Pancakes and Poison

Traveling Town #1

by Ami Diane

A funny mystery series with a touch of history and romance about a witty sleuth stranded in a traveling town… “Love this series…I came across this series purely by accident, and am now totally hooked…” —Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ “…I will undoubtedly look for more installments in this series and by this author!” —GoodReads reviewer ★★★★★ A burger with a side of murder…On Thanksgiving weekend, linguist Ella Barton becomes stranded in a small town—a town not on any map.Keystone Village is a blast from the past, full of vintage cars and buildings that look like they haven’t changed since the 1950s. And neither have the residents. Most of them are anxious for Ella to leave, and so is she—as soon as she can get her car fixed. However, when eating at the local diner, Ella’s waitress drops dead, and the local sheriff suspects Ella’s to blame.With the help of a handsome inventor , two mischievous older ladies, and a squirrel with a strange sense of fashion, Ella relies on her spunk, wit, and a lot of coffee to find the killer before she’s locked up for a murder she didn’t commit.Can Ella hunt down the bad guy before it’s too late? And will she ever make it home again? A fun, quirky mystery series perfect for fans of Jana Deleon, Janet Evanovich, and Chelsea Field.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

278 pages, ebook

Published October 21, 2018

Reviews

[Krystyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hotel California by way of Jumper - but a whole town is in on the act

Frankly I thought that I would have enjoyed this more than I did. The plot was a good one but the characters didn't really "speak" to me. They just felt a bit forced.
When her car breaks down in a snowstorm, she finds herself outside a small town. The odd thing is that she had never heard of it and there wasn't a snowstorm there. When she meets the people they all try to get her to leave but she has no transportation. The next day when she and the Prof" watch a young girl die at the local diner, the Sheriff sticks them in jail. Finally released she is driven to find out how the girl was murdered. During her questioning she learns that the town keeps jumping not only through time but to different locations around the globe. Can she find the killer before the town jumps and she is stuck there?

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fantastic cozy mystery first book with the best characters. I love Ella and her quirky sidekicks. This book is extremely well-written by an obviously talented author (this is the second series I have read with this author). There are plenty of twists to keep me guessing throughout the book and it is so riveting that I was unable to put this book down. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing else like it

A town that flashes from place to place in time--that's Keystone Village. The people come from different periods in time and are unable to have contact with anyone outside of the tiny town. An amazing concept and a must read filled with humor, intrigue, crime and the best of human survival.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird but a fun story

So I'm not really sure what exactly about this book caught my attention, but I did read it in one day.
Ella is returning home after a holiday, and when her car breaks down, she decides to walk to find a house or business that she can wait in, and hopefully call a tow truck.
Ella has no idea what exactly is happening in this strange town, but nothing seems quite right.
This is a cozy mystery with a very unique twist, and I am happy to admit, that I'm going to read the next one.

[Caitlin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Burton is on her way home from a disastrous family Thanksgiving when she crashes her car into a snow bank. Instead of freezing in her car, she decides to hoof it to the next town. When she gets there, she realizes there is just something off about the town folk. Their dress is old, their cars are old and no matter what she does, she just can't get cell phone reception. Then there are the weird signs warning visitors to leave and not to stay in the town. Ella has no choice, however and finds a local inn to spend the night while waiting for her car to be repaired. When she tries to pay for the hotel she finds that they only take cash and there isn't an ATM in sight. Ella is eating lunch at the local diner when her waitress drops dead. The local sheriff hauls her in for questioning and Ella doesn't ask twice when he tells her if she leaves town he will drop any further investigation of her. She goes to get her car and the mechanic tells her he can't fix it and instead trades it for an old jalopy. Ella has no choice and packs up, getting ready to head out of town when that car breaks down. Next thing Ella knows there is a flash of light and it is no longer cold and snowy out, but ridiculously hot. She learns that she is a time traveling town and the town has flashed from the frigid PNW to the middle of Africa.
This is a really cute series and I can't wait to read the next one. Ella meets some quirky, hilarious new friends and although the murderer wasn't surprising to me, it was a good story. I would have liked some more information on their previous travels and more on the actual time travel but maybe that will be in future books.

[Linniegayl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very odd book, a bit of a cozy mystery/time-travel mystery. Only instead of a single character time-traveling, we have a whole small village that time travels seemingly at random. The main character -- Ella Barton -- was on her way home from a horrible holiday with her parents when her car breaks down in a snowstorm. The nearby town where she seeks refuge turns out to be a magical time-traveling town. All of the villagers try to get her to leave, but while waiting for her car to be repaired, the town jumps back in time.

I liked a number of characters in the town, and the mystery -- the murder of a townsperson -- was interesting, although I guessed pretty early on who the villain was. Parts of the book dragged for me, and I was disappointed that no one ever ventured into the place the village landed. I get why they didn't, but was looking forward to that aspect of time travel.

So this was a bit uneven, and overall I'd give it a C+. However, I've picked up the next in the series and will see how that one goes.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of cozies but this one just did not draw me in.  Although the shenanigans of Wink and Flo keeps things light, it felt more like Quantum Leap Meets Twilight Zone except instead of Elle leaping from place to place, the town and its inhabitants do as well.  But the inhabitants are all from different times that stumbled into Keystone Village but failed to leave before the next flash so you either accept and be happy with your new circumstances or be miserable trying to find a close enough place and time to return home.  

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel through time

Not what I was expecting but this was entertaining for sure. I seriously want to know what's going to happen next and if this constant travel through time is ever going to stop or will any of these characters will end up getting back home. Also I can't believe that Ella ended being accused of a crime but she did find some new friends.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am already loving this series. I'm a sucker for time travel stories, so this is right up my alley. Ella is trying to get back home in a snow storm following Thanksgiving with the family. She can barely see the road and them, lo and behold, there is no road. Ella's SUV ends up buried in the snow. The only thing she can do is take off on foot headed for the lights of a town ahead. Turns out to be a not so welcoming town. From the moment she arrives everyone is trying to get her to leave, but she wants to wait to get her vehicle fixed. The townspeople seem to have come from a different time and place, or several. As a witness to the death of a local young woman, Ella gets caught up in looking for clues, but everyone is still trying to make her leave. As she is trying to leave bright lights and purple lights and all kinds of things start happening and Ella does not get out before the town "jumps" to a new place and time. Since she is now stranded there, folks start explaining their odd situation to her. Mishaps and a crazy band of locals provide mysteries and confusion. Ella also is trying to come to grips with never seeing her family or friends again.

[maria arcara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read plenty of fiction with subplots of mystery, but I think this is the first I've read that was classified as a cozy mystery. I was really pleasantly surprised and thought it was quite entertaining. Being a huge fan of time travel, I thoroughly appreciated those details and enjoyed the paranormal aspects a lot. I totally liked Ella as the main character and was entertained by her POV as she experienced getting stuck in Keystone Village. Her personality and wit made me chuckle and even laugh numerous times! Will, Wink, Flo, Jimmy, Rose, Six, Fluffy and Chester, Chapman,... they all added color and depth to the plot; I would definitely like to read more about them and the town that jumps through time and space. I will undoubtedly look for more installments in this series and by this author!

[Terrie Stamey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pancakes and Poison

This story was amazing. I couldn't figure it out at first, but the more I read the quirkier it became. This was about a city that time jumped. They never knew when or in what time period they would wind up in. Very now and then, a new person would wind up in the town, then get stuck there forever when the next jump came along. I enjoyed the town's people and the friendship they extended to any new comer. There was mystery involved with a murder of a young woman, that finally got solved. Come along and find out about this time jumping town and it's people. You'll enjoy figuring out the murder and getting to know the people who live there!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the author says in her notes "visit Keystone Village and all it's wonderful, quirky residents". This was a fun read, lots of humour and interesting characters. Truly enjoyed reading this book. Would recommend it. Ella arrives in a strange town and witnesses a strange death. She tries to figure out who killed Kay and almost gets herself killed. I like the Brigadoon effect, only this town time travels around the world, you never know where you will end up next.

[Pat Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some thing different.

This was a totally different book for me. I usually read murder mysteries. It really was a book I couldn't put down. Was reading at times I don't usually do. The characters were certainly unique. The whole book was unique. I love to write and I wonder how Ami Diane dreamed up this concept. I will definitely be looking for more of her books. Thank you for a couple of hours respite from this miserable time in our lives.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this series through KU, and loved it. While the characters are kooky, I love the idea of a town stuck traveling through time and space and the mysteries that come with it. I also like the development with the side characters and their backstories, and am eagerly looking forward to book 7

[Wanda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick word

At first I wasn’t too sure I’d enjoy this book, but, oh my gosh, what a fun read. I laughed out loud so much and guessed correctly, even though I was sure the mayor couldn’t really know a jump was due.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book as it is as funny as a Janet Evonavich, I kept when Stephanie plum was going to make an appearance. The characters are funny and the storyline is top notch. Will read the next ones.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful read!

The quirky town of Keystone was a unique twist. I fell in love with characters through the storyline and I can't wait to see what the future holds for them in the series.

[Kimberly Peery · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

I got books 1,2and 3 together and could not put them down.
The first twist was unexpected and then the snarky humor started and I was hooked. Can't wait to continue the series.

[Kathie Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

This was a great book, highly entertaining,lots of mystery and murder. Highly recommend to everyone that loves funny and eclectic characters.

[Lizabeth Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is a very different but interesting type of story, complete with crazy characters and happenings. I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

What a unique story! I read a lot of cozy mysteries, and this one is very entertaining. No spoilers, you'll have to read it to see why it's so differentt!

