What a perfect and brilliant start to a great new series! There is a wonderful sense of anticipation about beginning a new series and this one was no exception. I'm a great fan of cozy mysteries so when I saw Mousse and Murder by author Elizabeth Logan, being launched, I knew I had to read it.

In this cozy-style mystery, Chef Charlie Cooke, thirty-three, has returned to her hometown of the bustling and touristy Elkview, Alaska, after spending time in San Francisco, to take over her mother's restaurant, the Bear Claw Diner. But there's trouble from the off, when her plans to change the menu and some of the recipes are received with distaste by the Head Chef, Paris trained and hothead Oliver Whitestone, 50. They argue about the chocolate bear claw ingredients, which results in Oliver taking the recipe from Charlie and shredding it in front of all of the staff. Shortly after, Oliver doesn't show up for his shift at the Bear Claw and is found dead... leaving Charlie as the prime and only suspect in the case.

In the opening chapter, we are introduced to enthusiastic Charlie who although pretty savvy, has never done any sleuthing before. She decides to play amateur detective to clear her name, and help out the local police, namely Alaska State Trooper Cody Graham (known only as 'Trooper'). Not lacking any helpers, including local reporter and former classmate, Chris Doucette, I immediately warmed to Charlie, finding her ebullience, confidence and intuitiveness very refreshing.

Mousse and Murder was certainly a fun cozy for me and I loved the inclusion of Charlie's tabby cat, Eggs Benedict (Benny). The Alaskan setting was well portrayed with fascinating descriptions of the locale and relaxed way of life. The plot was well thought-out and I very much appreciated Elizabeth Logan's superb and varied characterisation, even though an odd few of the characters weren't particularly personable. Being the first book in a new series, the reader gets to know the main characters pretty well, but there is still plenty of room for growth. Apart from Charlie herself, and of course, Benny, there was an assortment of friends, regulars and employees of the Bear Claw, adding another dimension of humour to the story that had me cracking a smile or two.

Elizabeth Logan writes with such flair and an easy style. There was a plethora of suspects to choose from, who might have had the motive to kill and I enjoyed the way in which Charlie and her entourage evaluated the information acquired from their investigative poking around.

All in all, this was a story that held my attention well and I loved that things came together for a great resolution. Being a culinary cozy, there are some delicious sounding recipes, too. I am eagerly anticipating what Elizabeth Logan has in store for Charlie and her sleuthing buddies in her next book in the series, Fishing for Trouble.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Great Escapes Book Tours via Berkley and NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Mousse and Murder is the first in the Alaskan Diner cozy mystery series and it was a fun exciting read. I really loved the setting being in Alaska, the small town community spirit that the characters have, the only thing was that we never got a chance to meet Oliver before his untimely death so I didn’t feel a strong connection with wanting to find out who did it, I didn’t have a clue who could have done it until one particular moment when something clicked and I thought ah ha! and it turns out my hunch was right.

As Charlie and her journalist friend Chris investigate Oliver’s death, they discover things they never knew about him and his life, which leads Charlie to questions how much really know of her employees at the cafe.

I think this is going to great little cozy mystery series and I can’t wait to see what is story for Charlie and sleepy Elkview ,Alaska.

Mousse and Murder is set in the charming fictional town of Elkview, Alaska. Reading about Alaska is probably as close as I’ll ever get to our 49th state, so I live vicariously through characters who live there. Books and television shows, like Northern Exposure, have made me want to live in Alaska, but then I remember how much I despise being cold! I’ll stick to the books, TV and movies!

I really enjoyed reading Mousse and Murder and not just for the delightful setting. The main characters are well developed, and I even felt that I was at least acquainted with the side characters.

I love Charlie because she is a good friend, a good daughter, and a good boss. She’s got a stubborn streak, but don’t we all? I admire her determination even though it gets her into some sticky predicaments. One of those sticky predicaments is that she is very briefly considered a suspect in the murder of her diner’s head chef. She and Oliver have butted heads in the past…and right before he’s murdered.

Chris, a local journalist, went to high school with Charlie, but they lost touch over the years. He is after a good story, but when he and Charlie start investigating the murder, they start to become close. He is funny, thoughtful, smart, and kind. What’s not to love?

