Book Review: The Crêpes of Wrath, A Pancake House Mystery by Sarah Fox

This enjoyable 'cozy' has nice imagery, strong characters and an engaging plot.

The Crêpes of Wrath
A Pancake House Mystery
by Sarah Fox

File Size: 6124 KB
Print Length: 257 pages
Publisher: Alibi (August 16, 2016)
ASIN: B01A4ATX58
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the debut of a delightful cozy mystery series, Sarah Fox introduces a charming new heroine who finds herself in a sticky situation: stacking pancakes, pouring coffee, and investigating murder.
Bonus content: includes original recipes inspired by the Flip Side Pancake House menu!
When Marley McKinney’s aging cousin, Jimmy, is hospitalized with pneumonia, she agrees to help run his pancake house while he recovers. With its rustic interior and syrupy scent, the Flip Side Pancake House is just as she pictured it—and the surly chef is a wizard with crêpes. Marley expects to spend a leisurely week or two in Wildwood Cove, the quaint, coastal community where she used to spend her summers, but then Cousin Jimmy is found murdered, sprawled on the rocks beneath a nearby cliff.
After she stumbles across evidence of stolen goods in Jimmy’s workshop, Marley is determined to find out what’s really going on in the not-so-quiet town of Wildwood Cove. With help from her childhood crush and her adopted cat, Flapjack, Marley sinks her teeth into the investigation. But if she’s not careful, she’s going to get burned by a killer who’s only interested in serving up trouble.

Review:
Marley has taken a leave of absence to help her cousin Jimmy who is in the hospital with pneumonia. Marley is waitressing and managing Jimmy’s Flip Side Pancake House until Jimmy can get back on his feet. Instead, when Jimmy calls to say he is coming home, he is found murdered on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff near his home.

Marley has run into an old flame, Brett, a fellow she met when she summered on the island as a teen. He hasn’t forgotten her and she remembers him too. Marley discovers some stolen art works in Jimmy’s workshop. Now she is intent on proving that Jimmy wasn’t a thief and she may as well investigate his murder at the same time.

The police think Marley’s co-worker is the guilty party, but several other suspects are soon in Marley’s sights. The criminal activity picks up as someone breaks into the Flip Side office and then Jimmy’s office. When suspects start to disappear Marley focuses on another shady character. Can she determine the right crook before she becomes a victim?

This was an easy and fun read. I enjoyed Marley’s thought process as she reviewed clues. The author did a good job of laying out clues, providing multiple suspects while hiding the true villain. The gentle romance growing between Marley and Brett has a nice warm touch. The settings and imagery are nicely written and the story background is quite natural, life-like.

This was my first book by this author but I expect it won’t be my last. I do recommend this to readers of cozy mysteries or readers who don’t necessarily read this genre but might want an easy, light read.

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Sunday Post August 14, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 15, 2016

I miss-scheduled this so it is posting late... but better late then not at all.

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I was out of town Thursday to Saturday evening. I came home to learn my DH's blood pressure has been dropping really low. He is stressed but we will get him to the Doctor tomorrow to determine the problem - which is probably (hopefully) medication mixtures.

I enjoyed my reading, finishing three books: two ebooks and one audio. I posted three reviews along with my usual memes.

I got to visit some blogs early in the week and a couple very late in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 7, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 8, 2016.

• Audible Book Review: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti; Inspiration, Religious, Suspense; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Inquisitor by Mitchell Hogan; Sci Fi, Space Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 12, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/18/2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #265 Comment Giveaway August 13, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/20/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; Biography, memoir, WWII; my rating 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 14, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)
(Promo/review reach out from Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours)

