It's

Cozy Food Friday Sunday!

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

Today I'm featuring 

MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER 

Book 5 in the Local Foods Mysteries

by Edith Maxwell

It’s been a hot, dry spring in Westbury, Massachusetts. As organic farmer Cam Flaherty waits for much-needed rain, storm clouds of mystery begin to gather. Once again, it’s time to put away her sun hat and put on her sleuthing cap . . .

May has been anything but merry for Cam so far. Her parents have arrived unexpectedly and her crops are in danger of withering away. But all of that’s nothing compared to the grim fate that lies in store for one of her neighbors. Nicole Kingsbury is the proud owner of the town’s new hydroponic greenhouse. She claims the process will be 100% organic, but she uses chemicals to feed her crops. To Cam’s surprise, her mother embarrasses her by organizing a series of loud public protests against Nicole’s operation.

When Nicole is found dead in a vat of hydroponic slurry—clutching another set of rosary beads—Detective Pete Pappas has a new murder to solve. Showers may be scarce this spring, but there’s no shortage of suspects, including the dead woman’s embittered ex‑husband, the Other Man whose affair ruined their marriage, and Cam’s own mother. Lucky for Cam, her father turns out to have a knack for sleuthing—not to mention dealing with chickens. Will he and Cam be able to clear Mrs. Flaherty’s name before the killer strikes again?

MY REVIEW

Another fresh, entertaining story in the Local Foods Mystery series.

I get so excited each time I start a new book by author Edith Maxwell. I am always anxious at first thinking there is no way it can be as good as her other works. And then only a few pages in, I know how silly I was being, because each tale she writes is better than the one before!  The proof is in the reading because MULCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is the cream of the crop.

I’m not an outdoorsy person, and I don’t eat vegetables (though I am a fruit fan), so what am I doing reading the Local Foods Mysteries? Well, as I mentioned above, I am a fan of this author’s writing. But I am also fascinated with the thought of little seeds becoming big, beautiful, eatable food. And Ms. Maxwell does make it sound fun . . . almost. ;-)

I love spending time with series lead, Cam Flaherty. I think she’s a brilliantly written character. She’s independent, and knowledgeable, but not 100% perfect, which adds another layer of interest to her. It was great getting to see her interact with her parents in this story. I quite like her father, but her more I believe is an acquired taste.

The murder mystery in MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER is exceptional. There are many possible suspects, including Cam’s mom. So many people who would want to see the victim dead. Ms. Maxwell could easily have muddied things for readers with all that was going on, but she blended everything together perfectly, planting doubts, and leaving clues to harvest. And all led up to an action packed reveal, that left me feeling I had lived through the story myself!

MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER has everything you want in a cozy summer read, including great recipes. You’ve got to pick up a copy of your own!

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On to the recipe!

SWEDISH CHEESECAKE---OSTKAKA

All food photos are borrowed from Google Images and its contributors, with many thanks. 

Your finished dish will very in appearance.

Jake's special dessert, which he offers Cam and her parents at restaurant.

Ingredients

4 large eggs

½ cup sugar

¼ cup unbleached white flour

24 ounces strained cottage cgeese

½ cup almond meal

3 to 4 ground almonds

1 tablespoon Frangelico liqueur

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F

   Whip eggs until fluffy. Stir in sugar, flour, and cottage cheese. Fold in the almond meal, almonds, and liqueur. 

   Butter a 9" x 13" casserole. Pour mixture into the pan. Bake 30 minutes. If cheesecake starts to get too brown, cover with foil. 

   Best served warm with strawberries and sour cream or crème fraîche.

We don't make our potato salad with eggs and pickles in my family, but this sure does sound good.

What ingredients do you use in your potato salad?

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Please keep reading and check out my 

installments of 

Book Beginnings on Fridays

and

The Friday 56

Both the BB and 56 are also from

MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER

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Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader

Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading

The Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda's Voice

Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's okay.) *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you. *Post it.

My Book Beginnings

Cam Flaherty sank her head onto the steering wheel in the parking lot outside the Seacoast Fresh Greenhouse.  The repeated refrain of the protesters on the sidewalk behind her swirled like angry wasps. She straightened and whacked the wheel with her fist. "I do NOT have time for this."

My 56

William raised his eyebrows and looked at her over the top of his glasses.

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

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