Annie (Charlie’s BFF), Trooper (yep, he’s a state trooper), and Charlie’s mom are also great characters. Annie talks a lot, Trooper actually accepts help from people (since Alaska has so few police officers), and Charlie’s mom is a loving homebody.

Though you might think you know whodunit, beware of red herrings. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and can’t wait to visit Elkview, Alaska again!

In the premiere installment of a new cozy series, Charlie and her cat Benny reside in Alaska where she runs the diner her now-retired parents established. When her chef turns up dead, Trooper deputizes Charlie and a newspaper reporter. Motives for several persons begin to emerge. While some plot elements seem a little far-fetched, I found this a pleasant mystery in an enjoyable setting with local characters I enjoyed. While I did figure it out before the sleuth did, I initially suspected a different person. I loved Benny the cat and his role in the mystery! I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

It is more likely that the Elkview Bugle would win a Pulitzer – after all, the Anchorage Daily News just did – than it is that Charlene Cooke attended her first – and only – year of law school in Anchorage. There are no law schools in Anchorage or anywhere in Alaska.

Not that Elkview actually exists, but there are places just like it along the Glenn Highway. And in spite of some small but mostly necessary changes (I’m still niggled about the law school thing), the Alaska of Mousse and Murder reads like the place I lived in – in all of its cold, wintry “glory”.

But it was great to be back in the “Great State”, even vicariously, for a few hours, to meet the residents of Elkview and solve a perplexing mystery.

The mystery is plenty perplexing, and the red herrings it offers up are as tasty as the offerings at the Bear Claw Diner. Or perhaps that should be the other way around.

Our primary amateur detective in this one is chef and diner owner/operator Charlene Cooke. The Bear Claw is the diner that her mother owned and operated while Charlie was growing up. Charlie herself was practically raised at the counter. Now that Charlie is an accredited chef, her mother can leave the diner in Charlie’s capable hands while traveling “Outside” (that’s Alaskan for anyplace away from the state) with Charlie’s dad.

Charlie’s hands don’t feel all that capable when she and her head chef have one of their epic arguments in the middle of the diner, resulting in Chef Oliver stomping out in a huff. A fact that Charlie doesn’t reveal to her mother in their daily phone call, as mom is half a world away on a Danube cruise and Charlie doesn’t want to spoil it for her.

When Oliver turns up dead, and Charlie is briefly considered a suspect, ruining mom’s vacation is the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. Considering the state of bush policing in Alaska (the statistics Charlie cites are all too real) clearing her name and figuring out exactly who did kill Oliver – and why – shoots right to the top of Charlie’s to do list.

Charlie is determined to leave no stone unturned, and with the help of local reporter and fellow informally sworn-in deputy Chris, she uncovers a web of secrets that shows that absolutely no one really knew Oliver in spite of his decades-long tenure at the Bear Claw.

And that Oliver’s secretive past – and present – provide plenty of motives for his murder.

Escape Rating B+: If you enjoy quirky small-town mysteries, and/or mysteries featuring felines as companion animals, sounding boards and occasional sleuthing assistants, Mousse and Murder is an absolute delight. Oops, I forgot to tell you about Benny.

Benny is the feline who holds Charlie’s heart. He’s a big, fluffy orange cat whose full name is Eggs Benedict. He’s smart enough to answer to either name. He is also clearly the light of Charlie’s life, and he’s adorable. The cat he resembles most closely is Diesel in the Cat in the Stacks series, although he’s not nearly as large. Few domestic cats are.

But Diesel and Benny are both friends and companions for their humans who are the actual amateur sleuths. They are both intelligent, but on the cat scale of intelligence. (As much as I love Joe Grey, one clowder of speaking cats solving crimes is probably enough.) Part of the delight of this story is the way that Charlie loves and cares for Benny, and how much fun they have together. Benny serves as Charlie’s comforter-in-chief and best sounding board. One of the marvelous things about companion animals is that we can tell them anything and they never judge – while humans, of course, pretty much always do.

