Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly is a great cozy mystery that is the first in a new series: A Grilled Cheese Mystery. It features one of my favorite foods of all time (that’s right, you guessed it lol): grilled cheese.

This book has the quintessential cozy mystery concept: Carly returns to a familiar small-town landscape (in Vermont) to help recuperate and heal from difficult life circumstances. At the same time, she forges ahead and opens up her own restaurant.

Of course it can’t be that easy, obstacles are created, the town’s negative Nancy (Lyle) ends up DOA, and Carly has to help find the culprit or her employee and possibly her business could end up in the slammer and in the gutter respectively.

Yes, this concept has been done many times before, but darn it, when the sleuthing and cozy mystery concept is done correctly with excellent characters, plot, and pacing…it draws me in every time. And that is exactly what this gem did for me.

I was on edge, entertained, and kept coming back for more. I loved it and I am looking forward to the next book.

And I am going to make myself a little “Party Havarti!”.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Poisoned Pen Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.