As BLACKBERRY BURIAL explains, Marlee used to produce a TV cooking show in New York, until one of the chefs decided to murder her co-chef husband. The resultant bad publicity made Marlee up stakes and come home. I had not read the first book so it was good to get the brief backstory. Some of the premises here have histories too; a farm is rumoured to be haunted. Marlee's Aunt Vicki runs an animal rescue centre and gifted Marlee's friend Piper with a Great Dane, while saddle horses and dairy cows also enter the picture. I like a setting with space to move.

Unexpectedly the Great Dane digs up a skull, and a police investigation is under way. Yes, it's on the haunted Sanderling farm, which even hosted UFO rumours years ago and was intended to be the setting for part of the rally. The loneliness of an unmarked grave, in a copse tangled with blackberries, weighs on Marlee's mind. Gordon Sanderling, a plumbing store baron, arrives as the police are still asking questions at the scene. More concerned with adverse publicity than the tragic nature of the scene, he bans the rally from entering and orders Marlee and Piper off the land.

I absolutely love the setting in the fruit orchard district. Visitors drive miles to pick their own cherries, apples and peaches, later pumpkins, while the farm kitchen shop sells preserves and pies. The gorgeous lakeshore makes a beautiful backdrop for yoga classes, boating and vacations. Any number of outsiders could drive here -- and some never leave. I also enjoyed the red, white and blue themed desserts for Fourth of July, whether frosting or berries and cream. Smoothies, decorated ceramics and beauty goods are on sale in The Berry Basket. I want to stop by that shop! Some mouth-watering recipes are at the end.

BLACKBERRY BURIAL is a cold case story, which engages our sympathy by concluding the heartbreaking search for Sienna, a girl student who went missing twenty years ago. This aspect appeals to our sense of justice far more than the usual death of an unpopular man or woman. I really wanted to uncover the truth and bring her family some justice. Sharon Farrow has definitely hit her stride with this vigorous and tasty amateur sleuth story. I'll be looking out for more.

Book Summary