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NACHO AVERAGE MURDER, the seventh book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day, is a delightful visit to Santa Barbara, California! I was especially thrilled when I found out that the protagonist, Robbie Jordan, was making a trip from her Indiana residence back to her hometown. I grew up in the area and it was obvious that Ms. Day researched it thoroughly. She accurately captures the sights, sounds, flavors, and smells of the location, from the beaches to the mission grounds, to the restaurants and Latin-inspired food, to the quaint shops and the historical culture. I enjoyed how she infuses her story with our Southern California Latino heritage via the dishes Robbie ate and the Spanish phrases we use frequently, no matter our ethnic background. It added to the authenticity of the locale.
Robbie’s visit is instigated by her tenth high school class reunion, where the mean girls are still the mean girls. I liked that Robbie feels like she’s moved beyond the self-doubt they inflicted on her in high school and how she reaches out to try to connect. It shows an insight into Robbie and the growth of her character over the years. While in town, she finds some disturbing information that perhaps her mother’s untimely death might have really been a murder connected to her involvement with local environmental activism. It becomes even more suspicious when her mother’s friend dies in the same manner.
Ms. Day weaves an intriguing mystery that involves a possible cold case and questionable environmental agriculture practices. Robbie treads carefully as she begins to ask questions to find out what really happened to her mother and friend since her usual posse of friends and law enforcement isn’t there to back her up. I did feel that Robbie took a few too many chances walking in deserted areas on her own but the author’s tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of her foolhardiness brought some humor to the scenes. As the story develops it becomes clear that people are hiding secrets and as a result, there are lots of suspects to keep the reader guessing. Plenty of clues are sprinkled throughout and I fell for the misdirection thrown in several times. But as the reveal unfolds it all begins to tie together into a cohesive, entertaining read!
While Robbie may not be doing the cooking in this newest installment, she does partake of some amazing meals while in Santa Barbara. Always on the lookout for new recipes to add to her menu at Pans ‘N Pancakes in Indiana, she makes notes of the dishes and takes pictures. Ms. Day shares those recipes with a Southern California flair, at the back of the book. It’s not unusual to have orange trees dotting the backyards in most neighborhoods, so I was drawn to the recipe for Orange Scones. These flaky pastries are easy to mix up and the sweet, orange glaze boosts the wow factor. Scrumptious on their own, a smear of orange marmalade would make them even more delectable!
Amazon Synopsis
Robbie Jordan is temporarily leaving Pans ’N Pancakes, her country store in South Lick, Indiana, to visit Santa Barbara, California—where wildfire smoke tinges the air, but a more immediate danger may lie in wait . . .
While looking forward to her high school reunion back in California, Robbie’s anticipation is complicated by memories of her mother’s untimely death. At first, she has fun hanging out with her old classmates and reuniting with the local flavors—avocados, citrus, fish, and spicy Cali-Mex dishes. But then she gets wind of rumors that her mother, an environmental activist, may not have died of natural causes. With the help of friends, Robbie starts clearing the smoke surrounding the mystery—but what she finds could make it hard to get back to Indiana alive . . .
A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of NACHO AVERAGE MURDER! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Zest of one large orange
- 2 cups unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, frozen
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- 1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (from the orange you just zested)
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F) and set oven rack to the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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In a medium-sized bowl, gently toss flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
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In a separate small bowl, whisk sour cream and egg until completely smooth. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, stir sugar and orange zest together until sugar is moistened and zest is evenly distributed. Pour in flour mixture and toss to combine.
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Grate frozen butter into mixture using a medium grater. Using your hands, work in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Gently stir in sour cream mixture until just about combined. Do not overwork the dough.
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Very gently press the dough against the sides of the bowl a few times and form a ball. The dough will be sticky at first but will come together as you form it.
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Place dough on a lightly floured surface and gently pat into an 8-inch circle about 3/4-inch thick. Use a very sharp knife to cut into eight triangles (like a pizza). transfer triangles onto prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between.
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Bake scones for 15 - 17 minutes or until the tops begin to turn golden. Don't take them out too early or they will be too soft. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
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While the scones bake, prepare the glaze. Melt butter in a glass dish in the microwave for 30 seconds. Whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange juice until smooth.
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Once completely cooled, drizzle the glaze on the scone tops and sides with a spoon.
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I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nope never have.
YUMMY!
Good morning!
Nacho Average Murder sounds really good! Never had a orange scone. Looks delicious!!!!
I have never gone to a class reunion because I wouldn’t enjoy the alcohol infused atmosphere. I read recently about a class reunion that was a picnic at a local state park. Now that would appeal to me!
Good morning. Recipe sounds good. Never tried them
I went to one a long time ago and didn’t enjoy it. None of the people I had known well were there. So pretty boring.
I went to one class reunion and was bored out of my mind. I like the combined year reunions because I graduated a year early and didn’t know very many people in my class.
