Member Reviews

Robbie Jordan, owner and operator of Pans ’N Pancakes is expecting her first child. She is trying to take care of every detail so the diner will keep running while she is on her maternity leave.

A mysterious stranger shows up in the local bank and then in Robbie's diner. Shortly after these encounters, Robbie finds that this stranger's dead body was found in her Aunt Adele's ram field on her sheep farm. Who was he? Why was he there? Why is he dead? And why won't Aunt Adele discuss him with anyone, including Robbie.

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I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Scone Cold Dead is the thirteenth book in this series already and as one of my favorite cozy mystery series I was excited to return to this series for another mystery. My favorite part of this series is seeing Robbie live her life and how this developed and changes throughout the series. I also liked reading about the restaurant she runs and I like how much of the book takes place there. In this book Robbie is heavily pregnant and being due soon when another dead body appears.

The mystery was a good one mostly. I liked how it made sense for Robbie to get involved when people close to her were involved in the mystery. Although I always feel a bit conflicted when a main character who is pregnant gets into danger as it just doesn't seem smart or right to jump into danger with a baby in them. I did appreciate how Robbie was even more careful in this book and took her safety seriously, she told people were she went or took someone with her and did most of her sleuthing with other people around. I liked the secrets and history that came up throughout the mystery with people who had known the dead man in his past. I wasn't quite sure what to think of the reveal at the end as it felt a bit anticlimactic to me, but I could also see why the author decided to end it that way.

I liked reading more about Robbie, although I always feel a bit uncomfortable reading about pregnant main characters as I don't like reading about pregnancy and babies. Despite that I still had a great time with this book. Robbie is preparing for this change in her life and I also liked seeing the restaurant doing well, although some changes are going on there as well. It's fun to read more about all the familiar side characters and see how close all these characters are. This town and the character in it feel familiar and I like reading about them.

To summarize: I had a great time reading this one. While pregnancy and babies isn't a topic I like reading about I still enjoyed this book despite that. There is another mystery Robbie gets involved in and I liked all the history and secrets that were revealed after the dead body is found. I especially like the daily life parts with Robbie's life developing and changing throughout the series and reading about her running her restaurant and interacting with her fiends, family and employees. All in all this was another great book in the series and I hope there will be more to come.

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This is book number 13 in the a country store mystery series. I was hooked on this series when I stumbled across a novella by the author. I enjoyed this book but it wasn’t my favorite. It could be because it did seem like a lot of loose ends were tied up and the book series might be ending.

There is always a good mystery in the series. I do recommend starting from the beginning or you will be lost in when it comes to the characters back stories.

A very happy ending!

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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my first book I have read in this series. I enjoyed the book, and all the characters were fun and easily likeable.. but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first 12 books.

Robbie is a great female lead, and I loved Turner. And the recipes and baked goods they made in the book ommmg. What a win!! I’m so trying a squash and sausage bake and the apple cider muffins!

Another issue I had was I found the murder part of the book to be lacking. For a murder mystery the murder in this one fell flat because it didn’t end up being a murder after all.

Overall a cozy and fun read!

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, the weather is getting colder, and South Lick resident Robbie Jordan is very excited and fearful in equal measure! In just a couple of weeks she and husband Abe will welcome their first child and, as the owner of Pans 'N Pancakes, probably half the town are also counting down the days! So, when the body of a newcomer to the area is found in one of her Aunt Adele's fields, she is adamant, she's definitely not getting involved! But somehow, these things just seem to happen!

Book thirteen in Maddie Day's Country Store Mystery Series is a delightful read. The worries Robbie has as a first-time mom who has to hand over the reins of her beloved restaurant, if only for a few months, and then look after a new baby were just great! Added to that were some changes her friends and family were making, some impacting her directly, others not so much. Add the investigation to the mix and taking it easy was not something Robbie was succeeding at! This was such a feel-good story that I wonder if the series is coming to a conclusion. I hope not, but if it is it's a great way to end it.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. This was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Such a wonderful series with memorable characters and moments. Robbie is a great lead, and I love her different personas... niece, friend, business owner, server, mother, stepmother, wife, amateur sleuth. When so often her friends are accused of murder, one wonders if she's in their life to maintain the order. That said, she does much of it from her restaurant/store given she's 8+ months pregnant, tho she takes a few too many risks in my opinion. But unmask the killer she does, and I am so thrilled to see the progress in her journey over 13 books. I found myself wondering tho... it ends on a note where the series could be ending. I hope not, but if it does, I am a big fan. There is hope, it may just be a quiet conclusion before her new role as a mother who investigates!

