In Providence, Ohio, Charlotte Bessette owns Fromagerie Bessette better known locally as The Cheese Shop. Currently Charlotte, with help from her assistants Rebecca Zook and teenager Bozz Bozzuto, prepares wine (cousin Matthew runs that operation) and cheese fare for the town's Winter Wonderland Faire hosted on the Village Green as part of the Providence Founder’s Day gala.
Former resident and her mom's childhood friend Kaitlyn Clydesdale accompanied by her Do-Gooders crew, returns home after decades away. An entrepreneur Kaitlyn plans to open up a honeybee farm right next to the Quail Ridge Honeybee Farm owned by Ipo Ho. Rebecca is upset as she is attracted to Ipo. Not long after Charlotte meets her mother’s old friend, Kaitlyn is found dead in Rebecca’s cottage. Chief of Police Umberto Urso suspects Ipo killed Kaitlyn though his alibi is hysterical Amish-bred Rebecca who insists they were smooching at the time of death. Although she knows better after getting involved in homicides before (see The Long Quiche Goodbye and Lost And Fondue), Charlotte investigates.
The third Cheese Shop Mystery is an entertaining culinary amateur sleuth. The eccentric townsfolk, especially the heroine’s extended family, enhance the look at a small Buckeye town in February. Charlotte is an engaging protagonist with a mysterious boyfriend Jordan and an obsessive need for information about her mother. With a surprise climax and some cheese recipes, fans will enjoy her inquiry even if her reasons why (primarily the sweet beekeeper would not hurt a fly) is over the top of Campbell Hill.
Harriet Klausner 01/13/2012 |