Cheddar Off Dead

De: Korina Moss

Narrado por: Erin Moon

In Korina Moss’ cozy series debut, Cheddar Off Dead, cheesemonger Willa Bauer discovers that her new home in a small Sonoma Valley town is ripe for murder...something here stinks to high heaven, and Willa knows it’s not the cheese.

Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is proving that sweet dreams are made of cheese. She’s opened her very own French-inspired cheese shop, Curds & Whey, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. The small town of Yarrow Glen is Willa’s fresh start, and she’s determined to make it a success - starting with a visit from the local food critic. What Willa didn’t know is that this guy never gives a good review, and when he shows up, nothing goes according to plan. She doesn’t think the night can get any worse...until she finds the critic’s dead body, stabbed with one of her shop’s cheese knives. Now a prime suspect, Willa has always believed life’s problems can be solved with cheese, but she’s never tried to apply it to murder....

©2022 Korina Moss (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Didn't Disappoint

My first read by this author. Enjoyed this cozy mystery. I suspected the wrong suspect! Great job!

It’s Sharp

It was great , I’m a cheese head and I think I will branch out to more soft cheeses

Totally Enjoyable

Cheddar Off Dead is an excellent read/listen. The story pulls you in and soon your telling your characters--"Don't do that!" OR "YES--go for it!". Great setting, characters are developed slowly over the first story so you feel you know them. Differently a great start to a new series. Thank you Korina Moss.

I will be purchasing the next book and hopefully many more.

Erin Moon's narration is spot on--applause.

Delightful

What a wonderful story. I read the book AND listened to the story again on Audible. Cannot wait to read the other books in this series. Bravo!

Fun story

This was such a fun book. Really great listen! I recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery.

lighthearted romp

Just what I needed after binge reading too many WWII historical novels which tend to leave me heavy hearted. I enjoyed the cheery voices and the all too amateur murder investigation. it was a fun listen and I enjoyed it.

Ok cozy mystery

I wasn't sure about this book from the first chapter. I didn't care for Willa at all. The story was okay but I struggled to finish it. I did like the detective and a few of the other the characters. This one just wasn't for me.

So Good

I read A LOT of cozy mysteries, and this one ranks with the best of them. From the start, I was right at home with Willa, Archie, Mrs. Schultz, and Baz. Every character was simultaneously well developed and had room to grow. I am particularly interested in the potential love interests, but they are subtle, very preliminary, with lots of room for development. Often, first in series drag a bit and can be awkward while characters, relationships, backgrounds are set up. Not so with this book. I was immediately wrapped up in the story as though we were old friends. The mystery(ies) is intriguing, and I was not certain of the culprit until the reveal. Bottom line, I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for Book 2.

Love the story.

I really liked the story, but for me it was too focused on the main character.

Have cheese on hand! 

This is the fascinating story of Willa Bauer, who has successfully realized her lifelong dream of opening a cheese shop in the beautiful Sonoma Valley.

Willa, the remarkable protagonist, establishes herself in her new community while Mrs. Schultz and Archie, her loyal assistants and friendly neighbor Baz, bring their own unique qualities to the story.

Willa's anticipation had reached its peak as she eagerly awaited the arrival of a renowned local food critic at her store. With meticulous care, she had curated a remarkable selection of cheeses, a tray that embodied the charm and essence of her store. Her intention was to showcase her expertise as a local cheesemonger, hoping to secure a favorable write-up in the esteemed All Things Sonoma. However, fate had different plans, as the elusive critic, Guy Lippinger, failed to grace her establishment with his presence.

Undeterred by this setback, Willa decided to embrace the evening by organizing a delightful cheesemaking class. As the participants joyfully crafted mozzarella, Willa seized the opportunity to forge connections with the vibrant personalities of her town. She engaged in conversations with Derrick, the mastermind behind Apricot Grille, Birdie, whose Smiling Goat goat farm supplied Willa with fresh, delicious milk, Vivian from the Rise and Shine Bakery, and Roman from the Golden Glen Meadery. To express her appreciation, Willa thoughtfully prepared small gift baskets for each of her newfound acquaintances.

The atmosphere in the mozzarella class was delightful, as each student skillfully crafted their own shiny, delectable cheese balls. Willa felt a growing sense of belonging in the tight-knit community. However, their harmonious gathering was abruptly interrupted by an unrelenting pounding on the door of her shop. Curiosity compelled Willa to investigate, only to find Guy Lippinger standing before her, hours late and emanating the unmistakable scent of alcohol. Despite Willa's attempts to persuade him to return during business hours, Lippinger obstinately roamed around the shop, criticizing every aspect he laid his eyes upon. His intentions were clear - a scathing review was imminent. However, his gaze fell upon the others from the cheesemaking class.

Eventually, Willa and her companions managed to coax Lippinger out of the cheese shop, yet not without him leaving a lingering threat behind. In a fit of audacity, he declared that one of them harbored a secret, insinuating that he held this information with a firm grip.

As the hours ticked on, uncertainty and curiosity consumed Willa's thoughts. She couldn't help but wonder what secret Lippinger believed he had uncovered, and how it would impact her newfound friendships and the reputation of her beloved cheese shop. Filled with hope for a second chance with the man, Willa spots his car parked at the end of her alley and summons her courage to make one final endeavor. As she cautiously opens the car door to approach him, he unexpectedly tumbles out, a knife lodged in his neck. Willa's horrified screams prompt concerned neighbors to alert the authorities, and once she regains her composure, she finds herself face-to-face with the head Detective. He delves into her personal background and probes her involvement with the store, eventually dropping the bombshell that the murder weapon was one of the cheese knives she had included in her gift baskets.

Willa is left dumbfounded by this revelation. She vehemently denies any involvement in the man's death. However, she realizes that only a select few individuals from her shop could have accessed those particular cheese knives. Determined to unearth the truth behind Guy Lippinger's murder before her reputation in town and the fate of her shop are irreparably tarnished, Willa resolves to uncover the identity of the killer. Yet, she can't help but wonder if her investigation will inadvertently make her the next target in the killer's crosshairs.

I just wanted to point out a few personal things. I do not know how many pieces of cheese and bread I consumed while listening to this amazing book; I wrote down each recipe as well. I also wanted to mention that I find Willa's living arrangement above the cheese shop, where she shares her home with her beloved fish, Loretta, quite endearing.