A cozy fall culinary mystery filled with small town charm, found family, gourmet grilled cheese, and a cast of characters you’ll quickly become attached to.
Release date: July 26, 2022
Publisher: Poisoned Pen
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Synopsis:
Welcome to Balsam Dell, Vermont—where the air is crisp, the cheese is melty, and murder is always on the menu.
Carly Hale is finally settling into her cozy new life in Balsam Dell. Her grilled cheese café is the town’s tastiest little secret, and the Halloween food competition has the whole village wrapped in flannel, pumpkins, and just a touch of mischief. But when a culinary rivalry turns fatal, Carly finds herself at the center of a small-town mystery—one with secrets as layered as her signature melts.
Determined to clear her name and protect the tight-knit community she’s come to love, Carly trades spatulas for sleuthing. Along the way, she’ll navigate prickly neighbors, deep-rooted grudges, and a case that’s anything but cut and dried. Can Carly clear her name before the killer strikes again? If she doesn’t, she might find herself serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!
Review:
After loving the summer setting of the first book, I really enjoyed seeing No Parm No Foul lean into fall. The crisp Vermont atmosphere, Halloween competition, and cozy restaurant setting made this feel like the perfect seasonal read. Linda Reilly continues to build Balsam Dell into the kind of small town that makes you want to visit—and stay awhile.
The best part of this series so far is definitely the characters. After only two books, I’m already attached to Carly and the people around her. Carly continues to be a wonderful protagonist because she feels grounded and relatable rather than perfect. I loved getting to know more of her staff and watching the found family dynamic around the Grilled Cheese Eatery grow stronger.
I especially enjoyed seeing more of Carly and Ari’s relationship develop, and I’m curious to see where that storyline goes. Grant is another standout character, and I loved his passion for both food and music. The cast really gives this series its heart, and I’m already invested in their lives beyond just solving the mysteries.
The mystery kept the story moving, but for me the biggest draw is the cozy community, delicious food descriptions, and the feeling of returning to a place where you know the people. This series has quickly become one I’m excited to continue, and I’m already ready to pick up book three.
Perfect for Readers Who Love
- Culinary cozy mysteries
- Small town communities
- Found family friendships
- Fall and Halloween settings
- Amateur sleuths with heart
- Cozy romances woven into the mystery
Overall rating: 4/5
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