Book 78, 2023
Maple Syrup Murder by Grace Lemon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I started an ebook last night, and I ended up finishing it, too. It was short even for a novella, but it was chaptered and I'm counting it. The book was Maple Syrup Murder by Grace Lemon, and it's the first in the "Oh Fudge!" mystery series. The narrative is in first-person of the main character, fudge-maker Ida Noe.
Ida is excited to sell her famous maple bacon fudge at the open house her friend, Maura, is hosting to showcase her maple syrup. Maura's own pleasure is dimmed by the arrival of a reviewer who's been known to tank businesses with bad reviews. When the man ends up dead in the sugarhouse, Maura becomes the prime suspect. Ida takes it upon herself to delve into the mystery, sure her friend didn't kill anyone. With her fat and faithful black lab at her side and her friend Eldon providing encouragement, Ida just may find out who did the poor sap in.
This was short, which meant things moved quickly. I would have liked a meatier story, but it is what it is. I enjoyed Ida as a character. She's plump and middle-aged, which was refreshing, and the only police officer she crossed paths with annoyed her. The solution seemed a bit far-fetched for anyone who was only nominally looking into things to have figured out, but at least the clues that led Ida in that direction made sense. The story was lite and humorous and even included a Maple Syrup Cartel, which was an amusing touch.
Favorite lines:
♦ "Can I give you a hand, ma'am?" // "Only if I can keep it. An extra one would sure be helpful."
♦ "You're going to help me find what I need or the only fudge you'll be enjoying is the kind you don't need teeth to eat."* That line had me rolling!
Too short for my liking but enjoyable enough to earn four stars.