Éclair and Present Danger (An Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery)
New Cozy Mystery Series
Setting – Ohio
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery (June 7, 2016)
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425280898
E-Book ASIN: B016JPTP4G
The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is born: dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Laura Bradford scores huge points for originality. When Winnie Johnson loses her bakery to a greedy landlord she takes her luscious desserts on the road in her Emergency Dessert Squad. She has inherited an old ambulance and a tabby cat, that seems to love everyone but her, from her neighbor and friend, Gertie. It doesn’t take her long to figure out a way to mesh her new vehicle and her business together. She comes up with catchy names for her treats and starts to rescue her customers from their stressful days.
Many of Winnie’s friends and neighbors are elderly and she is fine with that even though some people aren’t. She made a special promise to Bart Wagner’s wife before she died. Deliver her husband a peach pie every week. Sadly when she arrived with the pie this week she found someone had killed Bart. Now Winnie is doing all she can to get her new business off the ground while searching for the killer. She plans to give them their just desserts.
When I first saw the cover I thought of the Ghostbuster’s car but this one has nothing to do with ghosts, just yummy desserts. Did someone do something nice for you? send them a You’re A Peach Pie! Worrying over a project at work, you need some Worry No s’More Bars! Want to reward your child for good grades, bring on the You Are One Smart Cookie! (Recipes are included in the book.)
The characters we meet in this story are extraordinary. I love Winnie and she has the perfect sidekick in her best friend/employee Renee. We also meet Winnie’s senior citizen friends and neighbors. They are quite a group and wonderfully written. We are also introduced to some paramedics, one Winnie asks for help outfitted her rig to tie her concept to the reality of an ambulance, in a sugary sweet way, of course. I can’t forget, Lovey, Winnie’s new pet. The hissing didn’t make her too lovable for Winnie, but I think they were coming to an understanding as the story ended.
Ms. Bradford also served up plenty of suspects. It was surprising how the whole mystery played out and yet it all made perfect sense.
This was a deliciously delightful debut! I can’t wait to be rescued again by the Emergency Dessert Squad!
About The Author –
Laura Bradford (aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey) is the author of several mystery series and a handful of romance novels. She is a former Agatha Award nominee and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award. In her free time, Laura enjoys making memories with her family, baking, playing games, and catching up with friends. In addition to the Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, Laura writes The Amish Mysteries and The Jenkins & Burns mysteries, as well as The Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (as Elizabeth Lynn Casey).
For more information, visit Laura’s website: www.laurabradford.com or get to know her even better on Facebook, on Twitter: @bradfordauthor and on Pinterest.
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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.”
I’ve been following the tour and I have already added this book to my ever growing wish list. Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds like a great new series. Who wouldn’t want to be rescued by a delicious dessert? Thanks for the review and opportunity to win!
Love Laura Bradford! Can’t wait to get into this new series!
Laura Bradford guarantees her readers a great book. Each of her books draws you right in. This new series makes my sweet tooth want something yummy right now.
Love the name and cover. On my Goodreads list.
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
Love a good mystery.
This sounds fun.
I love new series! This sounds like it is going to be a great one!
I love this…emergency desserts! Help, I’ve fallen and I need a lemon tar! Yes…
I’ve been reading Laura’s books for quite some time now & am really happy that she has started yet another new series. Thank you for the chance to win!
I’m so looking forward to this new book.
A great author to read.
I enjoy books by this author and I look forward to this one!