The Harvest Festival has arrived in Snowflake, Vermont, and
the town is full of visitors as a result. Lucky Jamieson has
her hands full with her restaurant, By the Spoonful Soup
Shop, but the town itself is a bit on edge. A dead body has
been found and the Chief of Police, Nate Edgerton, suspects
murder. Many of the helpers at the festival are travelers,
raising the suspicion of the local residents, particularly
when one is showing an unusual interest in one of Lucky's
waitresses. Meanwhile, Lucky is worried about her
relationship with Elias because of a new female doctor in
town.
A ROUX OF REVENGE is the third book in Connie Archer's
Soup Lover's Mystery series. It can easily be read as
a standalone as Connie Archer provides the reader with
enough background on the town. Perhaps the only thing that
makes jumping right into the third book a bit challenging is
the relationship between Lucky and Elias. Lucky's lack of
self-esteem and Elias' very poor decision-making make it
hard for a new reader to root for their relationship.
The inclusion of the travelers and their history is a
fascinating addition to the storyline. I love how we see
their history and culture. I also like that Connie Archer
didn't stereotype the travelers but rather shows us another
side of their lifestyle.
The recipes at By the Spoonful Soup Shop sound delightful,
and I want to dive right in and sample some of the wares.
Connie Archer does a marvelous job at crafting a cozy
atmosphere that draws the reader into the town of Snowflake
with its residents. Readers who love cozy mysteries and food
will enjoy A ROUX OF REVENGE.
Snowflake, Vermont, is known for its skiing in winter—and
its soup all year round, thanks to Lucky Jamieson’s By the
Spoonful. Autumn brings golden leaves, pumpkin rice soup,
the annual Harvest Festival and murder.
Lucky’s soup shop is busier than usual this October, with
groups of itinerant travelers in town to work the Harvest
Festival. One newcomer seems to take a particular interest
in Lucky’s young waitress, Janie, spying on her from across
the street. Is the stranger stalking Janie?
After an unidentified man is found murdered in a van by the
side of the road, simmering suspicions about the travelers
are brought to a boil. But when Janie is put in harm’s way,
Lucky must join forces with the travelers to turn up the
heat on a killer
Recipes included!