It's Christmastime in Balsam Dell, Vermont, where Carly Hale is the owner of the well-loved Grilled Cheese Eatery. To celebrate the season, she is excited to enjoy a production of A Christmas Carol...until tragedy strikes. When one of the actors is murdered and Carly's best friend is framed, she is determined to find out who the real killer is.

You Feta Watch Out may just be my favorite installment in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series, by Linda Reilly, thus far. All of the ingredients come together to form the perfect Christmas cozy. What really keeps me coming back to a series is the cast of characters and this one is certainly no exception. I enjoyed spending time with Carly and her team at the Grilled Cheese Eatery. They have such great rapport and it's obvious that they truly care about one another.

Specific to this installment, I especially enjoyed spending more time with a character I wasn't sure would be there after the previous book. When this character appeared in You Feta Watch Out, you may have actually heard me shout out with glee. I felt like I was seeing one of my friends again for the first time in a while. I'm hoping this isn't the last we'll see of this character. There is another character from previous installments that was mentioned as well. I like that these characters have not been forgotten. There are also some new characters I enjoyed meeting.

Every solid cozy has a strong mystery and that is the case in You Feta Watch Out. Carly's sleuthing in this installment, at times, reminded me of Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. There are plenty of suspects to consider, but not too many to overwhelm the reader. There were also lots of twists and turns. I thought I had the culprit narrowed down to two possible suspects, both of which turned out to be wrong. I was surprised when the killer was revealed, but it all made sense. I also really enjoyed the way in which the killer was revealed and I thought Carly's feelings about this character being the culprit were perfect.

This cozy is well-balanced with some light, witty humor sprinkled throughout the book. It was just the right amount of comic relief in the midst of the mystery. I found myself chuckling at some of the metaphors several times

For fans of culinary cozies, there are two at the end of the book. One of them has a strong holiday twist, that I likely won't try, but I'm certain there are readers out there who will enjoy it. I like the sound of the second one, so I will have to try that one.

I continue to enjoy this series and I'm hoping there will be more. I'm very excited to see how relationships progress, which new grilled cheese recipe will be served at the eatery next, and what Carly's next sleuthing adventure will be.

Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series and always look forward to the next installment. You Feta Watch Out is the 5th book in the Grilled Cheese cozy mystery series and it didn't disappoint. The story takes place at Christmastime in Balsam Dell, Vermont. It's full of great characters who seem to grow with each story. You Feta Watch Out is a great read at Christmastime or any time of year. Thank you #NetGalley and Beyond the Page for the opportunity to read this book.

Another solid addition to the series. There is more growth for the characters, which is nice, and I enjoyed the setting of the Christmas Carol production. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. This was a good way to pass a rainy afternoon, especially considering all the wonderful treats that I considered making while reading this.

As someone who has always loved grilled cheese as a comfort food, it’s kind of hard for me to resist a whole cozy mystery series featuring grilled cheese as almost a character in itself. This series is absolutely delightful, and I love knowing that there’s going to be amazing recipes included at the end.

I have really liked this series since day one, and have only found myself adoring the characters and setting of small-town Balsam Dell, Vermont. Although Carly and her crew live in a small town, there’s always something big occurring in the town that draws people from near and far to attend. Like the theater presentation A Christmas Carol that is being put on, courtesy of a known theater company.

With a well-known theater company putting on a stage presentation for the Christmas season, the town is full of new people as well as the ones that we’ve gotten to know over the course of the previous four books. Carly and Ari, her boyfriend, along with the crew at the eatery have all earned a place in my heart over the four previous books, and I love seeing them. Part of what I love about this cast of characters is how genuinely sweet and wholesome the main group truly is. There’s a bit of a Mary Sue kind of vibe to people in small towns, but since I’ve never personally lived in a small town, I don’t know if there are places where people are all nice and friendly.

In this book, the murder suspect was an actor with a difficult personality. He’s mean to Carly’s BFF Gina, which already made me dislike him, and then he freaked out in the middle of the dress rehearsal and forced the show to take an unplanned intermission. But before the show can go on, he’s found dead by none of there than Gina, making her suspect numero uno, and we already know Carly is going to do whatever she needs to do to prove her friend’s innocence.

The biggest difference in this book is that people have just accepted Carly as a freelancing crime-solver. From the start, when she was actively discouraged and warned away from interfering with the case, both Carly and the law enforcement officers in this book have compromised to work together—but Carly has been a bit better about keeping herself safe, and the sheriff has been better about accepting that she is going to help, and understanding that she actually makes a pretty good detective.

In this book, we get to see Carly a lot more settled in her relationship and living situation, but we also see her relationship with her sister Norah in a deeper light. Norah is in town with her boyfriend, and we get to see the sisterly bond between them firsthand. It was nice to see Carly when she was more relaxed and really feeling the Christmas spirit, even though she can’t possibly avoid putting on her crime solving hat when someone she cares about is on the hook for a murder that wasn’t their fault. Even so, I can’t help but love Havarti as my favorite character.

There are a lot of potential suspects in the story, and Reilly kept me on my toes with guessing who the killer was. It’s complicated by the fact that basically everyone who came in contact with Lennon hated him, so anyone he was in contact with is potentially his killer. It made for interesting reading, and I couldn’t resist making my own guesses, but I was surprised by who it turned out to be, in the end.

Overall, this is a fantastic addition to a series I love. Carly and her crew, both at the eatery and outside of it, are written wonderfully and it makes them easy to love, even with the Mary Sue vibes. The plot is well-paced and didn’t drag or feel drawn out at any point. I finished this book in record time, and while I’m impatiently waiting for the next book, I’ll have to make some of the recipes from this book.

Book Review: You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly, and it was a delightful and festive read! Set in the charming little town of Balsam Dell, this installment of the Grilled Cheese Mystery series has all the festive vibes you’d expect during the holiday season, but with a juicy twist that keeps you on your toes.

So, here’s the scoop: Carly Hale is gearing up for what she thinks will be a merry Christmas as a theater company rolls into town to put on A Christmas Carol. But instead of enjoying the holiday cheer, things take a dark turn when a rather unpleasant actor named Prescott Lennon starts stirring up trouble. This guy isn’t just a diva; he’s downright insufferable, and his harsh criticisms make him quite a few enemies among the cast. When someone finally snaps and, well, takes him out of the picture—Carly’s friend Gina gets pinned as the prime suspect. Talk about drama!

What I really loved about this book was the unexpected twist on who ended up being the victim. It definitely added depth to the mystery. The roster of suspects is vast and colorful, from a widow with a suspiciously dry eye to an eager understudy desperate for his moment in the spotlight. Each character brings something unique to the table, and I found myself enjoying the interactions just as much as the mystery itself. Plus, revisiting Carly and her friends felt like catching up with old pals over hot cocoa.

And of course, what’s a cozy mystery without some mouth-watering recipes? The book includes yummy recipes, one of which is a fruitcake grilled cheese. As a self-proclaimed fruitcake lover, I couldn’t have been more excited about that!

In conclusion, You Feta Watch Out is a fantastic addition to Linda Reilly's series. It delivers an engaging mystery wrapped in holiday cheer, complete with lovable characters and a backdrop that makes you feel all warm inside. If you’re looking for a cozy read that combines murder with melt-in-your-mouth sandwiches, then definitely check this one out! I’d give it four stars for its festive charm and clever plot twists!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This was my first adventure with the Grilled Cheese mystery series but it definitely won’t be the last. What a fun read, especially at Christmas. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to enjoy an advanced readers copy. While it made me want to start at the beginning of the series, it worked very well as a stand alone. Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. You Feta Watch Out is the fifth book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries. This time, Carly Hale, the main character, investigates the murder of a very unpleasant actor who had a role in A Chrismas Carol. Carly investigates in order to clear her friend Gina's name, but there are quite a few suspects, considering how unlikable the victim was. You Feta Watch Out is a great cozy mystery set during the holidays, as well as a great entry in the series. The main character is great and the setting is charming. You Feta Watch Out is the perfect mystery book to relax and unwind after a busy day. Highly recommend!

What a fun Christmassy cozy mystery! I enjoyed it so much. I've been missing Carly and her yummy grilled cheese recipes and her amateur sleuthing. I was so excited to read this book and catch up with her and the town of Balsam Dell. I'm already looking forward to Carly's next adventure.

Many thanks to Beyond The Page Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

You Feta Watch Out is the fifth cozy mystery in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series. It is Christmas time in Balsam Dell and the opera house is putting on A Christmas Carol, but when one of the leads turns up murdered the show can’t go on as planned. When Carly’s friend becomes one of the main suspects she must break out her sleuthing hat again and get to the bottom of the case before it’s too late.

This is such a cute series and I have enjoyed it from the beginning so I was excited when I saw this latest book coming out. The cover pulled me in immediately, it is so pretty and I love the lights and design so much. I always enjoy visiting Carly and her friends again and wasn’t disappointed in the mystery that was told on these pages. The story was fast paced and easy to get through and it had me guessing until the end. This was the perfect pre-Christmas mystery and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy mystery holiday read. You don’t need to read the other books in the series to follow along with this one, but the series as a whole is good too. I can’t wait to see what Carly will get up to next time.

This is a wonderful Christmas themed cozy that kept me glued to my kindle! Carly is involved in another murder investigation when her best friend Gina is accused of murdering the arrogant and very ill- tempered actor playing Scrooge. There are plenty of suspects and lots of plot twists that will keep you guessing until the end! I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series. One warning though:: This book will leave you craving cheese!!!

You Feta Watch Out is an absolutely charming holiday cozy mystery. When one of the lead actors in A Christmas Carol is discovered murdered in his dressing room, Carly's best friend Gina becomes the prime suspect. Determined to prove Gina's innocence, Carly dons her amateur sleuthing hat and dives into the investigation. Unfortunately, due to the victim's extreme unlikability, Carly has a long list of possible suspects and only a few days until Christmas.

You Feta Watch Out has everything a great culinary cozy mystery needs: a charming town, lovable characters, an intriguing mystery, and delicious recipes! I can't wait to attempt some of the sandwiches detailed in the book. I seriously dreamt of the fruitcake brie sandwich! I just wish Carly's eatery actually existed. While this was my first Grilled Cheese Mystery book, I will definitely be reading more. I can't wait to find out what Carly and her friends get up to next.

Carly has gotten caught up in another murder mystery. In between running her shop she will have to help solve the case to keep her friend from going to jail. If only the victim was more likeable, then the job would be easier. What a cute read. I love the storyline and the side stories as well. This is such a delightful series.

They say Christmas in the close-knit community of Balsam Dell promises to be especially festive for Carly Hale this year, and it certainly is festive...and deadly. When an actor from the production of "A Christmas Carol" is found dead in his dressing room, Carly knows it wasn't her best friend, Gina, who was accused of the murder, that did it. Serving up delicious grilled cheese while nosing around for clues comes a little easier when her friends offer to help her look for clues. With a healthy dose of Christmas cheer, "You Geta Warch Out" is one a sweet holiday cozy mystery.

You Feta Watch Out

A Grilled Cheese Mystery

Linda Reilly

5 Stars

Synopsis:

Humbug! leads to Homicide! in the new Grilled Cheese Mystery by Linda Reilly . . .

Christmas in the close-knit community of Balsam Dell promises to be especially festive for Carly Hale this year when a prominent theater company comes to town to stage A Christmas Carol. But it turns out that Scrooge is not the most ill-tempered character in the production, as blowhard actor Prescott Lennon proves when he begins berating everyone else in the cast for their poor theatrics. When his arrogant behavior threatens the production, someone decides to resolve matters with a fatal solution—and frames Carly’s friend Gina for the murder.

With such an unlikable victim, Carly finds herself faced with a long list of suspects, including a grieving widow who hasn’t shed a tear, an ambitious understudy looking for his big break, and all the cast members Lennon mistreated. But there’s a ghost of a clue in the air as rumors begin to surface that the dead man had a shady past that may have come back to haunt him. With her friend still on the hook, Carly will have to sort out past misdeeds from those of the present, even as her pursuit of the killer scares the dickens out of her . . .

Includes melt-in-your-mouth sandwich recipes!

Praise for the Grilled Cheese Mysteries:

“A complex mystery and yummy grilled cheese recipes. What’s not to like?” —Kirkus Reviews

“A delightful and determined heroine, idyllic small town, and buffet of worthy suspects make this hearty whodunnit an enticing start to a decidedly delectable new series!” —Bree Baker, author of the Seaside Café Mysteries

“Masterful misdirection coupled with a pace that can’t be beat, Linda Reilly has grilled up a winner for sure!” —J. C. Eaton, author of the Sophie Kimball Mysteries, the Wine Trail Mysteries, and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries

“A well-crafted and fun start to a new series! Carly and her crew serve mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwiches while solving crime in a quaint Vermont town. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and guessing the killer to the very end.” —Tina Kashian, author of the Kebab Kitchen Mysteries

About the Author:

As a child, Linda Reilly practically existed on grilled cheese sandwiches, and today they remain her comfort food of choice. A member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Cat Writers’ Association, Linda is also the author of the Deep Fried Mysteries and the Cat Lady Mysteries. Linda lives in southern New Hampshire with her two feline assistants, both of whom enjoy prancing over her laptop to assist with editing. Visit her on the web at lindareillyauthor.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/Lindasreillyauthor. She loves hearing from readers!

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. When a theater group is planning on performing A Christmas Carol. Carly’s friend, Gina, has a part in the play and Carly is looking forward to watching her. But when a nasty actor is killed, Carly will have to figure out who the killer is before Gina is charged with the murder. But it will not be easy.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows easily and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and there are enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I enjoy all of this author’s books, including this one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Beyond The Page, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate. (Amazon)

You Feta Watch Out is a charming blend of mystery, love, and friendship. The vivid descriptions
enhance the story and the food references will make you hungry. Plus, the Jacob Marley actor in this tale makes Ebenezer Scrooge seem positively mild in comparison. All of this makes this story a solid addition to the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You Feta Watch Out (Grilled Cheese Mysteries, #5) by Linda Reilly was published on November 19, 2024. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. When I started hearing some buzz about this book on Threads and Instagram from people who had received an ARC, I knew I wanted to get my hands on a copy, so I am thankful for NetGalley providing me a copy.

This is the first book I've read by Linda Reilly, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I loved the fact that it revolved around a Christmas play and the holiday season. Despite a murder taking place in the story, it was still full of holiday cheer, which is helping put me in the mood for the upcoming holidays.

There were quite a few characters, and it took me a bit to keep them straight, especially when it came to Gina and Nina. Most of the characters were quite likable. Reilly did a fantastic job of throwing suspicion on quite a few people and making me second guess myself. I did end up incorrectly guessing who was the murderer, but I was able to figure out the connection between the cosmetologist and the murder victim.

As far as dislikes, I had very few of them. One dislike was that there were a couple of points that were reiterated a time too many. Other than that, it bugged me that instead of describing the characters taking off their coats, gloves, etcetera, the author kept mentioning that the characters took off their outerwear.

Those two things aside, I really enjoyed the story and gave it four out of five stars. I do plan on reading the rest of the series at some point.

I love the Grilled Cheese Mysteries and this fifth book in the series, You Feta Watch Out, was a just-right holiday delight! Carly and her fiancé are excited about sharing their first Christmas in their new home and one of the things Carly is looking forward to is the production of The Christmas Carol in which her best friend Gina has a small part. Her invitation to the dress rehearsal celebrating first responders is wonderful until the jerk who is playing Marley pulls his nonsense right in the middle of the performance creating an unplanned break for the audience. Just as the guest become restless awaiting the continuation of the play, a scream that Carly recognizes rings out. Gina has discovered the obviously dead body of the actor who plays Marly, a man universally detested.
I love the characters and enjoy much of the investigation, but I would appreciate it more if Carly would remember that the police, with whom she has worked before, are competent and at least as knowledgeable as she is and have access to information that she doesn't. On the other hand, I like that the author Linda Reilly is clear on those points even as she allows Carly freedom to do her thing. She is able to discover some helpful bits that do make a difference, so it understandable that Carly keeps trying, especially when it is her best friend on the line, and she is being framed.
My thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page for a chance to read an ARC of this wonderful holiday flavored tale. I am even tempted try Nina's invention of grilled Brie and fruitcake and I hate fruitcake. I was excited when an old friend returns for a visit.
#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #GrilledCheeseMysteries #ChristmasCozy #LindaReilly #YouFetaWatchOut

You Feta Watch Out is book #5 in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series by Linda Reilly.

It was so good to catch up with Carly and her friends again. This was an entertaining Christmas read. Carly is drawn into theater when a theater company brings A Christmas Carol to Balsam Dell. When a disliked actor is killed and her friend is suspected of the murder, she works to clear her friend’s name. The pacing was good and I was drawn in from the start. The mystery had plenty of twists that kept me guessing. There are recipes at the end. A few grilled cheese sandwiches were consumed while reading this book.

Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series! I want to visit Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery and the quaint town of Balsam Dell. The mystery was well done as always. I love the characters and darling Havarti. I enjoyed the holiday setting and I look forward to the next in the series! If you are interested in trying a cozy mystery or are already a fan, I highly recommend the entire series.

You Feta Watch Out is book five in the Grilled Cheese mystery series. This series is great. I have read and enjoyed every book in this series.
Cayle Hale owns a Grilled Cheese café in Balsam Dell Vermont. Every character in these books are fabulous and fit together perfectly.
This one has the play A Christmas Carol as the focus of the mystery. One of the acters turns up dead and Gina one of Cayle’s friends as the one the finger is pointed at as being the culprit. Cayle knows that Gina is not capable of committing this crime and she starts the hunt to find out who did it!
The author did a great job of keeping her readers guessing who was guilty. The twists and turns kept me engrossed in this mystery.
Thank you NetGalley, Linda Reilly and Beyond the Page Publishing for the copy of You Feta Watch Out. This is my personal review.