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whatmayisha's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed yet another installment in this series! Sarah Fox writes wonderfully engaging characters, with exciting mysteries and plotlines, as well as a captivating setting (along with the delicious pancake/waffle recipes!)
ewil6681's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
hil_knecht's review
3.0
Another fun cozy mystery in the series. I really enjoyed the murder mystery in this one but the romantic relationship felt extra cheesy in this particular book. All in all though, I’m still enjoying the series.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Of Spice and Men by Sarah Fox is the third installment in A Pancake House Mystery series. A film crew from Hollywood is in town to do a remake of the horror film The Perishing. Marley McKinney is looking forward to the extra business the movie people will bring to The Flip Side Pancake House. Marley and Sienna get invited by Christine Gallant, a special effects make-up artist, for a behind the scenes tour. They arrive to find the trailer door unlocked and a fire inside. Marley (with a little help) rescues Christine from the burning trailer, but it is too late. Sheriff Ray Georgeson arrives and Christine’s death is ruled a homicide. Alyssa Jayde, an actress, is the prime suspect. Brett, Marley’s boyfriend and Alyssa’s ex-boyfriend, defends Alyssa. Marley starts asking questions and ends up with a lengthy suspect list. Who killed Christine? Can Marley clear Alyssa’s name and find the killer? Marley’s curiosity just might be her undoing!
Of Spice and Men is an easy to read story. I recommend reading the first two books in the series prior to Of Spice and Men. I found the book heavy on romance and jealousy (and light on mystery). I felt too much of the book was devoted to Brett and Marley’s romance. Marley was jealous of Brett’s ex-girlfriend and she handled the situation poorly (immaturely). We are subjected to countless chapters on this situation along with storms that are plaguing the area and Marley talking to (and about) Flapjack (her cat). The author seemed to use the same verbiage when she was discussing Flapjack (copy and paste). I am giving Of Spice and Men 3 out of 5 stars. The murder of Christine was easily solved. It is not difficult to identify the culprit. The killer’s motive, though, was interesting. Of Spice and Men is a light cozy mystery. Many readers will enjoy visiting the charming town and the characters who inhabit it.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this novel. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Of Spice and Men is an easy to read story. I recommend reading the first two books in the series prior to Of Spice and Men. I found the book heavy on romance and jealousy (and light on mystery). I felt too much of the book was devoted to Brett and Marley’s romance. Marley was jealous of Brett’s ex-girlfriend and she handled the situation poorly (immaturely). We are subjected to countless chapters on this situation along with storms that are plaguing the area and Marley talking to (and about) Flapjack (her cat). The author seemed to use the same verbiage when she was discussing Flapjack (copy and paste). I am giving Of Spice and Men 3 out of 5 stars. The murder of Christine was easily solved. It is not difficult to identify the culprit. The killer’s motive, though, was interesting. Of Spice and Men is a light cozy mystery. Many readers will enjoy visiting the charming town and the characters who inhabit it.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this novel. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
h_with_a_feather's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rants_n_reads's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
booklovingmom_'s review against another edition
4.0
I received Of Spice and Men in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
Of Spice and Men was a cozy little mystery revolving around a murder and sabotage on a movie set. Marley, a very relatable pancake house owner, takes to sleuthing and putting together clues until she gets to the bottom of the mystery currently surrounding her town. The journey to finding the murderer is intriguing and I didn't want to put the book down. This was a perfect cozy mystery that made me wish I was reading it in the fall like the story was set instead of winter. It made me want seasonal pancakes and apple cider while I sat tucked in by the fire losing myself in Marley's world.
I would definitely recommend this cozy mystery to anyone looking for a satisfying quick read.
Of Spice and Men was a cozy little mystery revolving around a murder and sabotage on a movie set. Marley, a very relatable pancake house owner, takes to sleuthing and putting together clues until she gets to the bottom of the mystery currently surrounding her town. The journey to finding the murderer is intriguing and I didn't want to put the book down. This was a perfect cozy mystery that made me wish I was reading it in the fall like the story was set instead of winter. It made me want seasonal pancakes and apple cider while I sat tucked in by the fire losing myself in Marley's world.
I would definitely recommend this cozy mystery to anyone looking for a satisfying quick read.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
OF SPICE AND MEN by Sarah Fox
The Third Pancake House Mystery
Although not a fan of horror films Marley McKinney is excited that a Hollywood production crew is filming a remake of a horror classic in Wildwood Cove. But excitement turns to true horror when Marley and Sienna find the head make-up artist's trailer on fire with the artist still inside. The horror continues when Marley discovers the lead actress in the arms of her boyfriend and learns that they once lived together. Marley can't help getting involved into what has become a murder investigation and while trying to find justice for the victim she also has to come to terms with Brett's past and his ongoing belief in his ex's innocence. A difficult task when Marley thinks the woman could easily be guilty.
OF SPICE AND MEN brings in a lot of new characters to serve as suspects, victims, and foils, an important thing as a small town has only so many residents to kill and be killed! Included in these new characters is a woman who puts Marley's and Brett's relationship to the test. For as much as the book is about the mystery, it's also about the relationships between its characters.
I really enjoy the Pancake House mystery series from the ambiance of the seaside town, to the residents (especially my crush, Chef Ivan), and the delightful dishes served at The Flip Side, not to mention the various mysteries. OF SPICE AND MEN is a solid addition to the series providing an intriguing, well thought out mystery. My only quibble is the plausibility of the penultimate confrontation. That being said, it was exciting and a good read!
Recipes included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Third Pancake House Mystery
Although not a fan of horror films Marley McKinney is excited that a Hollywood production crew is filming a remake of a horror classic in Wildwood Cove. But excitement turns to true horror when Marley and Sienna find the head make-up artist's trailer on fire with the artist still inside. The horror continues when Marley discovers the lead actress in the arms of her boyfriend and learns that they once lived together. Marley can't help getting involved into what has become a murder investigation and while trying to find justice for the victim she also has to come to terms with Brett's past and his ongoing belief in his ex's innocence. A difficult task when Marley thinks the woman could easily be guilty.
OF SPICE AND MEN brings in a lot of new characters to serve as suspects, victims, and foils, an important thing as a small town has only so many residents to kill and be killed! Included in these new characters is a woman who puts Marley's and Brett's relationship to the test. For as much as the book is about the mystery, it's also about the relationships between its characters.
I really enjoy the Pancake House mystery series from the ambiance of the seaside town, to the residents (especially my crush, Chef Ivan), and the delightful dishes served at The Flip Side, not to mention the various mysteries. OF SPICE AND MEN is a solid addition to the series providing an intriguing, well thought out mystery. My only quibble is the plausibility of the penultimate confrontation. That being said, it was exciting and a good read!
Recipes included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
been2boston's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
peggyemi's review against another edition
3.0
The third installment in the Pancake House Mysteries is an enjoyable read. Marley is developing nicely as a character. She is very personable and likable as a protagonist and seems to be starting to really fit into Wildwood Cove. Her insecurities in her romantic relationship with Brett are understandable given her past but her approach to the return of an ex-girlfriend was a bit immature for me. The regular cast of secondary characters return for this third book and are joined by a number of new faces all in town to shoot a Hollywood Movie.
I thought the mystery was well done. Because there are so many new faces in town shooting a movie, the author provides the reader with plenty of suspects to choose from and some very mysterious motives. There were a lot of twists, turns and surprises with the mystery being resolved in a very climatic fashion. I did not guess the identity of the killer but was surprised and thought the motive and reason were really well done.
All in all this was an enjoyable read and I think the characters are starting to develop and come into their own.
I read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Alibi, through Netgalley.
I thought the mystery was well done. Because there are so many new faces in town shooting a movie, the author provides the reader with plenty of suspects to choose from and some very mysterious motives. There were a lot of twists, turns and surprises with the mystery being resolved in a very climatic fashion. I did not guess the identity of the killer but was surprised and thought the motive and reason were really well done.
All in all this was an enjoyable read and I think the characters are starting to develop and come into their own.
I read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Alibi, through Netgalley.