Murder on the Page is the first book in the Literary Dining Mysteries series. This was a solid start to the series, with the focus being on introducing readers to characters including the protagonist, Allie Cat. Overall, I found this book to be an interesting and worthwhile read due to its cozy elements, characters, and setting. I do like the fact that Gerber combine multiple cozy mystery subgenres into this book. As a fan of culinary and bibliophile cozy mystery series, it hit the right amount of intrigue without feeling too overdone. I will say the mystery was somewhat less intriguing, but I do look forward reading the next book to see how things play out a second time around.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an ARC of this book, and my apologies for not posting a review sooner.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged " that a good cozy mystery has the protagonist finding a body and setting out to solve the murder to clear herself or a loved one from suspicion, Author Daryl Wood Gerber has combined two popular subgenres of the literary cozy and the culinary cozy to make one tasty new series sure to satisfy any bibliophile. Allie Catt is starting a new catering business, throwing events inspired by her client's favorite books. Her first client is a bookstore owner who adores Pride and Prejudice and it is supposed to be the theme of the event that Allie is slated to cater. But when the woman is found dead clutching a copy of the beloved book, Allie has to wonder if it is a clue. Gerber has launched this new series in a story filled literary quotes, and a mystery complete with plot twists and red herrings.. The town is populated with colorful characters that provide a lot of entertainment. I enjoyed all the pride and prejudice quotes, but you don't have to be an Austen fan to love the book. I liked the cute mystery and the book includes tasty recipes at the end. This was a quick read and I can't wait to dgi n to the next book in the series.

"Murder on the Page" is what is to be considered a cozy mystery. There is not a lot of drama, no gore, and barely any suspense. Personally, I found the story to be interesting, but not necessarily what I look for in a book. The story follows Allie Catt as she tries to identify who killed her best friends aunt, all the while being told to stay out of it by the local police detective on the case. The tie-ins and references to classic works of literature are great, but I did not get the sense of urgency in solving the mystery as I do in more traditional psychological thrillers. The characters did not seem to be fully developed, the plot became a bit confusing with so many suspects, and it seemed to focus on things happening around the murder more than the murder itself. It is a decent book, overall, but it is definitely more for someone that just wants to mindlessly read.

I found the writing to be juvenile and childish at times with some modern phrases and lack of much subtlety, but it was a nice and easy read. If you enjoy Hallmark movies and mysteries, this would be a great book for you. Personally, I just enjoy a little grit, but I appreciate the effort for the genre it is in. This is what I would consider to be a "warm hug" of a book that has little conflict or thrill, but still entertaining enough to stick with it through the end.

A series debut, Murder on the Page is written by one of the fave cozy mystery authors, Daryl Wood Gerber. The book is about Allie who is a caterer and personal chef who’s best friend’s aunt is murdered and because her best friend is the sole heir to her aunt’s business, her best friend becomes the number one suspect.

I am loving the romantic tension between Allie and the lead detective on the case and I anticipate there will be more to gladly read about between the two of them. The included recipes are also a much loved item. Although I don’t attempt to make them the majority of the time, knowing they are there where I can refer to them is something I appreciate. Most of the characters I loved but Allie’s best friend’s sister Vanna, is one that will take me a while to like. Her sharp attitude made her a difficult character to have around, but I feel like the author has some plans with Vanna. Traditionally, cozy mysteries typically have a rival to the amateur sleuth and Vanna very much fit the bill.

This was a very good start to a series. There was a lot of exploration of the town and getting to know the community. Centered around a bookstore, there were many friendly faces and good friends. Allie also runs a bakery, and there was a lot of information on her routine and the goods she was baking or planned to bake. Great for keeping busy, and another way to be familiarized with locations and individuals. However, if you prefer to focus on the mystery alone, this might have been more distraction than you were wanting.

When the local bookshop owner is found dead, clutching a copy of Pride and Prejudice, Allie will do anything to solve the murder. Especially when the victim is a dear friend, and her best friend Tegan's aunt. The police are looking into everyone, and Tegan is one of their first suspects.

Despite a brewing romance between Allie and the local detective, Allie's insistence at questioning suspects and inserting herself in the investigation brings tension between the two. This might be over before it begins, but if that's the price for bringing a killer to justice, Allie will have to live with it.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one in the series! While this book itself felt like more of an introduction, I think the books to come will bring even more.

Thank you to the publisher through NetGalley for an ARC for this one. All opinions are my own.

Currently trying to decide if the cozy mystery genre is for me. Can a mystery be too cozy?

There was a lot to love about this book...
- Hundreds of Pride and Prejudice references
- Mouthwatering food descriptions
- The cutest small town setting that made me wish it was a real place so I could visit

But it wasn't quite as devour-able as the cookie recipes at the end. Some problems include...
- Way too many characters. They had to be listed at the beginning. This will probably make for better sequels but was just overwhelming this time around.
- Way too much play-by-play in the protagonist's life. I'm not sure that the recipes at the end are even needed because they were pretty much described line for line in the book. Most of it was filler and not relevant to the plot, which makes me think more time could have been spent on developing characters and motives.
- The romance was extra unbelievable. I was sooo annoyed by Allie trying to tell Zach how to do his job, so I don't know how he could find that attractive. Would be willing to bet her meddling makes their relationship bumpy in future sequels.

But like I said... Maybe I'm too critical for this genre and should just take it as it is since this is the third book this summer that I've felt similarly about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my e-ARC!

You need to read this book! Like a good mystery, then read this book. Like a good cozy mystery, then read this book. Like strong, smart women, then read this book. Like your amateur sleuth to not be the perfect sleuth, but smart and able to follow clues, then read this book! I must confess that I am a fan of this author's other works, but this is the first in a new series and I couldn't be more excited to see where the author takes us. She has crafted unique characters, given us the fabulous settings of a bookshop, bake shop and a B&B style inn all set in a small town. The best part is she crafts a well thought out mystery that keeps you guessing even when you think you know "who did it" while weaving compelling personal stories for the characters involved. You get invested in the personal lives of the characters while also being completely absorbed in the mystery. I can't wait to see what the characters have in store for us in books to come!

Allie Catt is devastated when the aunt of her best friend Tegan is murdered. She cannot imagine who would want to do ill to such a wonderful lady and when Tegan becomes a suspect, she is determined to figure out who did the deed and why. She must deal with her own catering business, the new part ownership in the deceased’s book store, family disfunction and a detective who may, or may not, be interested in her other than as a suspect. Allie is not subtle when she investigates and manages to annoy the detective as well as get herself into some very tight situations. But she knows that there are clues in the book the woman was clutching when she died. The book was her favourite, Pride and Prejudice. And there are themes from the book that are layered throughout the story.

I confess I suspected the killer off the top but there were enough twists that there were times when I wondered if I had twigged or not. There were lots of intriguing characters. It will be interesting to see where the stories go but if I can put in a request.- lots more of Darcy the cat. Four purrs and two paws up.

Allie Catt is starting her new catering business, Dream Cuisine. Marigold Markel, owner of the local bookstore Feast for the Eyes, hires Allie to make and serve a mid-morning tea for the Bramblewood Community Theatre Foundation.

When Allie arrives at the bookstore the morning of the tea, she does not receive a response to her knocking, even though she spoke with Marigold earlier, confirming last-minute details. When someone arrives to let Allie in, they find Marigold behind the counter, clutching Pride and Prejudice, dead.

Allie’s best friend Tegan and Marigold’s niece becomes a suspect when it’s announced she inherits the bookstore, especially when her alibi cannot be confirmed.

Allie and Tegan investigate immediately, identifying potential suspects, motives, and opportunities. Tegan’s sister Vanna tries to push Allie as a suspect since Marigold also remembers Allie in her will.

Allie and Tegan get a break when they discover Marigold contacted a private detective. Finding out what Marigold was checking out gives the two friends a clue as to what Marigold was up to and how it might be a factor in her murder.

In addition to solving the mystery, Allie and Tegan decide to put on a memorial tea for Marigold based on the book Pride and Prejudice. Allie and friends plan a regency tea with food from the period and costumes as a tribute to the bookstore owner. The novel also includes many appropriate recipes, including a gluten-free version of each one.

Daryl Wood Gerber’s first novel in her new series starts with interesting, well-developed characters and a finely conceived mystery.

