Something Shiny

The fourth book in the Supper Club Mystery series from J. B. Stanley follows in the adequate tradition of the previous three installments. I’m not in love with the series, but it’s better than most of my random picks based on cover and/or title induced impulses (“Chili Con Corpses” being the initial hook for me).

As with the previous tales, the weight watching group of friends gets wrapped up in a murder investigation. Will they save the day again? Signs point to yes. As an added bonus, this installment includes some BBQ recipes.

If you have read any of J. B. Stanley’s books and would like to learn more about her, she has a blog and some additional info over at Amazon (click on the book cover over on the right).

Via Amazon:

From Booklist

The whole purpose of this Supper Club is for its five members to lose weight. As in real life, some are more successful than others, but they all keep trying. Librarian James Henry, new sheriff’s deputy Lucy Hanover, schoolteacher Lindy, postman Bennett, and pet guru Gillian have actually gained more fame from their joint sleuthing escapades than they have from their various diet attempts. In this fourth rollicking adventure, they are invited to be guest judges at the forty-seventh annual Hudsonville Hog Festival. They can’t resist the offer; they’ll get back to their diets after the barbecue. All goes well until one of the barbecue contestants is found dead, and one of the flab five is accused of the murder. As always, a few recipes are included in the story, some of them more diet-friendly than others. While many of the antics are hilarious, Stanley’s characters really do have depth, the plotting is well executed, and the series becomes better with each installment. –Judy Coon

Review
“Readers are served a well-plotted mystery sprinkled with delightful characters and topped off with a dash of suspense.”

Product Description
When the supper club members are invited to be guest judges at a regional barbecue contest, they accept the invitation faster than you can say “hog heaven.” But the barbecue festival’s family-oriented, finger-licking fun turns sour when a contestant is found dead. Things go from bad to worse when one of the five friends is accused of the murder and lands in jail. The strained relationship between James and Lucy is still no picnic, but the supper club members must stick together to find the real killer. Includes authentic barbecue-friendly recipes!

Praise for the Supper Club Mystery Series
“Heavy on fun, light on gore, this savory mystery comes complete with yummy recipes.” —Publishers Weekly”
Well plotted …with a wonderful setting and cast of characters.” —MysteryReader.com
“Stanley offers another entry in the popular Supper Club Mystery series, and her fans now have a new volume to relish.” —Booklist

About the Author
J.B. Stanley has a BA in English from Franklin & Marshall College, an MA in English Literature from West Chester University, and an MLIS from North Carolina Central University. She taught sixth grade language arts in Cary, North Carolina for the majority of her eight-year teaching career. Raised an antique-lover by her grandparents and parents, Stanley also worked part-time in an auction gallery. An eBay junkie and food-lover, Stanley now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, two young children, and three cats.