Robin Allen (1)

What would be your last meal request? As one of the main ideas in the book besides the murder, this is just one of the humorous aspects of this book. I was able to receive this book through Netgalley and I chose it because it was a cozy mystery. This is one of the genres I wanted to read more of this year. I’m glad I requested this. It didn’t disappoint.

The author has all the makings of a great cozy mystery. A great sleuth, Poppy, who works for the county doing food inspections. A crazy show more mother-in-law who lives it up and wants Poppy to buy clothing with color. Somehow their shopping trip never does transpire. Poppy is also juggling an ex-boyfriend and a current boyfriend, and as with other cozies, this definitely provides for some interesting times. Then there are the neighbors, John With and John Without, a hilarious gay couple. She is staying with them due to renovations on her own home because of an incident in the first book. This book had a lot of characters, not too many to keep track of, but enough to add laughter and spice.

This is the second book in the series. The first book is a free download from Amazon right now. I will definitely go back and read that book in the near future. I think it will definitely fill in some of the gaps with history I didn’t understand with the relationships of the characters in this book.

I think the author has great series. The only thing that is disappointing to me is I have to wait for another book.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher Midnight Ink via Netgalley. show less

Stick a Fork in It.
This is the second installment in the Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop series. This book takes place shortly after the conclusion of the first book in the series, If You Can't Stand the Heat, and Poppy is still recovering from the attempt on her life.
Poppy finds herself conducting a pre-opening inspection for a new restaurant in Austin, “Capital Punishment.” The restaurant, which will serve the last meals of executed criminals, is operated by a trio of guys Poppy went to show more high school with. Everything seems routine until one of the business owners is found dead during Poppy’s inspection. Poppy isn’t convinced that it is suicide, or an accident. So, against her better judgment, Poppy Markham, Culinary Cop, is back on the case.
This is the first book I have read in this series, and I completely enjoyed it. However, I wish I had read the first book in the series before this one, because the outcome of the first book is discussed in depth throughout this story. I still plan to read the first book, because Ms. Allen’s knowledge and description of the culinary industry is top notch. I completely enjoyed this book and I feel like it will be an entertaining series. show less

This was a good, solid cozy mystery. Lots of suspects and a few red herrings. I wasn't able to guess who the murderer was until the end. I give this three stars because I didn't really establish a relationship with the main character - a bit too much angst, and a whole lot too much family dysfunction - something I'd rather not read about in my cozies unless the dysfunction is of the eccentric, quirky variety. I didn't really find much to connect with the secondary characters either. I did show more like that Poppy didn't back down and was quick to give sass where sass was needed, and I did find more to like about her character as the book progressed.

I'm not sure I'll go out of my way to find the next book in the series, but if my TBR was running low I wouldn't hesitate to read the next book. show less