An Eggnog to Die for (Cape Cod Foodie Mystery #2) by Amy Pershing

An Eggnog to Die for (Cape Cod Foodie Mystery #2) Reviews

• 
  Diana | Book of Secrets

  ★ Christmas Cozy Mystery ★
  
  4.25 Stars
  
  AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR is a smart and funny cozy mystery set in the small town of Fair Harbor on Cape Cod. Food writer Samantha Barnes finds the body of the man playing Santa for the town's Christmas celebration while scoping out a new trendy local restaurant. But who would murder Saint Nick? Turns out the guy in the red suit may have been on the naughty list. With the help of her Harbormaster boyfriend Jason, Sam is determined to catch a killer.
  
  Sam is a delightful character, clever in her investigations and so funny with her snarky comments. The mystery was puzzling with plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. Each time I decided on a culprit, something changed my mind, and in the end I was completely wrong!
  
  I loved meeting Sam's parents (the 'rents) and hearing about the family Christmas traditions. I'm not a big seafood fan, but Sam's Feast of the Five Fishes sounded delicious!
  
  This is the second book in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series, but can easily be read standalone.
• 
  Tina

  An Eggnog to Die for is a highly enjoyable read. The mystery was well written, and the author created some great red herrings that made me think. The identity of the killer shocked me. The false trail of clues led me astray and my thought process was completely off base. .. A memorable setting, vivid food descriptions, and interesting characters make this a very worthwhile read. I cant wait to read the next book in the series
  
  
  Thank You Berkley and NetGalley kindly provided me with an advance copy. This is a truthful review.
• 
  LORI CASWELL

  Dollycas’s Thoughts
  
  To say professional foodie Samantha Barnes has a lot on her list is an understatement this Christmas season. Her parents have arrived unexpectedly reporting Christmas in Florida is just not the same. Without a rental car, Sam becomes their chauffeur. She has articles to write and videos to make for her job at the Clarion. She also has a Christmas Eve dinner planned, a Feast of the Five Fishes, including eggnog for her family and friends. All that plus a Santa’s Seashore Selebration happening complete with a 5K Santa Stroll and Santa Trolley and Santa arriving at the harbor on Sam’s boyfriend’s boat with Jason decked out in an elf costume.
  
  She wants to check the video for a new restaurant, The Ginger Jar, off her list, so they agree to do it after Santa’s big arrival. The taping went great but Sam finds a terrible gift on her way to the bathroom, a very shiny black boot, a hand clutching a manilla folder, all attached to a very dead Santa. She quickly realizes her Christmas List has gotten suddenly longer. She may need a miracle but she is going to get everything on her list checked off and track down the killer that struck down Santa Claus.
  
  I fell hard for Samantha Barnes in the first book, A Side of Murder. She is such a smart sleuth and she has a terrific sense of humor. She is tall in stature and uses that trait wisely. In An Eggnog to Die For, we see where she gets her drive from. Her mother is like a steamroller when she gets an idea. It is best to get on board to get out of the way. She falls into her old reporter’s shoes quickly to help solve the murder even if it means questioning some dark individuals. Her father is more laid back, a real teddy bear. A man that brings balance to any situation is his own quiet way. I really enjoyed meeting Sam’s parents and am so glad they arrived for the holidays. Of course, the wonderful Diogi returns. Such a great doggie.
  
  The other characters we met in the first book return but there are a couple of newcomers. Julie and Martin Bruni, the brother and sister are the owners of The Ginger Jar. a small plates and craft cocktail restaurant that has been a big hit with the younger crowd of Fair Harbor. Martin is the brains behind drinks like Caribbean Christmas Eggnog and Santa Clausmopolitan. Julie is a terrific chef serving up yummy oyster stew and peekytoe crab dip with wonton chips. I would love a place like that but sadly both owners are on the suspect list.
  
  The author has reeled in a bunch of red herrings to distract and misdirect. Sam is an awesome multitasker juggling her dinner plans, work, and the murder. I really like the way she discusses her findings and theories with Jason. She does notice things other people miss. It was fun following the clues with Sam. The culprit was on my radar for a second or two but was dismissed only to circle back around as the clues really fell into place.
  
  The setting of this series is something that really resonates with me. Sam inherited a wonderful home from her Aunt Ida. There is an ell where she lived her last days but the main part of the house needs work and in this story, we found it holds some treasures. It also has a spectacular view. The descriptions of the wonderful home made me so happy. Years ago when I was just starting my married life I would have loved to find a home like this and bring it back to its glory. Now I can get a taste of the renovations by slipping into Sam’s world.
  
  Ms. Pershing has written a story that will get you in the Christmas spirit. The characters are well crafted and all feel like they could be neighbors and friends we could meet anywhere. The mystery was entertaining and fun. And the food . . . oh! the food! There are recipes for a delightful dinner at the end of the book and I plan to try them all as soon as my own personal chef/husband prepares them. Be sure to add An Eggnog To Die For to your Christmas reading lists.
• 
  Lisa Morin

  Samantha Barnes has no time to get involved in a murder investigation, but with a title like An Eggnog to Die For, we all know what's going to happen.
  Holiday festivities and being a food critic are keeping Samantha busy, and of course everyone has to give her their own Eggnog secrets.
  I love Christmas mysteries and this one is really good.
• 
  Deanne Patterson

  I just love cozy mysteries especially ones involving food and animals.
  Even though this is the second in the Cap Cod Foodie Mystery series it can easily be read as a stand alone.
  An Eggnog to Die for is an entertaining,keep you guessing type of book that can be read any time of the year.
  Samantha Barnes is a professional foodie and just wants peace of mind and a relaxing time with the holidays coming up. She'd love to spend it with her dog and her harbor-master boyfriend.
  Life is never that simple though and before she knows it family is there to be entertained and she once again finds herself in front of the camera.
  When the deceased turns out to be a person that is not well liked there are a slew of suspects that could have a variety of reasons to do him in.
  Lots of delicious food recipes,family dynamics and a story set at a fast pace will keep you reading this lighthearted Christmas themed cozy mystery.
  
  Pub Date: 09 Nov 2021
  I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
  All opinions expressed are my own.
• 
  Louise

  3.5 stars - An Eggnog To Die For is a lovely seasonal treat that can be enjoyed at any time of year. The events all take place in the days before and after Christmas in the fictional town of Fair Harbor on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Between the local color (lots of info on Cape Cod) and the food descriptions (including a cooking tip here and there), I really enjoyed this book. Caleb Mayo is found murdered in a new-ish trendy restaurant that is viewed with suspicion by the “old guard.” Mayo apparently rubbed a lot of the local population the wrong way, with his bullying and self-righteousness so there are a lot of possible suspects, which makes for a fun guessing game for the reader. “Sam” Barnes is a good main character, a former chef who is doing restaurant reviews and some videos for the local newspaper. Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple is her favorite amateur sleuth.
  
  This was my introduction to this Cape Cod-based cozy mystery series and it was easy to read without having read the previous one.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
• 
  The Cozy Review

  An Eggnog To Die For is a delightful read for the holidays. Especially so if you love food, recipes, family dynamics, and of course, murder. Throw in a mystery, plenty of suspects, controversy, and a wonderful dog, and you have everything you need for an enjoyable few hours in a comfy chair. Sam takes some getting used to. The entire cast adds laughter, intrigue, and action to the story. The introduction of Sam’s parents and other characters round out the main character’s background and allows the reader a deeper insight into who Sam is. No one is left out of the investigation, friends, family, or neighbors. Many readers will not guess the correct identity of the killer. The twist at the end will keep readers wanting more from this series and this author.
  
  Sam has her hands full with holiday plans, coming up with an eggnog recipe, and trying to squeeze in time to enjoy all of the festivities, but when her parents suddenly show up without notice to spend the holidays with her, in her not fit to live in house, her work doubles. After a fun event, Sam finds herself being nosy as usual and stumbles upon a body, not just any body though, it’s Santa, and the man under the costume is not someone anyone will miss.
  
  There are plenty of suspects and the evidence leads Sam from one motive to the next. Before long, she finds herself running around in circles, following red herrings that lead nowhere and putting herself in jeopardy. This is not the holiday celebration she had planned for. It was going to be perfect, the food and the eggnog were going to flow, and everyone was supposed to be happy and content. Instead, she finds herself in danger and the holiday fun in ruins. Sam is impetuous and jumps when she should sit, but no one can argue with her results. There are a number of red herrings that will throw readers in the wrong direction. However, in the end, Sam solves the crime, and justice is done. An Eggnog To Die For is worth taking time out of our hectic schedules this holiday season.
  
