Angie is opening a new restaurant in town and she wants to buy local produce for The County Seat. She's making it a farm to table restaurant and hopes it will attract tourists as well as the town folk. When she goes to meet the goat farmer who makes cheese, he's a bit grumpy until she befriends a baby goat. Then she and her dog make a new friend. The awful part is that he is dead the next day...

Lyrical Underground and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published March 6th.

Angie ends up on the suspect list because she visited him the morning before he died. They think it might be an accident but it turns out to be murder. She doesn't like being a suspect; it's not good publicity for her new restaurant.

With a couple of men interested in her, developing new recipes and putting staff together she doesn't have a lot of time to investigate. But she does what she can. What she finds is that there are a lot of people who didn't like him. Her list of suspects keeps growing. But she's missing the most important one...

This was a very good cozy mystery that was well bodied, had a interesting mystery and the beginning of a new relationship. I liked it a lot and would read more in this series. After all, she adopted the little goat. I would have, too.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington books for an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I have enjoyed all the books I have read by this author and this new series was no different. The main character is Angie, a woman who goes back home and decides to open a farm to table restaurant. Unfortunately she just lines up a supplier for goat cheese, and then he is murdered.
While trying out new recipes for her restaurant and trying to solve a mystery, Angie is very busy!

I really enjoyed this new series by Lynn Cahoon and I can't wait for the next book to be released.

This is a great start to a new series. We learn enough about the characters to care but there is plenty more to learn in upcoming books. The farm-to-fork restaurant concept is an unique approach to the cozy mystery setting and the animals add a dash of cuteness. Add to that a touch of romance and we get an interesting, well rounded story. I am looking forward to learning more about Chef Angie and friends in book #2 of the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Underground/Kensington Publishing for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Who Moved My Goat Cheese? is the first in a new series from Lynn Cahoon. I have very much enjoyed her Tourist Trap series and her Kat Latimer series. Although I am completely unfamiliar with farm-to-fork (is there such a thing? for real?) I found the book quite entertaining with it's mix of characters, people and critters, who appear to be a family in the making, not forgetting the necessary murder.

As in all recommendations for books in a series, respect yourself and the author and read them in order. That way you get the complete story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest opinion.

Who Moved My Goat Cheese
Farm-To-Fork Mystery, Book #1
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars


Synopsis:

Angie Turner hopes her new farm-to-table restaurant can be a fresh start in her old hometown in rural Idaho. But when a goat dairy farmer is murdered, Angie must turn the tables on a bleating black sheep . . .

With three weeks until opening night for their restaurant, the County Seat, Angie and her best friend and business partner Felicia are scrambling to line up local vendors—from the farmer's market to the goat dairy farm of Old Man Moss. Fortunately, the cantankerous Moss takes a shine to Angie, as does his kid goat Precious. So when Angie hears the bloodcurdling news of foul play at the dairy farm, she jumps in to mind the man's livestock and help solve the murder. One thing's for sure, there's no whey Angie's going to let some killer get her goat . . .

Praise for Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mysteries

“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.”
—Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries

“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”
—Fresh Fiction (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. I really enjoyed getting to know Angie and Felicia. You can tell that they are good friends and they work well together. Angie is not afraid of hard work and she is not afraid to stick her nose into a murder investigation either. And that is just what she has to do when someone is murdered and she is one of the last person to see the victim alive.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The writing style also allowed me to have a clear picture of all of the characters and everything that was taking place in the story. The mystery was carried on well throughout the book and there were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through to keep me engaged.

One of my favorites parts of this story were the animals that I got to meet. Dom, her Saint Bernard puppy was so lovable and cute. And then there was Precious, the baby goat, who was so adorable and charming. Even Mabel the hen added a lot to the story. I love when cozies have animals in them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Actually I would recommend all of the series written by this author because they are all great.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

The first installment in the new farm to fork series by Lynn Cahoon is a feast for the mystery lover.

Chef Angie Turner returns home to River Vista, Idaho after her grandmother passes away and she inherits the farm. She also brings along her BFF and business partner. Felicia, as the plan to open farm to table restaurant called The County Seat. As Angie works to source local farmers to supply the restaurant, she connects with a goat cheese farmer and old friend of her grandmothers who is not well liked in the community. But the reunion is short lived when old man Moss is found dead.

While Angie grew up In River Vista, she has been gone for quite a while, and quickly becomes a topic of discussion for the community who is talking about her and the murder. With just a short time before opening the restaurant, and there’s a lot to be done and now Angie needs to add solving a murder to the list.

