This isn't a hard core mystery, but it does have murder and mayhem, romance, yummy food, and a cute dog. It was a cozy mystery set in small town Colorado that had me craving some really scrumptious jams! There is a big focus on food in this one - prepare to be hungry... but also, there's a really big sleaze ball character and some definite content that may be hard for some readers. Be sure to go in after looking up the content warnings. Overall, I thought it was an easy read and I'd definitely pick up another title by the author.

Starting out I had some mixed feelings about this book, but it quickly went away by chapter three. The way that Meg Benjamin wrote her story quickly won me over, and the combination of cozy murder and a gentle love story soon had me caught up in its web.

This was a charming cozy mystery and I loved the jam theme. (I wish there was a recipe or two…)
Many thanks to Wild Rose Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A story about Roxy Constantine who came back and started a jam business, Luscious Delight in her hometown. The business is good only apparently someone's spreading rumors and telling them the bad reputation that she had in Denver. The person that bad-mouthing, Brett Holmes, was a womanizer and pursued an underage girl. Roxy is about to confront, but Brett was found killed in his kitchen where he works as a chef.

She's got good reasons to do something to clear her name rather than sitting around. Roxy is under suspicion because local people think she might be a murderer due to her lack of an alibi. A very straightforward whodunit regardless of repetitive writing.

I give 3 ⭐️

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for providing an earc in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

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#donereading #ThePepperPeachMurder by #MegBenjamin #emabaca #kindlepaperwhite #igreads #igbooks #bookstagram #goodreads #malaysiamembaca

The Pepper Peach Murder is a fun read, the characters are very likable, and the story kept my attention most of the way through, the beginning was a little slow for me, but towards the middle it started to pick up, I do think this is worth a read if you are into True Crime/Detective Shows, which I am. I did feel like the reader gets to know Roxy very well and I really felt like I connected to her character. I am happy to give this 4 Stars and recommend it to others if you like true crime. I believe this is the first book in the series and I’m excited to see where the series goes from here!

Thank you very much to Meg Benjamin, Wild Rose Press , and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Roxy Constantine is the jam queen of Shavano, Colorado. She uses as much local produce as possible from her Uncle Mike's farm, and her products are a big hit at the local farmer's market. Unfortunately, her past has returned to haunt her. She successfully escaped an almost sexual assault in Denver, but a co-worker finds her and won't take no for an answer. Meanwhile, Nate Robicheaux begins to pursue her. She's not sure she's ready for a serious relationship, though. And the problems mount when she's suspected of murder. Can she clear her name and continue her reign as local jam queen while navigating a complicated love life?
Roxy is a rock star. I love her can-do attitude and determination to support local businesses and herself. I also like that she knows herself and makes decisions that are best for her.
The story wasn't super engaging, though. I felt like I was looking in on the narrative rather than part of the events.
I would really like to taste that pepper peach jam!

I thought this was an interesting mystery. I am not sure it would classify as a cozy mystery however it was well written and I enjoyed the story. I would have like the mystery to be front and center and it wasn't. Roxy is a jam queen and I am here for it. I had toast and jam many times while reading this. It was a fun and fast read. I enjoyed all the characters and the town of Shavano.
#ThePepperPeachMurder #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley & BookBuzz for an advanced copy of this book!

Shavano is the kind of small town I dream to live in. I loved the characters and the world-building, including the internal monologue of our narrator Roxy. Her finding romance again, her building her confidence, and her standing up for herself when others try to put her down.

The book felt rushed overall, and I thought that at some points it forgot it was a murder mystery. Totally get that it was going for cozy mystery vibes, and maybe I read too many hardcore criminal thrillers that I was expecting some more detailed investigation, but it seemed a bit too nonchalant in places.

Definitely an easy read - and very easy to fall in love with Roxy and Shavano. But pepper peach jam? I’m gonna have to pass on that. Would definitely try rose petal.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Pepper Peach Murder
by Meg Benjamin
Pub Date: 16 Jan 2023

This book is what I would classify as a "cozy" murder mystery. All that being said, there are some dark issues that while not descriptive, are part of the storyline. (Roxy is almost raped and the "bad guy" Brett has relationships with teenage girls which may or may not always be consensual.) There is a lot of yummy food talk, small town life, and sweet romance mixed in with the mystery of "who done it." as Roxy tries to clear her name and figure out the killer.

3.5 Stars

Roxy Constantine a jam maker in Colorado, is a believable character. Love the small town setting! A good story plot that flows smoothly and quickly! I want more! Thanks#netgalley and#WildRosePress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Thank you BookBuzz, Meg Benjamin and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. This was such an amazing book yet it wasn't your typical mystery. It had so much raw real life added to it and so many different character layers that just added ti the uniqueness of the story. I am so excited for this series and cannot wait to read more of this series. The main character Roxy is such a beautifully portrayed character. This story felt real and nothing felt forced. The books execution of a small town murder story and the who's done it plot kept you guessing all the way to the end. Hands down 4 stars for this one and I cannot wait to read what happens next.

The Pepper Peach Murder
A Luscious Delights Mystery
by Meg Benjamin

I enjoyed Pepper Peach Murder. Roxy Constantine is the jam queen of Shavano, Colorado. The town of Shavano sounds like an interesting small town. I read this in a day, was a nice read from the usual books I read. I am sure it will be a big hit.

A cozy, small town murder mystery with a saccharine-sweet female main character and a love interest with a golden retriever personality. Meg Benjamin did a great job of creating a small-town feel, while also making the characters interesting and their relationships feel lived in. The plot moved along quickly, and the banter was fun to read. I love that our main character, Roxy, has a ride-or-die best friend, and a backstory that extends beyond her small town. Unfortunately for me, the romance in this book has no spice. Based on the adorable cover of the book I was anticipating at least one chili. Perhaps the next book will allow Roxy to explore her relationship in more detail, which I'll definitely be reading!

For maximum enjoyment read this book on a rainy day, with your favourite jam on a croissant, and pet cuddles where possible.

Thank you NetGalley and Wild Rose Press for providing this book for review consideration.

A cosy detective come romance as I'm not sure which was meant to be the main thread. Roxy makes jam now, a lot of jam, following a harrowing experience at a big restaurant, where she was a line chef, in Denver. Nathan return home to help in the family restaurant as a chef but also left his previous employ apparently under a shadow. An obnoxious chaff is murdered, Roxy is under suspicion as she'd had a quarrel with him earlier and he was also at the Denver restaurant, equally being obnoxious. Her small home-town naturally is split between believing rumours and believing her, sadly mostly the former. She and a friend start investigating. Quite a few red herrings and the police are baffled but persistent. A lot of the story revolves around the developing romance between Roxy and Nathan. The end feels rather rushed and without adequate explanation but that's where the detective thread is definitely second to the romance. Pity to my mind. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I enjoy discovering new towns in cozies. The towns are usually small, filled with interesting characters, and a killer. And not just one killer, but many, especially if it is a longer series!

Shavano, Colorado, seems like a quaint and quiet town, and Roxy is back home and has become the jam queen. But what brought her back is an incident that shook her to her core and has her wary of men. That is until she meets Nate. Nate also had an incident in his past that brought him home too. What neither expects is to become potential suspects in the murder of Brett Holmes.

When you read this book, you will quickly realize that Brett is not someone you would want to know or associate with. He is sleazy, conceited, and a bully. Maybe he doesn't deserve to be killed, but sometimes some characters just need to go away in one way or another. There are a few suspects, but it takes some sleuthing by Roxy and her bestie Susa to uncover the truth. 

We see Roxy talking to various potential suspects, but the clues are few and far between. Once the killer was revealed, it probably should have been an obvious answer based on other factors, but I just didn't see it. I don't think that the book really points the reader in any specific direction in regard to the killer. I would have liked to have seen a few more clues or even some red herrings. However, very little of the information pointed in any specific direction.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Roxy and Nate progress. However, I wonder if there is a potential triangle coming with Chief Fowler. Only future books will tell.

I loved reading about all the jam flavors. While I'm not a jam maker, I would have loved to have seen a few recipes included in the book.

This is a good start to a new series, and I look forward to future books and visiting Shavano again. We give this 4 paws up.

I love books and movies where the characters are a chef or cook. So I completely fell for this book and the characters. Add in a mystery or murder and you have a page turner in my book and this one definitely was.
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Great start to what I hope is a new series! I loved the characters, especially Roxy, who is not your stereotypical cozy mystery heroine: she's tall, she's smart, she goes to work (my huge pet peeve for cozies). This is not a typical cozy in that it has a lot more darkness to it, particularly the reason she came back to her hometown, and it's a nice change from the whole divorce/lost job/boyfriend cheated on me trope. I loved the jam making and the market setting . All the characters are well developed and the mystery had me guessing, although I felt the final reveal to be a little lacking; there was never a real confession. Otherwise, I loved this and can't wait to continue with the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Roxy was a very likable protagonist, and I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Nate develop over the book. I am hoping this is the start of the series! The mystery itself was fast-paced and easy to follow. I am leaving this review in exchange for an advanced copy from NetGalley, however this review is voluntary.

A fast paced and compelling mystery that I hope is the start of a new series. Quirky characters, solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I had fun and liked it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Colorado, new-series, first-in-series, assault, bullies, extortion, small-town, small-business, chef, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, murder, murder-investigation, romantic, ya-only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, victimization, vindictive, verbal-humor,*****

Great characters in a fine whodunit complete with twists and unusual red herrings.
Really looking forward to more books in this new series as they keep getting better and better--unlike TV and films.
I requested and received an EARC from Wild Rose Press via NetGalley. Thank you!