I got this maple-sugar-themed mystery from Barnes and Noble. It's from a series that began with Drizzled With Death, and while that book didn't wow me, I liked the maple-sugar tie-in well enough to try this one. (It'll make a timely release, too, as sugaring season is due to begin in March!)

This book has a somewhat unusual twist, with a focus on updating the syrup production via a cooperative. When a saboteur starts targeting the participants, attention is focused on a nasty local character - who turns up dead...

I chuckled a bit at the opening sentences, which referred to an incident in a previous book, where the main character's beloved, sporty little convertible lost a match with a stray cassowary . But the choice of such an impractical car for this area and climate put me off in book 1, and while it's probably meant as a character-quirk, I found it a very unrelatable one.

There are other issues, from the main character's often-troublesome extended family, the still-miffed local cop who picks on her after she broke up with him, and the ongoing concerns of trying to run a business. As cozies go, the story's OK, but for wacky-extended-family series I prefer Donna Andrews. Still, this one made me want to visit the nearest sugarhouse {wry grin}.

The high point here: the recipes at the end, including the simple and tasty "Maple Butter"!

I left this book on the seat of the antique fire engine in front of Parker's Maple Barn, while stopping by for some of their maple syrup. Hope the finder enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2018 Wine+Food Release Challenge. ***