Why Oh Rye? by Lucy Lakestone [review]

Why Oh Rye? is the seventh book in the Bohemia Bartenders mystery series by Lucy Lakestone and features mixologist Pepper Revelle.

Title: Why Oh Rye?
Author: Lucy Lakestone
Series: Bohemia Bartenders
First Published: March 5, 2024
Publisher: Velvet Petal Press
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the author

*** Thank you to the author, Lucy Lakestone for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book for review purposes. ***

Are the rhyming threats of a crafty con man a good reason to return to New Orleans? Maybe not, but mixologist Pepper Revelle wants to neutralize her nemesis. She hopes she’ll have time for cocktails and Easter parades with her friends, too—as well as the next step in her romance with fellow bartender Neil.

But they don’t count on finding a body in their hotel room, the machinations of her vexing ex Mr. Mixy, and drama with her quirky family. To clear her name and settle the score, Pepper must crack the case—and figure out if her increasingly dangerous enemy engineered the murder or if another killer is involved.

A humourous new-to-me cozy mystery series

I must admit that I usually don’t like jumping into a series that’s already well established without starting from the first book, but the cover and description of this one sounded so fun that I really wanted to give it a try so here I am, reading Book 7 in a new-to-me series. And wow – I’m so glad I did!

If I had to describe Why Oh Rye? in one word, it would be – shenanigans. There is so much happening in this series and it offers up a well balanced story that if fast-paced and full of mystery, action, and humour.

Don’t believe me? Will the inclusion of a farting ghost convince you? LOL. Pepper and her friends and family are in New Orleans, both to have a good time (it’s New Orleans after all) but also to face down Pepper’s nemesis, Beau, who has been sending her veiled threats in the form of little poems hidden inside Easter treats. It’s hijinks from the get-go and while Pepper does everything in her power to keep the holiday from going off the rails, she also has to clear her name when a body shows up in her hotel room.

Fun and fast-paced

This book zips along at a really fast pace – there was so much going on that it kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the mix of mystery and humour, which isn’t always easy to pull off without being too cheesy.

One of the things that made this book fun were the characters. There were quite a few for me to remember – something that might have been easier if I had started from the beginning of the series – but almost all of them were funny, unique, and brought something different to the story. Even the bad guys are interesting.

I definitely had a lot of fun reading Why Oh Rye?. While you can read it as a standalone, I’m looking forward to going back and starting the series from Book 1, Risky Whiskey, so that I can get to know Pepper, Neil, Mr. Mixy, and all the other characters to see how they are introduced and develop.

Quote from Why Oh Rye?