him on the floor of the Southwind booth covered in her rhubarb crisp. Then Jane Clark, Bill’s latest love interest, shows up and accuses Sarah of stealing a bracelet and RahRah (oh no). After leaving the station, Emily suggests that Sarah work the Food Expo with her, so they can track down the real killer. It will also allow them to get close to Jane and figure out what plan she is cooking up. They only have one little problem—Sarah is severely lacking in culinary talent (heating up takeout is the extent of her skills). When Emily is arrested for Bill’s murder, it is up to Sarah to cut through the clues and suspects. Can Sarah solve the case before Emily’s becomes the prison’s new cook?

One Taste Too Many is a lighthearted cozy mystery. This cozy mystery features plenty of mouthwatering food and a smart Siamese cat named RahRah. I liked the steady pacing and smooth flow between sections. Sarah and her twin sister, Emily may look alike, but they have very different personalities and talents. Sarah has divorced her cheating husband, but she has yet to discover what she wants to do with her life. While Emily is a talented chef, Sarah has no culinary talents. Actually, Sarah is not sure if she possesses any special skills or talents. Sarah is grateful for her cat, RahRah (my favorite character in the book). RahRah originally belonged to Mother Blair and, after her death, Bill asked Sarah to take him since he is allergic. It turns out that Bill forgot to mention that Mother Blair set up a special trust for RahRah with a stipend for his caregiver along with a place to live (must have slipped his mind). After Bill’s death, all the evidence points towards Emily as the killer. Emily convinces Sarah to help her ferret out the truth. There are several suspects with motive to want Bill dead and there are good clues to aid readers in resolving the crime. I was disappointed that the murder occurred before the book began. I would have appreciated the author taking the time to develop the main characters further (to know more about their past). Further information on Harlan would also have been nice—like his last name (did I miss it?). There are two recipes at the end of the book. One Taste Too Many will appeal to those who delight in pet and food cozy mysteries with a perplexing whodunit. Do not miss the first new diverting tale in A Sarah Blair Mystery series.

[Carolyn Breckinridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not every murder mystery starts with a victim dead from eating rhubarb crisp. Especially since he didn't like the dessert in the first place. Unfortunately for Emily Blair, an up-and-coming chef in the Birmingham, Alabama foodie scene, rhubarb on her clothes and her fingerprints on the 'murder weapon' fork lead the law to suspect her. It isn't long before evidence in a second murder points in her direction, as well. And all of this comes at the most inconvenient of times because Emily is heavily involved in a cooking competition at the Birmingham Civic Center to further her career and she is working equally hard trying to promote the restaurant, Southwind, where she is employed. Luckily for Emily, she has a twin named Sarah who joins forces with her to form a sleuth-duo to figure out what is really going on. But Sarah has her own problems, given that her ex-husband, who was the person 'dead by rhubarb,' has left his carriage house, part of Southwind ownership and his deceased mother's cat to his fiancee, Jane. Jane wants the cat, RahRah, for the trust set up in the animal's name, but Sarah loves her pet and is determined to keep him. For Sarah and Emily, the question is how all these problems fit together, if they do at all. They have the help of Sarah's lawyer boss, Harlan; Southwind's head chef, Chef Marcus; several other chefs at Southwind; and the police chief, Peter, but the ultimate question for these sisters is, whom can they really trust? This is the first in Author Debra Goldstein's fun new Sarah Blair series, and as a cozy mystery, it is as delicious, light, and intoxicating as the dangerous rhubarb crisp.

[Christa Nardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah's had a a lot of bumps in her life thus far and is starting over, back with her twin, Emily. She can't seem to escape her past and Emily becomes the suspect to Sarah's ex-husband's poisoning. There's lots of small town interactions and conflicts, some within the swanky restaurant where Emily is moving up. Sarah's doing her best to use her new investigative skills to help out her sister, both to prove her innocence and on stage.

Emily and Sarah are twins, yet their personalities complement each other in many ways. Both are likeable in their own way; you can't help but pull for Sarah's new life to be successful, as well as Emily's. There are any number of suspects and some are being eliminated but then something else happens. In the end the silent and not so silent partners and connections come out with an unexpected killer. The story was well-written and enjoyable to read. This is the first in a new series and I look forward to reading more about Sarah.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

[Liz Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often stay up reading into the wee hours of the morning, but this book kept me turning pages to see what on earth happened next.
Sarah Blair got married right after high school and put off her own dreams in deference to her husband. Ten years later she is divorced and living in a tiny apartment with her cat, who used to belong to her mother-in-law. Her twin sister has come back to Wheaton, Alabama to work with a chef she knows and admires. As the book opens, Emily, Sarah's twin, has called to tell Sarah that Sarah's ex is dead and the police think Emily did it. The emotional turmoil begins on page one and doesn't let up much. Some relief comes in the form of competitions - cooking and food demonstrations - among the various chefs. Underlying everything is the relationship between the sisters, even as secrets are uncovered. Very little is as it appears and it's difficult to know who to trust.
I thoroughly enjoyed this start to a new series! I can't wait for book #2.
This review is based on an ARC from the author.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a first in a new series, this definitely has potential.
Emily and Sarah are sisters, Emily is a culinary wiz and Sarah, not so much. When Sarah's ex husband is found dead with Emily hovering over the body, things take a drastic turn and Sarah decides to investigate.