The Cat, The Collector and the Killer
A Cats In Trouble Mystery
by Leann Sweeney 
This is a fun, easy, cozy read.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Deceitful Moon: Manny Williams Series, Book 2
Written by: Rick Murcer
Narrated by: DJ Holte
This is a strong mystery with a despicable villain.
I received this forensic mystery title from the Narrator.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Crêpes of Wrath
A Pancake House Mystery
by Sarah Fox
This is another very enjoyable cozy mystery. 
Release date 8/16.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Unseemly Pursuits: The Concordia Wells Mysteries Book 2
Written by: K.B. Owen
Narrated by: Becket Royce
I enjoyed book one and the narrator offered book two. :-)
Publisher's Summary
A deadly secret that won't stay buried....
It is the fall of 1896, and Miss Concordia Wells is hip-deep in the usual tumult of a lady professor's life: classes, clubs, student pranks, and the unending drama generated by the girls she lives with on campus. Complicating this normality is the new Lady Principal, whom the students have nicknamed "the Ogre". The woman seems bent on making Concordia's life miserable.
Events take a grave turn, however, when an ancient Egyptian amulet donated to the college mysteriously disappears, the donor is found murdered, and his daughter - Concordia's best friend - confesses to killing him.
Desperate for answers, Concordia unravels a 20-year-old secret, closely guarded by men now dead. But such secrets can be dangerous for the daughters left behind, including Concordia herself. Can she make sense of the mystery that has bound together their fates, before it's too late?
©2013 K.B. Owen (P)2015 K.B. Owen

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Lame Duck
by Bernard Leo Remakus
The author offered me this Medical thriller with a female lawyer. It sounds good.
Some believe Dr. Bob Cassidy is America's worst doctor. The young physician is already defending his third malpractice suit, being investigated by the feds, and about to lose his hospital privileges. Many believe Angela Fratello is America’s top malpractice lawyer. Known as the "Angel of Death" in legal circles, she knows how to win in the courtroom - and win big. When Angela starts experiencing severe foot pain while skiing, she drives to the closest medical facility - the backwoods office of Dr. Bob Cassidy. Angela becomes Cassidy's patient, and their chance meeting sets the stage for the perfect crime - and a love story for the ages.

Not sure about the next audio so it will be a surprise when I pick it later this week.


July 30, 2016 - I am still one day behind but expect to catch up this week with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews. That keeps me with four; three new and one older. So I still feel mostly up to date.

I haven't exactly started accepting new titles yet although I did receive three (one earlier this month but I forgot to add to my list) so I am back at seven on the author titles list.
I picked up one title at NetGalley so my shelf is back at three when I finish the one I plan to read this week.
I was hoping to set aside September for TBR books but I guess I will have a few of the author titles to get in also.

I am working on additional releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page again this week.
For some reason they have not yet converted this title although I haven't received and email of any problem. (I will be calling/emailing this week.)

The Handy Dandy Quick Reference Guide For Teachers

Working with Children with Academic & Behavior Problems

Dr. Jackie Paxton

Nonfiction, Reference

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received three new review books plus one I selected at NetGalley.
And I didn't purchase any kindle titles since I picked up plenty free kindle titles.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Received from authors:

Second Chances - A "Chosen" Short Story
by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef
Fantasy, Supernatural, YA

Keepsake for Eagle Cove
by M. L. Buchman

Book 4 in small town romance series.
I really like this author and hope reading Book 4 will be okay.
Releases 8/30/16.

The Forever Gate
By Isaac Hooke

A novella to start this sci fi series.
I received Books 4 and 5 for free through Kindle with an offer for earlier books.

The Forever Gate starts off with Hoodwink Cooper, the protagonist, imprisoned and sentenced to death. His crime? Attempting to blast a hole in the the Forever Gate, the colossal wall that surrounds the city and protects the denizens from the uninhabitable Outside.

Received from NetGalley:

Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1)
by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley
Two opposing factions of time travelers vie for control of the future in this thrilling steampunk series
Releases 8/15/16

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I added 48 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 14, 2016

We enjoyed another lovely Sunday morning. Our Sunday School teacher reviewed Romans 8 from the Message. We discussed Paul’s message to focus on God rather than ourselves.

Then we got to welcome our new Pastor who presented a good sermon on working together and unity. He noted that when teams work together, big things take place; things happen fast.Each person in a congregation comes in with their own personality and preferences. Can a church work together with all different preferences? The mission shouldn’t be complicated. The simple mission of church is to love God and love people. Colossians 1:1- 6 and Colossians 3:1-17
[…for you died to this life…and …put on a new nature…]

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The sermon point summarized: When all of our assumptions and preferences are stripped away, it is Jesus, and Him crucified, that bonds us together in unity.

At the foot of the cross, the ground is level. We must be committed to unity. We need to remember to build and protect unity through our actions and speech all week long. Then, together, we can be used to reach the lost.

I chose this encouraging song for today:
All the People Said Amen!

Verses for Today:
Colossians 3: 12-15 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
 
I give thanks for the spirit of love and unity. Lord, help me to share it each day.

Audible Book Review: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This is an extraordinary story of a WWII hero – and it tells so much more.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Written by: Laura Hillenbrand
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 14 hrs
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-16-10
Publisher: Random House Audio
Genre: Biography, Memoir
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood.
Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant's name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit. Telling an unforgettable story of a man's journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.
©2010 Laura Hillenbrand; 2010 Random House Audio

Review:
This is a biography/memoir portraying the remarkable life of Louis Zamperini. Zamperini was an  uncontrollable scamp of a boy. Although he exasperated his parents and sister, he was greatly loved. His older brother, Pete, was always trying to rein Louis in and direct his enthusiastic energy to better pursuits. Finally, Pete was able to encourage Louis to pour his energies into running. Louis became a running champion and did well at the German Olympics in 1936.

Zamperini was training for the next Olympics when America was drawn into WWII. Zamperini entered the aircorps and was deployed to the Pacific island of Funafuti where he served as a bombardier on a B-24 bomber named Super Man. Zamperini became good friends with the pilot,
"Phil" Phillips. The plane survived one remarkable enemy battle and returned with multiple bullet holes, putting it out of commission. Phil, Zamperini and their crew mates were sent on a rescue hunt in another plane that was known for mechanical problems. The plane had difficulties and Phil was forced to crash in the ocean. Eleven crew mates were killed or lost, leaving only three survivors, Phil, Louis and another young man, Mac.

The story follows their 47-day struggle to survive at sea without food and fresh water. Only Louis and Phil make it to land where they become Japanese prisoners of war under brutal and cruel wardens.

The story is remarkable and brings out a wide range of emotions. The portrayal of the struggle at sea is a frightening tale. The description of the P.O.W. experience is horrifying and heart wrenching. I have heard of these horrors and watched one or two movies. There is no way to read/listen to the abuses and atrocities without cringing. The author presents societal and psychological backgrounds/reasons to explain the treatment. It is still hard to understand, much less swallow.

The summary of this story is stated in the title: “Unbroken”. It made me cry, cringe and smile. It is well researched, richly written and shares the history of a remarkable man and several of his friends. I was impressed with how Zamperini came through the trials and how God used him. I recommend this to any reader who needs a story of courage, strength and forgiveness. Also recommended to any reader who wants to remember the horrors of war and hope that they never occur again.

Audio Notes: Edward Herrmann does a beautiful job with the narration. He shares different accents and voices but, even more impressively, he shares the intensity of the emotions that are portrayed by the story. The narration definitely contributed to the experience of the story for me.

I pulled this from my Audible TBR shelf. It qualifies for Mount TBR Challenge, Audio Challenge and "U" in Alphabet Challenge.

Sharing Beyond Books #265 Comment Giveaway August 13, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I am pretty tired after a long drive back and forth to an industry conference. We enjoyed the event and my daughter and other staff member ran me around to outlet malls for last minute school shopping. I got good exercise anyway.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Twelve commenters have not watched the latest Star Wars and are not fans. Two are fans. One loved all the priors but haven't seen the latest movie. Another liked the first series (4-6) but not (1-3) and one other was disappointed by the latest movie.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #264 comments is:#12 Carol L who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #265

(One Question.)

Poetry asks: Whats your favorite Milkshake flavor??

This was an easy answer for me: my absolute favorite milkshake is Jamocha.

Image Found at Arbys.com

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share:
Poetry asks: Whats your favorite Milkshake flavor??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday August 20, 2016 at 5 PM central.