Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest

The first in this coffee house series. Clare Cosi is a divorcee, with a daughter about to head off to train as a chef. Tempted by an offer to run with a share in the businss owned by her ex mother in law, Clare returns to New York. On her first morning, following her move Clare turns up to the coffee shop expecting to find it open, but discovers it closed. She then finds the body of her assistant manager in the basement, not dead, but certainly very badly hurt. Add to the mix an ex husband, an interesting detective and a curious Clare we have the makings off, not a strong latte, but of a coffeehouse murder……

Allison, a craft designer with a promising career ahead of her, is found dead in her apartment by Megan and Kellie. Something does not feel right, and all the evidence the police have points to Allison taking her own life, Kellie embarks on a journey to discover the truth. Meanwhile, life for Kellie is changing, she takes on the clients of another town person, and gives her notice into the firm in DC whom she has been working for, and the lawyer wading through the estates of both her aunt and cousin, finally completes his task, plus the relationship with Steve, is going to the next level, or is it……

Kellie finds her friend, Vicki, murdered at her alpaca farm. As a way of helping Vicki’s daughter daughter get the accounts ready for her lawyer,then while Kellie is away, the daughter is murdered, after discovering there are some inconsistancies with her mother’s bank accounts. Meanwhile, the solicitor dealing with Kelly’s aunt and cousin’s estate, suggests that Kellie heads off to see the ranch and the cattle she has inherited. Will Kellie get it together with Steve?…….

The first in the series, and what a great book – I’m glad I bought the other two in the series!

Kate has returned to the town when she spent some time growing up. She has inherited from her Aunt a lovely cottage, following her aunt’s murder, add to that the appearance of a distant cousin, and a missing family quilt, then another death……..

Torie and her grandmother embark on a trip to their ancestral roots, and have been invited to stay with the a family friend, Clarissa. Having spent one night in the house of Clarissa, run as a bed and breakfast, Torie finds Clarissa dead. Torie becomes chief suspect, as she found the body and was seen removing a pillow from the deceased face……Torie teams up with her cousin Elliot and grandmother to find the answers to some quiet old questions and to clear her name.

Another great story – looking forward to reading more in the series.

Derek, owner of the vineyard & resturant has co-written a cook book with a well known chef. All is going to plan until the chef is murdered. His assistant seems particularly upset, were they romatically involved? Nicki has to find out – she establishes that the assistant is in fact his long lost daughter and inherits the whole of the estate, then there is the publishing company, a solicitor and the chef’s agent. Which one is responsible……. Nicki is continuing with the mixed emotions of who she wants a relationship with, Derek who wants her to go to Australia with him, or Andres who wants her to go to Spain with him…..decisions, decisions………

Continuing the story of inquisitive Nicki. Her friend, Isobel, is asked to cater for a wedding. Alas the groom is Isobel’s ex boyfriend. If that wasn’t enough, the bride is murdered and Isobel is arrested…..Nicki is beginning to battle with her growing affections for not only her boss Derek but also Isobel’s brother the sexy Andres.

The first in the wine lovers series. Nicki a failed actress is waiting tables, she by chance meets the owner of a vineyard and accepts the offer of a job managing part of the business. If only it was that simple, having met one of the star employees and the accountant, they both wind up murdered and Nicki can not resist trying to solve it……

With a nice mix of recipes and wine pairings, I am looking forward to more in the series.

The first time I have read anything in the series and I am delighted there are several more set in the genealogical world of Torie o’Shea.

Torie is a historical guide and genealogist. She is asked to undertake some research for someone; to find out about Norah’s father, of whom she has a few details from her mother and a photograph. As she starts to research instead of finding, as Norah believes that her father is deceased, he is well and living not too far from Norah. As Torie is about to make contact with Norah and inform her, Norah is murdered and Torie finds the body…….