Customer Reviews

Gruel and Unusual Punishment (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love Magdalena Yoder - I admit that I'm more attracted to the quirky characters and the one-liners than to the mystery itself, but I thought the saga of the late Mr. Webber and his marital shenanigans was clever and intriguing. Magdalena's developing romance with Abe the Babe continues to fascinate; one hopes she will have better luck than she did with Aaron.

Although I followed Magdalena's investigation of the murder with interest, I was a little disappointed that the author didn't develop the relationship with Alison a little more fully - particularly since the chapter that introduced Alison was used as the "teaser" in the back of the paperback edition of The Crepes of Wrath. I was expecting more and hope Alison's story will be developed in future PennDutch Inn books.

I have read several reviews of other PennDutch Inn books in which the reviewers complained that Magdalena "wailed" too much - and indeed, she does seem to wail quite a bit. I was amused to see at least three places in Gruel and Unusual Punishment where another character said to Madgalena, "You sure do wail a lot," or words to that effect.

The only fault I will find with Gruel and Unusual Punishment is sloppy editing. Early in the first chapter, Magdalena says that she got the recipe for the shrimp and grits dish that did the unfortunate Mr. Webber in on her "vacation in Charleston, South Carolina." Later she remarks on having been to the Inland Sea in Tennessee on her "only vacation." These two statements aren't necessarily contradictory, since it would be entirely possible to visit both Charleston and the Inland Sea on the same vacation from Pennsylvania, but when Magdalena is preparing to go to Maryland in the course of her criminal investigation, she states that "the only time I'd been out of Pennsylvania was to go to Ohio." Ms. Myers' editor should have caught this.

All in all, I enjoyed Gruel and Unusual Punishment as much as I enjoyed all the other PennDutch books - which was a lot. I look forward eagerly to the next one.

Con man Clarence Webber has had a long and checkered career, which ends with his death by arsenic poisoning in Hernia's city jail. Magdalena Yoder becomes involved, since her inn supplies the jail's food, but it is soon evident that the poison was placed in the Shrimp and Grits (recipe provided) after the meal arrived in Webber's cell. Since the town's inept police chief is completely mystified, Magdalena volunteers to run down the perpetrator among the four persons who were known to have visited the prisoner. As she retraces Webber's trail through south central Pennsylvania and into Maryland, she soon discovers that the victim left more than empty wallets and broken hearts behind-to say nothing of a long list of individuals who had more than enough other reasons to do him in. GRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT is, as the title would indicate, a light-hearted novel, replete with outlandish descriptions of eccentric people. The story sometimes lapses into heavy-handed humor, but the overall effect is still a positive one. While Myers passes along more information on cooking grits than the average reader might want to know, that doesn't seriously detract from an amusing work.

Tamar Myers has another hit on her hands in this latest Magdalena Yoder mystery! Full of laugh-out-loud one-liners, views of a fascinating culture and just plain fun. It's almost as good as a vacation.

I couldn't put it down. Tamar Myers did it, again! Magdalena gets the bad guy in the most humerous way. Keep up the good work. Can't wait for more Pennsylvanina-Dutch Mysteries

When I finished this book I was holding my breath and had a big o'l grin on my face. I was so excited about its ending I had to email Mrs. Myers and give her my wishes for the next installment, it got me that excited!

I thought this book was the best out of the Pennsylvania-Dutch mysteries Tamar Myers has written. In my opinion, it kept me interested right to the end. I especially like the part where Magdalena's ex-husband shows up. I liked how more of the town was involved, it gave the plot a nice twist. I recommend this book to any who enjoys a good humored mystery.

Gruel and Unusual is another charming Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery starring Magdalena Yoder. Tamar Myers has a wonderful sense of humor! Her books begin with some of the funniest opening lines I've ever read! Plus, the recipes are terrific!

Another hilarious mystery from Mrs. Myers! Magdalena is at it again trying to solve yet another mystery, this time death by food cooked at her inn! Who would want to poison Clarence Webber? Well, practically everybody it turns out. Good luck trying to figure out who-done-it as Mrs Myers writing will keep you guessing! A fast paced very fun read!!

Myers' earlier books were palatable, but this one pales badly. Magdalena has become not only cutesy but (gag) politically correct. I couldn't get past the fourth page.
Myers comes off as a Diane Mott Davidson wannabe, and falls considerably short.

I love everything that Tamar Myers writes. Her books are always good for a ton of laughs. I haven't actually made any of the recipes that are included but I love that they are there. I don't think the point is that everyone should love grits, but maybe there will be one or two recipes that you will enjoy. Why look for something to complain about. Especially something that has nothing to do with the story line. If you like Myers you should try Diane Mott Davidson. She is great also.