Book 56, 2021

[chez_jae]

Dead 'n Breakfast by Paulette Brewster

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Stayed up a little later than usual last night to finish reading Dead 'n Breakfast by Paulette Brewster, which is the first book in the "Maple Ridge" cozy mystery series. The primary character is Liz Marsh, proud new owner of the Maple Ridge Bed & Breakfast.

After exposing embezzlement at her workplace, Liz is anxious to leave corporate life behind. She pays a visit to her parents in Maple Ridge, Vermont, where she learns they plan to sell the farm and travel in their retirement. Liz jumps at the opportunity to buy her childhood home with dreams of opening her own B&B. Things are looking up when she gets her first guest, but Liz's peace is shattered after she encounters a former co-worker, Kevin Jones, who managed to avoid prison time. He threatens her, leaving Liz shaken. The real trouble starts when Liz finds Kevin dead in her barn. With the police aware of their contentious history, Liz knows she's their number one suspect. Not content to let the investigation progress at its own pace, Liz is determined to clear her name.

I enjoyed the story. Liz is a likable character, and other characters were portrayed well. The setting was charming, both in the location and the season (Autumn). However, these three points stuck in my craw:
1. Liz had a milk cow named Myrtie and her calf, Pearl. The author continually referred to them as "the cows". A calf is not a cow. A female calf is called a heifer. If the author wanted to use a catch-all term for Myrtie and Pearl, she should have used "the cattle", as in "Liz turned the cattle out to pasture." As someone who grew up among cattle, this vexes me.
2. Liz and I were both blindsided at the end with the identity of the killer. While I had my suspicions, Liz had no idea. It basically negated all of the sleuthing and research she had done in an effort to dig into Kevin's past to find who wanted him dead. I enjoy a cozy mystery when the amateur sleuth builds on clues and information to reach the correct conclusion.
3. The author also blindsided me with sentient animals in the epilogue! I love a cozy with sentient, talking, plotting, engaged animals (the "Mrs Murphy" series, anyone?), but for heaven's sake, don't make this a thing at the very end of the book! Introduce your clever animals at the beginning. Guh.

Favorite line: ...there were those who couldn't resist spreading drama.

I'm on the fence between a three and a four here, so this one gets put through the "Trope Test" wringer:

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? No, she owns a B&B.
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? Yes
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) Yes/no--he's a former cop
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? Yes, she has a cat named Bess.
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No, her BFF is the town librarian.
6. Did the mc find the body? Yes, she did.
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Yes, she did.
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes, she's haring off in her new RV.
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? Yes, Liz's neighbor is her mother's friend, Polly.
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes

Based on the number of "yes" answers, the story as a whole earns an average rating of three. However, I did like it and will look for others in the series.