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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Ladle to the Grave - Blog Tour Review + Giveaway



Ladle to the Grave by Connie Archer

Rating: 4 Star
Source: Blog Tour
Description:  When a woman falls dead during a spring celebration in the woods immediately after drinking a glass of an herbal concoction suspicion falls immediately on soup restaurant owner Lucky's grandfather. Lucky's sure her grandfather wasn't responsible but before she has time to learn more she stumbles on a body with her friend Sophie.  Now all of a sudden Lucky has more than she can handle with planning Sophie's wedding, solving the murders and keeping her grandfather from being suspected.

Genre: Mystery

 Why I Picked This Book: I've been wanting to read Connie Archer's soup series since I first stumbled across it so I couldn't request this one fast enough!

My Impression:
Pro:  I loved Lucky and her friends.  They were nice, interesting and didn't act like children.  The setting is beautiful and I really want a restaurant that specializes in soup nearby!  The little glimpses of Lucky's parents were nice and I really enjoyed her relationship with her grandfather.  They were close but not right on top of each other.  It felt very much like a real relationship.  It was nice to get a feel for Sophie and Lucky's childhood and definitely helped me connect with both characters more.  I liked that police weren't portrayed as inept and Lucky, while investigating, wasn't going against the orders of police.  There were no slow spots or places it felt like the story was dragging and the reveal was a surprise which is pretty rare for me!  While I haven't read the first 3 in the series (though I own them) I don't feel like that prevented me from enjoying the story and connecting with the characters.

Con:  No major objections.  While I enjoyed this book very much and liked Lucky I do prefer the main character to have a real reason for investigating - being a reporter or PI - but I knew going in that Lucky is an amateur detective.  Other than that my only con is that it really made me crave soup and yummy bread!

 Overall:This was a cup of tea kind of mystery.  This is an interesting story, great pacing, nice characters and soup.  What more can you want!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely!  I'll be pulling the first 3 off my TBR shelf as soon as I can!

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Absolutely!  This is a really nice cozy mystery!

Challenges Met? New to Me (Author), Reading Road Trip (Vermont), Alphabet Soup (L)
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65 comments:

  1. Red IzaFebruary 19, 2015 at 4:52 AM

    There is a soup restaurant near my library ;) It's good when the revelation is a surprise because it doesn't happen that often, lol !

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 10:15 AM

      Thanks for joining in today! I'd love a soup restaurant near my library!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:17 PM

      I'm so jealous! A soup restaurant near the library! You're right about a revelation being a surprise being rare but it's so fun when it happens!

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  2. Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerFebruary 19, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    I like the main character to have some kind of investigative background too, but this sounds well done. I am glad it was rewarding for you Katherine.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 10:17 AM

      Thanks for visiting today ~ amateur sleuths have their own particular handicaps, especially when the police don't want them sniffing around!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:19 PM

      I prefer it too but Lucky didn't come off as overly nosy and her reasons for investigating made sense. I definitely enjoyed it and can't wait to read the rest!

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Nice review! I, like you, have to catch up on this series.

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    1. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:21 PM

      Oh thank you! It's a series that you can jump in anywhere but I'm really looking forward to getting caught up!

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  4. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    Hi Patricia ~ thank you for your interest, and thanks to Katherine for hosting me today!

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  5. StefanieFebruary 19, 2015 at 10:45 AM

    I added the first in the series to my TBR on Goodreads. I will add this one.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 11:07 AM

      Thank you! I hope you enjoy all the adventures in Snowflake, VT!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      Oh I hope you enjoy this one and the first! I'm really looking forward to getting caught up on this series!

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  6. Anna (herding cats-burning soup)February 19, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    I wouldnt'; mind a restaurant like that around here myself! I haven't seen that as a base for a cozy. Sounds good to me :)

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 11:08 AM

      Hi Anna ~ The By the Spoonful Soup Shop has an amazing chef! And great recipes too. Good luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:23 PM

      With the temps we've had lately I could definitely do with some soup! This was a lot of fun!

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  7. ClicknerFebruary 19, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    Sounds like a great read. Look forward to it.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 11:09 AM

      Thanks so much! And best of luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:23 PM

      Oh I hope you do! It really was a cozy mystery in the best sense of the word!

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  8. Libby DoddFebruary 19, 2015 at 11:31 AM

    Especially on a cold day like today, a story with soup sounds really satisfying!
    Boy! Do I wish rafflecopter weren't so twitter centric.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 2:14 PM

      Hi Libby ~ I'm craving soup right now myself! Good luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:24 PM

      I agree about the rafflecopter but hopefully you can get a few entries in. This is a fun read!

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  9. Becky PrazakFebruary 19, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    Love Snowflake, love this series
    rjprazak6@gmail.com

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 2:16 PM

      Hi Becky! Thank you so much for liking the Soup Lover's Mystery series!!! Good luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:25 PM

      This was the first in the series for me but I can't wait to read more!

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  10. ChrisFebruary 19, 2015 at 1:47 PM

    I love this series and can't wait to read the new book. Snowflake sounds like a town I would love to visit. cking78503@aol.com

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 2:17 PM

      Thank you, Chris. I wish I could live in Snowflake. Well . . . in a way I do! Good luck in the giveaway!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:26 PM

      I really enjoyed it and am excited that I have the 3 previous ones to catch up on!

