My Series-ous Reading gets a little cheesy in order to Inherit The Word

 

As this year of Series-ous Reading is coming to a close, I have to say that diving into this Cozy Comfort Food of mysteries has been fun. 

While I have made last minute changes to this bookish menu, the main fictional feast has been a very tasty and relaxing time indeed.

For this next to last page turning meal, Daryl Wood Gerber’s  Inherit The Word (the second entree of her Cookbook Nook series) had plenty on the plate to chew over. Jenna Hart, the widowed co-owner of the culinary themed bookstore set in the beachside town of Crystal Cove, is busy enough with playing host to the annual Grill Fest competition without a small mystery of a personal nature to deal with.

Her playful kitten Tigger happens to knock over a Lucky Cat statue given to Jenna by her late husband David (whose unusual death once had her suspected of doing him in), breaking it to reveal several gold coins and a key.

While she has no idea about where the coins came from or what this key unlocks, Jenna is given the perfect excuse to take her time finding out. During the first round of Grill Fest, whose theme this year is grilled cheese, one of the most contentious contenders, Natalie Mumford, is found dead right behind the shop!

Due to Natalie’s less than friendly nature, plenty of suspects abound but when the focus is on Lola, the mother of Jenna’ longtime friend, Bailey, Jenna finds herself looking into the case.

Granted, there were a good number of folks on hand that day who knew how to handle a panini press, which was the weapon of choice here. However, the grilled cheese contest may not have been the motive for murder:

As Jenna looks more into the case, Natalie’s family is appearing to be less than innocent. From melancholy daughter Ellen and her spendthrift lout of a husband Willie to Norah, the newly arrived older sister, money might truly be the cause of Natalie’s demise.

Meanwhile, Jenna has to ultimately face the mystery that David left behind and the solution to that puzzle spells out a shocking secret that changes her memories of him for good.

What I am really liking about this series so far is the setting of this small yet viable town that offers both lively activity and a peaceful retreat all at once.

Crystal Cove may be in California but it has Stars Hollow energy, with these Gilmore Girls worthy characters such as the eternally cranky Pepper Pritchett, Jenna’s Aunt Vera ,who  always is ready with a healing crystal and fortune telling based advice and Katie, the quirky chef at the Cookbook Nook’s cafe.

One of the nicest subplots in this story is a budding romance between Katie and Keller, an ice cream maker who sells by bike. I hope that this spark of love grows into something more with each book in this series:

Jenna has a potential love interest of her own, Rhett, who was unjustly accused of setting a restaurant fire years ago. 

While he’s mostly a supporting player of the emotional kind this time around, chances are that Rhett will become more of a leading man as time goes on.

I do plan to read the third Cookbook Nook mystery, Stirring the Plot, next year and despite the Halloween theme, probably won’t wait until October to do so.

This combo of mystery, cooking and books is the best recipe for cozy reading in my opinion. Plus, there are loads of cookbook recommendations sprinkled throughout the story and yes, recipes that include new versions of classic favorites like the grilled cheese sandwiches served up with a smile here:

For our final course in this Cozy Comfort Feast, dessert is definitely called for. 

With that in mind, I’m ready to have a slice of Joanne Fluke’s Weddings Cake Murder just as soon as I finish up  Double Fudge Brownie Murder first!

Hannah Swenson is about to get married but not to either one of her regular beaus, Mike and Norman. Instead, she’s walking down the aisle with Ross, a former college sweetheart and filmmaker who we met a few books back. I’m still Team Norman, regardless of that!

Anyway, Hannah is too busy to plan her big day as she’s competing in a Food Channel contest being held in New York. While her culinary skills are earning her big wins, those sleuthing talents of hers also make an appearance when one of the judges takes their last bite out of life.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the groom, seeing Hannah get married should be a sweet treat to end this round of Series-ous Reading right: