The main characters are interesting and fairly well developed. Writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick, easy read

Dodie O'dell is the manager of a small town restaurant but she also helps out at the community theater tying both activities together with themed menus for the current production. Things go a bit wrong when the guest director suddenly dies of what appears to be food poisoning after eating one of the new dishes at the spring Food Fair.

Since business is now impacted Dodie has to "help" find the cause to save the restaurant.

Loved the twists and turns related to the theater and the victim.

Another entertaining installment in the Dodie O'Dell Mysteries!

Once again, author Suzanne Trauth shows small towns, rather they be in the deep south or New Jersey, are hot beds of gossip, and murder (Okay, not all are full of murder, but in cozies they are!).

TIME OUT was a good mystery, with enough suspects to keep me guessing until the end. Some of the main characters have been a bit more fleshed out. I enjoy seeing characters grown through a series.

If you're looking for a new cozy mystery, take some time out and read TIME OUT!

Time Out is a solid mystery with a few issues that kept me from truly loving it. The main characters are interesting and fairly well developed (I did feel I was maybe missing some things because this is the second in a series, and I have not read the first). The town felt real, and there is a nice touch of humor in the writing.

I did, however, get off to a poor start with a dump of too much information about the town, the theater, and the people in the first few pages. Once I got that straightened out, the story moved along well. My deeper criticism is a common one for cozy mysteries: I didn't feel that Dodie's motivation for running her own investigation was adequate. At first it was justifiable--she needed to clear the restaurant of any culpability in Digenza's death, and the police chief was a little too willing to accept the man's death at face value--but later, I felt that the effort to make Dodie's failure to share information with the police was a bit contrived.

I also fully expected the worst, as she kept insisting on doing things like searching the theater on her own, even after she'd been attacked twice. That was a bit too much like the horror movies where the heroine insists on entering the dark room alone...

With all that out of my system, I have to say that the mystery was well-constructed. I didn't figure it all out, and yet didn't feel that I'd been cheated of information that I should have been given. In the end, despite my frustrations, I have to say I generally enjoyed the book, and it was certainly no chore to read it. In fact, once past the first few pages, where I did have to do some flipping back and forth (most annoying with an e-book), I zipped through it quickly.

If you enjoy cozies with a decent touch of romance, and especially if you have any interest in theater (I've done just enough to get a kick out of the theater group's antics), you'll probably enjoy this.

I did find it easier to follow who is or was who and certain relationships between them because I had read the previous book in this series. I have a soft spot for community theatre and the off-beat, quirky kind of personalities that tend to gather there. It is a continuous love-hate family sort of feel.

As in the previous book, the production has not even opened before tragedy strikes.
This time the crime and resultant rumor tries to ruin not only the production but also the diner by association. Dodie can't help herself and finds her imagination running away with itself as she digs for clues. Some things she uncovers she wishes she never learned and naturally puts herself in danger.

It is not a complicated mystery but a comfortable diversionary read with romantic conflict included.

Time Out is the second book in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series. This book was a slow starter but once you hang in you will not be disappointed. The characters are well developed and the story line, once it starts to move, is beautifully written and executed throughout the story. I love a good mystery, especially one that centers around a strong group of harriers and this book does that in spades. What is great about this book is that the author wasn't rushed, there is not a lot of jumping from one sub mystery to the next as you often find. If you are looking for a good, easy read, look no further.

This was such a fun mystery to read. I found myself excited to read each chapter and the plot was fantastic!

TIME OUT by Suzanne Trauth
The Second Dodie O'Dell Mystery

With a continued partnership with the Etonville Little Theatre Dodie O'Dell's latest idea is an outdoor food festival with a 1940s Brooklyn theme to correspond with the play, Arsenic and Old Lace. As usual, the theatre is having its own issues, especially with guest director, Antonio Digenza, and his young wife, Tiffany. Dodie is having issues of her own between Henry's niece, Honey "helping" at the restaurant and wondering if she has a relationship with the Chief of Police or not. But when Antonio drops dead after eating a plateful of festival food, both restaurant and theatrical production may be kaput, even if it wasn't the knishes that did him in!

