Everything You Want To Know
Customer Reviews
I liked this one even more than the first book. Laura Evans has truly found her rhythm in Silver Springs, gaining confidence and a stronger connection with the community around her.
This time, she's not the newbie; folks trust her, Inspector Ramirez gives her real leeway, and tips flow in like harvest bounty. Teaming up with Evelyn and Jasmine to save Izzy from a murder rap? Pure gold. The fall setting at Goldenleaf Apple Farm had me craving pie while piecing together clues about Vernon Reed's bung hammer demise. It’s the kind of small-town setup that cozy mystery fans crave with the tight-knit community, seasonal charm, and just enough darkness to stir the cider.
The pacing stumbles a bit in the middle while all the clues and information are being collected, but the setup ultimately pays off. The ending is clean, realistic, and satisfying, tying together the mystery with a resolution that feels true to the characters. That ending on Laura's personal front? A sweet, heartfelt bow that left me smiling.
Overall, this cozy mystery nails the balance of heartwarming friendships, autumnal charm, and twisty whodunit without spilling into melodrama.
Would I recommend it?
Yes! If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong community ties, likable characters, and a clever sleuth, this one’s a win. I was invested in Laura’s growth and the story’s clever unraveling of clues.
About Jodie Morgan
Jodie is an author and knitting blogger. Her books welcome readers to the charming Silver Springs Mysteries in Vermont, filled with intriguing puzzles, memorable characters, and the satisfying solutions cozy mystery readers love.
When she’s not writing you’ll find her reading, savoring a coffee (with cream, always!) or working on a knitting or crochet project.
In The Heart Of The Green Mountain State Lakeside Region...
You’ll find Silver Springs, Maplewood County: home to delicious foods, a welcoming community, and… murder? It’s just as well Laura Evans and the Maplewood Crafters Club is on the case…
Meet The Characters
Laura Evans (Protagonist)
Intuitive and warm, this copper-haired, freckle-faced newcomer hoped for a simple life managing the General Store’s café, but her curiosity keeps pulling her into intriguing mysteries...
Laura’s best asset is exceptional her people skills from her 15-year Boston restaurant management career: knowing when a complicated order reveals more than preferences, or when a casual comment might be the key to an entire case.
Other Key Characters
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Evelyn Chan: Laura’s landlady, a retired medical practice manager, provides wisdom and strategic support during investigations with her exceptional memory, warm manner, and sense of humor.
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Jasmine Williams: A witty, friendly soul who works with Laura at the Silver Springs General Store. Her knack for the overlooked details complements Laura’s intuitive investigating style.
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Detective Seargeant Ramirez: Former college ice hockey captain turned police officer with a strong sense of justice. Though skeptical of Laura, she still becomes a valuable ally.
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Monty & Oscar: Proper, particular Monty and affectionate, excitable Oscar, are Evelyn’s seven-year-old feline brothers who witness the investigative meetings.
The Setting: Silver Springs
Nestled among the Green Mountains, Silver Springs' downtown is lined historic buildings. In the center of it all is the General Store, filling the air with the scent of delicious regional specialties and locally roasted coffee.
This community thrives on small but meaningful rituals: club meetings, regulars claiming their favorite tables at local eateries, and neighbors greeting each other by name as they stroll through Moss Ridge Nature Preserve. Winding country roads lead deeper into the mountains of the surrounding Maplewood County.
Here’s What Some Readers Say About The Series...
★★★★★
“Enjoyable read, lots of interesting characters. I was kept guessing until the very end.”
— Deb S., cozy mystery, historical, contemporary, and non-fiction reader, Wisconsinite.
★★★★★
“Murder At The Summer Cheese Festival by Jodie Morgan is the kind of cozy mystery that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a rainy day. Jodie Morgan’s writing is sharp yet comforting, with just the right amount of humor and heart. I laughed, I guessed (wrong), and I didn’t want it to end. If you love cozy mysteries with food, fun, and just a touch of murder—this is one book you absolutely need on your shelf.”
— Paul Lawrence, cozy mystery, thriller, and fantasy reader, trekkie, New Yorker.
★★★★★
“I live in New England in the vicinity of Boston and Morgan’s wonderfully atmospheric descriptions of a small town in Vermont feel authentic and its characters believable. The attention to detail in the scene-setting was expertly aided by Jodie Morgan’s descriptive turn of phrase, making it very easy to imagine yourself in the locations she is describing, tasting the food and breathing in the fragrances. I loved how deliciously tasty this book was! It really was an enjoyable treat for all the senses with an atmosphere built through flavors, fragrances, and even soft textures described – all adding to the coziness of the novel. The murder mystery is a lot of fun as clues are uncovered bit by bit by the amateur sleuths. This book is highly recommended by me for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club books and other cozy mysteries.”
— S. Bavey, author of memoir, family history, and biographies, book reviewer, blogger, mother of two, English, Bay Stater.
★★★★★
“This cozy mystery was a treat for both my mystery-loving heart and my cheese-loving brain. Laura Evans made for an intriguing amateur sleuth…a newcomer with heart, grit, and a growing sense of belonging in her quirky town. The idea that home isn’t where you come from, but where you’re truly seen and valued, is so true and close to heart. As a cozy mystery, it hits all the right notes: food, friendship, and just enough danger to make you keep the lights on a little longer.”
— Devi, cozy mystery, fantasy thriller, and paranormal reader, book blogger, short story writer.
★★★★★
“Laura was a great protagonist and I can totally relate to the feeling of wanting to start over. The secondary cast really added to the story, with plenty of characters to keep you laughing and intrigued throughout the entire book. The author really nailed what it was like to live in a small town. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings, so I did not solve the mystery before it was revealed. It welcomed me to Silver Springs with open arms, and I am really excited to see where people of this town take me next!”
— Ashley Gillan, cozy mystery, historical romance, history, and YA reader, journalist, dog lover, photographer, book blogger and reviewer, Pennsylvanian.
★★★★★
“This is the sort of book where I was able to play armchair detective. Everything feels real and believable. And the characters are the kind you pass while walking down the street, also real and believable. The research that went into this book was unbelievable – I'm convinced that after reading this book I could make cheese.”
— Sarah Wittle, childrens/young adult book blogger, reviewer, primary school librarian, mystery and thriller reader.
★★★★★
"Enjoyable read, lots of interesting characters. I was kept guessing until the very end."
— Deb, cozy mystery, historical, contemporary, and non-fiction reader, Wisconsinite.
★★★★★
"Murder At The Summer Cheese Festival by Jodie Morgan is the kind of cozy mystery that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a rainy day. Jodie Morgan's writing is sharp yet comforting, with just the right amount of humor and heart. I laughed, I guessed (wrong), and I didn't want it to end. If you love cozy mysteries with food, fun, and just a touch of murder—this is one book you absolutely need on your shelf."
— Paul Lawrence, cozy mystery, thriller, and fantasy reader, trekkie, New Yorker.
★★★★★
“I live in New England in the vicinity of Boston and Morgan’s wonderfully atmospheric descriptions of a small town in Vermont feel authentic and its characters believable. The attention to detail in the scene-setting was expertly aided by Jodie Morgan’s descriptive turn of phrase, making it very easy to imagine yourself in the locations she is describing, tasting the food and breathing in the fragrances. I loved how deliciously tasty this book was! It really was an enjoyable treat for all the senses with an atmosphere built through flavors, fragrances, and even soft textures described – all adding to the coziness of the novel. The murder mystery is a lot of fun as clues are uncovered bit by bit by the amateur sleuths. This book is highly recommended by me for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club books and other cozy mysteries.”
— S. Bavey, author of memoir, family history, and biographies, book reviewer, blogger, mother of two, English, Bay Stater.
★★★★★
"This cozy mystery was a treat for both my mystery-loving heart and my cheese-loving brain. Laura Evans made for an intriguing amateur sleuth…a newcomer with heart, grit, and a growing sense of belonging in her quirky town. The idea that home isn't where you come from, but where you're truly seen and valued, is so true and close to heart. As a cozy mystery, it hits all the right notes: food, friendship, and just enough danger to make you keep the lights on a little longer."
— Devi, cozy mystery, fantasy thriller, and paranormal reader, book blogger, short story writer.
★★★★★
"Laura was a great protagonist and I can totally relate to the feeling of wanting to start over. The secondary cast really added to the story, with plenty of characters to keep you laughing and intrigued throughout the entire book. The author really nailed what it was like to live in a small town. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings, so I did not solve the mystery before it was revealed. It welcomed me to Silver Springs with open arms, and I am really excited to see where people of this town take me next!"
— Ashley Gillan, cozy mystery, historical romance, history, and YA reader, journalist, dog lover, photographer, book blogger and reviewer, Pennsylvanian.
★★★★★
“This is the sort of book where I was able to play armchair detective. Everything feels real and believable. And the characters are the kind you pass while walking down the street, also real and believable. The research that went into this book was unbelievable – I'm convinced that after reading this book I could make cheese.”
— Sarah Wittle, childrens/young adult book blogger, reviewer, primary school librarian, mystery and thriller reader.
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