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Phyllis
, July 25, 2023
(view all comments by Phyllis)
Thanks to Edelweiss & publisher Seventh Street Books for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.
I like this cozy series, featuring Pepper Reece as an intelligent and aware female main character and amateur sleuth. Even though it’s #7 in the series, you can read this as a stand-alone.
Pepper, who describes herself as “a standard issue white woman a pinch past forty,” owns a spice shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Author Leslie Budewitz knows the area well, and her descriptions made me feel like I was there, too. In addition to a cozy murder mystery, there is a lot of local history incorporated into the novel – specifically the area’s Chinatown-International District.
The story begins during Seattle’s Pike Place Market Lunar New Year celebration, with lots of traditional food being consumed. In fact, this is a book that will have you craving all sorts of delicious food, from dim sum to craft cheese to pastries. And there is also cup after cup of tea being offered. After all, Pepper owns a tea and spice shop. And the book comes with recipes at the end!
In addition to the real life history of the area, plus the food and spices, there’s a murder mystery. Budewitz provides clues and red herrings, but I guess I was paying attention because I solved the mystery along with Pepper.
If you’re looking for a food-centric mystery with an intelligent amateur sleuth, set in historic Seattle-based Chinatown, you’ll want to read this one.
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