MaryGene moves back home after a disastrous marriage. On her first day back helping the family diner, there is a death. Her sister is accused of the death even though she doesn't have a motive. Because MaryGene is a curious person(as she tells us) she sets out to figure out who did do it and clear her sister and get the diner back open. There are a multitude of characters that might have a reason to do the deed. MaryGene also has to contend with her relationship with her sheriff father. On such a small Georgia island, there is much crime or a set up for the sheriff to deal with it. Overall the book was fine, as long as you are a surface reader. I felt like some of the southern stereotypes were over done; for example not everyone in the South has a double name. I lived in Georgia for many years and never ran into this extreme. I was also confused many times as the timeline seemed to be wonky. Characters would say weeks had passed but by the action it was a day or so. Characters would be thrown in the story without a clear understanding of who they were. Sometimes it felt as if a scene were only half way written, leaving out parts of it.

Loved this cozy mystery. Great plot, characters and setting. I look forward to reading more books in this series. This is my unbiased review.

Synopsis:

Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . .

For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother's passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama's presence.

But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man's been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama's spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen! (Goodreads)


Review:

This is a good start to a new cozy mystery series. It has all of the things that I look for in a cozy: engaging characters, a charming setting and a good mystery to solve. It also has a ghost, which is a real plus in my opinion. It also has a little bit of a darker edge to it because Marygene is a survivor of an abusive spouse. That topic is not usually found in a cozy but I felt the author handled it with compassion and sensitivity. It is a topic that affects a lot of people and it is good to see that this author was not afraid to include it in her book.

Marygene has had a tough life and she regrets that she left her family to get married. She is glad to be back home but she feels guilty for leaving. But her sister, Jena Lynn, has forgiven her and all should be well. But when a customer dies in the Peach Diner, Jena Lynn is arrested and Marygene knows she has to find the real culprit before her sister is put away forever. Eddi, Marygene’s father and the town sheriff, is not happy with her getting involved in the investigation because of the potential danger. But that does not stop Marygene from snooping.

The characters are fairly well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to know Marygene’s family, friends and coworkers. And I really liked the fact the the ghost of her mother came back to help in anyway that she can. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I felt like I was right there, watching the action take place and listening in on conversations. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.

The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were plenty of clues to sift through and suspects to considered. Throw in a couple of red herrings and it was not easily solved.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like a pinch of paranormal thrown in, this is a book you should read.

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

Marygene Brown is recovering from an abusive relationship. What better place to do that than her hometown of Peach Cove in Georgia? Her mother recently passed away, leaving the family diner to Marygene and her sister Jenna Lynn. Jenna Lynn has been holding things together on her own but now it’s time for Marygene to lend a helping hand.

When one of the older diner patrons suddenly dies at the counter Marygene is the one closest to the body. Unfortunately, all eyes turn toward Jenna Lynn and the police arrest her for murder. It’s up to Marygene to prove her sister’s innocence. With a little help from her ghostly mother, a close friend, and an overzealous reporter, Marygene is hot on the trail of a killer.

I thought I had it all figured out but I was so far off the mark. It kept me thinking and on my toes. Things aren’t as they appear to be. This story keeps me guessing until the end.

There are some paranormal aspects with Marygene able to converse with her dead mother. There was also romance tossed into the mystery. It’s a nice combo and it all blended in well together. I found the plot to be intriguing. The characters are well-developed and likeable. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Murder, suicide and land developers. What has happened to Peach Cove?
Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young is absolutely fabulous. Marygene is a magnificent character with as many flaws as attributes. The setting of Peach Cove is refreshing and filled with cranky and caring citizens. I loved it all.

Marygene Brown
We start with Marygene returning home to Peach Cove at the end of a bad marriage. She feels as though she is back with her tail between her legs and everyone is staring. She is welcomed by numerous people that are glad that she is home. I love that small town atmosphere that is portrayed in the story.

Marygene’s dad is the sheriff, and still, she turns into our sleuth to help her sister who is accused of murder. Marygene doesn’t do everything alone though. She has the help of her friend from school, Betsy. The two of them can get themselves in some trouble that is for sure. Then she also has the help of her Mother’s ghost.

