Amy PershingBesprekingen

Samantha (Sam) Barnes, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, was working in New York when a video of her went viral, and it wasn't as a restaurant's head chef. Thankfully, Sam had the perfect reason to return to her hometown of Sea Isle, Massachusetts. Sam anticipated that in the time it took to sell her inheritance of Aunt Ida's home, she could return to New York, with other viral videos taking the lead, leaving her out of the limelight at a different restaurant than her ex-husband. What Sam didn't anticipate was that dinner with friends for her interim job as a restaurant reviewer would create an additional new role that had nothing to do with cooking or her inheritance.

I loved this cozy mystery! Taking the coming home due to inheritance with perfect timing trope and turning it end-over-end with creativity, humor, and wonderful characters, including the dog’s name, personality, and adorable behavior. Another pleasure in reading this cozy was all that I learned about the different types of waterborne vessels as integral parts of the story. I thought I had the investigation figured out, but changed my mind when I was expertly led to believe the case was going in a different direction, and so I loved the reveal even more since I had bought into the red herrings hook, line, and sinker off the coast of Sea Isle.

Culinary fans are in for a delectable treat as before viewing the recipes at the end of the book, sprinkled throughout the chapters are culinary tips on a variety of foods to enhance preparation for flavorful food. A serving suggestion for a "Casual Dinner with Friends" precedes recipes of Beach Shack Onion Rings, Aunt Ida's Cape Cod Clam Chowder, Arugula, Mango, and Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Dressing, and Sam's Think and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I also award a separate 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the author's creation of Helene, Fair Harbor's new librarian. I was enthralled by the portrayal of a librarian outside of work with an intriguing background, a welcoming, caring neighbor, and an extraordinary friend. Thank you, Amy Pershing! What a gem you created. A total delight! A rare find! As a librarian (retired), I'm over the moon with joy!

I can't wait to read more of this series!

Samantha Barnes, the Cape Cod Foodie, eats the best blueberry buckle she has ever experienced. She learns it is the recipe of renowned chef, Clara Foster. Clara agrees to a video shoot with Samantha where they will make the blueberry buckle. Samantha loves Clara’s beachside home with its original artwork and a wonderful cookbook collection. The next morning, Samantha learns that there was a fire at Clara’s house and the chef is dead. At first blush, it looks like the fire was an accident. When Samantha looks at the scene with Detective Vivian Peters, she notices a couple of clues that indicate foul play. Samantha with the help of her friends sets out to sift through the clues and question suspects. Samantha will need to be careful, or she could get burned. Murder is No Picnic by Amy Pershing is the third A Cape Cod Foodie Mystery. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of Cape Cod. The food depictions will have your mouth watering. I just loved hearing about Clara’s wonderful cookbook collection. It contained one-a-kind cookbooks that collectors would kill to own. The mystery was interesting. There were some good clues at the scene, and it was interesting how the crime was set up. A foodie was definitely needed to discern the crime scene. There are a handful of suspects along with a red herring. There are clues to help readers identify the guilty party before the unique reveal. I like that we get all of our questions answered regarding the crime. Samantha, though, does need to work on her questioning technique. She lacks subtlety. I was surprised when the mystery was solved with about twenty percent of the book still to go. There was one item about this whodunit that was left up in the air. I wonder if it will be revisited in future books. I like the inclusion of the cat and dog in the story. I just love Diogi. He is such a sweetie. Samantha’s relationship with Jason is suffering while he is away in Santa Barbara. Sam worried about Jason and his feelings frequently while he was away. If Jason misses a call, Samantha worries that he is breaking up with her (or no longer cares about her). I wish there had been less focus on the romance and more on the mystery. I did feel that Samantha was a little “Sam” centric this time around. She was focused on her life, romance, house, etc. (and we get to hear all of her thoughts). I had to laugh at Samantha’s reaction to the news about the clock found in her attic. The whole world gets to enjoy her response since it was filmed for Antiques in the Attic. We are left with a cliffhanger at the end. I thought the question could easily have been solved before the end of the book. We will have to wait until next time to find out what happens. There are recipes at the end of the book for a summer picnic including one for a delectable blueberry buckle. Murder is No Picnic is a fun summer cozy mystery with blueberry buckle, a killer cookbook collection, an amazing art collection, a demanding dognapper, a beautiful boat, a curious crime, a Cape Cod clam bake, and fun Fourth of July festivities.

Murder is No Picnic by Amy Pershing is the third book in the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries, and a cozy mystery series that I highly recommend.

Pershing writes wonderfully descriptive passages about Cape Cod, the town, and the food. So much so, that I always feel like I’m actually there. While many fans come back to a cozy series because the characters have come to feel like friends (and those in this series do too), I keep coming back because I am blown away by the details Pershing includes in every book. Even with things that I would not normally find too interesting (like how to sail a boat), Pershing is able to make it enjoyable.

And Pershing’s characters are another layer that adds to the stories. They are so well written and developed, even from book one, A Side of Murder. There are so many fantastic characters but I think Sam's next door neighbor, Helene, who is a librarian with a rich past, might be my favorite. And Diogi, Sam’s loyal and sassy canine friend, of course.

Another thing that I really enjoy about Pershing’s series is that while the main character and friends do go over the suspect list a time or three, it’s not too overdone like in other cozies I have read. I have stopped reading series because there was just so much fluff aka going over the murder board, that I got bored and decided not to go back.

So if you are looking for a near perfect cozy mystery series, you need to check out the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries!

An Eggnog to Die for by Amy Pershing is the 2nd A Cape Cod Foodie Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. The author provides all the information that a new reader needs to know. An Eggnog to Die For has Samantha Barnes getting ready for the holidays. Sam is working on fixing up the home she inherited from her aunt and working as a food critic for the local newspaper, Cape Cod Clarion. She also tapes short food segments for the online paper. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and their upcoming holiday celebrations. This is a quintessential small town that is celebrating Christmas New England style. There are several quirky characters in the story that keep things lively. Sam is filming a holiday drink segment at the local hot restaurant, Ginger Jar. She takes a break to use the ladies’ room and ends up finding the town’s Santa dead in the owner’s office. Sam dons her sleuthing cap once again and sets out to locate the killer. She has a long list of suspects since the victim was not well liked. There is misdirection to throw readers off the track of the guilty party. There are clues to help armchair sleuths solve the crime. I enjoyed the reveal of the killer and I appreciated that the whodunit was completely wrapped up. The food and drink descriptions will have your mouth watering. There is humor in the story to provide giggles. Sam’s snarky comments are amusing. The story is told from Sam’s point-of-view, so we get to know what she is thinking and feeling especially with regard to her harbor master boyfriend. An Eggnog to Die For is a cute cozy mystery with a delightful dog, appetizing appetizers, a sanctimonious Santa, costume crisis, parents paying a visit, and a snooping Sam.

The Holiday season is here and you need to add An Eggnog to Die For by Amy Pershing to your TBR pile, as well as get gift copies for any cozy mystery lovers that you know!

In book two of the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries we are able to reconnect with all the great characters from book one, A Side of Murder, and are introduced to some new characters including Samantha’s parents and the brother-sister duo who are running the chic, new restaurant in town.

While Pershing excels with character development, what really delights me with this series is all the cooking scenes and recipes, and the reno/interior design Sam is doing to the house that she inherited from her aunt. Sam’s mom finds some treasures in the house that will make any Antiques Roadshow fan swoon, and it’s a wonderful find since Sam is a bit low on funds.

As with most cozies there is a romantic aspect, and in this series it’s Jason, the Harbormaster. Their relationship is progressing, and Jason’s gift to Sam towards the end of the book is the sweetest ever… but, for the love of whatever you believe in, they need to communicate more. I’m not saying they need to finish each other’s sentences, but….

Finally there’s the mystery, and this one was very well written with some red herrings. And while the suspects were few and far between at first, the more Sam talked with people around town the more she found out that Santa had been a very, very naughty boy.

I’m looking forward to seeing what wonderful recipes and interior design Pershing comes up with for book three in the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries, as well as reconnecting with all of her fantastic characters!

