When autumn lingers and the oaks and maples are still brazenly showing fall foliage, it’s a fine time to take a drive in the country and pick up some wheels of Cheddar cheese at Mike Mullen’s dairy farm. That sounds easy enough, right? But a couple of days ago, it all blew up into a huge crisis. Walking into Mike’s barn, I was greeted by the urgent, upturned faces of four dozen cows that hadn’t been milked. Thinking something must have happened to Mike, I hurried back to his cheese workshop where all the magic happens. But when I went in, there was poor Mike, laying on the floor, blood spattered all over the place, and his clothes ripped to shreds as if he was some sort of desert island castaway.
And, yes, he was dead.
I’m no scaredy cat, so I stayed as calm as possible and called Sheriff Doogie. And then I called my fiancé Sam, who happens to be the town doctor. They came rip-roaring in, took a look at the scene of the crime, and sort of scratched their heads. They couldn’t imagine who would commit a terrible crime on such a mild-mannered farmer.
Well, the upshot of the whole thing is that now I’m embroiled in the murder investigation. And of course I’ve got the Cackleberry Club to run as well. Besides Sam, the Cackleberry Club, along with my partners Toni and Petra, are the loves of my life. We’re a homey little restaurant that makes everything from scratch (especially all manner of egg dishes!) and stages a ton of events such as our Knitter’s Tea and Friday night pizza party.
But back to the murder. I’ve got a few suspects on my short list. A shunned neighbor boy who may or may not be a witness. A strange, taciturn man who’s transporting horses to Canada. Mike’s unhappy wife Claudia. And a pushy corporate vendor who’s forever bulling his way into the Cackleberry Club.
Somehow, I manage to keep my good humor and my romance with Sam sizzling, all the while dealing with Junior’s broken leg, a wild chase through the woods, prowlers in my backyard, and stolen horses. Sound like my plate is full? It surely is. So please please stop by the Cackleberry Club and let us fill your plate, too. Or as least share a few of our delicious recipes. Because Egg Drop Dead is outrageous and downright fun. It’s a new kind of thriller-cozy (a thrillzy!) that’s liberally sprinkled with humor and packed with twists and turns you’ll never see coming!
Bonus recipe! Warm up your winter days with Egg Drop Dead Soup
Egg Drop Dead Soup
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 eggs, beaten
2 small green onions, chopped finely
Salt and pepper to taste
In a saucepan, bring chicken broth, ground ginger, and soy sauce to a simmer. Slowly stream in the beaten eggs while stirring the soup in one direction. Add chopped green onions. Add salt and pepper to taste. Yields 4 servings.
Egg Drop Dead is the seventh book in the Cackleberry Club mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, December 2016.
In Laura Childs’s New York Times bestselling mystery series, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni—co-owners of the Cackleberry Club café—are back to track down another bad egg. . .
Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.
But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.
Churning with grief and outrage, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the squeeze on them. . .
RECIPES INCLUDED!
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About the author
Laura Childs is the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced two reality TV shows. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, enjoys travel, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs. Visit Laura at laurachilds.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Egg Drop Dead. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends December 11, 2016. Good luck everyone!
I would Love to win and read Egg Drop Dead and try out A Thrillzy. I Love books with humor. Thanks for posting on your blog.
Sounds like a wonderful series. Would love to win a copy. Thanks for highlighting new series I want to try.
Have read the entire series except this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would like to try this series of hers. I read and enjoyed Theodosia Browning and her South Carolina Tea Shop series.
Sounds great…and so does the soup recipe! 🙂
Thanks Dru Ann and Laura!
An other series I’ve been meaning to read but haven’t gotten around too. Thank you for the giveaway.
I grew up on a farm, so a farm setting for a murder and a mystery are intriguing to me. Can’t wait to read.
I’d like to try this series. Thank you for this chance!
Sounds good. Thanks for the recipe – it will be great in the cold of winter.
Last week, I read Laura Childs’ book Crepe Factor. It was a good read and I bet this one is too! Thanks.
Super series but I need to catch up! Thanks for review and giveaway.
Looks like a most intriguing read. Love the recipe. It is much simpler than the one I have. Must give it a try this afternoon. Thanks for the recipe. And thanks for a chance at an intriguing book by a (to me) new author and series.
How have I missed this series? I love humor in my mysteries. Hope I win!
Wonderful series and great giveaway. Thanks.
I absolutely love the Cackleberry Club and I love Laura’s books. I am always so excited when a new one is coming. I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance Dru!!
This is such a good series, I can’t wait to read the newest installment! kathambre@yahoo.com
Thanks for the recipe. It sounds delicious
Your book sounds like a fun read.
I’d love to read this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
That soup recipe sounds pretty easy to make—I think I’ll try it. Thanks for the book giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Laura Childs is one fantastic author, Her stories keep a reader so intent on the books she writes from beginning to end. Thank you for including her on your blog and also for the giveaway. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
Looks like another great read by Laura Childs! Thanks for the chance to win!
Been waiting for months for this one. Please!
Love the series.
I love Laura Childs, and this series is no exception.
Laura Child’s is a great author, can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Laura Child is an author whose books I like to read! Thanks for the chance to win her book!
I’d love a copy of this book. I think this is my favorite series and There is always such a long wait between books. I do read her scrapbook and tea shop series too.
This sounds like a good book, I love the recipe for the soup.
Egg Drop Soup is my favorite. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book.
This novel is already on my TBR list. Great sounding cozy.
This series sounds like so much fun. I’m sure we’d have a great time reading them. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the latest.
Already on my Amazon wish list!
One of my all time favorite series!
Great series, really enjoy reading Laura Childs books. Can’t wait to read “Egg Drop Dead”.
Thanks for the Egg Drop Dead soup recipe.
One of my favorite series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Egg Drop Dead (love the title).
Looks like a great read.
I would love to read your book and comment on it for my book club.
Oh boy, I need to start this series…..sounds like FUN!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
I’ve never had Egg Drop Egg Soup but I would love to have the Egg Drop Egg book. Thanks for this giveaway!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
It sounds good— both the book and the soup! Sure could use a bowl of that on a wintry day like this.
Laura Child’s is one of my favorite authors. I love all of her series.
Sounds delightful and that soup is perfect for a cool day or night.
I have read two of the books in this series. A fun read! I will have to add this one to my list.
This sounds great and I have been wanting to read Laura Childs for a while now….so please enter me…the concept of this is very interesting..
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I love this series, I can’t wait to revisit these characters again.
This book looks like a good read. Interesting story.
I enjoy this series. The ladies do get in a jam but the help each other so well. Love Laura Childs books.