Murder Served Neat (A Cocktails and Catering Mystery) by Michelle Hillen Klump
About Murder Served Neat
Murder Served Neat (A Cocktails and Catering Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Texas
Crooked Lane Books (February 21, 2023)
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639102345
ISBN-13 : 978-1639102341
Digital ASIN : B09ZRLRFB4
Reporter-turned-mixologist Samantha Warren has already thwarted one murder. Now, her world is shaken—definitely not stirred—once again as another killing throws her world into chaos.
Samantha is mixing up traditional cocktails at the German Texan Lodge’s Fourth of July festival—a gig she was roped into by her mother. But amidst the bratwurst and brass bands, trouble is brewing. Lodge loyalties are divided over a proposal to build a private, country-club-style tennis center on the lodge grounds. Her mom’s best friend Patty Davis is vehemently opposed to the plan. Society matron Angela Clawson is all for it. At the festival, they’re seen in a heated argument—and hours later, Angela is found dead, killed by one of the ceremonial shovels intended for the groundbreaking.
Samantha’s mother begs her to help clear her best friend’s name, but can she handle another murder case or will the whole investigation go bottoms up?
My Review
Mixologist Samantha Warren is working hard to make her catering business a success. She and her friend, Beth, are always excited when an opportunity arises to show off their services. This time it’s the German Texan Lodge’s Fourth of July celebration.
However, not everyone is celebrating. Angela Clawson is seen having several arguments. The next thing anyone knows, Angela has been murdered. There are certainly a huge amount of suspects, but the police are focusing on one person - Patty Davis. Patty just happens to be Samantha’s mother’s best friend. She begs Samantha to help her investigate and prove Patty’s innocence. Samantha reluctantly agrees.
This is the second book in the A Cocktails and Catering Mystery series. I enjoyed the first one and this one is just as good. The characters are well-written and their personalities are even stronger as readers get to know them.
Although the mystery is solved in this book, it’s always a plus to read from the beginning of a series to get to know the characters. Fortunately, since this is only the second book, there’s just one book ahead of it.
The mystery keeps you guessing until the end. There were many possibilities as far as “whodunit” in this captivating mystery. There’s even a potential hint at a romantic triangle. The author includes a few recipes and quite a bit of information about the process of making cocktails.
Overall, this is a riveting, page-turning mystery that will keep you captivated until the last page is turned.
For reading challenges:
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2023
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2023
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
About Michelle Hillen Klump
Michelle Hillen Klump began her writing career as a newspaper reporter, traveling the back roads of central Texas and Arkansas, reporting on everything from natural disasters to crime and corruption. She’s interviewed former presidents, covered a midnight manhunt through the Ozark Mountains, and learned the finer points of how to break a car window from a looter while covering a hurricane. Now, she uses her experiences as fodder for fiction, writing a cozy mystery series about a former reporter turned craft cocktail caterer.
Michelle lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and young daughter. When she’s not writing or working her day job, she enjoys gardening, reading, exploring Houston’s neighborhoods, hiking and biking, and creating craft cocktails for friends and family.
Thank you so much for having me on the blog, and thank you for the lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fun and I love the main character is a mixologist. Adding to my TBR.
ReplyDelete