Strangled Eggs and Ham
(Country Store Mysteries #6)
by Maddie Day 

Paperback, 295 pages
Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation





Goodreads synopsis:
Robbie Jordan’s rustic country store is growing in popularity. But when a dead body appears, it turns out that Robbie’s home-style cooking attracts hungry customers—and murder!

While Robbie scrambles through breakfast orders for her expanding clientele at Pans ‘N Pancakes, tempers run as high as the sticky August heat in South Lick, Indiana. Real-estate developer Fiona Closs plans to build a towering luxury resort at one of the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and not everyone can see the sunny side of the imposing proposition—including Robbie’s furious Aunt Adele, who doesn’t waste a minute concocting protests and road blockades. When tensions boil over and a vocal protester is silenced forever at the resort site, Robbie ditches the griddle to catch the killer. But if slashed tires are any indication, she’ll need to crack this case before her own aunt gets served something deadly next . . .

***

3 Stars

This is the sixth book in the Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day. It is the first book I have read in the series and it was not hard to get into like some are after entering a series late. This is also a new author for me and I was getting used to her tone and writing style while reading this.

I have been reading a lot of pretty thrilling series lately and so this one seemed to pale in comparison. If I had been reading it any other time, I might have rated it higher. The mystery was good. It kept me interested and I found the lead character compelling and not snooze-worthy. This has all the building blocks for a great book and I am not certain what it was exactly that made me come to the “it’s just okay” conclusion.

I felt a little standoffish as a reader, as if I was standing on the side-lines watching the action instead of being involved in the action. Maybe I would have resonated with it more if Aunt Adele was the main character instead of Robbie. I don’t know.

I am sure that if you are a hard core cozy mystery reader, this will definitely be your jam. It has all the elements we look for in a good book. I feel like I just read it at the wrong time and after a few particularly thrilling books which threw off my rating. Decide for yourself. Definitely worth the read.

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.

Strangled Eggs And Ham is the sixth book in the Country Store Mystery series.

Things are in a turmoil in South Lick, Indiana. Fiona Closs a developer wants to build a huge luxury resort just outside of South Lick. Many residents are in favor as there are residents that need employment, but just as many oppose it saying that ruin the serene little community.

One summer day, Robbie and her girlfriend Lou Perlman head out to Lake Lemon for a day of relaxing and swimming. While there they meet Gregg DeGraff, an environmental lawyer from Indianapolis. Soon they are discussing the proposed construction and Greg offers to handle, pro bono, the fight to block the construction of the resort. Robbie on her drive home passes the proposed site and notices that the developer has already started to cut down some trees on the land. The next day she gets a call from Lou who tells her that while out cycling she has found Gregg’s dead body along the side of the road.

The group opposing the development is hit hard by this news, but Robbie’s feisty Aunt Adele says the group is still going to go ahead with their plan to block the road passing the site as a peaceable protest in hopes of gaining support. Then when Adele finds one of her sheep entangled in barb wire, which she has none on her farm, and then she has her tires slashed while at Pan ‘N Pancakes where NIMBY(not in my backyard) are having a strategy meeting for their protest. Robbie soon finds that there is no shortage of suspects for the murder of Gregg.

I really love this series, not only is it well-plotted and told, but I truly enjoy how Ms. Day includes some of the dialects of Brown County, IN., which I find to very interesting. As I live in Northern Indiana, I have heard many of them, but I can always count on learning a few new ones.

Delicious sounding recipes are also included with the books.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this delightful series.

Series: A Country Store Mystery - Book 6
Author: Maddie Day
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 416

The latest in the “A Country Store Mystery” cozy mystery series by Maddie Day (AKA: Edith Maxwell) Strangled Eggs and Ham from Kensington books hits book stores next week. And it will fly off the shelves!

Ms. Maxwell knows how to write a cozy mystery series. Her characters are lively, fascinating, and just what the reader wants and anticipates. Robbie is no exception. She’s hard-working, dedicated, and loveable. Aunt Adele is the eccentric ex-hippy who teaches her niece to stand up for what she believes in. This makes everyone worry. Other characters are just as loveable and help keep Robbie on target in her life.

The setting of this cozy mystery series could be any small town in America. Reading about the town and the inhabitants fills the reader with a sense of warmth, community, and home. From the highest hill to the beach, this community has it all. Even when murder comes to call, the people of South Lick rally to stop a killer.

The murderer seems to be an opportunist, or maybe a grudgeful person from the victim’s past. Either way, it looks like someone is out to get Robbie’s aunt next. No matter what the motive, Robbie must find the killer before Aunt Adele falls victim at the killer’s hands. It doesn’t take long before Robbie and Adele find themselves facing a murderer. Both women are strong-willed and determined, a killer is no match for them.

This cozy mystery series is why people enjoy cozies so much. It has everything a good mystery should have, twists and turns, red herrings, resolutions, with a character-driven plot that keeps readers turning the page and looking forward to the next installment. The writing is top notch, the scenario plausible, and the killer unsympathetic. It is a pleasure to read and to recommend Strangled Eggs and Ham.

ARC provided by Kensington via NetGalley

Robbie Jordan's restaurant and B&B business continues to thrive in this sixth installment of the Country Store series. One of her guests is a bike riding enthusiast and also an environmental lawyer, who becomes interested in a resort project dividing the town of South Lick, Indiana. The project can bring jobs to the community but will also result in negatively affecting the long-standing natural environment. Robbie's Aunt Adele and a group of her close friends decide to protest the development and recruit Greg, the attorney, to their cause. When he is found strangled to death near the resort, the stakes rise to a whole new level.

This is a great series and I have read all of the preceding books. It can be read as a standalone as the author gives enough background information for the reader. It is very well-written and exceptional attention is given to local dialect and speech patterns. Robbie's character continues to develop as an independent woman, especially since her boyfriend Abe is at a out-of-town seminar for this book. I enjoyed learning more about Aunt Adele and her relationship with Robbie, especially since she is the one who was the original owner of the property. There are several delicious recipes at the end which are featured in the book. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for a digital ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

While even southern Indiana is not considered by anyone to be the "deep south," this wonderful series has its share of quirky characters and quaint phrases. Relatives are generally both a bone of contention as well as a source of warmth and comfort. If you like small town. close knit communities and raw, southern grit and humor, this is a book for you!
At under thirty, Robbie Jordan can't be compared to Mrs. Fletcher of Cabot Cove fame, although she is quickly catching up to her in mysteries to solve and dead bodies discovered. When she bought a quiet little store selling vintage pots and pans and upgraded it to a gathering place for breakfast, lunch and gossip, she had no idea how involved she and her store would be in ALL the activity happening in and around South Lick.
How dangerous can it be to invite a few people to stay upstairs in rented rooms and offer breakfast? A few tourists, some parents who drop their kids off for college, nice people, I am sure. They aren't going to get involved in town business or scandals, are they?
Robbie had no clue what was in store for her when she relocated to a quiet midwestern community to be close to her aunt Adele.

Be sure to start this book after a full breakfast. Your stomach will be aching to try all the delicious food you encounter mentioned along the way. Fortunately there are recipes included at the end.
Along the way to figuring out all the discord surrounding new development on a picturesque hilly area, other secrets will be revealed, along with some red herrings.

The author does a wonderful job of keeping us entertained as she builds the tension towards an action packed ending.

This is the sixth in the Country Store Mysteries series. If you haven’t read any in the series, don’t hesitate to pick this book up. It is a standalone story.

As the story opens, Robbie Jordan trying to stay neutral in the environment protectors versus the impending luxury resort. Aunt Adele is leading the fight against the development. One of the protestors is killed and we’re off trying to solve the case.

Maddie Day never disappoints. Her series have wonderful characters and engaging mysteries. and She writes to make you feel you feel like you in a small town in the Midwest. Robbie’s character strength grows with each book.

As an added bonus, there are recipes in the back of the book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is book six in the Country Store Mysteries. It could be read as a standalone. As usual, this is a great, easy to read cozy that will have you guessing until the end. This is one of my favorites.
When a developer is looking to build a resort on the outskirts of town, it splits the town in two. Some are all for it, while others, including Robbie's aunt, are totally against it.
When then is a murder at the proposed site a lot of fingers are pointed at Aunt Adele and Robbie knows she must jump in and find the guilty party.
The main characters are relatable and the addition of a quirky character adds to the group. There is humor, friendship, a great setting, and a touch of romance. I want to have breakfast at Pans and Pancakes! Recipes are included.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.

