Thursday, January 5, 2017

Book Review: Pop Goes the Murder by Kristi Abbott (Popcorn Shop Mysteries #2)

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Great plot, fun new characters
Cons: Some of the supporting players only get small parts here.
The Bottom Line:
Murdered assistant
Pops Rebecca in danger
In this fun sequel





Pop this Book into Your Collection

I was very impressed with the first in the Popcorn Shop Mysteries when I read it last year, so I’ve been counting down the days until I could read Pop Goes the Murder, our return visit to Rebecca Anderson and her gourmet popcorn shop, POPS.  This book was worth the wait.

Rebecca opened the shop after getting a divorce from famed celebrity chef Antoine Belanger.  However, Antoine has followed her.  Actually, he’s come to town to do a segment on POPS for his TV show.  While Rebecca has tried hard to distance herself from her ex, she can’t pass up the boost this would be for her and her business.  Her family and her new boyfriend are less than enthused at having Antoine back in town, but they are willing to deal with him for a week for her sake.

Melanie, Antoine’s assistant, has called an early morning meeting to go over the production schedule for the upcoming week, but when Rebecca arrives at her hotel room, she finds Melanie dead, electrocuted in her bathtub.  At first, the police think that it was suicide, but several things Rebecca saw make her think it was murder.  When the police do agree with her, they zero in on the wrong suspect.  Can she find the real killer?

This book starts off with a pop.  We get the background we need as Rebecca is in the process of finding the body, and the rest of the background fills in over the course of the book.  Melanie was not a well-liked member of the crew, so the list of suspects is large, which keeps us guessing until the logical end.  Okay, so I did figure it out a little early, but I didn’t care because I was having fun.

I had fallen in love with several of the supporting characters in the first book, and I was disappointed that they were essentially reduced to cameos here.  However, the returning characters we did get to see more of were wonderful once again.  Of course, without as much page time for returning characters, we had plenty of page time for new characters, and they were wonderful.  The suspects were strong, and we met at least one new series regular here as well.

If this book leaves your mouth watering for some of Rebecca’s gourmet popcorn (and I know it will), you’ll be glad to know there is a recipe for two of her creations in the back of the book.

While this book doesn’t spoil the previous book, it does talk quite a bit about what happened in it.  You can read the books out of order and still enjoy them, but it would be best to read them in order.

And once you’ve read one, you’ll definitely want to read the other.  This series is as addicting as real popcorn.  Pick up Pop Goes the Murder, pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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 Thursday, January 12th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 1/12.  You will have until midnight on 1/17 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 1/18.

40 comments:

  1. This sounds like a terrific book/series - and I am a BIG popcorn fan!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love to start reading this series. It sounds good! Thank you!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a fun cozy i would love to read! Thank you and who doesn't like popcorn my husband is allergic to the smell of it but i love it so i cook it when he is out of town! ptclayton2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for this opportunity to win this book. I would be honored to read and review it. Who could go wrong with popcorn!
    mommomsworld(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I also read and enjoyed the first book in the series. Thanks for the chance to win number two. Something about her covers really draws me in. Keep up the good work Mark!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  7. How exciting! Cannot wait to read! Thank you! Cbalevre@ptd.net

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for the chance!
    saphsbookblog@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have the first one but haven't read it yet and this series looks so much fun! I'm glad the 2nd book lived up to the 1st. Thanks for hosting the giveaway! katherine.e.pitts@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds so fun, I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for your review and chance to win; it sounds like a really good read!

    salvatoresmom71(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the chance to read this. Thank you soooooo much for the opportunity to win a copy. lady.janel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just started the first in the series, it was a wonderful Christmas gift from my kids. I am looking forward to reading the second one. utaker555(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for your review Mark!! I am so excited about this book. Can't wait to get it and read it. frauenb(at)aol(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey Mark! Happy New Year my friend! I read the debut in this series & loved it as you did. I'm excited to read this installment & I thank you for a chance to win it! sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  16. A book and popcorn two of my favorite things. vlhcats@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great review, coffee and chocolate with a book are my favs. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com thanks

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have the first in this series and need to read it seriously fast! The second one sounds so good too! Definitely on the to read list.
    Awilcox1182@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like fun. Mommatoodle at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is a new series for me! It sounds great! Thank you for the giveaway!
    debprice60@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sounds like a great book! Parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Have not read these books. Would love to check them out. I love a good read.
    slpetera@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love to win this! Thanks so much for the chance!! lindaherold999@gmail.com Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds like a fun series. brichardson0056@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have never read any books by Kristi Abbott - Popcorn Shop Mysteries. Thank you for the review. I will look at my local store for the first book in the series, so I can read these in order. Love popcorn and mysteries! Mbcncc@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. My daughter's name is Melanie so perhaps this will be a good omen for winning what sounds like a really fun and good book. Congratulations on the release. ceblain@T tmlponlineDOTnet

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sounds really good
    quickchangeus@yahoo.com
    Diane Rivera

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sounds like a great book to read.
    gloriawalshver@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sounds like a fun mystery books. Thanks for the chance to win. Lisamil46@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great reviews. Sounds like a great cozy mystery.

    xzjh04 @gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. really would love to read this..
    greeneyes2755@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I can't wait to read "Pop Goes the Murder". Looking forward to seeing what Rebecca and Sprocket are up to in the latest book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am a verified popcorn junkie! Can't wait to read this series. It is on my wish list. Thanks for sharing your review, Mark!

    ReplyDelete
  34. This book sounds awesome. And who doesn't like popcorn? mbradeen@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for the great review. The only bad thing about it is that it reminds me of how far behind I am in my reading. Lol. I'm just going to go dig out my copy of Kernel of Truth now. Thanks for the chance to win Pop Goes the Murder.

    robbfan141729@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I just hosted a popcorn event! LOVE it. constantmotioncamilla[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love fancy popcorn recipes. h43050(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I missed the giveaway but still wanted to thank you for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Another series I need to check out! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. In order to combat spam, I moderate most comments. I'll get to your comment as soon as I can.