We’ve had a couple class reunions but I’ve never been. Maybe someday. At this point I’m not interested. The few people I hung out with I still talk to anyway, and I’m not yet married with kids like most of them so I don’t think I’d have much to talk about.
No. i haven’t participated in class reunions. Traveled too much. Rarely spent more than half a year in any one school. Book looks like a wonderful read. Looking forward to it. Congrats on a new release.
I have never been to a class reunion.
I have never been to class reunion.
I have never been to a class reunion.
I haven’t attended one yet.
I like class reunions. My 50th was two years ago.
Never had orange scones. A friend made blueberry scones for my birthday, they were very good. Love this book series.
These look delicious!
Usually I don’t because every year my school holds a cocktail party for all graduates. Reunion parties are usually held after the cocktail but I generally stay and work rather than going to the party. I did, however, attend my 50th in 2018!
I haven never been to a class reunion. Thanks for the chance. It sounds like a cute mystery. I like the cover.
Yes. I think it is fun to catch up in real life instead of just online.
I have not been to a class reunion. I have gained weight since high school and am embarrassed. Thanks for the chance to win! Love the cover- so cute! And the recipe…I love scones and the orange sounds refreshing!
I have never went to a class reunion .. Never was interested in going. Thank you for the chance to win a Print copy of Nacho Average Murder,
I went to my tenth and twentieth class reunions. The tenth was great. The twentieth, not so much. Thank you for the yummy recipe and the chance to win!
I went to my 10 year class reunion and went with my husband to several of his.
I went to my 10th year class reunion but never bothered to go after that.
I went to my 10th year high school class reunion.
no i have not and i can’t say that i have any desire to.
Haven’t gone to any high school reunions, but have been to several college ones.
Much stronger connection with my college classmates.
I haven’t attended any class reunions probably because I live in a different state.
I have never been to a class reunion.
Scones are my favorite food!!!!
Of course I’ve had Orange Scones… They are a delightfully citrus tasting treat.
I have never been to a class reunion, but have been to several family reunions.
unfortunately i’ve missed all mine, but hope to go to my 35th in 3 years
We only had a class reunion for our 10 year which was 30 years ago. I did attend a class reunion for the grade above me last October. They invited our class.
I never went to my class reunions. Don’t feel like I belong to that group anymore. Love citrusy desserts!
I do not go to class reunions. I never really had any friends in high school and have no desire to ever see those people again.
I went to my 10-year and 20-year HS reunions, and loved them. I didn’t get to go to my 30th, because I had a surgery complication and wasn’t healed enough to go—I was so disappointed. Then my 40th was going to involve a long and very expensive flight, at inconvenient times for takeoff and landing, both directions, and I just was dreading it so much physically (I have MS.) Between the flight time/length and the money, I decided not to try to go. I was sad, but felt at peace with the decision.
I have never personally gone to one of my reunions. I moved out of state and my husband and I both had our high school reunions scheduled for the same night. He went to his reunion and I stayed home with our son who was sick. My husband enjoyed his reunion and our son felt better the next day. It was a win win situation!
I was already looking forward to Nacho Average Murder. Now, I’m also looking forward to making scones for the first time.
I went to my 10 year reunion picnic and dance. The picnic was great, most of our class was there— the dance was not so great. I would not go to another.
I went to two high school reunions, when I was in school I was quiet and shy and didn’t date at all. The girls I went to school clickish and when I went to the reunions they were the same way just an older version. Thanks for this amazing giveaway.
I was at my 10th (2 weeks before our wedding) & my 25th…our 50th was scheduled for October 2020 but is on hold at this point as all of us are at the “at risk” age & most of us have some other risk factors…looks like it will be held in 2021…
I almost went to one, but plans didn’t work out. Thank you for the recipe, and this chance!
I want! — the scones and the book. I can hardly wait, and I do want Robbie to BE CAREFUL! <3
I have been to one. Probably won’t attend another. Thanks for the recipe, those scones sound delicious!
My 50th High School Class Reunion was last year. I went and had a great time. I’ve also attended several other class reunions.
I love scones. I have tried many favors and I think orange was one of them.
I’m not a fan of many citrus things, but I always give something new a try! I like school reunions! We had a 50th all-school reunion since my high school was built, and it was great to see so many faces! My parents both taught there and many former students shared great memories of having them as teachers! Heidi
No, never participated in a class reunion. Thank you for the Ornage Scone recipe! Yum! 😀
I have only been to my 10 year!
I went to my 25th HS reunion. It was so interesting to see how people changed over all those years!
Yum
No, I’ve not gone to any of my class reunions. I doubt I ever will either. Yum on the Orange Scone recipe!!
I have gone to a few. I liked the 50th best.
I have gone to one. Can’t wait to try these scones.
I have never had one
I went to one class reunion and probably won’t go again.
I’ve been to three. Our 10th year , our 40th year and our 50th year. We were away for the 25th. With a small class to begin with it was a much smaller 50th due to quite a few who had passed on or couldn’t get there! Kind of bitter sweet!
I went to my 5th class reunion and in 5 years I hope to attend my 50th.