Just Plain Pickled to Death

You will end up hating the name pookie bear if you read this lol.

When I need a "no brainer" mystery, I read Tamar Myers. I love her sense of humor and her descriptions of people (and religions). Who else would think of having someone find a body that had been dead for 20 years in a barrel of sour kraut? Here is a description of one character....<br />"Melvin has bulging eyes that operate independantly of each other, only one of several features that make him look like a praying mantis. ....people claim that Melvin was kicked in the head by a bull he tried to milk. That would explain one of convace curves of his face." Funny part is that books from this one, the reader discovers that Melvin is a half brother to the lady giving this description.<br />(karma gets us) Enjoyed the story.

<br /> <br />Just Plain Pickled to Death (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery) <br />by Tamar Myers<br /><br />5.0 out of 5 stars Just Plain Fun!, November 9, 2013 <br /> <br /><br /> <br />I started reading this series a few books ago and plan on continuing with the Pennsylvania Dutch series until the end. Love it!<br /><br />This latest entry(for me that is) is a hoot. The fun is just beginning when Magdalena's future in-laws arrive at the PennDutch Inn for her wedding to Aaron Miller. The wedding hasn't even begun to be planned when a murder victim is found in one of their wedding presents...a 20 year old barrel of sauerkraut.<br /><br />Please don't think you've read it all until you get to the last chapter. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.<br /><br />Lean back and enjoy a fun cozy <br /> <br />

While I enjoyed this book for what it is, I found myself annoyed by the author over using the word ‘wailing.’ The main character was either whining or wailing so often it rendered the plot more absurd. I can only care about someone like that for so long. It seemed removed from the way the narrator was in the previous books. Also the extensive use of the pet name Pookie Bear just got under my skin.<br />The wedding was also slightly absurd and I just thought it could’ve been better.<br />Overall, it was a good read and will probably read the next as the back summary states a plot point not even touched upon in this book.

Magdalena Yoder and Aaron Miller are going to be married in a few days. As a wedding present, Aaron Sr. sent over a barrel of sauerkraut. When it was opened, Sarah Weaver's body (a cousin of Aaron Miller) was revealed. She had been missing for quite some time. Magdalena wants this murder solved before her wedding! <br /><br />Aaron's family had descended on the PennDutch Inn, several aunts and their husbands. Magdalena also tracked down Sarah's father, Jonas Weaver. A search of the Miller family farm reveals some family secrets; but nothing about the murder. Jonas had a diary and the Miller pack-ratting reveals a bunch of letters. It is revealed that Jonas Weaver was sterile, so his wife Rebecca had to have had an affair. The person who fathered Sarah may be the murderer! Magdalena goes to confront Jonas, only to be tied up and nearly BBQ'd. Her dream wedding is rained out, so she has her wedding in the barn.<br /><br />Susanna has also gotten a job. She names paint samples! And she's good at it - she won a contest at work and dedicated the paint sample book to her sister! Books go out next season.<br /><br /><input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="13bfe316-e782-45e6-a938-61a13b5abed2" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="13bfe316-e782-45e6-a938-61a13b5abed2"> Uncle Rudy and Auntie Vonnie (Veronica) were eventually revealed. Uncle Rudy killed Rebecca Weaver to cover up their affair because he needed the money that Veronica brought him from her part ownership of the farm. Veronica turned a blind eye to Rudy's affair, but Rudy killed Sarah anyway as she saw <i>something</i> that she wasn't supposed to see - and she might tell Veronica. I'm not sure why that would have put Veronica in jail along with Rudy.......</label> <br /><br />Recipes:<br />Magdalena Yoder's Wedding Feast, from Soup to Nuts<br />First the Soup: Great-Granny Yoder's Onion Cheese Soup<br />Then some Salad: Freni Hostetler's Wilted Dandelion Salad<br />The Meat Course: Auntie Leah's Pork Chops mit Sauerkraut und Apples<br />Potatoes, Please: Auntie Magdalena's Potato Dumplings<br />Finally the Nuts: Barbara Hostetler's Save-The-Day Pecan Pies

AUTHOR: Tamar Myers<br />TITLE: Just Plain Pickled to Death<br />DATE READ: 12/20/20<br />TIME/PLACE: 2:30 pm in bed in MBR<br />RATING: 7/10<br />FIRST SENTENCE: Sarah Weaver was found dead in a barrel of pickled sauerkraut.<br />GENRE: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Crime Fiction<br />PUB DATE/PUBLISHER: Oct 1, 1997 Signet<br />TYPE: Paperback<br /># OF PAGES: 267<br />SERIES/STAND-ALONE: series #4 PA Dutch Mystery with Recipes<br />CHALLENGE: 52 Books in 52 Weeks - A book with recipes inside / Goodreads Bookcrossing Library Challenge - A Crime novel<br />LIST READ: favorite authors<br />CHARACTERS: Magdalena Yoder, sister Susannah, Aaron Yoder, Diane Lefcourt<br />LOCATION: Hernia, PA<br />COMMENTS: This series is light-heartedly funny and I can't keep from laughing. What happens when a double funeral proceeds a wedding? When the entire Amish/Mennonite family is invited is one of them the killer? As Alanis says "It's like rain on your wedding day"

These books are so funny. First of all, each title is a food pun and there are recipes throughout. This is one of the few series I read out of order. I just read them as I find them. I am fascinated by her descriptions of Mennonites and Amish. Magdalena is difficult to picture, but she and all the rest of the characters are a hoot. If you want a quick mystery read that makes you laugh, this is the series for you.

The story of this book is about the week leading up to the marriage of Magdalena Yoder and Aaron Yoder. The book starts with the discovery of a body in a barrel of sauerkraut given as a wedding gift from her future father-in-law. Magdalena wants to find the killer once they learn the body is Sarah, a cousin that has been missing for years. The book was a quick easy read.

Madelena has really gotten herself in a pickle this time, and RIGHT as she is getting ready for her long-awaited wedding and foray into married life! ACH, what a mess! But she handles it with her usual style and, erm...~cough cough~ grace, and as always, leaves us laughing!

I've always been curious about Amish and Mennonite culture, and while this book may not tell me much about how these folks live, it sure was entertaining! This is the first book by this author and in this series that I've read, but I will likely seek out others.