Kate Young has done a great job in the storyline and well-crafted characters we see in Southern Sass and Killer Cravings.

The story unfolds as Marygene has returned home. After leaving her husband all she wants is to be back home. But things are not always as planned. When a body is found she intervenes to save her sister's diner. With the help of her deceased momma will she be able to prevail?

The story was entertaining and the author made you feel as if you were right there alongside Marygene. Oh, and there were several recipes. Can't wait to try each one.

A pretty cute start to a new series! Being from the south, I relate a lot to the goings on and general small town feel of the setting. Marygene is a quirky and enjoyable protagonist, and the cozy mystery vibes are strong here! Enjoyable weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC to review!

This is the first book in the Marygene Brown Mystery series. I am so mad at myself for not reading this book sooner. I actually ordered the second book for my kindle as soon as I finished this one!!

Marygene Brown is returning home to Peach Cove Island off the coast of Georgia after leaving an abusive husband. She plans to be a part of the family business, The Peach Diner, which her sister Jena Lynn and brother Sam have been running. Soon after her arrival a local dies in the diner and Jena Lynn is the prime suspect. Marygene, along with the spirit of her deceased mother slip into sleuth mode to clear Jena Lynn.

I really enjoyed all of the characters and the chemistry that they have together. I’m very excited to see what happens to them in the future!!

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2020 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2020/01/2020-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

3.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. The characters were funny and relatable while also being goofy and entertaining. There were a couple of minor things that could be cleaned up for book #2 but a great solid first book! I would definitely read something by this author again. My biggest pet peeve was the emphasis on the southern aspect, but I felt like that evened out a little towards the end. The book kept me engaged and made me want to pick it up when I had a spare second.

This is the perfect cozy for those Southern ghost loving people who just can't wait to sink their teeth into a warm dessert. I loved the sisterly and family love as well as the great mystery that had me smiling from the wit and laughing at the kooky characters. Nicely done!!

Title: Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

Author: Kate Young

Series: Marygene Brown Book 1

Chapters: 40

Pages: 361

Genre: cozy mystery

Rating: 3 stars

While this wasn't my favorite cozy mystery , think I'm getting burnt out on cozies set in the south as well as those involving food and restaurants it was till a pretty enjoyable read. It was also a pretty fast read as well. I found myself quickly turning the pages because I just had to find out how the book ended and who donit. I didn't even figure out who did it so when the book revealed who did it, I was shocked.

I guess the reason I didn't like it was I couldn't believe how not close the two sisters were. I couldn't image not being close to my sister I'm mean weren't aren't best friends but we are pretty close. But for someone else it may be their next favorite book. I would recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries, especially those that like mystery with food and restaurants.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Heading home with her tail between her legs after the final collapse of an abusive marriage, Marygene Brown just wants to settle back into partnership with her sister Jena Lynn, running the family diner on Peach Cove Island. The appearance of her mother’s ghost warning of an imminent murder puts paid to any thought of peace and quiet, though, and soon Marygene is up to her neck in trying to solve the mystery… and save her own neck.

This is a little bit grittier than your average cozy, with Marygene being a domestic abuse survivor and witness to deaths and violent assaults. She’s a great protagonist, though, full of determination to avoid repeating past mistakes and protect those she loves. Though there’s an old flame and a possible new one vying for her attention, the romance is laid on very lightly, which frankly feels realistic for the situation, just out of an ugly failed marriage as she is, Marygene makes it clear she’s not in the market for anything more right now.

There’s a delightful cast of supporting characters, my favorite being Betsy the waitress, who spends more time with Marygene than just about anyone else and indeed is the one who’s there for her when the chips are down. The drama of a small town (pop. 2,000 or so) where everyone knows everyone’s business is on full display, with affairs, gossip and mischief abounding. It’s a good-sized cast but not so big I couldn’t keep track of everyone reasonably well, and there were a few seeds sown for things I think are likely to bear fruit later in the series, although the mystery in this one was closed out nicely by the end.

Well-written with excellent pacing and some fantastic recipes included at the end, this is a good culinary cozy mystery…

… but.

I’d gotten all the way to the end of the book and was sitting trying to figure out what it was that bothered me about it before I started writing this review when I got it; it wasn’t what was in the book that was bothering me, it was what WASN’T.

And that was anyone diverse.

There wasn’t one single non-white character described (maybe the author intended some of them to be, but the rule of thumb is if they’re not explicitly described, they’re Default White) and not one single LGBTQI+ character. And frankly, that’s just not realistic. In fact, I think it was a massive missed opportunity. Having Marygene’s father Eddie be Black would have added a really interesting dimension to his messed-up relationship with her mother, and a racial element to Marygene’s fraught relationship with the investigating detective. There was no reason why one of Marygene’s siblings couldn’t be queer, or Betsy, or her friend Yvonne. There’s a GHOST as a primary supporting character, for heaven’s sake, but not ONE non-white or queer character? Pull the other one.

I was originally going to give this five stars for the storyline and the writing, but I’m knocking it down to three for this serious diversity failure and saying quite plainly to the author:

Do. Better.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.

A messy divorce has Marygene Brown headed home to her sister and the family business she walked away from before her mother died. When a customer dies in the shop and has apparently been poisoned, she knows she has to find out the truth before it ruins her chance at a fresh start.

While trying to solve the crime, Marygene also has to deal with the personal issues going on in her life. There was some family drama, but it didn’t overpower the mystery. The story was a nice balance and I really enjoyed it.

This is the first book in a new culinary cozy series. The author has done a great job of introducing some interesting characters and setting the scene for what I hope will be many more books to come.

I really liked this mystery and the characters, it is easy to see more adventures with Marygene. If you are looking for that fun summer read, it is right here in Southern Sass and Killer Cravings.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is a great first book in its series. Author Young does a good job of balancing the Georgia island setting with an unpredictable touch of paranormal.

Marygene left her family and her family business to experience the big city. Unfortunately, that experience included an older, abusive husband. Escaping the violence, she has the courage to file for divorce and move home to help her sister Jena Lynn and half-brother Sam run the family diner. They all have baggage and relationship issues, but they come together, with some assistance from Marygene’s mother’s ghost and her sheriff biological father, when a customer dies to solve a murder and save the diner and their reputation.

I really enjoyed getting to know Marygene, her family, and her neighbors. The characters show a lot of growth throughout the book, and I look forward to seeing them continue to blossom as the series progresses. Marygene, as a domestic violence survivor, is a rare protagonist, and it gives her some gravitas while staying quirky and Southern. I like that Sheriff Eddie is not a bumbling policeman and that he and Marygene work together. I particularly enjoyed Marygene’s mother; instead of being a silly, cartoonish ghost, she brings an interesting perspective and abilities that really help in the crime solving.

The book is well paced, and the writing has a good conversational flow. The mystery itself is complicated enough to keep readers’ interest. I did pin the bad guy relatively early on, but this did not decrease my enjoyment. The island setting and Southern culture make a nice backdrop for the story, and I really want to eat at the diner. I look forward to more adventures with Marygene.

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

What a fun read! Marygene was a good heroine and I enjoyed her Momma as a ghostly sidekick. Perfect summer read!

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

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is the first book in this charming cozy mystery. The book is set in Peach Cove Island Georgia. The author Kate Young delivers a charming story complete with enough southern sass to be fun along with a mystery that is satisfying. The characters are well developed and grow as the story goes along. I liked this book and look forward to reading more in the series. Thank you netgalley and Kensington publishing for the gift of an arc in exchange for this honest review.

This was an enjoyable cosy mystery with complex characters and I liked the Southern setting. I also liked the humor in the novel as well as it deals with the emotional aftermath of domestic violence.

Princess Fuzzypants here: There is so much going on in this book when Marygene returns to the island of her birth to mend the wounds from her impending divorce. Mending is an apt description as her soon to be ex was abusive. This book is filled with characters who have either suffered abuse or were illegitimate or all sorts of other issues. It is like an island Peyton Place.
Marygene herself is the product of one extra marital affair but her father finally acknowledged her. Since he is the chief of police, and her sister (from a different father) is the prime suspect in the murder of a reprehensible old coot, it is a good thing. In spite of the fact the old fellow died in the family diner after eating a cake her sister made, Marygene knows her sister is being set up.
There is a good mystery going on amongst all the personal issues. The author managed to keep up the suspense. I did suspect the villain but it had enough going on that I wasn’t sure. It kept me guessing to the end. The only complaint I had was just before the big reveal, Marygene does something that teeters on the “too dumb to live” edge. She is saved by some smart plotting. You see, one of the things I neglected to mention so far is the haunting of Marygene by her late mother. She must atone for her sins before she can leave the island. One wonders if this did the trick or if she may reappear in future stories.
I hope so. Four purrs and two paws up.

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings
By Kate Young
Kensington
June 2019

Review by Cynthia Chow

If Marygene Brown hoped to return home to Georgia’s Peach Cove without stirring up a lot of local gossip, diving into her car to retrieve her possessions as it was towed away on the main street was not the best way to go about it. Marygene had fled her small island home for the big city Atlanta, but the traumatic end of her marriage had her returning home to help her sister run their late mother’s diner. Jena Lynn had been left alone to contend with their abrasive mother, who was furious at Marygene for leaving to attend Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. The relationship between Marygene and her mother never mended, which is why the latter’s ghostly presence is as unwanted as it is alarming. Marygene had thought she was hearing things when she heard Mama’s voice warning her not to open The Peach Dine, proclaiming a dire prophesy that comes true when opinionated Mr. Ledbetter falls dead in his cake. Marygene’s worst fears come true when the poisoned powered sugar Jena Lynn’s Mango Beer Cake is blamed and she becomes the Atlanta Police Department Detective Davis Thornton’s main suspect.

