Val, along with her grandfather, is asked to cater a dinner party on a yacht with a Titanic themed dinner and mystery game. During the affair, the host disappears and is presumed to have possibly fallen over the side of the boat. When it is found that it was a murder and he had been shot before going over the side, Val takes it upon herself to do some investigating. I really enjoyed this book it was both fun and Interesting.

Against her better judgment, Val Deniston agrees to cater a 10-course meal on a yacht belonging to Otto Warbeck, a rich, eccentric, Titanic collector and connoisseur. It was to be served on the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking. Her Grandfather was worried about the timing and jinx that might follow, but the money Otto Warbeck was willing to pay, convinced them to move forward with the job. They should have followed their hunches as one of the passengers disappears, they sail into a squall, and the pilot of The Abyss is drugged. Will Val be able to figure out what happened?

I enjoy the Five-Ingredient Mystery series, although this was not one of my favourites in the series. Val, her grandfather and Bethany put their sleuthing skills to use trying to determine who the murderer is as well as who drugged the pilot and why. Asking questions, making friendly visits (always with cookies) and doing some internet research, they come up with a lot of information to assist the police. I like that the police are not bumbling idiots, but they don’t seem to do a lot of active investigating. They don’t get upset with Val when she brings them information and seems to actually want to her to nose around and help them out. The mystery itself was a good one. There were a few twists that surprised me and a whole boatload of suspects. The reveal was okay, a bit of a let-down after the investigation, but still a good conclusion. I will continue reading this series as I enjoy it, but this one didn’t seem to have the same punch as previous books in this series.

I absolutely love these cosy mysteries and this did not disappoint, although it's part of a series I hadn't read any of the others (I will be reading them now though!) a new favourite author of this genre.

I found this book to be a great, quick read. Books that are culinary in nature are one of my favorites. This book was enjoyable and the characters were ones I would love to visit with over and over again.

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Corrigan has another great mystery, this time tying the sinking of the Titanic to a man overboard who just might be murdered. I enjoyed how the recipes tied into the mystery, as well as the way she moved several of the characters' relationships onward.

This is book 5 in the Five-Ingredient Mystery series. You can read it without reading the whole series. The idea of this story is when is it actually murder? Val and her grandfather are catering a dinner on a yacht recreating the last voyage of the titanic. When the client is killed while they are out on the Chesapeake Bay the police have a small group of suspects. Has overtones of water pollution and big agriculture. The recipes all sound yummy and the mystery is pretty good with clues to keep you interested. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Val's catering gig on a yacht pretending to be the Titanic, while the guests on board do a murder mystery event, was a great premise for the story. When one guest goes missing, the possibilities and twists and turns kept me reading at a very fast pace. I love the character of Granddad, he is the best!

I swear this series just keeps getting better and better. This time Val agreed to cater a fancy Titanic dinner on a yacht with grandpa's help. Things are going great with the mystery dinner until the host disappears and the person driving is knocked out. If course Val has to get involved along with her friends leading a story that will keep you hooked with the little clues plus details. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a culinary flair you have to try this one. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.

This is the 5th book in the 5 Ingredient Mystery series, and I think the books are getting better and better. This book focusses on Val catering a dinner on a yacht for Titanic buffs (the recipes are great!). Her grandfather, the Codger Cook, is there serving and so he's involved when the captain (and host) disappears off the bow of the boat. Is it an accident or murder? Val wants to find out!

This entry has fun and quirky characters and an interesting plot line. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cozys and catering, cozys and chocolate, cozys and characters! This book was S'more much fun that I can't wait to read the next installment! I for one LOVE a good meal and when it is incorporated into a murder mystery dinner party it is even BETTER! Unless of course the host of the party dies....That is not how the game usually goes and this one is a little tricky but Val Deniston is ready to take on this Titanic mystery. So many guilty parties to choose from but which one fired the fatal shot and why? A young widow, the ex wife and former stepson, and new neighbors, What is the connection and how does the host's obsession with all things Titanic play a part in this catered playacting party. They didn't even get to finish the main course let alone dessert and these were exquisitely created meals from the original Titanic dinner menu. Val, her friend and expert S'more maker Bethany, and Val's Granddad this mystery is sure to be unraveled faster than an iceberg can melt. Best of all each of the featured recipes only requires 5 ingredients to create a YUMMY meal.

Wow, oh wow...this book is filled with an intricate, perfectly woven murder mystery that had me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails as I tried tirelessly to figure out the "whodunit" of this bizarre murder, or was it really a suicide? This is my first introduction to Maya Corrigan's Five-Ingredient Mystery Series, and I have to say I was blown away! I was sucked into the story very early on and I didn't want to do anything else while I was reading this, but continue on down the path of murder to figure out just what happened. This book is so well written and the characters are so well developed that I really did feel like I had become part of the story itself. Do yourself a favor and grab this book, you will thoroughly enjoy it! I know I am going back and getting the rest of the series so I can get more of Val and the gang!

S'More Murders by Maya Corrigan is the fifth book in the Five Ingredient Mystery series. Val keeps busy running the fitness club cafe and helping her grandfather with his cookbook. To earn extra money she adds caterer to her resume. She takes a job recreating the final menu from the Titanic for a murder mystery dinner party aboard a yacht. When the host disappears and is later found dead, Val is in the midst of a real murder mystery. Val and her grandfather are a great pair, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. This is a wonderful, well-written series. While this book can be read on its own, I highly recommend the other books.

Val Deniston usually caters meals from a set list of menu choices. But when a wealthy man offers her a lot of money to recreate a 10-course meal served to first class passengers on the Titanic, she agrees. Bills gotta get paid...and the money is too good to refuse. At first the dinner aboard his yacht, the Abyss, is enjoyable for the eight people seated at the table. It quickly takes a bad turn when the captain is knocked unconscious and the host disappears off the boat. Was it an accident....or murder?

This is the first book in the 5-ingredient Mystery Series that I have read. S'More Murders is the 5th book in the series. I was easily able to follow the story and the characters without reading any of the prior books. There is some character development and background that I was lacking, of course, but I still enjoyed the story. I will definitely be backtracking to read this series from the start.

The mystery kept my attention. I liked the recreation of the Titanic dinner with a murder mystery game element added. There were plenty of suspects and sleuthing, and having the murder victim disappear off a ship at sea was a creative, interesting way to bump him off. Val and her grandpa are great characters, and I even liked all of the side characters. The fact that Val is helping her grandpa write a cookbook about old codger's favorite recipes made me smile. Cute! Plus, there are several yummy sounding recipes based on the Titanic cuisine in the back of the book! I love it when cozies include recipes that aren't all sugary desserts or cookies! An example of a first class dinner menu from the Titanic is included as well. I found it an interesting fact that none of the actual recipes for foods cooked on the Titanic still exist. Val had to wing it and create her own in the story. I'm surprised the White Star Line doesn't have a record of food preparation or recipes on its liners from that time....but I suppose the Chef also winged it and created his own versions of the foods. After finishing the book I did a little online research. Head Chef Charles Proctor and most of his staff did not survive the sinking. The ship's Head Baker, Charles Joughin, did survive, floating in the water in a lifebelt until rescue arrived. So, no wonder there are no authentic recipes for the foods served to first class on that fateful voyage. There are several restaurants around the world offering a recreation of the last meal served to passengers -- one even offers a 1907 vintage wine that was actually salvaged from the wreck (I find this morally wrong....but they didn't ask my opinion) for nearly $2,000 per person.

Enjoyable cozy! I will definitely be reading the rest of this series...and more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Synopsis:

Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on a cookbook with her gradfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, but she’s about to set sail into nearby Chesapeake Bay—straight into a murder case . . .

Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . .

Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes! (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I thought that Val was a smart hardworking woman who has a brain in her head, which I enjoy. The relationship between her and her grandpa felt very genuine and that made them both seem more realistic to me. I like when the protagonist has a relationship with an older person, such as a grandparent. I also enjoyed getting to meet Val’s friend Bethany and I enjoyed their interactions.

I really liked the premise of this book. I liked the fact that it revolved around the Titanic. It was fun reading about the last dinner and some of the other memorabilia that was included in the book.

The mystery was well plotted and perfectly paced. I liked the fact that there were only a handful of suspects to consider because that was all that was on the yacht. There were enough clues to sift through and some twists and turns that I did not see coming. The mystery was not easy to solve and I was not one hundred percent sure of the culprit until it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the first book in this series that I read and I did not have any trouble following the story and characters. I will be reading the other books in this series when I can.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

S’more Murders by Maya Corrigan is the fifth novel in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series. Val Dennison has been hired to cater a special dinner hosted by Otto Warbeck who is a collector of Titanic memorabilia. He wants Val to recreate the last dinner served on the Titanic on his yacht, Abyss. It is a ten-course meal for eight guests and he insists it be held in a few days on Saturday, April 14 (the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking). Val is reluctant to take this particular job, but the money she will earn will pay for the repairs needed to Granddad’s home (those blasted termites). On Saturday Val, Bethany and Granddad board the Abyss and begin their dinner preparations while the yacht heads out into open water. Bethany oversees the s’more appetizers requested by Otto’s wife, Cheyenne. After they sit down for dinner, Otto announces he has created a mystery game for them to play while they eat (he even has scripts). The water becomes choppy due to a storm, the pilot of the yacht is in distress and Otto cannot be found. Val, with the help of her friends, dives into the case. There are eight suspects with motive to harm the victim. Val wades through the clues with the hopes of spearing a killer.

S’more Murders is nicely written, and it has some interesting characters. I find that Grandad (Don Myer) steals the show from Val. He is an eccentric and gregarious older gentleman with a zest for life. Val came across as bland and I am not a fan of her boyfriend, Gunnar. Gunnar is an amateur actor who wishes to expand his skills. He is contemplating a change and Val wonders how she will fit in with his plans. Personally, I would wish Gunnar good luck on his new venture and look for a boyfriend who is more compatible. I would like to see the author flesh out Val’s character and have her grow as a person. The mystery was intriguing with multiple suspects and misdirection. I think that many readers will be surprised when the full solution is revealed. I could have done with less speculation and rehashing of the clues (it gets old). I did find the pace to be a little slow, and I had trouble staying invested in the story (my attention wandered). Val whips up some delectable foods in the story and the descriptions will have your mouth watering (and your stomach growling). I like how friends and family come together to help and care for each other. S’more Murders can be read alone if you are new to the series. Welcome aboard Val’s high seas adventure in S’more Murders.

S'More Murders is the 5th installment in this fabulous cozy series and my favorite of all the series to date. This book can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend the entire series for your reading enjoyment. I love everything about this series . The setting is Chesapeake Bay and its so richly described to the readers that you feel as if your at the bay.
In this next "A Five-Ingredient Mystery" our protagonist Cool Down Cafe owner, Val Deniston is concerned about necessary repairs to the house she shares with her Grandfather.. She cannot afford the repairs and neither can her Grandfather. With the repairs looming over them she then decides to accept a job by the wealthy Otto Warbeck to cater a dinner aboard his fancy yacht Little does she know she is heading straight into a disturbing evening that he wanted to create based on the last meal of the Titanic. She finds it extremely creepy but goes ahead with her job. Smore's are part of the evening as the featured dessert.

Val, Don and her best friend Bethany begin the dinner preparations. The guest seem all well to do and excited about a mystery game during dinner about the death of a Titanic passenger.
Things take a strange turn when suddenly a violent storm occurs and the boat's captain is discovered drugged on the bridge. Otto is now missing and not to be found on the yacht . Is he overboard or is he drugged and hidden on the boat. No one knows what to do and the guests are panicking so Val takes on the task of piecing together the evening events.

Val wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Otto and who drugged the captain as she is skilled at solving mysteries. As she closes in on suspects she may be putting herself in danger as well as everyone on the boat. What a fascinating mystery this was !
This was a fast paced mystery with a great sleuth. I loved the twist and turns of the clues. I look forward to the next in series.
Thank you for the ARC . My opinion is my own.

S'More Murders is the fifth installment in the A Five-Ingredient Mystery series featuring Cool Down Cafe owner, Val Deniston and set in the Chesapeake Bay town of Bayport. The house she shares with her grandfather, Don, has some serious termite damage and the repairs will be costly, so when Val is approached by the wealthy Otto Warbeck to cater a dinner aboard his yacht she can hardly turn down the additional income.

Otto is an avid collector of Titanic memorabilia, and he wants to host a ten course dinner party for eight people on the eve of the historic sinking of the massive ocean liner. Val, Don and her best friend Bethany climb aboard the luxurius, Abyss and begin the dinner preparations. An eclectic bunch, the guests include Otto's much younger wife Cheyenne, his ex wife Stacy Turnstone and step son Trey, Louisa and Damian Brown, lobbyists for the poultry industry and Homer Huxby a local antiques dealer.

Otto decides that the guests will play a mystery game during dinner that will revolve around the death of a Titanic passenger. One of the dinner guests will be the murder according to the pre-written scripts that Otto passes out to each person. Things take an even stranger turn when suddenly the yacht is caught up in a violent storm, the boat's captain is discovered drugged on the bridge and Otto has gone missing.

Despite warnings from her boyfriend Gunnar and Chief Earl Yardley to stay out of the investigation, Val can't help but find herself caught up in the hunt for a killer. With Bethany by her side, Val soon discovers that each of the dinner guests had a secret they'd prefer to keep hidden and Otto knew them all.

A fast moving plot somewhat similar to the famous And Then There Were None. With only a handful of possible suspects that were aboard the yacht when Otto went missing, the character pool is limited. I really do not like one of the main characters of this series and am hoping that with this addition this will be the last we see of them.

I received an advanced copy of S'More Murders from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Review: S'more Murders by Maya Corrigan
(A Five-Ingredient Mystery #5)

This engrossing Chesapeake Bay area cozy mystery contains more twists than a knotted-up python! The plot surely kept me guessing. Val Deniston operates a fitness cafe and caters for extra funds, so a request to cater a replica of the Titanic' s final Captain's Table dinner seems tasteless, but she and her grandfather need house repairs, soon. So better judgment aside, Val, Grandpa, and best friend Bethany cater the dinner, on a wealthy attorney's yacht, and he insists guests participate in a Titanic-themed murder mystery role-playing game. The object seems to be an opportunity for attorney Otto to reveal denigrating information about the guests; but then Otto disappears from the yacht. Not a dull moment is there, as everybody is suspect, then Val is endangered, and other dangers threaten. Val and Grandpa diligently research backgrounds of suspects and victims, and discover a manipulative killer hiding in plain sight.

When a mystery dinner party goes awry, Val Denniston and her grandad assemble a crew to find a murderer. I enjoyed this well written cozy mystery. The characters seemed like real people I could relate to. I was surprised at all the elements the author incorporated into the mystery.
This is book 5 of a series, and though I haven’t read the rest of them, I may have to go read them.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book! Opinions expressed are my own.

An engaging and enjoyable cozy mystery. Clever premise. Interesting circle of events. Several surprises. I look forward to reading the next one in this entertaining series.