How well do mysteries sell contrasted with the rest of fiction? An online article on the NPD website stated sales of mysteries rose by 5% in 2018, contrasted with the main body of fiction which decreased. Perhaps the rise in mysteries is due to excellent writers such as Maddie Day (pseud.). Day has mastered the art of a cozy mystery. As many know, Day is responsible for several ongoing cozy series. Strangled Eggs and Ham is Book 6 of the Country Store Series.

Since 2015, Day has treated us with Robbie's adventures. Set in the fictitious town of Salt Lick, in the very real Brown county Indiana, Robbie has moved from a California new comer to a trusted restaurant and B & B owner. In this book, the town has become divided over the possibility of a new resort being built on one of the beautiful hills overlooking Lake Lemon. Robbie is able to see both sides of the argument. On one hand more employment is welcome, or the other there would be a huge environmental impact from the creation of a luxury resort.

Enter Gregory DeGraaf, who has caught the eye of Lou, Robbie's dear friend. A fellow bike rider and lawyer who practices environmental law, he offers to help the NIMBY group. Robbie is a bit relieved as this group is headed by the forthright Aunt Adele. Sadly, it is Lou, still vulnerable, who finds Gregory's body. Will this be another violent death? Will Lou be a main suspect?

One of Day's strength's as an author is the realism she brings to her plots. Robbie does not drop everything an enmesh herself into solving the mystery. She spends most of her time within her workday life. As a food lover, I enjoyed learning about a breakfast restaurant when not everything runs smoothly. In addition, Day has a PhD. in linguistics. This background allows her to subtly include the dialect spoken by residents of Brown county. One feels they could be sitting in the Pans 'n Pancakes listening to the chatter over the sound of clinking silverware.

Day plays fair with her readers. The clues are there for a solution to the puzzle. Enough misleading clues are also there to make solving the puzzle challenging. In addition, the food described was so tantalizing, I had to do some baking. The recipes are easy to follow, providing some new dishes for summer.

Highly recommended.

The development of resorts often sets off bad feelings in small towns, even South Lick, Indiana. Robbie's got a lot going on at her country store/pancake place. Her aunt Adele (love Adele) is really against the resort- she owns a B&B. You might expect the murdered person here would be the developer but it's actually Gregory, an environmental attorney who was staying at Adele's. Robbie and Adele of course look into it. This is a well done cozy, with a nice small town setting and good characters. It's not too twisty and there's good humor. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier ones- this is fine as a standalone.

It's a hot August in South Lick, Indiana and Robbie Jordan is busy running her Pans ‘N Pancakes eatery as well as running a B&B facility with her spare bedrooms. The townsfolk are divided about the building of the luxury Closs Creek Resort at a scenic hilltop in Brown County. Robbie's feisty Aunt Adele is leading the "No" campaign and is mobilizing the troops for planned protests and road blockades. Then one of Robbie's B&B guests, environmental lawyer Gregory DeGraaf, is found strangled to death at the proposed resort site. DeGraaf had offered to provide pro bono advice to the protestors so was that why he was killed? Robbie has to juggle dealing with employee shortages at Pans 'N Pancakes to find the killer.

This was a quick fun read and another enjoyable entry in the Country Store mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Kensington with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Another wonderful visit to Brown County, Indiana. Believable and interesting characters. Some exciting moments. I look forward to reading the next one.

Thank to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

Hungry for mystery? Haha I couldn't resist! I sure was, after reading about some of the yummy things getting churned out in this kitchen! The problem with themed mysteries is you open the fridge to a piece of KFC from the week before and some dubious looking celery while the main character whips up masterpieces! -sigh- and the mystery was pretty good as well!

I liked the host of characters in this small town, and that we got a bit of a look at the murder victim before he died. It made Robbie's quest that much more believable, and added to the mystery. It didn't matter that this was book 6; it was easy to fall into and enjoy.

This is yet another great mystery series, and yes, I went and did groceries after finishing. Five stars!

Strangled Eggs and Ham is Book 6 in the Country Store Mysteries. I really enoy this series. I love hanging out with Robbie in her Country Store Pans and Pancakes. Isn't that a great name for a store? In this edition, there is a lot going on with a new resort possibly coming to town and then a murder occurs.

The story is very realistic. In any town when a big resort is possibly coming there are always two different sides and EVERYONE has an option. The mystery was great, with no lack of suspects.

