Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Murder Most Sweet is the debut of the A Bookish Baker Mystery series set in the small town of Lake Potawatomi, Michigan and featuring cozy author, baker and breast cancer survivor Theodora "Teddie" St. John and her American Eskimo dog, Gracie. Teddie has been asked by bookstore owner and best friend Char Jorgensen to provide the treats for the upcoming author appearance of Tavish Bentley, the British author known for his best selling suspense novels.
Things are going well at the event, Teddie has had an opportunity to meet Tavish and engage in conversation, when she is suddenly struck by one of the hot flashes resulting from her chemo treatment and early menopause. Dashing into the bathroom to cool down, Teddie hides in a stall when she hears someone coming and overhears a threatening conversation between Kristi, the fiancee of Tavish and an unidentified woman. Finally slipping out of the bathroom and out the back door Teddie is shocked to find Kristi lying dead in the alley - strangled by one of Teddie's trademark scarves.
As things heat up between Tavish and Teddie, and the internet swirls with rumors that they are guilty of murder, Teddie is determined to track down the real killer. When an obsessed stalker fan of Tavish is also found strangled by one of Teddie's scarves, she knows she has to act quickly before the publishing house cancels her contract and her career is over.
A good mystery with several suspects, the story does bog down a little in the middle. It's also a little distracting that the author continually mentions Teddie's cancer and lack of breasts, while totally sympathetic I didn't need to be reminded that she was a survivor in every chapter. I also enjoyed the interaction Teddie has with Gracie and was glad that the dog played a pivotal part in the reveal, but again did not need to know every time the dog did her business.
The book ends on a positive and upbeat note and I will be looking forward to more adventures with Teddie, Gracie, Tavish, Teddie's friends and her mother.
Things are going well at the event, Teddie has had an opportunity to meet Tavish and engage in conversation, when she is suddenly struck by one of the hot flashes resulting from her chemo treatment and early menopause. Dashing into the bathroom to cool down, Teddie hides in a stall when she hears someone coming and overhears a threatening conversation between Kristi, the fiancee of Tavish and an unidentified woman. Finally slipping out of the bathroom and out the back door Teddie is shocked to find Kristi lying dead in the alley - strangled by one of Teddie's trademark scarves.
As things heat up between Tavish and Teddie, and the internet swirls with rumors that they are guilty of murder, Teddie is determined to track down the real killer. When an obsessed stalker fan of Tavish is also found strangled by one of Teddie's scarves, she knows she has to act quickly before the publishing house cancels her contract and her career is over.
A good mystery with several suspects, the story does bog down a little in the middle. It's also a little distracting that the author continually mentions Teddie's cancer and lack of breasts, while totally sympathetic I didn't need to be reminded that she was a survivor in every chapter. I also enjoyed the interaction Teddie has with Gracie and was glad that the dog played a pivotal part in the reveal, but again did not need to know every time the dog did her business.
The book ends on a positive and upbeat note and I will be looking forward to more adventures with Teddie, Gracie, Tavish, Teddie's friends and her mother.
