Peg Cochran
Author of Berried Secrets
Series
Works by Peg Cochran
Associated Works
Death with Malice: 5 Killer Mysteries by Today's Bestselling Authors — Contributor — 6 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Loudon, Margaret
London, Meg (pseudonym) - Gender
- female
- Short biography
- [from author's website]
Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her curiosity under the guise of “work” (a.k.a. research). She put pen to paper at age seven when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect hiding place for a body down the street from her house. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her books' stats on Amazon.
A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in Michigan. She is the author of the Open Book Series (written as Margaret Loudon), the Murder, She Reported series, the Cranberry Cove Series, the Farmer's Daughter series, the Gourmet De-Lite series, the Lucille series, and the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series (written as Meg London.) - Places of residence
- New Jersey, USA
Michigan, USA - Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
Sowed to Death by Peg Cochran is the second book in A Farmer’s Daughter Mystery series. Shelby McDonald lives in Lovett, Michigan where she manages Love Blossom Farm, the family farm. Shelby and the kids (Billy and Amelia) are heading to Lovett County Fair for the day. There is some excitement when one of the judges has a reaction to Jenny Hubbard’s award-winning lemon meringue pie. For the first time in five years, Jenny does not win. Billy and Shelby are watching the Jaws of Life show more demonstration. Jake Taylor gets the car open and extricates the dummy from the driver’s seat. Shelby notices that there is blood on the head of the dummy and realizes that it is a real person. The body belongs to Zeke Barnstable. Unfortunately, Jake had a contentious relationship with Zeke which puts him at the top of the suspect list. In between taking care of the kids, canning and doing farm chores, Shelby digs into Zeke’s life. One night Amelia goes to a bonfire and ends up finding a skeleton in Zeke’s yard (Amelia lied about a few particulars regarding the bonfire). Could the skeleton be Zeke’s missing wife? Shelby is happy to have suspicion removed from Jake (since she is attracted to him and he is their neighbor). Shelby wonders if Zeke’s murder had anything to do with his wife’s death. Shelby weeds through the clues to find the killer. What happens, though, when the murderer finds Shelby first?
Sowed to Death is well-written, has relatable characters, a lovely setting, light humor and a good pace. I like the writer’s descriptive writing style and the way she draws the reader into the story. The book has a good flow (for a smooth reading experience). I would get involved in the book and not realize how much time had passed. The characters in Sowed to Death are nicely developed and feel real (they could easily be my neighbors). I appreciate that the author has given us a mature main character (instead of a woman in her 20s or early 30s). It will be entertaining to watch Shelby as she begins dating (she has three men interested in her). I like how Peg Cochran mixed the mystery in with Shelby’s life. In Sowed to Death there is two women are fighting over the widowed Reverend Mather, Shelby has her first date since her husband’s death, Amelia with her teenage angst and antics, Billy and his riding lessons, Bert helping Shelby with canning, the county fair and so much more. I especially delighted in Shelby’s blog posts. They contain some interesting information and are fun to read. I give Sowed to Death 5 out of 5 stars. The mystery is complex and most readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity. Shelby’s style of investigating is pleasant and very welcome. She asks subtle questions, listens to conversation, catches up on local gossip, and, sometimes, Shelby happens to be in the right place at the right time. Sowed to Death is the second book in the series, but it is easily a stand-alone novel (No Farm, No Foul is just as delightful as Sowed to Death). There are a couple of recipes at the end of the book. My only negative is I now must wait months for another A Farmer’s Daughter Mystery. show less
Sowed to Death is well-written, has relatable characters, a lovely setting, light humor and a good pace. I like the writer’s descriptive writing style and the way she draws the reader into the story. The book has a good flow (for a smooth reading experience). I would get involved in the book and not realize how much time had passed. The characters in Sowed to Death are nicely developed and feel real (they could easily be my neighbors). I appreciate that the author has given us a mature main character (instead of a woman in her 20s or early 30s). It will be entertaining to watch Shelby as she begins dating (she has three men interested in her). I like how Peg Cochran mixed the mystery in with Shelby’s life. In Sowed to Death there is two women are fighting over the widowed Reverend Mather, Shelby has her first date since her husband’s death, Amelia with her teenage angst and antics, Billy and his riding lessons, Bert helping Shelby with canning, the county fair and so much more. I especially delighted in Shelby’s blog posts. They contain some interesting information and are fun to read. I give Sowed to Death 5 out of 5 stars. The mystery is complex and most readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity. Shelby’s style of investigating is pleasant and very welcome. She asks subtle questions, listens to conversation, catches up on local gossip, and, sometimes, Shelby happens to be in the right place at the right time. Sowed to Death is the second book in the series, but it is easily a stand-alone novel (No Farm, No Foul is just as delightful as Sowed to Death). There are a couple of recipes at the end of the book. My only negative is I now must wait months for another A Farmer’s Daughter Mystery. show less
Elizabeth Adams is a modern young woman of the late 1930s. Having taken sort of a girl Friday position at a newspaper, wanting to earn her own money and make her own mark on the world, when a photographer position opens up she takes a leap of faith and becomes the second hand to a gruff, seasoned reporter, Ralph Kaminsky. This story takes place immediately after a hurricane destroys Long Island. Over 700 persons are reported dead, but for at least one of them it was murder.
Kaminsky has his show more own need to prove himself. He fears some young reporter with more pep in his step and his eyes on the prize, that being a byline and coveted scoop on the front page, will send him into early retirement. He has to be in best form and beat out all the others reporters and competing papers on the big stories.
On top of work stress, Elizabeth deals with family expectations. She is of an age to be settling down with a suitable husband. The trouble is, Elizabeth feels an attraction for a detective she meets as part of her job. This difficulty of the classes mingling is a repeated theme through the book.
I especially enjoyed the number of suspects and various motives for murder presented.
All of them were very plausible. Elizabeth puts herself in danger to get the story and to follow her values. Once again, the ending is quite exciting. show less
Kaminsky has his show more own need to prove himself. He fears some young reporter with more pep in his step and his eyes on the prize, that being a byline and coveted scoop on the front page, will send him into early retirement. He has to be in best form and beat out all the others reporters and competing papers on the big stories.
On top of work stress, Elizabeth deals with family expectations. She is of an age to be settling down with a suitable husband. The trouble is, Elizabeth feels an attraction for a detective she meets as part of her job. This difficulty of the classes mingling is a repeated theme through the book.
I especially enjoyed the number of suspects and various motives for murder presented.
All of them were very plausible. Elizabeth puts herself in danger to get the story and to follow her values. Once again, the ending is quite exciting. show less
EXTRA! EXTRA! read all about. The season's "it girl" accused of killing her stepmother. That's exactly how I see the headlines in the paper that Elizabeth works for. Elizabeth is a go getter and loves working at the Daily Trumpet. When she gets a chance to be the photographer for a story she is beyond excited. What she didn't see coming was the picture that puts suspicion on Gloria, the "it girl" of the season.
The author has painted a great picture of the 1930s with references like Girl show more Friday and the mention of Ponds cold cream. I can remember my grandmother having a jar of Ponds sitting on her night table. I loved to smell it and tryh it on. Elizabeth is very smart and hopes to crack the case with her subtle questions and photographs. Her boss is a real hoot. He encourages Elizabeth and uses her skills to help get great stories for the paper.
Elizabeth is asked to help prove Gloria innocent. Can she dig up the truth before someone is killed? The setting of the story is my favorite part. I just love the time period and how easy going Elizabeth is. She comes from a wealthy family, but doesn't really let on about her background. Elizabeth's family is somewhat off putting. Her mother is a snob and her father is a tightwad, but they still try to encourage Elizabeth in her adventures. I loved the clues throughout the story that could almost be missed if you aren't paying attention. This is my new go to author for mysteries that take readers back to a time where women really had to prove they could do things men did. The story is well written with a cast of characters that at times seem to have their own agenda. The ending is really good and i was surprised at a it of the story line. I didn't figure out who the killer was, but i was pleased with the ending. I look forward to more from this author.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Blog Tours. The review is my own opinion. show less
The author has painted a great picture of the 1930s with references like Girl show more Friday and the mention of Ponds cold cream. I can remember my grandmother having a jar of Ponds sitting on her night table. I loved to smell it and tryh it on. Elizabeth is very smart and hopes to crack the case with her subtle questions and photographs. Her boss is a real hoot. He encourages Elizabeth and uses her skills to help get great stories for the paper.
Elizabeth is asked to help prove Gloria innocent. Can she dig up the truth before someone is killed? The setting of the story is my favorite part. I just love the time period and how easy going Elizabeth is. She comes from a wealthy family, but doesn't really let on about her background. Elizabeth's family is somewhat off putting. Her mother is a snob and her father is a tightwad, but they still try to encourage Elizabeth in her adventures. I loved the clues throughout the story that could almost be missed if you aren't paying attention. This is my new go to author for mysteries that take readers back to a time where women really had to prove they could do things men did. The story is well written with a cast of characters that at times seem to have their own agenda. The ending is really good and i was surprised at a it of the story line. I didn't figure out who the killer was, but i was pleased with the ending. I look forward to more from this author.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Blog Tours. The review is my own opinion. show less
World's Fair, NYC, murder investigation, murder, newspapers, reporter *****
I thought it was great! A woman with brains who isn't afraid to use them and discovers her calling along the way. Biz was born into an upper class family but that's just not a good fit for her. She's been the camera person for an experienced newsman and they're on the crime beat. On the grounds of the 1939 World's Fair, the first body is in the show swimming pool and the sleuthing begins. There are other bodies that show more don't appear tied to the original at first, an interesting police detective, red herrings, and plot twists. Don't miss this one!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Random House Publishing Group - Alibi via NetGalley. Thank you! show less
I thought it was great! A woman with brains who isn't afraid to use them and discovers her calling along the way. Biz was born into an upper class family but that's just not a good fit for her. She's been the camera person for an experienced newsman and they're on the crime beat. On the grounds of the 1939 World's Fair, the first body is in the show swimming pool and the sleuthing begins. There are other bodies that show more don't appear tied to the original at first, an interesting police detective, red herrings, and plot twists. Don't miss this one!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Random House Publishing Group - Alibi via NetGalley. Thank you! show less
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