Review + GIVEAWAY: The Uninvited Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

The Uninvited Corpse
By Debra Sennefelder
Food Blogger Mysteries #1
Kensington, 2018


Summary

Leaving behind a failed career as a magazine editor and an embarrassing stint on a reality baking show, newly divorced lifestyle entrepreneur Hope Early thought things were finally on the upswing—until she comes face-to-face with a murderer . . .

Hope’s schedule is already jam packed with recipe testing and shameless plugs for her food blog as she rushes off to attend a spring garden tour in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. Unfortunately, it isn’t the perfectly arranged potted plants that grab her attention—it’s the bloody body of reviled real estate agent Peaches McCoy . . .

One of the tour guests committed murder, and all eyes are on Hope’s older sister, Claire Dixon—who, at best, saw Peaches as a professional rival. And suspicions really heat up when another murder occurs the following night. Now, with two messy murders shaking Jefferson and all evidence pointing to Claire, Hope must set aside her burgeoning brand to prove her sister’s innocence. But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer intent on making sure her life goes permanently out of style . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!


My thoughts

With The Uninvited Corpse, Debra Sennefelder’s new cozy series is off to a great start. It was enjoyable to start at the beginning, meeting new characters and watching them grow from here. Hope Early, with her past career and marriage behind her, makes an appealing lead character and I loved her food blog. The small town of Jefferson, Connecticut is a great setting, as I love anything associated with New England, and I was quickly drawn into the community.

Hope’s reason for getting involved in the investigation was realistic, as her sister was suspected of the crime. Then add in the fact that a certain police officer, friend and possibly something more, is against her involvement, and it gets even more interesting from a relational standpoint.

Small towns seem to always have quite a bit of drama, at least in fiction, and that part felt real as well. From personal squabbles and love interests, to background machination to get ahead in the real estate business, to controversy over community development, it all comes together in an entertaining mix. I especially enjoyed two secondary characters who added good depth – former mystery writer Jane and local reporter Drew.

The only slight negative for me is that a lot of characters are introduced all at once in the beginning, at Audrey’s garden tour, and I’m not sure I ever got them all straight. I also longed for more character depth, but that should develop as the series progresses. The Uninvited Corpse is thoroughly enjoyable overall and I look forward to future stories.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Romance Writers of America.

Website – Facebook – Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

One print copy of The Uninvited Corpse!

To enter the drawing, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here letting me know that you shared.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, April 2. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents