Surprisingly fast-paced, cheesy (& cheesy!) cozy mystery that makes for another perfectly "gouda" addition to similar punny cozies.

No Parm No Foul

By: Linda Reilly

Publish Date: 26 July 2022

Poisoned Pen Press

General Fiction (adult)/ Mystery and Thriller

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

“Foodies and mystery lovers will come for the red herrings and stay for the cheese.”― Kirkus Reviews The second book in a delicious culinary cozy series―the muensters have arrived in Balsam Dell in this Halloween cozy mystery featuring a grilled cheese shop owner turned amateur sleuth After a long hot summer in Balsam Dell, Carly Hale is ready for crisp Vermont weather and gourmet grilled cheeses at her Grilled Cheese Eatery. And the upcoming Halloween food competition is the perfect way to impress the locals. But Ferris Menard, the owner of Sub-a-Dub-Sub, is nursing a serious grudge against Carly. Two days before the competition, one of Carly’s employees quit his part-time gig at Menard’s sub shop, sending Menard into a serious snit. In a confrontation at the Eatery, Menard accused Carly of sabotage and vowed to bring her down. That’s when Menard’s body is found in his kitchen the morning after the competition, a steak knife sticking out of his heart. But Menard had a slew of enemies, and if Carly doesn’t figure out which one is the culprit, she might find herself―or someone she cares about―serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!

Book Review:

I gave this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed the book and I read quickly. It was fun and very entertaining if murder can be entertaining. I love the friendship and family in this book. This is the second book in the series, and you really don’t miss much if you don’t read the first book. The only thing you miss is why she opened her shop and why she moved there to begin with. The author does do a good job of giving you some background, but it is never the same as reading the first book.

In this book there is a competition between several eatery on who has the best food. The winner gets a trophy and some money. The last few years it has gone to a sub shop, and Carly decides to join because she is the new shop in town. The winner is unable to be announced because something happened with the votes. The next day one of the participants is found dead in his shop. Who killed him and why? Did Carly or her boyfriend do it and why would they just over a mix up with the votes. You will have to read the book. There are some surprises and a few twist.

Did not like the story so parts tended to drag on and I lost interest. It still had good characters and stuff but maybe the next one will be better

Can I go to this grilled cheese café? Can it exist on real-life Vermont, please? I love me a creative grilled cheese and this book made me so hungry!! And there are cheesy puns in here like in the first one, SO DELIGHTFUL. I adore Carly and I hope this cozy mystery series lasts a long time! The motive for murder was a bit odd in this one though.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Really well thought-out book with amazing characters and excellent setting.

I love these cheesy cozy mysteries!! The characters are warm and lovable, much like the delicious sounding grilled cheeses on offer. I would love for a grilled cheese cafe to open up in my town! Overall a gouda second addition to the series and I camem-barely wait for the third book!

This second book in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series is even better than the first! I love cozy mysteries set during holidays, especially Halloween, and this one does not disappoint. The grilled cheese eatery provides a fun backdrop and I loved reading about all of Carly's restaurant offerings. Add in a well planned murder and you have a 5 star cozy mystery!

Linda Reilly's Grilled Cheese Mystery series has quickly become one of my favorites. This is the second book in the series, with a third one already on its way in 2023. I am a huge lover of Halloween and was ecstatic to learn that this book took place during Halloween.

Carly, the main character and owner of the grilled cheese shop, has a personal investment in the murder of Ferris Menard and she will do anything to figure out who murdered him. She is suspicious of almost anyone who had a connection to Ferris whether it was a grilled cheese shop customer or even a close relative to Ferris Menard.

No Parm No Foul is a fast paced mystery that will keep you wanting more including a grilled cheese sandwich while you are reading. It keeps you guessing as to who the murder could be. Linda Reilly does a wonderful job weaving in different aspects of Halloween and grilled cheese puns throughout the book.

I cannot wait until the next book is released. I highly recommend this one and her previous book in the series Up to No Gouda.

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

A sweet Halloween cozy mystery with grilled cheese sandwiches. Who doesn’t love grilled cheese.



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.

Up to No Gouda
By Linda Reilly

Nothing says comfort food like grilled cheese. In this new series, Carly Hale is opening up her dream shop, Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery, after the death of her husband. Sandwiches all have very punny names (like most cozies!). But not everyone is taken by Carly’s grilled cheese; Hale’s ex-boyfriend owns the building and wants Carly to vacate the premises. When he is found dead behind the shop, Carly has to figure out which of the many people wanted him dead. The second book in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series, No Parm No Foul, is already out and book three Cheddar Late Than Never is due in 2023.

I’m really enjoying this series. It’s a light, fun and easy read where all the characters are interesting and well-developed and the setting is cozy - what’s not to love about New England in the fall? I liked that it takes place during my favorite holiday and I appreciate that Carly didn’t friendzone Ari for five books. I love that the mystery itself is so well thought out. Just like the first book I was surprised by who the killer ended up being, and the pieces of the puzzle all made sense in the end. This is currently in my list of favorite cozy mystery series - hello Hallmark channel, it would be fun to watch! - and I can’t wait to read the next one.

I'm really enjoying this cozy mystery series about Carly and her grilled cheese restaurant. This is the second book in the series, and it's delightfully fun. I love all of the characters, and how this book introduced new characters but still referenced the old characters - even if they didn't actually appear in the book. The town is really cute, and it feels like a real place you could visit.

I'm not a regular mystery reader, so I don't know if a regular reader would figure out the murderer before the reveal but I definitely didn't.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC I received.

Who doesn’t like a Fall Food Festival contest with a Halloween theme? This story definitely has a spooky setup, the murder, not the culinary competition, which resulted in not only some face stuffing but also some ballot box stuffing. Obviously Ari isn’t the culprit so who did in the surly sandwich maker while cloaked in darkness and a vampire cape. Plenty of suspects to choose from who had much more of a motive than Ari. An entertaining story with savory sandwiches like the Sleeps with the Fishes tuna fish sandwich featured at the back of the book.

A perfect addition to an amazing series! A well bodied mystery, excellent characters, and plot that will have you reading until the very end!

No Parm No Foul is the second book in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series by Linda Reilly. Join Carly as she tries to figure out who the killer is before her beloved Ari ends up in the slammer for a crime he didn’t commit. Will Carly figure out who the real culprit is before it is too late? Read No Parm No Foul to find out.
I really enjoyed reading this story and getting to visit all the main characters again and getting to meet some new ones too. I really love the clever titles of the books in this series including this one, but since it takes place at Halloween I would have loved to see a title that tied in that fact too.

In Balsam Dell, Vermont, Carly Hale opened her own business: a restaurant with a focus on grilled cheese. How many kinds of cheese, how to combine them, and what to pair them with? it’s what dreams are made of, at least for Carly.

Her part-time employee, Grant, feels the same way. A talented cellist, his dream is to become a chef, much to his parent’s dismay. His other part-time job is for Ferris, owner of the sub shop. It’s a mess of a place with little thought spared to hygiene. Grant finally can’t stand it anymore and quits, right before the Halloween competition. That went over like a busted pumpkin. Carly’s happy, Ferris is furious and blames her.
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Image Source Poisoned Pen Press
When Ferris is found dead in the sub shop, a knife in his chest, suspects include Carly, Grant, Ferris’ daughter Holly, a divorcing ex, and anyone else who ever met him. To add more pressure, Carly’s car is graffitied, her server, Suzanne sprains an ankle and has to wear ‘the boot’ meaning she’s not able to work, and Grant’s dad is none to happy with her encouraging Grant to do what he loves best—cook.

Against her better judgment because she’s desperate, Carly hires Holly (Ferris’ daughter) to cover for Suzanne after the sub shop is closed. That also brings Portia, Holly’s mother into the picture, another complication. Will this ever end?

This is book two in the series. Carly’s someone you’d like to know, Grant is someone you’d hope would name a grilled cheese especially for you. Suzanne didn’t get to make much of an appearance this time but surely will be back in book three. The mystery is a good one, with twists and turns, and red herrings that don’t clash with the cheese!

Recipes include Alvin’s Panko Perfection as Grant’s dad adds his own touch to a sandwich and the popular Farmhouse Cheddar Sleeps with the Fishes tuna melt. Get your cheese on and read while you eat. Have plenty of napkins on hand for drooling over Carly’s food descriptions.

⭐⭐.5 -- This cover literally has ZERO reflection of the story. It's Halloween in Vermont. Not a 4th of July picnic. Where is the Jack o lantern shaped grilled cheese? The fall colors? Any hint of Halloween AT ALL?? Covers not reflecting the story within is one of my biggest pet peeves...sigh.

Onto the story itself. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to diving into this one. Unfortunately, I just didn't love it as much. The positives...the mystery was engaging and kept me guessing. The writing was great. The pace was good. The setting is original. I still love that Carly's love interest isn't in law enforcement (if you read a lot of cozies you know! 😂). The recipes were an added bonus. What really brought this book down was Carly (and Grant to a lesser extent). Carly was awful, honestly, Annoying. Rude. Nosy...how this woman has a single friend left is a mystery. I also was annoyed by Grant. The whole "school" situation that I thought was settled last book was drug back up, and for being an employee of Carly's he sure acts like he runs the place. I don't know, maybe I was in a mood, but all I kept thinking was "Dude, stay in your lane" 😂

So yeah, this one just hit differently than the first book. However, I am still onboard to give book three a go and hope the author gets Carly back to the character she was in the first book. 🤷🏻‍♀️

**ARC Via NetGalley** 🤷🏻‍♀️

No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book two of the grilled cheese mysteries was so fun! I love the relationships Carly has with her co workers and friends. This one kept me guessing and had so many red herrings! Just like the first book, I didn’t see the ending coming at all and I love that! Another great one from Linda Reilly. Bonus points for the unique recipes that are included !