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culturespy's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
kimdavishb's review
5.0
When I started seeing reviews this past September for CHEDDAR OFF DEAD, the second book in the Undercover Dish Mystery series by Julia Buckley, I knew I needed to add it to my reading list. And when I found out it was centered around Christmas I moved it up in my pile of books so I’d have it at the ready in early December to start reading. CHEDDAR OFF DEAD lived up to and even exceeded my expectations both for a riveting, well written plot and for the holiday setting!
Even though I have not read the first book in the series (it’s been sitting on my Kindle since its release and I somehow overlooked reading it!) CHEDDAR OFF DEAD was easy to jump in and get to know the characters. I loved the protagonist, Lilah Drake, and her very clever side job of providing clandestine dishes to those in town who don’t want anyone to know that they’re awful cooks or are too busy to cook themselves. It sets the stage for some humorous situations. There’s a strong undercurrent of romance between Lilah and Detective Jay Parker and I liked how Lilah remained feisty and true to herself when it appeared things weren’t going to work out. Plus she is very funny when she accidentally runs into him at the market and I found myself chuckling out loud. There’s a strong cast of supporting characters and each adds a nice element to the story and enhances Lilah’s character.
With so many delicious dishes mentioned in the book making me hungry, I was happy to find that the author includes some recipes at the back of the book. When I saw the recipe for Serafina’s Pizzelles (Italian Christmas Waffle Cookies) I knew I had to try them...and I think I've found a new cookie to add to my annual list of Christmas treats! Delicious and so easy to make!
Even though I have not read the first book in the series (it’s been sitting on my Kindle since its release and I somehow overlooked reading it!) CHEDDAR OFF DEAD was easy to jump in and get to know the characters. I loved the protagonist, Lilah Drake, and her very clever side job of providing clandestine dishes to those in town who don’t want anyone to know that they’re awful cooks or are too busy to cook themselves. It sets the stage for some humorous situations. There’s a strong undercurrent of romance between Lilah and Detective Jay Parker and I liked how Lilah remained feisty and true to herself when it appeared things weren’t going to work out. Plus she is very funny when she accidentally runs into him at the market and I found myself chuckling out loud. There’s a strong cast of supporting characters and each adds a nice element to the story and enhances Lilah’s character.
With so many delicious dishes mentioned in the book making me hungry, I was happy to find that the author includes some recipes at the back of the book. When I saw the recipe for Serafina’s Pizzelles (Italian Christmas Waffle Cookies) I knew I had to try them...and I think I've found a new cookie to add to my annual list of Christmas treats! Delicious and so easy to make!
alise410's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Absolutely adore Lila and Jay. The characters are like one big happy family
hannahg93's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
meliaraastair's review
3.0
Still waiting on book 2 in the Writer's Apprentice series (see A Dark and Stormy Murder), so I'm reading this series to pass the time...
Lilah gets caught up in another mystery - this time, she witnesses Santa get shot. Okay, a local actor dressed up as Santa, but still. Somehow Chicago's Italian mob is involved and Lilah gets herself a full time police escort, who ends up being a really cool character. And will she ever get her second chance with Jay?
This series just doesn't even quite work and yet I keep reading them because I am entertained. It seems like the things that are major leads in the case are just totally put on the back burner early on but probably should have been paid attention to. Then Lilah is too afraid to function at moments then at other moments will call up the mob boss and chew him out. Then her brother and wife are major characters early on and don't exist by roughly 1/3rd into the book. It just doesn't work, plot-wise, yet somehow is entertaining enough to keep reading.
I'll go 6.5 of 10 for enjoyment - something is just off about this series, but I already have started the next one - and 4 of 5 for readability. There are also some strange, flat characters/missing moments of character development. Also must be nice to just suddenly call into your job and them give you weeks off, no problem? It doesn't quite add up!
-Holly
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
Lilah gets caught up in another mystery - this time, she witnesses Santa get shot. Okay, a local actor dressed up as Santa, but still. Somehow Chicago's Italian mob is involved and Lilah gets herself a full time police escort, who ends up being a really cool character. And will she ever get her second chance with Jay?
This series just doesn't even quite work and yet I keep reading them because I am entertained. It seems like the things that are major leads in the case are just totally put on the back burner early on but probably should have been paid attention to. Then Lilah is too afraid to function at moments then at other moments will call up the mob boss and chew him out. Then her brother and wife are major characters early on and don't exist by roughly 1/3rd into the book. It just doesn't work, plot-wise, yet somehow is entertaining enough to keep reading.
I'll go 6.5 of 10 for enjoyment - something is just off about this series, but I already have started the next one - and 4 of 5 for readability. There are also some strange, flat characters/missing moments of character development. Also must be nice to just suddenly call into your job and them give you weeks off, no problem? It doesn't quite add up!
-Holly
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
wildflowerz76's review
3.0
Number two in the Undercover Dish series has Lilah and company gearing up for the holidays. But when someone murders Santa, Lilah is on the case.
I think this might be my least favorite of Buckley's books. It just felt....off. The mystery was good, but there was just a lot of the dialogue that just didn't flow well. It's never a good sign when you have to repeatedly stop and reread because something just didn't make sense. There was a LOT of iPod mentions too. It felt odd. I had one for longer than most, but I still feel like even I had given mine up by 2014 when this was written. Also, at one point someone gets an email in theirs and they're not really around wifi. Weren't these always wifi only for Internet stuff or am I misremembering? There were several other plot holes, but I didn't take notes and now I've forgotten them all. In the end, this was fine, but not my favorite.
I think this might be my least favorite of Buckley's books. It just felt....off. The mystery was good, but there was just a lot of the dialogue that just didn't flow well. It's never a good sign when you have to repeatedly stop and reread because something just didn't make sense. There was a LOT of iPod mentions too. It felt odd. I had one for longer than most, but I still feel like even I had given mine up by 2014 when this was written. Also, at one point someone gets an email in theirs and they're not really around wifi. Weren't these always wifi only for Internet stuff or am I misremembering? There were several other plot holes, but I didn't take notes and now I've forgotten them all. In the end, this was fine, but not my favorite.
brooke4131's review
5.0
I'm so happy that Lilah Drake is back! In this book Lilah witnesses the murder of an actor and police are certain that the culprit saw Lilah. Assigned a protection officer (the wonderful Wendy) and sent to stay with her brother, the attempts on Lilah's life make her realize she must find the killer.
I'm fairly sure that Julia Buckley can do no wrong, because thus is her third book that I've read and they are all AMAZING! Her characters are wonderful and I feel so immersed in the settings of all of her stories that it seems as if I'm living it! Well done!
I'm fairly sure that Julia Buckley can do no wrong, because thus is her third book that I've read and they are all AMAZING! Her characters are wonderful and I feel so immersed in the settings of all of her stories that it seems as if I'm living it! Well done!
angrygreycatreads's review
3.0
Cheddar Off Dead runs in the opposite direction of many cozies with more of city/contemporary feel. Lilah is a chef with an interesting side gig as an undercover chef. She will deliver the goods secretly and her clients can pretend to have made them themselves. In this book, Lilah is present at the murder of Santa Claus, well not really Santa, but an actor set to perform in a Santa costume. The killer sees her and Lilah is pulled into the investigation, pretty much against her will. There is a Christmas theme, a loving family, a big dog side kick, a possible love interest, a victim with some enemies, and mobsters. All these together make for a fun, quick, holiday cozy read.
msrichardsreads89's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5