Mel is murdered, Cheryl disappears on the day of her wedding, and Tony is arrested. However, the caterer is not convinced justice is being served. The plot thickens with a dishy detective and clues that can't be ignored. A fun read

Murder on the Menu by Fiona Leitch
Book #1: Nosy Parker Mysteries Series
Source: NetGalley and One More Chapter
Rating: 3/5 stars

**MINI REVIEW**

The Bottom Line: Once again, I find myself completely on the fence with a book. Jodie Parker has found herself turning over an entirely new leaf in her very small hometown. After leaving the London police force, she’s back home and looking to start a catering business. While the work is radically different from her former job, she’s looking forward to the change and not constantly worrying her daughter about her safety. With her first job lined up, Jodie is ready and willing to work hard and build her business, what she doesn’t count on is an ex-boyfriend, a runaway bride, and a dead body before the vows can even be spoken. Though she tries to stay out of the investigation, old habits die hard, and Jodie finds herself in the thick of the mystery. Yet again, I am in the position of not disliking this book, but also not finding anything that makes me want to come back for more. There are simply too many cozy mysteries out there for me to hang on to a series that doesn’t just bowl me over.

Reading Fiona Leitch’s Murder Ahoy! last year was one of the high spots of 2020 for me, so I was over the moon when I heard that she has a new cozy crime series out and pounced upon Murder on the Menu with glee and gobbled the entire book up in a single sitting. Witty, captivating and absolutely hilarious, Fiona Leitch has another winner on her hands with Josie Parker and Murder on the Menu.

Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker had once wanted nothing more than to escape the sleepy Cornish village she called home for the bright city lights. Having spent the last few years working for the Met, Jodie certainly got her fair share of stress, hustle and bustle! In desperate need of a change and not willing to continue to put her neck on the line on daily basis for the sake of her job, Jodie quit the Met and headed back home where she vowed to make her dream of starting up her own catering company a reality. No sooner has Jodie settled back home that she got her first job – only it happens to be catering her ex’s wedding!

Still, Jodie cannot afford to turn away customers, so she decides to grin, bear it and to pull out all the stops to give her ex a wedding to remember and hopefully attract some new clients she hadn’t dated. But no sooner has Jodie started sifting flour that she hears some shocking news: the bride to be Cheryl has vanished into thin air! Jodie knows that she should leave well alone, but she simply cannot resist the lure of an unsolved mystery and quickly finds herself drawn into the investigation. Whoever said that life was quiet in the countryside has clearly never set foot in small town Cornwall!

Mayhem, mischief, murder and a missing bride soon abound leaving Josie to wonder whether her first catering job might end up being her last!

I read Fiona Leitch’s Murder on the Menu in a single sitting! An absolutely fantastic cozy mystery that made me laugh out loud and kept me turning the pages into the early hours of the morning, Murder on the Menu has got plenty of tension, intrigue and suspense to keep you absolutely riveted and lots of hi-jinks and hilarity that will have you roaring with laughter.

Josie Parker is a terrific sleuth I already love and I’m so thrilled that there will be further adventures in store for her.

M C Beaton fans looking for their next cozy crime addiction, look no further than Fiona Leitch’s Murder on the Menu featuring the fantastic Josie Parker.

