Put Out to Pasture (Farm to Table Mystery 2), by Amanda Flower

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Earlier this year I read Farm to Trouble, by Amanda Flower. It's the first book in the Farm to Table Mysteries and it was the first book I ever read by her. It was before I started this blog, so one day I'll have to go back and post a review here.  I really liked the way the book flowed. It felt easy and refreshing, which is exactly what I needed at the time.

The second installment, Put Out to Pasture, takes place in October. Shiloh Bellamy is determined to revitalize the family farm and in an effort to do so, she organizes a fall festival. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse when Shiloh discovers a dead body in a nearby field and her best friend is the prime suspect. And so begins Shiloh's quest to find the real killer.

The mystery is good, which is always what I look for first in a cozy. Shiloh works diligently to find the culprit, so much so that she seems to neglect the needs of the farm. There are red herrings and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I was completely wrong about who I thought the killer was. Although there was not much suspense leading up to the big reveal, I was shocked to find out who it was. It made sense when it all came together, though. And what happened after the culprit was revealed was one of my favorite moments in any cozy. 

There is a hint of romance in this book, but I wish that aspect was more fully developed. I don't like romance to overpower the mystery in a cozy, but I would like to have seen a little more of it in this second installment. 

I didn't feel a sense of community in this book, which is something I look for in a cozy. By the second installment in a series, I think there should be a stronger supporting cast than there was in "Put Out to Pasture". She does have her dad on her side, but other than him, there aren't too many people who have Shiloh's back. Of course, her best friend, Kristy, is on her side. However, with Kristy being the prime suspect, she doesn't play much of a role in actively helping Shiloh solve this mystery. 

The end left me feeling a little empty and there were times throughout the book when I felt there was a bit too much of a backstory in play. However, for the most part, I did enjoy the ride. I also found the farming tip at the end interesting. I'm not by any means a farmer, but I enjoy learning about farms, especially organic ones.

Although I'm not in a rush to pick up the next installment, I am definitely planning to read it. In Farm's Way is currently set to be published in late February 2023. By the time I can obtain a copy of it (most likely from the library) it will be March. I'm such a seasonal reader and since it takes place in the winter, I will probably wait until January 2024 to read it. In the meantime, I'll be reading many other cozies and I'm certain they will include some of Amanda Flower's other books.