The Corpse in the Gazebo

Food Blogger Mysteries #5

by Debra Sennefelder

Food blogging is turning Hope Early into a household name. But the dead body down the block makes her a #1 suspect...

It seems everyone loves Hope’s blog these days, and she’s busier than ever volunteering to help other women create their own paths to success. So she’s shocked when a neighbor petitions to run Hope right out of her small Connecticut town! Set in her ways, apparently Birdie Donovan doesn’t like the chaos Hope’s sleuthing creates, the police activity and crime scenes, and it’s happening way too often lately. Eager to make amends, Hope bakes Birdie a batch of her best muffins. The delicious treats might have smoothed things over—until Hope discovers Birdie dead in her gazebo the very next day...

Now instead of worrying about holding on to her beloved home, Hope is trying to stay out of jail. Because suddenly she’s the lead suspect in the case. Not even her boyfriend, Police Chief Ethan Cahill, is promising he can clear her name, much less discuss the investigation with her. It’s up to Hope to get to bake new ground on the case before the lifestyle brand she’s created—and her whole life—crumbles...

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2021

About the author

Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzu, Connie.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America.

She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Early is a popular food blogger who also has a knack for finding dead bodies. In this fifth installment of the series, a clever murderer sets out to frame Hope for the death of a local bully. Hope’s best friend, Drew, is a reporter who happens to be working on an article in regards to Emily’s House, managed by the victim’s husband. I wondered if there was a mystery there, also?

As the key players are fleshed out in this intriguing and absorbing plot; readers will need to use their sharpest detecting skills to spy this killer before the reveal! I found the story absolutely gripping and could not figure out who the slippery villain could be. This is my favorite story of the Food Blogger series now.

The conclusion had my adrenaline pumping—It’s great. It’s really great! Delicious recipes included.

I honestly reviewed a mass market arc provided by the author and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Birdie Donovan loves to create chaos. She believes everything should be done her way or not at all. Her latest victim is our Hope Early. She has started a petition to move Hope right out of her own home. She has also brandished her trimmers to cut back a neighbor’s bush to the extreme for encroaching on her property, the bush probably won’t bloom again. She has caused havoc at the library and several other places around town. Hope hopes that bringing Birdie a peace offering of a batch of muffins will defuse the situation. Sadly, Birdie takes the muffins and slams the door in Hope’s face.

The next day Hope returns to Birdie’s house to try again. When Birdie doesn’t answer the door Hope ventures into the yard to see if Birdie is working in her beautiful garden. She does find Birdie but she is dead in her gazebo with Hope’s muffins beside her. Hope’s boyfriend Police Chief Ethan Cahill knows there is no way she could kill anyone but the evidence points directly at his girlfriend. He also can’t share any of the police’s investigation with her. She could lose everything she has worked so hard for. Her sponsors quickly put their funding on hold, even the new one that just signed on. If Ethan can’t save her she is going to have to save herself but may die trying.

These characters just keep getting better and better. Hope has become a very capable amateur sleuth. Birdie was a bully in need of an intervention but she didn’t have to die. Hope’s relationship with Ethan was moving along nicely until Hope was framed for a crime she didn’t commit. It caused a few tense moments for the couple. The relationship with her sister Claire is strong and Claire comes into contact with people Hope doesn’t so she learns more about Birdie’s reign of terror. I love the way Jane and Drew rallied to help Hope too in her investigation. An investigation that really pushed Hope to her limits and almost over the line. The animal characters always make me smile too.

I do enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at how Hope manages her blog and love that she is healing women by helping them to start blogs which can help them strike out in new directions the way it helped Hope turn her life around. She always has a tidbit or two that has me looking critically at my own blog and making tweaks here and there.

Ms. Sennefelder has written a very compelling mystery. Clues were dropped judiciously throughout the story and I definitely fell down the rabbit hole of this story. Hope tried so hard to narrow down the suspects and she may have lost a few friends with her leading questions. I tried hard to find the right recipe for the killer but I could not mix the clues together right at all. I was totally gobsmacked when the killer was actually revealed. I was holding my breath throughout the entire scene and still couldn’t believe what I was reading leading me to read it again and again. Wow, the author got me good.

The Corpse in the Gazebo is now my favorite book in this series. The author tempers the heavy dramatic moments with lighthearted times in a meaningful way. Awesome characters embroiled in a top-notch mystery made this story A Perfect Escape! I am really excited to see what Ms. Sennefelder has planned for her characters next.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of author Debra Sennefelder since I read her first book. She has never disappointed and that includes this wonderful book, THE CORPSE IN THE GAZEBO. This fifth book in the series is just as tasty as the four titles that came before. Actually, is has even more flavor!

THE CORPSE IN THE GAZEBO held me prisoner with every page. What seemed to be an open and shut case of our protagonist committing murder, evolved into a twisty turny who-really-dunit that had me second and third guessing myself right up until the heart racing end. In fact, it was so hard to put down it went with me to the kitchen for food and drink, and (Warning: TMI Alert) to the potty. 

Fans of the Food Blogger Mysteries and of Debra Sennefelder, will not be disappointed with this newest installment. Those who aren’t fans . . . that translate to “those who have never read a book by this author” . . . THE CORPSE IN THE GAZEBO will change that.

Did I mention the amazing recipes?

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Corpse in the Gazebo is the fifth book in the entertaining Food Blogger Mystery series by author Debra Sennefelder. I have really enjoyed this series and love to see the progress and growth in all the characters. One of the things I enjoy is the behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it takes to run a really successful blog as a full-time career. Another aspect of the series that I really enjoy is the sibling relationship between Hope and her sister Claire. I also like how Hope's relationship with Ethan is evolving and where it may be headed. Hope is the type of protagonist that is easy to like. She is a fierce friend and frankly a bit nosey. She just can't help but investigate when she finds a dead body. This time, she is the prime suspect so the stakes are much higher.

The mystery is really well done and kept me on my toes. The victim was someone in town who rubbed a lot of people the wrong way so there are plenty of suspects to choose from and as result the reader must be on their toes. There are a lot of clues dropped throughout the course of the book. The one thing that did surprise me is that Hope took some actions that skirted the line of being ethical and illegal. She also burned some bridges in this book in her haste to find another suspect and to clear her name. I understand that she was afraid of losing her profession and everything she worked for but it felt out of character for her to go too far. I do have to say that I was completely surprised by the killer's identity which was revealed in a climactic conclusion.

This is an entertaining series and I always look forward to reading what the author has cooked up with each new book. I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to be back in Jefferson with food blogger Hope Early and her posse of adorable animals. This time around, Hope is accused of murdering her unpleasant neighbor with a tainted muffin—a muffin Hope had intended as a peace offering. Someone has set up Hope to take the fall for the murder, but who dislikes her enough to want her in prison, and who wanted Birdie Donovan dead? As it turns out, a lot of people weren't exactly shedding tears over Birdie's untimely demise. Every which way Hope turns, she finds a roadblock in her path to exposing the real culprit. The plot is tricky—full of red herrings and winding paths that lead from one dead end to another. The reveal made me gasp, and the ending made me grin. Every book in this series is a standout, but this was my favorite of the bunch!

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good neighbors make for great neighborhoods, but a cranky neighbor who wants you to leave the neighborhood is just unbearable! When the town curmudgeon winds up dead our favorite blogger is on the hot seat as everyone is looking at her as the primary suspect! Hope needs to unravel this mystery in a hurry before not only her life unravels, but that of the people around her. Tons of intrigue as a multilayered plot will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing just who the guilty party really is! Great characters, witty dialogue and an exciting plot are stirred together to make one entertaining book! I can't wait to read what comes next for Hope and her pals!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was no real feat to guess who the murder victim would be as the woman was a nasty piece of work.
Hope left NYC and is renovating her farmhouse in a small town in Connecticut. She is a food blogger, teaching a class on blogging at the local women's shelter, and an amateur sleuth (despite the protests of her boyfriend, the local police chief). Her lawyer is an ex-cop and a good friend. And then there's her sister. The publisher's blurb is a good hook, no spoilers here. Great characters and lots of twists and red herrings as well as plenty of family and friendship. An excellent cozy!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I dive into a Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder, I know I’m in for a lot of action. The Corpse in the Gazebo has Hope so busy with her baking blog, sponsors, teaching a class, taking care of the chickens, and more that it makes me wonder what Sennefelder’s day to day life is like. It’s been said to write what you know, and if this is true, then Sennefelder is a very, very busy woman!

Besides getting a glimpse into a blogger’s life (and how much work there is!) with fantastic recipes that are also shared at the end, this time Hope is investigating because she’s the one that all the clues are pointing to. But Sennefelder’s wonderfully developed characters are there to assist Hope in her crime solving. All of the series core characters are wonderful, but I’m a bit partial towards Jane because of her wisdom and patience and Drew because of his sass. And, of course, we can’t forget Ethan, the boyfriend/chief of police. I really appreciate that Sennefelder doesn’t have him constantly telling Hope not to investigate. And in The Corpse in the Gazebo he even pulls back from his job to help.

As for the mystery, Sennefelder always supplies the reader with lots of suspects and red herrings. I did suspect the murderer earlier on because of a thing that was mentioned that just really stood out, but that didn’t take away anything from the story, especially since there are so many other crimes going on…. that may or may not be relevant to the murder.

Another fantastic addition to the Food Blogger Mysteries, and since my husband and I have started @shidycakes on Instagram, I’m going to try out the Orange Creamsicle Cupcake recipe at the end of the book and maybe a couple of others too!

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spending time with Hope is always a delight. But in the newest addition to the “A Food Blogger Mystery” series, Corpse In The Gazebo, things are getting heated, and spending time with Hope can become nerve-racking. Bridie doesn’t like Hope very much; in fact, she wants her out of the neighborhood. After a heated disagreement in public, Hope bakes some muffins and takes them to Bridie; the next day, she finds Bridie dead on a gazebo floor. It doesn’t take long for everyone to start pointing fingers, and Hope is directly in their sights.

The characters in this series are always busy with projects, business, and friendships: not to mention, family. For readers, the cast of characters feels like an old friend every time they crack open a new book. Hope, Claire, Ethan, Jane, and the rest of the gang, make us all crave that close-knit family and friends relationship. Add in some great food, like Hopes muffins and her BPF (best pet friend) Bigalow, and you have a recipe for success. The location of these stories makes you want to visit, especially this time of year, and this time the author added a beautiful garden and gazebo to entice readers’ imagination.

There are a plethora of suspects; almost anyone could be the killer. The victim was a bully, and most people did not like or get along with her. There is evidence, such as the muffins Hope baked being found in the Gazebo, as well as a multitude of red herrings to throw readers off the scent of the killer. Hope, as always, refuses to let the police do their job. Before long, she has made some progress, a new enemy, and added depth to her relationships. The killer, once revealed, may come as a surprise, but this is what makes Corpse In The Gazebo a fantastic read. Hold on to your seat as you travel with Hope on an exciting conclusion that will keep you enthralled until the very last word.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CORPSE IN THE GAZEBO is the fifth book in the Food Blogger Mystery series by Debra Sennefelder. With a cast of realistic characters, chief amongst them protagonist, Hope Early, a successful food blogger, the reader is treated to a delicious mystery. I have so enjoyed watching Hope and her friends and family grow over the series and, as in real life, they face life changing events. In addition, Hope gives back to the community by teaching women, coming out of troubled situation, how to start their own online business. Not only does this help the reader get a glimpse into the kind and generous woman Hope is, but showcases social issues that might be overlooked. Even when a curmudgeonly neighbor, Birdie Donovan, tries to force Hope into moving out of the neighborhood, Hope bakes and delivers muffins to the woman instead of planning revenge!

Ms. Sennefelder expertly sets the scene up for the victim’s murder. Birdie seemed to go out of her way to wreak havoc on her neighbors’ lives and as such, there are a lot of suspects to consider. The police zero in on Hope, since it was her muffins that caused Birdie’s death. Instead of plain curiosity spurring Hope to investigate, this time it’s her freedom and her livelihood that’s at stake. With her sense of urgency to find the truth, I felt Hope crossed the line a few times in her attempt to find evidence and she was much pushier with people than in previous books. Despite that, the author does an admirable job of planting clues and throwing in some twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The surprising reveal had me revisiting the clues and admiring how Ms. Sennefelder pulled it all together.

As a food blogger, Hope is constantly working on perfecting recipes to showcase on her blog. Be prepared to repeatedly drool as you read! And be prepared to be tempted by all the recipes included at the back of the book!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you find out a neighbor is trying to run you out of your house & neighborhood? Bake them a batch of delicious muffins, of course! Hope Early is going to need a lot more than muffins to get out of the mess she's in. Hope is furious that her neighbor Birdie is petitioning the neighborhood to force her out, and she's hoping to smooth things over by bringing her a batch of homemade treats.
When Birdie is found dead, Hope becomes the prime suspect and will do anything to protect herself and her reputation.

I enjoyed this story and thought the mystery was really well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Talking about this book? Use #TheCorpseintheGazebo #NetGalley.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.The Corpse in the Gazebo by Debra Sennefelder is such a great book that I couldn't figure out whodunit until the MC figured it out.
Will Hope figure out who killed Birdie before she's arrested?
Hope Early
Hope is still a great character that doesn't set out to find all of these dead bodies. She's juggling so much especially with remembering her schedule and where she is supposed to be at a certain time. Hope finally realizes a lot in this book about not only her blog but about what she wants in her life. She is an amazing person and I wouldn't mind being friends with her. Oh, and I would have access to all those free foods. Not only that but she does seem like a kind, smart and good-humored person; someone I look up to with her blog.
The Victim
The victim this time is Birdie Donovan. We learn a lot about Birdie and why she is the way she is. I felt bad for Birdie once everything came to light she didn't deserve how she died. Birdie's death is also pretty bad as well. Solving this mystery was a lot harder for Hope as the more she dug into Birdie's past the more suspects she was turning up which isn't helpful for her self-preservation. Not only that but the more she realized that something caused Birdie to be this way and it happened in her past. Birdie wasn't well-liked by a lot of people. Did she deserve to die? Probably but not in the way that she did.
Five Stars
The Corpse in the Gazebo by Debra Sennefelder kept me on my toes as I bounced from suspect to suspect with Hope, trying to solve this mystery. Ms. Sennefelder wrote a good mystery with this one as I thought I knew whodunit and I fell for a red herring. I did it twice as well. Then everything clicked into place like it was doing for Hope. My rating for The Corpse in the Gazebo by Debra Sennefelder is five stars and I recommend it to anyone that wants a good mystery.

Don't forget to check out the recipes in the back: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese, Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies, Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes, and Chocolate Chip Scones.


Other Books in the Series

Giveaway
Prize: 1. (1) Grand Prize - Prize Package Including a Signed Copy of The Corpse in the Gazebo
2. (2) Signed Copy - The Corpse in the Gazebo (U.S. Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Organized by:

To find all the tour information, click the banner at the top of the page.
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?   Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Corpse in the Gazebo by Debra Sennefelder. Check out the other stops and giveaway if you have time.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!



Victim/Toe Tag: Birdie Donovan (D)

Beachcomber Weapons: poisoned food

Beachcomber Crime Scene: gazebo

Detectives: Hope Early (Y)

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually really enjoy this series for the relationships between the characters. Hope has created such a wonderful life for herself between renovating her farmhouse, spending time with family and her boyfriend along with his two adorable children, and then building her food blogger/empire brand; she has an idyllic life. Until she is accused of murder. What bothered me about this book was the way Hope took way too many chances and even broke into someone’s house – I hate when clues can’t be obtained legally; I find it lazy. I’m also not a fan of the “I’m the only one who can solve the mystery” where the sleuth becomes so obnoxious that she becomes unlikeable. I will read the next one but it’s not at the top of my list.



I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nasty neighbor and an embarrassing encounter cause food blogger Hope Early to be a suspect in murder. Thanks to her sister and a good friend she has help in trying to find the real murderer but is losing friends and important business sponsorships in the process.

There is a wide variety of characters in this well written story but the best thing is the surprise twist at the end. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an advance copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th Food Blogger Mystery. I have read and enjoyed this series from the beginning. I love the savvy independent protagnist the author created who stands on her own merits. From the beginning of the series the protagnist has been building a food blog through her own hard work. The charcters are all enjoyable and add to the series. The foodie aspect and blogging of a lifestyle brand is fun to read for all readers. This is a 5 star read .Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

Hope’s blog is very successful beyond all her hopes . Not one to rest on her laurels Hope is volunteering to teach other women how to create a successful life path. Hope has built her own lifestyle brand by sheer hard work and wants to mentor other women to do the same. Unfortunately her efforts are not appreciated by a cruel neighbor Birdie who wants Hope run out of town due to all the deaths that have occured since she arrived. She complains loudly to the town of the murders and how Hope is always involved. Hope responds with what she does best and bakes Birdie a batch of her best muffins. When she finds Birdie dead in her gazebo the very next day she is suspect number one and her muffins may have been the murder weapon . Now Hope must try to clear her name, save her reputation and work to find the real killer before she is run out of town. The police only see her as guilty and not even her police detective boyfriend can help her.

This was a fun addition to the story and a wonderful sleuth. The clues and red herrings kept me guessing to conclusion. I love the supporting charcters, the setting and our savvy smart protagnist. Well done to the author.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obnoxious murder suspect, dating police chief, rubs around town accusing others to clear her name. Contrived ending.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food blogger and amateur sleuth Hope Early has a murder mystery to solve in Debra Sennefelder's The Corpse in the Gazebo, the fifth book in her Food Blogger Mystery series. This time it's personal. Very personal! Hope is the main suspect in the murder of her unpleasant neighbor. I really like all the energy in this storyline. Plus there's lots of action. I enjoyed following along as Hope hunts for clues. Meanwhile the danger scenes were edge-of-your-seat exciting. I can't wait to see what trouble Hope gets into next.

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Early is enjoying a beautiful Spring day in her small town in Connecticut. Her food blog is taking off and everyone loves her baked goods, especially the muffins! Everything is going beautifully until she finds out that Birdie Donovan, a woman who wants everything to be done her way, has drawn up a petition to force Hope to move to another town. Trying to make peace with Birdie she bakes her a batch of her delicious muffins. Things take a turn for the worse when the next day Hope finds Birdie dead and becomes the number one suspect. The characters are great and I love how each one is described in the book. A very well written mystery that kept me turning the pages. Also included are several delicious recipes. I happily recommend this book!

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Early is loving life, her food blog is more successful than she dared imagine, her house renovations are going really well and her love life is just perfect, thank you. So when sister Claire mentions a petition being handed round to force her from her home she is shocked and hurt. Arguing with its instigator, Birdie Donovan, on the steps of the library might not have been Hope’s smartest move but finding her dead body definitely changed everything and not for the better.

With her reputation on the line Hope knows there's no way she can leave the case to Jefferson PD and begins her own investigation into the death. Birdie Donovan was a woman with more enemies than most because of her acid tongue and intolerant attitude. There are no shortage of suspects but Hope seems unable to remove herself from number one spot and then another woman dies.

This is the fifth in the food blogger series and was a very enjoyable read. There were more than a few red herrings, which sent me off in the wrong direction, but in the end my suspicions were raised just before the big reveal which was great. The victim was not a sympathetic character in any way but this made the reasons behind her death more involved and less anticipated. I felt the end was a little rushed and disappointing in part but mostly it sets things up very nicely for the next outing to Hope Early's world and the recipes are an added bonus.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this very much; it is a good series.

[Chris gerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book and series

[Judy Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The corpse in the Gazebo is a page turner that will keep you guessing as to who is the murderer and why they did it. The characters will entertain you with their problems and bad judgement.

[Renee Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing whodunit with excellent well developed characters. With neighbors like Birdie I'm glad I live in the woods. Hope is the number one suspect in Birdie's death. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy!!

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

9/23/2021 2.5 stars rounded up. Hope was so obnoxious here, I'm genuinely surprised she still had friends at the end of it all. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.

[Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uh oh, Hope Early has found another dead body. Unfortunately for Hope it’s her cantankerous next door neighbor that started a petition to have Hope removed from the neighborhood. Hope definitely looks like the prime suspect. Can Hope figure out who the murderer is before she is arrested, or maybe even becomes the killers next victim?

This story has so many suspects, you won’t realize until the very end whodunnit. There is also a plot line leaving you to believe things are changing between Hope and her beau, the police chief Ethan. Stay tuned to find out.

Debra Sennefelder has another hit in her food blogger series. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this one. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what happens next.

This is a definite read for cozy lovers, or for anyone who enjoys a really good whodunnit. Congratulations Debra, on another great book!