“Murder on the Page” is the nicely done first book in Daryl Wood Gerber’s Literary Dining cozy mystery series. It features a nice main character – Allie Catt who is a caterer and personal chef – and a nice supporting cast of characters including her best friend Tegan. The setting is also nice – both Allie’s home and business and the bookstore Tegan works at. Allie and Tegan are both strong characters – maybe a little too strong at times as they investigate the murder of Tegan’s aunt and work to clear Tegan as a suspect. The mystery is well done (if quite sad as Tegan’s aunt was well loved) with just the right amount of suspects although I did guess fairly early on who the killer was (no spoilers but to be fair I figured it out because of my job). Finally, I loved the references to Pride and Prejudice that were sprinkled throughout the book (including at the beginning of each chapter) – I’ve read the book several times but now I want to read it again after finishing this book!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Allie Catt, a caterer and personal chef in Asheville, North Carolina, has found success by organizing themed parties inspired by her clients' favorite books. Her first event, based on *Pride and Prejudice*, is such a hit that she plans more literary-themed gatherings, including ones based on *Rebecca*, *The Great Gatsby*, and *Babette’s Feast*. With her cat Darcy's approval, Allie’s business thrives as she combines her love for food and literature into unforgettable events.

Story was fun and very well written. Loved the characters.

I was excited about the premise of this book, but the writing style and heavy handed character descriptions at the beginning caused me to DNF at 10%.

The evocatively named Allie Catt is used to rising above her circumstances. Whether it's her indifferent parents’ absurd choice of name for their only child or the heartbreaking end of her engagement, Allie has grown to be the kind of twenty-something woman who learns from adversity and shapes herself into someone stronger, wiser and, most importantly, kinder. Her love of books helps, of course, as does her vocation of feeding people as a caterer and personal chef. In fact, she’s very excited for her next gig catering a mid-morning tea for her hometown of Bramblewood, North Carolina’s Feast For The Eyes bookstore.

But not even she knows how to deal when she arrives at the bookstore early on the morning of the event to find an anxious crowd outside… and a dead bookstore owner behind the counter. Kindly Marigold Markel was practically family to Allie, in part due to the fact that Allie is best friends with Marigold’s niece Tegan. At first glance, Marigold’s death looks like an accident. Allie has her suspicions, however, even before it’s confirmed that Marigold was deliberately poisoned.

When Tegan is subsequently accused of Marigold’s murder, Allie knows that there’s no way she can stay out of things, even if her interference might cost her her burgeoning relationship with Bramblewood Police Detective Zach Armstrong. Zach wants her to leave the detecting to the professionals, but Allie has no interest in letting Tegan take the fall for Marigold’s murder. So what if Tegan stands to gain the most from Marigold’s death, or that she definitely had the means to commit the heinous deed?

As Allie seeks to clear her best friend’s name, her investigations will lead her into the crosshairs of the real killer. Will Allie be able to escape unscathed, or will Zach’s greatest fears be realized?

Lightly-themed around Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice, this culinary cozy series debut perfectly hearkens to the romance and manners of its inspiration even as it presents a very modern murder mystery. Murder On The Page isn’t my favorite of Daryl Wood Gerber’s works – that distinction is still held by the charming books of her A Fairy Garden mystery series – but it’s sure to please cozy fans, bibliophiles and, perhaps most importantly of all, readers who love delicious recipes with their mystery novels.

Thirteen of these recipes were included, all for dishes described in the text. As I’ve never really gone wrong with a recipe from this author, I didn’t have to think very hard before deciding to try out the first one listed, as I was definitely in the mood for home-baked cookies:

QUOTE
Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies
(Yield: 20-24)

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ¼ cup flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup chocolate morsels
Sea salt, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a stand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until blended, 2-3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix well.

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.

Stir in the butterscotch morsels and chocolate morsels. If you feel the mixture is dry (it might be), you may add 2 tablespoons water.

If you want large cookies, drop large spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons each) on the prepared baking sheets, 6 to a sheet. These do spread. If you want smaller cookies, drop small spoonfuls (about 1 tablespoon each) on the baking sheets, 12 to a sheet. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, until lightly brown. Remove from oven and let stand on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
END QUOTE

These are some of the most delicious cookies I’ve ever tasted! In addition to their wonderful flavor – aided slightly by my skimping just a wee bit on both kinds of sugar – they have a perfect tooth when fresh and warm. I love that Ms Gerber’s idea of a normal-sized cookie is the same as mine, and actually made exactly 24 from this recipe. I did bake them for a little longer than 12 minutes, but kept a weather eye on each tray so that I could pull them out exactly when they reached that perfect shade of tan, about 15 minutes for my sometimes temperamental oven.

Next week, we head to the Midwest to bake up another treat while investigating the death of a domestic diva. Do join me!

Allie Catt is a caterer in Asheville, North Carolina, a feisty and quirky woman with a strong community of friends and fellow business owners. This book is a traditional cozy mystery with plenty of books, costumes, food, and pets to keep readers entertained.

The story is enjoyable, but the plot is less important than the emotional connections. It's a story about families, chosen as well as biological, and community. I look forward to reading more in the series.

The first in a new series that is centered around Allie Catt, a caterer and book lover! When her friend's aunt, who also owned the bookstore Allie loved, dies mysteriously, she finds herself compelled to investigate.

I thought this was a really good debut! I loved all the nods to various cozy series throughout the book. One description I read said it was a mix of cozy fans' loves - baking & books - and they were not wrong! I love the setting (small town outside Asheville, NC), although I am curious to see in future books if the recent hurricane will be addressed. There was a lot of Pride & Prejudice in this book, so I am curious to see if it will shift to other books or if that will be a consistent theme throughout. Overall, a really good debut for a new series and I look forward to reading the next in Allie's series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Murder on the Page is the first installment of the Literary Dining Mystery series, which introduces Allie Cat, a successful caterer and booklover in the Asheville, NC area. When the local bookshop owner and aunt of Allie's best friend is discovered murdered, Allie finds herself at the heart of the investigation, especially when Tegan is announced as the prime suspect. Unfortunately for Allie, her investigative ways may put a stop to any romance that she was hoping for with the town's police detective. With friendship, romance, and books at stake, Allie will stop at nothing to help solve this murder.

Murder on the Page is a cute, book-themed cozy mystery with lots of great baked goods! Since this is the first book in the series, there is a lot of introductions to the characters and their relationships, as well as the town and the local businesses. I do always love getting to know a new setting and cast of characters right along with the main character. The overall mystery was a bit uninteresting and the killer was pretty predictable. Murder on the Page is a typical first book in a cozy series. I will be reading book two with hopes of more character development and an exciting mystery.

This is a great cozy, and a wonderful start to a new series for Gerber. I enjoyed reading the Fairy Garden mysteries, so I was really looking forward to this, and I was not disappointed. I loved all of the characters, and book references, recipes in the back are always a bonus! I'll definitely be reading the next in the series.

MURDER ON THE PAGE by Daryl Wood Gerber is a cute cozy from an Agatha Award-winning author. Gerber introduces a whole set of new characters who live in North Carolina, including a caterer named Allie Cat who owns a feline called Darcy. Her best friend, Tegan, runs a bookstore with her aunt, Marigold Markel, and it is that elderly lady who is found dead clutching a copy of Pride and Prejudice. At first, Tegan is a prime suspect, and Allie sets out to investigate in the hopes of clearing her friend. That sets up some tension with local investigator, Zach Armstrong, cooling off the attraction between him and Allie. Yes, a cozy mystery with cooking, a cat, and romance ... what's not to like? Well, the story pace seems slow, Allie is not the most likeable (or realistic) character, and there is a huge emphasis on Jane Austin's book. Instead, I kept thinking fondly of the Goldy Schulz tales from Diane Mott Davidson (start with Catering to Nobody). 3.5 stars for Gerber’s latest

Literary Inspirations…
The start of a new series, part of the Literary Dining series of mysteries, and introducing personal chef and caterer Allie Catt. Located in a mountainous area of North Colorado, Allie uses her client’s favourite literary fare as inspiration for their foodie fare. Just as business is booming, murder rears its ugly head and the prime murder suspect is Allies good friend. It’s not long before Allie looks to her own favourite literary detectives for inspiration in solving a crime. A fun and frothy start to a new series with an eclectic cast of characters, a pacy narrative and an ideal backdrop.

This is a very promising series debut in the Literary Dining series. I love a good bookstore mystery.

Allie, the sleuth, is a caterer with a bookish bent in this mystery set in Asheville, NC. The surrounding cast is outstanding, including Zach, the investigating detective, Tegan, Allie's best friend, and others.

Pride and Prejudice figures prominently.

I hope there are many, many more books to come in this series. Highly recommended cozy!!