Really enjoyed this book. Great plot and engaging, believe characters. I was drawn right into the story. Would definitely recommend.

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

Cute addition to the series. I wish I could eat at Kebab Kitchen. A hummus bar would make me so happy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

Good book! This writing is fun and so is the plot! The characters are relatable and fully fleshed out. I liked the overall struggles that the main character faces and how she solved her issues. I liked this book and cannot wait to read the next one!

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Tina Kashian is the author of the Kebab Kitchen Mysteries, and One Feta in the Grave is the third installment. Lucy Berberian is the manager of her family’s Mediterranean restaurant in the Jersey Shore town of Ocean Crest. Everyone doesn’t get along, and when an unpopular business owner is found murdered, Lucy investigates, since her best friend is one of the suspects. Lucy gets herself in and out of difficult situations, and is, as always, in trouble with the local detective for sticking her nose into the investigation.

Lucy and her best friend Katie are well-developed characters, as well as Bill, Katie’s husband. Detective Clemmons is one to hate, which is typical in cozies with an amateur sleuth who is trying to solve the mystery; detectives seem to feel threatened, and don’t want civilians interfering. Michael, owner of the bike shop next door is well-developed and well-liked, but Azad seems to be the one Lucy is leaning toward.

Kashian is a good storyteller, and the story flows well. Readers won’t know who the murderer is until the very end. As is typical of a cozy, this series doesn’t contain graphic sex, language, or violence, so it is suitable for all ages.

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

One Feta in the Grave by Tina Kashian is the third book in the Kebaby Kitchen Mystery series. Lucy is settled in as the manager of her family's Mediterranean restaurant. The summer tourist season is drawing to a close but is ruined when another shop owner is murdered. The suspect list is long, but Lucy's best friend Katie is at the top. The characters work well together, and the mystery is strong. I always look forward to the next book in this series, and this one does not disappoint.

The Kebab Kitchen Mysteries feel like a warm hug from dear Armenian friends of mine. I love getting a peek into another culture – actually, the blending of several – in this cozy mystery series. The quaint Jersey shore town has me wanting to plan a vacation there as soon as possible!

Lucy is such a great heroine – she’s the kind of character you would want as a friend in real life. Katie too. I want to go to Cutie’s Cupcakes with them and have a slice of lemon pie … or just hang out at the Kebab Kitchen and eat hummus and baklava with Lucy & Katie (and everyone else that’s part of the Kebab Kitchen family). The cultural insight fits smoothly in with the mystery plot – enhancing it rather than distracting.

Bottom Line: One Feta in the Grave will have you craving the Berberian family recipes so make sure you have a Mediterranean restaurant close by 😉 The plot is well-layered and it’s not readily apparent whodunit. The dash of romance for Lucy made me swoon & the setting and supporting cast of characters kept me engaged throughout. Another great read in this series – looking forward to more!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE, the third book in the 'Kebab Kitchen Mystery' series by Tina Kashian, was a delightful seaside cozy mystery. Although it was the first one I've read, I didn't feel that it put me at a disadvantage for this particular book.

The mystery was really intriguing and it kept me guessing. I enjoyed meeting the characters who were all very interesting individuals and I liked their interaction. The setting was wonderfully articulated and the locale was fun. This was a quick, light and joyous read and it ticked all the boxes for me as far as cozies are concerned. I also really appreciated Tina Kashian's personal writing style. I would recommend ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE to others and look forward to the next in the series!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Lucy is back and the Kebab Kitchen is taking part in the annual end of summer boardwalk event. Starting with a shouting match between Lucy's friend Katie and a local boardwalk businessman named Archie. Archie ends up dead and of course Lucy and Katie have to find out who did it because they both know that there is no way that Katie, a policeman's wife did it. Archie had his share of "enemies" and rightly so since he had the personality of a barracuda. There isn't anything Lucy won't do to get to the bottom of this mystery including talking to Michael's seemingly felonious father. All of this while trying to stay out of the way of police and in the arms of Azad her old flame and sexy chef at the Kebab Kitchen.

This was a quick, light, and fun read. It hit all the marks for me as far as cozies go. I enjoyed the characters, setting, and writing style. I would recommend it to others and look forward to the next in the series!

I enjoy reading this series set at the Jersey shore. This is book 3 in the Kebab Kitchen series and it can be read as a stand alone. Ocean Crest is holding a food festival to close out the fall tourist season and a chance for the business and restaurant owners to make some extra money. All is going well until Lucy discovers Archie dead under the boardwalk. With a long list of suspects Lucy and Kate investigate so the festival can continue. I love reading about the food from the Kebab Kitchen, it's sounds so yummy. I'm not much of an adventurist when it comes to foreign food but I'm tempted to try an Armenian menu in the future. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Judging the sand sculpture contest for the beach festival in Ocean Crest shouldn't be so stressful, but Archie Kincaid didn't disclose that his nephew had entered. According to the rules, he had to disqualify himself. Just another instance of Archie managing to antagonize everyone. So when he is found dead with a bullet wound, there's no shortage of suspects. Lucy Barbarian having returned to the tourist town to manage her parent's Middle Eastern restaurant finds herself drawn into another murder investigation to protect her best friend. Good mystery with enjoyable characters. My only quibble is when we find Lucy breaking and entering another store in the search for clues....an action I found really unnecessary and kept me from rating the book higher.

One Feta in the Grave

by Tina Kashian

Welcome to the New Jersey seashore where Ocean Crest is having a beach festival. Lucy has returned to her hometown to take over the family’s Mediterranean restaurant. Her best friend, Katie, is in charge of judging the festival’s sand sculpture contest. That seems like an easy enough job until a contestant insists that one of the judges should be disqualified. Later Lucy finds one of the men involved in the argument dead under the boardwalk.

The subsequent cancellation of the festival could mean financial ruin for many in the town. Lucy steps up to try to solve the crime to help her town and to clear Katie from suspicion. Lucy may have taken on an overwhelming task as there are many suspects and leads to follow. As Lucy manages the restaurant and acts as an unauthorized private eye, she is also trying to balance relationships with two charming men.

I like the characters and enjoy watching their interactions. I think Lucy and Katie, who is a policeman’s wife, did step over a line as some of their investigative “techniques” were clearly illegal. Their actions put Katie’s husband, Bill, in an obvious conflict of interest when he learns what they have done. Lucy’s moral compass needs a little adjustment, but her heart is in the right place. She is later faced with another issue in which doing what is right hurts other people, but she does it anyway, following it up with an attempt to lessen the difficult consequences.

There are references to delicious foods from pita with various flavors of hummus to baklava all through the book. Lucy is an adventurous foodie who enjoys tasting outside her arena of Mediterranean comfort foods. Recipes for date cookies, lentil soup, and Greek salad are included.

One Feta in the Grave is not as fast paced as Tina Kashian’s first two books in the series, but is quite enjoyable anyway. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Kabob Kitchen Mystery Series.

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: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #3 in the Kabob Kitchen Mystery Series, but works as a standalone. Recipes are included at the end.

Publication: February 26, 2019—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

“Butch can look scary.” Butch had a chest the size of a small armoire and hands that looked like meat pounders. With his checked bandana and gold tooth, he was downright intimidating. The funny thing was that Butch was the kindest and most mild-mannered man she knew.

“Double chocolate brownie chunk. Definitely decadent if you are a chocolate lover.” “It’s too chocolatey,” Katie said. Lucy shot Katie an incredulous look. “Is that even possible?”

If there was one thing she’d learned since returning to town and stumbling upon a body…or two…is that not everyone was as innocent or guilty as they appeared.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed Lucy’s’ journey from corporate lawyer to managing her parents’ Greek restaurant along the Jersey Shore. Her trials and tribulations have led her to realize this is where she truly wants to be and what she truly wants to be doing. Along the way, she has helped solve some murders, much to the chagrin of the local detective, who also happens to be a guy her sister jilted in High School who still carries a grudge.
Her best friend Katie is a suspect in the murder of an unpopular merchant along the Boardwalk during the height of the summer season. The festival that brings much of the annual income into the local coffers is cancelled and Lucy once again is investigating. I found the reason why Katie was a suspect a bit weak but once I accepted that story flaw, I was swept up in the mystery. It seems the victim was not a very nice guy and there were lots of people with reasons to want to do him harm.
The stories follow a bit of a formula, as do many cozies, but it is the characters, starting with Lucy, who make the books sing. With more than a few nods to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the reader can practically taste the feta. I cannot wait for Lucy to adopt Gadoo the kitty who lives in the parking lot of the restaurant. It looks like he may be but one of the changes that might be coming to Lucy’s life.
Four purrs and two paws up.

A lovely addition to Tina Kashian's culinary cozy series. When lawyer turned restaurant owner Lucy discovers a body under the boardwalk during the annual beach festival, the police suspect her best friend Katie, and Lucy must solve another murder. I enjoyed Lucy's romantic side being flushed out, and the way several clues culminated together to solve the murder. Filled with descriptions of delicious food, and recipes, fans of Joanne Fluke may decide that they need a good Armenian dinner before their next dessert mystery.

I received this book via Netgalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. Lucy, formerly a practicing attorney, returned to her home town on the New Jersey shore and now manages her family restaurant, the Kebab Kitchen. For the third time (in the series), she becomes involved with solving a murder mystery. While managing a summer beach festival, Lucy’s best friend, Kate, becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a local storeowner. There’s no way Lucy will let that happen so she starts asking questions and assessing who had reasons to kill Archie Kincaid. Throw in great food (with recipes!) and a romantic love triangle to make this a really fun cozy mystery. Can be read as a stand-alone, as the author does a good job of explaining the back stories of the main characters in a well-flowing narrative.

It’s another trip to the Jersey Shore for me in the third Kebab Kitchen Mystery series. I so enjoy escaping and re-visiting old friends from my favorite cozy mystery series. The Kebab Kitchen series has quickly become one of my favorites.

Lucy Berberian is doing well managing her family’s restaurant, the Kebab Kitchen. The annual beach festival is about to begin. Lucy plans for her restaurant to have their own food tent. She has high hopes for the event. Then, she takes a walk under the boardwalk and discovers one of the other business owners, Archie Kincaid, dead. Unfortunately, her best friend Katie was seen arguing with the man. She quickly becomes the prime suspect.

Lucy has no intention of seeing her friend go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit. She soon learns that Archie had quite a number of enemies. Since the police are only focused on Katie, it’s up to Lucy to find the real killer.

The author paints a vivid picture of the beach, boardwalk and summer festivities. She brings the reader right into the setting. It’s a cold winter here, so this was a nice way to “get away” from it all even if it's just for a few hours. I was able to imagine myself walking along the boardwalk on a sunny day.

The story is fast-paced with a mix of romance, humor and mystery intertwined. Lucy has two men vying for her attention. It makes for an interesting sidebar to the mystery. The author took the ending in a direction I wasn’t expecting which made it all the more fun for me. I’m already looking for the fourth book in this series. I hope it will be soon.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Tourist season is wrapping up in Ocean Crest and the beach festival is underway with music, contests, and plenty of food. Things get a little heated when Archie Kincaid was forced to step down as a judge of the sand castles because his nephew was participating in the contest. After Lucy finishes her judging duties and makes sure all the food vendors have everything they need she takes a walk on the beach. She notices something under the boardwalk. That something turns out to be a dead Archie Kincaid. The man wasn’t well liked and have public arguments with several people, including the one with her best friend Katie, when she eliminated him as a judge.

Detective Clemmons arrives on the scene and is not surprised that Lucy has found another body, but everyone is surprised when Katie lands on his list of suspects. This means her husband, Officer Bill Watson is unable to be part of the case. He knows Lucy’s reputation for solving cases and asks her to keep her ears open and ask a few questions to help clear Katie’s name. Lucy takes the request and runs with it, sometimes with Katie by her side, going much further than Bill intended. Now they just need to catch the killer before anyone else ends up dead.

Lucy Berberian is a fun protagonist and I like it when Katie tags along. This time Katie’s is the one who needs to be cleared. These ladies go to some dangerous lengths to do just that. Lucy is also learning to cook traditional Armenian dishes while taking over managing duties at the restaurant. At the same time, she is trying to rekindle her romance with chef Azad Zakarian while having a friendship with Michael, who runs the bike shop next to the restaurant. Michael and Lucy seem to make a better pair right now, at least in my opinion. With each story, the characters become more fleshed out and relatable.

Ms. Kashian has cooked up a great mystery. A first I thought the arguments between Archie and others were typical business things but as we get deeper in the story we see that isn’t the case. The author sets a nice pace and I enjoyed the way Lucy didn’t give up. There was a point where any amateur sleuth would have quit but not Lucy. It is pointed out to her more than once that she is not a cop and needs to back off, but she will run herself ragged to catch the killer. I had honed in the right party a bit before Lucy but the ending was both exciting and funny. I wish I had half of Lucy’s energy.

I do love the Jersey shore setting. The boardwalk, shops, and restaurants. All the touristy places and food. Yes, the food, again my mouth was watering.

Another fun and entertaining story from Tina Kashian. I look forward to visiting Ocean Crest again soon!

I may have started in at book 3 but I enjoyed every minute of this story and I pretty much want to go back now and read the first two! This definitely works as a stand-alone, if you don’t mind jumping into the fray a little after the start. Any necessary background info was provided in a clever way that flowed with the current action.

The mystery: Who killed Archie Kincaid? The list of suspects is quite long as no one seems to have had much pleasant interaction with this Ocean Crest Merchant. There’s a rival businessman, a girlfriend, a nephew and several more who all seem to have just cause for committing the crime. Even with the act happening in broad daylight, there are several opportunities for these suspects to have carried out the deed. Lucy certainly has her work cut out for her. The pacing of the clues, the red herrings, the revelation of the secrets are all well-placed and make for entertaining reading.

I love fun, likeable characters and this one has them too. Lucy is determined, smart and caring; always a good mix in a lead character. She can be a bit nosy at times when she pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable, as she searches to find the true culprit.

The rest of the cast are just as enjoyable including her best friend and sometimes reluctant partner in crime, Katie.

The romance with Chef Azad is sweetly written and a fun inclusion, which does not take away from the meat of the mystery. Besides, there’s always the sexy Michael to keep Azad on his toes!

Lucy’s family and their restaurant provide delicious and entertaining trips into Armenian culture and is a wonderful backdrop to this story and series. And as for the actual setting, what could be more fun than a summer festival in a small town on the Jersey shore.

Overall, I fully enjoyed One Feta in the Grave and look forward to continuing with the series.

I give One Feta in the Grave 4.5/5 stars

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book courtesy NetGalley.