Reviews

A Pumpkin Spice Killing by Lynn Cahoon

bibliotherapybliss's review

Go to review page

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

"A Pumpkin Spice Killing" invites readers into the world of The County Seat, a farm-fresh restaurant in Idaho, as its staff embarks on what they believe will be a retreat of rest and relaxation. However, their expectations take a sharp turn when they arrive at what turns out to be a military veteran's home, where their mission is no longer relaxation but cleaning up the house. In this unexpected setting, the team's daily duties reveal an imminent threat to the residents' lives, setting the stage for a cozy novella in the Farm to Fork series.

As a novella, "A Pumpkin Spice Killing" offers a quick and concise reading experience. However, for newcomers to the Farm to Fork series like myself, there is a notable drawback in terms of character familiarity and the nuances of their relationships. The characters' connections and backstories, presumably explained in previous books, were somewhat elusive, making it a bit challenging to fully grasp the dynamics at play.

The novella initially struggled to capture my interest, possibly due to the lack of familiarity with the characters and their histories. Nevertheless, as the story unfolds, it evolves into an easy and engaging read, offering a suitable option for an October-themed book. While it may not be destined for literary awards, it serves as a pleasant, albeit brief, escape for a few hours, perfect for a plane journey or a cozy afternoon spent in a window nook.

In conclusion, "A Pumpkin Spice Killing" is a short and enjoyable read, particularly for fans of the Farm to Fork series who are already invested in the characters and their connections. It may not be a groundbreaking literary masterpiece, but it does offer a cozy and entertaining escape into the world of The County Seat and its engaging mysteries.

the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed this author's Kitchen Witch series, so I thought I would give this one a try. I enjoyed it mostly. It is a novella, so it was super short, which didn't allow for much plot development. Having not read any of the other books in this series, I was a little out of the loop about who all these characters were and their connections to each other. That said, it was still a decent read and therefore gets a thumbs up from yours truly.

peggyemi's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A Pumpkin Spice Killing is a novella set in the Farm-to-Fork mystery world. Once again, Ms. Cahoon has delivered a delightful visit with Angie and the rest of the County Seat employees. What I love, is that Ms. Cahoon is able to give her readers a wonderful story no matter how long the book. Once again, the County Seat team, plus Dom and Ian, are headed out on a team-building exercise. This time around it is to help with repairs and updates to a home for military veterans. Once they arrive, Angie and Dom sense there is something not quite right in the home. As with prior team-building exercises, this brings the team closer together in more ways than one. Not only is the team working on improving the home but they are also trying to figure out what exactly is going on there.

I enjoy these short novellas that give the reader a short snapshot of a time in the lives of the characters. For me, it helps with character growth and development, which Ms. Cahoon has done very well with all of her series. The team has really bonded and is more like family than ever. I also appreciated that this book didn't necessarily involve a murder but more of a mystery to possibly prevent a murder.

If you are a fan of this series and are looking for a wonderful escape for an hour or two, then you are going to want to pick up this novella when it is released in early July.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

melmo2610's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

A fun visit with Angie and her crew. Great storyline and ending. Really enjoyed this one!!

suerae's review

Go to review page

5.0

A Pumpkin Spice Killer part of the Farm-to-Fork Mysteries series by Lynn Cahoon where Angie Turner and her Country Seats Crew are doing a team building event at the River Vista Veteran Home. It seems that the house needs some work and the crew is the right people for the job! Angie meets residences Randy Owen and Kendrick Trickle but Randy is need of Angie's help to find his son, Jacob and his wife, Mai. It seems that Randy didn't care for Jacob's wife and it cause quite riff between but Randy's wife kept in touch with her son and family and now Randy want to make amends. Angie has agreed to help but it worried about the residences and if Carol Stewart is trying to kill them off for the insurance money.

I loved this story and I'm looking forward to more of Lynn Cahoon's books. I won this book from Goodreads and was asked for my true opinion of this book.

belovedbrat's review

Go to review page

4.0

full review here: https://belovedgraceful-carissasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2021/08/a-pumpkin-spice-killing-by-lynn-cahoon.html

This one was the most emotional one of the series at least for me.

thesassybookworm's review

Go to review page

3.0

⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed this author's Kitchen Witch series, so I thought I would give this one a try. I enjoyed it mostly. It is a novella, so it was super short, which didn't allow for much plot development. Having not read any of the other books in this series, I was a little out of the loop about who all these characters were and their connections to each other. That said, it was still a decent read and therefore gets a thumbs up from yours truly.

heatherj818's review

Go to review page

inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

3.0

a_frieri1119's review

Go to review page

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

4.0

msrichardsreads89's review

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

5.0

I absolutely loved this Farm-to-Fork novella! Lynn Cahoon consistently writes gripping cozy mysteries, and this novella did not disappoint. I love the setting at the County Seat. Dom is one of my favorite cozy companions. The mystery was compelling and ended with a twist. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.