by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of For Cheddar or Worse, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore, and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

It’s the second Annual Cheese Festival, and the Cheese Shop, as the locals call it, is geared up and ready to go. Charlotte is newly married and loving it, helping with all the festival events, and involved in what’s called the brain trust. It’s a brainstorming session for cheese makers, journalists, marketers, and a surprise guest—the infamous and generally hated Lara Berry. She’s one of those people who say what they think and what they think is always designed to hurt or embarrass.

Considering she’s a big deal in the cheese world—her recommendation can make a place or her criticism break it with a snap—it’s a surprise that the event planner didn’t publicize her appearance to sell more tickets. It’s said to be a last minute thing, but Charlotte wonders.

The brain trust is being held at Erin Emerald’s farm/B&B/cheese operation. It’s small and a bit run down, but in the midst of a rehab as time and money permit. Charlotte’s looking forward to the meeting since it will also give her more time with hubby, Jordan. He recently took over a restaurant and works nights to Charlotte’s days in the cheese shop.

Other members of the group are Shayna, Lara’s ex-business partner (didn’t end well), Victor, a self-absorbed lady killer who paired with Lara for a bit (didn’t end well), Kandice, the event planner who didn’t arrange for someone to pick Lara up (not going to go well), Ryan Harris, a cheesemaker from Texas (hunky guy), and a snoopy reporter among others.

Erin’s brother is autistic. When Lara makes fun of him, the fur starts to fly which upsets Andrew even more. Lara heads off to bed, mission accomplished, evening ruined. Erin takes Andrew to his room to calm down. Of course, the party fizzles and everyone heads for bed.

The next morning, Lara’s absent for breakfast—but found in her room, behind a locked door, dead on the bed. It looks like natural causes until the police notice some telltale clues. Now the question is, who hated Lara enough to do her in and how did that person get in and out of the room? Clues are there, the police are investigating, but with so many suspects who each point the finger at the other, it’s going to be a challenge to solve this one.

Sad to say, this is the last in the Cheese Shop Mystery series. Readers will miss regular updates on Charlotte, Jordan, Meredith and Matthew, and all the rest of the family and friends who make up a unique group of characters. You’ll be delighted with the changes in their lives as they move on.

As a nice sendoff, Charlotte has shared a number of recipes—zucchini with cheddar kabobs, BLT salad, blue cheese dressing, grilled cheese, apples and onion sandwich, penne with tomato-vodka cream sauce, bacon, olive, cheddar quiche, pine nut carrot quiche, peanut butter quiche (with green apples and bacon), cheddar chocolate Stracciatella ice cream, and caramel cheesecake.

Avery Aames is a pen name. Under her own name, Daryl Wood Gerber, she also writes the Cookbook Nook series. Look for Grilling the Subject coming from Berkley Prime Crime soon. She promises other series and some stand-alone books as well.

Good luck, Charlotte. Have a wonderful life.

To enter to win a copy of For Cheddar or Worse, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “cheddar,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 20, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

You can use this link to order this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & Mysterious Galaxy:

For Cheddar or Worse

Or you can also use this Amazon link:

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her newest, “Arthur”, included in the anthology titled, Flash and Bang, available now.