MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER, the fifth book in Edith Maxwell’s Local Foods Mystery series, brings the reader back to Westbury, Massachusetts. We find organic farmer Cam Flaherty hard at work tending her fields and chickens, when her academic parents decide to come for a visit. Cam’s parents were more interested in their studies and researching abroad every year than spending time with her while she was growing up and as a result, they were never close. Cam has always felt insecure in their love for her and isn’t sure that she wants them there for too long of a visit, especially when her mother starts protesting against Nicole, a new hydroponics farmer in town.
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I found the introduction of the controversy over hydroponics in organic farming very interesting. My husband grows flowering plants in hydroponics and semi-hydroponics and I’m intrigued at the possibility of growing food using that method. The town is divided over the issue and when Nicole is murdered, Cam’s visiting mother becomes a suspect. Cam knows her mother must be innocent but she appears to be hiding a dark secret and won’t confide in Cam or anyone else. The author weaves in the theme of looking for acceptance and finding yourself while making peace with the past. Cam’s mother may be hard to get to know but her father seems more amiable, kind of a forgetful, bumbling at times, professor who brings a sweetness to the story. The mystery of who killed the hydroponics farmer is satisfying with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. The story is well paced with a suspenseful ending that had me up late, turning pages to find out how it ended!
Edith provides several delicious recipes at the end of the book and many are farm-fresh recipes that make me think of spring and summer. The recipe that caught my eye, Swedish Cheesecake, is one that is a light, not too sweet, dessert that provides a perfect ending to a summery dinner. Instead of relying on rich cream cheese, Swedish Cheesecake uses cottage cheese and almond meal making it lighter with a unique texture much different than American cheesecake. After trying a piece, I was reminded of a dessert from my childhood that was similar. I don’t have the recipe nor can I remember much about it, but it’s funny how certain tastes and textures bring back memories…good memories! I made this recipe and cut into bite-sized pieces for one of the desserts I provided for my granddaughter’s school’s Teacher Appreciation week. I must admit there were a few squares missing from the platter by the time it was delivered to the staff’s lounge 🙂
Amazon Synopsis
It’s been a hot, dry spring in Westbury, Massachusetts. As organic farmer Cam Flaherty waits for much-needed rain, storm clouds of mystery begin to gather. Once again, it’s time to put away her sun hat and put on her sleuthing cap…
May has been anything but merry for Cam so far. Her parents have arrived unexpectedly and her crops are in danger of withering away. But all of that’s nothing compared to the grim fate that lies in store for one of her neighbors. Nicole Kingsbury is the proud owner of the town’s new hydroponic greenhouse. She claims the process will be 100% organic, but she uses chemicals to feed her crops. To Cam’s surprise, her mother embarrasses her by organizing a series of loud public protests against Nicole’s operation.
When Nicole is found dead in a vat of hydroponic slurry—clutching another set of rosary beads—Detective Pete Pappas has a new murder to solve. Showers may be scarce this spring, but there’s no shortage of suspects, including the dead woman’s embittered ex‑husband, the Other Man whose affair ruined their marriage, and Cam’s own mother. Lucky for Cam, her father turns out to have a knack for sleuthing—not to mention dealing with chickens. Will he and Cam be able to clear Mrs. Flaherty’s name before the killer strikes again?
A huge thank you to Edith Maxwell for providing a hardcover copy for one lucky winner! Contest ends Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe 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!)
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup unbleached white flour
- 24 ounces strained cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 3 to 4 ground almonds
- 1 tablespoon Frangelico liqueur
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F).
- Whip the eggs until fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in sugar, flour, and cottage cheese.
- Fold in the almond meal, almonds, and liqueur.
- Butter a 9" x 13" casserole. Pour the mixture into the pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- If cheesecake starts to get too brown, cover with foil.
- Best served warm with strawberries or raspberries and sour cream, crème fraîche, or whipped cream.
- I used a clean coffee/spice grinder to grind the 4 almonds.
- I strained my cottage cheese for over an hour and didn't have any liquid released. I used Knudson's 4% small curd cottage cheese.
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I was provided an advanced copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
No, I haven’t. But I know I have purchased tomatoes that have been marked that they were grown hydroponically.
I have never used hydroponics to grow something, but love the idea that fruits and vegetables can be grown in this way. I am looking forward to trying the Swedish Cheesecake recipe. It looks like it will be simple to prepare and I often need dessert to share during the summer months. I imagine this will go well with the incoming influx of berries.
No, I’ve never tried growing something in hydroponics.
I have seen tomatoes advertised as being hydroponically grown but I haven’t grown anything that way. Thanks for featuring Edith Maxwell’s latest book on your blog. As always I am sure it will be a great read.
A million years ago, when I was in college, I experimented with hydroponics.
No, I have not. Recipe looks good. this is a good story.
We were just researching that very subject. Collected some info about growing fruits and veggies hydroponically off the internet 3 weeks ago. Some of that info is on my pinterest page gardening board. I did actually grow a golden pothos for a year, then transferred it to a clay pot just before we moved several years ago. But that was the only thing. The book looks really interesting. I look forward to reading it. And to trying that Swedish Cheesecake.
Love to read cozy mysteries. This one sounds so good.
The swedish cheesecake sound like a must and fairly easy to make. I will certainly try it. And love the title of the book!
The swedish cheesecake sound like a must and fairly easy to make. I will certainly try it. And love the title of the book!
The swedish cheesecake sound like a must and fairly easy to make. I will certainly try it. And love the title of the book!
I’ve had wonderful hydroponic tomatoes from the store, but have not grown any myself. The Swedish cheesecake looks, as my Mother would say, “to die for!”
no I haven’t. thanks for chance.
I like grubbing in the dirt but hydroponics does sound interesting. Thanks for the wonderful post & great recipe.
I’ve never grown anything at all, lol. But it sounds interesting and the cake looks delish!
I can’t grown anything using any techniques. LOL! My thumbs are so black it’s not funny. I’ve tried many times and get so mad when I put so much energy into something to have it die that I’ve given up. We have a very low maintenance yard and I never keep plants in the house (also because my cat eats everything). Thanks for the review! I’m looking forward to trying this series.
The recipe sounds so good and hydroponics my best friend had a whole system set up and it worked fine he sold his plants and goods at farmers market now trying to sell it has been terrible he is stuck with it and he is severely disabled also. He had help with it before and now that he has fired his aide and the new aide wants nothing to do with driving out to his moms house going to the garage and maintaining it and then going to every farmers market and it is really sad. My husband wanted it but no way as he sometimes goes out of town and i am not able to get to the basement. It is a wonderful idea of doing it and everything but so complicated and a lot of work! peggy clayton
No, I have not tried it myself. But during summer, we have a farmer’s market and one of the vendors does have hydroponically grown tomatoes that I look forward to every year. They are outstanding!
I’ve never used hydroponics to grow something. But I do make Oostakaka several times every year. My recipe is a little different, and it was passed down from my great great grandparents. It may have been the first food I ate as a baby! I was told that what berries you put on Oostakaka depends on what part of Sweden that you lived in.
Nope, I can’t even successfully grow anything in dirt!
The Swedish cheese cake looks yummy. Raspberries are my favorite berry. The books sound interesting. I am discovering so many new cozy mystery series on Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Touch of Murder. I will add you to ever growing list of one’s I want to read.
No I haven’t. I’m interested though.
I love the recipe!
Does it count o put a cutting in water to get roots and then neglect to get around to putting it in a pot?!
Oh Elizabeth! That’s too funny!
No I’ve never tried growing anything this way. I’m going to try this recipe, I love cheese cake & I’m Swedish. Thanks for your generosity.
I’ve not grown tomatoes hydroponically but a company in my small town did and WOW they were good but the business didn’t make it.
Have you ever tried growing something in hydroponics? I was a teacher for 35+ years, and one of the science activities was to grow beans using an alternative growing method. We used soil as the common method, but we did try hydroponics with our Grow Lab. It was fascinating and worked to some extent. We didn’t have e bumper crop of beans, but he process was fun and informative.
No, I haven`t! I live in NY and once the weather cooperates I am going to try my very 1st garden!
No, I haven’t tried growing anything by hydroponics. I only grow raspberries in my garden. I’ve never had good luck with a regular garden.
no, but i’ve always wanted to. or aquaponics, you raise fishes, and then the fish waste and water are used for hydroponics.
oh yeah, i forgot, the cheesecake looks really good!
No cheese cake for me, i”m allergic !
HOWEVER, I’d love one of Edith’s books
Erica
Have not tried hydroponics but would like to some day. I hear it is a great way to grow things. That cheesecake looks amazing. I think my German mother makes something similar to that. Thanks for the chance to win! I love your blog and posts (both of you)
I have not but would love to someday
No I haven
t tried to grow something hydroponics. But I would love to win a hardcover copy of Mulch Ado About Murder. I won the first book in this series. This would go nicely with it. Thank you for the chance.
I have never tried to grow something using hydroponics. I wouldn’t even know how! Sounds like a good book and a tasty recipe, thank you.
No, I haven’t. Recipe and book both sound delicious!
No, but I have heard of it. Thanks for the chance!,
Hey Kim! Nope, never have grown anything using that method but I sure would like to see some pics of your hubs flowers that he grows using hydroponics. Thanks for the chance in the give-a-way.
Yes, we have grown tomatoes in hydroponics. They grow well but I still prefer good old earth to grow my maters in. 🙂
Loved reading the write up. I for sure want to read MULCH ADO ABOUT MURDER! Thanks for the wonderful chance to win a copy and the wonderful Swedish Cheesecake – Ostkaka recipe.
The Ostkaka Swedish Cheesecake sounds good, I’ll have to pick up the ingredients at the store & try making it. I love cheesecake! As for the hydroponics, I’ve never tried growing vegetables that way, but have been reading up on it. I’ve always been more of a “grow ’em in dirt” person.
I have never tried any but I would like to learn how to grow them. I would love to try them… Sound so healthy.
We have all kinds of places that sell hydroponic vegetables and I buy those. I have friends that grow them at home and bring me those delicious veggies too. So I haven’t tried it myself but I indulge. Thank you for the Book chance.
Marilyn [email protected]
I have never tried growing anything in hydroponics. The cheesecake recipe sounds good!
I have a friend who started hydroponics about 20 years ago. Best strawberries. I ever ate!!!!
I have not heard of this dessert, but it looks wonderful. I would like to try the series. I enjoy cozies set around gardening.
No, I never have.
No I haven’t tried to grow using hydroponic’s. I don’t have a green thumb! I know people that do though.
no i havent
No I have not tried to tried hydrponic’s.
No I have not tried to tried hydrponic’s. Thank you for the chance. This recipe looks really yummy!
No I have not.
I have a black thumb. I can’t grow anything.
I have never tried growing anything with hydroponics. Thanks for the recipe!
No I’ve never grown anything that way but it may be necessary for some eventually
I am not very good at growing anything, so adding hydroponics into the mix is a frightening thought. Thank you for the recipe and the chance to win.
Have never tried to grow anything with hydroponics.
Nope, never tried hydroponics. The first time I heard it mentioned was in the hilarious movie, Parenthood, which I believe came out in the 90’s.
No I never tried hydroponics. I enjoyed the review and the recipe looks yummy!
No I haven’t. The recipe looks so good! Thank you for the chance. The book sounds awesome!