A good cozy in an interesting town with well-developed characters. The setting is in a country store/restaurant which is always fun to visit. In this story, a cooking competition tv show is being filmed for St. Patrick's Day. Everyone is shocked when the host is found murdered and there are plenty of suspects to keep people guessing. There are also some personal developments for the main character that will definitely mean changes in the future.

A fun read with plenty of recipes that you will be eager to try.

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

This St. Patrick’s Day inspired cooking contest went from dicey to disturbing in less time than it takes it dance an Irish jig. Robbie Jordan and her country store restaurant Pans N’ Pancakes, plays host, or at least tries to play host to the Holiday Hot Off cooking show/contest. Ms. Tara Moore, show producer and victim was, shall we say, a difficult person, which means there will be plenty of suspects; among which is her assistant Jaden, as well as Vin the camerawoman, and Liam one of the eight contestants. Goodness, even Robbie’s husband Abe, has had unpleasant past dealings with Tara. Plenty of suspects means there are plenty of motives and secrets to keep you intrigued while reading about the wonderful Irish foods being made by the contestants, including Abe’s Irish Steak and Stout Stew or Phil’s Stout and Cheese Biscuits (recipes included at the conclusion of the story). There might be only one murder by there are multiple mysteries brewing, not unlike the stout beer provided by the Hoosier Brewing Company which must be used in every contestant’s recipe. Robbie will need the luck of the Irish to help Officer Buck Bird solve this one. Another great story and as always, great recipes to enjoy.

South Lick is always somewhere I love to visit (although maybe it could be a little safer?). The mystery was well paced and had so many possible suspects, I had no idea who the guilty party was until the very end. Robbie and her friends are always good for a laugh, particularly Buck and his Buck-isms. And the food makes my mouth water every time. Looking forward to the next and all the changes in store for Robbie and the gang.

Saint Patrick Day – and Hot-Off Holiday Competition has chosen Robbie Jordan’s “Pans n Pancakes” as their filming location. All is well until one of the filming crew doesn’t show up, and is found dead in their room. Competition cancelled, Robbie is right in the thick of things. Recipe stealing, blackmail, love, follow the money … it is all there.
Relaxing and fun cozy.

Four Leaf Cleaver is Maddie Day's eleventh book in the A Country Store Mysteries series.

Robbie Jordan’s Pans ‘N Pancakes, her restaurant/country store, is hosting a televised cookoff called Holiday Hot-Off, a St. Patrick's Day-themed event. Robbie hasn’t seen any of the other telecasts, but she figures that the show will probably bring new customers to her restaurant. Eight contestants will be vying for the top prize, and one of those is Robbie’s husband, Abe. The criteria for the cook-off are that dishes must be ready to serve in an hour and use Hoosier Brewing Company’s Irish stout, the cook-off’s sponsor. On the first day, as the contestants are getting set up, the show’s producer, Tara, her assistant, Jaden, and camerawoman, Vin, are busy setting up the shots they want to use. Robbie finds all of this fascinating but notices Tara seems brash to her crew and some of the contestants.

The crew and contestants are ready to begin but have not seen Tara. Tara stays in a B&B room upstairs, and Robbie heads to check on Tara. Robbie finds Tara’s body savagely attacked. Robbie finds a meat cleaver with a four-leaf clover on its handle near Tara’s lifeless body. There is no shortage of suspects. Has her ex-husband killed her, thereby seeking revenge for getting his restaurant? Maybe Jaden or Vin have had enough of her mistreatment or the contestant that claims she had stolen one of his recipes.

I love this series. The characters are well-developed, believable, and entertaining. I particularly enjoy Lt, Bird and his use of the local dialect, but this book it proved to be a little light. A couple of Robbie’s friends will have babies, and Robbie is wondering if she will ever become pregnant. The story is well-written, plotted, and moves at a quick pace. There were enough twists and turns that I kept guessing about the killer near the end of the book.

Delicious-sounding recipes are included at the end of the book.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.

This is the 11th mystery in the series but works well as a stand alone. If you are new to the series, start here but be ready to binge read the previous ten books. This time Robbie Jordan is looking forward to some great publicity for her country themed restaurant/store Pans N Pancakes. It's going to be the stage for a cooking contest Hot Off and St. Patrick's Day food is the flavoring. All is going well until the show's producer fails to arrive at the filming. As she is staying upstairs in the B&B portion of Pans N Pancakes there is no delay in staring the search for her killer. Robbie has been down this road more than a few times and sets out to help track down the killer.
Each book in this enjoyable series is a chance to catch up with the various recurring characters, try to unravel the puzzle and always has me craving country cooking and pancakes.....lots and lots of pancakes.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Robbie Jordan decides to allow a televised Holiday "Hot Off cooking competition to film in her combination store/restaurant for St. Patrick's Day. This would give her business a nice boost of publicity. The competition brings some interesting characters to her establishment. Once again, the business owner finds herself tangled in a murder mystery.
As I read this book the series seemed familiar to me but with a quick check at Goodreads, I did note that this is the first book I have read by the author. This is a stand-alone book. It was easy to get caught up as the author has woven enough history in this story to keep things moving smoothly.
There's an interesting cast of characters, series regulars with area citizens and businesspeople along with the production crew and show contestants. This is a quick read with a who 'done' it mystery and
reasonable solution as to why.
I received the advanced reader's copy from the publisher and NetGalley. This is my personal unsolicited opinion. It is a nice read that is entertaining without getting intense.

It wasn't my cup of tea. Good writing, cute plot, and likeable characters, I just couldn't get into it.

It’s always good to visit with my friends at Pans ‘N Pancakes. How exciting to have a cooking show take place in your place of business. What could possibly go wrong? There are some interesting characters involved in the show. It certainly makes for some good reading. I love all the regulars at the Pans ‘N Pancakes. A good boss can make for good employees. I can’t wait to see what is next for Robbie and Abe. You may want to try some of the recipes that are included at the end of the book. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

I love visiting South Lick, Indiana and Robbie Jordan’s Country Store restaurant. In time for St. Patrick’s Day, Robbie is hosting a cooking competition. All the action is interrupted by the death of the host of the show.
A cleaver has an interesting role in the story.
Robbie and the main characters in South Lick are the reasons this series is one of my favorites. I enjoy following the every day and Robbie’s investigations into the mysteries she encounters.
Breakfast and lunch at the restaurant would be high on my list if only it was real.
The part of the storyline about expanding families is important to Robbie’s stage in life and personal progression, but it felt a bit awkward in the overall telling of the story.
I enjoyed reading Four Leaf Cleaver and recommend you give the story a try.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a great story! I have read a few books in the Country Store Mystery series, but this could easily be read as a standalone mystery. The story is set in South Lick, Indiana, and being a fellow Hoosier, it was fun to read about real towns in our southwest that I am familiar with.

This story is about Robbie Jordan's shop Pans "N Pancakes. The shop has been selected as the location for a cook off for a popular holiday cooking show. The holiday is St. Patrick's day and every recipe has to use the Hoosier Brewing Company's stout beer as an ingredient. The show's producer and star is found dead the morning of the filming, and it turns out no one is too upset about her death.

Robbie, of course begins in her own way to investigate the murder and becomes a target herself.

I enjoyed this story and think anyone who likes a good cozy mystery will, too!

Another delightful visit to Brown County, Indiana. As a former Hoosier it is always interesting to read about familiar locations. This is a charming series. Four Leaf Cleaver is not my favorite, but still an intriguing cozy mystery. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Four Leaf Cleaver” the 11th book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day. I just love this series! It's Saint Patrick's Day in South Lick, Indiana, but a holiday cooking competition at Robbie Jordan's country store and restaurant Pans 'N Pancakes is put on the back-burner when a killer strikes.

I love the setting of South Lick, Indiana and I love Robbie and her staff at Pans N Pancakes they are like one big family. Now that she’s married to Abe and Sean is officially her stepson, she has whole heartily taken on the role. I really like the relationship she has with Sean and the love he has for her. It’s baby season in South Lick, will Robbie be next …

There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends. The plot and story were good and seemed to flow at a good pace.

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with down home characters and a small town atmosphere.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Four Leaf Cleaver is the eleventh book in the Country Store Mysteries series by Maddie Day embodies all the characteristics that make cozy reads one of my favorite genres. The small community closeness, willingness of friends and coworkers to defend each other--as well as their need for sharing gossip, and their shared excitement when good opportunities fall to one of their own. I would say this can be read as a standalone, but the character enrichment is well worth beginning at the start.
Robbie Jordan's eatery and store, Pans n Pancakes, has been chosen as the site for a St. Patrick's Day cook-off event that will be filmed and televised at a later date. The shoot title is Hot-Off Holiday Competition featuring dishes made with Irish Stout---some of those tasty dishes are included in the recipe section! As mysteries will have it, a key player is murdered and the competition is cancelled. The hunt is on for the killer and Robbie and friends are up to the task of clue gathering. I enjoy these characters and their antics so much.
A big thank you to # NetGalley and #KensingtonCozies for an early ebook copy. My review was not solicited. I review books I know friends and followers will enjoy, too.
#FourLeafCleaver #NetGalley #Kensington #MaddieDay #CountryStoreMysteries

Four Leave Cleaver: A Country Store Mystery
By Maddie Day
Kensington
January 24, 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

As the small town of South Lick, Indiana prepares to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the country store Pans ‘N Pancakes is gearing up for its own holiday celebration. The reality cooking television show “Holiday Hot-Off” has chosen Robbie Jordan’s vintage cooking store and restaurant as the hosting site for a special St. Patrick’s Day Edition, and Robbie is looking forward to this opportunity to promote and enhance her business. Her husband Abe O’Neill is even participating as one of the eight contestants, all of whom must include as an ingredient the sponsoring Hoosier Brewing Company’s Irish Stout. Before the contest even has a chance to start though, Robbie finds the domineering host Tara Moore in the upstairs B&B room, bludgeoned to death by a cleaver. A four-leaf clover insignia on the murder weapon indicates that the cleaver was brought specifically for the contest, meaning that one of the visiting crew or competitors must have been the culprit.

Having built up a strong relationship with local law enforcement investigators, Robbie is trusted enough to be both a source and an active participant in questioning the visitors in town. Even Robbie has to admit that she has spent an alarming amount of time in Emergency Rooms or at the wrong end of a weapon, but she’s unable to remain on the sidelines when Pans ‘N Pancakes was the crime scene. She soon discovers just how cutthroat a cooking competition can be when accusations are made of recipe stealing and blackmail, with most of the threats leading back to Tara. When a mysterious angel investor steps in and allows the Hot-Off to continue, no one is more surprised than Robbie when she is asked to be the replacement host. When not watching YouTube videos to prepare for her hosting duties, she also conducts a subtle investigation and tries not to focus on just how many of her friends are suddenly awash in baby fever.

As a rabid fan of Top Chef, this mystery satisfies on so many levels. The pace of the cooking and competitiveness of the chefs shines through, as do the descriptions of their tasty creations. The relationship between Robbie and Abe is as strong as ever, although they are now struggling with the disappointment of their slow efforts to start a new family. The town of South Lick continues to charm as its characters are given room to grow, both professionally and personally. A trip to a drag queen bar takes Robbie and her friends out of their comfort zones, but shines a light on why someone could have wanted to see Tara dead. This 11th in the series ends on a high note and allows for further enjoyable exploits but also winds up events with a satisfying conclusion. Recipes included at the end will delight foodie readers looking for a perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat, and the humor and witty dialogue is sure to please cozy mystery fans.

One of my new favorite series! This is the 11th installment in the cozy series and I think it just keeps getting better. Definitely read it in order so you get to know the characters and it makes the mysteries even better. One of the best cozy authors out there!

Maddy Day always writes books that pull me in with both wonderful characters and a great mystery. Four Leaf Clover is the perfect example of the kind of book that makes me want to keep reading no matter what is happening around me. I loved it!!! Robbie’s friends feel like my friends, and I worry about them as much as she does. Robbie is excited about having a televised cooking contest in her restaurant and store, that is until a body shows up once again! There are so many reasonable suspects that I bounced among them as much as she did. At one point, I felt that Robbie over did her fear that the murder might be at the door, but almost immediately I realized that between her finding another body and all the times her life has been in danger, that her fear is well based. I would probably fuss if she didn’t show caution when opening the door when she is alone at night. My other concern does not have an answer; Where is the dog Robbie got for Christmas? Spending time at the restaurant is fun whether they are just serving guests, if she is trying to learn about suspects, or if she and Buck are discussing the crime.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for allowing me to read an ARC of Maddy Day’s newest Country Store Mystery, Four Leaf Cleaver. Just like all of the book in this series it held me from the first page. I love the warmth and friendship of characters and find the mysteries compelling. I know that my cozy loving friends and followers will enjoy it as much as I did.
#NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #KensingtonCozies #MaddieDay #FourLeafCleaver #ACountryStoreMystery

Oh no! Someone has murdered Tara, the producer of the cooking competition show that was supposed to film an episode inside Robbie's store. Robbie and her husband Abe, along with her employees and others, work their way though the suspect list to find the real villain. All standard coy stuff but this series is one I've enjoyed for the characters. It's great to see Robbie and Abe settling int their marriage, to see Detective Buck Bird become more knowledgeable (and likable) and to just enjoy the atmosphere in the store. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While it's the latest in a long running series, it should be just fine as a standalone. AND - recipes.

This book made me so hungry - between the usual faire of Robbie's Pans n' Pancakes to the Irish recipes of cheddar soup and biscuits. I was salivating through the entire thing.

This book sees St. Paddy's Day come to South Lick and Robbie's restaurant is hosting a TV show cook off. Until the host winds up dead and it turns out she had a long list of enemies. Getting murdered above Robbie's store in her B&B doesn't help things either. As Robbie's curious nature takes over, she is determined to find justice for the murdered spokeswoman. However, too many crooks spoil the broth and she has her work cut out for her.

I adore these books, especially Ms. Day's use of colorful adages of the region as well as dialect adds authenticity to her characters. I especially love Buck Bird, the loot who Robbie is in league with to help unofficially solve crimes. His hollow leg and charming sayings are always a joy to read.

Hopefully this series will continue for a long, long time. Can't wait for the next one.

This is book 11 in the series and about the 3rd I have read. It appears cooking contests are running amok in the cozy mystery world, as this is literally the 5th book I've read with one in it, in the past 2 months! The recipes in this book will have your mouth watering, so don't read on an empty stomach either! It's a fun cozy, that the astute reader will figure out before the ending, but probably not know the 'why'. It's a fun entry and makes for light hearted reading.