Carly Hale is a thirty two year old woman who has recently moved back to her home town of Balsam Dell, Vermont, to fulfill her dream of opening a grilled cheese restaurant. Carly used the insurance money she received after the tragic death of her husband in an accident to furnish and fit-out the cafe. Carly, of course, is the sleuth in Linda Reilly’s Up to No Gouda, the first book in the Grilled Cheese Mystery Series, which is the next book I’m featuring in my posts discussing the most recommended and popular Cozy Mystery series.
Up to No Gouda, begins, appropriately enough, with Carly ladling out tomato soup to be served with her “Party Havarti” grilled cheese sandwich. Carly’s restaurant has only been open a few months, but sitting near the Balsam Dell town center with its tourist attracting shops and foot traffic from the locals, it has become quite the sensation in the town that has earned the reputation as one of New England’s coziest villages. Carly was not only fortunate in her choice of locations — she also has hired two of the best employees a small cafe could want. Both Suzanne, her server and all around helper, and Grant, her young cook, are excellent at their jobs.
Unfortunately, Carly only rents the space for her cafe. The lease is soon expiring, and the new owner of the property has no intention of extending or renewing the lease. So, after only a few months of being open, Carly faces the prospect of relocating to another location farther from the town center.
Being a cozy mystery, before long Carly finds a body behind her restaurant. And, one of her prized employees comes under a cloud of suspicion. Carly can’t let her employee be wrongly accused, and thus, the sleuthing begins.
I love grilled cheese as much as just about anybody. But, I have to admit, I had my doubts about a series centered around a grilled cheese restaurant. However, after reading just a few pages of Up to No Gouda, I was hooked and my misgivings vanished. The setting has all of the classic (and thus attractive) elements of cozy mysteries. Balsam Dell is literally a cozy village. Carly is surrounded by old and new acquaintances in this small town and in her cafe. Carly is widowed, but not so recently that she doesn’t have a budding potential romance. Also, she is quite familiar with the older police chief who is an old friend of her family. And, there is a small dog (pictured on the cover) who becomes part of the story. (I almost forgot to mention that there are grilled cheese tips and recipes at the end of the book.)
I had a good time reading Up to No Gouda. The setting is attractive, and the characters are memorable. My time reading this story just flew by. I hope there are many more entries in this charming series by Linda Reilly.
If you’re interested in seeing other most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, please visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Jane says
Interesting fun fact: there is a wonderful food truck in my town that serves grilled cheese sandwiches- Melt Your Heart.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jane, I certainly do love a good grilled cheese!
Marianne says
Thanks for this recommendation. Because I live in Vermont, I always read books set in the state. Most don’t have a clue what it’s like to live here, so I will be curious to read this. You may be interested to know that we have a grilled cheese restaurant right here in our town! It is yummy. There is also a grilled cheese food truck in the summer.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marianne, grilled cheese restaurants do seem like something that has become more common recently. I hope that this series does a good job of showing Vermont life – I’ve never lived there so I’m not the greatest judge of that particular area of authenticity.
Deb G says
Am now reading Death by Smoothie by Laura Levine. Great humor and story. Enjoy reading it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deb, thanks for the recommendation!
Eleanor says
I’m currently listening to book 2 in this series since I enjoyed book 1 so much. It is a well developed series and I look forward to book 3. Characters are all good as is the mystery.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Eleanor, thanks for the recommendation – I’m glad to hear that book 2 is good as well!
Eleano says
I just found out last night that Book 3 in the series will be out January 30th. Book 1 & 2 were so good that I am anxious to see what 3 holds next week.
sue s says
Wow, a grilled cheese restaurant! We actually had one here in my town for awhile but it didn’t last. However, this cozy sounds like a fun read and it’s at my library so I’m checking it out!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sue, I’m sorry to hear it didn’t last – it seems like grilled cheese places are becoming more popular lately.
Linda Reilly says
Thank you for the delightful review of Up to No Gouda! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, you’re welcome, and thank you for writing Cozies!
Carolyn says
Hey. Seems a good book to read ! But I was wondering if it is more a mystery book then a love story? As I love cozy mystery books but I have read some it was more love story then mystery
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carolyn, though this does have some romantic elements, I would definitely call it more of a mystery than a love story. I haven’t read the whole series, though, so I don’t know if that changes.
Meezan says
This is one of my favorite series. I read the second one (No Parm No Foul) last year and I loved it even more than the first one. I pre-ordered the third one (Cheddar Late Than Dead) and to my delight, I received it early. I’m almost finished reading it. It’s really good!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Meezan, thanks for the recommendation!
z k says
I just finished “Guilty as Cinnamon”…Leslie Budewitz…It is part of her Spice Shop Mystery series…I always look forward to reading this series.