"Death at the Day Lily Cafe" Book Review

Death at the Day Lily Cafe by Wendy Sand Eckel

(Rosalie Hart #2)

Rosalie Hart has finally opened the café of her dreams. Decked out with ochre-tinted walls and stuffed with delicious organic fare, the Day Lily Café is everything Rosalie could have hoped for. But not five minutes into the grand opening, Doris Bird, a dear and trusted friend, cashes in on a favor--to help clear her little sister Lori of a first degree murder charge.

With the help of her best friend and head waiter Glenn, Rosalie is on the case. But it's not going to be easy. Unlikable and provocative, murder victim Carl James Fiddler seems to have insulted nearly everyone in town, and the suspect list grows daily. And when Rosalie's daughter Annie gets caught in the crossfire, the search for the killer becomes personal in this charming cozy perfect for fans of Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke.

MY REVIEW:  The pages of this book may get wet if you're reading a hardback or paperback copy and your kindle may need wiping frequently as this delightful cafe, Day Lily Cafe, is serving up some delectable treats.  Throw in mystery, murder, friendship, romance, and danger, and you have a very interesting book.  The plot is a bit predictable but most of the characters are easy to like and there's one sheriff to hate. I love little cafes, tucked away in friendly towns, and this book made me want to sit there and enjoy a coffee and dessert with Lori or Rosalie.   Though Rosalie is likely too busy as she not only runs the cafe, but is also playing detective and falling in love.  Busy, busy, busy, Rosalie is on the case.  

       I did not read the first book in the series, but I didn't have any trouble following the storyline.  I am definitely hoping to read the third book in the series. I would highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a mystery and romance.  I am giving this book a rating of 4 stars.  

       I received an ebook of this novel from netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author:

I grew up in a small Ohio town, but decided while studying the states and their capitals in the fourth grade that I would one day live in Maryland. I really liked the flag. Maryland has been my home for almost thirty years.

The first story I ever wrote was about a discarded vacuum cleaner that makes its way back home. When I later saw the movie, The Brave Little Toaster, I was flabbergasted. They stole my idea!

In high school I worked in the shop rack of my father’s Pontiac dealership where I ran parts and prepped new cars. In my leisure time, I learned to play a pretty mean front man on a foosball table.

I majored in Social Work in both graduate and undergraduate school with concentrations in criminology and family therapy. I have spent my career learning how relationships effect our thoughts, emotions, desires, and inhibitions, or in some cases, lack thereof.

Writing mystery is a way to combine my love for the written word with the knowledge I’ve gained about the workings of the human heart. It is a dream realized.