Flipped for Murder by
Maddie Day My rating:
4 of 5 stars I knocked off the rest of my 'spare' book last night. It was Flipped for Murder by Maddie Day, and it's the first in her "Country Store" series of cozy mysteries. I'd read another book in the series previously, but nothing was spoiled. The main character is Roberta "Robbie" Jordan.
Looking for a new start, Robbie buys a rundown country store in the small Indiana town of South Lick. There, she puts her culinary and carpentry skills to good use, renovating the space and opening a diner called Pans 'n Pancakes. Her opening day is a success and things are going well, until the mayor's harpy of an assistant is found murdered with one of Robbie's cheese biscuits in her mouth. Robbie had several run-ins with Stella while trying to get permits, but she didn't even know where the woman lived, let alone went to her house and killed her. Robbie has always had a keen mind for puzzles, and she uses her reasoning in an attempt to work out who not only killed Stella, but also tried to frame her for the crime.
This was a fun story. I like Robbie as a character. I didn't get as much of a handle on other characters, but that should change as the series progresses. The plot made sense, and it included Robbie engaged in plenty of activities other than simply sleuthing.
Favorite lines:
♦ "Hold on a chicken-picking minute."
♦ "That one donated his brain to science before he was done with it. He'd lose a debate with a doorknob."
♦ "You do crosswords in pen?" Doesn't everybody? LOL!
♦ If his drawl were any slower, it'd end up in the next century.
Fun book, and the author dropped a subtle clue that clued me into the murderer. Woo! Four stars.
1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? Yes, she owns a diner
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? Yes, she does
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) No, thank heavens!
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? Yes, she has a cat
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No
6. Did the mc find the body? No -- bonus!
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Yes, alas
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes, she's dead
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? Yes, her aunt Adele
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes