Cinnamon Girl has all of the right ingredients for a good cozy mystery. I found it reminiscent of Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles’ series, a particular favorite of mine.

Bonnie Emerson and her coworker, Sally, are likeable, and what’s more, believable, even though Bonnie is the daughter of the former President of the United States. And her shop, Village Cooks, is every foodie’s dream. I was salivating. But beyond Cinnamon Girl’s appeal to foodies, I’d say its primary draw is those who love books and in particular, cookbooks. I found myself exclaiming over and over, “I have that one! Oh, I have that one!” and wanting to revisit those I haven’t taken down from my shelves for some time.

The plot is not secondary to the cookbook talk though. It’s interesting and draws you in, keeping you guessing. And not to give too much away, but for cat lovers, there’s also a very humane, and I don’t think very often seen, aside between Bonnie, Sally, and the shop’s resident cat, Mrs. Beaton, which was incredibly touching.

All in all, lovers of cozies, cookbooks, and a well-turned plot will find themselves eagerly turning the pages of Cinnamon Girl. ( )