Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay

 Booking for Trouble

Book Summary

It’s all hands on deck when a dead body is found near the small town of Briar Creek in this Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Merry Little Murder Plot.

Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

My Thoughts

Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful tale.  I always enjoy visiting Briar Creek, Connecticut and checking in with the crafternoon club.  I just love Beth’s creative story time costumes. I do not understand why people think libraries are not essential.  Lindsey has a fight on her hands and comes up with a clever idea.  To provide library books to the various islands near Briar Creek, Lindsey acquires funding for a book boat.  

Book Boat

I just knew they were going to come across a dead body (it was inevitable).  Lindsey dives into the case with help from her friends and family.  It was great to catch up with Lindsay, Sully, Beth, and the other characters.  Robbie provided some amusing moments (he is quite a character).  While Booking for Trouble is the sixteenth A Library Lover’s Mystery, it can be read as a standalone.  The background information needed is provided.  Booking for Trouble is an entertaining tale with  budget cuts, a book boat, feuding families, snobbish country clubbers, coming across a corpse, and designer duds. 

Booking for Trouble can be obtained from Amazon*.  Check out the other novels in A Libary Lover's Mysteries. You may follow Jenn McKinlay on Amazon to receive notifications regarding her upcoming book releases.  Thank you for joining me today.  On Tuesday, March 10, I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for Death at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs.  It is the 30th A Tea Shop Mystery.  This is one of the two series that got me hooked on cozy mysteries.  May you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

 

Fondant Fumble by Jenn McKinlay

 Fondant Fumble

Book Summary

The Fairy Tale Cupcakes crew helps two professional football players in knead when the athletes are suspected of murder and their dream of opening a bakery is crushed.  

Professional football players Keogh Graham and Tyler Matthews want to open a Fairy Tale Cupcakes franchise. They’re spending the off-season in Scottsdale working in Mel’s bakery, learning about the business and how to bake show-stopping cupcakes. The popular athletes bring a boom of customers to the store as football fans flock to see the friends mixing batter and piping icing.

Everyone’s excited the athletes are pursuing their dream of owning a bakery—except for those who fear the players will ditch football for fondant and retire early from professional sports. The angry naysayers include their team owner and Keogh's sports agent, along with some very vocal fans.

When the owner of their team, the Arizona Scorpions, is found dead on the floor of their new bakery following an argument with Keogh, the pros become prime suspects. As the investigation heats up, Mel and the rest of the cupcake bakery crew must step up and prove their franchise owners are innocent before it’s game-over for the new bakers.

My Thoughts

Fondant Fumble by Jenn McKinlay has Mel and Angle helping two professional football players open a franchise of Fairy Tale Cupcakes.  What trouble could two handsome, well-known football players be?  I liked the unique concept. Jenn McKinlay manages to be descriptive without being overly detailed.  I could envision the big football players in the bakery kitchen wearing Fairy Tale Cupcake aprons and holding an icing bag in their large hands (in the case of one player, a cupcake or two that were being quickly devoured).  It was great to catch up with Mel, Angie, Tate, Joe, Marty, Oz, and the DeLaura brothers.  Ray continues to surprise me.  Mel is a friendly, relatable character.  The mystery was entertaining.  I had an inkling as to the identity of the guilty party early on, but I needed confirmation.  I joined Mel as she set out to prove Keough’s innocence by asking questions and following the sprinkling of clues.  The reveal made sure I was not left with any lingering questions.  

There is happy news at the end for Mel and Joe.  I love the humor dotted throughout the story.  The scrumptious cupcake descriptions will have you heading for your nearest bakery.  Fondant Fumble is the sixteenth A Cupcake Bakery Mystery and it can be read as a standalone.  The author provides the necessary background details for new readers. Mel fangirling over the new franchise owners (she loves her husband, but a girl can ogle the eye candy) was cute.  Fondant Fumble is a sweet treat with delectable cupcakes, football franchisees, a difficult fan, vanilla vomitus, window repairs, and a jovial family.  

Fondant Fumble is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Cupcake Bakery Mysteries here.  Check out Jenn McKinlay's other novels especially her A Library Lover's Mysteries.  Thank you for dropping by today.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard tomorrow.  It is the third book in the Missing in Alaska series.  I'm sorry that my links are still looking wonky.  Blogger has yet to fix the problem (we cannot change the color of links and it is duplicating the links--some funky things are happening).  I hope they fix the problem soon.  I am off to contact HP regarding my main computer (thankfully, I have a warranty).  It decided to die the other day.  The battery went down, down, and then it was dead.  I am glad that I purchased the three year warranty (two year and I would have been out of luck).  My back up computer is not a looker (my cat used her nails to pull up a couple of keys), but it gets the job done.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris 

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay

 Fatal Fascinator

Book Summary

Hip hip beret! Hatmakers Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont return and must collar a killer when a castle wedding goes awry in New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay’s new Hat Shop Mystery.

It’s wedding season and Viv’s longtime frenemy Piper May is getting married. She convinces Viv and Scarlett to take on the job of designing the headpieces for her “wedding of the year.” The well-to-do bride and her entourage are delighted to have Viv and Scarlett as their famous hat designer guests, but the hat-making pair are really just looking forward to a getaway at a castle in Sussex. It is to be a weekend full of events, culminating in the big ceremony.  

Unfortunately, on the first night of the festivities, the groom is found murdered, and the joyous holiday becomes the stuff of nightmares as no one is allowed to leave the castle until the investigation is complete. Although Scarlett assures Harrison Wentworth, her fiancé, that she and Viv will stay out of harm’s way, circumstances force them to step in when a secret affair between the deceased groom and a bridesmaid comes to light, and the murderer takes another life. Scarlett and Viv vow to unveil the killer’s identity before the wedding adds another to its death toll.

My Thoughts

Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful story.  I am pleased to see the return of A Hat Shop Mysteries.  Scarlett Parker and her cousin, Vivian Tremont are back.  Viv agrees to make the bridesmaid’s hats for Piper May’s upcoming wedding.  Scarlett convinces Viv to attend the event which will give them a weekend in the country.  Unfortunately, their relaxing weekend goes awry when the groom is found dead.  The lead detective declares that no one can leave while the crime is being investigated.  Scarlett, of course, cannot resist digging into the case.  She gets help from Viv and her dashing fiancé, Harrison Wentworth.  Can the trio discover the killer’s identity before he strikes again?  

Fatal Fascinator is a fun story to read.  I love the characters, especially Scarlett.  She is a lively woman.  Scarlett is engaged to Harrison and has a darling puppy.  Things are never dull when Scarlett is around.  Vivian is a fashionista who is more reserved than her American cousin.  Harrison is a sweet guy who loves Scarlett.  The mystery was interesting, but it a little weak.  The murder of the fiancé occurs around the halfway mark.  I wish it had happened sooner.  By the time the whodunit happens, I knew who and how.  I had an inkling as to the why.  I am hoping the author will up her game in the next A Hat Shop Mystery.  Fatal Fascinator is the seventh A Hat Shop Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  I do recommend reading all the books in this engaging series.  There is humor throughout the story.  Scarlett manages to get herself in the oddest predicaments.  Fatal Fascinator is a diverting tale with an unbending bride, a precious puppy, superfluous luggage, a lifeless fiancé, a determined detective, fashionable fascinators, and a wedding date debate.

Fatal Fascinator is available from Amazon*.  The other books in A Hat Shop Mysteries can be found here.  You can find Jenn McKinlay's other delightful books here.  If you follow Jenn McKinlay on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for taking time out of your day to join me.  I will return on Tuesday, January 10 with Dial M for Meow by Ruth J. Hartman.  It is the debut of the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Strawberried Alive by Jenn McKinlay

 Strawberried Alive

Book Summary

The crew from the Fairy Tale Cupcakes shop risks getting burned when they set out to find a murderer who is terrorizing their town

 

Life is smooth as buttercream at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery, and newlyweds Mel and Joe are stopping to smell the flours. But things start to crumble one night when an unknown gunman takes a shot at Mel. Though the bullets miss their mark, the cupcake crew goes on high alert to figure out who would want to kill a small-town baker, and why.

 

When more business owners are attacked, things turn fatal, and locals begin to wonder if the killer could be one of their own. Every shop owner in town starts to fear it’s only a matter of time before they too become victims of the mystery murderer. Despite the cupcake crew's superb baking skills, it will be anything but a piece of cake to catch the killer, as they try to prevent anyone else from being berried.

My Thoughts

Angie, Mel, Tate, Joe, and the gang are back for another adventure.  Angie is busy with her six-month-old daughter which leaves Mel handling Fairy Tale Cupcakes.  She has a bridezilla customer who changed the color of her bridesmaid dresses at the last minute which she failed to report to Mel.  It means an all-nighter redoing three hundred cupcakes.  When Mel finally leaves the bakery to head home, someone begins shooting at her.  Uncle Stan, Joe, and her new brother-in-law’s close ranks to keep Mel safe.  Joe even hires a bodyguard to protect her.  One Old Town owner leads the charge to get Fairy Tale Cupcakes booted out claiming they are the cause of the trouble in Old Town.  The shooter is not done and attacks other shop owners in the area.  Mel with cupcakes in hand does a little sleuthing when she can slip away from her guards.  Mel begins sifting through the clues and arrives at a bitter answer.  They will need to act quickly if they are going to catch the culprit before they take a powder.

Strawberried Alive is a delicious tale. I always enjoy my visits with these fun characters.  I thought Strawberried Alive was well-written with developed characters.  They have come a long way since the beginning.  There is plenty of humor in this story.  I laughed so often while reading Strawberried Alive.  The DeLaura brothers are a hoot, especially Ray.   Dwight and Marty with their bickering was entertaining.  I loved the descriptions of Old Town with its charming shops.  Jenn McKinlay brought the area alive with her word imagery.  I especially enjoyed reading about Naomi’s Natural Soap.  The various scents would have sent my allergies into overdrive, but I love handmade soap.  I am especially intrigued with the vanilla and chocolate soap inspired by a cupcake.  Strawberried Alive is a mystery driven tale.  I just love the whodunit.  It was well-plotted and complex.  The reveal was complete, and I like how humor was incorporated into it.  The cupcake descriptions will have your mouth watering.  I find it amusing that whenever there is a traumatic incident (or a joyful one), they all troop to the bakery for a cupcake fix.  It is a good thing that the DeLaura brothers do not hang out there too often or the bakery would be in the red.  Strawberried Alive by Jenn McKinlay is the fourteenth A Cupcake Bakery Mystery.  While Strawberried Alive can be read as a standalone, you will be missing out on the background of the characters and the relationships (who is related to whom and how).  This series just keeps getting better.  I hope there will be many more tales in A Cupcake Bakery Mysteries.  There are recipes for the cupcakes and their frostings at the end of the book.  There is also a preview for The Plot and the Pendulum which is the next A Library Lover’s Mystery which comes out in the fall.  Strawberried Alive is tasty treat with a troublous bridezilla, scrumptious cupcakes, bothersome brothers, an annoying uncle, a beloved baby, a mystifying murder, a puzzling petition, and a curious crime.

Strawberry Cupcake Soap

Strawberried Alive is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Cupcake Bakery Mysteries here.  Jenn McKinlay's next book release is The Plot and the Pendulum which comes out October 11.  It is the thirteenth A Library Lover's Mystery.  You can follow Jenn McKinlay on Amazon so you will be notified when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with Summer Love by Nancy Thayer.   I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay

 For Batter or Worse

Book Summary

For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay has Mel and Joe finalizing the plans on their upcoming nuptials.  Oz Ruiz is preparing the cupcakes for the reception which is being held at the posh Sun Dial Resort where he works his magic as the master pastry chef.  Things are not rosy at the resort thanks to the bullying chef de cuisine.  Joe, Angie, and Mel observe a scorching row between the two men while sampling Oz’s sweet creations.  After meeting with the wedding coordinator at the resort, Joe and Mel decide to stop by Oz’s kitchen and see if he has any more cupcakes.  They find Oz crouching over the chef de cuisine’s body with blood on his hands.  Uncle Stan arrives and, unfortunately, must put Oz at the top of the suspect list.  Mel is not about to let Oz take the fall for a crime he did not commit.  Mel, Angie, Joe, Tate, Marty, and the DeLaura brothers sift through the clues and subtlety question suspects.  They need to work quickly so they can clear Oz before the wedding day.  Can the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew find the guilty party before Mel and Joe say I do?

My Thoughts

For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay is the 13^th A Cupcake Bakery Mystery.  This is a sweet addition to a scrumptious series.  It is finally time for Joe and Mel’s wedding (hooray), but a murder may put a crimp in the big day.  I thought For Batter or Worse was well-written with developed characters and it moved along at quick pace.  I love the snappy dialogue between the characters.  I find the movie quotes (the game they play) delightful.  I have enjoyed following Mel and Angie since the beginning of this scrummy series.  There is a delightful cast of characters that includes Angie, Mel, Tate, Joe, Oz, and Marty.  The DeLaura brothers are a hoot.  I laughed often while reading about their antics.  Marty is another humorous character.  The detailed descriptions of the cupcakes will have you salivating and heading for the closest bakery.  The mystery is well-plotted with several suspects, misdirection, and a tantalizing twist.  I had fun solving this zestful whodunit.  I like the romance between Uncle Stan and Mel’s mother, Joyce.  I wonder if wedding bells are in their future.  There are some special moments in this story.  I just loved the ending.  If you are new to the series, I would not recommend starting with For Batter or Worse.  A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series is one I highly recommend reading in order.  For Batter or Worse has lovable characters, laugh out-loud humor, scrumptious cupcakes, and an enticing mystery.  This is one cozy mystery you do not want to miss.  For Batter or Worse is a tasty tale with delectable delights, marriage arrangements, a pregnant partner, a frantic friend, bothersome and brilliant brothers, and an exultant ending.

For Batter or Worse can be purchased from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series here.  Jenn McKinlay also writes A Library Lover's Mystery series.  Killer Research is the 12th novel in the series and it publishes November 2.  She also writes A Hat Shop Mystery series set in England (it is delightful).  Ms. McKinlay has Wait for It releasing August 10 (a contemporary romance).  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Death Gone A-Rye by Winnie Archer.  It is 6th A Bread Shop Mystery.  I hope that you have a sweet day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay

Book Summary

One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay has Lindsey Norris and Mike “Sully” Sullivan making the final preparations for the wedding that will be in one week.  While visiting the bakery, Brendan mentions that the cake they ordered will not accommodate the number of people attending.  Lindsey and Sully are confused because their wedding is going to be intimate.  They soon discover that their nuptials will be attended by three times as many people as they expected.  Sully, Lindsey, Nancy, and Violet head to Bell Island to see if they can accommodate their increased guest list.  While admiring the view, Lindsey notices a body on the beach.  It turns out to be Sully’s friend and their officiant.  Lindsey wants the case resolved before she says I do.  In between working at the library, finalizing wedding plans, and looking for a new officiant, Lindsey does a little subtle sleuthing.  Lindsey needs to hope the killer does not catch on or the wedding will be missing more than an officiant.  

My Thoughts

One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay strikes all the right notes.  It is the 11^th A Library Lover’s Mystery which can be read as a standalone, but you will be missing out on a delightful literary cozy mystery series.  Jenn McKinlay has created a wonderful cast of characters.  Lindsey Norris is the head librarian at Briar Creek Public Library where she works with her best friend, Beth Barker.  Ms. Cole still works there as well, and she has decided to run for mayor.  Ms. Cole has been given some tips to help with her campaign, and I was amazed at the change.  She has certainly come a long way since Books Can Be Deceiving as have all the characters. Lindsey and Sully are having a winter wedding on Bell Island where Sully’s parents reside.  They have planned a gathering of family and close friends.  It appears, though, that many others are planning to attend.  This sends Lindsey into panic mode.  Then their officiant is murdered.  I enjoyed reading One for the Books. I just love cozy mysteries set during the holiday season.  This one also has a special wedding.  The mystery was entertaining.   Secrets always come out during a murder investigation.  Chief Emma Plewicki has her hands full with this one.  Solving it is a cinch, but that did not hinder my reading pleasure.  The reveal scene is a doozy.  It was spectacular.  I appreciate that all the details were wrapped on the case.  One for the Books is an amusing tale.  There is humor from beginning to end that will have you laughing.  I especially enjoyed the literary references throughout the book along with unique details regarding Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I did not want One for the Books to end. Now we must wait a year for the next A Library’sLover Mystery.  I am curious to see how Ms. Cole will do in the mayoral election.  There is a reader’s guide for A Christmas Carol, a crafternoon craft, and recipes for two items from the book.  One for the Books is a diverting cozy mystery with a body on the beach, deficient an officiant, scavenger hunt chaos, wedding worries, theatrical histrionics, boat bedlam, and Christmas cheer.

One for the Books is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other ten books in A Library Lover's Mystery series here.  Jenn McKinlay also writes A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series and A Hat Shop Mystery series.  Both are wonderful cozy mystery series. Thank you for stopping by today. Tomorrow I am sharing The Book of Hidden Wonders by Polly Crosby.  I hope you have a safe day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay

Welcome!  It is hard to believe that it is the last day of April.  Their Mountain Reunion by Patricia Johns releases on May 1 (digital version).  It is the first book in The Second Chance Club series.  The Farm Stand by Amy Clipston comes out May 5 along with The Trustworthy One by Shelley Shepard Gray.  If you are looking for a crime thriller, check out Killing Mind by Angela Marsons.  It is the 12th novel in a DI Kim Stone series.  

My Summary

Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay has Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura, the owners of Fairy Tale Cupcakes, preparing cupcakes for the upcoming exhibit at Desert Winds Gallery for glass artist, Rene Fischer-Klein.  Rene’s husband, Peter stops by every Friday to pick up cupcakes for his wife.  When he stops by later that day, Peter tells Melanie that Rene has not been herself lately and he is worried about her.  When Melanie sees Rene for their appointment, she agrees with Peter.  Rene even accuses Melanie of coveting her husband, Peter.  Melanie leaves her a 4-pack of pumpkin spice cupcakes and quickly departs.  Unfortunately, Rene dies before her exhibit and Melanie finds herself on the suspect list.  Melanie needs to tread carefully while investigating Rene’s death because the local chief of police seems to have it out for her.  Can Melanie find the culprit before business at the bakery is affected?  

Dale Chihuly--Chandelier--Canals of Venice

My Thoughts

Pumpkin Spice Peril is the 12^th A Cupcake Bakery Mystery.  Each book can be read on its own, but you will be missing out on some delightful stories.  I thought Pumpkin Spice Peril was well-written with developed characters.   Angie Harper and Melanie Cooper have come a long way since Sprinkle with Murder.  Angie is married to Tate and they are trying to conceive.  Joe DeLaura and Melanie are engaged, and they are looking forward to their nuptials.  Marty enjoys his job at the bakery and is dating the bakeries  rival, Olivia.  Oz has perfected his baking prowess and is a valuable member of their team.  I enjoy the descriptions of Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona and the creative people who work in the area.  The book is filled with activity.  Angie learns some surprising news which has her protective brothers (seven of them) rushing to the bakery. It also has Melanie on her own in this investigation.  The local police chief wonders how Melanie keeps stumbling over dead bodies.  He intends to have a formal investigation launched into all the past cases that Melanie was involved in.  Uncle Stan can only do so much to protect Melanie.  One of the DeLaura brother’s is dating and he is keeping the ladies name to himself.  You know the family is going to find out.  We also get to learn more about the most secretive DeLaura brother.  Oz gets a new haircut, has mysterious appointments and is wearing a suit.  Melanie gives Oz his privacy, but she has an idea what is behind the sudden changes.  The mystery of who poisoned Rene has several suspects including her husband and a rival glass artist.  One clue will give you the answer if you pay close attention to the details.  I love the movie quotes that the group use.  I like the quirkiness it adds to the story.  I enjoyed the word imagery of the beautiful glass sculpture.  It sounded amazing.  Plenty of cupcakes are consumed in this tale.  Melanie needs to keep up her strength and deal with all the drama.  One situation calls for a cupcake in each hand.  There are recipes at the end for the yummy creations.  Pumpkin Spice Peril is an engaging cozy mystery with tempting treats, a glorious glass creation, a perilous poison, a remarkable remake, busy brothers, and an amazing announcement.  

Pumpkin Spice Peril is available from Amazon* along with the eleven books in A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series.  Jenn McKinlay also writes A Hat Shop Mystery series (fun series set in London) and A Library Lover's Mystery series.  Jenn McKinlay's next release is the 11th A Library Lover's Mystery titled One for the Books which releases September 1.  To see more of Dale Chihuly's art installations, click here (they are gorgeous). I will be featuring Best Behavior by Wendy Francis tomorrow.  It is a family drama with a modern family going through a tense seventy-two hours celebrating the twins college graduation.  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay

Good Day!  The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli comes out February 4 along with Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green and The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck.  Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke becomes available on February 25.  So many books and not enough time to get them all read.  

Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay has Scarlett Parker enthralled with her fiancé, Harrison Wentworth and looking forward to their wedding in the summer.  Harry enters Mim’s Whims with his Aunt Betty and her Pembroke Welsh corgi, Freddy.  They are entering the PAWS (Pets and Wellness Society) annual charity dog show and Aunt Betty is determined to win this year.  The adorable Freddy has lost the last three years to Richard Freestone and his English bulldog, Muffin.  Aunt Betty wants an edge and requests that Vivian Tremont, Scarlett’s cousin and co-owner of Mim’s Whims, create a special hat for Freddy.  Vivian reluctantly agrees and creates matching chapeaus for Aunt Betty.  At the PAWS cocktail party, the night before the competition begins, Aunt Betty gets into an altercation with the shows main sponsor, Gerry Swendson over the quality of his pet food.  The next day finds Aunt Betty barred from the competition and Scarlett trotting Freddy around the agility course in her stead.  Freddy does an amazing job and then dives under a table to return with a show in his mouth.  Scarlett peers under the cloth to find Gerry Swendson dead.  Aunt Betty becomes the prime suspect which has Scarlett scurrying to find clues.  Can Scarlett lead Detective Inspector Bronson to the killer?

Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay is the sixth novel in A Hat Shop Mystery.  I love A Hat Shop Mystery series with its quirky characters and English setting.  Scarlett Parker and her cousin Vivian Tremont own Min’s Whims in Notting Hill on Portobello Road.  Vivian creates the hats with the aid of her assistant, Fee Felton while Scarlett deals with customers and publicity.  Scarlett is recently engaged to Harrison “Harry” Wentworth and she is viewing the world through love colored glasses.  Harry’s Aunt Betty along with her corgi, Freddy are entering the annual PAWS charity dog show and she wants to win this year.  Aunt Betty asks Vivian to create a hat for Freddy.  Aunt Betty is upset with the shows sponsor, Gerry Swenson over the quality of his dog food because it made Freddy sick last year.  After a run in with Gerry at the kickoff cocktail party for PAWS, Aunt Betty finds her paperwork “misplaced” for the competition.  Vivian enters Scarlett as Freddy’s handler much to Scarlett’s dismay.  Things go from bad to worse when Gerry is found dead next to the agility course by Freddy.  One person is quick to point the blame at Aunt Betty.  Scarlett begins listening in on conversations and searching for suspects so she can clear Aunt Betty of any wrongdoing.  I found Buried to the Brim to be a delightful book to read.  It can be read on its own if you have not read the other five books in A Hat Shop Mystery series.  It contains good writing and the story moves along as fast as Freddy on the agility course.  Scarlett is a fun character.  I like that she is an American in England.   There are fabulous British expressions.  I enjoyed the puns even Scarlett’s who seem to miss the mark.  There is plenty of tea along with various food items to keep the group up to snuff (must keep up their strength).  It was interesting to learn more about the game of rugby.  The explanations were easy to understand.  The mystery had several suspects with good clues.  It depends on your sleuthing level on whether you solve it completely or are surprised when Scarlett has a Miss Fletcher moment.  I loved the hat descriptions including the adorable ones made for Freddy.  Bella, a rescued corgi, was an loveable addition.  I look forward to the next A Hat Shop Mystery featuring Scarlett, Vivian, Fee, Harry and their friends.  I am hoping for a wedding with a gorgeous headpiece for Scarlett.  Buried to the Brim is an irresistible cozy mystery with pitiful puns, cute corgis, a succumbed sponsor, charming chapeaus, and a gobsmacked gumshoe.

Buried to the Brim can be purchased here*.  You can find the other five novels in A Hat Shop Mystery series (from Cloche and Dagger to Assault and Beret) here.  Thank you for dropping in.  I appreciate you taking the time to read my book reviews.  Tomorrow I am participating in the Celebrate Lit Tour for Hannah's Courage by Molly Jebber.  The third book in The Amish Charm Bakery series.  I hope that you have a day filled with happiness.  Joy is good for the soul.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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