I can repeat what I’ve said before about Leslie Budewitz’ Spice Shop mysteries. They are a treat for the senses. With all the discussion of spices, food, flowers, and the use of all of them, Budewitz challenges readers to absorb her stories through their senses. Then, she includes recipes to challenge us even more. Budewitz also includes a cast of characters in To Err is Cumin, the eighth in the series, something I’m always happy to see.

Pepper Reece, owner of the Spice Shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, would take care of the entire world if she had the opportunity. She looks after all of her staff, advises them when asked, and worries about them. And, she’ll worry about complete strangers, if she has no other issues.

When Pepper spots an abandoned wingback chair at the curb, she and her friends grab it. She’s thinking about having it reupholstered for her mother, but it’s one of the lumpiest chairs she’s ever seen. When she pulls apart the seat, she discovers $35,000 tucked into the seat. Although she turns the cash into the police, now she worries about the unknown young woman who supposedly owned that chair. Who is Talia? Why was her property, including a box of books, dumped at the curb of her apartment building? What really worries Pepper is that she ran into Boz Bosworth at the apartment, a former chef who said he was worried about Talia. Boz doesn’t have the best reputation in Pepper’s world. Boz wants Pepper to help him find Talia, but Pepper refuses. Then, Boz turns up floating in the Ship Canal. Now, Pepper is really worried about the missing woman.

It’s always a treat to return to the Spice Shop and catch up with Pepper, her friends, and co-workers. I have to admit, though, I thought the money found in the chair, and the resulting search for a missing woman made a flimsy premise for a mystery. Even the police were not interested until after Boz’ death. But, if you’re a fan of the series, as I am, and enjoy the characters, you’ll want to try To Err is Cumin.

Leslie Budewitz’ website is https://www.lesliebudewitz.com/

To Err is Cumin by Leslie Budewitz. Seventh Street Books, 2024. ISBN 9781645060857 (paperback), 236p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a PDF to review for a journal.