Skip to main content

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

Popular posts from this blog

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: Pride and Practicality

After reading  Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham , I've been absolutely hooked on how she writes a Regency story! Pride and Practicality follows Simon Reeves' sister, Arianna, as she returns home to her family after escaping a scandal. I love her redemption story and am so thrilled that I've also been able to meet my favourite clergyman, Thomas Bridges. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all. Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society's darling—but its favorite cautionary tale. Now returned home—uninvited and unmistakably whispered about—Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even ...

Review: Evangelism as Exiles

I felt led to read this book at the beginning of September and it ended up painting a more accurate picture of society than I realized. Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in our Own Land by Elliot Clark is a book that serves as a wakeup call and the push needed to faithfully live for God when others are hostile and in opposition to your beliefs. Book Synopsis The days of cultural Christianity are fading. It's time to rethink normal. Suffering and exclusion are normal in a believer’s life. At least they should be. This was certainly Jesus's experience. And it's the experience of countless Christians around the world today. No matter your social location or set of experiences, the biblical letter of 1 Peter wants to redefine your expectations and reinvigorate your hope. Drawing on years of ministry in a Muslim-majority nation, Elliot Clark guides us through Peter’s letter with striking insights for today. Whether we’re in positions of power or weakness, infl...