Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed One Feta in the Grave (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery, Bk 3) on + 651 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Tourist season is wrapping up in Ocean Crest and the beach festival is underway with music, contests, and plenty of food. Things get a little heated when Archie Kincaid was forced to step down as a judge of the sand castles because his nephew was participating in the contest. After Lucy finishes her judging duties and makes sure all the food vendors have everything they need she takes a walk on the beach. She notices something under the boardwalk. That something turns out to be a dead Archie Kincaid. The man wasn't well liked and have public arguments with several people, including the one with her best friend Katie, when she eliminated him as a judge.
Detective Clemmons arrives on the scene and is not surprised that Lucy has found another body, but everyone is surprised when Katie lands on his list of suspects. This means her husband, Officer Bill Watson is unable to be part of the case. He knows Lucy's reputation for solving cases and asks her to keep her ears open and ask a few questions to help clear Katie's name. Lucy takes the request and runs with it, sometimes with Katie by her side, going much further than Bill intended. Now they just need to catch the killer before anyone else ends up dead.
Lucy Berberian is a fun protagonist and I like it when Katie tags along. This time Katie's is the one who needs to be cleared. These ladies go to some dangerous lengths to do just that. Lucy is also learning to cook traditional Armenian dishes while taking over managing duties at the restaurant. At the same time, she is trying to rekindle her romance with chef Azad Zakarian while having a friendship with Michael, who runs the bike shop next to the restaurant. Michael and Lucy seem to make a better pair right now, at least in my opinion. With each story, the characters become more fleshed out and relatable.
Ms. Kashian has cooked up a great mystery. A first I thought the arguments between Archie and others were typical business things but as we get deeper in the story we see that isn't the case. The author sets a nice pace and I enjoyed the way Lucy didn't give up. There was a point where any amateur sleuth would have quit but not Lucy. It is pointed out to her more than once that she is not a cop and needs to back off, but she will run herself ragged to catch the killer. I had honed in the right party a bit before Lucy but the ending was both exciting and funny. I wish I had half of Lucy's energy.
I do love the Jersey shore setting. The boardwalk, shops, and restaurants. All the touristy places and food. Yes, the food, again my mouth was watering.
Another fun and entertaining story from Tina Kashian. I look forward to visiting Ocean Crest again soon!
Tourist season is wrapping up in Ocean Crest and the beach festival is underway with music, contests, and plenty of food. Things get a little heated when Archie Kincaid was forced to step down as a judge of the sand castles because his nephew was participating in the contest. After Lucy finishes her judging duties and makes sure all the food vendors have everything they need she takes a walk on the beach. She notices something under the boardwalk. That something turns out to be a dead Archie Kincaid. The man wasn't well liked and have public arguments with several people, including the one with her best friend Katie, when she eliminated him as a judge.
Detective Clemmons arrives on the scene and is not surprised that Lucy has found another body, but everyone is surprised when Katie lands on his list of suspects. This means her husband, Officer Bill Watson is unable to be part of the case. He knows Lucy's reputation for solving cases and asks her to keep her ears open and ask a few questions to help clear Katie's name. Lucy takes the request and runs with it, sometimes with Katie by her side, going much further than Bill intended. Now they just need to catch the killer before anyone else ends up dead.
Lucy Berberian is a fun protagonist and I like it when Katie tags along. This time Katie's is the one who needs to be cleared. These ladies go to some dangerous lengths to do just that. Lucy is also learning to cook traditional Armenian dishes while taking over managing duties at the restaurant. At the same time, she is trying to rekindle her romance with chef Azad Zakarian while having a friendship with Michael, who runs the bike shop next to the restaurant. Michael and Lucy seem to make a better pair right now, at least in my opinion. With each story, the characters become more fleshed out and relatable.
Ms. Kashian has cooked up a great mystery. A first I thought the arguments between Archie and others were typical business things but as we get deeper in the story we see that isn't the case. The author sets a nice pace and I enjoyed the way Lucy didn't give up. There was a point where any amateur sleuth would have quit but not Lucy. It is pointed out to her more than once that she is not a cop and needs to back off, but she will run herself ragged to catch the killer. I had honed in the right party a bit before Lucy but the ending was both exciting and funny. I wish I had half of Lucy's energy.
