Dollycas’s Thoughts

We arrive in Jewel Bay just in time for the Jazz Festival. To kick off the event a few of the musicians featured put on a mini preview concert in the event area behind Erin Murphy’s store The Merc. Tempers seem to flare between a few of the artists but Erin thinks the night went pretty well. When headliner Gerry Martin is found dead the next morning Erin finds herself smack dab in the middle of another murder investigation. She is trying to save the festival but she may end up getting herself all jammed up. Can she catch a killer before the last note is played?

All of our favorite characters return and many new ones arrive on the scene. Jewel Bay is a small town and the Merc is right in the center of all the actions. Erin’s mom is cooking up a storm in the Merc’s kitchen and she also takes a big step, Tracy helps Erin with the store and has her area full of chocolate and demand is growing, and Erin has hired Lou Mary to help at the store too. She is just training but I feel she will fit right in. Adam and Erin’s relationship is going strong. His friend Tanner has come to town with some news that could change that though. Also new in this story are the musicians and a new deputy sheriff. The cast is diverse and with those we love, those with secrets, and those that just rub everyone the wrong way. Very representative of life in a small town.

The story moves right along with many things that twist and connect leading up to the surprising reveal. The imagery created by the author’s words gives a clear picture of Jewel Bay and all its special places. The dialogue was real and flowed naturally.

I am so excited that this series is continuing. I have enjoyed every visit and can’t wait to return. I have become very invested in these characters.

If this series is new to you don’t worry. The author provides a cast list at the beginning of the book. I think after reading this one you will want to go back and read the series from the start.

I have been wanting to read one of Leslie Budewitz's books since her first Spice Shop Mystery came out which led me to discover that she also had a Food Lover's Village series. How was I supposed to resist either of those? She might as well have put my name on the cover and said "This is for you". I had high expectations going into Treble at the Jam Fest and this mystery more than lived up to them! I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this entertaining mystery. I would love to go shop at the Merc and visit Jewel Cove and I really enjoyed getting to know Erin, Adam, her family, and all the rest of the residents. The balance of regular life to mystery solving was fantastic. It always annoys me when the main character doesn't actually every show up at her day job but at the same time I don't want to be bogged down in chapters about inventory control. Here we get touches of Erin's regular life (which is pretty busy even before she has murder solving on her To Do list) mixed in with a healthy dose of mystery solving. The mystery was very entertaining and very well done. Erin is super curious but never strays into TSTL territory or purposely hides important information from the police. I stayed up more than a little past my bedtime because I just had to finish the book and find out whodunit! My only problem is that all the food talk made me hungry! If you haven't read any books in this series I don't think you'd have any problem jumping in right here. As for me, I'm going to go find my copy of the first Spice Shop mystery and dive in!

I was thrilled when I found out that the Food Lovers’ Village Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz had found a new home with Midnight Ink! After what seemed like a long wait I finally had the chance to read TREBLE AT THE JAM FEST and it did not disappoint!

The protagonist, Erin Murphy, is the manager of her family’s shop, Murphy’s Mercantile, in Jewel Bay. The author paints a vivid picture of the town and the gorgeous location, so much that it makes me want to visit. She weaves in both scenery and the activities that this slice of Montana paradise has to offer so that the reader feels like they are participating, albeit vicariously, through Erin and her friends. Erin and the cast of characters who surround her seem like real people and it was a pleasure getting reacquainted with them. I love that they are moving forward, growing as individuals and as a community, making changes that aren’t always easy. Leslie provides a list of the characters at the front of the book which is particularly helpful for readers who pick the series up in the middle (or start with TREBLE AT THE JAM FEST) instead of beginning at book one. But overall each book is easily read as a standalone.

I truly enjoy the creativity the author shows in developing festivals for the town. I especially liked the Jazz Festival theme used for this book since it’s one of my favorite types of music to listen to while reading and enjoying a glass of wine. I just wish there could be a sound track to go with the print and e-book versions 🙂 The murder plot was complex with plenty of viable suspects and I was quite surprised by the ending. Erin feels compelled to get involved and solve the case because her boyfriend was the one to find the body. She also freely admits she’s nosy and likes to snoop… which in itself is reason enough to get involved.

There are so many delectable recipes provided at the back of the book and I want to try them all. I did make the Rhubarb Custard Pie after learning it was the author's family recipe and it was every bit as delicious as I had imagined!

Unfortunately, this book didn't work me for. I'm sure it was because it's the fourth book in the series and this was my first time reading Leslie. I just felt a disconnect with the characters and I wasn't able to continue reading the book.

This was a DNF for me, but I'm sure it was more me than the book or Leslie.

