Book Review: The Perogi Peril by Geri Krotow

(PUBLISHER”S DESCRIPTION) Lydia Wienewski has opened her Polish-American cafe and bakery on the shore of Lake Erie, but her idyllic new venture is shattered when the low tide leads to a terrible discovery.

July, 1982. Lydia Wienewski’s dream has finally come true: Lydia’s Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, selling delicious Polish-American fare on the shore of Lake Erie, is now open and her fortunes are looking up. Even her old nemesis and tutor, the irascible Madame Delphine, has made time to sample Lydia’s delectable pierogi, with some of her students in tow.

But when Lydia finds Madame Delphine dead in the water, her lakeside dream turns into a nightmare. Was it a bizarre suicide, or brutal murder? As Lydia and Grandma Mary investigate, they discover that there was more to Madame Delphine than meets the eye, and quickly find themselves drawn into an increasingly perilous situation! Can they uncover the truth about Madame Delphine’s untimely death?

BOOK REVIEW

1982. Lydia Wienewski runs Lydia’s Lakeside Cafe and Bakery in Buffalo,New York. Lydia’s pierogi is hailed as the best in the area, and everyone wants her to enter the pierogi contest at The Buffalo International Food Festival. But when her former mentor, Madame Delphine, comes to town, along with some of her students, she dredges up memories that Lydia would sooner forget. And then Lydia finds Delphine dead at the cafe. Lydia and her grandmother, Mary, again team up to try to solve the murder. This is Book Two of the Kielbasa Queen mysteries.

I loved the portrayal of Polish/American culture, the 1980s Western New York setting, and the delicious descriptions of all of the food. Lydia’s grandmother steals the show with her unconventional behavior, such as getting caught making out in the car with her boyfriend. At times I felt the overall mystery moved too slowly. There were plenty of red herrings, but the conclusion was a little bit predictable. However, the characters and the setting make it well worth another trip to Lydia’s cafe.

I received a free copy of this book from Severn House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Geri Krotow writes smart, humorous cozy mysteries that feature (mostly) lovable characters who are challenged by…dead bodies. The Kielbasa Queen Mystery series showcases 1982 Buffalo, New York as Lydia Wienewski and her Grandma make the most unlikely–and perfect!–sleuthing duo. Geri’s Shop ‘Round the World series is set in contemporary–albeit fictional–Stonebridge, Pennsylvania, where retired Navy pilot Angel Warren attempts to open an international gift shop and renew lifelong friendships while solving the most unlikely murders along the way.

With over 35 published novels ranging from cozy mystery to thrilling romantic suspense to women’s fiction-y romance, there’s a Geri Krotow book for you.

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