***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.***
"Foodies and mystery lovers will come for the red herrings and stay for the cheese."— Kirkus Reviews
The second book in a delicious culinary cozy series—the muensters have arrived in Balsam Dell in this Halloween cozy mystery featuring a grilled cheese shop owner turned amateur sleuth
After a long hot summer in Balsam Dell, Carly Hale is ready for crisp Vermont weather and gourmet grilled cheeses at her Grilled Cheese Eatery. And the upcoming Halloween food competition is the perfect way to impress the locals.
But Ferris Menard, the owner of Sub-a-Dub-Sub, is nursing a serious grudge against Carly. Two days before the competition, one of Carly's employees quit his part-time gig at Menard's sub shop, sending Menard into a serious snit. In a confrontation at the Eatery, Menard accused Carly of sabotage and vowed to bring her down.
That's when Menard's body is found in his kitchen the morning after the competition, a steak knife sticking out of his heart. But Menard had a slew of enemies, and if Carly doesn't figure out which one is the culprit, she might find herself—or someone she cares about—serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!
No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly is her second book in her Grilled Cheese Mystery Series, and was just as delightful as her first book! I loved visiting Balsam Dell, Vermont again, seeing some of the same townspeople and getting to know Carly and her friends a bit better.
Carley Hale is happy that her Grilled Cheese Eatery is doing so well in the small town of Balsam Dell. She really wants to impress the locals, so she decides to enter the Halloween food contest held annually in Balsam Dell. Ferris Menard is the owner of the local sub shop, and he’s been angry with Carly ever since she stole his best employee to work in her shop. Ferris also usually wins the Halloween food contest, but he’s never gone up against one of Carly’s grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ferris confronts Carly in her eatery about stealing the employee, but Carly stands her ground interesting the employee came over to her eatery on his own. Tension is high, but the next day, Ferris is found dead in his kitchen with a steak knife in his heart. When the police blame Carly’s friend, Ari, she takes matters into her own hands to find out who killed Ferris.
This is just what a cozy mystery should be! I love the setting in a fictional small town in Vermont, it just sounds like such a lovely little town (except for all the murders!) The mystery was very well done. I just knew who the killer was until it turned out it was someone else completely! I love it when I can’t figure it out until the end.
I like how Carly and Ari’s relationship is slowly growing, but not too fast. And Carly’s relationship with her mother is getting better and better. We get plenty of character development, but not so much that it slows the book down or detracts from the mystery.
And the food descriptions were wonderful. I’m ready to make some Alvin’s Panko Perfection grilled cheese!
I highly recommend No Parm, No Foul to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery. 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.
I’ve been looking forward to this review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I had no idea it was the second book, I’ll definitely add the first one to my list. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants to try Alvin’s sandwich. This series has me thinking about different bread and cheese combinations for sandwiches.
Great review Wendy. I really liked the first book in this series and I definitely want to read this one as well. I hope to listen to it this week if I can fit it in.
This sounds like such a fun cozy series though now I want a grilled cheese! I need to get the first book in the series.
[…] Book Review: No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly Monday: New Releases in August 2022 That I’m Excited About!Tuesday: Top Ten TuesdayWednesday: […]
This sounds perfectly cozy. Food in books makes me hungry a lot these days. Great review!
I’ve been looking forward to this review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I had no idea it was the second book, I’ll definitely add the first one to my list. Thank you for sharing!
great review, glad you enjoyed 😊
This isn’t my genre, but the clever titles never cease to amaze me. I’m glad you enjoyed.
I enjoy it when cozies centered around food include recipes. And I absolutely love when I can’t figure out whodunit ❤️ Excellent review!
I love the cheesy pun title! I don’t really read cozy mysteries but maybe I should!
The titles are so cute. I haven’t read many cozy mysteries, but I find them very comforting.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants to try Alvin’s sandwich. This series has me thinking about different bread and cheese combinations for sandwiches.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
Yes! me too. There are so many types of bread and cheese, the possibilities are endless! 🙂
Sounds like a delicious cozy mystery.😉
It’s a good one! Thank you, Linda
Great review Wendy. I really liked the first book in this series and I definitely want to read this one as well. I hope to listen to it this week if I can fit it in.
I hope you can, I thought this second book was just a bit better than the first one.
Just the title makes me hungry!
Yes! And reading the book is even worse!
Who doesn’t like grilled cheese! I’ll have to check this series out.
It’s a fun series!
This would make me very hungry!
Yes, it made me hungry for sure.
I’m craving grilled cheese now. Wonderful review Wendy 🤗📚💞
LOL, Susan!
I love the cover on this one. I will have to check this one out. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
Thank you, Nadene!
Being from Vermont, I adore books set here. Also, this is making me super hungry haha
It’s difficult to read this without wanting a grilled cheese sandwich!
I just know that the food descriptions would be make soooo hungry 😂
I always make grilled cheese sandwiches when I read this.