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  11. SueFebruary 19, 2015 at 2:14 PM

    I would like to visit s nice soup shop---great for a cold winter day.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 2:18 PM

      Soup is SO comforting, isn't it? I wish I had a good soup shop in my neighborhood too. Good luck today, Sue!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:27 PM

      Oh definitely! I'm making soup for dinner tomorrow because of this book. Just sounds perfect for a cold day!

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  12. Michelle F.February 19, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    I have two of the books in the series. I like potato soup, especially ones like Progresso or Chunky. A few times I had potato leek soup at Barnes & Noble. That was years ago so they may not serve it any longer.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 3:58 PM

      Hi Michelle ~ Glad you could stop by. I love potato leek soup, I'll have to search for my recipe. Good luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:28 PM

      Potato Leeks sounds delicious! I like progresso soup as well and really any cheesy creamy soup!

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  13. BrittanyLFebruary 19, 2015 at 3:20 PM

    Mmmmm...soup. Sounds fantastic when I'm stepping outside in -20degree weather today. Or even better is soup and a book and not having to leave your house.
    Happy reading!
    Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 3:59 PM

      I'm with you! I'd love being snowbound, as long as I had a good mystery and lots of soup!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:30 PM

      I think I would cry if we were -20. We are at regular 20 and it makes me sad! Soup is coming up tomorrow for dinner. Between the cold and this book how could I resist?

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  14. Shannon M.February 19, 2015 at 3:41 PM

    Love this series and especially love soup!

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 3:59 PM

      Hi Shannon ~ thank you! And best of luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:31 PM

      I really enjoyed my introduction to this series! Can't wait to read more!

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  15. servedogmomFebruary 19, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    At present, Chicago has the perfect weather for a curling up with a good book and a delicious bowl of hot soup! Definitely want to read this book. servedogmom@yahoo.com

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:11 PM

      Thanks for joining in today! And Chicago . . . stay inside and stay warm with a good book!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:32 PM

      I hope you're able to curl up with this book and a nice bowl of soup soon! Stay warm!

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  16. BeaFebruary 19, 2015 at 4:37 PM

    This sounds like fun and I'm always looking for new cozies.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:11 PM

      Hi Bea ~ Hope you enjoy and best of luck!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:45 PM

      I think you'd like this one Bea. Even though the detective is amateur her reasons for investigating really work and while it's definitely cozy it is not at all cutesy!

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  17. ceblainFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:19 PM

    What a great blog post. I cannot wait to finish book 1 in this series. I had to slow up a bit on reading as I had some vision problems and hospitalizations, but I seem to be able to do a lot more now, so as soon as I can get all of them read I will make sure to post my reviews. I want to make sure to check this blog site more; had not really heard of it until today when I read Connie's posting. Thank you for the lovely giveaway Connie; those soup bowls are fantastic (so are the other items) but those would be something that I surely could use. Thank you so much, and congratulations on your latest release. It sounds wonderful. Love the recipes as we are a huge soup and crusty bread family!!!
    Cynthia B

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:53 PM

      Hi Cynthia ~ Glad to hear you're a soup and crusty bread lover. I saw your notification and I'll put you down for the soup bowls as choice #1. Thanks again for joining in!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:47 PM

      I hope you're feeling better Cynthia. Vision problems are terrible. I'm blind without my contacts and the times when I'm not able to wear them are awful. Good luck with the give away!

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  18. Robin CoxonFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:33 PM

    Connie Archer always puts out a great read. From the cover to the last page the reader is drawn in deeper and deeper. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:54 PM

      Hi Robin ~ Thank you so much for your kind words! And best of luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:48 PM

      This was my first book by her and I absolutely cannot wait to read more!

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  19. Malka EFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:34 PM

    love this blog's name! can't wait to read this one! i just ordered the first one in the series!

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 5:55 PM

      Oh, thank you, Malka! I hope you love your visit to Snowflake, VT!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 8:44 PM

      Thank you so much Malka! I do very much wish I lived in a library! I really enjoyed this one and hope you enjoy the first one!

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  20. Sue FFebruary 19, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    I've read all of this series

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:49 PM

      Hi Sue ~ I'm so happy to hear that! I hope you enjoyed Snowflake,VT! Good luck today!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 8:44 PM

      I can't wait to catch up!

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  21. TinaFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    This sounds like the sort of mystery I would enjoy. Great giveaway!!

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 7:50 PM

      Hi Tina ~ I hope you get to visit the village soon! Best of luck!

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    2. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 8:45 PM

      I think you would enjoy this one Tina. There's a few really interesting side plots and the mystery itself is really good!

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  22. Katherine PFebruary 19, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    Connie - thank you so much for taking the time to visit and comment today! It really made my day! I'm very much looking forward to my next visit to Snowflake and seeing more of Lucky and her friends. Thanks for a delightful few evenings ready this one and I'm sure my husband will be thrilled that soup is suddenly on the menu!

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    1. UnknownFebruary 19, 2015 at 9:06 PM

      Thanks to you, Katherine ~ for your time and for hosting my blog stop today. Enjoy the soup! This is the best season for it!

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  23. Grandma CootieFebruary 20, 2015 at 12:53 AM

    I wish I lived in a library, too! These books are great additions to my library. All caught up with the series and waiting for the release of this one!

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  24. kiki wFebruary 22, 2015 at 4:34 PM

    Looks like another Great Cozy mystery. Can't wait to read it.

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  25. Literary FelineFebruary 23, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    I am not much of a soup eater, admittedly, but this does sound like a great cozy mystery.

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