Review: Muffalettas and Murders - Small Town Girl Mysteries #1

Muffalettas and Murder book cover on blue background

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read Muffalettas and Murder from the Small Town Girl Mysteries series by Jann Franklin. Not only was it fun to try to solve a mystery, but I sure got hungrier and hungrier as the book progressed!

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Evangeline Delafose is finding Graisseville, Louisiana just as she remembered—boring and uneventful. Until her brother Nate asks her to help solve a murder.

Follow Ev as she navigates clues, dead bodies, and quirky small-town residents to solve a mystery. And of course, show her little brother that she's still got it.

If you like cozy mysteries with twists and turns, deep South settings, and a hint of romance, you’ll love this series! Let’s not forget quirky yet charming characters who remind you of family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Enjoy small town Graisseville with Ev as she solves crime with help from her family and friends. This is a clean faith based read with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery with spirited characters and a plot that kept me guessing until the end. I thought the immersion into Cajun culture, food, and language were all fascinating and that Evangeline Delafose was one spunky author turned detective. It's apparent just how much people care for her as a widow, as the town of Graisseville welcomes her back in their quirky ways. Her inner thoughts made for lighthearted humour, especially regarding Shorty, her own private investigator. Now, he would be an interesting character to get to know; it would be quite the journey to go inside his mind!

Told in first person, readers definitely feel like they are along for the ride. The twists and turns create an engaging adventure as readers attempt to solve the murder and piece the clues together. Christian faith is brought up at various points, and it's clear that Evangeline follows the Lord. I liked that this had an influence on Shorty and how, in turn, he changes his behaviour for the better and starts to come around to the things of God. This mystery is fun and plays out like a scene from Miss Marple, with lots of Cajun flavour thrown into the mix.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available or you don't qualify for one 😊 List last updated: June 4, 2026 Christian Publishers 10ofThose Availability: US, Canada, and UK residents Format: Only books published by 10ofThose qualify for review requests so as to avoid impeding with other Christian book review programs Genre: Christian non-fiction, children's books Email for availability and eligibilit...

Review: Shattered - Vanished #2

This is not a light read, but it's one that is captivating and thought-provoking as we see the world descend into further wickedness and lawlessness. Shattered by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O'Neal is the second book in the Vanished series , and it contains just as much action as the first book, with even more chilling developments for the characters. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of death, violence, and desecration Book Synopsis In the gripping sequel to Vanished, a global power rises, and the ancient prophecies of the Antichrist are set in motion. Two years have passed since millions across the globe disappeared in a heartbeat including John "Haggs" Haggerty's own family. Haggs, a military expert in pandemics, warned his agency of growing patterns in deadly epidemics and other threats to security. Then the ...

Review: The Vanished - Secrets to Keep #1

Did I read the entire Secrets to Keep series this past weekend in time for the release of book three? Yes, and it was such a wonderful way to dive into the world of legal drama and a group of friends who are there for each other through difficult and even life-threatening circumstances. The Vanished by Cara Putman is the first book in this series, spanning history and continents due to the lucrative dealings around prominent artwork. I knew I loved legal suspense before, but this series really catapulted my enjoyment of this genre even further! Book Synopsis Janae Simmons left the small town of Kedgewick, Virginia, ten years ago to pursue her legal career and never looked back—until a professional mistake leads her to her grandmother's historic carriage house and to the town where her past threatens to find her. The quiet streets echo with her grandfather's sterling reputation, one that conflicts with fresh questions that claw at Janae, launching her on a reluctant journey t...