CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER by Libby Klein

THE UNINVITED CORPSE by Debra Sennefelder

CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER

Book 1 in the Poppy McAllister Mysteries

by Libby Klein

For fortysomething Poppy McAllister, taking a stroll down memory lane in Cape May, New Jersey, isn’t just awkward—it’s deadly.
 
 
Newly widowed and stuck in a middle-aged funk, Poppy has been running on cookies, infomercials, and one-sided chats with her cat for months. There’s no way on earth she’s attending her twenty-five-year class reunion—especially after receiving a very bizarre letter from Barbie, the popular cheerleader who taunted her all through high school. At least, not until Poppy’s best friend practically drags her to the event . . . 
 
Using the dreaded homecoming as an excuse to visit her eccentric Aunt Ginny, Poppy vows to leave Cape May with pride and Spanx intact. Too bad Barbie is still the queen of mean at the reunion. And worse, that her dead body is lying right in front of Poppy’s old locker. Singled out as the killer, it’s up to Poppy to confront her past and clear her name. But between protecting her aunt from disaster and tackling a gluten-free diet, can Poppy crack the case before she’s voted “Most Likely to Die” by the murderer?
 
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

MY REVIEW

Put on your seatbelts, and a crash helmet, because CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER is a fast paced, high speed ride of a story.

Before I had a chance to read this book, I had friends messengering me telling me I had to put it to the top of my TBR. I started it with high hopes and was not disappointed. Page after page I was laughing so hard I was crying. It took me forever to write this review because the only word that kept coming to mind was laughtastic. While it is accurate description for so many parts of this tale, it just doesn’t do justice to the mystery aspect of CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER.

This outstanding whodunit had an entire high school class of suspects, and with a victim like Barbie Pomeroy Clark, it could have been any one of them. The author did a great job in introducing a lot of characters at once but keeping everyone and everything clear for her readers. Though I did manage to narrow down the list of suspects, I never did nor never would have guessed who did it or why.  

A giant kudos to the author for showcasing a truly relatable protagonist. I felt a true connection to series lead, Poppy McAlister. I was a lot like her in school, and now. It felt good to be able to relate in so many ways. But as much as I loved Poppy, my favorite character in this story was Poppy’s Aunt Ginny. She’s such a riot! Oh, the fun I would have had with an aunt like her! I can’t wait for the next installment to spend more time with these ladies.

Make sure to check out the recipes at the back of the book. You’ll find some great Paleo dishes!

An excellent mystery, that was just plain fun to read, CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER is now on my list of favorite cozies for 2018.

📕📖📘📗📖📙

THE UNINVITED CORPSE

Book 1 in the Food Blogger Mysteries

by Debra Sennefelder

Leaving behind a failed career as a magazine editor and an embarrassing stint on a reality baking show, newly divorced lifestyle entrepreneur Hope Early thought things were finally on the upswing—until she comes face-to-face with a murderer . . .
 
Hope’s schedule is already jam packed with recipe testing and shameless plugs for her food blog as she rushes off to attend a spring garden tour in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. Unfortunately, it isn’t the perfectly arranged potted plants that grab her attention—it’s the bloody body of reviled real estate agent Peaches McCoy . . .
 
One of the tour guests committed murder, and all eyes are on Hope’s older sister, Claire Dixon—who, at best, saw Peaches as a professional rival. And suspicions really heat up when another murder occurs the following night. Now, with two messy murders shaking Jefferson and all evidence pointing to Claire, Hope must set aside her burgeoning brand to prove her sister’s innocence. But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer intent on making sure her life goes permanently out of style . . .
 
Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

MY REVIEW

I was thrilled when I first heard about this new book/series. With the lead character being a blogger, and loving to bake, I knew I’d like her.

I started reading THE UNINVITED CORPSE while sitting in my car waiting for my sister to finish an appointment. I wish she had taken longer because I didn’t want to put this book down! Author Debra Sennefelder hooked my from page one. And when I finally had the chance to read uninterrupted, I was glued to the book until the last page.

Right away I loved the first three characters introduced. Protagonist, Hope Early, Chief of Police Ethan Cahill and Hope’s best friend (maybe more in future installments?), and Vanessa Jordan, Hope’s assistant. I’m looking forward in getting to know more about all three of them. As for some other characters, I was happy with the choice of victim, Peaches McCoy. Not a nice person at all. I also didn’t like, Claire Dixon, Hope’s sister. But Hope loves her, so I’m willing to give her another chance. 😉

THE UNINVITED CORPSE was superbly written, with a brilliantly thought out plot. Author Sennefelder created a vast list of suspects that all seemed to me to be likely killers. She had me guessing until the end. Of course, every guess I made was wrong. I was floored when I read the reveal!

If you’re looking to start a new series this year, don’t miss out on the Food Blogger Mysteries. THE UNINVITED CORPSE is the first of what I’m sure will be a long lasting series.

Did I mention there are some tasty recipes included?!

If you're looking to start a new series, you can't go wrong with these great firsts!

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