Hi! I’m Amy Carlyle, Piper Lamb’s part-time assistant at the pickling shop. I love my job ’cause it lets me do all sorts of pickling and preserving in addition to just handling sales. I’m a trained chef, though I’m recently out of school and could only land a part-time job in the kitchen of one of Cloverdale’s top restaurants. But that gives me great experience. Working at Piper’s Picklings has given me great experience, too, but of a whole other kind.
Take today, for instance. Piper’s ex-fiancé, Scott, showed up in Cloverdale after traveling the world to “find himself,” conveniently forgetting that Piper had broken up with him. He obviously planned to pick things up with her where they had left off, but Piper’s new boyfriend, Will, had other things to say about that. I could tell that Piper had torn feelings after seeing Scott again after so long. That was going to make things very interesting!
Then Mr. Standley came by with a delivery of the fresh dill he grows on his farm outside of Cloverdale. It’s the best dill in the country! But Mr. Standley has other interests, too, like soccer, and he was all excited about the Italian semi-pro soccer team coming to play the Cloverdale All-Stars, a team he happens to help coach. He’s totally over the moon about the match.
But I’ll let you in on a little secret Mr. Standley doesn’t know yet: the manager of the Italian team is an old nemesis of his from their high school days. I’m afraid that’s going to be quite a shock when Mr. Standley sees him step off the team’s bus. Old feelings and rivalries, don’t just die away. But old nemeses sometimes do, especially if they’re shot. And if their body happens to be discovered in an enemy’s dill field, well, that dill farmer is in a lot of trouble.
I’ll hate to see Mr. Standley in a lot of trouble—he seems like a really nice guy! But I suspect Piper will step in to help, and not just because she’d lose a great dill source but because she’s pretty good that way. Who knew someone who makes terrific pickles and preserves would also have a bit of Sherlock Holmes in her? Not me, that’s for sure. But I’m really glad she does. She helped me out in a major way last summer, so I hope she can do it again for Mr. Standley.
I’d better get back to work, now. Green tomato relish doesn’t jump up and make itself, you know, and Piper has a great recipe for it. While I’m back here, chopping and cooking, I can still hear what’s going on in the front of the shop.
I wonder who’s going to walk in next?
You can read more about Amy in License to Dill, the second book in the “Pickled and Preserved” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is The Pickled Piper.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on February 20 for the chance to win a copy of License to Dill. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.
About the author
Mary Ellen Hughes has written two previous mystery series: the popular Craft Corner Mysteries (Wreath of Deception, String of Lies, Paper-thin Alibi) and the Maggie Olenski mysteries (Resort to Murder, A Taste of Death.) She lives in Maryland with her husband, who has long provided her with all the homegrown vegetables she could want for preserving and pickling as well as many unique inspirations for mysteries.
Oh I loved this post. What a great character. 🙂 Sounds like a really fun series!
brookeb811 at gmail dot com
Do you ever can sweet jalapenos?
Sounds interesting! Thanks for the chance! angelhwk68@yahoo.com
This sounds like a great book. Thank you.
This is my first exposure to the pickling series. It sounds delightful & I’m adding it to my TBR list, for sure. Thanks for the chance for the giveaway.
I really enjoy this author. So happy she has a new series and new book. Congrats
“Pickled and Preserved” mystery series sounds delightful. I am looking forward to reading the books. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
License to Kill sounds like a great
read. Thanks for the opportunity
to win.
Can’t wait to read this one, sounds great.
What a fun book, can not wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Sounds good. Can’t wait to read !
A pickle shop with a mystery. Now that’s a new one for me. Would love to win it.
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
Sounds like a fun read!
I have #1 in the series on that infamous t-b-r list.
Sounds like a fun read
This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win
Cute title,, looks like a fun read, thanks for the chance
Love the title. Cozy mysteries always have the best titles! Thank you for this giveaway. Have a nice weekend.
You would think that my favorite pickles would be dill because some of my ancestors were named “Dill” but I still yearn for bread and butter pickles. Thank you for the chance!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Nothing better than a crisp dill pickle to accompany a sandwich for lunch. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Sounds like a great cozy mystery.
xzjh04@gmail.com
Looks like an interesting book. I’m sure that Cloverdale is a lot bigger than my Cloverdale.
That has to be the cutest title ever! The book sounds great! Thank you for the review and contest!
Fun title. Sounds like a good read. thanks for the chance to win
Happy Valentine’s Day
I really liked the Craft Corner series so I an eager to read this one. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of License to Dill.
There’s nothing better than fresh dill. I sure hope you don’t lose your supplier! I make dill pickles myself-but that’s the only pickling I’ve ever done!
My daughter would love this cozy mystery, thank you for the chance to win a copy for her.
wfnren at aol dot com
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the write up on it!
Fun title. thanks for the chance to win it.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Another author I haven’t had the opportunity to read. This books should prove to be a great read. Thanks for the opportunity.
Thank you for the chance to win
Sounds like a fun read.
Would love to win!
This is a new-to-me author but I really enjoyed this interview and it’s piqued my interest in this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
This is a new author for me, and I can’t wait to read about pickles, mayhem, and murder! Sounds fun. Thanks Dru and Mary Ellen for the opportunity to win this book. Happy Valentine’s Day to you both!
I loved the first book and from what I just read above it looks like I’ll love this one too. I think the idea of a pickling shop is so interesting. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love these cozy’s.
Looking forward to reading this one!
A mystery about pickles – who would have thought? Sounds like a good one!
I like the balance of experience she is getting in a restaurant and a pickling store!
Would love a chance to win this book and chocolate. OK, just the book.
Oh I would really love to win this book. I enjoyed the other so very much. Thank you for a chance to win.
I have the first book in this series in my TBR pile. I need to move it up and read it now. The series sounds intriguing.
This sounds like a perfect read for an ex-farm girl who grew up canning and pickling. Still have to do the cooking and I’m the neighborhood’s baker, so I could use a few tips on reentering the pickling world. Sounds like a super book, thanks for the chance to win it.
I love all things pickled–and I enjoy cozy mysteries so this series is a must read for me.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
wouild love to win this book I enjoy all cozy mysteries especially food themed ones
Thanks for the giveaway. I have the first book in my TBR pile and the second sounds just as great.
I want to read this
License to Dill sounds like a good read as possibly a way to get ideas about preserving and pickling. Thanks for the give away.
sounds like a cute cozy
I would love to read this book. Fond memories of making pickles with my Mom and Grandma! servedogmom@yahoo.com
Thank you for the chance to win.
Pick me to read about pickles, please.
I am so happy that Mary Ellen has a new series. It’s about food so I am in. CONGRATS!!!#
Boy does this one look good.
Marilyn Watson ewatvess@yahoo.com
Will have to get The Pickled Piper so I’ll be ready for this one. Sounds good.
Sounds awesome!
This sounds like a wonderful book! I can’t wait to read it!
I would love to read Licensed to Dill. I enjoyed the last book very much. Thank you for a chance to win.
A chance to win A License to Dill would be great. I truly enjoyed your last book. Thanks
Sounds mighty yummy!
I enjoyed The Pickled Piper. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of License to Dill.
A ‘must-read’ for me….
Thank you for the giveaway….
Sounds like a good book. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the name, and it sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Have heard so much about this and it has all been good!!
Would like a free chance to sample this author. Love the Cozy books
would love to check these books out
I’ve been looking forward to this series but don’t have them yet. I’ve read her other series and liked it.
I have been wanting to try this series. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to add this book to my TBR pile!
Love the title! Sounds like a great story~thank you for the contest!
This sounds like fun! I look forward to reading it.
An unusual setting – i would like to read this series.
Thank you
Love this series and need to get this one!! Great fun on here!
Dill is my favorite herb, though I like almost every herb and spice I have come acroiss.
Just talking about dill makes me want to get a pickle from the fridge right now.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
contest is closed.