Laid Out to Rest

Charcuterie Shop Series #1

by J.C. Eaton

Next time you rent a house, make sure you’re the only occupant.

If it wasn’t for a flamboyant, self-absorbed ghost occupying Katie Aubrey’s rental house, the thirtysomething former business tech turned charcuterie chef would be able to concentrate on her new sandwich shop and catering business. But as luck would have it, former food critic and septuagenarian Edith Ellory will not let go. Not until she convinces Katie to find out who killed her.

In spite of a coroner’s report stating Edith had died peacefully in her sleep, her apparition insists she was murdered. Not only that but she’s convinced she knows who did the dastardly deed. Vowing not to give Katie, or her laidback beagle a moment’s peace, Edith takes them on a wild goose chase through all the restaurants that received scalding reviews from her.

If Katie ever expects to have her new charcuterie business up and running, she’ll have to do more than arrange cured meats and cheeses. The real killer is closer than she thinks and no amount of culinary design sense will prevent her from the same fate as Edith’s.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Paranormal, Ghosts

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2022

About the author

Ann I. Goldfarb
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground), and coming in August 2018, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at:
www.jceatonmysteries.com
www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
www.timetravelmysteries.com

James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonauthor.com

Reviews

[Katie T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid cozy, not annoying. Would continue the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take one cantankerous ghost, add a laid-back beagle, and top it off with a cast of eclectic characters and you have J.C. Eaton’s delicious new mystery—LAID OUT TO REST. This “first in a new series” cozy was so much fun to read!

Amateur sleuth Katie Aubrey has long dreamed of opening her sandwich shop/charcuterie catering business. The only thing standing in her way now is Edith Ellory, the resident ghost occupying her new digs. The cranky Edith demands that Katie hunt down the person who killed her—no easy task, since Edith’s death was deemed to be of natural causes. It becomes clear that Katie won’t have a moment of rest until she satisfies Edith’s demand, so off she goes on a hunt for the elusive killer…all while trying to launch her new business. I so enjoyed trailing along with Katie while she juggled multiple tasks and bantered with a pesky ghost. The suspects were as varied as the offerings on a charcuterie board, and the culprit eluded me until the final reveal. The ending was such a delightful surprise that I didn’t want to “give up the ghost” or the mystery! I can’t wait for the second installment in this charming new series.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid start for a new (to me) series. I liked Katie and her ideas for her new business. Edith was annoying but tolerable. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing but there were some slapstick-like moments that are never my favorite. I have the next two in the series so I will continue and see if some of these issues improve.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic new book!

I couldn't wait to read this book, the cover captured my attention, and the description drew me in. That it was written by an author I enjoy added to the enjoyment.
The main character Katie is trying to create a name for herself by creating unique charcuterie boards, and she somehow finds herself living in her rental house with a lonely beagle and a ghost.
This book is fast paced, well written and interesting from beginning to end.
I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hungry. Really hungry. Looking through my TBR list, I saw the perfect book - complete with a keep you guessing mystery and a delicious looking charcuterie board on the cover!

Katie Aubrey has done a complete life change - dropped her cheating boyfriend, quit her management job and is doing what she loves - opening a charcuterie board/breakfast & sandwich shop. Now, that's a lot of change but it's nothing compared to the change that occurs when she discovers her new house comes with a bonus - the ghost of the murdered food critic who previously owned the home. Katie finds herself an unwilling partner in a murder investigation with a slightly cranky ghost with a love of food and fashion.

There's so much to like about this book! A main character who is starting over and working hard to achieve her goals, a ghost you can't help but like and a fun group of friends and co-workers. Oh, and a rescue dog named named Speedbump who'll steal your heart. When the action gets going, hold on! I laughed so hard during Katie and Edith's first try at sleuthing that I forgot I was hungry and kept reading until I finished the book. I love the way JC Eaton weaves humor into their mysteries. It makes their characters relatable and fun.

By the time I finished the book, I was looking forward to the next sleuthing story from these two ladies and I had a craving for a charcuterie board which was made easy with the delicious recipes included in the book!

