Dread on Arrival [Mass Market Paperback]

Hemlock Falls, New York, is perfect for tourists with its quaint shops and world famous cooking school and the wonderful Inn at Hemlock Falls. Run by sisters, Meg Quilliam and Sarah Quilliam-McHale. Meg is a master chef with a bit of a temper, watch out for flying saute pans. Sarah (Quill) is the manager with an adorable son Jackson. Her husband Myles, the former sheriff, now works for the federal government and is gone a lot.

In this latest installment a episode of the hit television show Your Ancestor's Attic is being taped in Hemlock Falls. The host of a competing show Pawn-O-Rama arrives on the scene just in time to cause a little trouble. The hosts of the shows have quite a rivalry going and they decide to settle things between them with a cooking contest that will be taped for both programs.

Things get a little heated as the competition begins, then one of the men keels over dead. Suspicions are that he was poisoned and his rival is the obvious culprit. But he is not the only suspect, even some of the residents of Hemlock Falls are being questioned.

Thankfully the Quilliam sisters are masters at sizing up the suspects and with a little help they will catch the killer.

Dollycas's Thoughts

This is one of my favorite series. The entire set in on my keeper shelf. The quirky characters are delightful. They continue to grow and evolve through each story. Their antics always bring a smile to my face.

With that being said the plot of this one threw me a bit. I love the idea of an Antiques Roadshow type series coming to the town. The characters this theme brought were amazing. I got lost wondering why would these hosts engage in a cooking contest? This idea did bring the story back to the inn and cooking school, but it just felt off. The were appraisers of antiques, not from a cooking show. If rival cooking show hosts came to town this contest was perfect but it didn't work for me in this circumstance. There was a wedding supposed to be held at the inn with the reception at the cooking school and a murder there may have made more sense. I know after 17 stories it is hard to be new, fresh, current and unique, and please all the fans, this one just missed the mark with me.

The story as it plays out is entertaining and I still enjoyed it. It just left me scratching my head a bit.

I have been a fan of this author since I read her first Hemlock Inn book. Her books are a quick read and fun. That being said this one seemed like she was trying to pack too much into this one. It could have been made into two books.

As another reviewer said, they didn't understand why the hosts of an Antique Roadshow type shows would have a cooking contest. I don't either. There was just something off about this book. Is the author running out of steam with this series. She has another one that she hasn't put out a new book in quite a while. Maybe it is time she did. Quill seems to still be a bit scatter brained. The bit about looking at her sisters' socks to see what her mood is has finally jumped the shark. Enough! Quill whines about wanting to go and play with her son instead of doing her job. Well, that is what happens when you run your own business.

The other usual characters are about the same except Marge. I was surprised when I found out what she was doing. The character of Carole Ann Spinoza just comes in and disappears. What is the point of her character?

Don't get me wrong, this book was enjoyable it just needed to be tweaked a bit before being published.

I enjoy this author who makes good reading without being heavy reading. The story is quick if time is limited yet entertaining.