n this next installment in the Cheese Shop Mystery series, Willa Bauer and Team Cheese help law enforcement solve a murder. Dairy Days is in full swing, including a pageant directed by Nadine. However, Nadine meets with an untimely accident when a shelf falls on her at the historical museum. When Willa finds Nadine at the scene, some things just do not add up, and Willa and her team jump in to help. Past secrets come to light and add to the suspense of this cozy mystery novel. Yummy cheesy recipes are the best part of this novel, along with a little bit of romance.

This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Readers of cozy mysteries will find this a fun addition to their reading list, as there are no scenes of gory details or intimacy, and no strong language.

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

It's been a long time since I've read a cozy mystery and I've missed them!

Even though Fondue or Die is the 5th book in the series, I read it as a standalone. It can be read on it's own, but I would highly recommend reading the rest of the series first. The long list of characters and their relationships were lost on me and I struggled the first half of the book figuring out who was who. Once I caught up, I enjoyed the mystery and how many different storylines were woven together.

Thank you to Netgallery and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Paperbacks for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Top Pick - 4.5 Stars

Willa Bauer is the owner of a specialty cheese shop in the small town of Yarrow Glen, California. Her shop is going to have a booth at the Labor Day Dairy Days festival in the neighboring town of Lockwood. Everyone from the shop participates in the festival, and Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, helps with the beauty pageant. When the woman running the pageant dies at the festival, local law enforcement is ready to call it an accident to keep the profitable festival from being canceled. However, Willa and her friends, who call themselves Team Cheese, think it’s murder.

Even though the Lockwood police chief is trying to rule the death of Nadine Hockenbaum an accident, there are several clues that point to murder. The chief seems to alternate between saying nobody is responsible for the death and treating Mrs. Schultz as a suspect. Willa worries either way that her friend will be arrested or could be in danger from a killer. She is determined to find out what really happened to Nadine, no matter what the Lockwood police chief says. Willa’s investigations have been an obstacle in the past to a potential romance with Yarrow Glen’s handsome detective, but this time, Heath is on her side and working with her to investigate. Things become dramatic and dangerous for Team Cheese as they get closer to the whole truth.

This is the fifth Cheese Shop Mystery book and one of my favorites in the series. The plot is interesting, and the friendship between the main characters really shines. More than in any of the prior books, I could really feel the chemistry between Willa and Heath and hope things work out. I think new readers could easily catch up and enjoy the book. If you’ve not read one of these books before, you will quickly learn that in addition to being entertained, you will also start craving cheese. Luckily, there are a couple of recipes at the end of the book.

~ Christine

3.5/5 ⭐️
The next Cheese Shop mystery finds Willa and crew investigating after a pageant director is murdered. When someone else is targeted, they aren't sure who the real target was.

I like this series and this was a solid addition! The books seem to be up and down for me - I like them all but some I find slower than others. This was one of them. I don't think we really got a lot of side character development for Willa, which is fine, but I think the next book will need to advance that a little more.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dairy Days is happening in an adjacent town. Willa’s shop Curds & Whey has a booth. There’s a lot of activity but the annual pageant for high school girls with a scholarship is running into trouble. Some think it’s outdated but someone thinks more than that is the problem. Join Willa and her friends to find who’s killing the pageant team. Great addition to the series.

It’s Dairy Days in the nearby town of Lockwood, and Willa Bauer has cheese and is willing to travel. From her cheese shop in Yarrow Glen, she and her Curds & Whey team are packing up themed grazing boxes filled with selections of cheeses that they can sell from their booth. They are ready to take part in the celebrations, from the cow parade to the butter sculptures to the Miss Dairy pageant. But the pageant is put on hold when Willa finds the pageant runner, Nadine, dead in the Lockwood Historical Society Museum.

The local sheriff starts to investigate like it’s an accident, but Willa questions that. Nadine had been found under some very heavy shelves, and Willa doesn’t think that they could fall on their own. And the lights had been turned out. Willa is concerned that the local police aren’t taking Nadine’s death seriously enough, so she turns to her friend Detective Heath. Heath can’t officially investigate in Lockwood, but he agrees that something isn’t quite right with the current investigation, so he agrees to spend some of his time at the Dairy Days. Willa is relieved and tries to focus on enjoying what she can of the festival.

Despite Nadine’s death, the pageant goes on, with the drama of teenagers and pageant moms, judges and a $15,000 scholarship. The celebrity judge they had originally asked to participate pulled out after the suspicious death, so they ask Willa to step in. She had no ties to Lockwood and has one of the critical requirements, an in-depth knowledge of dairy, and she agrees to help out. It also gives her an excuse to be near to the pageant, to keep investigating. And just like that, Team Cheese is on the case.

Team Cheese is Willa and her two employees, retired teacher Mrs. Schultz and Archie, young cheesemonger-in-training, along with Willa’s best friend Baz. Mrs. Schultz is already helping with the pageant, so she is in a position to get information from backstage. Archie helps out in the booth when Willa wants to go check out some clues, and Baz has handyman skills that can get him into places others can’t get to.

As Team Cheese gathers information, this time with the help of Detective Heath, Willa finds that there are other crimes that may be motive for the murder. Willa suspects that the head judge is taking bribes. And the town’s museum talks of both a public fire that trapped two teenagers briefly and a kidnapping where the child was returned unharmed but no one was ever charged with the crime. As Willa puts the information together in a way that makes sense, she finds herself in the sights of a killer. Will Team Cheese be able to bring a killer to justice, or will their chance to catch a killer melt away?

Fondue or Die is book 5 in the delicious Cheese Shop Mystery series. Korina Moss blends cozy mysteries with mouth-watering descriptions of cheesy delicacies in these fun mysteries about a cheesemonger in a small town in Sonoma Valley. These books are well written with interesting characters, including a pet fish who is a big fan of Chopped (but then, who isn’t?), and they give descriptions of cheeses that are popular and hidden gems, offering facts about where they come from, how they’re made, how they look, and how they taste. There are even recipes with recommendations for anyone who wants to up their grilled cheese, pasta, or fondue game.

I liked Fondue or Die a lot. I love the idea of the dairy festival, and I wish I could have been there to try out that Cow Chip Bingo. I thought this one was well plotted, with some good red herrings and even strong hints at an MLM. Author Korina Moss does a really good job balancing the cheese with the crimes and thinking up complex cozy plots for a very entertaining book. My main complaint is how hungry I always get reading these, but I love that I get to learn so much along the way.

Egalleys for Fondue or Die were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

If you like delicious sounding food & a warm atmosphere to your cozies, seek no further. Curds & Whey is a delightful business for Team Cheese to gather around. And that’s a huge highlight for me, that our heroine Willa has a group that aids in her sleuthing. To save one of them, Willa has to solve the murder of the pageant runner. It comes with a lot of drama, fights with judges, pageant mothers. I liked the teaming up with Heath as well, finally! There’s some really great secrets revealed along the way & how they connect with the murder was very clever. This series has consistently been exactly what you want from a cozy mystery.

🧀

Read if you like:
* Grilled Cheese series by Linda Reilly
* Bake Shop series by Ellie Alexander
* Maple Syrup series by Catherine Bruns

Willa just planned to have a booth at Dairy Days. She couldn’t even have begun to think that she and Team Cheese would be involved in solving a murder. But when Willa finds the head of the Miss Dairy pageant with her head bashed in and Mrs. Schultz under the sheriff’s microscope, there is no other choice.

I really enjoy this series. From delicious cheese descriptions to recipes to the solid mystery, nothing is lacking! Each time I receive a new entry in the series, I devour it. Not only is a great cozy mystery, but it’s like visiting friends. That makes it one of my favorite must read cozy series!

When cheese monger and cheese shop owner Willa and her team participate in Dairy Days, they expect a fun festival featuring their favorite ingredient. They don't expect to find the director of the Miss Dairy pageant found murdered. Things get even more concerning when the town's mayor and police chief seem to want to sweep it under the rug as an accident. But Willa knows what she saw and is determined to figure out what happened to the poor woman.

Cheese is one of my favorite food groups, so I love a cozy mystery that teaches me more about it and includes mouthwatering descriptions that have me heading for the fridge. This mystery was also super well-plotted, with a lot of puzzle pieces coming together in the end for a nice conclusion. I figured out some of the clues, but not all, and was pleasantly surprised by how everything came together. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

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

5 stars - 9/10

A new city, a new police chief, and a new murder to solve. The Lockwood Dairy Day's Festival goes wrong when Willa stumbles upon yet another body. But after seeing the mayor try to hush up the mystery and the police chief seem to go along with it, Willa decides to take the case into her own hands, and Team Cheese investigates!
Korina Moss is a master at humor and mystery, and I loved every twist and turn. It was so fun getting to know new characters, and a certain young lady who loves costumes as much as Andy...I hope she's in many more books to come!
Fondue or Die is my new favorite installment in the Cheese Shop mysteries, and I can't wait for more books. Willa and Team Cheese are an absolute delight, and I so appreciate how Willa is smart and intuitive when it comes to solving the mystery!
And don't even get me started on Detective Heath!!! I SCREAMED when he finally entered the scene, and the romantic tension between him and Willa was incredible. Korina Moss is an incredible writer!

Quick summary: Murder mystery at the local dairy days festival when the pageant organizer is found dead.

What I liked:
🧀Labor Day festival setting
🧀Secondary mystery of wondering why the Chief of Police is waiting until after the festival to investigate & another cold case mystery
🧀Being back with #TeamCheese Willa, Archie, Baz and Mrs Schultz are great characters who feel like friends
🧀The cheese boxes Willa sells at her booth.

Final thoughts: If you’ve talked to me about cozy mysteries chances are I’ve recommended this series to you. I love it so much I made the author a cheese decorated coffee mug! This particular book was SO good! I loved the “on location” mystery that gives its way to many new characters and suspects. The twists and red herrings had me guessing a lot. It’s the characters though that make this book for me.

Fondue or Die is book 5 in Korina Moss's Cheese Shop Mystery series. I've only read book 4 (Case of the Bleus) and this one so you can start this series with this book with no problems.

It is a cute cozy mystery. The amateur sleuth is Willa Bauer who owns a cheese shop. I don't necessarily think California when I think cheese. With the Dairy Days festival, I kept thinking it was Wisconsin. Which state they are in isn't really important but it did bug me.

I like the characters. They are just quirky enough for a fun cozy mystery but not so quirky that they feel unrealistic.

The mystery is entertaining and kept my interest. I figured out the motive before the characters did but I didn't guess the murderer.

If you are looking for a light read and some great cheese selections (I was totally craving cheese while reading), then you should pick up this book.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/10/fondue-or-die-by-korina-moss-review.html

Fondue Or Die is the fifth book in Korina Moss' Cheese Shop Mystery series.

These mysteries are so cozy. This one turned out to be a great autumn read. It is set during Labor Day and includes a fun fall festival (Dairy Days).

Dairy Days is the perfect event for cheesemonger Willa to participate in. Her and the rest of the Curds and Whey staff are working the festival when a murder occurs.

Willa churns the clues until she figures out who the culprit is. The mystery was well done and included plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing.

The action takes place in a neighboring town so it offered up a fun new setting for Willa and the gang.

There are three cheesy recipes at the end for readers who like to cook the books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery and look forward to reading more in the series.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely ADORE this series - the town and characters are now familiar friends – each book is like returning home for a visit.

The Dairy Days festival adds an exciting new element to the story and we get a lot of interaction with Lockwood’s Chief of Police, who seems to have his own agenda when investigating the murder

There was a bit of a time jump between the last book and this one and Willa and Detective Heath haven’t spoken in awhile. Luckily, this new murder has Willa reaching out and we get to see Heath in a much more casual light. If you’re like me (#TeamHeath since Book1!) then you’ll be very happy with how Willa and Heath’s relationship plays out in this story!

The usual Scooby Gang (#TeamCheese) is back again and we get lots of time with Mrs Schultz, Archie, and Baz. I love how they’re all so different but have become a ‘family’ – always looking out for each other and being completely supportive and encouraging – they’re one of the reasons I love this series so much.

As for the mystery – this one seemed straightforward but I was constantly being thrown for a loop. There are a ton of red herrings and suspects and so many people were acting suspiciously that I had no idea where to pin my “You’re the Killer” badge!

I really liked how Willa is not only working with Team Cheese, but also with Heath and reporter AJ – he’s become a solid ally, so that has been a surprising, yet welcome, addition. The relationships between all the main and recurring characters is what I love most about this series. Yes, the mysteries are really well done, but it’s so fun to just visit with everyone in Yarrow Glen, even if this adventure is set in a different town.

And of course, who could forget THE CHEESE. Alongside the complex mystery, the familiar characters, and the crazy Dairy Days, the mouth-watering descriptions of all the different kinds of cheese is also what makes me love this series. You will definitely have your cheese knowledge broadened as you read (make sure you’re well stocked up on snacks!)

All in all, another winner in the Cheese Shop Mysteries and I’m already looking forward to the next book!

*** Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.

Fondue or Die is book five in the Cheese Shop Mystery series by Korina Moss.
I just love this cozy mystery series!
These characters were amazing and well fleshed out.
The plot progresses nicely to a satisfying conclusion.
There’s just something so comforting about cozy mysteries.
And Moss has done a phenomenal job here.

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Willa had her hands full at the annual Dairy Festival with running a booth there as well as trying to figure out who murdered the pageant director. With no shortage of suspect, Willa and Team Cheese definitely had a challenging case. And Willa was really happy to spend it investigating with an unexpected guest member of the sleuths, especially when that town’s police were pointing the finger at Willa’s beloved employee. Plenty of pageant and overall festival drama with an exciting showdown.

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

Title:  Fondue or Die
Author: Korina Moss
Genre:  Cozy mystery      
Rating: 4 out of 5   

The lazy, hazy, dairy days of summer are coming to a close in the Sonoma Valley. . . and so is someone’s life.

The small town of Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. Willa is thrilled to celebrate her favorite thing—she is a cheesemonger after all—and this festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. Too bad the pageant runner, Nadine, is treating Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die and is putting everyone around her on edge. When Willa finds Nadine’s dead body under years’ worth of ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, who steps in to help the pageant after Nadine’s death. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who.

This was a cute cozy mystery story—and all the cheese references made me hungry! The setting here, a cheese shop in a small town, and the people associated with the shop, make this quirky and fun. Nosy people get on my nerves, so in any other situation, Team Cheese would be super annoying to me, but they manage to pull it off and keep me entertained as they try to solve another murder mystery.

Korina Moss is an award-winning author. Fondue or Die is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

FONDUE OR DIE is the fifth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss. While I haven’t had the chance to read all the other books in the series (and plan to remedy that asap) this was such a fun story that it didn’t take long at all to find myself involved in the world of cheese! I also appreciated that the author carefully includes some backstory so that I never felt at a loss on the characters, yet there was never a lag in the pacing. Protagonist Willa Bauer and her Curds & Whey crew are gearing up for the annual Labor Day Dairy Days. I simply adore the camaraderie they share, whether working or playing together, or forming their “Team Cheese” amateur sleuthing group. Each character has their own unique personalities, and it’s obvious Ms. Moss has put a lot of thought and development behind each one to make them feel so authentic. She’s also brought the town of Yarrow Glen and the surrounding area to life, filled with descriptive details to make a person want to visit such a charming area.

Dairy Days may be filled with all sorts of fun festivities, but someone seems to be going out of their way to sabotage the Miss Dairy pageant. While the “pageant” may be outdated, it’s still become an important scholarship opportunity for local girls, and the organizer, Nadine, is adamant it continues. When Nadine is found murdered, the police focus their suspicions on Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz. Given the number of participants in the pageant and festival, there is a wide pool of suspects to draw from. Willa and her Team Cheese know Mrs. Schultz is innocent, so begin their own investigation. There were twists aplenty with danger and suspense to keep the reader turning pages. With the final conclusion leaving a smile on my face and a hint of things to come, I couldn’t help but wish I already had the next book in hand!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fondue or Die is a delightful blend of mystery, charm, and of course, cheese! Set against the backdrop of the Dairy Days festival in the idyllic Sonoma Valley, Korina Moss weaves a cozy mystery full of quirky characters and small-town drama. Willa Bauer, the lovable cheesemonger, takes center stage as she navigates butter sculptures, goat races, and, unfortunately, a murder. The vibrant festival atmosphere makes the perfect contrast to the dark mystery surrounding Nadine’s death, with plenty of cheesy puns to keep you smiling.

The pacing of the plot is well-balanced, and the twists keep you guessing, though some of the suspects feel a bit underdeveloped. The setting of Curds & Whey and the festival is vividly described, creating a fun and lighthearted environment even in the midst of a murder investigation. The side characters, particularly Mrs. Schultz, add depth and warmth to the story, though the central mystery could have used a bit more complexity.

Overall, Fondue or Die is a great addition to any cozy mystery lover's collection—especially if you’re a fan of culinary-themed mysteries. With a mix of charm and suspense, it’s the perfect read for fans who want a side of cheese with their crime-solving!

A county fair that still has a beauty pageant? Willa is there with her variety of cheeses to sell and to support her employee who is one of the few males in the opening number. Willa is also helping her friend Mrs Schultz in supporting the competition. All seems good until murder happens. It isn't in Willa's county so Heath, her "ex" won't be involved. Why isn't anyone more concerned about the death? Willa starts snooping and danger shows up. Fun read with delicious, cheesy recipes.