Book Review: "Leave No Scone Unturned" by Denise Swanson
Hello again, dear readers!
Two posts in one day? No, I haven’t lost my mind. I just have two really awesome things to share. Between preparing for the arrival of SOVEREIGN SIEGED to the Court of Mystery series, I have had time to sit down and enjoy a few reads over the past week. One that I absolutely must share with you is Denise Swanson’s newest Chef-to-Go novel LEAVE NO SCONE UNTURNED.
First off, I love the title of this book. In the cozy mystery genre, a cute, clever title goes a long way, and Swanson is a master.
The second Chef-to-Go mystery picks up at a few months after Dani Sloan's first adventure, with Normalton University kicking off new student orientation. The start of school sees Dani's catering business taking off after a slow summer, but also comes with its share of problems. One of Dani's boarders is involved in a carjacking incident and a homeless man that Chef-to-Go has been donating leftover food to is found dead. Eager to keep NU safe, Dani and Spencer Drake team up to ensure that these crimes don't affect the campus.
This installment makes a great addition to Swanson's newest cozy mystery series. Made up of thrilling investigative activities, drool-inducing food descriptions, and plenty of relationship drama, Chef-to-Go has it all! With the introduction of Detective Gray Christensen, I hope there is an ongoing love triangle to look forward to. It might be my curse in life, but as a reader, I'm always rooting for the guy who *probably* isn't destined to get the girl in the end, but Gray is a great addition to Dani's growing circle of friends. The rivalry between Gray and Spencer is natural and believable, and while Spencer drops plenty of hints about Gray's less-than-admirable intentions, the reader doesn't get to see that side of him...yet. I hope he sticks around long enough to provide some more bumps in the road in Dani and Spencer's growing attraction.
The mystery itself was original and very well-paced. With many layers to sift through, I was surprised by the outcome, as I usually can guess whodunit in most cozy mystery books I read (and I read a lot of them). Knowing how prolific a writer Denise Swanson is, it always leaves me speechless how she creates new and inventive cases for every single one of her sleuths.
The thing that stuck out most for me about LEAVE NO SCONE UNTURNED was its poignant social message, showcasing Swanson's background in psychology. The issue of homeless veterans is truly one of great importance in America, and it often gets overlooked in favor of "sexier" political initiatives. I really admire that Swanson chose to lend her words to this issue. Throughout the book, Dani's internal thoughts and feelings about homelessness in her area should be a reflection of us all; we need to care and take care of our fellow man, especially servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country. It was wonderful to see this message in popular fiction.
All in all, this delicious follow up to TART OF DARKNESS was worth the wait! I very much look forward to Dani Sloan's next mystery outing! 7 out of 7 Crowns!
Buy LEAVE NO SCONE UNTURNED today!
Arms around,
S.B.