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CORNED BEEF AND CAUSALTIES is another holiday novella in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. While I prefer full-length books, I do adore the Tourist Trap Mysteries and the ability to visit South Cove, California even if for a short read. And I’m always drawn to St. Patrick’s Day themed stories… especially since my maiden name is McMahan. Protagonist Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More is getting ready for the town’s first ever St. Patrick’s Day event. And what an event it turns out to be with perhaps just a little too much flowing green beer. Ms. Cahoon captures the festival’s shenanigans and celebratory spirit with fun descriptions and events.
When the sweet woman, who Jill felt a close connection to after their brief chance meeting, is found murdered on a deserted beach, she feels the need to get involved. I liked how the author has the townspeople come together to piece together the victim’s last hours on earth to help solve the mystery. Even though it is a novella, I felt the story contained all the necessary elements to make it a delightful read: good characters, a mystery to be solved, clues sprinkled around, and a satisfying conclusion.
Not only is Jill’s shop known for its coffee drinks but also for its sweet treats, especially cheesecakes. Jill’s friend, Sadie, who is the owner of Pies on the Fly, creates the desserts and comes up with a special cheesecake especially for St. Patrick’s Day. She names the cheesecake after the fun visitor who shows up at the end of the book… Gertie might be real or imagined or mystical… either way, the cheesecake inspired by her appearance embraces the epitome of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The creamy, slightly minty filling perfectly complements the chocolate crust and received high praise from my friends! While the spring green color is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, this is so yummy you’ll want to make it throughout the year.
Amazon Synopsis
South Cove, California, is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day—and there’s going to be a parade of suspects.
Jill Gardner’s store, Coffee, Books, and More, is raking in the green as her little coastal town holds a big festival for St. Patrick’s Day. But the locals aren’t exactly feeling the luck of the Irish, thanks to the rowdy behavior of some of the tourists who are pouring in.
Then a woman who just visited Jill’s shop is found dead near the shore. The fireworks display on the beach may have already happened, but the real fireworks have just begun . . .
A special thanks to Lynn Cahoon for providing a winner with an e-book copy of CORNED BEEF AND CASUALTIES. Contest ends Sunday, February 10, 2019 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!)
- 2 pre-made chocolate graham cracker crusts
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup green Crème de menthe liqueur
- Whipped Cream
- Shaved Chocolate
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees (F).
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Microwave chocolate on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring once halfway through microwaving, until melted. Set aside.
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Mix together cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
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Add eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Stir in liqueur.
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Pour filling evenly over crusts.
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Drop melted chocolate randomly onto filling. Let it sink, then with a knife, cut through chocolate and filling to swirl to marble.
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Bake 1 hour, 10 minutes until set. Turn oven off and open door slightly. Cool cheesecake in oven 1 hour.
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Remove from oven and cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Refrigerate 3 hours.
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Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate if desired, right before serving.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
No, I don’t have any St. Patrick’s Day traditions.
I don’t have any St. Patrick’s Day traditions other than wearing green, although some years I try to fix corned beef and the traditional veggies or at least a stew.
I have a green shamrock crocheted by a friend that I wear every year on St Patrick’s Day. I have some St Patrick’s decorations that I put in my windows.
rmmoss2 (at) gmail (dot) com
wearing green
No st Patrick’s tradition
Not a fan for mint, but I bet Irish Cream would work nicely.
My St. Patrick’s Day tradition is wearing green and making corned beef and cabbage for dinner. This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Not really — if I remember, I’ll try to wear something green ~
No, no traditions
No I don’t
Love this series. We don’t have any special St Patrick’s traditions
I always have a Reuben.
Nope no special traditions even though we’re part Irish. Only thing green I own is a 150th anniversary t-shirt of our church which is actually called St. Patrick’s (London Ohio) It’s usually too cold in March to wear a t-shirt though LOL
My only tradition is wearing green, but I love St. Patrick’s Day.
I usually wear green and, if possible, eat corned beef and cabbage.
No I don’t, the recipe looks delicious.d
No we don’t have any St. Patrick’s day traditions. Thank you for a chance to win an e-book copy of Corned beef man Casualties.
When my dad was alive we had several but not so much anymore.
We do not have any particular St. Patrick’s traditions. Hubby cooks corned beef any time of year, usually fairly often. And we neither one drink beer anyway. If we remember, we might make it a point to wear some green (and maybe yellow too).
I wear a lot of green on Saint Patrick Day
I usually wear green on St. Patrick’s Day and sometimes we’ll go out to eat at the local Irish pub.
Wear green, drink green beer and eat corned beef and cabbage.
Just the usual corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread. That recipe looks great.
I do not have any St Patrick’s Day traditions.
We have corned beef and cabbage, soda bread and Irish butter!
When my kids were little we would decorate but I don’t do it any more.
I make corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and drink Irish whiskey. We have Irish butter, cheese and bread too.
I put up a few decorations that I have and I have some Irish Hat earrings. My husband and I like to go out and get a cornbeef and cabbage dinner instead of fixing it myself as there are too many leftovers.
Just out to dinner..thank you for a chance…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
No special traditions, but I do tend to wear green if I have it. Past year or two I’ve scheduled a St Patrick’s dinner at a local restaurant for girlfriends. Maybe this is our new tradition!
My only tradition is to wear something green so that I don’t get pinched LOL!!
We don’t really have any St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Although this cheesecake might become one – it looks delicious!
Much to my husband’s dismay I always cook corned beef and cabbage.
No traditions