Book Review: Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly

Posted February 5, 2023 by WendyW in Book Review, bookblogger / 30 Comments

Cheddar Late Than Dead
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Series: Grilled Cheese Mysteries #2
by Linda Reilly
Publication Date January 31, 2023
Published by Poisoned Pen Press
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Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Culinary, Fiction / Small Town & Rural, Fiction / Women
Pages: 384
Format: ARC

***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***


"A complex mystery and yummy grilled cheese recipes. What's not to like?"— Kirkus Reviews

A bridal shower gone bad quickly becomes the swiss of death, and grilled cheese shop owner Carly Hale must sniff out the suspect

Winter in Balsam Dell is a snowy affair, and to add in some cheer after the holidays Carly's former classmate Klarissa Taddeo is hosting her extravagant bridal shower at the historic Balsam Dell inn. But when a double-booking throws some mold in the cheese, Klarissa is left scrambling. Dawn, the maid of honor and wedding planner, saves the day by moving the shower to her family's mansion and books Carly to cater the party. It seems the group is going to pull off the shower without a hitch.

That is, until Klarissa's fiancé crashes the event. She's furious with her groom-to-be and when a loud argument ensues, everyone is shocked by what they hear. When the groom is later found dead at the bottom of the stairs, his drink spiked with a hefty dose of poison, Carly must put her nose to the rind and save Klarissa from being suspect #1.

Because you know what they say: it's always the (almost) wife.


Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly is the third book in the author’s popular Grilled Cheese Mystery series but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.  

Story Recap:

Carly volunteers to cater her former classmate, Klarissa’s, bridal shower in the fancy home of the maid of honor, Dawn,  in the town of Balsom Dell.  Carly is excited to try out some new sandwiches and serve them in the fancy mansion, even if she has to put up with Klarisssa’s bridezilla attitude.  

However, Klarissas bridezilla’s attitude is the least of Carley’s problems when after the party is crashed by some of the rowdy groomsmen, the groom is found dead at the bottom of the staircase.  

My Thoughts: 

I enjoyed being back in Balsam Dell and once again I had to make at least one Grilled cheese sandwich while reading the story.  Although, I have not made a donut grilled cheese sandwich, like the ones featured at the wedding shower.  (It’s on my to-do list!).  

And I loved the mystery, there are a lot of characters in this book which provided many red herrings and I was completely surprised by the killer!  Carley is a terrific character and she love her little town of Balsam Dell.  

Recommendation: 

I highly recommend, Cheddar Late than Dead to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.  I received a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About Linda Reilly

Armed with a degree in Criminal Justice, Linda Reilly once contemplated a career in law enforcement. But life took a twist, and instead she found her niche in real estate closings and title examinations, where the dusty tomes in the Registry of Deeds enticed her into solving mysteries of a different sort. A dyed-in-the-wool New Englander, Linda lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband and cats. A member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Cat Writers' Association, she loves solving mysteries of the cozy type. When she's not pounding away at her keyboard, she can usually be found prowling the shelves of a local bookstore or library.

Have you read Cheddar Late than Dead?

30 responses to “Book Review: Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly

  1. The cozy mysteries always have such fun titles! I need to read more of them. Oh, a donut grilled cheese? Yes!! Sounds delicious.

  2. Sounds a very enjoyable read; love that the solution was a surprise. Doughnut grilled cheese… I wonder what that’ll taste like🥯🍩

  3. Janette

    As a lover of cheese, this series sounds brilliant. The titles themselves just make me laugh. I am definitely unsure about a donut grilled cheese sandwich though.