This was an enjoyable story that takes a new spin in the cozy mystery space with the farm to table concept that is hot in the culinary world today. I look forward to future installments in the series and seeing what the future has in store for Angie, her friends, The County Seat, and the residents of River Vista.

Angie and her partner,Felicia, have come back to Idaho after inheriting her Grandmother's home. They are fresh from California and the success of their restaurant there, until their third partner goes out on his own.

Felicia is the front house and Angie is the chef. She is the one that turn nothing into deliciousness. While there are only 3 weeks until the opening and there is tons to get done, Angie still has to get a source for her cheese and she wants to work with Mr. Moss who says he knew her grandmother very well.

When word comes that the old man has been found dead and foul play is suspected, Angie finds out that this little farm town is holding a lot of secrets!

First, she doesn't exactly take on anyone's herd of livestock. She finds one baby goat and proceeds to take it home and lock it in the barn with her chicken. Then she proceeds to ignore her business obligations and runs around town sticking her nose into the murder.

I like the concept of this book, but for someone who is supposedly so passionate about animals and real food, I did not believe that because her actions with the animals she has is basically lock them up and try to remember to feed them.

If I had been her partner I would have left. For me to enjoy a cozy mystery it has to be plausible at the very least and although the characters were good I would like to see a little more balance between the business and the sleuthing.

I was extremely interested in a series about farm to fork eating/cooking. What I got was pretty much the same formula. Girl ignores business to solve murders and has to be rescued by big strong man in the end.

NetGalley/Lyrical Underground/Kensington March 06, 2018

Cahoon has effectively used the current "farm to table" (but as Bourdain says, aren't all restaurants really about food that goes from the farm to the table?) trend and a good setting in Idaho to set up her debut in what looks like it can be a very good cozy series. Angie and Felicia have moved from Los Angeles but surely didn't expect that they would end up dealing with the murder of one of their suppliers in what one would have expected to be a more laid back environment. Moss was a cranky man, to be sure, but who wanted him dead? Angie finds herself helping out with the investigation AND with the animals. I liked Precious the goat. There are some twists, there's a nascent love interest, and, all in all, it's a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Lynn Cahoon has a great new cozy mystery in Who Moved My Goat Cheese?, part of the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. She does a great job of creating likable, real characters who are down to earth but have a way of getting tangled in a mystery that they have to solve....and it sometimes puts them in a dangerous situation. Angie Turner and her friend Felicia Williams have plans to start up a new restaurant in Angie's hometown of River Vista, Idaho, near Boise. The County Seat will use fresh local ingredients for a Farm to Fork concept. Angie will be the head chef and Felicia will run the front of the restaurant. But Angie and Felicia have to make contacts with the local farmers and dairy farmers to find a source for their supplies. As things start out, one dairy farmer is a potential supplier of goat cheese that Angie is working with. He has a reputation of being hard to get along with and all around grumpy but Angie feels that she is making headway with him when he is found dead a day after she has talked to him. He was murdered. But she wasn't the last to see him. Angie gets involved in trying to find Old Man Moss' murderer but she ruffles some feathers along the way and puts herself in danger. Lots of people didn't like him but would they want to kill him? Look forward to a cozy mystery with twists, turns, lots of suspects and a lots of yummy sounding food. I am looking forward to reading more books in the series and maybe there will be a little romance in Angie's future. Lynn Cahoon is a go to author for me. I know that I won't be disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Underground and Kensington Publishing for reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished Who Moved My Goat Cheese by Lynn Cahoon. This is a new first in the Farm to Fork Mystery Series and it is off to a great start! I love the wonderful cozy animal characters in this one and the cover is absolutely fun and very fitting. Cozy lovers and fans of Lynn will enjoy the twists and turns of main character Angie's past, present and future. This one is out March 6th from Lyrical Underground and is one you are going to want to read! I love the title of this one and I am a huge fan of goat cheese, now if I could only get a few goats of my own...

Now I may be a bit biased as I love Idaho but Who Moved My Goat Cheese? by Lynn Cahoon is an absolutely awesome, first in what I hope is a long, cozy murder mystery series. Ms. Cahoon, a native Idahoan, has captured the people, scenery, and as importantly, the community. This is the story of Angie, an experienced chef, who has returned to her Nona’s home, in Idaho from California. While in the process of opening a new farm to table restaurant, Angie helps solve a murder. The book is fast paced, which I like. The characters, including the animals, are interesting and funny. I enjoyed that Ms. Cahoon explained Angie’s back story, it helps the reader get a better understanding of the main character. The descriptions of the food are mouth watering. Also, there’s just a hint of romance which adds a nice element to the tale. I highly recommend this wonderful read and look forward to the next book.

