Up to No Gouda
by Linda Reilly
Narrated by Mia Gaskin
Length: 8 hours and 29 minutes
Release date: January 25, 2022
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mysteries, Women Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
The first in a delicious new culinary cozy series featuring a grilled cheese eatery owner who must solve murders in her small town before she is put under lock and brie.
Back in Balsam Dell to heal after the death of her husband, Carly Hale is finally pursuing her lifelong dream—opening Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery. After only five months, business is booming as Vermont vacationers and townspeople alike flock to lunch on her Party Havartis and other grilled cheese concoctions. All but Lyle Bagley, Carly's one-time high school boyfriend and now town bully who just bought the building that houses her eatery and wants Carly out. After a muenster of a fight, Carly's forced to put her nose to the rind and find a solution to keep her business afloat.
That is...until Lyle is discovered dead behind the dumpster of Carly's shop, and one of her employees becomes the prime suspect. In order to save her eatery and prove her friend's innocence, Carly must sleuth out the killer before she's the one who gets grilled.
With a delightful cast of characters, an inventive amateur sleuth, and a whole host of cheesy hijinks, Up to No Gouda is the perfect cozy murder mystery to melt into.
Review:
Carly Hale lost her husband to a tragic accident. She returned to her family hometown to open Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery where she serves popular, creative, and delicious sandwiches. Business is going well, and things are looking good until Lyle Bagley, her high school boyfriend, becomes her landlord and gives her notice to vacate so he can renovate to put in a shop for his new fiancé. Suzanne, one of Carly’s employees, threatens harm to Lyle as he leaves the shop. A day or so later Lyle is found dead in the back parking lot of the eatery.
When Suzanne looks like the primary suspect, Carly is determined to find the killer and prove her employee/friend innocent. While questioning potential suspects Carly stirs up threats. Can she figure out who is the real danger before they get to her?
First, I love grilled cheese so this title and cover quickly caught my eye. It is an easy listen oozing with some pretty cheesy puns (couldn’t resist) which made it fun for me. There is a good group of supporting characters, including a musically talented soup chef, and a possible future romantic interest. There is a stray pup too that Carly dubs “Havarti”. I liked the twist that reveals the true villain although there were a few hints. I definitely recommend this to fans of cozy mystery… and to cheese lovers too! I hope to read more in the series.
Audio Notes: Mia Gaskin does a grand job with the narration. The presentation had energy and distinct voices. It moved along very nicely. I am not sure if I have had the occasion to listen to Ms. Gaskin before but I would be glad to listen to other works she narrates.
Source: 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2022NetGalley, 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.
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