Helpful Score: 4
First in a new series!
Nestled in the barrier islands of Floridas Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach is home to Mary Sassy Cabot and Bridget Mayfieldowners of the bookstore café, Read Em and Eat. But when theyre not dishing about books or serving up scones, Sassy and Bridgy are keeping tabs on hard-boiled murder.
Read Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If its not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, its Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. Its no wonder Sassys favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augustas cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shywhich makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.
No one is more distraught than Augusta, and Sassy wants to help any way she can. But Augusta doesnt have time for sympathy. She wants Delias killer foundand shes not taking no for an answer. Now Sassy is on the case, and shed better act fast before theres any more trouble in paradise.
This was a most delightful read! The characters were perfect in the roles they played and would be fun to have as neighbors or friends in real life. The plot was well planned with no loose ends laying around. The ending made me so happy, that the whole book just was a pure delight to read. What was especially good is that Aunt Ophies pie recipe was in it and Sassy mentioned enough books that the various book clubs were reading in their café meeting that I got 3 of them from paperbackswap.com and/or ordered them to read! A most delightful happy read! Cant wait for the next one in the series!
Nestled in the barrier islands of Floridas Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach is home to Mary Sassy Cabot and Bridget Mayfieldowners of the bookstore café, Read Em and Eat. But when theyre not dishing about books or serving up scones, Sassy and Bridgy are keeping tabs on hard-boiled murder.
Read Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If its not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, its Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. Its no wonder Sassys favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augustas cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shywhich makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.
No one is more distraught than Augusta, and Sassy wants to help any way she can. But Augusta doesnt have time for sympathy. She wants Delias killer foundand shes not taking no for an answer. Now Sassy is on the case, and shed better act fast before theres any more trouble in paradise.
This was a most delightful read! The characters were perfect in the roles they played and would be fun to have as neighbors or friends in real life. The plot was well planned with no loose ends laying around. The ending made me so happy, that the whole book just was a pure delight to read. What was especially good is that Aunt Ophies pie recipe was in it and Sassy mentioned enough books that the various book clubs were reading in their café meeting that I got 3 of them from paperbackswap.com and/or ordered them to read! A most delightful happy read! Cant wait for the next one in the series!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 4
Terrie Farley Moran has whipped up a fine beginning to this cozy series. No "dump cakes" for this author; she's chosen each of her ingredients with care and skillfully blended them together before putting the pan in the oven. The setting with its siren song of sandy beaches, sunshine, and old pirate treasure easily lures the unwary deeper into the story, which can lead them on a merry chase through quite a cast of suspects.
The major ingredient in any story is its characters, and Moran's characters run the gamut from tart to sweet. Sassy and Bridgy make good partners, and with the addition of an aunt who's seemingly been swept off the front steps of Tara, a chef who's magic in the kitchen, and various regular customers and friends, this series should be set up for a good, long run. Moran's even added a bit of hearts and flowers to her story, and it looks to be the sort of romance to move slowly so readers can savor each bite. Perhaps my favorite (bittersweet) part of this book is the fact that Moran lets her elderly characters have some real depth. Neither Miss Augusta nor Miss Delia are simple little old maiden ladies, and that is so good to see.
It's going to be fun to discover what's going on next at the Read 'Em and Eat.
The major ingredient in any story is its characters, and Moran's characters run the gamut from tart to sweet. Sassy and Bridgy make good partners, and with the addition of an aunt who's seemingly been swept off the front steps of Tara, a chef who's magic in the kitchen, and various regular customers and friends, this series should be set up for a good, long run. Moran's even added a bit of hearts and flowers to her story, and it looks to be the sort of romance to move slowly so readers can savor each bite. Perhaps my favorite (bittersweet) part of this book is the fact that Moran lets her elderly characters have some real depth. Neither Miss Augusta nor Miss Delia are simple little old maiden ladies, and that is so good to see.
It's going to be fun to discover what's going on next at the Read 'Em and Eat.
Cheryl C. (moondance120) reviewed Well Read, Then Dead (Read Em and Eat, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
"Oh, pu-leeze, Rowena, Anya Seton never measured up to Daphne du Maurier's elegance."
This is book one in the Read'em and Eat series. Best friends, Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield moved from Brooklyn to Fort Myers Beach to open a bookstore/café. The café has tables and menu items named for authors and books. The bookstore hosts numerous book clubs during the week. The girls-although mostly Sassy-become sleuths when an elderly patron and book club member is found dead in her home.
This is a lovely little cozy that mixes culinary and books. What a nice combination! Sassy and Bridgy play well off of each other as they investigate the murder of a quiet little lady. Ms. Delia's cousin, Augusta, insists that Sassy help find the killer. Mystery men, loyal friends, fortune hunters and a hunky detective round out the storyline. Most enjoyable and I look forward to next book. Nice recipe for Buttermilk Pie, too!
This is book one in the Read'em and Eat series. Best friends, Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield moved from Brooklyn to Fort Myers Beach to open a bookstore/café. The café has tables and menu items named for authors and books. The bookstore hosts numerous book clubs during the week. The girls-although mostly Sassy-become sleuths when an elderly patron and book club member is found dead in her home.
This is a lovely little cozy that mixes culinary and books. What a nice combination! Sassy and Bridgy play well off of each other as they investigate the murder of a quiet little lady. Ms. Delia's cousin, Augusta, insists that Sassy help find the killer. Mystery men, loyal friends, fortune hunters and a hunky detective round out the storyline. Most enjoyable and I look forward to next book. Nice recipe for Buttermilk Pie, too!
Tim H. (Timbuktu126) reviewed Well Read, Then Dead (Read Em and Eat, Bk 1) on + 480 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The description on the back of the book sounded good, but I just did not like this book. The characters weren't all that likable (I found most of them annoying), the plot was super slow and dragged, and I found myself skipping pages just to move on. I only made it halfway and then gave up, which I almost never do. One of the other things that annoyed me was the nickname Bridgy for a 20 something- it just sounded foolish.
