Title: Tangerine Marmalade Murder
Author: Meg Benjamin
Genre: Small Town Cozy Fiction, Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
When a stranger is murdered near Roxy Constantine’s farm, she’s sure it has nothing to do with her. But the investigation turns up surprising links to Roxy’s past. As if that weren’t enough, Roxy’s quarreling with her Significant Other, Nate Robicheaux, and facing a possible break-up. Just when the stress begins to ease, the murderer strikes again, sending Nate to the hospital. Now Roxy needs to figure out the link between the Constantine Farm and a blackmailer before she becomes the killer’s next target.
My Review:
Roxy finds a dead body on her farm, but all fingers point to her past. Can she stay one step ahead of the murderer or will she be next? Tangerine Marmalade Murder is a mash-up of women’s saga fiction and cozy mystery. For more than half the book, Tangerine Marmalade Murder is classic women’s saga fiction. The cozy mystery takes a backseat until the second half of the book. The descriptive narration marries with the folksy small-town setting to give readers an immersive experience. The characters are charming and add colorful dialogue to the story. Fans of Fannie Flagg and Hope Holloway will love Tangerine Marmalade Murder.
I am a huge cozy mystery reader and read at least one a week. There is a certain formula to cozy mysteries and while Tangerine Marmalade Murder is a solid book and well-written, it doesn’t follow this formula. Original, yes, and enjoyable to read, but I’m not sure it’s a cozy mystery.
Let’s talk about the characters. Roxy is a fascinating character. She’s got a quirky personality with a perceptive vibe. She’s an owner of the family farm and is a maker of jam. Her flaws are subtle and relatable. I connected with her.
The rest of the characters and how they relate to Roxy add depth and small-town charm. I like Nate and their relationship. I love the sheriff and his interactions with Roxy. There’s a nice chemistry there.
The mystery subplot is slow getting going but once it is the focus, it is well-conceived and realistic. The clues are sprinkled throughout with bouts of suspense. When the murderer was revealed, it took me by surprise. Well done.
Part of the charm of Tangerine Marmalade Murder is the jam making. The detail Meg Benjamin puts into this aspect of the story is impressive. She knows a lot about making jam and educates her readers on the involved process. While reading, I craved jam.
If you love small-town cozy fiction with a murder to solve, you’ll want to read Tangerine Marmalade Murder. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
My Rating: 4.75 stars
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Author Biography:
Meg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance and cozy mysteries. Meg’s Konigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available from Entangled Publishing and from Meg’s indie line). Her new cozy mystery series, Luscious Delights from Wild Rose Press, concerns a jam-making sleuth based in the mythical small town of Shavano, Colorado. Along with romance and cozies, Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from Berkley InterMix and the Folk trilogy from Soul Mate. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.MegBenjamin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1/ (personal)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/megbenj1
Instagram: @meg_benjamin
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/megbenjamin/
Reviewed by: Nancy