I enjoy a holiday themed cozy mystery and Of Spice and Men hit the spot. This is a good read for the autumn and it includes pancake recipes that are quite yummy.

A pancake house, an amateur detective, a filming of a horror flick and a cast of characters.....and of course murder....all combine to make this a delicious dish

This was a cute "cozy" mystery title to read. While the storyline sometimes felt like a formula was being applied, I didn't figure out the guilty party too early in my reading. Rather, the author saved clues for later in the story.

Loved the setting.
Enjoyed most of the characters, although the relationship between Marley and her boyfriend sometimes bugged me. Just can't put my finger on why.

And, I definitely liked seeing recipes at the end for some of the dishes being served up at the fictonal FlipSide Pancake House.

A movie crew has come to Wildwood Cove, a small town on the coast of the Olympic Peninsula, to film a horror movie remake. Marley McKinney, owner of The Flip Side pancake diner, is invited by one of the special effects artists to tour the set. But when Marley arrives, the trailer is on fire and Christine is dead. To complicate matters, the movie’s star, Alyssa Jade, turns out to be the ex-girlfriend of Marley’s boyfriend, Brett. Alyssa is suspected of the murder, but Brett insists she’s innocent. Marley begins investigating because the sooner they solve the murder, the sooner Alyssa will be out of their lives.

This is the second book I’ve read from this series, and I really enjoyed it yet again. Marley is a very likable, relatable main character. The mystery is decent, and the pacing is good. Between investigating, Marley had a lot of routine, every-day stuff to do like running her restaurant, cleaning up for the next day, or walking home along the beach to her cozy Victorian to feed her cat and make dinner. Some people might consider that boring, but I found it soothing, haha. Plus it makes it feel even more like she’s just an average, normal, real person who’s able to solve a mystery, which is very appealing. I’d give this a 3 1/2, but I’ll bump it up to a 4 for being entertaining and very clean. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Just in time for Halloween, a movie crew descends on Marley’s town to shoot a remake of a classic scary movie. However, when one of the crew ends up dead, it’s scarier than any movie, and Marley is determined to solve the mystery.

I really like this series. Marley and the rest of the characters are likable but real. The story is believable, and, even though she is an amateur, it still feels believable. I definitely recommend this book and series!

Of Spice and Men
(Pancake House Mystery #3)
by Sarah Fox 

Kindle Edition, 236 pages
Published November 7th 2017 by Alibi


Goodreads synopsis:
Lights. Camera. Murder? Wildwood Cove’s star turn is soured by a sneaky killer in this delicious cozy mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of The Crêpes of Wrath.

Bonus content: includes original recipes inspired by the Flip Side Pancake House menu!

With a Hollywood film crew in town to shoot a remake of the horror classic The Perishing, the residents of Wildwood Cove are all abuzz. Even Marley McKinney, owner of The Flip Side Pancake House, can overlook the fact that the lead actress, Alyssa Jayde, happens to be an old flame of her boyfriend. After all, the crew loves Marley’s crêpes—so much so that Christine, the head makeup artist, invites her onset for a behind-the-scenes tour. But when Marley arrives, the special-effects trailer is on fire . . . with Christine inside.

The cops quickly rule Christine’s death a murder, and Alyssa a suspect. Marley’s boyfriend insists that the actress is innocent, but when Marley sticks her nose into the complicated lives of The Perishing’s cast and crew, she discovers more questions than answers. It seems that everyone has a hidden agenda—and a plausible motive. And as the horror spills over from the silver screen, Marley gets a funny feeling that she may be the killer’s next victim.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the third book in the Pancake House Mystery series by Sarah Fox.

What a fun fall read! I am so excited for this series! Foodies definitely check this one out!

This main character is an everyday gal who is not so nosy to be annoying and just nosy enough to get the amateur sleuthing job done. Her business, The Flip Side Pancake House is the hangout mecca for all the locals. So, when a remake of a horror movie classic starts to film in her hometown, her shop is where they all come to dine… and handout the majority of the juiciest clues.

The original lead actress, Alyssa, is replaced by a different gal and Christine is the one who ends up in a trailer fire and killed. Considering the small number of cast on set, there are a number of suspects among them. Marley even worries that Alyssa, her boyfriend’s ex could be to blame even though she isn’t even in town during the course of the book.

I thought this was quite an interesting concept. I was glad to finally dive into a book in this series. It has been calling to me for awhile. I look forward to reading all the books in this series since it intrigues me so.

If you want to read a good cozy mystery with all the bells and whistles, definitely check this one out.

This is a book that I put into my own personal Buzzword Readathon using the word SPICE. Join me in this readathon for the remainder of October and halfway through November. Such a fun work to pick books by. After all, this is Pumpkin SPICE Season!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

It’s a mystery and it’s cozy. This is the 3rd book in the Pancake House series. I haven’t read the first two, but I don’t feel that took away from enjoying this book. If you enjoy this genre definitely give it a go.

Disclaimer, I did find the “romance” in this story a bit eye-rolling, but I feel that way about most cozies.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

The action is out of the restaurant in this outing, and the story has an interesting plot dealing with a movie being filmed locally. There's a little relationship angst with Brett (not something I appreciate), but it ends quickly.

So, not my favorite in the series, but a good read.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Of Spice and Men is the third installment of Sarah Fox's Pancake House mystery series, and if she continues to write like this, many more entertaining adventures should follow. I really enjoy all of the people of Wildwood Cove, and am starting to feel like I'm part of the neighborhood. The background is easy to visualize, and I find the scenes believable. This particular plot kept me guessing until the end. Now to make some of the recipes in the back of the book while I await the next book.
I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So this book was sweet, I loved the mystery and all but, it was very predictable, but it was fun to read. I loved the relationship between the main character and her boyfriend, I loved how no matter what they trusted each other. I hated the fact that the victim died because really we didn't get a solid reason why she was the one that had to die. I loved the recipes in the book and will be testing them out later in future. Adios and thank you for the opportunity to review this book, even though it is coming years late.

Wildwood Cove goes Hollywood! All things old can be new again and so Wildwood Cove will play host to Hollywood's remake of the horror classic The Perishing. Perishing is what happens to the special effects make up artist Christine, in an on set fire in her trailer. The #1 suspect is the lead actress and prima donna; Alyssa Jade, the former flame of Marley's beau, Brett Collins. Brett is sure that Alyssa couldn't be responsible even though she and Christine were smoldering over the same man. Marley isn't so sure she can handle being around Alyssa but realizes that if she wants Alyssa gone she will need to put her sleuthing skills to work when she isn't running the best pancake house in Wildwood Cove. Between flapjacks and finding clues Marley and friends will need to be on guard as to not get burned by this sizzling situation. Subplots abound keeping the story lively and entertaining. Marley is such a true to life character that it is nearly impossible to put the book down. Next up is Yeast of Eden available on October 30, 2018.

A movie is being filmed in wildwood cove and someone on the set has been murdered. Marley wants to know who would do such a thing and starts an all out investigation. I thought this was a very exciting addition to the Pancake House Mystery series and I look forward to book #4.

I surprisingly really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. It was an entertaining and quick read about a film production gone wrong. Sarah Fox painted a nice picture of a cute Pacific West town with a pancake house I really wish I could try.

The writing was a little immature at times, particularly with some dialogue, but it was very enjoyable nonetheless. Since I had not read the other books in this series, I was glad to know this book existed on it's own. I didn't feel like I missed out on much history or character development, since it was present like a stand-alone.

I will most likely pick up another book in the Pancake House Mystery series at some point!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Alibi for the ARC, for which I have given an honest and unbiased review*

I enjoyed this third addition to the Pancake House Mystery seies. Of Spice and Men by Sarah Fox is a fun cozy with more to the story than just solving a murder. Marley McKinney is a strong protagonist and is quite realistic. She could be anyone's friend and business owner. One thing I like about this series, is that Marley owns a business and actually spends time at it, not just investigating a murder. She also has real feelings such as jealousy, when she finds out that the lead actress in the movie filming in town used to be her boyfriend Brett's fiancee.

Wildwood Cove is full of excitment with the arrival of the Hollywood movie crew, producing a remake of a cult classic. Luckily for the patrons of The Flipside, Marley's pancake house, the distraction does not ruin the delicious treats that come out of the kitchen. The descriptions of the food will make your mouth water. Marley's staff have stars in their eyes and when they are invited by Christine, the film's head make-up artist, to take a tour behind the scenes, Marley takes her up on the offer. Hoping the distraction will keep her emotions in check, after seeing Brett and Alyssa Jayde in a questionable hug, Marley heads over to the Christine's trailer, and finds it on fire.
Marley dashes inside and drags Christine to safety, but she does not survive. When the coroner rules her death as foul play, (she was strangled), the leading lady, Alyssa is arrested. Brett is sure Alyssa is innocent, so Marley hits the streets to see if she can find the real killer, and repair her relationship with Brett

I like the background theme of this series, a pancake house. Marley is a great main character who uses her intelligence and friendly personality to gather information. The character has developed and matured as the series moves along. There were several suspects in the murder and the story did slow down a bit in the middle, but as the story started giving up its clues, it quickly showed who the culprit was. I also liked that there was no super rescue at the end, Marley was able to help herself so that when the police arrived, it was just another character that needed their help. For those of you that enjoy humorous cozies with quirky characters, this is not for you. If you enjoy a culinary cozy (with recipes) that are small town, with smart characters, then pick this one up. Overall, I enjoyed this story and will continue to read this series.

Marley McKinney is the owner of the Flipside Pancake house in Wildwood a small seaside community.
The town is being used as a filming site for a remake of a horror movie. Marley gets invited to see some of the special effects makeup being done by Christine, but when she gets there Christine is found murdered and the main suspect is Alyssa, Marley's boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. Of course Marley has a history of solving mysteries and goes ahead and does some sleuthing, which of course puts her in the killer's eyesight.

It was a nice cozy mystery that moved along very nicely giving enough details on past relationships and places to keep you in the know. Which I appreciated since I had not read the prior two books.

This is the third installment of the Pancake House Mysteries and they just keep getting better. Marley is sleuthing again and this time she goes Hollywood. A film crew is in Wildwood Cove shooting a movie remake at one of the historic homes in town. Leave it to her to find a body and start some of her own investigating. As if being a possible suspect wasn't stressful enough, the staring actress of the movie is none other than her boyfriend Brett's, ex-fiance. We get to see Marley work her investigation and see a change in her relationship.

Sarah Fox does an amazing job of helping the reader literally picture themselves in the story. You are either working at the Flip Side, exploring town or just sitting in the comfort of Marley's home with Flapjack cuddled up next to you. Can't wait for more to come out!

A Hollywood film crew arrives in the seaside town of Wildwood Cove to shoot a remake of the horror classic The Perishing. Marley McKinney, owner of The Flip Side Pancake House, is glad for the extra business but is jealous to learn that the lead actress, Alyssa Jayde, happens to be the ex of her boyfriend Brett Collins. Christine, the head makeup artist, invites Marley and waitress Sienna to a behind-the-scenes tour but they find the special-effects trailer on fire, with Christine inside. Christine was murdered and Alyssa is their prime suspect. Brett defends Alyssa and jealous Marley decides to do some amateur sleuthing amongst The Perishing’s cast and crew. Acts of sabotage are occurring on set. Is there a connection between this and Christine's murder? Marley's plans to meet a crew member at a deserted Victorian house almost causes their demise.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Alibi with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Marley McKinney is the owner of The Flip Side Pancake House in Wildwood Cove. This location is described as a lovely small Oregon coastal village. Marley has inherited her business and a lovely Victorian home that she adores. In this third in series, Marley is involved with another murder involving a film crew that has garnered much enticement in town with the leading man. When a murder occurs Marley is determined to solve the sleuth and is very crafty at finding clues.
I love this series and was pleased to find this third in series as exciting as the first two books. I do recommend the entire series although this can be read as a stand alone.. Each book brings Marley enjoying her new life and learning to love life in a small coastal village. Its is a delight to revisit the characters. The author has a pleasing writing style and the sleuth was full of twist and turns to please every mystery fan.
Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review.

Marley McKinney, owner of The Flip Side, a popular pancake restaurant in the small beach town of Wildwood Cove, meets several of the actors and crew members that have come to town to film a movie when they come to eat at the restaurant. Marley gets involved in a murder when she finds the body of one of the make-up artists. Marley, of course, finds herself meddling in the murder investigation along with her boyfriend, Brett, and his uncle Ray, who is the sheriff. Of Spice and Men is the third installment in the Pancake House Mystery series by Sarah Fox. As with her previous novels in the series, this one is fun, cleverly written, and quick to read.

Even though she is a bit curious and pushes for information a bit more than most of us would dare to, Marley is a very likeable character. Fox has made her believable, and with the way she and her cat interact, a perfect character for cat lovers. Fox has done a good job of developing her characters and they interact in a realistic way. The storyline is fun, and gives readers a glimpse of what it would be like to be on a movie set. The scenarios seem plausible, and there are ups and downs, including some suspense that builds as Marley comes closer to finding the identity of the murderer.

As is typical, Marley puts herself in danger, as well as some of her friends and new acquaintances. She ends up having to save a life or two, and have her own life saved, as well.

Because this is a typical cozy, and actually a culinary mystery because of the mouthwatering foods mentioned, it’s only right that there are recipes from The Flip Side included at the end. The book is suitable for young readers, as well as everyone who enjoys food and a mystery. This is a fun series and fans will certainly be anticipating the next installment.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Marley McKinney owns the breakfast place in Wildwood Cove and has a nose for hunting out mysteries. When a film crew shows up to film a remake of the movie, The Perishing, and one of the on set employees, is killed, Marley gets to work on solving the crime.

The author, Sarah Fox is AMAZING in her descriptive detail, I felt like I was in Wildwood Cove and she really reined in the over descripting that was prevalent in the book previous to this so I was happy to see that.

Sarah also has a knack for creating characters and situations that are just so utterly relatable, more than once I found myself, knowing what Marley was going to think or say next, because it's what I would have said or thought myself, and I enjoyed that aspect. However, for someone who is supposed to just own a restaurant, she sure finds her nosy self in the middle of a lot of trouble. I'm not sure where else this can go except perhaps she'll begin a PI business on the side? That could be fun!

If you're looking for a cozy and suspenseful book, set on the West Coast (my favorite aspect of the book) then pick this one up!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2290168848