Key Lime Pie by Josi S. Kilpack

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Mar 022011
 

Key Lime Pie

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: 2010

Softcover: 345 pages

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

ISBN-13: 978-1-60641-813-0

FTC FYI- I purchased my own copy

Hello, all!  Don’t adjust your computer screen.  It’s me!  I am taking over Wednesday’s.

Key Lime Pie is book four in the Sadie Hoffmiller mystery series.

While planting flowers for her required community service (see Devil’s Food Cake), Sadie Hoffmiller’s new friend Eric comes to say hi, and to flirt. Sadie can’t deny that she likes Eric, but she is dating Pete. While Pete and Sadie have never defined their relationship, she is torn with her feelings for both men. Eric takes a phone call. His daughter, Megan, has been missing for three years and the phone call was informing Eric that they found a body and need him to come to Florida right away. Sadie and Pete go on their date, but Sadie can’t get Eric and his situation out of her mind.  After her dinner, armed with cookies, she goes to Eric’s and asks what she can do to help, Eric asks Sadie to come to Florida with him, she says no.  They say goodbye and Eric is on his way. The next day, Sadie gets a call from Eric. He needs her to clean out a trailer so he can sell it right away and he also needs a box of Megan’s items sent to Florida right away. She rushes over to the house, finds the box, but can’t fight her natural “busy-bodiness”. She opens the box, and with the items inside, she can’t figure out why they would be of such importance. Because she is too curious, Sadie makes the decision to go to Florida herself to deliver it. When she gets there, however, things don’t go as planned.  We meet Layla, Megan’s mother and Larry, Layla’s second ex-husband.  And they have secrets of their own.

I loved this book. Josi’s stories are so expertly detailed and very well written. I was surprised with the turn that Key Lime Pie took, and was happy that I didn’t figure it out. Sadie has gotten herself in some pickles before, but this was by far the most suspenseful. Although she is very curious and a self-described busy body, Sadie genuinely cares about the people she is helping and is very resourceful. I really enjoyed the ending, and felt she made a very good decision about the men in the life.

Would I:

  • Recommend this book?  Absolutely.  It reads very fast, and is very exciting.  The ending surprised me too.
  • Read it again?  Yes!  Excited to read the next in the series Blackberry Crumble.

4 stars out of 5

Devil’s Food Cake by Josi Kilpack – Book Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 162010
 


Title: Devil’s Food Cake

Author: Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Deseret Book
Published Date: 2010
ISBN#: 978-1-60641-232-9
I first met Josi Kilpack in a hallway all dressed up in a dark blue gown and waiting for the very first Whitney Awards Gala to begin. Sheila, Hillary and I introduced ourselves as LDS Women’s Book Review and interviewed her for the first Whitney Award podcast.

Since then, Josi’s been hard at work writing her culinary mystery series that began with Lemon Tart, which is currently a 2009 Whitney Award finalist. English Trifle, the second book in the series, took us “across the pond” and gave us all a craving for crumpets and scones while trying to figure out whodunit. I thoroughly enjoyed both Lemon Tart and English Trifle, and though I anxiously awaited the release of Devil’s Food Cake I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Sadie.

I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Sadie has been back from England for several weeks and is struggling to stick to her diet after making several Devil’s Food cakes for the library fund-raiser. When the agent of a former-resident-turned-famous-author is murdered on stage during the fund-raiser, Sadie really does want to let the local authorities handle the situation. When she starts noticing details that the police are overlooking, Sadie tries to inform them but due to her previous meddling several members of the police department, including her date, Detective Pete Cunningham, are reluctant to listen and Sadie is told to leave.

Before Sadie has the chance to gather the remaining Devil’s Food cakes and leave for home, an encounter with a person-of-interest in the case leaves Sadie with questions that can only be answered with a little investigating of her own. Sadie soon finds herself, as well as her son, Shawn, on a road filled with risks that will lead them to answers but at a cost that Sadie finds she may not be able to live with.

Devil’s Food Cake is full of fresh material and new twists. We are introduced to Sadie’s adopted son, Shawn, an impressively-large, Polynesian young man who is more than willing to jump into the fray. Some additional new characters are introduced, including a certain someone I hope we will see again.


What worked for me: I love all three books in this series so far and each one is just as good as the others. I’ve rarely read a series where I’ve liked all the books equally. There are usually a few in the series that I don’t care for as much. Not so with Lemon Tart, English Trifle and Devil’s Food Cake. I love how Josi writes Sadie, and the story never fails to grab me from the start and keep me turning pages. You’ve done an amazing job, Josi. Best of luck at the Whitney Awards!

