What do you think?
Rate this book
Cookbook Nook Mystery #8
Sifting Through Clues
Book clubs from all over have descended on Crystal Cove to celebrate the library’s Book Club Bonanza week, and Jenna Hart has packed the Cookbook Nook with juicy reads and tasty cookbooks. But she’s most excited about spending an evening with the Mystery Mavens and their moveable feast, when they will go from house to house to share different culinary treats and discuss the whodunit they’re all reading. It’s all good food and fun for the savvy armchair detectives, until one of the members of the group is found murdered at the last stop on the tour.
As if that weren’t enough to spoil her appetite, Jenna discovers that all the evidence points to her friend Pepper as being the guilty party. And with Pepper’s chief-of-police daughter too close to the case to be impartial, Jenna knows she’ll have to step in to help clear her friend’s name before a bitter injustice sends her to jail. Sifting through the clues, Jenna unearths any number of possible culprits, but she’ll have to cook up a new way to catch the killer before Pepper’s goose is cooked . . .
Includes tasty sweet and savory recipes!
Praise for Daryl Wood Gerber and the Cookbook Nook
“There’s a feisty new amateur sleuth in town and her name is Jenna Hart. With a bodacious cast of characters, a wrenching murder, and a collection of cookbooks to die for, Daryl Wood Gerber’s Final Sentence is a page-turning puzzler of a mystery that I could not put down.” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Cupcake Mysteries and Library Lovers Mysteries
“In Final Sentence, the author smartly blends crime, recipes, and an array of cookbooks that all should covet in a witty, well-plotted whodunit.” —Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries
“Readers will relish the extensive cookbook suggestions, the cooking primer, and the whole foodie phenomenon. Gerber’s perky tone with a multigenerational cast makes this series a good match for Lorna Barrett’s Booktown Mystery series . . .” —Library Journal
“So pull out your cowboy boots and settle in for a delightful read. Grilling the Subject is a delicious new mystery that will leave you hungry for more.” —Carstairs Considers Blog
About the
Agatha Award–winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, the Cheese Shop Mysteries (as Avery Aames), and stand-alone suspense thrillers. Little known facts about Daryl are that she’s jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, has hitchhiked around Ireland by herself, and has appeared on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She loves to read, cook, and golf, and has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
As if that weren’t enough to spoil her appetite, Jenna discovers that all the evidence points to her friend Pepper as being the guilty party. And with Pepper’s chief-of-police daughter too close to the case to be impartial, Jenna knows she’ll have to step in to help clear her friend’s name before a bitter injustice sends her to jail. Sifting through the clues, Jenna unearths any number of possible culprits, but she’ll have to cook up a new way to catch the killer before Pepper’s goose is cooked . . .
Includes tasty sweet and savory recipes!
Praise for Daryl Wood Gerber and the Cookbook Nook
“There’s a feisty new amateur sleuth in town and her name is Jenna Hart. With a bodacious cast of characters, a wrenching murder, and a collection of cookbooks to die for, Daryl Wood Gerber’s Final Sentence is a page-turning puzzler of a mystery that I could not put down.” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Cupcake Mysteries and Library Lovers Mysteries
“In Final Sentence, the author smartly blends crime, recipes, and an array of cookbooks that all should covet in a witty, well-plotted whodunit.” —Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries
“Readers will relish the extensive cookbook suggestions, the cooking primer, and the whole foodie phenomenon. Gerber’s perky tone with a multigenerational cast makes this series a good match for Lorna Barrett’s Booktown Mystery series . . .” —Library Journal
“So pull out your cowboy boots and settle in for a delightful read. Grilling the Subject is a delicious new mystery that will leave you hungry for more.” —Carstairs Considers Blog
About the
Agatha Award–winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, the Cheese Shop Mysteries (as Avery Aames), and stand-alone suspense thrillers. Little known facts about Daryl are that she’s jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, has hitchhiked around Ireland by herself, and has appeared on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She loves to read, cook, and golf, and has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2019
120 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Wood Gerber
45 books2,482 followersAgatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Literary Dining Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
January 27, 2020
Sifting Through Clues was a selection I made through NetGalley because I'd already read and enjoyed another series by Daryl Wood Gerber. Normally, I'd begin with the first in a series but since this was number 8, I didn't have time to catch up. I decided to start here, and if I liked it, I planned to go back to read the rest. So... I will be going back to read the rest!
Gerber has writing chops in the cozy mystery world. She knows how to create vivid characters, puzzling plots, and gorgeous settings. In this caper, a book club group holds a progressive dinner, where attendees go from house to house in their neighborhood to sample different foods from other members and discuss the book. Unfortunately, when they arrive at one house, the woman is dead! She'd caused an uproar earlier that week with several members, and she might've been stealing boyfriends and secrets. Which book club member wanted her dead? Or was it someone else who had payback in mind?
I really enjoyed the setting in this one. From smiling about all the different shops to learning about the various women in the protagonist's life, I found ample connections and fun dialog. Gerber plugs a lot of her own books and other people's books, which is fun but also a bit much at times. Nothing at all to worry about, it's kinda cute. I do want to visit the maison in her French series, so it was a welcome tie-in this time. I'm glad we had a list of characters in the beginning because there are a lot to keep track of, and that's coming from an author who has 120 in his first four books. I totally get it! Gerber is careful to repeat necessary info / relationships without it seeming odd, leading readers to quickly remember who is who and what might be going on. Kudos to that success!
Our amateur sleuth has an interesting relationship with the detective, Cinnamon. I like the banter, and I'm curious what happened in earlier books. The murder is strong, and there are tons of suspects. I really enjoyed this one and will be reading others in the series.
Gerber has writing chops in the cozy mystery world. She knows how to create vivid characters, puzzling plots, and gorgeous settings. In this caper, a book club group holds a progressive dinner, where attendees go from house to house in their neighborhood to sample different foods from other members and discuss the book. Unfortunately, when they arrive at one house, the woman is dead! She'd caused an uproar earlier that week with several members, and she might've been stealing boyfriends and secrets. Which book club member wanted her dead? Or was it someone else who had payback in mind?
I really enjoyed the setting in this one. From smiling about all the different shops to learning about the various women in the protagonist's life, I found ample connections and fun dialog. Gerber plugs a lot of her own books and other people's books, which is fun but also a bit much at times. Nothing at all to worry about, it's kinda cute. I do want to visit the maison in her French series, so it was a welcome tie-in this time. I'm glad we had a list of characters in the beginning because there are a lot to keep track of, and that's coming from an author who has 120 in his first four books. I totally get it! Gerber is careful to repeat necessary info / relationships without it seeming odd, leading readers to quickly remember who is who and what might be going on. Kudos to that success!
Our amateur sleuth has an interesting relationship with the detective, Cinnamon. I like the banter, and I'm curious what happened in earlier books. The murder is strong, and there are tons of suspects. I really enjoyed this one and will be reading others in the series.
April 20, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return to Crystal Cove, California just in time for Book Club Bonanza Week sponsored by the library. It is an event that has brought in many tourists and the Cookbook Nook has stocked up and planned a few events. Jenna’s book club, the Mystery Mavens is hosting a progressive dinner while discussing this month’s book, each course being hosted at a different member’s house. The final host seems to have received her “just desserts”. She is found dead as her guests arrive.
The deceased, Ivy Beale owned Dreamcatcher, a crystal shop, focused on their healing properties. All the evidence seems to point at the owner of Beaders of Paradise, Pepper Pritchett, Jenna’s friend and mother of Chief of Police, Cinnamon. Everyone knows Chief Cinnamon is too close to the case but she refuses to step aside, even when an unexpected visitor enters her life. Jenna finds herself Sifting Through Clues to get to the truth to make sure the real killer is booked!
