A good solid start to a new cosy mystery series. Audiobook well narrated by Charlotte Worthing.Look forward to listening to more in this series.

'Fancy cook' saves the day 

The Traveling Cook Mystery Series also know as the Jenny Starling Series, follows the adventures of "fancy cook" Jenny Sterling as caters events for those who can afford and appreciate her style of cooking. She is the daughter of a renowned chief but chooses to do things her own way. The story begins with Jenny having arrived at a new assignment after things didn't go so well at her last (details shared later in the story).

When reading this book, must keep in mind the time period as far as how Jenny is described. She is not a small woman. She is tall with a commanding presence who makes an impression on the Justin, the male twin. Unfortunately, the day that Jenny arrives, the family is dealing with a death on the property.

There is a LOT going on and Jenny is on hand to assist the police as they work to unravel things to find the killer. After all, Jenny has her reputation to protect.

I think what I like most about Jenny is that she isn't a busybody. Often she tries to avoid being in situations to overhear or be told information. She also doesn't try to have everyone like her. She is there to do a job, cater the 21st birthday party, and move on. She does her best to not step on the toes of the house staff who openly dislike her being there.

I did suspect who was behind the murder early on but I didn't work on the why and the how. The book kept me engaged all the way through to the end.

I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Happy Reading!

Fun book. This is my second Ms. Starling mystery and I've noticed a couple of of similar threads. She knows the answer well before the police, how she solves the chrime isn't released until after the arrest, and there's an unruly pet. Fun book to read.

Please, we don’t need to be told every single time Jenny is ‘on’ that she’s big. DNF. Not for me.

An enjoyable cozy murder mystery. It was an easy read and kept my interest throughout. I like Jenny Starling, the main character.

Jenny Starling is both highly rated and highly sought after. She is a traveling cook and her current job is to cater the twenty-first birthday party of upper-class twins, Alicia and Justin. As soon as Jenny arrives, however, she is greeted by the police. Sadly, a young man has drowned in a pond and the police have to determine whether or not it was an accident.

Nonetheless, Jenny goes right to work. Shockingly, however, a guest suddenly dies. This suspicious death has no shortage of guests because they had all gathered together for a toast. When it is determined that not only poison is suspected, but that it may have been in one of Jenny’s recipes, she is determined to get to the bottom of things. Yes, she wants justice, but she also has a reputation to uphold.

Jenny has the uncanny ability to assess a situation and discover clues that truly baffle the police. She makes a great amateur sleuth. As a matter of fact, there are five books in this Jenny Starling series, and I read each and every one of them all in just a few days. I adore Jenny and how she manages to solve these murders, no matter what the circumstances are.

Formerly published as Birthdays Can Be Murder under Faith Martin’s pseudonym, Joyce Cato.

Many thanks to Joffe Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jenny Starling is hired to cater for the 21st birthday party of wealthy twins, but gets embroiled in a murder mystery. The police are baffled, but Jenny is determined to find the killer.

I love gritty crime novels but sometimes it’s nice to have a change and read a cosy mystery. This book reminds me very much of Midsomer Murders, or Agatha Raisin. There is the chocolate box village and a great cast of characters. Ms Starling is not a detective, but, in true Agatha Raisin style, she is very nosey and although the police tell her not to meddle, they are soon grateful for her help. There are plenty of suspects, and a lot of red herrings. The descriptions of the food made my mouth water! The book is well written, although perhaps a little old fashioned in style. All in all a great read if you like a cosy mystery

Thanks to Faith Martin, Joffe Books and the NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jenny is the best! Great story and characters but it's all about Jenny and her perfect brain and wit!

Please write more in this series!

3.5 stars

After reading the Hilary Greene series of mysteries, I found this offering from Faith Martin a little hard to get into. I found the social and class emphasis of the story to be not to my liking and definitely not relatable.
I did accept the new sleuth by the end of the story and the mystery itself was not bad but after Hilary, I found it a bit disappointing.
However, the second in this series is a great read so far!