Josie Parker was a sergeant in the Metropolitan police (following in her Chief Inspector father’s footsteps) until it all got a bit too much, and coupled with the spilt from her cheating husband, she has taken a catering course and made the decision to move back to her home town of Penstowan with daughter Daisy aged twelve. She is all set to open her new venture “Banquets and Bakes”. Lots of people know her from childhood and still use her nickname, “Nosey", and it’s a good opportunity to be closer to her mother, who currently derives all her news from the hotbed of gossip at the OAP coffee club. Well now if Jodie thought she was going to get a quieter life in Cornwall, it looks like she was very much mistaken. Buying a new sofa, she runs into Tony Penhaligon in his family owned department store. Jodie had once been his girlfriend for two whole weeks but has always made time to catch up with one of her oldest friends when visiting home. Let down by the caterers for his wedding in a week’s time, Jodie suddenly finds herself with her first paying customer!! In the posh hotel at the pre-wedding drinks party Tony’s ex-wife Mel turns up and picks a fight with bride to be Cheryl, accusing her of being after Tony’s store. Jodie breaks up the fight and Mel suggests to her that Cheryl’s family are up to no good. Cheryl is acting a bit shifty too when Jodie speaks to her. The next day while Jodie, her mother and Daisy are cooking for the guests a scream rings out! Mel is found dead and Cheryl has disappeared. And so Jodie meets DCI Withers, the man trying to fill her father’s shoes. After a tetchy start for the pair when Tony gets arrested for murder, Jodie warms more to Withers and with some shared information she decides to turn private investigator, much to his annoyance, and prove her friend is innocent. But that of course will mean she has to find the true killer and a missing bride!
These are super characters, all very well described and easy to picture, and there is great and very likeable interaction between the three generations in Jodie’s family and also the rest of the Cornish cast. I took to them all immediately. I loved the humour with which this story is told and the great turns of phrase used by the author which I could hear myself and my Mum coming out with! There is plenty to chuckle about in this lovely murder mystery which is cosy but still has a great plot and lots of action, and which heralds the start of a hugely enjoyable new series. Books two (A Brush With Death) and three (A Sprinkle Of Sabotage) are already scheduled for publication soon and I am very much looking forward to reading them. My mother will love them too and it doesn’t get any better than that!!

I absolutely loved this book. The characters seemed very 'real' and likeable and I could see myself becoming friends with them. I also enjoyed the setting of the book as I seem drawn to books set in small villages..

The mystery was well-written and the book flowed nicely. Just enough twists and turns as I read and I had a very hard time putting this book down. I stayed up very late to finish this one.

Jodie is a retired police officer who has left the met and moved back to Cornwall with her daughter.
Has started a new catering company and on the morning of her first clients wedding a body turns up and she can't help but get involved.
This is a nice light easy read that will make you laugh at times. This is definite to read and can not wait for more to come.

Murder on the Menu was interesting and fun cozy mystery set in fictional Cornish town that revolved around Jodie Parker, aka Nosey Parker, ex-met settling back in her hometown and get involved in solving missing person and a murder case to save her best friend. It was about settling back in home town, friendship, family, and trust.

Writing was engaging, vivid, entertaining and fast paced. It was first person narrative from Jodie’s perspective. I loved Jodie’s voice. It was refreshing, fun and hooked me to story from the beginning. The setting of fictional Cornish town, Penstowan based on Devon and it’s nearby town in Cornwall, was interesting to read.

Book started with Jodie coming back to her hometown, Penstowan, with her 12 years old daughter after leaving her job in Met in London and her cheating ex-husband. She made her daughter promise she wouldn’t put herself in danger and found a safe profession catering business. As soon as she came back in town she found her first client, her oldest friend- Tony Penhaligon- who was getting married next week. But as it happens in cozy mysteries, just on the wedding day Tony’s ex-wife was found murdered, his bride was missing, and new DCI of the town- DCI Withers- arrested Tony as prime suspect. To save her friend and to live up to her nick name, Jodie poked around her nose to find out what really happened, where was the bride and who killed Tony’s ex-wife.

It was fun to investigate the case (I shouldn’t use those words as she wasn’t cop anymore but she actually did something like that) solve the mystery along with Jodie. At first it looked simple as there were very few suspects but author did amazing job at confusing and complicating this simple looking case.

Characters were relatable and likable (most of them). They all were developed and made the story fun and delightful. I loved Tony. He was interesting characters and I enjoyed his friendship with Jodie and his lively lovable nature made the story even more interesting to find out if he really was culprit and if not, can Jodie save him or not. Jodie’s mother, Shirley, was seventy-year-old fun natured lady. I loved her for understanding her daughter so well. She made me look old with all her flirting. Jodie’s daughter, Daisy, was developed for her age.

Jodie was forty-year-old ex-cop, amazing cook, daughter, mother, and friend. Her sense of humour was refreshing. I easily rooted for her. Her love for her father and her old job was palpitating. Her father was legend of the town and it was great to read his stories that changed many people’s life and how it inspired Jodie and turned her into who she was now. I admired her spirit and passion for solving the case even though it was making her guilty by breaking promise to her daughter. She was brilliant throughout the book and I loved how she figured things out.

Family dynamic was great and these three Parker ladies brought book to life. They were so much alike. ‘Noseyness’ was running in their genes. I loved the way they loved and supported each other.

DCI Withers (I’m still laughing at Jodie’s comment on last name ‘Withers’) was arrogant, cocky and dishy detective. First impression didn’t make him likable but as the story progressed, I loved how he showed Jodie he was doing his job in right way, talked about his theory and even considered Jodie’s theories related to case even if he could easily dismiss it and keep Jodie out of the case. We don’t know anything about his personal life or even first name until after climax when they solved the case which made him interesting and made me more curious to know more about him throughout the book.

What I loved most was description of Penstown, small town gossips, many other interesting secondary characters, Jodie’s van ‘Gimpmobile’, conversations between characters, chemistry between DCI Withers and Jodie, a cute dog, and so many humorous moments.

Mystery was intriguing and like I said not as simple as it looked. I thought I knew who was the real culprit but didn’t know how and why, Jodie’s theories made me rethink my guess, and then there were other clues and I thought I’m sure who did it, then came the biggest twist at climax… I felt like I should leave all the guessing and figuring out things to experts- author and her characters.

All twists and turns were brilliant. Climax was surprising and shocking. It was thrilling to read that last action scene. End was just perfect. I can’t wait to see in what new case Jodie will get herself into.

Overall, Murder on the Menu was light, delightful, relaxing and interesting cozy mystery with many lovely characters and intriguing mystery. It was a perfect escape to Cornish town.

I've read quite a few cozies. However, this was a little different. First of all, I had a little trouble with the colloquial language - I had to look up some of them - Wine Gum being an example. It also took me awhile to get a feel for the characters.

That being said, once I got into it, I really enjoyed the characters and the story. Nosey is a hoot! Her character is front and center throughout the book. Her relationships with the other characters are amazing. And I loved the dog, Germaine. I look forward to reading the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Anyone who knows me knows I am a MASSIVE fan of Fiona’s. When I heard that she was writing a new series I squealed. I mean I obviously want more Bella, but generally, I just want more of her writing.

In walks Jodie “Nosey” Parker, who from the outset is just a delight. A true delight. She is a woman, who although she has left the police, she never really left the police. I just had a constant smile on my face with her latest escapades. I mean weedy wobbler had my snorting, along with the Gimpmobile.

She reminds me so much of Bella, but this time, tamer and has the background of a sleuth. She is a family woman but just like Bella, gets a bit hot under the collar for a policeman.

I loved the backdrop of Cornwall and the light and airy feeling we have. Yes, a murder has occurred, but it just doesn’t feel like it with the goings-on. Everything is light. It was just what I needed. It is the type of book, that despite what is going on, the sun is still shining. Crazy I know but that is how this cosy mystery made me feel. I definitely think I have a new genre I like! It has the seriousness of death and murder but none of the darkness. It is sweet and light, like the cakes Jodie didn’t get to make!!

I definitely have a new heroine whose stories I love to read about. She is a character you can imagine being your friend. She is down to earth but straight-talking, hilarious and incredibly savvy, well most of the time. She is someone I want in my corner as you know she will fight for you. I do love how disaster seems to happen when she is around and how the same man always turns up where she is!

I have one complaint, and Fiona knows this complaint, it was over too quickly! I know there are more books in the series, thank god, because I feel we are only just scratching the surface with Jodie and her family. Plus there is plenty more sleuthing to be had for sure!! Fiona’s writing is so easy to lose yourself in, the friendly, amusing conversational tone really doesn’t relent. There are no lagging moments, its all sleuthing or doe eyes and I personally love the combination.

I read and enjoyed Murder Ahoy! by Fiona Leitch last year, so I was intrigued to see what this new series had to offer.

Jodie 'Nosey' Parker just moved back to her hometown of Penstowan in Cornwall with her twelve-year-old daughter Daisy after her disaster of a marriage broke down. She set up a new catering business and is quickly pulled into catering old friend Tony Penhaligon's wedding. Tragedy strikes as his ex wife Mel turns up dead and his wife to be goes missing. She ends up butting heads with the handsome DCI Withers after Tony becomes the prime suspect. Jodie must use her nosey ways to crack the case.

