Town in a Blueberry Jam

Town in a Blueberry Jam
Author: B. B. Haywood
Berkley, 2010
308 pages

Candy Holliday lives just outside a small Maine tourist town, having come here to run a blueberry farm with her retired Dad after a short career in the city. She earns a little money on the side making blueberry pies and other goodies, and has a banner year selling her goods at the Blueberry Festival. Life is simple, but sweet. 

When the local celebrity is found dead in the waters near a cliff, everyone wonders: did he jump? Did he fall accidentally? Or was he pushed? But when the newly-crowned Blueberry Queen (whom no one thought should win) is also found murdered and one of Candy's friends is accused of the crime, she gets involved in the investigation.

This cozy, food-themed mystery that will appeal to readers who like quaint and don't like anything too gory or scary. The writing is tight and the characters are set up well for future stories. The descriptions of the coastal town makes me want to visit Maine . . . and I'd definitely like to try some of Candy's baked goods. Of course, there are several recipes in the book. You can practically smell the blueberry muffins in the oven. :-)