[Maryann Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Every once in awhile you find a series that you really enjoy, and anxiously await the release of the next book; that's how I am with Debra Sennefelder's Food Blogger Mystery series. From the first book in the series, The Uninvited Corpse I was hooked. Each book has been wonderful, and getting to know Hope Early, her family and friends, especially her best friend, local journalist Drew Adams, has been a delight. In book 5, The Corpse in the Gazebo, Hope is full of optimism as spring is in the air, her blogging business is doing very well, she is coaching others interested in developing a blog presence and even teaching a class on how to start an online business for the women of Emily's House, a program for women in transition. Her relationship with her sister Claire is good and her relationship with Jefferson, CT Police Chief Ethan Cahill is deepening. Life is good, she hasn't even encountered a dead body recently. Oh yes, Hope has a tendency to discover dead bodies and then to become an amateur sleuth- a good one at that. Hope has been lovingly repairing and updating her home and yard- slowly but surely-so she is devastated to discover one of her neighbors, the cantankerous Birdie Donovan, has drafted a petition to force her to move. Apparently Birdie thinks Hope has brought chaos to the neighborhood with her sleuthing and that her chickens are a nuisance. Unfortunately the next dead body that Hope discover is that of Birdie and it is after a rather unpleasant conversation she had with Birdie in front of the library. You might have guessed it; Hope becomes a suspect, however it is also clear that many others in town also had serious issues with Birdie. Hold on from there as Hope is determined to prove she didn't kill Birdie. The storyline is intriguing and the number of possible killers is rather long. The characters are so well crafted that I feel as though I know them. The storyline is fast-paced, well- developed and challenging - I know I was challenged trying to determine who killed Birdie. The Corpse in the Gazebo is a stand alone novel, yet I highly recommend that you read them all as they are fun and fantastic reads.
I received an ARC; in no way did that fact impact my review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th in the Food Blogger Mysteries. Hope Early is a food blogger living in her small town in Connecticut. She worked as at a magazine and lost a reality show and ended up divorced so she headed home and has rebuilt her life. Her homestyle and food blog is doing well and her relationship with Ethan (Chief of Police) is going well. Hope is shocked to learn from her sister Claire that her neighbor Birdie Donovan has started a petition to get her to move off her street. Birdie is the wife of Ted Donovan who is running the charity Emily’s house that Hope is now hosting a class on starting an online business but is shocked when she confronts Birdie about the petition and they both lose their temper. Hope immediately feels terrible and bakes a basket of muffins and takes them over to her house to make an apology and try and come to some sort of compromise. Birdie takes the muffins when Hope assures her she did not bake with peanut oil (Birdie is allergic) and then slams the door in her face. She is shocked when Birdie calls later in the day and schedules a meeting with Hope to try and come up with a compromise. Hope arrives the next day and finds Birdie dead and of course she was eating one of Hope’s muffins. Her death is later deemed a murder as peanut oil was found in the muffin and Hope is the prime suspect. Hope originally had no plans to investigate the murder but when all her sponsors on the blog are putting their sponsorships on hold. Ethan takes a personal leave and while he cannot stop Hope from investigating he does not want to cause any issues for the town for conflict of interest. Her sister Claire and friend Drew are helping her with her investigation. This was a good solid mystery with lots of suspects as Birdie was mean to everyone and no one really liked her. Claire who normally steers Hope from investigating is really getting the sleuthing bug! This was a great addition to this series and it was an exciting ending. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Early is being bullied by Birdie Donovan and it may not only cost Hope her home but her freedom, as well. Birdie is one of those people who thinks her way is the only way and if people don't toe the line and do it her way, she will make their lives miserable. From neighbors to community businesses, nobody is exempt from her opinions. To ponder who might have wanted her dead is to spend a lot of time with a long list of possible suspects. Well Hope didn't do it even though she had just as much of a motive as the next neighbor. Birdie didn't like the attention Hope attracted when it came to finding dead bodies and then unmasking the killer. Birdie wants it stopped and Hope needs to leave town - problem solved. Hope only wants to find peace so she fights back with kindness, making muffins and delivering them only to have Birdie slam the door in her face. When Hope makes another attempt she finds Birdie dead with muffins nearby. Who in town wanted Birdie dead and Hope behind bars? If answers aren't found fast, Hope will lose her sponsors, her home and her freedom. With the help of friends and family she will track down the killer. Along the way she will also torture the reader with some really yummy sounding food.
This is the fifth in the series and not one of them has disappointed me. Each has a very complex puzzle to solve, fair clues, red herrings and blind alleys and a great wrap up at the end. Hope has grown from book to book, her blogging becoming not only her own focus but now she advises other women on the ways to make blogging work for them, too. Her relationships with her sister and her boyfriend, the chief of police are, to my ear, very realistic. Hope is the kind of person one would like to call a friend. If you found yourself in any kind of trouble she would find a way to help you out of it.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Corpse in the Gazebo is the 5th book in the Food Blogger Mysteries series. I picked up this series with The Hidden Corpse (book 2), and I also thoroughly enjoyed books 3 and 4.

In this fabulous cosy mystery, Hope Early is really busy with her teaching classes on blogging at the local women's shelter in Jefferson, Connecticut, whilst continuing with her own food blog, 'Hope at Home'. But all is not rosy as neighbour Birdie Donovan wants Hope run out of town. Then Birdie turns up dead after Hope bakes her some muffins...

Protagonist Hope had such a lot going on in this book, but still managed to spend time with her pets - adorable doggy, Bigelow, Princess, the cat, and Poppy the chicken; she also devotes time to her boyfriend, Chief of Police, Ethan Cahill and they make some decisions. Hope is a great character and she possesses the necessary attributes of any great sleuth: intelligence, curiosity and keenness, and she's never too busy to help others.

I was sold on this compulsive story from the very beginning, and Debra Sennefelder continued to impress me with her fluid writing. The details of the plot were very well-executed, the story was amusing and easy to follow, and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. The story was brimming with humour, scrumptious food, and suspects and clues were scattered throughout. The killer reveal was very clever although I had my suspicions about who was responsible, and some yummy recipes are included at the end of the book. This was a tremendously good novel and I am looking forward to reading book six. If you adore a fantastic cozy mystery, don't miss out on The Corpse in the Gazebo.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is for an advanced readers copy of The Corpse in the Gazebo. This is also the first book that I've read in the Food Blogger Mystery series.

It's obvious right off the bat that the world & characters are part of an ongoing series. There is already a history between the various characters & vaguely mentioned events that isn't all ways fully disclosed.
At the same time Hope doesn't seem to know too much about her neighbors, which bothered me at first but is actually far more realistic. After all how many of us know our neighbors by more than sight or name? It seems that in most novels the main character is intimately familiar with all of their neighbors (unless not knowing them furthers the plot).

I love that Hope isn't just some no name who some how is able to support a family & lavish lifestyle by being a blogger. Instead we get background information about her previous career as a magazine editor, and that she was however temporarily a reality TV star before becoming a sponsored blogger. We also get to see a glimpse of how hard she works & that she has to budget her spending.

There are many layers to the mystery of The Corpse in the Gazebo which I found to be greatly enjoyable. Some are connected to the death of Birdie Donovan, some aren't. And throughout it all Hope must fight not only to prove her innocence but also to keep everything that she's worked for from turning into dust.

With this being the 5th book in the series one would expect that Hope would be a little more tactful when it comes to questioning her friends & neighbors but she tends to be rather heavy handed.

There's so much more I'd like to include in this review but to do so would risk unravelling the web of mysteries before you get a chance to dig in.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Early has been building her personal brand and business and the hard work is paying off. From her blog to her partnerships with other brands and from her coaching calls to her volunteer work, her life is full and she’s happy. Too bad her neighbor Birdie isn’t happy. EVER. When hope finds out Birdie is trying to get their neighbors to sign a petition to get Hope to move out of the neighborhood, that’s the last straw for Hope and she loses her temper with the woman…and everyone in town hears about it.

Being the bigger person, Hope tries to smooth things over and takes some freshly baked muffins over to Birdie and asks that they sit down and talk through their issues. Birdie declines, but then agrees and when Hope arrives for their meeting, she finds Birdie dead in the gazebo, having eaten one of Hope’s muffins. WHO killed the woman because Hope sure didn’t, but she’s set up to be the prime suspect after that very public fight the women had. Hope has to clear her name fast or she’ll lose not only everything she’s worked so hard for, but her freedom as well.

This is a great cozy series and includes recipes with each release. The characters are well developed and the whodunit has lots of red herrings to keep you guessing, but the clues are there and you have to wait until you get that one aha moment…usually at the real…and you’re satisfied. This one of two series I read from this author and both are on my must read list as I wait for each new entry to come out. Give it a read and you’ll be hooked too.