Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Murder on the Page (Literary Dining Mystery, Bk 1) on + 704 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ms. Gerber has set this series in Asheville, North Carolina so before I can even start my review I have to state my heart goes out to the people of Asheville and all the others who have been affected by Hurricanes Helene and the terrible aftermath that his hindered getting these people the aid they desperately need. They have a long road ahead and we need to help in any way we can to bring it back to the town described in this book.Â
Asheville caterer and personal chef Allie Catt escapes into books and hosts book clubs giving her a unique idea for the themes of her parties. She gets her inspiration from her clients' favorite books. Pride and Prejudice is the theme for her first event. With a cat named Darcy, you know the book is a fave of Allie's as well as her client, plus she has a ton of ideas for future parties.
Allie's best friend Tegan's Aunt Marigold has hired her to serve a tea at her A Feast for the Eyes bookshop. Marigold is very involved in the community and one of Allie's favorite people but she has been having some spells that worry her family and friends. When Allie arrives at the shop to set up the tea, it is closed with a line of people is waiting to get in. When another employee opens the door, they find Marigold on the floor but this time there is no helping her. Marigold was dead. Tegan appears to be the only heir which puts her at the top of the list of suspects. Allie knows she needs to prove her BFF had no part in her aunt's death. She is going to need a little literary assistance and who better than Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot to help her work through all the clues?
_____
With a new series comes a new cast of characters. I appreciate that the author gives us a list at the beginning of the book. It enabled me to escape into the story easily.
Allie is a great protagonist, thoughtful and tenacious. She had an unusual upbringing and was devastated by a bad breakup. However, that breakup allowed her to follow her dream. Her best friend Tegan works for her aunt at the bookstore and she is in the middle of a breakup herself. She and Allie have no secrets but she refuses to open up about what is going on. We meet a variety of Asheville residents but it was the victim, Marigold who grabbed my heart and held on tight. She was a special lady in so many ways. I had tears in my eyes while reading the last few pages of this story.
Ms. Gerber has written a complex mystery with several suspects. There is friction between Allie and Detective Zach Armstrong as she delves into his case. There was romantic tension there too. Tegan wanted to help investigate but Allie had to reel her in more than once. I enjoyed that Allie didn't give up. I did have an inkling of who the guilty party may be but truthfully I was so caught up in the story and the author's delightful descriptions of all the happenings it really didn't register until the exciting showdown.
Daryl Wood Gerber is an awesome storyteller. Her stories set a speedy pace as she blends the mystery with the character's daily lives. She sets up some fine twists and turns of misdirection to rachet up the suspense. Murder on the Page not only has quotes from Pride and Prejudice to start each chapter but there are several Pride and Prejudice Easter Eggs throughout the story which would make Taylor Swift smile. And yes, it would not be a Daryl Wood Gerber book without recipes so if the food in the book tickles your tastebuds all the details to make your own are at the back of the book.
With Murder on the Page, Ms. Gerber has set the series off to a fantastic start. The engaging characters, a compelling mystery, and a fun theme, set in a vibrant mountain town with a rich history kept me entertained from beginning to end. I loved this story! For me, this was more than a Perfect Escape, it was a Trip to Paradise. Look for this book on my Best Reads of 2024. I am so excited for this series to continue.
Ms. Gerber has set this series in Asheville, North Carolina so before I can even start my review I have to state my heart goes out to the people of Asheville and all the others who have been affected by Hurricanes Helene and the terrible aftermath that his hindered getting these people the aid they desperately need. They have a long road ahead and we need to help in any way we can to bring it back to the town described in this book.Â
Asheville caterer and personal chef Allie Catt escapes into books and hosts book clubs giving her a unique idea for the themes of her parties. She gets her inspiration from her clients' favorite books. Pride and Prejudice is the theme for her first event. With a cat named Darcy, you know the book is a fave of Allie's as well as her client, plus she has a ton of ideas for future parties.
Allie's best friend Tegan's Aunt Marigold has hired her to serve a tea at her A Feast for the Eyes bookshop. Marigold is very involved in the community and one of Allie's favorite people but she has been having some spells that worry her family and friends. When Allie arrives at the shop to set up the tea, it is closed with a line of people is waiting to get in. When another employee opens the door, they find Marigold on the floor but this time there is no helping her. Marigold was dead. Tegan appears to be the only heir which puts her at the top of the list of suspects. Allie knows she needs to prove her BFF had no part in her aunt's death. She is going to need a little literary assistance and who better than Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot to help her work through all the clues?
_____
With a new series comes a new cast of characters. I appreciate that the author gives us a list at the beginning of the book. It enabled me to escape into the story easily.
Allie is a great protagonist, thoughtful and tenacious. She had an unusual upbringing and was devastated by a bad breakup. However, that breakup allowed her to follow her dream. Her best friend Tegan works for her aunt at the bookstore and she is in the middle of a breakup herself. She and Allie have no secrets but she refuses to open up about what is going on. We meet a variety of Asheville residents but it was the victim, Marigold who grabbed my heart and held on tight. She was a special lady in so many ways. I had tears in my eyes while reading the last few pages of this story.
Ms. Gerber has written a complex mystery with several suspects. There is friction between Allie and Detective Zach Armstrong as she delves into his case. There was romantic tension there too. Tegan wanted to help investigate but Allie had to reel her in more than once. I enjoyed that Allie didn't give up. I did have an inkling of who the guilty party may be but truthfully I was so caught up in the story and the author's delightful descriptions of all the happenings it really didn't register until the exciting showdown.
Daryl Wood Gerber is an awesome storyteller. Her stories set a speedy pace as she blends the mystery with the character's daily lives. She sets up some fine twists and turns of misdirection to rachet up the suspense. Murder on the Page not only has quotes from Pride and Prejudice to start each chapter but there are several Pride and Prejudice Easter Eggs throughout the story which would make Taylor Swift smile. And yes, it would not be a Daryl Wood Gerber book without recipes so if the food in the book tickles your tastebuds all the details to make your own are at the back of the book.
With Murder on the Page, Ms. Gerber has set the series off to a fantastic start. The engaging characters, a compelling mystery, and a fun theme, set in a vibrant mountain town with a rich history kept me entertained from beginning to end. I loved this story! For me, this was more than a Perfect Escape, it was a Trip to Paradise. Look for this book on my Best Reads of 2024. I am so excited for this series to continue.
