On the Lamb by Tina Kashian is the fourth book in the cozy Kebab Kitchen Mystery series. Each book of this series centers around a different mystery so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. However, there is character building that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.

At the center of this series is Lucy Berberian who decided to quit her job at a Philadelphia law firm and return to her hometown in Ocean Crest, New Jersey along the Jersey shore. Lucy is now helping in her family’s business, a Mediterranean restaurant known as the Kebab Kitchen. Lucy doesn’t mind jumping into the business as she enjoys being close to her family and her old friend, Katie.

It’s now almost Easter in Ocean Crest and the town is being overrun by bikers attending the annual Bikers on the Beach fundraising rally. Business is booming in town including at the Kebab Kitchen with all the visitors. However, Lucy again finds herself on the trail of a murderer when another business owner, Melanie Haven, the owner of the local candy shop becomes a suspect when her landlord is found dead having choked on a piece of candy.

The Kebab Kitchen Mystery series is another cozy series that I have followed since the beginning and while it’s not as over the top quirky as some that I love I do still find myself chuckling and enjoying the stories. Really with each book of this series I have felt that it has grown on me just a bit more and Lucy has become a great lead to follow as she chases down the clues. Of course I will definitely be back for book five to see what happens with these characters next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Great addition to the series! I like how Lucy strikes out on her own and moves into a new place. I love her landlord, what a hoot! Can’t wait for the next installment.

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

On the Lamb

by Tina Kashian

There is a lot of fun to be had in Tina Kashian’s latest cozy mystery, On the Lamb. Lucy Berberian, who manages her family’s Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen, in the small Jersey tourist town of Ocean Crest has a reputation for solving mysteries with the help of a sidekick. Her best friend Katie fills the bill, only this time Katie’s husband Bill, an Ocean Crest police officer, is not assigned to the case so they are on their own in their informal investigations.

There are many suspects in the murder case as no one seems to have positive feelings about the victim Gilbert, not even his wife. You’ll want to read On the Lamb to find out what hold Gilbert had over various characters and watch the course of the duo’s inquiries that turn dangerous.

On the fun side is Eloisa Lubinski, a widow in her eighties who isn’t letting life pass her by. Lucy rents out Eloisa’s very pink upstairs apartment with an amazing oceanfront view and a sixties decor. Other interesting characters include Azad, chef at the Kabob Kitchen and Lucy’s former boyfriend, and Madame Vega, a longtime psychic on the boardwalk whose powers of observation and perception exceed any claimed clairvoyant abilities. The boardwalk setting is a fantastic backdrop and critical to the events of the story.

This cozy mystery checks off all the boxes for a fun afternoon read. My one issue is that Lucy, a former patent attorney, and Katie, the wife of a police officer, clearly break the law on several occasions. They were more concerned about how to safely share their criminally obtained information with the police than with their committing the crime. Cozies often have the main character walk in grey areas or put their own lives in danger; this one went a little too far. I still enjoyed the story very much for its interesting plot, characters, and setting and recommend it as well as the whole Kitchen Kabob Mystery Series.

I would like to extend my thanks to Netgalley 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: 1. #4 in the Kitchen Kebab Mystery Series, it will be fine as a standalone as the author gives lots of background as she begins the plot.
2. The book is wrapped up with some delicious sounding Mediterranean recipes.

Publication: February 25, 2020—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

It was old lady décor. Sixties kitchen with a limegreen refrigerator, tiered curtains, wallpaper with roosters and matching decorative wall plates displaying more roosters. One of the cabinet doors had been left open to reveal a shelf liner with a print of—she could have guessed it by now—roosters. It smelled like old lady, too. A combination of Jean Naté and BENGAY.

As she gazed at the delights behind the glass counter, she could almost feel the added extra inches on her waist and hips. The candy store took temptation to a different level.

The creamy chocolate and peanut butter combo danced like a ballet on her tongue.

This latest installment of the Kebab Kitchen mystery series is even better than the last! What could be better than the fun characters, tantalizing food descriptions, and a murder! There were so many twists and turns that I was kept guessing until the very end. The author generously included some authentic recipes that I would love to try out. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!!

On the Lamb by Tina Kashian is another great read in her Kebab Kitchen Mystery Series. I have read the other books in this series and enjoyed them very much. The series just keeps getting better. The mixture of Jersey Shore murder, romance, and great characters was unbelievable. I recommend this book. Thank you to Net Galley for an advance reader’s copy.

Lucy Berberian is busy preparing her family’s Mediterranean restaurant for Easter on the Jersey Shore—but a batch of sweets is to die for . . .

Bikers are thundering into the seaside town of Ocean Crest for the annual Bikers on the Beach gathering that raises funds for injured veterans. It’s a big boost for the Kebab Kitchen, as well as for local businesses like Melanie Haven’s candy shop. But Melanie is about to find herself in a sticky situation.

When Melanie and Lucy attend a beach bonfire, a local landlord is found dead after apparently choking on a piece of salt water taffy. Melanie, who was known to have a contentious relationship with the victim, is quickly skewered as the prime suspect. But Lucy is determined to prove her friend’s innocence before the real killer coasts free . . .

Recipes included!

I enjoyed this cute story. My first from this author looking forward to reading more from her. I recommend this book to others.

I like this series, A Kebab Kitchen series. This is book 4 and can be read as a stand alone. It is set in small town Jersey shore. It is extremely true to life as I have lived there. The off season is usually a time relief to permanent residents but need the tourist to survive. Lucy and her family are preparing for summer but are heading to the beach with some local motorcycle riders for a preseason bonfire. Lucy has just moved into her new apartment and is getting to know her new landlady. When a body is discovered during the bonfire get together her friend Melanie is the main suspect since she was arguing about her raised rent for the candy store to the dead real estate tycoon. Good development of the side characters. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

On the Lamb is an enjoyable, charming addition to an already great series!!!!

Things are pretty calm for Lucy and her family with the exception of planning for Bikers on the Beach and then the busy season will start months later. In addition, she is on the hunt for her own place to live as well. She finds a place, not perfect, but with a perfect view of the ocean. In addition, she has an eccentric landlady, Mrs. Lubinski and her dog, Cupid. She can live with that, but Mrs. Lubinski’s nephew, Gilbert, is another story all together. He is a greedy landlord, trying to put Mrs. Lubinski into assisted living, so he can get her hands on her property. Lucy might be her saving grace.

Lucy and her friend, Melanie, are looking forward to a beach bonfire. However, they weren’t expecting a murder of no other than Gilbert, himself. If that wasn’t bad enough, Melanie has become a prime suspect. They had just had an altercation about him doubling her rent. Lucy’s relationship with Detective Clemmons has just improved. Will her involvement in this investigation demolish that?

I love this series, mostly because of the characters, both primary and secondary. The characters are quirky and memorable, and the author continues to build them throughout the series. I learn something new about them with each book. She also has a great sense of humor. I so enjoyed the inclusion of the pets, Cupid and the cat, Gadoo. They had personalities themselves!!!!

The mystery was great and kept me guessing throughout the book, and readers also saw Lucy’s personal life evolving too. The author combined the perfect amount of mystery, humor, and romance to create a great addition to the series. As always, I love the author’s personal touches, such as her family recipes and the fact that she took some of her favorite memories and included them in the book. If you are looking for a wonderful book and series, this one is a must-read!!!!!

The fourth book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series by Tina Kashian is On the Lamb. Lucy and her friends are attending a bonfire before the tourist season is in full swing. The evening is cut short when a local landlord is found murdered. Unfortunately one of Lucy's friends had a public fight with the man shortly before his death. Lucy is determined to prove her friend's innocence. A few side story lines keep this book moving along quickly. My new favorite character might be Lucy's landlady who is full of spunk!

On The Lamb is a great addition to this series. The characters are interesting and the writing style was well done. I liked the mystery, it was satisfying and I enjoyed it. I will read more by this author, and anxiously await the next installmentb of this fun series.

This was another great addition to the series. I loved getting to know Lucy's friends a bit more and I also love all of the side characters in this series, especially Lucy's parents. The mystery was well done and I appreciated that it was believable. The writing was great as always and I'm looking forward to the next one! The setting in this book is great and the food is also described so well that my mouth waters! I hope to make and enjoy some of the recipes included in this series soon!

Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed every one of the books in this series. I love the story of Lucy who returns home to her parent’s restaurant after ditching the legal profession. Her parents are ready to sell the family business until Lucy steps in and takes over the management so her parents can ease their way into retirement.. Between the family dynamics, the burgeoning mutual attraction to the guy who broke her heart and precipitated the move to the big city, and other social complexities, Lucy has discovered she is a pretty good sleuth having brought bad guys to justice.
This outing has the murder of a reprehensible landlord in town who also has his paws in other nefarious ventures. He will never win any popularity contests so the line up of suspects is large and getting larger. The victim also happens to be Lucy’s new landlady’s nephew who wanted to put her in a home so he could grab her beachfront property. Did I mention he was not a nice guy? But what draws Lucy to investigate mostly is the fact her friend is pegged as the most likely suspect. When she is arrested, Lucy goes into overdrive.
And right after a memorable date, the “key” to the murder falls into her hands, Unfortunately, the killer has been following Lucy and both she and her landlady are put into mortal danger. Things are looking bleak but then Lucy is very resourceful.
It was a fast moving, fun, entertaining read. Five purrs and two paws up.

This book has great characters, an interesting mystery that keeps you guessing and as a bonus some recipes from the book. I recommend for cozy mystery lovers

Sturgis goes to the Sea, or a much tamer title would be Bikers on the Beach. There must be something freeing about the feeling of riding on the back of motorcycle with the wind all around you as you speed down the coastline, almost as fancy free as getting your own place. Lucy moves out of home and takes up residence in a furnished upstairs apartment with a killer view, a very active senior landlady who is looking to fend off a greedy nephew bent on getting control of her beachfront home. No need to read previous Kabob Kitchen stories to be able to keep up with a current installment. Each book does a great job as a stand alone, as well as building a great series. Lucy is an excellent character with a great lineup of friends and a romance that is blossoming after having been nipped in the bud so many years ago. This current cozy has Lucy running around town with bikers, thanks to Michael (who is just a friend, no really, she is totally committed to her relationship with Azad) as well as investigating with her BFF Katie. There is no way that Melanie the sweet girl who makes those sweet treats could have possibly killed the creepy nephew (who was also her sleazy storefront landlord) even if he did choke on his words and her saltwater toffee. There are so many other suspects to choose from and Lucy is sure that she can find the right one and get Melanie out of this sticky situation. A page turner to be sure with a great storyline, fun and creative characters and best of all...RECIPES! Yay me for being able to try my hand at some lamb kabobs!

My mouth waters every time I read a book in this series. I love Mediterranean food and the thought of a hummus bar just puts me over the top! Food aside, this series has a perfect equation of mystery, intrigue, romance, and quirky characters that draw me in each and every time.

I was drawn into this story from the beginning. Lucy's search for affordable housing is something I can relate to in Texas. It is hard to find a decent place at an affordable place. Lucy gets lucky and her agent helps her find an apartment in a senior's home so she can fend off her nephew's attempts to move her into a nursing home. Eloisa is a hoot! She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her and does her own thing. Unfortunately, it is her nephew that ends up dead and she becomes a suspect.

Melanie is a friend of Lucy's that is also a prime candidate for the murder because of an argument. I enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about Melanie and her sister. There is tension and deception surrounding her, but could Melanie have killed someone?

The mystery is well written and there are several possible killers in the mix but the author doesn't reveal anything too soon and throws other possible suspects into the mix. I was a bit surprised, but not too much when the killer was revealed. The character wasn't on my radar as a strong possibility....there were too many other good choices!

The romance between Lucy and Azad continues to heat up and I enjoy their relationship. There is a friend of Lucy's, Michael, that could have been a contender for Lucy's heart but there is something about her past with Azad that pulls her in to him.

I'm glad to see Lucy's parents slowly letting her truly manage the restaurant. I know that her father continues to push back against change, but sometimes there are better ways to do things, like digitizing inventory. Part of me feels like they don't trust her, but part of me also realizes it is hard to give something up that you have controlled for thirty years.

Side note - I was able to meet the author at Bouchercon in 2019. She is delightful and appreciates her readers!

Overall we loved this book and suggest reading the whole series (in order) if you haven't yet.

Business is booming at Lucy Berberian’s family restaurant, Kebab Kitchen, located on the Jersey Shore, due to the Biker’s on the Beach annual fundraiser. Lucy and her friend Melanie attend a Beach Bonfire where Melanie discovers the body of a man she had an argument with in front of everyone; she is the prime suspect since she owns the candy shop and a piece of her candy was stuck in the throat of the victim. Lucy, who is an amateur sleuth in her spare time when not managing the restaurant, is determined to find the real murderer and get Melanie out of a serious situation. On the Lamb is the fourth installment in the Kabob Kitchen Mysteries by Tina Kashian, and while considered a culinary mystery, is a great story with plenty of building suspense. Lucy has just moved into a new apartment with a very interesting landlord, who is the aunt of the murder victim.

The characters in this fun book are well-developed. Lucy the protagonist is likeable and relatable. And so are her friends, as well as the new supporting characters. The storyline is believable, especially since they live in a small resort town and interact in a small townie way. There is a bit of romance (Lucy and the head cook who has been a family friend for ages), as well as the murder of a despicable landlord that no one will feel a loss for. However, readers will feel like Lucy needs to solve the murder quickly, and things aren’t going well. A few times, Lucy wonders if Melanie is actually guilty, but Lucy carries on putting her nose into her sleuthing. She can be a bit pushy, which makes readers a bit uncomfortable, knowing Lucy will get herself into trouble, and maybe too much trouble to get out of, but that is part of the charm of the novel.

All told, this is a good series, and this novel is a fast, fun read. The recipes which are included are mouthwatering, and will be perfect to prepare to eat while reading.

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

Another great mystery in this excellent series.
I was happy to meet again the cast of well thought characters and it made crave for Mediterranean cuisine as usual.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

On the Lamb: A Kitchen Kebab Mystery
By Tina Kashian
Kensington
March 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

Just before the summer begins and the New Jersey town of Ocean Crest becomes inundated with tourists, the charity event Bikers on the Beach roars through the streets raising money for injured veterans. Lucy Berberian and her friends have been invited to a bonfire hosted by Harley-riding participant Michael Citteroni, the bicycle shop owner and neighbor to her family’s restaurant. Lucy is looking forward to a relaxing evening on the beach while making s’mores, but her plans are interrupted by the confrontation between candy maker Melanie Haven and her rent-raising landlord Gilbert Lubinski. Lucy had herself already met the obnoxious businessman through his aunt, who was renting out the top floor of her building as an apartment. Lucy had finally made the momentous decision to move out of her parents’ home and octogenarian Eloise Lubinski was looking for way to keep her nephew from forcing her into an assisted living facility. So when Lucy has the misfortune to discover Gilbert’s body on the beach, there should be no shortage of suspects with interest in having the greedy landlord out of their lives. Unfortunately, with his not only being bludgeoned to death by driftwood but having root beer saltwater taffy stuffed down his throat, suspicion poi in Melanie’s direction, who has the most obvious motives for wanting him dead.

While Lucy can’t believe that the owner of Haven Candies who crafts mouth-watering fudge and confections could have been able of fatally cramming her prized taffy into Gilbert, it’s apparent that Melanie is not telling the entire truth about her history with the victim. While Detective Calvin Clemmons is growing resigned to Lucy’s involvement in his cases and her bestie’s husband is an Ocean Crest police officer, she does place herself at risk when breaking into offices and going through files. At least frequent accomplice Katie Watson is fast on her feet with excuses, allowing the rest of their investigations to be on the nosier/questioning neighbors side. Even more delicate is maneuvering around the hurt feelings of her “retired” parents, who find relinquishing their control over the Kebab Kitchen restaurant as challenging as seeing their daughter grow up and move out. Lucy’s struggling with new maturity herself, as while she is more than happy with the new relationship with her ex-now-current boyfriend and head chef Azad Zakarian, his being enthusiastically approved of by her parents have her wanting to resist rebel just on principle. Azad having his own connection with the victim brings new light and additional suspects to the murder investigation, which is already filled with estranged wives, angry tenants, and an ambitious reporter hot on the case.

Scenes depicting the back-of-the-house activities and details involved managing a Mediterranean restaurant are just as fun and fascinating as those following Lucy’s amateur detecting. Completely irresistible are the kitchen lessons given to Lucy by her mother, who through the passing on of family and Armenian traditions also conveys more subtle messages. Now that Michael has been officially friend-zoned, Azad’s use of food for romance will have both Lucy and readers falling for him. Lucy’s easy likability, her evolving relationships with her parents, and the exploration of Armenian culture ensure the popularity of this compelling and original mystery series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It’s almost Easter in Ocean Crest and Lucy is excited about getting her family together. She is also busy with the family restaurant and business has picked up for most of the businesses in town with the annual Bikers on the Beach event that raising money for injured vets. Part of the event is a huge bonfire on the beach. Lucy was invited by her friend Michael who is the manager of the bike shop next to her family’s restaurant. She takes along her BFF Katie and their friend Melanie. Gilbert Lubinski, local landlord of many apartments and businesses tries to ruin the party when he barges in to remind Melanie that her rent is due and to remember it has been increased.

A short time later someone screams. People rush to the sound and find Melanie standing over Gilbert’s dead body. With the earlier public altercation, a piece of taffy found in the victim’s throat, and the one finding the body, Melanie finds herself at the top of the suspect list. Lucy knows her friend is innocent and she is going to prove it.

This is such an entertaining series!

Lucy’s parents have decided to take a step back from the family business, The Kebab Kitchen, and leave the day to day management in her hands. Her mom still pops in to keep up with Lucy’s cooking lessons and to approve the head chef Azad Zakarian menus. Her dad likes to keep his hand in with the inventory and other office tasks. Lucy knows change is hard for them but she has had a few minor victories so she is fine with them taking their time. She also takes a big step within these pages that coincides nicely with the murder investigation she and Katie have got themselves wrapped up in. Ms. Kashian has created such genuine characters. I am always excited to see what they are all up to.

Kashian has also introduced some great new characters this time which include Eloisa Lubinski and her Shih Tzu, Cupid. Eloisa stole my heart immediately. I wish I had half her spunk and energy. Her nephew Gilbert is our victim and with his death, all his secrets were revealed leading to many more suspects. including a couple of bikers, his business partner, and his almost ex-wife. A few more come out of the woodwork when Lucy uncovers his little side business. All these characters evolve as the story continues some in very meaningful ways.

Talk about red herrings, this story is full of them. I loved it even though I fell for most of them and was caught totally by surprise at the reveal. I really enjoy the way Lucy and Katie sleuth together. When one drops the ball the other can pick it up and weave a tale like a pro. They also don’t give up. The author sets a brisk pace and gives us plenty of drama and action. There are also some truly funny moments too.

So much of the story takes place on the boardwalk. Lucy’s daily runs helped her sort through the clues and she also gets a little advice when she stops to visit psychic Madame Vega and learns something when she finds herself at the tattoo parlor. All this goes on with a loudspeaker blaring ” Watch the tramcar please!” as the tramcar goes up and down the boardwalk. Ms. Kashian really sets the scene wonderfully, not only on the boardwalk but at the Kebab Kitchen, the beach, Melanie’s candy shop, and all around Ocean Crest.

On The Lamb has everything I look for in a cozy mystery, engaging and entertaining characters, a mystery I can sink my teeth into, and just a little romance and humor to balance everything out.

Speaking of sinking my teeth into, there are several recipes in the back of the book. I have never eaten Armenian, Lebanese, or Greek food with the exception of a gyro back in my college days. The descriptions of the food in this series do make my mouth water. This small-town girl may have to step out of her comfort zone and give these recipes a try.

I am already looking forward to my next visit to the Jersey Shore because they are always some really great things happening there along with a little bit of murder.

Tina Kashian has done it again with another cracking story!

Lucy is preparing to move out of her friends house, so her brother in law has been looking for properties that are within her budget, he finds a house share (Lucy would have the upstairs, Mrs Lubinski (Eloisa) the downstairs, this way Eloisa can stop her somewhat greedy nephew from placing her in a care home and cashing the house (which is near the shore) in. Lucy is not sure, she doesn't want to be a caregiver after all, but it turns out that Eloisa is still as sharp as anything and so the deal is struck, Lucy then has the misfortune of running across Gilbert Lubinski at the house and then at the first beach bonfire of the year, the third time she sees him though is the killer, or more to the point he has been killed! and a friend of Lucy's family (Melanie Haven of Haven's Sweets) is the prime suspect.

Now Lucy and her friend Katie need to side step around Katie's police officer husband and find out the truth, otherwise Melanie won't be making any more fudge and taffy but rather wearing orange and cooking prison food!