Final Fondue by Maya Corrigan is the third book in the “Five-Ingredient” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, July 2016

Val Deniston certainly has her plate full running a café, dabbling with recipes, and helping her grandfather prepare for the town’s upcoming tri-centennial celebration, but she’s grown fond of her new life in the Chesapeake Bay town of Bayport. . .

So when Val is asked to reclaim her old position as a cookbook publicist in New York City, she puts off her decision in order to help her grandfather perfect his chocolate fondue for the weekend festivity’s dessert cook-off. But after the opening ceremonies, Val finds a houseguest strangled to death in her grandfather’s backyard. She suspects a classic case of mistaken identity, especially when another guest nearly bids her life a fondue farewell. Now it’s up to Val to keep the killer from making another stab at murder . . .

Includes 6 five-ingredient recipes!

This was an enjoyable read with a well-executed plot that grabbed me immediately and I couldn’t put this book down until the last page was read. The mystery begins at Val’s granddad’s house and escalates when one of the guest is murdered and Val gets out her sleuthing cap and thus the adventure begins. An ex-husband, her current boyfriend and her mother’s visits occupies Val’s time as she seeks clues that will unmask a killer. The author did a very good job in presenting this tale that boasts a likable cast, a comforting atmosphere and engaging dialogue.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) book from the author.