I always love a visit to this cute little California town to see what Willa and her friends are up to. Leave it to Willa to have one of the most dysfunctional but important families commission her catering services that ended up having a murder connected with it. Meanwhile, since her sorta-boyfriend Roman was sorta involved-ish, Willa had to sort out her feelings for him and if her future wanted to include him at all.

We met some interesting but suspicious characters, and all the investigating led to a good showdown where Willa did at least have some friends as backup. The Valentine's Day party had been the reveal for the town pickpocket, so that side mystery was cleared up as well. Instead of sweating whether she had a date or not, Willa just enjoyed some good times with her amazing friends.

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

In the third Cheese Shop cozy mystery, shop owner and cheese monger Willa is set to cater a bridal shower--only the groom turns up dead! When Willa's love interest is the prime suspect, she takes to investigating what may have actually happened. But two powerful families with competing interests both want her to stick her nose into things and butt out!

Like the others before it, Curds of Prey is a solid, traditional cozy mystery. I thought the mystery itself was intriguing, with a large cast of suspects the puzzle pieces coming together. Willa has begun to grate on me (ha! a cheese pun!) a bit, with her naivete, particularly when it comes to love and putting herself in dangerous situations. I don't want to spoil too much, but I'm glad where she ended up in this one.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

Another cheesy cozy mystery. It kept me guessing and surprised at the conclusion. This delightful and charming cheese series continues. Lots of cheese. A smidgeon of romances. Nice variety of characters. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

Love cheese? Then these are the characters and book series for you. I love cheese and so this was a delightful find which made me want to go munch some cheese from our refrigerator. The mystery and characters made this such a fun and enjoyable read.

I love the way the romance is developing in this series! It is slow and unsure and seems realistic. I thought the developments in this one were just perfect. The mystery involves a lot of complicated people and we meet a couple great new to us people in Yarrow Glen. So we are emotionally invested in who the 'bad guy' is. However I figured out who the murderer was about halfway through. I was also able to figure out one of the twists pretty early on as well, so I was a smidge frustrated that Willa didn't think of what seemed obvious to me. I would have liked to see a little bit more of the cheese shop, but we did get to see lots of Archie, Mrs. Schultz, and Baz. It was good to see all of them come together as a team.
Overall this was a good book to bring the characters together as a team and move the romance forward.

Curds of Prey is the third Cheese Shop cozy mystery by Korina Moss. Due out 28th March 2023 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

This is an enjoyable small town shopfront cozy with an appealing protagonist, lots and lots of cheese trivia, and a well constructed puzzle to solve alongside shop owner Willa. She's catering a bridal shower (with lots of delicious cheeses) when the groom is found dead after a contretemps with Willa's erstwhile boyfriend (who also had some history with the bride).

As with most cozies, the emphasis is on the characters and the puzzle. The crimes are described off-scene and without being gruesome. The language is very clean. The series continues to improve, from a strong start, and the ensemble cast of Willa and her employees continue to mesh and become more three dimensional and believable (for a cozy). I'm looking forward to the next installments in the series.

Although it's the third book in the series, the plot arc and resolution are self-contained, and it works well enough as a standalone. With three books currently in the series, and a fourth announced for third quarter 2023, it would make a good choice for a cozy series binge or buddy read.

Four stars. Definitely one for shopfront cozy fans. It's full of esoteric cheese minutiae and I found a number of specialty cheeses I'm looking forward to trying. The author has also included intriguing cheese themed recipes for a goat cheese quesadilla and dutch oven pancake (Dutch baby)

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I was so excited to get this ARC! I loved the first two books in The Cheese Shop Mysteries series and had been looking forward to this book for months. It did not disappoint! This series started strong, yet it continues to get better and better.

Willa Bauer owns a French-inspired cheese shop in California's lush Sonoma Valley region. She is excited to provide the cheese bar at the social event of the season, the wedding shower of a well-to-do bride and the mayor's nephew. But when Roman, the man Willa has just started dating, fights with the groom at a tasting and then shows up again at the bridal shower, Willa learns he is the bride's ex. Making matters worse, Willa finds the groom dead, and the mayor asks Willa to investigate his murder.

Very well-written with plenty of suspects and motives, this book left me questioning everyone at some point. I found Willa's juggling her business and a murder investigation while dealing with her emotions toward Roman compelling. The mystery was intriguing, with a few twists, mild suspense, and a satisfying conclusion.

While the story is excellent and the setting charming, what I enjoy most about this book (and the series) is the characters. Willa is a likable, charming, observant sleuth who has a lovable group of friends supporting her and the investigations. Spending time with them is warm and inviting. As usual, my favorite is Baz. He's a rock-solid friend to Willa, always willing to lend a hand, and I love their dynamic. In addition, the cheese descriptions in the book leave me craving cheese and making a list of new ones to try! Works fine as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend the entire series. Bingeable and great fun, cozy mystery readers will enjoy this! I cannot wait for book four!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this ARC. I loved it!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this fun cozy mystery. It's the second one I've read in this series, so I enjoyed revisiting Willa Bauer's cheese shop and many familiar faces in Yarrow Glen.
In this story, Willa has been asked to bring a cheese board to the bridal shower of Summer Harrington, daughter of Olivia Harrington, the new owner of a prestigious local magazine. Summer is engaged to Nelson Trumbull, nephew of Yarrow Glen's mayor.
Things go awry when Nelson and Summer get into a fight over Roman Massey, Willa's date and potential love interest. It turns out Summer and Roman were once engaged, something he never told Willa.
Soon afterward, Willa finds Nelson dead in the stable, speared by a pitchfork. Roman becomes the primary suspect.
Unwilling to accept that her friend is a killer, Willa does some sleuthing to try to clear his name. She has help from her cheese shop employees, Archie and Mrs. Schultz, as well as her best friend Baz. Her relationship with Detective Heath is slowly developing, and though he warns her to stay away from the investigation, he accepts that she's going to get involved and welcomes her help.
I correctly suspected the killer early on, but this was still a fun read. And there are some mouth-watering descriptions of cheese.

Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is filled with anticipation, and not just because she’s auditioning to cater an upscale bridal shower. The Harrington family hosting the festivities is both rich and wildly influential. The exposure of her cheeses to their well-heeled shower guests would be wonderful in and of itself, but the spread will also be photographed – with a little blurb for her cheese shop – in the society pages of the widely circulated All Things Sonoma magazine. After all, two socially prominent, eligible singles such as Summer Harrington and Nelson Trumbull, the wealthy nephew of Yarrow Glen’s mayor, don’t get married every day.

On a more personal note, Willa is hoping that once the cheese-tasting for the shower is over, she’ll be able to celebrate landing the gig with her good friend and meadery owner Roman Massey. Their slow-burning romance is finally showing signs of intensifying, and Willa is anticipating a declaration of love over dinner later that night. Unfortunately, it’s emotions of a different kind that run high when Roman stops by her cheese shop early to pick her up. His presence unexpectedly overlaps with the tardy bridal party’s. The groom-to-be is not at all happy to see him, and a fight breaks out that puts the kibosh on Willa's plans for a romantic evening.

Perturbed but not yet concerned, Willa presses on with her catering plans, since at least those have been given the go-ahead. The shower is presided over by the formidable Olivia Harrington, Summer’s mother, who is ready and willing to tell everyone exactly what to do to ensure her beloved younger daughter’s event goes off without a hitch. But even she is boggled when Nelson unexpectedly makes a dramatic appearance in search of his intended. Summer is, oddly enough, missing. When she finally returns to her shower, with Roman in tow, all hell breaks loose once more.

At this point, Willa is fully concerned that her relationship with Roman is on shakier ground than she’d anticipated just a few days earlier. It doesn’t help that her one time fiance left her for her former best friend some time ago, making her a little gun shy when it comes to romance. Before she can have an honest discussion with him about this, though, she stumbles across Nelson’s dead body. Roman immediately becomes the police’s prime suspect

Willa might not be so sure any more about their romance, but she does know that Roman would never kill anybody. Even if she hadn’t been involved in solving several murders that had previously plagued Yarrow Glen, she would do everything possible to find Nelson’s actual killer in order to clear Roman’s name. Will she be able to succeed despite the interference of some of the town’s most prominent citizens? Or will a killer decide to put an end to her snooping for good?

This third installment of the Cheese Shop mystery series really focuses not only on Willa’s romantic feelings but also on the love lives of her dearest friends. In addition to stopping a killer, Willa and her adorable Team Cheese must also help the police apprehend a wallet thief. This is perhaps not the best book to start the series with, but is definitely one that will appeal to readers who like a hefty dose of breakups and makeups with their cozy mysteries.

