Orange as Marmalade

I'm not usually a fan of mysteries as I find they tend toward the obvious, are often written to the common denominator, and overuse cliches. "Orange as Marmalade" may have very well converted me. Fran Stewart's premier novel in the Biscuit McKee series introduces us to would be amateur sleuth and small town librarian, Biscuit McKee and her unlikely sidekick an orange tabby, Marmalade, who isn't tubby it's just her fur. Naturally this tale has the basic elements of a mystery: body found, who done it, how's it figured out. What really set's this story apart is Ms. Stewart's approach. Not only do we intimately get to know Biscuit and what she knows (from her gardening to wedding planning to her sleuthing) we have it delivered in non-chronological episodic chunks that move seamlessly from now to well before the murder. Both tracks move in the same direction until we finally discover who done it. Making my way through the story with Biscuit was just like taking a lovely walk with an old friend who has some unbelievable dirt to dish (no I know how Glaze must have felt.) With three more books already published in this series, and one more soon to come, Biscuit McKee (with Marmalade) could easily become a new staple in the murder mystery arena.

Fran Stewart has created a thoroughly endearing character in Biscuit McKee--fallible enough to be undeniably human and feisty enough to be thoroughly lovable. Biscuit wants nothing more than to live quietly in the small Georgia town of Martinsville with her husband and her Marmalade cat, but fate and family don't always cooperate. Biscuit faces each challenge life throws at her--and there are plenty of those--with determination and a little help from her cat. Fran Stewart's Biscuit McKee stories are beautifully written, incorporating a blend of down-home wisdom and humor guaranteed to both charm and entertain. --Lynda Fitzgerald, Author If Truth Be Told

Marmalade and Biscuit. Kind of like Toast and Jam, but in this case it's a saucy white and orange cat and her extraordinary human who discover a body in the town library. The tiny little town of Martinsville in northeastern Georgia becomes the scene of an intriguing who-done-it murder mystery. So, who killed nature photographer Harlan Schneider? No ones talking in Martinsville, as most of the clues point to someone local. But then again, not the first investigator asked Marmalade.I was first drawn to this book simply for the "cat factor." Any book that has as one of it's characters a fancy feline has to be on the right track.Fran Stewart uses flashbacks to weave the details of what transpired before the murder of the young photographer and the current events surrounding Biscuit McKee, the new town librarian, who is getting ready for her upcoming wedding to the town's only police officer. Although the flashbacks took getting use to, it filled in the story just fine.Stewart's Martinsville has such a richness to it that I'm looking forward to learning more about this "town" and its inhabitants. Orange as Marmalade contains some clues to a mystery that surrounds the 1745 founding of the town. Each book in the Biscuit McKee Mystery Series will add a few more clues, and the 200-year-old puzzle will be finally solved in White as Ice, the eighth book of the series. So, this will definately be a series worth looking forward to.This is a five star book worthy of a place on the bookshelf of any well read mystery enthusiast. But you don't have to be a connoisseur of mysteries to enjoy this book.Take a trip to Martinsville, Georgia and spend a little time with Biscuit McKee, Marmalade, and a town full of interesting characters.

Fran Stewart's book is delightful and holds your interest using a warm, friendly style. She also uses a unique format for telling her story, weaving the plot to keep you in suspense. Lots of useful information on gardening, natural healing, and, of course, cats! Mystery, fun, and learning - what more can you ask from a book! Her book club discussion questions at the end are quite thought provoking, even for someone who hasn't read the book. Hard to believe this is Ms. Stewart's first book. Kinda leaves you feeling like you've read a mystery from Mitford! Can't wait to read the next Biscuit McKee Mystery.

Orange As Marmalade is one of the best "cozies" I've read. (A cozy is a mystery book that is low on blood,gore, and creepy people.) Characters are well drawn, plot is believeable and holds the reader's interest, and there is a great list of topics for book discussion groups. Read it and learn (effortlessly) about gardening, cats, and neighborliness. Have fun.