I give this 4 3/4 out of 5 only because constantly referencing that the restaurant was to open in three weeks and less got a bit tedious!
The farm-to-fork concept of a rural destination eatery in Idaho s a great one. It works in my rural area.
Angie Turner and her BFF Felicia Williams are very different people whose differences offset each other and compliment each other in their business adventure, The County Seat.
Establishing the farm connections to supply their restaurant is not as easy as expected. When goat cheese supplier Gerald Moss is murdered, Angie can't leave the investigation to Sheriff Allen Brown. Angie finds herself being warned off of the investigation putting herself in danger.
The characters have great potential. Precious, Dom & Mabel provide stress relief while a possible romance with Ian MacNeal is always in the background. Restaurant staff also offer opportunities for interesting plot conflicts and story lines.
I look forward to more in this farm-to-fork series by cozy mystery master-craftswoman Lynn Cahoon.

I generally like both of Cahoon's other series so, when I saw she had a new series, I immediately requested it from NetGalley.

It's an interesting premise. Angie Turner is a chef who is returning, not to her own hometown, but to the place where she went through most of high school, her grandmother's house. She went there to live after her parents died. Now that she's inherited her grandmother's house, she's decided that it is a good place to return to, along with her best friend and co-owner, Felicia. They had owned a place in San Francisco with another chef, but it had closed (and there's definitely a story about Angie and Todd but we only got quick glimpses.) So Felicia and Angie decided to do a farm-to-fork (is this different than farm-to-table?) in Idaho.

This is fine but one of the people that Angie is hoping will supply them with local cheese is murdered. He was a grumpy old man who had wronged a lot of people so there is not a lack of suspects (is there ever?)

Angie just wants to open her restaurant but she's curious as to why the man was murdered. And why so many people seem to be looking her way.

It was a nice story but suffered from being a first book. There was a lot of extraneous information so that we could get to know people. And a lot of little twists that were introduced and just as suddenly untwisted.



Three stars

This book comes out March 6

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A new series from a favourite cozy author.
This book has all the classic elements of a good cozy.

When I saw the cover art and title to this new cozy mystery by Lynn Cahoon, I knew I had to read it. I enjoy cozies that have humor and a creative theme -- this one has both!

Angie Turner moves to Idaho to live in her grandmother's rural old farmhouse. She and her business partner, Felicia, are going to open a Farm-To-Table restaurant, The County Seat, in the nearby small town of River Vista. In fact, the restaurant is slated to open in a week when they hit a slight snag. The manager of the local farmer's market says he will not allow farmer's market vendors to sell to the restaurant. She meets with a local curmudgeon, Gerald Moss, who has a goat dairy and makes cheese. He agrees to sell his cheese to the restaurant. Angie feels a bit more optimistic about finding locally sourced foods after that initial success......until Old Man Moss is found murdered.

This book is a nice start to a new cozy series. I like the main characters. There are plenty of cute animals and a nice theme. The mystery moves at a nice steady pace. The Farm-to-Table theme doesn't overpower the mystery, but adds to the nice, cozy feel of the story. There were plenty of suspects and a couple twists to keep the suspense going, although I figured out who the murderer was pretty quickly...just not why. A nice beginning for a series! I will be reading more.

Lynn Cahoon also writes the Tourist Trap and Cat Latimer cozy mysteries.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Good idea for a new cozy mystery series. Farm-to-fork restaurant and small town provide many interesting characters in addition to the main ones. It will be fun getting to know many of them better. Clever mystery. Love the critters!

The first book of a new series, Farm to Fork. It is fun and relaxing read, good to read on a cold night or take The beach. The characters are developed and attractive and descriptions of the area good. The background is located in Southwest Idaho farming communities. Angie Turner and Felicia Williams closed THEIR restaurant in California as their lease was canceled. Angie Grandmother died and left her the family's farm near the major town, Boise. Angie lived with her Grandmother until she graduated from high school and this her first trip was home. Like many people when Angie saw a litter of St Bernhard pups, she had one she called Dom. Angie found a new-born goat, Precious wondering on hiking trails. The owner was found dead below the cliffs. Angie becomes involved with the investigation to keep her mind occupied while doing the next necessary work on the restaurant startup. The killer is easy to recognize but the motive was hidden until it revealed. There are a number of twists and turns that will keep me reading until the end.
I have lived in the area a major portion of my life. It was great to see this area described accurately. Often it is not. Lynn did an outstanding job bringing this area to life. I will definitely read another book in the series. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a copy for review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Although it took me some time to get into 'Who Moved My Goat Cheese?' as I sorted out the characters I started to like them more and eventually was attached to Idaho's Nancy Drew. Lynn Cahoon presents a richly rewarding slice of Idaho small town life with a crisp murder mystery, humor, food and romance. I look forward to more!