Mousse and Murder also has shades – or should that be flavors and aromas? – of Diane Mott Davidson and other wonderful culinary mysteries, including a couple of yummy looking recipes tucked into the back. In between investigations, Charlie spends plenty of time at the diner, providing readers with plenty of virtual goodies to salivate over. Remember, there are no calories in the desserts that you only read about – but you’ll be tempted to make some of these!

One of the things that is so fascinating about Alaska is that it is one of the few places where a person can still completely hide in plain sight. In our 24/7 connected world there are very few places where a person can still be part of a community AND be relatively isolated at the same time. That Oliver came to Elkview to live and work in a place where he can both be known and keep his secrets is still possible – and would have been even more so when Oliver started working at the Bear Claw when Charlie was a little girl.

What makes the story so much fun is the cast of characters who frequent the Bear Claw, both the residents of Elkview and the frequent regulars, like the truckers Manny, Moe and Joe, who stop by so often that they have their own booth. I have a feeling we’ll be meeting more of the regulars as the series continues. Based on the ones we’ve met so far, it’s going to be fun getting to know them.

But this first story is all wrapped around Charlie. Hers is the perspective we follow, and she’s an interesting and likeable protagonist, and not just because of Benny. She’s easy to relate to, her fears and insecurities make sense under the circumstances, her mistakes feel real and we want her to succeed.

We also want her to succeed in her potential romance with reporter Chris, but not too soon!

Mousse and Murder is a fun cozy mystery in an unusual setting with a great cast of characters. I did figure who probably “dunnit” fairly early on, but the why was not remotely apparent until very near the end, so that’s also a win.

I’m looking forward to more of Charlie’s adventures, and another visit to Elkview, when Charlie and Benny go Fishing for Trouble later this year.

Mousse and Murder earns 5/5 Sweet Bear Claws...Entertaining Fun!

Small town, Alaska, a family diner, an innovative chef, and...murder? Elizabeth Logan, a new-to-me author, has penned a well-written, delightful first-in-a-series cozy with clever predicaments, endearing lead, quirky two- and four-legged support, and a fascinating look at the setting and history of Alaska. It’s been a year since Charlotte “Charlie” Cooke left San Francisco and a cheating fiancé to return home to Elkview, Alaska, and take over her mother’s restaurant, the Bear Claw Diner, which included the staff, signature recipes, regular patrons, and an orange tabby named Eggs Benedict (Benny, for short). She’s trained in the culinary arts and tries to reenergize the diner and its menu, but the latest falderal with Oliver Whitestone, the longtime head cook, is over a chocolate bear claw recipe. Ripping up the paper into little pieces and muttering something akin to “over my dead body,” he walks off the job. She’ll regret that heated argument when Oliver ends up murdered, and she’s now a person of interest. She’s not one to stay in the kitchen, the local state trooper recognizes Charlie and other residents are valuable to keeping the peace, or in this case finding a killer. Charlie also partners with Chris Doucette, local journalist and former classmate, uncovering surprising secrets that just might have lead to a motive for murder. The final reveal was a satisfying surprise, well worth investing my time! Put on your apron for these two easy-to-follow favorites from the Bear Claw Diner: Cherry Cheesecake Mousse (I love cherries!) and Moose Meatloaf (might not find moose meat, so you might have to improvise). But, no sharing of the signature Bear Claw recipe!

Alaska is near the top of my travel bucket list, so I always love traveling there vicariously on the pages of a good book. There aren’t a ton of books set there, though, so whenever I find one that looks halfway interesting I snatch it up. Mousse and Murder did not disappoint, and I’m looking forward to more books in this series!

Along with spotlighting the beauty and quirks of Alaska & its residents, Mousse and Murder introduces an intriguing murder mystery and an equally intriguing cast of characters to match. I really liked Charlotte (“Charlie”) and the narrative from her perspective. Her cat-cam cracked me up, and Benny the cat lived up well to his role as the loyal pet. The romantic potential between Charlotte and Chris-the-reporter was light enough to not annoy readers who don’t want any lovey-dovey stuff in their cozy mysteries but present enough to appease readers like me who think any story is better with a little romance. Trooper steals the show, however, in my opinion. The somewhat-crusty-but-also-wryly-hilarious state police officer is definitely my fave recurring cast member so far.

