The Fog Ladies: In the Soup

A San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery #3

by Susan McCormick

"Humorous and compelling." New York Journal of Books
The Fog Ladies are back, in the third installment of this endearing cozy murder mystery series.
"There was a man in the soup." When the Fog Ladies volunteer at a San Francisco soup kitchen, these spunky elderly friends plus one overworked young doctor-in-training envision washing and chopping and serving. Not murder. Now the soup kitchen is doomed, and the mysteries have just begun. Was the death rooted in a long-ago grudge? Can they save the soup kitchen? Will they find the killer? Could the Fog Ladies, too, end up "in the soup"?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

328 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2021

About the author

Susan McCormick is a writer and doctor in Seattle, author of The Fog Ladies cozy murder mystery series, The Antidote, a medical STEM middle grade fantasy, and Granny Can't Remember Me, a lighthearted picture book about Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

She graduated from Smith College and George Washington University School of Medicine, with additional training in San Francisco and Washington, DC. She served as a military doctor for nine years before settling in the Pacific Northwest and civilian practice. She is married and has two boys. She loves giant dogs and has loved an English mastiff and two Newfoundlands.

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fog Ladies – In The Soup is the first book I’ve read in this series, but it can be read fine as a standalone. It took me a bit to acclimate to who was who (especially as sometimes the first names are used & other times the last names are, when referring to the characters – i.e., Harriet or Mrs. Flynn), but otherwise I had no problems not having read the first two books.

These amateur sleuths don’t really mean to be amateur sleuths. They are just minding their own business, volunteering at a local soup kitchen because they need people to chop vegetables and a group of septuagenarians (plus a 20-something medical resident and one octogenarian) who’ve been cooking their whole lives can chop with the best of them! I enjoyed that the author shifted back and forth between characters as far as from which perspective we are seeing the story. While that sometimes felt a bit claustrophobic, overall it enhanced the story & allowed readers to better explore each character’s layers and personalities. Alma and her rescuer heart (Boris!) and her “Oh dear. Oh dear” commentary on life was my favorite character of the bunch, but they were all charming (with the exception of Edna who has clearly lost all filters, if she ever had any).

The mystery in this book revolves around that soup kitchen I mentioned earlier and the quest to win a best big pot of soup contest (to acquire money for funding for repairs and refurbishings, etc.) I think you can see where this is going, as far as murders go, especially given the book’s title. The ladies aren’t quite sure who did it (though Edna is convinced of the guilt of the person the police arrest), and in helping keep the soup kitchen going in the meantime they are able to get an up close look at several suspects. I thought the whodunit was sophisticated and nicely crafted, and the slightly laid-back pace allows for the story to get a bit more in depth.

Bottom Line: The Fog Ladies – In The Soup by Susan McCormick is a smartly-written cross between women’s fiction & cozy mystery. The ladies themselves are a hoot individually – put them together and all bets are off! The mystery was very cleverly done, with plenty of suspects and a few surprising twists – as well as giving us an insightful look at the faces and hearts of the homeless. If you’re a fan of the pace of the Miss Marple or Mitford books – or the Branigan Powers Mysteries by Deb Richardson-Moore, then you will definitely enjoy the Fog Ladies!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fog Ladies are back on the case and this time a chef is found floating in the soup kettle of a soup kitchen. When a group of elderly friends, known as the Fog Ladies, volunteer at a soup kitchen, they had no idea what will transpire. William runs the soup kitchen, and he announces his plan to win the largest soup competition. The prize money will go a long way to helping the soup kitchen feed people in need. The ladies agree to help chop and prep but soon discover murder is the secret ingredient in William's soup. But who offed the celebrated chef? Is it his ex-partner William? His ex-wife? Someone else? The Fog Ladies and Sarah aren't sure but they're on the hunt. They've got to nab the killer, save the soup kitchen from being shut down, all before the killer silences them forever.

The Fog Ladies: In the Soup is one of the best cozy mysteries I've read. Culinary cozies are one of my favorite tropes and while this book isn't technically a culinary cozy, it does blend culinary and cozy with ease. From the first page to the last, the Fog Ladies dominate the story. Their personalities are so quirky, so original, they are the reason why I adored this mystery. Taken out of their normalcy, they volunteer at a soup kitchen and interact with those less fortunate. What a fantastic premise for a cozy. The descriptive narration is on-point and you'll be transported to San Francisco. The mystery itself is a definite whodunit with plenty of suspects. At one point, I stayed up late to find out who the killer was and why. It surprised me when it was revealed, so kudos to Susan McCormick on a well-written mystery. This is book three in the series, yet it can be read as a standalone. Cozy readers, look out for these spry senior ladies. The Fog Ladies: In the Soup is a delightful cozy mystery and one I highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are my honest opinion and all my own.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the audio version, I think I prefer to read this series as there are so many characters to keep track of.

There are descriptions of people and places that are so very San Francisco. I particularly had to laugh at the coyote sighting and the signs warning of coyotes in the area. This is true. I have seen them. They warn you to watch your small animals and children because the coyotes are not going to be caught and killed. My boss captured a picture of one walking past her house one morning, in the middle of the road.

In this episode we have a struggling soup kitchen as the focus of the Fog Ladies donated time and services. There is a large soup contest and before they can even be judged a body is found in the soup. (That is one large pot) The director is arrested and the ladies go to town interviewing the suspects. Was it one of their "regulars" at the kitchen who is upset that the routine is affected by the contest, or one of the sponsors who wants more appreciation for his contribution, or the owner of the building who wants to close them down?

Sara is on the outs with Andy, and when one of the ladies loses her peripheral vision, she is taught how to use the bus system and an Uber type service. These ladies just don't quit and I hope this series continues.

I won a contest for a free audible copy of this book.

[Grace Koshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fog Ladies decide to volunteer at a soup kitchen but end up doing much more than chopping vegetables for the “Big Pot” competition. William, who runs the kitchen, gets support from famed restaurant owner Cornelius. The two men worked together in the past and Cornelius is determined to bully his way to get what he wants. The Fog Ladies end up finding Cornelius submerged in the huge soup pot and William is arrested for the murder.

There are plenty of suspects for the Fog Ladies to investigate including Cornelius' estranged wife Geraldine, his current model girlfriend Belinda, soup kitchen client Cedric and local property owner Melvin. With the help of Cornelius' adorable Newfoundland puppy Boris, the ladies plan to confront the murder suspect in the soup kitchen.

This was another enjoyable book in the Fog Ladies mystery series. I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Wild Rose Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5.0

"The Fog Ladies: In the Soup" keeps readers guessing with an entertaining whodunit as twisty as San Francisco's famed Lombard Street!

Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

ladies who have well intentioned goals in mind with volunteering at a soup kitchen end up as accidental and unintentional sleuths

the connections between thr ladies and how they deal with life challenges and the world is compelling, key to the problem solving, and pretty much the most interesting part to me of any of the books involving these ladies

