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Donut Shop Mysteries #1
Glazed Murder
Meet Suzanne Hart, owner and operator of Donut Hearts coffee shop in April Springs, North Carolina. After her divorce from Max, an out-of-work actor she’s dubbed “The Great Impersonator,” Suzanne decided to pursue her one true passion in life: donuts. So she cashed in her settlement and opened up shop in the heart of her beloved hometown.
But when a dead body is dumped on her doorstep like a sack of flour, Suzanne’s cozy little shop becomes an all-out crime scene. Now, everyone in town is dropping by for glazed donuts and gruesome details. The retired sheriff warns her to be careful—and they’re all suspects. Soon Suzanne—who finds snooping as irresistible as donuts—is poking holes in everyone’s alibis…
291 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Jessica Beck
97 books452 followersJessica Beck is a pseudonym used by
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.
Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.
When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.
Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.
When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews
February 24, 2012
Almost every afternoon, my co-worker and I wander into the Rite-Aid by our office and browse the displays of candy, greeting cards, and magazines. While I was going by the literary wasteland that is Rite-Aid's book section a few days ago, Glazed Murder caught my eye. The cover advertised a story about a North Carolina donut shop owner who becomes entangled in a small town murder mystery when someone dumps a body at her door. That sounds cool, I thought, ...and kind of terrible. But that afternoon, I kept wishing I'd bought the novel the way that other people wish they'd bought a Snickers. Finally, I gave in, walked back to Rite-Aid, and forked over five bucks.
If you're wondering why that lead-up is relevant, it's partly because I'm still trying to explain to myself how I could have gotten such disproportionate enjoyment out of such a badly written book. Glazed Murder reads as though it was never edited or proofread. For example, at one point the protagonist serves her new pumpkin donuts to a regular customer who ordered glazed to see if he'll notice the change. "I wasn't going to tell him about my new recipe," the protagonist narrates. "If he couldn't tell it was different, I had more work to do on it." The customer eats the donuts, he and the protagonist discuss the murder, and the customer leaves. Not a word about the donuts. Not a thought about it by the protagonist. In other words: the author forgot to resolve the mini-story arc. Which was kind of hilarious. In another scene, the protagonist makes a big deal about her date's meal of exotic Italian food . . . . which is spaghetti and meatballs.
The writing was so amateur that as I read I kept imagining a slightly dumpy but sweet Dunkin' Donuts employee somewhere in North Carolina writing it (Jessica Beck is a pen name and there's no author information or picture). I believe that everyone who wants to write should, regardless of whether they're perceived as talented by mainstream standards, so believing that I was reading the book of an amateur felt kind of like wearing my grandmother's home-made sweater: awkward, but cozy and even a little inspiring.
Then I found out that Glazed Murder was published in 2010. Why does that matter? Because seven sequels have been written since then . . . leading me to believe that Jessica Beck is not a humble Dunkin' Donuts employee at all, but a corporate mask for manufactured chick lit. There's just no way that one person can write eight novels in two years ("Maybe if they're bad novels . . ." my fiance says). Maybe. But I think it's more likely that "Jessica Beck" is a facade for a team of writers, like Carolyn Keene or Frank Dixon. So Glazed Murder has gone, in my mind, from being like nourishing homemade vegetable stew to being like high-sodium canned soup flavored with high fructose corn syrup and rendered chicken fat and colored with yellow #5.
So with this ambiguity about authorship, I feel less charmed by the book and less interested in reading the sequels. Which is kind of a shame, because I think the book titles in the series are hilarious, and I would have loved saying them when people asked me what I was reading. Fatally Frosted. Sinister Sprinkles. Tragic Toppings And, my favorite: Evil Eclairs.
Final thought: check out the size ratio of the fork to the donut. I mean, say what?
If you're wondering why that lead-up is relevant, it's partly because I'm still trying to explain to myself how I could have gotten such disproportionate enjoyment out of such a badly written book. Glazed Murder reads as though it was never edited or proofread. For example, at one point the protagonist serves her new pumpkin donuts to a regular customer who ordered glazed to see if he'll notice the change. "I wasn't going to tell him about my new recipe," the protagonist narrates. "If he couldn't tell it was different, I had more work to do on it." The customer eats the donuts, he and the protagonist discuss the murder, and the customer leaves. Not a word about the donuts. Not a thought about it by the protagonist. In other words: the author forgot to resolve the mini-story arc. Which was kind of hilarious. In another scene, the protagonist makes a big deal about her date's meal of exotic Italian food . . . . which is spaghetti and meatballs.
