Silvara
Written on Nov 21, 2015
I received this book for free from Berkley Prime Crime in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Generally, I like to read series in order. However, I've only read through book 5 of this series and then this one appeared in the mail. Considering how much I love the coffeehouse mysteries, I couldn't help but read it as soon as it arrived!
This book was told in a different way than the early books I've read previously. It almost read like a movie in that Clare and Mike would discuss how they got to a certain point. And then you'd get a flash back. Only it wasn't an actual flash back like you'd expect. The scene would happen as though that was the present time. And then it would end, and you'd get the actual present-time Clare and Mike again. And then Mike would ask Clare a question, or Clare would have to clarify something, and you'd get the next not-flash back.
I'm not sure I described that clearly, but it worked really well once I got used to it. I liked getting to see how the mystery unfolded, but it was also fun reading the interactions between Clare and Mike in the 'present'.
As far as guessing the mystery, I guessed part of it because it's obvious and I'm sure it was meant to be obvious. Most of the rest of it surprised me though! And all the characters were interesting to read about.
They were real enough you ended up caring about them and wanting to know what would happen to them next.
The amount of research put into the book was apparent in the details you learned about the places Clare went to. As well as the history around people, objects and events. But at the same time, it was never over the top or boring. If you like cozy mysteries and you haven't tried this series yet, you need to.
Recipes Included: Best Blueberry Muffins, Charming Chocolate Chip Muffins, Corn Muffins, Big Chewy Cafe-Style Oatmeal Cookies, Quick-Rise 30-Minute Dinner Rolls, Prime Rib Roast, Effortless Au Jus, Cherry and Port-Glazed Pork Tenderloin Wrapped In Bacon, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings, Hard Cider Green Beans, Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce, Carolina Mustard Barbecue and Dipping Sauce, Sticky Chicken Wings Glazed with Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce, Coffee-Glazed Barbecued Chicken, Cheddar-Corn Spoon Bread, Bourbon Hot Dog Bites, Pimento Cheese, Bourbon and Brown Sugar Steak, Creamy Pennsylvania Dutch Noodle Casserole with Baked Virginia Ham, Best-Ever Pecan Pie Bars, New Orleans-Style Beignets, Black Magic Cake, "Secret Ingredient" Chocolate Frosting, New Yorker Cheesecake, Mini Caramel Apple Pies, Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Whipped Kahlua-Cream, Double-Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon