Sisters Bernie and Libby own a cafe, above which they live with their widowed father, retired policeman Sean. Although there are ten or so novels in the series, this was the first I read, and sadly, it is likely to be the only one I read. I wanted to like Bernie and Libby--they squabble like real sisters, they love their dad, they enjoy their work as caterers and cafe owners. But alas, they are very stupid, and it's an irritating kind of stupid. How irritating? I left myself 66 notes about things the sisters say or do in the course of investigating who killed artist Margo. Some passages read as if there were edits that had removed earlier sections with pertinent information that the reader therefore doesn't get; they jump to conclusions without any evidence that of course turns out to be correct; and apparently the only way the author can figure out to keep Bernie and Libby's investigation proceeding is to have them break into someone's house or business. Which they do--three times. Which their policeman father does not yell at them about. They traipse all over crime scenes and handle things, all without getting in trouble when their fingerprints should have been left behind. Some of the dialogue is very juvenile, e.g. "Maybe Lydia really has a reason for setting up the meeting at Le Cafe," Bernie countered... "Other than she's nuts?" Libby replied (Location 2307). It was after reading this passage that it occurred to me what the author was trying to do: create two slightly hip sisters who are nerdy enough to be non-threatening to older readers, who wear vintage clothes and are daddy's girls yet are hip enough not to be shocked by casual drug use so as to appeal to younger readers. I think she was trying to create, basically, grown-up Dana Girls or Nancy Drew for those of us who wanted to grow up to be Louise or Jean or Nancy. Except they are not Louise or Jean or Nancy. The author tries to catapult the murder into the high stakes world of art forgeries and big money swindles and forged passports and it doesn't work. Not Recommended.

A light hearted and humorous cozy mystery.
I recommend you read the previous books in the series but this can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I just love good cozy mysteries and this book did not disappoint! It was such a great fun read! The characters were all enjoyable and the book plot was really good. If you love cozy mysteries I suggest you give this book a try. You will not be disappointed!

I was excited to see a new book from Isis Crawford. The latest book combines by love of mysteries and bookclubs! It was fun to spend time with Bernie and Libby again and I definitely didn't see the end coming! I wish A Little Taste of Heaven was real, it's somewhere I would definitely be a regular at, but at least Crawford included some yummy recipes in the back of the book.

Libby and Bernie Simmons are sisters, bakers, caterers and sleuths. When one of their regular customers doesn't pick up a standing order and the book club members think she met with foul play - Libby and Bernie take the case.

I have enjoyed this series and one of my favorite things is that the murders usually occur around a holiday or gathering. This book features a book club which I liked and had the classic sisters discussions (arguments) the other books had, but inthis book they were little bit snarkier. I would have liked to have had their boyfriends and their Dad more involved in the case.

I received an ARC from NetGal!ley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

As always the sisters - Bernie and Libby get themselves involved a crime committed in their town.. Their antics while solving the mystery of the missing book club members their antics were more cringe-wortyh than laughter. It might be time to put this series to rest.

I came into this complete blind, but I guess this is quite a long series. But I had some mixed feelings about this book; I mostly enjoyed it, but it didn’t really grab me and make me want to devour it. Also, Bernie’s tendency to constantly b&e was seriously annoying. I really enjoyed the side characters though! Also, maybe they’re featured more in other books, but the two boyfriends were pretty much just a side note? Like, they were basically in one scene and if this was a movie, it probs wouldn’t have been more than 2 min of screen time.

Another novel in Isis Crawford’s long running series. It is like meeting up with old friends to while away a chilly winter evening. I really enjoyed it and if you are a fan you will too!

#ACateredBookClubMurder #NetGalley
Unfortunately, I didn't realize this was part of a series. The story was easy enough to follow, but perhaps, I would have had a better appreciation for the mystery if I were more invested in the characters. Basically, bakery store owners/sisters act as sleuths to investigate the disappearance & subsequent murder of a customer at the request of her fellow book club members.
Thoughts:
1. How do these sisters keep a bakery / coffee business going when they are almost never at their store?!? And where's their money coming from... when they are at the business, they're constantly giving their products away for free. Yet, they've got Prada handbags? Designer clothes / shoes?? I'd be more inclined to investigate them.
2. The police insist that the woman's death was an accident but how does one accidentally drive their car directly into a marsh at an out of the way reserve & just stay there to die. It made no sense.
3. The whole mystery was a confused mess. There were missing paintings, possible forgeries, expensive cars, FBI involvement, and IRS audits to contend with. Red herrings were plentiful, but also unrealistic in the extreme.
4. The 'who-dun-it' was obvious because the author kept alluding to it, but in no way did it make sense. And the reason behind the murder was also bizarre.

While A Catered Book Club Murder was an easy quick read, it was also an unsatisfying one for me.

When you get these sisters and their father together, not only will you eat well and be entertained, but murder will most likely need to be solved. This book has all of that and more. The mystery is well thought out, but the focus is always on the sisters and their relationship. It is one that is so well written, you want them to be real people. Every single book in this series keeps me laughing and wanting more. I can't wait for the next one!

Two sisters run a catering business and cater a artsy group of book club meeting. When the book club host fails to pick up her treats for the meeting everyone fears the worst and skips out of the monthly meeting. When the search ends with a dead body and the nine remaining book club members rove their friend was murdered. The sleuthing sisters find scandalous secrets about the book club members. This is a fun who done it following each club member and finding out more about each one.

I hadn’t read any of the previous books in the Mystery with Recipes series but didn’t have any problems sorting the characters and getting to know the sisters. I’m on vacation and this was the perfect vacation read. Lots of new to me info about art, collection and forgery. Great lunch/dinner ideas from the menus at the sister’s bakery with interesting recipes at the end. I’ll be on the look out for more books in the series.

I really enjoyed this mystery and the characters. Bernie and Libby are a great team with their restaurant and sleuths. When a local book club has a member go missing they hire the sisters to find her. They find her unfortunately dead and suspicious clues around her death. The book club then asks the girls to find the truth. They uncover dark secrets of the club in the process. Great read!
#ACateredBookClubMurder #NetGalley

An entertaining mystery. Libby and , sisters, co-owners of a catering cafe, and semi-professional P.I.s (though they don't have licenses) are hired to find a member of a mystery book club who went missing on the day of a meeting. Libby and have a good banter that is usually entertaining and get involved in amusing antics but that are clearly illegal. Sometimes I found them a bit annoying.

It was a decent mystery overall. I thought the motivation for the people hiring the sisters was a bit dubious, particularly as things unfold and the reader discovers not everyone is exactly who or what they appear to be. I guessed who the culprit was about half way through but there were plenty of twists and turns that would keep even the most adept reader engaged.

This is the 16th book in the Mystery with Recipes series and without having read any of the previous 15 titles I felt a bit lost as to the relationships of the characters and the thought processes of sisters, Bernie and Libby in solving the murder of artist Margo Helmsley. Fans will enjoy, readers expecting a stand alone story may want to read some of the previous books first.

Enjoyed this one, and found the banter between the sisters fun to follow. Found the ending a bit rushed and confusing, but otherwise enjoyed the ride. A fun cozy mystery. First one I've read, and found out later this was the 16th in the series. Did not have any trouble following the story, and would highly recommend. Recipes at the end too. Want to try the pumpkin bread.

This is the 16th in the series. Sisters Libby and Bernie are caterers and are excited to cater the desserts for Margo who is a member of the local murder book club and is known for the best desserts. When Margo does not show up to pick up the order or show for the book club meeting, the members of the club ask Bernie and Libby to help find Margo. Margo’s body is found in a nearby marsh and the ladies of the book club want Bernie and Libby to find out who killed her as they do not believe it was an accident. Of course, Margo has secrets as do other members of the book club. The story was a quick read and a good addition to this series. I have not read them all but was able to follow along. Looking forward to this series continuing. Enjoyed this.

culinary, cozy-mystery

Most of the characters are part of an insider crowd and seem lacking in depth to me. This is the first I have read in the series, but it seems more focused on food and recipes than on finding out who did what to the murder victim. I was disappointed. I do not think it stands alone well.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.

This is the 16th (!) book in the series, I've read them all and some of them are better than others. This book was one of the better ones, it was funny and the supporting characters had a lot of personality. I recommend this book, 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'd like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This book is number 16 in the "A Mystery of Recipes". The story is well developed and the characters seem to be well developed as well. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, so I was new to it all.

Overall, this felt very much like a typical cozy mystery series - you have a cute little town full of people who have 'regulars' and care about each other enough to check up on each other. And a set of best friends working together and solving mysteries.

Maybe it's because I haven't read others in the series, but I had a bit of a tough time getting into the book. I felt like I was missing something with the characters and banter and such. I wasn't really pulled into the community that cozy mysteries tend to build.