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Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #17
Batter Off Dead
From the national bestselling author of Butter Safe Than Sorry
Magdalena Yoder gets caught up in a case of hotcake homicide...
During the annual church breakfast, Minerva J. Jay slumps over dead after ingesting stacks and stacks of pancakes. Police Chief Ackerman wonders if the serving of fatal flapjacks is a case of assault and batter. He turns to Magdalena for help, but first she has to make a special delivery of her own...
Magdalena Yoder gets caught up in a case of hotcake homicide...
During the annual church breakfast, Minerva J. Jay slumps over dead after ingesting stacks and stacks of pancakes. Police Chief Ackerman wonders if the serving of fatal flapjacks is a case of assault and batter. He turns to Magdalena for help, but first she has to make a special delivery of her own...
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2009
27 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Tamar Myers
74 books292 followersTamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
October 30, 2015
This was one of the weirdest, most confusing, most frustrating books I have read in a long time. I only forced myself to read the entire book because the last book I started I was unable to finish and I felt guilty.
The heroine was emotionally stunted. I couldn't take all the whining and wailing of a supposedly 48 year-old woman.
She is way too full of herself and is constantly annoying.
She spends far too much time on childbirth, circumcision and Christianity. The mystery is insignificant as is her husband.
The only character in the story that I had any sympathy for was a teenager with an attitude.
The title of this book was by far the best part and I would give it a half a star if I could.
The heroine was emotionally stunted. I couldn't take all the whining and wailing of a supposedly 48 year-old woman.
She is way too full of herself and is constantly annoying.
She spends far too much time on childbirth, circumcision and Christianity. The mystery is insignificant as is her husband.
The only character in the story that I had any sympathy for was a teenager with an attitude.
The title of this book was by far the best part and I would give it a half a star if I could.
January 31, 2010
I've been reading this series for years, and I'm completely torn about how I feel about the books now. I love that Magdalena has changed and grown, but the books are becoming more and more caricature. I almost feel like the author annoys herself while she's writing, makes jokes about what annoys her, but continues the series because she feels like she has to resolve any loose ends of the series. The mystery is secondary to parading Magdalena through Hernia and seeing what will come out of her mouth next. The constant interjections and arch phrases used to be very cute and funny, but now they're just irritating.
August 17, 2018
How are there 17 books in this series?? The protagonist was relatively undeveloped, and what was supposed to, I assume, pass for wit and sass came off as childishness and rudeness instead. I left the book caring nothing about anyone in it - the entire town could fall into a sinkhole at this point, for all I care. I’ve read hundreds of cozy mysteries - even a few self-published ones - and this is easily one of the worst.
July 15, 2009
This was the first book I've read in this series - and it was the last too. Hands down the worst book I've read - maybe ever? Why did I finish it? I was away from home and it was the only book with me.
Read
June 28, 2009didn't like this one at all. the story was more annoying than anything. I didn't find the characters at all interesting--they were very one-dimensional and there were way too many stupid cliches. it has recipes and is suppsoed to be a "culinary" mystery, but other than the victim dying after eating pancakes, there was no culinary in this story. the recipes were just plopped in randomly and had nothing to do with the story. If you want an entertaining culinary mystery, read Diane Mott Davidson.
February 26, 2015
I'm not even sure it should really get one star. I found this book awful. A good edit might have helped. There was way to much prattle, it was trying too hard to be funny, the characters were not well developed (or likeable) and I don't think the mystery was solvable by the reader.
I will never read another entry in this series. I only finished it because it looked like a quick, light read that would fit the winter reading challenge at my library.
I will never read another entry in this series. I only finished it because it looked like a quick, light read that would fit the winter reading challenge at my library.
October 16, 2018
I giggled. A lot. But now I have to bid farewell to Magdalena, at least for a few days, while I wait for the last three books currently in the series to come in. And I HATE that! Reading the newest one, knowing I'll have to wait forEVER for another, will be a real blow. I pretty much gulped down all 17 books to date, one after the other, without coming up for breath, and that's saying something for me.
March 6, 2024
At the Beechy Grove Mennonite Church's annual pancake breakfast, Minerva J. Jay, known for her prodigious appetite, slumps over dead after ingesting stacks and stacks of hotcakes. Police Chief Chris Ackerman wonders whether the serving of the fatal flapjacks is a case of assault and batter. Magdalena has her own bun in the oven, but that doesn't stop the chief from asking for her help with the investigation. [amazon synopsis]
Either this is #1 or #17 - make up your minds. When I saw this book it was advertised as #1 of 6. NOT - it is #17 of the series. The characters are not likable at all. Quirky characters? Not at all - they are mean spirited, obnoxious, annoying and not funny at all. Skip this series. Not enjoyable in the least.
Either this is #1 or #17 - make up your minds. When I saw this book it was advertised as #1 of 6. NOT - it is #17 of the series. The characters are not likable at all. Quirky characters? Not at all - they are mean spirited, obnoxious, annoying and not funny at all. Skip this series. Not enjoyable in the least.
Read
June 10, 2019Well, that was a mistake.
Since we're going to spend a few days in Pennsylvania later this month, I looked up "Pennsylvania Dutch" in the library catalog and this popped up. And since I do read a fair amount of crime stories, I thought I'd give it a chance, especially since I don't have to pay more for library books.
There must be an audience for these, since this one is #17, and I don't want to dismiss what other people find amusing in their mystery reading, but this definitely was not the right thing for me. The Erma Bombeck fans might go for it, but no self-respecting Elmore Leonard readers will.
So now I know.
Since we're going to spend a few days in Pennsylvania later this month, I looked up "Pennsylvania Dutch" in the library catalog and this popped up. And since I do read a fair amount of crime stories, I thought I'd give it a chance, especially since I don't have to pay more for library books.
There must be an audience for these, since this one is #17, and I don't want to dismiss what other people find amusing in their mystery reading, but this definitely was not the right thing for me. The Erma Bombeck fans might go for it, but no self-respecting Elmore Leonard readers will.
So now I know.
July 31, 2009
Sorry, but the title was a lot more intriguing than the book. I liked the character of the Mennonite private detective/mayor/new mother, but the storyline (for a mystery) was silly and frankly, boring. Don't think I would read another one of her novels.
October 15, 2019
Magdalena has had her baby, Jacob. She is helping out with the pancake fundraiser. Minerva J. Jay has been eating pancakes for quite some time. She took a whole batch to eat!
Then, Minerva J. Jay dies..... Police investigation determines that she was poisoned. Magdalena, with numerous trips back to her house to breastfeed Jacob, questions all the members of the cooking staff.
Susanna and Ida Rosen join together in the Sisters of Perpetual Apathy.
One of the suspects, Elias, is flattened with a steamroller. The Chief is arrested in another town and decides to give up policework.
Recipes
Banana Sour Cream Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup
Dutch Baby with Cardamom Honey Apples
Heavenly Cloud Cakes
Luscious Lemon Pancakes
Ginger, Carrot and Sesame Pancakes
Wheat Germ and Buttermilk Cakes with Peach and Cinnamon Maple Topping
Then, Minerva J. Jay dies..... Police investigation determines that she was poisoned. Magdalena, with numerous trips back to her house to breastfeed Jacob, questions all the members of the cooking staff.
Susanna and Ida Rosen join together in the Sisters of Perpetual Apathy.
One of the suspects, Elias, is flattened with a steamroller. The Chief is arrested in another town and decides to give up policework.
Recipes
Banana Sour Cream Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup
Dutch Baby with Cardamom Honey Apples
Heavenly Cloud Cakes
Luscious Lemon Pancakes
Ginger, Carrot and Sesame Pancakes
Wheat Germ and Buttermilk Cakes with Peach and Cinnamon Maple Topping
November 7, 2011
Batter off Dead
Author: Tamar Myers
Date Published: February, 2009
Genre: Mystery
Report by: Chloe Backman
Batter off Dead is a mystery about how a women, named Minerva J. Jay was killed. The protagonist, Magdalena, is trying to figure out how she died. She knows the Minerva was killed at a pancake breakfast at the church in their small town called Beechy Grove. Minerva had a big appetite and ate a lot of pancakes. After eating them, she died. Nobody seemed to know how, but Magdalena was determined to find out. She assumed that one of the workers at the pancake breakfast poisoned the pancakes the Minerva ate. So, Magdalena went around asking the workers that were at the pancake breakfast lots of questions. None of them seemed to know how she died. Towards the end of the book, one of the workers, Elias Whitmore, got killed by being flattened by a steamroller. Magdalena and two of her friends, Wanda and Agnes, went up to the mountain where Elias was killed because Wanda has some basic information about the driver who ran him over. While they were up there, they saw that a woman named Frankie was stuck in a sinkhole. Since Wanda had long hair, they lowered her down into the sinkhole and let Frankie climb up by her hair. It turned out that Frankie knew how Minerva J. Jay died! They also found out that she killed Elias. Frankie killed Elias because at the pancake breakfast, a worker named Jimmy accidently knocked over a bottle of pills into the batter. He tried to pick out all of the pills, but he had really bad eyes and missed a lot of them. Elias saw Jimmy trying to pick out the pills and didn’t help. Since Minerva had a huge appetite, she ate all of the pancakes that had the pills in the batter. That is how she died, and Frankie killed Elias because he didn’t help. So at the end, the mystery was solved.
The theme of the book is to be patient when solving a mystery. Throughout the book, Magdalena was asking everyone who worked at the pancake breakfast about Minerva J. Jay’s death, and there were a lot of people to talk to. For example, Magdalena went to talk to one of the workers from the pancake breakfast named Merle Waggler. He gave her absolutely no information about the day that Minerva died, which made the mystery even harder. She also talked to Elias Whitmore before he got ran over by the steamroller. He gave her some information, but not a lot. Magdalena talked to other workers too, some giving her information, and some who didn’t give her much. She also was asking questions and using the chief of police for help. They met up in a cemetery near the woods and talked about Minerva’s death, and who could’ve possibly killed her, or what happened. It took a while to solve this mystery, but at the end, it was solved.
The audience that would like this book is one who likes mysteries, and one who likes comedies. This book at times would make me laugh because some parts were really funny! I enjoyed this book even though it was hard to follow at times, and I am pretty sure that other would like it too. I have never read a book that is like Batter off Dead, but I should more often because this book was fun to read! However, if I had to compare this book to another one, I would compare it to Schooled by Gordon Korman. I would compare it to Schooled because both books have a protagonist that is very strange. Magdalena is very strange. The way she talks is weird, and she is always getting off topic and goes on talking about the weirdest thing. The protagonist in Schooled, Capricorn Anderson, spent his whole life living Garland-a place where hippies live. He had to go to public school for the first time when he was thirteen. Everyone thought he was strange because of his hippie-looks and he didn’t seem to know anything. So, both of these books have a strange main character.
The author uses a lot of similes and metaphors in her writing. For example, on page one, the first thing that the book said was a metaphor. The metaphor was “Minerva J. Jay was a glutton.” She uses a simile on page 67 when Magdalena sits down in a massage chair. The simile was “There are few words to describe the sensation that the leather chair ignited in my exhausted, post-delivery body. I honestly thought that I would never be privileged to experience such pure physical enjoyment of this earthly shell even again. It started as a tingle that began to build gradually, and then grew stronger and stronger, ever rapidly, like a river in flood stage…” That last sentence was a simile.
I have a relationship with the theme of the story. The theme is to be patient when you are solving a mystery. I, like Magdalena, like solving mysteries. I also know that when you solve a mystery, it involves patience and asking questions. I can be very patient and I like asking questions. This book affected me by teaching me to look for details, and help people. This is because at the end when they said how Minerva died, it makes me want to pay attention to details so I don’t miss anything, like how Jimmy missed all of those pills in the batter. It also makes me want to help more because since Elias didn’t help Jimmy pick out the pills, Minerva and Elias himself died. I enjoyed the story, but what I didn’t like about it was that it was hard to follow at times. Sometimes the book got boring and made it hard to pay attention to. That was the one thing that I didn’t like about the book. Other than that, the writing style, the mystery, and the comedy was good!
Author: Tamar Myers
Date Published: February, 2009
Genre: Mystery
Report by: Chloe Backman
Batter off Dead is a mystery about how a women, named Minerva J. Jay was killed. The protagonist, Magdalena, is trying to figure out how she died. She knows the Minerva was killed at a pancake breakfast at the church in their small town called Beechy Grove. Minerva had a big appetite and ate a lot of pancakes. After eating them, she died. Nobody seemed to know how, but Magdalena was determined to find out. She assumed that one of the workers at the pancake breakfast poisoned the pancakes the Minerva ate. So, Magdalena went around asking the workers that were at the pancake breakfast lots of questions. None of them seemed to know how she died. Towards the end of the book, one of the workers, Elias Whitmore, got killed by being flattened by a steamroller. Magdalena and two of her friends, Wanda and Agnes, went up to the mountain where Elias was killed because Wanda has some basic information about the driver who ran him over. While they were up there, they saw that a woman named Frankie was stuck in a sinkhole. Since Wanda had long hair, they lowered her down into the sinkhole and let Frankie climb up by her hair. It turned out that Frankie knew how Minerva J. Jay died! They also found out that she killed Elias. Frankie killed Elias because at the pancake breakfast, a worker named Jimmy accidently knocked over a bottle of pills into the batter. He tried to pick out all of the pills, but he had really bad eyes and missed a lot of them. Elias saw Jimmy trying to pick out the pills and didn’t help. Since Minerva had a huge appetite, she ate all of the pancakes that had the pills in the batter. That is how she died, and Frankie killed Elias because he didn’t help. So at the end, the mystery was solved.
The theme of the book is to be patient when solving a mystery. Throughout the book, Magdalena was asking everyone who worked at the pancake breakfast about Minerva J. Jay’s death, and there were a lot of people to talk to. For example, Magdalena went to talk to one of the workers from the pancake breakfast named Merle Waggler. He gave her absolutely no information about the day that Minerva died, which made the mystery even harder. She also talked to Elias Whitmore before he got ran over by the steamroller. He gave her some information, but not a lot. Magdalena talked to other workers too, some giving her information, and some who didn’t give her much. She also was asking questions and using the chief of police for help. They met up in a cemetery near the woods and talked about Minerva’s death, and who could’ve possibly killed her, or what happened. It took a while to solve this mystery, but at the end, it was solved.
The audience that would like this book is one who likes mysteries, and one who likes comedies. This book at times would make me laugh because some parts were really funny! I enjoyed this book even though it was hard to follow at times, and I am pretty sure that other would like it too. I have never read a book that is like Batter off Dead, but I should more often because this book was fun to read! However, if I had to compare this book to another one, I would compare it to Schooled by Gordon Korman. I would compare it to Schooled because both books have a protagonist that is very strange. Magdalena is very strange. The way she talks is weird, and she is always getting off topic and goes on talking about the weirdest thing. The protagonist in Schooled, Capricorn Anderson, spent his whole life living Garland-a place where hippies live. He had to go to public school for the first time when he was thirteen. Everyone thought he was strange because of his hippie-looks and he didn’t seem to know anything. So, both of these books have a strange main character.
The author uses a lot of similes and metaphors in her writing. For example, on page one, the first thing that the book said was a metaphor. The metaphor was “Minerva J. Jay was a glutton.” She uses a simile on page 67 when Magdalena sits down in a massage chair. The simile was “There are few words to describe the sensation that the leather chair ignited in my exhausted, post-delivery body. I honestly thought that I would never be privileged to experience such pure physical enjoyment of this earthly shell even again. It started as a tingle that began to build gradually, and then grew stronger and stronger, ever rapidly, like a river in flood stage…” That last sentence was a simile.
I have a relationship with the theme of the story. The theme is to be patient when you are solving a mystery. I, like Magdalena, like solving mysteries. I also know that when you solve a mystery, it involves patience and asking questions. I can be very patient and I like asking questions. This book affected me by teaching me to look for details, and help people. This is because at the end when they said how Minerva died, it makes me want to pay attention to details so I don’t miss anything, like how Jimmy missed all of those pills in the batter. It also makes me want to help more because since Elias didn’t help Jimmy pick out the pills, Minerva and Elias himself died. I enjoyed the story, but what I didn’t like about it was that it was hard to follow at times. Sometimes the book got boring and made it hard to pay attention to. That was the one thing that I didn’t like about the book. Other than that, the writing style, the mystery, and the comedy was good!
October 4, 2021
Before Minerva J. Jay slumps dead over her stacks of pancakes she yells to everyone at the pancake breakfast the Magdalena is trying to to kill her. Magdalena is asked by the Police Chief to help with the investigation even though she is eight months pregnant. She has the seven suspects who were the pancake cooks. But, in the middle of her investigation she gives birth, This dosn't stop her and there is the issue with her mother-in-law. You will need to read the book to find out what that is. Also, I want to try the pancake recipes, they sound delicious!
December 3, 2017
Gluttonous Minerva J. Jay slumps over dead in her umpteenth stack of pancakes at the church breakfast and young Chief Ackerman asks for Mennonite Magdalena Yoder's help, even though she is eight and a half months pregnant. The "Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery" cozy series are always a riot but especially when Magdalena gives birth! It was really fun reading about Magdalena juggling the case, her husband and a new baby. You can't go wrong with this series!
December 24, 2019
There are things I like about this book and things I don't. I love the look into different kind of Amish and the Amish life style and so on. I love for the most part the characters in the book and I do love Magdalena who says it like it is and to bad if it isn't the correct or polite way to say something.
I thought the story line was only okay. It seemed like there was more stuff about the people in town, her baby and the ongoing saga with her husband more than the murder.
I really hated the whole saga with her husband and his mother.
I thought the story line was only okay. It seemed like there was more stuff about the people in town, her baby and the ongoing saga with her husband more than the murder.
I really hated the whole saga with her husband and his mother.
February 14, 2017
Magdalena is happily married and expecting her first child. But she feels the new police chief, Chris Ackerman can use her help when one of their own dies at a church breakfast after eating pancakes. Just when she thinks she has it figured out, her prime suspect also ends up dead. Now, what is she going to do?
August 6, 2017
Great book!
Magdalena Yoder gets caught up in a case of hotcake homicide...
During the annual church breakfast, Minerva J. Jay slumps over dead after ingesting stacks and stacks of pancakes. Police Chief Ackerman wonders if the serving of fatal flapjacks is a case of assault and batter. He turns to Magdalena for help, but first she has to make a special delivery of her own...
Magdalena Yoder gets caught up in a case of hotcake homicide...
During the annual church breakfast, Minerva J. Jay slumps over dead after ingesting stacks and stacks of pancakes. Police Chief Ackerman wonders if the serving of fatal flapjacks is a case of assault and batter. He turns to Magdalena for help, but first she has to make a special delivery of her own...
April 30, 2018
Magdalena is sleuthing again. 8 months pregnant does not stop her. At the local pancake breakfast a woman slumps over dead after digesting mega amounts of pancakes. Magdalena starts investigating and has to question friends and family to find the murderer. When she thinks she has found the person, they turn up "dead by steamroller" so she has to rethink the situation.
September 10, 2019
Magdalena's stream of consciousness running off at the mouth kind of got on my nerves in this book. I felt like it was more about that than about the mystery. I admit that some of the clues that lead to Magdalena's solving the mystery were given to us, not all of them were. No fair springing information on us during the reveal.
February 11, 2022
🌟 Star
Mmmm yeah I really thought I would like this but in the beginning it did make me giggle. But toward the middle and the final chapter it was kind of all over the place. A mess. I had a tough time going on. But a few parts in the book Magdalena the main character made me smile and she is very gullible.
Overall all just was a disappointment.
Mmmm yeah I really thought I would like this but in the beginning it did make me giggle. But toward the middle and the final chapter it was kind of all over the place. A mess. I had a tough time going on. But a few parts in the book Magdalena the main character made me smile and she is very gullible.
Overall all just was a disappointment.
March 13, 2020
Fast pace, light, humorous murder mystery. If you need something light that makes you laugh every other page, this is the book for you. It also includes several pancake recipes, which I may just try.
Have a read, have a laugh! Magdalena is a hoot!
Have a read, have a laugh! Magdalena is a hoot!
June 7, 2022
Struggled with this one. Had to reread multiple times to understand the language. Characters are so far off base from reality it was tough to follow. Also not sure if this is a series. Might have been easier to follow from book one. But not my favorite read
July 5, 2023
This book somehow hooked me. I can't really explain it. It must have been the colorful characters. It was entertaining while also sometimes being a bit annoying. Will I read another in the series? Maybe, maybe not, but maybe....
January 6, 2024
Needs zero stars. Could not get past chapter 1. It was absolutely confusing as to which character was speaking. Lots of dialog, but it's too difficult to follow in chapter 1 since I had no understanding of the characters yet.
December 22, 2020
Could not finish this book. It was ridiculous.
April 8, 2023
I kindd of like itt
June 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I have never read her before, but I am now a fan. The main character I found hysterical, and really liked all the other players.
December 17, 2022
Not gonna lie, I didn't like this book. It's hard to join a book series in the middle, and starting at Book 17 was probably not the smartest move. However, I just didn't like the protagonist. Magdalena is snarky, rude, and throws her religion around (when it suits her). I would guess anyone who started at Book 1 is very used to her personality by now, and they wouldn't still be reading the books if she hadn't grown on them. I'll chalk this up to starting in the middle of the series... but I'm not going to recommend this book.
