In Korina Moss’s Curds of Prey, the 3rd installment in the Cheese Shop Mystery Romantic Cozy series, this enticing mystery is full of suspense, and a hint of romance. For Willa Bauer, she owns a cheese shop in Yarrow Glen in Southern California. Her small business is successful selling cheese products. She’s confused on her feelings for her potential boyfriend, Roman Massey. She’s been uncertain and receiving mixed feelings about him. And when she learns about his past connection to the Harringtons, it gets complicated. When she’s invited to attend the wedding shower of Summer Harrington, things aren’t what they seem, when the potential groom winds up stabbed by a pitchfork in the stable. And Roman is the potential person of interest. To get him off the hook, she does a little sleuthing on her own to learn more about the Trumbull-Harrington families, and also on Summer’s sibling rivalry with her sister Chloe. One by one, more clues turn away from Roman and into another direction, when she winds up injured in a horseback riding accident. That’s when handsome Detective Heath comes to her aid and tiny sparks emit between them. Meanwhile, things turn up the heat for Willa when she becomes wary of a potential suspect or two of her own, before she gets caught off guard on whodunit and why.

This compelling romantic cozy mystery has a good balance of romance and mystery all wrapped up in one story. I cared for Willa. She’s a strong character to root for. She’s successful and has a keen eye on solving mysteries, though she ends up caught into a complex mystery. The scenic settings for Yarrow Glen were enchanted and mystique for the location in Southern California. The theme of the story is deception mixed with revenge can lead to danger.

I rated this intriguing romantic cozy mystery, four of five stars, for no reason. If you love culinary cozies with a twist, non-stop action, and plenty of dramatic suspense, Curds of Prey is a must-read to read next year. This book is recommended for fans of Laura Childs, Janet Evanovich, Diane Mott Davidson, and Joanne Fluke.

Our favorite cheesemonger is back! And this time she’s catering a bridal shower’s cheese bar. All is smooth sailing until Roman (someone Willa is interested in) gets into a fight with the groom. The shower goes on but at the end, Willa finds the groom dead in the stable. She takes on find out what happened in her usual way.

These books are just so fun. I say it every time, but Willa has my dream job and she just always gets into such shenanigans. I love all the side characters, especially her other employees. I’ve been to Sonoma once before and this series really makes you want to take a trip!

Thank you @stmartinspress and @korinamossauthor for my gifted ebook. The 4th book on the series, A Case of the Bleus out now and I’ll be reading it soon!

Willa Bauer is recreating her time in France at her cheese shop. She was definitely in a delicate situation between the two families and she managed it well. Roman Massey is the owner of a brewery and a potential romantic interest, although his motivations were a bit murky at times. Another potential romantic interest in the police detective. Interesting secondary characters in the staff of the cheese shop and a neighbor (aka Team Chese) were a great addition and a highlight for me.

The Harrington's estate was a great backdrop for the primary setting. The mystery kept me guessing for the most part. The killer reveal was exciting with some tense moments--kudos. And the wrapup tied up any remaining storylines.

Overall, it is a solid cozy mystery. I didn't seem to click with the Willa as much as I would have liked, but I have nothing to note against the character. Not every book strikes the chord with everyone and although this wasn't a home-run for me, I think many will love it. I enjoyed it and I recommend it for cozy fans since it has all the elements with the foody element, potential romances, and interesting mysteries.

Rating: Excellent - I generally enjoyed it and recommend!

I enjoy this series so much! Willa is just so down to earth and I love seeing how much she cares about her friends, neighbors, and community where she is trying to establish a new home even though she has only recently arrived. The suspects in the mystery were unlikable, but also had their moments. The romance had me stressed and feeling all of Willa's emotions, but I feel like she handled it so very well. I was not surprised by the reveal, but I enjoyed how it was put together and all the steps along the way. I wish I could visit this cheese shop as I was CONSTANTLY hungry.

Good installment to the series!!
I'm really enjoying Korina Moss' writing style and the characters/world she's created.
Already anxious for book #4!

While this is the third book in the Cheese Shop Mystery series, it's my first and definitely will not be my last. What a find!!

The characters are delightful. Willa the cheese shop owner, her employees, even the cop, are all people I'd love to get to know better. Clever plot as Willa tries to dodge between the wealthy Harrington family and the mayor's family.

I loved this small California town mystery and hope for many, many more of these to come. Highly recommended for cozy fans!!

Man I love this series. Every book is fun and full of cozy goodness. I love all the characters, but especially Willa, Baz, Archie and Mrs. Schultz. Team Cheese for the win lol

I also love this author's writing. It's just so easy to read and get lost in and before I know it I'm done with the story. I can't wait for the next installment to see what they get mixed up in next.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have been provided with a review copy of Curds of Prey from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

When a groom ends up murdered at a wedding event Curds & Whey is catering Willa and #teamcheese is on the case. She uncovers local political ties and a love triangle connected to the prominent Harrington family of Sonoma Valley. As the investigation takes a deadly turn Willa finds out just how far the suspects will go to keep secrets covered up!

With a little romance, a lot of cheese and a great friend group what more could you ask for?

This cozy series keeps improving with each book. Every character is slowly getting built out and I crave every cheesy recipe described. There is less Roman in this book, for a good reason, but more Detective Heath which was very welcome. The mystery of who killed the fiancé at the wedding shower had a few obvious suspects but the ultimate answer and motive were interesting. I can’t wait to read the next book and crave more cheese.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the arc.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Curds of Prey! All opinions in this review are my own.

When Willa is asked to create a cheese bar for the upcoming wedding of Summer Harrington, Willa is thrilled for the opportunity for Curds & Whey! Unfortunately, when the groom is found dead at the bridal shower and Willa is the one to find him, she has more to worry about than just the lost business opportunity. Together with Archie and Mrs. Schultz, Willa must uncover the murderer before the wrong person gets blamed!

I love Korina Moss's Cheese Shop Mystery series and Curds of Prey was an excellent addition to it! I always look forward to another visit to Yarrow Glen and Willa's cheese shop! My favorite part is the recurring cast of characters, even if they are often blamed for the murders! I love that this one kept me guessing until the very end!

When cheese shop owner Willa and friends agreed to cater a society wedding, they never expected to become involved in a murder investigation. Willa also must contend with some unpleasant issues that arise with her almost-boyfriend Roman. Law enforcement does a good job of police work here, and the plot winds out to an intriguing ending.

While this is part of a series, it can be enjoyable as a stand alone novel. Readers who enjoy small towns and realistic characters will find this cozy mystery to be a welcome addition to their TBR pile. This book contains no strong language, adult situations, or descriptive violence. It does however, contain cheesy recipes and food descriptions that might send readers to the kitchen for a cheesy snack or two!

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is the third in the Cheese Shop mystery series, and every book in this series is better than the last! I love the characters in Yarrow Glen, and the mystery has me guessing until the end as to who the murderer is. It's so interesting to learn about different cheeses and their uses, and the recipes at the end of the book look scrumptious! I plan on trying at least one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to the next one!

Summer is getting married to Nelson, the Mayor’s nephew. It’s the local version of a royal wedding, the cover story in All Things Sonoma, a magazine owned by her family, and the cost surely running into the six-figure category, all planned by Summer’s sister, Chloe. Although the menu has been set and supplies ordered, Olivia, mother of the bride, has decided a cheese tasting is in order for the wedding shower. Twenty-three samples later, the Mayor, her son, and the groom-to-be arrive to escort the bridal family to dinner. Unfortunately, it’s at the same time Willa’s date, Roman arrives.

Nelson is immediately in jealous mode, sure Summer arranged to meet Roman at Curds and Whey. A punch is thrown, a secret comes out, and Willa’s left in the dark.

The next day, things seem to be back to normal or at least as normal as Harringtons get. Nelson manages to crash the shower, too, and more fighting follows. With Summer in tears, Chloe laughing, Nelson furious, Roman on the scene again, and Willa once again wondering what the heck just happened, the shower is called off. The wedding ceremony is in doubt as well.

A dead body in the stables is just the icing on the wedding cake as far as disasters go.

Roman’s the best, but not only, suspect. Although Willa now has mixed feelings about him, he is her friend so she agrees to look into the death when the Mayor asks her. The main problem is none of the suspects ever seems to tell the truth and that was the case before the dead body showed up. They’re even worse now. How is Willa supposed to separate truth from fiction?

This is the third book in the series. Willa’s employees, Mrs. Schultz and Archie, are a delight. Willa tries not to take risks but sometimes what looked safe enough to start with, isn’t. With a little help from her friends, another murder can be solved. This is a favorite series.

Recipes include: goat cheese breakfast quesadilla, a savory Dutch Baby pancake made in the oven, and spicy snacks on a stick (spicy Jack cheese adds the heat). Find information about interesting cheeses you’re unlikely to find at the local grocery store throughout the book.

This was so much fun! I absolutely love this series, and Korina Moss did not disappoint! The characters are so endearing, and the cheese shop theme is fun. The mystery was well paced.

Pub date: 3/28/23
Genre: cozy mystery, book 3 in the Cheese Shop Mysteries
Quick summary: Willa and her shop are catering the wedding of the year for Summer Harrington - until her fiancé ends up dead, and Willa's love interest is the lead suspect.

I love a food-themed cozy mystery, including Moss' earlier cheese mysteries. This one wasn't my favorite due to the mystery - I found that i just didn't feel invested in the search for dead groom's killer. I also didn't love Willa's romance with Roman - they didn't seem to have much chemistry.

I still loved the cheese shop setting; this one just didn't have the magic of the first two IMO. But I'll still read book four to see what Willa is up to.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am lovin' this series so much! The characters, the mystery, the CHEESE!!! It's all so gouda. *grin*
I'm waiting (im)patiently for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Oh how I just love this series!! The setting, along with the characters, and of course the mysteries all work so nicely together. I also am enjoying the potential romance in this one too! I can't wait for the next one.

I have really gotten into cozy mysteries the last year and was excited to read this cute little book. Curds of Prey was a fun read with a lot of cheese and a little bit of murder. LOL I always wonder if it's difficult to create a cute town with an irresistible main character, in this book, cheese…..but also work in a murder with a mystery behind it. That takes talent! I really enjoyed this authors writing style and will definitely read more of her books. Curds of Prey is a part of the Cheese Shop Mystery book 3 of 4. It can be read alone.
Curds & Whey is a quant little shop in Yarrow Glen that has quite the reputation for it’s amazing selection of cheeses. Willa runs the shop herself and lives a pretty quiet life. She loves her town and her customers but does dream of a future with a husband and kids, and maybe the handsome Roman could be the one. Willa offers catering and loves setting up beautiful displays for big events like weddings. For a wedding coming up Willa offers a tasting for the bride and her mother and sister that goes sideways quickly. In the middle of the tasting Roman comes in and so does the groom. Willa seems to be the only one who doesn’t know that Roman and the bride have a past, and the groom is not having it. The two get into a fist fight but it’s Willa who feels the sting. How could Roman have this past and not tell her he was once engaged? Things go from bad to worse when Willa finds the groom dead in the stables. Of course all fingers point to Roman. Willa knows that Roman isn’t capable of murder, and even thought she’s angry at him she will do what she can to find out who did this.
The most unlikely person committed a murder…can you guess who it is? Read to find out!

My thoughts: #teamcheese has really gelled as a team of sleuthers. We see less of the rest of the town but learn more about Roman. I feel like there's even more cheese in this one than previous entries. Dangerous investigation, summer setting, wedding planning, love on the rocks, something for almost every cozy reader.