Marygene’s relationship with Peach Cove Sheriff Edward Carter is just as rocky, as it was only after a date with Eddie’s son that she learned that she was the sheriff’s illegitimate daughter. That revelation when she was sixteen estranged her from both her biological parents, and now that she has finally eased the hurt and resentment held by her sister, Marygene is determined to prove Jena Lynn’s innocence and save the diner. The arrival of an Atlanta Journal Daily reporter threatens to upheave Marygene’s plans, as while Roy Calhoun initially intended to stay only for the filming of a turtle hatching project, a murder investigation is far more intriguing. Reluctant to trust either the handsome reporter or her high school ex-boyfriend Deputy Alex Myers, Marygene relies on her fellow returnee and friend Yvonne Brooks as they question residents, heirs, and land developers.

The spectral influence is wielded with a light touch in this slightly paranormal mystery, with the late Clara Brown unable to pass over until she makes amends. Her presence also hints that Marygene's involvement in future murder investigations will continue, since along with a lot of ghostly opinions Clara may bring fellow needy spirits. Delicately balanced with the humor and romance are scenes of Marygene dealing with the trauma of domestic abuse, especially the fear and shame of being seen as a victim. Her panic attacks are vividly and sympathetically detailed, especially when she is faced with a further act of violence. Enticing recipes are included at the end of the chapter, although perhaps it’s best that the readers not completely replicate the To Die For Chocolate Mango Beer Cake with Chocolate-Coconut-Raspberry Frosting with tainted powdered sugar. As tasty as the other recipes may sound, readers will truly be drawn to Marygene as she gains enough strength and confidence to begin a new life in the place that never truly stopped being her home.

Marygene left Peach Cove Island, now she has decided to leave her abusive husband and return home to the family diner and the joys of baking. Doing her part to help her sister and brother now that their Mom has passed away. Mom has passed away but hasn't left and only Marygene can see her. That help is going to need to take the form of some detecting. A café regular dies at their counter after eating a piece of cake baked by Marygene's sister. With his last breath the victim gives a mysterious note to Marygene and now she won't stop until she clears her sister's name and/or found out who is did not only commit murder but also seems to be trying to ruin the family business. Marygene is a great character with an amazing range of emotions and I can't wait to try out her recipes found in the back of the book. The tender relationship between Marygene and her Dad, the local Sheriff is incredibly heart warming and I can't wait to see what else developes in the coming stories!

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings, book 1 of the Marygene Brown Series, is not only the first in an amazing series, but the first Cozy Mystery by Kate Young. I am blown away. Kate Young hit a Grand Slam with this book (homage to the Braves references throughout the book).

Marygene Brown leaves her abusive relationship in Atlanta to return back her hometown of Peach Cove, a small island town of Southern Georgia. Marygene's plan is to join forces with her sister, Jena Lynn, and run the beloved Peach Diner, passed down by generations of family. What Marygene did not plan on, was a regular customer dying in the restaurant and her sister being lead off in handcuffs. She also didn't bargain for having her mama show up to guide her through it all. Did I mention mama is dead??

With the help of her mama and others in town, Marygene sets out to prove her sister's innocence and find out what is going on in her small town. Can she find the killer before the killer finds her?

The character development, setting description, and story line are phenomenal. I instantly fell in love with the characters. There were moments of shock, laughter, intrigue, and emotion throughout the entire book. The mystery was great, I did have my suspicions of the killer from the get go but the road getting there was worth the trip. I laughed many times at the shenanigans of Marygene and Betsy. And somehow, Kate Young adds in the emotional issues of domestic violence. Marygene Brown is one of the strongest Protagonists I have seen in long time.

I cannot wait to continue my journey with Marygene and the Peach Cove Gang.

I read the digital copy awarded to me by NetGalley as well as the audio version of the book. The narrator, Tiffany Morgan, does a fantastic job.

Wowza! as a first book in a series this one pulled no punches, this is well worth a read and then a re-read to pick up what you missed the first time around!

Marygene has left an abusive marriage and headed home, her life has followed her though as she checks in with her sister at the family diner before heading to the family home she finds her car being re-possessed with a lot of her belongings still in it! Things then go from bad to worse when a regular at the diner drops dead, there are vultures (sorry developers) circling and the dead man's son seems to be in their pocket. It then gets worse with Marygene's half sister arrested by an out of town detective who isn't looking at the whole picture, oh and their mama just showed up, but as a ghost!

Now Marygene needs to save the diner, save her sister, save Peach Cove Island .... oh and not get killed in the process :)