Likes
What I liked about Marygene is that even with everything going on she still takes time to speak with her friends and make sure that they are all doing as well as possible. She is also a fabulous cook and baker. Marygene wants to return to a normal life, working at her family's diner and fixing up her family’s home. No, dislikes for now.

Love Interests
Marygene’s possible love interests: Alex, a deputy who works for her brother and is also her former boyfriend. Then there is the reporter Calhoun who likes her, but she doesn’t feel the same. I liked that Marygene is taking some time to deal with her issues before jumping into another relationship before she is emotionally ready.

Mystery
The mystery is thrilling. It moves relatively fast with different things happening and multiple items going on, but you don’t know if these things are related until the reveal at the end. I had my suspicions about the culprit but not until a couple of chapters before Marygene is confronted with the answers.

5 Stars for Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young
My rating for Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young is five stars. I love this book so much that I practically finished it in one sitting. The combination of foods, southern charm and realistic characters makes this book such a joy to read. I can’t wait for the next book.

Did I mention that there are recipes at the back of the book? Well, there are, and those berry bars are definitely on my to-do list.

I recommend this book to all the cozy mystery readers out there.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young.

Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS is a promising beginning to the Marygene Brown Mysteries. Author Kate Young has created a cast of likeable characters readers will enjoy watching grow over the course of the series.

This book had a well plotted mystery that I found a challenge to solve. Pinning a whodunit to a why did they do it took a lot of puzzle piecing. The reveal proved me all sorts of wrong in my guess.

There are wonderful moments in SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS, as well as a lot of humor. Drinking while reading could cause spit takes. The two things that just didn’t work for me were the use of profanity (Not as bad as in some cozies, but heavier than others), and the topic of domestic abuse. I personally find that too dark a subject for cozy mysteries.

Sassiness for sure, a ghostly momma to lend a helping hand, and mouthwatering recipes are all included. If you think you’re sassy enough to read SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS, grab your copy today.

This is a peach of a new series with good food and ghostly help.

I always enjoy a new series because you never know what the author will come up with to entice a reader or create an intriguing new series.  I think the author is on to something and has created a winning combination between a ghostly mother trying to make amends, a diner on a small island with delicious food, and a protagonist that has some baggage and yet is working towards freeing herself and learning to live life again.

Marygene has had a tough life - from learning who her father really was at a younger age to ending up in an abusive relationship.  Now she is back home with her sister and brother and finds herself smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation.  As true to form with cozies, she finds not one but multiple dead bodies.  Nothing like being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  However, this just spurs her on to investigate on her own with the assistance of her friend Betsy and even goes as far as creating a timeline in her spare bedroom to help decipher the information she uncovers in hopes it will point her towards the murderer.

I didn't suspect the killer until near the end because something just didn't seem right with this character.  There were a few minor clues peppered throughout the book but nothing that really pointed this character's direction.

It wouldn't be a cozy without a love interest....or two!  I can't wait to see how this plays out in future books.  Will it be Alex her childhood sweetheart or Calhoun the older reporter from out of town?

Lastly, I appreciated the awareness the author brought to the subject of domestic abuse.  It happens more often than we may know and I felt like it was handled well and showed Marygene in various stages of acceptance of what happened to her in the past.  I hope she continues to address this issue in future books.

Overall we give this 4 paws up!

This is a great start to a new mystery series. Protagonist, Marygene, has moved back home after leaving an abusive relationship. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I enjoyed the quirky, loveable characters which are well developed and who doesn't love a small southern town setting like Peach Cove Island.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, a few red herrings but I guessed whodunnit fairly soon in the story. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down. I cant wait to return to Peach Cove Island and the Peach Diner!

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by (new to me author) Kate Young is down right adorable. Marygene is down but not out and headed back home. But things at home have changed too and when she is sitting right next a diner regular as he dies things get very real. I really like Marygene. This is an exciting cozy mystery with twists and turn you won’t expect. I look forward to future adventures with Marygene and the gang.



(I don't know if I got the final copy but at the end when Marygene goes back to the diner her sister offers to put off her wedding. She names her boyfriend as Tim it should be Zach.)

I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and I was really excited to start a new series by Kate Young. This book didn't do it for me and I will tell you why I gave it three stars. The reason I love cozy mysteries is they are lighthearted and feature an amateur sleuth in a small town. I also love cozy paranormals, which this had a ghost element, so I was all in, or so I thought. Cozy mysteries are usually not too heavy. If I wanted to read more serious topics, I go to a different genre. The protagonist in the story is a domestic abuse survivor and while I applaud the author for tackling this , I don't enjoy it in a cozy mystery. I understand it is the backstory and why she is moving back to her hometown, but again just not really something for this genre. I did think the mystery was good and the writing was well done. Just not a topic I want to see tackled in a cozy mystery.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to more from Ms. Young. Marygene, a domestic abuse survivor, returns to her small, southern hometown to work with her sister in their family restaurant. Marygene has the unique talent of being able to taste and 'fix' any recipe, which comes in handy with things like their peach rolls (yum!). Unfortunately, murder is committed in the restaurant and Marygene's sister is taken in for questioning. Not only is the family livelihood affected but the past creeps on everyone in the story. It's a very well told tale and the characters are both well-written and sympathetic - you'll enjoy spending time with them!

In choosing this book I was fascinated by the colorful summer cover, cheerful, warm and I was not disappointed, I loved every page of this mystery.
Marygene returns home by escaping from a violent husband and hopes to be able to work in her family's restaurant. One of their clients, however, dies after eating a cake that her sister had prepared just for him. Despite he father being Sheriff, Marygene has to improvise as an investigator to save her sister and her beloved work. The help of her ghost mother and her dear friend Betsy will be very important.
The characters are very realistic, Marygene is lovable, intelligent, a great cook but she also has flaws, she chose the wrong person to share her life with. The setting is very charming, this small and cozy island on the Georgia coast.
It was a really funny mystery, with a fast pace and twists, humor, a bit of paranormal but also deep themes like domestic violence. If we add the atmosphere of a small southern town and tasty recipes it becomes a truly amazing read. By the way I am very curious to try the included recipes. Great debut for this new series, I can't wait to meet these amazing characters again.
A must read for all lovers of cozy mysteries

I loved this book!! Marygene was a delightfully entertaining character that moved home to rebuild her life after a bitter divorce and work in her family’s beloved restaurant, The Peach Diner. When a customer dies in the restaurant and her sister, Jena Lynn, is accused of his murder, Marygene must find a killer before her dreams of running the restaurant go up in smoke.

This is the first book in the Marygene Brown mystery series and I’m already hooked!! Marygene was a great heroine and I loved the delicious recipes that were described in this entertaining story. I loved the characters, yummy desserts and the paranormal aspect of this fun mystery and I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series. This was definitely a winner for me

A strong premier in the new Marygene Brown series. You meet a protagonist with a big secret, her dead mother that has to atone for her past choices and an unique set of family dynamics. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is the first book in a new cozy southern paranormal cozy mystery series by Kate Young. I found this book to be a well-crafted cozy with a plot that moved smoothly with plenty of suspects,twists and red herrings to keep me guessing.

The introduction of the characters was well written and I admired Ms. Young's approach to Marygene being a domestic abuse survivor. I enjoyed meeting Betsy and Marygene's mother (she's a ghost),some family drama, and a possible romance triangle for Marygene. I felt that it was a little early in Marygene's recovery for romance and especially from two different men. All in all an easy read with plenty of southern charm and that touch of paranormal to make it just a little more fun.

What a good start for a new series,
The cast of characters is likable and well written, the setting is lovely and the mystery kept me guessing till the end.
I enjoyed this book as it's fun to read, entertaining and engaging.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Kate Young
Southern sass and killer cravings
I enjoyed everything about this new series.
The characters Marygene sister Jena and friends all pulled together to solve this mystery murder.
Strong story line a few red herrings to keep you on your toes .
Peach rolls and anything about peaches sound like heaven to me .
Thanks to Kensington books and Nettgalley for advance copy for a honest review.
Definitely recommend this author.

SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS by Kate Young
The First Marygene Brown Mystery

Leaving her abusive husband behind Marygene Brown returns home to Peach Cove Island. Although family relations are strained, she's come back to be a true partner in the family diner. When an old timer drops dead after eating a piece of pie made especially for him, the diner is shut down and her sister, Jena Lynn, is viewed as the murderer. With the help of her ghostly mama, Marygene is determined to save her family, their name, and their diner legacy.

Family ties is the theme to this first Marygene Brown Mystery while domestic violence is its backdrop. Strained relationships and abandonment issues color the story. Marygene Brown shows the effects of her abuse while learning to recover and deal with her past...and seeing how it effects her present and future. Trying to make amends to her family as well as learning to live and work with them is enough of a trial without a murder being involved. Marygene has a lot on her plate, and more than peach rolls!

SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS is not all dire family problems however, it's also a hoot and a half. While I may not have been partial to Mama when she was alive, she makes a fine spirit looking for redemption. I absolutely love Betsy who provides much of the comic relief while being a major support for Marygene. There's also a fine, intricately laid mystery here...though I had a feeling I knew the killer early on, and I was correct. Seeing Marygene find and follow clues, while trying to keep the island authorities, at least her dad and former sweetheart, in the loop was engaging and satisfying.

SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS provides a fun mystery while also tackling the tough subjects of family estrangement and domestic abuse. The mystery showcases the importance of family and working together while entertaining readers. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Peach Cove Island and look forward to returning!

Recipes included.

What a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series! The writing is wonderful with the mystery interwoven throughout its pages. The characters, especially Marygene, are the kind you would find in a small town and would love to be friends with. I did not see the killer coming!

I can't wait to go back to the Peach Diner and visit with Marygene and the gang!

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings is the first book in Kate Young’s Marygene Brown Mysteries series. This book is edgier than most cozies and contains adult language. The storyline is well plotted and flows smoothly at a steady pace, and the characters are well developed and full of southern charm. The plot has lots of twists and turns, more than a few suspects, and a touch of the paranormal.

After leaving an abusive marriage, twenty-seven-year-old Marygene Francis Brown moved back home to Peach Cove, a small island off the Georgia coast, and into her childhood home. She’s trying to rebuild her relationship with her half-sister, Jena Lynn, her half-brother, Sam, and her biological father, Edward “Eddie” Carter. When their mother, Clara Brown, passed, she left the house to Marygene and the family business, the Peach Diner, to both sisters. Jena Lynn has been running the diner since their mother’s death, and Sam has been manning the kitchen. Now that she’s back, Marygene is helping wherever she’s needed. The ghost of her deceased mother appears to her with a warning that there is going to be a murder at the diner the next day and that they should close for the day. Not heeding the warning, they open as usual and one of their regular customers, Joseph Ledbetter, slumps over the counter and dies. In addition to the sheriff, Eddie Carter, the Peach Cove Sheriff’s Department only employs two officers, Alex Myers, her high school boyfriend, and Felton Powell, so Detective Davis Thornton from the Atlanta PD is called in to conduct the investigation. When the death is ruled a homicide, with poisoning as the cause, he shuts down the diner and focuses his investigation on Jena Lynn, who he arrests. Meanwhile, the mayor hosts a meeting between business and property owners and real estate developers who want to take over the island that most of the locals are against. At first, Mr. Ledbetter appears to be a kindly person, but Marygene soon discovers that might not be the case. Marygene and her friend, Betsy Myers, set out to find the person responsible, clear Jena Lynn’s name, and save the diner, which frustrates Eddie and Alex and places them in harm’s way. Clara periodically visits Marygene and offers some assistance trying to make amends for her past behavior and a mysterious reporter for the Atlanta Journal Daily, Roy Calhoun, keeps popping up, and while he appears to want to help, Marygene feels he may just be looking for a story.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.