Book Review: When I Kill You by B.A. Paris

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When I Kill You  by B.A. Paris  opens with Nell Masters feeling as though she's being watched, possible by someone connected to her past. She tries to convince herself it's al in her head, brushing it off as paranoia. But, is her past truly coming back to haunt her? B.A. Paris is one of my favorite authors from across the pond, so when I saw she had a new novel coming out, I knew I had to request an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley. When I received the approval, I was overjoyed. A big thank you goes out to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. Going into  When I Kill You , I knew absolutely nothing about the synopsis before requesting it and diving in. At first, I did struggle a bit to get into the story. Part of that was because the writing didn't feel as strong as I've come to expect from the author; it came across as a bit juvenile. That said, the further I read, the more the wri...
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Book Review: Death by Food Truck: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries by Joi Copeland, Cynthia Hickey, Linda Baten Johnson, and Teresa Ives Lilly

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Christian Cozy Mystery Novella Book Review of Death by Food Truck: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries by Joi Copeland, Cynthia Hickey, Linda Baten Johnson, and Teresa Ives Lilly

Death by Food Truck Review: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries Full of Suspense & Romance

Death by Food Truck: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries by Joi Copeland, Cynthia Hickey, Linda Baten Johnson, and Teresa Ives Lilly is a fun and unique collection of four cozy culinary mystery novellas. Set at Birch Point Lake Park, the stories follow a rash of deaths linked to four different food trucks. Each novella blends mystery, romance, and food, making it a tasty treat for fans of cozy mysteries. This collection was published on July 1, 2023.

I want to thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

My Thoughts on the Stories

When I first requested Death by Food Truck, I didn’t realize it contained religious themes. The first novella, in particular, leaned heavily on Christian elements, which made it harder for me to fully enjoy. The other three novellas were less religious, though spiritual references were still present. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Christian cozy fiction, it’s just not my personal preference.

That said, the food truck mysteries themselves were engaging and fun! Each story includes a charming romantic subplot that didn’t feel forced, and the food descriptions added a delicious layer to the mysteries. I did find the culprits fairly predictable despite the authors’ attempts to mislead readers.

If you enjoy mysteries that combine murder, romance, and culinary themes, these novellas deliver. The blend of food and suspense makes this collection stand out from other cozy mystery books.

Final Rating

I gave Death by Food Truck: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries 3 out of 5 stars. Fans of Christian cozy mysteries will likely enjoy these stories, but if you prefer food-focused mysteries without strong religious themes, keep in mind that Christian elements are present throughout.

Overall, if you love cozy culinary mysteries, food truck mysteries, or romantic twists in your cozy reads, this collection offers a unique and entertaining experience.

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