Cooking For A Birthday Can Be Deadly
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Mystery at a birthday party |
Last night, I finished reading The Birthday Mystery by Faith Martin. I would like to offer my review to you this morning.
This book is the first in a newer series by the author known for her DI Hillary Greene series that spans back some thirty years or so. Ms. Martin does not disappoint with her new concept for a good old fashioned whodunit.
Our sleuth in The Birthday Mystery is Jenny Starling. Jenny travels around the British countryside cooking for different clients. She has been hired to cook the dinner and birthday cakes for a party being given for Justin and Alicia, an upper-class set of twins who will turn 21 in a few days. As she arrives at the home of the twin's parents, something is already amiss. A body has been found in the pond on the residence. Jenny really does not want to get involved and plans to start preparing the plans for the meal and cakes.
As reluctant as she is, Jenny can't help but overhear conversations that make her curious as to what is really going on in this home. The resident staff do not take well to her being there and give her a hard time whenever they can. She feels there is something off with the family dynamics but can't quite put her finger on it. Justin the birthday boy is a bit pompous and yet she can't help but like him in an odd sort of way. Alicia is beautiful but spoiled and demanding.
I found this to be a fun reading experience with plenty of twists to the plot. The concept of a traveling cook was interesting and Jenny's sleuthing skills were impressive. The characters were well thought out and the mystery flowed along nicely. It reminded me a bit of the style of Agatha Christie and her Miss Marple which was enjoyable.
I highly recommend The Birthday Mystery to those of you who enjoy a good old fashioned murder mystery that is not predictable at to "whodunit". To find out who dies at the birthday celebration and more importantly who caused the death, you will have to read the book. I do not think you will be disappointed.
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This sounds right up my alley! Cooking, mystery and great writing. I’m definitely putting this on my reading list. Thanks for introducing me to this author!
ReplyDeleteThis is clearly a book I must read! I adore Agatha Christie novels. Since you compared this book to her mysteries, then I know I will greatly enjoy the suspense and not being able to guess the outcome. Thank you for the introduction and review! I always love adding recommended books to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun mystery. Thanks for the recommend.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love mysteries, and this one sounds like a great one to read. Thanks for recommending it.
ReplyDeleteOkay Bev, it's going on my must read list. Thank you, I love these kinds of novels that keep you guessing and turning those pages.
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