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

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fog Ladies are working at the local
soup kitchen. They are each taking shifts.
The Fog Ladies consists of elderly residents
who live in the same building as Dr Sarah
James. The ladies love to investigate
happening in the city of Fog. They are
enjoying working at the soup kitchen.
Their jobs are washing, chopping, helping
the cooks plus helping serve the down
trodding.
The soup kitchen enters into a cooking
contest. The man who owns the soup
kitchen property pays to bring in a very
large pot for the contest across country
for the cooking contest plus he plans to
close the soup kitchen after they win the
contest. What will happen to the regulars
that depend on the kitchen for food??
One morning this man is found literally
“In the Soup”. Who put him into the soup?
Who wanted him dead?
Come along with the Fog Ladies as they
investigate for the killer while trying to save
the soup kitchen from closing. They want
to get the main man who usually runs
the kitchen out of jail for a murder he didn’t
commit.
You will enjoy the Fog Ladies as they face their
own personal challenges throughout the story
plus are always there for the group.
I enjoyed the personal problems each Fog Lady
faced.
It added several subplots to the main, attention
holding, complex plots.
I felt right there in the midst of their fast moving
adventure. It was so realistic and easy to relate.
A intriguing and interesting read.
A Highly Recommended Read.
I volunteered to read The Fog Ladies: In the Soup.
It is book # 3 in the San Francisco Cozy Murder
Mysteries series. It can be read as a stand alone.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Looking forward to reading the next adventure
of the Fog Ladies.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Let me get this off right away - I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.
Now on to the good stuff. This is the 3rd installment of the Fog Ladies Books. This is the first time I read a novel by this author. I felt it could definitely be read as a standalone novel. However, I would suggest you read the series from the beginning as I had some confusion as to which lady was which, and the fact that the author used first names sometimes and last names other times. Over all I definitely enjoyed this novel. The characters are hilarious. You have 6 seniors and one 20 something who is a medical resident who all live in the same apartment building. The ladies all cook at the city’s soup kitchen. They chop, dice, and cook with the best of them. There is the announcement of a Soup Kitchen contest. The owner of the kitchen buys a special giant kettle for the contest and the soup kitchen was closed in anticipation of the contest. The ladies are in a little bit of a tizzy as they are concerned about the people they feed and what will they do and where will they go the days the kitchen is closed, none the less the contest goes on. All is well until one morning they find an unexpected gift in their kettle a dead man. The ladies and the student turn into accidental sleuth as they are determined to find out who killed the man in the kettle. Can the ladies plus one student save the soup kitchen? Will they too end up in the “soup”. This is a hilarious but serious intent by the author. It was an enjoyable read and I definitely want to go back and read the first two novels! Plus I dearly want to read the next book in the series of the Fog Ladies!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts: Your favorite Fog Ladies are back. They’ve decided they need to do something to help others, so they go to a local soup kitchen to volunteer their services to help them win a contest that will bring in much needed money. The contest is for the biggest kettle of soup. While the owner, William, brings that in, the ladies set to chopping all the veggies for the soup. But all is not well as a local restaurant owner tries to strong arm William into doing things his way. When he is found dead in the soup, the ladies go to work to prove that William didn’t do the deed.

This is a fun read with a lot of interesting characters in the Fog Ladies and their friends, like Sarah. Like the other books though, beware that there are multiple points of view, which can get confusing at times. But it also gives you a lot of different perspectives on the story and insight into the characters. Each one of the ladies is an individual and you get to know them really well through the story. “In the Soup” is the third book in this series and I know there are more to come. The mystery is well-crafted with multiple suspects and a satisfying ending.

Recommended

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the types of cozy mystery books I try to seek out are ones with senior sleuths. The Fog Ladies: In The Soup fits the bill and was one of the reasons I wanted to read this one. It's the first I've read in The Fog Ladies series, but it's book three for those of you who like to read series in order. I think I would have benefited from reading the other two for more character background. The Fog Ladies: In The Soup is definitely a character driven story.

Though there are six Fog Ladies, I didn't feel that I got to know all of them well since they didn't play major roles. The secondary characters who are essential to the mystery took center stage. I was quite entertained by the Fog Ladies that I became acquainted with in the book. One of those characters, Enid Carmichael, has a guest post below, so be sure to read it! I wouldn't call her a likable character, but she's definitely entertaining. She's a little bit like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree...maybe she just needs a little love. Oh, not that her friends aren't caring, but Enid could benefit from some TLC...maybe from a younger character like Chantrelle. You'll get to know her a bit in this book, but I believe most of Chantrelle's story is in book two.

It was fun trying to figure out the whodunit element of The Fog Ladies: In The Soup. Since the victim had lots of people who had plenty of motives to kill him, the mystery solving will keep you on your toes. I had an idea who the killer might be, but the author definitely gave me plenty of alternative suspects to consider.

When I got to the end of this book, I found that although it meandered a bit, I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. The apartment complex setting definitely adds to the charm since it keeps the ladies close to each other. I think fans of cozy mystery books with senior sleuths will enjoy The Fog Ladies: In The Soup. I'm looking forward to "seeing" these ladies again.

[T K Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is for anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery with senior sleuths. This third in the series delves a bit deeper into almost all the Fog Ladies’ histories. It’s a joy learning more about their backstories. At the same time the author touches on the difficulties of aging. It’s really a wonderful series that deserves to be more popular than it is.

The only negative is Enid Carmichael. She is the least likeable character I may have ever read. On one hand that speaks to the skillful writing of the author. This is a character created from ink on paper yet in my mind I feel very strongly about her. On the other, it makes for very uncomfortable reading. Her behavior is always intolerable but here she stoops to a new low trying to get what she wants regarding Boris the dog. The rest of the Fog Ladies are a smart bunch. I find it hard to believe not one of them has the gumption to tell Enid she needs to think of someone besides herself.

Back to the skill of the author, even with Enid ruining the story for me, this mystery is well written. There are multiple possible suspects. The Fog Ladies are sure the police have arrested the wrong person and set about methodically determining which suspect could be the guilty party.

[Mc Chanster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from Susan McCormick!

The third book in the Fog Ladies series, I found myself just as invested in this one as I was in the first. McCormick is a great storyteller and I love working through the mystery with the Ladies. They're all charming and lovely, and I love how well they compliment each other and help each other out - where can I find ladies like this when I retired? I also liked how Sarah had a bit of her own story in this novel, and I appreciated that this didn't take over the novel, but offered a nice break in between all the sleuthing. I thought the plot was very well laid out, and there were a few twists, but not too many so I got frustrated. Great book, great story, great everything!

Thank you Susan McCormick for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

This is a new series for me but I found it enjoyable none the less. We meet a group of senior ladies that are known as the fog ladies due to where they live. Their group decides to volunteer at a local soup kitchen but what they didn't expect was a murder. They instantly dive into investigating determined to figure things out so the soup kitchen doesn't suffer. With an eclectic group of characters we get a little something of everything making it easy to relate to the woman as they ask questions. Having a younger doc in training is a nice touch as well. Makes for an enjoyable read as the ladies figure things out. Those looking for older protagonists are sure to be happy with this one. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Kathi Eaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't met The Fog Ladies you have been missing a real treat! As cozy mysteries go, this series is fresh and enjoyable with enough twists, turns and surprises to keep you intrigued. The ending has always satisfied.

Once again Susan McCormick hits one out of the park. The Fog ladies are charming, unforgettable characters (except for Enid - charming is way out of her league - I find I so want to slap her!).

The introduction of Boris the dog, Alma's latest rescue, is wonderful. I look forward to watching him GROW up.

There is great tension in the ongoing relationship with Sarah and Andy that is so believable and Sarah's self-discovery is so relatable.

Well done all around! Can't wait for more!

[Wendy Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilled to be back with the Fog Ladies solving a deadly mystery. They may be cozy, but there are some thrills shared in this latest adventure. Who knew that good deeds can be deadly? These characters are so much fun to follow. Don't we all know ladies like these, and love them?

Not only are the characters intriguing, the setting has so much to it, I feel like it's a character too.

You'll be enthusiastically pulled into the ladies theories and investigation, and don't forget the cute dog too. You'll be turning pages in suspense as you mentally review your own suspect list. This is a tight, very well written plot, so watch for clues all along the way.

Bravo for The Fog Ladies' latest addition to a great series.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVE these ladies!!!

This is McCormick's third entry into the Fog Ladies' escapades and no less enthralling for that. Simply stated, these ladies - well some of them anyway - are exactly who I want to be when I grow up!

This time they're helping out at a Soup Kitchen when murder and mayhem break out, and you KNOW they're up for it!

Well-drawn characters that you will love, a storyline that I simply devoured, this was a read-it-in-one-sitting book and my only regret was when it was done! Now, we wait - rather impatiently - for Book Four!

[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. All opinions expressed herein are given freely and entirely my own.]

[Darlene C Robold · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite in the series. It seemed to go on and on. I figured out who the murderer was a chapter after the murder. It is really hard to like Enid after this book as she is either stuffing her face, tactlessly asking questions, trying to force Alma to give away Boris, or ruin someone’s day. Sarah was disappointing and unlike herself. My feelings about this book were 1.Get on with it. 2. Get over it 3. Get over yourself

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fog Ladies: In the Soup is the third book in the San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery series and is an entertaining cozy mystery with delightful characters, murder, mystery, drama, and twists and turns. I loved this book and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

San Francisco's Fog Ladies had barely begun volunteering at the local soup kitchen when a body is discovered. Accident? Or murder? The intrepid ladies set out to discover the truth and in the process encounter more surprises. This fast-paced, engrossing mystery will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author.  I LOVED it. The characters are so serious and yet so hilarious all at the same time.  I love each lady for their unique qualities and how they are willing to help everyone out. I can't wait to see what happens to these ladies next.