Book Review: A Poisonous Pour (Cece Barton Mystery, #3) by Maddie Day

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A Poisonous Pour (Cece Barton Mystery, #3)  by Maddie Day  opens with the city of Colinas, California celebrating Memorial Day weekend with various activities including a car show and picnic. While co-sponsoring a booth at the car show with local mechanic Josie Jarvin, Cece witnesses one of the attendees, Regan Greene, getting into multiple arguments with others. Aside from that, everything goes well. That is until the next morning when the town finds out that Regan is dead, and it looks like she was murdered. With multiple people having motives, Cece utilizes her amateur sleuthing skills to find out who actually committed the dirty deed. I was approved for and received a digital copy of an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Poisonous Pour by Maddie Day from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. A huge thank you goes out to both for providing me a copy for free in exchange for my honest opinion. Maddie Day's Cece Barton series has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series, an...
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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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