The writing has improved. The MC shows slightly more maturity. 2 or 3 continuity issues (a 1 million dollar life insurance policy becomes 2 million a chapter later) that were negligible.

The mystery itself was average - the killer was obvious and I think the author was hoping for a plot twist but it didn't feel twisty to me at all. So, could have been better.

Still, I find something strangely compelling about the characters; if the series ended with this one I wouldn't blink an eye, but still I feel the need to read the next one. I don't know why - it won't be for the recipes at the back: I am fundamentally, philosophically, and theologically opposed to anything with velveeta as an ingredient. ( )

With fun characters that act ridiculous in a way that makes me laugh rather than annoys me, this is a series I enjoy. Even though it's not fantastic and the writing isn't amazing, each story is still fun and interesting. ( )

My mom got this book at her library's book exchange section. The title seems to play off of Guy Fieri's show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives"--or at least that's what it made me think of. I haven't read the first two in this series (and probably won't).

ACB is a little too over the top for me. I wasn't quite sure how Trixie and the others put up with her and her antics, but at least she seems to have a good heart. The dog (Blondie) didn't seem to figure too much in this book. The idea of a pageant sounded interesting, but most of the book dealt with practicing the Salmon Dance number and very little of it dealing with the pageant itself.

The back blurb promised Delicious Home-Style recipes, but the recipes included in this book weren't ones I thought I'd use or make, which was disappointing. ( )

I didn't enjoy this book as well as the others in this series but it was still a good book. Even though the characters are a bit over the top they are still loveable. ( )

I could not put this book down. Once I got started I had to force myself to put it down to get some sleep and then woke up the next day to finish it. I have not read the other books in this series at all. I did not feel like I have missed much in starting book 3 before reading the others.

I feel in love with Trixie from the moment the book started. The banter between ACB and Trixie is too funny at times and liberating at others. Helping her friend find out who really killed Nick had a lot of twists which kept me wanting to know who was behind this murder. What could he have possibly done?

The fun part was the pageant they were having in town. Poor Trixie had them all in her house not to mention a biker gang hanging out on the lawn that Nick belonged to. Also Chad who had dealings with Nick and a little pushy wanting money from ACB.

TY the deputy was not bad to read about either and seems to bring out the best and worst in Trixie which makes the whole book interesting. He will not share much with Trixie over the investigation but she shares a lot.

With everything going on plus cooking at the dinner this makes a wonderful story. I will be picking up other books by this author. I loved her writing style and easy to picture what is going on in the story. A real page turner. The recipes in the back of the book look great and will try them especially the one for the dogs. ( )