The writing was so amateur that as I read I kept imagining a slightly dumpy but sweet Dunkin' Donuts employee somewhere in North Carolina writing it (Jessica Beck is a pen name and there's no author information or picture). I believe that everyone who wants to write should, regardless of whether they're perceived as talented by mainstream standards, so believing that I was reading the book of an amateur felt kind of like wearing my grandmother's home-made sweater: awkward, but cozy and even a little inspiring.
Then I found out that Glazed Murder was published in 2010. Why does that matter? Because seven sequels have been written since then . . . leading me to believe that Jessica Beck is not a humble Dunkin' Donuts employee at all, but a corporate mask for manufactured chick lit. There's just no way that one person can write eight novels in two years ("Maybe if they're bad novels . . ." my fiance says). Maybe. But I think it's more likely that "Jessica Beck" is a facade for a team of writers, like Carolyn Keene or Frank Dixon. So Glazed Murder has gone, in my mind, from being like nourishing homemade vegetable stew to being like high-sodium canned soup flavored with high fructose corn syrup and rendered chicken fat and colored with yellow #5.
So with this ambiguity about authorship, I feel less charmed by the book and less interested in reading the sequels. Which is kind of a shame, because I think the book titles in the series are hilarious, and I would have loved saying them when people asked me what I was reading. Fatally Frosted. Sinister Sprinkles. Tragic Toppings And, my favorite: Evil Eclairs.
Final thought: check out the size ratio of the fork to the donut. I mean, say what?
January 12, 2013
Book 1 of a series about Suzanne Hart, owner of Donut Hearts in rural North Carolina. After she witnesses a dead body being dumped in front of her shop in the wee hours of the morning and discovers it was a customer of hers, she decides to investigate the murder herself. The cast of characters includes her ex-husband Max, an out-of-work actor.
The premise of this book sounded like fun. Unfortunately, it was horrendously disappointing. In fact, this book is so bad that I had to double check to make sure that a real publisher actually put this thing into print and that it wasn't self-published. Why is Suzanne going to the trouble to look into this guy's murder at all? She claims he's a friend as well as a customer, but there's no indication of any kind of friendship between them. Not even so much as a memory of them having coffee together to show us why it's so important to her to get involved in this case.
The book is full of amateurish plot points that one might find (as one of the characters so aptly put it) in a Nancy Drew novel. For instance, interrogating secretaries and exes that even a small-town police department will already have in their radar. Even this could be forgiven, IMO, if the characters weren't so lifeless and the dialogue so flaccid. And a special note to the publisher: did you miss running this one by your proofreader? Because it's so loaded with comma splices that I would have been distracted even if the writing had been decent.
Jessica Beck is supposedly the pseudonym of a well-known, Agatha-award-winning mystery author. I find that difficult to believe, unless she scribbled this out over a weekend for extra money, or wrote it as a joke to see if people were paying attention. The only reason I forced myself to finish reading this book is because I spent my hard-earned money on it. Rest assured I will not be reading anything else with Jessica Beck's name on it. And if I discover who the real, "well-known" author is, I don't think I'll feel inclined to read anything of HERS either.
The premise of this book sounded like fun. Unfortunately, it was horrendously disappointing. In fact, this book is so bad that I had to double check to make sure that a real publisher actually put this thing into print and that it wasn't self-published. Why is Suzanne going to the trouble to look into this guy's murder at all? She claims he's a friend as well as a customer, but there's no indication of any kind of friendship between them. Not even so much as a memory of them having coffee together to show us why it's so important to her to get involved in this case.
The book is full of amateurish plot points that one might find (as one of the characters so aptly put it) in a Nancy Drew novel. For instance, interrogating secretaries and exes that even a small-town police department will already have in their radar. Even this could be forgiven, IMO, if the characters weren't so lifeless and the dialogue so flaccid. And a special note to the publisher: did you miss running this one by your proofreader? Because it's so loaded with comma splices that I would have been distracted even if the writing had been decent.
Jessica Beck is supposedly the pseudonym of a well-known, Agatha-award-winning mystery author. I find that difficult to believe, unless she scribbled this out over a weekend for extra money, or wrote it as a joke to see if people were paying attention. The only reason I forced myself to finish reading this book is because I spent my hard-earned money on it. Rest assured I will not be reading anything else with Jessica Beck's name on it. And if I discover who the real, "well-known" author is, I don't think I'll feel inclined to read anything of HERS either.
January 18, 2011
The first in a series, this novel certainly reads like an author’s first mystery. That is to say, it is not very good. Not very good at all.
As I read it, I kept thinking that the author had never before read an actual mystery. It was as though she read an essay about how to write a mystery and then proceeded to write her book. She covered the main elements:
• Dead body/mystery to be solved,
• Sleuth (Suzanne Hart),
• Setting (Donut shop in North Carolina), and
• Gimmick (Donut shop mystery complete with donut recipes).
The problem? Everything is just slapped together. Suzanne Hart is not an interesting or sympathetic character, and her sleuthing skills lack polish and subtlety. The setting (NC) isn’t well defined or unique, there’s nothing compelling about the murder/crime to be solved, and the gimmick is just plain silly. Why would you include donut recipes? Who makes their own donuts?
All in all, this is a most awkward attempt at mystery writing. I cannot imagine why anyone would publish this. The worst part? Even the donuts don’t sound appetizing.
As I read it, I kept thinking that the author had never before read an actual mystery. It was as though she read an essay about how to write a mystery and then proceeded to write her book. She covered the main elements:
• Dead body/mystery to be solved,
• Sleuth (Suzanne Hart),
• Setting (Donut shop in North Carolina), and
• Gimmick (Donut shop mystery complete with donut recipes).
The problem? Everything is just slapped together. Suzanne Hart is not an interesting or sympathetic character, and her sleuthing skills lack polish and subtlety. The setting (NC) isn’t well defined or unique, there’s nothing compelling about the murder/crime to be solved, and the gimmick is just plain silly. Why would you include donut recipes? Who makes their own donuts?
All in all, this is a most awkward attempt at mystery writing. I cannot imagine why anyone would publish this. The worst part? Even the donuts don’t sound appetizing.
October 6, 2015
I felt the little mixed about Glazed Murder but over all it scores 5 stars. The characters were strong and likable enough that I really want to get to know them better. For the most part the plot was good, but I didn't quite buy Suzanne's insistence that she was investigating the murder because she felt that she might be in danger. I love cozy mysteries but often have trouble accepting the main character's justification for investigating murder. We just have to set aside that niggling concern and enjoy the book for what it is and for all it has to offer. The first half was good but the second half felt like the author hit her stride and seemed stronger and seemed to move at a faster pace than the beginning. I especially appreciated the fact that the nosy neighbor was allowed to have a complex character. Glazed Murder made me want to read other books in the Donut Shop series.
April 26, 2015
2 1/2 stars. Suzanne Hart is a divorcee with a donut shop. She rises each morning at 1 am and gets to work making cake and yeast donuts (some recipes included). One day, she's just arrived at work when a car stops in front of the shop and a dead body is thrown out. Instinctively, Suzanne flips the lights on and see the driver for a split second, wearing a sweatshirt with a tiger or cat on it. The dead body is a local banker that has been a regular customer at the Donut Heart. Suzanne decides she must find out who the killer is, even though the police, both local and state, have investigators on the job. She puts herself in harms way, receives a couple of threats to stop her snooping, even gets attacked in the park during an evening walk, but still says she must continue. Why? This was a dull and uninspired work of fiction, and no more in this series for me.
May 20, 2016
I love doughnuts, especially ones with chocolate icing, so when I heard about this series I was on the lookout for it, and when I found it while on vacation, then I bought it. However, I fear that I was a bit too excited for this book. Though it had some good qualities, there were also a few not-so-great qualities that I didn't care for in this book.
To start with the characters were too willing to jump into a murder investigation, especially Suzanne's best friend, Grace. In other series authors have pulled off best friends jumping into an investigation, and it worked, two examples of that would be Nina in Krista Davis's Domestic Diva Mystery series and Belinda in Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness Mystery series, however in this book it fell flat. The MC, Suzanne was a likeable character except when she was around her mother, whom she was incredibly rude to, and when she was investigating, which was unfortunately half of the book. Her investigation tactics were so blunt that I'm surprised nobody called the police.
However, there were a couple of characters that I really enjoyed reading about. Jake the state investigator, Suzanne's mother, and Gabby the nosy next-door shop owner were all fun, enjoyable characters that I enjoyed reading about.
The mystery was very good, there were lots of clues that directly led to the unveiling and I didn't guess the killer until Suzanne started putting the clues together in her head at the very end.
Overall this was a book that I probably won't read again. However I might read the next one because of Gabby, Jake, and Suzanne's mom, and of course for the mystery. With a number of unlikeable characters, an obnoxious MC, but yet a stellar mystery and setting, Glazed Murder gets 3/5 stars.
To start with the characters were too willing to jump into a murder investigation, especially Suzanne's best friend, Grace. In other series authors have pulled off best friends jumping into an investigation, and it worked, two examples of that would be Nina in Krista Davis's Domestic Diva Mystery series and Belinda in Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness Mystery series, however in this book it fell flat. The MC, Suzanne was a likeable character except when she was around her mother, whom she was incredibly rude to, and when she was investigating, which was unfortunately half of the book. Her investigation tactics were so blunt that I'm surprised nobody called the police.
However, there were a couple of characters that I really enjoyed reading about. Jake the state investigator, Suzanne's mother, and Gabby the nosy next-door shop owner were all fun, enjoyable characters that I enjoyed reading about.
The mystery was very good, there were lots of clues that directly led to the unveiling and I didn't guess the killer until Suzanne started putting the clues together in her head at the very end.
Overall this was a book that I probably won't read again. However I might read the next one because of Gabby, Jake, and Suzanne's mom, and of course for the mystery. With a number of unlikeable characters, an obnoxious MC, but yet a stellar mystery and setting, Glazed Murder gets 3/5 stars.
April 11, 2014
Two stars because this book is probably okay if you like that kind of thing. It has reminded me why I don't read cozy mysteries (too twee) or books with recipes in them (if I need recipes I go to a recipe book). To be honest this book was poorly written with a very weak plot line, insignificant characters and too many pages dedicated to doughnut recipes. Does anyone actually make doughnuts themselves? Oh and I forgot to mention the awful dialogue. I should probably go back and change that to one star but I feel generous this morning.
January 17, 2020
I really enjoyed starting this new to me older series. Even though it started in 2010, it's still going strong and looks like the newest is scheduled for sometime this year. I kept seeing it recommended and decided to borrow this first book from Overdrive. The main characters of Suzanne, her mom and Jake are awesome, and I loved George (their retired police friend) so much. What a sweetie that doesn't want to be known as a sweetie. I was glad that for once, a main character liked a guy and didn't have any major conflicts or arguments with him, she simply enjoyed being with him enough to want to pursue a relationship. I was proud of her for not letting her handsome ex-husband get to her.
A fairly early clue told me who the killer was as well as some other hints dropped, but it was fun to see how this person got caught. The showdown was awesome! I just had to sneak peek at the blurbs for the rest of the series (yes to ease my mind a little about some things) and I'm definitely anxious to read more in the series. It's going to take me awhile because the last book I saw is #45!
A fairly early clue told me who the killer was as well as some other hints dropped, but it was fun to see how this person got caught. The showdown was awesome! I just had to sneak peek at the blurbs for the rest of the series (yes to ease my mind a little about some things) and I'm definitely anxious to read more in the series. It's going to take me awhile because the last book I saw is #45!
July 19, 2017
A Delicious Debut. ** 3.8 Stars **
I love me a good cozy mystery now and again. I picked up this one for cheap online as it is a series first and I am always looking for new series to dive into. In this case I am glad I did! Glazed Murder centers around a woman named Suzanne who owns a donut shop. Not long after returning to work one morning Suzanne is surprised and horrified to find that a dear friend of hers lay dead outside her shop. Not wanting to be the next victim Suzanne quickly becomes a part of the case (while sharing delicious donut recipes along the way).
Glazed Murder is a GREAT cozy mystery. Readers are left wondering who the killer is while satisfying their sweet tooth with the YUMMY donut recipes that are included within the story. I liked this one and will be reading book #2.
Overall Rating: 3.8 Stars
Would I recommend: Yes, to all fans of cozy mysteries!
Would I read it again: Maybe AFTER I finish the series
HAPPY READING :0)
I love me a good cozy mystery now and again. I picked up this one for cheap online as it is a series first and I am always looking for new series to dive into. In this case I am glad I did! Glazed Murder centers around a woman named Suzanne who owns a donut shop. Not long after returning to work one morning Suzanne is surprised and horrified to find that a dear friend of hers lay dead outside her shop. Not wanting to be the next victim Suzanne quickly becomes a part of the case (while sharing delicious donut recipes along the way).
Glazed Murder is a GREAT cozy mystery. Readers are left wondering who the killer is while satisfying their sweet tooth with the YUMMY donut recipes that are included within the story. I liked this one and will be reading book #2.
Overall Rating: 3.8 Stars
Would I recommend: Yes, to all fans of cozy mysteries!
Would I read it again: Maybe AFTER I finish the series
HAPPY READING :0)
August 2, 2011
This book was one of the worst stories I've read - ever. I'm having a hard time remembering something worse, but I'm drawing a blank. I picked it up because a friend of mine read it and it seemed like a mindless fluff that I would breeze through and get my goal back on track. Not so much. Character interactions were flat and forced, plot was nonexistent and main character's motivations for solving the murder were slim at best. Also, I figured out the killer the first time he showed up in the story. Talk about lame. I probably should have known better, but oh well. Live and learn. One thing for sure: I will NOT be picking up next installments.
March 13, 2016
The magic that Jessica Beck worked under the name of Chris Cavender is missing from this book. There were all the usual suspects here...there was the heroine mistaking someone for another on the phone, there was the entire early rising hard worker schtick, there was the answering machine stuff, the shabbiness and struggling-money wise of Suzanne. There was even the faint trace of a love triangle! What cozy mysteries need are less love triangles and more sleuthing. Except that instead of a Holmes/Watson partnership there can and must be a Watson/Watson duo. One Watson, the heroine, and a poor man's Watson. A two strong team of crazy like a fox, and stupider like a fox.
July 6, 2010
Good introduction for a new series. There were a lot of characters, but I really did enjoy meeting the main ones. The mystery was good and the setting was great. Beware it will cause you to crave doughnuts ( although that could just be me since I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant ;) and there are some really yummy sounding recipes included at the end of quite a few of the chapters.
November 27, 2017
Just as Suzanne turned on the lights to her shop, Donut Hearts, the unthinkable occured. A car stopped and dumped a man at the front door, and he was not alive. It happened so fast that she was unable to recall any details. As the donut shop becomes a crime scene locals stop in to buy donuts and hear the detail of what happened. Regular customer and former sheriff, George warned Suzanne away from digging into what happened to the victim. She can’t help herself and soon Suzanne finds herself in danger. She sorts through the information she uncovers and finds eliminating suspects almost impossible.
This is the first book in the Donut Shop Mysteries. While I felt like the plot moved a bit too slow I wanted to finish the book. The characters are interesting and they kept me reading. I found myself very hungry with every mention of a donut. The recipie’s that have been included look great and easy to follow. I will read the next book in this series and look forward to doing so. I’m just hoping the action will move a bit faster.
This is the first book in the Donut Shop Mysteries. While I felt like the plot moved a bit too slow I wanted to finish the book. The characters are interesting and they kept me reading. I found myself very hungry with every mention of a donut. The recipie’s that have been included look great and easy to follow. I will read the next book in this series and look forward to doing so. I’m just hoping the action will move a bit faster.
June 11, 2018
This was...not very good. There are so many problems. So, a dead guy is dumped in front of a doughnut shop. The owner witnesses this and feels compelled to search for the killer because she evidently liked the guy. I guess. I mean, she tells us at least 10 times, so I guess it must be so, but she doesn't seem to even really know the guy. We certainly never find out.
The doughnut recipes were obnoxious. How many people REALLY make honest to goodness real, deep fried doughnuts at home? It felt like filler.
Early on, we're told the MC is trying a new recipe for a pumpkin doughnut. One of her regulars comes in and she gives him pumpkin instead of his usual to see if he'll notice the difference. Because if he doesn't, she knows she's got work to do. This is after she's scarfed down two in a row because they were just so good. He eats the doughnuts, they talk about something or other, and then he leaves. Neither mention the doughnuts.
Also, she bemoans the fact that the doughnut business isn't very profitable. Well, no wonder. She sells a cup of coffee and a doughnut for $1! I understand this is more rural North Carolina, but WOW that's cheap.
The love story felt weird. The ex was annoying and I didn't get her even slight want to rekindle that relationship. The MC and the cop had ZERO chemistry. For that matter, there was zero chemistry of any type between any of the characters. I didn't buy her and her best friend's relationship either.
I picked this one up because we had a ton of the series at our store and I love a good cozy. Sadly, this was not good.
The doughnut recipes were obnoxious. How many people REALLY make honest to goodness real, deep fried doughnuts at home? It felt like filler.
Early on, we're told the MC is trying a new recipe for a pumpkin doughnut. One of her regulars comes in and she gives him pumpkin instead of his usual to see if he'll notice the difference. Because if he doesn't, she knows she's got work to do. This is after she's scarfed down two in a row because they were just so good. He eats the doughnuts, they talk about something or other, and then he leaves. Neither mention the doughnuts.
Also, she bemoans the fact that the doughnut business isn't very profitable. Well, no wonder. She sells a cup of coffee and a doughnut for $1! I understand this is more rural North Carolina, but WOW that's cheap.
The love story felt weird. The ex was annoying and I didn't get her even slight want to rekindle that relationship. The MC and the cop had ZERO chemistry. For that matter, there was zero chemistry of any type between any of the characters. I didn't buy her and her best friend's relationship either.
I picked this one up because we had a ton of the series at our store and I love a good cozy. Sadly, this was not good.
December 29, 2010
Barely a 3 star book. It was fine, but extremely typical. And the heroine's constant excuses for why she was involving herself in something so dangerous were absurd. Every cozy mystery lead character stretches the bounds of good sense by investigating murders, but this was just silly. She barely knew the guy. Spending about 1/5 of the book on excuses was just annoying. The recipes are fun but a bit excessive as well. It was fine, but nothing special.
January 11, 2012
This was a boring mystery with a super annoying main character. She finds the dead body of a customer she doesn't know very well and she "has" to investigate it. Then she gets mad when her neighbors don't want to tell her all their secrets. I picked this up since it's set in a small town in NC and it's about doughnuts. I am 100% this author has NEVER been to NC. I figured out the mystery very early and didn't bother to finish the book. Based on other reviews, that was a good idea.
August 25, 2015
This book was calling me! I am addicted to the series now!
February 1, 2018
This is a cute cozy with a spunky new character, Suzanne Hart (owner of Donut Hearts). I found myself really rooting for her as she tries to solve the mystery of who dumped a body in front of her donut shop, despite all the warnings for her not to do so.
I do wish that the author had gone a little further with her new love interest, as it would have added a little something to this story, but from the looks of it (from the excerpt), she'll be developing that relationship more in her next book (Fatally Frosted).
I did have an idea of who the murderer was by about the fourth chapter, but I enjoyed seeing how the story played out. I loved the antics of Suzanne's best friend Grace!
Warning: Don't read this book on an empty stomach... you'll be on your way to the nearest donut shop in a hurry! :)
(The recipes in it look really yummy too! I may have to copy them and try making a few!)
February 22, 2018
Enjoyed this mystery. Printed off 2 of the recipes to try them out. Wish me luck!
April 4, 2019
2.5. Light, easy read. I had issues with the sleuthing. Didnt seem very realistic. The protagonist hardly had to do anything and she was able to get all these answers and talk to all the suspects no problem. No real character development. Plot was just kind of everywhere . I did like the love interest, Jake though. He seemed sweet. Only reason this is a 2.5. Might give the second book in the series a shot to see if I like it better. There is potential here but this book fell quite flat.
August 13, 2011
Suzanne Hart owns her own donut shop, Donut Hearts, in the small town of April Springs in North Carolina. She continues to be pursued by her ex-husband, Max, and she lives with her overly protective mother. She works crazy long hours in her donut shop, but things turn even crazier when one of her customers is tossed at her front door. Problem is – he’s very much dead!
The problem with small towns is that everyone knows everything. When people learn that the shop had been a crime scene, everyone wants details and everyone is a suspect. Against everyone’s advice, Suzanne does some investigating on her own. She wants her name off the suspect list and she doesn’t want her quaint little shop associated with murder.
The characters in this book were all fun. Suzanne is a strong character who has no intentions of backing down. Her ex-husband is not very likeable, but he's not supposed to be :) She also has a hot new love interest in the state police officer assigned to her case. Her mother may be overly protective, but she's loveable and truly cares about her daughter. There's the nosy neighbor and the retired cop watching Suzanne's back, too.
This is a quick, light read which tosses mystery, romance and humor all into one fun package. Another fun cozy read for me. I just love finding “new-to-me” authors. Each chapter ended with a donut recipe. I was crazing donuts throughout the entire book, but I resisted! LOL!
The problem with small towns is that everyone knows everything. When people learn that the shop had been a crime scene, everyone wants details and everyone is a suspect. Against everyone’s advice, Suzanne does some investigating on her own. She wants her name off the suspect list and she doesn’t want her quaint little shop associated with murder.
The characters in this book were all fun. Suzanne is a strong character who has no intentions of backing down. Her ex-husband is not very likeable, but he's not supposed to be :) She also has a hot new love interest in the state police officer assigned to her case. Her mother may be overly protective, but she's loveable and truly cares about her daughter. There's the nosy neighbor and the retired cop watching Suzanne's back, too.
This is a quick, light read which tosses mystery, romance and humor all into one fun package. Another fun cozy read for me. I just love finding “new-to-me” authors. Each chapter ended with a donut recipe. I was crazing donuts throughout the entire book, but I resisted! LOL!
April 24, 2010
New cozy series about a divorcee who started a donut shop in her small hometown and after a body is dropped by her back door, starts investigating why he was killed.
The book was enjoyable even if the heroine was a bit unbelievable in her reasons and passion for finding the killer. She really was aiming for TSTL status. The supporting characters were interesting, especially her best friend.
The recipes sound good, but I'm not one for frying donuts so I don't know if I will actually try any.
The book was enjoyable even if the heroine was a bit unbelievable in her reasons and passion for finding the killer. She really was aiming for TSTL status. The supporting characters were interesting, especially her best friend.
The recipes sound good, but I'm not one for frying donuts so I don't know if I will actually try any.
April 20, 2010
I'm not entirely sure what I don't like about this book. I liked the recipes, of course, but there was something missing. It felt...disjointed. The dialogue didn't flow, the heroine was bordering on TSTL. I didn't feel any real connection with the hero (if you can even call him that).
February 24, 2019
I don't know why, but the 'cozy' in this mystery is so much better than most others I have read. Now I want the next book, I want to read the whole series.
November 7, 2019
After a bitter divorce from her actor husband Max, Suzanne Hart decides to follow her passion and open a doughnut shop. While opening the shop at 2 am one morning, a masked man dumps a dead body outside Suzanne's shop. She's horrified and frightened and doesn't trust the police chief because has he a past history with her mom (or lack thereof). When a state detective warns her off investigating, Suzanne gets mad. The victim was a good customer, someone she considered a friend and Suzanne fears the killer may think she saw too much. Suzanne decides to conduct her own investigation. Although she runs afoul of the detective, he's handsome and kind and it makes Max angry that Suzanne is taking an interest in other men. Would Max kill someone to get attention from Suzanne? Even he can't be that devious. Suzanne is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This mystery is OK. It's a little long and the recipes are included in each chapter instead of at the end, making the book longer than necessary. I really didn't know who the killer was or why and really didn't care. The story isn't bad but it isn't great either. I like the little bit of romance to lighten up the plot.
Suzanne isn't a memorable sleuth. She's not super sharp and some of her actions are rather stupid but she's not too stupid to live. I did not like how she gets angry when the detective in charge of the case tells her she's impeding the investigation and could get hurt. Her best friend Grace is a little silly and a major enabler. If I were Suzanne's best friend I would tell her to stop investigating and not join in. Trish is a better friend because she provides comfort food and a sympathetic ear. George is also a good friend. He's retired from the force but still has contacts. He helps Suzanne because he's a trained professional! She should leave the investigation for the police. Emma, Suzanne's assistant is immature for a college student and pretty rude to her boss. I didn't like her much. She also needs to work on her customer service skills. Suzanne's Momma is a worrier but she loves her daughter and tries to take care of Suzanne in difficult times. Next door to Suzanne's shop is a vintage clothing boutique owned by the biggest gossip in town. Gabby may be slightly annoying but I felt bad for her the way Suzanne treats her. Grace manipulates and uses Gabby for their own ends but it seems like Gabby is aware of this and enjoys the attention. Jake is a nice man. He's a detective on the case and tries not to mix business and pleasure but for some reason he's so attracted to Suzanne he can't help himself. His backstory is tragic and he deserves better than a nosy doughnut baker.
The characters the reader will love to hate are Max, Suzanne's ex, a hack wannabe actor who oozes insincere charm. He also has a jealous streak. I can't tell whether he wants Suzanne back because she's a pushover or because he sincerely loves her and regrets sleeping with someone else. He's a little slick but he doesn't really do anything bad. He MAY have done something bad and his jealously is annoying but he's more like a pest than anything else. Chief Martin is so rude and lets his personal feelings get in the way of how he treats citizens. I don't know how he could have made it to Chief acting that way. He apparently dislikes Suzanne because he wanted to date her mother and Momma turned him down. This happened LONG ago in high school and they both married other people yet he can't move on. I do not like him AT all. Of course the suspects are a bit unlikable too. The ex-wife Rita Blaine is sketchy. She appears drunk but is she? She has a lot to say about her ex right away but when Suzanne returns for more questions Rita blows her off. Her ex-husband wasn't the great guy Suzanne knew. Patrick was cheating on Rita with Deb Jenkins. Deb is an odd duck. She appears socially awkward and not very attractive. I felt bad for her but wondered what Patrick Blaine, a wealthy businessman, saw in a mousy moth collector. Donald Rand, a sleazy investor is the one character I loathe! He doesn't see past a woman's looks and even then he makes rude, inappropriate comments that I would not tolerate. Any woman who encounters him would have grounds to sue and at least tweet #MeToo.
This mystery is largely forgettable and doesn't make me want to rush out and read the rest of the series. I probably will read some if I have time since the library carries them.
content:
sexual harassment
minor violence
mild romantic subplot
fried food recipes
On the police force there are two young officers. Officer Moore is a little cold and callous. He doesn't know how to be sensitive or read Suzanne yet. Officer Grant is young and like a puppy. He seems nice enough.
This mystery is OK. It's a little long and the recipes are included in each chapter instead of at the end, making the book longer than necessary. I really didn't know who the killer was or why and really didn't care. The story isn't bad but it isn't great either. I like the little bit of romance to lighten up the plot.
