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Pancake House Mystery #6
Much Ado about Nutmeg
Wedding bells are in the air—along with the aroma of maple syrup—in the latest Pancake House Mystery. But a series of murders threatens to spoil everyone’s appetite. . .
Between tourist season, planning her beach wedding, and running her pancake house, the Flip Side, Marley McKinney is busier than ever. On top of that, one of her regulars is competing in Wildwood Cove’s Golden Oldies Games—a sporting event for athletes 50 and over—and Marley wants to cheer her on. Everything’s running as smooth as batter—until sports reporter Yvonne Pritchard stirs up a triple batch of trouble . . .
Yvonne has one admirer in town—Ed Herman—but she has many more enemies, from a disgruntled coach to an athlete she once shamed on social media. So when a body washes up on shore, and it’s no accident, it’s not a complete surprise Yvonne is the victim. And when Ed asks Marley to use her sleuthing skills to solve the crime, she’ll have to squeeze in time between squeezing into wedding dresses. Then a second victim turns up, and Marley will have to work at high speed to stop a killer from piling up bodies faster than she can whip up a tall stack . . .
Includes pancake recipes right from the Flip Side menu!
Praise for Sarah Fox’s Wine and Punishment
“Readers will cheer this brisk, literate addition to the world of small-town cozies.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Hits all the right notes—a unique setting, friends and family, an intriguing mystery, and even the promise of romance.”
—Sofie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of the Second Chance Cat mysteries.
“Draws readers into the fold of suspects in Shady Creek and doesn’t let go until the culprit is uncovered. There are laugh-out-loud moments, hold-your-breath moments, and moments when you’ll think you have the mystery figured out, but the surprises keep coming!”
—USA Today bestselling author Amy M. Reade
Between tourist season, planning her beach wedding, and running her pancake house, the Flip Side, Marley McKinney is busier than ever. On top of that, one of her regulars is competing in Wildwood Cove’s Golden Oldies Games—a sporting event for athletes 50 and over—and Marley wants to cheer her on. Everything’s running as smooth as batter—until sports reporter Yvonne Pritchard stirs up a triple batch of trouble . . .
Yvonne has one admirer in town—Ed Herman—but she has many more enemies, from a disgruntled coach to an athlete she once shamed on social media. So when a body washes up on shore, and it’s no accident, it’s not a complete surprise Yvonne is the victim. And when Ed asks Marley to use her sleuthing skills to solve the crime, she’ll have to squeeze in time between squeezing into wedding dresses. Then a second victim turns up, and Marley will have to work at high speed to stop a killer from piling up bodies faster than she can whip up a tall stack . . .
Includes pancake recipes right from the Flip Side menu!
Praise for Sarah Fox’s Wine and Punishment
“Readers will cheer this brisk, literate addition to the world of small-town cozies.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Hits all the right notes—a unique setting, friends and family, an intriguing mystery, and even the promise of romance.”
—Sofie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of the Second Chance Cat mysteries.
“Draws readers into the fold of suspects in Shady Creek and doesn’t let go until the culprit is uncovered. There are laugh-out-loud moments, hold-your-breath moments, and moments when you’ll think you have the mystery figured out, but the surprises keep coming!”
—USA Today bestselling author Amy M. Reade
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2020
104 people are currently reading
1698 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Fox
23 books735 followersSarah Fox, writer of cozy mysteries, was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.
Sarah is the author of the Literary Pub Mysteries, the Pancake House Mysteries, and the Music Lover's Mysteries.
Sarah is the author of the Literary Pub Mysteries, the Pancake House Mysteries, and the Music Lover's Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 10, 2019
This is a fun series and this installment was a quick easy read for me. Once again, Marley finds herself wrapped up in another murder that occurs when the Golden Oldies games come to Wildwood Cove. I really like Marley as a protagonist. She has a warm heart and an insatiable curiosity which always lands her in trouble. This time, one of her long-time regulars asks her to investigate the death of a reporter, whom he struck up a friendship. There are two murders and a drowning which seem unconnected and cause Marley a bit of difficulty in trying to identify the culprit. There are some twists and turns thrown into the clues and Marley puts herself in a bit of danger, but ultimately the mystery is resolved in a climactic fashion.
While investigating the mysteries, Marley is also preparing for her wedding. I really enjoyed how the townspeople all contribute something to the wedding as their gift to Marley. It shows how much she has become a part of Wildwood Cove.
The book has a steady plot and I found it to be an easy read. If you are a fan of the series you will definitely enjoy this one. I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
While investigating the mysteries, Marley is also preparing for her wedding. I really enjoyed how the townspeople all contribute something to the wedding as their gift to Marley. It shows how much she has become a part of Wildwood Cove.
The book has a steady plot and I found it to be an easy read. If you are a fan of the series you will definitely enjoy this one. I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
September 30, 2020
Questa serie mi piace, ma in questo libro il mistero è stato tale che non sono riuscita a proporre un possibile colpevole e la soluzione mi ha colto completamente di sorpresa. Mi sento quindi di poter dare il massimo dei voti.
January 23, 2020
Another solid addition to the Pancake House Mysteries. This one finds Marley McKinnon in the throes of wedding planning while Wildwood Cove is paced with tourists for the Golden Oldie Games. Business is booming at the Flip Side when a dead body washes up on shore and one of her regulars asks her to investigate who murdered Yvonne. Marley quickly learns Yvonne was not a nice woman and the list of suspects is jam packed. Relationships between the main characters are well depicted. While I would be surprised if anyone would guess the killer, it was still a reasonable solution. Good series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2022
Another good addition to the series, though I do wish Marley will realize that getting hurt should override her insatiable need to meddle; or seeing how much it worries her loved ones. She does take some unnecessary risks in this book even after getting hurt that has one rolling the eyes..😤😤. Anyway, the town is bustling with tourists and competitors for the Golden Oldie Games and of course bodies start popping up. That leads to Marley sticking her nose into the investigations despite being warned again and again to stay out of it. This book was a lot because there’s a lot of dead bodies, possible stalking, plus Marley having to plan her wedding. There were many twists and turns in terms of the mystery and I think it took away from the culmination to the wedding.
