Source: Publisher
Description: Ashland is known for its Elizabethan charm and touches of Shakespeare around every corner, but the surrounding Rogue Valley draws adventure enthusiasts to its outdoor wonderland of high alpine lakes, mountain ranges, and pristine rivers. Jules Capshaw and the team at Torte have been hired to cater a weekend getaway on the mighty Rogue River. Jules is going to have to put her culinary skills to the test while baking gooey chocolate chip skillet cookies over an open flame and preparing extravagant feasts under a canopy of stars. The executive team at a big city firm will be rafting the Rogue’s rapids and gathering around the campfire for spooky stories, but their dysfunction quickly begins to show. Between constant bickering and heavy drinking, Jules wonders how the team can accomplish anything. She’s happy for a brief reprieve when they zip up their lifejackets and head out in their boats, but the serenity of the scene quickly vanishes when Jules discovers one of the execs floating face down in the water. She’s going to have to uncover the truth before she gets pulled under.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and one of my favorite authors so of course I had to pick up the newest book in the series!
My Impression: Torte is one of the fictional places I wish was a real place. The descriptions of all the meals and coffee creations that come out of Torte's kitchens are just amazing sounding and if it was real I would already be planning a cross-country trip to Ashland. That said, despite the delicious sounding food and the added treat of listening to Lance's storytelling, absolutely no part of me would want to go on the corporate retreat that occurs at the beginning of the book. Even before the dead body turns up in the river this retreat is toxic - mostly due to the direction of the leader - Josie.
Why I Picked This Book: This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and one of my favorite authors so of course I had to pick up the newest book in the series!
My Impression: Torte is one of the fictional places I wish was a real place. The descriptions of all the meals and coffee creations that come out of Torte's kitchens are just amazing sounding and if it was real I would already be planning a cross-country trip to Ashland. That said, despite the delicious sounding food and the added treat of listening to Lance's storytelling, absolutely no part of me would want to go on the corporate retreat that occurs at the beginning of the book. Even before the dead body turns up in the river this retreat is toxic - mostly due to the direction of the leader - Josie.
I really loved seeing Ashland and the surrounding area through Jules' eyes as she's helping her stepson get settled in to stay for a year. The author's love for the area shines brightly as well as the absolutely delightful fictional world she has created in Ashland.
What kept this book from being an absolute winner for me was that the mystery itself. While I like that Jules wasn't leading the charge in the investigation I wanted a bit more information about the suspects and just what was going on with the company. While I was happy with how the solution was done I felt like I was missing part of the picture as to how things got to be the way they were.
While this wasn't my absolute favorite in the series it was still an enjoyable read with a delightful group of characters that I thoroughly enjoy catching up with. I can't to see what happens next with the staff at Torte.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series and am thoroughly enjoying her Sloan Kraus series.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries you really should try this series! It has such a great cast of characters and an interesting array of mysteries.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries you really should try this series! It has such a great cast of characters and an interesting array of mysteries.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Nice that you're still enjoy this cozy mystery series even after 16 books! :)
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the first two in the series and this sounds like that even up to 16 its still going strong.
ReplyDeleteSixteen books! I have a couple of the author's books in another series on my TBR shelf. I should check this one out too.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing this series, as I enjoy cozy mysteries and love baked goods!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a series to try. Too bad that certain aspects of the mystery weren't shared with the reader. This does sound like a good read!
ReplyDelete