Review
SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS by Kate Young
The First Marygene Brown Mystery
Leaving her abusive husband behind Marygene Brown returns home to Peach Cove Island. Although family relations are strained, she's come back to be a true partner in the family diner. When an old timer drops dead after eating a piece of pie made especially for him, the diner is shut down and her sister, Jena Lynn, is viewed as the murderer. With the help of her ghostly mama, Marygene is determined to save her family, their name, and their diner legacy.
Family ties is the theme to this first Marygene Brown Mystery while domestic violence is its backdrop. Strained relationships and abandonment issues color the story. Marygene Brown shows the effects of her abuse while learning to recover and deal with her past...and seeing how it effects her present and future. Trying to make amends to her family as well as learning to live and work with them is enough of a trial without a murder being involved. Marygene has a lot on her plate, and more than peach rolls!
SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS is not all dire family problems however, it's also a hoot and a half. While I may not have been partial to Mama when she was alive, she makes a fine spirit looking for redemption. I absolutely love Betsy who provides much of the comic relief while being a major support for Marygene. There's also a fine, intricately laid mystery here...though I had a feeling I knew the killer early on, and I was correct. Seeing Marygene find and follow clues, while trying to keep the island authorities, at least her dad and former sweetheart, in the loop was engaging and satisfying.
SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS provides a fun mystery while also tackling the tough subjects of family estrangement and domestic abuse. The mystery showcases the importance of family and working together while entertaining readers. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Peach Cove Island and look forward to returning!
Recipes included.
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Family ties is the theme to this first Marygene Brown Mystery while domestic violence is its backdrop. Strained relationships and abandonment issues color the story. Marygene Brown shows the effects of her abuse while learning to recover and deal with her past...and seeing how it effects her present and future. Trying to make amends to her family as well as learning to live and work with them is enough of a trial without a murder being involved. Marygene has a lot on her plate, and more than peach rolls!
SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS is not all dire family problems however, it's also a hoot and a half. While I may not have been partial to Mama when she was alive, she makes a fine spirit looking for redemption. I absolutely love Betsy who provides much of the comic relief while being a major support for Marygene. There's also a fine, intricately laid mystery here...though I had a feeling I knew the killer early on, and I was correct. Seeing Marygene find and follow clues, while trying to keep the island authorities, at least her dad and former sweetheart, in the loop was engaging and satisfying.
SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS provides a fun mystery while also tackling the tough subjects of family estrangement and domestic abuse. The mystery showcases the importance of family and working together while entertaining readers. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Peach Cove Island and look forward to returning!
Recipes included.
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Southern Sass and Killer Cravings (Marygene Brown Mysteries) by Kate Young
About the Book
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (May 28, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . .
For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother's passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama's presence.
But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man's been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama's spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!
About the Author
Kate Young writes humorous southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she's reading or cooking.
Author Links:
Website - https://www.kateyoungbooks.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKateYoung/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KAYoungBooks
GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527572.Kate_Young
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-young-b3339e9c-d2e4-482d-a637-5afd7b064d73
Purchase Links -- Amazon B&N Kobo Indie Bound ibooks BAM
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The author is hosting a pre-order giveaway!
A
PRE-ORDER CONTEST with fabulous prizes! A Coach Bag with matching
wristlet and $120 in gift cards plus autographed copies of the book!
*
Grand Prize Winner receives a gorgeous Coach Avenue Tote and Coach
wristlet pictured below (value $450) and a $100 gift card to either
Amazon or B&N.
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2 Runners up will receive a $10 gift card to either Amazon or B&N
and an autographed paperback copy of Southern Sass and Killer Cravings.
This looks good, I really enjoy cozies, However I can't preorder since I only use gift cards since my number was stolen once a couple years ago.They have a policy about it. But thanks for the opportunity anyway.
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