Review by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
The Flip Side and...Murder!
Marley McKinney-Collins is the owner of The Flip Side, a pancake house in Wildwood Cove, Washington. She inherited the seaside restaurant from her grandmother’s cousin who, sadly, was the victim of a homicide. She’s continued to make the restaurant a popular morning destination, gained dear friends, added a new husband, and included in her circle goldendoodle Bentley and an orange tabby aptly named Flapjack. Yet, it has also led Marley to being embroiled in other suspicious deaths that either implicate her or someone close to her. However, between serving up pastries and pots of coffee and enjoying her eight-month marriage, her success in solving murders has been notable, if not perilous: from her aging cousin to a town nuisance, a makeup artist to a restaurant competitor, a cold case to a hot reporter, a hotelier to…
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| Image Source Lyrical Press |
A Wrinkle in Thyme Earns 5/5 Frittata Fracas…Clever Entertainment!
Marley and her husband Brett have volunteered to help set up the new digs for the Wildwood Cove Museum: landscaping and moving in all the artifacts that highlight the town’s history. The Victorian had been donated by Gwyneth McIvor and will have its grand opening on the final day of the Wild West Days event. But, not is all well. Jane Fassbender, the interim curator, has been running afoul of a few disgruntled people: Adya Banerjee wanted the promotion given to Jane and was not shy with complaints about Jane’s interference in the Wild West Days’ planning committee decisions, Angus Achebach, Gwyneth McIvor nephew, feels entitled to the Victorian property despite a judge’s ruling his aunt’s wishes were valid and legal, and candy heiress and major donor Evangeline Oldershaw-Hobbs’s demands are a thorn in Jane’s side, but Jane appears to know one of Evangeline’s secrets, and then there’s a set of letters Jane discovered penned more than a hundred years by a infamous thief. So, what will be law enforcement’s focus when Jane is found bludgeoned? Marley knows where she’ll focus her attentions, but that may bother a murderer.
Deliciously Entertaining! Sarah Fox has penned a clever drama for the eighth book in her Pancake House Mystery series with several conflicts and an exciting discovery any of which may have precipitated murder. The first-person narrative, my favorite, is well-written with plenty of engaging misdirection and mayhem, endearing connections and friendships, and descriptive language for the small seaside community, eclectic characters, and mouthwatering treats. The banter reveals a lot about the different personalities, as well as presents clues, theories, and emotions. Motives are plenty and suspects all seem worthy of consideration, and although I had an inkling about the motive, there were enough twists, turns, and other possible conclusions that my inner Sherlock was totally entertained and surprised. Realism is a key element for me, and Sarah did well to go beyond an engaging set of clues and avenues to explore and reasonable amateur investigative methods with side stories that add to the enjoyment: Sienna’s trepidation about going away to college, the restaurant needing to increase its employee numbers, the “family” discussion, and wild Wild West Days! All great fun!
BONUS! It’s hard not to get a “grumbly tummy” with all the pancake, sticky bun, and frittata talk, so it’s nice that Sarah includes delicious recipes straight from The Flip Side’s kitchen! Enjoy Raspberry Orange Pancakes, Thyme for Breakfast Frittata, and Strawberry Rhubarb Crêpes. Also enjoy a peek at chapter one from Claret and Present Danger, book four in her Literary Pub Mystery series.
A Pancake House Mystery
The Crêpes of Wrath (2016)
For Whom the Bread Rolls (2017) KRL Blog Review HERE
Of Spice and Men (2017) KRL Review HERE
Yeast of Eden (2018)
Crêpe Expectations (2019) HERE
Much Ado About Nutmeg (2020) HERE
A Room with a Roux (2021) HERE
A Wrinkle in Thyme (2021)
Be a Big Sarah Fox Fan!
Along with this eight-book Pancake House Mystery series, USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox penned the three-book Music Lover’s Mystery taking us into the world of the music with Midori Bishop who is living her dream with the Point Grey Philharmonic. She also writes the soon four-book Literary Pub Mystery about book lover Sadie Coleman who transforms an old Vermont pub into The Inkwell, a spot to enjoy literary-themed cocktails, a book, and murder.
Website – Cozy Crime with a Foxy Flair
To enter to win an ebook copy of A Wrinkle in Thyme, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "wrinkle,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 28, 2021. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.
You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
Sounds interesting! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteSounds like my kind of read. Please enter me into the giveaway and thank you for a chance to win. dabelko@msn.com
ReplyDeleteLove the cover, would love to read the book.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
This cover is enticing. I can't wait to get a copy to read.
ReplyDelete