Copyright: 2008Publilsher: Bell Bridge Books
Genre: Mystery
Pages:260
Challenges: None
New-to-me author? Yes
Simple Description:
Daphne Martin has just moved to town. She is trying to start her life over. She created her own cake making/decorating business and is trying to get business. Yodel Watson requested a cake, but has rejected the last two Daphne brought over. When she brings over her third attempt, she finds Yodel dead in her house.
Daphne is later asked by Yodel's daughter to return to the house and find Yodel's journal. Yodel wrote down all the gossip in their small town. Daphne finds it and can't help reading some of it herself. She soon finds out that her Mom had an affair when she was a young girl and the man's family seems to be spreading lies about Daphne and trying to ruin her business. Daphne goes in search to see if her Mom secretly had another child before she married her Dad. At the same time, she can't help trying to solve the mystery of Yodel's murder.
Why did I read this book?
I was actually contacted by the publisher and asked to read a review copy. I love cozy's, so I jumped at the chance. I'm just sorry it took me so long to actually read it.
What I liked most?
I love to bake, so I loved the cake making and decorating aspect of this book. I thought it was fun to read about the different kinds and what the character did.
Was there anything I didn't like?
I checked out the author's website to see if she has written other fiction books, but didn't have much luck. Sometimes when reading this one, I felt like this was the author's first attempt. So the writing just wasn't as good as other author's. I felt there were times when she kinda got off-track or at least put info in the story that just wasn't needed. Here's an example: "I imagined Peggy March would be outside with a bag of rock salt by the time the last snowflake hit the ground. Which reminds me, I need to buy rock salt before the weather turns colder." So you can see, it's nothing major, but we dont' need to know that she needs to by rock salt. We could have been fine without it. I feel like I'm just being too picky though. It didn't ruin the story by any means, it's just that at times things like that stuck out and I didn't feel they were necessary for the story.
Do I recommend the book?
Yes! Even though I wrote that there was something I didn't like, overall the story was really good. I do feel like what I didn't like is something you see more with new authors, so my guess would be that as the author writes more in this series, the writing will get stronger and better. That being said, I did really enjoy the story. I liked Daphne. She's been through a lot, she has issues with her Mom, but she's still trying. She's out there trying to make a new start and changing career's when she's 40. I liked some of the other secondary characters too. I also mentioned that I like the cake decorating aspect of it as well. I would love to do that for a living. So yeah, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, I think you would enjoy this book. I know there is a 2nd book in the works for this series and I'm sure I'll get it when it comes out. This story had me wanting to make lots of cakes and try my hand at decorating them! So you've been warned..... haha!
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Don't just take my word for it, get another opinion! This book has also been reviewed by:
(if you have reviewed this book, let me know and I'll link it above!)
Happy reading...and thanks for stopping by! Kris
9 comments:
Nice review. It's not being picky to notice when a book could have been better edited. And you bring up a good point about this perhaps being a debut novel -- so we can look for improvement.
Sounds like something I'd like to read.
Beth - Thanks! I'm glad you understand.
I know exactly what you mean - don't give me details I don't need.
Bermudaonion - Glad I'm not the only one!
I am glad you enjoyed Murder Takes the Cake as well, Kris. First novels can sometimes be a little rough around the edges. This is definitely a promising start.
I really want to read this but my library still hasn't gotten it and I doubt they will :( Love cozies like this though!
Literary Feline - I agree, I think this series has lots of promise.
Ladytink - I hope the library does get it in for you!
Hey :-) I thought your review was good :-)
Too funny - because I thought the authors name looked familiar- back in 2003 I was part of an anthology she published called Laughing and Learning : Adventures in Parenting. We met through a list called Momwriters. Nice to see she has gone on to write more...I will have to check it out.
Debi ( from AN2R)
Thanks Debi! From her website I could figure out that she has written some non-fiction, but couldn't find any other fiction. I'm glad to see she moved on too, since I liked this book. haha!
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