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Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #13
Assault and Pepper
When Reverend Schrock ends up dead at the annual church chili supper, thanks to a not-so-accidental allergic reaction to the peanut butter someone added, innkeeper Magdalena Yoder investigates, only to encounter plenty of people who had wanted the reverend dead--including a vengeful serial monogamist and a wrongly accused man against whom the victim had testified. Reprint.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Tamar Myers
65 books282 followersTamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 28, 2009
I haven't finished this book yet, but I am really struggling through it. I was expecting such great things from a Pennsylvania Dutch mystery. The writing is light and quick, but if I have to read about how sinful everything is for another minute I might lose it. Everything from leg waxing, to driving a BMW, and anything else you can imagine is deemed sinful by this lady who is at best a hypocrit. I feel like a hypocrit for calling her that because I'm not perfect either, but this character is just getting on my last nerve. I hope the ending redeems the book.
I just finished the book, and the ending did help make the book more bareable. This is still not a book that I would recommend to my friends for the above reasons.
I just finished the book, and the ending did help make the book more bareable. This is still not a book that I would recommend to my friends for the above reasons.
October 30, 2020
I expected to like this a lot more than I did! So the reading was easy but I just wasn't convinced on the mystery, the perpetrator, the protagonist, and this very strange community. I have basically ended up with a shopping list of what I dislike of the protagonist. She's supposed to be mid to late forties but she seriously acts more like a teen! Calling your fiance, the Babester, for a start. Then all the wailings... If I was reading an ebook, I'd have been tempted to do word count on how many times she wails (at least once every chapter and there are about 30+ chapters). She is also a Mennonite and she's so self-righteous at times, I wanted to shake her. At other times, she's making excuses for what she's doing when she thinks she's going against her set of beliefs. Sorry to any fans out there but I don't like annoying protagonist... the rest of the cast of characters, I thought, was actually rather hilarious but by the end of the novel, I'm not so sure if I'd find them as funny if I read another of this series. I'm done. Sorry for the rant but I did cut this short
October 14, 2009
When Reverend Schrock dies while judging a chili bakeoff, his widow, convinced that someone murdered her husband by putting peanut butter into the chili (he was allergic) asks Magdalena Yoder to investigate. Magdalena has been helping her brother-in-law, police chief Melvin Stoltzfus, solve cases for years and is happy to oblige. When Melvin tells her he is quitting her job, Mags find herself working alone. As she works to solve the case, Magdalena uncovers many secrets about Reverend Schrock that shock her. Little does she realize that more surprises will come her way, including a long buried family secret. But the biggest shock of all will come when she realizes who murdered Reverend Schrock.
"Assault and Pepper" is an entertaining mystery. Magdalena, a somewhat naive Mennonite with a taste for hot chocolate, is a hoot, especially as she discovers that Reverend Schrock was not quite was he seemed (not only was he a bigamist and an embezzler, but (gasp!) he was a bowler!) As always, the supporting characters are larger than life, especially Melvin, but are still fun to read about. Magdalena can be a bit acerbic, but the affection between her and her cook, Freni, and even her sister Susannah keep her lovable. Author Tamar Myers even pokes fun at herself, as astute readers who have visited her website will notice.
Unfortunately, while this book is better plotted than some of the other books in the series, which sometimes rely too heavily on humor, the plot still has some flaws. The motive for a second murder is never explained and Magdalena looks for what is supposedly a key piece of evidence, but why it is so important is not explained either.
Still, flaws aside, Assault and Pepper is a good read, with a surprising ending (in more ways than one) which may take the series in an entirely different direction.
"Assault and Pepper" is an entertaining mystery. Magdalena, a somewhat naive Mennonite with a taste for hot chocolate, is a hoot, especially as she discovers that Reverend Schrock was not quite was he seemed (not only was he a bigamist and an embezzler, but (gasp!) he was a bowler!) As always, the supporting characters are larger than life, especially Melvin, but are still fun to read about. Magdalena can be a bit acerbic, but the affection between her and her cook, Freni, and even her sister Susannah keep her lovable. Author Tamar Myers even pokes fun at herself, as astute readers who have visited her website will notice.
Unfortunately, while this book is better plotted than some of the other books in the series, which sometimes rely too heavily on humor, the plot still has some flaws. The motive for a second murder is never explained and Magdalena looks for what is supposedly a key piece of evidence, but why it is so important is not explained either.
Still, flaws aside, Assault and Pepper is a good read, with a surprising ending (in more ways than one) which may take the series in an entirely different direction.
January 2, 2016
Book 13 in the Pennsylvania Dutch mysteries. Meet Magdalena Yoder. She's a sarcastic, hot cocoa loving, Mennonite and owner of the Penn Dutch Inn in Hernia, Pennsylvania . This book jumps right into the mystery from the very first sentence. At the annual chili cook off, Reverend Schrock blesses the food seconds before meeting his demise and falling face first into his steaming bowl. Was it simply his heart or was he murdered by a fellow parishioner? Magdalena quickly finds herself drawn into the investigation when the Reverend's widow, Lodema, suggest her husband's chili included peanuts - something everyone knew the beloved Reverend was highly allergic too! Follow along as Magdalena uncovers shocking secrets the good Reverend was trying to hide and even learns about a nemesis who might just be family. I haven't read this series since 2007. This is a very, light, cozy mystery. It contains more humor than it does a good thick mystery. Although, I was quite surprised by who the culprit turned out to be in the end. I like the main character and her uncensored, naive remarks. The book definitely had gaps in the storyline, but overall it was entertaining and fun to catch up with the unique cast of characters.
August 22, 2010
Just finished this book. Its my third read of the Pennsylvania Dutch series. I'm sitting here, wondering how I got through three of them. Aa noted in another review, the lead character is a hypocrite at best and is not a very nice person at all. I guess I enjoyed the mysteries despite the annoying lead character. Also, I think some of the supporting characters, that are truly nice, made up for the lead character's faults. I can't think of any other reason to explain why I read three of these books. The antiquity series character, who has her own faults, but not as glaring, was more enjoyable. I'm not sure I'll chose another of this series again...but I may, if I'm desperate for a read.
September 27, 2007
This book was a discredit to the Amish and Mennonite people. It was like reading a soap opera. I was excited to find these mysteries with an Amish-type background, but Tamar seems to have sex on her mind most of the time with constant innuendos and double meanings, and it seems that everyone in her small town was or have had sexual indiscretions with anyone and everyone. The book ended with the main character finding out she had a sister from and indiscretion of her very own father.
I was very disappointed. I had "Thou Shalt Not Grill" also, both from the Library, but I am not going to bother with that one. I have had enough of this author! Tra La!
I was very disappointed. I had "Thou Shalt Not Grill" also, both from the Library, but I am not going to bother with that one. I have had enough of this author! Tra La!
October 6, 2014
Not sure if it was so long between the last Penn Dutch mystery I read or maybe I've changed too much or read too many other quality mysteries in between but this one seemed out of character. I finally think I am done reading this series - in television terms the series has "jumped the shark."
The last chapter literally made me throw the book across the room. Glad nothing happened to it because it is a library book.
The victim, the murderer, the new characters, the old characters, the writing, I mean just everything is off.
The last chapter literally made me throw the book across the room. Glad nothing happened to it because it is a library book.
The victim, the murderer, the new characters, the old characters, the writing, I mean just everything is off.
January 22, 2018
The book was not my type of book. Mostly about a pastor who is murdered because of greed and the double life the pastor lead. The main character excuses her white lies as small and insignificant and surely God won't mind.
July 16, 2018
Although some readers might find this hilariously funny, it is definitely NOT my kind of humor. The mystery kind of got lost in the silly humor, and even the recipes shared did not sound like anything I'd like to eat.
May 23, 2015
I've liked other books by this author better. Magdalena Yoder might remind me too much of some annoying people I know... and not in a good way.
February 11, 2018
I found very little to like about anything in this book, and even the recipes were completely non-enticing. This one just wasnt for me.
September 21, 2019
Pastor Arnold Schrock died after eating chili. It is well-known that he is allergic to peanuts, so if someone put peanut butter in their chili, then the Reverend would succumb to his anaphylaxis without anyone being the wiser!
Lodema Schrock, a bane of Magdalena's life, begs her to look into why her beloved husband died. Melvin Stoltzfus also requests Magdalena's help in solving what may be a murder.
Magdalena begins with those people from Beech Grove Mennonite Church that may have had a reason to kill Arnold. Sadly, for her and the church, she discovers that Arnold was leading a double life with two families and embezzled funds from the church's building fund.
Along with the investigation, Magdalena deals with some interpersonal conflicts: first, Freni and Barbara, and then herself and Doc Shafor's romance with Ida Rosen, Gabe's mother. With Rev. Schrock deceased, Lodema has a psychotic break and reverts to her childhood. Magdalena and Gabe are now looking for another pastor to marry them, one being Mennonite, one being Jewish.
Eventually, Magdalena receives a note that indicates Freni, her beloved cook and substitute mother, has been kidnapped by the same person that was blackmailing Rev. Arnold Schrock!
Doc Shafor calls Magdalena for a chat, and reveals the existence of a third sister; a step-sister, Zelda Root!
Recipes
Puppy's-Breath Chili World Champion 1993
Chili and Dumplings
Chilies-and-Dried-Beef Dip
Chorizo with Eggs and Chili
Bottom-of-the-Barrel Gang Ram Tough Chili World Champion 1984
Sharon Wilkerson's Beef Chili
Lodema Schrock, a bane of Magdalena's life, begs her to look into why her beloved husband died. Melvin Stoltzfus also requests Magdalena's help in solving what may be a murder.
Magdalena begins with those people from Beech Grove Mennonite Church that may have had a reason to kill Arnold. Sadly, for her and the church, she discovers that Arnold was leading a double life with two families and embezzled funds from the church's building fund.
Along with the investigation, Magdalena deals with some interpersonal conflicts: first, Freni and Barbara, and then herself and Doc Shafor's romance with Ida Rosen, Gabe's mother. With Rev. Schrock deceased, Lodema has a psychotic break and reverts to her childhood. Magdalena and Gabe are now looking for another pastor to marry them, one being Mennonite, one being Jewish.
Eventually, Magdalena receives a note that indicates Freni, her beloved cook and substitute mother, has been kidnapped by the same person that was blackmailing Rev. Arnold Schrock!
Doc Shafor calls Magdalena for a chat, and reveals the existence of a third sister; a step-sister, Zelda Root!
Recipes
Puppy's-Breath Chili World Champion 1993
Chili and Dumplings
Chilies-and-Dried-Beef Dip
Chorizo with Eggs and Chili
Bottom-of-the-Barrel Gang Ram Tough Chili World Champion 1984
Sharon Wilkerson's Beef Chili
March 31, 2020
Linda - I have enjoyed this series featuring Magdalena Yoder for many years. They are mysteries with serious murders but they are also very funny. They are a bit inconsistent though. Some are better than others. This one was one of the best. Ms. Yoder is a Mennonite living in Pennsylvania in Amish country. Her parents were killed when she was young and she inherited their farm and the care of her younger, sister, Susannah. She has turned the farm into a prosperous B & B. She was not so successful with her sister, who left the fold and scandalized the community. Filled with eccentric and quirky characters these books are hilarious. I laughed out loud several times during this one. I love the word play that the author employs to provide humor. In this instance, Magdalena���s dearly beloved pastor dies after digging into a bowl of chili at the church supper, and she is tasked with finding his killer. Thus begins the romp through the personal lives of Rev. Schrock and his family and friends. You’ll find plenty of laughs along the way.
June 14, 2017
Its the annual chili cook-off fest when the pastor of the Beechy Grove Mennonite Church flops head first into one of the entries. It seems that someone put peanuts in the chili, an allergy most people knew the pastor had. The widow asks B & B owner Magdalena Yoder to investigate. You can never go wrong with the "Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery" series. Great characters, mysteries and always funny, particularly Magdalena herself! Includes recipes!
December 5, 2023
When the beloved Reverend Schrock falls facedown into a pot of chili at the annual chili supper cook-off Magdalena agrees to look into his death. Poor Magdalena, in her investigations, comes across information that the beloved Reverend wasn't what he seemed. With her way of blunt speaking, she uncovers many secrets that she was unaware of and shocked to find out.
July 1, 2024
The series is very really awesome.
July 30, 2010
I always, always, always enjoy Tamar Myers' Penn Dutch Inn series! This one was particularly intriguing, as it involved only the usual, local, cast of characters. And I do mean characters! This book had me laughing out loud many times. The ending on this one (for you fellow Yoder fans) will really knock your socks off!
August 27, 2022
"Assault and Pepper" by Tamar Myers. It's part of a series called Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series and like usual, quite the hoot. Magdealena is again called upon to solve a murder involving her pastor's demise and the things she uncovers in her unorthodox way makes life very interesting. I like the author's writing style and sense of humor!
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May 1, 2016Searching for something to read I came across a few Tamar Myers books. I don't usually read Amish fiction, but the description on the back of it sounded good. I am now hooked on her work! I am up to my 3rd book of hers and will be on the search for more!
December 1, 2008
Part of the light-hearted Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series.
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December 13, 2008I have been reading the Penn Dutch Mystery series - they are great books to read if you like mysteries; they are fairly clean and they make for a fun, quick read.
August 14, 2009
Very similar to the Diane Mott Davidson books (I'm not sure who came first...) The main character is likable, the story is light and readable. The recipes are definitely not as good as DMD, though.
April 11, 2012
Can't go wrong with a quick murder-mystery...
June 20, 2012
A little slow for my tastes. Magdalena was very entertaining, however!
September 8, 2012
Wow! This one was unexpected!
Read
August 26, 2012liked it
October 9, 2012
Ridiculous, of course, though with a feeling of a stride finally having been made in the direction of taking writing seriously, and some significant shakeup in the cast.
December 18, 2012
Great. Twisty and turns!
October 16, 2016
Great book!
October 9, 2015
Well, that was fucked up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews