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Sophie Kimball Mystery #10
Grilled 4 Murder: A Sophie Kimball Mystery #10
With a high-stakes barbecue contest coming to town, Sophie “Phee” Kimball’s friends will get raked over the coals when one of the contestants is murdered . . .
Sun City West is abuzz with the news that the Food Network is sponsoring a local barbecue cook-off and that Phee’s friends from the pinochle club are in the finals. But the mood soon darkens when the county planning committee announces a plan to situate a new garbage transfer station on the town’s edge. With tempers flaring and rumors of corruption swirling, it comes as little surprise when the committee’s chair, who happens to be a finalist in the cook-off, is found murdered.
When Phee’s friends are named as the most likely suspects, she knows the accusation stinks to high heaven. As she navigates a world of politics and payoffs, she discovers there are any number of community members, along with the committee itself, who had a reason to want the chair dead¬. With the barbecue contest in full swing and celebrity chefs on hand to judge, Phee will have to sniff out the clues, no matter how noxious, to catch a killer . . .
Sun City West is abuzz with the news that the Food Network is sponsoring a local barbecue cook-off and that Phee’s friends from the pinochle club are in the finals. But the mood soon darkens when the county planning committee announces a plan to situate a new garbage transfer station on the town’s edge. With tempers flaring and rumors of corruption swirling, it comes as little surprise when the committee’s chair, who happens to be a finalist in the cook-off, is found murdered.
When Phee’s friends are named as the most likely suspects, she knows the accusation stinks to high heaven. As she navigates a world of politics and payoffs, she discovers there are any number of community members, along with the committee itself, who had a reason to want the chair dead¬. With the barbecue contest in full swing and celebrity chefs on hand to judge, Phee will have to sniff out the clues, no matter how noxious, to catch a killer . . .
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
207 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2022
17 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 8, 2022
"Grilled 4 Murder" was a really fun read. It is the 10th book in the Sophie Kimball Mysteries. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard throughout the book. Sophie (Phee) Kimball Gregory is the main character. The story takes place in Glendale, Arizona. She works as a bookkeeper/accountant for Williams Investigations. Nate Williams was a former police detective who now owns the agency. Sophie's husband, Marshall retired from Markato Police Department and also works for Williams Investigation. They have just gotten back from their honeymoon, Augusta is their office secretary,
Harriet Plunkett is Sophia's mother who lives in a senior development called Sun City West. She and her book club friends: Myra, Louise, Cecilia, Lucinda, Shirley and Velda along with the pinochle group of men: Herb, Wayne, Bill and Kevin all live close to each other. Paul lives in another development near by. They are all quite a group of characters..
Chopped Grill Masters from the food network will be judging the BBQ Sauce competition which Herb and his pinochle crew are competing. Cosmos and his friends, Therm and Clinton are the other competitors.
In the paper there is an article saying that Cosmo Pruett, chairman of the Maricopa County Planning Commission announced a proposal to build a waste transfer station on county property adjacent to Sun City West. The seniors decide to go to the meeting. Harriet calls Sophia to tell her about it and ask her and Marshall to come. Sophia is concerned about what they will do as they are always plotting something. To her dismay her aunt Ina and her husband, Louis are also going to attend. They arrive at the meeting and find chaos. She can't find her mother., The description of this scene is too funny to explain and describe so the reader will have to read this part. The people that have gathered are all mad about the transfer station and the fact the meeting was postpone. Cosmos tells Herb that nothing was going to stop the transfer station and pushes Herb. and they get into words along with Paul.
The next day Harriet calls Sophia and tells her that there was a train derailment and a man was found dead and later confirmed was Cosmos. He was murdered. He was hit over the head that rendered him unconscious thus the fall on the tracks. Harriet is concerned that Herb and Paul will be arrested and asks for their help. Paul comes running into the office saying he thinks he and Herb are being framed. He shows them the bag with a fish in it with a note saying you got caught for murder just like this fish, Herb got a deck of cards saying it is a get out of jail free. Nate tells them they will check it out and speak to Bowman and Ranston police officers.
The seniors again go to the next meeting and Harriet brings her animals. Dog Streetman and cat Essie. Her mother goes to the microphone bringing her cat in the pouch. Enid, one of the commissioners, about the cat. Streetman got out of the tote and runs up snarling and barking and pees on Enid's pants. Harriet says that is the final word o the transfer station.. Meeting is adjourned.
At this time there are two parts to the story. Who murdered Cosmos and the Chopped Grill Masters competition. Both parts are so detailed that I will leave the rest of the story for the reader to enjoy. Again there are so many funny situations describing Harriet and her friends at the competition. The climax of the story happens at the competition with an exciting ending.
I love all the characters in this story. There is so much humor it makes the story so fun to read. I plan to start the series from the beginning as well as enjoy book 11 in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for this ARC.
Harriet Plunkett is Sophia's mother who lives in a senior development called Sun City West. She and her book club friends: Myra, Louise, Cecilia, Lucinda, Shirley and Velda along with the pinochle group of men: Herb, Wayne, Bill and Kevin all live close to each other. Paul lives in another development near by. They are all quite a group of characters..
Chopped Grill Masters from the food network will be judging the BBQ Sauce competition which Herb and his pinochle crew are competing. Cosmos and his friends, Therm and Clinton are the other competitors.
In the paper there is an article saying that Cosmo Pruett, chairman of the Maricopa County Planning Commission announced a proposal to build a waste transfer station on county property adjacent to Sun City West. The seniors decide to go to the meeting. Harriet calls Sophia to tell her about it and ask her and Marshall to come. Sophia is concerned about what they will do as they are always plotting something. To her dismay her aunt Ina and her husband, Louis are also going to attend. They arrive at the meeting and find chaos. She can't find her mother., The description of this scene is too funny to explain and describe so the reader will have to read this part. The people that have gathered are all mad about the transfer station and the fact the meeting was postpone. Cosmos tells Herb that nothing was going to stop the transfer station and pushes Herb. and they get into words along with Paul.
The next day Harriet calls Sophia and tells her that there was a train derailment and a man was found dead and later confirmed was Cosmos. He was murdered. He was hit over the head that rendered him unconscious thus the fall on the tracks. Harriet is concerned that Herb and Paul will be arrested and asks for their help. Paul comes running into the office saying he thinks he and Herb are being framed. He shows them the bag with a fish in it with a note saying you got caught for murder just like this fish, Herb got a deck of cards saying it is a get out of jail free. Nate tells them they will check it out and speak to Bowman and Ranston police officers.
The seniors again go to the next meeting and Harriet brings her animals. Dog Streetman and cat Essie. Her mother goes to the microphone bringing her cat in the pouch. Enid, one of the commissioners, about the cat. Streetman got out of the tote and runs up snarling and barking and pees on Enid's pants. Harriet says that is the final word o the transfer station.. Meeting is adjourned.
At this time there are two parts to the story. Who murdered Cosmos and the Chopped Grill Masters competition. Both parts are so detailed that I will leave the rest of the story for the reader to enjoy. Again there are so many funny situations describing Harriet and her friends at the competition. The climax of the story happens at the competition with an exciting ending.
I love all the characters in this story. There is so much humor it makes the story so fun to read. I plan to start the series from the beginning as well as enjoy book 11 in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for this ARC.
October 28, 2022
Review coming soon.
February 24, 2024
In this installment Herb and the pinochle gang are in a high stakes bbq competition hosted by the food network. I really enjoy when there is a competition in my cozies...always gets me invested! You also had all the other characteristics of why this series is great Harriet and her friends, Streetman (who has a new friend lol, and the fast paced mystery!
I would recommend this series to fans of humorous cozies or who love reading about the shenanigans of sassy seniors!
I received an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank netgalley, the author J.C. Eaton, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!
I would recommend this series to fans of humorous cozies or who love reading about the shenanigans of sassy seniors!
I received an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank netgalley, the author J.C. Eaton, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!
November 6, 2022
Honestly, Grilled 4 Murder was mostly enjoyable for the barbecue contest component. In spite of this, I found the story's plot rather boring because of the planning committee's decision to put a transfer station on the edge of town. Phee, the main protagonist work in a private investigation agency was uninspiring, and her mother was the most annoying person.
The Pinochle group and Phee's mother's Book club friends were too many characters for me to keep track of. In an intriguing mystery, the committee chair and cook-off finalist were both suspects and corrupt. It was something I enjoyed.
Thank you Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.
The Pinochle group and Phee's mother's Book club friends were too many characters for me to keep track of. In an intriguing mystery, the committee chair and cook-off finalist were both suspects and corrupt. It was something I enjoyed.
Thank you Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.
March 9, 2023
Sophie "Phee" Kimball-Gregory has barely returned from her honeymoon when the call from her mother comes in: there's going to be a barbecue cook-off between two teams, each trying to take the big prize from the Food Network. But she's more excited that she and her friend Myrna will be on the air during the cook-off. Unfortunately, so will their friend Paul, who talks about nothing but fish.
Then her mother learns that they want to put a garbage transfer station behind where she lives, and everything turns into chaos, especially when they learn that the committee chair is all for it -- and one of the barbecue competitors. But then the man dies, and the biggest suspect is her friend from the pinochle club, and she's back in the middle of another murder investigation.
What follows is one of the strangest comedy of errors that I've ever been witness to read, and it was completely hilarious. Especially Phee's inner conversations with herself. I pity the poor woman. Not to mention that Chiweenie Streetman has more than enough to keep him busy, and seeing what Phee's mother Harriet does on that front is one of the best parts of the book.
The turmoil includes, but is not limited to, dead fish, moose urine, the book club ladies going off the deep end, theft, protests -- well, I hope you get the idea. It's enough to give you a raging headache! But boy, is it fun to read. I think the authors have outdone themselves in this book.
When the ending comes and everything is revealed, it's entirely complex and leaves Phee grateful she doesn't work for the police. Will she finally have peace and quiet? Will Harriet stop calling her constantly? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. But don't peek to the end -- you'll enjoy the book more. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Then her mother learns that they want to put a garbage transfer station behind where she lives, and everything turns into chaos, especially when they learn that the committee chair is all for it -- and one of the barbecue competitors. But then the man dies, and the biggest suspect is her friend from the pinochle club, and she's back in the middle of another murder investigation.
What follows is one of the strangest comedy of errors that I've ever been witness to read, and it was completely hilarious. Especially Phee's inner conversations with herself. I pity the poor woman. Not to mention that Chiweenie Streetman has more than enough to keep him busy, and seeing what Phee's mother Harriet does on that front is one of the best parts of the book.
The turmoil includes, but is not limited to, dead fish, moose urine, the book club ladies going off the deep end, theft, protests -- well, I hope you get the idea. It's enough to give you a raging headache! But boy, is it fun to read. I think the authors have outdone themselves in this book.
When the ending comes and everything is revealed, it's entirely complex and leaves Phee grateful she doesn't work for the police. Will she finally have peace and quiet? Will Harriet stop calling her constantly? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. But don't peek to the end -- you'll enjoy the book more. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
November 7, 2022
Grilled 4 Murder" is the 10th instalment in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series by J.C. Eaton. With a high-stakes barbecue contest coming to town, Sophie “Phee” Kimball’s friends will get raked over the coals when one of the contestants is murdered . . .
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in almost one day. I love the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour, too with Harriet and Streetman her Chiweenie and now Essie the kitten. But the rest of her crew from the Sun City Retirement Community aren’t to be outdone in this instalment, what a hoot!
