With our female protagonist, Savvy Summers, being close to my age, I had a hunch that I would thoroughly enjoy this book. This is the first in a new cozy mystery series and it is a true delight. Amateur detective. Soul food. And my favorite, sweet potato pie. I literally could not wait to dive into this book.

When one of Savvy’s customers, Grandy Jaspers, drops dead after having a slice of one of her famous sweet potato pies, Savvy immediately decides to get to the bottom of this. Even though the police have ruled Grandy’s death as accidental, this was just not enough for Savvy. She knows without a shadow of a doubt that her pies were not responsible for his death. She needs to clear her restaurant’s name. Her name. And, of course, find justice for Grandy.

Sandra Jackson-Opoku is a new author to me, and this was the perfect book for me to become familiar with her writing style. I loved her character development and the intricate plot. It is a fun story, with our diehard amateur detective, Savvy. I love her no-nonsense approach. The banter and soul food (So missed that I pulled out a soul food cookbook I have had since I got married.) blend together to deliver a solid read, one that will no doubt draw many back to further books in the series.

Not only is Savvy a fun and delightful character, her best friend Penny is as well. They are the perfect team when it comes to discovering who was responsible for Grandy’s death. I loved the guessing game laid out to readers, allowing me to follow the clues that Savvy and Penny were unveiling. This engaging read will be continued in July, 2026, with Savvy Summers and the Po’Boy Perils. No doubt it will be just as hilarious and intriguing as this first book.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is a charming debut cozy mystery by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, filled with warmth, humor, and rich African American cultural references.

At the heart of the story is Savvy, a vibrant and relatable protagonist whose love for her Chicago neighborhood and deep knowledge of soul food recipes add flavor to every page. As she and her friend Penny prepare to open Essie’s Soul Food Café one Saturday morning, their plans are abruptly upended when a local man, Grandy, drops dead on the premises—sparking a mystery that leads the duo on an unexpected investigation.

With whispers of foul play (and suspicions surrounding Savvy’s sweet potato pie), the story unfolds with a lively cast of characters, witty dialogue, and even a dash of scandal—yes, including the possibility of murder by Viagra. While the number of characters can be a bit much at first, the strong relationships and engaging pace keep things moving.

This is an entertaining and promising debut, and I’d happily follow Savvy and Penny on more adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC audiobook of Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes. All opinions are my own. Rating: 3.5 stars

This is cozy murder mystery! Savy ends up working to solve who killed the old man who died eating her sweet potatoe pie. She needs to redeem her esteemed pie and bring back her bustling business.

I tried multiple times to get into this novel and it's most likely my fault for thinking I could follow along with a mystery audiobook. The narrator was fantastic and engaging, I was pulled right in but struggled with the fact I couldn't see everything before me to trace through the mystery. However, I do think this is a great book for a lot of people who are more used to the mystery genre because right away I wanted to hear more despite later being a little too confused.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is a delightful debut—rich in community, culture, and crime-solving wit. It's a cozy mystery seasoned with soul food, sharp characterization, and a plot that leaves you both craving pie and solving murders.

Perfect for you if you love:
1) Cozy mysteries served with culinary flair
2) Stories rooted in Black community and culture
3) Smart, middle-aged heroines with warmth and grit

This was such a fun, cozy mystery with lots of heart. It’s quirky but not too over the top, and the food details made me so hungry while reading. I loved the narration! It kept the story lively and charming and definitely made the humor pop. I giggled at so many parts throughout the book.

This was a really good author debut and series starter. Over the last several years I have found that I like diving into cozy mystery, and this fit the bill. I liked the characters and the overall plot. Sandra did a great job creating a strong, female lead and sprinkled in some humor throughout. This will be a great series to keep track of in the future.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku is a savoury cosy mystery featuring well developed characters, delicious soul, food, and an intrepid middle-aged just trying to keep her business from getting burned!

Savi Summers is spunky and fun and she’s a character you can’t help but get behind as she investigates a murder that has been blamed on her cooking! This mystery has plenty of soul and great twist and turns!

I listened to the audio narrated by Karen Chilton and really enjoyed her accent work and voice differentiation between the various characters. She did an excellent job bringing this book to life and creating a really immersive listening experience.

I really enjoyed this book (and the audiobook was great too -- the narrator was so smooth and comforting to listen to). It was the perfect cozy mystery. I didn't fully know going through who the perp was going to be until the reveal and it was great to go through it with our amateur sleuth Savvy. Definitely a good read for fall!

Special thanks to the author & @minotaur_books for my gifted copy‼️

Essie's soul food café is serving up fresh sweet potato pie with a side of viagra on the South Side of Chicago . . . Why was this book so funny to me? It was giving cozy auntie murder mystery vibes lol I know that’s not a thing but it’s the best way to describe this book.

It’s messy, a little suspenseful, filled with action and hilarious banter you’d hear from an elder in your family. I loved both Savvy and Penny’s character especially Penny she was sassy, had a spending problem and didn’t care who she borrowed money from lol.

When Grandy Jaspers, the 75-year-old neighborhood womanizer and pimp daddy drops dead in the cafe the culprit is somehow Savvy’s delicious pie. To save her cafe’s reputation Savvy and Penny must get to the bottom of Grandy’s “accidental” death to find the real killer. Savvy said what you not gone do is lie on my food or mess with her money. The mystery becomes more intense and the plot thickens when another person dies under similar circumstances as Grandy.

Savvy’s investigation opened up more secrets than she cared to know. Infidelities left and right, secret babies, whose sleeping with who, sparks ignited with an old flame, sugar daddies who can’t give no real sugar, and a shady investor who can’t take no for an answer.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one and all of Savvy’s Great-Aunt Essie's Epithets and recipes the author included at the end of the book. Every character was well-developed, it’s fast-paced and perfect for anyone who loves a cozy mystery that involves food. The narrator also did a great job with the audio. If you’re a fan of Valerie Burns “Baker Street Mystery” series or Olivia Matthews “Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries” series then you’ll enjoy this book!

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

Savvy Summers is a refreshing main character. I really appreciate stories of women in their 50s, as they seem to be few and far between. A solid cozy mystery, heavy on the mystery, less so on the cozy.

This was a good listen.

Savvy and Fanon need to get the water from under the bridge. There is still something there.

Shystein is a trip. She “likeded” what Grandy was doing, despite him having a whole wife. And her getting in trouble at work, I believe she did exactly what she was accused of. Does she know who the father is of her unborn child? Laquita and Camila gossiping was funny.

Savvy doing sleuth work was honestly better than the actual police. Her impersonating Sgt. Jacob’s had me shaking my head, but also, I don’t like Sgt. Jacobs, so 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Penny is a character herself. She holds nothing back, and she speaks her mind.

Delbert and Grandy were some Rolling Stones, with their old behinds.

Every Ann and Shystein? Should’ve known.

I was excited about this new cozy because it seemed new different, and it was, I just didn’t really feel connected or invested. I wanted to like it, but it ended up not being for me. I’m sure others will enjoy it though.

Savvy Summers is a delightfully fresh addition to the cozy mystery scene—a soul food chef with a sharp mind, quick wit, and just enough sass to keep things lively. This story brims with humor, scandalous gossip, and an eccentric cast that practically jumps off the page. The mystery itself is layered and tricky enough to keep even seasoned cozy readers guessing, and the inclusion of recipes at the end is a charming bonus.

While the ending stretched a bit longer than I expected and the resolution could have arrived sooner, I can’t deny the satisfaction of a big, dramatic finale—and Jackson-Opoku knows how to deliver on that front.

If you enjoy lighthearted mysteries that aren’t afraid to bend the cozy formula, this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Just be warned: the food descriptions will have you reaching for snacks.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is a decent cozy murder mystery set on Chicago’s south side. I love Savvy, who owns a soul food restaurant and does some catering. Business is good, until Grandy Jaspers drops dead while eating her famous sweet potato pie. Even though it was ruled an accident, people are avoiding the restaurant. And to be honest, while Savvy knows it wasn’t her pie that killed Grandy, she does think he might have been murdered.

Savvy is a middle-aged widow who is smart, sassy, and determined, but maybe not the best detective. This is her first case though. And it’s a tough one. We have tons of characters, most of whom she knows from one place or another, and they all seem to have secrets, even her assistant/side-kick, Penny. I actually had a hard time keeping everyone straight, and since I listened to the audio, I couldn’t exactly flip back to see who was who. The narrator did a good job, especially bringing Savvy to life, but it was a bit confusing at times.

The author did a fabulous job bringing the south Chicago setting to life. I could picture the neighborhood, the people – and the food. I wonder if we have a decent soul food restaurant locally.

The mystery was entertaining enough. I didn’t guess who the killer was, but I’m not sure I really cared either. Hopefully, this is the first in a series and the next one’s mystery will be as strong as Savvy and her setting.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku is a wonderfully entertaining cozy mystery with a fresh, vibrant twist. From the very first chapter, the story bursts with charm, cultural richness, and characters you can’t help but root for.

The mystery is clever and well-paced, keeping me intrigued while also delivering plenty of humor, warmth, and mouth-watering food descriptions. Sandra Jackson-Opoku creates a world that feels like home—full of community, flavor, and heart—while still keeping you on your toes with unexpected turns.

If you love cozy mysteries with strong characters, cultural depth, and a unique voice, Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is an absolute must-read.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is a delightful debut culinary cozy mystery by Sandra Jackson-Opoku. I was lucky enough to listen to this as an audiobook, and narrator Karen Chilton does a fabulous job bringing this sassy story and characters to life.

Savvy Summers is the proprietor of Essie’s soul food café on the south side of Chicago. Life is going relatively smoothly for Savvy until Grandy Jaspers, the 75-year-old neighborhood womanizer, drops dead in her cafe after eating her sweet potato pie.

While police deem Grandy’s death an accident, Savvy quickly finds herself and her beloved café in the middle of a lot of bad press. She also has an unscrupulous commercial realtor breathing down her neck, adding much unneeded stress.

Savvy is determined to clear her name and reveal the true murderer, so she and her hilarious assistant manager, Penny Lopés, dive into sleuthing. And then there’s Savvy’s somewhat charming police sergeant ex-husband suddenly back in the picture.

This is a wild ride of a story that I so enjoyed – I listened to it in one day! The story has such a strong, authentic voice that immediately captured my attention and dropped me right into Savvy’s cafe. The plot takes place at the start of late summer/early fall, and goes through Christmas and into a little later in the winter. I thought this was such a creative and unusual way for a cozy mystery to tell a story, and this choice added to the realness of the characters and story.

The characters are well developed and each unique. Savvy and Penny, while so different from each other, were my favorite. I love strong, independent female leads, and these both had great senses of humor.

I had a slight guess as to the true culprit, but I didn’t have any guesses as to how it would unfold. The ending is dramatic and page-turning.

I do hope we can travel through the pages of a book to Chicago soon and get more stories featuring Savvy and her friends. This was a lot of fun.

I really enjoyed this mystery. The characters in this story felt familiar and were definitely entertaining. I also loved the use of all the black colloquialisms throughout. I felt invested in solving the mystery and the added element of Ms Savvy trying to keep her business from being taken over was captivating. My first read from the author but i’d love to read more.

Omgg, wow. This turner put way better than I expected!

When I first saw this book and it’s synopsis it reminded me a bit of Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P Manansala.
It was that and so much more! Funny, mysterious and it had me really cracking my head on who was the culprit. The authors writing really grabbed me in to the story. Very detailed but not in a heavy writing type of way. The narrator was excelent. Made me laugh at time, especially speaking about our old man (you’ll have to read it to know. But we all know one of these lol).

And Sandra, THANK YOU for including the recipes from the book at the end! Such a special touch.

I really loved this mystery and that the character is not a professional private eye or investigator. It moved at a nice place and really kept me guessing. The characters were well developed and I loved their personalities. I hope there are more Savvy Summers's mysteries in the works. I also enjoyed the narrator.