This was just an ok cozy mystery. Sarah and Emily are twins living outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Sarah is getting over a messy divorce and working at a law firm. Emily has moved back to be a chef at a new restaurant. The town is having a food expo at the local civic center with many chefs and restaurants competing and offering cooking demonstrations. Sarah’s ex is found dead at the expo and Emily is the prime suspect. Sarah sets out to clear her sister by working at the expo. The characters and the setting were bland. The book could have taken place anywhere. One of the most interesting characters was the cat. The mystery was good and I was surprised by the culprit.

I really enjoyed this first in the series. I've been searching for a new series that isn't so predictable and think I've found it!

I enjoyed reading this interesting mystery. I didn't know who the killer was. Harlan is my favorite character.

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

I really loved this first book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

I read the second book in this series first, so had to go back and read this one to get all the back story, and I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this story and it filled in any gaps I had. And I love the cover of this one as well.

Sarah and her twin Emily are as different as night and day. Sarah is divorced, working for a lawyer, living in a small apartment with a cat named Rah Rah and is a terrible cook. Emily is a chef, trying to salvage a new business and a bit quieter than her twin. I loved the way they support and stick up for one another. When Emily is arrested for the murder of her ex-brother-in-law, Sarah steps in and does a cooking demonstration. It was hilarious as she did a stand-up comedy routine for all the cooking challenged in the world. when it came to personality and talents. Of course Sarah works hard to clear her sister's name and even puts herself at risk to save Emily. Bill, the dead man, and his bimbo Jane, were easy to dislike. As Jane tried to steal Emily's life and Sarah's cat, I wanted something terrible to happen to her. The mystery was a twisty one, with one clue here and a different one there. Red Herrings abounded and when another character ends up dead, it made it even harder to figure out. I thought I knew who the culprit was and I was partially right, but there was another person that I had not suspected at all. This was a well-plotted and written series and I am glad that I went back to read this one.

Twin sisters, Emily and Sarah couldn’t be more different. Emily is a celebrated chef, and Sarah can’t think of anything worse than being in the kitchen. Book 1 of the Sarah Blair mysteries by Debra Goldstein, introduces the twins and other prime characters. One Taste Too Many involves a murder, and Emily is blamed because the victim supposedly was poisoned by Emily’s rhubarb crisp. Sarah ends up spending a bit of time in the kitchen covering for her twin because law enforcement in their small town is a bit incompetent, and Emily is sitting in the police station being questioned rather than cooking and serving for a special gathering. Everything seems to go wrong, and Sarah must investigate the murder and find the real culprit before Emily goes to jail permanently. Emily’s ex-husband is murdered, and his girlfriend spitefully wants Sarah’s cat, RahRah. RahRah, of course doesn’t want to live with the witch, Jane, who ruined Sarah’s marriage, and becomes a cat Jane doesn’t want around. Some of the scenarios are a bit humorous, and the storyline will hold readers’ interest.

One Taste Too Many is a fun, fast read. The only drawback is that the recipes that are included are for things most readers won’t want to make, and Emily’s rhubarb crisp isn’t given. Nevertheless, the book is worth reading, and will make readers anticipate the next installment.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a copy of this novel.

I'm a cozy lover going back many years now and every now and then I am introduced to a new series that checks off all the boxes for me on what I expect - food/recipes, animals (prefer dogs but cats are ok), and many red herrings that keep me guessing until the very end.

Sarah Blair has a twin sister, Emily, that is a chef. I'm in awe of Emily because I love to cook but could never be a chef. Sarah is struggling to make it after her divorce from Bill. Bill didn't seem to give up much in the divorce, so Sarah is in a very small apartment with her ex-MIL's cat, RahRah. In a crazy turn of events after Bill is found dead is when all the craziness begins. Sarah loses RahRah to Jane (Bill's lover, girlfriend, partner?) and apparently, there is a trust that goes along with RahRah and a home in a carriage house that Sarah's MIL lived in while alive. So why is Sarah living in a tiny apartment with no income from the trust? You guessed it in one, Bill is a slimeball and kept the money.

The author does a great job of throwing red herrings in your path. I kept changing who I suspected but when the real murderer is revealed, I was shocked! I did not see that one coming at all. There are some other twists at the end about how Bill died which you might be able to figure out, but maybe not. The clues are there but not all of them.

Definitely a series I plan to watch and we give it 5 paws up.