Murder on the Menu is a cozy mystery packed with plenty of red herring, memorable characters, and of course a good dose of humour.

I absolutely loved Jodie 'Nosey' Parker. She's a single mum, a former police officer, and has plenty of sarcastic wit to boot. There were some great secondary characters too, like Jodie's mum and her daughter Daisy, but a special shout out goes to Germaine, the cute dog that Jodie ends up inheriting.

I also enjoyed the small town gossipy atmosphere that came across through the novel. Everybody seemed to have a nickname too, which was so much fun!

There's plenty of little twists and turns through the story that really kept me on my toes, and I really didn't guess the entire mystery until the very end.

After reading Murder on the menu I can't to read next in this series!

Fiona Leitch’s Murder on the Menu, the first of her Nosey Parker novels, is one of those books that feels like it should be something you see on television. Here in the U.S. it would be a perfect member of the PBS “Mystery” series, or for more contemporary viewers something you stream on BritBox.

Labeled as a cozy mystery, this novel certainly lives up to it’s niche. The main character, Jodie “Nosey” Parker is a former cop and a single mother who moves back to her hometown to give her daughter a life free from worry over her mother’s job. She’s smart, funny, engaging, and I really loved watching her code-switch, speaking proper English to people like the (hot) DCI Nathan Withers but switching into the local vernacular when speaking to people like the local cops her father (a former Chief Inspector) recruited to the small-town force, or the townsfolk, many of which have known her since birth. The use of dialect in this book is one of the things I really appreciated because it’s used both sparingly and organically.

Jodie Parker’s choice to become a caterer after leaving the police behind is something I identified with because I always find catharsis in cooking. (Spoiler alert: there’s a recipe at the end of the book, and I plan to try it!), but it was also amusing to watch her reactions to DCI Withers, first annoyance at his handling of the case (a death at her childhood’s friend wedding which she is catering, and later the recognition that he’s attractive in general, finally, getting a bit flirty.

Jodie is more than flirty though, she’s still got being a cop (though not a detective) in her blood, and it’s hard to stifle a lifelong need to know things.

While the murder mystery is gripping and fast paced, the character interactions are just as fascinating. Jodie’s mother and daughter often act as a sort of Greek chorus for her, while her friend Tony (the groom in the wedding) and their other childhood friends are equally dimensional.

The Cornish coast is also a character in this novel, with its beaches and meadows – Jodie’s back yard has a wall just high enough to keep the cows from visiting – and the setting, here, is important because it sets a tone, not just of cozy small-town life, but also of a very specific culture.

Leitch’s writing is compelling, and she balances humor and gravity very well.

I leapt into reading book two as soon as I finished Murder on the Menu and I fear this series may be my new addiction. It may well be yours, too. Highly recommend.

Goes well with: organic sausages and mashed potatoes.

I've loved all of Fiona Leitch's previous books so I was excited to get stuck in with a brand new character! Jodie "Nosey" Parker is every bit as brilliant as I hoped she would be. I loved her adventurous streak and her knack for finding trouble and her sense of humour is simply fabulous. I also enjoyed meeting her family and friends and I think Leitch really captures the good and bad things about living in a town where everyone knows each other.

Leitch makes writing look so effortless! The novel is easy to read and I was instantly engaged in Murder On The Menu and felt invested in both the plot and the characters. There were certain turns of phrase that made me laugh out loud - something which makes this novel stand out from the crowd!

At the centre of the plot is a very intriguing mystery and I really wanted to find out the truth behind the crimes. I was fascinated as everything unravelled and I couldn't wait to see how it ended!

I am really looking forward to seeing how this series continues.

This is a great fun read with brilliant believable characters. Jodie and Nathan have a lot of chemistry together and the cosy mystery story of the wedding party guests was very entertaining. Full of twists and turns which unfolded well.

Rating 4.5 / 5
There is nothing I love more than a serving of crime with a big old dollop of wit on top. The book brought a crime mystery without being all suit no fun. Plus, this not too serious mystery served up a curvy, humorous and witty main character, and a van full of sausage. No seriously, this van helped kickstart some cracking puns.

The story centres around our lovely ex-copper turner caterer Jodie after leaving her big city career for one closer to her roots. Only problem with the town she grew up in; everyone knows everyone, especially the ex-police chief’s daughter. As proven when she lands the gig to kick start her new
catering business; I mean brand new, whilst sofa shopping in a shop run by an old boyfriend. Luckily, there is no bad blood; bonus he is soon to be married and their caterer cancelled. Let us just say she accepts, even though her van is still an xxx-rated eyesore. Plus, who does not love a good murder the night before the wedding. But before I give away the plot, the middle, the ending; let us just say that this cop has not lost her appetite for adventure when there is a side order of murder mystery
attached.

I found the book to be fast paced and full of light-hearted moments, food puns and gut bursting laughs. Well, some may be a bit below the belt, but ever so delicious. It was a book I found so delectable, I kept craving more and am currently reading number two.
But the one thing I enjoyed, more than the comedic adventure of a mash up team, it was the colourful cast of characters. Some were bigger than life personalities, whilst others were a bit plain but still memorable. They are the type of folks you come across at coffee mornings or during your weekly shops.

Jodie, our main character for example, is a strong but nosey lead who refuses to back down from a fight. Especially one she believes in. She is loyal, honest and with a good gut instinct. It helps a lot when she has a terrible hunger for the truth. Plus, her mother is the person I want to be having coffee with on a coffee morning, always full of the juiciest gossip.

I also enjoyed the dark
horse of the novel; DCI Hottie who you just love to hate. DCI Withers comes across as a control freak, always needing to have a tight hand on the investigation. At the end of the day, he does have impossible shoes to fill. But as the story progresses and his arc becomes more apparent, you realise
that he is the yin to Jodie’s yang, making the tale more than just a criminal investigation. Plus, I had to keep reading as I needed to know his first name.

I found this book easy to digest, its writing style enjoyable and I am excited for more from this author. It was a change from the dark gritty crime thrillers I am used to. I need to add some good old-fashioned humour into my crime reads, it lifted the moods and made the dark nights a little less dark and gloomy. If you want to do the same, I suggest giving this author a bitesize try; or maybe go or an all you can eat buffet and binge read about Nosey Parker like I have.

Murder on the Menu is a quintessential cozy mystery novel, the promising first start in the Nosey Parker series that offers a beautiful English location and light humour coupled with murder, intrigue and investigation! I devoured this book in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The simplistic writing and addictive, although somewhat straightforward, plot allows for very easy reading. Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is a great, down-to-earth and relatable protagonist and I loved reading her relationships and banter with the other characters in this story. Definitely looking forward to the rest of this series!

She left the Met to quell her daughter's Daisy's fears, she moved back to her home town because she needed distance from her ex who was more of a donor than a Dad, and she started a catering business because cooking calmed her. She didn't expect to have to help get an old friend off the suspect list, temporarily take care of a white fluffball (like that was really going to be temporary after her daughter met the pup), or be aggravated and enticed by DCI Withers. Jodie (Nosey) Parker is an ace detective even if she isn't walking the London beat anymore, and you have have to respect her quick wit, dogged determination, and loyalty to family and friends. My first, but not my last Nosey Parker mystery.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery for the most part and I am interested to see where the series goes. I liked Josey, as well as the supporting characters and felt it was well written but it bothered me how often she did something it seemed like no one who had been a cop would do. There were more than a couple times where her actions didn't really make a lot of sense given the background of the character. I hope that the stories will improve on that going forward. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the Nosey Parker mystery series by Fiona Leitch.

I really enjoyed this book. The main character is very relatable. I loved how she used to be a police officer and how that, in some ways, made it harder for her to dive into the mystery. Another stumbling block was that Jodie had come back to her hometown and had to get to know her friends again.

I liked how Jodie went from a police officer to a caterer/cook. Quite a nice dynamic with those two aspects. You get your detective fiction as well as a culinary cozy story. Just super fun.

Totally recommend this book and look forward to what is to come in the future.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I absolutely loved this book! A wonderful, witty and intriguing whodunnit. I loved the characters and cannot wait to read the next installment of Jodie 'noey' Parker.

I really enjoyed this book!,
I liked the easy style of writing, the funny little moments too, some made me laugh!
This is a perfect book to read as a pick me up, definitely lightened the mood.
The main characters are fun too and maybe a romance is on the cards.
Definitely looking forward to reading the next one.