Overall Ratings:
- Quality Ratings: 3 Coffees – Interesting. Have another sip.
- Popularity Rating: 4P – Good book for specific group of readers and genre fans
Bibliographic Information:
- Title: Cheddar Off Dead (A Cheese Shop Mystery – Book One)
- Author: Korina Moss
- Genre:
- Mystery/Thriller
- Women’s Fiction
- Subgenre(s):
- Culinary
- Cozy
- Women Sleuths
- Small town drama
- Cheesy
- Pages / Time:
- Paperback: 296 pages
- eBooks: 285 pages
- Audible Book: 7 hours 45 minutes
- Format(s) Available:
- Audiobook
- Audio CD
- eBook
- Paperback
- Publisher:
- Paperback/eBook: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
- Audiobook: Blackstone Publishing
- Available to Buy:
- Amazon
- Audible
- Barnes and Noble
- ThriftBooks
- Libro.fm
- Available for Borrowing:
Reader’s Annotation:
Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is eager to make a splash with her new cheese shop, Curd & Whey. She just did not expect the splash would be linked to murder.
A Summary:
Willa Bauer’s is banking the success of her new cheese shop on a review by Guy Lippinger, whose name can make or break a business. With the Sonoma’s Choice Award for Best New Business on the line, she is hoping everything goes well. However, after an incident where Guy Lippinger drunkenly arrives in her shop during a cheese demonstration and threatens to give her a bad review and “reveal” a big secret, she soon finds herself in the spotlight in a way she did not expect, as Guy is found outside of her shop- murdered. Worse still, one of her cheese knives meant as a gift for her cheese students was the murder weapon. With the reputation of her new shop on the line, Willa does her best to keep her head above water and also try to find out who would want to murder Guy. Will she be able to discover the truth, or will she be the next victim?
My Evaluation (No Spoilers):
This book caught my attention when visiting my local used bookstore, Beach Town Books in San Clemente. One of my best friends is a certified cheesemonger and I got curious so I had to check out the book. The author did her research and provided plenty of background and information regarding cheese, how it is made, and what you can use it with. Not only that, the relationships between the main character and her crew within Curds & Whey were funny and sweet as well. Like a good cheese, the characters were complex and well-written. I also found Willa’s background as well as interest in cheese relatable. There were moments where I found myself face palming due to her stupidity; however, it was meant to move the story along. Not only that, but the reveal of the murderer was tense and, while surprising, fit well within the narrative.
Links to Author Website and Interviews:
- Korina Moss (Official Author Website)
- Killing Time w/Cozy Authors Chat: Korina Moss (YouTube)
- MMB Presents…A Conversation with Korina Moss (YouTube)
- The Cozy 52: Q&A with author Korina Moss
Appeal Factors:
- Cover Art: Bright and colorful, yet simple. Not only that, but it gives you hints about the story as well as the possible murder weapon and also *SPOILER*
- Characters/storyline: The characters were interesting; however, thankfully they were not carbon copies of anyone. Everyone had a personality, good or bad- even the victim. The characters were like pieces on a chess board and moved well together until the climax that was shocking versus cheesy (though cheese WAS involved). The story was also easy to follow and, while there were moments where I smacked my head because something someone did was ridiculous or stupid, they are indeed human (if fictional).
- Culinary aspect: Cheese is something that the main character thinks about constantly and is at the center of everything- including the murder. Thankfully, the author includes some fun recipes that I cannot wait to try out. Definitely left me hungry for more. Plus, there are other food stuffs mentioned too, including bread and cinnamon rolls (though no recipes for those).
- Romance/Chemistry: There was some hints to romance within the story, as well as mentions of illicit affairs and secret identities. Will is sort of caught between two men- the mysterious Roman, who owns a meadery, and Detective Heath, who constantly gets entangled with Willa as she bumbles her way through the investigation. There are misunderstandings, tension, and also a chance for reconciliation. And then you have the two young lovebird, Archie and Holly, whose romance mostly is discussed or happens off the page. However, this book is not meant as a romance but as a mystery so tension is fine as long as it doesn’t go overboard on cheesiness.
- Mystery: A man known for giving tough reviews is murdered, leaving Will and her shop on the edge of notoriety and ruin. Worse still? The murder weapon was a cheese knife meant for attendees to first evening cheese class. This puts her and the attendees- all with a secret or bone to pick with the victim -as prime suspects.
- Female friendships and respect of women: While Willa does have some female friendships with her employee, Mrs. Schultz, and other local business owners- Vivian, Birdie, and Holly -there is also tension there as they were all present when Guy Lippinger entered her shop and caused a ruckus. Due to her life and credibility as a new shop owner and cheesemonger being on the line, she is friendly but does not show all of her cards. And, for that matter, with the exception of Mrs. Schultz who does her best to help Will with her amateur investigation, no one else shows theirs either until near or at the end of the book. However, I would say that Willa is given her due respect from her mainly her employee Archie, who is interested in cheese and also her next door neighbor, Baz, who assists with her investigation as well as keeping her from dying (more than once). The other characters, such as Guy and Roman come across as players while Heath is a mystery. For the most part, the female characters are treated with respect; however, when some secrets are revealed, they come across as plot devices and in some cases stereotypes (i.e. single mothers, poor vs. rich, etc.).
Other Information:
- The author was a fan of and influenced by Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie novels.
- This book is the first in a series of five (and counting).
- The fifth book in her Cheese Shop Mysteries series, Fondue or Die, will be released October 2024.
- She is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Writers of America.
- She currently blogs on Writers Who Kill.
- She is a big foodie and has been on an Eat, Pray, Love journey but is stuck on the “eat” part.
Similar Titles:
Book Reviews:
- Book Frolic – Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss (Book Review)
- TheStoryGraph – Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss (Book Review)
- Carstairs Considers – Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss (Book Review)
- Novels Alive – Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss (Book Review)
Awards and Booklists:
- Awards: Agatha Winner for Best First Novel (Cheddar Off Dead)
- Booklists: Mid-Continent Public Library Booklist
Booktalking Approach:
Let us say you are a bookseller or librarian and a reader comes to you trying to find their next read. This is an opportunity to get to know the reader as well as offer assistance and/or advice as to what books you can offer.
- Good morning! How can I help you today? Good, so am I. Glad to hear it. Oh I see: you are interested in culinary murder mysteries but not sure where to start? Do you have an interest in charcuterie or cheese, or do you just want something more thrilling? Are you interested in standalones or a series? Romantic subplots- major spice or hinted tension? I would recommend reading Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss. First in a series about a cheesemonger who is running a new shop, only to have her credibility and reputation as a new business owner tarnished by the death of a cold and highly opinionated restaurant reviewer.
- Good afternoon– you’re here because a friend recommended a book to you? Who is the author? You do not remember? What about the title? Nothing, huh? Hmm- do you remember what the genre was? Romance, Young Adult, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Murder Mystery or Thriller? Ah, murder/mystery! Very good- we have some good ones. Do you remember what the themes or common tropes were: culinary, cozy, classical, amateur, women sleuths? Cozy culinary- ah, that’s my favorite genre too. We thinking baking, wine or beer, antiques, books, or something else? Cheesy culinary, eh? Well, we have Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss and Up To No Gouda by Linda Reilly- both are most excellent and fun! You want to see the book covers? Maybe they will job your memory. Ah- fantastic! Korina Moss is the winner this round! You want to check out Up To No Gouda as well? Great!
- You’re running a Cheese and Wine book club and are looking for a good book for your next meeting. Are you interested in a series or standalone? Do you have a preference for genre or themes? Romance or murder mystery? Autobiography? Romance AND murder mystery- lovely. Do you have a specific theme in mind? Culinary? I think you might like Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss- it has murder, cheese, recipes, and a touch of tension.
Book Discussion and Questions:
- What did you think of the story? What did you like or dislike about it?
- What did you think of the cover art? Were you drawn in and possibly get hints regarding the murder?
- What did you think of how the author moved the plot along? Was the use of a restaurant review and New Business award good plot devices, yes or no?
- What were your thoughts on Willa Bauer and her attempts at sleuthing? Did her backstory make sense? Explain.
- Who was your favorite character? Least favorite character? Why did you feel this way?
- What did you think about the information regarding cheese? Did you feel that you were informed? Why or why not?
- What did you think about the potential romance or romantic tension between Will and Roman? Did you feel anything between her and Detective Heath?
- Did the romantic tension seem realistic?
- Who did you suspect of the murder? Explain.
- When the murder was revealed, were you shocked or did you feel that you knew something all along?
Reasons for Inclusion:
While there were moments where I wanted to facepalm because of something the main character said or did, I soon found myself warming to the cheesemonger and amateur sleuth and her small group of misfits and neighbors. As a woman who is in her early-ish thirties, I definitely close to the character and found her attempts to find justice for herself as well as her business fascinating. She was human, and while she did make mistakes, she was apologetic and tried to make things right. It was cozy and definitely made me want to have a faux Croug Monsieur or cheese fondue with friends. If anything, it made me sad that her shop wasn’t real and I could not visit. Definitely a worthy inclusion in my personal library- and maybe yours.
Clues for Future:
- Amateur sleuths
- Women sleuths
- Small town
- Rivalries
- Murder mysteries
- Cheesemonger
- Cheese and charcuterie boards
- Mead
- Romantic tension
- Wholesome
- Relatable characters
- Cozy
- Korina Moss
- Sonoma Valley, California
- Female friendships
The Beldam's Corner 