Three Treats Too Many (Sarah Blair Mystery Book 3)
Debra Goldstein
Kensington Pub.
August 25th 2020
Three Treats Too Many by Debra Goldstein has amateur sleuth Sarah Blair once again solving a murder. What makes these books beyond a cozy mystery is that the story delves into societal issues.
This plot has Sarah, now the co-owner of a restaurant with her twin sister, Emily and brother-in-law. Running a nearby restaurant is Sarah’s nemesis, Jane, who was Sarah’s late husband’s mistress.
The mystery ratchets up after Jane’s new sous chef, Riley Miller, is found dead outside the restaurant with Sarah’s friend, Jacob, kneeling over her. He becomes the prime suspect after word gets out about his infatuation with Riley. As Sarah looks to prove Jacob’s innocence, she soon learns that Riley had more people dislike her than not. This includes many of the members of a motorcycle gang that Riley and Jacob were part of. Other suspects include the veterinarians that recently opened up an office by the parking lot where Riley was found dead.
The darker side of love is dealt with in this novel, along with PTSD, of those who served in the military. The relationships between the characters seem very realistic. There are a number of suspects to go around, which makes the mystery very compelling.
Elise Cooper: This story involves a motorcycle gang?
Debra Goldstein: I took this writing class and during a break these people started talking about their motorcycle trip. They were not the stereotypical people of the motorcycle world. They were a group who from all walks of life and every summer went on a motorcycle trip. Also, some friends of mine who owned a balloon business was someone who broke all the motorcycle records in his youth. I also went to the largest motorcycle museum, which is located here in Alabama. All of these came together.
EC: Jane is still Sarah’s nemesis?
DG: She will always be her nemesis. Jane is like a cat with nine lives. Everything she touches eventually turns sour. In this one she opens a restaurant which becomes popular because of the vegan meal choices. But, after the chef dies, she does not know what to do and cannot make it on her own. She seems to always stumble but ends up surviving.
EC: How would you describe Jacob, the main person of interest?
DG: Good heartened, generous, has a jealous streak, is a giving person, and protective.
EC: In this story you discuss veteran’s issues?
DG: The dog, General Beau, was a land mine sniffer. But he had PTSD because he was close to an exploding bomb. I had him fostered in Wheaton, Ala. He was skittish around loud noises and in unfamiliar settings. Also, all three vets in the story got military scholarships that allowed them to go to vet school.
EC: In all your books you reference a social issue?
DG: I write cozies but not as they are defined. I bring in issues that makes someone think deeper about a topic.
EC: I laughed when you talked about a buffet, maybe a thing of the past?
DG: Out here there are some open. Someone points behind a shield and are served what they want. People are also made to social distance.
EC: Can you give a shout out about your next book?
DG: It comes out next June and is titled, Four Cuts Too Many. BTW: All the books in this series will be the next number Too Many. In this one, Grace Winston, the sous chef for Emily and Marcus, is involved in a murder. I will also be developing the relationship between Grace and her partner.
THANK YOU!!
