Review - A Doomful of Sugar

 Another new series for cozy mystery fans.  Who doesn't love maple syrup and beautiful maple trees??  Let's take a trip to Vermont in the autumn where murder strikes on a maple farm.

Author: Catherine Bruns

Copyright: October 2022 (Poisoned Pen Press) 278 pgs

Series: 1st in Maple Syrup Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy mystery, amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Leila Khoury, new boss of Sappy Endings Maple Farm, cafe, & gift shop 

Setting: Contemporary, Sugar Ridge, Vermont (population 5000)

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb:  "There's nothing sweet about murder…

Leila Khoury has always believed that everyone loved her father as much as they loved his artisanal maple syrup. But when he's killed, and she returns to Sugar Ridge, Vermont to take over his business, she starts to realize how much of his life she's left untapped.

With her brother under suspicion, her mother just barely holding it together, and police not producing any leads, Leila will have to investigate herself if she wants answers about her father's sticky end. But the more she learns, the more she worries that there won't be a sappy ending to the story.

A cozy mystery perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, this edition includes 5 delicious maple recipes for mystery readers with a sweet tooth!" 

My Thoughts: 

I have a mixed reaction to Liela since she is impatient and reacts badly in some instances (like confronting a suspect blurting out accusations--talk about stupid), then she has moments where she is caring and likeable. The mother, Selma, expected Liela to get married and be a homemaker rather than have a career and they still don't get along. I appreciated Liela's best friend, Heather as the support system for Liela.

The beginning was slow with a whole lot of backstory and descriptions with memories of her father as she is greiving. After the first few slow chapters it eventually picked up and I finally got into the story.  I actually had started the story, but was so put off I set it aside for a couple of months before coming back to it.  That is just an FYI, it does pick up and get better.

The mystery itself had some good meat to it and wasn't obvious with good red herrings.  I did enjoy it after those first rough chapters and looking back on it, it was entertaining overall.  The killer reveal was nail biting and suspenseful--my favorite.  

Rating: Good - after a slow start it improves and the mystery is worth it.

Here is a short video on how to make your own maple syrup from the tree sap.