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pennsnape's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and mildly entertaining. The dog's name drove me nuts, so I renamed it Diego. Also annoyed with how often her parents were shortened to the 'rents. Other than, okay.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
An Eggnog to Die for by Amy Pershing is the 2nd A Cape Cod Foodie Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. The author provides all the information that a new reader needs to know. An Eggnog to Die For has Samantha Barnes getting ready for the holidays. Sam is working on fixing up the home she inherited from her aunt and working as a food critic for the local newspaper, Cape Cod Clarion. She also tapes short food segments for the online paper. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and their upcoming holiday celebrations. This is a quintessential small town that is celebrating Christmas New England style. There are several quirky characters in the story that keep things lively. Sam is filming a holiday drink segment at the local hot restaurant, Ginger Jar. She takes a break to use the ladies’ room and ends up finding the town’s Santa dead in the owner’s office. Sam dons her sleuthing cap once again and sets out to locate the killer. She has a long list of suspects since the victim was not well liked. There is misdirection to throw readers off the track of the guilty party. There are clues to help armchair sleuths solve the crime. I enjoyed the reveal of the killer and I appreciated that the whodunit was completely wrapped up. The food and drink descriptions will have your mouth watering. There is humor in the story to provide giggles. Sam’s snarky comments are amusing. The story is told from Sam’s point-of-view, so we get to know what she is thinking and feeling especially with regard to her harbor master boyfriend. An Eggnog to Die For is a cute cozy mystery with a delightful dog, appetizing appetizers, a sanctimonious Santa, costume crisis, parents paying a visit, and a snooping Sam.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR is the second book in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series by Amy Pershing. This delightful holiday read starts out with an entertaining quote from Clark Griswold (of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation fame) and sets the stage for plenty of humor and memorable characters on the pages. Protagonist Samantha Barnes (aka Sam) is a foodie, writing restaurant reviews and making videos for the local Cape Cod Clarion. Sam is a quirky character but I quickly became enamored with her witty one-liner zingers and her self-deprecating humor. She doesn’t take herself entirely seriously. Surrounding Sam is an equally endearing set of supporting characters—human (friends & family), animal (her overly large dog named Diogi), machine (her ancient and cranky pickup truck, Grumpy), and setting (Cape Cod). All are well-developed and unique in their own ways. The author’s descriptive voice shines so the reader feels like they really get to know each aspect. And I just love that Sam’s parents are included in this newest release, having decided that it wouldn’t feel like Christmas celebrating in tropical Florida. They add another dimension of character development in the reader getting to know Sam along with them being a great support system for her.
While murder is never funny, Ms. Pershing sets the stage with humor and you can only shake your head and think “it could only happen to Sam.” With a curmudgeonly Santa dead and Sam “starring” in another embarrassing viral video, the mystery of whodunit pulls Sam into the investigation. Well-plotted and with a quick pace that begs the reader to keep turning pages, there were suspects galore. Even Sam’s mother gets the investigation bug and with her background as a reporter, she’s ready to steamroll everyone around her in her quest to assist her daughter. Sam most certainly has her hands full keeping her mother out of trouble, finding the grinch who did Santa in, all the while preparing to host her Christmas Eve dinner of the Feast of Five Fishes for all her friends and family. With so much going on, Ms. Pershing does an admirable job of juggling the characters, the action, and the murder investigation and kept me glued to the pages until I’d read the very last word. This series is quickly becoming one of my top favorites and I can’t wait to find out what’s next in store for Sam!
As you read through An Eggnog to Die For, be prepared to be hungry during the entire book! Not only are there mouthwatering dishes mentioned and described, there are numerous tips on preparing the ingredients and dishes, that, as a foodie myself, I found intriguing.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While murder is never funny, Ms. Pershing sets the stage with humor and you can only shake your head and think “it could only happen to Sam.” With a curmudgeonly Santa dead and Sam “starring” in another embarrassing viral video, the mystery of whodunit pulls Sam into the investigation. Well-plotted and with a quick pace that begs the reader to keep turning pages, there were suspects galore. Even Sam’s mother gets the investigation bug and with her background as a reporter, she’s ready to steamroll everyone around her in her quest to assist her daughter. Sam most certainly has her hands full keeping her mother out of trouble, finding the grinch who did Santa in, all the while preparing to host her Christmas Eve dinner of the Feast of Five Fishes for all her friends and family. With so much going on, Ms. Pershing does an admirable job of juggling the characters, the action, and the murder investigation and kept me glued to the pages until I’d read the very last word. This series is quickly becoming one of my top favorites and I can’t wait to find out what’s next in store for Sam!
As you read through An Eggnog to Die For, be prepared to be hungry during the entire book! Not only are there mouthwatering dishes mentioned and described, there are numerous tips on preparing the ingredients and dishes, that, as a foodie myself, I found intriguing.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
Foodie Sam Barnes has quite the to do list this holiday season. However finding a dead Santa was not one of the things to be scratched off. An Eggnog to Die For is a laugh out loud and twisty cozy mystery.
With videos to make and articles to write, her parents visiting, wondering what going with that man of hers and a big dinner to prepare Sam Barnes doesn’t have time to investigate a murder but somehow she manages to fit it in her schedule. Between writing articles, taking part in holiday festivities, making decorations for her Christmas tree, entering the three things, and being a chauffeur for her parents she found a way to get herself tangled up in helping to solve this mystery. With more suspects than clues Sam manages to ask the right questions to get her thought process rolling. With a few crazy ideas and some good deductive reasoning Sam narrows down the suspect list even though sometimes she allows her feelings to get in the way. She’s a smart woman, sometimes unconventional but yet extremely funny.
I very much enjoyed this foodie mystery. An Eggnog to Die for is a good mystery with a touch of romance and a lot of humor. Amy Pershing caught my attention with this entertaining holiday read.
With videos to make and articles to write, her parents visiting, wondering what going with that man of hers and a big dinner to prepare Sam Barnes doesn’t have time to investigate a murder but somehow she manages to fit it in her schedule. Between writing articles, taking part in holiday festivities, making decorations for her Christmas tree, entering the three things, and being a chauffeur for her parents she found a way to get herself tangled up in helping to solve this mystery. With more suspects than clues Sam manages to ask the right questions to get her thought process rolling. With a few crazy ideas and some good deductive reasoning Sam narrows down the suspect list even though sometimes she allows her feelings to get in the way. She’s a smart woman, sometimes unconventional but yet extremely funny.
I very much enjoyed this foodie mystery. An Eggnog to Die for is a good mystery with a touch of romance and a lot of humor. Amy Pershing caught my attention with this entertaining holiday read.
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
The second in a series and while the mystery is self contained within each book, I would absolutely recommend you start with book one before diving into this one as there is so much back story with the main and secondary characters that you will want to know before diving into this one.
Sam Barnes is back in this book and she is working on a video series for the local Cape Cod newspaper when Santa Claus is found dead in the up and coming bar that is serving fun cocktails along side some unique eats. Unfortunately, the victim is not well liked and quite a few people in town may have a reason to want him dead, so Sam must figure out who had reason and motive and ability to kill him.
The second in a series and while the mystery is self contained within each book, I would absolutely recommend you start with book one before diving into this one as there is so much back story with the main and secondary characters that you will want to know before diving into this one.
Sam Barnes is back in this book and she is working on a video series for the local Cape Cod newspaper when Santa Claus is found dead in the up and coming bar that is serving fun cocktails along side some unique eats. Unfortunately, the victim is not well liked and quite a few people in town may have a reason to want him dead, so Sam must figure out who had reason and motive and ability to kill him.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR by Amy Pershing
The Second Cape Cod Foodie Mystery
Cape Cod is gearing up for its Santa's Seashore Selebration and Samantha Barnes is ready to host an amazing Christmas. She's discovered an up an coming restaurant that serves small plates and amazing cocktails, a perfect subject for her latest video as the Cape Cod Foodie. As her friends arrive for a meal Sam makes a horrible discovery at the restaurant: Santa is dead! The owners of the Ginger Jar are the obvious suspects, especially as the town selectman playing Santa apparently had it in for the siblings. But surely that's too obvious. Will Sam get involved in another murder investigation? More importantly, will she be able to salvage Christmas?
The second Cape Cod Foodie Mystery will make you hungry. Hungry for delicious food and drink as well as loving family and friends. We get to see Sam and her stoic, yet caring, relationship with her parents. Indeed family play a huge part in this book, the blood ties are ties that bind and we see the lengths people will go to for their family members! The description of the foods, as well as the included tips, is mouthwatering, even though I don't eat seafood. I especially love the idea of the edible Christmas tree and other frugal holiday ideas.
I enjoyed the mystery too. There were plenty of twists and turns, especially as we learned just how bad "Santa" really was. Well plotted, the surprises made sense and were ultimately satisfying.
AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR is a delectable mystery filled with food, family, and holiday cheer.
The Second Cape Cod Foodie Mystery
Cape Cod is gearing up for its Santa's Seashore Selebration and Samantha Barnes is ready to host an amazing Christmas. She's discovered an up an coming restaurant that serves small plates and amazing cocktails, a perfect subject for her latest video as the Cape Cod Foodie. As her friends arrive for a meal Sam makes a horrible discovery at the restaurant: Santa is dead! The owners of the Ginger Jar are the obvious suspects, especially as the town selectman playing Santa apparently had it in for the siblings. But surely that's too obvious. Will Sam get involved in another murder investigation? More importantly, will she be able to salvage Christmas?
The second Cape Cod Foodie Mystery will make you hungry. Hungry for delicious food and drink as well as loving family and friends. We get to see Sam and her stoic, yet caring, relationship with her parents. Indeed family play a huge part in this book, the blood ties are ties that bind and we see the lengths people will go to for their family members! The description of the foods, as well as the included tips, is mouthwatering, even though I don't eat seafood. I especially love the idea of the edible Christmas tree and other frugal holiday ideas.
I enjoyed the mystery too. There were plenty of twists and turns, especially as we learned just how bad "Santa" really was. Well plotted, the surprises made sense and were ultimately satisfying.
AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR is a delectable mystery filled with food, family, and holiday cheer.
canra's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
leebeeloves's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75