The author brings readers another terrific mystery! This time her focus is on book clubs is a real treat. Because of that, we are introduced to several new characters. We also meet someone from Cinnamon’s past which adds another interesting dimension to the story. These characters all mesh with our returning favorites to create a story I had a hard time putting down.
All the core characters have evolved in this series. Jenna’s friend Bailey is getting so excited for her little bundle to be born and I loved the decor she has planned for the nursery. Bailey always makes me smile. After Jenna, she has become my favorite. The fact that Pepper and Jenna are now friends shows so much growth. They have come a long way. Jenna’s relationship with Cinnamon though is pretty rocky. I know she doesn’t want Jenna involved in her investigation but I would think this time she would be happy for Jenna’s help.
The mystery portions of the story were so intriguing, I mean the chief of police’s mother as the prime suspect! Twists, turns, red herrings, this story had them all. So well written and well plotted out. A truly exciting email element added to the drama. I urge to plan accordingly because had I been able to keep my eyes open I would have finished the book all in one sitting.
As with all the books in this series, the recipes had my mouth watering and all the references to cozy mysteries and cookbooks are always appreciated.
We return to Crystal Cove, California just in time for Book Club Bonanza Week sponsored by the library. It is an event that has brought in many tourists and the Cookbook Nook has stocked up and planned a few events. Jenna’s book club, the Mystery Mavens is hosting a progressive dinner while discussing this month’s book, each course being hosted at a different member’s house. The final host seems to have received her “just desserts”. She is found dead as her guests arrive.
The deceased, Ivy Beale owned Dreamcatcher, a crystal shop, focused on their healing properties. All the evidence seems to point at the owner of Beaders of Paradise, Pepper Pritchett, Jenna’s friend and mother of Chief of Police, Cinnamon. Everyone knows Chief Cinnamon is too close to the case but she refuses to step aside, even when an unexpected visitor enters her life. Jenna finds herself Sifting Through Clues to get to the truth to make sure the real killer is booked!
The author brings readers another terrific mystery! This time her focus is on book clubs is a real treat. Because of that, we are introduced to several new characters. We also meet someone from Cinnamon’s past which adds another interesting dimension to the story. These characters all mesh with our returning favorites to create a story I had a hard time putting down.
All the core characters have evolved in this series. Jenna’s friend Bailey is getting so excited for her little bundle to be born and I loved the decor she has planned for the nursery. Bailey always makes me smile. After Jenna, she has become my favorite. The fact that Pepper and Jenna are now friends shows so much growth. They have come a long way. Jenna’s relationship with Cinnamon though is pretty rocky. I know she doesn’t want Jenna involved in her investigation but I would think this time she would be happy for Jenna’s help.
The mystery portions of the story were so intriguing, I mean the chief of police’s mother as the prime suspect! Twists, turns, red herrings, this story had them all. So well written and well plotted out. A truly exciting email element added to the drama. I urge to plan accordingly because had I been able to keep my eyes open I would have finished the book all in one sitting.
As with all the books in this series, the recipes had my mouth watering and all the references to cozy mysteries and cookbooks are always appreciated.
April 17, 2019
Spring has sprung in Crystal Cove, and the town is celebrating all things book club. Clubs from neighboring towns have come to advertise their clubs and Jenna Hart is letting the Cookbook Nook be used to host some of the book discussions happening during the week. But she’s most excited about the progressive dinner that her own book club, the Mystery Mavens, is planning for Saturday night. However, the night ends in tragedy when they arrive at their last stop and find their final hostess, Ivy Beale, dead on her kitchen floor. Ivy had a reputation of knowing everyone’s secrets, and Jenna had seen her clashing with several people in town recently. Was that what got her killed?
One thing I love about the series is the different themes that author Daryl Wood Gerber works in via the town’s events, and book clubs is one that will appeal to all readers. The mystery is strong, with some unusual elements that Jenna must figure out in order to solve the case. I felt the suspects are good and kept me guessing as I went along. The climax was a lot of fun and perfectly wrapped things up. There is a large cast of characters, and I love spending time with them. However, at times it can be hard to remember all the connections, so I was thankful for the list of characters at the beginning of the book. My biggest issue is the relationship between Jenna and Cinnamon Pritchett, the chief of police. They are supposed to be good friends, but I don’t see it based on their interactions here. I get why Cinnamon behaves the way she does, but we need to see more of the friendship between them. We got over a dozen recipes at the end, some sweet and some savory, and many of them give us regular and gluten free versions. Fans of Daryl’s other series will enjoy the Easter eggs she slipped into this book; I know I did.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
One thing I love about the series is the different themes that author Daryl Wood Gerber works in via the town’s events, and book clubs is one that will appeal to all readers. The mystery is strong, with some unusual elements that Jenna must figure out in order to solve the case. I felt the suspects are good and kept me guessing as I went along. The climax was a lot of fun and perfectly wrapped things up. There is a large cast of characters, and I love spending time with them. However, at times it can be hard to remember all the connections, so I was thankful for the list of characters at the beginning of the book. My biggest issue is the relationship between Jenna and Cinnamon Pritchett, the chief of police. They are supposed to be good friends, but I don’t see it based on their interactions here. I get why Cinnamon behaves the way she does, but we need to see more of the friendship between them. We got over a dozen recipes at the end, some sweet and some savory, and many of them give us regular and gluten free versions. Fans of Daryl’s other series will enjoy the Easter eggs she slipped into this book; I know I did.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 24, 2019
Sifting Through Clues in the eighth book in The Cookbook Nook Mysteries.
There is always something going on in Crystal Cove to entertain the residents and attack tourist to delightful little community. This time it is the Book Club Bonanza, where various book clubs from all over, plus the clubs located in Crystal Cove will gather, with the local library benefiting from the crowds expected.
Jenna belongs to The Mystery Mavens book club is planning on touring to members houses where they will discuss various books and enjoy foods prepared by the owners of the various houses. The last house on Mavens tour is that of Ivy Beale and when they arrive Ivy doesn’t answer the door. Jenna thinks that she might have gotten held up somewhere, so they go ahead and enter the house. Jenna decides to go into the kitchen and start bringing out the desserts that had been prepared. But as she enters the kitchen she finds the body on the floor.
There is no shortage of suspects, but the one that is considered the prime suspects is the mother of the police chief Cinnamon Pritchett, Pepper. Pepper is the last person that Jenna thinks is guilty of murder, but Jenna is determined to prove her innocence. It’s going to a difficult job as Pepper refuses to help Jenna to prove her innocent. Cinnamon and Jenna are friends, except when it comes to the investigation of police matters and she doesn’t want to hear of Jenna theories.
This another well-written and plotted story from Wood. Many of the characters are back once again and some interesting new characters are introduced in this book. Delicious sounding recipes are included with the book.
I will be watching for the next book in this tasteful series.
Merged review:
Sifting Through Clues in the eighth book in The Cookbook Nook Mysteries.
There is always something going on in Crystal Cove to entertain the residents and attack tourist to delightful little community. This time it is the Book Club Bonanza, where various book clubs from all over, plus the clubs located in Crystal Cove will gather, with the local library benefiting from the crowds expected.
Jenna belongs to The Mystery Mavens book club is planning on touring to members houses where they will discuss various books and enjoy foods prepared by the owners of the various houses. The last house on Mavens tour is that of Ivy Beale and when they arrive Ivy doesn’t answer the door. Jenna thinks that she might have gotten held up somewhere, so they go ahead and enter the house. Jenna decides to go into the kitchen and start bringing out the desserts that had been prepared. But as she enters the kitchen she finds the body on the floor.
There is no shortage of suspects, but the one that is considered the prime suspects is the mother of the police chief Cinnamon Pritchett, Pepper. Pepper is the last person that Jenna thinks is guilty of murder, but Jenna is determined to prove her innocence. It’s going to a difficult job as Pepper refuses to help Jenna to prove her innocent. Cinnamon and Jenna are friends, except when it comes to the investigation of police matters and she doesn’t want to hear of Jenna theories.
This another well-written and plotted story from Wood. Many of the characters are back once again and some interesting new characters are introduced in this book. Delicious sounding recipes are included with the book.
I will be watching for the next book in this tasteful series.
There is always something going on in Crystal Cove to entertain the residents and attack tourist to delightful little community. This time it is the Book Club Bonanza, where various book clubs from all over, plus the clubs located in Crystal Cove will gather, with the local library benefiting from the crowds expected.
Jenna belongs to The Mystery Mavens book club is planning on touring to members houses where they will discuss various books and enjoy foods prepared by the owners of the various houses. The last house on Mavens tour is that of Ivy Beale and when they arrive Ivy doesn’t answer the door. Jenna thinks that she might have gotten held up somewhere, so they go ahead and enter the house. Jenna decides to go into the kitchen and start bringing out the desserts that had been prepared. But as she enters the kitchen she finds the body on the floor.
There is no shortage of suspects, but the one that is considered the prime suspects is the mother of the police chief Cinnamon Pritchett, Pepper. Pepper is the last person that Jenna thinks is guilty of murder, but Jenna is determined to prove her innocence. It’s going to a difficult job as Pepper refuses to help Jenna to prove her innocent. Cinnamon and Jenna are friends, except when it comes to the investigation of police matters and she doesn’t want to hear of Jenna theories.
This another well-written and plotted story from Wood. Many of the characters are back once again and some interesting new characters are introduced in this book. Delicious sounding recipes are included with the book.
I will be watching for the next book in this tasteful series.
Merged review:
Sifting Through Clues in the eighth book in The Cookbook Nook Mysteries.
There is always something going on in Crystal Cove to entertain the residents and attack tourist to delightful little community. This time it is the Book Club Bonanza, where various book clubs from all over, plus the clubs located in Crystal Cove will gather, with the local library benefiting from the crowds expected.
Jenna belongs to The Mystery Mavens book club is planning on touring to members houses where they will discuss various books and enjoy foods prepared by the owners of the various houses. The last house on Mavens tour is that of Ivy Beale and when they arrive Ivy doesn’t answer the door. Jenna thinks that she might have gotten held up somewhere, so they go ahead and enter the house. Jenna decides to go into the kitchen and start bringing out the desserts that had been prepared. But as she enters the kitchen she finds the body on the floor.
There is no shortage of suspects, but the one that is considered the prime suspects is the mother of the police chief Cinnamon Pritchett, Pepper. Pepper is the last person that Jenna thinks is guilty of murder, but Jenna is determined to prove her innocence. It’s going to a difficult job as Pepper refuses to help Jenna to prove her innocent. Cinnamon and Jenna are friends, except when it comes to the investigation of police matters and she doesn’t want to hear of Jenna theories.
This another well-written and plotted story from Wood. Many of the characters are back once again and some interesting new characters are introduced in this book. Delicious sounding recipes are included with the book.
I will be watching for the next book in this tasteful series.
April 21, 2019
A cozy mystery about a cookbook store, written by Daryl Wood Gerber? Come on, you know I read this series! And I was beyond thrilled to read this latest installment!
I have loved everything about the Cookbook Nook Mysteries since book one, page one. I fell in love with each character the moment they appeared on the pages. I always look forward to what they’re up to next. I also love every new theme author Daryl Wood Gerber introduces in to each volume. I wish our Mayor would come up with some of these ideas! This time it’s Book Club Bonanza. Fun! Oh yeah, and deadly! I wish our Mayor would come up with some of these ideas!
There’s soooo much I want to say about SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES. A lot of which I can’t because of spoilers. What I can say is, this is the best in the series so far! This book had me glued to my chair. A compelling, exciting mystery, there were times I was holding my breath. Author Gerber did such a great job keeping me guessing, I had to force myself not to peek at the ending! There were also times I was laughing so hard I was crying.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES in one word? FABULOUS!
I have loved everything about the Cookbook Nook Mysteries since book one, page one. I fell in love with each character the moment they appeared on the pages. I always look forward to what they’re up to next. I also love every new theme author Daryl Wood Gerber introduces in to each volume. I wish our Mayor would come up with some of these ideas! This time it’s Book Club Bonanza. Fun! Oh yeah, and deadly! I wish our Mayor would come up with some of these ideas!
There’s soooo much I want to say about SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES. A lot of which I can’t because of spoilers. What I can say is, this is the best in the series so far! This book had me glued to my chair. A compelling, exciting mystery, there were times I was holding my breath. Author Gerber did such a great job keeping me guessing, I had to force myself not to peek at the ending! There were also times I was laughing so hard I was crying.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES in one word? FABULOUS!
June 12, 2020
Sifting Through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber was another entertaining adventure in Crystal Cove. Jenna is on the case of a complex mystery involving murder and possibly blackmail. There's a lot going on in many of the characters lives in Crystal Cove during the Book Club Bonanza week which kept me turning the pages.
I received a Kindle copy from my public library.
I received a Kindle copy from my public library.
April 1, 2019
Book Bonanza week has come to Crystal Cove and book clubs have come from all over. Jenna has brought in some wonderful new cookbooks that are sure to fly off the shelves. Jenna is so looking forward to meeting with the other members of the book club she is a part of to discuss their most recent read. What could be better than a night of food, friends, and a lovely book to talk about. The Mystery Maven's are doing a movable feast between three homes and as they enter the last Jenna and another member come across the body of the homeowner and fellow reader. Who could have killed her and why is the question that everyone is asking. Jenna starts to worry when all the evidence points to friend Pepper, and her daughter, the police chief, is looking at her as a suspect. Would a daughter truly arrest her mother? Jenna doesn't want that to happen so she is determined to do all the investigating that she can to clear Peppers name and find the true murderer. Jenna soon learns that the victim had quite a few enemies, she liked to spread gossip about others and none of it was ever nice. How did she learn so much about about other people and why spread so much hate? With all that is going on will she be able to sift through all the suspects and give the police chief a better alternative than her own mother. Follow along as Jenna does her best to bring the true killer to light and keep her friend Pepper out of jail. This is such a wonderful series filled with a fabulous cast of characters, a mystery that is always worth solving and recipes that you will want to try. I look forward to seeing where the author takes the characters next and to also seeing what cookbooks are added to the mix.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 5, 2019
In Sifting Through Clues, it is Book Club Week in Crystal Cove, California, sponsored by the local library. Jenna Hart and her crew at the Cookbook Nook and Cafe are gearing up with lots of events going. The highlight of the week includes a progressive dinner for the Mystery Mavens book club. Unfortunately, things turned deadly at the last house on the stop when Ivy Beale, owner of a crystal healing shop, is found dead in her kitchen, killed with a piece of pink quartz in her chest. When Pepper, mother of police chief Cinnamon, is accused of the crime, everyone wants Jenna to find the real killer. They think that Chief Cinnamon is too close to the crime since her mom is the suspect. Jenna has her work cut out for her because Ivy didn't get along with lots of people. This series is fun with a huge cast of characters that I have trouble keeping straight at times. There is some jealously among the women friends that adds tension within the group of friends. Maybe one of the friends could have killed Ivy. Or a guy that was turned down by Ivy. Cinnamon's dad, whom she has never met, shows up unexpectedly. Could he be the killer? Jenna has a lot to ponder and is prompted on by her dad and Aunt Vera. The problem is that everyone seems to have an alibi. Jenna's friend and co-worker, Bailey, is about to have a baby and there is a lot of shopping and preparation to do. Jenna and her fiance Rhett have to plan a wedding but it is moving slowly.
This is a well written mystery with lots of clues to sift through and a big group of suspects. Ms. Gerber has done a great job with this story. It kept my interest and me guessing to the end. There are lots of great recipes at the end that would be fun to try.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
This is a well written mystery with lots of clues to sift through and a big group of suspects. Ms. Gerber has done a great job with this story. It kept my interest and me guessing to the end. There are lots of great recipes at the end that would be fun to try.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
April 5, 2019
If you want to transport yourself to a quaint little town with a good mystery to solve, grab a copy of Sifting Through Clues and dive right in. Daryl Wood Gerber can write solid characters and vivid descriptions that place the reader right in the middle of the action. Sometimes I had to refer back to the beginning to keep some figures straight, but this did not distract from the overall enjoyment of the story or the writing. I liked the descriptions of the shops and the town and enjoyed the mention of the various cookbooks and the other mystery books discussed. The information about the crystals was also a nice touch.
What I liked about this book is the way Jenna searches for clues and how she goes about it is not contrived like some cozy mystery books can be with the main character and their sleuthing ways. The storyline and Jenna’s involvement had a natural flow.
Sifting Through Clues is the 8th book in this series, but you don’t have to read the previous books as this can be read as a standalone book, though it doesn’t hurt to get to know some characters in the earlier books.
What I liked about this book is the way Jenna searches for clues and how she goes about it is not contrived like some cozy mystery books can be with the main character and their sleuthing ways. The storyline and Jenna’s involvement had a natural flow.
Sifting Through Clues is the 8th book in this series, but you don’t have to read the previous books as this can be read as a standalone book, though it doesn’t hurt to get to know some characters in the earlier books.
April 23, 2019
Crystal Cove is very busy with tourists thanks to the library’s Book Club Bonanza week. Soon the town will get ready for Spring Fling, new decorations will be put up.
Jenna’s book club the Mystery Mavens is getting ready for their discussion. They will go to four homes and discuss the book as well as eating a different course at each house. The last house is Ivy Beale, and Jenna discovers she has been murdered.
Another murder and this time evidence is pointing toward Pepper, the mother of the Chief of Police.
Jenna is asked to stay out of the investigation, well we all know that is not going to happen! Can Jenna help the police find the killer? Lots of secrets exposed and suspects are plenty. Twists and turns and red herrings to keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
Jenna’s book club the Mystery Mavens is getting ready for their discussion. They will go to four homes and discuss the book as well as eating a different course at each house. The last house is Ivy Beale, and Jenna discovers she has been murdered.
Another murder and this time evidence is pointing toward Pepper, the mother of the Chief of Police.
Jenna is asked to stay out of the investigation, well we all know that is not going to happen! Can Jenna help the police find the killer? Lots of secrets exposed and suspects are plenty. Twists and turns and red herrings to keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
April 22, 2019
Sifting Through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is the 8th book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series, and my first book in this series. Where have I been? I really enjoyed this cozy mystery, it is full of twists and turns, when Jenna Hart tries to solve the murder. Jenna owns the Cookbook Nook book store. I plan on going back and reading the first 7 books in the series for a better understanding of the characters. I recommend this book for all people who enjoy a well written cozy mystery.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.
May 9, 2019
What an awesome roller coaster ride of a book! Just when I thought I knew who did it, another red herring would distract me. Jenna definitely had her hands full this time with her friend Bailey ready to deliver any week now, a book club festival event, and now the murder of one of the town shop owners.
I loved the whole book club theme--how awesome would it be to have tents and tents of book sellers at a festival? Pepper had a side story going on with a guy she'd been dating, and Cinnamon had a story as well with someone from her past and her mom's past showing up in town. Jenna wondered if it had anything to do with the murder. The showdown happened in the Nook Cafe and it was pretty epic. For once, Jenna wasn't alone with the perp or having to figure out how to fend them off. Cinnamon again had to grudgingly thank her for her help. The end of the book was so sweet. Bailey and Tito became parents. Aunt Vera had a wonderful surprise for Jenna and Rhett...because she's just awesome that way!
I loved the whole book club theme--how awesome would it be to have tents and tents of book sellers at a festival? Pepper had a side story going on with a guy she'd been dating, and Cinnamon had a story as well with someone from her past and her mom's past showing up in town. Jenna wondered if it had anything to do with the murder. The showdown happened in the Nook Cafe and it was pretty epic. For once, Jenna wasn't alone with the perp or having to figure out how to fend them off. Cinnamon again had to grudgingly thank her for her help. The end of the book was so sweet. Bailey and Tito became parents. Aunt Vera had a wonderful surprise for Jenna and Rhett...because she's just awesome that way!
April 23, 2019
A great book with very intriguing and interesting characters. I really must go back and read the entire series as this book is the eight in the series and I want to get to know the characters even better. When one of the shop owners is murdered, other shop owners start looking at each other as the possible villain. The gals at the Cookbook Nook, a shop I would love to visit, decide they have to find out who before chaos ensues! The story was well written and plotted in a manner that had me staying up late turning pages to find out who did it! While I did enjoy the book very much and don't feel that I was lost by not reading the previous book, I do want to go back and read any others in the series that I missed so I can spend more time with the characters while I wait for the author to write another book for the series!
May 1, 2019
Things are hopping in Crystal Cove. Book clubs from all over are coming to celebrate the library's Book Club Bonanza week. At the Cookbook Nook, Bailey is getting ready to have her baby, and owner Jenna Hart is preparing for the Mystery Mavens and their moveable feast, where they will attend a roving dinner and discuss the book of the month. But when it's time for dessert, Jenna finds one of the members dead before she can serve up the final course.
What makes things worse is that all the evidence seems to point to Jenna's friend Pepper, daughter of Cinnamon, the chief-of-police. Can Jenna get to the bottom of things before Pepper is arrested for closing Ivy's book too early?
Each book in this series gets better and better, and Sifting Through Clues is no different. I love Jenna and the people of Crystal Cove. The tension between Jenna and Cinnamon as they both try to solve the murder is perfect and adds to the tension.
The setting is perfectly drawn, and I love the way Jenna's relationship with Rhett is moving along. It doesn't overshadow the mystery, and adds a great amount of flavor to the story.
There is a host of suspects, and just like always, the mystery is tightly written and I didn't figure it out until the end. This series is one of my favorites, and I hope it stays around for a long time.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
What makes things worse is that all the evidence seems to point to Jenna's friend Pepper, daughter of Cinnamon, the chief-of-police. Can Jenna get to the bottom of things before Pepper is arrested for closing Ivy's book too early?
Each book in this series gets better and better, and Sifting Through Clues is no different. I love Jenna and the people of Crystal Cove. The tension between Jenna and Cinnamon as they both try to solve the murder is perfect and adds to the tension.
The setting is perfectly drawn, and I love the way Jenna's relationship with Rhett is moving along. It doesn't overshadow the mystery, and adds a great amount of flavor to the story.
There is a host of suspects, and just like always, the mystery is tightly written and I didn't figure it out until the end. This series is one of my favorites, and I hope it stays around for a long time.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 25, 2019
This is my first journey into the town of Crystal Cove and meeting their residents. This book literally starts off with a bang as one of the store owners participating in Bonanza Week is found dead. There was no one in this book who was particularly unliked or assumed to be suspect number one in the beginning. That is what made this whodunit a bit harder to figure out. You spend your time dissecting all the motives of the residents as to who could have or did commit this crime. People who like to figure these things out ahead of time will find themselves stumped until more glaring evidence is put forth.
The main character does a lot of red herring revealing, getting the reader to veer off into a nee direction they didn’t at first intend to take. She is very good at that. I felt like in a true murder investigation Cinnamon would have been removed from the case since her mother ended up being suspect number one for so long. She does disappear for a good chuck of the book and when characters try to text her to get an update on the case, her phone is silent.
I found myself weaving in and out as to whom I thought could commit such a crime. The revealing at the end was quite enlightening. I liked how the author chose to set up the motives of the true killer. Classic. Pay attention to all the clues and you might just figure it all out before the ending.
Just a nice, classy cozy mystery to read on a rainy day to keep the blues away. Check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
The main character does a lot of red herring revealing, getting the reader to veer off into a nee direction they didn’t at first intend to take. She is very good at that. I felt like in a true murder investigation Cinnamon would have been removed from the case since her mother ended up being suspect number one for so long. She does disappear for a good chuck of the book and when characters try to text her to get an update on the case, her phone is silent.
I found myself weaving in and out as to whom I thought could commit such a crime. The revealing at the end was quite enlightening. I liked how the author chose to set up the motives of the true killer. Classic. Pay attention to all the clues and you might just figure it all out before the ending.
Just a nice, classy cozy mystery to read on a rainy day to keep the blues away. Check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
April 20, 2019
Crystal Cove is celebrating Book Club Bonanza and the Cookbook Nook is geared up and ready to participate. One of the planned festivities involves one of the book clubs traveling to various homes to eat and discuss the mystery the members are reading. Jenna Hart, co-owner of the Cookbook Nook, can’t wait to participate, but unfortunately things go seriously wrong when one of the hosts is found dead in her home during the event. Worse yet, one of the prime suspects is the chief of police’s mother, Pepper Pritchett. Can Jenna help exonerate Pepper without destroying her relationship with her police chief daughter, Cinnamon?
SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES is the eighth book in the Cookbook Nook mystery series and can be read as a standalone story. Daryl Wood Gerber helpfully provides a quick cast of characters at the beginning of the book so that new readers can quickly jump into the series and enjoy the story. I have to admit that I can’t imagine reading one book in the Cookbook Nook series and not wanting to read them all!
While I love the entire Cookbook Nook series, SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES is probably my favorite book yet. Daryl Wood Gerber’s inclusion of the book club theme meant we had plenty of mentions of books other than just the usual intriguing cookbook references. In fact, I’ve added several of the cookbooks to my list to buy as a result! And oh, I love how Daryl Wood Gerber worked in references to her two other series and I can’t wait to hear all about Jenna and Rhett’s visit to Maison Rousseau!
SIFTING THROUGH CLUES is another fun and engaging mystery series from the talented Daryl Wood Gerber. Not only will culinary mystery fans delight in this entertaining story, but I suspect book lovers everywhere will appreciate the numerous book references that are a centerpiece of the tale. Highly recommended!
SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES is the eighth book in the Cookbook Nook mystery series and can be read as a standalone story. Daryl Wood Gerber helpfully provides a quick cast of characters at the beginning of the book so that new readers can quickly jump into the series and enjoy the story. I have to admit that I can’t imagine reading one book in the Cookbook Nook series and not wanting to read them all!
While I love the entire Cookbook Nook series, SIFTING THROUGH THE CLUES is probably my favorite book yet. Daryl Wood Gerber’s inclusion of the book club theme meant we had plenty of mentions of books other than just the usual intriguing cookbook references. In fact, I’ve added several of the cookbooks to my list to buy as a result! And oh, I love how Daryl Wood Gerber worked in references to her two other series and I can’t wait to hear all about Jenna and Rhett’s visit to Maison Rousseau!
SIFTING THROUGH CLUES is another fun and engaging mystery series from the talented Daryl Wood Gerber. Not only will culinary mystery fans delight in this entertaining story, but I suspect book lovers everywhere will appreciate the numerous book references that are a centerpiece of the tale. Highly recommended!
July 5, 2021
4.5 stars to Sifting through Clues, book 8 of this series! It is always a pleasure to read a cozy filled with family love, intelligence, warmth, mystery, and adventure. This is the reason why Daryl Wood Gerber is one of my favorite writers of cozy whodunits.
April 8, 2019
I have always enjoyed the Cookbook Nook mysteries and this latest book was the best yet! Jenna and her friends and family are wonderful characters and whenever I read another book in the series, I feel that much closer to them. I love Jenna and Rhett, they make me think of my husband and myself whenever I read about them. The Cookbook Nook sounds like such a great store to visit and Crystal Cove sounds like my kind of town.
This latest book has us visiting during the Book Club Bonanza. Not only are there vendors set up along downtown but, there are events as well. Jenna and her friends have even planned an event of their own, with a dinner planned at four book club members houses, one course each. Unfortunately, they find the dessert course member dead. And not only dead but, posed. Jenna doesn't mean to try to solve the case but, gets pulled in by the police chief's mother who happens to be a main suspect. Lots of twists and turns that had me guessing till the end who the killer was. As always, I can't wait for the next book!
I agreed to review this book and received a free advanced copy with which to do so.
This latest book has us visiting during the Book Club Bonanza. Not only are there vendors set up along downtown but, there are events as well. Jenna and her friends have even planned an event of their own, with a dinner planned at four book club members houses, one course each. Unfortunately, they find the dessert course member dead. And not only dead but, posed. Jenna doesn't mean to try to solve the case but, gets pulled in by the police chief's mother who happens to be a main suspect. Lots of twists and turns that had me guessing till the end who the killer was. As always, I can't wait for the next book!
I agreed to review this book and received a free advanced copy with which to do so.
April 18, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Spring has sprung in Crystal Cove, California
Sifting Through the Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is the eighth book in this fantastic series that I wish I found earlier. The whole cast of characters was excellent, and I liked every minute of reading about their lives. Ms. Gerber has a great series on her hands. I can’t wait to read the next novel. This book has a bunch of twists and turns in it which made trying to figure out whodunit even harder.
What I like:
Written in first person narrative works so well in this novel and I loved it. We get to know more about the main character, and I liked being able to learn about her this way. We also get to try to solve it through her eyes and see if we can solve it first.
For the brief moments, we get to meet Tigger, this fantastic cat. He knows how to make anyone happy just by being near them.
The sleuth and the cop on the force are different here, and I love it. Jenna has it two ways. Her aunt is dating a cop, and of course, her best friend is the chief of police.
I loved the high tea and mentions of food in here since it is a culinary cozy. The recipes in the book sound so good, I can't wait to try some.
That despite everything that has happened in the past books that Cinnamon, the chief of police, wants Jenna’s help and that they have a good friendship.
What I don’t like:
That I didn’t find this series earlier. I am a bit peeved at myself for not figuring it out who did it since I am pretty good at that, but I got so lost in all the red herrings. Though I didn’t like that Jenna didn’t try to talk to Cinnamon faster about her findings.
Five Star
Sifting Through the Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is a brilliant book, and I was so happy to get acquainted with this small town of Crystal Cove, California and its crazy citizens. I am putting the first seven of these books on my TBR list. I am giving it a five-star rating and recommending it to anyone that likes cozy mysteries with a culinary kick.
Other Book in the Series:
April 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW
April 15 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
April 15 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
April 15 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
April 15 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
April 16 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
April 16 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW
April 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Ascroft, eh? - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 17 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW
April 17 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
April 17 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
April 17 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 17 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
April 18 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 18 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW
April 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 19 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW
April 19 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 19 – MJB Reviewers - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 19 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
April 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
April 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
April 20 – A Blue Million Books - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 20 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Moonlight Rendezvous - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 21 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW
April 21 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Giveaway
Prize: (1) 2 Books of Winner’s Choice plus recipe cards, cat apron & more (U.S. ONLY)
Tour Organized by:
Sifting Through the Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is the eighth book in this fantastic series that I wish I found earlier. The whole cast of characters was excellent, and I liked every minute of reading about their lives. Ms. Gerber has a great series on her hands. I can’t wait to read the next novel. This book has a bunch of twists and turns in it which made trying to figure out whodunit even harder.
What I like:
Written in first person narrative works so well in this novel and I loved it. We get to know more about the main character, and I liked being able to learn about her this way. We also get to try to solve it through her eyes and see if we can solve it first.
For the brief moments, we get to meet Tigger, this fantastic cat. He knows how to make anyone happy just by being near them.
The sleuth and the cop on the force are different here, and I love it. Jenna has it two ways. Her aunt is dating a cop, and of course, her best friend is the chief of police.
I loved the high tea and mentions of food in here since it is a culinary cozy. The recipes in the book sound so good, I can't wait to try some.
That despite everything that has happened in the past books that Cinnamon, the chief of police, wants Jenna’s help and that they have a good friendship.
What I don’t like:
That I didn’t find this series earlier. I am a bit peeved at myself for not figuring it out who did it since I am pretty good at that, but I got so lost in all the red herrings. Though I didn’t like that Jenna didn’t try to talk to Cinnamon faster about her findings.
Five Star
Sifting Through the Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is a brilliant book, and I was so happy to get acquainted with this small town of Crystal Cove, California and its crazy citizens. I am putting the first seven of these books on my TBR list. I am giving it a five-star rating and recommending it to anyone that likes cozy mysteries with a culinary kick.
Other Book in the Series:
April 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW
April 15 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
April 15 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
April 15 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
April 15 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
April 16 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
April 16 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW
April 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Ascroft, eh? - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 17 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW
April 17 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
April 17 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
April 17 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 17 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
April 18 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 18 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
April 18 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW
April 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 19 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW
April 19 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 19 – MJB Reviewers - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 19 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
April 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
April 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
April 20 – A Blue Million Books - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 20 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Moonlight Rendezvous - REVIEW, GUEST POST - RECIPE - INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
April 21 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW
April 21 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Giveaway
Prize: (1) 2 Books of Winner’s Choice plus recipe cards, cat apron & more (U.S. ONLY)
Tour Organized by:
To find all the tour information click the banner at the top of the page.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Sifting Through the Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber. Please take a look at the other tour stops.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
April 4, 2019
Crystal Cove is getting ready for the Book Club Bonanza and Spring Fling events, but the one event Jenna Hart is looking forward to is the Mystery Mavens book club progressive dinner. A delightful evening of visiting members’ homes to enjoy food and a fun discussion of the book club’s cozy mystery book selection. Everything was going smoothly until the last stop where a book club member is found dead.
Now one of Jenna’s friends is the prime suspect in the murder and needs Jenna’s help to prove she is innocent. As much as Jenna wants to help her friend, she is determine to stay off the police radar (and try to remain friends with the police chief). Despite Jenna’s best intentions, clues appear and engage her curiosity. Soon Jenna is involved in discovering who the real killer is.
I had a great time reading this book and enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. The characters are warm and engaging. I look forward to reading more from this series. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of Sifting Through Clues in exchange for my honest review.
Now one of Jenna’s friends is the prime suspect in the murder and needs Jenna’s help to prove she is innocent. As much as Jenna wants to help her friend, she is determine to stay off the police radar (and try to remain friends with the police chief). Despite Jenna’s best intentions, clues appear and engage her curiosity. Soon Jenna is involved in discovering who the real killer is.
I had a great time reading this book and enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. The characters are warm and engaging. I look forward to reading more from this series. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of Sifting Through Clues in exchange for my honest review.
April 24, 2019
I love that this is set during Book Club Bonanza Week in the town of Crystal Cove. The town is full of visitors celebrating books. I want to be there! I also really enjoyed the scenes set in the cookbook shop.
The mystery of who killed the owner of the local crystal shop was interesting. There was plenty of suspects, as many of the town people are keeping secrets. This is book 8 in the series, but it felt like a stand alone novel. Don't feel you have to read the whole series in order to enjoy this. There was a small amount of "personal growth" in Jenna's storyline, but the book was mainly focused on the murder mystery.
I received a free ARC from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew in exchange for my honest opinion.
The mystery of who killed the owner of the local crystal shop was interesting. There was plenty of suspects, as many of the town people are keeping secrets. This is book 8 in the series, but it felt like a stand alone novel. Don't feel you have to read the whole series in order to enjoy this. There was a small amount of "personal growth" in Jenna's storyline, but the book was mainly focused on the murder mystery.
I received a free ARC from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 8, 2019
This is the first Cookbook Nook mystery that I’ve read, and I love the concept of a bookstore that caters to cookbooks and culinary fiction. Add the Nook Cafe next door, and I wish the shops were real! In fact, I have some suggestions for books that need to be stocked… but that’s for another post.
For starters, I really like the heroine Jenna. She has a good head on her shoulders and a kind heart. She’s a loyal friend, and she has a witty and compassionate spirit while also being tenacious and strong. And she does at least try to notify the police chief when new info pops up… Her sleuthing is smart and insightful, and it flows naturally with her character and the pace of the story. The friends and family that make up her circle are a combination of quirky, witty, sweet and sassy, and the myriad of their own ‘life issues’ keep the storyline layered and the mystery full of suspects & potential motives – all of which keeps readers reading until the end.
There is a bit of stopping the story for recipes or (what I feel is) overly detailed explanations of books or decorations, etc. While that is sort-of par for the course for a cozy mystery, this does bog down a book for me. I’d rather all of that superfluous stuff just be tacked on at the end where the recipes are anyway. I also didn’t care for the tarot card & crystal stuff, but once I sift through all of that, the story itself is entertaining and well-plotted. As with one of the books Jenna mentions in the book club, I was pretty sure I knew whodunit but I couldn’t figure out the whydunit. Story progression helped me put together a rough mental sketch of theories but I wasn’t 100% sure until the big reveal.
Bottom Line: Set in a quaint town full of eclectic characters with secrets to hide and personal drama to overcome, Sifting Through Clues will tantalize readers with yummy recipes and a list of books they will be adding to their TBR lists. They will root for Jenna as she balances running a successful specialty bookstore & cafe, a very pregnant best friend, a swoony fiance, a host of troubled friends, and a mystery she just can’t stay out of. While this is the 8th book in a series, it also works very well as a standalone novel. As an added bonus, I loved the nods to the author’s other series tucked into the story!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
For starters, I really like the heroine Jenna. She has a good head on her shoulders and a kind heart. She’s a loyal friend, and she has a witty and compassionate spirit while also being tenacious and strong. And she does at least try to notify the police chief when new info pops up… Her sleuthing is smart and insightful, and it flows naturally with her character and the pace of the story. The friends and family that make up her circle are a combination of quirky, witty, sweet and sassy, and the myriad of their own ‘life issues’ keep the storyline layered and the mystery full of suspects & potential motives – all of which keeps readers reading until the end.
There is a bit of stopping the story for recipes or (what I feel is) overly detailed explanations of books or decorations, etc. While that is sort-of par for the course for a cozy mystery, this does bog down a book for me. I’d rather all of that superfluous stuff just be tacked on at the end where the recipes are anyway. I also didn’t care for the tarot card & crystal stuff, but once I sift through all of that, the story itself is entertaining and well-plotted. As with one of the books Jenna mentions in the book club, I was pretty sure I knew whodunit but I couldn’t figure out the whydunit. Story progression helped me put together a rough mental sketch of theories but I wasn’t 100% sure until the big reveal.
Bottom Line: Set in a quaint town full of eclectic characters with secrets to hide and personal drama to overcome, Sifting Through Clues will tantalize readers with yummy recipes and a list of books they will be adding to their TBR lists. They will root for Jenna as she balances running a successful specialty bookstore & cafe, a very pregnant best friend, a swoony fiance, a host of troubled friends, and a mystery she just can’t stay out of. While this is the 8th book in a series, it also works very well as a standalone novel. As an added bonus, I loved the nods to the author’s other series tucked into the story!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
March 1, 2019
SIFTING THROUGH CLUES, the eighth book in the Cook Book Nook Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber, captures the spirit of all that is great about cozy mysteries. An engaging, amateur sleuth with a crime for her to solve; memorable characters; delightful settings; and mouth-watering food! The charming town of Crystal Cove, California is hosting the Book Club Bonanza week-long event and the protagonist, Jenna Hart, is preparing all sorts of displays, crafts, and food at her shop, the Cookbook Nook and Café. As so often happens when I’ve read the Cook Book Nook mysteries in the past, I end up having a list of books mentioned in the story that I want to buy. I love how Ms. Gerber weaves appropriate titles into the theme of events happening in the town. Jenna is surrounded by a good cast of family and friends and I enjoy how the author has not only developed the protagonist, but the supporting characters as well.
When a member of Jenna’s Mystery Maven book club is found murdered during their progressive dinner, everyone looks to Jenna to help solve it. The town’s Chief of Police, Cinnamon, happens to be Jenna’s good friend but Cinnamon doesn’t want her help, causing a strain on the friendship. But as Jenna hears people talk, she can’t help but start piecing the puzzle together and getting involved. There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing with clever twists to the plot. The author provides an exciting conclusion and the wrap-up is heartwarming, bringing the story of family and friendship full circle.
All sorts of yummy goodies come out of the kitchen of the Cookbook Nook’s café and the author includes multiple recipes at the back of the book, both sweet and savory. They all sound fantastic!
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When a member of Jenna’s Mystery Maven book club is found murdered during their progressive dinner, everyone looks to Jenna to help solve it. The town’s Chief of Police, Cinnamon, happens to be Jenna’s good friend but Cinnamon doesn’t want her help, causing a strain on the friendship. But as Jenna hears people talk, she can’t help but start piecing the puzzle together and getting involved. There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing with clever twists to the plot. The author provides an exciting conclusion and the wrap-up is heartwarming, bringing the story of family and friendship full circle.
All sorts of yummy goodies come out of the kitchen of the Cookbook Nook’s café and the author includes multiple recipes at the back of the book, both sweet and savory. They all sound fantastic!
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 24, 2019
“Sifting Through the Clues” is another fabulous installment in the amazing Cookbook Nook Mystery series. Author Daryl Wood Gerber knows how to make characters come to life and draw the reader into the mystery. I was hooked from the start. I love visiting Crystal Cove and delight in all the festivals they have. In this one, I got to enjoy the Book Club Bonanza Week. So many books, so much fun and of course a murder. Jenna Hart is a wonderful protagonist that leads with her heart and follows with her intelligence. Yes it can get her in trouble, put her in danger, but when those she cares about are in trouble, she is going to step in and do what she can to get to the bottom of things.
Jenna is excited about the activity her book club is going to have to celebrate the week of fun. They are having a moveable feast, each person will have something delicious at their house. They get to discuss the book they are reading while enjoying different treats at each house. Unfortunately, Jenna and friends find one of their host at the last stop dead. No treats to be had at her house. Jenna does not want to get involved again, but when one of their members becomes a prime suspect, what else can she do. The problem this time is that she will need to be even more careful with chief of police Cinnamon. Her mother Pepper is the key suspect.
As always when I read a book by this prolific author, I am catapulted to the setting of the book. I could smell the delicious treats being made, see the tents full of wonderful items to be purchased, hear the crowds. It is truly a gift that Daryl Wood Gerber has and brings to us readers. “Sifting Through the Clues” is another intriguing mystery that kept me captivated until I turned the last page.
I was given a copy of the book by the author. The opinion I express is completely my own and not influenced by this at all.
Jenna is excited about the activity her book club is going to have to celebrate the week of fun. They are having a moveable feast, each person will have something delicious at their house. They get to discuss the book they are reading while enjoying different treats at each house. Unfortunately, Jenna and friends find one of their host at the last stop dead. No treats to be had at her house. Jenna does not want to get involved again, but when one of their members becomes a prime suspect, what else can she do. The problem this time is that she will need to be even more careful with chief of police Cinnamon. Her mother Pepper is the key suspect.
As always when I read a book by this prolific author, I am catapulted to the setting of the book. I could smell the delicious treats being made, see the tents full of wonderful items to be purchased, hear the crowds. It is truly a gift that Daryl Wood Gerber has and brings to us readers. “Sifting Through the Clues” is another intriguing mystery that kept me captivated until I turned the last page.
I was given a copy of the book by the author. The opinion I express is completely my own and not influenced by this at all.
March 23, 2019
Book Club Bonanza week has arrived and book clubbers from all over are congregating in Crystal Cove. Jenna as packed her store the Cookbook Nook full of cookbooks and food-related fiction. Jenna enjoys hosting different events in her store and visiting the vendors set up around town but what she is looking forward to the most is her book club's event. Jenna is part of the Mystery Mavens book club which is hosting a traveling feast and book discussions, with each course held at a different Maven's home. When they arrive at the last house for the dessert discussion they find a body. If the murder isn’t enough to upset Jenna, one of her friends is the prime suspect. Can Jenna find clues to the real killer?
This is a wonderful addition to a wonderful series. This book is one of my favorites in this series. The cast of characters is witty, interesting, and authentic. This celebration of books and book clubs is a celebration I can really get behind. I wish there was a similar festival near me to attend. The mystery is well plotted with a lot of red herrings and twists and turns to keep the reader engaged in the story. The setting has a wonderful cozy small town feel and reading the book feels like visiting with old friends. Recipes are included at the end of the book for the foodie and cookbook fan. I recommend this book to fans of author Daryl Wood Gerber, mysteries, food, and books.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
This is a wonderful addition to a wonderful series. This book is one of my favorites in this series. The cast of characters is witty, interesting, and authentic. This celebration of books and book clubs is a celebration I can really get behind. I wish there was a similar festival near me to attend. The mystery is well plotted with a lot of red herrings and twists and turns to keep the reader engaged in the story. The setting has a wonderful cozy small town feel and reading the book feels like visiting with old friends. Recipes are included at the end of the book for the foodie and cookbook fan. I recommend this book to fans of author Daryl Wood Gerber, mysteries, food, and books.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
March 21, 2019
Jenna Hart, proprietor of the Cookbook Nook and Nook Café, is ready for the Book Club Bonanza week that has come to Crystal Cove. She has stocked her bookstore with juicy mysteries and delicious cookbooks. When her friends arrange for a progressive dinner party, she can’t wait to discuss her latest read. But, things become deadly when someone is found dead at the last stop. Can Jen sift through the clues to find the truth?
This was another fabulous mystery from a great writer. I loved how the main character pursued the truth after being coerced by her loved ones to start the investigation. Several great characters were introduced, which added red herrings and suspects to the wonderfully twisty plot. Even though this book is a part of a series, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was another fabulous mystery from a great writer. I loved how the main character pursued the truth after being coerced by her loved ones to start the investigation. Several great characters were introduced, which added red herrings and suspects to the wonderfully twisty plot. Even though this book is a part of a series, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.
March 18, 2019
Everything that is wonderful about a cozy mystery can be found in the latest Cookbook Nook installment. Though this is the eighth in a series, it could easily be read as a stand-alone book, which speaks volumes about the author's ability to weave a charming tale. When a member of the Mystery Mavens book club is found murdered, there is no shortage of suspects. Though the local police, lead by Cinnamon Pritchett, are doing their best, Jenna can't help hearing the talk around town and starts conducting her own investigation. As more secrets are uncovered and the stakes get higher, Jenna must figure out this clever whodunit before it's too late.
Filled with a cast of quirky characters, picturesque settings, and mouthwatering food (recipes included!), Sifting Through Clues will have you tearing through the pages like you haven't eaten -- I mean, READ -- in days!!
Filled with a cast of quirky characters, picturesque settings, and mouthwatering food (recipes included!), Sifting Through Clues will have you tearing through the pages like you haven't eaten -- I mean, READ -- in days!!
July 23, 2019
The Cookbook Nook would be on my bucket list of places to visit if it were real. Daryl Wood Garber has done such an exceptional job of making the Nook and the characters in this series so real it feels as if the reader could just run to town to see what's new at the Nook. Add in the excitement of so many book clubs in town for an event and you have one very busy scene set for murder. As the investigation moves forward, it's up to our Cookbook Nook favorites to figure out the who and why of the murder before the killer strikes again.
These are always one of my "go to" books when I want a guaranteed good read.
These are always one of my "go to" books when I want a guaranteed good read.
June 15, 2019
Thanks to #NetGalley for this one! Calling this one 3.5 stars. The mystery is pretty good and there are some good recipes. However, Jenna just has never caught on with me. Don't know what it is, just something I don't care for. Many of the other characters are just fine. If I could get past Jenna it would be good. I REALLY want to like Ms. Gerber's books because she seems like such a sweet lady. Keep hoping I'll find one that totally grabs me. I'll keep waiting.
April 17, 2019
Sifting through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber is the eighth A Cookbook Nook Mystery. Jenna Hart co-owns the Cookbook Nook and Nook Café in Crystal Cove. Jenna, Aunt Vera and the store staff are busy preparing for Book Club Bonanza week (another creation by their esteemed mayor). Book clubs will be descending upon the town and the Crystal Cove Mystery Mavens to which Jenna belongs will be hosting a progressive dinner where they will discuss The Diva Serves High Tea (by Krista Davis). After a busy day at the Cookbook Nook, Jenna is ready to enjoy good friend and companionship with her friends at the progressive dinner. The group enjoys their first three courses and then depart for dessert at Ivy’s. Upon arrival they find the door ajar, music playing, desserts ready to eat and Ivy dead on the kitchen floor with a rose quartz shard protruding from her chest. Chief Cinnamon Pritchett and Deputy Marlon Appleby quickly arrive to contain the scene and question the ladies. Unfortunately, Pepper Pritchett, Cinnamon’s mother, quickly rises to the top of the suspect list. A distraught Pepper asks for Jenna’s assistance in clearing her name. Jenna soon finds that Ivy had upset numerous townspeople, many did not like her business practices and Ivy had a penchant for spreading people’s secrets. Jenna examines the clues and narrows down the list of culprits by confirming their alibis. Jenna needs to catch the killer before Pepper ends up behind bars.
Sifting through Clues is the eighth delightful installment in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but why would you not want to read to. I recommend reading all the books in this charming culinary mystery series. I thought Sifting through Clues was well-written and it progresses at a steady clip. The author provides descriptions that allowed me to visualize the characters, their shops and the tourist friendly town (I would love to visit this town). The characters are friendly and developed. There is also a quirky character or two (like Aunt Vera) which is guaranteed to provide humor. Tigger, Jenna’s cat, is back with his feline antics and to provide cuddles when needed. I like that the author provides a cast of characters at the beginning of the book which helped to refresh my memory. There is plenty going on in our characters lives. Bailey is expecting her first baby, Tina is having boyfriend trouble, Cinnamon’s father whom she has never met has come to town, Crusibella wants to buy Ivy’s shop, Pepper is having trust issues regarding her male suitor, the town is flooded with tourists for the Book Club bonanza plus Jenna and Rhett cannot decide on a wedding date or venue (I told you it was busy). I enjoyed the references to cookbooks and other cozy mysteries. I had to laugh when Jenna noticed To Brie or Not to Brie (by our esteemed author) in the window of the local cheese shop. I liked the unique mystery. It starts with a rose quartz crystal sticking out of the victim’s chest. There are other items with unique symbolism (you will have to read the book to find out more). It was interesting to learn about crystals and what they represent. There are good clues to aid readers in solving the crime plus a red herring or two and plenty of suspects. Jenna wore some book themed t-shirts with cute sayings on them. Two of my favorites were “Good things come to those who read” and “There is no friend as loyal as a book”. There are recipes at the end of the book for the tasty sweet and savory items featured (Katie created some sumptuous offerings for the Nook Café). I look forward to the next A Cookbook Nook Mystery to learn if Jenna and Rhett pick a wedding venue (great opportunity for an out of town mystery). Sifting through Clues is one of those books that you want to read quickly to find out what happens, but you also do not want it to end.
Sifting through Clues is the eighth delightful installment in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but why would you not want to read to. I recommend reading all the books in this charming culinary mystery series. I thought Sifting through Clues was well-written and it progresses at a steady clip. The author provides descriptions that allowed me to visualize the characters, their shops and the tourist friendly town (I would love to visit this town). The characters are friendly and developed. There is also a quirky character or two (like Aunt Vera) which is guaranteed to provide humor. Tigger, Jenna’s cat, is back with his feline antics and to provide cuddles when needed. I like that the author provides a cast of characters at the beginning of the book which helped to refresh my memory. There is plenty going on in our characters lives. Bailey is expecting her first baby, Tina is having boyfriend trouble, Cinnamon’s father whom she has never met has come to town, Crusibella wants to buy Ivy’s shop, Pepper is having trust issues regarding her male suitor, the town is flooded with tourists for the Book Club bonanza plus Jenna and Rhett cannot decide on a wedding date or venue (I told you it was busy). I enjoyed the references to cookbooks and other cozy mysteries. I had to laugh when Jenna noticed To Brie or Not to Brie (by our esteemed author) in the window of the local cheese shop. I liked the unique mystery. It starts with a rose quartz crystal sticking out of the victim’s chest. There are other items with unique symbolism (you will have to read the book to find out more). It was interesting to learn about crystals and what they represent. There are good clues to aid readers in solving the crime plus a red herring or two and plenty of suspects. Jenna wore some book themed t-shirts with cute sayings on them. Two of my favorites were “Good things come to those who read” and “There is no friend as loyal as a book”. There are recipes at the end of the book for the tasty sweet and savory items featured (Katie created some sumptuous offerings for the Nook Café). I look forward to the next A Cookbook Nook Mystery to learn if Jenna and Rhett pick a wedding venue (great opportunity for an out of town mystery). Sifting through Clues is one of those books that you want to read quickly to find out what happens, but you also do not want it to end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews