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  • N. N. Light
    • May 7
    • 3 min read

5+ stars for Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery) by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside #cozymystery #cozyreads #newrelease #bookreview



Title: Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)

Author: Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside

Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

Book Blurb:

 

Nicole Earp and Emma Banefield are celebrating another birthday at the Dulce Inn with the added fun of a rib cookoff in the park. Not only are chocolate martinis in their plans, Nic has her heart set on winning the cornbread contest. But as the excitement bakes, someone is stirring up trouble for the inn and its employees.

 

Strange occurrences at the Dulce are on the rise. Slashed tires, menacing phone calls, and unsavory characters add a vibe that threatens the sisters’ anticipated fun-filled stay. When the hot-headed hotel owner is caught wielding a bloody letter opener over a dead coworker, the sisters are embroiled in a caper to help the one person who finds their sleuthing as welcomed as a rattlesnake in her bed. But is she innocent?

 

The Chocolate Martini Sisters are primed to find out. First, they’ll have to eliminate a host of suspects that includes a dishonest restaurant owner, a jilted girlfriend, an ex-wife, the barkeeper, and a masseuse with a crush. If they can stay off the radar of the surly chief homicide detective long enough, they can put out the fire…unless the killer burns them first.

 

My Review:

 

Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder is the third book in the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series and it’s the best yet.

 

Authors Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell have hit their stride with this story. It’s well-written, fast-paced, and above all, funny.

 

Nicole Earp and Emma Banefield are back at the Dulce Inn celebrating another birthday—and solving another murder. This time, inn owner Jillian Jackson, is accused of killing her employee and former lover, Leo Ragazzi.

 

Jackson isn’t fond of the sisters. So they’re surprised when the owner requests their help. Perhaps request isn’t the right word. She assumes they’ll help her. There’s a wealth of suspects, including several former love interests of the deceased. But with the hotel knee-deep in a cornbread contest and rib cookoff, the sisters know the killer could be anyone.

 

The authors have created a delightful world of small-town coziness and big-city intrigue and danger. Their fearlessness and determination in tracking down justice is commendable. But their compassion shines through. They’re sleuths-by-accident with hearts. This series is as heartwarming as it is funny.

 

In this third installment, we learn even more of the siblings’ private lives. Em’s still writing mysteries, searching for an agent. Nic’s still into yoga, essential oils, and more. But a big change may be in their future. And personally, I’m hooked. I can’t wait to see what plays out next in their lives. The sisters have become my friends.

 

Everyone needs a chocolate martini friend in their life.

 

I highly recommend Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder. The good news is you don’t need to read the first two books to thoroughly enjoy this one. But, you’ll want to.

 

My Rating: 5+ stars

 

Buy it Now:   

 

Amazon US

 

Amazon UK

 

Amazon CA

 

Series Link Amazon

 

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Goodreads

 

Author Biography:

 

After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired to create her own tales. As an award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home on the prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.

 

Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. She writes children’s books under the pen name, Brenda Sue. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won't discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

 

Social Media Links:

 

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BRENDA:

 

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Reviewed by: Terry

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