Trick or Deadly Treat:
A Fresh-Baked Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Setting – Texas
9th in Series
An Obsidian Mystery (Reprint Edition) (October 6, 2015)
Published by New American Library
An Imprint of Penguin Random House
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451416704
Trade Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451416698
E-Book ASIN: B00INIXQRA
It’s Halloween in Weatherford, Texas—which means Phyllis Newsom is baking up a storm of yummy seasonal treats…but she’s about to get even busier unmasking a killer…
While Phyllis and her friend Carolyn are preparing for a baking contest, her housemate Sam adopts Buck, an adorable Dalmatian who was hit by a car. To thank local veterinarian Hank Baxter for helping the dog, Phyllis and Carolyn bake a batch of doggie treats for his other four-legged patients.
But when they arrive at the clinic, the vet is in the process of being arrested—for the murder of his wife! Convinced that the police are barking up the wrong tree and that someone’s been burying evidence, Sam begs Phyllis to help find the real killer. Joined by Buck, the friends engage in a dogged pursuit of the murderer, who will stop at nothing to muzzle them…permanently.
INCLUDES RECIPES!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this 9th Fresh Baked Mystery the tables are turned a bit as Sam is the one leading the investigation. Sam met Dr. Hank Baxter when he rescued a wonderful dalmatian after it had been hit by a car. The vet takes such good car of the dog, who Sam has named Buck, that when Hank is arrested Sam feels the great need to help him. Sam seems to hit one brick wall after another so Phyllis agrees to help him out. Carolyn and Phyllis are trying to win another cooking contest for a national magazine. They have a personal competition to see who can make the best doggie treats too. Eve is in the background of this story so all the roommates are accounted for. Let the fun begin!
Okay let’s get it out of the way. Hank Baxter’s wife was a first class snob and I instantly disliked her so when she ended up dead I was not surprised. What truly surprised was the way the mystery played out. We know the spouse it always the first suspect and the police are usually wrong on that assumption. Ms. Washburn took us through many twists and turns on the highways through Texas and in finding the actual killer as well.
Phyllis, Carolyn, Eve and Sam are a very engaging group of characters. They all live together and muddle through day to day life but trouble just seems to follow them. They appear to be unflappable most of the time. Phyllis and Sam are smart and have a very methodical way of investigating. Sam was on the right track he just needed to be able to talk things through with Phyllis to go forward. The dialogue between the characters is top-notch. I love that they have added a dog to their little family.
Livia J. Washburn has penned a delightful story. This is a perfect book to curl up on these cool Autumn nights especially with Halloween just a week away.
This was a reprint of a story released last year. Livia has a brand new story coming November 3. The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer 
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This was an interesting and informative post. Thanks for reintroducing me to this series and author. I had read an earlier book but lost track of the series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Trick or Deadly Treat sounds like a book I will enjoy reading because there is just something extra special about a Halloween themed cozy. I adore the cover art! Too cute. 🙂
Sounds good to me.
A great sounding book for the season of Halloween. I’ve read other in this series and am sure I will enjoy this one too. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of it. robeader53@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds like a great read and a new author for me.
This is a fun series, thank you for the chance to win the newest book in the series
Sounds like a good read … Ms. Washburn is a new author for me.
Looks like Great Cozy Mystery.
Cute cover. Sounds like a good book.
Sue B
Thanks for the review and the opportunity to win! It sounds fun!
Aaw. This sounds o sweet and fun. Just look at the little doggie too:) Yeah for me. Another cozy author and books!
A perfectly warm cover picture for a fall cozy mystery. I was not aware of this series before, so now I will be taking a look at it. Thank you.