One of the small pleasures in life is starting a brand new series when it first releases and then anticipating the next installment. Such is the case with Kristi Abbott’s Popcorn Shop Mystery series and I’ve been eagerly waiting for her newest release, POP GOES THE MURDER. Her protagonist, Rebecca Anderson, is adorably sassy and the clever, snappy dialog kept me entertained. At times I wondered if the author had been a stand-up comedienne in a former life… she certainly knows how to deliver one-liners! The mystery starts off with a bang from the very beginning and the pace never lets up. The story is well plotted with plenty of suspects that kept me guessing and turning pages and I devoured the book like it was a bowl of buttery popcorn. The cast of supporting characters are also well developed and add depth to the subplots. Rebecca’s evolving relationship with her very pregnant sister (who brings added humor to the story) is sweet to watch as it unfolds. Rebecca also seems to be finding her place in the small Ohio town. After her ex-husband brings the world and drama of celebuchefs to the quiet town, it appears she embraces her choice even more.

Rebecca owns POPS, a gourmet popcorn shop and there is plenty of food mentioned to make you hungry. Fortunately, Kristi provides a couple recipes at the back of the book. I tried her recipe for Bacon Pecan Popcorn….oh my! When I read through the recipe I thought it sounded good. But when I made it and started sampling this delightful concoction I literally could not stop eating it and thought it worth every single calorie!