Book Reviews

Review: Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits

Culinary cozy mysteries are a huge part of the category that is already a sub-category. Some pad their plots with incredibly meh recipes (repurposing Pillsbury cinnamon rolls to make them bigger is not a recipe) while others only include a few key recipes that enhance the story and characters (check out Mia P. Manansala's excellent Tita Rosie's Kitchen series). Then there are the ones that concentrate on the culinary setting and let the plot points lead the way.

The tagline for Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits is "an addictive, cozy culinary mystery" and boy, is it ever! Jessie Haynes is the owner and cook of Honeybee's diner in small town Georgia. After a stint studying journalism, she's back home following in her mom's and grandmother's footsteps. Everyone is happily celebrating Honeybee's 50th anniversary until the mayor drops dead in his shrimp and grits. Soon Jessie's best friend Tee and the teenage server from the diner are helping Jessie investigate plus spreading the news of the town on their new podcast.

The best part of this book are the characters. I kept thinking about them even when I wasn't reading the book. I definitely want to hear more from Jessie and her family, friends, and neighbors.

What I would have liked was a bit more editing of some of the descriptive passages. Warren is truly has a way with words, but some of the narration seemed to run on, especially in the middle of the book.

Also, does Tee already have a podcast before she starts one about happenings in Willow Bluff? Sometimes, it sounds like she does have podcasting experience, but if so, the other podcast is never named.

I may have been born and raised in the midwest, but I've spent the last 30+ years living in Tennessee and Kentucky. This book spoke to my life in the south and I look forward to following the further adventures of these characters. Now pass me those shrimp & grits!