I’ve mentioned before that I’m a great fan of novels with recipes in them. While most of those I’ve read have been women’s fiction or romance, I also like the idea of cosy mysteries with associated cookery and/or baking. So obviously I was keen to look into the first book in this new series, especially given that I’m also partial to books set in Cornwall. Jodie Parker is the daughter of a popular and well-known senior police officer, who followed her dad into the force, but then moved away to avoid being compared to him. After a longish stint with the Met, she leaves the police to take up what she expects to be a less risky career as a baker and chef, returning to her old hometown with her daughter to be close to her now widowed mum. Of course, mysteries immediately spring up around Jodie.

Jodie’s first big catering job is a last minute rescue of the wedding reception for her old friend Tony and his soon-to-be second wife, which she offers to take on for whatever the previous company was going to charge, plus the sofa she had her eye on in Tony’s family’s department store. The wedding party includes several other old friends, plus their families, and is gatecrashed by Tony’s first wife – and the story of their break-up is fun in itself. When the first wife is found dead and the second one disappears, Jodie finds herself investigating – much to the disgust of the man now installed in her dad’s old post.

Fortunately Jodie knows far more of the locals than the incomer DCI, and can use her charms on her dad’s former colleagues to find out just what the police know. She also has help from her mum, her daughter, and the adorable fluff-ball of a dog they’ve managed to take on in the course of the investigation.

I liked this book a lot. The characters were well described and suitably over the top without being unbelievable. The settings were also very vivid, and the whole plot made sense in the context of the story. I definitely need to track down more books in the series.

This was a British Cozy Mystery, which is a favorite for me. Filled with humor. I loved visiting Cornwall. The writing is descriptive. Our main protagonist Jodie is an impressive addition. As Jodie, our caterer, handled the murder and we didn't have enough food, but I enjoyed reading about meals like pasties, saffron buns, and clotted cream. It was great to see romance growing with her and DCI Whiters.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

Murder on the Menu is a quick, light cozy with engaging characters, especially the Parker Family trio. I'm hoping the former classmates of Jodie that we meet get developed further in future books and help Jodie's sleuthing efforts because they're a likable bunch too. The mystery was surprisingly complicated.

My only minor quibble is that Jodie spends more time investigating than working at or on her new business. Since she's not supposed to be independently wealthy, nor is mum, she does need to work. The mystery kept me involved enough not to focus on this detail, but it's one I see frequently in cozies and it irks me, especially if I'm not engaged enough.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book engages the reader from the first page with its cosy mystery world and humour.

Jodie is an ex Metropolitan police officer returning to Cornwall to start a new life in the place she grew up. After retraining as a caterer, she is looking for her first client. She unexpectedly finds them when she is sofa shopping. The wedding doesn't turn out as expected with murder on the menu and a missing key participant.

Jodie, nicknamed Nosey Parker, is likeable. Her intuition, and investigative skills, make her the obvious person to clear her friend's name. DCI Withers unsettles Jodie on many levels, and he resents her interference in his case. Their reluctant attraction is a lovely part of this story.

The mystery is credible with good twists and an array of suspects. The visual writing brings the characters, mystery and setting to life and draws the reader effortlessly into the story.

This is an addictive escapist read, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from One More Chapter via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is the first book in the Nosey Parker Mystery Series. It is full of action, adventure, and in-your-face investigation. Nosey is a very strong female character. She is no stranger to asking candid questions because she was a former police officer, turned caterer. However, you can really tell that her heart is not into her catering business because she spends most of her time solving the murder and trying to find Cheryl, the missing bride. I also liked the chemistry between Jodie (Nosey) and DCI Withers as they worked together to solve the case. I'm looking forward to following their relationship as the series continues. I would highly recommend this book to cozy mystery fans!
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Princess Fuzzypants here: “Nosey” Parker has moved back from London with her daughter Daisy after leaving her job as a copper at the Met. She has promised Daisy to do something less dangerous in Cornwall, like catering. She is offered her first gig by her childhood friend who is getting married in two weeks. It is a rush but with help from Daisy and her mum, she is able to put it all together. It is going to be a fantastic way to introduce her new business and gain some recognition.

That is until the groom’s ex-wife shows up, attacts the bride and throws everything into chaos. Before the night is through there is one body and one vanished bride, assumed to be murdered as well. Nosey (or Jodie) ends up with a dog and a mystery to solve when the groom is arrested for the crimes. She is determined to prove his innocence. That means she is locking horns with the DC who is running the investigations. The fact that she is an ex-copper and the daughter of the hero who ran the police shop for decades does not endear her to him. There are sparks flying although not all of them are professional.

This is a good story with strong characters especially Jodie who has a cheeky charm and an easy wit. It makes for an entertaining read and a fun start to a new series. Lots of twists and turns and unexpected outcomes. I will be looking forward to further adventures.

Five purrs and two paws up

I've only read a few 'cosy' mysteries and I'm so happy to have found one which I'll be happy to follow the series of. Cosy mystery, check; Cornwall (one of my favourite UK counties, check; nice pun on the name, check = what's not to love! My thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for the reading copy.

A real feelgood murder mystery with fantastically real likeable characters, warm comedy and a potential love triangle. Can't wait to read the rest of the series

Fun, gripping and brilliantly written murder mystery that had me gripped from the first page.
The murder on the menu was as deliciously batty as Jodie herself, but I loved it.

This was such an enjoyable read. Even though it is a murder mystery, it is humerous and lighthearted. I enjoyed all.the characters and I hope there will be another in the series.

I read this first-in-a-series cozy mystery and the recommendation of a friend, and I am glad I did! Jodie "Nosey" Parker is a former London cop who leaves the force at her daughter's request to be out of the eye of danger because she doesn't want to be stuck with her cheating deadbeat dad if anything ever happened to Jodie. Now, a caterer in the English countryside, she's running into old friends and acquaintances from her past, as well as new persons of interest, including the attractive DCI Withers. On her first catering job, a body turns up and another person goes missing, and Jodie just can't seem to stay out of the fray, putting her nose where it doesn't belong...

I thought that this was a great series starter, and had some of the great cozy mystery hallmarks: a woman starting over, the possibility of a love triangle, nothing too scary, and food galore. I must be honest, the best part of this was that I honestly had no idea whodunnit. I can typically tell what happened or who the killer is by halfway, but I really didn't know on this one. And it's not because it came out of left field or was unsupported by the plot, it was just that well down. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it for cozy mystery fants!

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

5 stars - 8/10

This was the perfect book for me when I was down in doldrums. Author Fiona Leitch had done a brilliant job in painting the small Cornish village with broad strokes of love even if there was a murder that occurred.

Jodie aka Nosey Parker had left her job as a cop to make a lifestyle change. She became a chef and moved back home to her mother. On her very first job, a murder occurred and she couldn’t help herself. She had to investigate, much to the annoyance of the hunky DCI Withers. Sparks of all kinds certainly flew.

My first book by this author, I loved the setting where everyone knew each other. The love and bond that Jodie shared her mum and daughter touched my heart. They did help with the cooking and investigation. Her mum especially was a delight.

The author managed to insert Jodie smoothly into the middle of investigation. Even if annoyed Withers had to agree her nosiness was an asset so also her familiarity with her hometown.

Small details in the book added to cheer and camaraderie, even with the backdrop of the murder. I found this to absolutely delightful, something which added color to my sad, dreary day.

It's such a joy to start a new cozy mystery series and this book, the 1st instalment in Fiona Leitch's Nosey Parker Mysteries, is no exception! In Murder on the Menu set in a seemingly serene Cornish coastal town, Jodie 'Nosey' Parker has moved back to her small hometown for a more peaceful life. She has served in the Metropolitan Police force for longer than she cares to remember and had dreamt of returning to a place like Penstowan when she retires. So here she is along with her daughter Daisy, aged 12, as new residents of Penstowan. Passionate about baking, she wanted to own and run her own catering company so she has retrained as a caterer, setting up Banquets and Bakes. Looking to buy a sofa, she visits Penhaligon's department store and runs into old flame, Tony Penhaligon. He informs her that he's getting married next week, however, the caterer has just cancelled. Jodie now has her first catering job for Banquets and Bakes, being held at a plush hotel, but at the rehearsal dinner Tony's ex-wife Mel attacks his fiancée and wife-to-be, Cheryl. The next day, Cheryl has disappeared and Mel is found dead with head wounds, her bottle-blonde hair red and matted.

This is a riveting and gritty cozy, rich in mystery, intrigue and plot twists. The police are called in to investigate and Jodie is eager to offer her expertise and help in whatever way she can. When Tony becomes suspect number one, Jodie knows that he isn't capable of murder. I warmed to the character of Jodie very early on and found her extremely down-to-earth, with a terrific no-nonsense attitude. The lead detective, DCI Withers eventually becomes more amenable to Jodie helping out and she begins to share tidbits of what she's gleaned with him.

Fiona Leitch's writing style is imaginative and the story has a great flow. The author did a brilliant job of transporting me to the Cornish countryside and I felt the rustic charm whilst easily visualising the chocolate-box setting (though slowly working my way through a real box of chocs while reading helped, too!) It is refreshing to have a sleuth in a cozy that is not an amateur as this brought depth to the tale. I enjoyed the comedy and witty banter and the vivid characters all had something to contribute to the story. With several twists, there were a couple of surprises at the end of this engaging, unpredictable mystery. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from One More Chapter via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Unfortunately I really struggled to get into this book and was unable to finish it. The style of writing incorporated a lot of telling and not as much showing, which always tends to make me feel unconnected to the story and the characters. I'm very sad that I didn't enjoy this like I had hoped!

