Murder in the Cookbook Nook

This is the latest edition in the Storyton Book Retreat Mystery series. These books all take place in a fictional town that any book lover would love to really exist. It is a place where you are encouraged to relax, and just read. You are pampered with food, and drink, as well as having access to a spa and other activities if you wish. Many of the books in the series take place around a particular theme. In this one, it is the filming of a cooking show. For anyone who has ever seen a cooking show, you know that they can be very dramatic, but this one has the added drama of the death of one of the contestants. Jane, who is the owner of the retreat, along with many of her staff, set out to discover how he died, and do so before someone else is hurt. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and I loved this new entry. It does not have some of the spy elements that some of the earlier versions did, but it is a highly enjoyable cozy mystery that those who love the series, as well as those new to the books will enjoy. The author does a good job of allowing you to get to know the characters without revealing the previous story elements, so if you have not read the others, you can read it as a stand alone, and then go and read the ones before it. If you have read the others, you will be reunited with some of your favorite characters, and enjoy learning more about how they are doing in Storyton. The mystery started off pretty fast in this book, but settled down and had a really decent pace after a couple of chapters. The clues were there for discovering who did it, but it was a nice ride to go one with Jane to discover who it was, and why. I did get thrown off by a couple of the red herrings, but that was perfect to make me want to read on to discover if I was initially correct, or had I been misdirected. Perfect mystery writing. I recommend this book to cozy book lovers, especially if you enjoy book themed ones. I also recommend to others who love to have a book to just escape into, as this one will make you wish you could make a reservation, and just read in a comfy chair all day long.