The mystery is interesting, well plotted as well as full of twists and turns. Always an entertaining, fun read. This is one of my favourite series and I always buy in Paperback as I know I will read again.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in almost one day. I love the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour, too with Harriet and Streetman her Chiweenie and now Essie the kitten. But the rest of her crew from the Sun City Retirement Community aren’t to be outdone in this instalment, what a hoot!
The mystery is interesting, well plotted as well as full of twists and turns. Always an entertaining, fun read. This is one of my favourite series and I always buy in Paperback as I know I will read again.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 4, 2023
Streetman adopts a kitten!!
January 11, 2023
Sun City West is hosting a Food Network barbeque contest, Phee is keeping a low profile, Streetman has become a "mentor" to a kitten her rescued, the book club gang is fighting the building of a garbage transfer station in their community and the guys in the pinochle club are entering the barbeque contest. What could possibly go wrong? When a supporter of the transfer station is murdered? Everything!
I love this series! The mystery keeps you reading and the mystery is perfect! Find out why Sun City West is the place to be!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I love this series! The mystery keeps you reading and the mystery is perfect! Find out why Sun City West is the place to be!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 20, 2022
The clever husband wife team of J.C. Eaton have a winning humorous cozy series that readers love. This is the 10th in series and one of my favorites. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinon is my own.
Phee , her Mother and friends are excited for a official BBQ sauce competition cook off that is coming to their town in Arizona. The town also has a dispute about a garbage station and people are angry. When the Food Network arrives with the fussy celebrity chefts the claws come out and arguments prevail over the competition. A main judge for the competition is also on the comittee for the new garbage station that many are fighting. Add in a hilarious speaking segment with her Mother and their cat, a murder of a commitee member and Phee has a murder to solve while keeping the peace.
This was a hilarious addtion to the series. I found myself reading it cover to cover to enjoy the antics of the charcters and the witty reppartee. This is a fun series I hope will continues. Well Done to the authors.
Phee , her Mother and friends are excited for a official BBQ sauce competition cook off that is coming to their town in Arizona. The town also has a dispute about a garbage station and people are angry. When the Food Network arrives with the fussy celebrity chefts the claws come out and arguments prevail over the competition. A main judge for the competition is also on the comittee for the new garbage station that many are fighting. Add in a hilarious speaking segment with her Mother and their cat, a murder of a commitee member and Phee has a murder to solve while keeping the peace.
This was a hilarious addtion to the series. I found myself reading it cover to cover to enjoy the antics of the charcters and the witty reppartee. This is a fun series I hope will continues. Well Done to the authors.
December 29, 2022
My fourth in this series although it is the tenth instalment, Sophie Kimball Gregory (aka Phee), an accountant/bookkeeper working for a private investigative agency, Williams Investigations, makes a great amateur sleuth. She has returned from her honeymoon in Hawaii and there's a barbecue competition where the winner gets to go on the Food Network. Phee gets herself involved when a competitor finalist is murdered.
Set in Sun City West, Arizona, Grilled 4 Murder was well-crafted, swift-paced, witty and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery was very engaging and I was kept guessing in this lively yarn of surprises. There are quite a few instalments for me to catch up on and I can’t wait to visit Phee and Streetman who has a new best friend, in Sun City again. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Set in Sun City West, Arizona, Grilled 4 Murder was well-crafted, swift-paced, witty and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery was very engaging and I was kept guessing in this lively yarn of surprises. There are quite a few instalments for me to catch up on and I can’t wait to visit Phee and Streetman who has a new best friend, in Sun City again. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
November 29, 2022
This is a new-to-me series, but I felt as though I could slip in and be right at home. The relationships, especially the one between Phee and her mother, were authentic and believable. Dialogue was handled well and seamlessly wove together the narrative. The writing style also brought to life that irrepressible heat that can dominate Phoenix.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters, and the plot twists. This is a clever PI tale with enough red herrings to fill a barbecue pit.
#Grilled4Murder
I really enjoyed this book, the characters, and the plot twists. This is a clever PI tale with enough red herrings to fill a barbecue pit.
#Grilled4Murder
November 22, 2022
Again, Ann and Jim delivered a tale complete with a good plot with several twists and turns - and a plethora of laugh-out-loud moments!
January 26, 2024
Thank you Beyond the Page Publishing for accepting my request to read and review Grilled 4 Murder on NetGalley.
Stars: 3
This is a miss for me. For the record, when beginning this review I did notice under genre it says Humor & Satire -- Mystery & Thrillers. It is the so-called humor I don't like. In addition, sadly, I didn't like this story and I didn't find any of the characters likable. The synopsis is spot-on.
Cozy mysteries run the gamut of possible topics, people, settings, etc. This series is not for me, but may be your favorite. I am interested in trying a book in their wine series.
Published: 11/08/22
Stars: 3
This is a miss for me. For the record, when beginning this review I did notice under genre it says Humor & Satire -- Mystery & Thrillers. It is the so-called humor I don't like. In addition, sadly, I didn't like this story and I didn't find any of the characters likable. The synopsis is spot-on.
Cozy mysteries run the gamut of possible topics, people, settings, etc. This series is not for me, but may be your favorite. I am interested in trying a book in their wine series.
Published: 11/08/22
March 8, 2023
Grilled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton is a rib-smacking mystery with that comedy bit that only J.C. Eaton delivers.
Will Phee determine who killed Cosmo before Herb and Paul end up in the Fourth Street Jail?
We start with Streetman finding himself a kitten. Harriet is beside herself, but she is in for the long haul since Streetman claimed it. Whatever makes Streetman happy.
A few things are happening as usual in the Sun City West world. It has been announced that a company would like to put a garbage transfer station in Sun City West, very near Harriet's house. You know the book club ladies will not let that happen and wage an all-out war against the planning committee. So, when Cosmo, the head of that planning committee, is found dead after a confrontation with Herb and Paul, the deputies decide our pinnacle-playing, Herb, and the angler, Paul, must be behind it.
However, we also have a BBQ Rib competition sponsored by the Food Network with a large prize package and the opportunity to be featured on the Food Network. Herb's team is in the semifinals, and so are Cosmo and his team. These aren't the only things going on. Williams Investigations have a theft ring they are trying to catch in another of the Phoenix gated communities.
Streetman's Antics
This 8-pound Chiweenie has got to be one of the world's most spoiled but cutest canines. Now that he has a sidekick, the "Streetman's Cat," or Essie as she is now known, they are so cute together. I don't know what Streetman will do when Essie is bigger than him. Really is the chiweenie to blame, or is Harriet?
Marshall and Phee got married in between books. I can only imagine the scene that played with Streetman at their wedding ceremony. At least they were allowed a Streetman-free honeymoon.
Five Stars
I love this wacky world that J.C. Eaton has created. Harriet and those book club ladies are crazy and funny and truly keep me entertained. I am amazed that Phee's eyeballs don't roll out of her head some days—Phee has a powerful will to not get deeper into her mother's craziness. My rating for Grilled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton is five stars. I highly recommend it to all cozy mystery fans.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Grilled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Will Phee determine who killed Cosmo before Herb and Paul end up in the Fourth Street Jail?
We start with Streetman finding himself a kitten. Harriet is beside herself, but she is in for the long haul since Streetman claimed it. Whatever makes Streetman happy.
A few things are happening as usual in the Sun City West world. It has been announced that a company would like to put a garbage transfer station in Sun City West, very near Harriet's house. You know the book club ladies will not let that happen and wage an all-out war against the planning committee. So, when Cosmo, the head of that planning committee, is found dead after a confrontation with Herb and Paul, the deputies decide our pinnacle-playing, Herb, and the angler, Paul, must be behind it.
However, we also have a BBQ Rib competition sponsored by the Food Network with a large prize package and the opportunity to be featured on the Food Network. Herb's team is in the semifinals, and so are Cosmo and his team. These aren't the only things going on. Williams Investigations have a theft ring they are trying to catch in another of the Phoenix gated communities.
Streetman's Antics
This 8-pound Chiweenie has got to be one of the world's most spoiled but cutest canines. Now that he has a sidekick, the "Streetman's Cat," or Essie as she is now known, they are so cute together. I don't know what Streetman will do when Essie is bigger than him. Really is the chiweenie to blame, or is Harriet?
"By the way, I thought I'd seen everything until your aunt Ina walked into your wedding ceremony wearing that bizarre paisley caftan with the long ropy train. Best part was when your mother's dog attacked it. Wouldn't let go the rope."
Aargh, don't remind me."
"And the dog dance at the conclusion. Whoa. That was a first. Quite a wedding ceremony. Never expected anything like it in my life."
"What part? My aunt's attire or the dog? And by the way, that was one of her more subtle outfits."
Augusta widened her eyes. "I meant the dog."
"I think the staff at the Peoria City Hall are still in shock. My mother just had to bring him in her tote bag along with a recording of that 'Pizzicato Moonbeam' song the dog likes. At least she drove him home before the reception."
Marshall and Phee got married in between books. I can only imagine the scene that played with Streetman at their wedding ceremony. At least they were allowed a Streetman-free honeymoon.
Five Stars
I love this wacky world that J.C. Eaton has created. Harriet and those book club ladies are crazy and funny and truly keep me entertained. I am amazed that Phee's eyeballs don't roll out of her head some days—Phee has a powerful will to not get deeper into her mother's craziness. My rating for Grilled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton is five stars. I highly recommend it to all cozy mystery fans.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Grilled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
May 3, 2023
The husband and wife team known as J.C. Eaton have written several cozy mystery series. I have read, enjoyed, and recommend two of the series: The Wine Trail Mysteries and The Sophie Kimball Mysteries (of which this book is a part). I had been looking forward to reading Grilled 4 Murder. As it turns out, some of the standbys of character, humor, and plot in this series fell flat in Grilled 4 Murder.
On a positive note, the authors immediately bring returning and new readers up to date on the main characters. Phee, the accountant for Williams Investigations, has gotten married to Marshall, a detective in the small company. Her mother Harriet and the book club ladies are seniors who are always ready for shenanigans and go gung ho in protest of a garbage transfer station in Sun City West, home to many snowbirds. Herb and his pinochle playing buddies are competing in a BBQ grill-off, and Harriet’s dog Streetman has adopted a kitten. And by the way, there is a murder with all the expected potential motives for the suspects.
It feels like the murder takes a back seat to the hubbub of the other plot threads that seem very much like distractions. Those diversions felt dull to me. Harriet and Streetman are usually funny, but I found them irritating in this book. Harriet’s friends typically provide comic relief, but the seniors in Sun City West seemed more like a chorus in a Greek tragedy. The two local detectives were depicted as bumbling fools, but they really were on the case and interacted professionally with the P. I.’s of Williams Investigations despite having to follow the required procedures for law enforcement officers.
The thing that bothered me the most about this cozy mystery was the food. A lot of the word count was consumed with descriptions for each meal for every day. In addition to breakfast, there was a break each morning for more cups of coffee and bakery goods. It seemed important to the authors for the reader to know the lunch selections either in a restaurant or brought to the office as takeout. Although they usually dined out in the evenings, there were occasional dinners at home before Marshall and Phee dropped into bed with exhaustion. The reader was “treated” to detailed descriptions of all of these meals.
The day was also interrupted by frequent phone calls from Harriet to Phee. They could have been funny, but they weren’t. Having read ten good books in this series, I will stick around for the eleventh having high hopes for a return to a solid plot and humor that is actually amusing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
On a positive note, the authors immediately bring returning and new readers up to date on the main characters. Phee, the accountant for Williams Investigations, has gotten married to Marshall, a detective in the small company. Her mother Harriet and the book club ladies are seniors who are always ready for shenanigans and go gung ho in protest of a garbage transfer station in Sun City West, home to many snowbirds. Herb and his pinochle playing buddies are competing in a BBQ grill-off, and Harriet’s dog Streetman has adopted a kitten. And by the way, there is a murder with all the expected potential motives for the suspects.
It feels like the murder takes a back seat to the hubbub of the other plot threads that seem very much like distractions. Those diversions felt dull to me. Harriet and Streetman are usually funny, but I found them irritating in this book. Harriet’s friends typically provide comic relief, but the seniors in Sun City West seemed more like a chorus in a Greek tragedy. The two local detectives were depicted as bumbling fools, but they really were on the case and interacted professionally with the P. I.’s of Williams Investigations despite having to follow the required procedures for law enforcement officers.
The thing that bothered me the most about this cozy mystery was the food. A lot of the word count was consumed with descriptions for each meal for every day. In addition to breakfast, there was a break each morning for more cups of coffee and bakery goods. It seemed important to the authors for the reader to know the lunch selections either in a restaurant or brought to the office as takeout. Although they usually dined out in the evenings, there were occasional dinners at home before Marshall and Phee dropped into bed with exhaustion. The reader was “treated” to detailed descriptions of all of these meals.
The day was also interrupted by frequent phone calls from Harriet to Phee. They could have been funny, but they weren’t. Having read ten good books in this series, I will stick around for the eleventh having high hopes for a return to a solid plot and humor that is actually amusing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 22, 2022
Sophie "Phee" Kimball-Gregory has barely returned from her honeymoon when the call from her mother comes in: there's going to be a barbecue cook-off between two teams, each trying to take the big prize from the Food Network. But she's more excited that she and her friend Myrna will be on the air during the cook-off. Unfortunately, so will their friend Paul, who talks about nothing but fish.
Then her mother learns that they want to put a garbage transfer station behind where she lives, and everything turns into chaos, especially when they learn that the committee chair is all for it -- and one of the barbecue competitors. But then the man dies, and the biggest suspect is her friend from the pinochle club, and she's back in the middle of another murder investigation.
What follows is one of the strangest comedy of errors that I've ever been witness to read, and it was completely hilarious. Especially Phee's inner conversations with herself. I pity the poor woman. Not to mention that Chiweenie Streetman has more than enough to keep him busy, and seeing what Phee's mother Harriet does on that front is one of the best parts of the book.
The turmoil includes, but is not limited to, dead fish, moose urine, the book club ladies going off the deep end, theft, protests -- well, I hope you get the idea. It's enough to give you a raging headache! But boy, is it fun to read. I think the authors have outdone themselves in this book.
When the ending comes and everything is revealed, it's entirely complex and leaves Phee grateful she doesn't work for the police. Will she finally have peace and quiet? Will Harriet stop calling her constantly? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. But don't peek to the end -- you'll enjoy the book more. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Then her mother learns that they want to put a garbage transfer station behind where she lives, and everything turns into chaos, especially when they learn that the committee chair is all for it -- and one of the barbecue competitors. But then the man dies, and the biggest suspect is her friend from the pinochle club, and she's back in the middle of another murder investigation.
What follows is one of the strangest comedy of errors that I've ever been witness to read, and it was completely hilarious. Especially Phee's inner conversations with herself. I pity the poor woman. Not to mention that Chiweenie Streetman has more than enough to keep him busy, and seeing what Phee's mother Harriet does on that front is one of the best parts of the book.
The turmoil includes, but is not limited to, dead fish, moose urine, the book club ladies going off the deep end, theft, protests -- well, I hope you get the idea. It's enough to give you a raging headache! But boy, is it fun to read. I think the authors have outdone themselves in this book.
When the ending comes and everything is revealed, it's entirely complex and leaves Phee grateful she doesn't work for the police. Will she finally have peace and quiet? Will Harriet stop calling her constantly? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. But don't peek to the end -- you'll enjoy the book more. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
November 15, 2022
This series is ten books long and still going strong. Yes, a bit over the top silly. It's what I expect when I pick up the latest and I know I will have a nice reading escape. It does wonders for my stress level.
Phee and Marshall have just returned from their honeymoon. Before Phee can even sit down at her desk with a mug of coffee to collect her thoughts her mother calls. That is always going to lead to strange events. Her mother is like that....colorful? Streetman, her Chiweenie dig has found 'something' and hauled it under the bed. That story line is lots of fun. The rest of her day will start her on the path to investigating another murder.
Who in their right mins would welcome a garbage transfer station nearby? The county has plans to allow one to be built at the county limits and tempers are running hot and loud. Words like corruption and payoffs are being thrown around and the community meeting had me laughing. Cosmo Pruett is in it up to his neck. In true mystery fiction fashion, he becomes the murder victim. The list of who done the deed is long but tops on the list are some of the senior gents from the pinochle group as they were up against Cosmo in the BBQ contest, an event that will be filmed for a national audience. Time for the whole gang to dive in and catch the killer. Even Streetman and his new BFF kitty Essie will get involved.
The sunny setting of Sun City West and Glendale, AZ is perfect for this fun bunch of amateur sleuths and the mystery will keep you turning the pages and laughing at their antics to the final page. It's not necessary to read the series in order but, if you are new to the series, enjoy this one and get reading to play catch up with the previous entries.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Phee and Marshall have just returned from their honeymoon. Before Phee can even sit down at her desk with a mug of coffee to collect her thoughts her mother calls. That is always going to lead to strange events. Her mother is like that....colorful? Streetman, her Chiweenie dig has found 'something' and hauled it under the bed. That story line is lots of fun. The rest of her day will start her on the path to investigating another murder.
Who in their right mins would welcome a garbage transfer station nearby? The county has plans to allow one to be built at the county limits and tempers are running hot and loud. Words like corruption and payoffs are being thrown around and the community meeting had me laughing. Cosmo Pruett is in it up to his neck. In true mystery fiction fashion, he becomes the murder victim. The list of who done the deed is long but tops on the list are some of the senior gents from the pinochle group as they were up against Cosmo in the BBQ contest, an event that will be filmed for a national audience. Time for the whole gang to dive in and catch the killer. Even Streetman and his new BFF kitty Essie will get involved.
The sunny setting of Sun City West and Glendale, AZ is perfect for this fun bunch of amateur sleuths and the mystery will keep you turning the pages and laughing at their antics to the final page. It's not necessary to read the series in order but, if you are new to the series, enjoy this one and get reading to play catch up with the previous entries.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 6, 2022
Sophie and Marshall are back at work after their honeymoon. Sun City West residents are up to new hijinks with a grilling competition sponsored by the Food Network coming to town.
The other thing that may be coming to town is a garbage transfer station. This has Sophie’s mom and friends at a high level of agitation. One of the councilmen voting on the transfer station winds up dead. Sophie is on the job investigating because some of the Sun City West friends are prime suspects.
As is common with this series there are a number of things going on. Sometimes the investigations Nate and Marshall are doing overlap with the mystery sometimes they don’t. It can distract the reader and Sophie from what might be going on in the background.
This book displays some of the rivalries between communities around Phoenix.
Streetman finds a kitten which adds a cute factor to the book, because he is so sweet to the kitten.
Speaking of Streetman, Harriet, Sophie’s mom, is over the top about the dog in this book. I don’t feel very positive about how Harriet treats Sophie. It’s a problem throughout the series but it felt glaring to me in this book. Harriet treats the dog so much better than she does her daughter. That had the biggest influence on my 3 star rating.
The murder and the solution was creative. I like the series for the most part. I enjoyed reading Grilled 4 Murder, the 10th in the Sophie Kimball mystery series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Beyond the Page publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
The other thing that may be coming to town is a garbage transfer station. This has Sophie’s mom and friends at a high level of agitation. One of the councilmen voting on the transfer station winds up dead. Sophie is on the job investigating because some of the Sun City West friends are prime suspects.
As is common with this series there are a number of things going on. Sometimes the investigations Nate and Marshall are doing overlap with the mystery sometimes they don’t. It can distract the reader and Sophie from what might be going on in the background.
This book displays some of the rivalries between communities around Phoenix.
Streetman finds a kitten which adds a cute factor to the book, because he is so sweet to the kitten.
Speaking of Streetman, Harriet, Sophie’s mom, is over the top about the dog in this book. I don’t feel very positive about how Harriet treats Sophie. It’s a problem throughout the series but it felt glaring to me in this book. Harriet treats the dog so much better than she does her daughter. That had the biggest influence on my 3 star rating.
The murder and the solution was creative. I like the series for the most part. I enjoyed reading Grilled 4 Murder, the 10th in the Sophie Kimball mystery series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Beyond the Page publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
December 30, 2022
The smell of a slow roasted BBQ is so much better than a garbage transfer station in one’s backyard, right?!?! So says the residents of Sun City West, which will play host to a Food Network sponsored Slow Roasters BBQ challenge and the pinochle crew has made the cut with their special marinade. There are the usual laughs with Sophie Kimball aka Phee, talking to herself or rather trying to talk herself down as she “investigates” the death of Cosmo Pruett, chairman of the Maricopa County Planning Commission and also happened to be on the opposing BBQ team. Herb’s name ends up on the “persons of interest” list, which means Phee will have no peace until she listens to her mom and gets sleuthing, whenever and where ever. That will have to include a trip to the dog park with Streetman for insider info. It is not a Sophie Kimball mystery without Streetman, the neurotic chiweenie and this time he has dragged a friend along (literally). What you should know is that Phee has never called herself an investigator, she is the bookkeeper for the two man investigative agency, and regardless of how successful she is at discovering the truth aka keeping Harriet’s book club ladies and Herb’s pinochle crew calm, she will not consider getting a degree in criminal investigations until Phoenix gets a foot of snow. It could happen…
November 8, 2022
Grilled 4 Murder is a delightful cozy mystery set at an Arizona retirement community. Phee works full-time at a private investigation firm as an accountant but her zany retired mother, Harriet, keeps volunteering her to investigate local crimes.
This time Food Network is hosting a BBQ competition. It’s down to two teams, including the pinochle boys, Harriet’s neighbors. Quickly, the sabotage begins. At the same time, the community’s planning commission is trying to put a trash transfer station in town. That doesn’t sit well with the residents. One of the commission’s members is found dead. The pinochle boys are the main suspects. Phee is tasked with finding the saboteur, the murderer and what is making the planning commission so adamant about the transfer station. Wow, that sounds like a full-time job on its own!
It’s always a joy to hang out with Phee, Harriet, the pinochle boys, and the book club ladies. And I can’t forget Streetman, the opinionated Chiweenie, who finds a new friend in this book.
The plot is more complicated than most cozy mysteries, but the humor keeps the pacing quick. Grilled 4 Murder is just a fun book. 4 stars!
Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
This time Food Network is hosting a BBQ competition. It’s down to two teams, including the pinochle boys, Harriet’s neighbors. Quickly, the sabotage begins. At the same time, the community’s planning commission is trying to put a trash transfer station in town. That doesn’t sit well with the residents. One of the commission’s members is found dead. The pinochle boys are the main suspects. Phee is tasked with finding the saboteur, the murderer and what is making the planning commission so adamant about the transfer station. Wow, that sounds like a full-time job on its own!
It’s always a joy to hang out with Phee, Harriet, the pinochle boys, and the book club ladies. And I can’t forget Streetman, the opinionated Chiweenie, who finds a new friend in this book.
The plot is more complicated than most cozy mysteries, but the humor keeps the pacing quick. Grilled 4 Murder is just a fun book. 4 stars!
Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
November 19, 2022
These books are like two books in one. Phee, her friends and co-workers are enjoyable. The mystery itself is well written and Phee is a good and mostly credible amateur sleuth. On the flip side, are Phee’s mother and her friends. Every last one of those characters is annoying and written as a cartoon. Their behavior is either completely boorish or utterly scatterbrained. And a few sentences should have been devoted to reminding readers who all the Book Club Ladies and the Pinocle Pals are. They were mostly all a blur.
I believe the conflict between Phee and her mother is supposed to be funny, but it is really nothing more than an example of an unhealthy relationship. As a reader I can see it’s a gimmick the author uses to have Phee’s mother show favoritism of her dog over her daughter. It’s not cute. It’s annoying and to be honest it’s more than a bit disturbing. The dog is not adorable; he’s an ill-behaved little monster.
Not surprisingly I very much liked the mystery and Phee’s tracking down clues in a logical manner. On the other hand, although necessary to move the plot forward, the interaction with her mother continues to be so far fetched it borders on the unbelievable.
I believe the conflict between Phee and her mother is supposed to be funny, but it is really nothing more than an example of an unhealthy relationship. As a reader I can see it’s a gimmick the author uses to have Phee’s mother show favoritism of her dog over her daughter. It’s not cute. It’s annoying and to be honest it’s more than a bit disturbing. The dog is not adorable; he’s an ill-behaved little monster.
Not surprisingly I very much liked the mystery and Phee’s tracking down clues in a logical manner. On the other hand, although necessary to move the plot forward, the interaction with her mother continues to be so far fetched it borders on the unbelievable.
November 30, 2022
Sun City West is abuzz with the news that the Food Network is sponsoring a local barbecue cook-off and that Phee’s friends from the pinochle club are in the finals. But the mood soon darkens when the county planning committee announces a plan to situate a new garbage transfer station on the town’s edge. With tempers flaring and rumors of corruption swirling, it comes as little surprise when the committee’s chair, who happens to be a finalist in the cook-off, is found murdered.
When Phee’s friends are named as the most likely suspects, she knows the accusation stinks to high heaven. As she navigates a world of politics and payoffs, she discovers there are any number of community members, along with the committee itself, who had a reason to want the chair dead¬. With the barbecue contest in full swing and celebrity chefs on hand to judge, Phee will have to sniff out the clues, no matter how noxious, to catch a killer.
This is an interesting mystery! Thanks to the guys in question to be honest about this murder mystery it's hard to tell who did it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
When Phee’s friends are named as the most likely suspects, she knows the accusation stinks to high heaven. As she navigates a world of politics and payoffs, she discovers there are any number of community members, along with the committee itself, who had a reason to want the chair dead¬. With the barbecue contest in full swing and celebrity chefs on hand to judge, Phee will have to sniff out the clues, no matter how noxious, to catch a killer.
This is an interesting mystery! Thanks to the guys in question to be honest about this murder mystery it's hard to tell who did it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
December 21, 2022
Princess Fuzzypants here: Phee has just returned from her honeymoon and she stumbles directly into the shenanigans of her mother and her cohorts. They are this group of wacky seniors who would drive a sane person crazy but manage to stay under “over the top”. Her mother’s friend Herb is a finalist in a marinade cook off and the winner gets to go on The Food Network. The final two teams will battle it out for the prize but first they have to attend a meeting about a proposed garbage transfer station that Herb’s rival just happens to be pushing. Tempers run high at the meeting and when the rival is discovered face down on a railway track, after the train went through, Herb becomes a person of interest.
Her mother “volunteers” her to solve the murder with the help of the detective agency for whom she works. She must also contend with her neurotic mother and her doubly neurotic dog who has adopted a kitten. The kitten is pretty cute and she and Streetman, the dog, manage to get into plenty of mischief. Phee has her hands full. But she manages to figure out who killed the deceased and solve a whole bunch of other problems at the same time. It makes for an entertaining read, perhaps for the holidays. Four purrs and two paws up.
Her mother “volunteers” her to solve the murder with the help of the detective agency for whom she works. She must also contend with her neurotic mother and her doubly neurotic dog who has adopted a kitten. The kitten is pretty cute and she and Streetman, the dog, manage to get into plenty of mischief. Phee has her hands full. But she manages to figure out who killed the deceased and solve a whole bunch of other problems at the same time. It makes for an entertaining read, perhaps for the holidays. Four purrs and two paws up.
November 11, 2022
The Sun City West book club ladies and their buddies the pinochle guys were in rare form this time! There's never a dull moment where either group is concerned, and there was plenty of hilarity to go along with it. Harriet and the ladies especially had an agenda since Paul and Herb were the top suspects in a guy's death. The side stories that went along with it, especially little Streetman finding himself a cat friend just added to the usual craziness!
I love all these characters and think it's pretty awesome that the couple who writes this series actually lives out there. I've heard them talking online about how everyday life is sometimes fair game to make it into a book, lol. I'm really crazy about Streetman, although in real life he probably wouldn't like me that well since he doesn't seem to like anyone except Harriet lol. Now that he had a partner in crime and mischief, there was no stopping him! The whodunit kept me guessing until the reveal. I absolutely can't wait for the next in series. It's always a barrel of fun!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, an my opinions are my own.
I love all these characters and think it's pretty awesome that the couple who writes this series actually lives out there. I've heard them talking online about how everyday life is sometimes fair game to make it into a book, lol. I'm really crazy about Streetman, although in real life he probably wouldn't like me that well since he doesn't seem to like anyone except Harriet lol. Now that he had a partner in crime and mischief, there was no stopping him! The whodunit kept me guessing until the reveal. I absolutely can't wait for the next in series. It's always a barrel of fun!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, an my opinions are my own.
May 17, 2025
I read this one out of order, but that's OK. It was my most recent purchase of the series which floated it to the top of my Kindle Mystery collection. I forgot I had a couple of unread books in the series. (I need to stop buying books faster than I can read them.) There might have been a major spoiler, but I knew it was coming, so I wasn't surprised it had already happened. I'll eventually get to the in betweens.
The rules for the BBQ ribs contest got a bit convoluted, and if I were the committee in charge of the rules (or the author in charge of the story) I would have done it differently, but I'm not and I'm not, so I'll have to go with their decision, convoluted as it was! Actually, the whole mystery was convoluted, but I managed to keep up. I think we got answers to all the bits and pieces. I enjoyed the process of sorting it all out. Since I'm closer to Phee's mom's age, I wish she would be a little more understanding of the Book Club members.
I loved the addition of Streetman's new "friend." Lord knows the poor little guy needed a friend!
Looking forward to getting caught up on the series and then continuing on!
The rules for the BBQ ribs contest got a bit convoluted, and if I were the committee in charge of the rules (or the author in charge of the story) I would have done it differently, but I'm not and I'm not, so I'll have to go with their decision, convoluted as it was! Actually, the whole mystery was convoluted, but I managed to keep up. I think we got answers to all the bits and pieces. I enjoyed the process of sorting it all out. Since I'm closer to Phee's mom's age, I wish she would be a little more understanding of the Book Club members.
I loved the addition of Streetman's new "friend." Lord knows the poor little guy needed a friend!
Looking forward to getting caught up on the series and then continuing on!
November 8, 2022
Cute story with loads of laughs.
Some real characters are living in the retirement community (including Phee's mother and aunt) and the PI firm where Phee is the accountant while her new husband is an investigator/partner. This tale begins with Phee's mom in a flap over pets, Streetman her Chiweenie and now Essie the kitten. Next comes all the to-do over the coming BBQ competition with friends The Pinochle Boys.Turns out that one of the new competitors is the guy who wants a trash transfer station erected at the edge of the community. Until he is murdered. Let the sleuthing (and more hilarity) begin! Great fun!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley.
Some real characters are living in the retirement community (including Phee's mother and aunt) and the PI firm where Phee is the accountant while her new husband is an investigator/partner. This tale begins with Phee's mom in a flap over pets, Streetman her Chiweenie and now Essie the kitten. Next comes all the to-do over the coming BBQ competition with friends The Pinochle Boys.Turns out that one of the new competitors is the guy who wants a trash transfer station erected at the edge of the community. Until he is murdered. Let the sleuthing (and more hilarity) begin! Great fun!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley.
October 17, 2022
Phee Kimball has quite a few friends in her mother’s retirement community. When the Food Network holds a BBQ cook off in the SCW, you can bet the gang wants in on the fun!
When one of the finalists is murdered and the retirees become the main suspects, Phee knows she’s got to find the killer because she knows these people are not killers. Can Phee walk through the fire and find the killer, or will she be burned to ashes along with the gang?
I adore this series. With Phee’s zany mother and her friends, along with the most adorable Chiweenie you could ask for, this series will make you laugh outlaid numerous times as you try to solve the case along with Phee and the gang.
When one of the finalists is murdered and the retirees become the main suspects, Phee knows she’s got to find the killer because she knows these people are not killers. Can Phee walk through the fire and find the killer, or will she be burned to ashes along with the gang?
I adore this series. With Phee’s zany mother and her friends, along with the most adorable Chiweenie you could ask for, this series will make you laugh outlaid numerous times as you try to solve the case along with Phee and the gang.
November 2, 2022
What a delightful mystery. I laughed, rolled my eyes, and smiled throughout the story.
Phee’s mother and friends are a hoot. Streetman and the cat are adorable.
I think one of my favorite parts was the fish on the manifold incident. I could just smell the stench. Even though no one deserves to be killed, the guy had it coming and without, the authors would have had to go another way with the story.
Theses books just get better and better. I highly recommend the series. This can be read as a standalone story.
I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review. I choose to do so.
Phee’s mother and friends are a hoot. Streetman and the cat are adorable.
I think one of my favorite parts was the fish on the manifold incident. I could just smell the stench. Even though no one deserves to be killed, the guy had it coming and without, the authors would have had to go another way with the story.
Theses books just get better and better. I highly recommend the series. This can be read as a standalone story.
I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review. I choose to do so.
December 9, 2022
Grilled4Murder is the 10th book in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series and it was great! I read the first book in the series and then this one. It was a good stand alone book and was easy to follow the characters. Sophie is now married to Marshall who encourages her to get involved. He gives her info on the case but ultimately Sophie figured it out. In this book, there is a BBQ competition and one of the competitors ends up dead and a friend of Sophie’s mother is a suspect. The characters are great and the mystery kept me guessing. Very enjoyable! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. #NerGalley #Grilled4Murder
November 9, 2022
A great mystery, several red herrings, alot of laughter, Phee having to step in several times to help/investigate/rescue, the zany residents of Sun City West, and the antics of Streetman the Chiweenie, and Essie the kitten, kept me highly entertained and swiping pages until I reached the end.
I always have the best time reading this series. The residents of Sun City West are a riot! They get into so much mischief...
Many thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
I always have the best time reading this series. The residents of Sun City West are a riot! They get into so much mischief...
Many thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
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