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trayceebee's review against another edition
3.0
Am starting to read a few more mysteries, and I like the ones that have recipes in them. This was pretty good--not great, but I wasn't looking for a challenge, so it fit the bill perfectly. Will look for more like this!
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard, along with a guest post by Connie Archer.
Connie Archer cooks up a delicious mystery in A Roux of Revenge, the third book in the Soup Lover's Mystery series. Set in a small town in Vermont, the novel features an engaging main character in Lucky Jamieson, the owner of the By the Spoonful Soup Shop, and a cast of interesting -- but for the most part blessedly normal -- secondary characters. Archer easily maintains the fine line between the boringly ordinary and the overly charming or eccentric, creating a place and characters that are both entertaining and believable.
The mystery begins when police chief Nate Edgerton arrives at the scene of a single-vehicle accident and finds the driver dead... but not necessarily as a result of the crash. Here's another way in which Archer sets her novel a little apart from the typical cozy: although amateur sleuth Lucky is the main character, we do see some scenes from the police chief's perspective, which lends them more immediacy than if the events were related by one character to another. Speaking of which, Nate, an older man, is also unusually forthcoming with both Lucky and her grandfather Jack, telling them more about his ongoing investigation than I think most policemen would. While his openness did stretch my credence a bit (almost the only thing in the novel that did), it's more than made up for by the lack of either animosity or sexual tension between policeman and amateur sleuth. After a few too many cozies featuring one or other (and sometimes both!) I found the cordial relationship a relief. And it certainly makes it easier for Lucky to learn some of the pertinent facts. I also appreciate that Nate is not a "stupid cop"; he's perceptive, canny, and not easily misled.
Another mystery arises around the same time, this one squarely in Lucky's court. A strange man appears to be stalking her teenage waitress, Janie. As both mysteries escalate, the complications multiply. What secret is Janie's mother Miriam keeping from her? Who is the dead man, and who is trying to keep Nate from identifying the body? How does any of it relate to the influx of 'travelers' working at a nearby harvest festival, or to the insurance investigator who just can't let go of his only unsolved case? The escalation of tension is expertly done, and although most mystery aficionados will guess that the two cases are connected, the connections are far from obvious for quite some time. Ms. Archer employs her red herrings with skill, and isn't above a spot of clever-but-fair misdirection. I did spot the murderer part-way through, in part because I'm very familiar with mystery conventions, but I could so easily have been wrong.
Lucky's relationship with her boyfriend Elias, the town's doctor, was the only place where I felt the novel stumbled even a little. Their relationship had clearly developed in the earlier books, and the inevitable obstacle which cropped up in this book, while it reveals a lot about Lucky's insecurities, was a trifle obvious and more than a bit cliched. It also tripped my "why don't they just talk to each other" button - though to Archer's credit, avoiding the issue in question is consistent with both their personalities.
That small quibble aside, however, A Roux of Revenge is a well-plotted and solidly-written mystery, as flavorful and satisfying as the unique and hearty soups served at By the Spoonful. (You'll find some recipes in the back, by the way. The Pumpkin Rice soup sounds delicious!) I'm delighted to have discovered this series, and I can't wait to catch up on the first two books, A Spoonful of Murder and A Broth of Betrayal.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
Connie Archer cooks up a delicious mystery in A Roux of Revenge, the third book in the Soup Lover's Mystery series. Set in a small town in Vermont, the novel features an engaging main character in Lucky Jamieson, the owner of the By the Spoonful Soup Shop, and a cast of interesting -- but for the most part blessedly normal -- secondary characters. Archer easily maintains the fine line between the boringly ordinary and the overly charming or eccentric, creating a place and characters that are both entertaining and believable.
The mystery begins when police chief Nate Edgerton arrives at the scene of a single-vehicle accident and finds the driver dead... but not necessarily as a result of the crash. Here's another way in which Archer sets her novel a little apart from the typical cozy: although amateur sleuth Lucky is the main character, we do see some scenes from the police chief's perspective, which lends them more immediacy than if the events were related by one character to another. Speaking of which, Nate, an older man, is also unusually forthcoming with both Lucky and her grandfather Jack, telling them more about his ongoing investigation than I think most policemen would. While his openness did stretch my credence a bit (almost the only thing in the novel that did), it's more than made up for by the lack of either animosity or sexual tension between policeman and amateur sleuth. After a few too many cozies featuring one or other (and sometimes both!) I found the cordial relationship a relief. And it certainly makes it easier for Lucky to learn some of the pertinent facts. I also appreciate that Nate is not a "stupid cop"; he's perceptive, canny, and not easily misled.
Another mystery arises around the same time, this one squarely in Lucky's court. A strange man appears to be stalking her teenage waitress, Janie. As both mysteries escalate, the complications multiply. What secret is Janie's mother Miriam keeping from her? Who is the dead man, and who is trying to keep Nate from identifying the body? How does any of it relate to the influx of 'travelers' working at a nearby harvest festival, or to the insurance investigator who just can't let go of his only unsolved case? The escalation of tension is expertly done, and although most mystery aficionados will guess that the two cases are connected, the connections are far from obvious for quite some time. Ms. Archer employs her red herrings with skill, and isn't above a spot of clever-but-fair misdirection. I did spot the murderer part-way through, in part because I'm very familiar with mystery conventions, but I could so easily have been wrong.
