Sophia Rose Reviews: Southern Discomfort by Caroline Fardig

Today while I enjoy a little r&r Sophia Rose is handling things fine with a good old southern mystery and #1 in Caroline Fardig's new Southern B&B mystery series.
Sophia Rose take it away!
Enjoy!

Southern Discomfort by Caroline Fardig

#1 Southern B&B Mystery

Cozy Mystery

Publisher:  Alibi

Published:  3.6.18

ASIN: B071K4DV7W

Pages:  231

Format:  eARC

Source:  Net Galley

Sellers: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo

ADD TO: GOODREADS

GoodReads Blurb:

Southern hospitality meets deadly deception in the start of a charming new mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Java Jive novels.

Quinn Bellandini loves her life in Savannah, Georgia, where she runs her grandfather’s B&B with her sister, Delilah. From baking fresh scones and serving up grits every morning to ensuring the guests see the best of their historic city, Quinn can’t imagine doing anything else—even if it means dealing with nuisances like the occasional malfunctioning commode. But when Quinn drops by the local restaurant owned by her friend Drew Green, and stumbles upon a murder, her whole world comes crashing down.

Drew’s brother was always a little surly, but Quinn can’t imagine that someone disliked the prickly chef enough to kill him. The police, on the other hand, don’t believe that Quinn was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before her guests can even digest the next morning’s gourmet breakfast, Quinn learns that she and Drew are suspects.

Drew thinks they should do some investigating of their own. Quinn is pretty sure she’s better suited to playing hostess than amateur sleuth. But with Delilah as her cynical sidekick, Quinn starts looking for the real killer—before she gets put away faster than you can say “sugar.”

Sophia Rose's Review:

Set in Savannah, Georgia, this new cozy mystery series featuring two sisters living with their magician grandfather and possible the ghost of Great Uncle Frank while running a B&B had great appeal.

For the most part, I had a good time with this one.  There were many things I loved.  Quinn and her sister have been raised by their grandmother and former circus magician, Italian grandfather with their hippy mom in and out of the picture.  They still live in the big house where they grew up and it’s now a B&B.  Quinn does the books and cooks the most delicious meals- I mean, I was so hungry reading about them and grateful the recipes are included in the back- while Delilah and Papa Sal have their own responsibilities.  The ghost of Uncle Frank is a subtle aspect that Delilah and Papa Sal believe in, but not Quinn.   Quinn and her girl band together since high school and just a bunch of friends enjoying doing sets at the local bars, now.   There’s the hint and then start of a romance. I also loved the setting of Savannah.

I did have a few niggles.  They weren't big, but I suppose they will sound that way when I describe them.

At first, I was okay with Quinn's snarly issues with Tucker moving back across the street, but it got old.  She is under the impression that he was just a dumb jock and bullied her sister back in high school (15 years ago, no less) though Delilah and everyone else tells her that he didn't and she's got him wrong.  He is so sweet and patient through her rudeness though I was glad he didn’t let it slide completely.  It was a big relief when she finally got a clue.

I also struggled with how several of the characters seemed to be overdrawn or at least, they seen this way because I was getting it all from Quinn's perspective.  The police detectives played obvious good cop/bad cop, the murder victims wife was a drastic mean girl (though I had my suspicions why and I was totally right about that), Tucker's ex was a nut job, and even Quinn went all Kojak on people to get them to tell her what she wanted to know.

The mystery had a nice twist at the end and I was totally off in my guess.  I thought it was fun to see Quinn and Delilah trying their hand at detecting particularly when it came to the 'hot fish' episode and with the bookie and the food reviewer.   And, though I quibbled about the way Quinn went about her solo detecting work with some folk, I also thought it was more authentic that she made these blunders since this was her first effort.  I knew what was going on with Drew blowing hot and cold while Quinn was busting butt to get them out of trouble and I wanted to give him a swift kick to let her in on his secret. Delilah and Quinn's band mates helped keep it real for Quinn and I loved this, too.

So, this was a fun, light cozy.  I'll definitely be watching for the next installment in the series and have no trouble recommending it to others.

I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Author’s Bio:

CAROLINE FARDIG is the USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR of the Java Jive Mysteries series and the Lizzie Hart Mysteries series. Fardig's BAD MEDICINE was named one of the "Best Books of 2015" by Suspense Magazine. She worked as a schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom before she realized that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Fardig still lives in that same town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.

Website:  http://www.carolinefardig.com/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/carolinefardig

Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Sophia’s Social Media Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose