Lynn Cahoon is better known for her Tourist Trap
mysteries, but I was enchanted by the concept of the
new Farm-To-Fork
series, which looks at a restaurant serving farm fresh food.
Even here in Idaho, crime rears its
head.
In WHO MOVED MY GOAT CHEESE?, Angie Turner is our guide to
the town of River Vista, once a farming community and now a
dormitory town for Boise. Angie and her friend Felicia
Williams, returned from a California venture, have
naturally opened a restaurant, called The County Seat. They
buy from the local farmers market, a non-profit
undertaking. But some think the main street eatery is too
corporate. Sure, the two ladies are in it to make a nice
living, but its just the two of them, and they buy local.
They also make an impression on some single men, but Angie
isn't keen on dating.
Angie is setting up supply contracts, including goat cheese
from elderly farmer Gerald Moss. He clearly loves his dairy
goat herd and understated business, with a beautiful scenic
location. So Angie is shocked when the sheriff arrives to
tell her Mr. Moss has been killed. I have to say I was sorry
myself. Someone isn't unhappy with the news. Senior lady
Mrs. Potter, Angie's neighbor, held a longstanding grudge.
Clearly the small town harbors old hurts.
I enjoyed seeing the basics of getting a business
established. If this doesn't work out, Angie will find
herself working in Boise... she'd much rather stay local,
even bring in tourism. Sadly she has to justify herself to
the farm co-operative, as they don't want to be taken for a
ride by someone who doesn't pay for goods. Meanwhile the
resourceful Felicia is getting friendly with the winery
owners and microbrewers. The pair also have a friendly St.
Bernard pup, getting bigger by the day. If this isn't
enough for you, toss in a friendly kid goat and look for
some scrumptious food ideas. Huckleberry cobbler with black
pepper ice-cream being one.
The mystery element is not dramatic so it's quite a gentle
tale, full of characters and conversations, past and
present. Readers who enjoy cozy mystery series will
appreciate that the first book, necessarily, takes time to
set up for the rest of the installments, making this a
perfect way to get to know River Vista. Enjoy WHO MOVED MY
GOAT CHEESE? If you're not sure about the title, it alludes
to a business management manual in which two mice find that
times change and it's better to know where your cheese
comes from before it all gets used. I'll be looking out for
the next in Lynn Cahoon's new series about these enterprising
young women.
Angie Turner hopes her new farm-to-table restaurant can
be a fresh start in her old hometown in rural Idaho. But
when a goat dairy farmer is murdered, Angie must turn the
tables on a bleating black sheep . . .
With three weeks until opening night for their restaurant,
the County Seat, Angie and her best friend and business
partner Felicia are scrambling to line up local vendors—from
the farmer's market to the goat dairy farm of Old Man Moss.
Fortunately, the cantankerous Moss takes a shine to Angie,
as does his kid goat Precious. So when Angie hears the
bloodcurdling news of foul play at the dairy farm, she jumps
in to mind the man's livestock and help solve the murder.
One thing's for sure, there's no whey Angie's going to let
some killer get her goat . . .
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