Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am always happy when Laura Bradford drops by for a visit!
First Suspend, Then Fun
By Laura Bradford
Author of Dial M For Mousse,
an Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery
When you write a cozy mystery you have certain aspects you must adhere to, not the least of which is the whole small-town/amateur sleuth backdrop. In and of itself, basing a story in a small town provides lots of background fodder—gossip, connections, fights, secrets, etc. But when it comes to the mystery component and the fact that murder must happen in this small town again and again (and again), you need your readers to be willing to suspend reality to an extent. Still, just as they need to accept the fact that ten murders have happened in quaint little Nowheresville, Ohio in as many (or less) years, you, as the writer, must make your sleuth’s reason for getting involved believable. Because really, why is the average-Joe bookseller going to keep putting herself in harm’s way to solve yet another murder?
It’s that challenge that I find particularly fun about writing a cozy mystery. I like seeing how the main murder plot can draw my main character toward it, rather than away from it like most normal people would go.
Just by the very nature of my Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, my main character, Winnie Johnson, is on the go—delivering her emergency themed desserts to college dorm rooms, businesses, personal residences, and even local politicians. So the potential for her to stumble across something out of the ordinary is higher than, say, a bookseller who stays in one place. But even if she comes across a body, there has to be a reason she’d want to get involved rather than just go home, detox with a hunk of chocolate, and let the local cops do their job.
In Éclair and Present Danger
, the debut book in the series, grief propels Winnie to get involved when her elderly neighbor is murdered.
In The Silence of the Flans, book #2 in the series, desperation propels Winnie to get involved when the victim dies while eating one of her desserts.
And in Dial M for Mousse
, the latest book in the series, anger propels Winnie to get involved when a routine delivery is manipulated into an alibi for murder.
So while it may be hard to fathom stumbling across dead bodies on a routine basis, everyone, on some level, knows grief…and desperation…and anger. And as long as we can identify on some level, suspending reality for our small town backdrop isn’t all that difficult. In fact, it’s actually kind of fun…
~Laura
Thank you for visiting today, Laura!

Dial M for Mousse (An Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Ohio
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery (January 2, 2018)
An Imprint of Penguin Random House
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425281253
Kindle ASIN: B06Y573L55

Murder takes the cake in an irresistible Emergency Dessert Squad mystery from the national bestselling author of The Silence of the Flans.
The Emergency Dessert Squad business is booming, with owner and baker Winnie Johnson working overtime to satisfy the emergency cravings of Silver Lake, Ohio. Her latest order, a plate of motivational desserts for an artists’ retreat, is just what she needs to keep her mind off her own relationship woes.
But Winnie’s problems seem like trifles when she discovers the body of retreat owner Sally Dearfield mere inches away from five oh-so-eccentric and viable suspects. Now, this baking detective must uncover the inspiration behind Sally’s murder before another creative genius is iced.
RECIPES INCLUDED
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Winnie’s business continues to grow. With all her friend’s help, she creates delectable desserts to rescue her customers from things like a bad breakup, loss of a job, and anything else you can imagine. In this story, she has been asked to bake up motivational treats for a group of artists with different talents at a local retreat. After she delivers the goodies she goes to tell the owner and finds her dead on the floor with all the artists standing nearby. The police immediately suspect foul play and Winnie has a dessert connection with all the viable suspects which lands her right in the middle of another murder investigation.
The author has created a very unique theme for this series. After the expenses of having a bakery in a storefront became beyond what Winnie could afford she started a home-based business and uses an old ambulance she inherited to deliver her desserts to her customers. The treats even arrive on a stretcher complete with icing IV’s. She also inherited a cat that goes along for each delivery.
The characters are all very well developed. Most of Winnie’s friends are senior citizens and she has a real bond with them. They along with her best friend Renee are her taste testers and her confidants. Renee is also Winnie’s only employee. Her romantic relationship with a local college professor, who she met when making a delivery to him, is a little murky. His teenage daughter does not like her father giving anyone else attention and she has done everything she can to break them up.
I thought solving the murder this time would be easy as we knew from the start there were only five suspects, but it turned out to be very complex. None were very forthcoming and all appeared to be hiding something. Winnie didn’t give up though and I really enjoyed following each little hint and clue right along with her.
The clever theme of this series, interesting characters, and a very imaginative plot kept this reader very entertained. All the dessert talk and descriptions made my mouth water. I loved the names Winnie gave her goodies.
A fun read that stands on its own but the series is better served if you start at the beginning.

About the Author
Laura Bradford is the national bestselling author of many mystery series, including the Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, the Amish Mysteries, and the brand new Tobi Tobias Mysteries. Her first women’s fiction novel, Portrait of a Sister, will release in June 2018. When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys making memories with her family, baking, and being an advocate for those living with Multiple Sclerosis.
To learn more, visit her website: www.laurabradford.com, or hang out with her on Facebook. She can also be found occasionally tweeting at @Bradfordauthor.
Click here for more books by Laura Bradford.
Click Here for books written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey.
Thanks to the publisher I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Leave a comment for the author for 5 Bonus Entries.
Sign Up for Laura Bradford’s newsletter for 3 Bonus Entries.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End January 24, 2018, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
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 have one of the books in the series and am looking forward to reading all the books.
Congrats on the new release! I am looking forward to this book and new dessert ideas!
Congrats on the new release.
I recently finished Dial M for Mousse and loved it. It’s my favorite of the series. I love the relationship between Winnie and the secondary characters, especially with Mr. Nelson.
Your are new to me and these books all sound great. Thank you.
I am in the next few minutes going to tell someone about that eclair pun–it’s pretty good!
I love this series
LOVE this author and her books. She’s so sweet and nice and the books are such a fun read!
Thanks for this lovely feature and giveaway. I enjoy this author’s great books.
This is such a great series — I can’t wait to read Dial M for Mousse – YUM!
The book sounds great.
Book sounds good. Congrats on your book’s birthday!
Looking forward to reading your new book, Laura!
I really like reading Laura Bradford’s books. I haven’t read this series yet, but I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thank you for the giveaway! I loved the first book in this series and can’t wait to read the second which is sitting (along with may others, LOL!) in my TBR pile. I actually just started the first in Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s Southern Sewing Circle series.
This sounds so good–I’d love to read it! Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks for all your kind comments and to Lori for hosting me! I had great fun writing Dial M for Mousse (the 3rd book in my Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries) and hope you all enjoy reading it just as much!
I really enjoy this series! Can’t wait to read this newest installment
Sounds like a great series!
I loved both of the other books in this series and can’t wait to read this one!
I have a few of Laura’s books on my TBR list. Hopefully, I will get to them soon!! This new book sounds great!!
Loved reading what Laura Bradford said about “Dial M For Mousse”. I do so love her books!
Thank you for the review as well. I already knew I wanted to read this book but your review reaffirmed by desire.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Congratulations on the release!
Lookd like a great read.
Icing IV’s? Fun & clever.