Clobbered By Camembert

This is the third book in the Cheese Shop cozy mystery series and is set in the winter. Things are hectic, as they are splitting their time between the shop and their tent at the winter fair. Charlotte is surprised to meet an old friend of her mother's, who has come to town with several business interests in mind, including the purchase of a farm where she plans to set up honeybees, a business that would be in direct competition with the boyfriend of Charlotte's employee, Rebecca. Charlotte is disturbed by some of the comments by her mother's friend about the accident that killed her parents, which gives her guilty thoughts. When a death occurs that implicates Ipo, Rebecca's boyfriend, Rebecca badgers Charlotte into using her skills and show more influence to find out who really did it. Relationship issues also flow through the novel, with her cousin's upcoming marriage, the continued presence of his wild, British ex, and the challenges of 9 year old twin girls. Also, there is some intrigue regarding Charlotte's boyfriend, Jordan. Overall, I found it to be a better mystery than the 2nd book, but it did have a lot of secondary characters, and some of the main characters got annoying from time to time. show less

This was the 3rd installment and the descriptions of the yummy cheeses, special recipes and unusual ice sculptures only added to the enjoyment of this mystery set at the Winter Wonderland Faire.

Kaitlyn Clydesdale returns to Providence, OH and sets out to buy up land stating she's starting a honey farm but when she is found dead, the local honey farmer, Ipo Ho, is at the top of suspect list. Charlotte's assistant, Rebecca, is positive that he's not guilty (they were smooching in the park) but the sheriff is convinced otherwise, so Charlotte starts her own investigation. The results are "chilling".

Charlotte Bessette—proprietor of Le Petit Fromagerie, affectionately known in Providence, Ohio, as the Cheese Shop—is busy setting up her tent for the town’s Winter Wonderland faire, where she’ll offer fine wines and scrumptious cheeses. In the midst of the preparations, Charlotte meets an old friend of her mother, Kaitlyn Clydesdale, who has come back to Providence with plans to start a new honeybee farm.When Kaitlyn is found dead in the cottage of Charlotte’s assistant Rebecca, suspicion falls on Rebecca’s boyfriend, a honeybee farmer himself. Charlotte knows this beekeeper wouldn’t hurt a fly, so she decides to find the real killer. While the town buzzes with gossip, can Charlotte catch the culprit without getting stung show more herself?



Dollycas’s Thoughts
Charlotte Bessette is a wonderful strong woman, raised by her grandparents. Her parents were killed in an accident when Charlotte was just a toddler. She has had more than a few bumps already in life but emerges from each them even stronger. She also has a huge heart which means it is hard for her to say “no” to anyone which sometimes leads her to yet another bump in the road. The trouble is lately this bumps have been dead bodies or live ones she just wishes would leave her alone. Rebecca is quite demanding of Charlotte in this installment but then again her boyfriend is being accused of murder. You can’t help but love these characters.

As you can see from the cover of the book illustrated by Teresa Fasolino, the setting is gorgeous. The Winter Wonderland Faire sounds like an awesome event, the food, the ice sculptures, the choir, the author puts you right there, you may even shiver from the cold weather as the snow starts to gently fall.

Avery also sculpts a wonderful winter mystery. New characters come to town shedding some light on the past and also with big ideas that could mean major changes to Providence making many upset as they learn the details. But who would commit murder? We are kept guessing until the very end.

The setting may be winter but that makes this is a perfect cozy to curl up in front of the fire to read. Don’t forgot to pour a glass of wine and make a little cheesy snack. The story will have you craving both. show less

Maybe I have outgrown the cozy subgenre of mystery... I have had several duds this month. I liked the idea of the cheese shop but didn't find the main character at all believable. She is supposed to be running a business but is constantly leaving her shop to do some amateur sleuthing to satisfy her 20-something assistant (who acts like a spoiled 10-year-old).

Maybe I have outgrown the cozy subgenre of mystery... I have had several duds this month. I liked the idea of the cheese shop but didn't find the main character at all believable. She is supposed to be running a business but is constantly leaving her shop to do some amateur sleuthing to satisfy her 20-something assistant (who acts like a spoiled 10-year-old).

Clobbered by Camembert is the third book in The Cheese Shop series by Avery Aames.

It's always enjoyable to take a trip to Holmes County, OH and visit with Charlotte Bessette at the Fromagerie Bessette, and this book is no exception.

Charlotte and her cousin, Matthew are putting the final touches to tent they have for the Winter Wonderland faire that is about ready to begin. Matthew causally mentions that Charlotte ex-fiancee is back in town. She doesn't want to believe that, as she has gotten over that bad time in her life. But he is. He is suppose to manage a honey bee farm on a farm that Kaitlyn Clydesdale has a contract on. Before the deal can be finalized, Kaitlyn is found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Ipo Ho, who has an show more established honey farm business, is soon arrested as it appears that the wound inlicted on Kaitlyn's neck came from, apparently, from Kala'au rods that Ho happens to own. Rebecca, Charlotte's able assistant, is beside herself that the police have taken her boyfriend, Ho, into custody. Charlotte doesn't really have the time to do any snooping, but Rebecca is constantly pushing her into doing some sleuthing of her own.

All the wonderful characters from the other books are there for a little comic relief. Rebecca with all her whinging did get on my nerves, but then her boyfriend had been arrested. Other than that another great story in an enjoyable series. Recipes and descriptions of various cheeses are also included. show less

Clobbered by Camembert is the third book in The Cheese Shop series by Avery Aames.

It's always enjoyable to take a trip to Holmes County, OH and visit with Charlotte Bessette at the Fromagerie Bessette, and this book is no exception.

Charlotte and her cousin, Matthew are putting the final touches to tent they have for the Winter Wonderland faire that is about ready to begin. Matthew causally mentions that Charlotte ex-fiancee is back in town. She doesn't want to believe that, as she has gotten over that bad time in her life. But he is. He is suppose to manage a honey bee farm on a farm that Kaitlyn Clydesdale has a contract on. Before the deal can be finalized, Kaitlyn is found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Ipo Ho, who has an show more established honey farm business, is soon arrested as it appears that the wound inlicted on Kaitlyn's neck came from, apparently, from Kala'au rods that Ho happens to own. Rebecca, Charlotte's able assistant, is beside herself that the police have taken her boyfriend, Ho, into custody. Charlotte doesn't really have the time to do any snooping, but Rebecca is constantly pushing her into doing some sleuthing of her own.

All the wonderful characters from the other books are there for a little comic relief. Rebecca with all her whinging did get on my nerves, but then her boyfriend had been arrested. Other than that another great story in an enjoyable series. Recipes and descriptions of various cheeses are also included. show less