KILLING THYME

By Leslie Budewitz

This book is the third “meeting” for readers with Pepper Reece, the main character of the Spice Shop Mysteries. As the owner/proprietor of The Spice Shop located in Pike Place Market, Seattle, Pepper is running a booming business. Of course, as with all things in life—just when everything looks incredible, that’s when a murder takes place and Pepper and her best friend find themselves smack dab in the middle of it.

It’s bad enough that her mother is coming for a visit, but Pepper is also striving to get a rave review from a food critic who is about as nice to chefs and owners as the Grinch was to Whoville (at the beginning of the movie, of course).

After her mom, Lena, arrives, they spend a day at the Market looking over various artists’ handiwork and spot a newcomer who specializes in pottery. Lena recognizes the potter as an old friend, Bonnie Clay, who actually disappeared many years ago. Much to Pepper’s surprise, Bonnie and Lena have connections from their younger days, and when Bonnie shows up murdered only days later, Pepper wants nothing more than to uncover the truth and find the killer before blame is placed on her own mother.

If you haven’t read about Pike Place Market and Pepper before, you’ve got to jump onboard ASAP. The Spice Shop, Pepper’s fun-loving and strong-minded character, and a mysterious plot that calls for an all-day/sit-down read, makes these Pepper books a real cozy treat. What’s an added extra is that more details are brought forth about Pepper’s past, her family and friends, and more, opening the door for many mysteries in this series to come.