A SECOND HELPING OF MURDER is Book two in Christine Wenger's Comfort Food cozy mystery series. I was able to follow and enjoy A SECOND HELPING OF MURDER without having read the previous book in this series. There are a lot of elements that make A SECOND HELPING OF MURDER a fun cozy mystery -- the main characters are likable, and there are some light moments as well as a dash of romance. This is what I usually look for in a cozy mystery. The series revolves around Trixie Matkowski's diner in a small town in upstate New York. The murder that happens in the present is linked to a murder that happened in the same area when Trixie was just a young girl.

I love dual mystery plots and when a present day murder is somehow connected to one that happened years ago. I think Christine Wenger does a great job of creating a legitimate reason for Trixie to want to get involved in the investigation. She has a personal connection to the victims and both murders happened on her property. I like the reluctant investigating partnership between Trixie and sexy Deputy Ty Brisco. They make a good team, even though Trixie is frustrated by Ty's inability to give her inside, official information. I think he does the best he can to work with her, without treating her like a misbehaving child. I like the hint of romance between the two and hope it continues in future books.

The supporting characters like young computer hacker-turned busboy Ray, Trixie's dog Blondie, and the diner's staff make the story more enjoyable and lighten the mood. There are some exciting moments when Trixie is hunting down clues. As a reader, I felt as though I was on the case and searching for clues to the mystery. There a multitude of suspects to choose from in A SECOND HELPING OF MURDER and every one seems like a likely murderer. Once friendly- seeming townspeople are now cast in a sinister light.

A SECOND HELPING OF MURDER is a fun cozy mystery with a likable female sleuth, great supporting characters, and lots of puzzles to solve. I look forward to reading the next book in this entertaining mystery series!

Book Summary

Trixie Matkowski is warming up to running her family’s diner in the small town of Sandy Harbor in upstate New York. But the only thing more demanding than serving up piping-hot comfort food twenty-four hours a day is getting to the bottom of a double homicide....

Trixie fondly remembers summers as a child spent visiting the shores of Lake Ontario. Not much has changed—there are still vinyl booths at the Silver Bullet Diner, families eating home-cooked comfort food, and days of swimming in the lake.

But before Trixie can say “Order’s up,” someone’s summer is abruptly cut short. One of the cottage residents is found dead, and Trixie suspects the crime might be linked to an unsolved disappearance in the picturesque town’s past.

As Trixie works with Deputy Ty Brisco to solve both mysteries, their shocking discoveries will shake up the small town. And when word gets out that she’s on the case, Trixie’s in trouble—after all, the murderer won’t spare her life just because she makes a killer corned beef sandwich....

Includes Delicious Home-Style Recipes!