It’s All in the Details
By Meg London
One of the most fun parts of writing a cozy mystery series is doing the research. Since my Sweet Nothings Lingerie Series takes place in Tennessee, I had the privilege of steeping myself in all things southern.
First food—sweet tea, Tennessee tea, chess pie, fried chicken, collard greens cooked with bacon. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. I had heard of chess pie but had no idea what went into it. Turns out a LOT of sugar! It does sound delicious though. And the name? There is a lot of folklore surrounding the name but the story I liked best was about the housewife who baked her husband a pie. When he asked what kind it was, she responded, in her Southern accent, “it’s chess pie!”
It turns out that Tennessee tea has liquor in it—preferably some good Tennessee whiskey—and sweet tea has a lot of…guess what? That’s right—sugar! No wonder Southerns are so sweet!
Aunt Arabella, who owns the Sweet Nothings Lingerie shop, has a secret ingredient that goes into her fried chicken. (Hint: you can find out what it is by reading the series!)
Following is a recipe that I use to make Sweet Tea.
Sweet Nothings Sweet Tea
Add a pinch of baking soda to your pitcher. Pour in two cups of boiling water and add six tea bags. Allow to steep for at least 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and discard, stir in ¾ cup of sugar and stir until dissolved. Add six cups of cold water and refrigerate until chilled.
Book Details:
Publication Date: 02/04/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425252477
ISBN-13: 978-0425252475
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Meg London on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Murder Unmentionable (2012), Laced With Poison (2013), A Fatal Slip (2014)
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, A Fatal Slip, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.
Synopsis:
From selling camisoles to solving crimes, the ladies of the Sweet Nothings lingerie shop in Paris, Tennessee, will make this Valentine’s a day to remember…
For Valentine’s Day, Emma Taylor and her aunt Arabella have organized a special evening for men only to shop for their sweethearts in the Sweet Nothings lingerie shop, complete with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. But when a former valentine shows up, Aunt Arabella is not her usual bubbly self.
Art dealer Hugh Granger is still a charmer, though. He invites the women to a ball he’s having to celebrate his birthday and his return to Paris, Tennessee. But when Granger is pushed from the balcony, it paints a sinister picture for Aunt Arabella, who gets framed…for her old flame’s murder.
Thoughts:
Meg London brings readers the third book in her Sweet Nothings Lingerie Mystery series, A Fatal Slip. The past is coming back to haunt Aunt Arabella when she becomes a suspect in the murder of a former lover. As always London fans will be treated to plenty of sleuthing along with a Men's Only day at the lingerie shop. Just in time for Valentine's Day, this novel is a real treat. Who doesn't want something tantalizing and full of surprises?
What I liked:
As always I found the overall theme of this series enjoyable. Who would have thought of having a cozy mystery series, revolve around lingerie. LOL! Apparently, Meg London did and readers are reaping the benefits. I like all of the interesting things that go on at the shop in each installment of the series. This time readers are treated to a Men's Only day, where members of the male persuasion get to shop for their ladies for Valentine's day. What a clever idea, for a real lingerie shop, as well as, a good cozy mystery. This is still like any other cozy, clean and without a lot of bad language or sex, but it gets a little more catty than most cozies get, just by having a risque theme. It was super fun to read about.
Aunt Arabella never ceases to amaze and this time she's gotten herself into to serious trouble. When a former flame shows up for Men's Only day, Arabella is taken aback. When said lover ends up falling to his death during his own Birthday party, she ends up a suspect. I cannot for the life of me see Aunt Arabella as a murder but it was a pretty convincing case in some ways. I loved the fact that London made her lover an art collector and wealthy. I always thought she had a few skeletons in her closet, but I was really surprised at the kind of man she was in to at one point. Readers are sure to find this aspect of the book very enjoyable.
I didn't have a lot of trouble figuring this one out. In fact I knew who the killer was early on. Usually that's a bad thing, but sometimes is more about the journey. Readers will love getting to know more about Aunt Arabella's past in this novel. They will also like the fact that Emma's relationship with Brian is starting to take off. This may not be the best book in the series so far, but it has a lot of good points. It moves the series along nicely. There were a good amount of suspects and the motive was believable. Fans of London's work are sure to enjoy it.
What I didn't like:
As I said, I figured this one out quick. There were twists and turns but I think it will be a bit too obvious to most readers who the killer is. There were other things that I really enjoyed about the book though, so there were redeeming qualities and I don't think it is such a bad thing to know who the killer was on occasion.
Bottom Line:
This was a good book, but not necessarily a great book. The reader learns a lot of interesting background information, but the mystery itself fizzles a little bit. I love the theme and Aunt Arabella and Pierre are a hoot, so I know the next one will probably be even better.
A Fatal Slip is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Meg London is the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie Mystery series, including Laced with Poison and Murder Unmentionable.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of A Fatal Slip by Meg London.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 20th.
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15 comments:
I love lingerie, but it is often not practical for every day wear. The lingerie that is fit for everyday wear is so expensive I can't afford to purchase it.
I like lingerie although I do not wear it often. I think it makes a person feel good about themselves. Even though it is not practical all the time.
I think lingerie is hard to buy because so much of it seems hard to try on to see if it will fit properly. I mean, I wouldn't want to buy lingerie that someone else had tried on.
I think lingerie is hard to buy because so much of it seems hard to try on to see if it will fit properly. I mean, I wouldn't want to buy lingerie that someone else had tried on.
I like the feel of lingerie and the way the lingerie makes me feel once I put it on. Unless it's an unflattering piece, then I feel like a glammed up cow, lol.
Since we're getting a tad personal... It's gotta feel grat, good, AND fit!
Do over on comment. iPad technology!
Since we're getting a tad personal... It's gotta feel great, look good, AND fit!
has to be comfortable
I love pretty complementary lingerie. It makes the night intriguing
I think lingerie can make a girl feel wonderful.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
Still searching for that perfect bra.
I don't really care for the feel of lingerie. Just give me my cotton pj's, and I'm fine. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
I prefer sweatpants and a t-shirt.
Lingerie tears too easily and you have to hand wash it.
I like the sexiness of lingerie but if something has a lot of lace my sensitive skin will break out in hives—OY!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
The problem with sexy stuff if it isnt very warm.
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