Mulch Ado about Murder

Maddie Day

Jun 2017 · Local Foods Mystery Book 5 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

In this cozy mystery, a Massachusetts organic farmer must pick a peck of suspects when her own mother is accused of murder.
 
May has been anything but merry for Cam so far. Her parents have arrived unexpectedly, and her crops are in danger. But all of that’s nothing compared to the grim murder of her neighbor, Nicole Kingsbury, the once proud owner of the town’s new hydroponic greenhouse—just after Cam’s mother publicly protested Nicole’s use of chemicals to feed her crops. Showers may be scarce this spring, but suspects keep sprouting up. Lucky for Cam, her father turns out to have a knack for sleuthing—not to mention dealing with chickens. He and Cam will have to clear Mrs. Flaherty’s name quick before the killer strikes again…

Praise for the Local Foods Mysteries
 
“Maxwell’s feisty heroine and the interesting background detail on the realities of organic farming blend to deliver a clever, twisting mystery.”—Booklist
 
“A most enjoyable look at organic farming.”—Kirkus Reviews

Ratings and reviews

Mulch Ado about Murder by Edith Maxwell is the fifth book in A Local Foods Mystery series. Cam Flaherty owns Attic Hill Organic Farm in Westbury, Massachusetts. It is the end of May and a busy time for Cam on the farm. Cam heads into town to drop off some basil and lettuce seedlings to Nicole Kingsbury. Nicole is starting Seacoast Fresh, a hydroponic organic greenhouse. Cam arrives at Seacoast Fresh and discovers protestors outside the building. One of the demonstrators is her mother, Deb Flaherty. Her parents decided to surprise Cam with a visit. Cam skirts around the picketers and enters the greenhouse calling out for Nicole. Cam discovers Nicole deceased by the slurry vat clutching a rosary. Once again Cam is embroiled in a murder investigation with her mother on the suspect list. Cam wants to get her mother cleared of the crime and starts digging into Nicole’s life. Cam gets an unlikely sidekick in her father, William. Will this duo be able to uproot the killer? Mulch Ado about Murder is an easy to read cozy mystery. The book is nicely written and has a good pace (can be finished in just a couple of hours). I liked the main characters and enjoyed the addition of her parents (especially William). It was good to get more background on Cam and how her family influenced her life choices. Mulch Ado about Murder is a light cozy mystery with focus on Cam’s day to day life (the crops, taking care of the chickens, eating out, her boyfriend, parade, her friends). The mystery was medium level. There are a couple of suspects and a unique method of murder (the best part). When reading a mystery novel, the little details are the most important. That was definitely the case in Mulch Ado about Murder. I give Mulch Ado about Murder 3.5 out of 5 stars. I did find some information to be repeated a few times throughout the story. There were also some details brought up that were never addressed (what was in Nicole’s slurry, chemical smell Cam smelled). For instance, D.J. had left his bike at Cam’s farm while out of town. At the end of the book, D.J. arrives at Cam’s on his bike (had just returned to town and he had not been out to farm yet). While Mulch Ado about Murder is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides all the needed background information for someone to read and understand the story. I did like reading Mulch Ado about Murder and look forward to the next book in A Local Foods Mystery series.

About the author

Agatha and Macavity finalist author Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef who knows both Indiana and Cape Cod intimately. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and blogs with the Wicked Authors and at Killer Characters. Day lives with her beau north of Boston, where she gardens, cooks, and devises new murderous plots. She hopes you’ll find her at maddiedayauthor.com.