Like [b:Quilt or Innocence|13006585|Quilt or Innocence (Southern Quilting Mystery #1)|Elizabeth Spann Craig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327561763l/13006585._SY75_.jpg|18167962] this series is growing on me. Lulu and Cherry are funny. And I like the Back Porch Blues Band. And Derrick. ( )

Another yummy BBQ mystery. Nasty guy appears stabbed at a Ribs competition. Many suspects... was he killed for his recipe or his inheritance? ( )

I have to admit it. I'm not a huge fan of mysteries with older protagonists. They're usually slower paced, with less snappy dialogue and very little romance. Rubbed out ticks all three of these boxes. That's why it's a three star read for me.

But I do love BBQ and living in Australia now, I find I miss Southern BBQ a lot. So I picked up this series when it first came out and thought I'd give it a try. They were never favourites, but the first three books were livelier than this one; the characters were a bit more quirky. This one really just felt like it was going through the paces.

The plot was predictable. The author did a good job of trying to lead the reader on a merry chase, but ultimately I wasn't surprised at all by the ending.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd steer anyone clear of reading this book. I think quite a few out there who like their cozies extra-cozy will enjoy this series. If you look for older protagonists, this book and this series will fit that bill perfectly. But I'm thinking next time I start getting homesick for BBQ, I'll just slow cook me some pulled-pork and make some cornbread. ( )

RUBBED OUT
By Riley Adams

Up for barbecue? Ribs maybe? While Lulu Taylor is busy running Aunt Pat’s—her
barbecue restaurant in Memphis—her best friend Cherry is helping out their friends at the
Rock and Ribs Festival.

There, Cherry gets into a beef with another contestant in a neighboring booth. Reuben
Shaw apparently, has a tendency to rub people the wrong way and ends up getting ‘rubbed out’
himself. And that happens right after Cherry discovers one of her booth’s tarps is missing. She
finds it—covering a very dead Reuben with a butcher knife in his chest.

Cherry becomes a suspect because people saw her arguing with Reuben—then again, who didn’t?—
and because her tarp was found with the victim. Lulu comes running to the rescue to help her best friend.

It seems that Lulu has a habit of trying to help the police solve crimes and she doesn’t hesitate in getting involved now. Lulu finds that many people have a rocky history with Reuben and she questions anyone and everyone she can. But Lulu sticks her nose into too many places and someone is unhappy. And that someone all but kills her to get her to mind her own business. What would stop most people, doesn’t affect Lulu the same way and she’s bound and determined to find the murderer.

A witty, fun read that not only satisfies a need for a good, down home mystery but comes with what
looks like really yummy recipes, too!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” ( )