Jodie Parker was a met copper that moved home to sunny Cornwall with her daughter Daisy.
She has changed her job to catering but she is still a copper at heart.

Jodie’s nickname is nosey
This book is a really lovely story and I am already looking forward to
The next instalment.

This review was provided in exchange for a arc copy provided from netgalley.
Well worth a read.

I absolutely loved this book. Jodie is so relatable, and I love how strong she is as a mother and as a police officer. I found myself wanting to be friends with her by the end of the book! Jodie's bond with her family and the sense of justice she feels is sometimes at odds with each other, which is shown very well throughout the whole book. The mystery in this story involves a wedding, a murder, and a disappearance, and the one person who would be the likeliest suspect is the person Jodie must prove is innocent. Her investigative methods were logical and all of the clues made sense to me, but I still didn't guess everything until the big reveal at the end of the book. I was a bit surprised at the end, but I really liked all of the small plot twists. The clues were tied up very nicely by the end of the book as well. This was a very quick and easy book to read, I will definitely look forward to reading more of the author's works in the future.

Murder on the Menu (Nosey Parker Mysteries, #1) by Fiona Leitch
Publisher: HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: January 15, 2021

Murder on the Menu is the first book in the new Nosey Parker Mysteries series by Fiona Leitch.

This was a wonderful cozy mystery! I love Jodie 'Nosey' Parker so much! She has a big heart and incredible instincts! And there's a hot detective!!!!

This was a fun mystery with great twists and turns! It is a quick read, filled with so much adventure! I will definitely be reading the future books! A Brush With Death releases February 12th and A Sprinkle of Sabotage releases March 11th! Don't miss out on this great new cozy mystery series!

I'm so grateful to Fiona Leitch, HarperCollins UK, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the gorgeously bright and eye-catching cover, plus the sumptuous looking cake and the way it is juxtaposed with the rather threatening looking knife. I was immediately intrigued about the plot and setting for this cosy mystery series.

I loved so many things about this book. I loved the fact that Jodie is described as ‘Nosey Parker’ as this is a nickname I’ve been given many times before. There is a good range of characters within the book, and they are all believable, and many likeable, whilst of course having your fair share of potential suspects! I love the fact that the main character and ‘heroine’ is a woman, and a down-to-earth, likeable woman, too!

I absolutely loved the setting of the North Cornwall coast. The descriptions of the setting evoked nostalgic images of holidays to the area and really brought the story to life.

I loved that there is a focus around food throughout the book as this has a lovely link with the cover. I found myself becoming very hungry at times and enjoyed reading these sumptuous and delightful descriptions.

This is definitely an edgy cosy mystery, that has all the best ingredients of the genre. There is well thought out and intentional humour, alongside a plot that makes for compulsive and addictive reading.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new cosy mystery author or series. I am really looking forward to seeing what the next book brings!

This book was definitely a lot funnier than I thought it would be. I’ve only ever really read two cozy mystery novels (I’ve read 3 Hercule Poirot novels but those don’t seem like cozy mysteries to me) and Murder on the Menu was by far the funniest one. I laughed out loud several times and I really enjoyed following Jodie (Nosey) Parker on her journey to clear her old friend’s name.

The fact that Jodie was nicknamed “Nosey” at a young age was absolutely perfect for her character. As an ex-cop, she definitely has the experience needed to hunt down clues, but it’s her nosiness that ultimately pushes her to do so. While I do think the police in this book would have been able to solve this one without her, I can definitely empathize with her need to poke around.

I think by far my favorite part about reading this was the writing style. I would probably describe it as informal, light, and fun. It kind of felt like I was reading a blog post or a well-written diary that was dedicated to recounting the events of the case. It was this style that enabled me to enjoy the book as much as I did. Not only was it funny, but it was also very relatable. You can definitely count me in for this entire series!

Thank you NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and Fiona Leitch for providing me with a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review!

This book is glorious! For me it's exactly what a cosy mystery should be – character driven, lots of fun, a plausible plot, enough tension and red herrings to keep us on our toes, and an ending that’s satisfying, but still leaves us wanting more in the series.

Jodie is a great heroine. She’s wonderfully human in being imperfect, has an engaging and energetic personality and comes over as a likeable, genuine, nice person. She has good relationships with her mother and daughter Daisy, although the former is definitely hard work at times! I love the repartee and teasing that goes on within the family: a warm, homely touch.
Jodie has thrown herself whole-heartedly into her new official career as a caterer, and also into her new unofficial one of amateur sleuth. She’s well qualified for both these roles, and her skills in all areas are called upon frequently.

The novel is utterly delightful, the sort of book that it’s so hard to put down once you’ve started reading. The humour is lively and witty, the pace of the writing is brisk and the plot is clever and well developed. You really do get sucked into the action and care about Jodie and her family.

I’m hoping this will turn into a nice long series!