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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Mulch Ado about Murder by Edith Maxwell is the fifth book in A Local Foods Mystery series. Cam Flaherty owns Attic Hill Organic Farm in Westbury, Massachusetts. It is the end of May and a busy time for Cam on the farm. Cam heads into town to drop off some basil and lettuce seedlings to Nicole Kingsbury. Nicole is starting Seacoast Fresh, a hydroponic organic greenhouse. Cam arrives at Seacoast Fresh and discovers protestors outside the building. One of the demonstrators is her mother, Deb Flaherty. Her parents decided to surprise Cam with a visit. Cam skirts around the protestors and enters the greenhouse calling out for Nicole. Cam discovers Nicole deceased by the slurry vat clutching a rosary. Once again Cam is embroiled in a murder investigation with her mother on the suspect list. Cam wants to get her mother cleared of the crime and starts digging into Nicole’s life. Cam gets an unlikely sidekick in her father, William. Will this duo be able to uproot the killer?
Mulch Ado about Murder is an easy to read cozy mystery. The book is nicely written and has a good pace (can be finished in just a couple of hours). I liked the main characters and enjoyed the addition of her parents (especially William). It was good to get more background on Cam and how her family influenced her life choices. Mulch Ado about Murder is a light cozy mystery with focus on Cam’s day to day life (the crops, taking care of the chickens, eating out, her boyfriend, parade, her friends). The mystery was medium level. There are a couple of suspects and a unique method of murder (the best part). When reading a mystery novel, the little details are the most important. That was definitely the case in Mulch Ado about Murder. I give Mulch Ado about Murder 3.5 out of 5 stars. I did find some information to be repeated a few times throughout the story. There were also some details brought up that were never addressed (what was in Nicole’s slurry, chemical smell Cam smelled). For instance, D.J. had left his bike at Cam’s farm while out of town. At the end of the book, D.J. arrives at Cam’s on his bike (had just returned to town and he had not been out to farm yet). While Mulch Ado about Murder is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides all the needed background information for someone to read and understand the story. I did like reading Mulch Ado about Murder and look forward to the next book in A Local Foods Mystery series.
Mulch Ado about Murder is an easy to read cozy mystery. The book is nicely written and has a good pace (can be finished in just a couple of hours). I liked the main characters and enjoyed the addition of her parents (especially William). It was good to get more background on Cam and how her family influenced her life choices. Mulch Ado about Murder is a light cozy mystery with focus on Cam’s day to day life (the crops, taking care of the chickens, eating out, her boyfriend, parade, her friends). The mystery was medium level. There are a couple of suspects and a unique method of murder (the best part). When reading a mystery novel, the little details are the most important. That was definitely the case in Mulch Ado about Murder. I give Mulch Ado about Murder 3.5 out of 5 stars. I did find some information to be repeated a few times throughout the story. There were also some details brought up that were never addressed (what was in Nicole’s slurry, chemical smell Cam smelled). For instance, D.J. had left his bike at Cam’s farm while out of town. At the end of the book, D.J. arrives at Cam’s on his bike (had just returned to town and he had not been out to farm yet). While Mulch Ado about Murder is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides all the needed background information for someone to read and understand the story. I did like reading Mulch Ado about Murder and look forward to the next book in A Local Foods Mystery series.
kimdavishb's review
5.0
MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER, the fifth book in Edith Maxwell’s Local Foods Mystery series, brings the reader back to Westbury, Massachusetts. We find organic farmer Cam Flaherty hard at work tending her fields and chickens, when her academic parents decide to come for a visit. Cam’s parents were more interested in their studies and researching abroad every year than spending time with her while she was growing up and as a result, they were never close. Cam has always felt insecure in their love for her and isn’t sure that she wants them there for too long of a visit, especially when her mother starts protesting against Nicole, a new hydroponics farmer in town.
I found the introduction of the controversy over hydroponics in organic farming very interesting. My husband grows flowering plants in hydroponics and semi-hydroponics and I’m intrigued at the possibility of growing food using that method. The town is divided over the issue and when Nicole is murdered, Cam’s visiting mother becomes a suspect. Cam knows her mother must be innocent but she appears to be hiding a dark secret and won’t confide in Cam or anyone else. The author weaves in the theme of looking for acceptance and finding yourself while making peace with the past. Cam’s mother may be hard to get to know but her father seems more amiable, kind of a forgetful, bumbling at times, professor who brings a sweetness to the story. The mystery of who killed the hydroponics farmer is satisfying with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. The story is well paced with a suspenseful ending that had me up late, turning pages to find out how it ended!
Edith provides several delicious recipes at the end of the book and many are farm-fresh recipes that make me think of spring and summer. I tried her recipe for Swedish Cheesecake: a light, not too sweet, dessert that provides a perfect ending to a summery dinner. The directions were easy to follow and the results were tasty.
I received an ARC of the book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I found the introduction of the controversy over hydroponics in organic farming very interesting. My husband grows flowering plants in hydroponics and semi-hydroponics and I’m intrigued at the possibility of growing food using that method. The town is divided over the issue and when Nicole is murdered, Cam’s visiting mother becomes a suspect. Cam knows her mother must be innocent but she appears to be hiding a dark secret and won’t confide in Cam or anyone else. The author weaves in the theme of looking for acceptance and finding yourself while making peace with the past. Cam’s mother may be hard to get to know but her father seems more amiable, kind of a forgetful, bumbling at times, professor who brings a sweetness to the story. The mystery of who killed the hydroponics farmer is satisfying with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. The story is well paced with a suspenseful ending that had me up late, turning pages to find out how it ended!
Edith provides several delicious recipes at the end of the book and many are farm-fresh recipes that make me think of spring and summer. I tried her recipe for Swedish Cheesecake: a light, not too sweet, dessert that provides a perfect ending to a summery dinner. The directions were easy to follow and the results were tasty.
I received an ARC of the book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
saranel81's review
2.0
2.5 stars. I have enjoyed the other four books in this series - Maxwell does a great job creating characters, describing Cam's daily life, and establishing a strong sense of setting. But there was almost TOO much of all that this time around. The plot seemed non-existent, and the mystery meanders around, lost instead amidst a lot of padding involving all of those characters Maxwell has created for Cam to interact with. So many characters. It just felt like overkill. The mystery doesn't get any real attention until the second half of the book. The first half is too occupied with all the side characters and what they're doing in their lives. Which is fine if that's what you're looking for, but I'm more interested in the mystery, personally. And it was just okay and more predictable than I like. I'm also not a fan of suspects outing themselves as the killer - I want the sleuth to figure it out and do the confronting, but again, that's just my preference.
Also, I felt the dialogue was not as good as it usually is, maybe because there were so many scenes of Cam chit-chatting with her friends that didn't really add to the plot? Cam's friend Lucinda was the only side character that stood out, everyone else kind of blended together.
Also, I felt the dialogue was not as good as it usually is, maybe because there were so many scenes of Cam chit-chatting with her friends that didn't really add to the plot? Cam's friend Lucinda was the only side character that stood out, everyone else kind of blended together.
morticia32's review
4.0
Book 5 in the series. While I have read all the books in the series, I think Ms. Maxwell writes well enough that this could be read as a stand alone book.
I loved this book. Cam once again finds a body, and this time her mother is a person of interest! I enjoyed getting to know Cam's parents, and learning a bit more about Cam through her interactions with them.
The story was fast moving, interesting and fun. I love the background of Cam's farm and her CSA. (I apparently have a black thumb when it comes to veggies, so it's nice to read about someone who can grow them, haha.).
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provide by the publisher via NetGalley.*
I loved this book. Cam once again finds a body, and this time her mother is a person of interest! I enjoyed getting to know Cam's parents, and learning a bit more about Cam through her interactions with them.
The story was fast moving, interesting and fun. I love the background of Cam's farm and her CSA. (I apparently have a black thumb when it comes to veggies, so it's nice to read about someone who can grow them, haha.).
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provide by the publisher via NetGalley.*
dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Spring is such a busy time for a farmer. The last thing Cam needs is a surprise visit from her parents. O.K. that’s not the last thing she needs, the last thing she needs is to get wrapped up in another murder. But that is just what she does. When she arrives at the new hydroponic greenhouse to drop off some seedlings she finds the owner Nicole Kingsbury dead in a vat of slurry. Because of the group protesting outside the greenhouse she has plenty of witnesses to provide an alibi for the time she arrives. Unfortunately that doesn’t work for her mom, who happens to be one of the protesters. There are plenty of other suspects too but her mom is hiding something. To keep her mom out of jail she is going to be assisting the local police including her boyfriend Detective Pete Pappas.
What I really like about these stories is that Cam does the her sleuthing but she quickly tells the police anything she finds even if they don’t always appreciate her help. This time her dad even lends a hand.
Edith Maxwell has created such a vibrant cast of characters. Cam has really grown into her role as a farmer. I love that she has a group of volunteers that help with the chores and receive produce for their labors. They span all ages from teenagers to senior citizens.
Of course, I have heard of organic farming but hydroponic farming is brand new to me. The author educates the reader in the course of the story. I found the process very interesting.
The story is well written with important seeds sprinkled throughout getting us closer and closer to finding the killer. The family dynamic that grows between Cam and her parents was just as engaging as the murder mystery. The author gives us suspense and drama peppered with humor and also gives us several heartwarming moments too. Cam and Pete’s relationship has to take a little break because of the investigation but its strength shines in the way they handle the separation.
This is a strong addition for this series. A perfect summer read. And there are recipes in the back of the book too. Yes, it can be read as a stand alone. PICK yours up today!
Spring is such a busy time for a farmer. The last thing Cam needs is a surprise visit from her parents. O.K. that’s not the last thing she needs, the last thing she needs is to get wrapped up in another murder. But that is just what she does. When she arrives at the new hydroponic greenhouse to drop off some seedlings she finds the owner Nicole Kingsbury dead in a vat of slurry. Because of the group protesting outside the greenhouse she has plenty of witnesses to provide an alibi for the time she arrives. Unfortunately that doesn’t work for her mom, who happens to be one of the protesters. There are plenty of other suspects too but her mom is hiding something. To keep her mom out of jail she is going to be assisting the local police including her boyfriend Detective Pete Pappas.
What I really like about these stories is that Cam does the her sleuthing but she quickly tells the police anything she finds even if they don’t always appreciate her help. This time her dad even lends a hand.
Edith Maxwell has created such a vibrant cast of characters. Cam has really grown into her role as a farmer. I love that she has a group of volunteers that help with the chores and receive produce for their labors. They span all ages from teenagers to senior citizens.
Of course, I have heard of organic farming but hydroponic farming is brand new to me. The author educates the reader in the course of the story. I found the process very interesting.
The story is well written with important seeds sprinkled throughout getting us closer and closer to finding the killer. The family dynamic that grows between Cam and her parents was just as engaging as the murder mystery. The author gives us suspense and drama peppered with humor and also gives us several heartwarming moments too. Cam and Pete’s relationship has to take a little break because of the investigation but its strength shines in the way they handle the separation.
This is a strong addition for this series. A perfect summer read. And there are recipes in the back of the book too. Yes, it can be read as a stand alone. PICK yours up today!
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