I love it when Heroine gets herself into hot water. This was my first introduction to Sally and friends. If you haven’t read the other books that is fine. It can be a standalone. Although it is probably best to read the others since there are references.

All of the character seem to have something going on in their lives. Love and new friendships among the murder plot. Somethings are obvious while others are not. Second guessing had me going.

I’ve just added a new mystery author to my list.

Will definitely read the rest of the books.

I received this ARC for a honest review. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

Cute story and always kept me guessing. Loved the characters and the turn. Will read more by this author

I've read this entire series by Leslie Karst thus far but I have to say I found this book more engaging than the rest.
The characters both new and old were likable, well described and grew throughout the book.
The story line so interesting it didn't miss a beat and kept me turning the pages till the end.
A very good read.

A fun cozy mystery for a relaxing afternoon read. It's what you would expect, but the story is still great.

Sally is busy with her restaurant and her new partner when her cousin Evie comes to stay. Evie is blind but instinctively knows that her Mother was murdered and didn't commit suicide like the Police believe.

Sally with help from decides to do some sleuthing. There are plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep you interested. At one point Sally's life is in danger.

Its the fourth in the series but it wasn't a problem that I hadn't read the previous books. An easy and entertaining read.

amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, family, restaurant, law-enforcement, California

Sally has enough going on in her work life, like a volatile chef and a pending partnership agreement with the other chef, when her father calls with a need for her to help out with a blind cousin whose mother is suddenly dead. Evie believes that the alcohol and pills death is not suicide as the cops believe, and Sally becomes convinced when events indicate that someone is trying to get information or eliminate evidence. Let the sleuthing begin!
The plot progresses through a lot of personal and professional problems full of twists and red herrings. Even an attempt to strangulate Sally! The publisher's blurb will give you more clues, and no spoilers here. ENJOY!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Sally’s long lost cousin Evie comes to stay with the only family she has left when her Mother dies. While Evie is blind, she sees things fat more clearly than others and, to her, it’s clear her mother did NOT commit suicide as the police think. While there are several people who were not happy with the woman, who had a beef big enough to kill her?

Always tip toeing around police investigations, Sally finds herself poking around this one as well. Between Dally and Evie, the two find several suspects but can’t seem to find the evidence they need to narrow it down to the actual murderer. But as they get close, Sally is in greater danger as she has killer in her sights. It’s a race against time to identify the killer before Sally becomes the next victim.

In addition to the mystery portion of the story line, there are a lot of other things going on with the all of the regular characters as love is in the air, partnerships are formed, and friendships, both old and new, reign supreme.

If you’ve read the other books in th series, you will enjoy this one. If this is your first introduction to Sally and the gang in Santa Cruz, you will enjoy this one and have no problem with not having read the first two in the series. Just be prepared to get some Asian food, because you will be craving it by the time you finish this one.

I received a free copy of MURDER FROM SCRATCH (Book 4 of the Sally Solari Mysteries) by Leslie Karst in exchange for an honest review. Sally Solari is busy with her restaurant, Gaugin, and occasionally helping her father out at his restaurant, too. Sally’s father asks her to take in her blind cousin, Evelyn, when Evelyn’s mother, another restauranteur, is found dead at home. Though law enforcement considers the matter a suicide, Evelyn finds indications that it was not a self-inflicted death. Of course, this is family, so Sally decides to help her cousin out by following the clues and tracking a killer.

I have not read any of the previous books, but I had no problem connecting with the characters or following the storyline. It was a good book, and I enjoyed it.

#MurderFromScratch #NetGalley

Fall foliage is beginning to transform into bare branches and blanketed snow, and the colder the weather gets, the more reason readers have for staying indoors with a cozy new read. Whether you're in the mood for a steamy romance, heart-pounding thriller, or riveting historical fiction, there's a book for everyone on this list. Check out our list of the best books winter 2018 has to offer, complete with publishers' descriptions.