A Murder of Aspic Proportions - (A Sunflower Café Mystery) by Amy Lillard (Paperback)
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About this item
Highlights
- Set in small-town Kansas, USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard's Sunshine Café Mystery series features a twenty-something advice columnist turned café manager and sleuth, her tiny dog with a big personality, farm-fresh produce--and murder!
- About the Author: Amy Lillard is an award-winning author of over forty novels and novellas, including the Main Street Book Club Mysteries and the Amish Mysteries, as well as Amish, contemporary, and historical romances.
- 304 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Mystery & Detective
- Series Name: A Sunflower Café Mystery
Description
About the Book
"Twenty-something Sissy Yoder never imagined herself running her Aunt Bethel's cafâe, but her help is needed, so she's making a go of it. And she must admit that life in tiny Yoder has been anything but dull--she's already solved one homicide--after being named the prime suspect in the case! Enjoying a peaceful respite after all that excitement, Sissy just wants to write her advice column, hang out with her loyal Yorkie, Duke, and procure some of local farmer Walt Summers' scrumptious 'To Die For' tomatoes for the Sunshine Cafâe's menu. But when the unsavory Summers--resented by just about everyone in town--turns up murdered in his garden shed, it's up to Sissy to roll up her sleeves, dig for some clues, and weed out the culprit . . . "--Provided by publisher.Book Synopsis
Set in small-town Kansas, USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard's Sunshine Café Mystery series features a twenty-something advice columnist turned café manager and sleuth, her tiny dog with a big personality, farm-fresh produce--and murder! Professional advice columnist turned café manager and amateur sleuth Sissy Yoder is adjusting to life in her parents' small but not-so-sleepy former hometown of Yoder, Kansas, where family is plentiful, the tomatoes are "to die for"--and murder is often in season . . . Twenty-something Sissy Yoder never imagined herself running her Aunt Bethel's café, but her help is needed, so she's making a go of it. And she must admit that life in tiny Yoder has been anything but dull-she's already solved one homicide--after being named the prime suspect in the case! Enjoying a peaceful respite after all that excitement, Sissy just wants to write her advice column, hang out with her loyal Yorkie, Duke, and procure some of local farmer Walt Summers' scrumptious "To Die For" tomatoes for the Sunshine Café's menu. But when the unsavory Summers-resented by just about everyone in town-turns up murdered in his garden shed, it's up to Sissy to roll up her sleeves, dig for some clues, and weed out the culprit . . .Review Quotes
Praise for Amy Lillard's Cozy Mysteries "A promising new sleuth whose lovable dog and incipient love interest combine nicely with Lillard's trademark Amish lore." --Kirkus Reviews on Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary "Readers will love unraveling this fun mystery!" --Modern Dog Magazine on Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary "Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary, though a murder mystery, avoids gruesome details and is anything but sinister; rather it is a delightful exploration of the human spirit, a wise unveiling of the reasons for people's actions, and a celebration and critique of small towns. Plenty of humor, a delightful cast of characters, and a satisfying plot make this first book in Lillard's series a promising harbinger of future Sunflower Café mysteries." --The Banner "Kappy King, her word-of-the-day calendar (and the rest of her endearing quirks), her English sidekick Edie (and Edie's special needs brother Jimmy - and their endearing quirks), and hunky detective Jack Jones return with all the wit and warmth readers have come to expect from this series. Lillard's dry sense of humor, engaging characters, and on-point comedic timing are ideal for those looking for a book that makes them smile from the first page to the last." --Hope by the Book on Kappy King and the Pie Kaper "Kappy and Edie travel by buggy and car all over the valley attending everything from funerals to rock concerts while trying to figure out whether Sally June's death was accident or murder. Plenty of details about the Amish lifestyle and a more complex mystery." --Kirkus Reviews on Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper "With a hard to solve mystery, two men that are crazy about our main sleuth, and a few older single women meeting for a book club, how could you not love this cozy?" --Fresh Fiction on Murder Between the Pages "The book club ladies make a winning team in an amusing tale replete with down-home atmosphere and romance." --Kirkus Reviews on A Murder Like No Author "The likable characters and Edie's slow progress in re-embracing her Amish side will keep fans coming back for more." --Publishers Weekly on Kappy King and the Pie Kaper "A promising series debut, sometimes humorous, often puzzling, and peopled with believable characters." --Kirkus Reviews on Can't Judge a Book By its Murder
About the Author
Amy Lillard is an award-winning author of over forty novels and novellas, including the Main Street Book Club Mysteries and the Amish Mysteries, as well as Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. Since receiving a Carol Award for her debut novel, Saving Gideon, she has become known for writing sweet stories filled with family values, honest characters, a hometown feel and close-knit communities. She is a member of RWA and ACFW. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Please visit her online at AmyWritesRomance.com.Dimensions (Overall): 6.7 Inches (H) x 4.1 Inches (W) x .9 Inches (D)
Weight: .3 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Mystery & Detective
Series Title: A Sunflower Café Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Cozies