I really love how this story flows and we learn more about Robbie's life , which is expertly intertwined with a great mystery.

It’s hard not to love this book! Robbie, Lou and Adele are so easy to love, and feel like people I’d want to hang out with. It was a solid mystery that felt possible. When a resort builder comes to town emotions run high with people who need the work the resort would bring and from people who want to preserve the beauty of small town life. I enjoyed reading about a small town restaurant and I’m looking forward to trying some of the recipes!

I was provided an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

Strangled Eggs and Ham by Maddie Day is the 6th book in the Country Store Mystery series, and another delightful book. Robbie Jordan owns Pans N Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana. Pans N Pancakes is a country store selling antique cookware along with a diner serving breakfast and lunch. Robbie is a likable character, that makes you want to go into Pans N Pancakes for a breakfast and a chat. As the town argues over a real estate developer's plan to build a high rise on the most scenic hilltops. When a murder occurs on the land to be developed, Robbie is determined to find the truth. I strongly recommend this book/series for cozy mystery book fans. The story is fast paced with a lot of character development and mystery that keeps your attention. I look forward to reading the in the next book in this series.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

I received this copy of Strangled Eggs and Ham friends m Kensington through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this mystery! The characters were charming! The villain was discovered because of their bad manners. (Least spoilery way to put it)

Strangled Eggs and Ham is the sixth book in Maddie Day’s A Country Store Mystery series and is a clean read with no adult language, graphic violence, or sexually explicit situations. The storyline is well plotted and flows smoothly, and the affable characters are three-dimensional. There’s no shortage of twists, turns, and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing.

Robbie Jordan owns a café/antique cookware shop, Pans ‘N Pancakes, in South Lick, Indiana. She’s finished remodeling the second floor to create three rooms for a small Bed and Breakfast. A real-estate developer, Fiona Closs McGill, plans to open Closs Creek Resort on one of the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and tension is brewing in South Lick between those for and those against the proposed resort. Robbie tries to stay neutral in the current cause of jobs versus environmental issues, but Aunt Adele is leading the fight against the development. One of Robbie’s B&B guests, Gregory DeGraaf, a real estate and environmental law attorney who is on sabbatical, offers his services pro bono to Aunt Adele and the NIMBY (not in my back yard) group. Like Robbie and her friend, Lou Perlman, Gregory is a biking enthusiast. Gregory and Lou made plans to go biking together. Lou was running late, and when she showed up at the proposed resort site, where they had agreed to meet, she discovered his strangled body. Robbie loves a good mystery and solving puzzles and can’t stop herself from asking questions and doing a little snooping. She shares her findings with Detective Oscar Thompson and Lieutenant Buck Bird.

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

More jobs versus saving scenic environment? This is the debate going on in the 6th installment of the Country Store Mystery series. Robbie Jordan runs Pan N Pancakes and is trying to stay neutral as tempers are running high over a proposal to build a luxury resort at one of the most scenic spots in South Lick, Indiana. As Robbie tries to maintain her neutrality, her Aunt Adele is leading the charge against the development and when one of her B&B guests is found dead at the site then Robbie gets involved as she fears for her Aunt Adele. Solid group of characters and the debate on the development was realistic and I just love the way Robbie handles everything. There are several possible suspects and you figure it out when the author wants you too. Keep this series going.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. This is the 6th book in this series and I'm happy to say that it is easily read as a stand-alone (great, since I'd not read the previous ones). I enjoyed this story and look forward to more adventures in this small Indiana town. Robbie Jordon owns the Pans N' Pancakes restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch six days a week. She lives above the restaurant and has three rooms that are B&B. Ms. Day writes well; her characters are clearly defined; the mystery is well-done; and the descriptions are vivid (I don't think I want to be in Indiana in August!). And, the recipes that Ms. Day provides sound wonderful (Southern Jam cake!!). The mystery starts when a proposed resort development and the death of one of her B&B guests collide. Robbie's aunt is organizing a grass roots protest of the resort and this raises concerns from those both for and against the development. If you like solid cosy mysteries and interesting characters, you'll enjoy this book.

This is one 9f my favorite series and it hard to put down . Robibie owns a b&b in Indiana where she has family. In this book her aunt adele is trying to stop a resort from being built and robbies friend discovered the body. They are now trying to figure out who done it Buck and oscar reach out to robbie for any clues she has.