The Curse of the Cherry Pie

February 15, 2019
Starting a second career by founding a catering business is not simple; mix in murder, and Tish Tarragon is in for a rocky introduction to the tight-knit community of Hobson Glen. When Tish is asked to cater the biggest library fund-raising event of the year by the finicky director, Binnie, she thinks her Cookin' the Books Caf� and catering business is off to a great start. But things sure turn sour when Binnie dies in the middle of the event after eating her meal! With strong, supportive friendships and a budding romance, Tish races to solve the murder before her business dreams burn up in the frying pan. From the pun-filled title to the literature-inspired food, cozy-mystery fans will love Meade's newest novel. The full cast of characters creates a robust community that will make bibliophiles want to travel to Hobson Glen, Virginia, and partake in some tasty literary delights. Readers of Rita Mae Brown and Joanne Fluke should be excited by this new series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2021
In this fourth installment in Meade's series, Tish Tarragon, owner of the Cookin' the Books caf� in Hobson Glen, Virginia, enters the Virginia Commonwealth Bake-Off in place of her cafe's baker, whose husband just passed away. She quickly learns that no one wants her to make her signature cherry pie, as two previous contestants who made cherry pie died under strange circumstances. Tish and her crew of friends begin to research what happened to those deceased bakers, but soon Tish gets mysterious warnings to change her pie plans. Everyone involved in the contest seems to have secrets, including three-time winner Whitney, a strong advocate of Christian family values, leaving Tish to figure out who may be cheating or could even be dangerous. The series has a large cast, but Meade makes each character memorable in this layered, cleverly constructed story. The ending will surprise even seasoned cozy readers. Recommend Tish to fans of Laura Childs' Theodosia Browning.

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Starred review from November 5, 2021

This is Meade's fourth Tish Tarragon mystery (following The Christmas Fair Killer). After Celestine Rufus's husband dies, she's not up to participating in the Virginia Commonwealth Bake-Off, so Tish (Celestine's boss at Cookin' the Books Caf�) steps in to take her place. When Tish lists her three entries for the bake-off, including a signature cherry pie, everyone reacts badly. The last two contestants who entered cherry pies are dead. Tish's journalist friend Julian hysterically calls the pie cursed and begs her to change her entry. But Tish wants to discover how a respected Southern event is connected to two deaths. Tish's lawyer boyfriend is only concerned about how her investigation reflects on his campaign for mayor, while the acting sheriff sneers at the notes and threats she receives. Fortunately, Tish's lifelong friends are in her corner. VERDICT A delicious character-driven treat for fans of The Great British Baking Show or Krista Davis's "Domestic Diva" mysteries. Foodies will relish this latest addition to a series featuring a likable amateur sleuth with supportive, well-developed friends, along with recipes and talk of food.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2021
A cooking contest becomes a matter of life and death for a cafe owner who's also an amateur detective. Tish Tarragon attends a funeral along with boyfriend Schuyler Thompson and a group of her besties to support widowed Celestine Rufus, Tish's friend and employee. Schuyler, who's running for mayor of Hobson's Glen, Virginia, can't linger for the funeral lunch at Tish's Cookin' the Books, but obnoxious new sheriff Wade Lightbody barges in, trashes the reputation of former Sheriff Reade, who left suddenly, and makes it abundantly clear that he disapproves of Tish's sleuthing successes. Discouraged but unbowed, Tish decides to enter the Virginia Commonwealth Bake-Off in Celestine's place in hopes of winning the prize money for her. Her savory and showstopper bake plans are well received, but her selection of cherry pie is met with horror because two former contestants who also chose cherry pie died suddenly. Tish is nearly electrocuted when someone frays the cord on her mixer, and she receives threatening notes that only make her more determined to investigate. Now that the same person has won the contest for three years running, there are plenty of accusations of favoritism. Luckily, Reade's officers, who remain loyal to him, help Tish dig up information about the other contestants. Schuyler's complaints about Tish's lack of support for his ambitions while he belittles hers leave her frazzled. Luckily, both old college buds and new friends support her efforts and watch her back. Foodies will enjoy the cooking tips along with a tricky mystery and hints of romance to come.

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