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MURDER IS NO PICNIC, the third book in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series by Amy Pershing, is a delicious read with fun, engaging characters! I’m always excited when I start a book and discover it has a holiday theme. In this newest release, the 4th of July is just around the corner and protagonist Samantha (Sam) Barnes is ready to delve into finding the perfect food to celebrate. As a Cape Cod food reporter, i.e. the Cape Cod Foodie, I greatly enjoyed how the author weaves Sam’s hunt for the very best blueberry buckle in the world with the murder of the woman who makes it. Except, authorities are calling it a tragic accident, but Sam is pretty certain there was foul play involved. As the pot is stirred to find suspects and the plot thickens as secrets are revealed, the police pounce on Sam’s boyfriend’s cousin. In an effort to prove his innocence, Sam steps up her investigation with the help of her close friends. Ms. Pershing writes a well-paced mystery and for those with sharp instincts, the clues will help you suss out the killer… or at least make you suspicious. I also loved how Sam and Detective Vivian Peters—Vivvie to her friends—have developed more of a friendship, as they bond over Sam giving the detective sailing lessons… which just might come in handy in the investigation.
In cozy mysteries, the mystery goes hand-in-hand with both characters and the setting, and Ms. Pershing has those in spades! With witty dialog and humor to lighten the scenes, Sam and her friends have great chemistry. Their get-togethers to talk over clues and suspects always include plenty of mouthwatering food. And, as in previous books, her adorable, goofy dog, Dioge, steals each and every scene. And who can resist the charm of Cape Cod? From the beaches, to the open water, to the dunes, to the weathered houses, the strong descriptions make it all come to life, making me want to visit, and since that’s not possible at the moment, makes me yearn for the next book in the series!
As the Cape Cod Foodie, Sam’s life revolves around food, all for the betterment of readers. Be prepared to be hungry as you read! Thankfully, the author includes several recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try. And, of course, there’s a recipe for Darn Fine Blueberry Buckle, which lives up to its name! I wasn’t familiar with “Buckle” but according to Ms. Pershing, the term comes from the way the streusel topping buckles when you cook it. My taste testers loved the thick, crunchy streusel topping, which enhances the sweet vanilla cake studded with fresh blueberries. With a dollop of freshly whipped cream, this really is darn fine!
Amazon Synopsis
The Fourth of July is coming, and for professional food lover Samantha Barnes, it’s all about the picnic. Okay, and the fireworks. And the parade. But mostly the picnic. What could be better than a DIY clambake followed by the best blueberry buckle in the world? Sam has finally found the perfect recipe in the kitchen of Clara Foster, famed cookbook author and retired restaurateur, and she’s thrilled when Clara agrees to a buckle baking lesson.
But when Clara dies in a house fire blamed on carelessness in the kitchen, Sam doesn’t believe it. Unfortunately, her doubts set in motion an investigation pointing to the new owner of Clara’s legendary restaurant—and a cousin of Sam’s harbormaster boyfriend. So, in between researching the Cape’s best lobster rolls and planning her clambake, Sam needs to find Clara’s killer before the fireworks really start….
A special thanks to Amy Pershing for providing a print copy of MURDER IS NO PICNIC. Contest ends July 10, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Far be it from me to claim this is the world's best blueberry buckle, but it's pretty darn fine! If you can find huckleberries, that's great, but regular blueberries are fantastic in this recipe. A couple of tips: Squeeze the streusel before breaking it up in clumps for the topping. Also, tossing the blueberries with a bit of flour before folding them into the batter will keep them from clumping. And finally, placing your cake pan on a small baking sheet can help keep the bottom of the cake from overbrowning.
Serves 8
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into 8 pieces and softened
- Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 10 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 pint (about 2 - 2-1/2 cups) fresh blueberries
- Whipped cream to serve alongside
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Using a mixer at low speed, beat the flour, both sugars, cinnamon, and salt (if using) to combine and break up any brown sugar lumps.
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Still on low, add the softened butter and beat for 2 - 3 minutes until the mixture looks like wet sand.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan.
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In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder together.
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In another larger and heavier bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, and salt (if using) at medium speed until light and fluffy, abut 3 -4 minutes.
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Add the vanilla and the egg, beating well.
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With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk.
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Toss the blueberries in a separate bowl with 1 - 2 tablespoons of flour and then fold them gently into the batter with a spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and use the spatula to spread it into an even layer.
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Top with the streusel: Take a handful of the streusel and squeeze it into a clump. Break the clump into smaller pieces and sprinkle them over the batter. Keep this up until you've used all of your streusel.
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Bake the cake for about 40 - 45 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
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Transfer the cake pan to a wire rack to cool for about 15 - 20 minutes.
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Run a thin knife around the edge of the cake, top it with a plate, and gently invert the cake onto the plate, streusel side down. Using another plate, invert the cake again, so that it is streusel side up. (This is easier than it sounds.)
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Serve in wedges with whipped cream on the side (optional, but, really, who doesn't want that option?). Ta da!
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s too darn hot to picnic here in SW FL. I took a dip in the pool in the morning before it got too hot and while the shade was on that side of the house. We picnic in the winter months here.
Blueberry buckle might make a great (and unusual) Thanksgiving dessert!
Depends on the year! This year we grilled at home!
We went to my brother’s house on the Cape and grilled with lots of family and friends!
It’s to hot to picnic but I love blueberry buckle.
It makes a lovely midnight snack, too, Tina!
We had a cookout. Hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, pasta salad, baked beans and corn on the cob. We had S’mores for dessert.
S’mores!!!! I love s’mores!!!
Most years we have a family gathering at a park and everyone brings something to contribute. Things got squirrely during the pandemic and this year it got cancelled as two of the people are suffering with Covid. The recipe sounds great! Thank you.
madamhawk at gmail dot com
I’m so sorry that Covid cancelled your plans, Catherine. We missed our cousin David this year for the same reason.
Most years the extended family meets at a local park to grill and picnic. This year we did not due to Covid.
The recipe sounds yummy and I have fresh blueberries in my freezer. Thank you for the chance to win.
madamhawk at gmail dot com
Another picnic cancelled because of Covid. It sure has been a long three years…
Depends on what the weather is outside.
Yes, Mother Nature tends to have the final say!
I had picnic foods in the house with my family. It was way too hot here in PA. for sitting outdoors. I LOVE blueberries! That buckle looks delicious! Love the book cover!
We ate cookout foods for the 4th of July but we did not picnic.
Used to but not now. We ordered pizza and watched fireworks this year.
I don’t think i have ever had a picnic for the 4th though depending on the weather might grill.
We eat inside in the air conditioning. But we did have brats.
No picnic here.
No picnicking in Texas right now! Eating inside to stay cool!!
Hi, it has been a while since we went on a picnic for the 4th of July, now we usually just eat indoors , my husband or our son in law BBQ outside. Thank you for the chance. Have a Great week.
Nothing this year. Covid is still active here
No we don’t picnic. Too darn hot and humid!
If its a great day I would definitely picnic. Thanks.
I’ve never gone on a picnic for the 4th of July. Usually too hot and humid!
We bbq and eat inside.
Sounds delicious 😋.
We used to have family picnics but have become estranged so our picnic is smaller but we still enjoy burgers,hot dogs and potato salad with other sides just smaller.
No we don’t picnic….too hot. We start BBQ about 4pm when it starts cooling down. Than we hang out on our deck until the fireworks start.
No picnic this year.
No, We didn’t go on a picnic this year
No, it’s not a holiday I celebrate.
We grilled out, ate inside during the rain and went back outside after the rain stopped.
Barbeque and cookouts!
I don’t picnic, but I do cookout instead!
Sounds yummy and the book looks interesting, love the dog on the cover.
No picnicking here! This year in Aurora, Nebraska it was in the heat index of 105! In fact, in the early morning hours of Independence Day, we had a tornado touchdown not too far from our town. It was a bit hair raising to say the least lol.
Looks like a wonderful book!
Happy Fourth of July day after lol
I have before, but it’s too hot here in Florida for much picnicing.
no
We usually have a BBQ.
We usually have a barbeque.
We are more bbq people than picnic people. Too many bugs on the ground. I don’t mind reading about picnics though!
Yes, we had a family reunion. Picnic potluck style. The reunion has been going on now for over 100 years. It is always nice to see some family members that have not seen for a bit.
We don’t picnic for the 4th of July, or really any holiday. Even when hubby grills outdoors, we eat inside.
We used to. Now we grill out at home and play yard games before packing up and going to see the fireworks.
We don’t do picnics-it’s too hot here!
No. When I was a kid we watched fireworks, but I don’t even do that anymore.
No. It was too hot & humid.
We have gone to Stoney Creek and enjoy a picnic at the beach. The last time we did this a couple years ago, our day was cut short by nasty storms that came through.. it was pretty intense. Everyone running for cover and trying to exit the park. It was crazy!
Thank you for the chance.
Had a swim party on the 3rd. My daughter took me
out for lunch on the 4th. Never picniced on the
4th. Thanks for the recipe.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot0com
It was too hot to eat outdoors, but we did grill some burgers.
Hubby had to work, but we did end up at my son for a BBQ. Her did some fireworks at his place that kids enjoyed.
It was really hot but we went to my son’s house door a BBQ after my hubby got off work. Didn’t eat outside but he did set off some fireworks later for the kids.
Went to my sons and grilled and watched fireworks. Thanks.
I would love to picnic but have no one to picnic with. And yes some thing with blueberries in it would be so yummy on my picnic. Blueberries are one of my very favorite summer fruits.