I have been really enjoying the Food Lovers Village Mysteries. I love the idea of a Food Lovers village and enjoy hearing about the events that Erin is involved with to bring attention to the village. I feel like this is such a cool concept for a cozy series. I also really love the setting. Montana is one of the few states that I haven't been to and Budewitz paints a lovely picture. The writing in these stories is well done. I feel the characters are well developed and you see growth as the series progresses. This particular installment takes place during a music festival. Erin once again gets pulled into solving the mystery when her boyfriend finds the body of one of the event headliners. One thing I like about Erin is that she isn't as obnoxiously brazen as some cozy mystery heroines. I've noticed myself getting frustrated with some amateur sleuths and how brazen, nosy, and meddling they can be. Erin is definitely asking questions but I don't find her to cross the line quite so much as other lead characters in other cozy series.

The blurb must have really sounded intriguing to me because I requested this book TWICE from Netgalley (in exchange for my honest review) and got copies in both 2017 and 2021. Finally got around to reading it and was glad I did. The author's name was also very familiar to me and I was sure I had read one or two of the previous books in the series, but nothing came back to me. I didn't feel like I missed anything by starting with book 4.

I found Treble to be an enjoyable cozy. I like the setting and characters, so much so, I immediately started #5, As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles. I also plan to get the first three books from the library to get caught up.

Erin Murphy is manager of Glacier Mercantile in small-town Jewel Bay, Montana. They're gearing up for a festival featuring guitarist Gerry Martin. But all is not well -- especially when Erin hears arguments between Gerry and others who are either attending or performing in the concert he's about to give.

Also on hand is her boyfriend Adam's best friend Tanner, who has finally arrived from Minnesota to spend time visiting with Adam and Erin. While she's looking for everything to settle down, that's not going to happen. The day after the concert, she hears that there's been an accident on the river -- where Adam and Tanner are kayaking, and when she rushes to it, she sees Tanner on the rocks, obviously in distress. She fears the worst, but those fears are allayed when Adam grabs her from behind before she can tumble to the ground. But when she learns that the deceased is Gerry Martin, and Tanner tells her it wasn't an accident, she begins to wonder who hated him enough to kill him, or wants to see her stop asking questions...

While I really wanted to love this book, I just couldn't. There were things that bothered me, and unfortunately, I just couldn't get past them. First, how does she keep the Merc up and running when she's never there? She's there long enough to go into her office to work on the investigation, or order a couple cases of wine, but then she's off again, leaving the place to Tracy and her new hiree, Lou Mary. That grated on me.

Also unfortunately, I still just really hate the name Fresca. it's the name of a soft drink from years ago, and every time I hear it I think she was named after it. The nickname for Francesca would more likely be Fran. It also bothers me that she calls her mother by her first name. It's disrespectful, and who cares if your mother works at the same place you do? You'd still call her mom, yet she even calls her Fresca in her mind. (Yeah, I know, but it really bothered me).

Aside from this, the mystery was fine, and there were plenty of suspects who wanted Martin dead. Finding the right one took time, since the clues that their were led to a woman being the murderer. That narrowed it down somewhat, since the men were pretty much out of the picture. In the end, it all came together satisfactorily, and left a hint of what is to come in the next book, which I will still probably read, since I've read all the books in this series so far.

Somehow, I missed book #3 so will go back and read it next. There were things mentioned in this book that were obviously sorted out in the last one that left me wondering and feeling like there was a piece missing from the puzzle. Having said that, I still enjoyed this book a lot,

We arrive in Jewel Bay, Montana for the Jazz Festival. As an opener to the festival, some of the musicians put on a short preview concert in the event area behind Erin Murphy’s store, The Merc. When a couple of arguments occur between Gerry Martin, one of the premiere performers, and some others, Erin becomes curious. When he is found dead the next morning on the rocks by the river, Erin finds herself smack dab in the middle of another murder investigation, especially as her boyfriend and his friend are the ones who find the body and see someone push him off the cliff. She is trying to save the festival, run the Merc, deal with her relationship and investigate all at the same time. Can she catch a killer before the last note is played? Will she and Adam weather some changes in their relationship?

