Blog Tour of "Blackberry Crumble"

When I saw this book available for review, I couldn't help myself.  I had to sign up!  I have heard about Josi Kilpack and the wonderful books she writes, but I had never taken the time to read one.

Let's start with the summary from Goodreads.

The word is out about Sadie Hoffmiller's amateur detective work, but it's not exactly the kind of publicity Sadie wants. In the newest culinary mystery from bestselling author Josi Kilpack, Sadie accepts her first investigation-for-hire and travels to Portland, Oregon, at the request of a woman who has suspicions about her wealthy father's untimely death. Putting her detective skills to the test, Sadie delves into a past business partnership that didn't end well, discovers some unsavory family secrets, and exposes more than a few motives for murder. When the investigation leads to threats against her safety, Sadie pretends to crumble under the pressure. But secretly, she is more determined than ever to uncover answers that seem to be buried in shocking scandal, insatiable appetites, and pure greed.
• Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadie's Virtual Test Kitchen.
• Josi's culinary mysteries have become favorites with members of Goodreads and other book networking sites.
• Reader's guide available online.

When I signed up for the blog tour, I didn't realize that this book was book five in a series.  I purchased the first book and thought that I would read it first to become familiar with the main character, Sadie  Hoffmiller.  Because of time constraints I realized that it would not be possible and jumped right into reading this one without  being acquainted with the books before it.

I am happy to say, it wasn't hard to keep up with the story or the characters.  Josi Kilpack has done an excellent job of creating a stand alone book in the midst of a series of books.  She didn't recreate much back story, but she didn't need to.  She was able to move along with the story smoothly.  I knew that the characters had established relationships and I wasn't confused.  I did not feel like I had missed out on much of the story line.

Sadie is a retired school teacher and a widow.  Somehow she has fallen into the work of an amateur detective.  She has a boyfriend and a place in her community.  She finds herself in a scandalous news story that devastates her, but leads her to a job as a detective trying to solve a murder mystery.

Sadie is a lovable character.  She makes honest mistakes and learns from them.  She gets into sticky situations but keeps her wits about her and makes the best  of her circumstances.  I found myself rooting for her and cheering her on.

I have to admit.  While reading this book, I purchased all four of the previous books.  I will love reading and getting to know Sadie and her friends better.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mystery with a quirky and lovable older lady as the main character.  I gave it four stars.

As a bonus, there are several recipes featured in the book.  Sadie loves to cook as well as eat food. (A woman after my own heart.)  I know I will have to try some of them out.  Particularly the Blackberry Crumble recipe.

I received this book to review as part of a blog tour from Pump up your Books.