[Sue Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up liking this book much better than I'd expected to. I almost gave up on it early on. I'm glad I stuck with it. Yes, there are certainly some areas that just don't quite fit together. The Inn is supposed to be early 50's yet it has an automatic washer? Maybe industrial sized automatic washers were available then, but my mom and all her sisters were using Maytag wringer washers. They don't explain how despite being almost totally isolated they still manage to have things like coffee and sugar readily available. And I do wish we could learn a little bit more about the different locations and time periods where they spend a few days. Other than being an excuse for keeping them all trapped in the same place, the quantum leaps don't seem to serve any plot driven purpose. Still, I can suspend my disbelief and go along for the time leaps for now. However, if we don't start getting some hints at an explanation soon, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stay with the series. Time will tell.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give this book 2 stars, but the main character is likable and the book grew on me as I steadily plowed through it. I realize now, after reading some glowing reviews by other readers, that this is what is referred to as a cozy mystery. Therein lies the difficulty with this book (at least for me.)
I'm not sure what the author is aiming at here; mystery, camp, romance, serious drama, humor? I suppose a cozy mystery could be all of those things, but I get a sense of casting about with this story. Maybe it is because it is the first of a series, or maybe it has a little to do with my feelings that it needs some serious editing. Logic does not seem to be an important factor in this book, nor do realistic, reasonable details. But shave off a hundred pages or so and you should have a fine beach book for its intended audience. A unique overlying plot device, and some interesting side characters make this a pleasant read. Just don't ask any hard questions.

[Pam]

This was a bit odd.

Amazon synopsis:
Ella Barton’s plans for a quiet evening at home are quickly ruined after her car skids into a snowbank. But hiking to get help, she stumbles upon a town that shouldn’t exist.

Keystone Village is full of vintage cars, 1950s diners, and a historic inn. However, what starts out as a charming step back in time takes a dark turn when a waitress drops dead and all eyes turn toward the new person in town.

With no choice but to clear her name, Ella teams up with two feisty older women to track down the real killer. Armed with her spunk, quick wit, and a steady supply of coffee, she dives into a mystery as strange as the town itself.

But the deeper she digs, the more Ella realizes that Keystone Village holds secrets more dangerous than she ever imagined—and finding her way back home might not be so easy.

[Patricia Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to read this multiple times. I’ve found that sometimes I need a different type of book. Every time I attempted to read this I became aggravated and distracted by the writing style. I don’t mind an occasional description, this book was deluged with descriptions as if there was a buy one get one sale on cars, that are the shade of a shiny read Apple or a neighborhood fire truck sitting in the sizzling sunshine that was so hot it was capable of frying an egg until the edges looked like dark lace.
I felt as if the whole book was similar to that previous ridiculous sentence. So many useless words. I read approximately 25% of the story before I quit. I truly feared that I would hurl my iPad at the wall if I continued.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

really like

You need a little bit of imagination for the beginning. And I happen to have that in spades :) But seriously, that was fun. I really liked the different approach. At times the sentences were just a bit short, making it feel like a summing-up, but overall it was well-written and enjoyable! I immediately took a liking to it. It felt cozy (even though it starts with snow lol). Pleasant!

Favorite quote: “When in doubt, go TOWARDS the creepy Twilight Zone landscape.”

I received a complimentary early copy of this book via The Enchanted Quill and am voluntarily leaving a review. I received no remuneration for it.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella is on her way home when she has a car accident and stumbles across a small town that seems to be stuck in the 1950s. She soon finds out that the town is moving through time and space and that she now is a permanent member of the town. As if that were not enough, a young woman is being killed, and she tries to find the murderer....
I have some small trouble with Ella as a character, she is not the kind of girl I enjoy reading about, but that is a personal thing.
All in all it is an entertaining story with a less common story background.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really was interested in the premise behind the book. A time shifting town with a mix of "time zone" people all together. I really struggled with the presentation though. The fmc drove me crazy in more than one way. She blamed anyone for the murder that had a possibility of a motive/opportunity. She did more than one TSTL move, to the point I was hoping she was victim #2. There were plenty of overly dramatic explanations and descriptions that made the plot drag a bit. Overall, it was ok. Not what I was looking for maybe. Book 2 is a possibility to see if anything improves. Not for a while though.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ella is on her way home on a winter night when hits a snow bank and gets stranded. While looking for help she stumbles across a quirky small town full of interesting characters. She feels unwelcome in the new town and tries to find a way out- especially after a murder occurs. The twist- she soon discovers that this unique town jumps through time. This book is cozy mystery meets time travel. It’s an interesting plot line and I would consider to read another to see if there is more character development. Overall a quick light read.

[Jess B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I just spent time in someone's trippy fever dream & somehow I'm kind of here for it. I don't know that I would intentionally hunt down the next book in the series, but if I come across it, I'd read it.

I love the writing style - short paragraphs are so easy for me to follow. Some of the best one-liners & quotes I've read. This author has a great sense of humor well-laced with sarcasm. I'm dying at the Wink-Flo old-lady vibe & what the hell does Chester have to do with anything? Like I said, a literal fever dream.