Princess Fuzzypants:
If I travelled, which as a cat I do not, I would want to visit this little town. It sounds very interesting and I rather like the characters who live there. It is full of artists and musicians and all sorts of fascinating humans. All the fun and activity hits a strident note when the guest star at their Jazz Festival falls off a cliff and dies. He did have some help so Erin feels compelled to find out who shoved the guy.
From the way he used and abused people, it is no wonder someone thought he deserved it. It just makes it more difficult to sort out the suspects. Of course that leads to more suspense and excitement. It puts Erin right in the line of fire for the murderer too.
I like Erin. I like what she and the other residents are doing to rebuild and revitalize their community. The fact that so many other places who have fallen upon hard times struggle to do the same adds to the ability of the reader to empathize.
As we head towards the summer season and cottages and beaches, this would be a good addition to your TBR.
I give it four purrs and two paws up

Jewel Bay is preparing for the annual Jazz Festival, but one of the headliners takes a dive off a cliff. Did he fall or was he pushed? To keep things running smoothly for the festival, Erin Murphy sets out to uncover the truth and discover some things she wished she hadn't.

The characters need a bit more fleshing out but overall a fun read.

Trouble at the Jam Fest: A Food Lovers’ Village Mystery
By Leslie Budewitz
Midnight Ink
June 8, 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

Tiny Jewel Bay, Montana depends on tourists for its survival, so the pre-Memorial Day Jazz Festival and Workshop is crucial for local businesses and residents. Five-time Grammy winner Gerry Martin has been brought in as the main attraction, but during his first performance Erin Murphy notices that the stage simmers with jealous hostility between him, his protégé, and another guitar player. Having returned home to help her mother run their family’s Mercantile general store, Erin feels responsible for not just for the business but for the opening concert being held on their back patio. Erin was right to be concerned, as it is her boyfriend Adam Zimmerman and his best friend Tanner Lundquist who have the misfortune of seeing the jazz guitarist be fatally pushed off of a cliff.

As head of the Village Merchant’s Association, one is Erin’s duties is to ensure the smooth running of festivals that attract economy-boosting tourists to Jewel Bay. Combined with her inherent nosiness and need to meddle, it would be impossible for Erin to remain on the sidelines with rumors risking Jewel Bay’s reputation as a musical hub fostering new artists. Since Erin’s best friend Kim Caldwell remains on leave from sheriff’s department until she resolves her own issues with guilt, Erin is on her own tracking down the musicians, festival organizers, and even local business owners who resented Gerry Martin and may have given him that last final push.

Although Erin feels unsettled in her own life – at the age of 33 she’s housesitting while working in a store owned by her mother – as an investigator she proves as clever as any professional. Erin has the advantage of having grown up in Jewel Bay, and while she may have left to pursue a career in Seattle, locals feel free to share with her information they hesitate to give to officials. The use of Erin’s Spreadsheet of Suspicion is a welcome distraction to her personal life, as the arrival of Adam’s best friend brings news that could have implications for all their futures. The ambitions and egos of the jazz musicians prove rife with possibilities of murder, and as much as Erin hopes that it’s not a resident, they have their own share of motives caused by human weaknesses. Since Jewel Bay also brands itself as a Food Lovers’ Village, the descriptions of locally sourced, gourmet delicacies and meals will have mouths watering and stomachs grumbling. Erin’s family is written so realistically that they feel familiar as one’s own, and their drama is never overplayed or forced. Erin’s love of Montana and her family will have readers hungry for another chance to visit beautiful Jewel Bay.

I absolutely love the descriptiveness of this book. Leslie Budewitz has a way with words that paints a gorgeous picture. The mystery was great, with plenty of suspects.

I really enjoyed this addition to the Food Lovers' Village Series. It was good to have more of Erin and company. I loved these characters, enjoyed the mystery, and thought it had a great setting. I'm looking forward to more in the series.

Fans of this series will be thrilled with this latest offering.
I may have enjoyed it more if I had read previous books in the series.

Some people know what they are good at, some know their deepest passions and interests and some follow in the path chosen for them by their family.
In a small town, it seems like everyone knows each others' business, but far too often, there are secrets being kept. Sometimes from those you believe are closest to you!

There is a lot going on in Jewel Bay, Montana as the annual Jazz Fest and workshops take over the town. With an abrupt and disturbing change of schedule to the events, Erin Murphy can't hide her attempts to get to the bottom of things. It seems everyone expects her to be smack in the middle.
I may have understood all the details better if I had read the previous books in this series but I understood enough. To make things more complicated for Erin, most of her suspects are people she knows and has trusted.

There is a LOT going on in this book, with the festival and various personal relationships.
Changes are on the horizon in every aspect of this book and emotions are raw.
Settle in for a cozy read but be prepared to want to read the next book to find out what happens next.