The mystery itself seems to be fairly straightforward at first but in fact has many different layers once all is said and done. The more that Charlie & Chris uncover about Oliver, the more suspects come to light. And while I figured it out before they did, it was still well-plotted and cleverly-crafted.

Bottom Line: Cute and well-layered, Mousse and Murder is a great start to a new cozy mystery series! Trooper is hands down my favorite character but all of the main cast members are easily likable. Including Benny the wonder cat! The mystery gets more complicated at every turn, with new dimensions – and new suspects – and the barest hint of potential romance adds other layers too. Engaging & entertaining, Mousse and Murder belongs on every cozy mystery fan’s to read list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

A fun kickoff to a new series! I loved the setting - both the diner and the Alaskan landscape. I enjoyed the crew at the diner - the interplay reminds me of the early days in the Bakeshop Mystery series, as that crew was getting established. The law enforcement situation in this one felt unique. The sleuthing group was larger than in most cozies, which I enjoyed for a change of pace. Trooper was on board with their help as long as they were smart about it. The fake swearing in was a hoot. I was delighted by Charlie's set up for her cat.

The mystery was good. I had one suspect in mind almost from the beginning, but when I had one more piece of information about 2/3 of the way through, I knew who did it. I enjoyed how the whole case played out.

The highlights of this for me were the ways this distinguished itself from the cozy norm - the setting, the larger group of sleuths, the relationship with law enforcement, and all of the cat-related antics. I will definitely be watching for book 2 in November. (Includes 2 recipes)

I think this is going to be a fun series.  I don't think that I have read a series set in Alaska, so I enjoyed learning a little more about the state and the landscape.  I have visited Alaska but it has been at least a decade.  The rural setting, the diner, and this picturesque town invite the reader and wishing that it was a real place to visit.  I'm sure there are several small towns like this one in Alaska, just not quite.

The cast of characters is small but complements the story.  Not all characters are given in depth lives in the story, but there is potential for them to become more a part of the cast in future books.  It is a shame that Oliver is killed right off the bat because I felt like there was more to his life that we could have learned about him and his past to understand why he was killed.  When the truth is revealed at the end about the "why" I felt like there should have been a little bit more.  I did figure out the killer only because almost all of the other characters had been eliminated.  Charlie seems to spend a lot of time away from the diner investigating Oliver's murder, leaving her staff to manage the diner.  I did chuckle at the Trooper swearing in Charlie and friends as deputies.  It didn't mean a hill of beans but, as Graham said, it made you feel better about nosing around in potentially unsafe places.

If you like cats then you will like Benny.  I was intrigued by this device that would feed him but also had a camera and other electronic toys for Charlie to play with him from the diner.  It was a good way to keep Benny entertained, and perhaps even Charlie and her co-workers.  Benny also saves the day in the end but you'll have to read the book to find out how.

The story is not fast paced but will get you to where you need to go in due time.

We enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 paws.

MOUSSE AND MURDER is an enjoyable start to a new cozy mystery series set in Elkview, Alaska. Charlie Cooke runs the Bear Claw Diner in this tiny tourist town. After a spat between Charlie and her chef Oliver, Oliver is found murdered on the outskirts of town. That doesn’t bode well for Charlie, so she and her friends offer to help with the investigation.

I was intrigued by the unique Alaskan setting, and the author did a fantastic job describing life in and around Elkview. I felt like I was there! The mystery itself was interesting and well-plotted. Several possible suspects came to light as Charlie and friends learned more about Oliver’s secret past.

I loved Charlie, Elkview, and its residents, and I’m looking forward to continuing with this series.

Synopsis:

A young chef might bite off more than she can chew when she returns to her Alaskan hometown to take over her parents' diner in this charming first installment in a new cozy mystery series set in an Alaskan tourist town.

When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother's diner, she doesn't even consider saying no. After all--her love life has recently become a Love Life Crumble, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.

Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie's ideas--leaving Charlie as the only suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie must find out who the real killer is, before it's too late. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Charlie knows that she is in trouble, she got in a fight with her head chef and shortly thereafter, he is dead. She is a prime suspect but she knows that she did not do it. She has to help the troopers figure out the real culprit or she is going away for a long time. I thought the relationship between Charlie and Chris was based on friendship and I am looking forward to seeing if it develops into anything else. The secondary characters added a lot to the story. Benny, Charlie’s cat, stole the show.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I had a few people I did consider, including the actual culprit, but I was not sure of the why.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Charlie jumps at the chance to return to her hometown in Alaska and take over her mother's diner. She doesn't count on her head cook's resistance to the changes she wants to make, and when he ends up dead, Charlie is at the top of the suspect list. With everything at stake, she is determined to find the real killer and clear her name and reputation.

This is the first book in a new series, and the first by the author under this name. She also writes several other series, each under a different name, and when I realized that one of her other series is one I've enjoyed a lot, I had high hopes for this book. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. Going to Alaska is at the top of my bucket list, but the descriptions of the town, the people and their activities made me feel like I was there. The mystery was a good one, with plenty of red herrings along the way, but I wasn't convinced I had the right suspect in mind until it the reveal in the book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother's diner, she doesn't even consider saying no. After all--her engagement has recently ended, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.

Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie's ideas--leaving Charlie as a suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie teams up with a news reporter to help the police find the real killer.

A good series opener, with a great setting. Alaska makes for a wonderful secondary character and the diner is a good background. Charlie is an interesting narrator although some of the other characters need some more fleshing out, which will hopefully happen in the next installment. The plot is typical cozy, not a bad thing, but the story is a little slow because of all the scenes with her cat. Recipes included at the end.

I always enjoy the anticipation of starting a new cozy series. To find out if the characters will become friends that I want to continue getting to know, to read about a new setting or hobby, and to see if I can solve the mystery before it’s resolved. Mousse and Murder by Elizabeth Logan (pen name for Camille Minichino, who writes a bunch of other cozy series under various names) really had the description and history of Alaska going on, but as for the characters and mystery, not so much.

I did really enjoy getting to know Alaska more and to read the beautiful descriptions of the state. Although sometimes, it felt like Logan was just listing facts about Alaska and not incorporating it into the book seamlessly. And the diner, along with the recipes and diner lingo, was another great addition to the cozy. I also really enjoyed the cat, Benny, and how Charlie had her house set up electronically to interact with Benny throughout the day. I thought this detail was spot on for so many people and their pets with the work heavy life many people lead.

As far as the characters go, they were nice people, but no one really stood out to me as someone I would want to befriend or even get to know more. And the workers at the diner didn’t really have much to differentiate them from each other. They were all just there, being nice and taking over running the diner when Charlie was off chasing clues.
I did really like that the sheriff deputized Charlie and a few more characters (even if it is farfetched), instead of the local law enforcement continually telling the main character to stay out of the investigation. And I also liked that Charlie’s mom and friends were encouraging and helped investigate. It gets old fast when everyone is constantly nagging on the sleuth to stop sleuthing!

As far as the mystery itself went, I thought it was very easy to figure out the murderer, even though I only had half of the motivation correct. Logan does leave some red herrings laying around and gives the reader a couple of twists, which is always welcomed in a murder mystery. If it had just been the easy to figure out mystery alone, I would have given the book a higher rating, but with none of the characters really engaging me, I can’t.

I would try book two in An Alaskan Diner Mystery series, Fishing for Trouble, which comes out November 2020, to see if the characters get more depth to them, and to read more about Alaska, the diner, and Benny.

This was a solid start to a new series. There are a few kinks to work out but overall I enjoyed the book. I really enjoyed the rural Alaska setting, especially since I was born there! The main character, Charlie was really likable and I loved how she and her relationships developed throughout the book. I also loved her relationship with her cat, Eggs Benedict. They mystery was well done and kept me guessing. If you are a cozy mystery fan then this is a great one to check out!

A young chef might bite off more than she can chew when she returns to her Alaskan hometown to take over her parents' diner in this charming first installment in a new cozy mystery series set in an Alaskan tourist town.

When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother's diner, she doesn't even consider saying no. After all--her love life has recently become a Love Life Crumble, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.

Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie's ideas--leaving Charlie as the only suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie must find out who the real killer is, before it's too late.
Amazon.com

One look at the cover of Mousse and Murder by Elizabeth Logan and you’ll see the of many reasons I was attracted to this book. A cozy diner surrounded by snow. A curled-up cat. I grew up in the era of Mr. Moose (Captain Kangaroo) and will always have a soft spot for the beasts, but the name of the diner, the Bear Claw, cinched it. They are my all-time favorite pastry. Enough about me and my idiosyncratic attraction.

Elizabeth Logan’s main character, Charlie Cooke, is a likeable character, who is hard on herself. She’s failed at law school. (Who cares?) She’s failed at love. (Everyone does.) She’s a cook who employs a cook and fights with him. (Two cooks in one kitchen?) She solves the murder of her chef. (Clever) But I have to admit, when Charlie tries to improve on the perfection of a bear claw, she went a step too far.

Moose and Murder was released by Berkley Prime Crime yesterday. The second book in the series, Fishing for Trouble, will be released in November. Please welcome Elizabeth Logan to WWK. E. B. Davis

Elizabeth Logan is a pseudonym. Would I know your other work? What names have you written under?
Thanks for asking, Elaine. Sometimes I think I’m in Witness Protection! My birth name: Camille Minichino (The Periodic Table Mysteries). My “Miniature Mysteries” pen name: Margaret Grace. My Professor Sophie Knowles Series pen name: Ada Madison. My Postmistress Series pen name: Jean Flowers.

Is Elkview, Alaska real or based on a real town?
Made up! It’s situated near Talkeetna, a town well known as a staging area for ice climbers headed for Denali.

Are you an Alaskan native?
No—from far away in Boston, Massachusetts!

What’s the difference between sleet and freezing rain?
Sleet is a mixture of rain and ice pellets. Freezing rain is liquid droplets formed by rain at below freezing temperatures.

Why is Charlie so concerned about her mother’s criticism? So much so, she has imagined mental dialogues with her mother. Why is she in such need of her mother’s approval?
I’ll have to consult her shrink.  Really, I assume everyone needs mother’s approval, so maybe I need to consult a shrink!

Is moose meat often substituted for beef In Alaska?
Yes, moose meat and elk meat. Elk jerky is especially popular; a recipe is included in MOOSE AND MURDER.

Why do they study musk oxen? What are they trying to discover?
As with all animal studies, scientists look for patterns that might help understand human behavior.

Does the qiviut fiber from the musk ox stink?
The consensus I’ve found says no, the qiviut fiber does not smell musky like the animal.

Why do most Alaskans have a chart of sunrises/sunsets for every day and city in the state?
I think it’s because the patterns are so different from the lower forty-eight, and for some the growing seasons are greatly dependent on the patterns. It’s the reason a 100-pound cabbage or pumpkin can be entered in the Alaska State Fair contests.

How was Charlie’s cat named? Is he really the mayor of Elkview?
Benny is short for Eggs Benedict, a diner favorite of course. The feline mayor was Stubbs, mayor of Talkeetna at a time when there was no winner from the human voting!

Benny, her cat, comes to Charlie’s emotional rescue often. Why does she have an electronic feeding station with camera/audio and game apps?
As owner and manager of an eating establishment, Charlie works long hours. The apps give her a way to connect until she gets home.

Why does Charlie hire a cook, Victor, at double wage rates when she could do the cooking herself?
A manager has many responsibilities beyond cooking—finances, inventory, legalities, and so on. She needs someone who will take on full-time cooking so there’s always a backup for the frontline.

Why does Charlie call Arnold, Steve, and Dave—Manny, Moe, and Jack?
The names were from a popular tv commercial, men who hung around together as did the truckers who patronized the Bear Claw Diner.

Why is the diner open 24/7?
Most diners that are roadside stay open for the all-nighters, especially tourists and truckers.

Why does no one drive a white car in Alaska?
Not no one, but many who live in the snowiest areas want a color that is a contrast to the snow.

What is birch syrup and how is it used? Does it taste like maple?
Birch syrup is obtained the same way as maple syrup, but is stronger, used for meats rather than waffles.

