On the Lamb by Tina Kashian has Lucy Berberian enjoying a bonfire with her friends until a scream rings out. They find Melanie Haven, the local candy maker, standing by the prone body of Gilbert Lubinski. Melanie and Gilbert had a small altercation earlier in the evening which puts Melanie at the top of the detective’s suspect list. Melanie asks that Lucy use her sleuthing prowess to find the guilty party. Gilbert was not liked in the community, not even by his aunt who he was trying to oust from her home. Lucy has her work cut out for her if she is to prove Melanie’s innocence. On the Lamb can be read as a standalone for those new to A Kitchen Kebab Mystery series. Everything a new reader needs to know is included in On the Lamb. Lucy has been working hard at the family’s Mediterranean restaurant which she manages and is looking forward to evening with her friends enjoying the first bonfire of the season. I like the descriptions of Ocean City, New Jersey. I especially enjoy hearing about the boardwalk, the tram and the various shops. The word imagery brings the scenes alive in my mind. There is a nice balance between mystery and time spent with Lucy, her friends, family and boyfriend. The main characters are established, and a unique new character is introduced. Lucy finally moves into her own apartment. It is right on the beach much to her delight. Her new landlord, Eloisa Lubinski is delightful with her eccentric clothing and zest for life. Eloisa is hoping having Lucy live there will keep her nephew, Gilbert from pestering her about moving into an assisted living facility. Of course, Gilbert ends up dead. Lucy, with assistance from her best friend, Katie Watson, sets out to find the real culprit. They talk to numerous suspects, verify alibis, and do a little illegal searching (when the opportunity strikes, you cannot pass it up). It will depend upon your sleuthing level on whether you solve this whodunit. The clues are there for you to find. Lucy is trying to bring the family restaurant into the twenty-first century, but her father is stubborn (if it has worked for thirty years, why change it now is his philosophy). It is a good thing that Lucy is equally tenacious. Her romance with Azad is moving forward (personally, I prefer Michael). I enjoyed the mouthwatering descriptions of the food and there are recipes included at the end of the book. On the Lamb is a charming cozy mystery that will have you wanting to visit the Jersey shore. On the Lamb has terrific taffy, a blazing bonfire, a snappy shih tzu, mouthwatering meals, a ghastly landlord, surfeit of suspects, and a conniving killer. ( )

cozy-mystery, family-dynamics, friendship, amateur-sleuth, small-business, small-town*****

Interesting sleuth! Discouraged with her career as a big city attorney, Lucy came home to the Jersey Shore to manage her parents' restaurant and has somewhat rekindled an old romance. A friend helps her to find an affordable apartment with a fascinating octogenarian landlady and she meets her slimy nephew. Who is the victim of murder is no surprise, and while the list of suspects is long, topping the list is a good friend. Let the sleuthing begin! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )