Kernel of Truth by Kristi Abbott is the first book in the NEW “Popcorn Shop” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, March 2016

An all-new Popcorn Shop Mystery bursts on the scene, featuring gourmet popcorn entrepreneur Rebecca Anderson and her poodle Sprocket.

Opening a gourmet popcorn shop was never on Rebecca Anderson’s bucket list. But after a failed marriage to a celebrity chef, she’s ready for her life to open up and expand. She has returned to her hometown of Grand Lake, Ohio, with her popcorn-loving poodle Sprocket to start a new business—naturally called POPS. As a delicious bonus, Cordelia “Coco” Bittles, a close family friend who has always been like a grandmother to Rebecca, owns the chocolate shop next door, and the two are thinking of combining their businesses.

But when Coco’s niece, Alice, discovers her on the floor of her chocolate shop, those dreams go up in smoke. The local sheriff thinks Coco was the victim of a robbery gone wrong, but Rebecca isn’t so sure. As suspects start popping up all over, Rebecca is determined to turn up the heat and bring the killer to justice in a jiffy!

Includes Popcorn Related Recipes

This was an enjoyable read that entertained and kept me involved throughout the telling of this tale. I love the comfortable tone present and the way each scene flows giving me just enough to entice me to read further in this fast-paced drama that popped with a mystery that I had to get to the bottom. The author did a great job in plotting this story with a tight list of suspects and kernels of information that bit by bit pointed to the killer. It was fun meeting Rebecca and I like her gumption and determination to find her mentor’s killer. With a good supporting cast, a friendly small town atmosphere and engaging dialogue, this is a delightfully charming debut in a series that I hope is here to stay.