Other than being twenty-one, are there no other requirements for gun ownership in Alaska?
There are restrictions for a felon.

What Panhandle? Florida?
The area in southeast Alaska, with Juneau (the capital), and Sitka is called the Panhandle.

What is Seward’s Day?
Honoring William Seward, Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, who negotiated the purchase of Alaska. Seward’s Day is the last Monday in March.

What is an Alaskan property called a 0 bed/0 bath?
A “dry cabin,” is a single room, sometimes with a loft, with no plumbing! They are usually listed as 0 bed/0 bath (though there is often an outhouse  ).

What is a Gamow bag?
A portable hyperbaric bag used to treat altitude sickness. It simulates descent of thousands of feet, and alleviates the symptoms.

Is there really an app for calling the animal control people in Alaska?
Fiction! As far as I know.

What’s next for Charlie?
There’s trouble in the fishing industry and Charlie is there to help! (Fishing for Trouble, Book 2 in the series, November 2020 release.)

3.75 stars

Strong series debut featuring Chef Charlie (short for Charlene) Cook, who is running the family diner in smalltown Alaska while her parents enjoy a European cruise.

Charlie has left the big city life in San Francisco to return home, and is mostly enjoying it despite some friction with her mother's long-time chef Oliver. They have yet another heated discussion about menu changes and Oliver stomps off. But this time is different -- he is not coming back. Someone has shot him in the woods.

Local law enforcement is short-handed, and in one of those implausible moves that frequently occur in cozies, the local trooper sort of informally deputizes Charlie and local newshound Chris to help with the investigation. There are plenty of suspects: family members, ex-girlfriends, and maybe even co-workers.

Meanwhile Charlie is still running the diner and dealing with an influx of tourists and locals. Charlie is an appealing character and the Alaska setting and supporting cast are interesting. Thanks to Net Galley and to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Charlie runs the Bear Claw Diner in Elkview, AK, having returned to her hometown after a bad break up. When the head chef, Oliver, is murdered, Charlie and her friends Chris and Annie decide that since law enforcement is stretched so thin in this rural area, they will help with finding the killer. I liked the Alaska setting and the characters in this new cozy mystery series, and would like to read more by this author who includes recipes of some of the Bear Claw Diner favorites. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC.

I love culinary mysteries and this was a great start to a new cozy series. Charlie has taken over her mother's diner in Alaska and plans to make a few menu changes when her head cook, Oliver, ends up dead after a heated argument with Charlie. Now, Charlie must work together with the police to find a killer before it is too late.

Mousse and Murder was a sweet, fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed meeting Charlie and the gang and this mystery kept me guessing. In the beginning, I felt as though I was missing something as the author introduced all the characters but I was quickly brought up to speed by the next few chapters. Looking forward to reading the next book because this series reminds me so much of Northern Exposure and I loved visiting Alaska.

In this first book of the Alaskan Diner series, Charlie Cooke returns home to Elkview, Alaska to run her mother’s diner. She’d love to freshen up the diner’s menu, but her head cook Oliver disagrees and the two get in a public fight over the menu. So when Oliver turns up dead just a few hours later, Charlie suddenly finds herself the main suspect for his murder! Can she find the real killer before it is too late?

The Alaskan setting of this book is fun, and the descriptions are lovely and do a wonderful job helping you visualize Charlie’s small Alaskan hometown. There's also lots of humor throughout the book that left me smiling and even laughing in places, especially when the Trooper deputizes Charlie and the local newspaperman. Plus, one of my favorite characters of this book is definitely Charlie’s orange cat named Eggs Benedict. Let me say that again: his name is Eggs Benedict. If that doesn’t make you want to read this book, then I don’t know what will!

While this was fun to read, I do have to say that it was obvious early on who the murderer was (although the murderer’s motive wasn’t completely clear until much later). I would have preferred more suspense to keep me captivated throughout. However, with the delightful interactions between Charlie and Chris and Charlie and Eggs Benedict, I definitely enjoyed reading this cozy mystery and think it is worth a read when you’re looking for something light and charming.

I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.