Oh, those reality TV shows! Get ready for an interesting insight, just in case you weren’t aware. I enjoyed reading this story and could picture the activities these contestants were challenged with. They are an interesting bunch. My favorites are Maybelle and George, although Granny was a hoot. I loved the storyline and the characters. I am curious about what’s next for Sarah. Guess we’ll find out in the next book. I can’t wait! I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is the fifth book in the Sarah Blair Mystery series. Sarah Johnson has no reason to help her nemesis Jane Clark when she and her mom enter Jane's Place and find Jane standing over a dead body with blood on her hands but she does not believe Jane is a murderer so she calls the attorney she works for to come and help Jane. Jane Clark has been Sarah's nemesis throughout the series.

A reality TV show called Southern Belle Perfect Wedding Competition is being held in Sarah's hometown of Wheaton, Alabama. Five couples are competing to win the wedding and honeymoon of their dreams. Sarah's mom, Maybelle and her boyfriend George won a spot as one of the five couples. The rules require the women contestants to have a chaperone and Maybelle insists Sarah has to be hers. The female contestants and their chaperones have to stay at Jane's Place B &B. I really enjoyed this storyline. It was fun following Sarah's reasoning as she worked on ferreting out who the murderer was. This has been a fun series to read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Even though I wasn't crazy about the reality show theme of this book, it was a still a good mystery with all the usual Jane drama and Maybelle thrown in for a little comic relief. I'm just not a reality show fan, so this won't be up there as a favorite from the series or anything.

I did enjoy the idea of Cliff being in the book and not Glenn. I've been Team Cliff since the beginning and sometimes I'd like to pound a little sense into Sarah for pulling away from him. But maybe the author might surprise us and get them back together, at least I hope so! They had some good scenes together, so that made me a little hopeful! The author did a great job of making readers miss Sarah's cute pets as much as Sarah herself did since they weren't allowed to be anywhere near the show set.

I wasn't really sure whodunit and followed along until I had some suspicions as more information was available. The showdown was tense, but the cavalry came through. And the ending was just the sweetest ever! I absolutely loved what happened.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I’ve been reading the Sarah Blair Mysteries by Debra H. Goldstein since book one and have really been enjoying them, but Five Belles Too Many didn’t have the same effect on me. The reason being was because there was so much of the main character going on very lengthy thought monologues about the various suspects and the reasons why they could me the murderer.

If you’ve read previous cozies you know this is the usual, but these were like whole chapters, not just part of the chapter getting together with some friends and their murder board. This was Sarah having these long winded thoughts for the reader to read.
I was disappointed because there was so much room for crazy things to happen since this took place during a reality TV filming… I don’t even watch reality TV, and even I know there is so much room for hijinks!

The character development was as fantastic as always though, and I really love Maybelle and George and enjoy that Goldstein shows an older couple in love.

Every series has at least one book that isn’t as good as the reader is used to, so this won’t stop me from reading book six in the series.

Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein joins reality television with murder and mystery in a witty tale of wedded bliss.

Will Sarah figure out what happened before her archnemesis Jane ends up in jail?

Sarah Blair
Our sleuth, Sarah, is wearing a few hats in this installment. She is her mother, Maybelle's chaperone for the Southern Belle contest, and must stay at Jane's Place overnight until all the scenes have been filmed. Yet, Sarah is still working with Harlan, the attorney's secretary during the day. Harlan has a trial coming up, keeping him and Sarah busy at the office. To add to the mix, Southwind, her family restaurant, is one of the vendors competing in the contest.

Sarah's boyfriend isn't in this story. However, she rekindles her friendship with Cliff. Taking them back to the friend zone works out well for the two, especially since Maybelle and Cliff's Uncle George are seeing each other. Sarah seems to be doing well. She is there for her family but able to be present at her job. It is slightly different with her not spending so much time with her pets. That did seem to throw her off balance a bit. Yet, overall, Sarah appears to be in a good place.

The Mystery
We start with Jane Clark arguing with the producer of the Southern Belle show about her contract. Seriously, that woman is drama. You would think that she would learn, but obviously, she doesn't. Later that same night, we find Alan dead with Jane kneeling over the body. It doesn't look good for Jane as Chief Gerard always looks for the easiest culprit. He is another one that you would think should learn from past mistakes. Although, it feels as if he is trying to be better at his job in this installment. Then we have another body found with Jane leaning over him. Clues are adding up for Jane. Honestly, Sarah helping Jane was a surprise, but then again, Sarah is such a nice person.

I was caught off guard. I thought it was a completely different person, one who was briefly made a red herring but nonetheless seemed shady to me. Ms. Goldstein surprised me. Next time I will have to follow the clues better.

Five Stars
I enjoyed Five Belles Too Many. Sarah Blair is one of those really nice, shy people that takes a bit to warm up to you. Sarah makes an excellent sleuth as people talk to her. Ms. Goldstein has a way of sucking you into the Wheaton community. My rating for Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is five stars. If you are looking for a cozy culinary animal mystery, this is a good one.

There are three recipes included: Chef Bernardi's Breakfast Biscuits, Chef Wanda's Honey Baked Apples, and Wanda's Baked Pears. I plan to try that baked apple recipe this fall. I sound scrumptious.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

We catch back up with Sarah and her family as her mother is set to compete on reality show for the chance at a small dream wedding. Things are bad enough when the contestants are being housed at Jane's B&B (the family nemesis), but when she has to chaperone too she just wants it to be over. Before Jane can brag about things at her place she is found kneeling over a dead body making her the prime suspect in the murder. Sarah and her twin may not like Jane very much but they can't bring themselves to believe she would murder someone so of course they have to start looking into things. With mom being right in the middle things get real interesting as the show decides to go on despite the inconvenience. Full of a wide range of characters we get a mystery that will keep you guessing as they try to figure it out in time making for quite the fun read. A great choice for fans of cozies. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.

FIVE BELLES TOO MANY by Debra H. Goldstein
The Fifth Sarah Blair Mystery

Reality TV has come to Wheaton, Alabama. Sarah Blair is roped in to being a chaperone for her mother, Maybelle, one of the Southern Belles competing for her perfect wedding. Seeing opportunities for drama, the director has contestants with history, as well as opposing college football devotees. He's also pitting Southwind restaurant against Jane's Place. Jane's days as Sarah's nemesis may be numbered when she's discovered standing over a dead body. Yet, as much as Sarah dislikes the woman, she doesn't believe she's a murderer. As the competition continues, Sarah will not only chaperone Maybelle, but keep her eyes and ears open for a killer.

Will Jane finally get her comeuppance? Sarah Blair is a much better person than I. If I had the chance to let my nemesis sink I may not toss her a waited chain, but I might not be so quick to throw a life preserver. Sarah, however calls in her boss to help clear Jane from a murder charge.

Integrity plays a huge part in the fifth Sarah Blair mystery. So does fun. I love that Maybelle and George entered a wedding competition for a lark and love their attitude. I love that Sarah takes time to play with RahRah and Fluffy. And I love the pleasure I get from reading such a well written mystery.

FIVE BELLES TOO MANY is a fun look at reality TV, Southern manners, and murder. A colorful cast of characters combined with an intricately plotted story and an ending full of surprises make for a delightful mystery.

Jane may have been responsible for the failure of Sarah's marriage and she might be a pain for twins Emily's restaurant but surely she didn't murder one of the producers of the reality show that's turned up in Wheaton, Alabama. Sarah and Emily's mom Maybelle and her beau George are one of the five sets of couples competing for a wedding and honeymoon so the twins, who have solved mysteries before, have a special incentive for finding the villain. I like this series for the characters (including RaRa the cat). The mysteries themselves are classic cozy and are perfectly enjoyable as standalones. This time out Goldstein has added the fun (and funny) of the reality show and brought some intriguing outsiders to the mix. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Sarah is about to have her hands full. A reality show is coming to Wheaton, AL and her mother informs her that she will be one of five brides competing for the free wedding venue and honeymoon package. Sounds fine until she finds out that Sarah is going to be her mother's chaperone. The catch? She has to join her mother, Maybelle staying at the B&B owned by her nemesis, Jane Clark. Of all the people in her life, Sarah dislikes Jane most of all. Well, who wouldn't? Jane stole Sarah's husband, kidnapped her cat, RahRah and then topped it off by opening her B&B/restaurant across the street from Sarah's restaurant. None of it by accident, that's for sure. When the show's producer is found murdered and Jane is put at the top of the prime suspect list....Sarah steps in to help catch the killer. After all, Maybelle is part of the reality show and Sarah does have a working relationship with a lawyer.
This is a fun series, best read in order but not essential. The mystery is well developed and the final reveal worked well. Add RahRah the cat and what more could a cat loving cozy loving reader ask for?
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah is her mother Maybelle’s chaperone on a reality show in Five Belles Too Many.

Tiny Wheaton Alabama is host to the Southern Belle Perfect Wedding Competition, a reality show offering a free wedding to the winning couple. Five couples are competing including older generation Maybelle and her fiancé, George. But when the show’s director turns up dead, Sarah can’t help but investigate.

Judging by ratings, I am not the only person hooked on reality shows. This cozy mystery uses one to be the perfect stage for the rivalry between Sarah and her ex-husband stealing enemy, Jane. When the police chief jumps to conclusions once again and suspects Jane of the director’s murder, Sarah unexpectedly jumps to Jane’s defense.

I love this cozy mystery series for its genuine characters and relationships. Who wouldn’t want to be at Sarah’s side as she investigates a murder and hurdles family, friend and romantic relationship issues?

Five Belles Too Many is highly recommended to both cozy mystery and reality television fans. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Sarah Blair plays chaperone to her mother, Maybelle, as she and George are one of five couples competing in the Southern Belle Perfect Wedding Competition, a reality TV program. Murder complicates the program’s production when the director is found dead.

Debra Goldstein does a lot of research for this 5th entry in the Sarah Blair Mystery series. At times, the amount of detail regarding the psychology, strategy, and tactics of producing reality TV overwhelms the narrative. Fortunately, Ms. Goldstein’s updates of familiar characters with an unexpected twist for the ending provide an uplifting finale. And looking forward to more visiting with RahRah and Fluffy in number 6.

Sarah has been saddled with chaperoning her mother for a reality competition show. The female contestants are being housed at Jane’s bed and breakfast. The head guy, Alan, is found dead with Jane kneeling over him. Sarah doesn’t feel that Jane killed him. Despite her dislike for Jane, she sets out to bring other viable suspects to law enforcement’s attention.

I liked this book. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages. The method of death was a new twist for me.

Can’t wait for the next installment. I was given an advanced copy and these are my own opinions. I am not required to leave a positive review.

Sarah's mother Maybelle and her boyfriend George are chosen to be one of five couples as contestants on a Southern Belles reality show. The prize is a small town perfect wedding and dream honeymoon. Sarah is roped in as Maybelle's chaperone for the week of filming. The director is murdered and Sarah's nemesis Jane, is caught kneeling over the body with blood on her hands. Despite her dislike of Jane, Sarah does not believe she is guilty and decides to investigate to find the real murderer. This is the 5th book of this series but can be read as a stand alone. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy.

This is the sixth book in the series. This is a charming fun cozy series with adorable animals and great charcters.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.

I enjoyed this next in series as it had a lot of new charcter blended into a multi crafted plot and sleuth.. It was a challenging sleuth and I enjoyed it to conclusion. It was more challenging then the average cozy and that made reading the book fun .

Sarah Blair is happy with her new life. She loves her two adorable pets and working in her restaurant with her sister Emily. Her life is perfect until her Mother joins a bridal reality show and insists Sarah go with her to help and stay with her. Right away dissention occurs among contestants . One night a murder occurs and Sarah finds out her nemesis ( and thief of her cat ) is being considered suspect number one and she cannot let her be charged. Sarah takes on the investigation as clues abound and the suspect list grows. Then another death occurs and everyone wants to leave the contest but must stay due to their contracts. Suspicions grow and old resentments come to surface that may relate to both murders. This was such a fun sleuth . The author included many red herrings for the reader to figure out. It was a enjoyable read to conclusion. Well done to the author.

Ms. Goldstein’s wonderful cozy series. Pets, romance, family, culinary and Sarah’s continuing restart of her life after being betrayed by her ex. Her characters are varied and complex, and possible motives are many. Jane, the one he betrayed her with is still insinuating herself in Sarah’s life, this time with a twist. Jane is in trouble and Sarah believes she’s innocent..this time.
The story brings Hollywood to their door along with trouble. I recommend for any cozy lover.
I requested and received a Net Galley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion gratis

While staying at the restaurant/B&B that is owned by Jane Clark, whom Sarah is not fond of, finds a victim from the reality shows competition is found. Sarah is compelled to find the real killer. Jane may be a pain in Sarah's side but she's no killer! Good story plot. Lots of red herrings! Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Sarah Blair's mother has signed herself up for a reality TV show searching for the perfect Southern Belle to be blessed with her dream wedding. The show is fraught with disaster from the very beginning and the bodies are piling up faster than RSVP cards. Jane Clark, Sarah's arch-nemesis, is the most obvious suspect but Sarah doesn't buy it. Adulterer, thief, all-around jerk? Yes, that's Jane. A killer? No.

