Too Many Crooks Spoil The Broth [Mass Market Paperback]

This debut mystery introduces Magdalena Yoder, a mean-spirited Mennonite innkeeper who offers service with a sneer to the "well-heeled, highfalutin customers" patronizing her PennDutch Inn in southern Pennsylvania. When not badmouthing her sinful, slothful, divorced sister and her "bizarre excuse for a dog," Magdalena attends to an unfortunate combination of guests: a congressman, his wife and aide, who are in the area for the first weekend of deer-hunting season; a quartet of anti-hunting activists; and Heather Brown, who calls herself a "photo-hunter." Ironically, one of the hunting foes bags the first big game when, in the middle of the night, he finds Heather sprawled dead on the inn stairs. Police chief Jeff Myers initiates an investigation of the suspicious death, but leaves soon for a vacation with his wife Tammy, who is, Magdalena's observes, "dingier than a mailbox on a gravel road." With the case in the hands of a dim deputy, Magdalena undertakes some sleuthing and learns that her patrons are secretly linked in their pasts. Another guest bites the dust as this carping narrator fails to display the high IQ she brags of: matters become clear to her only when the villain is overcome by a desire to confess. Occasional recipes, rich in butter and sugar, don't make up for the story's sour tone.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Much of this first mystery novel occurs as a lengthy flashback interrupting the present moment. Narrator Magdalena Yoder, of Hernia, Pennsylvania, exploits her Mennonite heritage, in-your-face attitude, and razor wit by running a prosperous, elitist inn. Murder threatens her success when two of her customers are dispatched on the premises. Suspects include a secretive congressman, his socialite wife, a gay aide, and several animal rights activists. More than a little hokey and simplistic but still a mildly amusing possibility for larger collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

A tough week for Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder. Half the guests for her PennDutch Inn, the pride of Hernia, Pennsylvania, are animal-rights activists out to harass the other half--a hunting party headed by up-and-coming Congressman Garrett Ream. No wonder the recondite dietary requirements of a company that includes a vegan, a lacto, an ova, and several carnes send Magdalena's cook, Freni Hostetler, into repeated spasms of quitting (``Freni either needed to see a therapist or to seriously consider becoming a Baptist''). And that's before Magdalena's manic sister Susannah discovers that the lacto is secretly the Congressman's daughter, and before two of the guests are poisoned by two independent malefactors. As Magdalena herself, overcome by emotion, says: ``Gosh darn!'' Despite a strained, obvious mystery: a welcome debut for tart Magdalena, who's under no illusions about her bare-bones inn's appeal (``You'd be surprised how much people will pay for abuse, provided they can view it as a cultural experience''). Six nonpoisonous recipes--the first beginning, ``Clean and pluck the hens''--are scattered through the tale. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

PennDutch Inn owner Magdalena Yoder is up to her ears in trouble when her guests include deer hunters and animal-rights activists, the cook quits, and two guest die under mysterious circumstances. Reprint. K.