Theme: Cozy, Culinary
Format: Paperback
Author: Amy Lillard
Language: English
Street Date: June 27, 2023
TCIN: 87814841
UPC: 9781496733474
Item Number (DPCI): 247-22-2016
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.9 inches length x 4.1 inches width x 6.7 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.3 pounds
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4.5 out of 5 stars with 4 reviews
100% would recommend
4 recommendations
An upbeat cozy mystery!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 2 years ago
A Murder of Aspic Proportions by Amy Lillard is a cute, lighthearted cozy mystery. Amy Lillard has a casual writing style. It is reminiscent of talking with an old, Southern friend. The story moves along at a good pace. There is a cast of quirky characters that includes Sissy Yoder, Aunt Bethel, Lizzie, Gavin Wainwright, and indolent Earl Berry. Sissy Yoder temporary stay in Yoder, Kansas may become permanent. She is discovering that she likes life in the small town. Sissy especially likes the Chicken Coop, her tiny home that she shares with her small companion, a Yorkie named Duke. Sissy is getting to know her Amish relatives as well. She has a fondness for her Lizzie who is on bedrest awaiting the birth of fraternal twins. Aunt Bethel is quite a character. She is a bit of a grump, but Bethel loves her family. The mystery was simple and frustrating. Emma, a young Amish woman, confesses to the crime. Deputy Earl Berry should not be in charge of a donut shop much less a town. That he would let her confess without a lawyer or a parent present is appalling (it is a small town, and he should know that Emma could not have committed the crime). Earl Berry does no investigating (why is this man an officer of the law). I can understand why Bethel feels the need to clear Emma. Sissy, of course, is happy to tag along and help (plus, she has the car). The mystery is one that can be solved early in the book. The reason why is mentioned many times. The reveal was anticlimactic and unsatisfying. I did feel that A Murder of Aspic Proportions was a little long. Fifty pages could have easily been shaved off. There is repetition of information (Sissy’s convertible Fiat is mentioned eleven times, Duke is mentioned by name over fifty times, her column alias at least eight times). There is humor in the story which keeps things light. A Murder of Aspic Proportions is the second A Sunflower Café Mystery. It can be read as a standalone since the author provides the necessary background information on the main characters. A Murder of Aspic Proportions is a cute story that is good to read when you need something to lighten your mood or brighten a rainy afternoon. A Murder of Aspic Proportions is an upbeat tale with a snuffed-out farmer, a cozy convertible, an idle deputy, a false confession, stolen tomato plants, futile fertilizer, and a sleuthing Sissy.
A Fun Cozy Mystery!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connie Saunders - 2 years ago
I can't decide what I like best about this book. Is it the murder mystery that needs to be solved, or the people who are trying to solve it? Sissy Yoder may have an Amish last name but her Amish experience has only been during the visits to her Amish relatives in Yoder, Kansas. How in the world has she ended up working for her Aunt Bethel at the Sunflower Cafe and living in a renovated Chicken Coop? So many questions to be answered and so many laughs along the way! A Murder of Aspic Proportions is the second book in the Sunflower Cafe Mystery series but author Amy Lillard does a great job of filling in the background so that new readers never feel lost. I enjoyed the quirky characters, the cozy mystery, the subtle flirtation between Sissy and Gavin, and the interesting tidbits that advice columnist "Aunt Bess" offers at the beginning of each chapter. It was, however, the many laugh-out-loud moments that made this such an entertaining story. Lillard's signature humor makes this a perfect stress-relieving read and I recommend it to all who enjoy cozy mysteries. I received an ARC from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
Fun, cozy mystery
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Gail Hollingsworth - 2 years ago
You have a very small town of Yoder, Kansas whose residents include both Amish and English. Everyone seems to know everyone else in this town and their personal business most of the time. Imagine a male resident being murdered on his own property! This particular person, Walt Summers, has no friends and is despised by most everyone in town and surrounding areas. The fun part of this book is the fact that there are multiple suspects with individual motives for wanting him dead. Enter amateur sleuths Sissy Yoder and her Aunt Bethel. They are in a time crunch because their sweet, tiny Emma has signed a confession and is in jail. No way they said could she have done it! Add in a tiny convertible and an even tinier yorkie dog both owned by Sissy and a fun story is sure to emerge. If you’re not into Amish fiction, no worries because this does not center around the Amish faith. I think I’ll go now and make me a “hot” tomato sandwich on fresh bread and mayonnaise. And of course hot, black coffee. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review.
Good Reading!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sunnie Reviews - 2 years ago
This is the second book of this series with Sissy Yoder, as the town mystery solver. The man who was murdered wasn't loved by the community leaving lots of possible murderers to sift through. It was a cozy mystery and took place in Yoder, Kansas where there are lots of people of that same surname, which is highly likely among the Amish community. It was a cute story, with some hints of romance which weren't quite developed in this book but maybe will move forward in another addition to this series. We shall see! It was a nice and enjoyable read and I am thinking there will be some more books in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.