Publishers Weekly
12/19/2022
Klump’s spirited sequel to 2021’s A Dash of Death finds journalist-turned-mixologist Samantha Warren enlisted to run a craft cocktail booth at the German Lodge’s Fourth of July celebration in Highlands, Tex. While demand for Samantha’s festive “red, white, and blue layered cocktail” is strong, tension among lodge members is at an all-time high over the plan to use part of the land earmarked to preserve German Texas heritage as the site of an exclusive, country club–style tennis center. When a public argument between Patty Davis, who’s against the tennis center, and Angela Clawson, who’s for the tennis center, becomes a physical altercation, Samantha worries that her community will never heal from the rift the tennis center has caused. After Angela is found dead at the bottom of the hole dug for the tennis stadium and the police name Patty the prime suspect, Samantha, fresh from solving her first murder, reluctantly agrees to help exonerate Patty, her mother’s best friend. Klump matches realistic characters with convincing motives that induce doubt, distract, and engage along the way to the clever ending. Cozy fans will find plenty to like. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Murder Served Neat:
“[A] spirited sequel . . . Cozy fans will find plenty to like.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Plenty of feuds, food, and drink offer plenty of opportunities for investigations and recipes.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“[For] fans of Diane Mott Davidson and Ellie Alexander.”
—Library Journal, audiobook review
“[A] superbly crafted cozy mystery . . . [It] has everything fans of the genre look forward to.”
—Midwest Book Review
“[A] delightful cozy . . . [With] intricate characters and solid plot garnished with the 4th of July festivities are guaranteed to get you in the summer spirit!”
—Wonder Women Sixty
“Another fun small-town mystery, with quirky, fun characters, and a good murder-mystery.”
—Red Carpet Crash
Praise for A Dash of Death:
“An impressively fun mystery read that is clever, deftly scripted, and a memorable read for all dedicated mystery buffs.”
—Midwest Book Review
“A delightful new cozy that’s a flavorful, spirited concoction infused with mystery and suspense that will keep you guessing until the bitter end.”
—Lee Hollis, bestselling author of the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails mysteries
“A Dash of Death is a winning mixture of bitters and sweet with a satisfying mystery and a protagonist you'll toast to!”
—Kate Lansing, award-winning author of the Colorado Wine mysteries
"With a cast of lively characters, this clever, page-turning mystery, set in historic Houston, is as enticing and nuanced as the delicious cocktails Hillen-Klump’s heroine mixes for both business and pleasure."
—Darci Hannah, author of Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop
“A smart, satisfying read with a dash of cool cocktails! . . . It’s a well-plotted, well-written mystery, and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.”
—Tara Lush, author of Grounds for Murder
“A toast to A Dash of Death, a sparkling cocktail of murder and mystery that will captivate cozy mystery lovers . . . and sets the stage for what promises to be a great new series!”
—Amy Pershing, author of the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries
“An intriguing opening to a spirited new series, A Dash of Death is just the right mix of bitters and sweet, flavorful characters and a well-crafted mystery that will keep you turning pages well into the night.”
—Lena Gregory, author of the All-Day Breakfast Cafe mysteries
Kirkus Reviews
2022-12-24
A woman who barely escaped her first foray into murder with her life comes back for more.
Samantha Warren, who gave up journalism for catering with a specialty in cocktails, is busy whipping up Fourth of July libations at a local festival in Highlands, Texas. In the middle of the festivities, organizer Patty Davis, best friend of Samantha’s mother, has an altercation with Angela Clawson, an accomplished fundraiser. A disagreement over a deal to use property belonging to Highlands’ German Lodge—a century-old club “dedicated to preserving the rich German Texas heritage in the region”—to create a tennis center comes to blows. When Angela is found dead, Patty is the first to be suspected. Samantha’s natural desire to help prove her mother’s friend innocent involves her with Patty’s son, Martin. The childhood friends had a falling-out in college and haven’t spoken since. Samantha is loath to tell her boyfriend about the murder since David, a lawyer who helped her when she was in trouble, wants her to keep her nose clean. Luckily for Samantha’s search for other suspects, the imperious Angela raised a lot of money and made a lot of enemies. She was furious with her son and daughter-in-law and threatened to cut them out of her will in favor of her daughter, Christina. When Samantha and her partner, Beth, are asked to cater the funeral meal, she seizes the chance to ask questions and overhear choice tidbits. The occasion also puts her in danger from the killer.
Plenty of feuds, food, and drink offer plenty of opportunities for investigations and recipes.
