Nacho Average Murder

While looking forward to her high school reunion back in California, Robbie’s anticipation is complicated by memories of her mother’s untimely death. At first, she has fun hanging out with her old classmates and reuniting with the local flavors—avocados, citrus, fish, and spicy Cali-Mex dishes. But then she gets wind of rumors that her mother, an environmental activist, may not have died of natural causes. With the help of friends, Robbie starts clearing the smoke surrounding the mystery—but what she finds could make it hard to get back to Indiana alive.

Series: A Country Store Mystery – Book #7
Author: Maddie Day
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 336

Rating:

Maddie Day’s newest addition to her cozy food series, “A Country Store Mystery” Nacho Average Murder, is out now. Readers who are long time fans of this series will enjoy having Robbie out of Pans ’N Pancakes and into a world they have never known. For Robbie, it’s a look back at her youth, her school days, and her mother. Finding out that someone may have murdered her mom and that same person may be out killing others, spurs her into action.

Robbie is a beloved character, but she isn’t without faults. She is very human in that she has issues, some of which stem from her childhood. Jumping into the middle of a murder investigation of a stranger isn’t without danger. Add in all the food she is eating, and her trip could be a recipe for trouble. I enjoyed learning about Robbie’s old classmates; I would love to see Alana and Jason show up in future books. They gave Robbie a backstory we hadn’t heard before, and it makes her a much more rounded character.

The murder is a real mystery, as no one is sure it is a murder. When the homicide is finally confirmed, it leads to intriguing suspects, including people Robbie knows, some cook up her favorite food dishes, and those she doesn’t know but all have opportunity and motive. When the true killer is revealed, it isn’t a great surprise, but it is a satisfying one.

I enjoyed Nacho Average Murder and the unusual circumstances Robbie finds herself in. The writing was as always top-notch, heartwarming, and filled with lovely sights, sounds, and in this case, tantalizing food smells that leave the reader hungry for more.

Other mouthwateringly delicious food cozies include Dorothy St. James’ rich and smooth “A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery” or Julia Buckley’s happy adventure “An Undercover Dish Mystery”.

About the Author:

Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day) has always been a writer. She made her living writing technical documentation in the software industry, wrote features and essays as a free-lance journalist, edited medical texts, and produced several published articles and a doctoral dissertation in the field of linguistics. And before that, she wrote fiction and news articles, with her first paid published story appearing at age 9. Creating fiction, long and short, is what makes her happiest (although she wrote a prose poem about her late father that she’s rather proud of).

Edith is active in Sisters in Crime and is a member of Mystery Writers of America. She is also a long-time member of the Society of Friends (Quaker), and the recent past Clerk of Amesbury Friends Meeting. Her art story was featured in the National Endowment for the Arts 50th anniversary celebration.

Edith lives in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but is originally a fourth-generation Californian. She has two grown sons and lives in an antique house with her beau and their two cats.

Contact Edith/Maddie: edithmaxwellauthor@gmail.com

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