I have heard so many great things about A Side of Murder by Amy Pershing, so I finally decided to check it out, and I was not disappointed! The first book in A Cap Code Foodie Mystery was fantastic. I was blown away by the detail that Pershing went into in regards to the Cape Cod area and the food. You can feel the love Pershing has for the area, and I felt like I was right there with her enjoying all the community has to offer.

For that alone I would recommend A Side of Murder, but add in very well developed characters and A Side of Murder is a perfect cozy mystery. Sam’s group of friends all have such unique personalities. Her next door neighbor, Helene, is a librarian with a rich past, and might be my favorite. I’m excited to find out more about the previous lives she has lived. And Diogi, her rambunctious puppy, is so cute.

Pershing gave the reader plenty of red herrings and twists, and the final showdown was like something out of a thriller. Add in the great support of all Sam’s friends and it was a wonderful conclusion to A Side of Murder. I am looking forward to book two, An Eggnog to Die For, which comes out at the beginning of November 2021.

Ever since she can remember, Samantha Barne’s dream was to leave Cape Cod and move to New York to pursue a career as a chef. For a while she is living her dream but when a fight with her soon to be ex goes viral, she finds herself back on Cape Cod living in a house she inherited from her aunt. She is just rebuilding her life and writing restaurant reviews for the local paper when she stumbles across a body. The police think the victim drowned by accident but Sam isn’t convinced and begins to investigate the case herself. Unfortunately, her investigations put her in the path of harbormaster Jason Captiva, whom she shares a past with.

“A Side of Murder” is the very nicely done first book in Amy Pershing’s Cape Cod Foodie cozy mystery series. Sometimes when I read a first book in a series it takes several chapters for me to get into the characters and setting but I was hooked on this book from the very first page. I loved everything about this book starting with the Cape Cod setting and the characters – Sam and her friends Jenny, Krista, Miles, Helene, her relationship with Jason, and of course her dog Dioge. None of the characters are perfect but they are all very believable. Parts of the story are in flashback – this could have been off-putting but Pershing does an excellent job with it and it helps the development of Sam as a character. The mystery itself is well done with plenty of suspects and twists and turns – at one point I thought I had figured out who the killer was but I was totally wrong. Well done by Pershing!

A Side of Murder by Amy Pershing is the debut of A Cape Code Foodie Mystery series. Samantha “Sam” Barnes is a chef who is returning home to Fair Harbor, Massachusetts. Sam’s professional and personal life in New York City derailed after a passerby posted a video on You-tube of an argument between Sam and her fiery tempered husband. When she learns she has inherited her Great-Aunt Ida’s home, Sam decides to head back to Cape Code temporarily. She gets a job at the Cape Cod Clarion writing restaurant reviews and food features. Her first assignment takes Sam and her friends to the Bayview Grille. After dinner, Sam takes a walk outside where she finds Estelle Kobolt dead in the water. The death is ruled accidental, but Sam’s instinct tells her it is murder. Sam decides to do a little digging on her own to see who wished Estelle dead. A Side of Murder is easy to read with mixed pacing. The author took the time to establish the setting of Fair Harbor in Cape Code. There are beautiful descriptions of the beach plus detailed word images of the food, Great-Aunt Ida’s house, and Diogi. We get to meet Sam’s childhood friends, Miles and Jenny along with the editor-in-chief of the Cape Cod Clarion, Krista Baker and Sam’s neighbor, Helene Greenberg. The mystery was straightforward with a couple of suspects, misdirection, and subtle clues. I would have liked more time devoted to the mystery and for it to be more complex. The whodunit is focused on more in the latter half of the book. My favorite phrase from A Side of Murder is, “Danger Will Robinson” when Krista charms Sam into taking the job at the paper. There is romance for Sam in the form of an old crush. They are attracted to each other and there is chemistry between them. A Side of Murder is a breezy cozy mystery with fine food, a cute canine, an insistent editor-in-chief, fun friends, a gone guzzler, a hunky harbormaster, and a beautiful beach.