I do love the Jersey shore setting. The boardwalk, shops, and restaurants. All the touristy places and food. Yes, the food, again my mouth was watering.
Another fun and entertaining story from Tina Kashian. I look forward to visiting Ocean Crest again soon!
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
One Feta in the Grave is the third installment in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series set in Ocean Crest, NJ and features Lucy Berberian, ex lawyer who has returned home to manage her family's Mediterranean themed restaurant, Kebab Kitchen. The summer season is winding down and the last week long event planned for the tourist town will include a food and wine tasting organized by Lucy. The Sandcastle competition kicks off the festivities and comes to an abrupt end when owner of the boardwalk t-shop, Archie Kincaid gets into a very loud and verbal confrontation with neighboring shop owner Harold Harper.
Harold has pointed out that one of the sand sculptures was crafted by Archie's nephew, Neil and thus Archie should be kicked off the judging panel. When Lucy's best friend Katie Watson who is in charge of the judges agrees with Harold, Archie goes after her. It seems as though Katie who also works in the town office and is in charge of licensing had denied Archie's application to open a rental bike shop and he hasn't forgotten. A few days later Lucy stumbles upon the body of Archie under the boardwalk, and Detective Calvin Clemmons is quick to point the finger at Katie.
Determined to clear her best friend's name, Lucy sets out at the request of Katie's husband Bill to find the real killer. Her snooping leads Lucy to discover that there are many people in the seaside community who didn't like the shopkeeper including his neighbors, nephew, girlfriend and wife.
A fast paced plot with likable, returning characters, mouthwatering recipes and an adorable stray cat named Gadoo. While it's not necessary to read each book in the series, I suggest starting at the beginning to fully understand the back story for each of the main characters. I truly hope that the author does not continue much longer with the dreaded love triangle (I'm Team Michael).
Harold has pointed out that one of the sand sculptures was crafted by Archie's nephew, Neil and thus Archie should be kicked off the judging panel. When Lucy's best friend Katie Watson who is in charge of the judges agrees with Harold, Archie goes after her. It seems as though Katie who also works in the town office and is in charge of licensing had denied Archie's application to open a rental bike shop and he hasn't forgotten. A few days later Lucy stumbles upon the body of Archie under the boardwalk, and Detective Calvin Clemmons is quick to point the finger at Katie.
Determined to clear her best friend's name, Lucy sets out at the request of Katie's husband Bill to find the real killer. Her snooping leads Lucy to discover that there are many people in the seaside community who didn't like the shopkeeper including his neighbors, nephew, girlfriend and wife.
A fast paced plot with likable, returning characters, mouthwatering recipes and an adorable stray cat named Gadoo. While it's not necessary to read each book in the series, I suggest starting at the beginning to fully understand the back story for each of the main characters. I truly hope that the author does not continue much longer with the dreaded love triangle (I'm Team Michael).
Kristina A. reviewed One Feta in the Grave (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery, Bk 3) on + 1528 more book reviews
One Feta in the Grave is the third installment in A Kebab Kitchen Mystery series and each book can stand on its own. I thought One Feta in the Grave contained good writing with steady pacing. Lucy finds herself roped into helping at the beach festival courtesy of her best friend, Katie Watson who is responsible for the event. Unfortunately, Archie Kincaid and his rival, Harold Harper manage to cause trouble right from the beginning. Tina Kashian gives readers lovely descriptions of the town, the beach, and the various shops which brings the setting alive. Lucy has left behind her career as an attorney to run Kebab Kitchen and she has rekindled her romance with head chef, Azad Zakarian. Michael, who manages the bicycle rental shop for his uncle, is interested in Lucy and takes her out for long rides on his motorcycle. I must admit that I am partial to Michael over the hot-headed, jealous Azad. I like the various characters in the series as I find them likeable and relatable. I am especially fond of Lucy's cute niece. There are luscious descriptions of the food cooked and served at Kebab Kitchen. Readers get to learn more about the food related to the Armenian culture. The mystery intrigued me since it could not be solved immediately (I love a good puzzle). There are multiple suspects who have good motive for harming Archie (at least in their eyes). There are recipes at the end of the book for lentil soup, date stuffed cookies, and Greek salad with feta cheese. One Feta in the Grave is a fun, light cozy mystery that will have you longing for a sunny day at the beach. Join Lucy at the Jersey shore in One Feta in the Grave.
