W3 Book Club-"Murder on a Stick" by SL Smith

Written and compiled by Teri E. Popp and Laura Chin, Tastemakers in Residence

What better way to celebrate all the best things about summer than to attend the Minnesota State Fair!  And, as all Minnesotans well know, everything at the fair comes on a stick--from hot dogs, to corn-on-the-cob, to beer!!  It's all available.

For W3 Book Club's summertime read, and to honor our Minnesota State Fair roots, our host chose S.L. Smith's "Murder on a Stick."  After 34 years of working with law enforcement and fire officials at all levels of government in Minnesota, Smith decided to start writing crime novels starring Pete Culnane as her chief protagonist.  "Murder on a Stick" is the third book in that series.

Our hostess took the theme very seriously serving typical state fair fare, including:

Cheese and Crackers
Watermelon Skewers
Minnesota State Fair Cheese Curds with Dip
Vegetables and Dip
Chips and Salsa
Pronto Pups (a.k.a. Corn Dogs)
Sir Kensington's Condiments
Grilled Corn on a Stick
Fresh Garden Grown Lettuce Salad
Grilled Chicken on a Stick
Sweet Martha's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dippin' Dots
Funnel Cake with Strawberry Sauce
Virginia Green
Bootlegs (not served at the Fair, but all the ladies like this drink and it is a typical summertime drink in Minnesota)

All of the guests finished the evening playing lawn games, enjoying our host's gorgeous gardens, relaxing in the spa, and discussing the book!