COZY MYSTERY: Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran

WELL READ, THEN DEAD

A Read 'Em and Eat Mystery #1

by Terrie Farley Moran

Berkley Prime Crime, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-425-27028-8

Source: purchased

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

First in a new series!

Nestled in the barrier islands of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach is home to Mary “Sassy” Cabot and Bridget Mayfield—owners of the bookstore café, Read ’Em and Eat. But when they’re not dishing about books or serving up scones, Sassy and Bridgy are keeping tabs on hard-boiled murder.

Read ’Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If it’s not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, it’s Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. It’s no wonder Sassy’s favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augusta’s cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shy—which makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.

No one is more distraught than Augusta, and Sassy wants to help any way she can. But Augusta doesn’t have time for sympathy. She wants Delia’s killer found—and she’s not taking no for an answer. Now Sassy is on the case, and she’d better act fast before there’s any more trouble in paradise.

Includes a buttermilk pie recipe!

REVIEW

I quite enjoyed this book. Sassy is quite an amusing character with her combination of down home charm and fiestiness.  It was especially fun to read about her interactions with the by-the-book new deputy, Frank Anthony. Clearly there is attraction there but the two also annoy each other greatly especially once Sassy starts looking into Delia's death on her own in her efforts to keep a promise.  One of the things I like about cozy mysteries are the settings and Moran has done a great job of that here, I could practically feel the ocean breezes and I desperately wanted to stroll into The Read 'Em and Eat cafe to browse and eat and enjoy the author tables.  The relationship between Sassy and her best friend, Bridgy was laugh out loud funny at times. And Bridgy's Aunt Ophelia was an absolute hoot.  The mystery itself had plenty of nice twists and turns as it first appeared to head in one direction before swinging around to go in a different direction.  I also liked all the nice details involving everything from Delia's cat, Bow, to the cafe's chef, Miguel and his broken leg.  All in all a fun read, and I look forward to reading more in this series.