DAIRY, DAIRY, QUITE CONTRARY is the first book in the A SUNFLOWER CAFE MYSTERY series. It's set in Yoder, Kansas with many characters having the same surname. This is Sissy's story as she plays amateur sleuth to figure out who murdered Kevin who delivers milk to her aunt's café as well as to many other small businesses especially since Sissy is in the crosshairs of the police since she found the body.

The story started off slowly as I got a handle on each character. Sissy finds her way in the town as she helps her aunt in the business. Sissy and her dog, Duke are always front and center. There were Amish and English woven throughout but also some like Sissy who was raised Amish until her family moved away since her parents felt the church was too confining. But she's working with her aunt who is Amish and is close to her cousin who is currently pregnant with twins and on bed rest.

There are twists and turns to the story as Sissy asks Gavin who works at the small newspaper in town to help her determine whodunnit. They have an attraction but seem to be just friends. As Sissy puts together her clues and ultimately solves the case there are some surprises along the way.
There is closure and I look forward to reading more books in this cozy mystery series.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

A cute murder mystery, I thought it was great.

This brand new series is set in Yoder, Kansas and features advice columnist, Sissy Yoder who has returned to her hometown, relocating from Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her little Yorkshire terrier, Duke. Sissy’s Aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café needs some help as she has had an accident, damaging her leg. Sissy hasn't been back long when she finds the milk delivery man, with a chef's knife sticking out of his back. The solid plot, twists and red herrings all contribute to my enjoyment of this compelling mystery. I fully intend the continue the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary is the first book in the A Sunflower Cafe Mystery series by Amy Lillard.

Sissy Yoder has recently broken up with her boyfriend and has decided to quit her job writing an advice column titled Aunt Bess for the local newspaper. She’s decided to move to Yoder, Kansas, and help out her Aunt Bethel, who has a leg in a cast at her Sunflower Cafe. Sissy hadn’t seen her aunt in about fifteen years. Her aunt was far from welcoming and caring upon meeting her. But she will soon learn that Aunt Bethel's bite is worse than her bark. Three days after arriving, Sissy is on the job and asked to check on what is taking so long for Josie to check in the milk delivery. When she gets to the backdoor, she finds it open and the body of the delivery man lying halfway in the backdoor—a large kitchen knife from the cafe sticking out his back. When Sheriff Earl Berry is finished with his investigation, he seems confident that none of the residents of Yoder could be a killer, leaving Sissy as the prime suspect.

When Sissy begins to investigate to clear her name, she will find no shortage of suspects. She soon meets a local newspaper reporter Gavin Wainwright, who agrees to help her with the investigation.

For the most part, I enjoyed the book. The book moves at an even pace and has a good cast of characters who seem well-developed and believable. What I didn’t particularly care for was Sissy’s character. I felt she was overly paranoid about the sheriff’s feelings for her and excessively whiny.

I hope her character changes in the next book.

3.5 stars

Sissy Yoder a advice columnist is looking for afresh start as she head to small town Yoder , Kansas to help in her aunts cafe. But when the milkman is murdered Sissy becomes the prime suspect. After SISSY breaks up with her cowboy boyfriend she packs her bags picks up her Yorkie Duke and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma bound for her parents former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder Kansas including Sissy’s aunt Bethel who owns the Sunflower Cafe but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the cafe and reunites with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. She also continues to secretly write her newspaper column as Aunt Bess. When she finds the murdered milkman behind the cafe she becomes the sheriff’s prime suspect it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber before someone else gets hurt. Great story in an Amish community.

The cover is so bright and cheerful that I was instantly drawn to it.
I've read other cozy mysteries by Amy Lillard and have enjoyed them all. I know when I read her cozy mysteries that I'll get a good,fun clean read.
The Amish and English characters make for a great combination in the story and keep it interesting.
There were twists and turns in the book that I just didn't see coming.
The murder takes place early in the book and it kept me guessing right til the end when it was revealed who did it.
We are introduced to many characters.
Dairy,Dairy Quite Contrary is the first book in the Sunflower Cafe mystery. I recommend it and look forward to more by this author to enjoy.

Published June 28th 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Synopsis:

Looking for a fresh start, advice columnist Sissy Yoder heads to small-town Yoder, Kansas, to help in her aunt’s café. But when a milkman is murdered, the newcomer becomes the prime suspect . . .

After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed . . .(Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Sissy has returned to her parents home town to help her aunt Bethel who has broken her leg. Shortly after she arrives, the milk delivery man is killed with a knife in his back. Since Sissy is new and she is the une to find the body, she is the prime suspect. Sissy must find out who the murderer is before she is thrown in to jail.

The author is talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning and did not let me go. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. You could tell that Sissy is not used to trying to solve a murder but she is gping to give it her all.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to seeing what type of trouble Sissy gets into next.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

This was my first cozy mystery Amy Lillard. Amy usually writes about the Amish, and this book has English (Non Amish) characters and Amish characters. Sissy is ready for a new start so she takes her adorable Yorkie, Duke to help run her aunt's cafe. When a dead body is discovered behind the cafe, Sissy is the main suspect.
I enjoyed learning about the town and the other characters. I’m looking forward to the next book! This is a great start to a new series. I want to thank the author, Kensington Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

DNF @23%

This was just not for me - I don't take kindly to people writing so flippantly about someone else's belief system nor do I care for the new trope of making the local sheriff as dumb as a box of rocks just so the MC can solve the mystery. The MC is whiny and judgemental and I could not go on. The narration was also awful and I would never recommend her to anyone. So disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is the first in a new cozy mystery by Amy Lillard. The storyline fits all the components that makes a cozy wonderful with Sissy Yoder returning to her parent's' town to help her Amish aunt run her restaurant she has an injury. Soon after her arrival, the milkman is found dead and Sissy is the prime suspect.
Cozy fans will love this new series. The only disappointment I had with the story was that Sissy writes an advice column as an older woman and I was hoping that the book would include more of the columns at beginning of the chapters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Net Galley, but all opinions are my own.

Loved It!

What can I say about author Amy Lillard's wonderful writing talents that hasn't already been said? Not much, but repeating it doesn't hurt anything. Ms. Lillard's talent for writing cozy mysteries never disappoints! And what does Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary offer? Mystery, laughs, romance, nuggets of advice and so much more.

Getting to know Sissy Yoder and following her to a new town, a new job, and new friends was so much fun. When you add in a cute little Yorkie, a murder and being the prime suspect, that just kicked the story up a few more notches. As Gavin Wainwright joins forces with Sissy to investigate the murder, a special bond forms between them. Where this all goes can only be found out by reading Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary for yourself, and I definitely recommend that you do just that.

*I received an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are strictly my own.

I feel this is a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series. I love that it has a mixture of Amish and Englisher. Sissy is a great sleuth. I think it will be fun to see if Sissy gets into a romance with Gavin. I also love Duke the little Yorkshire terroir. This story was fun and we get to learn about the town of Yoder. I enjoyed the witticisms from Aunt Bess and hope to learn more about this column. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from Kensington books for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I love the potential of this new A Sunflower Cafe Mystery series by Amy Lillard. The main character, Sissy, is so likeable and hides a secret life that is delightful. As a newcomer who is in some cases overtly unwelcome in an Amish community she is still cheerful and helpful. Being the suspect in a murder helps her figure out who her friends are quickly. Although the resolution of the mystery is sad, it is also well done. I anxiously look forward to more of Sissy's sojourn at the Sunflower Cafe.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinons expressed in this review are entirely my own.

While this story is set in an Amish town, this cozy mystery is told from the perspective of a young woman who is not Amish. After finding a dead body, Sissy ends up as the Sheriff’s prime suspect in the murder. I have to tell you, the Sheriff truly annoyed me. He was useless in actually solving the crime, which I guess was the point, since Sissy needed to be the one doing the investigating.

I liked meeting the townspeople through Sissy’s eyes and gathering clues with her and her new friend, Gavin. I was able to figure a few things out, yet the author did keep me guessing till the end. Sometimes the pacing of the story lagged for me and I wasn’t super connected emotionally to the main character. But it was still a cute and easy read, with some witty humor thrown in.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’ve read other books by Amy Lillard, so I thought I would give this new series a try. It’s a story that has been told before, girl looks to make a new life in a new town after difficulty in her old home.
This story gives us a small town in Kansas with a large Amish population, a girl with a secret job, a convertible and a pocket dog.
It’s a sweet set up that would have worked better for me if the story didn’t take so long to get where it was going. Sissy was a bit clueless. I knew who the culprit was early on and the reason behind the murder. Sissy missed obvious clues and never even looked in the right direction.
I like Sissy and her cousin Lizzie. One good thing was that Sissy was never in real danger, which is a bonus as far as cozy mysteries go.
I didn’t care for all the drama Sissy created out of nothing.
Three stars for setting and a fun premise.

Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard if the first book in the Sunflower Cafe Mystery series.This is an interesting whodunit. I didn't realize when I started to read this book that it is an Amish mystery. I have not read the Amish genre before and I can't say this introduction has enticed me to read more. In some aspects it's almost like reading apart with parts of another language with the customs of the Amish. I did think that the story is well-written and has well-developed characters.

Sissy Yoder's definitely a different type main character than most cozies have since she came from her big city job to her aunt's café, but not just any old café. This one's Amish and run by her Amish Aunt Bethel who sure didn't seem welcoming like we always hear the plain people are. But we did get to see a crack or two in her grumpy veneer, and I'm thinking maybe Sissy might just win over this disgruntled little woman, maybe not in this book but sometime. I especially got a kick out of a comment Bethel made about the lake!

I liked when Sissy sleuthed with Gavin. They made a nice investigating team and if Sissy'd just admit he's nice to hang out with, I have every faith in the author to make them a couple eventually. ;) And Gavin liked little Duke pup, so that counts a lot in saying he's an awesome guy. I enjoyed Sissy's visits with her cousin Lizzie who despite being Amish and on bedrest carrying twins had her finger on the gossip pulse of the town.

By the time the showdown rolled around, I was leaning heavily toward the person whodunit and I was right. At least Sissy wasn't in any danger, and now Sheriff Earl could stop watching her and making her feel guilty, lol. I'm really looking forward to the next book to see that hopefully Lizzie's given birth and maybe just maybe Aunt Bethel might crack a smile!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard is the debut of A Sunflower Café Mysteries. We meet Sissy Yoder and her Yorkshire terrier, Duke. They have traveled to Yoder, Kansas to help her aunt, Bethel who broke a leg. Bethel needs help running the Sunflower Café. Sissy is glad for an excuse to get away from Tulsa, Oklahoma after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her apartment. Unfortunately, Sissy’s fresh start begins with the murder of the local milk delivery driver in the back doorway of the Sunflower Café. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry has Sissy at the top of his suspect list. The only way to clear her name is for Sissy to find the real culprit. I like Amy Lillard’s casual writing style. It is welcoming and friendly. The pacing is leisurely and could have used an injection of caffeine. Sissy Yoder is a friendly character who has an adorable dog named Duke of York (aka Duke). We meet a cast of quirky characters as Sissy works in the café and investigates the mystery. I enjoyed the descriptions of Yoder. It sounds like a quaint small town that is a mixture of English and Amish. I thought Sissy’s new home was clever and cute (I am not going to spoil it for you). The murder of the milkman happens early in the story. Sissy is the prime suspect even though she barely knew the man. There are several suspects since the milk delivery driver is the local lothario. There are few clues which makes it challenging for Sissy to solve. Sissy gets help from local reporter, Gavin. I wish the whodunit had been stronger and more complex. I also thought the mystery needed a better conclusion with any lingering questions answered. I kept hoping the bumbling deputy sheriff would find himself the next victim. In the end, Sissy finds the final piece of the puzzle and identifies the guilty party. Gavin Wainwright is a reporter for the Sunflower Express, the local underground newspaper. He helps Sissy with the mystery plus he is her new love interest. I did feel it was a little soon for a love interest since Sissy is still getting over her ex-boyfriend. I am hoping that the romance will progress slowly. I like Sissy’s job as the syndicated advice columnist Aunt Bess. Aunt Bess is a sassy, know it all seventy-year-old grandmother (at least that is what everyone thinks). Aunt Bess is plain spoken with plenty of helpful advice (Sissy should take some of it herself). There are quotes from Aunt Bess at the beginning of each chapter. Of course, Sissy has to have a cover occupation because no one knows that she is Aunt Bess. The food descriptions will have your mouth watering especially for chocolate peanut butter pie. I enjoyed my first visit to Yoder, Kanas. I am curious what trouble Sissy will stumble upon next time. Dairy, Dairy Quite Contrary is cute cozy with the delightful Duke, the grabby Bethel, the loving Lottie, the laid-up Lizzie, the bullying Earl Berry, the scrumptious chocolate peanut butter pie, the grinning Gavin, and a suspicious Sissy.

This is the first in a new series, A Sunflower Cafe Mystery, set in Yoder, a small town in Kansas. Sissy Yoder left Tulsa to help her aunt out with her cafe after her Aunt Bethel broke her ankle. Bethel was not very happy to have her niece's help, but she tolerated her. A few days in and Sissy is in the wrong place at the wrong time to discover the milkman who was delivering the daily milk supply dead on the cafe floor. Being new in a small town, she was the deputy sheriff's main suspect. Sissy decides to find out who really killed this father of ten children, a man who did not have a sterling reputation. This is a funny and entertaining read with a pool of suspects, from the mafia to his wife and others. And there are lots of people named Yoder, both English and Amish and not all are related. I am looking forward to seeing what will be going on in the book. This is a good read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries of all kinds.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

There's a lot going on in this book! I felt a little bombarded by characters in the first few chapters and didn't really feel I knew any of them well. I started this book over a few times but never got into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.