Reviews

Cheddar Off Dead: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss

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4leisurely_reading4's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

daddysprincess's review

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4.0

So pretty typical cozy. Chick leaves current situation to find herself. Has a pet…this time it’s a fish named Loretta. That’s awesome. I am considering getting a fish to name Loretta. Anyway…this chick opens a cheese shop. Tries to solve the murder. Solves the murder. I like the story. But I’m not gaga over it like other cozies that I have read. Maybe it has to do with cheese. I never really paid attention to cheese. Cheese is cheese right? WRONG!!! There is way more to cheese. I will read more in the series for sure. Maybe I’ll even try to find some different cheeses to try. By the way…Loretta the fish loves to watch Chopped. How perfect!!!

smolcrown's review

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4.0

So cute that you almost forget someone get murdered

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

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3.0

Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss is the first book in A Cheese Shop Mystery series. Willa Bauer has traveled since college learning all about the different variety of cheeses available in the world. She is now ready to open her own shop. Willa picked Yarrow Glen in Sonoma Valley for Curds & Whey. It has only been open a short time when the murder occurs. Willa lacked personality. She is nice, but she is only okay as a protagonist. We get to meet Willa along with her two shop employees (Archie and Mrs. Schulz), Baz (I love his real name), and various townspeople. I found the pacing to be a little slow for my liking. The author provides descriptions on the town, the shops, the people, and various cheeses (this slows down the pacing but allows readers to visualize the scenes). I liked the various secondary characters in the series. It is a well-rounded cast that is diverse in age and experience (from teen to retired drama teacher). The mystery involves a food critic who is disliked in the town. It was easy to figure out that the nasty critic would be murdered and there is a small cast of suspects. There are clues to help readers solve the crime. It is a light, simple whodunit that can be solved long before the final clues are given, and the reveal occurs. The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end, but I felt the ending was incomplete (if I said why, it would be a spoiler). Willa actively investigated the crime by asking questions and eavesdropping on conversations. She gets help from her two employees and her neighbor, Baz (I like all three of these characters). Detective Heath is a handsome man (according to Willa) who warns Willa about the dangers of sleuthing. For some reason, Willa doubts the detective’s ability to solve the case. My favorite scene in Cheddar Off Dead is when Archie, one of Willa’s employees, comes out in a large cheese costume made by her other employee, Mrs. Schulz. It is a cute scene. I hope the author will cut back on romance in future books. I do not mind a little light romance that plays out throughout the series (I just do not like our fair protagonist admiring the various eligible men and debating the merits of relationships with them). I read a cozy mystery for the mystery along with friendly characters, charming small town, and that extra bit (whether it is a culinary cozy, pet themed, craft related, etc.). Cheddar Off Dead is okay, but I do not know if I will continue with the series (it cannot compare to Daryl Wood Gerber’s cheese shop mystery series). The novel is not long, but it felt like it thanks to the slow pacing and writing style. Cheddar Off Dead has readers traveling to the Sonoma Valley for delectable cheeses, a knifed critic, several suspicious suspects, an understanding neighbor, eager employees, a dedicated detective, and a curious cheesemonger.

joyce_fox's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious fast-paced

3.75

akeivens's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

📚BOOK REVIEW‼️
Cheddar Off Dead • Korina Moss
@korinamossauthor

5/5 Overall
5/5 Writing Style
3/5 Thrill

☕️ Cozy Mystery
🕵️‍♀️ Who-Dun-It
😝 Cute Theme

👥CHARACTERS👥
•I absolutely related to the FMC and honestly all characters were so cool & unique!! I reallyyyy enjoyed this

✨PROS✨
•Such a cozy mystery story
•Left you guessing on who is the murderer
•The cheese references are on point

❌CONS❌
•I don’t really think I have any

Overall, I adored this series starter and cannot wait to read more. This reinvigorated my love for cozy mysteries!!!