I loved the first book in this series (like yelling-out-loud-at-the-characters loved this book). I haven't read books two and three yet but when I read the fourth book, Four Cuts Too Many, I felt lost. It wasn't that the two books I skipped threw me off but it was the sheer number of characters and being simply unable to keep track of everything that was going on. This book felt exactly the same way. There are 10 show contestants, three main network employees (not to mention the camera people and other show workers), alongside Sarah and her family and friends, Sarah's sister Emily and her restaurant employees, and Jane and her chef. They were participating in activities at various venues, having filming opportunities, and doing small competitions, each one with conversations happening between different combinations of characters. Then outside people were brought in, there was gambling going on, other businesses got involved. At any given time there were a dozen or more suspects. Yes, it was as hard to follow as it sounds.

In books like this I try to just enjoy the story and not try too hard to keep track of who's who and who's doing what. If you can do that, you'll enjoy the story. If you can't do that this probably isn't the series for you. Sarah's a fun character and I'm anxious to see what happens between her and Cliff. Emily and Marcus are a sweet couple who definitely have great things coming. I also love Maybelle and George. I don't love the mystery angle of this series because it's just too involved but it's still an enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

When a-reality show comes to amateur sleuth Sarah Blair’s Wheaten, AL, Sarah’s mom (Maybelle) and her boyfriend become contestants on the show. Five couples vie for the honor of a dream wedding, with one couple eliminated in each show episode.
Soon the contestants aren’t the only ones being eliminated. One of the show’s producers dies as does a chef. Sarah’s nemesis, Jane, is the chief suspect, and in a moment of compassion, Sarah connects Jane with Sarah’s lawyer boss, Harlan. At stake are more lives and Sarah’s sister’s business Southwinds. Sarah must find the true killer to protect her family.
This is a mad, mad whirl of contestants, TV crews, Jane-drama, and past loves. An entertaining romp, for sure.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Sarah Blair series and its characters. I love sitting on the porch with a mason jar of iced tea in the company of Sarah, Maybelle, Rah Rah, and Fluffy, among others. Good times and great books!

I've been struggling with this series and this book didn't change my mind. I just can't connect to any of the characters, there's nothing that intrigues me with this series, so unfortunately this will be the last one I read.

Sarah Blair is happy with her life after divorce. She lives in the carriage house behind the restaurant she owns along with her sister Emily, and Emily's beau, Marcus. She works for an attorney, and cares for her two pets, and all is well...until her mother informs her that a reality show is going to be filmed in her hometown of Wheaton, Alabama, and that she, Maybelle, will be one of the contestants. If that's not shocking enough for Sarah, she finds out that she needs to be her mother's chaperone and stay with her every night of the competition. But to top it off, Maybelle and the other brides will be staying across the street at Jane's Place -- the same Jane who stole her husband, kidnapped her cat, RahRah (now returned, of course) and opened a restaurant/B&B specifically to compete with Southwind, the one that Emily now runs.

Not happy about the situation, she can see no way out of it so goes along with it. But one night after returning from dinner at Southwind, she hears a scream and comes across Jane standing over a dead body with blood on her hands. Now Jane is the main suspect in a murder, and even though Sarah (and myself) can't stand the woman (mine because I hate the 'evil nemesis' in books), she knows that she can't let her go down for a murder she's sure she didn't do and intends to find the guilty party herself.

But it isn't going to be easy, because any one of the cast or crew could be the killer that Sarah is looking for. When another death occurs, things become not only more heated for Jane, but for everyone working on the show. No one wants to continue, but with the contracts signed, they have no choice. If Sarah can't put the clues together fast, someone is going to get away with murder...

This is the sixth book in the series, and I have read them all. I have come to enjoy watching Sarah as she tries to figure out who might be a murderer, and this time out, there are so many red herrings it could fill a water pond. Even Maybelle, who usually loves to be the center of attention, is beginning to waver, and worry about Sarah. Sarah has even enlisted the help of Harlan, the attorney she works for, and is feeding him information as she garners it. But there is so much going on -- with the competitions that the show has set, the added dinners at Southwind, and even Sarah's personal life, that she's overwhelmed with it all.

But as it comes to a head and Sarah overhears a crucial conversation, things start to come together. But when they do, she realizes that she might be in over her head and looks for a way out...luckily, it all works out just as it's supposed to, with a surprise ending that's pleasing and satisfactory both; and worth reading the book. I enjoyed this quite a bit and look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.