There were three yummy cheese-forward recipes included, and I decided to try out this one, lightly edited here for format:

QUOTE
Goat Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas

2 ounces fresh goat cheese (honey/cranberry walnut goat cheese optional)
1 tortilla
½ sweet, crispy apple (like Fuji), thinly sliced
1 tablespoon honey

Spread thin layer of goat cheese on half of tortilla, top with apple slices, and drizzle with one tablespoon of honey.

Fold tortilla in half.

Place quesadilla in a buttered, heated skillet and cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes, until tortilla is lightly browned.
END QUOTE

I definitely made more than just one of these for those of my family who can eat apples, and we all enjoyed them very much. Honestly, it’s just such an inspired dish! The salty savoriness of the goat cheese – we got regular because there wasn’t any honey or cranberry infused goat cheese at our closest grocery store, unfortunately – was perfectly balanced by the addition of the sweet honey and the crisp, tart apples in a crunchy, buttery shell. In addition to being super easy and quick to make, this was also a surprisingly filling dish. It definitely makes a great breakfast for those on the go, as Willa prepares it in the book.

Next week, we move from wine country to coastal California, whipping up a sweet treat while attempting to clear another loved one’s name. Do join me!

This was an enjoyable read for a light cozy mystery. There is a lot of cheese info and recipes scattered through the story. There are some twists and turns along the way to solving the murder that occurred during a shower that Willa was catering. This is a comfortable book in a good series.

CURDS OF PREY is the third book in the Cheese Shop Mystery series, written by Korina Moss. Summer Harrington, accompanied by her mother and sister, attend a cheese tasting at Willa Bauer’s Curds & Whey cheese shop to select cheeses to be served at the next day’s wedding shower. Since The Harringtons are the wealthiest family in Sonoma Valley’s Yarrow Glen and own ALL THINGS SONOMA magazine, Willa accommodates them by holding the meeting in her cheese shop after hours. Trouble ensues when Summer’s fiancé, Nelson, runs into Willa’s love interest, Roman. Willa is shocked to discover that Roman had been engaged to Summer Harrington and had previously left Summer at the alter. Has Roman’s appearance ended Summer’s happily-ever-after wedding to Nelson?

I enjoyed reading the story from Willa’s viewpoint. She is a well-drawn character and a keen observer. The plot progresses nicely to a satisfying conclusion. And then, of course, there is all that cheese. Yum!

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review the e-arc of CURDS OF PREY.

This is the third book in the Cheese Shop mysteries and Willa Bauer has come a long way in a short time from when she first opened Curds & Whey in Cheddar Of Dead. Willa Bauer has come a long way in a short time from when she first opened Curds & Whey in Cheddar Of Dead. Her shop is becoming well-respected in the town of Yarrow Glen and her friendships with her next door neighbor Baz and with her employees Mrs. Schultz and Archie have grown. I love the camaraderie between these friends as they discuss the cases that Willa becomes involved in. Things are also looking up in the romance department. I think this was a weakness in the first book of the series, but I really liked the new developments that occured for a couple different characters in this book.

Curds of Prey is my favorite so far in this series. I have grown to like Willa more and more with each book and she has become a better investigator as well. She thinks things through more in this book while she was gathering clues and didn't jump to conclusions. The case of a murdered groom-to-be kept my interest from beginning to end. I like the dramatic ending to the case and the way things turn out in the end in the personal lives of a few of the characters. Rounding out the book are a few cheese-related recipes and discussions about different varieties of cheese throughout the story. Fans of this series and readers who enjoy well-written culinary cozies will love this book. I rated it 4.5 stars.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[ Thank you St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

This series is so good! I was so happy to be back in Yarrow Glen!

We get the murder pretty early on (@ 15% mark) which is nice! Lots of time to figure out the mystery with all the potential suspects. I had a feeling who the killer was near the beginning but it didn’t stop me from enjoying Willa and the crew from solving the whodunnit. Every investigative team has a name and they picked ‘Team Cheese.’ It’s definitely very fitting for them!

I’m excited to see where the love interest is going to go for the next one! I’m all for Detective Heath. So fingers crossed!! And I love when we get recipes in the back — goat cheese breakfast quesadilla, savory oven pancake (aka Dutch baby or German pancake!), and spicy snack on a stick. I’m so glad the Brussels sprout grilled cheese sandwich didn’t make it in the back as a recipe. I’m with Baz on that one, no thank you!! Willa can have that all on her own. Haha!

If you haven’t read this series yet, do it!! Even all you no cheese fans would still enjoy it!

Curds Of Prey is such a clever name for a cozy based around a cheese shop. This is perfect for this 3rd next in series of this charming cozy series set in Sonoma CA. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. I highly recommend this cozy series for outstanding charcters, a well plotted and enjoyable sleuth and the atmospheric setting of small town wine country.

Willa has been asked to provide a elegant cheese bar for a wedding shower of a important family in Sonoma. The bride to be and family are difficult to please. When tempers fly at the shower she knows trouble is ahead and sure enough the groom is found murdered. The goom is from the Mayor's family and soon the two families are at war with Willa determined to find the right clue to lead her to the killer.

This is such a fun series. The author has brought life in Sonoma to her pages deftly with enjoyable charcters and always a fun sleuth. I look forward to the next in series.

Curds of Prey is the third installment in this new to me series. This started out slow but got better as it progressed. Willa owns the Curds and Whey Cheese shop and agrees to have an outdoor cheese bar at wealthy Summer Harrington's wedding shower. The shower is abruptly canceled when Willa finds the groom-to-be dead in the stable. The Mayor, who is also the victims aunt, asks Willa to help the police solve her nephew's murder. Willa's boyfriend becomes the main suspect when it's discovered he was once engaged to Summer. This was a nice light read with likeable characters. a brewing romance, and plenty of suspects that kept me guessing til the end. Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for providing me with an advance copy to review.

I so loved this book!! The storyline was interesting and the murder was well done! I really loved the characters, I can’t wait to read more in this series!! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!!

Just love this cozy mystery series featuring Willa and her besties from Curds & Whey Cheese Shop in Yarrow Glen. Willa’s love life is finally taking off with her “almost” boyfriend, Roman. Massey. But Willa learns that Roman is Summer Harrington’s ex-fiancé who jilted her, something Willa experienced with her own broken engagement. So now Willa is confused about Roman. Now Summer is set to marry Nelson, nephew of the town’s mayor, and he’s quite a hothead. When he sees Summer talking with Roman, he explodes. On the day of Summer Harrington’s wedding shower, Willa sees Roman with Summer, and is doubly confused. Willa is there to cater a cheese board but then the shower is cancelled when Willa discovers Nelson dead in the stables with a pitchfork in him and Roman has disappeared. Of course, she gets that look again from Detective Heath as she once again is present when a murder happens in their little town. Willa knows that Roman couldn’t have done it, although Olivia Harrington, Summer’s mother and a formidable presence in town, is quite sure that he did. Willa and her besties set out to find the real killer and protect Roman. Lots of twists and turns and just fun clues. Willa puts herself in jeopardy, but Detective Heath seems to always have her back. Sparks seem to fly when they are together, and I look forward to the next in this series to see if Willa and Heath will finally get together. This is a good clean cozy murder mystery, with a bit of electricity of passion going on. There are surprises that you won’t see coming but are quite delicious. You could read this as a stand alone, but why not read the whole series? Just perfect to curl up with on a chilly evening.

Many thanks to #netgalley #curdsofprey #korinamoss #st.martinspress for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love this series! This is the third book so far and I feel like we really know the main characters now, the books just keep getting better. The author does a great job of describing scenery and making the storyline feel so realistic. I would love to reread the series on audio, I think it would be even better.

This book started out really slow for me. I had no emotional attachment to either Summer or Chloe or anyone else in the Harrington family, so the fact that a lot of the beginning was spent with those characters made it hard for me to get into the story. I really enjoy Baz and Willa's banter, though, so I wanted to continue reading. As Willa started to investigate and Roman was being a jerk, I was really annoyed by her wishy washy feelings toward him. At times, she seemed to still be so into him (even after all he'd done to her in this book) and at other times, she seemed over him. But about 60% of the way into the book, things started to fly! I binge read the last portion of the book because it was just so interesting the way Willa investigated and discovered clues. I really enjoyed the last 40% quite a lot. The tension with Willa and Heath, the "accidental" shooting, Willa's finding the final clue that helped her solve the case. It was just really good! Overall, I'll definitely keep reading because I definitely want more Willa and Heath!

Willa and the gang are back again in the third installment of the cheese shop mysteries Curds of Prey by Korina Moss. Once again, Willa finds herself at the center of a murder. Summer Harrington is to marry the mayor's nephew Nelson. A marriage that is good for the Harrington family, the events are planned with maximum visibility, that is until the murder happens. Mix in the various romantic entaglements (of which there are several), and Curds of Prey delivers. You won't want to miss this one.