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The characters are fun and well-developed, the setting is quaint and beautiful, and there are several mouthwatering recipes such as Chicken Fajitas, Pecan Scones and Italian Wedding Soup. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and look forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you to Maddie Day, NetGalley and Kensington for the arc of this book

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I always love a trip back to South Lick and Pans and Pancakes! Robbie and her crew always make everyone feel welcome. When an older man, a stranger, shows up for lunch asking for her aunt and seems to make other long-term residents uncomfortable, Robbie has some questions. As she tries to behave herself with her due date only two weeks away, we know that Robbie is a curious lady regardless of her condition. When the gentleman ends up dead in her aunt Adele's sheep pasture questions must be asked and answered as Adele, Corrine, and others in town don't want to talk about the dead man. Was this murder or an accident? How is this man's past tied to various prominent citizens in town, and can Robbie stay out of trouble and keep her baby safe while still finding answers? This was a very satisfying read on many levels, I enjoy that Robbie is a smart woman with a wonderful support group. Is this the end of the series, I don't know, but it could be, and it would leave long-time readers satisfied. Many thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for a chance to read. #SconeColdDead #CountryStoreMysteries, #MaddieDay #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

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Small Town Culinary Cozy
Ms. Day's diner owner Robbie is a strong capable and very pregnant woman. Now married and a step mother to a young man, she balances home and work, by having a close family and having employees that are dear friends. However Robbie seems to be unable to not solve any puzzle she finds, the latest being a body on her aunt's farm. This book contains love, friendship, loyalty and intrigue. I recommend.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

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"Sconed to Death (Country Store Mystery #13)" by Maddie Day is a lot about the end of Robbie's pregnancy with hint of Thanksgiving time. Robbie is getting her restaurant ready for when she goes on parental leave and having her baby. Lot of things are changing for the restaurant soon too. Then someone for Robbie's aunt's past shows up and is then found dead before he has a chance to talk to her aunt.

Unfortunately, his death is suspicious and it happened in Robbie's aunt's field. Which means that until how he died is figured out Robbie is investigating. At about to pop level pregnancy. Things turn out a bit differently this time around but it seems to finally make Robbie realize that she can't keep putting herself in danger because she's got a baby to think about now.

At least the book ended in a way that this could be the last one. At least the last of this particular era for the characters. Maybe it'll continue or maybe a nee series will pick up when Robbie's baby is a teenager or adult.

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Given that the Country Store mystery series is my favorite cozy mystery series and that this, the 13th book in the series, is my favorite book in the series, there isn't much to say besides "this book is absolutely terrific."

Robbie, our sleuth and owner of the Pans 'N Pancake restaurant and store, is expecting but, as usual, trying to run her restaurant and also trying to sleuth while remaining very careful as her due date approaches.

This series has a tremendous cast of supporting characters and they're all here. Also, as usual, an interesting plot as a man is found dead on the ram field of Robbie's Aunt Adele's sheep farm.

Always interesting, always fun. This made for a pleasant day's reading.

Very, very highly recommended to cozy mystery fans!!

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Scone Cold Dead by Maddie Day is a delightful addition to the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. The seaside setting is as charming as ever, and the cast of characters feels like old friends. In this installment, protagonist Mac once again finds herself caught up in a murder mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

The mix of cozy small-town vibes, a tightly plotted mystery, and mouthwatering descriptions of baked goods (those scones!) makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Maddie Day does a great job of balancing suspense and lighthearted moments, creating a story that's hard to put down. Perfect for cozy mystery fans looking for a quick, satisfying escape!

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Scone Cold Dead is a cute cozy mystery, with a seasoned sleuther FMC, and a very mysterious murder.

Robbie, the FMC of the story, is hoping for no more murders as she approaches her baby's due date. But lo and behold, a mysterious murder occurs anyway, and the body is found on her Aunt's farm! Robbie tries her best not to get involved with solving another murder, but she cannot help herself and does some investigating of her own, while also sharing any clues she finds with the local police.

The case of the mysterious murder continues to get more mysterious as more and more members of the small town seem to have had some connection to, or knew the victim, from their past.

Robbie works in and owns Pans N Pancakes, a breakfast and lunch diner that provides comfort food for locals and tourists. I really enjoyed the cafe, where most of the story takes place, and all the descriptions of the yummy food being made or served, I kept wanting breakfast and pastries! I love that the end of the story does have recipes for some of the delicious sounding food items that Robbie made in her restaurant during the story. I enjoyed the other main side characters as well, the Police Buck, he was funny, I could not imagine how he would eat so much food every day, and sometimes twice a day! There was some suspense too with Robbie and one of the other town newcomers, that keeps you on your toes.

While I haven't read the other stories in this series, I really enjoyed reading Scone Cold Dead. I recommend this for any cozy mystery fan, and especially those who enjoy a cozy mystery that includes recipes!

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books, and the author for a review copy of this book!

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I’ve read a couple of books in this series, but it’s been a while and things have moved along considerably since then. Robbie, our leading sleuth, is just about to have her first baby. Some of the team are about to move on, and new central characters will take place in future books.

Now, while I enjoyed revisiting Pans and Pancakes, this book felt like a bridging novel. It’s hard to have a cozy mystery without the actual murder being confirmed, and in this case, didn’t actually happen. There’s also so much cooking and stopping to put her feet up and peeing (so pretty much an accurate pregnancy) that the book gets a bit bogged down. I think I’d like to read the next one and see where this story goes from here.

If you’re a long time reader of the series then I suspect you’ll enjoy this one too. However if this series is new to you, it’s better to go back and read some of the previous additions.

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1 of my favorite authors and series. This was 1 of the best books I have read recently. Hopefully more are to come in this series. All the characters are exciting. Hope you read this series also. I suggest reading the books in order.

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This is book 13 in The Country Store Mysteries

We start this book with Robbie about to give birth to her first baby! And it’s Thanksgiving time!

As Abe & Robbie prepare to welcome their baby, Robbie is working on getting Pans ‘N Pancakes ready for her maternity leave.

Of course there is a body found, but this time on Aunt Adele’s farm, as there is a link between Adele and the victim.

We learn in this book of a beloved character leaving, and another “surprise” coming.

Although Robbie is ready to pop, she does become quite nosy in trying to clear Aunt Adele.

At the end, Robbie & Abe welcome a precious baby (I’m not giving away name or gender though!)

I have heard rumors this may be the last book in the series, if so, only one thing was left “open”.

I really hope this series continues though.

This book releases 4/1/2025

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This long running series never disappoints! Robbie is ready to give birth but before that can happen, A mysterious man is found dead in Adele's' field. He was seen around town and had connections to several people. Robbie has no desire to get caught up in the investigation but Adele is the prime suspect! A well plotted story with lots of changes in store for every character. It feels like the end of the series, but I hope that isn't the case! The resolution of the death was interesting and the return of the Lou character was fun.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

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Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day opens with Robbie and her husband Abe preparing for the birth of their first child in a few weeks. When a stranger comes into Robbie's restaurant, Pans 'N Pancakes, asking about her aunt, Robbie is a bit uneasy about the situation. Then, the stranger is found dead in her aunt's field, and Robbie knows she must clear her aunt's name off the suspect list.

NetGalley, thank you for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book. I really enjoy the author's writing, and I was ecstatic to receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this story in the Country Store Mystery series, and I am looking forward to start it from the beginning after this latest edition so I can really get to know the backstory of each character. Most of the characters are likable, and it's not too hard to pick up on things from previous books despite me not reading a lot of the series. It definitely can be read as a stand alone book.

I found myself drawn into the story like I was really there with the rest of the characters. To me, that is what makes a book enjoyable ... forgetting that I am reading a book. Whenever I came up for air, it took me a couple of minutes to come back to reality.

Although there were a few slow spots, they didn't last for long, and I found myself wanting to rush through the story to find out what happened. The only complaint I do have is how often the main character talked about having pregnancy brain.

All in all, Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day is absolutely fantastic and perfect to escape reality. The expected publication date is April 1, 2025. I gave the story four out of five stars.

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Thank You NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed Scone Cold Dead. This is my favorite cozy mystery series of all time. In this book, we follow the main character Robbie who is pregnant and due any day as she tries to uncover the mystery. As usual the food descriptions in the Country Store Mystery series always sounds good and it’s always fun to go back and read about the other characters that pop up throughout the series.

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Robbie is days away from giving birth and she is determined to work until the very end and not get involved in anything dangerous. All that changes when a man's body is found on her aunt's property, and it appears her aunt has become a suspect. It doesn't help matters that Adele knew the deceased, but refuses to discuss how. Robbie cannot help but look into things, but will her unborn baby wait until things are settled to make an appearance? Lots of twists and turns, and an ending most enjoyable and not typical. Looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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