Nice addition to a delightful series. Particularly enjoyable for me as this one takes place in Indiana, so I enjoyed the references to Bloomington, Indianapolis, etc. Clever mystery that kept me guessing.

I think this might be the weakest of the series so far, but it's still not bad. Penny is working on the set of a movie in rural Indiana with her catering crew when she finds the chef/owner of the hotel restuaruant that they're staying at dead in the freezer. Who did it? And why aren't the local police more interested in the local suspects.

I think the problem with this is it doesn't really have a tight enough focus - there are lots of different elements and characters, some of whom don't feel properly introduced. But it's still an interesting plot and I love the concept of the series - it makes such a nice change from cupcake bakeries and the like.

Murder Is The Main Course starts out exciting and keeps you turning the page all the way through. There' s not a dull spot to be found, an plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing about whodunnit. It's not often that I find a mystery that I can't solve in the first few chapters. Kudos to the author.

I love the Red Carpet Catering series. Not only are they cozy mysteries, you get to see behind the scenes while filming is being done. That just adds to the premise, for me, and creates a unique setting where all types of things are going wrong.

This one begins with a bang, with the head chef of the hotel/restaurant where the crew is staying, being found in the cooler. That's not the unusual part. The usual part is Penelope is in the cooler getting groceries to start breakfast. Then the lights go out and she runs into someone. The unusual part is that the someone is hanging from the ceiling, dead, and it's the head chef.

Thus begins the adventure that takes us to a huge forest right outside the city limits of this rural little town. This forest holds lots of secrets, including the fact that five teenagers have gone missing there in the last several years. Then there is the strange guy at the hardware store who just stares at Penelope and grins. He is also engaging in very audible uncontrolled laughter during the funeral of the chef. Yeah, weird. And, he is only one of the many quirky characters that come to light in this small, small town.

If you haven't read this series, I suggest you give it a try. It is quirky, entertaining, action packed and will fail to disappoint.

Thanks to Henery Press and Net Galley for approving and allowing me to read and review this book.

MURDER, MOVIES, and MAYHEM...

What a wild ride! Murder Is The Main Course is the 4th book in the Red Carpet Catering series by Shawn Reilly Simmons. While I have read book one, I have not read books 2, and 3 but it in no way hindered my enjoyment of this book, and I was able to follow along easily. From page one I was hooked , with it's intriguing characters and fast paced writing, I didn't want to put it down! And let's talk about that twist! I just knew I had it all figured out, and then BAM! Boy was I wrong !
If you like culinary cozys with a different twist, definitely check this one out.
I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one, but until then, I'm off to read books 2 & 3

I love a good cozy mystery and this was just what I got in this book. The book is well written, good plot and cast of characters. I will be checking out previous books in this series.

Solid fourth outing of this series--the plot revolving around who could have killed likeable Chef Jordan slowly percolates and gradually picks up steam toward the latter half of the book. I enjoyed reading the book overall; however, some readers may be frustrated by the slow pacing.

Murder is the Main Course: A Red Carpet Catering Mystery
By Shawn Reilly Simmons
Henery Press
May 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

Professional caterer Penelope Sutherland is definitely out of her comfort zone working on a movie set in Forrestville, Indiana. Red Carpet Catering normally provides cuisine for celebrity events and movie crews in New York, but in order to have more creative freedom and save money, director Jennifer Carr is filming a new The Turn of the Screw in the Midwest town. Penelope finds herself taking on far more work than she expected when she discovers one of the producers, up-and-coming Chef Jordan Foster, hanging in his restaurant freezer. Not only is Penelope tasked with providing meals for the remaining cast and crew, she has been begged by the widow to fill in as Festa’s head chef. Jennifer, a friend of Jordan’s from high school, refuses to believe that he would have committed suicide despite the sheriff’s quick conclusion, and evidence soon proves her correct. Penelope has her own questions, and she can’t shake off the unsettling vibe she is feeling from both the movie cast and the local residents.

Penelope’s best friend Arlena Madison is the lead actress for the movie, but reality star Max Adison and their movie star father are venturing off on a role-researching glamping trip. Also away is Penelope’s New Jersey Homicide Detective boyfriend Joey Baglioni, although that is a bit of a relief since he just proposed taking their relationship to another level. Penelope truly feels on her own in the off-kiltered Indiana town, where teens go missing, Festa is vandalized by vegetarians, and an unsettling young man linked to Satanism camps camps out in the woods. The restaurant staff has its own odd vibe, with a surly waitress who barely pretends to respect any authority and stock seeming to disappear without anyone caring.

Readers will feel just as unsettled as Penelope by Forrestville’s insularity and seeming disregard for the serious crimes. The normal eccentricities of a film set, from a stage mom to the Madison aura of celebrity, are a welcome relief providing humor and levity. Penelope emerges as one of the sharpest investigative minds in town, refusing to accept the local sheriff’s complacent attitude towards his neighbors. Details surrounding catering and restaurant operations play out in the background as Penelope returns to her professional duties, but her reliable staff realistically enables her to delve into uncovering dire criminal acts. Multiple crimes will be detected and solved by the time Penelope and her catering company leave town, and readers will be looking forward to her gourmet events and investigations of the famous and elite.

The fourth book in the Red Carpet Catering series. Penelope Sutherland aka Penny. She bids on films to supply the food for the movie crew. This movie is being shot in location, a small town in Indiana. Moving supplies into the walk-in freezer, Penny finds the owner hanging from the rafters. She must deal with a fairly new sheriff who has not had a lot of experience. Penny is asked to take over the victim's restaurant as the chef. Penny has plenty to keep her busy even with the movie interruption due to the death. Strange happenings occur at the restaurant Before long she learns of 5 missing teenagers over a few years. All vanished from the nearby forest. Penny's search for answers to the strange happenings. As She will uncover a well keep secret. I recommend this book and series.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Henery Press through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

Murder is the Main Course is the fourth book in this wonderful series by Shawn Reilly Simmons.

Penelope and her catering staff are in Indiana, on the set for another new movie.
Sharing the kitchen with another chef, Penny is excited to continue on her journey of her love of cooking.

Finding the chef dead, an apparent suicide, leaves a bad taste in Penny's mouth and she finds herself wrapped up in yet another bizarre death.

Does this apparent suicide have anything to do with the 5 missing girls? Why does the sherif resent Penny and her questions?

Find out May 2nd!
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by Henery Press & NetGalley.

Steady mystery to unravel.

Penelope's latest movie set with Arlean Madison has Red Carpet Catering in Forrestville, Indiana working for Jennifer Carr, a new director.

Staying at a local inn with use of the adjoining restaurant kitchen is a nice treat until Penelope finds Chef Jordan Foster hanging in his walk-in freezer.

Local Sheriff Bryson seems pretty laid back about the town's history involving five missing teenagers and he resents Penelope's offer to help in any of his investigations.

Penelope & Joey's relationship is heading to a commitment stage.

Between restaurant drama and movie set confusion there is a lot going on with all the plots and a quick wrap up at the end.

I had a tense feeling from the very beginning of this book all the way through to the end. Penelope had a truly horrifying experience and the anxiety was communicated expertly by Shawn Reilly Simmons. Although Penelope was comforted by the wonderful cast of surrounding characters, the tension was maintained until the surprising ending. That feeling has stayed with me. This was a good book. I highly recommend the whole series.

Fans of this series will be pleased with this latest offering.