4 stars. First book by Debra Goldstein that I've read. I will definitely be looking for others by this author. Lots of cool twists in this book!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This could easily become another of my new favorite series! This is a delightful cozy mystery that includes a gorgeous cat, a protagonist that I can identify with, and a stumper of a murder that is a challenge to solve. The setting is in Alabama, a place I haven’t yet seen but sounds interesting.

Sarah’s twin sister Emily is everything Sarah is not. She is outgoing, funny, and on her way to becoming a famous chef. Emily returned to their hometown of Wheaton, Alabama, to work for her friend, Chef Marcus, at his upscale restaurant, Southwind. In contrast, Sarah doesn’t want to speak in front of crowds, can’t cook anything that doesn’t come ready to be popped into the microwave, and still hasn’t found something she is good at.

Emily was called by Sarah’s ex-husband, Bill, late at night when the Civic Center was being set up for the upcoming Food Expo. Since it is part of her job to oversee the setup for Southwind at the Expo, it is her responsibility to respond to requests. She never did find out what Bill needed that night though, as when she arrived, Bill was dead. It looks as if he had been murdered by something in the rhubarb crisp he was eating. One of the demo dishes Emily is making for the Expo is rhubarb crisp, and she knows two things. First, Bill didn’t like rhubarb, so she wasn’t sure why he was eating it. Second, he wouldn’t eat the kind she makes as she bakes it with nuts, and he is deathly allergic to nuts. All she can do is call 911 and try to perform CPR.

Sarah and her boss and attorney, Harlan, go to the police station where Emily is being questioned. Emily’s time has been committed to Southwind’s exhibit at the Food Expo, and Harlan is able to get her released as there was no evidence for the police to hold her. Emily decides that Sarah, the twin who loved watching Perry Mason when they were children, can work as her “assistant” at the Expo to give her a chance to snoop around. Perhaps between the two of them they can determined who would have really killed Bill.

In the meantime, Jane, a line cook at Southwind and Bill’s girlfriend, brought paperwork to the police showing that Sarah should not have her late mother-in-law’s cat, RahRah. Documents indicate that a trust was set up by Mother Blair providing a huge sum to care for him in the guest home she lived in on Bill’s property. It is the first time Sarah heard about it, as she had helped care for Mother Blair, and when she passed away, Bill gave RahRah to Sarah. Being allergic to cats, he couldn’t keep the Siamese who is now her beloved companion. Of course, there was no mention of a trust, monthly stipend, or place to live.

I like Sarah and Emily, although I felt Emily should have shared secrets she held back from Sarah. I feel that I got to know Sarah well. Most of the other characters were under suspicion at one time or another for the murder and subsequent crimes, so they are mysteries until each is cleared from suspicion.

The murder and other crimes were quite challenging! Suspects come and go as various evidence, including land dealings and financial challenges are revealed. Sarah’s ex is definitely a man of secrets. I was pulled into the novel at the beginning, and it was hard to put down until the very last page. Plot twists kept me on my toes, as even the good guys started to look like bad guys. The real bad guy, however, was a complete surprise, not someone I suspected for even a second! The resolution was satisfying with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend One Taste Too Many to those who enjoy cozy mysteries crafted with excellence, very likable protagonists, and cats.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

This was such a good cozy mystery. It is the first in a new series, called the Sarah Blair Mystery series. I will definitely continue with the next one in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

One Taste Too Many is book one in a new series! This book is well written and the characters are well developed! The book is fun and light and a good cozy. A great start to hopefully many more books in the series. Thanks betgalley for the arc, the review is my opinion .

Princess Fuzzypants here: It was bad enough Sarah married and divorced a real cad. Now her twin sister is the prime suspect when he is found dead with her rhubarb crumble smeared all over him. The scene of the crime is a huge culinary event where her sister is fighting for professional recognition and the survival of the restaurant where she is working. Things get really complicated.
It seems Sarah’s ex knew no bounds to which he tried to deny her anything from their marriage. He also had his claws in the restaurant that is at the heart of everything. And his new girlfriend who also works at the restaurant is anxious to continue his harassment of Sarah from the grave. But his worst travesty is his attempt to separate Sarah from her beloved cat RahRah who had been his mother’s companion. RahRah and Sarah have been inseparable since his mother’s death. Now, three years later, Jane, the girlfriend, seems to have documents that will remove the cat from its loving home.
Both Sarah and RahRah think otherwise. Amid the investigations, another murder, the framing of her sister and the big foodie event, the two battle to stay together. It’s a thrilling mystery with great characters and a plot with lots and lots of twists and turns. The villain of the piece caught me by surprise. I did not expect how it all went down. It was a really good story where the good guys not only vanquished the bad but justice was done. I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here.
Five purrs and two paws up.

ONE TASTE TOO MANY is the first book in the brand new Sarah Blair Mystery series by Debra H. Goldstein. Protagonist, Sarah Blair, gets pulled into investigating her nasty ex-husband’s murder when her twin sister, Emily, becomes the number one suspect. As Sarah starts asking questions, she finds that her ex-husband’s girlfriend, Jane, seems to have her finger in a lot of things… including claiming ownership of Sarah’s cat, Rah-Rah. I loved Sarah’s sweet relationship with Rah-Rah and her ongoing conversation with the Siamese. It shows additional insight into Sarah’s personality. I was intrigued with the author placing the setting and several scenes at a Food Expo, where Emily, as a talented sous-chef, has to both demonstrate how to prepare dishes and participate in a competition. Sarah, on the other hand, is not a cook… at all. Entertainment is provided when Sarah has to step in for Emily and provide a food demonstration, despite her lack of cooking abilities. It highlights their close relationship with each other and I enjoyed how they support each other no matter what.

The author weaves several subplots into the central murder mystery, providing lots of twists and turns with many suspects and I had a bit of trouble following how it all interrelated at times. There are also lots of characters introduced in this first book but I think it could be providing set up for future installments. Overall ONE TASTE TO MANY is a good start to a new series. I look forward to seeing what mysteries find Sarah and Rah-Rah in future installments.

I loved this book. I liked the writing style. I liked the characters. It was a quick, light and fun read. I look forward to more in this series.

I am a big fan of cozy mysteries and I am always looking for new authors to read. This was a quick read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein is the first A Sarah Blair Mystery. Sarah Blair is a twenty-eight year old divorcee living in Wheaton, Alabama in a small studio apartment with her Siamese cat, RahRah while working as a receptionist for a local lawyer. Sarah is awakened during the night by a phone call from her twin sister, Emily. She is at the police station and the prime suspect in death of Sarah’s ex-husband, Bill. Sarah immediately calls her boss, Harlan and rushes to the police station. Peter Mueller, Wheaton’s police chief, is questioning Emily when Sarah and Harlan arrive at the station. Emily is a chef at Southwind, a local upscale restaurant, and in charge of the Southwind booth at the upcoming Food Expo. She states Bill called and told her there was a problem and to come down immediately. Emily found him on the floor of the Southwind booth covered in her rhubarb crisp. Then Jane Clark, Bill’s latest love interest, shows up and accuses Sarah of stealing a bracelet and RahRah (oh no). After leaving the station, Emily suggests that Sarah work the Food Expo with her, so they can track down the real killer. It will also allow them to get close to Jane and figure out what plan she is cooking up. They only have one little problem—Sarah is severely lacking in culinary talent (heating up takeout is the extent of her skills). When Emily is arrested for Bill’s murder, it is up to Sarah to cut through the clues and suspects. Can Sarah solve the case before Emily’s becomes the prison’s new cook?

One Taste Too Many is a lighthearted cozy mystery. This cozy mystery features plenty of mouthwatering food and a smart Siamese cat named RahRah. I liked the steady pacing and smooth flow between sections. Sarah and her twin sister, Emily may look alike, but they have very different personalities and talents. Sarah has divorced her cheating husband, but she has yet to discover what she wants to do with her life. While Emily is a talented chef, Sarah has no culinary talents. Actually, Sarah is not sure if she possesses any special skills or talents. Sarah is grateful for her cat, RahRah (my favorite character in the book). RahRah originally belonged to Mother Blair and, after her death, Bill asked Sarah to take him since he is allergic. It turns out that Bill forgot to mention that Mother Blair set up a special trust for RahRah with a stipend for his caregiver along with a place to live (must have slipped his mind). After Bill’s death, all the evidence points towards Emily as the killer. Emily convinces Sarah to help her ferret out the truth. There are several suspects with motive to want Bill dead and there are good clues to aid readers in resolving the crime. I was disappointed that the murder occurred before the book began. I would have appreciated the author taking the time to develop the main characters further (to know more about their past). Further information on Harlan would also have been nice—like his last name (did I miss it?). There are two recipes at the end of the book. One Taste Too Many will appeal to those who delight in pet and food cozy mysteries with a perplexing whodunit. Do not miss the first new diverting tale in A Sarah Blair Mystery series.

