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A Sunflower Café Mystery #1
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary
Looking for a fresh start, advice columnist Sissy Yoder heads to small-town Yoder, Kansas, to help in her aunt’s café. But when a milkman is murdered, the newcomer becomes the prime suspect . . .
After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed . . .
After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed . . .
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2022
18 people are currently reading
1268 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lillard
101 books672 followersI'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.
I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!
I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.
I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances.
I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.
I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)
Favorite movies--(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940's movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.
I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!
I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.
I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances.
I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.
I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)
Favorite movies--(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940's movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
April 19, 2022
This is my first Amy Lillard Cozy Mystery and I found it to be very laid back . This doesn’t mean I didn’t like this book but that I felt it dragged in places. I did find it to be witty especially when it came to the main character Sissy Yoder. The cast of characters were a good mix of English and Amish people. It seamed there was very little clues left at the murder scene so our slueth had very little to work with. The murder took place early in the book and it took till the final chapter to find out whodunnit. This book is the first in the series so we are introduced to the all the characters, and there are a lot of them. I found them to be good down home folks from a small town. I felt the book was hard to put down, entertaining, definitely an original and easy to read. I will be reading book two when it becomes available.
Sissy Yoder was born into an Amish family that jumped the fence and moved from Yoder Kansas to Tulsa Oklahoma. She then was raised as a English girl and she attended college majoring in journalism. She was secretly writing a newspaper column as Aunt Bess and she made a good income from it. Then her relationship with her boyfriend went bad and her best friend, who she shared an apartment with and who happened to be her former boyfriend’s sister asked Sissy to leave. Feeling betrayed and hurt she decided to go to Kansas to help her Amish Aunt Bethal Yoder in her Cafe’. Aunt Bethal is short on help and Sissy decides to step up to the plate and help out her Kansas family.
Yoder, Kansas is a small town and almost everyone that lives there is named Yoder. Not all the Yoders are related and it’s confusing for Sissy since she is new in town. Aunt Bethal doesn’t actually give Sissy a warm welcome but her bark is worse than her bite and she eventually invites her young niece to come stay with her. Sissy works as a server and about the third day working there she is asked to go check the order that milkman Kevin Sanders is delivering to the kitchen. She is to check the order to be sure that everything has been delivered. But Sissy is shocked when she finds Kevin dead in the kitchen with one of the Cafe’s knives in his back. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry makes Sissy his prime suspect since she discovered the body in the kitchen and after all she is new in town. No one but Sissy seems to be at all concerned about this. Since Sissy doesn’t want to go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit she must come up with clues and find out who really killed Kevin the milkman. The problem is the only clue she has found is a small piece of ribbon on the floor in the kitchen. She is all alone in her sleuthing efforts because no one seems to be the least bit concerned about who killed Kevin and all her coworkers seem to think no one in Yoder would ever stoop to murder. Yet Earl Berry never misses an opportunity to interrogate Sissy about the murder . Will Sissy be able to find enough evidence to find out who the real murderer is and clear her name from the Deputy Sheriff’s list of suspects?
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery and to fans of the author. This book is scheduled to be released on 6/28/22.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#DairyDairyQuiteContrary#NetGalley
Sissy Yoder was born into an Amish family that jumped the fence and moved from Yoder Kansas to Tulsa Oklahoma. She then was raised as a English girl and she attended college majoring in journalism. She was secretly writing a newspaper column as Aunt Bess and she made a good income from it. Then her relationship with her boyfriend went bad and her best friend, who she shared an apartment with and who happened to be her former boyfriend’s sister asked Sissy to leave. Feeling betrayed and hurt she decided to go to Kansas to help her Amish Aunt Bethal Yoder in her Cafe’. Aunt Bethal is short on help and Sissy decides to step up to the plate and help out her Kansas family.
Yoder, Kansas is a small town and almost everyone that lives there is named Yoder. Not all the Yoders are related and it’s confusing for Sissy since she is new in town. Aunt Bethal doesn’t actually give Sissy a warm welcome but her bark is worse than her bite and she eventually invites her young niece to come stay with her. Sissy works as a server and about the third day working there she is asked to go check the order that milkman Kevin Sanders is delivering to the kitchen. She is to check the order to be sure that everything has been delivered. But Sissy is shocked when she finds Kevin dead in the kitchen with one of the Cafe’s knives in his back. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry makes Sissy his prime suspect since she discovered the body in the kitchen and after all she is new in town. No one but Sissy seems to be at all concerned about this. Since Sissy doesn’t want to go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit she must come up with clues and find out who really killed Kevin the milkman. The problem is the only clue she has found is a small piece of ribbon on the floor in the kitchen. She is all alone in her sleuthing efforts because no one seems to be the least bit concerned about who killed Kevin and all her coworkers seem to think no one in Yoder would ever stoop to murder. Yet Earl Berry never misses an opportunity to interrogate Sissy about the murder . Will Sissy be able to find enough evidence to find out who the real murderer is and clear her name from the Deputy Sheriff’s list of suspects?
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery and to fans of the author. This book is scheduled to be released on 6/28/22.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#DairyDairyQuiteContrary#NetGalley
March 18, 2022
A nice beginning to a new cozy series. I enjoyed Sissy Yoder, the protagonist, who has a pleasant and appealing personality. Sissy has traveled from Oklahoma to Kansas to help her Aunt Bethel run her Sunflower Cafe while coping with a broken leg. Sissy brings along her adorable 4 lb. Yorkie, Duke. The townspeople are a mix of Amish and non-Amish.
The ‘who killed the milkman?’ plot plods along while several secondary characters are introduced as friends or possible suspects. Sissy feels a touch of rapport with local reporter, Gavin, and he becomes her sleuthing sidekick and possible love interest, although I thought it was way too early for that in the story!
I did like Sissy. I had a harder time relating to the other characters. The pacing needed to be faster and the mystery stronger. I would have like to have seen a more fanfare ending, also. It just ended. I gave this book a 3.5 Star rating and rounded it up to 4 Stars.
I honestly reviewed an un-edited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
The ‘who killed the milkman?’ plot plods along while several secondary characters are introduced as friends or possible suspects. Sissy feels a touch of rapport with local reporter, Gavin, and he becomes her sleuthing sidekick and possible love interest, although I thought it was way too early for that in the story!
I did like Sissy. I had a harder time relating to the other characters. The pacing needed to be faster and the mystery stronger. I would have like to have seen a more fanfare ending, also. It just ended. I gave this book a 3.5 Star rating and rounded it up to 4 Stars.
I honestly reviewed an un-edited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2022
This is the first in a new series, A Sunflower Cafe Mystery, set in Yoder, a small town in Kansas. Sissy Yoder left Tulsa to help her aunt out with her cafe after her Aunt Bethel broke her ankle. Bethel was not very happy to have her niece's help, but she tolerated her. A few days in and Sissy is in the wrong place at the wrong time to discover the milkman who was delivering the daily milk supply dead on the cafe floor. Being new in a small town, she was the deputy sheriff's main suspect. Sissy decides to find out who really killed this father of ten children, a man who did not have a sterling reputation. This is a funny and entertaining read with a pool of suspects, from the mafia to his wife and others. And there are lots of people named Yoder, both English and Amish and not all are related. I am looking forward to seeing what will be going on in the book. This is a good read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries of all kinds.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
October 15, 2023
Review coming soon.
June 29, 2022
Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard is the debut of A Sunflower Café Mysteries. We meet Sissy Yoder and her Yorkshire terrier, Duke. They have traveled to Yoder, Kansas to help her aunt, Bethel who broke a leg. Bethel needs help running the Sunflower Café. Sissy is glad for an excuse to get away from Tulsa, Oklahoma after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her apartment. Unfortunately, Sissy’s fresh start begins with the murder of the local milk delivery driver in the back doorway of the Sunflower Café. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry has Sissy at the top of his suspect list. The only way to clear her name is for Sissy to find the real culprit. I like Amy Lillard’s casual writing style. It is welcoming and friendly. The pacing is leisurely and could have used an injection of caffeine. Sissy Yoder is a friendly character who has an adorable dog named Duke of York (aka Duke). We meet a cast of quirky characters as Sissy works in the café and investigates the mystery. I enjoyed the descriptions of Yoder. It sounds like a quaint small town that is a mixture of English and Amish. I thought Sissy’s new home was clever and cute (I am not going to spoil it for you). The murder of the milkman happens early in the story. Sissy is the prime suspect even though she barely knew the man. There are several suspects since the milk delivery driver is the local lothario. There are few clues which makes it challenging for Sissy to solve. Sissy gets help from local reporter, Gavin. I wish the whodunit had been stronger and more complex. I also thought the mystery needed a better conclusion with any lingering questions answered. I kept hoping the bumbling deputy sheriff would find himself the next victim. In the end, Sissy finds the final piece of the puzzle and identifies the guilty party. Gavin Wainwright is a reporter for the Sunflower Express, the local underground newspaper. He helps Sissy with the mystery plus he is her new love interest. I did feel it was a little soon for a love interest since Sissy is still getting over her ex-boyfriend. I am hoping that the romance will progress slowly. I like Sissy’s job as the syndicated advice columnist Aunt Bess. Aunt Bess is a sassy, know it all seventy-year-old grandmother (at least that is what everyone thinks). Aunt Bess is plain spoken with plenty of helpful advice (Sissy should take some of it herself). There are quotes from Aunt Bess at the beginning of each chapter. Of course, Sissy has to have a cover occupation because no one knows that she is Aunt Bess. The food descriptions will have your mouth watering especially for chocolate peanut butter pie. I enjoyed my first visit to Yoder, Kanas. I am curious what trouble Sissy will stumble upon next time. Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is cute cozy with the delightful Duke, the grabby Bethel, the loving Lottie, the laid-up Lizzie, the bullying Earl Berry, the scrumptious chocolate peanut butter pie, the grinning Gavin, and a suspicious Sissy.
June 29, 2022
The cover is so bright and cheerful that I was instantly drawn to it.
I've read other cozy mysteries by Amy Lillard and have enjoyed them all. I know when I read her cozy mysteries that I'll get a good,fun clean read.
The Amish and English characters make for a great combination in the story and keep it interesting.
There were twists and turns in the book that I just didn't see coming.
The murder takes place early in the book and it kept me guessing right til the end when it was revealed who did it.
We are introduced to many characters.
Dairy,Dairy Quite Contrary is the first book in the Sunflower Cafe mystery. I recommend it and look forward to more by this author to enjoy.
Published June 28th 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I've read other cozy mysteries by Amy Lillard and have enjoyed them all. I know when I read her cozy mysteries that I'll get a good,fun clean read.
The Amish and English characters make for a great combination in the story and keep it interesting.
There were twists and turns in the book that I just didn't see coming.
The murder takes place early in the book and it kept me guessing right til the end when it was revealed who did it.
We are introduced to many characters.
Dairy,Dairy Quite Contrary is the first book in the Sunflower Cafe mystery. I recommend it and look forward to more by this author to enjoy.
Published June 28th 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
May 6, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sissy Yoder and her family left Yoder, Kansas several years ago but just when Sissy’s life implodes she hears her aunt needs help with her café. She thinks is a great way to get out of Tulsa and restart her life far away from her ex cowboy boyfriend. Since she can do her newspaper advice column from anywhere she loads up her car and her Yorkshire terrier Duke and hits the road to Yoder.
Her Aunt Bethel was not really happy to see her but knows she can’t do everything by herself with a broken leg, so she reluctantly accepts Sissy’s help. Plus her daughter Lizzie’s pregnancy hasn’t been easy and has been put on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy and Sissy would be able to help her past the time.
It takes a couple of days to get settled but soon Sissy finds her place at the café. Then on a quick trip to the kitchen, she makes a terrible discovery. The milk deliveryman is dead on the floor with a knife in his back. When the sheriff arrives he doesn’t take long to decide the newcomer, Sissy, is guilty of murder. He just needs to pull together the evidence. Sissy realizes to save herself she needs to find the killer and fast or her short visit to Yoder is going to lead to a long stay in prison.
Sissy is a fine main character who inserts herself quite well into the lives of her Amish relatives. She is open and friendly and ready to help in any way she can while working to clear her name. Her Aunt Bethel is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t like having to depend on anyone for anything. Bethel’s best friend, Lottie works at the cafe and convinces Bethel to accept Sissy’s help. Bethel’s daughter Lizzie is very happy to have Sissy around and she loves Sissy’s dog Duke. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry is a café regular and bain of Sissy’s existence. He thinks she is guilty and he reminds her of that every day. All these characters and the others that we meet within the pages of Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary develop nicely over the course of the story. I found it very easy to become invested in their lives.
