*****
Daisy Swanson, owner of 'Daisy's Tea Garden' in the Amish region of Pennsylvania, is anxious about an upcoming visit by restaurant critic Derek Schumacher. Schumacher has a reputation for writing harsh reviews, and his scathing blogs have been the death knell for some up-and-coming eateries.
Daisy has other things on her mind as well. She's a single mother of two daughters - Violet, a college freshman and Jazzi, a high school student.....and she strives to always 'be there' for her girls. In addition, Daisy's relationship with handsome Jonas Groft - a former cop who now makes wood furniture - is heating up.
Daisy and her staff carefully plan for Schumacher's visit, and when the critic shows up - camera and appetite at the ready - he samples a wide variety of offerings such as: Daisy's blend tea; salad with sweet and sour bacon dressing; cheesy cauliflower soup; maple and walnut scones with raspberry spread; a fresh fruit plate; bacon and cheddar puff pastry; chicken salad sandwiches; cucumber and pimento triangles; a plate of assorted sweets (cream puff; brownie; Snickerdoodles, blueberry tart) and finally a lemon sorbet.....all on Daisy's best serving dishes.
Schumacher likes the food well enough to purchase a dozen pimento and cucumber sandwiches and a half-dozen Snickerdoodles 'to go', and leaves the café with no hint of what he'll write in his blog. The next day, Daisy is nervously waiting for Schumacher to publish his review when Police Detective Rappaport shows up to ask, "Do you know who killed Derek Schumacher?"
It seems that Schumacher died after snacking on Daisy's cucumber sandwiches, which had been tainted with a foreign substance. Of course Daisy and her entire staff are under suspicion, as is anybody else who had access to the goodies. There are a lot of possible suspects because Derek was an unpopular guy who treated people badly.
News that Schumacher died from food purchased at Daisy's Tea Garden spreads like wildfire, and customers stay away in droves. Daisy can't allow this situation to continue and decides to help Detective Rappaport find the killer. Thus Daisy makes it her business to talk to Derek's relatives and other people in town, trying to winkle out the critic's secrets.
Unlike many cozy mysteries, 'Death by Cucumber Sandwiches' includes a hefty dose of family drama. In addition to looking for Derek's killer, Daisy is concerned about her family: Her younger daughter Jazzi, who was adopted as a baby, wants a closer relationship with her birth mother - and it's not quite happening; Daisy's older daughter Violet is making new plans for her future - and needs guidance; Daisy's dad Sean has something on his mind - and requires advice; and Daisy's Aunt Iris has a beau on the horizon - IF Daisy can convince the gentleman to ask Iris for a date. Daisy's also concerned about her boyfriend Jonas, thinking her family responsibilities might drive him away.
The story has an array of interesting characters, including customers who come to Daisy's Tea Garden; Daisy's employees; other business owners in the community - including some Amish residents; the church secretary who knows some secrets; and more.
This is an enjoyable light mystery, recommended to fans of the genre.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Karen Rose Smith) and the publisher (Kensington) for a copy of the book.
Rating: 3 stars
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