The beginning introduced so many characters that I got very confused as to what was going on. By the end of the second chapter though, the fog lifted & everything fell into place in my head.

I had so much fun reading this book. So. Much. Fun. The characters all felt like real people. They were all different: some quirky, some funny, some sassy, some dramatic. Penny, Mattie, and, of course, Savvy were my favourites.

The mystery was comical, but the story was absorbing to read. The clues were given to us in bites & fun to put together. I was wrong most of the way through! But the mystery wasn't so overly convoluted that no one could solve it. I liked that.

I want this to be a series. I want both a show & more books with these characters! And Mattie needs to be played by Loretta Devine.

A great touch was adding recipes at the end of the book. I wish Essie's existed for real & baking recipes from this fictional world is going to bring them to life. I'm going to try Aunt Essie's Sweet Potato Pie first. Maybe Aunt Essie's Table will be published next?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This is definitely one of the more unique cozy mysteries I have read. It almost lost me half way through so that's why it isn't quite a 4 star but I really enjoyed the backdrop of Chicago, the culinary descriptions, and the lively characters. Not sure if this is going to be a series but if it is I would definitely pick up the sequel.

I've really been in the cozy mystery book mood lately. I've been looking for some escape from the various yo-yoing news cycles, and Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku was a great way to do that. I liked that the characters' history, and generational history was explored and the author mixed American history with the actual people and the effects of those histories. She did it in such a way that you didn't know you were getting a history lesson about the Great Migration and its impact on community. There were also other serious themes such as the lengths women have to go to to keep their independence, and what they may give up for family.

Another thing I loved about this book was that it wasn't the traditional protagonist and setting. Savvy is in her 50's, and has grown children. She's strong and independent, and has lived (and is continuing to live) a very full life before she sets her mind to solving the murders of the men around her, and she is one of the first to believe they are connected. Savvy faces multiple pressures from different angles throughout the book, being pressured to sell her business, the rumors in the community that her food poisoned the men, jealous competitors, and many other realistic stressors.

I really enjoyed reading about a non-traditional character and setting. So many books are now set in English countrysides, pastoral New England towns, and other stereotypical spaces. I liked seeing Chicago/the Midwest represented in this genre. It's the second murder mystery I've seen in this general physical location, and I'm here for it. I also enjoyed the writing style, and how much each character was developed with very impactful writing. I really hope there are more in this series, and will definitely be buying a copy or two for a couple family members.

Please be advised I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NG and Minotaur for the ARC. Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is a drama-filled, hilarious, and mouth-watering mystery set in the greater Chicago area. I found the characters to be real in that they were both over the top and nuanced in equal parts. Savvy Summers is a compelling woman who has many experiences under her belt and many burdens to shoulder, which slowly unfold during the story. Savvy, along with her friend Penny, snoop out the dirty laundry in their community to find the common thread in the recent string of tragedies.

The story is full of rich and vivid details that provide great context and possibilities. However, these details might catch a typical cozy mystery reader off guard, since they don’t fit into the standard cookie cutter format, where the details are only there to serve the plot. This is where Jackson-Opoku flips the script because finding out who committed the crimes and how they did it, is not as important as the complexity and tension of the circumstances in which the crimes exist. The mess is what makes this story great. I thought I was walking into a standard cozy mystery, and came out caring more about the community than the plot.

I absolutely loved this fresh and funny mystery! From the first page, I was hooked by the quirky charm of Essie’s and its vibrant characters. The plot is full of twists and turns, and unlike many mysteries where you can figure things out too quickly, this one kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Savvy Summers and her assistant, Penny, as they dive into the investigation—together they make a great, hilarious team. Savvy's determination to save her café from bad press while solving the murder and the added tension with her ex-husband made the story even more fun. It’s a fantastic blend of humor, suspense, and heart, and I’m hoping this is the start of a great series because I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I just finished reading an engaging, funny thriller. Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is one to look for.

I love cozy mysteries that have a culinary setting, being that I am a foodie. Savvy Summers is the owner of a soul food restaurant that is doing pretty good until a customers dies at one the tables. Of course, Savvy takes it up on herself to solve the mystery along with her business partner. The plot was nicely paced and kept my attention, and Savvy was such a lovable character. I hope this is the start of a long series set in this world!

3.5 stars rounded up --A comfy cozy murder mystery!

Savvy is the proud owner of a soul food café in Chicago. But her business takes a hit when one of her regulars drops dead at table two of her restaurant and her famous sweet potato pie is at the center of the so-called investigation.

Her curiosity over what happened to Grandy is partially motivated by her own self-interests, but also she thinks Grandy was rushed to an untimely death (not by her cooking, of course) and she realizes she is in a unique position to collect conversations with potential suspects and find out what really happened.

Her ensuing investigation is definitely amateur but also cunning and entertaining. Definitely felt like the door was left open for another mystery so hope this wasn't the last we see of these characters!

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is such a delightful debut mystery. Set in South Side Chicago, the story hooked me right from the start. Savvy Summers is our quick-witted and incredibly likable main character who runs Essie's Soul Food Cafe and a catering business. She felt so relatable, and I couldn't help but root for her throughout the entire story.

The author did a fantastic job creating a complex framework filled with intriguing characters, each with their own secrets and personalities to explore. When 75-year-old Grady Jasper dies in Savvy's cafe, the mystery immediately pulls you in. Savvy doesn't believe the ruling that his death was an accident, and she's determined to uncover the truth and clear her restaurant's reputation.

I loved seeing Savvy team up with Penny Lopes, her assistant manager at the cafe. Their partnership adds so much depth, and their chemistry makes the investigative journey engaging and fun. The twists and turns they encounter as they work to rule out suspects kept me guessing the whole time. I was never bored and ended up enjoying this cozy mystery in one sitting!

The author's writing style is engaging and vivid, painting a rich picture of South Side Chicago and the community within it. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author. It is a charming read that left me both satisfied and eager for more.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes
by Sandra Jackson-Opoku is a great cozy mystery that kept me entertained throughout.

I really liked this debut. Savvy is a solid main character and held her own in this culinary cozy mystery. I liked the backdrop, the concept, and the murder/mystery.

I am not sure if this is the first book in a new series…sure hope so.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/29/25.