When the hairs on the back of her neck stand up Dodie O'Dell knows that something's wrong. Those hairs stood up a few times in this second Dodie O'Dell Mystery. TIME OUT is a story and a mystery about relationships. Dodie's new relationship with Henry's niece, Honey, is one frustrating affiliation as is the confusing relationship she has with Etonville's busy Chief of Police. There's also the relationship between the Windjammer restaurant and the Etonville Little Theatre (ELT), Dodie's relationship with the theatre members, and their relationships with each other. Trauth brings in new blood to the ELT in the form of guest director, Antonio Digenza, and his young wife. Antonio's relationships are key to the mystery itself!

TIME OUT provides a satisfying second act to the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series. Well rounded characters, plenty of humor, and an intimate look at community theatre and family restaurants enhance the mystery. So grab a black and white cookie, but perhaps pass on the elderberry wine, and take your own time out to enjoy this delightful mystery.

Entertaining cozy mystery. There is an ongoing relationship between the local theater and the restaurant the protagonist manages. Romance is moving at a snail's pace. Clever mystery with some surprises.

Time Out by Suzanne Trauth is the second book in A Dodie O’Dell Mystery series. Dodie O’Dell is the manager of the Windjammer in Etonville, New Jersey. She has arranged a two-day food festival with 1940 Brooklyn themed food items in conjunction with the ELT (Etonville Little Theatre) production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Antonio Digenza, the guest director, joins the festival and is soon enjoying a knish (and “elderberry wine”). Dodie hears choking and sees Antonio collapse (his face ends up in his plate of food). Antonio is dead and people are blaming his death on the Windjammer’s food. The Windjammer’s business takes an instant decline and Henry, Dodie’s boss, is less than thrilled with Dodie. Dodie knows there was nothing wrong with the food since no one else fell ill (dozens of people attended the festival). Dodie needs to restore the reputation of the Windjammer. She starts investigating Antonio to find out who wanted him dead. In the short time Antonio was in town, he managed to alienate the entire cast of Arsenic and Old Lace. Someone is not happy with Dodie investigation. She receives a threatening note telling her to back off. This just spurs Dodie on to find the truth.

Time Out is easy to read and nicely written. I thought there were a few too many quirky characters. One per town should be the quota. I quickly tired of Honey (Henry’s niece who is majoring in packaging in college) and her use of the word “like” (she talked like an 80s valley girl). I am amazed that Dodie has a job with how little time she spends working. When she starts an investigation, she seems to spend the majority of her time questioning people (and running around town). Dodie is prone to jumping to conclusions about her investigation and Bill Thompson (the guy she is interested in). I did get tired of the frequent mentions about Bill’s physique (makes me want to tell the writer that we get it. He is well built and Dodie is attracted to him.) I give Time Out 3 out of 5 stars (it is okay). I did not find the mystery puzzling. It is easy to figure out (very early in the book) how Antonio was killed and by whom. The secondary mystery (I only talked about the main one) was equally simple (burglaries in the next town that Bill Thompson is helping to solve). Some information is mentioned more than once especially information about the crime (filler). I am not sure how many more murders can occur at the Etonville Little Theatre. There have already been two. It can only go on so long without being farfetched. Time Out may be the second book in the series, but it can be a stand-alone. The background information on Dodie and the first book (Show Time) are included in Time Out.

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Dodie O’Dell Mystery series written by Suzanne Trauth. The amateur actors at the Etonville Little Theatre may be known for chewing the scenery, but restaurant manager Dodie O’Dell has something more appetizing for them to sink their teeth into. She’s been taking bows in her small New Jersey town for her theme menus, designed to complement the local productions. This fall, the community theatre is staging Arsenic and Old Lace, set in 1940s Brooklyn, so Dodie is serving up hot dogs, Italian ices, egg creams, and knishes at the weekend food festival. All is going well until Antonio Digenza, the ex-Off-Off-Broadway director of the show, dies dramatically while noshing on a knish. As rumors of food poisoning quickly spread, Dodie scrambles to rescue the Windjammer restaurant’s reputation. But when clues point to foul play, she’s faced with a cast of suspects all auditioning for the part of DiGenza’s murderer.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

In Time Out, the second book in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series, author Suzanne Trauth weaves an intriguing cozy mystery tale that easily draws the reader into following Windjammer restaurant manager Dodie O'Dell's latest amateur sleuth adventure. Dodie and best friend Lola Tripper, artistic director of the Etonville Little Theatre, try to uncover who murdered Antonio Digenza, visiting theater director, who died after eating a knish prepared by Windjammer restaurant. With rumors of food poisoning swirling around the town, Dodie is determined to find the killer and save the restaurant's reputation.

Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the story takes place in the quaint small northern New Jersey town of Etonville, nestled in the shadow of New York City. This entertaining and fast-paced whodunit tale will keep you engaged as you turn the pages following along with Dodie's latest investigative adventure. You can't help but get caught up in the drama and calamity that ensues as Dodie and Lola try to solve the murder, while dealing with a zany mixture of restaurant, community theatre, and romance drama.

Time Out has a quirky cast of characters, and a wonderful balance of comedy, drama, secrets, intriguing twists and turns, clues, conspiracy theories, and a growing list of suspects that will keep you guessing and wanting more.

Time Out is an entertaining cozy murder mystery that will engage you to join in the crazy adventures and trials and tribulations that occur, while providing you with an intriguing mystery to solve.

RATING: 4 STARS

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2017/01/time-out-by-suzanne-trauth-book-review.html

Time Out by Suzanne Trauth is book two in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series. I had not read the first book, but I was not at all lost. The book focuses on Dodie who is the manager of a restaurant and on the Etonville Little Theater. Dodie plans a food festival with a menu to go along with the theater's play - Arsenic and Old Lace. Unfortunately while at the festival, the play's director dies. Even though none of the signs point to the food, the town is wary of returning to the restaurant. Dodie must solve the mystery to save the restaurant. The characters are fun and definitely remind me of small town people. I did find the book to be a bit rambling as there were several sub-plots. I think the series has potential for growth. I will definitely read more in this series!

Overall this was a decent book, but it didn't hold my attention the entire time. I had part of it figured out by a third of the way through, which made parts of the book a bit tedious. One of the main reasons I wanted to read this book is because I love the movie version of Arsenic and Old Lace, so I was a little disappointed when it didn't play much of a part in the plot.

I enjoyed this mystery. It didn't grab my attention like other books. Part of this may have been the format (pdf). I did confuse characters, Lola, Carol, who did Pauli belong to, etc. The characters are fun, but nothing memorable. Could be because I haven't read the first book. Maybe each book in the series will reveal more about the people of the town. When the murder was revealed I was surprised. Perhaps the "clues" weren't obvious like in other books. It was fun and enjoyable and I would read another by this author.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 2 in the series.

I like Dodie, and the way the restaurant she runs does a "dinner and a show" along with the local theater group. But I felt a little disappointed in this book. Dodie's "love interest," police chief Bill, is busy with a rash of burglaries, and doesn't seem too interested in a suspicious death (?! I would have thought a death would take priority, but what do I know?) or Dodie, for that matter.

All in all, I enjoyed this book, but felt there was a bit more filler than needed, which made the story drag a little at times. I still like the quirky characters and look forward to the next book in the series.

This was another outstanding visit to Etonville by Suzanne Trauth. The characters are well defined and interesting, and there is a perfect mix of mystery, suspense and romance. I love being inside of Dodie's brain and sharing her thoughts. I look forward to many more!