I so enjoy visiting Seattle’s Pike Place Market vicariously through the Spice Shop Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz! The smells and tastes of this landmark is a food lovers’ dream and I was delighted to have the chance to read KILLING THYME, Leslie’s newest release in this series. The author knows how to flavor her book with a mesmerizing plot and interesting characters, making me want seconds!
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Synopsis
Pepper Reese is owner of the Seattle Spice Shop and has her hands full with her mother visiting from Costa Rica. She’s also preparing for a party hosted by her childhood friend, Kristen, at the community house they both grew up in with their hippie-activist parents. While browsing through the daystallers with her mother, Lena, they come across beautiful pottery by the newcomer, Bonnie Clay. Pepper is stunned that her mother knows the potter under the name Peggy, and believed her to be dead for numerous years. Pepper gets the feeling that her mother and Peggy/Bonnie have issues but her mother won’t confide. Several witnesses see the two women in a very loud argument and when Peggy/Bonnie turns up dead, Lena becomes a suspect.
Pepper can’t help but ask questions, digging into Peggy/Bonnie’s past and piecing together why she disappeared when Pepper was just a young child. But will she find clues to exonerate her mother or will the past tear her family and friendships apart?
My Review
Starting out at the beginning of the book is a handy list of the characters involved in the story. I liked the convenience of having it there, especially since I had to put the book down for several days while I drove to Oregon to see my sister. (Let me tell you, it was very difficult putting the book down too!) Quickly rereading the list of characters immediately brought me right back to the story. I think it is also very helpful for those who haven’t started reading with the very first book in the series. While this is the third book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone.
Leslie has created some very strong characters and I enjoyed seeing how Pepper Reece has grown and developed from the first book. Her supporting cast of characters are personable and her mother, Lena Reese, adds a depth to the story and to Pepper’s personal life. I love when plots can combine old crimes with present day crimes and KILLING THYME effortlessly does that. It’s like getting two mysteries in one. She also provides some fun facts such as it takes eight years from start to finish to create vanilla, which is part of the orchid family…I love learning as I read!
Of course a Spice Shop book series must have recipes and the author generously provides several delicious ones! I made her lovely Lemon Thyme Cookies. These delicately scented shortbread style cookies melt in your mouth providing a refreshing taste for a simple dessert. I love the author’s recommendation to serve with lemon sorbet, which is the perfect pairing. Thank you, Leslie, for allowing me to share your delectable recipe!
I am pleased to offer the winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of KILLING THYME. Print limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Monday, October 3, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or lemon thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- Coarse white or granulated sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
- Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.
- Add 1/4 cup white sugar and mix until combined.
- Add thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cardamom, scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary to get all ingredients combined.
- Gradually stir in the flour and mix.
- Form the dough into a ball.
- To make it easier to work with, divide dough into 3 equal portions.
- Roll each out on a floured surface into a 6-by-4-1/2 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut into 1-1/2 inch squares with a knife or a serrated pastry wheel.
- Sprinkle with coarse or granulated sugar.
- Place squares on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until edges and bottom are golden.
- Cool on a wire rack.
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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
I prefer a print copy. Thank you!
I’d love a print please, thank you for the recipe I will have to make this,
Penney
I love anything made with lemon! Thank you for posting this.
I prefer a print copy.
This recipe looks so good! And the book sounds even better! I love the feeling of real books, the way they feel in my hands, the sound of the turning of the pages…even the smell of the paper! I just can’t get used to e books. Am I the only?
I prefer a ebooks. Thanks for the chance!
I love the recipes.
I prefer a print copy. 🙂
These cookies sound Divine & I like the post 🙂
Print is the thing for me!
Cheers-
Kelly Braun
I love hard copy of books. I don’t own a kindle. Thanks for the chance!
I would prefer a print copy. Those cookies sound really yummy!
I prefer print but will take either.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Prefer hardcopy. Lovely post. Book looks really interesting. So does the cookie recipe. Love thyme. The smell is really great. Got a plant in a couple of rooms. My cat likes it too. Have to move it every so often, trying to keep it out of her reach.
I would love a print copy.
I have been looking forward to reading this book and love that you mentioned change. Development and growth in the characters of a series is the hallmark of a great series. Thank you for the cookie recipe, cinnamon and lemon are two of my favorite flavors! And thank you for the chance to win an ebook copy of Killing Thyme!
I generally prefer a print copy, but I also read ebooks
I would love to have a print book! Thank you!
Sounds like great cozy mystery.
I’d love a print copy if I won. I enjoy this series as I’ve had the Market on my bucket list but this is as close as I’ll get it seems. Must share this recipe with my DIL, we like spice in lots of things.
The cookies sound tasty and fancy!
I love shortbread cookies, and the with lemon and thyme, they sound absolutely divine! Ebook or print copy is fine with me!
I prefer print copies.
I don’t mind reading on my Kindle, but I “lose” books too often (have too many on there & then can’t find the one I want). Besidestopped, I really like seeing the cover – and that isn’t as easy or fulfilling on the kindle.
Looking forward to the story; may just have to have some of these cookies to eat as I read it.
I love your blog and try to look at it everyday. I prefer print. Thank you fir the review. It makes me want to read the book. the story
I would prefer a print copy of the book. I love to share books with others and not everyone was a kindle. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I am definitely trying the recipe because anything with lemon has to be good.
I would prefer a print copy of the book since I like to use them sometimes in displays with my bears or holiday arrangements. E-books are good to since I have a Kindle Fire. Thanks for the information on your blog and also for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. The recipe for your cookies also sound scrumptious.
I prefer a print book. Can’t wait to read “Killing Thyme”. Cookies look amazing!
I prefer print please.
I bet those are great with tea, they look delicious! I would prefer a print copy if I win! Thanks so much!
I would love a print copy of Killing Thyme. Thank you for the chance.
PRINT…I love e-books having downloaded almost 800 books that I would never be able to store, but my iPad gets warm and sometimes needs its ‘downtime.’ A print version is a different user-friendly. And the recipe? I love partnering lemon with herbs.
I just started reading Assault and Pepper this week and I love it! It’s supposed to be rainy all weekend so I’m hoping to finish it and move on to Guilty as Cinnamon too! Eeeekkk! The anticipation!
Print copy!
I am old school, I love print books! 🙂
I prefer to read ebooks, however I collect autographed print books. If I win one or buy one I don’t have the ebook to match I always buy the ebook to read. ?
I would prefer a print copy. I’m still kickin’ it old school! 😀
I perfer a print copy. Thank you so much for the chance to win. The cookies look great, and I am so looking foward to the release of Killing Thyme!!!
I will have to try these. I’d prefer a print copy.
I like print copies as on my Kindle I sometimes lose track of my books …Thank you.
Those cookies sound yummy! I love any desserts with lemon. I’d love an ebook! I’m catching up on the series right now with audiobooks!
Thanks for sharing the cookie recipe… they look yummy! I’m really looking forward to reading Killing Thyme, and I’d love it in either format, but would prefer ebook. Thanks for a great giveaway!
I prefer print books!
Kim, you know I love lemon ANYTHING! I’ll give this recipe a try…bet I’ll like it! Thanks for another grand review too. If I were so lucky to win, I’d choose a print copy please.
Love these recipes!
(would prefer a print copy )
I prefer the print copy cannot wait to try the cookie recipe!
I love to hold a real book, I like print copies, thanks for the giveaway!
I love Lemon and also thyme so these cookies ought to be right up my alley. Thank you for the contest. I prefer an ebook but read both. Please enter me.
Marilyn [email protected]
I am disabled so print is all i can do and i would love to read and review on a few sites! Sounds so good [email protected]
Print copy
I love this series!!!!!!!! Murder and food!!!!!! Print book please!!!!!
[email protected]
I prefer a print copy! Thanks.
I love print books, but often read ebooks, too.
I’m intrigued by the idea of using thyme in a sweet, rather than a savory.
I prefer a print copy. Thank you!
Ebook preference.
I still prefer print books.
Oh, my, Kim! Not only do you make my recipes LOOK fantastic, you say such wonderful things about both the recipes and the book. It officially launches tomorrow, and I’ll tell you, I’m GLOWING with thanks for your comments, and for spreading the word about my dear little book!
It’s my pleasure having the chance to help share your book launch and your delectable recipe! Thanks so much for including me!
print. thanks for the chance.
Great review! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the book and the yummy recipe too!
Forgot to mention that I would love a print copy of the book if I win. 🙂
These cookies look wonderful. Will have to try them. I would like a print copy if my name is selected
I prefer an e-book. Thanks for a chance to win! I love your Airedale. My girl passed to the Rainbow Bridge recently, and seeing him on the cover makes me smile. 🙂
I’d prefer a print copy please. Lemon, Thyme and shortbread? what’s not to love about this recipe. Thanks for the review and the chance to win!
I love mysteries with recipes. Either print or Ebooks would be great. Thanks for the opportunity.