Two Bites Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Kensington (September 24, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Far from a domestic goddess, Sarah Blair would rather catch bad guys than slave over a hot stove. But when a dangerous murder boils over in Wheaton, Alabama, catching the killer means leaving her comfort zone . . .
Things are finally looking up for Sarah Blair following her unsavory divorce. Settled into a cozy carriage house with her sassy Siamese cat, RahRah, she has somehow managed to hang on to her modest law firm receptionist job and—if befriending flea-bitten strays at the local animal shelter counts—lead a thriving social life. For once, Sarah almost has it together more than her enterprising twin, Emily, a professional chef whose efforts to open a gourmet restaurant have hit a real dead end.
When the president of the town bank and city council is murdered after icing Emily’s business plans, all eyes are on the one person who left the scene with blood on her hands—the twins sharp-tongued mother, Maybelle. Determined to get her mom off the hook ASAP, Sarah must collect the ingredients of a deadly crime to bring the true culprit to justice. But as neighbors turn against her family, can she pare down the suspects before another victim lands on the chopping block?
Includes quick and easy recipes!
This is the second book in the Sarah Blair Mystery series, but it is the first one I read. It worked okay as a standalone story, but I do wish I had read the first one. There were some things I would have liked clarified. I did enjoy this story well enough, even though I did not read the first book.
Sarah’s twin sister, Emily and her partner, Marcus have been turned down for a loan to reopen their pub and catering service after a fire in the strip mall where they were located. When Maybelle, their mother, and Sarah go to the bank to find out why, they leave assuming the bank manager will approve the loan. When Maybelle goes back in to talk to the manager, Lance, she finds him dead. Of course the person who discovers the body, is often the prime suspect and that is the case here. Sarah believes the acting police chief is not investigating other suspects, so decides to investigate on her own.
I enjoyed the twins, Sarah and Emily. They are great friends and supporters and even when Sarah is right, she refuses to tell Emily “I told you so.” Maybelle is a wonderful character. She is smart, sassy, strong-willed and persistent. I really enjoyed the animal characters, even though they don’t play a huge role. RahRah, the Siamese cat and the heir to a rather large estate, gives Sarah the funds necessary to live a different life. Fluffy, the little lost dog, is instrumental in a couple important plot points. The mystery is well written and plotted. I narrowed down the culprits pretty early and was basically correct, but for all the wrong reasons. There were a variety of possible suspects with very different motives and that kept the story interesting and had me doubting my guesses somewhat. There looks like there might be a love triangle coming up, but both the male characters are likable, so this will be tough. I am definitely going to go back and read the first book in this series to clear up a few questions that I still have. This was a good cozy mystery with all the things I enjoy about this genre: small town, great atmosphere, good food, animals, multi-age characters, a bit of romance, an interesting crime, and a great sleuth. I do recommend this one to all cozy mystery lovers.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Emily Beresford. This book was very enjoyable to listen to as she did a great job bringing the story to life. It was easy to tell which character was speaking as she gave a distinct voice to each of them. I will listen to more books by this delightful narrator. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play
Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of Two Bites Too Many, as well as One Taste Too Many, the first of Kensington’s new Sarah Blair cozy mystery series. She also wrote Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award-winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories, including Anthony and Agatha nominated “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place,” have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. Debra serves on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and is president of the Southeast Chapter of MWA and past president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter.
Author Links: Website – Blog – Facebook – Twitter – Linked In – GoodReads
October 7, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Congratulations to Maryann, the winner of the print copy of Two Bites, Too Many.
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October 6, 2019 at 5:17 pm
This is a new author to me. It sounds like a fun book, I love the cover!
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October 7, 2019 at 9:31 am
She was a new author to me as well, but I will definitely read more by her.
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October 5, 2019 at 4:41 pm
This is a new to me author and series. The book sounds like one I would enjoy reading and I love the cover!
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October 5, 2019 at 4:45 pm
She was a new author to me as well Maryann, and I really enjoyed her writing. I think you will enjoy this series. Good luck with the draw.
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September 29, 2019 at 3:44 pm
I’ll have to read the first book & this one. I do like starting at the beginning of cozy mystery series because the characters develop from book to book. The cover on this is adorable. christy41970 (at) gmail (dot) com
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September 29, 2019 at 5:46 pm
With only two in the series, it is a good time to jump in and catch up. It is a fun series, I think you will enjoy it.
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September 26, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Thanks everyone for stopping by. I’ve been traveling, but plan to respond to each of your comments by the end of today. I appreciate being a guest on Carla Loves To Read — and to have a chance to meet all of you.
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September 23, 2019 at 10:04 pm
Thank you for your review on “Two Bites Too Many” by Debra H. Goldstein and for being part of the book tour.
Absolutely adorable cover which would say pick me up for sure! Can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review this great sounding book. Appreciate the opportunity to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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September 23, 2019 at 10:06 pm
I wish you luck with the giveaway Kay. It is a fun cozy mystery.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:13 am
Carla, you nailed it. My idea of writing is make the story tight, but also to make it a fun read. Kay, I look forward to your review.
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September 23, 2019 at 8:45 pm
I have the first book in the series and would be pleased to have this one too.
browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot) com
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September 23, 2019 at 9:22 pm
Good luck then Gloria.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:12 am
Gloria,
Thank you for leaving a message. Good luck!
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September 23, 2019 at 8:21 pm
I read the first one and it was really good. I’d sure love to win the second book.
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September 23, 2019 at 9:23 pm
Good luck Carol. I need to read the first one, I have it, but somehow, I missed it.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:11 am
Thank you for entering the contest today. I also appreciate your kind words about One Taste Too Many.
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September 23, 2019 at 6:54 pm
This is a new author and series to me. Sounds like a series I should be reading. Adding to my TBR list.
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September 23, 2019 at 9:24 pm
It is an enjoyable and well written series. good luck with the giveaway Dianne.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:10 am
Dianne,
Thank you for stopping by and adding the series to your TBR list.
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September 23, 2019 at 5:20 pm
You had me when you said it includes recipes!
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September 23, 2019 at 9:26 pm
Good luck with the giveaway Diane.
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September 26, 2019 at 1:21 am
Thank you Carla!
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September 27, 2019 at 12:09 am
Of course, because Sarah finds cooking from scratch more frightening than murder, the recipes are fun. In the first book, they were Jell-O in a Can and spinach pie made with Stouffers spinach soufflé. In Two Bites Too Many, the recipes are wine spritzers and sweet potato puffs.
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September 23, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Oooh this sounds fun! And such cute fur babies! 😊
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September 23, 2019 at 9:26 pm
It was the cute fur babies that attracted me initially to this one, it is the writing that will keep me reading it.
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September 24, 2019 at 5:41 pm
That’s sounds good to me 😊
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September 27, 2019 at 12:08 am
Carla, I appreciate your thoughts about my writing. I hope you do try the first book (it’s on sale for $1.99 in the e-version until October 1) .. the third book is due in September 2020 – plus Kensington just bought 2 more, so there will be at least 5 in the series —-The Cozy Pages = here’s hoping the covers continue showcasing the fur babies.
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September 23, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Sounds like a great book, and that cover is so cute!
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September 23, 2019 at 9:20 pm
It is a good story and both covers for this series are cute and eye catching.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:05 am
As I noted above, give credit where it is due – Kensington does a great job with its overs. Carla, I appreciate your kind words about the story.
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September 23, 2019 at 11:47 am
Great cover! Thank you for the review. Book sounds great!
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September 23, 2019 at 1:53 pm
It was very good. Good luck with the draw.
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September 23, 2019 at 10:29 am
What a terrific cover! I ….and a wonderful review as well!
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September 23, 2019 at 9:21 pm
Thanks Marialyce.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:04 am
I appreciate the kind review, too — and I appreciate the comments about the cover. Thanks for stopping by.
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September 23, 2019 at 10:18 am
Great review. I don’t think I’ve read this author. Will have to remedy that!
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September 23, 2019 at 9:27 pm
This is the first one I have read, but I enjoyed it.
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September 26, 2019 at 12:17 pm
Glad you enjoyed it. The characters also are in One Taste Too Many and more books to come.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:03 am
Pirate Patty, delighted to be introduced to you. Let me know what you think if you try the book. Carla, I’m glad you enjoyed Two Bites Too Many.
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September 26, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Thank you for stopping by… hope you do remedy that 🙂
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September 23, 2019 at 6:52 am
I love the cover. Would love to read more of this one
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September 23, 2019 at 8:21 am
The cover was what drew me to this book. Good luck.
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September 27, 2019 at 12:02 am
Debra & Carla,
I’m glad you like the cover. Kensington does a good job with their covers – and I agree the covers for One Taste Too Many and Two Bites Too Many both attract the eye.
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September 26, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Thank you … so far there is only one more … One Taste Too Many, but Three Treats Too Many will be out in 2020 and Kensington has bought 2 more beyond that
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