The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer:
A Fresh-Baked Mystery
Cozy Mystery
10th in Series
Setting – Texas
An Obsidian Mystery (November 3, 2015)
Published by New American Library
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Trade Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451416711
E-Book ASIN: B00SI028H2
In the latest from the national bestselling author of Trick or Deadly Treat
‘Tis the season in Weatherford, Texas, and everyone in town is gearing up for the annual holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony in the town square, where Phyllis Newsom will be serving her much-anticipated candy cane cupcakes. Local rancher Barney McCrory manages to charm one away from her before the ceremony begins. But unfortunately, when the minty confection is finished, so is he.
This isn’t the first time someone has dropped dead after eating one of Phyllis’s treats. But when the paramedics determine the rancher was shot, suspicion swiftly falls on McCrory’s daughter and her husband—who both stand to reap some sweet rewards from his death. Though Phyllis doesn’t want to get mixed up in another murder investigation, something about this case doesn’t sit right with her. With a little help from a tabloid TV news crew, Phyllis must unwrap the truth and restore good cheer to Weatherford before it’s too late…
Includes recipes!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It’s Christmastime in Weatherford and it starts with the annual holiday parade. The crowd has turned out but a Grinch destroys the day. Barney McCrory, a local rancher, whose horse team is pulling Santa’s sleigh drops dead after the parade just gets started and Phyllis panics, Barney has just eaten one of her cupcakes. When the chaos clears it is determined Barney was shot. Who would benefit with the rancher out of the picture? His daughter and her husband seem to gain the most landing them in the hot seat. Phyllis soon finds herself in the middle of another investigation. This time she gets help from a very surprising group but can they save Christmas and save Barney’s family?
I purposely saved this book to read closer to Christmas because a trip to Weatherford always puts a smile on my face.
After 10 stories these characters feel like old friends. Phyllis, Eve, Carolyn and Sam live together in a good size home and it seems the door is always open. Not only do visitors get a nice meal or a cupcake, they also get a shoulder to cry on, or a hug, but they also get an amateur sleuth in Phyllis or as the tabloids call her “Texas’s Elderly Angel of Death”. But calling her that will get the door slammed in your face, as Felicity Prosper from Inside Beat quickly found out. I would love to visit them myself without anyone having to be dead. They may be retired but they definitely aren’ t tired. They are always on the go doing something.
This story started out with a bang that no one heard and continued its quick pace right up to the last page. I thought I had the who of the whodunit figured out a time or two, but I was completely wrong. That is the way it is supposed to be, right. Phyllis had her own way of investigating and sometimes she has all the clues she just needs to think things through a few times to get them to all fall together. Sam makes a great sounding board and sometimes even goes off on his own to chase down a clue.
This author tells a great story with dialogue that rings true and the characters’ wit comes shining through. Weatherford is the perfect setting too for this wonderful mystery. This was an exciting story and so much fun to read.
We are given just a hint of what is in store for this cast of characters and I am excited to see it play out.
Now I think I need to bake some Candy Cake Cupcakes. Our family truly believes in the saying “Eat Dessert First” and these cupcakes will do nicely.
Find out more about Livia J. Washburn on her webpage here.
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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.”
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This book sounds like a wonderful cozy, and I adore the cover art.
Thank you for the review and giveaway.
What could be better than cupcakes and a cozy mystery rolled into one. Definitely adding Lyvia to my TBR list. Thank you for introducing to me.
I own one of the other books in the series and enjoyed it very much. I’d be thrilled to add this one to my home library.
I love Livia Washburn’s books. They are the type of book that catches your interest and holds it from page to page. robeader53@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great read. Merry Christmas!
Weatherford is a great place to set a cozy mystery (I live just a few miles from there).
Ann
Hungry just looking at the cover.
Sounds like a great mystery. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This sounds like the perfect holiday cozy!
Happy Holidays everyone.
This sounds like a great year-round book, but especially at this time of year. I would love it any time of year, especially summer in the desert! Thank you for the chance to win; I haven’t read any other books from this series yet.
Happy Holidays and thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book. It sounds like a story I would really enjoy.
I’d love to read all of her series.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
Happy Hoildays!!!Looks like great cozy mystery.
A new cozy series for me! That cover is so fun. I can’t resist a cozy and always looking for a new author.
Happy New year!