Life is sweet for Daphne Martin right now, from her flourishing cake-decorating business to a rekindled romance with her high school boyfriend, Ben. All that’s about to change, courtesy of famously foul-mouthed celebrity chef Jordan Richards. The TV star has come to Brea Ridge, Virginia, for the town’s lavish cake competition, but he won’t be leaving under his own steam. After his first master class, Jordan is found bludgeoned with a cake stand and drowned in some very bitter batter.
Plenty of townsfolk think the curmudgeonly confectioner had it coming, but the half-baked evidence points to Daphne as a prime suspect. With Ben mulling a new job offer in Kentucky& Daphne is faced with a multilayered dilemma. She needs to somehow keep her boyfriend, win the cake competition, and sift out the real culprit . . . before the killer serves up another victim.
Series: Daphne Martin Mystery #4
Release Date: 09/24/2013
Publisher: Pocket Books
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Marie
Rating:
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Reviewer’s Thoughts
I absolutely ADORE cozy mysteries. So when I saw this one, I snagged it quickly! I didn’t care that I hadn’t read the entire series thus far, and to be honest, it didn’t matter that I hadn’t. From the very start, the characters were easy to like, the setting was perfect, and the mystery – a prime example of how to write a “whodunit” suspense.
Daphne is the heroine in the story. She’s smart, talented and juggling a lot on her plate – a baking competition, her boyfriend who’s been offered a new job in a new city, and so much more. So when she gets caught up in the murder of a famous baker, her life goes from juggling act to complete chaos! But she’s definitely the type of character who can handle such craziness.
I loved this book. I loved the characters – all of them. I loved the theme! I mean, who doesn’t LOVE cake?! Not to mention that one of my favorite parts of a food themed cozy is the recipes at the back of the book. Oh yes, they are usually always delicious! I loved the mystery itself. It kept you guessing the entire time, and the way it unfolds is genius.
Overall, I have to say that although this is my first book by Ms. Trent, I can assure you that it will not be my last. Bravo!
