Too Many Crooks Spoil The Broth: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes [Hardcover]

Tamar Myers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1993

Unique insights into Mennonite customs and authentic Mennonite recipes mark a unique mystery involving Magdalena Yoder's Mennonite Inn, setting for a series of mysterious poisonings involving a congressman, his socialite wife, and a group of animal-rights activists.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This debut mystery introduces Magdalena Yoder, a mean-spirited Mennonite innkeeper who offers service with a sneer to the "well-heeled, highfalutin customers" patronizing her PennDutch Inn in southern Pennsylvania. When not badmouthing her sinful, slothful, divorced sister and her "bizarre excuse for a dog," Magdalena attends to an unfortunate combination of guests: a congressman, his wife and aide, who are in the area for the first weekend of deer-hunting season; a quartet of anti-hunting activists; and Heather Brown, who calls herself a "photo-hunter." Ironically, one of the hunting foes bags the first big game when, in the middle of the night, he finds Heather sprawled dead on the inn stairs. Police chief Jeff Myers initiates an investigation of the suspicious death, but leaves soon for a vacation with his wife Tammy, who is, Magdalena's observes, "dingier than a mailbox on a gravel road." With the case in the hands of a dim deputy, Magdalena undertakes some sleuthing and learns that her patrons are secretly linked in their pasts. Another guest bites the dust as this carping narrator fails to display the high IQ she brags of: matters become clear to her only when the villain is overcome by a desire to confess. Occasional recipes, rich in butter and sugar, don't make up for the story's sour tone.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Much of this first mystery novel occurs as a lengthy flashback interrupting the present moment. Narrator Magdalena Yoder, of Hernia, Pennsylvania, exploits her Mennonite heritage, in-your-face attitude, and razor wit by running a prosperous, elitist inn. Murder threatens her success when two of her customers are dispatched on the premises. Suspects include a secretive congressman, his socialite wife, a gay aide, and several animal rights activists. More than a little hokey and simplistic but still a mildly amusing possibility for larger collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 245 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385471394
• ISBN-13: 978-0385471398
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,714,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tamar Myers, who is of Mennonite background, is the author of the Pennsylvania Dutch mysteries and the Den of Antiquity series. Born and raised in the Congo, she lives in North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery-lite, August 14, 2001

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth (A Pennsylvania-Dutch Mystery with Recipes) (Mass Market Paperback)

Magdalena Yoder has turned her family farmhouse into a famous Amish country inn. Booked well in advance, she has the privilege of selecting her customers. So she's a little surprised when she discovers she's booked a hunting party led by a well-known Senator and an anti-hunting, animal rights group for the same week, the opening week of hunting season. With the varying dietary requirements of the two groups, she has her hands full keeping the guests happy and fed while keeping her cook in the kitchen and her sister in line. And that's before the first body shows up!

As a mystery this book is a little slow. The first body doesn't show up for quite some time, and then it's the one guest we've forgotten about. Still, there is plenty of conflict to keep the reader going and I never felt the pace lagged. The guests are interesting characters, however the characters that are to be regulars seem like they could become annoying caricatures. Still, this is a fun, promising first novel and I plan to read more books by this author.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a mystery reader, May 14, 2000

By 

L. Reichert "ldy-wisconsin" (Ladysmith, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth (A Pennsylvania-Dutch Mystery with Recipes) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am not a mystery reader, however I was given this book to read and pass on. I reluctantly started reading it. What enjoyment I experienced! The characters readily got my attention. The keeper of the inn was wonderful. It was as if she was personally telling me about her "pleasures" and "displeasures"; always remembering to tuck in a short prayer to stay right with God. It was light reading that kept me always changing my mind as to who the crook might be. Serious mystery readers would probably find this book too light and not too capturing. Good summer reading.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew the Amish Were so Funny?, January 18, 2001

By 

Kathy Lightfoot (St. Helen, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth (A Pennsylvania-Dutch Mystery with Recipes) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a wonderful book in a great series. I originally read this book when I was looking for new culinary mysteries. To my delight, I discovered that this was also a humorous mystery. I laughed aloud several times during the course of reading this book. The characters are all interesting, particularly the regulars, Magdalena, Susannah, Freni, etc. The author did a nice job describing the personalities of the guests and the ensuing friction between them. I found the homespun dialogue and descriptions to be enchanting and engaging. The storyline is fun and interesting, with a plot that allows you to figure out "whodunit" if you put some thought into it. The recipes included after each chapter is a pleasant plus. A thoroughly enjoying, cozy read that leaves you anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.