• 
  Kristina

  An Eggnog to Die for by Amy Pershing is the 2nd A Cape Cod Foodie Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. The author provides all the information that a new reader needs to know. An Eggnog to Die For has Samantha Barnes getting ready for the holidays. Sam is working on fixing up the home she inherited from her aunt and working as a food critic for the local newspaper, Cape Cod Clarion. She also tapes short food segments for the online paper. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and their upcoming holiday celebrations. This is a quintessential small town that is celebrating Christmas New England style. There are several quirky characters in the story that keep things lively. Sam is filming a holiday drink segment at the local hot restaurant, Ginger Jar. She takes a break to use the ladies’ room and ends up finding the town’s Santa dead in the owner’s office. Sam dons her sleuthing cap once again and sets out to locate the killer. She has a long list of suspects since the victim was not well liked. There is misdirection to throw readers off the track of the guilty party. There are clues to help armchair sleuths solve the crime. I enjoyed the reveal of the killer and I appreciated that the whodunit was completely wrapped up. The food and drink descriptions will have your mouth watering. There is humor in the story to provide giggles. Sam’s snarky comments are amusing. The story is told from Sam’s point-of-view, so we get to know what she is thinking and feeling especially with regard to her harbor master boyfriend. An Eggnog to Die For is a cute cozy mystery with a delightful dog, appetizing appetizers, a sanctimonious Santa, costume crisis, parents paying a visit, and a snooping Sam.
• 
  Carrie Schmidt (Reading is My SuperPower)

  I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me cozy mystery series to follow – it’s the childhood Murder She Wrote & now Hallmark Mysteries fan in me, I guess. I somehow missed reading book one in Amy Pershing’s Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries but jumping in with book two was delightful nonetheless. I’m definitely looking forward to book three!
  
  An Eggnog to Die For has a lot going for it: a charming northeastern setting at Christmas, engaging characters (main & supporting), adorable pets, a plucky & extroverted restaurant reviewer-slash-former-chef, her introverted & swoony harbormaster boyfriend, droolworthy food & drink mentions, and the best part – a mystery that took me by surprise more than once. I really enjoyed meeting Samantha (Sam) and her gaggle of family & friends, including the aforementioned swoony boyfriend Jason. Each character is winsome in his/her own way, and the fact that we are treated to Sam’s perspective through the first person narrative makes her particular character even more relatable. She’s witty and intuitive, very perceptive, engaging, and exactly the kind of person you would want to hang out with in real life – or, you know, solve your murder or clear your name, should worse come to worse lol.
  
  Speaking of Sam’s murder-solving abilities, Pershing has crafted a skillfully twisted plot with plenty of suspects and some turns you may not be expecting. I was truly stunned by one such particular curve, though in hindsight I shouldn’t have been. The author expertly mixes authentic clues among the red herrings in such a way that it’s easy to look back and see the clues all come together but in the moment, when you’re reading it for the first time, you won’t be able to distinguish one from the other.
  
  Bottom Line: Witty & smart, An Eggnog to Die For by Amy Pershing is deliciously entertaining. The mystery is excellent in plotting & technique, keeping readers guessing when it comes to whodunnit. Sam, Diogi (which is the best dog name ever when you know where it came from) and her crew of amateur sleuths (aka her family & friends) are very likable and relatable too. The perfect cozy to get you in the Christmas spirit, murder notwithstanding.
  
  (I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
  
  Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is some mild cursing (and one particularly strong instance) in this novel.
  
  first reviewed at
  Reading Is My SuperPower
• 
  Sue Em

  Working my way through a number of Christmas-themed mysteries. This one was as delicious as the food described in it. Great characters and pacing, but the gold star atop the tree goes to the mystery itself. Plenty of red herrings before getting to the unveiling of the perpetrator. Well done!
• 
  Peggy R

  An Eggnog to Die For is the second installment in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series and is a delightful follow-up to the author's debut. Christmas is coming to the Cape and Sam is in the middle of preparations for the holidays, including her Feast of the Five Fishes. Unfortunately, the holiday festivities are interrupted when Sam finds a dead Santa in one of the restaurants she is reviewing. With two books under her belt in this series, I feel like the author has provided readers with very likable characters. Sam is a bit impulsive, but that is not unexpected with an amateur sleuth. She is very perceptive and sees things that are sometimes overlooked by others. I also appreciate how she works through the clues with Jason as a sounding board before doing anything too impetuous. Sam is surrounded by a solid cast of secondary characters, including her lovable dog Diogi. I really enjoyed meeting her parents and look forward to having them included in future books. Sam does come by her sleuthing naturally through her mother.
  
  The mystery was well done and the author did a wonderful job of cooking up some red herrings that kept me guessing. I will admit to being surprised by the killer's identity. I fell for the false trail of clues and was totally off the mark in my thought process.
  
  So far, I have really enjoyed both books in the series and I look forward to seeing where the author takes these characters and the series.
  
  I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Berkley, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
• 
  François Thurston

  FOR A COZY MYSTERY, THIS WAS A VERY DENSE READ!
  
  I just checked what my rating was for book 1, which is called a side of murder. I actually gave it four stars and I don't remember why, so I'm going to check. Oh OK, I gave the book four stars because I liked the mystery side of it, but even made the point that it wasn't cosy enough for me.
  
  I think putting all of this together, what I've realised about Amy Pershing Is that she's probably just not the author for me. Her writing., and this is just to me, is very dense and hard to get through.
  
  To give an example of a cosy mystery that is my type of cosy mystery, I would have to point you in the direction of the Amish Candy Shop series by Amanda Flower. This series is not only extremely cosy and comfortable to read, but it's also quite easy to read. While some may view culinary cosies to include densities, including some cooking, lol, this is not a dense read by any means.
  
  But when it comes to an eggnog to die for, as well as its predecessor, aside of murder. I can't help but be critical because of my own perceptions of what I want to cosy mystery to be. Unfortunately, neither of the first two out of the three books that I've read so far have. Anything to do with what a cosy mystery is.
  
  To me, the reason why the mystery genre created a subgenre for a niche audience called cosy mysteries, was in order to be able to create a book or a series. That is, as the genre defines cosy, comfortable. To read. And eggnog to die for read more to me like a standard mystery. And while that is Fine, had I gone into the book knowing that it was a mystery as opposed to a cosy mystery, I think I would have enjoyed the Series A heck of a lot more. But because I've read so many cosy mysteries in 2022. I now have a certain expectation of what is going to come with it being a cosy mystery book or series. And this series definitely defies that for me, and not necessarily in the best way.
  
  Now, am I sitting here wanting to tell you all that this is a horrible series? Absolutely not. Honestly, I just feel that the series has been miscategorized. My suggestion would be to take the side of murder mystery series and categorise it just as a mystery. Rather than a cosy mystery.
  
  However, I have to write on what I have in front of me and what I have in front of me is a cosy mystery book. Because of that, I'm going to give this book 2.5 stars.
  
  I read this book over the course of four days and that is exceptionally long for someone like me, but I think the reason why was because of the density of Amy Pershing's writing style. Frankly, and this is just me, so keep that in mind as a personal opinion, the writing was so dense that it exhausted me, and that's not something that you should have in a cosy mystery series, emphasis on the word cosy..
  
  I will read book 3 because this book is on my serious about series list and I just want the satisfaction honestly of crossing that series of the list as being complete. So I will read book 3 in July, but I'm honestly not looking forward to it. Maybe I should read it early on so that it's easier to get through. I guess I don't know. Either way, not the series for me, and at this stage, Amy Pershing is not the author for me. But if you're someone who doesn't mind a cosy mystery, that actually should be more accurately represented as a mystery book, then I do recommend it.
  
  While I have done nothing so far, but put this book down, I do have to give it some praise. There is a reason why this book is not receiving one star from me. First of all, I want to talk about the dog in the series. His name is Deeogee, because how do you spell the word dog? D-O-G that cracked me up when I read it in book one, but. DOG as a character is just such a beautiful character, and what I love is that Amy Pershing has Deeogee basically front and centre for the entire series, at least thus far. Our protagonist, on the other hand, really does not either intrigue me or sound like someone I'd ever want to befriend. She just has this way about her that I don't like and I'm someone who needs to not only be invested in a story for me to be able to enjoy it, but I must must be invested in our protagonist and I really wasn't. Even the love interest wasn't holding any interest for me. I mean, I'm at the end of book two and to keep it spoiler free, I wish that the love interest was further along in the relationship than they are. It's just unfortunate, but it is, what it is.
  
  I'd much rather sit here and tell you the truth and explain why I gave it the rating I gave then to just give one throwaway line. But please do keep in mind that all opinions stated here are my own, so you may read the series and absolutely love it, but it definitely was not the book for me and I don't feel this series, is the series for me, despite the fact that I will read book three in July. But that's just to complete the series.
  
  2.5 stars from me.
  Xoxo.
  
• 
  K.A. Davis

  AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR is the second book in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series by Amy Pershing. This delightful holiday read starts out with an entertaining quote from Clark Griswold (of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation fame) and sets the stage for plenty of humor and memorable characters on the pages. Protagonist Samantha Barnes (aka Sam) is a foodie, writing restaurant reviews and making videos for the local Cape Cod Clarion. Sam is a quirky character but I quickly became enamored with her witty one-liner zingers and her self-deprecating humor. She doesn’t take herself entirely seriously. Surrounding Sam is an equally endearing set of supporting characters—human (friends & family), animal (her overly large dog named Diogi), machine (her ancient and cranky pickup truck, Grumpy), and setting (Cape Cod). All are well-developed and unique in their own ways. The author’s descriptive voice shines so the reader feels like they really get to know each aspect. And I just love that Sam’s parents are included in this newest release, having decided that it wouldn’t feel like Christmas celebrating in tropical Florida. They add another dimension of character development in the reader getting to know Sam along with them being a great support system for her.
  
  While murder is never funny, Ms. Pershing sets the stage with humor and you can only shake your head and think “it could only happen to Sam.” With a curmudgeonly Santa dead and Sam “starring” in another embarrassing viral video, the mystery of whodunit pulls Sam into the investigation. Well-plotted and with a quick pace that begs the reader to keep turning pages, there were suspects galore. Even Sam’s mother gets the investigation bug and with her background as a reporter, she’s ready to steamroll everyone around her in her quest to assist her daughter. Sam most certainly has her hands full keeping her mother out of trouble, finding the grinch who did Santa in, all the while preparing to host her Christmas Eve dinner of the Feast of Five Fishes for all her friends and family. With so much going on, Ms. Pershing does an admirable job of juggling the characters, the action, and the murder investigation and kept me glued to the pages until I’d read the very last word. This series is quickly becoming one of my top favorites and I can’t wait to find out what’s next in store for Sam!
  
  As you read through An Eggnog to Die For, be prepared to be hungry during the entire book! Not only are there mouthwatering dishes mentioned and described, there are numerous tips on preparing the ingredients and dishes, that, as a foodie myself, I found intriguing.
  
  I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
• 
  Christine

  3.5 stars - Great setting and descriptions and an interesting plot, but the pace is somewhat uneven.
• 
  Kris

  This one just did not do it for me. I love a good cozy murder mystery as much as the next guy. And set on Cape Cod, which is one of my favorite places on earth? Yes, please! But this one just dragged for me. The murder “mystery” just didn’t grab my attention or hold my interest. I found my mind wandering more often than not and I just didn’t care to pick it back up once I put it down. I also found the plot lacking in substance, because there was not a whole lot going on besides Sam’s sleuthing. It probably didn’t help that there were no sparks between Sam and Jason either, who is supposedly the most eligible bachelor on the Cape. Overall this was a cute story, but just not for me.
  
  Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  OpenBookSociety.com

  
  https://openbooksociety.com/article/a...
  
  Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
  
  An Eggnog to Die For, the second Cape Code Foodie Mystery, is full of holiday spirit, food, and murder. It is entertaining and charming from start to finish.
  
  Former chef Sam is now a food writer in the midst of Christmas prep, knocking out a work assignment about holiday cocktails at The Ginger Jar, when she stumbles across the body of local politician and businessman in the office of the local bar and restaurant. Caleb Mayo was a town selectman and on the school board who seemed to relish doing “the right thing” which really meant being pompous and holier-than-thou, wielding his power to ruin some residents’ lives. This provides lots of fodder for suspects and motives, including the owners of The Ginger Jar. Since Sam found the body, she feels compelled to find out what happened to Caleb.
  
  I like Sam. She is intuitive, intelligent, and quite perceptive, often noticing things that others miss. She does tend to jump into situations that are dangerous, but that is common with many amateur cozy sleuths. Recurring characters from the first book in the series are present and accounted for, and I enjoyed seeing these folks again. Sam’s parents’ arrival to spend the holiday in their hometown gives readers the opportunity to see where Sam comes from, their similarities and differences (Sam consistently refers to them as her ‘rents which drives me nuts). There is plenty of talk of food…Feast of Five Fishes – yum…with some recipes included in the back of the book.
  
  The mystery of Caleb’s murder is well plotted and finely executed. Caleb was a nasty guy, and I had a hard time feeling bad about his demise. He knows so many people’s secrets that it is no surprise that there are gobs of suspects to weed through. Author Amy Pershing drops ample clues and red herrings that kept me vacillating until Sam worked it out. I thought I had cracked the case early on which caused me to gloss over the most significant identifying clue. I love it when I do not figure it all out.
  
  An Eggnog to Die For is a lighthearted, Christmas themed cozy with an interesting puzzle to work through. Recommended to any cozy reader any time of year.
• 
  Kim

  The Holiday season is here and you need to add An Eggnog to Die For by Amy Pershing to your TBR pile, as well as get gift copies for any cozy mystery lovers that you know!
  
  In book two of the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries we are able to reconnect with all the great characters from book one, A Side of Murder, and are introduced to some new characters including Samantha’s parents and the brother-sister duo who are running the chic, new restaurant in town.
  
  While Pershing excels with character development, what really delights me with this series is all the cooking scenes and recipes, and the reno/interior design Sam is doing to the house that she inherited from her aunt. Sam’s mom finds some treasures in the house that will make any Antiques Roadshow fan swoon, and it’s a wonderful find since Sam is a bit low on funds.
  
  As with most cozies there is a romantic aspect, and in this series it’s Jason, the Harbormaster. Their relationship is progressing, and Jason’s gift to Sam towards the end of the book is the sweetest ever… but, for the love of whatever you believe in, they need to communicate more. I’m not saying they need to finish each other’s sentences, but….
  
  Finally there’s the mystery, and this one was very well written with some red herrings. And while the suspects were few and far between at first, the more Sam talked with people around town the more she found out that Santa had been a very, very naughty boy.
  
  I’m looking forward to seeing what wonderful recipes and interior design Pershing comes up with for book three in the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries, as well as reconnecting with all of her fantastic characters!
• 
  Katreader

  AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR by Amy Pershing
  The Second Cape Cod Foodie Mystery
  
  Cape Cod is gearing up for its Santa's Seashore Selebration and Samantha Barnes is ready to host an amazing Christmas. She's discovered an up an coming restaurant that serves small plates and amazing cocktails, a perfect subject for her latest video as the Cape Cod Foodie. As her friends arrive for a meal Sam makes a horrible discovery at the restaurant: Santa is dead! The owners of the Ginger Jar are the obvious suspects, especially as the town selectman playing Santa apparently had it in for the siblings. But surely that's too obvious. Will Sam get involved in another murder investigation? More importantly, will she be able to salvage Christmas?
  
  The second Cape Cod Foodie Mystery will make you hungry. Hungry for delicious food and drink as well as loving family and friends. We get to see Sam and her stoic, yet caring, relationship with her parents. Indeed family play a huge part in this book, the blood ties are ties that bind and we see the lengths people will go to for their family members! The description of the foods, as well as the included tips, is mouthwatering, even though I don't eat seafood. I especially love the idea of the edible Christmas tree and other frugal holiday ideas.
  
  I enjoyed the mystery too. There were plenty of twists and turns, especially as we learned just how bad "Santa" really was. Well plotted, the surprises made sense and were ultimately satisfying.
  