Suzanne isn't a memorable sleuth. She's not super sharp and some of her actions are rather stupid but she's not too stupid to live. I did not like how she gets angry when the detective in charge of the case tells her she's impeding the investigation and could get hurt. Her best friend Grace is a little silly and a major enabler. If I were Suzanne's best friend I would tell her to stop investigating and not join in. Trish is a better friend because she provides comfort food and a sympathetic ear. George is also a good friend. He's retired from the force but still has contacts. He helps Suzanne because he's a trained professional! She should leave the investigation for the police. Emma, Suzanne's assistant is immature for a college student and pretty rude to her boss. I didn't like her much. She also needs to work on her customer service skills. Suzanne's Momma is a worrier but she loves her daughter and tries to take care of Suzanne in difficult times. Next door to Suzanne's shop is a vintage clothing boutique owned by the biggest gossip in town. Gabby may be slightly annoying but I felt bad for her the way Suzanne treats her. Grace manipulates and uses Gabby for their own ends but it seems like Gabby is aware of this and enjoys the attention. Jake is a nice man. He's a detective on the case and tries not to mix business and pleasure but for some reason he's so attracted to Suzanne he can't help himself. His backstory is tragic and he deserves better than a nosy doughnut baker.
The characters the reader will love to hate are Max, Suzanne's ex, a hack wannabe actor who oozes insincere charm. He also has a jealous streak. I can't tell whether he wants Suzanne back because she's a pushover or because he sincerely loves her and regrets sleeping with someone else. He's a little slick but he doesn't really do anything bad. He MAY have done something bad and his jealously is annoying but he's more like a pest than anything else. Chief Martin is so rude and lets his personal feelings get in the way of how he treats citizens. I don't know how he could have made it to Chief acting that way. He apparently dislikes Suzanne because he wanted to date her mother and Momma turned him down. This happened LONG ago in high school and they both married other people yet he can't move on. I do not like him AT all. Of course the suspects are a bit unlikable too. The ex-wife Rita Blaine is sketchy. She appears drunk but is she? She has a lot to say about her ex right away but when Suzanne returns for more questions Rita blows her off. Her ex-husband wasn't the great guy Suzanne knew. Patrick was cheating on Rita with Deb Jenkins. Deb is an odd duck. She appears socially awkward and not very attractive. I felt bad for her but wondered what Patrick Blaine, a wealthy businessman, saw in a mousy moth collector. Donald Rand, a sleazy investor is the one character I loathe! He doesn't see past a woman's looks and even then he makes rude, inappropriate comments that I would not tolerate. Any woman who encounters him would have grounds to sue and at least tweet #MeToo.
This mystery is largely forgettable and doesn't make me want to rush out and read the rest of the series. I probably will read some if I have time since the library carries them.
content:
sexual harassment
minor violence
mild romantic subplot
fried food recipes
On the police force there are two young officers. Officer Moore is a little cold and callous. He doesn't know how to be sensitive or read Suzanne yet. Officer Grant is young and like a puppy. He seems nice enough.
July 2, 2018
This was actually like, super fun. I'm not all that entrenched in the world of adult baking mysteries (though there are so, so many), so maybe this book follows a lot of the conventions of the genre that I'm not picking up on, but I did have fun with this. I thought the characters were engaging, even if they weren't particularly memorable, and the writing was easy to follow and quick to read. The mystery itself was good, and the romance was cute enough that it made me not hate it. So, overall, not bad.
March 9, 2019
I couldn't finish this. It was so stupid that the main character, Suzanne, felt that she had to solve the murder. Especially since there was already a special investigator assigned to the case. And she goes to the bank where the victim worked and starts snooping. I just couldn't bear it. And then to realize that there were 39 books in the series, having been cranked out at a rate of 3 or 4 a year! No wonder the writing is sloppy and the characters unbelievable.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
July 9, 2017I got about 46 pages before I decided to stop. The characters were not compelling and the main character read more like a woman in her 50s instead of early 30s. Maybe someone else might like it but this was not for me.
August 15, 2021
This novel was bad on a level that I could only finish it by considering it as campy murder mystery satire and laugh my way to the end. I read it for a book group and I am just grateful that it was a quick read.
February 4, 2022
IF YOU LIKE YOUR COZIES TO BE 50% MURDER 50% COZY THEN I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS ONE. WAS A REAL LET-DOWN FOR ME.
I don't want to say much because my opinion is my own and it's very subjective but I'll just say this one wasn't for me. I really looked forward to getting to know the donout shop and that just didn't happen.
2 Stars
xoxo.
I don't want to say much because my opinion is my own and it's very subjective but I'll just say this one wasn't for me. I really looked forward to getting to know the donout shop and that just didn't happen.
2 Stars
xoxo.
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