And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder: Review & Excerpt

Welcome!  Summer is the time to sit beside the pool, ocean or lake and read a relaxing book.  If you like Amish fiction, I recommend Seasons of an Amish Garden by Amy Clipston.  It contains four Amish novellas which is perfect for light reading.  The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter releases August 1.  It is the third book in The Prayer Jar series.  A Song of Joy by Lauraine Snelling will be out on August 6.  It is the fourth book in Under Northern Skies series.

These are cookies!

And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder takes readers south to Coral Cay, Florida.  Kate McGuire lost her job, apartment and dumped her fiancé all on the same day.  She decided a fresh start was in order.  Kate finds herself in Coral Cay without a place to live, without a job and a dead car.  But the locals are friendly, the days are sunny, the beach is at her doorstep and a Help Wanted sign in the window of The Cookie House.  Kate is a graduate of the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) and her superpower is the ability to tell what type of cookie a person will enjoy.  Unfortunately, Sam Hepplewhite, the owner of The Cookie House, refuses to sell anything except bread and rolls (he is known for his amazing sourdough bread).  Kate manages to get hired as a salesclerk and finagles a place to live above the shop.  That night someone breaks into the shop, but nothing is stolen.  Stewart Lord, a slimy real estate developer, enters the shop the next day.  He wants to buy The Cookie House and Sam refuses to sell.  Stewart Lord insists on getting one of Sam’s cinnamon rolls that he made for himself.  A little while later, Stewart Lord turns up dead and Sam is arrested for murdering him.  Sam may be a little crusty, but he would not murder someone.  Kate, with help from Maxi and the Coral Cay Irregulars, sets out to identify Stewart Lord’s killer.  Can they accomplish the task in time, or will Sam end up baking bread in the big house?

And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder is the first novel in A Cookie House Mystery series.  I like the authors casual writing style which made the book easy to read. Kate McGuire has a bad day when the restaurant where she works goes out of business, her apartment building is sold and going condo, and she broke off her engagement to a cheating louse.  Kate relocates to Coral Cay and gets a non-baking position at The Cookie House.  When her new boss is accused of murder, Kate works to prove his innocence.  I like that Kate is a strong, independent character.  Her new best friend, Maxi Mas-Buchanan is a delight along with her large family.  She is a florist who works magic with blooms.  There is a cast of secondary characters that enliven the story and help in solving the case.  Oliver is a large, friendly puppy that belongs to the town.  The mystery was clever.  It was a unique whodunit which I just loved.  It can be solved before the reveal thanks to the clues sprinkled throughout the story.  I like how Maxi and Kate work together and get help from the other townspeople.  I hope the author keeps providing unique mysteries in future installments of A Cookie House Mystery series.  I did feel, though, that the book was too long (352 pages).  Fifty pages could have easily been edited which would have enhanced the book (tightened it up) and improved the sluggish pace in the middle of And Then There Were Crumbs.  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful new cozy mystery.  There were humorous situations, tasty cookies, tempting sourdough bread (yum) and jovial moments.  I was tickled pink that there was not a hint of a romance for Kate.  One of my favorite lines from the book is “I can’t believe I have my very own kitchen elf.  Look out Harry Potter.”  And Then There Were Crumbs is a tempting cozy mystery with appetizing pastries, a cozy southern Florida town, Francine the sourdough starter, a clever canine, and two nosey busybodies.  

To read an excerpt from And Then There Were Crumbs, click here.  And Then There Were Crumbs will be out on Tuesday, July 30 and it can be pre-ordered on Amazon. The next book in A Cookie House Mystery series is Sugar and Vice.  I will be sharing my review of Telegrams and Teacakes by Amy Miller tomorrow.  I hope you have a lovely day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader