Willa Bauer has moved to Yarrow Glen, Sonoma County, and in the previous book, she opened a cheese shop, Curds & Whey. The second murder mystery to befall her could hardly come at a worse time. Someone will be GONE FOR GOUDA.

When a former school pupil returns with fame attached, almost everyone wants to know her. Celebrity vegan chef Phoebe Winston rolls up for a cookbook signing, courtesy of her sponsor, a vegan cheese maker. The venue is Willa’s shop – she has to placate the demanding influencer, hire more chairs at short notice and set up ingredients for a demonstration. She’s doing it for the publicity, of course. Willa’s employee, Archie, aged nineteen, is dazzled by Phoebe Winston, but not everybody loves her. Willa sees through her ways.

The story is great fun, such as Willa noting the quirks in Phoebe’s manner as the celeb snaps at one person and smiles at another. Buttercup, a tiny dog, adds a great deal of dash, constantly getting underfoot or running off, and nobody seems to know what to do with him after somebody is found dead. Skeletons rattle in cupboards, and surprising photos emerge. Add in that Willa and her storekeeper and brewer friends are preparing for a fall festival, with every craft shop making a float, and there’s a lot of happenings and confusion.

The Cheese Shop Mystery series began with Cheddar Off Dead, an ominous note, and the second book builds on the strong characters while not actually making relationships progress. Willa is learning more recipes to use her interesting cheeses, such as puff pastry wrapped around chunks of gouda, apple and chive, and baked. For a simpler snack, she tops a cranberry scone with cheese and marmalade. Readers will also find some mixes of beer with cheese, which sound extremely rich. The cast needs to keep their strength up, as they actively hunt suspects and chase after clues. 

Korina Moss must have enjoyed writing GONE FOR GOUDA and sampling the foodstuffs, and don’t forget, you can use vegan cheese at home if required. There are more Cheese Shop Mysteries to solve, if you get as excited as I do over crime and recipes. Bon appetit!