Cobblered to Death

COBBLERED TO DEATH is a satisfying start to what appears to be a fun new series. I liked the main character and the cooking show setting, and the mystery kept me guessing. Those looking for a light, fun read will likely enjoy this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.

Cobblered to Death by Rosemarie Ross has readers enjoying the Pocono Mountains in May. Courtney Archer is the host of Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter even though she has never stepped foot on a farm in her life. Courtney is now co-hosting The American Baking Battle on location while filming episodes of her own show. The one thing Courtney wishes is to present her real self to the audience, but her contract precludes her from revealing the truth. She finds it even more challenging working alongside Shannon Collins, host of Southern Comfort Foods, who is so genuine and extends friendship to Courtney. There is drama on the set between the baking contests and problems off screen thanks to contestant Mick who overheard a conversation between Courtney and her producer. Courtney sheds her worries while baking a cherry cobbler in a cast-iron pan for her show the next day. The next morning, she stops to pick it up and finds it on the floor alongside a very dead Mick. With Courtney in the hot seat as the police’s top suspect, she digs in to find the true culprit. Cobblered to Death is the debut of A Courtney Archer Mystery series. Courtney was a mixed bag for me. I liked her, but I also found her frustrating. If you are presenting yourself as a farmer’s daughter on air, would you not visit a farm and do research? I did not understand why the author has Courtney floundering after hosting the show for three years especially when Eric’s family owns a farm. I hope in the next book we get to know more about Courtney besides she likes to carve fruit, from Chicago, and dislikes lying to her viewers. I liked Courtney’s friend and producer, Eric Iverson. I found him friendly and caring. I also enjoyed the blossoming friendship between Courtney and Shannon Collins. Shannon was my favorite character in the story. There is baking galore for those readers who enjoy culinary cozies. I loved the descriptions of the red mixers on the lovely blue countertops (my two favorite colors). The mystery was lacking. It was obvious who would die and who would be blamed. I was easily able to solve this whodunit. There was an absence of suspects and pointed clues. I wanted less of Courtney upset about her situation (not being a farmer’s daughter, the clause in her contract) and a more solid mystery. There are two love interests for Courtney (of course). Cobblered to Death is what I call a light and breezy cozy mystery. Cobblered to Death is a new culinary cozy mystery with a crushing cherry cobbler, an abundance of baking, a complaining contestant, and a carking contract clause.