Peppermint Cream Die
About Peppermint Cream Die
Peppermint Cream Die (The HSP Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series Publisher: Camel Press (October 13, 2020)
Kayla Jeffries, home bakery owner and HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), has arranged her life just so to avoid stressful overstimulation. The California oceanside community in which she lives proves the perfect venue for the quiet and peaceful existence she desires. She happily spends her time baking, walking along the beach, and spending time with her close friends.
But when Kayla discovers her elderly friend Trudy Dillingham has been strangled, she vows to do anything she must to help bring the killer to justice, including overcoming the stress and sensory overload involved in playing amateur detective. Using her HSP talents of attention to detail and ability to read other people's emotions, Kayla eventually cracks the case, all the while juggling two cats and a dog, non-stop orders for the Christmas holidays, and a budding relationship with handsome restaurateur Jason Banks.
About Carol E. Ayer
Carol Ayer, a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), lives halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento with her cat, Rainn. When she’s not writing, she’s reading mysteries and thrillers or watching movies and cooking shows. As a native Californian, she visits the ocean as often as possible.
Author Links
My Thoughts
Peppermint Cream Die by Carol Ayer has Kayla Jeffries investigating the death of her friend, Trudy when not baking
up tasty treats for her clients. It is a
challenge for Kayla who is an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), but she is
determined to get justice. The killer
believes Kayla has something he wants. He
will do what it takes to recover it and tie up loose ends. Peppermint Cream Die introduces us to Kayla
Jeffries who recently moved to Seaside Shores in California where she has
started Kayla’s Home Baked Goods in her cozy cottage. She bakes up delicious treats for her clients
and friends. We get to learn about HSP
and how it affects Kayla. We see how
loud noises affect her along with stressful situations. I had not heard of this condition before nor
have I seen it in a cozy mystery prior to this.
I found Peppermint Cream Die easy to read. I would have liked more time devoted to
character development so I could learn more about Kayla. Kayla finds Trudy dead in her home which devastates
her. She becomes determined to find out
who harmed her friend. Kayla talks to
various people, overhears some promising clues, and keeps detailed notes. Kayla shares information with her best
friend, Isabella who is dating the investigating officer (allows her to get
some helpful intel for Kayla). I liked
the action in the story that helped propel the story forward toward the
suspenseful reveal. Kayla begins dating Jason
and they spend quite a bit of time together.
Their romance is prominent in the story along with Kayla’s baking. I would have preferred the mystery be at the
forefront. The ending is sweet and left me smiling. Peppermint Cream Die is a charming cozy
mystery with a bevy of baking, a cute cat, scrumptious peppermint pie, a steady
suitor, a bellicose killer, and a Merry Christmas.
Kris
The Avid Reader
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Thank you so very much for the nice review!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Oh, my gosh, I love the photos you've used.
ReplyDelete