rosescottagee's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
caitkom's review
4.0
Pepper Reece has been enjoying running her spice shop in Seattle's Pike Place Market. She has a great team of employees and is recovering from her divorce and past life working in a law office. When a homeless man named Doc dies right in front of her shop, holding a cup with the spices shops logo on it, one of her employees is arrested. Pepper is convinced that her employee is innocent and starts investigating.
lauramfarrell's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
blmonahan's review
4.0
I want to go hang out in a real spice shop now. While the story was good, the descriptions of spices and food were mouth-watering!
asanford's review
3.0
New author for me - thanks again to the cozy mystery group. Now that we have set the stage and the characters, I’ll give the next book a try. It was fine - I didn’t love it. It didn’t kick off a read-a-thon for me. When I finished, I didn’t immediately go check the availability of the next book in the series. But I am trying out her “food lovers village” series.
I didn’t feel invested enough in the characters when the murder happened. The team of employees in the spice shop, the bike cop ex-husband, and the homeless group just didn’t have enough character development early on for me to care.
I didn’t feel invested enough in the characters when the murder happened. The team of employees in the spice shop, the bike cop ex-husband, and the homeless group just didn’t have enough character development early on for me to care.
missa31's review
4.0
Loved this! The narrator is a great character! I will read more of this series!
iffer's review
3.0
This wasn't gritty, but it had a bit of a contemplative air that I wasn't expecting when I went into this. It's still relatively light, but not as fluffy as some cozy mysteries. I enjoyed the descriptions of food, but the author is a bit prone to info dumping about Seattle history, as well as food, spices, etc.
mrsjkamp's review
3.0
This one didn't capture my attention like I'd hoped it would. I might try it again some other time though. :)
factandfables's review
2.0
I had high hopes for this because I really enjoy Budewitz's series set in Montana (the first book is [b:Death Al Dente|34058791|Death Al Dente|Leslie Budewitz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1620680862l/34058791._SX50_.jpg|21534844]). However, I struggled with almost every part of this book, from the cringe-worthy portrayal of houselessness to the completely nonsensical reason why the protagonist is investigating (in the end we find out that EVERYONE seemed to know who the killer was, but they just let her keep asking questions for no reason).
I know it was her first, and she has clearly gained more experience and skill in her more recent work, but I don't think I will be continuing with this series.
I know it was her first, and she has clearly gained more experience and skill in her more recent work, but I don't think I will be continuing with this series.
ingypingy2000's review
3.0
*Audible Edition* This is a lighthearted mystery. There's more Seattle travelogue and foodie notes than plot, but overall it's fairly cute. I was fairly annoyed with Pepper most of the story, but I can't guarantee whether that was the novel itself or whether that was how the narrator made her. I didn't mind the narrators voice and for the most part fit the story quite well, I thought.