Deep Fried Death

Deep Fried Death by Maddie Day takes us back to South Lick, Indiana where Robbie Jordan and her employees are shocked when a dead body tumbles out of the Pans 'N Pancakes Outhouse Race Festival entry. I found Deep Fried Death to be easy to read. Robbie and Abe are expecting their first child. Morning sickness is plaguing Robbie (saltines are her friend). Pans 'N Pancakes is busy from opening to closing. We get to hear about food prep, cooking food, food ordering, and the descriptions of finished meals. The mystery is simple. Robbie does little sleuthing. I thought the family connection would have Robbie eager to investigate. I believe more time was devoted to the restaurant's new deep frier than to the whodunit. I was surprised at how Robbie treated law enforcement when they showed up at the restaurant to ask questions. Deep Fried Death is the twelfth A Country Store Mystery. This story can be read as a standalone since the author provides the necessary background information for new readers. Deep Fried Death lacked depth and I felt the mystery was shoved into the background (I wanted less food and more mystery). Deep Fried Death is an easygoing story with an outhouse race, a murdered restauranter, a power problem, saltine crumbs, a deep frier delivery, and flavorsome food.