All the members, Bennet, Lucy, Lindy and James, are excited (except for Gillian, who is a vegetarian) for the little vacation and are pleased to accept.  James is also happy to leave his library problems behind, his bookmobile has just expired. (Reviewer’s note: take it from someone who just spent the last three years working on purchasing a new bookmobile, it is no fun!) And his normally cantankerous father has a new friend, Milla, who has been doing wonders for Jackson’s disposition, and the two will get some time without James always being around. 

James is also having relationship troubles with girlfriend, reporter Murphy, with whom he just spent some not so quality time on vacation. Arriving at the festival, the Flab Five are also asked to judge a brisket contest and, except for Gillian, they are all delighted to be included. The group never realized how cut-throat the barbeque circuit is, literally, especially when contestant Jimmy Lang is found murdered in his trailer. Sorry that a murder had to put a damper on their vacation, the Flab Five don’t feel too compelled to investigate, until they learn that Jimmy is Gillian’s ex-husband and that the two parted on less than pleasant terms. 

With the barbeque competition fierce and each team guarding its secrets, including Jimmy’s secret that his girlfriend Hailey is behind his award winning recipes, the Flab Five must work quickly to uncover a murderer and clear Gillian, before all the tasty barbeque is gone!  

The Flab Five series is a fun and entertaining, with great characters who are somewhat older and often less fit than some of the beautiful people found in books today, making them easy to identify with. Whatever James is doing, working at the library, dieting or being with friends, he is wholly dedicated to his pursuit and it is very sad to see the troubles he is having with Murphy, although there are clues that there is another lady waiting for him if the time is ever right. 

The mystery is plotted well, and there are several suspects; the wrap up is neat and tidy and it is great getting to know more about one of the characters’ (Gillian) past. There are lots of great recipes included, James’s bookmobile problem is solved in an inventive and painless way, and life for Jackson is going to take an interesting turn in the near feature.  Stiffs and Swine is part of a fun series; with interesting characters and a great mystery this is sure to become a staple on many to-be-read lists.                                                              

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry