Cozy Wednesday featuring Framed and Frosted (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series) by Kim Davis #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @Kookiesandbooks

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I am so excited to share my thoughts today about Framed and Frosted!

Framed and Frosted (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series)
by Kim Davis

About Framed and Frosted

Framed and Frosted (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher: Cinnamon & Sugar Press (June 22, 2021)
Number of Pages: 323
Digital ASIN: B092W8TKCC

Framed and Frosted, the third book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series, finds cupcake caterer, Emory Martinez, working at a Laguna Beach society Fourth of July soiree, with her sister and their new employee, Sal. With a host that seems intent on accosting both catering employees and guests alike, things go from bad to worse when he accuses Sal of murdering his long-dead son.

 

As the crescendo of exploding fireworks overhead becomes the backdrop for cupcakes and champagne, a deadly murder occurs. Can Sal and Emory explain why the cupcake the host ate, after shoving a trayful of buttercream frosted cupcakes onto Sal, resulted in his death? Or will the guests and detective alike believe that Sal is a murderer? Emory and her octogenarian employer, Tillie, whip into action to find out who framed Sal after being frosted by the victim.

 

Includes recipes!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Fireworks fly and a body drops when Emory Martinez and her twin sister, Carrie cater an Independence Day event for some Laguna Beach Elite. The Jorgensen’s are high maintenance clients but Carrie is working hard to rebuild her business so she bites her tongue and endures what they dish out, even when Mr. Jorgensen is drunk and manhandling her sister and wrongly accusing her new employee, Sal of murdering his son. Mrs. Jorgensen and their “bodyguard” Tiny do try to keep the man under control but it is an impossible task.

Things get totally out of control when the dessert of Emory’s cupcakes is served. Sal is covered in frosting and Arthur Jorgensen is dead on the ground. The police arrive and Sal is quickly accused of the murder and arrested. Carrie and Emory know he has been framed so Emory taps her octogenarian employer, Tillie to help her prove it and corner the real killer. Now she just has to stay alive long enough to make that happen.

Family drama and Jorgensen drama collide and murder and mayhem rule supreme before this amazing mystery draws to a close.

The story is filled with great characters. I absolutely love Tillie. She may be in her 80’s but that woman has stamina I wish I had and connections Emory needs. The way these ladies team-up is heartwarming and sometimes hair raising. They are true friends and care for each other dearly. They really lean on each other as they endure some heartbreaking and harrowing events. Carrie is struggling with motherhood and it is portrayed realistically, no sugar coating here. I did enjoy the introduction of a new detective for this story. Another strong woman with some baggage brought a lot to the story and shook things up in several ways. All the characters are as complex as the mystery they are wrapped up in and I love knowing they have more room to grow in future stories.

As I said the mystery is complex with a lot of moving pieces. I was really upset that Sal was railroaded, a clear case of racial profiling and rich white privilege but knowing he had Tillie and Emory fighting for him gave me a little solace. At least he was just arrested and the event wasn’t escalated as it could have been these days. I admire the author for using a hot topic for this book. I also enjoyed the way she blended happenings in Tillie’s family and the murder mystery while keeping it real with everyday life things as well. There was a frightening moment for Emory’s dog Piper that had my blood pressure rising too.  To say there were twists and turns is an understatement. Hang on tight, this story will rock you from beginning to end.

Ms. Davis also excels at world-building. Each and every setting and activity was so easily seen in my mind’s eye. From the cupcakes flying to breakfast in Tillie’s kitchen to the exciting ending, everything was crystal clear.

Kim Davis continues to exceed my expectations and top herself. My only issue is the books don’t come with free samples. BUT they do come with recipes. I really need to learn to bake up some cupcakes before I start reading. The cravings definitely become real as soon as Emory mixes up a batch. The author also includes some savory recipes too.

Each story in this series has been excellent. I recommend reading them in order. Last year Cake Popped Off was a Best Read of 2020 for me and received my Paradise Rating. Again, I am shouting from the rooftops! This Is A Must-Read Mystery!  Framed and Frosted receives my Paradise Rating and will be on my Best Read of 2021 list! Kim Davis is an awesome storyteller and her books are amazing treats that should not be missed!

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About Kim Davis

Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband. When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters she can be found either writing stories or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats.  She has published the suspense novel, A GAME OF DECEIT, and cozy mystery, SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION and CAKE POPPED OFF. She also has had several children’s articles published in Cricket, Nature Friend, Skipping Stones, and the Seed of Truth magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Author Links – Website  – Facebook  – Twitter: – Goodreads  – Pinterest – Blog

Purchase Links: Amazon 

The Rest of the Series

Written as K.A. Davis

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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.”