Guilty as Cinnamon by Leslie Budewitz

I hope you all listened when I suggested you the first in the Spice Shop Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz because the second part, Guilty as Cinnamon, is just as delicious! All the people I loved and even Arf the dog are back again with a another mystery to solve.

From the back of the book:

Murder heats up Seattle’s Pike Place Market in the next Spice Shop mystery from the national bestselling author of Assault and Pepper.


Springtime in Seattle’s Pike Place Market means tasty foods and wide-eyed tourists, and Pepper’s Spice Shop is ready for the crowds. With flavorful combinations and a fresh approach, she’s sure to win over the public. Even better, she’s working with several local restaurants as their chief herb and spice supplier. Business is cooking, until one of Pepper’s potential clients, a young chef named Tamara Langston, is found dead, her life extinguished by the dangerously hot ghost chili—a spice Pepper carries in her shop. 

Now stuck in the middle of a heated police investigation, Pepper must use all her senses to find out who wanted to keep Tamara’s new café from opening—before someone else gets burned.

My thoughts:

The lead, Pepper, is someone I really like. As she develops, I like her even more. She is an every woman, smart, independent and good hearted. Plus, she is real, picks the wrong men, isn't always dead on with her suspicions, and did I mention she is kind to animals- that always wins points with me!

I like the murder weapon this time, very original and fitting to the series. It is a clue based mystery but a complex one. I did not solve it this time although that may be because I was just so relaxed and happy to be back in Pike's Place Market that I wasn't sleuthing too hard myself.

Make sure you peek in the back for the recipes too!! 

Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read. You can also connect with them on Twitter where you can happen across a fun giveaway as well. 

Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.