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m torn on this book, I really liked the mystery and the concept but Edith was superrrrrrrrr annoying, I mean I get why someone killed her, several times while reading I was wondering if there was a way to kill a ghost 👀🤔😒. One of the positives is that there’s no law enforcement bumbling around or telling the heroine “leave it to the professionals”
The reveal was pretty wild and humorous
This was a fun read but ugh Edith.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept for a cozy mystery. The characters are fun and the back and forth between the main character and the ghost is hilarious. I enjoyed the introduction of the supporting characters as well. It helps to shape the series for me. In this one I definitely didn't see the ending coming.

[Debra Jo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars so I rounded up. Good start to a new series. I love the idea of a charcuterie board shop; however, there really wasn’t too much going on with the shop. Yes, I know this is how protagonists work in cozy mysteries, but especially for a first in series, I would have like to see more upstart.

I have read several cozies with a ghost attached to help avenge their death or help solve murders. While some can be annoying, I mean that’s kind of their job, I found Edith to be a little to brash for my liking. I found it took a little away from the story for me.

The murder/mystery reveal was good. I really had no idea who killed her or why, as everyone hated her lol.

I am looking forward to more in the series.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOUGH TO RATE GIVEN MY CURRENT MOOD. THE COZY-THEME WAS GREAT AND I LOVE THE ADDED FEATURE OF EDITH ELLORY, BUT RIGHT NOW I'M NOT IN THE MOOD FOR MYSTERY SOLVING - SO.... (SHRUGS) I'LL ROUND UP.

PREMISE: In this book we follow Katie Aubrey who runs a Charcuterie Shop in Cave Creek, Arizona with her co-workers Lily-Anne and Matt.
But after moving into her new home, to be located closer to the store - 2 things come to light. The first is a seemingly unowned dog, a beagle which she ends up naming Speed Bump. Ok, sure, not exactly what she had on her to-do list, take care of a dog that arrived from out of nowhere.
But the other thing changed everything. The dead ghost of Septugenarian Edith Ellory, the former owner of the house has appeared before her!
If the mere fact of seeing ghosts wasn't enough, how about one that demands she solve her murder?
Katie has no time for this!
However, if she wants to be ghost free, she's going to have to solve the unsolved case prontinto!

THOUGHTS: Ok, so just to get it out the way right off the bat - I have now read more than 100 cozy mysteries in a row and am very much getting over trying to solve mysteries. Therefore, this mystery did not intrigue me. But I don't think that's JC Eaton's fault - I just wasn't in the mood for a mystery. So, while the mystery wasn't for me - I bumped up what I was originally going to give this book.
To the cozy-theme: which is the reason I still read cozies at the moment, I really enjoyed it.
A Charcuterie shop is something very original for a cozy series and it fits the sub-genre of culinary cozies really well. Eaton shows her love of Charcuteries through Katie and while it wasn't as detailed as say Cleo Coyle's passion for coffee in the coffeehouse series, I would say it was at least a medium degree of Charcuterie info and I very much appreciated that.
Any time you add an animal to a cozy it always works. Speed Bump is a hillarious name that works really well and the fact that Speed Bump came into Katie's life when it did, was just perfect timing.
The addition of Edity Ellory's Ghost has received some mixed reviews, but I am all for it.
I think, personally, when it comes to including ghosts in standard cozies it works. I don't think it immediately becomes a 'paranormal' cozy by the addage of a ghost who, by any other means, could just as easily be a living person.
Let me explain: If Edith came in all powerful and discussing ghostly things maybe it would feel more paranormal. But when it's just 'she's a ghost, moving on' - if anything, it's paranormal light and I think that very much works in a cozy mystery. Not to mention Edith did not outshine the charcuterie shop, which was a big thing for me.

All in all a great book.

4 Stars!
xoxo.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In her early thirties, Katie Aubrey has resigned from her stressful, boring high-tech job and is taking over a sandwich shop and adding a charcuterie board component and catering. She also moved across Phoenix to Cave Creek, Arizona. Her best friend Maddie is a real estate agent and found her a 1970's house that she could afford to rent. Unfortunately, neither of them knew that the previous owner, who supposedly died of natural causes, has come back to haunt the place. Edith was a 77-year-old rather mean restaurant critic who wrote 4 vicious reviews that damaged the lives and income of several people. She was also a bit of a busybody in the neighborhood, so when Edith appears to Katie and tells her she must solve her murder that Edith cannot remember, there are plenty of suspects. So, while trying to open her business, she is becoming an amateur detective like in her mystery books. Not quite likeable Edith gets Katie into all kinds of trouble but helps get her out too and adds much humor. This is the first in a series and her 2 inherited employees, Lilly-Ann and Matt are interesting and the stray beagle Katie adopts is sweet and Katie's sounding board because how do you tell your bestie you have a ghost in the house?

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Laid Out To Rest, a new cozy mystery book by JC Eaton! The characters are wonderful and the mystery kept me guessing! Katie Aubrey moves to a new town and rents a house that used to belong to now deceased food critic Edith Elliott. Katie buys a sandwich shop and plans to add charcuterie boards to the menu. What a fun idea! Edith, who is a ghost, knows she was murdered and wants Katie to figure out who did it. There is friendship and humor and the book has a good pace. I loved the scenes at the airport and the bridaI shower! I totally enjoyed the book! The audiobook was fantastic and well done. The voices were distinct enough to differentiate each character and Katie’s and Edith’s voices fit them perfectly. I can't wait for the next book!! I won an audiobook in a Facebook contest and voluntarily leave this review. #LaidOutToRest #CharcuterieShopMysteries

[Luis Nuñez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is about the audio version of the book.

This first in a series is a CUTE cozy! When I think about this book, the word CUTE jumps out at me.

The narrator made this book come "alive", especially when reading the part about the ghost (which is "dead", of course).

My wife and I listened to the book together, and both of us liked the protagonist and the ghost the best. The plot was engaging and the ending was surprising and plausible, so we were very satisfied.

I would highly recommend it, and look forward to reading the second installment: Sliced, Diced and Dead. It publishes on July 11 on Kindle.

Thank you to the authors for selecting me to win this book in a Facebook giveaway.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this via Hoopla from my library. The narrator did a wonderful job. I did not care for the voice of Maddie sounding like a small child. Otherwise, I feel the narrator enhanced the story.

This is a new to me series. I enjoyed the premise but not Edith. I found her extremely annoying. She’s dead and won’t be undead when they find the killer. She was a royal B…. with her reviews and she’s reluctantly letting Katie get her new business up and running.

I did like the reveal and felt for Katie all along the way. Looking forward to the next book so much, I have it queued up in Hoopla.

[Noell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and a half stars rounded up. I really wanted to enjoy this book. It started out cute, and found the charcuterie board/sandwich shop fun. However, I could not find empathy for the ghost who insists EVERYONE wanted to murder her. And the main character is a doormat who somehow managed to get talked into doing very questionable things and made to look like a moron. I ended up speed reading/listening but as soon as the Katie openly accuses Lucas of murdering Edith, I just couldn't do it anymore. I ended up DNF' ing it. I felt terrible about this but honestly, I couldn't take it anymore.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome new series! By J.C.Eaton

Ooh my, I LOVED this book. It's a start of a new series, by the husband and wife writing team, J. C. Eaton! I've loved all of their books and couldn't wait to read this new series by them. And boy was I not disappointed. This new series has a ghost, which makes it extra fun. This is a definite must read book and I look forward to hopefully another one in this series.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edith, a cantankerous spitfire, drove Katie crazy, leading her into hilarious situations. The charcuterie board talk was entertaining, and the plot, with Katie trying to solve Edith’s death, was engaging. I listened to the audio version of the book, though I didn’t particularly like the narrator, but it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own

[A.A.B · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first warning should have been the adoring mentions of M.C. Beaton's work. But I decided to give this book a try anyway. I should have listened to the warning. This book is more slapstick than sense. The problem is in the complete lack of any humor — not a hint of it in the entire book, which makes the main character into an unhinged but boring idiot. The paranormal element didn't help.
I suffered through this book, but I am not touching any others in the series or by these authors.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator's voice didn't work for me and that always makes it harder to get into the story. I love the charcuterie board theme! Edith is really funny but Katie's inability to not talk out loud to her is really grating - like it's not quite the plot point it was supposed to be. It's just awkward! Solving Edith's murder was entertaining and full of shenanigans.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing start to a new series!

[Bren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5

[Rosario | booknerdgarcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Sarah Fritchman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who doesn’t enjoy books with ghost to often this was different for me and I couldnt wait to see what happened.