Raisin the Dead

Raisin the Dead by Karolina Barrett is the second book in A Bread and Batter Mystery series. Molly Tyler is the baker and co-owner of Bread and Batter with her friend, Olivia Williams. The town is divided over adding an addition to the Destiny town library. Some people wish to protect a historical home on the land (that is falling down) and others wish to protect the Yellow Spiked Tree Frog. There is also a fuss over Serafina Alessi visiting town. Serafina is the head of her own perfume company. She is the niece of Phillip. Philip Baldeli is a member of the Library Advisory Board (advising on the expansion). Then Philip shows up dead. Molly’s mother Anne Tyler (and the director of the library) ends up a prime suspect. Molly sets out to prove her mother’s innocence. The book was more of a romance novel than a cozy mystery (which I did not like since I wanted a mystery novel). Too much of the book was devoted to the romance between the main character, Molly and her boyfriend, Sean (which has progressed quite rapidly for only two books). The mystery was put on the back burner until more than halfway through the book. However, you do not need that long to identify the killer. The clues were scarce (until just before the mystery was solved). Our focus was also diverted by Sean getting into an accident and going into the hospital. Sean’s dead wife's twin has come to town and is causing chaos (especially at the hospital). I wanted more of the book focused on the mystery (and a better mystery). I give Raisin the Dead 3 out of 5 stars. The book is easy to read, a lovely town, and some interesting characters (a good start). Raisin the Dead is told in the first-person perspective. The book just needed more (and a lot less romance). I think with a little work this could be a very good series. Now if you enjoy romance novels, then you will enjoy reading Raisin the Dead. I received a complimentary copy of Raisin the Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation for the book.