Book of the Week! Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton

I have a very scientific way of choosing books at the library.  I mostly choose my books by the picture on the front.  If a book has a pretty or intriguing picture on the front then it has a pretty good chance of making it into our library bag.  I will also choose a book if I find the title amusing or fabulous in any way.  It's a rare occasion that I actually have my act together enough to pick up a book that has been recommended that I have been wanting to read.  That usually only happens if I'm smart enough to reserve it at the library as soon as I hear about it.  And then I find them in the hold section.

Clearly the phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover" really never settled in with me.  But I'm okay with that.

During a recent excursion to our local library, I happened upon a book called "Farm Fresh Murder" by Paige Shelton.  It wasn't really the title or a strong impression of the front cover that got my attention this time.  It was my obsession with gardening and canning.  I've been daydreaming of summer for quite a while now and so I have also been daydreaming and planning out my garden.  What can I say....it gets me through the long, cold winter.  And if you happen to be one of my gardening friends, then I will probably bring it up at least once during every conversation so I can hear what you're planning and talk about what I'm planning and just in general obsess.  I'm socially blessed.

So!  This book was perfect timing.  It takes place in South Carolina.  I also daydream of moving there so it's fulfilling on the daydream side of life.  And the main characters all work in their local farmer's market.  I also found it fascinating to read about a place that no only has a year round farmer's market, but one that is open all week.  Around these here parts it's only July to October and mostly only on Saturdays.  Clearly I don't get out of the state all that often.

As I was saying.....this was a really fun read for me.  It was a fun escape from the snow.  It's a mystery and an enjoyable read.  It's not the kind of book that will change you as a person or make you more of a philanthropist.  It is just a fun read.  It also comes with recipes at the end of the book.  Most of which I am planning on trying this year.

And for an added bonus, when I finished the book I decided to read the little thing at the back about the author, Paige Shelton.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that she's a local author and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.  So if you're all about reading local, this book will be a good fit for you too.

**Edited To Add:  I've read the other two books in the series, Fruit Of All Evil and Crops & Robbers, and I enjoyed those books as well.  So...go for the whole series!