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Cheese Shop Mystery #1
Cheddar Off Dead
The Agatha Award Winner for Best First NovelIn Korina Moss's cozy series debut, Cheddar Off Dead, cheesemonger Willa Bauer discovers that her new home in a small Sonoma Valley town is ripe for murder... something here stinks to high heaven, and Willa knows it's not the cheese.Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is proving that sweet dreams are made of cheese. She’s opened her very own French-inspired cheese shop, Curds & Whey, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. The small town of Yarrow Glen is Willa's fresh start, and she's determined to make it a success � starting with a visit from the local food critic. What Willa didn’t know is that this guy never gives a good review, and when he shows up nothing goes according to plan. She doesn’t think the night can get any worse... until she finds the critic’s dead body, stabbed with one of her shop’s cheese knives. Now a prime suspect, Willa has always believed life’s problems can be solved with cheese, but she’s never tried to apply it to murder�
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2022
100 people are currently reading
6457 people want to read
About the author
Korina Moss
15books356followersKORINA MOSS is the author of the Cheese Shop Mystery series set in the Sonoma Valley, which includes multiple Agatha Award nominated books for Best Contemporary Novel and the winner of the Agatha Award for Best First Novel, Cheddar Off Dead. Listed as one of USA Today’s “Best Cozy Mystery Series,� her books have also been featured in PARADE Magazine, Woman’s World, and Writer’s Digest.
Korina is also a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy and traditional mysteries.
For more information or to subscribe to her free monthly #teamcheese newsletter, go to her website korinamossauthor.com
Korina is also a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy and traditional mysteries.
For more information or to subscribe to her free monthly #teamcheese newsletter, go to her website korinamossauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 446 reviews
May 14, 2022
Chose this book based on the title.
It wasn't bad. A little cheesy at times (sorry I couldn't resist), but overall a cute little mystery.
Warning: The main character Willa, a cheese monger and farm girl, thinks she knows how to run a murder investigation better than the cops (for absolutely no reason), and her hubris can get annoying.
In general a simple read, good for background. Listened to the audiobook during a single workday and even if I spaced it for a bit as I got busy it was easy to pick up what I missed based on context. The narrator, Erin Moon, did a good job.
It wasn't bad. A little cheesy at times (sorry I couldn't resist), but overall a cute little mystery.
Warning: The main character Willa, a cheese monger and farm girl, thinks she knows how to run a murder investigation better than the cops (for absolutely no reason), and her hubris can get annoying.
In general a simple read, good for background. Listened to the audiobook during a single workday and even if I spaced it for a bit as I got busy it was easy to pick up what I missed based on context. The narrator, Erin Moon, did a good job.
dnf
January 2, 2024This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the first book in A Cheese Shop Mystery series. I was really looking forward to this book, but I have to say the storyline never pulled me into it. I ended DNFing this book at just under 50%. I felt the characters was just ok. I felt the beginning of the books pacing was really way to slow. Overall, This was just not the cozy mystery for me. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
April 26, 2022
Willa Bauer is thrilled to be opening her new cheese shop, Curds & Whey, in the town of Yarrow Glen in the Sonoma Valley. She’s hoping to make her dream a huge success, and part of that is a good review from local food critic Guy Lippinger. However, Guy has a reputation for being harsh, and when he shows up to the shop, things don’t go well at all. Hours later, Willa finds Guy’s dead body in the alley next to her shop with a knife from her shop as the murder weapon. With the police looking at her as the killer, Willa begins to try to find alternative suspects. Can she solve the crime?
While the cheese drew me to the book, I loved the setting since I grew up in Sonoma County myself. I appreciate how the background we needed on Willa was doled out instead of being dumped on us at the beginning. The result is a mystery with a steady pace and several secrets to be uncovered before we reach the logical ending. I really liked the cast of characters, both potential series regulars and suspects. In fact, I wanted to see more of them, but I’m sure that will come in later books. If this book leaves you craving cheese (it sure did for me), you’ll be happy to see the recipes at the end of the book. I’ll definitely be back to check in on Willa in the future.
Read my full review at .
While the cheese drew me to the book, I loved the setting since I grew up in Sonoma County myself. I appreciate how the background we needed on Willa was doled out instead of being dumped on us at the beginning. The result is a mystery with a steady pace and several secrets to be uncovered before we reach the logical ending. I really liked the cast of characters, both potential series regulars and suspects. In fact, I wanted to see more of them, but I’m sure that will come in later books. If this book leaves you craving cheese (it sure did for me), you’ll be happy to see the recipes at the end of the book. I’ll definitely be back to check in on Willa in the future.
Read my full review at .
July 26, 2024
This book was a delight.
I’ve read enough cozy mysteries to see that they follow a sort of formula. I can tell now when I’ve gotten to certain plot milestones that I’ve read and the sequence, etc. I candidly don’t really mind that. Most of these books I’ve just been looking for something light and easy and fun to read.
But this one was different. And different in a very good way. Despite what might be tiresomely formulaic, Cheddar Off Dead was engaging and not sappy. I liked the MC, Willa. I found her initial bumbling into the world of “I-run-a-business-and-really-need-customers-but-I-just-can’t-help-myself-I-just-GOTTA-find-this-killer� endearing and convincing and sweet but NOT overdone or sappy or annoying. I’ve read some that did that. The relationships and the team she’s unwittingly putting together is nice.
Oh, and it features cheese, which gotta be honest, after beer, that’s kind of one of my favorite foods, especially (like beer) I like unusual stuff. And I learned some stuff too, which was cool.
But the one thing that really put this one over the top for me was that I spent mental energy trying to figure out whodunit. I’m pleased with myself that I figured it out before the MC did, but to me this book was a departure from MY norm because I tried to work it out and read for clues. I know probably most mystery readers already do this and might even find it strange that I don’t. Maybe that is objectively odd of me. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that this book set up a new series that impelled me to immerse myself in a story more deeply than I normally wood. That speaks highly of the story telling talent and the story. I look forward to more cheesy (in a good way) mysteries and adventures in this series.
I’ve read enough cozy mysteries to see that they follow a sort of formula. I can tell now when I’ve gotten to certain plot milestones that I’ve read and the sequence, etc. I candidly don’t really mind that. Most of these books I’ve just been looking for something light and easy and fun to read.
But this one was different. And different in a very good way. Despite what might be tiresomely formulaic, Cheddar Off Dead was engaging and not sappy. I liked the MC, Willa. I found her initial bumbling into the world of “I-run-a-business-and-really-need-customers-but-I-just-can’t-help-myself-I-just-GOTTA-find-this-killer� endearing and convincing and sweet but NOT overdone or sappy or annoying. I’ve read some that did that. The relationships and the team she’s unwittingly putting together is nice.
Oh, and it features cheese, which gotta be honest, after beer, that’s kind of one of my favorite foods, especially (like beer) I like unusual stuff. And I learned some stuff too, which was cool.
But the one thing that really put this one over the top for me was that I spent mental energy trying to figure out whodunit. I’m pleased with myself that I figured it out before the MC did, but to me this book was a departure from MY norm because I tried to work it out and read for clues. I know probably most mystery readers already do this and might even find it strange that I don’t. Maybe that is objectively odd of me. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that this book set up a new series that impelled me to immerse myself in a story more deeply than I normally wood. That speaks highly of the story telling talent and the story. I look forward to more cheesy (in a good way) mysteries and adventures in this series.
February 12, 2022
Cheddar Off Dead is the first book in the Cheese Shop Mystery by author Korina Moss. I was a fan of another cozy mystery series set in a cheese shop so I was excited to find a new series in the same setting. I thought this was a solid start to a new series for this author. I love the setting and the tips/information about cheese sprinkled throughout the storyline. For the most part, I enjoyed the characters. There is a well-rounded cast of characters that are diverse in age and experience which, for me, always adds a nice dimension to a series. My hesitation in giving this a higher rating was the main character, Willa. She was very impetuous in her sleuthing and jumped to conclusions easily. She also was very quick to jump on the bandwagon that the police didn't know what they were doing so she had to solve the mystery. That said, this is the first book so there is plenty of room for this character to grow and develop as an amateur sleuth.
The mystery was solid and woven nicely throughout the story. The victim was not the most well-liked person and had a past with the town, which allowed the author to provide her readers with several viable suspects with very plausible motives. She throws in a couple of nice twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. I did not guess the identity of the killer and was a bit surprised when it was revealed.
This was a solid start to a new series and has promise. I would just like to see a few tweaks to the main character to make her a stronger amateur sleuth.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced by the manner in which I received this book.
The mystery was solid and woven nicely throughout the story. The victim was not the most well-liked person and had a past with the town, which allowed the author to provide her readers with several viable suspects with very plausible motives. She throws in a couple of nice twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. I did not guess the identity of the killer and was a bit surprised when it was revealed.
This was a solid start to a new series and has promise. I would just like to see a few tweaks to the main character to make her a stronger amateur sleuth.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced by the manner in which I received this book.
April 15, 2023
I love cheese, and the descriptions of cheese in this story are yummy. However, I wasn’t pulled in by any of the characters, although the author did present several suspicious acting people that drew my attention away from the real killer. I think the overall story is a good presentation and set up for future stories, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 30, 2024
Cozy mysteries are the sweet, lovable puppies of the book world. All I want to do is hug them and snuggle them in bed, but�
This was underwhelming. Willa’s detective chops were nonexistent. Her behavior was foolhardy and fueled by wild assumptions which had me alternating between cringing and praying her friends would lock her up in her shop for her own good. As for said friends, they were likable, and Detective Heath was hot.
Loretta 🐠 stole the show. I bet she knew who the murderer was all along.
Quibbles:
🧀 Some clues were not wrapped up at the end.
🧀 Moss lacked knowledge on California divorce laws.
For the sake of Loretta and Heath I’ll continue with the series.
This was underwhelming. Willa’s detective chops were nonexistent. Her behavior was foolhardy and fueled by wild assumptions which had me alternating between cringing and praying her friends would lock her up in her shop for her own good. As for said friends, they were likable, and Detective Heath was hot.
Loretta 🐠 stole the show. I bet she knew who the murderer was all along.
Quibbles:
🧀 Some clues were not wrapped up at the end.
🧀 Moss lacked knowledge on California divorce laws.
For the sake of Loretta and Heath I’ll continue with the series.
April 28, 2022
Cheddar Off Dead is a delectable introduction to what promises to be a winning Cheese Shop Mysteries series. Cheesemonger Willa Bauer's just-opened shop is in jeopardy in Korina Moss's first mystery. Willa gathers a band of new friends to help her sort out who is suspicious and who is supportive in the Sonoma County village. Past hurts combine with present twists and surprises in a must-read story!
April 2, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Welcome to Yarrow Glen and the new Curds & Whey Cheese shop. Willa Bauer has opened the shop as a fresh start in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. She has always believed life’s problems can be solved with cheese. She can’t wait to share her mantra and her cheeses with all the residents of her new home.
Hoping to get the shop off to a good start she is looking forward to having a local food critic review the place. But then she learns this critic rarely gives a good review.
The man finally arrives late and clearly intoxicated right in the middle of a cheesemaking class Willa is having for her new neighbors and he is not happy with the people attending the class. After making some threats he leaves much to Willa’s dismay. He didn’t even taste any of the cheese. The class quickly wraps up and Willa is worried about the fate of her shop when he pens a horrible review.
Her worries get substantially worse when she finds the man dead. Stabbed with one of her new cheese knives. Cheese is not going to solve this problem. To save herself and her shop she is going to need to find the killer before the cheese really hits the fan.
Cheesemonger Willa Bauer took a roundabout path before opening her shop in Yarrow Glen. She grew up on a family farm in Oregon but left to travel the world learning about all types of cheese before opening Curds & Whey, so she is very knowledgeable about her product. She has hired two wonderful employees, Archie, a recent high school graduate, and Mrs. Schulz, a retired schoolteacher. We also meet her neighbor Baz who works around town as a handyman. All three are familiar with the town and what makes it tick. Mrs. Schultz was my favorite. “Very matter of fact, but also a little out there�. I loved the ideas she and Archie come up with to promote the shop. Ms. Moss gives us a nice introduction to these core characters while leaving plenty of room for growth.
The mystery was well written but with the small suspect pool, I did focus on one individual pretty quickly. Each clue just kept reinforcing my theory. I did enjoy the way Willa, Baz, Archie, and Mrs. Schultz banded together to try to catch the killer. The pace at which the mystery unfolded was a little slow for me but I can attribute that to being the first book in the series and the necessity to introduce all the characters and the settings.
This story is very similar to the Cheese Shop Mysteries written by Avery Aames so I did find myself comparing the two. Like Charlotte Bessette, Willa shares many tips and information about the production and flavors of many different types of cheeses. I am always looking for more cheesy recipes and hope that we are treated to more as this series continues. With the right development, Willa could become as impressive as Charlotte too.
Cheddar Off Dead is a good start for this series. To make me check into this series for the long haul I need Willa to have a little more depth and to pace herself and not jump so quickly to conclusions. I am a fan of some romance in my cozy mysteries but it felt like she was looking at every man in the book as a possible partner. I feel all the right elements have been laid out for a strong series, I look forward to seeing how the author builds on them in book two, Gone for Gouda.
Welcome to Yarrow Glen and the new Curds & Whey Cheese shop. Willa Bauer has opened the shop as a fresh start in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. She has always believed life’s problems can be solved with cheese. She can’t wait to share her mantra and her cheeses with all the residents of her new home.
Hoping to get the shop off to a good start she is looking forward to having a local food critic review the place. But then she learns this critic rarely gives a good review.
The man finally arrives late and clearly intoxicated right in the middle of a cheesemaking class Willa is having for her new neighbors and he is not happy with the people attending the class. After making some threats he leaves much to Willa’s dismay. He didn’t even taste any of the cheese. The class quickly wraps up and Willa is worried about the fate of her shop when he pens a horrible review.
Her worries get substantially worse when she finds the man dead. Stabbed with one of her new cheese knives. Cheese is not going to solve this problem. To save herself and her shop she is going to need to find the killer before the cheese really hits the fan.
Cheesemonger Willa Bauer took a roundabout path before opening her shop in Yarrow Glen. She grew up on a family farm in Oregon but left to travel the world learning about all types of cheese before opening Curds & Whey, so she is very knowledgeable about her product. She has hired two wonderful employees, Archie, a recent high school graduate, and Mrs. Schulz, a retired schoolteacher. We also meet her neighbor Baz who works around town as a handyman. All three are familiar with the town and what makes it tick. Mrs. Schultz was my favorite. “Very matter of fact, but also a little out there�. I loved the ideas she and Archie come up with to promote the shop. Ms. Moss gives us a nice introduction to these core characters while leaving plenty of room for growth.
The mystery was well written but with the small suspect pool, I did focus on one individual pretty quickly. Each clue just kept reinforcing my theory. I did enjoy the way Willa, Baz, Archie, and Mrs. Schultz banded together to try to catch the killer. The pace at which the mystery unfolded was a little slow for me but I can attribute that to being the first book in the series and the necessity to introduce all the characters and the settings.
This story is very similar to the Cheese Shop Mysteries written by Avery Aames so I did find myself comparing the two. Like Charlotte Bessette, Willa shares many tips and information about the production and flavors of many different types of cheeses. I am always looking for more cheesy recipes and hope that we are treated to more as this series continues. With the right development, Willa could become as impressive as Charlotte too.
Cheddar Off Dead is a good start for this series. To make me check into this series for the long haul I need Willa to have a little more depth and to pace herself and not jump so quickly to conclusions. I am a fan of some romance in my cozy mysteries but it felt like she was looking at every man in the book as a possible partner. I feel all the right elements have been laid out for a strong series, I look forward to seeing how the author builds on them in book two, Gone for Gouda.
May 2, 2022
I read this delicious new cozy late into the evening because I HAD to know who the killer was! Cheddar Off Dead was a pure delight. The writing flows smoothly and the story progresses swiftly, carrying a sea of red herrings and crafty clues along with it. Cheese shop owner Willa charmed me to the core with her caring nature and her strong penchant for seeking out the truth. The supporting characters are so finely sketched that I feel I’ve known them forever. Hints of romance are woven throughout the story, and I’m anxious to see how that develops. And while I wistfully turned that final page because I didn’t want it to end, I reminded myself that the next installment will not be far off. I’ve already pre-ordered!
May 10, 2022
I absolutely loved this delicious debut cozy! Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is an endearing protagonist, and I loved following her as she and her crew solved the murder. The writing style is fun with clever banter, great descriptions, and all the cheese talk. I cannot wait to read book 2!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 4, 2022
Cheddar Off Dead Earns 4/5 Cheese Knives…Delicious Entertainment!
Even for one who is lactose intolerant, Korina Moss has penned a deliciously first-in-a-series cozy that had me entertained and agreeing with her cheesemonger Willa Bauer that “…most of life’s problems can be solved with cheese.� Willa owns Curds & Whey, a French-inspired cheese shop, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. She’s hopeful a local food critic’s review will help “spread� the word and bring in lots of cheese-loving customers, but when he finally shows up late, drunk, and loud, and when he recognizes someone in the cheese class in session, he abruptly leaves. Later, Willa finds him dead by cheese knife…oh, this can’t be good. Suspects are a’plenty since the critic never provided positive reviews, so weeded through them is very engaging. Moss’s writing style was enjoyable with descriptive language, clever banter, and cheese as the big talk with informative insights and suggestions for serving. Willa, as a protagonist, was very much a novice, a bit rash and out of her depth, a bit too quick to criticize the official investigation, but hopefully, as the series matures, Moss will work to mature Willa’s actions and reactions in the next book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Even for one who is lactose intolerant, Korina Moss has penned a deliciously first-in-a-series cozy that had me entertained and agreeing with her cheesemonger Willa Bauer that “…most of life’s problems can be solved with cheese.� Willa owns Curds & Whey, a French-inspired cheese shop, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. She’s hopeful a local food critic’s review will help “spread� the word and bring in lots of cheese-loving customers, but when he finally shows up late, drunk, and loud, and when he recognizes someone in the cheese class in session, he abruptly leaves. Later, Willa finds him dead by cheese knife…oh, this can’t be good. Suspects are a’plenty since the critic never provided positive reviews, so weeded through them is very engaging. Moss’s writing style was enjoyable with descriptive language, clever banter, and cheese as the big talk with informative insights and suggestions for serving. Willa, as a protagonist, was very much a novice, a bit rash and out of her depth, a bit too quick to criticize the official investigation, but hopefully, as the series matures, Moss will work to mature Willa’s actions and reactions in the next book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
November 15, 2023
So pretty typical cozy. Chick leaves current situation to find herself. Has a pet…this time it’s a fish named Loretta. That’s awesome. I am considering getting a fish to name Loretta. Anyway…this chick opens a cheese shop. Tries to solve the murder. Solves the murder. I like the story. But I’m not gaga over it like other cozies that I have read. Maybe it has to do with cheese. I never really paid attention to cheese. Cheese is cheese right? WRONG!!! There is way more to cheese. I will read more in the series for sure. Maybe I’ll even try to find some different cheeses to try. By the way…Loretta the fish loves to watch Chopped. How perfect!!!
March 21, 2022
Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss is the first book in A Cheese Shop Mystery series. Willa Bauer has traveled since college learning all about the different variety of cheeses available in the world. She is now ready to open her own shop. Willa picked Yarrow Glen in Sonoma Valley for Curds & Whey. It has only been open a short time when the murder occurs. Willa lacked personality. She is nice, but she is only okay as a protagonist. We get to meet Willa along with her two shop employees (Archie and Mrs. Schulz), Baz (I love his real name), and various townspeople. I found the pacing to be a little slow for my liking. The author provides descriptions on the town, the shops, the people, and various cheeses (this slows down the pacing but allows readers to visualize the scenes). I liked the various secondary characters in the series. It is a well-rounded cast that is diverse in age and experience (from teen to retired drama teacher). The mystery involves a food critic who is disliked in the town. It was easy to figure out that the nasty critic would be murdered and there is a small cast of suspects. There are clues to help readers solve the crime. It is a light, simple whodunit that can be solved long before the final clues are given, and the reveal occurs. The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end, but I felt the ending was incomplete (if I said why, it would be a spoiler). Willa actively investigated the crime by asking questions and eavesdropping on conversations. She gets help from her two employees and her neighbor, Baz (I like all three of these characters). Detective Heath is a handsome man (according to Willa) who warns Willa about the dangers of sleuthing. For some reason, Willa doubts the detective’s ability to solve the case. My favorite scene in Cheddar Off Dead is when Archie, one of Willa’s employees, comes out in a large cheese costume made by her other employee, Mrs. Schulz. It is a cute scene. I hope the author will cut back on romance in future books. I do not mind a little light romance that plays out throughout the series (I just do not like our fair protagonist admiring the various eligible men and debating the merits of relationships with them). I read a cozy mystery for the mystery along with friendly characters, charming small town, and that extra bit (whether it is a culinary cozy, pet themed, craft related, etc.). Cheddar Off Dead is okay, but I do not know if I will continue with the series (it cannot compare to Daryl Wood Gerber’s cheese shop mystery series). The novel is not long, but it felt like it thanks to the slow pacing and writing style. Cheddar Off Dead has readers traveling to the Sonoma Valley for delectable cheeses, a knifed critic, several suspicious suspects, an understanding neighbor, eager employees, a dedicated detective, and a curious cheesemonger.
March 9, 2025
Incredible
I couldn't put it down.... Excellent town, mc, and story. I can not wait to read more. I now want cheese!
It’s been a long time since a first book in a series swept me in, this one did it. I loved everything about it.
I couldn't put it down.... Excellent town, mc, and story. I can not wait to read more. I now want cheese!
It’s been a long time since a first book in a series swept me in, this one did it. I loved everything about it.
January 10, 2022
A cheese-themed cozy mystery sounded fun, so I delved into CHEDDAR OFF DEAD with hopeful expectations. Like most cozies, this series opener is a light, clean, easy read that's entertaining even if it's not realistic or believable. The characters are likable for the most part, although none of them stand out as really unique or memorable. Willa is so-so as a leading lady. She's appealing enough, although she doesn't have much of a personality and she's very fickle when it comes to men (all of whom are instantly in love with her, naturally). I didn't love her, but I didn't hate her. As far as the mystery goes, I saw the killer coming from fairly early on. There's enough going on in the story that their identity isn't complete obvious, which made the plot compelling enough to keep me reading. Moss' prose is pretty ho-hum, although the story has some clever lines here and there that made me smile. All considered, I found CHEDDAR OFF DEAD to be an okay read. Will I continue with the series? I'm undecided at this point. I think it has potential, so I'll probably give the second book a shot. We'll see.
February 26, 2025
The first in the series. I loved all the characters but the main one she seemed so dumb and clueless. I would try one more though, and the cheese descriptions were so yummy.
August 17, 2022
FOR LOVERS OF CHEESE, LOOK NO FURTHER!!!
I want to start this review off by thanking my friend Michelle for recommending this book to me. I had not heard of it before And it became a buddy read that I set up for this month.
In this book, we follow Willa, who runs a cheese shop. At the beginning of the book, a man comes in to do a review of her store and he ends up getting killed. So will I needs to determine who the real killer is as she is a suspect.
So for me, I like to write my cosy mysteries based on two elements. The cosy aspect and the mystery aspect. Personally I prefer a cosy mystery that is more cosy leaning.
Cosy aspect: regarding the cosy aspect, this book was absolutely top notch! Not only is will are working in a cheese shop, but you can tell the passion that she has for cheese. I can't help but love when an author of the cosy mystery takes the time to do the research, or has enough of a passion for whatever the profession is that our main character has. Clearly Korina Moss Either loves cheese herself and is passionate about it herself, or she did her research and she did it really well. I honestly don't know anyone who has read this book who hasn't wanted to eat cheese so much. I would love to read book to an A very big motivating factor to read book 2 for me was just how good that cosy cheese aspect was in this story.
Mystery aspect: the mystery aspect was rather up and down for me. I fully appreciated who the victim was. I also fully appreciated the motivation that will I had to solve the mystery. Sometimes for me, I struggled to get on board with a main character sleuth in a cosy trying to solve a mystery when they really have no good motivation to do so. But because Willa is one of the top suspects, she is trying to solve this mystery in order to clear her name, so the motivation actually makes sense. I also really enjoyed the old lady that she works with and her assistance within the mystery. I apologise for forgetting her name, but she goes by the title of Miss something? The way she not only managed to help Willa To not only knock overboard emotionally, but also with the mystery was fantastic. I thought I had determined who the killer was. This is not a normal thing for me. My win loss record when it comes to solving cosy mysteries is something like 2 to 70, lol. But this time I really thought I had solved it. I could not have been any more wrong. In saying that. The reason behind the murder I did get correct. Additionally, I actually appreciate in the long run that the murderer wasn't who I thought they were, because I actually love that person as a character.
The one big raise, and as to why this book received four out of five stars, is because for me it had a bit of a slow beginning and took a little while for me to warm up to. But once I did, I absolutely enjoyed it.
I know a lot of people are eagerly anticipating book #2, and now I can be listed among them.
4 Stars!
Xoxo.
I want to start this review off by thanking my friend Michelle for recommending this book to me. I had not heard of it before And it became a buddy read that I set up for this month.
In this book, we follow Willa, who runs a cheese shop. At the beginning of the book, a man comes in to do a review of her store and he ends up getting killed. So will I needs to determine who the real killer is as she is a suspect.
So for me, I like to write my cosy mysteries based on two elements. The cosy aspect and the mystery aspect. Personally I prefer a cosy mystery that is more cosy leaning.
Cosy aspect: regarding the cosy aspect, this book was absolutely top notch! Not only is will are working in a cheese shop, but you can tell the passion that she has for cheese. I can't help but love when an author of the cosy mystery takes the time to do the research, or has enough of a passion for whatever the profession is that our main character has. Clearly Korina Moss Either loves cheese herself and is passionate about it herself, or she did her research and she did it really well. I honestly don't know anyone who has read this book who hasn't wanted to eat cheese so much. I would love to read book to an A very big motivating factor to read book 2 for me was just how good that cosy cheese aspect was in this story.
Mystery aspect: the mystery aspect was rather up and down for me. I fully appreciated who the victim was. I also fully appreciated the motivation that will I had to solve the mystery. Sometimes for me, I struggled to get on board with a main character sleuth in a cosy trying to solve a mystery when they really have no good motivation to do so. But because Willa is one of the top suspects, she is trying to solve this mystery in order to clear her name, so the motivation actually makes sense. I also really enjoyed the old lady that she works with and her assistance within the mystery. I apologise for forgetting her name, but she goes by the title of Miss something? The way she not only managed to help Willa To not only knock overboard emotionally, but also with the mystery was fantastic. I thought I had determined who the killer was. This is not a normal thing for me. My win loss record when it comes to solving cosy mysteries is something like 2 to 70, lol. But this time I really thought I had solved it. I could not have been any more wrong. In saying that. The reason behind the murder I did get correct. Additionally, I actually appreciate in the long run that the murderer wasn't who I thought they were, because I actually love that person as a character.
The one big raise, and as to why this book received four out of five stars, is because for me it had a bit of a slow beginning and took a little while for me to warm up to. But once I did, I absolutely enjoyed it.
I know a lot of people are eagerly anticipating book #2, and now I can be listed among them.
4 Stars!
Xoxo.
January 24, 2022
Cheddar Off Dead is a first in a new series by Korina Moss, and debuts Willa Bauer as our leading character.
Willa is new to town and is adjusting to owning her own business. When a food critic stumbles into Willa's cheese shop, late and intoxicated, she doesn't imagine that it can get any worse. For those of us who love cozy mysteries, we know the worst is yet to come.
I found Willa to be a good character, but I didn't feel an immediate connection to her just yet. I always look forward to the next book, as it usually tells more about the characters and their backgrounds.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this series unfolds.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#cheddaroffdead #NetGalley
Willa is new to town and is adjusting to owning her own business. When a food critic stumbles into Willa's cheese shop, late and intoxicated, she doesn't imagine that it can get any worse. For those of us who love cozy mysteries, we know the worst is yet to come.
I found Willa to be a good character, but I didn't feel an immediate connection to her just yet. I always look forward to the next book, as it usually tells more about the characters and their backgrounds.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this series unfolds.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#cheddaroffdead #NetGalley
August 16, 2023
Rating: 5 / 5
Never in my life have I read a book that mentions the word "cheese" so many times. I think it goes without saying that whilst reading this book, I developed quite a hankering for cheese myself, and may have nibbled on some whilst reading through the story.
That being said, now I can get to reviewing the story itself.
Meet Willa Bauer, our resident cheesemonger and heroine of this story. She's opened up her new shop, Curds & Wey, in the lovely town of Yarrow Dews(?)--sorry, forgot the name of the town--in Sonoma Valley, California. Willa's a newcomer both to owning a shop and to the town, but so far she's got tons of enthusiasm and great cheesey ideas to get her business off the ground. All she needs is a great local review...
...except that the reviewer, Guy Lippinger, is a complete prick and doesn't seem at all willing to give Willa a fair chance. Two minutes in, and he's already promising a horrible review, much to Willa's dismay.
That's okay though, cause he's murdered that very night--
--except that the murder weapon is a cheese knife from Willa's shop, which of course makes her prime suspect #1.
Uh oh, talk about a rough start!
Like for many cozy mysteries, there are two things that can make or break a book, and a series: the atmosphere, and the characters. Both, in this case, are equally charming, and had me invested in the story from start to finish.
I really like Willa, both in how she's written as a heroine and in how she goes about trying to solve the murder. Also, I liked so, so many of the side characters, that I was just hoping SO MUCH that none of them turned out to be the murderer, because I didn't want them to be. (For the record, I'm totally shipping Willa with Detective _____ Heath, whose first name we don't know yet, but it'd better be something hot, to match his awesome last name.)
On the record, I really love cozy mysteries in general, but it takes quite a bit to impress me and get me really invested in a series; congratulations to Ms. Moss on her debut, she's definitely got my attention and may consider me an interested fan.
Definitely going to go ahead with this series, as I'm curious to where it'll lead us--both in terms of what other cheesey mystery we can expect, as well as Willa's personal life and development in this lovely locale.
Looking forward to reading more--and soon!
Never in my life have I read a book that mentions the word "cheese" so many times. I think it goes without saying that whilst reading this book, I developed quite a hankering for cheese myself, and may have nibbled on some whilst reading through the story.
That being said, now I can get to reviewing the story itself.
Meet Willa Bauer, our resident cheesemonger and heroine of this story. She's opened up her new shop, Curds & Wey, in the lovely town of Yarrow Dews(?)--sorry, forgot the name of the town--in Sonoma Valley, California. Willa's a newcomer both to owning a shop and to the town, but so far she's got tons of enthusiasm and great cheesey ideas to get her business off the ground. All she needs is a great local review...
...except that the reviewer, Guy Lippinger, is a complete prick and doesn't seem at all willing to give Willa a fair chance. Two minutes in, and he's already promising a horrible review, much to Willa's dismay.
That's okay though, cause he's murdered that very night--
--except that the murder weapon is a cheese knife from Willa's shop, which of course makes her prime suspect #1.
Uh oh, talk about a rough start!
Like for many cozy mysteries, there are two things that can make or break a book, and a series: the atmosphere, and the characters. Both, in this case, are equally charming, and had me invested in the story from start to finish.
I really like Willa, both in how she's written as a heroine and in how she goes about trying to solve the murder. Also, I liked so, so many of the side characters, that I was just hoping SO MUCH that none of them turned out to be the murderer, because I didn't want them to be. (For the record, I'm totally shipping Willa with Detective _____ Heath, whose first name we don't know yet, but it'd better be something hot, to match his awesome last name.)
On the record, I really love cozy mysteries in general, but it takes quite a bit to impress me and get me really invested in a series; congratulations to Ms. Moss on her debut, she's definitely got my attention and may consider me an interested fan.
Definitely going to go ahead with this series, as I'm curious to where it'll lead us--both in terms of what other cheesey mystery we can expect, as well as Willa's personal life and development in this lovely locale.
Looking forward to reading more--and soon!
October 20, 2022
Not me over here reading a cheesy book and thinking of all the cheese puns I can possibly think of.
Lies. I totally did that. I didn't get very far though because my cheese knowledge is less than average and I don't actually like cheese. Okkkkk now that that's out of the way. 😂
I knew I needed to read this series when the author told me "You don't have to like cheese to like the book!" Welllll she was ABSOLUTELY correct. I loved this book! A phenomenal start to a new mystery -we had the best characters, cozy town in California, and the nosiest cheesemonger around. Willa, said cheesemonger, was so sassy and I just loved her. She has a past and I can't wait to dive into that in future books but her supporting cast of characters were all likeable and I truly can't wait to see the friendships grow here.
I highly recommend picking this one up.....and book 2 at the same time because you'll want to binge them. Thank me later. (Just not with cheese. I much prefer chocolate treats.) 😉
Lies. I totally did that. I didn't get very far though because my cheese knowledge is less than average and I don't actually like cheese. Okkkkk now that that's out of the way. 😂
I knew I needed to read this series when the author told me "You don't have to like cheese to like the book!" Welllll she was ABSOLUTELY correct. I loved this book! A phenomenal start to a new mystery -we had the best characters, cozy town in California, and the nosiest cheesemonger around. Willa, said cheesemonger, was so sassy and I just loved her. She has a past and I can't wait to dive into that in future books but her supporting cast of characters were all likeable and I truly can't wait to see the friendships grow here.
I highly recommend picking this one up.....and book 2 at the same time because you'll want to binge them. Thank me later. (Just not with cheese. I much prefer chocolate treats.) 😉
October 6, 2022
Loved this first book. It was filled with so much of cheese descriptions that made me hungry. Willa was an amazing protagonist. When a food critic dies near her cheese shop, she is determined to clear her name. She is adamant to do the investigation despite the warnings given to her from detective Heath to stay off the case. It was nice to get to know the town through her and I liked the closed knit friends she made my by the end of this story. There is more of Willa's backdrop that the author hasn't explored yet, so I am looking forward to the next book. I identified the killer pretty early, so I'm proud of myself as I never am able to find out who it is :D There is a love triangle as a side story, and I think I am already team detective Heath, and I want to know more about his life as well. The side characters were amazing and well fleshed out. Overall, this was a really good cozy mystery.
December 1, 2022
To be honest, I won the second book in this series in a ŷ giveaway (and still have not gotten it) so I wanted to read the first book in the series before it arrived. I was pleasantly surprised that I really liked it and did not put it down to read something else. Hoping the second book (if it comes) is as good.
July 28, 2024
This book is fantastic! I couldn’t guess who did it. I love cheese so this was right up my alley. I’m going to keep reading the series and I want to make the recipes in the book.
April 4, 2022
I love finding new cozy mystery series, and even better when it’s one that has lots of great characters, a solid mystery, and a town I want to come and visit.
Korina Moss shines in so many different areas of Cheddar Off Dead, the first being her diverse and well developed characters. Baz is Willa’s next door neighbor, and he becomes one of her sleuthing partners aka part of the Scooby gang. What I really enjoyed about Baz was that instead of being a love interest, he’s more of a brother figure to Willa. This is a nice change from the usual strong male leads in cozies.
I love that Moss has such an age range with Willa’s employee’s; Archie is a recent high school graduate and Mrs. Schulz is a retired school teacher.
And don’t get me started on the cheese descriptions and history! I love learning new things and being a Wisconsin native, I do love my cheese. There were a couple kinds that I have never heard of before and am excited to track down and try.
Finally, the mystery. There were lots of suspects and some false leads. I actually didn’t realize who the killer was until close to the end, which I always enjoy.
Cheddar Off Dead is a great first book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries, and I am looking forward to book two.
Korina Moss shines in so many different areas of Cheddar Off Dead, the first being her diverse and well developed characters. Baz is Willa’s next door neighbor, and he becomes one of her sleuthing partners aka part of the Scooby gang. What I really enjoyed about Baz was that instead of being a love interest, he’s more of a brother figure to Willa. This is a nice change from the usual strong male leads in cozies.
I love that Moss has such an age range with Willa’s employee’s; Archie is a recent high school graduate and Mrs. Schulz is a retired school teacher.
And don’t get me started on the cheese descriptions and history! I love learning new things and being a Wisconsin native, I do love my cheese. There were a couple kinds that I have never heard of before and am excited to track down and try.
Finally, the mystery. There were lots of suspects and some false leads. I actually didn’t realize who the killer was until close to the end, which I always enjoy.
Cheddar Off Dead is a great first book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries, and I am looking forward to book two.
February 22, 2022
Willa Bauer has left her family's farm to travel in Europe to learn about cheeses. In this 1st in a new series, Willa has opened a cheese shop, called Curds and Whey. in a small Sonoma town..She is now an official cheesemonger ready to help people select cheeses to pair with breads and wine. A food critic who is known for scathing, negative reviews is found murdered after visiting Curds and Whey.
I found this to be a fun read. with lots of twists and turns and great characters. In this first book we learn about the other shops in the town and the owners. .There are two possible love interests I see that may be flushed out in future books. While there is a focus on cheese ( learned a lot) it does not overtake the mystery. I also liked learning about mead.and about the running of a bakery.
I look forward to the 2nd book in the series as I really enjoyed this one. I loved the last sentence" Cheese could solve most of life's problems - or at least a murder"
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book which publishes on.5/29/22. I'd like to thank NetGalley, St Martin's Press and the author.
I found this to be a fun read. with lots of twists and turns and great characters. In this first book we learn about the other shops in the town and the owners. .There are two possible love interests I see that may be flushed out in future books. While there is a focus on cheese ( learned a lot) it does not overtake the mystery. I also liked learning about mead.and about the running of a bakery.
I look forward to the 2nd book in the series as I really enjoyed this one. I loved the last sentence" Cheese could solve most of life's problems - or at least a murder"
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book which publishes on.5/29/22. I'd like to thank NetGalley, St Martin's Press and the author.
January 30, 2022
Willa Bauer has opened her dream cheese shop in the Sonoma Valley. She's got two wonderful employees, a great neighbor, and... a dead body in the alley.
Desperate to make a good impression on the town of Yarrow Glen, Willa sets out to prove her innocence. The only way to accomplish that is to find the killer, much to the chagrin of Detective Heath. Unfortunately for Willa, all the suspects are people she's come to know and quickly grown to care for.
Willa is a great main character, she's following her dream and making a place for herself in her new home. Mrs. Schultz and Archie are the perfect assistants, a retired schoolteacher and a recent high school graduate who have lots of connections in the community and who are enthusiastic about learning the ins and outs of the cheese trade. I also love Willa's apartment above the cheese shop, where she lives with her fish, Loretta.
The investigation takes us through downtown Yarrow Glen, introducing us to some interesting characters and a variety of local businesses. We also get to spend quite a bit of time with the very interesting Detective Heath, who was not exactly supportive of Willa's own investigation.
This was a very quick and fun read. The characters were all compelling in their own way and the investigation was interesting. There were a limited number of suspects and the clues added up for and against them throughout the book. A few times I thought I might know who the killer was but I was wrong each time. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Desperate to make a good impression on the town of Yarrow Glen, Willa sets out to prove her innocence. The only way to accomplish that is to find the killer, much to the chagrin of Detective Heath. Unfortunately for Willa, all the suspects are people she's come to know and quickly grown to care for.
Willa is a great main character, she's following her dream and making a place for herself in her new home. Mrs. Schultz and Archie are the perfect assistants, a retired schoolteacher and a recent high school graduate who have lots of connections in the community and who are enthusiastic about learning the ins and outs of the cheese trade. I also love Willa's apartment above the cheese shop, where she lives with her fish, Loretta.
The investigation takes us through downtown Yarrow Glen, introducing us to some interesting characters and a variety of local businesses. We also get to spend quite a bit of time with the very interesting Detective Heath, who was not exactly supportive of Willa's own investigation.
This was a very quick and fun read. The characters were all compelling in their own way and the investigation was interesting. There were a limited number of suspects and the clues added up for and against them throughout the book. A few times I thought I might know who the killer was but I was wrong each time. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
February 6, 2022
I received an advance copy of the book via NetGalley.