The murder takes place early in the book and there are several suspects, people that actually knew the victim, unlike Sissy. The deputy drove me crazy because he wasn’t doing anything. The case was pretty straightforward. I had a theory about midway through the book and had two suspects in my sight. It took longer to choose the right one. I liked that Sissy realized that with her being new in town she needed help from another resident and they worked well together. I hope the author doesn’t wrap them up in a full-fledged romance too quickly though.
I love that Sissy is the voice behind septuagenarian Aunt Bess and that very few people know it. Quotes from the columnist appear at the beginning of each chapter. Several times I thought Sissy should take some of Aunt Bess’s advice herself but I enjoyed the way she didn’t give up on finding the killer and helping her aunt and cousin. I also loved the unique place she found to live.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary has set this series off to a fine start. An interesting mystery and engaging characters made it a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to returning to the Sunflower Café when A Murder of Aspic Proportions is released on June 27.
Sissy Yoder and her family left Yoder, Kansas several years ago but just when Sissy’s life implodes she hears her aunt needs help with her café. She thinks is a great way to get out of Tulsa and restart her life far away from her ex cowboy boyfriend. Since she can do her newspaper advice column from anywhere she loads up her car and her Yorkshire terrier Duke and hits the road to Yoder.
Her Aunt Bethel was not really happy to see her but knows she can’t do everything by herself with a broken leg, so she reluctantly accepts Sissy’s help. Plus her daughter Lizzie’s pregnancy hasn’t been easy and has been put on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy and Sissy would be able to help her past the time.
It takes a couple of days to get settled but soon Sissy finds her place at the café. Then on a quick trip to the kitchen, she makes a terrible discovery. The milk deliveryman is dead on the floor with a knife in his back. When the sheriff arrives he doesn’t take long to decide the newcomer, Sissy, is guilty of murder. He just needs to pull together the evidence. Sissy realizes to save herself she needs to find the killer and fast or her short visit to Yoder is going to lead to a long stay in prison.
Sissy is a fine main character who inserts herself quite well into the lives of her Amish relatives. She is open and friendly and ready to help in any way she can while working to clear her name. Her Aunt Bethel is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t like having to depend on anyone for anything. Bethel’s best friend, Lottie works at the cafe and convinces Bethel to accept Sissy’s help. Bethel’s daughter Lizzie is very happy to have Sissy around and she loves Sissy’s dog Duke. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry is a café regular and bain of Sissy’s existence. He thinks she is guilty and he reminds her of that every day. All these characters and the others that we meet within the pages of Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary develop nicely over the course of the story. I found it very easy to become invested in their lives.
The murder takes place early in the book and there are several suspects, people that actually knew the victim, unlike Sissy. The deputy drove me crazy because he wasn’t doing anything. The case was pretty straightforward. I had a theory about midway through the book and had two suspects in my sight. It took longer to choose the right one. I liked that Sissy realized that with her being new in town she needed help from another resident and they worked well together. I hope the author doesn’t wrap them up in a full-fledged romance too quickly though.
I love that Sissy is the voice behind septuagenarian Aunt Bess and that very few people know it. Quotes from the columnist appear at the beginning of each chapter. Several times I thought Sissy should take some of Aunt Bess’s advice herself but I enjoyed the way she didn’t give up on finding the killer and helping her aunt and cousin. I also loved the unique place she found to live.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary has set this series off to a fine start. An interesting mystery and engaging characters made it a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to returning to the Sunflower Café when A Murder of Aspic Proportions is released on June 27.
August 1, 2022
Sometimes you come across an author who others really enjoy but you just can't quite connect with their writing. This is the case with Amy Lillard. I love the covers and am drawn in by the potential of a good story but I just don't find it. There's something so cliché about everything, so many stereotypes thrown at you, and way too much cheesy banter with the overly naïve sleuth. This did not hold my interest and I will not be continuing with the series.
June 8, 2022
This is a pleasant, if somewhat predictable, cozy with some fun moments. The quotes from Aunt Bess at the beginning of each chapter alone make it worthwhile to read. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 18, 2022
"Never miss a good chance to shut up."
That was one of the sayings used to begin each chapter. It's advice Sissy should have taken to heart. I mean, she wrote it under her "Aunt Bess" column identity. She didn't take it to heart, however, and it almost got her in trouble more than once as she tries to figure out who killed Kevin the milkman. New in Yoder, an Amish community, and the one to discover Kevin's body, Sissy feels she is the focus of the police as Earl Berry shows up repeatedly to question and, in her eyes, look at her with suspicion. While not as conservative as many Amish communities, the nuances of life in Yoder take some getting used to and Sissy, with her bright red convertible and adorable Yorkshire terrier Duke doesn't exactly blend in despite her family connection to the town. Is someone trying to pin the murder on her? She barely knew the victim, having only been in town for less than three days.
Although uncomfortable under Earl Berry's scrutiny, Sissy believes everything seems to have fallen in place for her stay in Yoder. She isn't ready to reveal her secret as the columnist who writes the popular Aunt Bess advice column under the guise of being seventy year old Aunt Bess. She turns out not to be the only one with secrets. Who is Josie and why does she seem to get a pass for her behavior, especially in this Amish village? Is her aunt, Bertha, glad Sissy is there to help or not? In a town where so many have the family name of Yoder, how does everyone keep it straight who is who and related to who? Does Sissy watch too many crime shows on TV? Is her imagination running wild or does she have legitimate reasons for her suspicions? Why the excitement over the upcoming birth of a child? Why has Evan Yoder taken such a dislike to Sissy? And, why does Duke the dog seem to dislike him when he's so friendly to Gavin and others? What is it that Sissy suddenly remembers about the day she found the body? Why doesn't she tell the police? Will Gavin ever get her back on a bicycle after the soreness and stiffness she experienced after the last ride? And, hey, who the heck killed Kevin and why?
Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book to find out. While I enjoyed the way the author brought some of the stories together as the book progressed, i found it rather slow paced, I did like Sissy and found the mystery intriguing. I'd like to know more about the town and its nuances. This is the first of a new series, I understand, so some of the perceived slowness may have been simply to introduce characters and get us acquainted with Yoder, too, as well as those about Sissy. I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series, especially with, hmm, that closing hint of romance.
Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Yoder. Looking forward to getting to know Sissy, Duke, Gavin, and the rest soon. Wonder if I can snag a ride in Sissy's convertible?
That was one of the sayings used to begin each chapter. It's advice Sissy should have taken to heart. I mean, she wrote it under her "Aunt Bess" column identity. She didn't take it to heart, however, and it almost got her in trouble more than once as she tries to figure out who killed Kevin the milkman. New in Yoder, an Amish community, and the one to discover Kevin's body, Sissy feels she is the focus of the police as Earl Berry shows up repeatedly to question and, in her eyes, look at her with suspicion. While not as conservative as many Amish communities, the nuances of life in Yoder take some getting used to and Sissy, with her bright red convertible and adorable Yorkshire terrier Duke doesn't exactly blend in despite her family connection to the town. Is someone trying to pin the murder on her? She barely knew the victim, having only been in town for less than three days.
Although uncomfortable under Earl Berry's scrutiny, Sissy believes everything seems to have fallen in place for her stay in Yoder. She isn't ready to reveal her secret as the columnist who writes the popular Aunt Bess advice column under the guise of being seventy year old Aunt Bess. She turns out not to be the only one with secrets. Who is Josie and why does she seem to get a pass for her behavior, especially in this Amish village? Is her aunt, Bertha, glad Sissy is there to help or not? In a town where so many have the family name of Yoder, how does everyone keep it straight who is who and related to who? Does Sissy watch too many crime shows on TV? Is her imagination running wild or does she have legitimate reasons for her suspicions? Why the excitement over the upcoming birth of a child? Why has Evan Yoder taken such a dislike to Sissy? And, why does Duke the dog seem to dislike him when he's so friendly to Gavin and others? What is it that Sissy suddenly remembers about the day she found the body? Why doesn't she tell the police? Will Gavin ever get her back on a bicycle after the soreness and stiffness she experienced after the last ride? And, hey, who the heck killed Kevin and why?
Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book to find out. While I enjoyed the way the author brought some of the stories together as the book progressed, i found it rather slow paced, I did like Sissy and found the mystery intriguing. I'd like to know more about the town and its nuances. This is the first of a new series, I understand, so some of the perceived slowness may have been simply to introduce characters and get us acquainted with Yoder, too, as well as those about Sissy. I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series, especially with, hmm, that closing hint of romance.
Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Yoder. Looking forward to getting to know Sissy, Duke, Gavin, and the rest soon. Wonder if I can snag a ride in Sissy's convertible?
March 13, 2022
Life for Sissy Yoder is complicated. Sissy is "Aunt Bess", a popular syndicated advice columnist. Unfortunately, Sissy could have used her own good advice when her rodeo boyfriend broke her heart. When her Aunt Bethel breaks a leg and needs help to run the Sunflower Cafe in Yoder, Kansas, Sissy decides to help her Aunt and get out of Tulsa and get over her heartbreak. Problem is Aunt Bethel isn't the warm and fuzzy type and doesn't want her help. Then, when the milkman is murdered at the Cafe, and she's a suspect, Sissy realizes even "Aunt Bess" would have trouble with this predicament.
I enjoyed the mystery and liked Sissy. She's a practical person, who doesn't run into danger and she has a good heart. The book is set in a town with Amish citizens and I liked the cultural nuances. Another favorite was Duke, her ,three pound Yorkie...what a cutie! The mystery was full of "red herrings" and I couldn't figure out "whodunit". I'll definitely take another trip to Yoder and see what's going on at the Sunflower Cafe!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I enjoyed the mystery and liked Sissy. She's a practical person, who doesn't run into danger and she has a good heart. The book is set in a town with Amish citizens and I liked the cultural nuances. Another favorite was Duke, her ,three pound Yorkie...what a cutie! The mystery was full of "red herrings" and I couldn't figure out "whodunit". I'll definitely take another trip to Yoder and see what's going on at the Sunflower Cafe!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 8, 2022
Thank you to netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my honest review and opinions.
Sissy Yoder leaves Tulsa after breaking up with her boyfriend to help her Amish aunt run her café in tiny town Yoder. Days into working at the Sunflower Café, Sissy finds a dead body in the back and quickly becomes the sheriff's top and only suspect. Sissy ropes in the help of Gavin, a local reporter for the paper to help solve the crime. The star of the book is of course Duke the 3 pound Yorkie.
This is only my second cozy mystery book I've read. I give it 3-3.5 stars. I found the book to give almost too much details on mundane and completely nonimportant subjects. For example the amount of detail that was written about the product on the end cap at Wal-Mart was just unnecessary and unneeded filler in my opinion. I've also never seen the phrase 'or something like that' used so much before, and it honestly started to annoy me. The writing could easily be edited down and trimmed up.
I liked the characters for the most part. I figured out pretty early on who the killer likely was and the motive behind it. Sissy and the Yoder crew are all kind hearted people. I liked the mix of Amish and English characters in the story. Showing that they all peacefully lived mixed together in a tiny town. The sheriff and his one note song was straight up annoying. No crime would ever be solved that way, and I found it obnoxious that they couldn't give him any other suspect to harass like he did Sissy.
I found the ending to be a bit unsatisfying. It was wrapped up very quickly and left a few loose ends. I felt the ending could have had more attention paid to it if the rest of the book didn't have so much unnecessary detail in it. But maybe that is because they want to bring people back for the second book.
All in all, I wouldn't say I didn't like the book, I just found the writing to be not my style.
Sissy Yoder leaves Tulsa after breaking up with her boyfriend to help her Amish aunt run her café in tiny town Yoder. Days into working at the Sunflower Café, Sissy finds a dead body in the back and quickly becomes the sheriff's top and only suspect. Sissy ropes in the help of Gavin, a local reporter for the paper to help solve the crime. The star of the book is of course Duke the 3 pound Yorkie.
This is only my second cozy mystery book I've read. I give it 3-3.5 stars. I found the book to give almost too much details on mundane and completely nonimportant subjects. For example the amount of detail that was written about the product on the end cap at Wal-Mart was just unnecessary and unneeded filler in my opinion. I've also never seen the phrase 'or something like that' used so much before, and it honestly started to annoy me. The writing could easily be edited down and trimmed up.
I liked the characters for the most part. I figured out pretty early on who the killer likely was and the motive behind it. Sissy and the Yoder crew are all kind hearted people. I liked the mix of Amish and English characters in the story. Showing that they all peacefully lived mixed together in a tiny town. The sheriff and his one note song was straight up annoying. No crime would ever be solved that way, and I found it obnoxious that they couldn't give him any other suspect to harass like he did Sissy.
I found the ending to be a bit unsatisfying. It was wrapped up very quickly and left a few loose ends. I felt the ending could have had more attention paid to it if the rest of the book didn't have so much unnecessary detail in it. But maybe that is because they want to bring people back for the second book.
All in all, I wouldn't say I didn't like the book, I just found the writing to be not my style.
June 22, 2022
Sissy Yoder's definitely a different type main character than most cozies have since she came from her big city job to her aunt's café, but not just any old café. This one's Amish and run by her Amish Aunt Bethel who sure didn't seem welcoming like we always hear the plain people are. But we did get to see a crack or two in her grumpy veneer, and I'm thinking maybe Sissy might just win over this disgruntled little woman, maybe not in this book but sometime. I especially got a kick out of a comment Bethel made about the lake!
I liked when Sissy sleuthed with Gavin. They made a nice investigating team and if Sissy'd just admit he's nice to hang out with, I have every faith in the author to make them a couple eventually. ;) And Gavin liked little Duke pup, so that counts a lot in saying he's an awesome guy. I enjoyed Sissy's visits with her cousin Lizzie who despite being Amish and on bedrest carrying twins had her finger on the gossip pulse of the town.
By the time the showdown rolled around, I was leaning heavily toward the person whodunit and I was right. At least Sissy wasn't in any danger, and now Sheriff Earl could stop watching her and making her feel guilty, lol. I'm really looking forward to the next book to see that hopefully Lizzie's given birth and maybe just maybe Aunt Bethel might crack a smile!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I liked when Sissy sleuthed with Gavin. They made a nice investigating team and if Sissy'd just admit he's nice to hang out with, I have every faith in the author to make them a couple eventually. ;) And Gavin liked little Duke pup, so that counts a lot in saying he's an awesome guy. I enjoyed Sissy's visits with her cousin Lizzie who despite being Amish and on bedrest carrying twins had her finger on the gossip pulse of the town.
By the time the showdown rolled around, I was leaning heavily toward the person whodunit and I was right. At least Sissy wasn't in any danger, and now Sheriff Earl could stop watching her and making her feel guilty, lol. I'm really looking forward to the next book to see that hopefully Lizzie's given birth and maybe just maybe Aunt Bethel might crack a smile!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
January 1, 2023
Was this book worth the four dollars I paid for it? Not particularly.
I get that cozy mysteries are lighthearted. They’re not heavy reading. They’re not meant to be taken seriously. But the writing here was dull, the main character was a bit of an idiot (and not young enough for it to be excusable), and nothing really happened? This book is a whole lot of casual murder investigation but all suspicious details are immediately cast aside because “oh, but there’s another reason why that person WOULDN’T murder, so the blatantly obvious thing right in front of me can’t actually hint at anything.” And that’s stupid. Worse than the fact that the clues are all spelled out, just in case we the readers are even more clueless than Sissy Yoder. An eye-rolling type of stupid.
Just generally not a good read. Skip this one.
I get that cozy mysteries are lighthearted. They’re not heavy reading. They’re not meant to be taken seriously. But the writing here was dull, the main character was a bit of an idiot (and not young enough for it to be excusable), and nothing really happened? This book is a whole lot of casual murder investigation but all suspicious details are immediately cast aside because “oh, but there’s another reason why that person WOULDN’T murder, so the blatantly obvious thing right in front of me can’t actually hint at anything.” And that’s stupid. Worse than the fact that the clues are all spelled out, just in case we the readers are even more clueless than Sissy Yoder. An eye-rolling type of stupid.
Just generally not a good read. Skip this one.
June 21, 2022
Such a good story! When you get any book by Amy Lillard you know it's going to be good!
Such a cute cover too! My favorite of hers so far.
A novel that will keep your nose glued until the very end!
A few twists and turns to make the guessing game fun but I had a feeling that I knew who done it from the beginning.
I liked the mixture of Amish and English because it made for an interesting group of people.
I appreciated Sissy and her laid back personality and her ways of sleuthing lol.
Sissy's aunt was a little harder to get to know and I much care for her anyway.
Some characters you love and others you won't. Same as real life.
Such a cute cover too! My favorite of hers so far.
A novel that will keep your nose glued until the very end!
A few twists and turns to make the guessing game fun but I had a feeling that I knew who done it from the beginning.
I liked the mixture of Amish and English because it made for an interesting group of people.
I appreciated Sissy and her laid back personality and her ways of sleuthing lol.
Sissy's aunt was a little harder to get to know and I much care for her anyway.
Some characters you love and others you won't. Same as real life.
March 6, 2022
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.
Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is a nice little cozy mystery where a woman named Sissy Yoder comes to the town of Yoder to help her aunt Bethel run her café. A murder promptly ensues and Sissy needs to find out whodunnit in order to clear her name.
I must confess that, while I love cozies, I am not a fan of the "protagonist has to solve the mystery because they are the prime suspect" trope. But this book does a nice job of using the trope as a plot device without letting it dominate the narrative.
Instead we get to watch as Sissy learns about the people of Yoder- both the Amish and the English- and investigates what ends up being a slightly obvious mystery.
I really enjoyed the setting and characters and, while it took a bit to get into, this turned out to be a nice read on a quiet Saturday night.
Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is a nice little cozy mystery where a woman named Sissy Yoder comes to the town of Yoder to help her aunt Bethel run her café. A murder promptly ensues and Sissy needs to find out whodunnit in order to clear her name.
I must confess that, while I love cozies, I am not a fan of the "protagonist has to solve the mystery because they are the prime suspect" trope. But this book does a nice job of using the trope as a plot device without letting it dominate the narrative.
Instead we get to watch as Sissy learns about the people of Yoder- both the Amish and the English- and investigates what ends up being a slightly obvious mystery.
I really enjoyed the setting and characters and, while it took a bit to get into, this turned out to be a nice read on a quiet Saturday night.
March 8, 2022
Sissy Yoder takes a break from her busy life to help her aunt in a small Amish town. Sissy is a fun character who I really grew to love as I read Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary.
She is only in town a few days when she discovers the milkman, dead, and the sheriff thinks she is the murderer.
While trying to cope and save herself, Sissy begins to look for clues, and at the last possible moment, she gets her answer.
I enjoyed getting to know all the colorful characters in this book, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#DairyDairyQuiteContrary #NetGalley
She is only in town a few days when she discovers the milkman, dead, and the sheriff thinks she is the murderer.
While trying to cope and save herself, Sissy begins to look for clues, and at the last possible moment, she gets her answer.
I enjoyed getting to know all the colorful characters in this book, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#DairyDairyQuiteContrary #NetGalley
August 7, 2022
I love cozies and this cover is absolutely adorable, so that was a plus. However, I had a hard time connecting with this one. It has a lot of repetition and overly descriptive scenes which bogged down the reading for me. While overall it wasn't bad I probably won't continue with this series.
July 5, 2022
Welcome to town, find a dead body...
What a fun new cozy mystery series from one of my favorite Amish fiction authors! Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary - I just love that title – is the first book in Amy Lillard's brand new Sunflower Cafe Mystery series set in the small town of Yoder, Kansas. The town is as charming as can be but there is one fly in this gallon of milk...a killer is on the loose...and they just might strike again...
I got a kick out of trying to solve the mystery from the moment the milkman dropped dead. There were plenty of suspects to sort through and Amy Lillard tossed in some red herrings that kept me guessing. Honestly, I had no idea who the murderer was before the final showdown, though, I had actually figured out a fair bit of the motive without knowing it fairly early on.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary is another one of Amy Lillard's cozy mysteries where romance is not a main component and the focus falls entirely on who-done-it. This is something that I've enjoyed before in other series from this author and I liked it just as much in this first Sunflower Cafe Mystery.
If, like me, you are a fan of clean cozy mysteries the Sunflower Cafe Mystery series should go on your TBR list. The first book was a fun and quirky read with a nice mystery and it kept me interested and entertained the entire time I was reading Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary. I liked this book and am definitely looking forward to more in this series...
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
What a fun new cozy mystery series from one of my favorite Amish fiction authors! Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary - I just love that title – is the first book in Amy Lillard's brand new Sunflower Cafe Mystery series set in the small town of Yoder, Kansas. The town is as charming as can be but there is one fly in this gallon of milk...a killer is on the loose...and they just might strike again...
I got a kick out of trying to solve the mystery from the moment the milkman dropped dead. There were plenty of suspects to sort through and Amy Lillard tossed in some red herrings that kept me guessing. Honestly, I had no idea who the murderer was before the final showdown, though, I had actually figured out a fair bit of the motive without knowing it fairly early on.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary is another one of Amy Lillard's cozy mysteries where romance is not a main component and the focus falls entirely on who-done-it. This is something that I've enjoyed before in other series from this author and I liked it just as much in this first Sunflower Cafe Mystery.
If, like me, you are a fan of clean cozy mysteries the Sunflower Cafe Mystery series should go on your TBR list. The first book was a fun and quirky read with a nice mystery and it kept me interested and entertained the entire time I was reading Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary. I liked this book and am definitely looking forward to more in this series...
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
November 16, 2025
Welcome to Yoder, Kansas were just about everyone is a Yoder. Sissy leaves Tulsa to start over and help her aunt in the Sunflower Cafe when her cousin goes on bed rest. Unfortunately a few days in she finds the milkman dead in the cafe. The Deputy Sheriff has his eyes on her since she was heard yelling at the milkman previously. Sissy must clear her name before she ends up souring in a prison cell.
I really wanted to like this more than I did. Especially since I love Lillard’s Kappy King cozy mystery series. The writing seemed forced in spots and not well thought out. A few times I had to backtrack as I thought I missed something but no the story just jumped ahead.
This series is what I think of as Amish adjacent. The Amish are part of it but not the main plot or character.
I did enjoy learning a little Kansas fact here and there. I didn’t know it was the sunflower state.
I will read book two to complete the two book series. Hopefully it improves my thoughts. I hate writing a not so positive review.
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram📚 #kentuckybooklover #readers #readersofinstagram📚📚❤️ #cozymysteryseries #bookbingo
I really wanted to like this more than I did. Especially since I love Lillard’s Kappy King cozy mystery series. The writing seemed forced in spots and not well thought out. A few times I had to backtrack as I thought I missed something but no the story just jumped ahead.
This series is what I think of as Amish adjacent. The Amish are part of it but not the main plot or character.
I did enjoy learning a little Kansas fact here and there. I didn’t know it was the sunflower state.
I will read book two to complete the two book series. Hopefully it improves my thoughts. I hate writing a not so positive review.
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram📚 #kentuckybooklover #readers #readersofinstagram📚📚❤️ #cozymysteryseries #bookbingo
June 27, 2022
While this story is set in an Amish town, this cozy mystery is told from the perspective of a young woman who is not Amish. After finding a dead body, Sissy ends up as the Sheriff’s prime suspect in the murder. I have to tell you, the Sheriff truly annoyed me. He was useless in actually solving the crime, which I guess was the point, since Sissy needed to be the one doing the investigating.
I liked meeting the townspeople through Sissy’s eyes and gathering clues with her and her new friend, Gavin. I was able to figure a few things out, yet the author did keep me guessing till the end. Sometimes the pacing of the story lagged for me and I wasn’t super connected emotionally to the main character. But it was still a cute and easy read, with some witty humor thrown in.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I liked meeting the townspeople through Sissy’s eyes and gathering clues with her and her new friend, Gavin. I was able to figure a few things out, yet the author did keep me guessing till the end. Sometimes the pacing of the story lagged for me and I wasn’t super connected emotionally to the main character. But it was still a cute and easy read, with some witty humor thrown in.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
June 30, 2022
This brand new series is set in Yoder, Kansas and features advice columnist, Sissy Yoder who has returned to her hometown, relocating from Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her little Yorkshire terrier, Duke. Sissy’s Aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café needs some help as she has had an accident, damaging her leg. Sissy hasn't been back long when she finds the milk delivery man, with a chef's knife sticking out of his back. The solid plot, twists and red herrings all contribute to my enjoyment of this compelling mystery. I fully intend the continue the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 13, 2022
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary is a the first book in A Sunflower Cafe Mystery series by Amy Lillard. This cozy mystery is filled with numerous characters, witty sayings and set in a small rural town where everyone knows each other and their business. Sissy Yoder’s arrival to help her Aunt Bethel at her cafe gave way to tense moments with Aunt Bethel’s remarks and Sissy’s determination to discover the suspect of the milkman’s murder. Sissy and her dog Duke created havoc at times as she sought out individuals who could be the offender. The small town setting with everyone knowing each other made this a relatable and fun cozy mystery.
Fans of cozy mysteries with Amish and Englishers will enjoy this latest book by Lillard. I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher without any obligation to write a review. I have expressed my own opinion.
Fans of cozy mysteries with Amish and Englishers will enjoy this latest book by Lillard. I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher without any obligation to write a review. I have expressed my own opinion.
April 11, 2022
2 -2.5 stars
I typically adore everything Amy Lillard writes. Dairy Dairy Quite Contrary was just okay. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the ever present bumbling sheriff gets old.
The end was okay but honestly I was just glad it was over.
I will not be reading the next in this series.
I typically adore everything Amy Lillard writes. Dairy Dairy Quite Contrary was just okay. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the ever present bumbling sheriff gets old.
The end was okay but honestly I was just glad it was over.
I will not be reading the next in this series.
March 22, 2022
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary is a new cozy mystery by Amy Lillard. I'm not sure if it is the beginning of a new series but I sure hope so. I enjoyed this charming story filled with a community of friends and neighbors who seem to know everyone else's business. Sissy, niece to Aunt Bethel who has been temporarily hobbled, has arrived in small-town, Yoder, Kansas, to help out at the Sunflower Café. Arriving with her tiny Yorkie and flashy convertible, it was a last-ditch effort for Sissy to exercise some control over her falling-apart life. Little did she know she'd have a murder mystery to solve if she was to stay out of prison! The author's way with words kept me guessing as to the culprit right to the end. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.
June 30, 2022
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary is the first book in the A Sunflower Cafe Mystery series by Amy Lillard.
Sissy Yoder has recently broken up with her boyfriend and has decided to quit her job writing an advice column titled Aunt Bess for the local newspaper. She’s decided to move to Yoder, Kansas, and help out her Aunt Bethel, who has a leg in a cast at her Sunflower Cafe. Sissy hadn’t seen her aunt in about fifteen years. Her aunt was far from welcoming and caring upon meeting her. But she will soon learn that Aunt Bethel's bite is worse than her bark. Three days after arriving, Sissy is on the job and asked to check on what is taking so long for Josie to check in the milk delivery. When she gets to the backdoor, she finds it open and the body of the delivery man lying halfway in the backdoor—a large kitchen knife from the cafe sticking out his back. When Sheriff Earl Berry is finished with his investigation, he seems confident that none of the residents of Yoder could be a killer, leaving Sissy as the prime suspect.
When Sissy begins to investigate to clear her name, she will find no shortage of suspects. She soon meets a local newspaper reporter Gavin Wainwright, who agrees to help her with the investigation.
For the most part, I enjoyed the book. The book moves at an even pace and has a good cast of characters who seem well-developed and believable. What I didn’t particularly care for was Sissy’s character. I felt she was overly paranoid about the sheriff’s feelings for her and excessively whiny.
I hope her character changes in the next book.
3.5 stars
Sissy Yoder has recently broken up with her boyfriend and has decided to quit her job writing an advice column titled Aunt Bess for the local newspaper. She’s decided to move to Yoder, Kansas, and help out her Aunt Bethel, who has a leg in a cast at her Sunflower Cafe. Sissy hadn’t seen her aunt in about fifteen years. Her aunt was far from welcoming and caring upon meeting her. But she will soon learn that Aunt Bethel's bite is worse than her bark. Three days after arriving, Sissy is on the job and asked to check on what is taking so long for Josie to check in the milk delivery. When she gets to the backdoor, she finds it open and the body of the delivery man lying halfway in the backdoor—a large kitchen knife from the cafe sticking out his back. When Sheriff Earl Berry is finished with his investigation, he seems confident that none of the residents of Yoder could be a killer, leaving Sissy as the prime suspect.
When Sissy begins to investigate to clear her name, she will find no shortage of suspects. She soon meets a local newspaper reporter Gavin Wainwright, who agrees to help her with the investigation.
For the most part, I enjoyed the book. The book moves at an even pace and has a good cast of characters who seem well-developed and believable. What I didn’t particularly care for was Sissy’s character. I felt she was overly paranoid about the sheriff’s feelings for her and excessively whiny.
I hope her character changes in the next book.
3.5 stars
February 26, 2022
Sissie's most recent career was as an advice columnist in a Tulsa newspaper, now she is on hiatus from that and trying to help out a curmudgeonly relative at her cafe in Yoder, Kansas. Within the first few days she and her beloved Yorkie have a lot to adjust to (and the town to her sporty convertible). But the biggest thing is the milk delivery man dead at the back door of the cafe with a chef's knife in his back and the local law fixated on her as the murderer. Let the sleuthing begin! A great start to a new series! The plot is sound, complete with plot twists and red herrings. Loved it!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 8, 2022
I won this in a giveaway so here is my honest review:
I thought this was an OK cozy mystery. I did have a hard time getting into it because I thought a lot of characters and info were thrown in my face very early and quickly. But I did end up enjoying the characters and I liked the whole Amish farm setting. Will I read the next in the series? Probably not.
I thought this was an OK cozy mystery. I did have a hard time getting into it because I thought a lot of characters and info were thrown in my face very early and quickly. But I did end up enjoying the characters and I liked the whole Amish farm setting. Will I read the next in the series? Probably not.
August 24, 2022
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard
(A Sunflower Café Mystery)
In a charming new cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard, twenty-something advice columnist Sissy is ready for a fresh start in the small town of Yoder, Kansas – along with her loyal Yorkie, Duke. She’s planning to help out at her aunt’s Sunflower Café, but little does she know her new duties will soon include solving a murder!
After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed...
Looking for a fresh start, advice columnist Sissy Yoder heads to small-town Yoder, Kansas, to help in her aunt’s café. But when a milkman is murdered, the newcomer becomes the prime suspect . . .
This is Sissy Yoder's story.
Amish Aunt Bethal Yoder's story.
Kevin the milkman was killed .
Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry
Gavin Wainwright is a reporter for the Sunflower Express
Because her aunt was named Bethel, and she owned the Sunflower Café. And since Sissy was in the Sunflower Café and the woman’s name was Bethel, it stood to reason. After all, what were the chances that there were two women named Bethel who worked in the Sunflower Café in itty-bitty Yoder, Kansas? Not likely.
It’s just that Sissy hadn’t seen her aunt in many, many years. She had fond memories of her cousin Lizzie, Bethel’s daughter, who had worked at the café part-time until recently. Lizzie had contacted Sissy’s mother to see if anyone in the family would be willing to help Bethel in her time of need. A call that reached all the way from Kansas to Oklahoma, to the wayward Yoders, who had gone so far as to leave the Amish church for greener pastures.
At first, Sissy had been a little confused by the call. After all, there were plenty of relations around the tiny town of Yoder, Kansas—more than plenty, in truth. Even Amish ones. But it seemed as if everyone was either under the weather—Lizzie herself had just been put on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy—or busier than usual.
After the brief glimpse Sissy had just received of her aunt, she thought it was more likely that everyone had been run off.
Well, not her.
She lifted her chin and pulled on the tails of her pink-checked, button-down shirt. She had a job to do. For the family.
The woman named Bethel burst through the swinging aluminum doors that hung between the dining area and the kitchen, one hand braced on a single crutch as she hobbled into view.
Solid. That was the best word she could find to describe her aunt. Bethel Yoder was stout, her homemade black dress a little tight across the middle.
The matching black apron concealed little of her girth. Her aunt looked as if she could hold her own in a wrestling tournament. A men’s wrestling tournament.
She wore the traditional black walking shoes and black tights, but instead of a white prayer covering, she boasted a faded yellow bandana tied over her hair. If it hadn’t been for the dress and the apron, Sissy might not have known she was Amish at all.
“Bah,” Bethel grumbled. “The doctor can’t say much unless he wants to come over here and help me.” She pulled the order ticket from Lottie’s CHAPTER ONE
Life is like a game of chess. To win, you first have to make a move.Aunt Bess
I recommend reading.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Amy Lillard.
Marry Me, Millie (Paradise Valley Book 1)
Book 1 of 3: Paradise Valley by Amy Lillard
The Amish Matchmaker (Paradise Valley Book 2)
Book 2 of 3: Paradise Valley by Amy Lillard
One More Time for Joy (Paradise Valley Book 3)
Book 3 of 3: Paradise Valley by Amy Lillard
(A Sunflower Café Mystery)
In a charming new cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard, twenty-something advice columnist Sissy is ready for a fresh start in the small town of Yoder, Kansas – along with her loyal Yorkie, Duke. She’s planning to help out at her aunt’s Sunflower Café, but little does she know her new duties will soon include solving a murder!
After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed...
Looking for a fresh start, advice columnist Sissy Yoder heads to small-town Yoder, Kansas, to help in her aunt’s café. But when a milkman is murdered, the newcomer becomes the prime suspect . . .
This is Sissy Yoder's story.
Amish Aunt Bethal Yoder's story.
Kevin the milkman was killed .
Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry
Gavin Wainwright is a reporter for the Sunflower Express
Because her aunt was named Bethel, and she owned the Sunflower Café. And since Sissy was in the Sunflower Café and the woman’s name was Bethel, it stood to reason. After all, what were the chances that there were two women named Bethel who worked in the Sunflower Café in itty-bitty Yoder, Kansas? Not likely.
It’s just that Sissy hadn’t seen her aunt in many, many years. She had fond memories of her cousin Lizzie, Bethel’s daughter, who had worked at the café part-time until recently. Lizzie had contacted Sissy’s mother to see if anyone in the family would be willing to help Bethel in her time of need. A call that reached all the way from Kansas to Oklahoma, to the wayward Yoders, who had gone so far as to leave the Amish church for greener pastures.
At first, Sissy had been a little confused by the call. After all, there were plenty of relations around the tiny town of Yoder, Kansas—more than plenty, in truth. Even Amish ones. But it seemed as if everyone was either under the weather—Lizzie herself had just been put on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy—or busier than usual.
After the brief glimpse Sissy had just received of her aunt, she thought it was more likely that everyone had been run off.
Well, not her.
She lifted her chin and pulled on the tails of her pink-checked, button-down shirt. She had a job to do. For the family.
The woman named Bethel burst through the swinging aluminum doors that hung between the dining area and the kitchen, one hand braced on a single crutch as she hobbled into view.
Solid. That was the best word she could find to describe her aunt. Bethel Yoder was stout, her homemade black dress a little tight across the middle.
The matching black apron concealed little of her girth. Her aunt looked as if she could hold her own in a wrestling tournament. A men’s wrestling tournament.
She wore the traditional black walking shoes and black tights, but instead of a white prayer covering, she boasted a faded yellow bandana tied over her hair. If it hadn’t been for the dress and the apron, Sissy might not have known she was Amish at all.
“Bah,” Bethel grumbled. “The doctor can’t say much unless he wants to come over here and help me.” She pulled the order ticket from Lottie’s CHAPTER ONE
Life is like a game of chess. To win, you first have to make a move.Aunt Bess
I recommend reading.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Amy Lillard.
Marry Me, Millie (Paradise Valley Book 1)
Book 1 of 3: Paradise Valley by Amy Lillard
The Amish Matchmaker (Paradise Valley Book 2)
Book 2 of 3: Paradise Valley by Amy Lillard
One More Time for Joy (Paradise Valley Book 3)
Book 3 of 3: Paradise Valley by Amy Lillard
June 25, 2022
Amy Lillard has a new series, and this first book is definitely a winner. Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is a Sunflower Cafe Mystery book, and I absolutely loved it! It's a fun story filled with unique characters, an intriguing mystery, and a special setting. Sissy Yoder thinks that spending some time in Yoder, Kansas will kill two birds with one stone---she'll get away from the scene of a failed relationship and also help her Aunt Bethel as she recuperates from a broken leg. What she doesn't count on is finding a murdered milkman in the back of the Sunflower Cafe. Who would want to kill a milkman? Worse still, why would anyone think that newcomer Sissy is the killer?
If you like cozy mysteries and Amish fiction, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary. I hope to enjoy another Sunflower Cafe Mystery very soon!
I received an ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review, and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.
Please check my full review at https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
If you like cozy mysteries and Amish fiction, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary. I hope to enjoy another Sunflower Cafe Mystery very soon!
I received an ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review, and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.
Please check my full review at https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
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