Sugar Plum Poisoned by Jenn McKinlay

 Sugar Plum Poisoned

Book Summary

It’s Christmastime, and this holiday season, things are heating up for the bakers at Fairy Tale Cupcakes, in the newest Cupcake Bakery Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

When up-and-coming singing sensation Shelby Vaughn arrives in town for two weeks of concert dates, she hires her old friend Angie and the rest of the bakery crew to supply cupcakes for the VIP guest lounge every night.

After overhearing Shelby in a heated argument with her manager, Mel is concerned, but she and the crew decide to make the best of their time working with the star. Just as the bakers fall into the rhythm of the job, Shelby’s manager is found dead, clutching a bit of fabric from a Santa suit and a cupcake. With the bakery crew and Shelby’s backup dancers all dressed in similar Santa costumes, it’s impossible to say who is the killer. When all suspicions lead back to Shelby, Mel and Angie stand up for their friend, determined to prove her innocence before she’s frosted for a crime she didn’t commit.

My Thoughts

Sugar Plum Poisoned by Jenn McKinlay takes us to Fairy Tale Cupcakes where Mel, Angie, and the gang are getting ready for the holidays.  I always enjoy my visits with the bakery crew.  A blast from Angie’s past, Shelby Vaughn is in town to perform Christmas concerts and she wants Fairy Tale Cupcakes to provide holiday cupcakes for the VIP guest lounge.  The descriptions of holiday cupcakes will have your mouth watering.  Unfortunately, Shelby has a controlling manager that brings out the mama bear in Angie.  When the manager ends up dead, Shelby ends up a suspect.  Mel and Angie don their sleuthing caps so they can solve the crime before Santa rides into town.  I was able to solve the whodunit early in the book.  I did enjoy following the duo as they asked questions and searched for clues.  I kept hoping, though, that there would be a twist (something unexpected to surprise me).  The crime is wrapped up in time for everyone to have a happy holiday.

Sugar Plum Cupcake

I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story.  I had no idea that Marty knew how to twerk, and Ray should never be allowed near the Christmas decorations.  Of course, they should have known better to involve Ray.  We only get to see a smidgen of Oz.  I miss him being in the bakery.  There is some repetition (preparing the cupcakes, the VIP lounge each night, details regarding Shelby as well as her former manager and the dead manager’s ex-wife).  Of course, it would not be A Cupcake Bakery Mystery without movie quotes from Mel, Angie, and Tate.  I felt bad for Mel who is going to host Christmas dinner for the family for the first time.  I believe Mel understood by the end of Christmas day why her mother was willing to give up the hosting duties.   Sugar Plum Poisoned is the fifteenth A Cupcake Bakery Mystery.  The author provides enough background information that it can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  Sugar Plum Poisoned is a sweet treat with a sociable singer, a manipulating manager, killer cupcakes, a swaying Santa, a decoration dilemma, a burgeoning dinner, and Christmas cheer.  

Sugar Plum Poisoned is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Cupcake Bakery Mysteries here.  The sixteenth A Cupcake Bakery Mystery is Fondant Fumble which will be out on June 4, 2024.  You can find Jenn McKinlay's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Baking Spirits Bright by Sarah Fox. It is the second book in A True Confections Mysteries.  I am almost done with the Halloween display in my front yard.  I am just waiting for one last item to arrive.  I will share pictures once it is complete.  The cemetery is hopping as everyone joins in for a night of musical entertainment.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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