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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
S’more Murders by Maya Corrigan is the fifth novel in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series. Val Dennison has been hired to cater a special dinner hosted by Otto Warbeck who is a collector of Titanic memorabilia. He wants Val to recreate the last dinner served on the Titanic on his yacht, Abyss. It is a ten-course meal for eight guests and he insists it be held in a few days on Saturday, April 14 (the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking). Val is reluctant to take this particular job, but the money she will earn will pay for the repairs needed to Granddad’s home (those blasted termites). On Saturday Val, Bethany and Granddad board the Abyss and begin their dinner preparations while the yacht heads out into open water. Bethany oversees the s’more appetizers requested by Otto’s wife, Cheyenne. After they sit down for dinner, Otto announces he has created a mystery game for them to play while they eat (he even has scripts). The water becomes choppy due to a storm, the pilot of the yacht is in distress and Otto cannot be found. Val, with the help of her friends, dives into the case. There are eight suspects with motive to harm the victim. Val wades through the clues with the hopes of spearing a killer.
S’more Murders is nicely written, and it has some interesting characters. I find that Grandad (Don Myer) steals the show from Val. He is an eccentric and gregarious older gentleman with a zest for life. Val came across as bland and I am not a fan of her boyfriend, Gunnar. Gunnar is an amateur actor who wishes to expand his skills. He is contemplating a change and Val wonders how she will fit in with his plans. Personally, I would wish Gunnar good luck on his new venture and look for a boyfriend who is more compatible. I would like to see the author flesh out Val’s character and have her grow as a person. The mystery was intriguing with multiple suspects and misdirection. I think that many readers will be surprised when the full solution is revealed. I could have done with less speculation and rehashing of the clues (it gets old). I did find the pace to be a little slow, and I had trouble staying invested in the story (my attention wandered). Val whips up some delectable foods in the story and the descriptions will have your mouth watering (and your stomach growling). I like how friends and family come together to help and care for each other. S’more Murders can be read alone if you are new to the series. Welcome aboard Val’s high seas adventure in S’more Murders.
S’more Murders is nicely written, and it has some interesting characters. I find that Grandad (Don Myer) steals the show from Val. He is an eccentric and gregarious older gentleman with a zest for life. Val came across as bland and I am not a fan of her boyfriend, Gunnar. Gunnar is an amateur actor who wishes to expand his skills. He is contemplating a change and Val wonders how she will fit in with his plans. Personally, I would wish Gunnar good luck on his new venture and look for a boyfriend who is more compatible. I would like to see the author flesh out Val’s character and have her grow as a person. The mystery was intriguing with multiple suspects and misdirection. I think that many readers will be surprised when the full solution is revealed. I could have done with less speculation and rehashing of the clues (it gets old). I did find the pace to be a little slow, and I had trouble staying invested in the story (my attention wandered). Val whips up some delectable foods in the story and the descriptions will have your mouth watering (and your stomach growling). I like how friends and family come together to help and care for each other. S’more Murders can be read alone if you are new to the series. Welcome aboard Val’s high seas adventure in S’more Murders.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
I love the premise for the plot of S’MORE MURDERS, the fifth book in the Five-Ingredient Mystery series by Maya Corrigan! Who can resist a re-creation of the last dinner served on the doomed Titanic? Throw in a murder mystery game for the invited guests to participate in aboard a luxurious yacht and it sounds like an ideal evening. Protagonist Val Deniston was given an offer she couldn’t refuse (although she’d have liked to) by the yacht’s owner, Otto Warbeck, to prepare the ten-course dinner for his guests that he has meticulously researched. Needing help to make the dinner a success, she drags her granddad, Don Myer, and her best friend, Bethany, to the yacht to help out. Instead of a fun-filled evening, Val is greeted by a group that doesn’t like each other. The author weaves together an unlikely group of a chicken industry lobbyist, an animal’s right activist, an older ex-wife and a new young wife along with a Titanic enthusiast. When the host disappears from the boat during dinner, Val has a real-life mystery on her hands and soon finds out that the dinner party mystery could have been based on an unsolved murder from long ago.
Ms. Corrigan has created an intriguing plot that is well-paced with well-developed characters. Her twists and turns that incorporate details from the Titanic captured my imagination and I was pulled into the story, unable to put the book down. As a fan of Agatha Christie, I appreciated the author’s use of the ‘closed room’ style of mystery. The suspects were limited to the dinner guests and the yacht’s captain, but as Val digs deeper, finds they all had reasons to commit a crime. I’ve always enjoyed Val’s granddad, also known as the Codger Cook, because he adds both humor and chances for banter which allows the nature of the characters to be shown. The suspenseful conclusion wraps up the threads of both mysteries in a satisfying way which left me wanting to read more by this author.
The Codger Cook writes a newspaper column that features five-ingredient recipes. Val’s granddad might “borrow” her recipes to write his column but she doesn’t complain. She also includes the menu of what was actually served at the Titanic’s last dinner along with what Val tweaked to serve aboard the yacht. While s’mores weren’t served aboard the Titanic, the new Mrs. Warbeck insisted that this casual fun-filled dessert be served at the party. Ms. Corrigan includes several five-ingredient recipes with delightful twists to this yummy campfire classic at the back of the book.
I was provided an arc with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Corrigan has created an intriguing plot that is well-paced with well-developed characters. Her twists and turns that incorporate details from the Titanic captured my imagination and I was pulled into the story, unable to put the book down. As a fan of Agatha Christie, I appreciated the author’s use of the ‘closed room’ style of mystery. The suspects were limited to the dinner guests and the yacht’s captain, but as Val digs deeper, finds they all had reasons to commit a crime. I’ve always enjoyed Val’s granddad, also known as the Codger Cook, because he adds both humor and chances for banter which allows the nature of the characters to be shown. The suspenseful conclusion wraps up the threads of both mysteries in a satisfying way which left me wanting to read more by this author.
The Codger Cook writes a newspaper column that features five-ingredient recipes. Val’s granddad might “borrow” her recipes to write his column but she doesn’t complain. She also includes the menu of what was actually served at the Titanic’s last dinner along with what Val tweaked to serve aboard the yacht. While s’mores weren’t served aboard the Titanic, the new Mrs. Warbeck insisted that this casual fun-filled dessert be served at the party. Ms. Corrigan includes several five-ingredient recipes with delightful twists to this yummy campfire classic at the back of the book.
I was provided an arc with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
traci1974's review against another edition
4.0
I hadn't read the books in this series prior to this one, but I definitely plan to. This was a really fun little cozy mystery. The setting and atmosphere were nice, the mystery was solid (I did figure it out before the reveal, but that's half the fun), and the characters (especially Val) were likeable. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozies.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I have read from this author and in this series. Instant connection. I really thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the storyline was fun. Val, her grandfather and best friend were all great. None of them played secondary roles in the story. They worked well together to help solve the mystery at hand. Boy was it a mystery too.
It seems that the host of the Titanic themed party has gone missing. How rude. Once Val starts investigating, she realizes that something is a foul. With so many suspects; Val will need all the help she can get to solve the case.
Readers of cozy mysteries will enjoy this book as I did. It has charming characters as well as some laughs. As the story goes it might not be hard for readers to solve the case but that is not the point of these types of books anyways. I know that after reading this book, I want to go back and check out the prior books. A s'more read that is so tasty.
It seems that the host of the Titanic themed party has gone missing. How rude. Once Val starts investigating, she realizes that something is a foul. With so many suspects; Val will need all the help she can get to solve the case.
Readers of cozy mysteries will enjoy this book as I did. It has charming characters as well as some laughs. As the story goes it might not be hard for readers to solve the case but that is not the point of these types of books anyways. I know that after reading this book, I want to go back and check out the prior books. A s'more read that is so tasty.
mostlikelyinalibrary's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a niche book, but SO good! I loved the Titanic aspect of the story.
nancycarey's review against another edition
4.0
When a mystery dinner party goes awry, Val Denniston and her grandad assemble a crew to find a murderer. I enjoyed this well written cozy mystery. The characters seemed like real people I could relate to. I was surprised at all the elements the author incorporated into the mystery.
This is book 5 of a series, and though I haven’t read the rest of them, I may have to go read them.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book! Opinions expressed are my own.
This is book 5 of a series, and though I haven’t read the rest of them, I may have to go read them.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book! Opinions expressed are my own.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. It was fast paced and enjoyble read.
The book is well written, with a likeable cast of characters. There's a good plot that keep you guessing till the end.
I will surely look for other books in this series and look forward to the next one.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The book is well written, with a likeable cast of characters. There's a good plot that keep you guessing till the end.
I will surely look for other books in this series and look forward to the next one.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
lisaeliza's review
3.0
This was not my favourite book in the series. It felt very transitional but not in an exciting way. The mystery wasn’t compelling and things just seemed flat.
traci1974's review
4.0
I hadn't read the books in this series prior to this one, but I definitely plan to. This was a really fun little cozy mystery. The setting and atmosphere were nice, the mystery was solid (I did figure it out before the reveal, but that's half the fun), and the characters (especially Val) were likeable. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozies.