Foodies unite in Crystal Cove for Food Bowl week an things are heating up, and not only in the kitchen. When the food reviewer for the local paper is found murdered in her best friend’s Pilates studio, it looks like the husband of Jenn Hart’s BFF is the prime suspect. With Tito having fought with his fellow writer in public, all fingers seem to point to him, but Jenna knows her friend is innocent and she sets out to find the murderer. Will Jenn have the last taste or will the murderer wipe Jenn from the menu and leave a clean plate behind?



Daryl Wood Gerber is a fabulous writer and has delivered another great entry in this series. I cannot wait for my next helping in this series!

It's Food Bowl Week in Crystal Cove and the town is a flurry or activity. Every where you turn there is excitement and the most tantalizing morsels you could ever imagine and Jenna Hart is busy planning her wedding, or at least she is trying to. Her fiance, Rhett is up to his elbows in work at his new restaurant, Intime and her best bud Bailey is busy dragging Jenna into a murder investigation to clear her husband Tito. Salad fixings and bowl ingredients aren't the only things that get shredded in this story. There are reputations, relationships, papers, and even a poor defenseless bandana, I mean banana that will never be the same again. Jenna was trying her best to keep her nose out of it and keep her friend Cinnamon aka Chief Pritchett the local law inforcement from giving her "that look" . Unfortuneatly Tito, local investigative reporter, is seen having a very public disagreement with fellow reporter and food critic Kylie O. You can't help but wonder if maybe there is more than just one person who wasn't too fond of Kylie O and her caustic comments. There is plenty of suspicion to go around from food star Midge to Audrey Tinsdale, wife of the newspaper owner Eugene Tinsdale. The story had all the right ingredients mixed up in just the right way to add a little zest but not too much. Much like a dish with a secret ingredient, I did not figure out who had done it and why until the author wanted us to know. I'm not sure what I liked better, the incredible food descriptions that made my mouth water, the way Bailey was like a hound on the scent dragging Jenna along for the ride, or other little parts of everyday life of Crystal Cove that make the story so relatable. Of course the recipes at the end of the story are awesome as always and I can't wait to try my hand at the Mini Crab Cakes and the Cocoa Bliss Balls. YUM on all counts!

Shredding the Evidence by Daryl Wood Gerber is the 9th book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series, and my second book in this series. Where have I been? I really enjoyed this cozy mystery, it is full of twists and turns. Jenna Hart owns the Cookbook Nook book store, and the town is getting ready for the Food Bowl Week, where local chefs show off their bite-size creations. When Jenna stumbles over a dead body, and her best friends husband is the prime suspect, she is determined to solve the murder. I plan on going back and reading the first 7 books in the series for a better understanding of the characters. I highly recommend this book for all people who enjoy a well written cozy mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

We’re going back to visit the fine folks in Crystal Cove who are anticipating an upcoming Food Bowl Week, one of the many themes the Mayor dreams up to keep visitors coming to their small coastal California Town. This festival sees local chefs putting together imaginative and delicious creations in tapas style tastes. There are also some guest chefs visiting as well.

The main character – Jenna Hart – runs a cooking related bookstore with a café. Her best friend, Bailey is a new mom and when her husband, Tito, is one of the suspects in the murder of Kylie O, a local food reporter, Jenna feels she must put her detective cap back on and figure out who the real murderer is so that she can clear Tito, who is also a reporter.

And the thing is, there are so many suspects because the food critic is hated by many. It seems as if every time they turn around, they are discovering someone else that could have killed Kylie. So, the mystery was intriguing enough to keep me guessing. And, the sub-plot about the fate of the local paper definitely added some realism to the book.

Shredding the Evidence is Daryl Wood Gerber’s 9th book in her Cookbook Nook Mystery series. As with most series I enjoy reading, though the mystery draws me in, what keeps me coming back is the character’s growth and development.

With Jenna planning her wedding, her beau, Rhett, opening his new restaurant, Bailey knee deep in motherhood, and Cinnamon, the Police Chief, newly expecting, we get to see a lot of changes in everyone’s lives.

Shredding the Evidence was a nice and relaxing read full of yummy recipes. As always, Crystal Cove is a delight to revisit.

I gratefully received an Advanced Readers Copy from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A clever, fast-paced, character-driven mystery. Likeable cookbook store proprietor, Jenna Hart, is a loyal friend and perceptive sleuth when she comes to the support of friend accused of the murder of rival newspaper writer. Will keep you wondering “who-dunnit”.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ShreddingTheEvidence for an advanced digital copy..

I just love Jenna and the gang. When she discovers another body, she can't help but investigate. Her friend is being accused of the murder and she will not let him go to jail. Crystal Cove is having Food Bowl Week and everything is crazy busy. Kylie has alienated so many people and so there is a long list of suspects. While she is investigating, Jenna has to start planning her wedding and the store is very busy. Will she get it all done? Rhett is so busy with his new restaurant so it is up to her to get it all done. Will she be able to find the killer?

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Book 9 in the series.

I wanted to like it. I've enjoyed previous books in the series. But this one was boring. The quirky characters I liked were just blah. And it felt a little mean. Like, fat shaming mean. I finally gave up on it and put it down 2/3 of the way through.

It is Food Bowl Week in Crystal Cove, California, with events going on all over the town where chefs get to show off their skills. At the Cookbook Nook, Jenna Hart and her crew are busy as well bringing in cookbooks written by the local chefs and planning events to bring in customers. Next door in the adjoining cafe, Nook Cafe, Chef Katie is gearing up for a special meal to bring in patrons as well. Jenna's fiance' Rhett is also busy at his restaurant, Intime, so the two are not seeing enough of each other but wedding plans are in progress.
The events are overshadowed by a murder at a local gym with the victim being the best friend of the owner. She is found alone in the locked facility by Jenna, her best friend, Bailey, and Alexa, owner of the gym. The victim is not well liked and has a caustic personality so there is a pool of haters to check out. When Bailey's husband is a suspect, she and Jenna work hard to get to the bottom of the crime, including looking at some friends and acquaintances. In a small town, most everyone knows each other so investigating friends can be tough.
This is a great addition to this fun series with a cast of recurring characters in a lovely setting and yummy sounding foods to read about. Recipes are included at the end of the book.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.

I have to say Bailey and Jenna's investigative skills need a lot to be desired. Bailey is obnoxious, aggressive and bordering to being rude. Jenna on the other hand acts more like a sickening sidekick. All in all the book is quite entertaining with its puzzling twists and turns. The intrigue level is good, the murderer was a surprise to me and the secrets that were revealed were quite shocking indeed. A must read, yes a definite must read.

Not my favorite of the series. I felt like the plot line was convoluted, and the characters were all over the place. There was so much to keep up with and it just didn't flow. Plus the behaviors of numerous people were just plain ugly. I look for a little humor and cheer in my reading, and other than cute babies "Shredding the Evidence' didn't fit the standard. I am invested in the characters that I'm familiar with and look forward to the wedding, but this one I could have skipped over.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I love this mystery series because of the delicious characters, food and, of course, the plot. Concerning the characters, a likeability factor is what makes me want to read this series. The setting is a cookbook store and a café, and the food they serve makes me wish it was a real place. The mysteries in this series are ones that I can never solve. It's always a surprise. I can't wait for the next book. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Another visit to Crystal Cove and it'swell written setting, interesting characters and what mystery they end up involved in next. The food bowl makes for a yummy background with all it's goodies. and is an excellent addition to this series.

Who knew that reporting on food could be deadly? Jenna Hart and her friends are back in the latest Cookbook Nook Mystery by Daryl Wood Gerber. When Food Bowl Week kicks off in Crystal Cove, everyone is excited to see what tasty treats they can find around town. But when Jenna agrees to de-stress with her friend at a local workout studio, she finds the body of the local food reporter.
As always, Crystal Cove is a delight to revisit. The characters are continuing to grow and develop as the series progresses. The biggest problem I have is the plethora of restaurants that this town has. I end up so hungry and wishing that this was a real place so I could go there and eat for an entire vacation.
The plot is nice and tight. There are many possible murderers scattered throughout the book, and some you end up coming back to more than once. She kept me guessing until the last quarter of the book, which is a hard thing to do.
This is another great addition to the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. My only warning is this: eat before you read the book, or you will be raiding your fridge throughout the whole book!
I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.

Jenna Hart loves Crystal Cove. This small town is picturesque and peaceful. It's a great place to live or vacation. Right now Food Bowl Week is the big draw which is perfect for Jenna. After all she's co-owner of the Cookbook Nook. Suddenly disaster strikes. She finds the body of the local food reporter, Kylie O. Jenna knows that the deceased had an abrasive personality and made enemies easily. Tito, Bailey's husband, had a disagreement with the victim and now he finds himself the prime suspect. Jenna won't let Bailey and Tito face this alone. Jenna is loyal friend. I like that about her. She a good sleuth because she's a great listener, has a logical mind and keen instincts. She'll investigate even if the sheriff warns her to stop. You would think that her engagement to Rhett would keep her busy, but she's a multitasker. With so many suspects I wasn't sure who the culprit was. The story pulled me in with the nonstop action and surprise twists. Daryl Wood Gerber kept me reading. I liked the characters, the spirited dialogue and the small town setting. This is a wonderful addition to the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. Don't miss all the excitement with Jenna, her family and friends.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

Shredding the Evidence by Daryl Wood Gerber Cookbook Nook Mystery #9 4 stars

Another fond visit to the inhabitants of Crystal Cove and the proprietor of the Cookbook Nook, Jenna Hart. I will confess that I have not read every book in this series, but it is easy to pick up on the characters and their relationships in each book. This time the mystery surrounds the death of an obnoxious food reporter in the midst of Crystal Cove's premier food festival. The whodunit is interesting because individuals close to Jenna are suspects. I enjoy the interaction of the characters, but the mystery was not compelling. An enjoyable cozy and a comfort for these challenging times.

Thank you Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC.

Food Festival Cozy Mystery
This cozy mystery takes place in a northern California coastal town. The story has plenty of romance, fortune telling, food, wine, and books. The plot is good and builds on books earlier in the series, but it can stand alone. The author goes into significant detail about clothing, the pairing of wine and food, plating of food, crafts, book clubs, etc. There is certainly enough here to interest any reader. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book. As a newcomer to the series, I appreciated how easy it was to understand the links and dynamics between the characters, and never feel lost. Another high point is that even though there are references to previous books in the series, there are no spoilers, which is so much more motivating to go and read the previous entries in the series. The storyline is strong and interesting, and the suspects are complex characters, who have plausible motivation to commit murder, yet not despicable. However, the victim is as unpleasant as can be, and an accurate reflection of some unfortunately very real people. Jenna, Bailey, Cinnamon and Vera are lovely characters, and they are a strong driving force in the story. I will read the previous books, while waiting for the next one.

Everyone in Crystal Cove is getting ready for Food Bowl Week. Local chefs are making creative dishes as well as favorites for people to eat in smaller size portions.
Kylie O. a local food reporter is found dead at the local gym. Tito becomes the prime suspect, but there are others. Who killed her? She was not liked by the people in town.
A mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Yummy recipes.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing.

“Shredding the Evidence” by Daryl Wood Gerber the 9th instalment in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. I had forgotten how much I enjoy this series. This is only the 3rd book I have read in the series and it will not be my last. I hope to read the earlier instalments one day soon, I have slowly been buying them. One thing I do like is the list of characters listed in the beginning as a quick reference.

I like Jenna as the protagonist she is realistic, relatable and I love Tigger the marmalade cat. The authors descriptions of the Food Bowl and Crystal Cove had me picturing myself walking down the streets enjoying all the aromas and appetizers. I have an uncle who was editor for a small town newspaper so understood Eugenes struggle with keeping the Crystal Cove newspaper going in today’s digital world.

As for the mystery it was full of twists, and a few turns which kept me guessing. Overall this was a very enjoyable read, especially if you’re a foodie.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read tho other entries in this series. There really wasn't anything that set this book apart from the previous books or even the other series that this author writes. This one felt a bit lazy to me. I felt like I had a whole bunch of people thrown at me at the beginning of the book but not in a way that I would remember who they were or how they fit in. There really wasn't a lot of action but a there was a lot of filler. People actions were often questionable. Jenna's fiance just opens a restaurant and already he wants more chefs and managers so he can work less? There were also several mistakes that were just plain lazy. Th idiom is not "tow the line"; that makes no sense. It is "toe the line". It is lazy not to check sources if you are going to include things like this. I had a hard time keeping my interest in the story.