I did enjoy the story, but there were times I felt the story dragged on. I will be looking for the next book to see if it holds my attention a bit better.
Overall, this is a pretty good start to a new series.

I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fine mystery. I never felt like I knew the characters, so I didn’t find any of them to be very sympathetic. The book is pretty fast paced and the mystery keeps you guessing. I did love the cat, but I wouldn’t really call this a cozy mystery.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is a cozy mystery novel that starts off with a death, and takes the reader on a ride of “who did it” and a series of complications, twists, and turns! There is so much at stake, and some things aren’t even seen immediately due to all of the chaos swirling all around the characters. So buckle up and get ready for a story that will hook you in as you scramble to figure out who is the guilty party…and why.
One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is the first book that I have read by this author and once I got a taste of this book I couldn’t put it down. The author introduced me to twin sisters Emily and Sarah. Emily is a chef at Southwind, and due to being in the right place at the wrong time is suspected of murder. The victim? Sarah’s ex-husband Bill. While on one level I would have liked more background into Sarah’s and Bill’s former marriage and the details of the divorce, the author quickly kicks things into high gear when Sarah finds herself facing some legal woes herself. Catnapping and theft?! What?! Yep! Somebody seems to have it out for the sisters! Thankfully Sarah’s employer, Harlan, is willing to be a generous soul and help them out pro-bono. Something isn’t right though, and when another body drops more suspicion is thrown onto Emily. Sarah has her suspicions, but without solid proof, what can she do? There is a lot riding on the truth coming out, but can it come out before Sarah loses everything? And I mean EVERYTHING!
This is a great story! Now! Am I saying that you’re never going to get annoyed with the characters? Absolutely not! LOL! There are moments where I got annoyed with both sisters. Sarah learns that her sister is keeping lots of secrets, but she’s not the only one. Sarah gets annoying, too but I just get annoyed because she gets impatient or short with people out of frustration.
All in all, this is a well-written book and I enjoyed it immensely. The author gives the reader a dynamic cast of characters and keeps the reader guessing as to who the guilty party is almost until the very end. Just when you think it’s one person, the story slides to make you guess again. I love it! If you enjoy cozy mystery novels that throw in a few red herrings and keep you guessing then this is the book for you! I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. While “One Taste Too Many” may have been the case for unfortunate Bill, it won’t be the same for me. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Blair gets a call from her sister asking for help. Her twin, Emily, is suspected of killing her ex-brother-in-law, Bill. He wasn’t to be trusted. He used people and discarded them. They just need to find which one killed him. Unfortunately things get worse. When her deceased ex’s girlfriend demands her cat, RahRah, Sarah is devastated, she loves her fur baby. Peter Mueller, the Police Chief, tells her she has to surrender him. Why is RahRah important? This cozy mystery grabbed me from the first page. I liked Sarah and Emily. They are interesting characters. They help each other, have a healthy curiosity and a determination to find the truth. Peter maybe an old friend and a by the book lawman. Why is he convinced that Emily is guilty? I liked how the Twins decide to investigate and find out who the murderer is. They have spunk. Luckily Sarah gets her boss to help them. Harlan is a lawyer and a good guy. Can he save both Emily and RahRah. One Taste Too Many is well written and filled with continuous twists. The ending was a total shock. I never saw it coming. The setting was quaint which highlighted the shocking crime. The dialogue moved the story along and helped me get to know the characters. I liked the writing style of Debra H. Goldstein. She is a new to me author but I plan to change that. She wrote an intriguing mystery that kept me guessing.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Taste Too Many is the first book in what promises to be a great series. Twin sisters, a cat, a lawyer, a police chief and supporting characters, along with a Food Expo make for an enjoyable read. I loved how just when Ms. Goldstein had me convinced I knew the bad guy, so turned the tables on some one else, and the ending caught me off guard. Her way of tying every thing together was great. RahRah's ability to subtly suggest clues was great fun. I am looking forward to the next adventure.
I received a copy of this book from the author the opinions expressed are my own

[Dawn Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra H. Goldstein’s first book in her “Sarah Blair Mystery” series, One Taste Too Many, is everything I look for in a cozy mystery...a relatable heroine, believable mystery, engaging plot, plenty of suspects...all together in a book I can’t put down! Sarah Blair’s humiliating divorce has forced her to leave her life of luxury and take things down a notch to a tiny studio apartment in her hometown of Wheaton, Alabama, and a job as a legal receptionist at a local law firm. When her twin sister, Emily, is accused of killing Sarah’s ex-husband, Bill, Sarah knows that even though Emily despised her ex, she would never have killed him. So much of the evidence points directly to Emily being the murderer that she becomes the prime suspect in Bill’s murder. When Emily is found next to yet another dead body, Sarah goes into full sister-sleuth mode to figure out who this killer is before her sister is put behind bars for the rest of her life. From the very beginning of the mystery, I was convinced I knew who the killer was and their motive, but I was SO wrong and what a delightful surprise that was! So many red herrings in this story, continuous twists and turns, multiple sub plots, and an adorable cat named Rah Rah made this a very enjoyable and captivating mystery. Can’t wait for the second book in this promising new series!

I volunteered to read a copy of this book and have provided a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the Sarah Blair Mystery series started out fast and kept the pace up throughout the book. Sarah's ex-husband is found dead and her twin sister, Emily, is a suspect in his death. Sarah knows that her sister didn't do it and they set out to try to figure out who did since the police seem to believe that she did it. This is only the beginning of this wonderful mystery with many red herrings the kept me guessing until the end. I couldn't put this book down. I thought that I had it figured out, but I was surprised by the ending. This is a great start to a new series that I know I will enjoy for many books to come.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Cozy Mystery Review Crew. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/on...

One Taste Too Many
Sarah Blair Mystery, Book #1
By Debra H. Goldstein
ISBN 9781496719478
Author Website: debrahgoldstein(.)com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there’s only one thing scarier than cooking from scratch–murder!

Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty-eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired hometown she never left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and some clumsy domestic skills, she’s the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily–an ambitious chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant . . .

Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by Emily’s award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death–being in the kitchen!

Includes quick and easy recipes! (Goodreads)



Review:

This could easily become another of my new favorite series! This is a delightful cozy mystery that includes a gorgeous cat, a protagonist that I can identify with, and a stumper of a murder that is a challenge to solve. The setting is in Alabama, a place I haven’t yet seen but sounds interesting.

Sarah’s twin sister Emily is everything Sarah is not. She is outgoing, funny, and on her way to becoming a famous chef. Emily returned to their hometown of Wheaton, Alabama, to work for her friend, Chef Marcus, at his upscale restaurant, Southwind. In contrast, Sarah doesn’t want to speak in front of crowds, can’t cook anything that doesn’t come ready to be popped into the microwave, and still hasn’t found something she is good at.

Emily was called by Sarah’s ex-husband, Bill, late at night when the Civic Center was being set up for the upcoming Food Expo. Since it is part of her job to oversee the setup for Southwind at the Expo, it is her responsibility to respond to requests. She never did find out what Bill needed that night though, as when she arrived, Bill was dead. It looks as if he had been murdered by something in the rhubarb crisp he was eating. One of the demo dishes Emily is making for the Expo is rhubarb crisp, and she knows two things. First, Bill didn’t like rhubarb, so she wasn’t sure why he was eating it. Second, he wouldn’t eat the kind she makes as she bakes it with nuts, and he is deathly allergic to nuts. All she can do is call 911 and try to perform CPR.

Sarah and her boss and attorney, Harlan, go to the police station where Emily is being questioned. Emily’s time has been committed to Southwind’s exhibit at the Food Expo, and Harlan is able to get her released as there was no evidence for the police to hold her. Emily decides that Sarah, the twin who loved watching Perry Mason when they were children, can work as her “assistant” at the Expo to give her a chance to snoop around. Perhaps between the two of them they can determined who would have really killed Bill.

In the meantime, Jane, a line cook at Southwind and Bill’s girlfriend, brought paperwork to the police showing that Sarah should not have her late mother-in-law’s cat, RahRah. Documents indicate that a trust was set up by Mother Blair providing a huge sum to care for him in the guest home she lived in on Bill’s property. It is the first time Sarah heard about it, as she had helped care for Mother Blair, and when she passed away, Bill gave RahRah to Sarah. Being allergic to cats, he couldn’t keep the Siamese who is now her beloved companion. Of course, there was no mention of a trust, monthly stipend, or place to live.

I like Sarah and Emily, although I felt Emily should have shared secrets she held back from Sarah. I feel that I got to know Sarah well. Most of the other characters were under suspicion at one time or another for the murder and subsequent crimes, so they are mysteries until each is cleared from suspicion.

The murder and other crimes were quite challenging! Suspects come and go as various evidence, including land dealings and financial challenges are revealed. Sarah’s ex is definitely a man of secrets. I was pulled into the novel at the beginning, and it was hard to put down until the very last page. Plot twists kept me on my toes, as even the good guys started to look like bad guys. The real bad guy, however, was a complete surprise, not someone I suspected for even a second! The resolution was satisfying with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend One Taste Too Many to those who enjoy cozy mysteries crafted with excellence, very likable protagonists, and cats.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great start to the series. Characters were fun to get to know. Things didn't end the way I thought they would but it was good book.

Hope to read more in the future.