Review & Giveaway: Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames

Paperback, 320 pages

Published May 3rd 2011 by Berkley (first published April 12th 2011)

ISBN 0425241580 (ISBN13: 9780425241585)

When Charlette Bessette, owner of Providence, Ohio's fancy cheese shop, Fromagerie Bessette, is asked by her friend Meredith to cater a fund raiser at the old abandoned Ziegler winerey, it is with some trepidation. For years rumors have abounded of buried treasures and possibly a few buried bodies at the winery. The fundraiser is to purchase the winery and turn  it into a local college.

Meredith's  niece, Quinn, and her artistic friends are all excited as they want to search for the treasure; they put no stock in the buried bodies legend. Someone uses the occasion and subsequent scavenger hunt to murder one of the party. Unfortunately, Quinn becomes the prime suspect. Since the police chief Umberto Urso went to school with Charlotte and had a small crush on her, he gives her some leeway in interfering with the crime investigation. Charlotte is determined to find the guilty party and free Meredith's niece Quinn but with a lot of suspects and different motives, that might prove very difficult indeed.

Avery Aames does a terrific job of creating an atmosphere and setting the scene of the crime. I never knew there were so many different cheeses! Along with the cheese shop plot line and Charlott'es new love interest, there are several other plot lines going on that added to the realism of the characters. However, I did have a quibble with the mystery part. Some of the clues were symbolic and had me somewhat sceptical at their plausibility but as with a lot of cozies, a little suspension of disbelief is necessary. Lost and Fondue is still an enjoyable read for cozy fans. 3.5***

Avery Aames is also the author of The Long Quiche Goodbye, the first book in the cheese shop series. Lost and Fondue is the sequel. Recipes are included in the book using some of the cheeses mentioned.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

To celebrate the release of Lost and Fondue, Berkley is allowing me to giveaway 1 copy of the book. Open to US only. Deadline to enter is June 5th at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries available:

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