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SECRET IN THYME is the second book in the Rita Calabrese Mystery series by Maureen Klovers but the first I’ve had a chance to read… and it certainly won’t be my last. I was delighted to find that the characters and setting were easy to get to know without knowing the backstory, so this second book can be read as a standalone. Ms. Klovers brings a strong Italian matriarchal protagonist to the pages via Rita Calabrese. I can’t help but cheer that a competent, vibrant woman of a “certain age” is the heroine of the story. Rita has raised her children, grows an enviable garden, is a cook extraordinaire, and manages to work as an investigative reporter for the Morris County Gazette. Even local law enforcement admire her intellect and investigative skills.
I also admired how the author captures the ebb and flow of Rita’s forty year marriage to Sal. It’s not all champagne and roses especially when Rita’s former flame comes to town, flouting his huge success as a notable historian and author. It causes Rita and Sal to take stock of their lives and their marriage to remember and find what’s important. This brings an emotional element to the story, especially as Rita struggles with her son’s impending nuptials to a woman she doesn’t care for. Ms. Klovers has created memorable characters, each with distinct personalities, and each fitting into the story perfectly. She also weaves in snippets of Italian phrases, helping the reader feel the flavor of that nationality. The author does an admirable job of making the meaning of those phrases quite clear without giving a literal translation.
The murder mystery is set against the backdrop of Acorn Hollow’s three hundred year founding celebration. When the body of a man missing for fifty years is found in the town’s time capsule (which was actually a coffin that the funeral home couldn’t sell) Rita starts asking questions, looking for news to impress her young newspaper editor. Little does she know that she will have to peel back decades of secrets and lies to find the truth. There were suspects galore and instead of trying to guess, I relaxed while I read and let the story unfold. The twists and turns along with the final reveal left me stunned. All I can say is kudos to Ms. Klovers for thinking up such a creative scenario and writing it in such a believable manner. I’m all set to catch up on the first book and look forward to reading future installments in this entertaining cozy mystery series!
Rita is quite the accomplished cook and baker. Not only does she provide mouthwatering meals for her family, she also bakes treats to tempt her interviewees to spill their secrets. One of her favorite tempting recipes is Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti and although Rita might share a lot with her friends, she also manages to eat several pieces herself. It’s too good to pass up. A super crunchy, twice baked cookie that is made to dip in coffee, tea, milk, or dessert wine. The addition of the layer of chocolate makes it impossible to resist. I loved that it makes enough to generously share and it can easily be made ahead of time and stored until ready to gift or served to friends who drop in for coffee and gossip.
Amazon Synopsis
Rita Calabrese thought she had mastered her second act. Long acknowledged as Acorn Hollow’s best cook and most lovable (or, as a few ignorant souls might say say, overbearing) Italian-American matriarch, she has more recently become its most celebrated journalist and sleuth too.
But on the eve of Rita’s fortieth wedding anniversary—and the town’s tercentenary—the sudden arrival of two very different men threatens Rita’s comfortable existence. First, her husband’s shady cousin shows up on their doorstep. Then, Rita’s old high school beau suddenly returns after a fifty-year absence, and Rita is assigned to interview him. Stefano’s a successful historian now and he’s still bellissimo—but he’s also hiding something.
When the town’s time capsule is flung open to reveal a toothless skeleton, Rita hopes that solving this cold case will be just the diversion she needs. But if identifying the victim proves difficult, managing the men in her life becomes nearly impossible. A cagey ex-flame and boorish, cigar-smoking houseguest are enough to deal with, but it’s another thing entirely when her husband, normally so skeptical of Rita’s nose for crime, begins insisting his recently deceased grappa-swilling, red-meat-loving septuagenarian friends did not die of heart attacks, but were murdered. Only one thing’s certain—if she can survive it, this will be an anniversary to remember.
A special thanks to Maureen Klovers for providing a winner with their choice of either print or an e-book copy of A SECRET IN THYME. Contest ends Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and print is limited to U.S. 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!)
Biscotti was the Roman Empire’s version of hard tack—its legions marched to battle with bellies full of biscotti—which is proof positive that Italians do everything better! In modern-day Italy, they are generally referred to as “cantucci”— “biscotti” is a broader, more generic term for a hard cookie or bread.
As the name suggests, biscotti are twice-cooked (“Bis” meant “twice” in latin, and “cotto”—the singular of “cotti”—means “cooked” in modern Italian), and this recipe requires you to do just that. The upside is that you end up with a wonderfully crunchy cookie to dip in your cappuccino or dessert wine, and they will last far longer than your typical chewy American cookie.
Peanut butter and chocolate are not particularly authentic flavorings, but this is one of my favorite recipes and--judging by all of the information I’ve extracted from neighbors I’ve plied with these biscotti—one of Acorn Hollow’s favorite recipes too!
- 2-3/4 cups flour
- 1-3/4 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 cups dark chocolate chips, divided
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Combine eggs, peanut butter, and water in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients, stirring to fully incorporate. Then stir in one cup of chocolate chips.
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Line cookie sheet with buttered parchment paper. Divide dough, which should be sticky and relatively dry for cookie dough, into two halves. Form each half into a log, approximately three inches in width and one-half inch in height, on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with back of spoon.
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Bake logs at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Then remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes. Turn down oven temperature to 300 degrees. Slice logs on the bias (diagonally) into 3/4 inch thick slices. Then arrange slices, cut side up, on the cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip sliced biscotti so that the other side gets toasted and bake another 10 minutes at 300 degrees.
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Let biscotti cool on a wire rack. Once biscotti have cooled somewhat, melt 3 cups of chocolate chips in a double boiler (or microwave according to package directions), stirring constantly. Then dredge one side of each biscotti in the melted chocolate (or drizzle over twice-baked cookie) and return to the wire rack to dry. Let harden overnight.
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Spritz your hands with non-stick cooking spray before forming dough into logs.
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I used mini chocolate chips in the dough and regular chips for dipping.
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I like reading a print copy of a book.
I love a print book, but my hands don’t get along with holding them too well anymore. Mostly I opt for ebooks.
Thank you for your review on “SECRET IN THYME” by Maureen Klovers. Sounds like a fabulous book and one that I would greatly enjoy having the opportunity to read. This is a new to me author, but one that I would love to get to know better starting with this book.
The recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing! I’m going to have to try this one.
If I were the fortunate one selected, I would love a print copy.
Thank-you for the review. Sounds interesting. This is a new to me author, also. Thanks for the facts on biscotti & the recipe.
I you should select my name, I would prefer a printed copy but would be happy with either.
I really like them both. I have been reading a lot of print books lately, but I like e-books just as well.
All I have to say is yum.
I prefer e-books.
I read only print.so would love this book…looks like another interesting book that will be difficult to put down
To be quite honest I always prefer the dead tree option when reading. I had a tablet once, I fell asleep in a chair it fell and died. Books don’t die when they fall, maybe the get a little bent but they don’t die.
Yum! I would love a print copy. I love the idea of a body being found in a time capsule.
I like print books, especially when it has a pretty cover with a dog on it.
Ebook copies are easier for me to read at night. The recipe for Biscotti is a must try. Thanks for the chance!
Wonderful cover’s! And this recipe sounds devine! Thank you!
I like print books much better! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of A Secret In Thyme.
I would love to win a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
I love the biscotti recipe — I have really been craving some lately! An e-book is fine with me ~
I like print copies of books — especially the cozy mystery books. There’s just something about holding an actual book that increases my enjoyment of the story. And besides, it’s always available when I want to read — not like my kindle that isn’t charged and ready.
I like a print copy. Love the cover on the book.
i would love to win an ebook copy as I have arthritis in my hands and it is hard to hold a print book. That and my aging eyes. Thank you.
I love print books. I also have a Kindle but love a print book when I’m trying to leave a review for the author. It’s nice to be able to make a notation to include.
I prefer a print book. I love how they feel in my hands.
I prefer a print copy.
I’d prefer a print book.
Chocolate anything yum…and thank you for the contest and for offering a choice. I would love an ebook.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com and that is my ebook address also…
I prefer a print book but I already have a copy but I did want to say here how much I’m enjoying this story. I’m a bit slower at reading right now due to another eye surgery and a very serious illness but I’m doing a bit better and starting back with reading again. I prefer books on CD or MP3 to be honest but many books are not available in those formats so a print book is my choice of the two mentioned!
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance.
I love a print book! Always enjoy your blogs and recipes.
I prefer print always. The recipe sounds and looks delicious. The book sounds interesting and fun to read.
I would love a print copy of this book.
I prefer a print copy.
Great cover!
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
That recipe is making me drool – sounds delicious. If I am lucky enough to win, I would need a print book please. Thank you for the contest.
I prefer ebooks, but I never turn down a physical book!
I’d love a print copy.
I like print books!
I’m always looking for a good new series esp mystery! I prefer print books. Nothing like holding a good print book in your hands.
I love the cover on this book, and I am old school… I still prefer print books!
For vision reasons I prefer print. Thanks!
peanut butter and chocolate with a biscotti crunch! Perfect.
I prefer to read e-books but I collect print books
When not traveling I prefer reading paper and ink books but if I have to travel somewhere My preference is to read ebooks.
I would prefer a print copy please.
At the moment I prefer ebooks because they’re more convenient to carry around, but there is still nothing like an actual book and turning pages.
I prefer a print copy, please.
I would love a print copy please.
I prefer ebooks
“Do you prefer print or an e-book copy?” I would choose a print copy!
I prefer a print copy
I like both but prefer reading e books because they don’t take up as much room and are not too heavy for me to hold. Thanks for the chance
Tighefan42 atgmaildotcom
I’d love to have a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
Thank you for a chance to win! I like both e book or print book
I would prefer print please! The biscotti has everything that is delicious in it!
Print, definitely. Thank you for a chance to win!
I prefer print.
I prefer e books but I will never turn down a book in any form
I prefer ebooks as I don’t have room for more print ones