Ellery Adams is the bestselling author of several cozy series, and one of the most fun is the Supper Club Mysteries. Like most of us, the members of the supper club are trying to lose weight, and James Henry and his cohorts are just regular people. They are getting a reputation as amateur sleuths, and in the fourth installment of this series, Stiffs and Swine, they are asked to be judges at the annual Hog Fest, a barbecue festival held in the Virginia mountains. Unfortunately, a contestant is murdered, and the Supper Club is right on investigating and solving the murder. They get themselves into some tight places, and even though this is a light-hearted novel, there is some suspense.

Not only does this delightful novel include recipes – good ones, that actually work and are actually for dishes that people want to make – but a fast-moving story with a delightful plot. For readers who enjoy culinary mysteries, this is a good one.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Stiffs and Swine is the fourth book in the Supper Club Mystery series by Ellery Adams. In true form, an enjoyable installment of this series that kept my interest until the very end. I love hanging with James and the rest of the gang (Bennett, Gillian, Lindy and Lucy).

The Flab Five have been asked to be judges at Hog Fest. Naturally all does not go smoothly and a murder occurs. There are many suspects in the eyes of the flab five but the local police believe and hold Gillian, one of their own, for the murder. Gillian is held because she has a past with the deceased, Jimmy Lang… and that past is intense. Many things come out that are a surprise to Gillian’s friends (and to this reader). Needless to say, the remaining four (James, Bennett, Lindy and Lucy) jump right in to find the real killer!

To confound matters, James current girlfriend, Murphy, shows up in Quincy’s Gap to get the story (she is a reporter after all). One quickly gets the sense that the relationship between James and Murphy seems a bit rocky. In a previous book in the series, Lucy and James dated for a bit. I know I was sad to see that did not work out and I must say this current pairing is not my favorite. Time will tell, though some good old fashioned advice for James on courting a woman might be in order.

“Thinking of his failed relationship with Lucy reminded him that he should check in with Murphy at some point, but that could wait…”

I really enjoyed Bennett find a woman he could be interested in… but did it have to be Sheriff Jones?

“Now, that’s a woman,” Bennett said a little breathlessly. “Holy smokes.” “Get a hold of yourself, Casanova.” Lucy gave Bennett a pinch on the arm. “Gillian needs us. Instead of daydreaming about Jade Jones, use your time in the car to think of specific statements to take the heat off Gillian.”

I love how each of the supper club members are able to pick out flavors in the food/beverages that Eleanor provides her guests. Definitely a skill worth having. While they were discussing what was in (for example – the tea had a subtle hint of almonds) my mouth was watering! And if the following does not wet your appetite, I do not know what will:

“Bennett received a mammoth bacon and Monterey jack burger accompanied by a mountain of French fries and a dish of baked beans. A platter of fried catfish and hush puppies was slid beneath Lindy’s nose, and Lucy was given slices of turkey resting on pillows of mashed potatoes and stuffing, a bowl of cranberry sauce, and a small pitcher of thick brown gravy.”

The setting was interesting, a BBQ festival. Lots of competition for first place and all the perks that go along with that (endorsements for one!). Now if that does not set the scene for some big time potential…not sure what does.

I quite liked the other sub stories underlying the main murder mystery. I felt this gave the story a bit more character than the classical cozy mystery. Why were all these teenagers hanging out in the library on Friday nights – what are the details and who is actually involved in these illegal activities being carried out right under their noses? How did this happen?

Another character whom I quite enjoyed was Bob Barker (and not just because of his name). He seemed like a genuinely nice guy who cared for Hailey Mellon (girlfriend of the deceased). Now that was a twisted triangle which I am sure you will enjoy reading about.

I have to say that I was kept guessing until the end as to who the murderer was, just the way I like my cozy mysteries! But this has been a theme throughout the Supper Club Mystery series. Now to move on the next book in the series, The Battered Body.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoy these Supper Club mysteries. I hadn't read the previous book though so I didn't understand what the problem was between James and Lucy, who I had assumed were now in a happy relationship. This series has great, light mystery and of course the fabulous and fun Flab Five. For me, reading these books is like hanging out with old friends!

Thanks to Netgalley and Midnight Ink for another great ARC from Ellery Adams.

Another yummy addition to a scumptious series. I love visiting with the characters of Quincy Gap and catching up with the latest happenings. This time they find themselves caught up in all things BBQ and things get sticky while the Flab 5 try to untangle another mystery.

J.B. Stanley (Ellery Adams) writes several great cozy series but I think A Supper Club Mystery Series is the one that makes me smile the most. This is book 4 and it keeps getting better. There is usually a murder but nothing gruesome. The Flab Five are invited to be judges at a barbecue competition and are treated to great rooms, food and fun. When a competitor dies the group swings into action. James has several problems he's trying to solve, a gang of teens is using the library for illegal activity and he needs Lucy's help. Can be read as a stand alone but you'll get much more by reading the previous books. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It was late summer in Quincy's Gap and the Flab Five have been invited to be judges at the beauty contest of sows at a neighboring town's Hog Fest. They also end up judging the Brisket contest and the pie eating contest. It is several days at the festival eating fair food, and trying to figure out who killed the obnoxious BBQ contestant as well as who is selling drugs. At the same time, back in Quincy Gap, Scot and Francis are trying to figure out what the teens who are hanging out on Friday nights are doing in the library.

