As usual this cozy mystery does not disappoint. I love this series and the newest installment is so good. I think this one has the best didn't see that coming of the series. The cast is great, the plot is great, and the villain is perfect for the story. I cannot wat for the next one.

When former classmate Klarrissa's wedding shower venue falls through she is desperate for a new place, which is easily fixed - best friend and wedding planner Dawn's family home would be perfect. But what will they do for food? One bite of one of Carly's signature grilled cheese sandwiches and she that Carly must cater the event. It's winter so the restaurant is slow and Carly has a deep need to help anyone she can. Really what could go wrong?

Cheddar Late Than Dead is the third book in Linda Reilly's Grilled Cheese Mystery series. I've read the previous two books in the series, but this book can be read as a stand alone.

While there is some cheese in this story it all stays on the bread. The characters feel like real people doing everyday things, except of course for the murder - I hope regular people aren't encountering a murder every few months.

The characters are what really make this book great.

The murder mystery is good. I worried when a person is poisoned at the shower that Carly was going to be accused. I just read another cozy mystery with that plot line so I wasn't in the mood for another. Luckily that wasn't the case. While the men in Carly's life (why is it always the men who want to tell the woman what to do but it is the female characters who encourage her?) try to discourage her to steer clear of the murder investigation (for her own safety so they say), the police chief can't deny that Carly has keen observation skills and her empathy gives her insights others overlook.

If you are looking for a cozy mystery with great characters then you should pick up this book. As we are still in the middle of winter, a grilled cheese and a cup of soup would be a perfect accompaniment to this story. There are recipes at the end of the book if you are looking to elevate your cheese sandwich.

My review is published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/02/cheddar-late-than-dead-by-linda-reilly.html

Carly Hale has returned to her hometown of Balsam Dell, Vermont and has opened Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery. She is doing well selling her cheesy treats and when Carly reconnects with high school classmates, she agrees to be the caterer at Klarissa's bridal shower. At the event site, the historic Balsam Dell inn, the future groom is found dead. The wedding planner and maid of honour is the prime suspect.

In the continuation of the series by Linda Reilly, this third instalment, Cheddar Late Than Dead follows "No Parm No Foul" and "Up to No Gouda" It has twists and turns to hold my interest, the storyline moves along swiftly and the characters are colourful. I adore the scruffy beige young dog, Havarti and I look forward to getting to know Carly et al. better in the upcoming books.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Dollycas's Thoughts

Carly Hale's Grilled Cheese Eatery is the perfect stop to warm up during the winter in Balsam Dell. There is nothing better than a hot cup of soup and one of Carly's gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. It is there where Carly's former classmates Klarissa and Dawn meet to discuss Klarissa's upcoming bridal shower. It is also where they learn their choice of venue, the Balsam Dell Inn has been double booked. Dawn agrees to have the party moved to her family's mansion but only if Carly caters the event. Well, they really didn't give her much of a choice.

The big day arrives and Carly and the family's maid get into a great rhythm grilling the special sandwiches but something just feels off about the day. The groom's stepmother was not welcomed with open arms and she makes it known. Soon the groom arrives at the party to have words with his bride, loud words. And soon thereafter, the groom is found dead, poisoned, and someone at the shower is responsible. Was it the bride-to-be? Her maid of honor? or one of their guests? Carly is a little cheesed but she agrees to help find who objected to this marriage enough to off the big cheese before they even made it to the church.

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The author has created such a captivating cast of characters I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Carly is a fun protagonist. Her relationship with Ari is moving along nicely.  Her grillmaster Grant is a true friend with some wonderful ideas, mostly cheese related but this time he has a revelation to change school lunches. Suzanne too continues to be there for whatever Carly needs. What Carly needed most was an assistant especially if she is going to be off catering events or tracking down killers. Valerie Wells appears to be an ideal hire but something is bothering her. Carly just needs to find out what. Gina is also a great best friend and a big help to Carly as she organizes her suspects and motives.

We do meet a number of new characters. Carly's classmates Dawn Chapin and Klarissa Taddeo, Klarissa's aunt, Megan Gilbert who practically raised her, her mother Ursula, and Dawn's mom Julia, the groom Tony's stepmother, Rose Manous, and Megan's friend, Gretel Engstrom who is the town manager of Balsam Dell, and Astrid, the Chapin's maid. All were important to the story and developed nicely throughout the pages.

There were a couple of mysteries in the story, the groom's murder and later a missing person. Ms. Reilly plotted them both out so well. Carly really didn't want to get involved but soon she was all in. Her caring nature makes it so easy for people to open up to her especially when she brings her sweet little Morkie, Havarti, along. It also makes it fun for the reader to follow along with her step by step and cringe with fear when we know she is about to make a misstep. The author grilled up some skilled twists that blew my theory altogether but lead up to a heart-pounding reveal.  I loved it!

I really enjoy the grilled cheese theme of this series. A dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup always coincides with reading a book in this series. The cravings start with the title and grow with each sandwich description. This time the story features Grilled Cheese Donuts and while I haven't tried one of those yet there have been discussed a lot around here.

Cheddar Late Than Dead was a scrumptiously good read! I was totally entertained from beginning to end. I hope I don't have to wait too long to catch up with these characters again. I love visiting Vermont and Balsam Dell.

A good solid cozy mystery set in Vermont and not the least bit cheesy at all. Oh wait... it is plenty cheesy, but in a delicious way. If you like cozies and you like Vermont, this series is well worth checking out!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I always love returning to Vermont.

This was a quick read with great characters (although I’m still not a huge fan of Carly) and a wonderful setting with yummy grilled cheese sandwiches. The mystery was well crafted and kept me guessing up until the final reveal. There were a few too cutesy moments for me but otherwise I really enjoyed this addition to the series. Looking forward to the next.

Carly gets roped into catering a bridal shower for a high schoolmate she hasn’t seen for years. She agrees more for the wedding planner Dawn than for the bride Klarissa.
When the groom dies at the bridal shower, Carly gets involved mostly because it looks like he was poisomed and she wants to make sure she isn’t a suspect.
This was a great mystery. The culprit was a bit unexpected.
I love the grilled cheese restaurant setting for this series. I wasn’t so sure about a grilled cheese donut. Even hearing how well it turned out in the story, I’m not sure it is a recipe I would try.
I highly recommend the Grilled Cheese mystery series. I love all the main characters - Carly, Ari, Suzanne, Grant and the sheriff.
Cheddar Late Than Dead could be read as a stand-alone but it’s better read in order.

Cheddar Late Than Dead is book #3 in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series by Linda Reilly.

Carly Hale gets roped in to catering a wedding shower for a former classmate. It’s going well until someone ends up dead.

I enjoy this series and this is my favorite book so far. I like Carly and her friends. And Havarti plays an important role. The mystery kept me guessing and even though I figured out the guilty party shortly before Carly, the reason was surprising. I’m not sure about Grilled Cheese Donuts, but I may have to try the recipe that was included in the book. I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to the author, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is the third in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series and can be read as a standalone story.
When Carly recently reconnects with high school classmates, she is pressed into service as the caterer. At the event site, the future groom is found dead. The wedding planner, Dawn, is the prime suspect.

Carly learns more about Dawn and the intended bride, Klarissa as she investigates.

What I liked was the revelations of Mrs Chapin’s control over Dawn, The Bridezilla characteristics of Klarissa, and the support and concern Carly receives from her friends and employees.
The killer was interesting and the backstory helps us understand that not everyone is on an even keel despite appearances.

I am looking forward to the next installment. I was given and advanced reader copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series by author Linda Reilly, so I couldn’t wait to reunite with Carly and the gang in Cheddar Late Than Dead. And what a reunion it was!

We’ve returned to small-town Vermont and Carly’s grilled cheese shop. Carly is fresh off of solving a murder and trying to settle back into day-to-day life. A couple of high school acquaintances drop by her restaurant, and she’s roped into catering a bridal shower at the last minute. At the party, there is plenty of drama, and then the groom is found dead, and Carly finds herself once again in the middle of a mystery.

I really enjoy Carly. She’s quite logical, creative in her sleuthing, and generally isn’t a nuisance. I mean, she’s nosy, and she did annoy a few people. But in general, those she was questioning took it in stride and didn’t mind so much. I suppose it helps that after having solved two murders, she’s getting a little reputation around town. But she’s thorough in her sleuthing, and she actually does figure it out before the culprit comes after her.

There are various characters in Balsam Dell, and I like getting to know each and every one of them. I felt the author introduced just enough new characters to make the mystery interesting without being too overwhelming. I was pleasantly surprised by the unmasking of the murderer and their motives. And I was thankful for the last couple of chapters that rounded out the story and gave some character updates.

I highly recommend Cheddar Late Than Dead to mystery fans. Obviously, as with most cozy series, the book is better if you’ve read previous books in the series. But it does stand on its own. Cheddar Late Than Dead is a wonderful mystery with fascinating characters. I can’t wait to revisit Balsam Dell in the future.

Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly takes place in and around a grilled cheese sandwich cafe. What could be better? Carly Hale had been asked, at the last minute, to cater a wedding shower. They wanted grilled cheese donuts. Carly had never done them before, but she was willing to try. It was at the home of the bride’s (Klarissa’s) friend and wedding planner, Dawn. There was a wonderful housekeeper, Astrid, there to help Carly and the guests seem to love what was served.
Everything was going well until Carly discovered the somewhat drunken groom lying at the bottom of the stairs. It was too late for him, as Dawn appeared at the top of the stairs. What was going on here? Carly had heard several suspicious conversations, including one where Tony had been arguing with his bride. She’d run into Tony’s stepmother, Rose, sitting in the dining room, disconsolate because the bride had refused to serve some handmade pastries she had brought. It was all very confusing and Carly couldn’t wait to leave after she was questioned.

This all takes place in a small town and there are many reoccurring characters. Cozy mysteries are always character-driven and this is no exception, including police chief, who is a family friend and mentor to Carly; Ari, her boyfriend; and of course, her long-suffering staff. They are all friendly and open and have lives of their own which spill into the story. The mystery is a good one, the solution one I didn’t see coming until it was almost too late. The biggest problem I have with this book is that Carly, nearly dies solving the crime. That happens too often and is a cop-out, in my opinion. Overall, it is an entertaining and compelling mystery.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Cheddar Late Than Dead by Poisoned Pen Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #PoisonedPenPress #LindaReilly #CheddarLateThanDead

This is the third book in the grilled cheese mystery series but the first for me! I didn’t have any issues jumping into this one without reading the first two books.

This cozy was so much fun! I loved Carly & her shop crew and I loved the small town setting. I thought the mystery was entertaining but I did guess early on who I thought it was and was correct! That rarely happens so I was proud of myself for getting it right.

Carly has a great memory and is a good amateur sleuth. I mean, it wouldn’t be a cozy if they didn’t get in trouble from the detective for trying to help! Haha! But enjoyed that she caught so many tricky clues. I can’t wait to read more in the series to learn more about Carly, Grant, Ari, Gina and Valerie! And if you love recipes in cozies, there are two in the back — grilled cheese donut and grant’s tomato soup.

Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Cheddar Late Than Dead is the third book in the A Grilled Cheese Mysteries series by Linda Reilly.

Carly’s recently opened Grilled Cheese Eatery is doing well. Carly has hired an assistant manager, Valarie, to help her, an assistant cook, Grant, and a part-time waitress, Suzanne, at the eatery. One day, Dawn Chapin and Klarissa Tadder, who Carly hasn’t seen since their high school graduation some years ago, enter the eatery. Catching bits of a phone conversation Dawn and Klarissa are having, it’s clear that Klarissa’s reservation at the Balsam Dell Inn has been canceled for her wedding shower. After Dawn and Klarissa devour their sandwiches, Dawn asks Carly if she would cater Klarissa’s wedding shower at Klarissa’s family’s mansion. Carly has no desire to add catering but, with some trepidation, agrees to provide the eatery’s latest sandwich, the Grilled Cheese Donut. All is going well at the shower, with everyone enjoying the sandwiches. Carly hopes she will get some positive word-of-mouth advertising from the attendees. As Carley is about to leave, screams are heard from the second floor. When Carly arrives at the staircase, she sees the body of Tony Manous lying on the floor with a broken cocktail glass next to his body. When it is learned that Dawn had been upstairs just before Manous fell to his death, Dawn becomes the primary suspect. Knowing Carly’s crime-solving history, Dawn pleads with her to help clear her name. Carly begins her investigation and does what she does best: listen to what people are gossiping about and ask a few questions. She soon finds a few suspects, some even as close as Klarissa and the shower attendees.

I love this series. The series is well-written and plotted. The story's setting is lovely and interesting. The characters are well-developed and likable. I particularly enjoyed Valerie and am looking forward to learning more about her. There might even be some romance blooming for the Police Chief. There were enough red herrings that I kept guessing until the end of the book about the killer. The book moved at a nice pace and was hard to put down.

Delicious-sounding recipes are also included in the book.

I will be watching for the next book in this delicious series.

Vermont may be best known for its maple syrup and skiing but it also has some great cheese. Carly makes the most of the great offerings around her in her grilled cheese restaurant which sometimes unfortunately comes with a side offering of murder that she gets involved in investigating. This time, she is providing the food for a wedding shower that ends with the future groom dead of poison. Carly will have to work fast to prevent one of her former classmates being served up as the main suspect!

A fun series with good characters who grow and their lives change. Things aren't staying static for this bunch which is fun to read about. And Carly's dog is adorable!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

If you love foodie themed cozy mysteries like I do then you might enjoy curling up with the Grilled Cheese Mystery Series by Linda Reily. Cheddar Late than Dead is the 3rd book in the series and published today! This is a new to me mystery series and author. I am always so grateful for the wonderful job the authors do in writing their stories so that you could pick up any of their mysteries and read the story without feeling completely lost! I had no issues jumping into this series without having read the first two books. That being said I definately want to go back and get in on the whole story from the beginning and develop a better connection to the characters.

In Cheddar Late than Dead we come back to Balsam Dell, Vermont, where young widow Carly Hale has opened up her dream Grilled Cheese Eatery. On a frigid January day two former school mates of Carly's blow into her shop for lunch. Carly quickly finds herself agreeing to cater one of the former school friends Bridal Shower after a double booking at the inn causes a set back for the planned extravagant event. Armed with a new recipe that has guests raving all is going well till the groom-to-be is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, his poisoned drink lying next to him. Now its up to Carly to keep the blushing bride from being grilled for murder.

Thoughts
🧀 I loved the descriptions of Balsam Dell and Carly's eatery. I adore the names on her menu board. I didn't know donut grilled cheese sandwiches was a thing!
🧀 I liked Carly and her friends/ fellow workers at her shop. While she is in a relationship that story line seems to be on the back burner in this story.
🧀 This was an easy going cozy read and lots of fun. There are recipes in the back!

Thank you poisoned pen press and netgalley for a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Happy Publication Day to author Linda Reilly! It’s the book birthday for book 3 in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series: Cheddar Late Than Dead.

In this latest entry, Carly agrees to a last minute catering job for a high school acquaintance and the vibe is definitely weird when Carly shows up. And like all good cozies, the party ends with a murder victim tumbling down the stairs. And like all good cozy sleuths, Carly just can’t help herself from investigating.

This series hits all the sweet cozy mystery spots! Lovable sleuth Carly, wonderful side characters, a sweet romantic relationship for said sleuth, a small town, an adorable dog (named Havarti – how can you not love that?!?) and descriptions of grilled cheese that had my mouth watering. And let’s not forget the title–cozy mysteries are the best. The mystery kept me guessing throughout and had such a satisfying conclusion. Lots of fun.

Carly Hale, queen of the grilled cheese, is back for another adventure. This time around Carly gets roped into catering a bridal shower for a couple of former classmates: Klarissa (aka the bride) and Dawn (wedding planner/maid of honor) She’s asked to make donut grilled cheese sandwiches, which sounds crazy but I’d love to try one! There is definite tension between the two, with Klarissa being a bit of a bridezilla and blaming Dawn for losing their original venue for the shower, and yet things seem to go off fairly well at least at first, though Carly ends up overhearing several things at the shower that let her know everything isn’t all sunshine and roses. Then toward the end of the shower Carly makes the grim discovery that Tony (the would be groom) is dead, and of course she gets pulled into the investigation. This is another excellent addition to Linda Reilly’s Grilled Cheese Mystery series. It features, great characters and a fun twisty plot. What more could you want from a cozy mystery? Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Cheddar Late Than Dead.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1L3HOL6TXE2GI/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Better Late Than Cheddar is another really good offering in the Grilled Cheese Mystery series (This one is #3.). They are set in a town in Vermont and the main character is a young woman named Carly. She has a habit of getting involved in police investigations, of course! This time, she is corralled into providing food for a bridal shower at the last minute after other plans fall through. At that bridal shower, the prospective groom is found dead. Carly gets involved because a) she was there and b) an old friend/acquaintance of hers is being looked at by the police as a suspect. I didn’t really buy into the incentive for Carly to become so involved this time, since she hadn’t really seen this other woman for years, but okay. The story was quite enjoyable with a bunch of red herrings to throw the reader off the track. The motive for the murder was pretty wacky!

As usual, the food descriptions made me hungry! (There are a couple of recipes included at the end of the book.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What I liked:
🧀 Grilled cheese donuts & other recipes
🧀Carly, main sleuther & owner of a grilled cheese shop. I love her relationship with Ari but it was kinda pushed to the back burner in this story.
🧀Her cat Havarti

Final thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick read for me as I was so captivated by the characters and story. I totally saw myself in Carly as she has a hard time saying no to things. I also thought it was weird that she didn’t have much connection to the suspects to be so invested in helping them. I guess that’s the people pleaser in her. 😊 I did guess the killer correctly early on which is rare for me but I enjoyed reading along as it was revealed to see if I was correct.

It was great visiting with Carly and all her friends again-and still wishing her shop was real, lol. Carly had an almost locked door type murder mystery on her hands but thanks to her pestering, er I mean tenacity in getting a videographer to show her the murder day footage more than once, she finally came up with something. Hopefully it wasn't too late! You'll just have to read and find out but the showdown was pretty epic! Go Carly!

The side mystery of a missing person definitely tied in so I won't give any details on that but just wanted to say I did suspect the right person fairly early and for the right reasons. There was something else I'd thought of that wasn't even part of it though. Another side mystery concerned Carly's new manager, but that ended up having an awesome ending too. And I love where Carly and Ari are in their relationship. Hopefully it'll lead to much more eventually.

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