Review - Fondue or Die

I saw one description call this "Miss Congeniality" meets "Law & Order: Dairy Crimes Unit" which cracks me up in itself.  That sets the bar rather high.  Let's see what I thought.

I had only read and reviewed one other in this series"

3) Curds of Prey (click here)

Author: Korina Moss

Copyright: October 2024 (St. Martin) 304 pgs

Series: 5th in Cheese Shop Mysteries

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy, amateur sleuth, culinary cozy

Main Characters: Willa Bauer, owner of French inspired Curds & Whey Cheese Shop

Setting: Modern day, small town Yarrow Glen in Sonoma Valley CA

Obtained Through: Publisher thru Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb: "The small town of Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. Willa is thrilled to celebrate her favorite thing―she is a cheesemonger after all―and this festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. Too bad the pageant runner, Nadine, is treating Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die and is putting everyone around her on edge. When Willa finds Nadine’s dead body under years’ worth of ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, who steps in to help the pageant after Nadine’s death. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who." 

My Thoughts:  I haven't read every book before this, so a reader can jump in here and it should be easy to understand the dynamics.  I'll be honest, in the previous book that I read and reviewed in this series, Willa didn't click for me. The character isn't bad, she just wasn't for me. I gave it another try and this outing I have warmed to her a bit. The supporting cast, called "Team Cheese," includes Archie- recently a high school graduate, and Mrs. Schulz- a retired schoolteacher, and Willa's neighbor and good friend- Baz.  They are a found family for Willa and make the story.

There is plenty going on with lots of small town drama, grudges, and personality clashes. The killer reveal is well orchestrated and high tension. Bravo!  I recommend, particularly if you like culinary cozies or cheese in general. 

Rating: Good - A fun read with a good mystery and small town drama galore

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Review - Curds of Prey

I haven't read the two prior books in the series and I had no problem following the storyline at all.  This is a completely new-to-me author and series.

Author: Korina Moss

Copyright: March 2023 (St. Martin) 331 pgs

Series: 3rd in Cheese Shop Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy mystery, Amateur Sleuth, food cozy

Main Character: Willa Bauer, owner and proprietor of French inspired Curds & Whey Cheese Shop

Setting: Modern day, small town Yarrow Glan in Sonoma Valley CA

Obtained Through: Publisher (Netgalley) for honest review

Book Blurb: "Yarrow Glen's favorite cheese shop, Curds & Whey, gets to be a part of the social event of the season: Summer Harrington’s wedding. Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is going all out for the wedding shower’s cheese bar. But the eagle-eyed Harrington family is proving to be a pain in her asiago. A last-minute tasting ends in disaster when one of Willa’s potential beaux, Roman, gets in a fight with the groom. Then the shower arrives, and while there’s anything but love in the air, there is plenty of cheese. Oh, and Roman... again. The day officially ends in disaster when Willa finds the groom—who also happens to be the mayor’s nephew—in the stable, dead as a dodo. At the mayor’s request, Willa must follow the trail of cheese curds to find a killer while continuing to walk a tightrope between two of Sonoma Valley’s most powerful families." 

My Thoughts:  Willa Bauer is recreating her time in France at her cheese shop.  She was definitely in a delicate situation between the two families and she managed it well.  Roman Massey is the owner of a brewery and a potential romantic interest, although his motivations were a bit murky at times.  Another potential romantic interest in the police detective.  Interesting secondary characters in the staff of the cheese shop and a neighbor (aka Team Chese) were a great addition and a highlight for me.  

The Harrington's estate was a great backdrop for the primary setting.  The mystery kept me guessing for the most part. The killer reveal was exciting with some tense moments--kudos.  And the wrapup tied up any remaining storylines.

Overall, it is a solid cozy mystery.  I didn't seem to click with the Willa as much as I would have liked, but I have nothing to note against the character.  Not every book strikes the chord with everyone and although this wasn't a home-run for me, I think many will love it.  I enjoyed it and I recommend it for cozy fans since it has all the elements with the foody element, potential romances, and interesting mysteries.

Rating: Excellent - I generally enjoyed it and recommend!