Who Moved My Goat Cheese? is the debut novel in Lynn Cahoon’s Farm-to-Fork Mystery Series. The well-developed characters are fun and likeable and the story flows at a steady pace. The mystery is interesting and kept me guessing until close to the end and there’s a hint of romance in the air. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Angie Turner and her best friend, Felicia Williams, are preparing to open their farm-to-table restaurant, The County Seat, in Angie’s hometown, River Vista, Idaho. Angie’s grandmother, Margaret, recently passed and she inherited her farmhouse and recently adopted Dom, a St. Bernard puppy. Angie and Felicia closed their restaurant in California because their landlord increased the rent to the point that they couldn’t afford to remain open, so they know what’s involved and are busy lining up suppliers for their locally sourced foods and beverages, hiring and training the staff, and making sure everything is in order for their opening. Angie runs into a couple of snags – she learns the local vendors won’t sell to her unless Ian McNeal, the owner/manager of the River Vista Farmers’ Market, gives his blessing and Old Man Moss, the only local provider of goat cheese, is rather grumpy and won’t sell to just anyone, plus he’s having some problems with the Cheese Commission. After meeting with Old Man Ross at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Angie arranges to meet with him the following morning for breakfast at his farm. The meeting goes well and he agrees to provide the cheese curds she needs. The following day, Ian shows up at her house along with Sheriff Allen Brown, who informs her that some hikers found Old Man Ross at the bottom of the canyon trail. Since Sheriff Brown questioned her, Angie suspects it wasn’t an accident and even though she’d only met him twice, feels compelled to snoop around and find the killer. While walking Dom and trying to get a look at the location his body was found, Angie finds Precious, a newly born goat she met at Old Man Moss’s home, and decides to house temporarily her at her place even though Dom doesn’t seem happy with the arrangement. Angie uncovers lots of secrets and ends up in harm’s way.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Who Moved My Cheese?: A Farm-to-Fork Mystery
By Lynn Cahoon
Lyrical Underground
March 6, 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

Angie Turner and her best friend Felicia Williams may have previously owned a restaurant together in San Francisco, but it’s the new one they’re opening in Angie’s hometown of River Vista, Idaho that holds a place in heart. With just three weeks until their planned debut, everything rides on finding local sources to fulfill The County Seat’s farm-to-table concept. Old Man Ross’s goat dairy farm seems ideal for locally-sourced goat curds, but the day after Angie’s visit to cement the deal – and bring his requested Ding Dongs – the sheriff has news that Gerald Moss was found dead at the bottom of a canyon.

While Angie may have been one of the last to have met with the irritable goat farm owner, she’s never a serious suspect until a witness makes a false statement that has gossip buzzing. Small towns have their own rhythm and natural order, and while it’s been a while since she last lived on her grandmother’s farm, Angie quickly adjusts and relearns the topics that allow conversations to flow and secrets to sneak through. Felicia is the extroverted front-of-the-house contrast to Angie’s recipe-tweaking introvert, but together they perfectly mesh together to brainstorm restaurant concepts along with mystery solutions. Secret cheese caves, the battle between goat farms and Big Dairy, as well as an illicit affair or two all come to light as Angie discovers clues, makes wine pairings, and fosters an adorable baby goat.

As someone who loves culinary mysteries and has seen every single episode of Top Chef, this new series is sheer joy. The author delves deeply into the many requirements of a new restaurant; menu planning, hiring staff, enviable tastings, and “family” meals for the staff. While I could never read enough of these fascinating details, even those less interested in the “foodie” aspect will be drawn into Angie’s fun and practical detecting methods. Armed with the notepad that keeps her expanding to-do list, Angie multi-tasks as she tracks down sources of both food and information. The death of her parents and end of her last relationship may have left Angie emotionally bruised and reluctant to open up her heart, but two unexpected complications may change that. A St. Bernard puppy is probably not the most practical dog to have around a restaurant, since Dom’s quickly-increasing size ensures that a doggy door will eventually simply be a door. Dom’s adorable eyes were too adorable to resist, and just as alluring may be those of Farmers’ Marker owner Ian McNeal. Readers will similarly find themselves falling in love with all of these characters, and the more that is slowly revealed the more we want to know. This is a stellar introduction to the agriculturally-based River Vista, and the emphasis on restaurants and professional cooking make it an outstanding culinary mystery.