All of our favorite characters return and many new ones arrive on the scene. Jewel Bay is a small town and the Merc is right in the center of all the actions. Erin’s mom is cooking up a storm in the Merc’s kitchen and she also takes a big step. Tracy helps Erin with the store and has her area full of chocolate and demand is growing. Erin has hired Lou Mary to help at the store and Tracy seems to be getting her nose out of joint. Adam and Erin’s relationship is going strong and we meet his friend Tanner has come to town with some news. Also new in this story are the musicians and a new deputy sheriff. The cast is diverse yet I missed Kim, Erin's friend and previous deputy. There is a good representative of a small town, especially one that is a tourist destination.

This mystery is well crafted with many clues. I enjoyed the twist and turns as the list of suspects grew and how Erin manages her business while investigating. The descriptions of the town and the area around it sprinkled throughout the story enable the reader to picture the area, perhaps longing to actually visit and see it yourself. This is a enjoyable mystery that moves right along as connections are made leading up to the surprising reveal. I definitely recommend this book and this series to any cozy mystery lover. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

Murder comes to the Merc in the midst of the jazz festival, leaving Erin to find out whether a fatal fall was accidental - or assisted. The setting is beautifully described, and there was lots of action in this installment.

Fast pace reading. Enjoyable plot and colorful cast of characters. Solid mystery

Really liked visiting the Merc again and how Erin wraps up another investigation! The premise with the Jazz Festival was fun, it sounded like something I'd like to attend in real life. People seem to really care about the town and each other, will look forward to more in this series.

Erin Murphy runs a small business in a small town, Jewel Bay, whose residents rely on tourism to keep them in the black. That means lots of fairs and festivals, and Jewel Bay is getting ready for a jazz festival. The music world, at least in Jewel Bay, is fraught with drama -- jealousy, ambition, stage mothers, and people with lots of history.

Erin's friends and family have plenty of drama and history of their own, too, and the secrets pile up as the festival unfolds. There's as much romance as mystery, and followers of the series will be happy to see some relationships resolution.

Jewel Bay is like another character in the story. The lush descriptions of the places, the food and drink, the clothing, and the natural beauty of the area will draw you in. The people are likeable, too, interesting without being excessively quirky. Recipes included.

An enjoyable read. An easy title to recommend to the mystery readers.

It’s official. You can add Treble at the Jam Fest to the long list of cozies that have been added to my pile because a vibrant and appealing cover caught my eye. This cover looked so full of summer and fun, I knew I wanted to give it a try. And I’m glad I did.

This is the fourth book in the Food Lovers Mystery Series (and the first one I have read). We follow store manager, Erin Murphy through her adventures in the picturesque town of Jewel Bay, Montana. Erin is a busy lady in this book. Between family issues, relationship questions, hiring new staff for the Merc, oh and trying to help solve the murder of a famous musician that happens to happen right in the middle of one of their biggest events of the year.

So, why should you give this one a try? Here are my top reasons to read this book.

You’ll Want to Visit Montana

The author does a great job of painting a picture of how tranquil and beautiful the city of Jewel Bay is. Montana isn’t necessarily the first place I think of when I’m planning a scenic getaway, but after reading this book, it makes me not want to forget about a state that I can’t say appears on my radar all that often.

A Strong Family with Strong Opinions

I love when families work and play together. They are even more interesting when family dynamics come into play (which is pretty much always the case). The Murphy family is no different. Erin’s father was killed in a car accident when she was in high school. But her mother and sister (as well as other extended family) all still live and work in Jewel Bay. They are a family of strong women with their own thoughts and opinions. It was interesting to watch their family dynamics weave into the rest of the story.

An Ending I Didn’t See Coming

I read quite a few cozy mysteries, and I am pretty good at least having a sense for who the killer is. Let me tell you, in this book I was totally wrong and I loved that! I always enjoy when I am surprised at the end of the story.

So if you are looking for a summer read that is full of fun and adventure, pick up a copy of Treble at the Jam Fest.

This is the 4th book in the wonderful Food Lovers Village Mystery series. I highly recommend the entire series although this book can stand alone and be enjoyed if you have not read the series. This series is cozy mystery perfection and a delight to read. The setting is a lovely small town in Montana.
The Food Lovers Mystery Series protagonist is Erin Murphy the manager of Murphy's Mercantile store. Erin is preparing for a Jazz festival and is a host for the event. As a shocking murder occurs Erin is again drawn into solving the murder as she has a knack for finding clues .
This mystery is one very well crafted with many clues. I enjoyed the twist and turns as the suspects grew and how Erin manages her busy business while investigating. The location description is rich and enjoyable of small town Montana. The characters all add depth to the story and are warm people you want to be friends with. This is a enjoyable mystery for any mystery fan. I look forward to the next in series.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this wonderful book for review with gratitude. The advance reading copy did not influence my review. I highly recommend the Food Lovers Village Mystery Series for all mystery fans.

Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz is part of the Food Lovers' Village Mystery series. This book stands on its own and is different from the usual cozy mystery. It has the cozy mystery elements but is missing a bit of the coziness. I had a little trouble connecting with the characters and getting into the story. The writing style was good, and I am unable to pinpoint my exact problem. Erin runs the family store which stocks all sorts of local food and craft products. The town is gearing up for a jazz music festival when the headline singer is murdered. I enjoyed the setting of this book enough that I would read another book in the series before making a final decision on the series.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 4 in the series.

I am so glad Leslie Budewitz found a new home with Midnight Ink. I've enjoyed all of her books, but with this book, main character Erin finally realizes she came home to Montana because it was where she wanted to be, not just to save the family business, but because she loves the Merc and Jewel Bay. There's real personal growth for her and her family in this book, and I enjoy the people they're becoming.

I admit to being distracted by real life when I started reading this book, and as a result I put it down for a few days. When I came back to it, it pulled me all the way to Jewel Bay and wouldn't let me go until the end. The plot was fast moving, the characters fun and likable and I absolutely love spending time in Montana.

So, grab yourself a cold beverage and a snack (something with rhubarb, maybe?), and settle in for an entertaining read!

Don't you love when a book/series takes you home? I mean when you can practically smell the pine trees and see the charming town. This book brought me back and gave me such delight.

As a cozy mystery, I think it is important that a book can transport a reader to the town with the characters. A mystery must grab a reader, and make them begin guessing quickly, and provide the right amount of clues that make a reader lean different ways. Leslie provided enough ideas for a reader to even question who would be the victim. This was a big deal to me, I think the victim line up is just as important as the suspect and I was amazed at the list I had for victims, then delighted in who it was. I actually, don't read the back cover of a book prior to reviewing it, so that I have all the elements of surprise covered. I try and look at a book like some one that would only judge by a cover and just dive in. I dove in and never came back. Erin is a wonderful character, I am really delighted by her (this is the second book in this series I have read.) she has this ability to seem like a calm breeze, and yet has moments of a gust. It is memorable and she will be a character that sticks in the mind.

This review wouldn't be one without mentioning the food, the savory food. Italian food. Summer food. Need I say more? Okay, the author provides the reader with a craving for all the foods mentioned, and then the recipes at the end are an icing on a cake. I was so hungry! I don't attempt to cook/bake many of the recipes in the books as I easily fail at both, but these seem easy and almost like even I could do them. I am thrilled to give them a try!

If there was a way to give 11 stars in the review world this book would have achieved this. 5 star food, and a 5 star mystery, and another bonus star for the fact that Erin went to the University of Montana in the book, Go Griz! I think a reader will be eager to just dive into the story and will become an instant fan. Now, come visit Montana with this delightful series!

Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz is the fourth book in A Food Lovers’ Village Mystery series. Erin Murphy is the manager of Murphy’s Mercantile in Jewel Bay, Montana. It is time for the annual Jewel Bay Jazz Festival and Workshop event. The Merc (as locals call it) will be hosting a special Friday night concert in the courtyard featuring Gerry Martin, a jazz guitarist. The evening is a hit, but Erin notices tension between Gerry, Gabby, and Dave. The next day Erin is in the shop when she receives news that a body was discovered on the rocks by the Jewel River. Erin quickly rushes towards the river and discovers that the body belongs to Gerry Martin. Two people witnessed Gerry having a lively discussion with a figure they could not identify. That person then pushed the guitarist over the edge. Erin immediately swings into investigator mode to track down Gerry’s killer. Who disliked Gerry enough to want him dead? As it turns out, the musician was not as well-liked as Erin thought. The killer is not pleased with Erin’s probing and attempts to put her out of commission. Will Erin be able orchestrate the killer right into police custody?

Treble at the Jam Fest is nicely written and has a great concept. I did feel that the pace was a little slow and the story did not engage me. There are numerous characters, businesses and products introduced in the story (too many). It can be hard to keep them all straight especially if you are new to the series (like me). The main character did not win me over (she was alright). I give Treble at the Jam Fest 3 out of 5 stars. The murder mystery is a no brainer. I could pinpoint the killer early in the novel. Erin’s reason for investigating this crime was paltry (let’s face it, Erin did not need a reason besides her curiosity). One detail that gave me a good laugh is Erin believing she is maintaining the “chain of custody” on an item she found and removed from the crime scene. I felt that too much time was devoted to Erin’s questions and thoughts. I wanted more action and less contemplation. Treble at the Jam Fest has romance, friends, family, music, a mystery and plenty of food.

This is a nicely done cozy that hits a lot of sweet spots- it's got a terrific character in Erin, wonderful characters in the rest of the town, a great Montana setting, jazz, and, well, food! This is an easy read with not too many twists and not a lot of drama. While some amateur detectives can bumble a bit, Erin never does. She asks good questions and proceeds logically. I enjoyed this thanks to an ARC from Netgalley. I hadn't read the earlier books but that wasn't a problem; I'm going to lool for more from Budewitz, who seems to very much like her characters.

4.5 out of 5 stars rounded up.

I really enjoyed this latest installment of the Food Lovers' Village Mystery series. I love the main characters anyway. I find that even tho' Erin can't stop herself from asking questions and talking to people and getting herself in danger, she's not doing things haphazardly. She thinks about what she's doing and if she thinks it's going to be dangerous, she gets someone to go with her most of the time. Adam's wonderful and I enjoyed meeting his friend, Tanner, in this book. I hope we're able to see more of him!

The settings in these books always make me think that maybe I want to move to Montana. Then I come to my senses and remember that I'm very much at home right here in Michigan! The settings are always exquisitely described and yet, they're not overly flowery descriptions. They're just right for the series.

The plot line moved along steadily and was fun. I enjoyed both the mystery plot and the sub-plot in this installment. I did not know who the villain really was until the end when it was revealed. I had wondered about the person a couple of times, but I was never certain. The prose flowed well and everything was well-written.

I highly recommend this book and the rest of the Food Lovers' Village Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz. Read them all, you'll not be disappointed!

*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own. ***

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. Originally it was the cover that drew my attention, so I did not realise that it was the fouth book in a series. But that didn't matter too much. Just a bit of history here and there between the characters that was easily deducted during the book.

This mystery is different. It is not your normal run of the mill cosy mystery. It is as if this book is more deliberate and well thought through. I must admit that I was impressed by the reasoning and the motivation and actions of the characers. Well written with well developed characters.

It was the first book that I read by this author, but it will not be the last. I truly enjoyed every page. I would recommend this book to every one who loves a good, well crafted mystery where the reader has to work a bit to solve the crime.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fair warning: Don’t read this book while you’re hungry, unless you have some good snacks close at hand. With a series called the “Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries”, one would think this might be self-explanatory but I don’t want anyone to say I sent you in unprepared lol.

This is the 4th book in the series, but the 1st one from its new publishing home so it can easily be read as a standalone. The references to past books are mostly spoiler-free but still whet my curiosity to go back and catch up on the first three when I have time.

Erin is a great heroine/amateur sleuth, and I really like her character, her family, her business, her boyfriend. They all have solid relationships with each other – not much drama, which is so refreshing. The drama is reserved for the murder and the jazz festival, and the copious amount of suspects in play. In true cozy mystery fashion, the town is full of people who had motive for murder. Some had opportunity, too. Solving the case kept Erin – and me – busy and engaged throughout the novel.

A sweet (tear-inducing) subplot gives Treble at the Jam Fest a bit more dimension than the typical cozy, and I’m interested in future books in the series to see how that all progresses. This subplot is meaningful in the little things, and the author has done a great job – through small gestures and little scenes – of conveying warmth and affection and friendship. Without making it seem that the main plot is conflicting at all with this subplot… or vice versa.

Bottom Line: Sweet and tart, just like a good strawberry-rhubarb jam, Treble at the Jam Fest is perfect for longtime fans of the series as well as newcomers who aren’t yet sure what to expect. It’s not as quirky as some cozy mysteries; instead, it’s warm and (gasp!) cozy with mouthwatering food to send you in search of the nearest specialty food shop. The mystery is well-plotted and the solution is not immediately obvious. While it might be a bit slow in places, overall this is a very enjoyable read and a series that’s now on my radar!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)