I just finished this hilarious book this morning. Magdalena really cracked me up! I hadn't read a mystery in a really long time...so long that I'm not even sure I've ever read one! Besides the goofy storyline and humorous characters, I really liked how the author showed us a glimpse into how Magdalena viewed things on the "outside"--opposite from me! For instance, as she's checking people into her hotel, she says how she wishes she could go visit all these places that the people come from. That's ironic because the number one place that I would love to go visit is Amish country! Also, she says that all the English (non-Amish people) look alike to her--funny because the Amish all dress pretty much the same--(same clothes style, hair cuts or up-do's, shoes, buggies, etc.)--they all look alike to me! ( )

it's was a fun little romp of a book. I would rather like hanging out with Mags for a bit ( )

Magdalena Yoder runs the PennDutch Inn, a B&B charging well-to-do guests a fortune for an "authentic Amish experience" that entails cleaning their own rooms, carrying their own luggage, and eating the food cooked by Magda's friend and the inn's Amish cook, Freni. When a group of well-to-do guests arrives at the inn at the opening of hunting season, Magda isn't sure how to deal with their requests for vegetarian food and general disdain for the more rustic parts of rural life. And when a guest turns up dead, she especially isn't sure what to do.

This was a quick and light read. I really enjoyed the concept and setup of the inn--I thought that the idea of Magda establishing this pricy-and-rustic spot, forcing guests to clean up after themselves, was pretty funny. The mystery was also fairly enjoyable. I guessed the murderer pretty quickly, though I enjoyed the revelation of the means and motive at the end. And the recipes were a fun addition! ( )

2 1/2 stars...it was okay. I think this was the third Tamar Myers book I read - and the last.

Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth by Tamar Myers is a 1995 publication.

This is the first book in the Pennsylvania Dutch series which now has twenty books to its credit. With the help of Hoopla, my local library and Playster, I am now able to piece together long running series and binge read them!

So, as I begin 2016, one of my reading goals is to finish at least one series, from start to finish. I am working on the Sue Grafton series as well, but since I have never read any of these, I will work this series in as well.

Magdalena Yoder is a Mennonite and the proprietor of the PennDutch Inn. When she welcomes a Politian and his wife in the peak of deer hunting season, amidst a group of animal rights activist, tensions begin to run very high for the quaint family farming community.

When one of the guest is found dead, it’s not immediately clear if it was an accident or murder, setting Magdalena up for a potential law suit, on top of dealing with her wordly sister, and other rather amusing characters, most of which I am sure will be back.

I had no idea what to expect with this series, but immediately became enchanted with the characters and the set up. I laughed so hard, even now, with this first book was written twenty-one years ago!! So, I think I picked a good series to read from start to finish and am looking forward to getting to know these characters better, and maybe trying out a few of the recipes included in the book.

Overall this one gets 4 stars ( )