  AN EGGNOG TO DIE FOR is a delectable mystery filled with food, family, and holiday cheer.
• 
  Bridget

  This laugh out loud cozy mystery penned by Amy Pershing features foodie Sam Barnes who writes restaurant reviews and makes videos for the local Cape Cod Clarion. She has a lot on her to-do list this Christmas as her parents are scheduled for a visit but finding a dead body isn't one that can be crossed off the itinerary. Sam is a quirky character and I quickly became enamoured with her witty one-liners and her self-deprecating humour. The mystery itself was entertaining with plenty of mayhem. There was an excellent array of suspects in An Eggnog to Die For and I had a great time trying to work out whodunnit. A super read this Xmas -very highly recommended.
  
  I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Berkley via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
• 
  Maria

  I loved Christmas in Fair Harbor. The descriptions made it sound like the perfect place to wander and get lost in the Christmas spirit. Add in Sam and her wonderful family and friends, and I didn’t want to leave. The food sounded so amazing, especially for her Feast of the Five Fishes. Sam herself is quirky and fun. I love that she can laugh at herself and her viral videos. The mystery definitely had me guessing until the end. And that sweet ending with the surprise gift was so sweet! This one was definitely worth the wait and now the wait begins for the next one.
• 
  Lisa Malmquist

  Samantha Barnes is settling into her new life at Cope Cod. Christmas is around the corner and she has her parents coming for a visit.
  Unfortunately, while doing a food video for a local restaurant, Samantha stumbles over a dead body.
  A local bigwig and horrible person, is found dead in the back of the newest restaurant in town.
  As Samantha investigates, it's hard to find anything redeeming about the guy. He was working on ruining the lives of many people in town. So the suspect list was large.
  Charming Cape Cod backdrop and foodie tips and recipes!
• 
  Cayla

  I enjoyed my journey with Sam Barnes, the once New York chef who has come home to pull her life together. She now does restaurant reviews for the local paper and cooking segments for the papers YouTube channel. After filming one of these segments she ends up finding the town grinch who was playing Santa Claus- dead. If that wasn't enough she now has to entertain her parents for the holidays. With twist and turns and few laughs we find the answers with Sam. Also almost gives you the courage to sing Rolling in the Deep along with a Adele. Just a little too loudly.
• 
  Margie

  It's the day of the Santa Seashore Selebration in Fair Harbor and Harbor Master Jason Captiva is sailing Santa Claus, Fair Haven Select Board member Caleb Mayo, into Town Cove where Caleb will distribute candy canes to the kids and listen to the kids tell him what they want for Christmas. Amateur sleuth Samantha Barnes can't handle seeing her boyfriend, Jason dressed as an elf while piloting the boat transporting Santa Claus so she heads to the Ginger Jar Restaurant where she and her friend Jenny are scheduled to do an interview with the owners. Her other friends, including Jason will meet up with her and Jenny at the restaurant a little later. After her friends arrive Sam accidentally opens the door to the restaurant manager's office while seeking the single person men's room as the ladies restroom is being cleaned. Sam discovers the deceased body of Caleb Mayo and in her shocked condition announces to the whole restaurant that "Santa is dead." So Sam has discovered the second deceased person in her amateur sleuthing career.
  
  I enjoyed following along as Sam works out each suspect and then figures out why each one is innocent until she finally hits on the real culprit. I agreed with her on the suspects until she proves them innocent. I was surprised at the identity of the murderer. This is a fun whodunit with very likable characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
  
  I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
• 
  Barbara Hinske

  In a crowded field of cozy mysteries or holiday stories, An Eggnog to Die For stands far above the crowd. Samantha Barnes is a compelling heroine, surrounded by a quirky and interesting cast of characters. Pershing is a master of the plot twist, and the cooking tips that she sprinkles throughout her stories have me reaching for a pen to take notes. I hope book 3 in this series will be available soon!
• 
  Harry

  Picked up a few good cooking tips......
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  Caryn

  Super cute. Everyone is a suspect in this book and I want a Ginger Jar in my town!
• 
  Holly

  3.5⭐️
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  Jenny

  Adorable and cozy. Maybe a 3 star but bumped up because I love book with delicious descriptions of food.