Vicky T. (VickyJo) - reviewed on 1/9/2010 + 49 more book reviews

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!)

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details