Lucky's relationship with her boyfriend Elias, the town's doctor, was the only place where I felt the novel stumbled even a little. Their relationship had clearly developed in the earlier books, and the inevitable obstacle which cropped up in this book, while it reveals a lot about Lucky's insecurities, was a trifle obvious and more than a bit cliched. It also tripped my "why don't they just talk to each other" button - though to Archer's credit, avoiding the issue in question is consistent with both their personalities.
That small quibble aside, however, A Roux of Revenge is a well-plotted and solidly-written mystery, as flavorful and satisfying as the unique and hearty soups served at By the Spoonful. (You'll find some recipes in the back, by the way. The Pumpkin Rice soup sounds delicious!) I'm delighted to have discovered this series, and I can't wait to catch up on the first two books, A Spoonful of Murder and A Broth of Betrayal.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
The mystery was pretty clever. It was part murder-of-a-stranger and part cold case. Solution was a great surprise. Really enjoyed this one.
_kristiew_'s review against another edition
4.0
Great book! I loved the storyline and the ending, can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
A Roux of Revenge is the third book in the “A Soup Lover’s Mystery” by Connie Archer. Lucky is busy running her business, hosting a pumpkin carving contest, and attempting to sort out the family problems of young employee, Janie and her mother, Miriam. In the midst of all this, a fair is being hosted in the town by a somewhat sleazy businessman, a murder occurs of a mystery man, and details of an old unsolved robbery surface. There is lots of action that certainly pushes the plot along in this outing of the series. Lucky is a great character and the other recurring characters continue to be fleshed out as the series develops.
The mystery plot is interesting with a few red herrings to throw the reader off the trail. There is also an interesting romantic subplot with Lucky that is explored more than it was in previous books. I thoroughly enjoyed A Roux of Revenge and look forward to the next book in the series.
The mystery plot is interesting with a few red herrings to throw the reader off the trail. There is also an interesting romantic subplot with Lucky that is explored more than it was in previous books. I thoroughly enjoyed A Roux of Revenge and look forward to the next book in the series.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
It’s time for the Harvest Festival just outside of Snowflake, Vermont. Lucky’s By The Spoonful Soup Shop is busy with not only tourists coming to town for the festival but a group of travelers that have come to work at the festival. One of the travelers seems to be particularly interested into one of Lucky’s waitresses. Does Janie have a stalker?
An unidentified man has also been found murdered in a van just outside of town and the travelers seem to be the prime suspects. When Janie’s life is put in danger Lucky has no choice but try to help her even if it means working together with the travelers under suspicion.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
From A Spoonful of Murder to A Broth of Betrayal and now in A Roux of Revenge, Snowflake, Vermont is a hotbed of mystery.
In this installment tension is as hot as the soups. The travelers are sometimes referred to as gypsies as they travel around from place to place taking jobs like working at festivals like the one taking place in Snowflake. When one of them appears to be watching the soup shop and especially Janie, Lucky senses something is up right away.
Archer has crafted a very interesting mystery with very unexpected twists. She also mixes in Lucky relationship with Elias that seems to be ending its course unless something changes in a hurry. I will admit I found Elias’ actions or lack there of very frustrating myself so I was feeling heartbroken for Lucky.
I really enjoy the way all the characters meet and check in at By The Spoonful and the way Lucky and her grandfather, Jack, interact with everyone. If you want to know what is happening in Snowflake this is the place to be. It reminds me so much of the cafe my mother used to run.
The author continues to top herself and has left me anxiously awaiting my next visit to By The Spoonful.
An unidentified man has also been found murdered in a van just outside of town and the travelers seem to be the prime suspects. When Janie’s life is put in danger Lucky has no choice but try to help her even if it means working together with the travelers under suspicion.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
From A Spoonful of Murder to A Broth of Betrayal and now in A Roux of Revenge, Snowflake, Vermont is a hotbed of mystery.
In this installment tension is as hot as the soups. The travelers are sometimes referred to as gypsies as they travel around from place to place taking jobs like working at festivals like the one taking place in Snowflake. When one of them appears to be watching the soup shop and especially Janie, Lucky senses something is up right away.
Archer has crafted a very interesting mystery with very unexpected twists. She also mixes in Lucky relationship with Elias that seems to be ending its course unless something changes in a hurry. I will admit I found Elias’ actions or lack there of very frustrating myself so I was feeling heartbroken for Lucky.
I really enjoy the way all the characters meet and check in at By The Spoonful and the way Lucky and her grandfather, Jack, interact with everyone. If you want to know what is happening in Snowflake this is the place to be. It reminds me so much of the cafe my mother used to run.
The author continues to top herself and has left me anxiously awaiting my next visit to By The Spoonful.
skateanddonate's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. It is the best one in this series, so far. The telling of this story was fantastic! It flowed from character to character seemlessly building and revealing a car crash to murder to kidnapping all while mired in the personal events of well developed characters. Seriously I can't say enough good things about this book. The writing really was excellent. Definitely recommend this for a cozy mystery read.
marquessa17's review
3.0
I really was enjoying this book in the series. I enjoy the characters and the cozy town. The problem with this book for me was about halfway everything started happening at a snails pace. To the point that it detracted from the book and how much I was enjoying it. Another part that really bothered me was the romance. I felt that Lucky's relationship or lack thereof was unrealistic and I found it demeaning that she did not address it. Finally it is addressed at the ending but it really did not sit well with me how it was left.
butyougotmysoul's review
I have to abandon this book. The ridiculous notion that "travelers" are bad people, and the g-slur being used AS A SLUR have entirely put me off this book, and this series.
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