October 24, 2009
Yes, people really do think Magdalena Yoder is nuts - and I was beginning to wonder about that myself. But a character has an insight that Magdalena uses this as a cover to throw people off. I find it fascinating, after reading the 17 books in this series in less than a year's time, to see how the character has morphed over time. I don't know if all of the changes have been intentional on the author's part - or whether Magdalena has led Tamar Myers along the road. I've learned that many authors start writing about a character or event without really knowing where it's going to end up. That's a hard concept for me to grasp - but I wonder if indeed that has been the case with this series.
This particular book was an enjoyable read. Magdalena's thoughts on different denominations of Christianity tend to strike me as funny - as do some of her relationships. As Magdalena was grown more diverse, she uses phrases she has learned and it never fails that someone thinks she is speaking a language other than the one she is actually quoting. Cute! In general, some of the humor in the earlier novels offended me and made me dislike Magdalena . . . but yet I kept reading.
Overall, the series has lots of humor (which improves in the later books), not too much romance (yea!) and many interesting characters and relationships. Oh - and it IS a cozy mystery series, so of course there are crimes that Magdalena solves in her own, very unique way. These aspects were at their best in "Batter Off Dead".
This particular book was an enjoyable read. Magdalena's thoughts on different denominations of Christianity tend to strike me as funny - as do some of her relationships. As Magdalena was grown more diverse, she uses phrases she has learned and it never fails that someone thinks she is speaking a language other than the one she is actually quoting. Cute! In general, some of the humor in the earlier novels offended me and made me dislike Magdalena . . . but yet I kept reading.
Overall, the series has lots of humor (which improves in the later books), not too much romance (yea!) and many interesting characters and relationships. Oh - and it IS a cozy mystery series, so of course there are crimes that Magdalena solves in her own, very unique way. These aspects were at their best in "Batter Off Dead".
April 23, 2025
I did not like this book. I do not like to leave a book unfinished, but I considered dropping this book several times. I did learn some new words.
The main character, Magdalena Yoder Rosen, is a rich Mennonite woman who runs an Amish-style Bed and Breakfast, charging customers extra for the "full Amish experience," which includes doing chores. She is the mayor of the fictitious Hernia, Pennsylvania, married to a Jewish doctor, and is an amateur detective, helping the sheriff, who is homosexual, crack murder cases.
Magdalena is rude, at first blaming it on her pregnancy, though the delivery does not help anything. She is full of herself, often boasting on her looks, memory and intelligence. The other characters are just as rude as Magdalena and are mainly described as having very poor character, the victim was "a glutton," and hated by all; the teachers, one of whom is a suspect, are as messy as toddlers, leaving food smeared on lounge chairs; Magdalena's relationship with her mother-in-law, and the one with her husband, I would describe as mutually disrespectful.
The story is interrupted with notes about various grammar usage, including puns, alliteration and run-on sentences. The recipes also interrupt the story. They have nothing to do with the plot, except that the victim died after eating some pancakes.
Crudeness, nudity, innuendo, adultery and pseudo-swear words are scattered throughout the story.
All this was meant to be funny, but I just felt yucky reading it.
The main character, Magdalena Yoder Rosen, is a rich Mennonite woman who runs an Amish-style Bed and Breakfast, charging customers extra for the "full Amish experience," which includes doing chores. She is the mayor of the fictitious Hernia, Pennsylvania, married to a Jewish doctor, and is an amateur detective, helping the sheriff, who is homosexual, crack murder cases.
Magdalena is rude, at first blaming it on her pregnancy, though the delivery does not help anything. She is full of herself, often boasting on her looks, memory and intelligence. The other characters are just as rude as Magdalena and are mainly described as having very poor character, the victim was "a glutton," and hated by all; the teachers, one of whom is a suspect, are as messy as toddlers, leaving food smeared on lounge chairs; Magdalena's relationship with her mother-in-law, and the one with her husband, I would describe as mutually disrespectful.
The story is interrupted with notes about various grammar usage, including puns, alliteration and run-on sentences. The recipes also interrupt the story. They have nothing to do with the plot, except that the victim died after eating some pancakes.
Crudeness, nudity, innuendo, adultery and pseudo-swear words are scattered throughout the story.
All this was meant to be funny, but I just felt yucky reading it.
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