Pressing the Issue (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Beyond the Page (February 20, 2018)
Print Length: 354 pages
ASIN: B07955HXRS

As the annual Renaissance Fair comes to Crystal Cove, Jenna Hart’s Cookbook Nook is packed with tasty treats and all things medieval, while her pal Bailey is ready to swoon over her upcoming nuptials at a local vineyard. But when the two friends discover the body of the vineyard’s owner bludgeoned by a winepress, all their merriment fades, along with their hopes for a vintage year.

Which churlish varlet did the deed? Was it the victim’s errant brother, who stood to inherit the vineyards? Or the owner’s crestfallen ex-girlfriend? Mayhap it was the newly arrived comely wench, or her jealous husband. Fie on them all! Verily, Jenna can’t rest until justice is served, and she vows to track down the killer. But can she sniff out the truth before the villainous culprit strikes again?

Includes tantalizing recipes! Pressing the Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

First of all, I am a Daryl Wood Gerber fan, and I anxiously await the day that one of her mystery books becomes a hit series on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network or some other viable network. This is the second book of hers that I have read, and although I have read none others in her this series, I had no problem jumping in, and it’s by far my favorite so far. In fact, I was greatly intrigued with the characters, and I’m now ready to go back to the beginning of this series and read from the beginning so that I can fill in the blanks, so to speak.

I was absolutely charmed with the setting, the characters, and so much more in this particular book. I found delightful surprises regarding some of the backstories of the various characters, and Daryl did an amazing job of leaving just enough clues and red herrings to ensure that the mystery was not too easily “solvable.” The dialogue was smart, and everything flowed exactly as it should have.

For a cozy mystery book, this is a highly recommended book and series. I am certain the fact that this is number six in the series has guaranteed fully fleshed-out characters and fascinating solutions. There is no sex nor profanity in the book, so readers are assured to have a completely pleasant experience when savoring this tale!

View all my reviews

 

Day 5 of the continuing interview with Daryl Wood Gerber, author of Pressing the Issue, the 6th Cookbook Nook Mystery.

Do you read the same genre that you write?

I do read cozy mysteries. I really enjoy them. Now, I don’t have a lot of time to read and I’m not a speed-reader. Oh, how I wish I were. So I try to read at least one of each of my friend’s books. I also read titles from authors I’ve never met. I attend conferences and often pick up books by authors on my panels. They’ll be new to me, but I like getting an overview of what is out there. Now, I also read suspense and thrillers. I adore them and that’s where my career started. That’s why I write across genre now. In addition, I’ve started reading some gentle romance or what some would call romantic comedy. When I was a screenwriter, I wrote romantic comedies. I’m trying to decide whether this is something I’d like to write in the future. There is lots of “heart” in these books.

Here are some of the authors I read in the cozy genre:

Krista Davis, Cleo Coyle, Sheila Connolly, Peg Cochran, Roberta Isleib aka Lucy Burdette, Mary Jane Maffini aka Victoria Abbott, Linda Wiken aka Erika Chase, Denise Swanson, Leslie Budewitz, Kaye George, Janet Bolin aka Ginger Bolton, Marilyn Levinson, Janet Koch aka Laura Alden, Jenn McKinlay, Amanda Flower, Julie Hyzy, Hannah Dennison, and Kate Carlisle. The list goes on…

I’m wondering how you typically like to begin a book? Do you start with chapter 1, or do different parts come to you first?

I like to start with an outline. Then I do start with chapter 1. However, I have often gotten to chapter 15 and said, hm, what should I write? I don’t like to ever feel blocked, so I might write only the dialogue or only the action, and move on to the next chapter. I have been known to write the climactic scene before I get there. I think that’s because I like to know how the battle plays out so I can build to that battle. Does that make sense?

What do you hope readers will take away from your work?

I hope they will notice the heart that I put into the story. My amateur sleuth is loyal to those she (or he) loves—family, friends, and extended family. I hope readers will understand that the passion my amateur sleuth devotes to finding the truth makes her (or him) a good person as well as a valiant person. My amateur sleuth respects the police or sheriff, but often, her (or his) keen eye has the edge to see the truth earlier than the authorities. In addition, my amateur sleuth attracts people who have insider information. She (or he) is trusted and admired.

Am I naïve beyond words? LOL But this is my intent.

DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California.  As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.

Author Links

Visit Daryl or Avery atwww.darylwoodgerber.com.

“They” blog on www.mysteryloverskitchen.com as well as www.killercharacters.com

Daryl’s Blog – http://www.darylwoodgerber.com

Avery’s Blog – http://www.averyaames.com

Mystery Lover’s Kitchen – http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

Killer Characters – http://killercharacters.com

Facebook:

Daryl http://www.facebook.com/darylwoodgerber

Avery http://www.facebook.com/averyaames

Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber

Goodreads: 

Daryl Wood Gerber https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4750535.Daryl_Wood_Gerber

Avery Aames https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3153786.Avery_Aames

Purchase Link

Amazon 

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