I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

I read the first book in this series and this one was not as good. I still enjoy the Alaska and Diner Background and the supporting characters. I like Benny but Charlie seems a little obsessed with him and lot of the Benny and Charlie scene just seemed like filler. There was a lot of filler in this book. Charlie would go over the same items again and again and she spent pages worrying over something that had not yet happened. The mystery was weak and it was easy to guess the killer and when Charlie figures it out she goads the killer into coming after her without any back up, A very Too Stupid To Live Move.

Well-written cozy packed with interesting characters with a fresh and different locale. While the first in the Alaskan Diner Series was good, the second is even better with more assured plotting. When a young summer fishery employee takes ill at her diner, Charlie Cooke must protect the reputation of the Bear Claw or those bus loads of tourists will quit stopping there. After the diner's food is cleared, the death turns into a murder. Charlie and her friends Annie and Chris are unofficially deputized to help investigate due to Trooper's limited resources.

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the second book in the Alaskan Dinner Mystery series. I have not read the first book in this series, but I also did not feel I was missing anything. I really love the characters, and this story was surprising suspenseful. I love the setting being in Alaskan, and the author does a great job putting in details to put the reader in Alaskan with the characters. I did find some of the pacing of this book off a little bit, but overall I really enjoyed this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Berkley Books) or author (Elizabeth Logan) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the second book in the Alaskan Dinner Mystery series. I have not read the first book in this series, but I also did not feel I was missing anything. This is a good suspenseful book that I highly recommend.

I absolutely loved the first in this series and this follow up did not disappoint. I appreciate how Fishing for Trouble, like its predecessor, also gave me a cool window into the trials and tribulations of living in small town Alaska. I look forward to reading more in this series!

Princess Fuzzypants here: The hardy souls who like in Alaska all year depend on the summer to help get them through the long winters. Tourism is huge and wildlife and natural beauty are two things that draw in the people. But when something is rotten, it gives off an odour that envelops an entire community.

The death of.a young seasonal worker moments after he entered a diner causes everyone great grief. But as facts unfold and it appears his demise was anything but accidental, it forces our heroine to join up with others and dig into a possibly shady fish processing business. What makes this amateur sleuthing more interesting is the fact that distances and population force the law officials to depend on locals to do some of the leg work. None of the usual friction between the professionals and the amateurs.

It is an interesting book with lots of local colour. Four purrs and two paws up.

I found the idea of a cozy mystery set in Alaska to be intriguing. This book fell a bit flat. Charlie was a bit over concerned about some issues (her parents) and less concerned about others (someone threatening her). The book could have been more focused with less fluff to be more effective. It was not great but not awful. I would give the next book a try to see if things improve.

When someone gets sick enough to need an ambulance while sitting at a restaurant, people are going to worry, especially when the cause of death was poisoning. Luckily for the restaurant, the Bear Claw, known as the finest (and only) restaurant in Elkview, Alaska, the young man hadn’t received his order yet, so the food can’t be blamed. He worked for the local fish packing plant, and was there with three other employees, friends of his.

It’s the time of year when there are twenty hours of sunlight in Alaska. With a full staff who are experienced and reliable, Charlie, the Claw’s owner, is able to spend some time away from work to act as an informal investigator for the overworked sheriff. Along with her best friend Annie and Chris, a reporter, they’re able to find out another employee has gone missing, and company officials keep a tight lid on goings on at the plant.

A threatening note, suspicious strangers, and a pleading mother, make Charlie want to know more but also be afraid. Alaska’s a big place and so many things could easily go wrong. In addition to his regular duties, the sheriff is called away for a training class, leaving Charlie, Chris, and Annie to follow leads.

In her personal life, Charlie’s not sure if Chris is a potential boyfriend or just a friend, wondering if her parents are moving to the Lower 48 to retire, and is spoiling her cat Benny with as many toys as she can find to make up for leaving him alone while she works. Who hasn’t done that?

Readers will be anxious to know about the change her parents make and the outcome of the is Chris a boyfriend or friend conundrum. A fun series with a unique setting, and interesting side characters, this tale will satisfy reader’s hunger for a good book.

At the back, find recipes for spicy elk jerky (other lean meats will do), salmon patties, and a classic legal strategy called the Four Dog Defense. Book number one, Mousse and Murder, was reviewed here. Look for book three, Murphy’s Slaw, coming in May 2021, available for pre-order now.

I was thrilled that I got to venture to Alaska in Fishing for Trouble. Charlie was loveable as a amateur sleuth. Charlie's diner The Bear Claw felt homey and the few characters that brought it to life. Charlie's over obsession with her cat was endearing.
Fishing for Trouble just fell flat. The plot was dull and uninteresting as with the murder and it's suspects. I was grossed out by the descriptions of of how the fishes were processed. More mentions of delicious diner food were needed. And Charlie's worry about her parents was a little juvenile to me.
Turning over the investigating right to Charlie and her friends who brought nothing to the story seemed too simple.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for this book. This is a honest review

Like most cozy mysteries, it's about location, location, location! The Alaskan setting is the star of this book with it's almost never-ending summertime daylight, the local diner, and the fishing. It wouldn't be a cozy mystery without some murder though, and when a local man winds up dead in the diner, Charlie feels compelled to find out what happened. There are also a few side plots going on here, like Charlie's no-good ex showing up in town to stir up trouble. This is the second book in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series, and while you may enjoy reading them in order, it isn't necessary to do so.

I always enjoy reading about Charlies adventures and look forward to the third book. The plot moves at a good pace and always keeps me guessing.

I loved this installment in the Alaska Diner series! I love the Alaskan setting and the relationships between the characters. The mystery was a lot of fun, and I cannot wait for book three!

Fishing for Trouble is the second installment in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series by Elizabeth Logan and it is one of my favorite reads of 2021! Charlie Cooke is on the case with her friends Annie and Chris to solve the murder of a person that died outside of the Bear Claw Diner, find a mother's missing son, and to find out what is really happening at the local J and M Processing plant. It was fun seeing Charlie and her friends work through solving these mysteries--from the discussions, the plans, and the struggles. Fishing for Trouble is a wonderful follow-up that continues Charlie's story and it shows how she has struggled and how the relationships in her life have progressed and grown since the first book. You can read the book without reading the previous book if wanted. I appreciated that the book was a clean cozy mystery that held onto it's suspense and intrigue all at the same time. I am looking forward to see what happens next in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)

I was curious about this book, though hadn't read any previous books in the series. The setting in a small fishing/tourist town in Alaska intrigued me, as did the inclusion of a cat in the plot. The main character (Charlie) runs her family's diner, so there are lots of food references. But, she's also been deputized by the state trooper who's in charge of law enforcement in the town. The death of a college student who was employed at the local fish processing plant has a mysterious cause, and Charlie gets involved in finding the answers. Her interactions with her cat are nicely detailed. I'd give this book an average rating. I finished it, and found it somewhat interesting, but wouldn't say it was outstanding.

This is the 2nd installment in the Alaskan Diner mystery series. Charlie Cooke is back home in her hometown of Elkview Alaska and has taken over the Bear Claw diner from her mother over a year ago. It is now June in Alaska and more tourists are arriving and the diner is full but at one table a young man Ethan who works at the local fishery has collapsed at his table and later dies. Charlie is worried about the diner’s reputation as well as helping out with the investigation. The state trooper who they call Trooper is stretched thin and once again let’s Charlie and Chris (newspaper reporter) assist in the investigation. Charlie is also dealing with her ex Ryan being in town representing the fishery whose main headquarters are in San Francisco where they both lived and were engaged. She is not happy to see him and with him running interference at the fishery. Ethan and his friends worked at the fishery and they also live on site in the dorms they have there. Also Annie her best friend has a guest at her inn that is looking for her missing son who also happened to work with Ethan at the fishery. Charlie is a likeable character and I love the location setting in Alaska. This is a good mystery and I look forward to see what happens in the next mystery.

Let me first say that I love books about Alaska. The nature, the people, everything. So, when I saw this book it was a no brainer. And I am so glad that I gave it a shot. This is my first book by Elizabeth Logan and I thought it was wonderful. Charming, has plenty of critters in it, a great mystery, and has a lot of great characters in it.

Charlie is wonderful. I love that this is based in a classic American diner. Who hasn't grown up going to some kind of diner? The food is great, the atmosphere is usually super friendly, and everything is just laid back. And the Bear Claw, what a cute name!! I love that she has really supportive parents and that they travel a lot.

Trooper, what a character! He seems like the A typical grizzled law man out on the frontier. However, I love that he has a wonderful personality and that he isn't portrayed as some low IQ schmuck. You can tell how protective he is with everyone in town.

Chris, I gotta admit that at first, I wasn't overly fond of him. I thought he was kind of pushy and know-it-allish and I hate that. However, I ended up thinking him very sweet and attentive by the end of the book.

Annie, what a lovely person! I think she would make anyone a fantastic friend,

Benny! What an adorably smart cat! Clever and very attentive. You just want to grab him and snuggle him to pieces!

I enjoyed the mystery. It was original and very well written. I thought I had the killer pegged from the beginning but there was enough doubt thrown in that I started to question my thought, however, I ended up being right in the end. Loved it.

This book is filled with warmth, friendship, twists and turns, and lots of critter cuddles!! Fantastic book. Absolutely loved it.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion. These are my own honest opinions.

"Fishing for Trouble" by Elizabeth Logan
In this second installment in the Alaskan Diner mysteries, Charlie and Chris assist local law enforcement with several cases. Charlie Cooke runs her family diner in Elkview, Alaska, but somehow gets embroiled in a mysterious death that occurs in her diner. Although the death is not related to her diner's food, she and reporter Chris Doucette are "recruited" by local law enforcement to assist with getting to the bottom of the crime. There is more than meets the eye when financial irregularities at the local fishery are uncovered.

The characters are quirky and fun, fitting to the Alaska setting (if you have visited Alaska, you understand). The unique setting grabbed my attention, as did the diner details and information about fisheries. Since I have visited Alaska and fisheries, I found this aspect of the book to be my favorite, and seemed realistic. I also enjoyed the developing relationship between Charlie and Chris. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.

As with most amateur sleuth novels, this one requires some suspension of skepticism on the part of the reader, with the characters' involvement in law enforcement and investigation of a murder. Although this novel is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. The novel is clean, lacking overt violence, graphic intimacy, or strong language.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I mistakenly thought this was the first book in the Alaskan Diner cozy mystery series when I requested it for review. But, this is book 2. Thankfully the author does a great job of filling in details on characters and the setting so I followed along easily despite not having read the first book yet.

I'm a sucker for any story set in Alaska...so I knew I would love this story even before I read the first chapter. In addition to the setting (which is like auto-love for me), I liked Charlie (the main character) and all the side characters. The background diner theme was fun. Who wouldn't want to eat at a place called The Bear Claw Diner?? I know I would be in there and ordering immediately! :)

The plot moved at a nice pace and was suspenseful. The action and mystery start almost immediately, so the book kept my attention from start to finish.

All in all, a fun and entertaining cozy mystery! I already have the audio book of Mousse and Murder (book 1 in this series) checked out from my local library's digital site. I want to find out how this series starts! Can't wait for the next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

It’s just another busy Alaskan tourist season day at Charlie Cooke’s Bear Claw Diner until one of her guests abruptly starts choking at his table before falling over unconscious. Paramedics whisk young Ethan Johnson away to the nearest medical center, and a concerned Charlie drives there with his lunch date, Zoe, since only family members are allowed to ride along in the ambulance. They’re both shocked to arrive and discover that Ethan has died, and that no one yet knows why.

Charlie takes some comfort in knowing that while Ethan, Zoe and two more of their colleagues from a local fishery had ordered food from the diner, they hadn’t yet been served, so there can be no question of her food causing his demise. But all signs point to foul play, and when Zoe abruptly runs away after taking refuge at Charlie’s, Charlie finds herself more involved in the mystery than she had otherwise planned. With State Trooper Cody Graham spread thin as always with his responsibilities policing their municipality, it’s up to Charlie and her friend and sometime love interest Chris Doucette to take up their roles as semi-official deputies to uncover the truth.

Complicating things is the sudden arrival of Charlie’s ex-fiance Ryan from San Francisco. He keeps wanting to talk to her, but Charlie would be happiest avoiding him forever. Worse, Charlie’s parents are on a trip to California themselves, and Charlie is starting to worry that they’re thinking of moving south permanently. Fortunately, she has her sweet cat Benny to help her think things through, as well as to help save her from the threat of a vicious killer.

The subplots were delightful as we learned cool new things about Alaska through the eyes of our millennial heroine. I particularly liked how Chris morphed into a tech-savvy secret agent at the end: it hints both to his past and to how seriously he takes his responsibilities as a semi-official deputy. I rather wished Charlie had made better choices at several points in the narrative but all’s well that ends well, and it was a pleasant enough ride along the way.

Fishing For Trouble featured two Bear Claw Diner recipes. As with the previous novel in the series, the first boasts a meat somewhat difficult to come by in the lower forty-eight, while the second was more accessible:

QUOTE
Salmon Patties

½ red or yellow bell pepper, diced
4 T olive oil, divided
3 T butter, divided
1 lb boneless cooked salmon, flaked
black pepper to taste
1 cup plain or seasoned bread crumbs
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 T mayonnaise
¼ cup fresh parsley, minced

Sauté bell pepper with half the olive oil and half the butter.

In large bowl, combine salmon, sautéed bell pepper mixture, and all other ingredients.

Mix well and form patties: about 1 heaping tablespoon each, molded into ½-inch patties.

In a skillet, heat the other half of the olive oil and butter.

Add skillet salmon patties in a single layer.

Sauté 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and heated through.

Remove finished patties to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining salmon cakes.

Makes 12 to 14 patties.
END QUOTE

I decided to use an orange bell pepper to split the taste difference between red and yellow, and thought that worked out quite nicely! I also sauteed and flaked my own salmon fillets, though I imagine this would still be tasty if you used canned salmon. These patties were fairly fast and easy to make, and would work just like crab cakes, either on a bun as a sandwich or on a platter with sides. They’re certainly a healthy and delicious way to start the New Year, especially if you go easy on the butter and use only olive oil instead.

Next week, we head southeast to bake a breakfast treat while investigating a suspicious disappearance. Do join me!