The murders themselves have to many suspects to count. Everyone hated the victims, so it was hard to figure out the actual culprit. The conclusion to both murders was actually surprising.
The characters continue to be well developed and have depth; their relationships with each other evolve in each book so that’s a plus; I do like that Marley as a boss has a great relationship with her employees and works just as hard as they do. She cares about them and they care about her.
Overall I gave it a 3.7-4 stars.
The murders themselves have to many suspects to count. Everyone hated the victims, so it was hard to figure out the actual culprit. The conclusion to both murders was actually surprising.
The characters continue to be well developed and have depth; their relationships with each other evolve in each book so that’s a plus; I do like that Marley as a boss has a great relationship with her employees and works just as hard as they do. She cares about them and they care about her.
Overall I gave it a 3.7-4 stars.
January 11, 2020
I need to start this review by saying that I have really enjoyed this series - Marley is a good MC and I like how she is with Brett [and that they each have a life outside of each other, which is how it should be IMO] and I love The Flip Side restaurant and Tommy and Ivan and the girls that work there with Marley. Unlike a lot of cozies where the MC has a job, owns a business etc and they just run around and leave all the work to other, Marley works just as hard as her employees and that also brings a sense of realism to the books. She is nosy, but she doesn't expect others to do her work while she is snooping. And she DOES try to stay within the parameters of "helping" and not completely interfering and that is also refreshing. She totally respects the law enforcement [and not just because the chief is related to Brett] and treats them with the respect they deserve.
Now, all of that said, I was not a huge fan of this book. There were 8 BAZILLION characters/suspects. Every time you turned around [or a page], there was a new suspect and by the time you get to the middle of the book [which is filled with the special sports games, Marley and Brett planning their wedding AND murders], it is one big muddy mess. And by the time you get to the reveal, of COURSE you are going to be surprised because WHAT? Yeah, its that kind of reveal. There are so many red herrings, that ANYONE who wasn't a red herring could be a killer and would be a huge shock and surprise. I will say that the reveal was good. And completely unexpected [in how it happened]. And the why...I didn't see that coming either. So you get this huge muddy mess for a good portion of the book for a great reveal, but then just a blip for the wedding. Again, WHAT????? Sigh.
It is a decent story and a decent addition to the series, but unfortunately for me, there were too may things working against it to rate it higher than three stars. BUT! Because I do like this series so much, I will absolutely keep reading. Everyone deserves a second chance, especially when it is a series you are already love and are seriously invested in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Book/Lyrical Underground for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Now, all of that said, I was not a huge fan of this book. There were 8 BAZILLION characters/suspects. Every time you turned around [or a page], there was a new suspect and by the time you get to the middle of the book [which is filled with the special sports games, Marley and Brett planning their wedding AND murders], it is one big muddy mess. And by the time you get to the reveal, of COURSE you are going to be surprised because WHAT? Yeah, its that kind of reveal. There are so many red herrings, that ANYONE who wasn't a red herring could be a killer and would be a huge shock and surprise. I will say that the reveal was good. And completely unexpected [in how it happened]. And the why...I didn't see that coming either. So you get this huge muddy mess for a good portion of the book for a great reveal, but then just a blip for the wedding. Again, WHAT????? Sigh.
It is a decent story and a decent addition to the series, but unfortunately for me, there were too may things working against it to rate it higher than three stars. BUT! Because I do like this series so much, I will absolutely keep reading. Everyone deserves a second chance, especially when it is a series you are already love and are seriously invested in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Book/Lyrical Underground for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2020
“Much Ado about Nutmeg” by Sarah Fox is the 6th instalment in the “A Pancake House Mystery” series. This was the second book I have read in the series and I thoroughly enjoy them and have the complete series in my TBR.
Marley, the protagonist, is the owner of The Flip Side pancake house in Wildwood Cove, Washington. Currently she is dealing with tourist season and planning her beach wedding which is in 4 weeks time. The Golden Oldies Senior games is in town and it’s extra busy, but when a man drowns and a nasty sports reporter goes missing Marley is itchin to investigate ...
The characters are well-developed. The mystery had just enough suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. I found it to be a fun fast read.
Includes pancake recipes right from The Flip Side menu!
I enjoyed this book and recommend to my friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and Kensington books. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
Marley, the protagonist, is the owner of The Flip Side pancake house in Wildwood Cove, Washington. Currently she is dealing with tourist season and planning her beach wedding which is in 4 weeks time. The Golden Oldies Senior games is in town and it’s extra busy, but when a man drowns and a nasty sports reporter goes missing Marley is itchin to investigate ...
The characters are well-developed. The mystery had just enough suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. I found it to be a fun fast read.
Includes pancake recipes right from The Flip Side menu!
I enjoyed this book and recommend to my friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and Kensington books. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
January 26, 2020
Much Ado About Nutmeg
Pancake House Mystery, Book #6
Sarah Fox
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Wedding bells are in the air—along with the aroma of maple syrup—in the latest Pancake House Mystery. But a series of murders threatens to spoil everyone’s appetite. . .
Between tourist season, planning her beach wedding, and running her pancake house, the Flip Side, Marley McKinney is busier than ever. On top of that, one of her regulars is competing in Wildwood Cove’s Golden Oldies Games—a sporting event for athletes 50 and over—and Marley wants to cheer her on. Everything’s running as smooth as batter—until sports reporter Yvonne Pritchard stirs up a triple batch of trouble . . .
Yvonne has one admirer in town—Ed Herman—but she has many more enemies, from a disgruntled coach to an athlete she once shamed on social media. So when a body washes up on shore, and it’s no accident, it’s not a complete surprise Yvonne is the victim. And when Ed asks Marley to use her sleuthing skills to solve the crime, she’ll have to squeeze in time between squeezing into wedding dresses. Then a second victim turns up, and Marley will have to work at high speed to stop a killer from piling up bodies faster than she can whip up a tall stack . . .
Includes pancake recipes right from the Flip Side menu!
Praise for Sarah Fox’s Wine and Punishment
“Readers will cheer this brisk, literate addition to the world of small-town cozies.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Hits all the right notes—a unique setting, friends and family, an intriguing mystery, and even the promise of romance.”
—Sofie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of the Second Chance Cat mysteries.
“Draws readers into the fold of suspects in Shady Creek and doesn’t let go until the culprit is uncovered. There are laugh-out-loud moments, hold-your-breath moments, and moments when you’ll think you have the mystery figured out, but the surprises keep coming!”
—USA Today bestselling author Amy M. Reade
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she makes her words come alive in my mind.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I like the way the staff at The Flip Side treat each other like family, they are much more than coworkers. I am liking Ivan more with each book I read, he is like a gentle giant.
I really enjoyed the Golden Oldies Games and the fact that older people can still be active and compete if they want to. People in real life should remember that.
The mysteries were well plotted and moved along at a steady pace. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and there were some red herrings thrown in just for fun. I was surprised at who the culprit was, which I think is great.
I would recommend this book. and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you have not already checked these books out, what are you waiting for?
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Pancake House Mystery, Book #6
Sarah Fox
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Wedding bells are in the air—along with the aroma of maple syrup—in the latest Pancake House Mystery. But a series of murders threatens to spoil everyone’s appetite. . .
Between tourist season, planning her beach wedding, and running her pancake house, the Flip Side, Marley McKinney is busier than ever. On top of that, one of her regulars is competing in Wildwood Cove’s Golden Oldies Games—a sporting event for athletes 50 and over—and Marley wants to cheer her on. Everything’s running as smooth as batter—until sports reporter Yvonne Pritchard stirs up a triple batch of trouble . . .
Yvonne has one admirer in town—Ed Herman—but she has many more enemies, from a disgruntled coach to an athlete she once shamed on social media. So when a body washes up on shore, and it’s no accident, it’s not a complete surprise Yvonne is the victim. And when Ed asks Marley to use her sleuthing skills to solve the crime, she’ll have to squeeze in time between squeezing into wedding dresses. Then a second victim turns up, and Marley will have to work at high speed to stop a killer from piling up bodies faster than she can whip up a tall stack . . .
Includes pancake recipes right from the Flip Side menu!
Praise for Sarah Fox’s Wine and Punishment
“Readers will cheer this brisk, literate addition to the world of small-town cozies.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Hits all the right notes—a unique setting, friends and family, an intriguing mystery, and even the promise of romance.”
—Sofie Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of the Second Chance Cat mysteries.
“Draws readers into the fold of suspects in Shady Creek and doesn’t let go until the culprit is uncovered. There are laugh-out-loud moments, hold-your-breath moments, and moments when you’ll think you have the mystery figured out, but the surprises keep coming!”
—USA Today bestselling author Amy M. Reade
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she makes her words come alive in my mind.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I like the way the staff at The Flip Side treat each other like family, they are much more than coworkers. I am liking Ivan more with each book I read, he is like a gentle giant.
I really enjoyed the Golden Oldies Games and the fact that older people can still be active and compete if they want to. People in real life should remember that.
The mysteries were well plotted and moved along at a steady pace. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and there were some red herrings thrown in just for fun. I was surprised at who the culprit was, which I think is great.
I would recommend this book. and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you have not already checked these books out, what are you waiting for?
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
January 16, 2020
Marley is running a pancake house, planning her wedding, and dealing with an influx of customers because the Golden Oldie Games are in town. Then a reporter with a lot of enemies is murdered, and Marley starts investigating.
This is a good mystery with some twists and turns. It is book six in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. The book moves slowly at times. Although it was a good cozy mystery, I was not interested enough in the characters to want to go back and read the other five books. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers. My review is voluntary.
This is a good mystery with some twists and turns. It is book six in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. The book moves slowly at times. Although it was a good cozy mystery, I was not interested enough in the characters to want to go back and read the other five books. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers. My review is voluntary.
October 1, 2025
I really enjoy this series and this was a great entry. I really like Marley and Brett, such a sweet couple. The rest of the characters are good too and I love to eat at the Flip Side. The mystery was good, although the suspect list was lengthy and Marley did a better job than I did of keeping track of everyone.
December 7, 2020
A blend of bananas, cinnamon & nutmeg
make delicious pancakes. Or you can have
blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon.
Or perhaps you rather Belgian waffles with
a strawberry topping, bacon , sausage or
just a scone. All are favorites at Marley
McKinneys’s The Flip Side Pancake House
in the seaside town of Wildwood Cove on
the Olympic Peninsula.
The town is hosting the Golden Oldies Game.
This is a statewide sporting event for
athletes fifty and older.
You will meet a lot of the game participants
plus members of the press and newspaper
photographers. Each presents with a different
facade and are well constructed.
Then mishaps occur....a man falls overboard
off his yacht, an unpopular reporter washes
up on shore and a dead photographer.
The book was well plotted presenting several
puzzling option for a solution.
You will meet Bentley, the dog and Flapjack,
the orange Tabby cat. You will discover
delicious recipes and mouthwatering
descriptions of foods.
You will attend a beach side wedding.
Colorful, well created main and supporting
characters.
This is book # 6 in the Pancake House Mystery
series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read this eBook. Thank you
to Kensington Books/ Lyrical Underground via
Net Gallery for the opportunity. My opinion is
voluntary and my own.
make delicious pancakes. Or you can have
blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon.
Or perhaps you rather Belgian waffles with
a strawberry topping, bacon , sausage or
just a scone. All are favorites at Marley
McKinneys’s The Flip Side Pancake House
in the seaside town of Wildwood Cove on
the Olympic Peninsula.
The town is hosting the Golden Oldies Game.
This is a statewide sporting event for
athletes fifty and older.
You will meet a lot of the game participants
plus members of the press and newspaper
photographers. Each presents with a different
facade and are well constructed.
Then mishaps occur....a man falls overboard
off his yacht, an unpopular reporter washes
up on shore and a dead photographer.
The book was well plotted presenting several
puzzling option for a solution.
You will meet Bentley, the dog and Flapjack,
the orange Tabby cat. You will discover
delicious recipes and mouthwatering
descriptions of foods.
You will attend a beach side wedding.
Colorful, well created main and supporting
characters.
This is book # 6 in the Pancake House Mystery
series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read this eBook. Thank you
to Kensington Books/ Lyrical Underground via
Net Gallery for the opportunity. My opinion is
voluntary and my own.
January 2, 2020
When a man goes overboard on a yacht and a vicious sports writer's body emerges from the same waters, Marley McKinney, the owner of Flip Side, a pancake house in Wildwood Cove, begins pursuing the case. In spite of reminders from the sheriff about dangers of her involvement, she questions people she encounters who are in town for the Golden Oldies Games. Marley prepares for her wedding with Brett as she runs her business and pokes her nose into the investigation. Although I did not read the previous five installments, I really enjoyed the setting and the central characters for this series. I want to go back and read the earlier installments. It's a perfect read for when you need something on the cozy side. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)
January 22, 2020
Much Ado About Nutmeg earns 5/5 Golden Oldies...Engaging Entertainment!
Ready! Set! Go for the Golden! Sarah Fox and her Pancake House Mystery are both big favorites. The Golden Oldies Games, a statewide sporting event for athletes fifty and over, is coming to Wildwood Cove, and everyone is anticipating crowds of athletes, coaches, and spectators. Even Marley is adding tables at The Flip Side, her pancake house, to meet the demand for tasty carbs like pancakes and crêpes. But along with competitors and spectators, there’s the media and ingratiating herself is Yvonne Pritchard, a sports reporter who has captured the attention of Ed Herman, a regular at The Flip Side and, important to note, twenty years her senior. Marley is angry overhearing Yvonne’s comment about Ed and seemingly to brag, “I figure it’s worth putting up with him for a few days since he likes to pay for my meals.” But it’s not just Ed who might be harmed by this shallow woman, she has plenty of disgruntled acquaintances in her past and an angry face off with one of the regular athletes is played out in full view. Bad to worse, reports come in that one male competitor is missing, possibly fallen overboard into the bay, but the body found on the rocks is not a man...it is Yvonne!
I am greatly entertained by Sarah Fox’s writing style with expressive dialogue and descriptive language making this mystery an engaging page-turner that kept me guessing. With an extra murder, I couldn’t put it down; my inner Sherlock was spinning with clues going one way, suspects revealed, then more, and a u-turn leading to a “What?!” conclusion. I loved it! The characters are my main draw: well defined, developing well through this six-book series, responding and acting realistically in the face of an everyday busy life and extraordinary events like murder. Through their actions and words it’s easy to determine their personalities: admirable, helpful, quirky, good, and not-so-good. Along with the murder mystery, Marley is running a popular business, available as a friend to others, and planning her wedding in which the whole town seems to be engaged. BONUS! Sarah always adds wonderful recipes and being straight from The Flip Side’s kitchen is a nice connection: Belgian Waffles with Strawberry Syrup Strawberry Syrup, Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Glaze, and Banana Nut Pancakes. Also enjoy a peek at An Ale of Two Cities, book two in her Literary Pub Mystery series, for which I give high praise!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Ready! Set! Go for the Golden! Sarah Fox and her Pancake House Mystery are both big favorites. The Golden Oldies Games, a statewide sporting event for athletes fifty and over, is coming to Wildwood Cove, and everyone is anticipating crowds of athletes, coaches, and spectators. Even Marley is adding tables at The Flip Side, her pancake house, to meet the demand for tasty carbs like pancakes and crêpes. But along with competitors and spectators, there’s the media and ingratiating herself is Yvonne Pritchard, a sports reporter who has captured the attention of Ed Herman, a regular at The Flip Side and, important to note, twenty years her senior. Marley is angry overhearing Yvonne’s comment about Ed and seemingly to brag, “I figure it’s worth putting up with him for a few days since he likes to pay for my meals.” But it’s not just Ed who might be harmed by this shallow woman, she has plenty of disgruntled acquaintances in her past and an angry face off with one of the regular athletes is played out in full view. Bad to worse, reports come in that one male competitor is missing, possibly fallen overboard into the bay, but the body found on the rocks is not a man...it is Yvonne!
I am greatly entertained by Sarah Fox’s writing style with expressive dialogue and descriptive language making this mystery an engaging page-turner that kept me guessing. With an extra murder, I couldn’t put it down; my inner Sherlock was spinning with clues going one way, suspects revealed, then more, and a u-turn leading to a “What?!” conclusion. I loved it! The characters are my main draw: well defined, developing well through this six-book series, responding and acting realistically in the face of an everyday busy life and extraordinary events like murder. Through their actions and words it’s easy to determine their personalities: admirable, helpful, quirky, good, and not-so-good. Along with the murder mystery, Marley is running a popular business, available as a friend to others, and planning her wedding in which the whole town seems to be engaged. BONUS! Sarah always adds wonderful recipes and being straight from The Flip Side’s kitchen is a nice connection: Belgian Waffles with Strawberry Syrup Strawberry Syrup, Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Glaze, and Banana Nut Pancakes. Also enjoy a peek at An Ale of Two Cities, book two in her Literary Pub Mystery series, for which I give high praise!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
February 1, 2020
It might be off season in Wildwood Cove, but with the Golden Oldies Games, sports events for those over 50, taking place Marley is busier than ever. Throw in the planning of her wedding, she doesn't have a lot of time on her hands. There is media in town along with athletes and their families along with their coaches and there are a lot of extra people around. When the husband of one of the athletes is washed overboard on his yacht and sports reporter, Yvonne Pritchard washes ashore having been killed, Marley once again fits in some investigating into her already busy schedule.
I always enjoy a visit to Wildwood Cove. I enjoy this series, mainly due to the wonderful characters. Marley is a great protagonist who has a hard time turning anyone down when they ask for assistance. This time, one of her long-time regulars asks her to investigate the death of the reporter, who is a friend of his. With so many strangers in town, there are so many suspects. As Marley investigates, she finds that there are many people that Yvonne has alienated due to her writing, sometimes not always true, that there are a lot of people that had an issue with her. There were enough red herrings that kept me guessing. The plot was well-written and the mystery had me turning the pages quickly. I was not able to guess the culprit although as the reveal happened, I was able to look back and see some of the clues. The motive, was one that I had expected, but there was more to it than I had thought. Another great addition to the Pancake House Mystery.
I did a read/listen with this book. The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, does a great job with voices of the various character, expression and intonation, so that the listener can identify the characters. Her pacing is wonderful and the emotion of the characters is well done as well. I will continue to listen to audiobooks narrated by this talented voice actress. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
I always enjoy a visit to Wildwood Cove. I enjoy this series, mainly due to the wonderful characters. Marley is a great protagonist who has a hard time turning anyone down when they ask for assistance. This time, one of her long-time regulars asks her to investigate the death of the reporter, who is a friend of his. With so many strangers in town, there are so many suspects. As Marley investigates, she finds that there are many people that Yvonne has alienated due to her writing, sometimes not always true, that there are a lot of people that had an issue with her. There were enough red herrings that kept me guessing. The plot was well-written and the mystery had me turning the pages quickly. I was not able to guess the culprit although as the reveal happened, I was able to look back and see some of the clues. The motive, was one that I had expected, but there was more to it than I had thought. Another great addition to the Pancake House Mystery.
I did a read/listen with this book. The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, does a great job with voices of the various character, expression and intonation, so that the listener can identify the characters. Her pacing is wonderful and the emotion of the characters is well done as well. I will continue to listen to audiobooks narrated by this talented voice actress. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
January 25, 2020
Princess Fuzzypants here: Between preparing for her upcoming wedding and running her restaurant, one would think Marley had more than enough to do. The town has been invaded by senior citizens competing in the Golden Oldies games and things are hopping. But when two people die on the same night, one murdered and one by accidents, it does not seem coincidental. Marley, who cannot resist a puzzle, wants to find out the link and reveal the killer. It turns out the murder victim was a horrible piece of work and the suspects who might have reason to do her harm keeps growing and growing.
While Marley does not actively seek out dangerous situations, she does ask questions and before long the murderer wonders if she knows too much. Of course, this is going to lead to life threatening events. What is interesting with this series is Marley realizes the perils of what she does and why those who love her want her to stop. She of course doesn’t but when her young employee wants to do the same things, she is uber protective, not wanting to put her in harm’s way. The reader cannot say she is not self-aware.
I do like this series with its setting and characters and it always provides a good entertaining read. There is enough suspense without pitching into Darwin territory. Four purrs and two paws up.
While Marley does not actively seek out dangerous situations, she does ask questions and before long the murderer wonders if she knows too much. Of course, this is going to lead to life threatening events. What is interesting with this series is Marley realizes the perils of what she does and why those who love her want her to stop. She of course doesn’t but when her young employee wants to do the same things, she is uber protective, not wanting to put her in harm’s way. The reader cannot say she is not self-aware.
I do like this series with its setting and characters and it always provides a good entertaining read. There is enough suspense without pitching into Darwin territory. Four purrs and two paws up.
January 8, 2020
Another enjoyable read in this comfortably paced cozy mystery--the sixth in the series. Marley is busy trying to keep up with the extra business in town due to the Golden Oldies Games and her wedding, which is less than a month away. The main events in the competition aren't the athletes but the two suspicious death with people connected to the games. Marley can't help but put her sleuthing skills to work, even though she may be the killer's next target.
The story flowed well and there were multiple suspects, each having different motives for killing one or both of the victims. I felt right at home in the comfortable, laid-back beach town and very involved in the book. It also kept a good balance between the mystery plot and the storyline of Marley and Brett's wedding preparations. Looking forward to wedding bells and another mystery in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Press for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
The story flowed well and there were multiple suspects, each having different motives for killing one or both of the victims. I felt right at home in the comfortable, laid-back beach town and very involved in the book. It also kept a good balance between the mystery plot and the storyline of Marley and Brett's wedding preparations. Looking forward to wedding bells and another mystery in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Press for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
January 8, 2020
Much Ado about Nutmeg by Sarah Fox is the 6th book in A Pancake House Mystery Series, and another great addition. Marley McKinney is the owner of The Flip Side, a pancake house in beautiful Wildwood Cove, located on the west coast. Summer has arrived, and the town is hosting Wildwood Cove's Golden Oldies Games, a competition for athletes 50 and over. The Flip Side is very busy with all the tourist that have come to town for the games, and Marley is busy getting ready for her wedding in a few weeks. When a man competing goes missing off his yach, and a reporter is murdered, Marley is on the case. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. There is a wonderful mixture of mystery, suspense, friendship, and romance for a well-balanced story. I can not wait until the next book in the series comes out. If you love cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book, and the whole series.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
March 7, 2024
The Golden Oldies Games are in Wildwood Cove and there is fun, games, and murder afoot. I enjoyed the mystery and there were plenty of twists and turns. Even tough I don't approve of a 16 year old getting involved with a murder investigation I love that her and Marley have been working together in the last 2 books. Ivan's disapproval cracks me up. I didn't guess who the murderer was. The reveal was surprising in this one and action packed. The ending was very, very happy! On to Book 7.
December 24, 2019
I won this in a good reads giveaway! Decent story. Slow at times but over well a decent work
December 20, 2023
This was a good one! Interesting case that really kept us guessing, with a jaw-dropping conclusion. The wedding details were cute too.
January 11, 2020
A new addition to the “Pancake House Mystery” series Much Ado About Nutmeg written by Sarah Fox and published by Lyrical Press will have readers of culinary cozies thrilled and craving ice cream!
Marley is busy. Between her restaurant, her wedding, and Wildwood Cove’s Golden Oldies Games, she doesn’t have time for anything else, and yet she manages to get involved reluctantly in another murder investigation. Her culinary skills and those of her chef will not get her out of the mix. Being a loyal, strong, independent woman running a business, hasn’t prevented her from understanding loss and wanting to help those who are going through the process, which is why readers love this character. Marley’s employees, friends, and family know that Marley will always butt in where she shouldn’t, and some even encourage her.
The cast of characters in this delicious culinary based cozy series brings readers a smile, as well as several heartfelt moments. The clues and situations bring intrigue and, at times, anxiety. Suspects are numerous, and everyone seems to have a motive. Sometimes it is hard to keep the suspects straight as there may be too many.
It takes time for Marley to figure out who the culprit is, and almost gets herself killed in the process. The mouthwatering descriptions of pancakes and other food items, especially the ice cream, will have readers running out to their local pancake house or ice cream parlor. A good culinary cozy should always make readers hungry! The murderer will come as a surprise to many readers. The reveal is action-packed and very interesting. Readers will not be disappointed with Much Ado About Nutmeg. (Except perhaps for a lack of Nutmeg in the book.).
Marley is busy. Between her restaurant, her wedding, and Wildwood Cove’s Golden Oldies Games, she doesn’t have time for anything else, and yet she manages to get involved reluctantly in another murder investigation. Her culinary skills and those of her chef will not get her out of the mix. Being a loyal, strong, independent woman running a business, hasn’t prevented her from understanding loss and wanting to help those who are going through the process, which is why readers love this character. Marley’s employees, friends, and family know that Marley will always butt in where she shouldn’t, and some even encourage her.
The cast of characters in this delicious culinary based cozy series brings readers a smile, as well as several heartfelt moments. The clues and situations bring intrigue and, at times, anxiety. Suspects are numerous, and everyone seems to have a motive. Sometimes it is hard to keep the suspects straight as there may be too many.
It takes time for Marley to figure out who the culprit is, and almost gets herself killed in the process. The mouthwatering descriptions of pancakes and other food items, especially the ice cream, will have readers running out to their local pancake house or ice cream parlor. A good culinary cozy should always make readers hungry! The murderer will come as a surprise to many readers. The reveal is action-packed and very interesting. Readers will not be disappointed with Much Ado About Nutmeg. (Except perhaps for a lack of Nutmeg in the book.).
January 13, 2020
Six books into a series the writing should still be fresh. I didn't feel that way with this one. The writing felt sloppy and rushed like the goal was to meet a deadline, not add value to a series. I see this frequently in long running series. Not the sixth book in. For example, a character's spouse is killed (no spoiler, this is a murder mystery!) and later something else happens to her and this is written: "Her time in Wildwood Cove wasn't likely to leave her with happy memories." As if had nothing other than her spouse being killed happened she would have had fond memories of her visit? And at the beginning of the book Marley says her wedding is less than a month away. After the mystery is solved, she is still saying the wedding is a month away. Did not time continue while the mystery was solved? But, maybe I started off on the wrong foot with this book. Having 50 year old athletes referred to as "golden oldies" pushed the wrong buttons. Comments of amazement during the book about how good these old people were didn't help. I'll expect more from the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
February 29, 2020
This series is alot of fun with a really great cast of characters. Marley is busy planning her wedding and extra busy at her Pancake House as the town is hosting the Golden Oldies Games for participants 50 and over which has brought alot of tourists to town. When not one but two deaths happen, Marley can't help but investigate. Lots of fun, food, and suspects! I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 14, 2020
Have you visited Wildwood Cove lately? Come to the Pacific Northwest and meet Marley, owner of The Flip Side, the local pancake house. You are on time for the annual statewide Golden Oldies Games, competitions in sports from tennis to horseshoes, ages 50 and up. It’s rumored that the oldest person this year is 96; he will be in the horseshoe competition. The next oldest will be 92, at track and field. I really like the well-rounded characters in this series, getting to know them better each time, and I think you’ll like them, too!
Before the games begin, Marley meets two couples at The Flip Side; Easton and his wife Rowena will play doubles tennis. Pippa will play tennis, and her personal trainer is there to cheer her on. Ed, one of The Flip Side regulars, comes in the following morning with a woman for the first time since any of the ladies have worked there. Yvonne is probably a decade younger than Ed, a very pretty lady who is a sports reporter for the Seattle Insider, more of a gossip sheet than a newspaper.
The opening evening ceremony brings out much of Wildwood Cove, along with athletes, their coaches, families, and friends. Marley and her fiancé, Brett, enjoy the ceremony; Marley sees the tennis players she met the day before. She also sees Yvonne, talking with one of her friends about Ed, and not in a flattering way. She also sees Yvonne arguing with the favorite racewalker in her age group, Claudia. Then a man mutters under his breath when he sees Yvonne, and he was absolutely not flattering her.
The next morning on her way to the pancake house, Marley noticed what looked like a coast guard vessel running parallel to the shore. Shortly after opening, her best friend Lisa and her neighbor Joan came into the Flip Side. There was an early morning accident on the ocean. Easton and Rowena were out for an early morning ride on their yacht; while Rowena was making coffee down below, she heard a splash. When going to the deck, Easton was gone, and never came to the surface.
That night, she and Brett are out walking and see Lisa and her boyfriend (and the Flip Side’s chef) Ivan. They have just found a body, still wearing the plastic press pass. It was Yvonne, the sports reporter. When Ed found out, he pleaded with Marley to find what happened to her. She was the first woman he was interested in for years, and now she’s gone, and she didn’t have the heart to tell her the kind of woman she might have been.
For all the sadness in this story – Easton was a very well-known and loved man – there is also joy as Marley prepares for her and Brett’s wedding. Brett would never stop Marley from asking questions, but he also doesn’t want anything to happen to his bride. Plot twists and turns multiply the suspect list for Yvonne’s death when it turns out to have been murder, then someone tries to hurt Marley. Will they find the killer before the Games are over, since it could be someone who knew Yvonne before? I thought I knew who was involved with the murder, but was I wrong! Oh, was I surprised, and sad, to find whodunit and why! You can read this in order of the series, or as a standalone. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy well-executed cozy mysteries, the Pacific Northwest, and breakfast recipes!
From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Before the games begin, Marley meets two couples at The Flip Side; Easton and his wife Rowena will play doubles tennis. Pippa will play tennis, and her personal trainer is there to cheer her on. Ed, one of The Flip Side regulars, comes in the following morning with a woman for the first time since any of the ladies have worked there. Yvonne is probably a decade younger than Ed, a very pretty lady who is a sports reporter for the Seattle Insider, more of a gossip sheet than a newspaper.
The opening evening ceremony brings out much of Wildwood Cove, along with athletes, their coaches, families, and friends. Marley and her fiancé, Brett, enjoy the ceremony; Marley sees the tennis players she met the day before. She also sees Yvonne, talking with one of her friends about Ed, and not in a flattering way. She also sees Yvonne arguing with the favorite racewalker in her age group, Claudia. Then a man mutters under his breath when he sees Yvonne, and he was absolutely not flattering her.
The next morning on her way to the pancake house, Marley noticed what looked like a coast guard vessel running parallel to the shore. Shortly after opening, her best friend Lisa and her neighbor Joan came into the Flip Side. There was an early morning accident on the ocean. Easton and Rowena were out for an early morning ride on their yacht; while Rowena was making coffee down below, she heard a splash. When going to the deck, Easton was gone, and never came to the surface.
That night, she and Brett are out walking and see Lisa and her boyfriend (and the Flip Side’s chef) Ivan. They have just found a body, still wearing the plastic press pass. It was Yvonne, the sports reporter. When Ed found out, he pleaded with Marley to find what happened to her. She was the first woman he was interested in for years, and now she’s gone, and she didn’t have the heart to tell her the kind of woman she might have been.
For all the sadness in this story – Easton was a very well-known and loved man – there is also joy as Marley prepares for her and Brett’s wedding. Brett would never stop Marley from asking questions, but he also doesn’t want anything to happen to his bride. Plot twists and turns multiply the suspect list for Yvonne’s death when it turns out to have been murder, then someone tries to hurt Marley. Will they find the killer before the Games are over, since it could be someone who knew Yvonne before? I thought I knew who was involved with the murder, but was I wrong! Oh, was I surprised, and sad, to find whodunit and why! You can read this in order of the series, or as a standalone. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy well-executed cozy mysteries, the Pacific Northwest, and breakfast recipes!
From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
January 6, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is the sixth book in the Pancake House Mystery series by Sarah Fox.
Marley is the owner of the Flip Side Pancake House and the place is jumping with business due to the Golden Oldies Games, an event for athletes 50 and up. When one of their regulars, Ed, comes in with a woman instead of his normal buddy for breakfast, they are all abuzz with questions and what ifs about his new love life. Then they discover this new woman is really a reporter and quite underhanded. She was bound to break poor Ed’s heart. Then Yvonne turns up dead with plenty of suspects around who might have want to do the deed. Then days later, one of the athletes also turns up dead in a similar watery area the team begins to wonder if the deaths are connected.
The more they spoke about the upcoming wedding of Marley McKinney and her beau, Brett the more I wondered if someone was going to break them up just to keep the drama going. Of course, that didn’t happen even though I thought it might. Some stories are notorious for breaking up their couples just before the big day.
I enjoyed the sleuthing in this book. I found it fascinating how tenacious Marley is with finding the truth even to her own determent at times. What a wonderful, fast-paced book. Unputdownable. I read it in one day! Great book. Looking forward to more Pancake House Mysteries in my future!
If you love a good foodie cozy mystery, definitely 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.