Jewel Bay, Montana is the setting for this first-rate book by Leslie Budewitz.
Erin Murphy, manager of Murphy’s Mercantile is a captivating character and she adds a fun twist to this series.
Everyone is preparing for the annual Jazz Fest and when tempers flare and a well known guitarist is found dead, Erin feels the need to nose around and probe into everyone's past.

Treble at the Jam Fest is the first book in this series that I have read. I was able to follow along and I didn't feel lost at any time.

I will admit to wondering about Tanner, best friend to Erin's boyfriend Adam. I really thought there was something strange about him and when it was revealed of his problem, I was really shocked.

The story was well written and I enjoyed reading this story.

I received an ARC of this book provided by Midnight Ink & NetGalley.

This was cute for the most part. I seemed to have trouble getting into the story and characters and would put the book down. There were many distractions that took away from the mystery. Erin is a good amateur sleuth, but makes the police seem very incompetent at their job. One of the highlights was getting glimpses of Erin's feline companions. I may read the next in this series but not sure.

Jewel Bay, Montana is home to Erin Murphy and family. The Merc aka Murphy's Mercantile has been in the family since 1910 and Erin is now in charge.

In between handling business at the store and playing kissy face with boyfriend Adam, she gets involved in trying to figure out who killed Gerry Martin. For someone who wasn't from the area, he sure seems to have impacted quite a few lives in Jewel Bay.

There is no shortage of suspects and even though she knows she should mind her own business, she just can't.

All of our favorite characters are back. And we learn some new things about them too!

I really wish someone would bring The Merc here! The descriptions of the store, the stock, it all just sounds like you could curl up in the corner and never leave!

Thanks for the book Netgalley and the Publisher for this one!

This book in the Food Lovers' Village series left me wishing that I could visit Jewel Bay. The description of Jewel Bay makes it sound like a traveler's dream location.

I'd love to shop at the 'Merc' and visit with Erin as well as try some of the wonderful food. Those chocolates sound very yummy! The characters are continuing to develop and remain true from book one.

I'm already ready for the next in the series.....

This was my first book by this author so I haven't read the previous books in this series, but I didn't feel confused or like I was missing any information. The pacing was steady and the characters were interesting and well developed. I really enjoyed the main character Erin. There were enough suspects to keep me interested in the plot and guessing until the very end. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading others from this author in the future.

Erin Murphy manages Murphy's Mercantile in scenic Jewel Bay, Montana. The annual Jazz Festival at the Food Lovers' Village is revving up for visitors to come from miles away for their entertainment, dining, and shopping pleasures. Erin has to quickly don her amateur sleuth cap as a famous, but fickle jazz guitarist, Gerry Martin, meets his maker over the side of a steep cliff and on the sharp rocks below. The town is thrown into a tailspin without their show headliner and with worries about how the negative publicity may affect the festivities. The story has a banner cast of characters who are either enjoyable, frustrating, manipulative, or dishonest. There are heart-touching moments, also, as future decisions are made due to a terminal illness. The murderer's identity may surprise some readers.

Author Leslie Budewitz is in good writing form with an appealing plot for an afternoon spent reading a story with all the cozy elements readers enjoy. While this story didn't quite have the special 'dazzle' I've experienced in previous books by this author, it was still an interesting read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy for NetGalley.

Everyone is looking forward to Jewel Bay’s annual Jazz Festival. But trouble occurs when jazz guitarist Gerry Martin is found dead on the rocks above the Jewel River. Martin had once been an international sensation but had since fallen out of sync with festival organizers, students, and performers. So was Martin's death an accident, or was he pushed?

Erin Murphy, manager of Murphy’s Mercantile, decides to do some amateur sleuthing. Meanwhile, Erin's romance with Adam Zimmerman continues to develop. But the visit of Adam's childhood best friend Tanner Lundquist to Jewel Bay may cause some changes.

This is another winning book in the Food Lovers' Village mystery series.

I obtained an eARC of this book via Netgalley and Midnight Ink.

I want The Merc in my town or at least have the ability to purchase their products online! Erin is involved in another murder investigation while many things are changing in her life. When a visiting musician dies from a fall off a cliff and Erin's boyfriend and friend witness the death, she knows she has to find the murder. Intriguing list of suspects.

I enjoyed this latest installment in the Food Lovers' Village series. The characters are still fun, and the interactions between them seen very realistic. Of course, the investigating by the main character is not realistic, but that is not why we read copies, is it? There were so many suspects that I was kept guessing up until the reveal, but then the ending did seem a little rushed. I will red more in this series.

I was provided this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.