I’ve made many breakfast casseroles in my day, but this one is especially delectable. There is a perfect balance of meat, cheese, eggs, and veggies to delight your whole family. The main character, Robbie Jordan, owns and operates Pans & Pancakes restaurant, so it is no surprise that the break dish is outstanding. It is also no surprise there are so many books in this series. Likable characters and intriguing mysteries are the heart of author Maddie Day’s work.
This is book #8 in the Country Store Mystery series. Set in the small town of Salt Lick, IN, Robbie is surrounded by a diverse group of friends and family. Humor is interjected from time to time as this California native learns how life operates in a small mid-western town. This installation has 2 murders and plenty of family drama.
Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day
Spinach-Red Pepper Egg Bake
from a cozy mystery:
Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day
Book Outline and Tone:
If you have ever lived in a small town, then this novel will resonate with you. Robbie Jordan, who was raised in San Diego, the antithesis of small town, is not living in Salt Lick, Indiana. She owns Pans & Pancakes, a breakfast/lunch restaurant and B&B. She has adjusted to small town life, but it is amazing how fast news travels and how everyone knows everyone else’s business. A storm tears a roof off of a house and as workers fix the power lines, they see a skeleton lying in the attic of the home. Robbie’s great Aunt Adele knows just who it would be and so does the rest of the town.
When Robbie’s assistant, Danna, meets a long lost brother that she didn’t know about, Danna is ecstatic. But instead of a happy homecoming, he is followed by a less than positive reputation. To make matters even worse he is even accused of a murder that takes place after the skeleton is found.. Robbie goes into investigation mode both to unveil who is the murderer(s) and to see if Danna’s brother can be trusted.
Over and over in this novel people just know things because it is a small town. I’ve never lived in a town that small, but I can imagine how hard it would be to keep secrets. It’s great that the main character did not grow up in this small town. This allows the reader to learn about people and events at the same time Robbie does.
One of the best parts of the novel is the ending. There is a good resolution to the mystery and then there is more. Robbie and her loved ones all experience a cliffhanger that made me want to pick up the next book right away!
The Best Quote:
“I usually felt safe in South Lick. Tonight, a walk alone in the dark was about the last thing I wanted to do.”
Point of View:
The novel is told in first person from Robbie’s perspective.
The Author: Maddie Day
Maddie Day is one of my favorite authors to follow on social media. She posts regularly on Twitter @edithmaxwell. She also has a large following on Instagram and Facebook. Like so many authors, Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Edith Maxwell. She has at least six book series that can all be found on her website which is elaborate and has inside information and reviews for all of her books.
What is not to like?:
The only feedback I would have about this installation of the series is that I don’t really care about the murder victims. On the other hand, I do care about the people wrapped up in the investigation.
The verdict:
First of all, even if you have a standard go-to breakfast casserole, you must try this one. It is now my standard go-to. As far as the novel, read it even if only to see the exciting cliff hanger.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Spinach-Red Pepper Egg Bake
Assemble the Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 9×13 baking dish.
Mix bacon, bell peppers
cheddar cheese, green onions,
tomatoes,
garlic, and black pepper in a bowl, t
hen pour into a casserole dish. I mixed them all in the pan.
Whisk eggs with milk
OXO Good Grips 3- Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set LInk
and pour over vegetables.
Top with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until eggs are cooked through. Cut into two-inch squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
Spinach-Red Pepper Egg Bake
Ingredients
- 4-6 slices bacon, cooked to crisp and crumbled (omit for vegetarians)
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups baby spinach, finely chopped (the recipe says you can use one pound frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and well drained, but fresh is so much better!)
- Whites of 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 10 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Oil a 9x13 baking dish.
- Mix bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and black pepper in a bowl, then pour into a casserole dish.
- Whisk eggs with milk and pour over vegetables.
- Top with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until eggs are cooked through.
- Cut into two-inch squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
What would I do differently next time?
Not a thing! I love it!
Double Blueberry Pancakes from Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette
Orange Scones from Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day
Apple Bacon Egg Bake from Death of a Bacon Heiress by Lee Hollis
Eggnog Oatmeal and Eggless Nog from Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse by Maddie Day
