The death of a Christmas Santa opens a can of worms for the Donato family. The Santa was a very complicated man. ( )

Title: Cheddar Off Dead
Author: Julia Buckley
Publisher: Berkley
Series: An Undercover Dish Mystery #2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Cheddar Off Dead" by Julia Buckley

My Thoughts....

What a cozy mystery Christmas read that not only gives the reader a good story but some good food too! I liked the plot that was presented that simmered around the death of a part time Santa Claus [Brad Whitefield] and a 'Undercover Chef' [Lilah Drake] in Pine Haven. This 'Under Chef' was Lilah Drake who was quite something else in that she had such a intriguing job ...an 'Undercover Dish business where she cooked for people who then took the credit for the food that didn't have the time or the talent to make.' After delivering food to a third grade teacher at the school for a school party [macaroni and cheese] Lilah happens to see Santa in the parking lot. After speaking with him Lilah just minutes later happens to see something bad happens to Santa [hears a gunshot...she calls 911] and the story takes off from here. Needless to say Lilah life will be put in jeopardy due to the fact she has witness a murder and someone wants to keep her quiet. Now, how will this all turn out after putting Lilah under police protection? What will happen after she will have to team up with her former fling, Detective Jay Parker as they try to find out who this Santa really was and who was trying to kill her? This is where I say you must pick up this good mystery to see how well this author brings it all out to her readers. I found all of the characters very engaging, well portrayed, spirited and fun giving the reader a very interesting suspenseful mystery read. Oh, I don't want to leave out Lilah's dog Mick [Chocolate lab]who was just charming pet and the detective Jay Parker whom Lilah was trying to avoid after that disastrous earlier date[from Book 1..The Big Chill] who added to this good read. I really liked how this author was able to give us a read where after you read the novel you can see that the clues were there all the time ...well hidden and very well done. Be ready for 'yummy plot twist, deception, humor and some wonderful writing.'

This novel will definitely put the reader in the mood for the Christmas holiday...especially with all of that good recipes that will indeed make your mouth water. If you are looking for a good mystery read especially during the holidays I would definitely recommend this one "Cheddar Off Dead." The reader will get a little bit of it all from a well written holiday cozy captivating mystery that has a good flow of the storyline, the ending... wow and oh my the food that was talked about was off the chart good! ( )

Nothing like hitting the holiday season a bit early with a mystery with a bit of Christmas. Sadly, it's Santa that takes the hit this time and Lilah is an unsuspecting witness to the crime. There were a lot of red herrings in this book and the action moved very quickly between them all. With Lilah's brother Cam now married to his Italian love, Serafina, a whole other storyline opens up when Lilah bunks with them while Detective Jay Parker and the rest of the force look for the killer in Pine Haven. Great to see it all come together in the end and for fans of Mick, there's plenty of opportunities to ooh and ahh over. ( )

How can the cheery Christmas season turn into a catastrophe? It happens when Lilah is a near-witness to the killing of Santa Claus. Only the killer thinks she saw more than she actually did, and so Lilah becomes the next target. Her hoped-for relationship with detective Jay Parker appears to be recovering from the near-fatal blow her previous deception dealt it, because Jay is obviously smitten with Lilah and determined to keep her alive. An intricate plot with delightful characters, this holiday cozy is well-written and wonderfully entertaining. ( )

Cheddar Off Dead is the second book in the An Undercover Dish Mystery series.

A wonderful follow-up to the first book, The Big Chili.

Lilah is waiting in a school’s parking lot delivering Macaroni and Cheese to her college days friend, Jenny, for a Christmas party where Jenny teaches. As Lilah is about to pull out of the parking lot, a car pulls in and shoots Brad Whitefield who is dressed in a Santa’s suit and was to entertain the children at school. The detective who arrives on the scene is none other than Jay Parker, someone she has been trying to avoid seeing after a disastrous earlier date. It is soon learned that Whitefield has some gambling debts that might have been owed to members of a mob. With a couple attempts on her life, Lilah has constant police protection when not staying at her brothers, which works to her advantage, as she does her sleuthing in front of the police.

Another well written and told story Buckley and provides the readers with an interesting look at the catering business. Mick, Lilah’s chocolate lab is back to help her keep herself centered.

Delicious recipes are also included.

I love this series and will definitely be looking for the next book. ( )