Ed has a reputation for being a ladies’ man and his wife for being unpleasant to deal with in business, but the main reason they refuse to sell the building to the Bessette’s, Charlotte believes, is because Kristine is running against Charlotte’s grandmother to be mayor of the small town.  Grandmere, a three-term mayor and former ballerina who puts on rather avant garde productions in the local theater, is bound and determined to remain mayor. 

The night of the grand re-opening Ed is found outside, stabbed with one of the shop’s special cheese knives and Grandmere is the police’s prime suspect.  Charlotte and most of the town believes her grandmother would never have murdered Ed, but knows there are many people, Kristine included, who would like to see Ed out of the picture. 

Charlotte suspects Kristine or one of her cronies may be trying to frame her grandmother, which would put her out of the running for mayor. Trying to rebuild the cheese shop, with the addition of a wine-tasting room and a website, plus caring for Matthew and his eight-year-old twin daughters who have moved in with her keeps Charlotte on her toes, but now she adds to her to-do-list:  keep Grandmere out of jail.  

A very good start to a new culinary series, The Long Quiche Goodbye is very warm and inviting, much like the store Charlotte and Matthew are trying to create.  There is plenty of local charm. They are living near Ohio Amish country and cheese and wine information and pairings are included seamlessly in the story, not as an afterthought (though there are some tasty recipes in the back of the book). 

Charlotte is beginning to cultivate a relationship with mysterious local cheese maker Jordan Pace who has more than a few secrets for her to uncover.  Charlotte’s grandparents are, in spite of being semi-retired, still energetic, and very much a part of their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives.  There are several good suspects, but the real murderer and motive are not revealed until the very end. 

The Long Quiche Goodbye is a cozy mystery very typical of its genre, the characters and plot are not overwhelmed by the series specialty of a cheese shop as many series are often overshadowed by the characters’ livelihoods, hobbies, etc.  A fun, engaging story with enjoyable characters and a good setting, this series should quickly become a favorite with many readers.                                                              

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry