Farmers' Market Mysteries by Paige Shelton

Farm Fresh Murder
Fruit of All Evil
Crops and Robbers
Red Hot Deadly Peppers (novella)
A Killer Maize
Merry Market Murder
Bushel Full of Murder

4 stars each
(except Crops and Robbers which I apparently gave 5 stars)
R- 1-2

It's possible that I've reviewed one or two of these in the past.  I discovered them a while ago... I think the first was a Reader's Choice book.

But I had gotten behind, so at the beginning of the year I decided to re-read/read them all.

Let me tell you, when you decide to read 4 different series by the same author at about the same time... you have to pay attention to which series you're in at any given time.

Anyway.

These are fun cozies.  There is a love triangle (gag) but it's not too bad and thankfully gets resolved neatly enough. (Though there is a cliffhanger aspect there.)

But the triangle doesn't start right away and gets taken care of in book 4, so yay.

My main complaint is that you can't introduce a character in a mid-series novella and have him clearly state that he's NOT law enforcement and then bring him back in a novel later as a cop.  You gotta explain it or something.

I'm nitpicky that way.

To Helvetica and Back by Paige Shelton

 (A Dangerous Type Mystery #1)
somewhere in the 3.5-4 star range
R- 1 (maybe)

So....

Let's take a moment to admire that title, can we?

Because it's kind of beautiful.

Anyway-- Paige Shelton.  An author of cozy mysteries that I have very much enjoyed in the past.

And hey, a new series featuring books/fonts/typewriters.....

What's not to love??

Okay, so the writing wasn't the most amazing thing... it felt a little repetitive and clunky in places.

But overall the characters were entertaining.

And it was a fun story.

So I'll definitely be looking for more Dangerous Type mysteries.

Fruit of All Evil by Paige Shelton

4 stars
R-1
Sequel to Farm Fresh Murder

While I was a little worried about the sustainability of this series, I really enjoyed the second book.  Granted the farmer's market vendor disappearing felt a little like deja vu since something similar happens in the first book, but Paige Shelton pulls it off pretty well.  (Now if someone goes missing like that in the third one.... lol)

I also kind of wish the love interest would go in a different direction, but hey. 

(It's not that I don't like him, I just like the other guy better.... for Becca.)

Anyway, another great cozy mystery.  And again, it has recipes.  (CHOCOLATE Strawberry jam?!  Awesome.)

And since this is a local author, I'm really tempted to contact her and ask A) are you willing to meet with book clubs? B) do you actually make Pumpkin Preserves and Chocolate Strawberry Jam? C) if you answered yes to A and B, how about a demonstration?!  LOL 

Seriously, though, wouldn't that be FUN?  My mom would let us use her awesome kitchen.....  Hmmm..... Very very very tempting.