We learn more about Gillian in this story after she is taken in for questioning since she had an altercation with Jimmy the day before he was found dead. Since Lucy is now a deputy, her help was welcomed by Sheriff Jade Jones, but she wanted the rest to stay out of the situation. Bennett develops a crush on the Sheriff, which shows us another side to him. He is also studying to become a contestant on Jeopardy. He has a lot of trivia in his brain. James and Lucy's relationship was still a little strained after their breakup, but they still functioned well together as mystery-solving friends. James is drifting from Murphy since she seemed to have changed as well as keeping secrets from him. It was nice to see Scott and Francis solving their own mystery and what they do outside the library. Jackson and Mila are continuing to become closer in this story and James hopes that it progresses.

Between the police and the Flab Five, they figured out what was going on, but just like the police, they have to have enough evidence to arrest and prosecute. The ending of the story was tense and James has to make some quick decisions. I enjoy the fact that even though the friends are flawed and do not always agree with one another, they are true friends, loyal and always work together to solve the mystery. I would love to meet this group of friends and get the opportunity to solve a mystery with them.

Thanks to netgalley for the gift of this ebook arc on exchange for my honest review. I must say I am addicted to cozy/foodie mysteries and have read quite a few. Stiffs and Swine is a fun book with great characters and wonderful recipes that I dream of cooking one day. If you haven't read the first 3 boojs in this series, don't worry you will soon own them, because you won't rest until you have read all the books in the series. Okay here I go off to cook....err...read more about food.

Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing.for an ARC of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.

If you love BBQ, this is the cozy mystery for you! #4 of the Supper Club Mysteries, it’s a fun, light read, and includes an appealing collection of story-related recipes, a few of which I’m anxious to try.

Librarian James Henry and his fellow supper club members have gained celebrity as amateur sleuths in their area of the small-town Virginia mountains, and are invited to be guest judges at the nearby Hudsonville Hog Festival. BBQ and desserts are sure to wreak havoc with their diet plans, but they all agree to join in the fun. When a contestant chef is murdered, and a fellow supper club member is suspected, the rest of the group goes into crime-solving mode.

The mystery is a bit slow to develop, the murder occurring about 1/3 through the book, but in the meantime there are lots of festival activities and food details. The plot (including a loosely related side-plot) is complex, well-crafted and pulled together in a satisfying conclusion. I thought there were a few too many unnecessary minor characters, making it hard to keep them all straight, but the investigation sizzles with plenty of action, and dis-traction, and a sizeable helping of humor.

I have not read the first 3 books in the series, so I wish there had been more in this book to make me feel a better connection with the main characters. With the exception of James, they seemed a bit remote to me, and a romantic entanglement was confusing. I would suggest reading at least the first book in the series before starting this one, but don’t skip it just because you can’t get the first one.

I have never been so glad to be done with a book as I am with this one [and the previous ones]. WHAT a horrible series. At least in this one they are done with the stupid Atkins diet and are trying to be more sensible [I am not sure how this came about since I started #2, DNF that one since it begins with a woman fat-shaming them in a Costco and THEN having the nerve to tell them she could "fix" them at her gym/weight-loss center. I was so annoyed and angry at this character, I had to stop reading the book and then decided to just skip #3 as well], but its like aliens took over them and they all were acting so weird it was like reading a different series. The idea that James would end up with the reporter who was so mean to all of them in the first book was absolutely ludicrous. I don't know. This series has just rubbed me the wrong way and I am glad to be done with this one and so glad that I do not have to read anymore of them.

I like this author a lot and this series has been such a huge disappointment for me.

The Flab Five have been so successful in solving murders around Quincy's Gap, a local Hog Fest has asked them to be guest judges. The group decides it sounds exciting enough to give themselves the weekend off from dieting and enjoy BBQ and all the festival treats. Unfortunately, murder has followed them to the festival and they decide to solve it if it is the last thing they do.

This was an exciting read from beginning to end. We are starting to get more backstory on everyone in the Flab Five and seeing the true colors of some other characters. This book has a mystery within a mystery for James. He must try and figure out what is going on with the teenagers on Friday nights in the library and help solve a murder. I like how James is evolving in each book. He is coming to realize that he is not only just a librarian. He is a boyfriend, lover, son, friend and respected pillar of the community. Everyone looks to him when help is needed to figure out problems. What a wonderful trait to have that others trust and respect you enough to look up to you.

James' romance life is still topsy turvy. Don't be looking for smooth sailing in this book. I have mixed feelings on how things turned out. I cannot talk much as I don't want to give too much away.

My biggest disappointment...cheese doddles did not make an appearance for the second book in a row. If James every needed comfort with his cheese doddles he needed them at the festival. Yes, I think of his cheese doodles as a character. They are part of who James is and I do not see that as a bad thing.

More yummy recipes are included in the back of the book just in time for a summer BBQ.

I have already downloaded the fifth book in the series to keep up with the Flab Five. Come on weekend so I can delve right back in.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley from Beyond the Page. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I enjoyed this book. The world & character building is fantastic, it felt as if I was there following along every step of the way. I enjoyed the mystery of what the kids were up too more than the murder of Jimmy. His character was very unsympathetic. #StiffsAndSwine #NetGalley

A fun addition to this cozy food mystery series. I skipped ahead in the series, based on ARC I received, missing books 2 and 3, so I felt like I lost a little bit of what happened with the main characters in between, but I got enough of the gist of it that I wasn't really behind in their lives. The mystery itself stood on its own. I did feel at times that the story dragged, but there is a lot of humor to keep the mystery lighthearted. The side mystery of what is going on with the teens at James' library was interesting in how it intertwined with the main mystery, so that was a fun little tie-in from back home while the Flab Five were out of town at the Hog Fest festival as the guest judges. The recipes in this book really sound delicious, and I felt like there were more of them than in the previous book in the series that I read. I especially look forward to trying the cheese grits recipe, as I had a recipe like that years and years ago that I liked that I can't find and this one sounds pretty much the same, so I can't wait to try that one out, along with the other ones included this time! It's fun that each chapter has a food title to also tie in the things that characters eat during that chapter, although it's not always related to a recipe included in the book. I liked the ending and how it wrapped up some things from this book but left them open at the same time and looking forward to possibilities for the characters for the rest of the series. Overall, a fun, light read, not too heavy or serious but still entertaining.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters. I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

The first three books of this series got progressively better as they went, but in comparison, this one fell a little flat. The barbecue festival setting was appealing at the outset, but my interest in reading about brisket and such ran out around the halfway mark. Gillian is also the member of the "flab five" that I relate to the least, so I had trouble feeling invested in proving her innocence. It just seemed too far-fetched to me that anyone could believe a peace-loving dog groomer was also a cold-blooded killer. Even her backstory, which had some interesting elements, was delivered in a way that felt very bland. The only storyline that really saved the book for me was the tension in James's relationship with Murphy and the occasional resurfacing of his feelings for Lucy. I have no intention of abandoning the series; this one just happens to be my least favorite thus far.

I loved this book in the Supper Club Series. This was one that I missed when it was first published. The Supper Club is an interesting group of friends that enjoys dining together and also solving crimes together. Each individual knows what to bring for a meal and each has a role solving the mystery. This one is set at a barbecue festival and the food descriptions had me wishing that I had some smoked ribs.

The story flows well and the characters are beginning to feel like old friends. I stayed up very late reading this one!

This was such a fun read. The Flab Five are asked as a group to come judge a hog beauty contest at Hog Fest in a close by town and they all agree. Most have been busy over the summer with projects and vacations so they look at this trip as a time to reconnect and just have some fun. Things are going well, there is food galore, fun activities to watch or join in on, and everybody is having a great time until one of the competitors ends up dead. Who killed this man and why? The way he died took knowledge but who around has those kind of smarts. The supper club feels they need to investigate when one of their own is looked at in the investigation. She had no reason to kill him or did she? Tag along as the group looks for clues, asks questions, and forgets all about diets. Who could pass up such great food, even with a murder investigation going on? This was such a fun read, you can truly relate to the characters and the troubles they have when it comes to food, weight loss, and the emotions that comes with it all. The author takes on a subject in a way that will have you feeling like you are part of the group whether you have weight issues or not. I can't wait to continue the journey the characters have set out on and I'm sure I'll learn something new along the way!

This is a great book. I love this series and Stiffs and Swine did not disappoint. I love the chemistry of the characters and the recipes are amazing. I highly recommend this book and I you can read this book without reading the first three if you want to but I recommend reading them all

This is book 4 in the Flab 5 series and it is just as good as the first. James and the gang have been asked to be judges at a BBQ fest. Naturally, murder and mayhem ensue. I can relate to the group’s food/weight struggles, which makes me love the characters all the more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this novel for the E-Arc copy.
I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend to anyone who enjoys light-hearted mysteries. The characters are funny and entertaining. Great plots.

Being consider celebrities and asked to officiate as judges in the upcoming annual Hog festival Barbecue cookout, in the nearby town was an honor for the Flab five, who found themselves at the bunt of murder where one of their own was the main suspect. Once again the Flab five shows their keen sense for seeking out the truth when their friend and valuable member Gillian was accused of murder. It was left up to them to show them how wrong they were about her. Past secrets and desires were revealed as they fit the puzzle pieces together, and that budding romance with James and Murphy was put to the test but couldn’t stand the heat. An enjoyable and delicious read along with free recipes.