Dear Fellow Reader,

In my last note, I mentioned that I usually don’t try and solve mysteries when I read them. At least I don’t usually think about trying to solve them. One of the books that I saw on a summer reading list is the new book by Donna Leon, So Shall You Reap. I have read all her Guido Brunetti books (32 of them!) and have enjoyed them. I was surprised when I picked this one up from the library because it was uncharacteristically short. I can’t say that all of hers are long but I think they are fairly substantial books. The new one is under 300 pages. Anyway, the point here is that I knew “who done it” several chapters before the end. It was so clear to me that I thought I must be wrong. But I wasn’t. A good story and great if you like to guess the ending of a mystery.

Today’s, book is Hard Dough Homicide by Olivia Matthews. I didn’t realize before I started reading the book that it was the second in a series. Even though I had not read the first book, I could follow along without an issue.

Spice Isle Bakery owner Lyndsay Murray is trying to grow her business. She owns the bakery with her parents. Lyndsay really didn’t want to have Emily Smith’s retirement party at her restaurant but after being asked several times, she gave in and said that she would have the party at her restaurant. Emily Smith was retiring from her position as Principal at the school where Lyndsay’s mother had taught. Lyndsay’s mother did not like Emily nor did anyone who worked with her. But Lyndsay’s mother had not seen Emily in three years and thought it would be alright to have the retirement dinner at the restaurant.

Well, that didn’t work out. Emily started convulsing early in the party, right after eating a small portion of curry chicken. While she wasn’t there long, Emily had had plenty of time to be rude to her five guests. Lyndsay was stunned by how mean the woman could be to her staff. No wonder there were only 5 at the retirement party!

Emily was taken to the hospital and died.

This was not what the Murrays needed. The restaurant had only been open a year and this was the second murder associated with the restaurant. You know it isn’t good when you are acquainted with the police that show up to investigate.

The police seem to think that Lyndsay’s mother should be the prime suspect. Lyndsay is furious and starts to look into the murder to make sure the police get on the right track. In the meantime, the business in the restaurant plummets. Lyndsay has to find the answer and fast.

The book was well-written and the pace was good. I am not completely happy with the book and while I wouldn’t suggest you not read it, I would suggest that you put it on your reading pile for someday.

Thanks for reading!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.