FUDGING THE BOOKS (COOKBOOK NOOK MYSTERY, BOOK #4) BY DARYL WOOD GERBER: BOOK REVIEW

cozy

5-star

Fudging the Books

Cookbook Nook Mystery, Book #4

By Daryl Wood Gerber

ISBN13: 9780425279403

Author website: http://www.darylwoodgerber.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Fudging-the-BooksSynopsis:

The Agatha Award–winning author of Stirring the Plot returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, California, where February brings Pirate Week, National Chocolate Month—and bitter murder…

Pirate Week is sweeping through Crystal Cove and keeping Jenna Hart and her bookstore, the Cookbook Nook, plenty busy. But she’s not too swamped to also host the local Chocolate Cookbook Club’s meeting—especially because the guest of honor is her friend, candy maker and cookbook author Coco Chastain.

Jenna whips up a delicious event amidst the rowdy festivities, but the mood is soon broken by robberies, simmering tempers, and a dead body—Coco’s editor, Alison. The suspects turn out to be more plentiful than a pot full of gold doubloons, so to prove Coco isn’t responsible for the dastardly deed, Jenna will have to stir up some clues and figure out who’s the real sticky-fingered killer…

INCLUDES RECIPES!

Review:

I have to say first of all that I love The Cookbook Nook Series. It is among my favorites. Also author Daryl Wood Gerber is one of the finest cozy writers around, regardless of genre’, she rocks! This series is always fun, entertaining, suspenseful and wonderful to read. It is one that you definitely do not have to read in order because of the mastery the author uses to keep the reader informed and definitely not bored. The characters are great and well developed, even new ones. The setting is perfect, who doesn’t love a cookbook store set in a scenic small town! And to top all of that off, this one is set not only during February (Valentine’s Day), but also Pirate Week in Crystal Cove, California.

Jenna Hart is a kind-hearted, intelligent character. Her aunt Vera is always a hoot. With great friends and townsfolk, the people of Crystal Cove are absolutely fabulous. And for those that love chocolate, you cannot go wrong with Fudging the Books. Chocolate lovers rejoice, not only is it chocolate month in this book, but they have a Chocolate Cookbook Club at the Cookbook Nook. And Jenna’s friend Coco Chastain, candy maker and cookbook author, is going to be the guest of honor along with her editor. Alison Foodie is editor of so many cookbooks and a lot of the citizens of Crystal Cove are writing books that she will be getting published. How can anything go wrong with so much fun happening in town, chocolate and pirates abound. Murder, however rears its ugly head and Jenna cannot help herself. She has to find the culprit.

Several people wind up being suspects, so Jenna is kept busy. Along with finding out whodunit, she is running her fabulous store, celebrating Pirate week and paying homage to chocolate. With pirates running amok, new people in town, authors left and right, how can Jenna pinpoint the true killer? Somehow she weeds out those suspects to find the truth. Along the way, the reader is taken on a fabulous adventure. Side stories are just as interesting as the main mystery. Plenty of twists and turns, and all of them intelligent and feasible. Jenna isn’t a weak nor does she search for answers with abandonment. She is sensible and thorough. And I want to be her friend.

Fudging the Books is a wonderful cozy that is full of entertainment and mystery and is a darn great read. You really do not have to read this series in order as Daryl Wood Gerber is excellent at getting the new reader caught up while keeping the series reader amused and entertained. This book will appeal to foodies, chocolate lovers, pirate fans (and honestly who doesn’t love Johnny Depp in his pirate gear), fans of small town fun and anyone that enjoys a cozy. You truly can’t go wrong with this book, this series or anything Daryl Wood Gerber writes. I have to admit I am in the minority in that I do not like chocolate, however even I loved the recipes and the information and fun dealing with it. Another stellar effort from a fabulous author. And if you haven’t read the earlier books in this series, do it. You will not regret it!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*