This book so perfectly suited for cheese-obsessed me that I full expect multiple people to recommend it to me in the next few months. Cheddar Off Dead (I love punny titles like this!) is the start of a new cozy mystery series set in a fictional Napa Valley village named Yarrow Glen, where Willa has opened a brand new cheese shop. She's thrilled that a major local food critic is set to drop by--but then he turns out to be a nasty, drunken lout who threatens her guests at a small cheese event. She's in dread of a bad review to come when things take an even worse turn: she finds him dead, one of her own cheese knives stuck in his back. Yikes. As Willa becomes suspect number one, she scrambles to get to know her new neighbors a little better so she can figure out who set her up for murder--before she's next.
This is a cute, breezy read. The author knows her cheese--and proper local references as well, such as the California cheese trail. The mystery has many twists and turns leading to the big reveal at the end--whereupon I found I'd guessed at the wrong culprit, making the end even more satisfying. One aspect of the book that exasperated me was that Willa fumbles around in some cringe-inducing ways, even for an amateur sleuth, and the maybe-romance hints with several male characters felt forced amid the other drama. Still, it was a fun read, and a solid start for a new series.
This book so perfectly suited for cheese-obsessed me that I full expect multiple people to recommend it to me in the next few months. Cheddar Off Dead (I love punny titles like this!) is the start of a new cozy mystery series set in a fictional Napa Valley village named Yarrow Glen, where Willa has opened a brand new cheese shop. She's thrilled that a major local food critic is set to drop by--but then he turns out to be a nasty, drunken lout who threatens her guests at a small cheese event. She's in dread of a bad review to come when things take an even worse turn: she finds him dead, one of her own cheese knives stuck in his back. Yikes. As Willa becomes suspect number one, she scrambles to get to know her new neighbors a little better so she can figure out who set her up for murder--before she's next.
This is a cute, breezy read. The author knows her cheese--and proper local references as well, such as the California cheese trail. The mystery has many twists and turns leading to the big reveal at the end--whereupon I found I'd guessed at the wrong culprit, making the end even more satisfying. One aspect of the book that exasperated me was that Willa fumbles around in some cringe-inducing ways, even for an amateur sleuth, and the maybe-romance hints with several male characters felt forced amid the other drama. Still, it was a fun read, and a solid start for a new series.
July 22, 2023
CHEDDAR OFF DEAD
Korina Moss
Wila Bauer is a cheesemonger (I had never heard of that) and has finally opened her own cheese shop. (I wasn't aware that you could make a living in a small town from a cheese shop, but you can!) I loved the name of her shop, Curds & Whey. She is really creative and has all these games and things to get people into her shop, including a really well-known critic.
But the guy is a creep and shows up late after the shop is closed and she is giving a cheese class with other business owners... the critic has a history with all four of them and is DRUNK!
Then he has the nerve to show up dead in his car in front of her shop and she gets to be the #1 suspect! She has nothing better to do than clear her good name. Despite the wishes of the assigned really good-looking police detective, Willa continues on her path to solving the crime... oops!
This is an easy and fun read. After the week I had, I really needed something to bring a smile to my face.
4 stars
Happy REading!
Korina Moss
Wila Bauer is a cheesemonger (I had never heard of that) and has finally opened her own cheese shop. (I wasn't aware that you could make a living in a small town from a cheese shop, but you can!) I loved the name of her shop, Curds & Whey. She is really creative and has all these games and things to get people into her shop, including a really well-known critic.
But the guy is a creep and shows up late after the shop is closed and she is giving a cheese class with other business owners... the critic has a history with all four of them and is DRUNK!
Then he has the nerve to show up dead in his car in front of her shop and she gets to be the #1 suspect! She has nothing better to do than clear her good name. Despite the wishes of the assigned really good-looking police detective, Willa continues on her path to solving the crime... oops!
This is an easy and fun read. After the week I had, I really needed something to bring a smile to my face.
4 stars
Happy REading!
February 27, 2023
I was excited to read this debut in the Cheese Shop mysteries. Unfortunately, I could not get past my dislike of the main character to enjoy the story as much as I hoped.
Willa Bauer is excited to open her cheese shop in the small town of Yarrow Glen, CA. She looks forward to bringing artisanal cheeses to the masses as well as sharing delicious recipes and cheesemaking classes. When a local magazine offers to do an article about her, she is ecstatic for the publicity and hopes to bring in more business. Except the author of the article is a total jerk and no one in town likes him, not to mention he seems out to destroy businesses in the area due to general ill-will towards his family. Not surprisingly he winds up dead in Willa's alley with a cheese knife embedded in his neck. And there are six possible suspects, including Willa.
Willa is a bland character. While she says she has multiple years of cheese experience, she completely lacks self-confidence in herself and in her business. She starts investigating the murder, because she is a suspect, but since she is new in town and knows few people her sleuthing skills are rather ridiculous. Even her wearing of a University of Oregon sweatshirt (my alma mater) didn't make me like her. Such a disappointment, even if you do love cheese.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Willa Bauer is excited to open her cheese shop in the small town of Yarrow Glen, CA. She looks forward to bringing artisanal cheeses to the masses as well as sharing delicious recipes and cheesemaking classes. When a local magazine offers to do an article about her, she is ecstatic for the publicity and hopes to bring in more business. Except the author of the article is a total jerk and no one in town likes him, not to mention he seems out to destroy businesses in the area due to general ill-will towards his family. Not surprisingly he winds up dead in Willa's alley with a cheese knife embedded in his neck. And there are six possible suspects, including Willa.
Willa is a bland character. While she says she has multiple years of cheese experience, she completely lacks self-confidence in herself and in her business. She starts investigating the murder, because she is a suspect, but since she is new in town and knows few people her sleuthing skills are rather ridiculous. Even her wearing of a University of Oregon sweatshirt (my alma mater) didn't make me like her. Such a disappointment, even if you do love cheese.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
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