Melina's Book Blog: The Corpse in the Gazebo

Monday, October 4, 2021

The Corpse in the Gazebo

The Corpse in the Gazebo (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

About The Corpse in the Gazebo

The Corpse in the Gazebo (A Food Blogger Mystery)

Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - Connecticut Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (September 28, 2021) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496728939 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496728937 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08RWQYH54

Food blogging is turning Hope Early into a household name. But the dead body down the block makes her a #1 suspect . . .

It seems everyone loves Hope’s blog these days, and she’s busier than ever volunteering to help other women create their own paths to success. So she’s shocked when a neighbor petitions to run Hope right out of her small Connecticut town! Set in her ways, apparently Birdie Donovan doesn’t like the chaos Hope’s sleuthing creates, the police activity and crime scenes, and it’s happening way too often lately. Eager to make amends, Hope bakes Birdie a batch of her best muffins. The delicious treats might have smoothed things over—until Hope discovers Birdie dead in her gazebo the very next day . . .

Now instead of worrying about holding on to her beloved home, Hope is trying to stay out of jail. Because suddenly she’s the lead suspect in the case. Not even her boyfriend, Police Chief Ethan Cahill, is promising he can clear her name, much less discuss the investigation with her. It’s up to Hope to get to bake new ground on the case before the lifestyle brand she’s created—and her whole life—crumbles . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

What I Thought:

This is the fifth in the Food Blogger Mystery series but only the second one that I have read. I have read the first one in this series. but I enjoyed this one better than the first one. Even though this is a series, the author gives enough background that the reader will not be lost if they have not read the others in the series. In this one, Hope learns that her neighbor, Birdie, has started a petition to get her to move out of her neighborhood. This upsets Hope and she confronts Birdie at the library. Hope feels bad so she makes Birdie some muffins. The next morning, Birdie invites Hope over to her home to investigate. When Hope arrives she finds Birdie dead in her gazebo. Of course Birdie had been eating some of Hope's muffins, so Hope becomes the main suspect. Of course, contrary to the advice of her family and friends, Hope investigates to clear her name. I enjoyed this book and it flowed well which kept me entertained and turning the pages. There were several suspects and Hope accuses some people who get really upset with her. Hope's sleuthing also puts her danger, as well as causes her boyfriend to have to take a leave of absence from the police force. There were many twists in this one and at one point, I thought I had the mystery figured out. The author did a great job with the reveal and I was completely surprised by the reveal of the killer, which is what I really like in a cozy mystery. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

About Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.

Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018.In addition to writing the Food Blogger mystery series, she writes the Resale Boutique Mystery series. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu, Connie.

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