Pepper is experiencing a turnover in staff and is having some trouble finding new hires who are a good fit for her spice shop. But that’s nothing compared to the trouble she is in when she finds an acquaintance of hers, an chef and aspiring new restauranteur, dead. It turns out that she died due to hot ghost chili, a spice that Pepper carries in her shop. But then, other shop owners also use the pepper in their recipes. Pepper feels responsible for the young woman’s death, so, against the advice of her ex-husband the cop, she decides to investigate. It’s just a good thing that she was given Arf, a dog, by a friend who moved away. That dog is worth his weight in treats and then some! This mystery is quite intriguing, with some unusual twists along the way. The characters are developing nicely, and there is a slight hint of romance to come. All in all, this mystery is an entertaining and enjoyable tale. ( )

Good sense of place (as least from a two-time visitor's stand point, it evoked Seattle for me). But I found it a bit hard to follow. There were too many sentences without subjects! I do like that there's some stuff about running a retail business--I liked Pepper's search for a new employee. ( )

Guilty as Cinnamon continues the story of Pepper, the sassy owner of The Seattle Spice Shop. This time Pepper's working on signs for her shop, is having employee problems with a new hire. She also may have a potential new commercial account that she's excited about. That is until she comes across the owner/chef - dead.

I love how Ms. Budewitz mixes Seattle, spices, food & wine into the story. This story surprised me a bit which I enjoy. I also like how there are so many strong women in these stories and while Pepper has romantic ties with a few mentioned she's. Not dependent on them - such a refreshing change! Will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. ( )

Bookshelves giveaway, read

Status Read from April 25 to May 03, 2016
Format Mass Market Paperback (edit)
Review Guilty As Cinnamon
A Spice Shop Mystery #2

By Leslie Budewitz

I love taking time for a good cozy mystery.
Spice Shop #2 fit the bill.
The book begins with a historical note and a "Seattle Spice Shop
checklist.
A perfect touch for new readers and I would imagine a nice
reminder for the reader of

Our humorous, high spirited heroine is Pepper Reece.

When "a young chef named Tamara Langston, is found dead, her life extinguished by the dangerously hot ghost chili—a spice Pepper carries in her shop", Pepper is in pursuit of a murderer.

Recipes and spice notes follow the mystery.
http://www.lesliebudewitz.com provided the quote.

Book 3, Killing Thyme is due Oct 4, 2016

Giveaway copy requesting an honest review ( )