Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 2
In my opinion, excellent first book in a new series. Gayle Trent also writes under the name Amanda Lee, and she has an ongoing series there, these are really good.
In this book Daphne Martin is trying to make a go of her new cake baking business. During a delivery, she finds one of her customers dead. The woman has been poisoned, and even though she never even saw the cake Daphne delivered, the small town rumor mill has decided that the cake may be a little suspicious. This of course does nothing to help business. Lots of action. One of those "I couldn't put it down" books. Looking forward to the next novel. The second book is "Dead Pan", with the third being published 10/11/11; "Killer Sweet Tooth."
In this book Daphne Martin is trying to make a go of her new cake baking business. During a delivery, she finds one of her customers dead. The woman has been poisoned, and even though she never even saw the cake Daphne delivered, the small town rumor mill has decided that the cake may be a little suspicious. This of course does nothing to help business. Lots of action. One of those "I couldn't put it down" books. Looking forward to the next novel. The second book is "Dead Pan", with the third being published 10/11/11; "Killer Sweet Tooth."
Helpful Score: 1
Daphne Martin has just moved back to her small hometown of Brea Ridge in Virginia after divorcing an abusive ex. She is determined to start her life over, with family support (Mom, Dad and sister Violet all live nearby) and a new business making decorated cakes.
She gets off to a rocky start when she discovers her first customer dead. Word soon spreads that maybe her cake was the culprit, and so Daph must clear her cakes, and her name. In the process, she uncovers some secrets that others want kept hidden, and she reconnects with Ben, a childhood friend who is now a HAG (Hot Available Guy).
I enjoyed this,even though the mystery was a little uneven. There are lots of motives, and twists and turns, and I found myself getting a little lost. She relies a lot on women's maiden names and relations to reveal clues. On the other hand, that is very true in a small community! However, I loved Daphne and there were some laugh-out-loud lines that made this a fast, fun read. She describes cake decorating, and I have to say that as a child, I watched my mom decorate enough cakes to recognize what Daphne was doing...it was a little nostalgic! She includes two recipes at the end of the book.
This is the first in the series. She has written a second mystery featuring Daphne, called "Dead Pan" which I bought and am reading right now. (This is the first book I read on my Kindle, btw!)
She gets off to a rocky start when she discovers her first customer dead. Word soon spreads that maybe her cake was the culprit, and so Daph must clear her cakes, and her name. In the process, she uncovers some secrets that others want kept hidden, and she reconnects with Ben, a childhood friend who is now a HAG (Hot Available Guy).
I enjoyed this,even though the mystery was a little uneven. There are lots of motives, and twists and turns, and I found myself getting a little lost. She relies a lot on women's maiden names and relations to reveal clues. On the other hand, that is very true in a small community! However, I loved Daphne and there were some laugh-out-loud lines that made this a fast, fun read. She describes cake decorating, and I have to say that as a child, I watched my mom decorate enough cakes to recognize what Daphne was doing...it was a little nostalgic! She includes two recipes at the end of the book.
This is the first in the series. She has written a second mystery featuring Daphne, called "Dead Pan" which I bought and am reading right now. (This is the first book I read on my Kindle, btw!)
Helpful Score: 1
Meh... it was just OK. Id been excited forever to read this book, but it was dissaponting. I lost intrest about 1/2 way through. The main character, Daphne, wasnt all that interesting. Like other reviews, this felt more like chick-lit than mystery. I will not be continuing the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book! It moved along quickly and had believable characters with personalities I want to meet again and again. Keep writing!
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Excellent cozy, suspected the villain part way in, but didn't put it all together until closer to the end. All the why's and wherefores didn't fall into place for awhile. Good story, looking forward to the next one. Good cake decorating tips and recipes. Either name she writes under is fine with me. (Amanda Lee) Easy, quick read, very relaxing.
Cheryl C. (moondance120) reviewed Murder Takes the Cake (Daphne Martin, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
Amanda Lee writing as Gayle Trent. Daphne has moved to a small town following her divorce and opened a cake decorating business. When her first major client dies, Daphne becomes a suspect. i enjoyed the cake tips and the small town intrigue 3.5 stars.
d have to say this was a fun easy and quick read. Usually, I don't always like these type of mysteries since they can quickly become more about stories of gossip. I don't care for gossip stories. However, this one didn't bother me. Yes, it involves gossip, but it is set in a small town and a portion of her own life story was woven into the mystery. Therefore I can see why she sought out more information even if it was through the gossip line.
I give this book 3 stars. It wasn't a complicated mystery but more toward the chick lit side of the mystery genre. It had a lot to do with family and growing in life as well as solving a mystery. I recommend this one to people who want a mystery, but don't want something too heavy.
I give this book 3 stars. It wasn't a complicated mystery but more toward the chick lit side of the mystery genre. It had a lot to do with family and growing in life as well as solving a mystery. I recommend this one to people who want a mystery, but don't want something too heavy.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Murder Takes the Cake (Daphne Martin, Bk 1) on + 419 more book reviews
I rather enjoyed this, the first book in the new Daphne Martin Cake series. Daphne Martin has returned to her home town after her divorce from her abusive husband (he tried to shoot her) and has started her own baking business. Daphne takes possession of an in depth tell all diary that was kept by the town's cantankerous busy body Yodell Watson after she finds Yodell dead. Daphne learns some things about her own family that she wished she had not discovered in the pages of the journal. It seems that there is no lack of suspects that may have wished the nosy woman dead, and when it is discovered that the old woman died of poisen by snake venom it is clear that her death was anything but "natural". I will read the next book in this light mystery series.
Jennifer P. (favoritern) reviewed Murder Takes the Cake (Daphne Martin, Bk 1) on + 55 more book reviews
Cute, fast read. If you want something mindless but yet slightly entertaining, this book is for you.