What didn’t work for me: Waiting for Key Lime Pie to be released, though I will wait, because there are only going to be so many books and I don’t want to rush the end of the series. (Heather, I am SO jealous! I’m seriously “key lime” green with envy!)


Rating: 5 out of 5
Would I read it again? Definitely!
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. To everyone.
Would I read more of Josi Kilpack’s books? That’s the plan!
FTC FYI: The copy of Devil’s Food Cake that I reviewed was a free review copy sent by the publisher and did not affect my review in any way.

Josi! What has Shawn done?!?

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 082010
 
Hi everyone! Shanda here-

I’m supposed to post my book review today, but my life is bordering on insanity right now and will be for the next few days. So, my review of Devil’s Food Cake by Josi Kilpack will be posted on Thursday instead.

As of right now, I have no idea how Devil’s Food Cake is going to end, but at the moment it isn’t looking good at all. Poor Sadie! And Shawn just- I mean how could he be so casual after- aaaaah!
If you’ll excuse me now, I need to get back to my reading!

Episode 36 with Josi Kilpack and Michele Paige Holmes Released!

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Sep 052009
 

Sheila, Hillary and I were thrilled to have authors Josi Kilpack and Michele Paige Holmes join us once again on the podcast. These beautiful and talented ladies are always fun to talk with and Episode 36 was no exception.

Josi’s latest novel, English Trifle, is the sequel to her very successful book, Lemon Tart. During the podcast, Josi spoke about the next book in her culinary mystery series, Devil’s Food Cake, as well as giving us a glimpse into the future of the series. Josi’s writing style for her mysteries is fun and unique- she let us know that even she doesn’t know the culprit until she writes the end- and if the story keeps the author guessing until the end, it’s definitely going to keep the reader guessing, too! English Trifle takes place in a castle in England as Sadie and her daughter visit Breanna’s fiance, Liam, over the Christmas break. While taking a “turn about the room” on the last day of their visit, Sadie and Breanna make a gruesome discovery- a man, run through with a fireplace poker and pinned to the wall behind a curtain. When the body disappears and the people of the house start doubting Sadie and Breanna, Sadie’s determined to prove they aren’t making up what they saw. What follows is an adventure where everyone has something to hide and Sadie is determined to uncover the truth. English Trifle is a fast-moving, thoroughly delicious mystery and just like any good dessert, you’ll savor every bite.

Sheila reviewed Michele Paige Holmes’ All the Stars in Heaven a few posts ago (go check it out), however, I wanted to add my thoughts to hers. Michele has a powerful way of making the reader invested in the story she writes, caring about and rooting for the “good guys” as well as evoking strong feelings toward the “bad guys.” She can even help the reader feel a certain amount of sympathy for the “bad guy” without lessening the incorrectness of the choices he made. All the Stars in Heaven is ultimately a romance, with some good mystery-suspense as well. It’s a moving story of growth and change, contrasts and unexpected commonalities, courage and forgiveness. Michele is currently working on her third book in the Stars series called My Lucky Stars. Michele calls it a romantic comedy. She told us a little about the premise of My Lucky Stars during the podcast and it sounds like a lot of fun!

Thanks again, Josi and Michele, for taking the time to come visit with us and for entertaining us with your wonderful stories!

On one final note, for all of the DOROTHY KEDDINGTON fans out there, Dorothy let me know that her new manuscript, The Fairy Thorn, has been accepted and is scheduled for an October release through Granite Publishing. All of you who have been leaving comments and waiting and wondering- the wait is over! There is even talk of re-releasing her older novels as well! As soon as I know more I will post updates on the blog, so check back often. Congratulations, Dorothy!

Deliciously Yummy Reads from Josi Kilpack!

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jun 082009
 

I was so excited to discover the first two chapters of Josi Kilpack’s book, English Trifle, on her website. Due to be released in August, English Trifle is the much anticipated sequel to Lemon Tart. Josi’s main character, Sadie Hoffmiller, is an endearing, middle-aged woman who takes her cooking seriously, loves her two grown children, and somehow manages to find herself in themiddle of things. Josi joined us on the LDSWBR podcast in Episode 30 for a very entertaining interview.While you’re listening to the podcast, go check out the first two chapters of English Trifle on Josi’s website.

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