Book Review: Irish Stewed by Kylie Logan (Ethnic Eats Mysteries #1)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Interesting main character; fun mystery

Cons: I found nothing to stew over.

The Bottom Line:

Man’s dead body in

A closed restaurant begins

This fun new series

New Series Off to a Delicious Start

I am so far behind on the books I want to read I will never catch up.  (It’s a wonderful problem to have, isn’t it?)  But when an author I like starts a new series, I jump right in – that way I won’t get further behind.  Which explains why I jumped on Irish Stewed by Kylie Logan, the first in her new Ethnic Eats series.  I’m not at all surprised to report that this series is off to a fantastic start.

Laurel Inwood has agreed to come to Hubbard, Ohio, for a few weeks to take over running her foster aunt Sophie’s restaurant while her aunt recovers from knee replacement surgery.  However, Laurel is in for a shock when she arrives and finds that the upscale restaurant she is expecting is actually a greasy spoon.

Laurel quickly gets a second shock when she and Sophie walk into the restaurant to find a man dead at one of the tables.  The restaurant has been closed for a couple of days, so how did this man get in there?  Sophie quickly recognizes him at the Lance of Justice, local investigative reporter Jack Lancer.  Was he doing a story on the restaurant?  Or was there some other reason he was murdered there?

As you can see, we get plenty of questions to propel us into the story, and we slowly get answers as the book progresses.  Meanwhile, the spotlight of suspicion shines on quite a few people before we reach the logical climax.  The climax was a lot of fun if a bit rushed, but everything we need to know is there.

One thing I appreciated about this book is the twist on the usual cozy series set up.  Yes, Laurel is going to a small town to help a relative, but she’s never actually been to Hubbard before herself.  This means we are meeting the residents at the same time she is, and our perspectives are similar.  Laurel’s past as a foster child makes for an interesting main character who isn’t quite as quick to trust or reach out.  A few times I did find myself getting irritated with her as a result of her actions, but most of the time, I loved her.  I can see the potential for great character growth in her, and I’m looking forward to watching that develop in future books.

Not surprising, the rest of the cast is just as well drawn.  Yes, we are getting to know them in this book since it’s the first in a series, but they feel like real people already, and I can’t wait to go back and visit again.

Yes, there is a recipe at the end of the book – we get the Irish stew referenced in the title.  Based on how it is described in the book, I’m sure you are in for a treat if you decide to make it.

I enjoyed Irish Stewed so much, I’m already looking forward to going back to visit Laurel and her new friends again.  This is the start of another great series from the talented Kylie Logan that will leave you anxious for a second helping.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner next Tuesday, May 10th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 5/10.  You will have until midnight on 5/15 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 5/16.