During under-graduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies in library science and in years attending library conferences at the local, state, and national levels I heard the phrase, "Right Book, Right Person, Right Time" countless times and also participated in innumerable discussions as to the phrase meaning and how a librarian puts that philosophy into realistic practice with patrons of every age level every day. I learned that to be a good librarian I also needed to be a good listener. The initial question by a patron was not always the question that they really needed the answer to so a spontaneous stop that there was a book to answer the initial question was not necessarily the book that the patron wanted or needed. Listening with pertinent questions could lead to an assessment that could supply the patron with the "Right Book, Right Time."

I was reminded of "Right Book, Right Person, Right Time" most recently when I was looking through a bag of books that a friend had returned to me. I looked at the cover of "Death at Breakfast" and it reminded me of a scene in an episode of a television mystery series I had watched not long ago. But I couldn’t remember anything about the story and the author’s name didn’t seem familiar which also seemed strange as after I read a novel I generally visit the author’s website and/or Facebook page. I decided to check my reading list on GoodReads and imagine my surprise to see notes as follows:

Started 20-Jul-2018.
Abandoned 21-Jul-2018.
Abandoned 21-Jul-2018 at page 33 – "Otherwise known as Day Three, October 8” - This novel's type of chapter heading. There is a snippet of a review on the front cover that advises, "Everything Beth Gutcheon touches turns into an elixir that says, 'Read Me!' ---Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of "The Deep End of the Ocean." My endorsement would notify readers of "Tedious Redefined."

To be candid, I was shocked at myself by the harsh comment I had written in my private notes. The cover was still intriguing me due to the previous television series I had enjoyed and although a totally different mystery I decided to give "Death at Breakfast" another try.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that without even thinking twice I read beyond page 33 on the very first night of reading and was looking forward to continuing to read the novel the following night. I delighted in the thought of 2 female friends deciding to enjoy an excursion for a week-long cooking course being given by the inn’s resident chef at the Oquossoc Mountain Inn in Bergen, Maine as a trial run to test that their long-time friendship might also make them compatible travelers before longer trips to explore ancient civilizations. Maggie Detweiler is recently retired as head of a private school in New York and is adjusting to being widowed instead of following the retirement dream that she and her husband had of living in a bedsit in London’s West End. Hope Babbin is a divorcee living in Boston and has not mentioned to Maggie that her son Buster is Bergin’s deputy sheriff. Imagine their surprise when they encounter Buster not as Hope’s son but in his professional role when called to the murder scene at the inn.

It was fun to follow the clues not only to solve the case but to try to determine if the crime would be solved by Deputy Sheriff Buster or new amateur sleuths Hope and Maggie. I hope it goes without saying that I was voting for Hope and Maggie but you’ll have to read the mystery as I cannot divulge the answer.

I still can’t imagine what caused my initial reaction to the novel but I’m glad I followed my secondary curiosity to give the novel another try. Now I am curious to know where Hope and Maggie will travel to next and if they’ll continue using their sleuthing talents. ( )

I liked the summary of this from the first so I was glad to get to reading it this week. It was a pretty absorbing and quick read. The murder actually takes place about 40% of the way in. The beginning is a set up for the our main sleuths, Maggie and Hope, the other characters staying at the Inn and also the small town locale. Maggie and Hope are newly retired BFFs who have decided to travel and this is their maiden trip to see if they travel well with one another. Adding to the sleuthing is Hope's deputy sheriff son, Buster. I watch what is likely far more British mystery television than is advisable, so in my head, Maggie and Hope were Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme of Rosemary & Thyme, without the accents. I had Hope's son Buster as Laura's officer son, Matthew too. So, I whisked right away with them but they were pretty much tertiary to the solving of the mystery until pretty much the last couple chapters where this all comes together. This makes practical sense, I grant, but it didn't give the reader a lot of time to get to know Maggie & Hope. Still, the case of who killed Alex Antippas turned out predictably & I wasn't surprised by the reveal or reasons of the murderer. All the threads were tied well and I enjoyed how the other characters were woven into the story. I know it's probably not likely but I hope Maggie & Hope run into Detective Prince sometime in the future (I think the Kleinkramers live in LA). The look in at the Antippas family in all their revolting glory was impressive in that there was humanity on display and it was rendered in such a way that made me feel a certain sympathy for people whose lives have become more habitats than habitable for having sought fame. Let me also raise a glass to Walter and I'll pour one out for Grommet.

I thought this was a standalone when I began but by book's end, I was fairly sure this was the first in a series. I'm looking forward to the next visit with Maggie and Hope. Definitely recommended & not a bad choice for summer reading. ( )

I really liked the premise of friends Maggie and Hope deciding on going on a small trip to see if they would be compatible on longer journeys in their retirement. The Oquossoc Mountain Inn seems like a good place. The Inn, seemingly on the skids and losing money, is pretty full as the new Chef is offering cooking classes. Hope's son, Buster, is the deputy sheriff, another good reason for them to head to Maine. It took about 100 pages for me to really discern what I needed to know about the important players in this murder mystery. I was glad I stuck with it, both Maggie and Hope are very astute, observing things quietly and getting to the crux of the story by the end. I did find it a bit wander-y, as old friends from other parts of the country did the legwork in some other areas for the women. ( )

A new mystery series featuring Hope Babbin and Maggie Detweiler. A fun and interesting mystery set in Maine about an arson death at a hotel. It made me laugh out loud several times and I enjoyed the many characters, including Maggie and Hope. I figured out the 'who dunnit' about 2/3's through, but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of this series. ( )

Death at Breakfast by Beth Gutcheon is a murder mystery set at a picturesque hotel in the mountains of Maine. The book follows Hope and Maggie, a socialite and an educator, respectively, as they take it upon themselves to help solve the murder that rocks the inn they have vacationed to.
The book begins by introducing all of the guests and employees at the inn and giving the reader some background on most of them, much through the eyes of Hope and Maggie. After the murder, by following these two ladies, we see how most people at the inn were more than they appear to be and quick assumptions aren't always the best way to solve a case.
Death at Breakfast felt like a modernized Agatha Christie tale, using how we perceive people in today's world and how that ultimately shapes our lives, whether that is a good thing or not. The most likable character for me was Buster, the local deputy sheriff (also Hope's son) who isn't quick to assume anything and eventually realizes that working with Hope and Maggie and whoever they can cobble together to help them is better than his fellow law enforcement cohorts. I think that Gutcheon, the author, took care in creating Buster as a likable everyman who wants to do his job right and tries his best to filter out distractions and focus on the truth. I had a tough time connecting to Hope and Maggie, while they carried the story and helped to solve the case, I failed to find them endearing or particularly likable.
Overall, I found Death at Breakfast a quick murder mystery with a satisfying conclusion. I will say that I would like to stay at the picturesque hotel describes in the book someday.
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway! ( )