Time Travel Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog where readers take a look back at what they were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…)

Last year, towards the middle of July 2024, I had just finished A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard.

My Review: 

A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard

Review by Sarah Erwin appeared in Kings River Life Magazine

While A Murder for the Sages is book three in Amy Lillards “Sunflower Cafe Mysteries” it is the first one I read, and I enjoyed it tremendously. It was especially fun to listen to as an audiobook, narrated by Lisa S. Ware.

Sissy Yoder is a secret advice columnist and also works at her Aunt Bethel’s Sunflower Café in Yoder, Kansas, home to such a close-knit, cozy community. The mystery novel opens with everyone in the cafe talking about the unusual death of herb farmer Ginger Reed. Deputy Sheriff Earl Berry has ruled it an accidental death, but customers aren’t sure they buy that–did Ginger really accidentally run herself over with the tractor?

Naomi, a friend and employee of Ginger and Sissy’s cousin, insists Ginger’s death must be murder. She asks for Sissy’s help, and Sissy, along with her loyal Yorkie companion, Duke, is on the case. What Sissy soon discovers is that there is a rather long list of suspects, and she wants to keep digging but Naomi suddenly puts the brakes on the investigation.

I adored the small town setting and wonderful characters. I wanted to travel to Yoder and dine at the Sunflower Cafe. Aside from the murder, it felt like a place where I could forget my worries and simply enjoy the company.

I don’t know how Sissy keeps her advice columnist alter ego Aunt Bess a secret, and I’m glad she shares it with a trusted few here. The Aunt Bess sayings at the start of each chapter are delightful. I especially enjoyed the family dinners and Sissy’s dog Duke. It’s fun to watch Sissy really come into her own and defend her choice to stay in Yoder and live in a chicken coop to her well-meaning but meddlesome mom. I’m cheering for Sissy to write a book. There’s also a charming romantic interest for Sissy that has me eagerly awaiting the next book.

A truly cozy treat for mystery fans!