I give cozy mysteries a little leeway with plausibility, and saying that, this was a steady plot with multiple suspects. Only in the last few chapters did the clues to the murderer solidify.

Told in first person, Marley's nosiness puts her into dangerous circumstances even when taking a walk on the beach with Brent. Solving the murder of a film crew person in Wildwood Cove is Marley's top priority.

Pancake House recipes are at the end of the book. This is book 3 in the series.

Marley is again off to solving a mystery. A crew has arrived in Wildwood Cove to film the remake of an old horror movie. Marley is happy that they enjoy her crepes so much. However, she is disturbed when she finds her current beau, Brett, embracing his ex, Alyssa, star of the production, on his front porch. Marley is invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of the movie set by Christine, the head make-artist. Marley is shocked when she arrives on the scene and finds the special effects trailer on fire, with Christine inside. Alyssa becomes the prime suspect in Christine’s murder. Marley’s boyfriend insists Alyssa is not guilty and Marley again sets off to find out the truth.

The story is a good one, fairly well done and moves along as a good enough pace. I have not read the other books in the series and thus found the characters and their back stories a bit difficult to relate to and understand. Marley did a great job, putting her feelings and misgivings aside, in pushing through to find the answers to the questions of who killed Christine. It was interesting to watch the romantic tension between Marley and her beau, which also kept me reading, though it did slow down the mystery somewhat. As I said, I have not read the other books in the series so I cannot compare them or to others of the author’s works. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Marley McKInney is a new resident in Wildwood Cove and owns the Flip Side Pancake House. When a Hollywood movie crew comes to town things start getting deadly. Marley and one of her waitresses go to the set to see one of the crew, Christine who does special effects and make-up. When they arrive Christine's trailer is on fire. Marley rushes in to save Christine and is soon joined by one of the crew and they are able to get Christine out of the trailer. However, the next day she dies. There are all kinds of questionable people around including an old girl friend of Irene's boyfriend. Props start disappearing and the generators quick working. Is someone sabotaging the production? And if so why? Marley starts asking questions and looking into the strange goings on and soon finds herself a target. Marley and the police try hard to solve this murder before it's too late for someone else. (ARC)

A film crew has come to town and Marley is invited to see behind the scenes by the head makeup artist but her arrival is only in time to pull her hostess from a fire in the special effects trailer.

Since the prime suspect is her boyfriend's ex, Marley is determined to keep her beau from being used as a rescuer.

Loved the interaction of the characters and the plot development.

Cozy mysteries featuring a cat are usually an entertaining read. Marley McKinney owns the Flip Side Pancake House in Wildwood Cove which is the location for a movie production company filming the remake of a classic film.

In the previous Pancake House mysteries Marley solved crimes abetted by her adopted cat, Flapjack.

In this adventure special-effects makeup artist, Christine, is murdered. Marley's boyfriend Brett is approached by the movie's female star, an old girlfriend and chief murder suspect, to help her out since his uncle is the sheriff. Naturally the relationship between Marely and Brett is affected when Marley finds out about the old girlfriend in an unfortunate way.

The mystery is just okay. The narrative exposition seems excessive in some places. For instance, readers are subjected to on-again, off-again scenes about Brett and Marley's relationship with Marely going through passages of anxious thoughts. Lisa, Marley's girl friend, comes to her rescue after each emotional bump occurs.

The story time spent on the tension around Brett and Marley's relationship slows the pace. And the scene where Marley finally confronts the killer seems to go on far too long.

Everyone is excited that a film crew is remaking an old horror movie in Wildwood Cove. Marley McKinney, owner of The Flip Side Pancake House, is elated when they keep returning for her crêpes. But, she’s dismayed to find her boyfriend embracing his ex, Alyssa, on his front porch. When Christine, the head makeup artist, invites her onset for a behind-the-scenes tour, Marley is shocked to find the special-effects trailer on fire with Christine inside. Christine’s death is ruled a murder, and Alyssa is the main suspect. Marley’s boyfriend insists that the actress is innocent, but is she willing to push her feelings aside to find the truth before she’s next on the killer’s list?
This was a great addition to this cozy mystery series. Marley is a great protagonist who uses her intelligence and style to infiltrate the cast and crew to discover their secrets. The romantic tension between Marley and her boyfriend gave me more impetus to keep turning the pages. And, the recipes at the end of the book kept my hunger satisfied. I can’t wait until the next Pancake House mystery. An advanced readers copy was received in exchange for an honest review.

Like the cover and description. Has never read this series or author before. Too much dialogue and exposition. Couldn't get past chapter 2.

I really liked this book. The characters were interesting and well rounded. I liked the twists and turns. All of the food references mad me hungry. I was glad to see the recipes in the back. I definitely would recommend it.

Enjoyed the setting, Marley is, for the most part, a nice strong character. However, she is old enough not to get so bent out of shape by a previous girlfriend. I did enjoy mystery.

I loved the scenery and imagery in this book. It was a quick, enjoyable read with an interesting plot. I definitely recommend it! It also makes a fantastic gift for those Fall lovers in your life :)

Sarah Fox's newest story "Of Spice and Men" fell a bit shy of the "spice" I was expecting. The mystery wasn't convincing and I found that I didn't actually care about the resolution of the murders. Marley wanders in and out of a movie set as much as she likes all the while asking questions and playing detective. I did not find the story convincing or realistic. The characters weren't individually developed enough for my preference either. Marley is strong willed and fearless, but what about Brett. As the reader, I don't know why Marley is in a relationship with Brett or what their history is. There are assumptions that the reader will fill in the gaps themselves. Other areas of the novel were too plain and wordy. At times the writing style felt like a long conversation, a conversation that could have been more concisely worded.

I appreciate being able to read an advanced copy of this novel and want to thank the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review "Of Spice and Men" by Sarah Fox

I am never disappointed in this series.
Book three is a real delight.
I enjoy the strong female character of Marley.
The setting and whodunit are top notch.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

A series new to me, loved Marley as the main character and her interactions throughout the story, well written page turner with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the page to figure it out. Enjoyed this one very much.

Marley is a interesting female protagonist that a lot female readers can relate with. I enjoyed this setting of story and found it really interesting thar the sheriff had no real problems with her being nosy about the murder. All in all its a enjoyable and quick weekend read

A new favorite cozy series.

Sarah Fox has once again brought murder and romance to Wildwood Beach.
Marley and Brett are really likable characters. I loved how the author intertwined the mystery and their relationship.
There were numerous red herrings as murder suspects which kept me turning page after page to discover who the real murderer was. Too, if you enjoy cooking there are some yummy looking recipes at the end of the book.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.