This is the first in the Sarah Blair mystery series. Sarah was married by eighteen and divorced now at 28. Emily is her twin sister and calls Sarah in the middle of the night to come to the police station as she was found over the dead body of her ex husband Bill. Sarah is working as a receptionist to the Harlan the lawyer in town so she calls Harlan and they head to the police station. Emily is a chef and was working in a restaurant that was partially owned by Bill. Sarah is shocked that Emily has been keeping things from her but fierce in her support that Emily had nothing to do with Bill's death. Emily asks Sarah to help out at the Food expo (mind you Sarah cannot do anything in the kitchen) and she reluctantly agrees to help find clues to clear her sister. Bill's current love interest Jane also works at the restaurant and informs the police she should have custody of the only thing Sarah took from their marriage... his Mother's cat RahRah. Interesting twists with that portion of the story. Another murder with Emily right by the body and things look very bad for Emily. Lots of interesting plot twists and was not sure who the killer really was until the end. This is a pet themed and food themed mystery. Will see if both Emily and Sarah are equally involved in the next story. Looking forward to that. Recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable and believable. I enjoyed that the cat in the story was a featured part of the story and that there were recipes included. I like cooking shows so I found the plot quite fun to read since it involved a Culinary Show. It is an easy read. I liked that you were kept wondering how the murder occured till the end of the book too. I would recommend this book if you enjoy a good, clean and fun murder mystery.

One Taste Too Many

by Debra H. Goldstein

Sarah Blair may be the amateur detective featured in One Taste Too Many, but she shares the spotlight with her twin sister Emily who unfortunately is suspected of murdering Sarah’s wheeling, dealing, skirt chasing ex-husband, Bill. Also claiming top billing is RahRah, her ex-mother-in-law’s Siamese cat. When Mrs. Blair passed away, the cat happily ended up in Sarah’s loving care. Three years later, why would a co-worker claim the cat is legally hers? Who would want to murder Bill, Sarah’s ex? Well, lots of people, but who would actually perform the deed?

Emily is a line cook working in a restaurant and displaying her talents at a Food Expo in Alabama. Sarah is a receptionist for lawyer, Harlan, who comes to the legal rescue for the twins several times.

Things are very complicated with a number of cooks involved in murderous scenarios. Sarah tries to unravel personal, professional, and business interests before her sister is arrested for murder and further crimes occur. The ending was a surprise to me when the murderer was revealed. The complex plot and interesting characters assure that the first book in the new series by Debra H. Goldstein will not be the last!

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #1 in the Sarah Blair Mystery Series.
2. Two recipes are included that are perfect for Sarah, who has no culinary talents, to make.

Publication: December 18, 2018—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

At one time she had added wife to her failure list, but after some reflection and a little counseling, Sarah concluded her problem in the marriage area was in her choosing ability rather than from any deficit in her performance.

“That sounds like Bill. He could take the shirt off your back and make you believe you’d given it to him.”

Hands intrigued her. His were strong and solid. She believed hands reflected the soul of a person.

This debut mystery has a bit of everything - it's a food mystery with a cat and a legal thread in it. Sarah and her twin sister, Emily, are opposites. Sarah is newly divorced, working as a not so skilled receptionist in a small law office to pay for a tiny apartment. She shares her space with her cat, RahRah, just about the only good thing to come out of her ten years of marriage. Her sister Emily, on the other hand, is an up and coming chef. Sarah can barely boil water. Still, life is getting better for both Sarah and Emily until Sarah's ex husband is found dead at the Food expo booth, a victim of his allergy to nuts. All attention focuses on Emily because her signature crisp contained nuts and was found next to the body.
Things go from bad to worse then on to horrible as Sarah tries to figure out who hated her ex more than she did while at the same time she tries to prevent her ex husbands' new lady from taking legal custody of RahRah. Her former mother in law had been RahRah's person and Sarah became his guardian when her mother in law died. Unfortunately there are legal papers giving the cat and a chunk of money to the other woman. Not if Sarah has anything to say about it.
I enjoyed the character development and the mystery was complicated enough that I guessed wrong. It was a satisfying set up for future mysteries.