This is the sixth book in the Pancake House Mystery series by Sarah Fox.
Marley is the owner of the Flip Side Pancake House and the place is jumping with business due to the Golden Oldies Games, an event for athletes 50 and up. When one of their regulars, Ed, comes in with a woman instead of his normal buddy for breakfast, they are all abuzz with questions and what ifs about his new love life. Then they discover this new woman is really a reporter and quite underhanded. She was bound to break poor Ed’s heart. Then Yvonne turns up dead with plenty of suspects around who might have want to do the deed. Then days later, one of the athletes also turns up dead in a similar watery area the team begins to wonder if the deaths are connected.
The more they spoke about the upcoming wedding of Marley McKinney and her beau, Brett the more I wondered if someone was going to break them up just to keep the drama going. Of course, that didn’t happen even though I thought it might. Some stories are notorious for breaking up their couples just before the big day.
I enjoyed the sleuthing in this book. I found it fascinating how tenacious Marley is with finding the truth even to her own determent at times. What a wonderful, fast-paced book. Unputdownable. I read it in one day! Great book. Looking forward to more Pancake House Mysteries in my future!
If you love a good foodie cozy mystery, definitely 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.
January 12, 2020
Book 6 in an interesting cozy series.
Wildwood Cove is hosting Golden Oldies Games and the influx of visitors has Marley McKinney's The Flip Side pancake house extra busy. When bodies wash up Marley has to investigate in order to keep an eye out for a young waitress, Sienna.. The competitors bring their old grudges with them and not everyone is as sweet as they appear to be.
Toss in Marley's upcoming wedding plans and this cozy sets a fast pace to a happy ending.
Recipes from the Flip Side are included (and look delicious).
I volunteered to read an ARC from Lyrical Press (Kensington) through Net Galley.
Wildwood Cove is hosting Golden Oldies Games and the influx of visitors has Marley McKinney's The Flip Side pancake house extra busy. When bodies wash up Marley has to investigate in order to keep an eye out for a young waitress, Sienna.. The competitors bring their old grudges with them and not everyone is as sweet as they appear to be.
Toss in Marley's upcoming wedding plans and this cozy sets a fast pace to a happy ending.
Recipes from the Flip Side are included (and look delicious).
I volunteered to read an ARC from Lyrical Press (Kensington) through Net Galley.
January 14, 2020
Much Ado About Nothing is Book Six in the Pancake House Mystery series by Sarah Fox.
Marley is back, she is the owner of the Flip Side Pancake House . The characters are fantastic!
I love this series so much. There is a wedding in the works between Maley and Brett and I loved this story line.
The mystery was perfectly paced with no shortage of suspects.
I love this series and I so look forward to the next one!
Marley is back, she is the owner of the Flip Side Pancake House . The characters are fantastic!
I love this series so much. There is a wedding in the works between Maley and Brett and I loved this story line.
The mystery was perfectly paced with no shortage of suspects.
I love this series and I so look forward to the next one!
November 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book although I felt that it was overly long in places. The investigation didn't seem to go anywhere, the main character kind of fell into the murderer. But it was well-paced and interesting. The characters were fun and the golden seniors are an inspiration. #MuchAdoaboutNutmeg #NetGalley
April 13, 2021
This was an ambitious plot for the author to tackle. Not sure I can say it was wholly successful.
Dozens of new characters are introduced glossing over almost all backstories. Readers are left trying to keep Jay the photographer straight from Levi the boy toy. Is Rowena the widow or is Pippa? Marley is taking care of last-minute wedding details so both florist and seamstress are tossed into the mix. The games themselves have overzealous competitors, a ninety-two-year-old truly “golden oldie”, random other athletes plus organizers and volunteers. There are questionable plot points including police notifying the ex-husband of a murder victim. Pretty sure divorced people are no longer legally considered “next of kin” to be called to claim a body. But kudos to the author for using the twist of having the creepy, stalkerish character be a female.
The ending’s reveal is out of nowhere. After readers have a large pool of potential suspects it seemed like somewhat lazy writing.
The previous couple of books had Marley making great improvement in not putting herself in danger. She almost made through this one but at chapter 34 found myself saying “here she goes again”. She clearly reverted to Too Stupid To Live territory.
And a tiny nit to pick, one of the most realistic parts of this series has been Marley’s work ethic and her devotion to making a go of her business. To close the Flip Side during the games was out of character.
Dozens of new characters are introduced glossing over almost all backstories. Readers are left trying to keep Jay the photographer straight from Levi the boy toy. Is Rowena the widow or is Pippa? Marley is taking care of last-minute wedding details so both florist and seamstress are tossed into the mix. The games themselves have overzealous competitors, a ninety-two-year-old truly “golden oldie”, random other athletes plus organizers and volunteers. There are questionable plot points including police notifying the ex-husband of a murder victim. Pretty sure divorced people are no longer legally considered “next of kin” to be called to claim a body. But kudos to the author for using the twist of having the creepy, stalkerish character be a female.
The ending’s reveal is out of nowhere. After readers have a large pool of potential suspects it seemed like somewhat lazy writing.
The previous couple of books had Marley making great improvement in not putting herself in danger. She almost made through this one but at chapter 34 found myself saying “here she goes again”. She clearly reverted to Too Stupid To Live territory.
And a tiny nit to pick, one of the most realistic parts of this series has been Marley’s work ethic and her devotion to making a go of her business. To close the Flip Side during the games was out of character.
April 24, 2020
Just okay
It might be because this was the first book in this series I read but I couldn't seem to connect with the characters. It was just okay.
It might be because this was the first book in this series I read but I couldn't seem to connect with the characters. It was just okay.
July 22, 2021
Why would people answer her questions? they are in no way subtle or discreet.
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