Mystery at Windswept Farm by Wendy Sand Eckel
What pairs better with a murder mystery than some fine Italian dining? It may seem like an unlikely combo, but Wendy Sand Eckel’s new book, Mystery at Windswept Farm (Level Best Books), will have you eagerly turning pages not only to see who the culprit is but also to savor another mouth-watering description of whatever is next on the menu.
In this third book in the Rosalie Hart series, Rosalie has more than ever on her plate. In the small town of Cardigan, Maryland, she owns an organic farm, runs a café that is in the middle of renovations, is in the beginning stages of a new relationship and fancies herself an amateur detective, much to the chagrin of the local law enforcement.
A NEIGHBORHOOD POISONING
Rosalie and Tyler, the attractive farmer who leases her land, are trying to ensure their farm can maintain its organic certification — which is not an easy task when their neighbor is planning to crop dust his fields just before their big inspection. Their farm hand, Bini, even takes it so far as to confront the crotchety old Mr. Kline, but when she does, she finds him dead. His death is soon ruled to be poisoning by the sheriff. With little confidence in Sheriff Joe’s ability to close the case on his own, Rosalie can’t help but start up her own investigation.
Meanwhile, through a connection with a friend in town, Rosalie is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: a real Italian chef is coming to town and he’s willing to teach a cooking class right in Rosalie’s café. Now she’s recruiting students and busily preparing for the class while continuing to look into the suspicious events that have recently taken place on the Kline’s “Windswept Farm.”
Not only is this cooking class a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Rosalie to realize her dream of studying under an Italian chef, but it is also a big chance for her to reconnect with her brother who has decided to come to stay with her after the devastating collapse of his long-term relationship. Oliver has had little time for Rosalie as he’s been living life in the fast lane in New York City, but maybe a couple of relaxing weeks in Cardigan is just what he needs.
Except that his stay turns out to be anything but relaxing when one of the students is poisoned at the much-anticipated cooking class just as things get rolling. Investigation reveals that this second poisoning used the very same method as the first. Now there is a serial poisoner in Cardigan and the race is on to stop them before they claim their next victim.
A RURAL “WHODUNNIT” WITH DELICIOUS FOOD
It’s the type of story where you know the full cast of characters right from the start: there’s the farmer, the sheriff, the young niece who’s just inherited all of Kline’s money, the middle-aged woman suspicious of her potentially cheating husband, bartenders, dishwashers, a college professor interested in culinary arts — oh, and a famous Russian actress with no discernible reason to be in town in the first place. With the possible suspects laid out early, readers get the pleasure of soaking in the richly narrated chapters and deciding for themselves who is the murderer. It’s a quintessential cozy mystery with the unique twist of offering a tasty side dish of Italian cuisine.
About Wendy Sand Eckel:
Degrees in criminology and social work, followed by years of clinical practice, helped WENDY SAND ECKEL explore her fascination with how relationships impact motivation, desire, and inhibition. Combined with her passion for words and meaning, writing mystery is a dream realized.
She is the award-winning author of the Rosalie Hart Mystery Series. Murder at Barclay Meadow and Death at the Day Lily Café were published by Minotaur Books in 2015 and 2016. Death at the Day Lily Café was selected “Best Cozy of 2016” by Suspense Magazine. She is an active member of the Mystery Writers of America and the International Association of Crime Writers.
Eckel lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in her dream house where she alternately gazes out her windows at the Chester River and hovers over the stove, creating succulent, sometimes experimental, meals for family and friends. She lives with the love of her life and two rescued orange tabbies, Frodo and Sam.
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