Franklin here, like the president, but you can call me Frank. I’m a handsome chocolate point Siamese and I rule the roost and all the ditzy roosters and chickens around here. And believe me, they need all the help they can get. Obviously, I’m not talking about feathered fowl, I’m talking about my human book club members. This book club is heavy on enthusiasm, but light on aptitude. Except for Dr. Atticus Papadopoulos, he has enough brilliance to bore you to tears.
First thing in the morning I like my bowl of coffee, heavy on the creamer – the flavored type preferred. Of course, being a cat lacking opposable thumbs I must rely on one of the book club folks to prepare it for me. I often get lectured about how it’s not good for me (while they are sipping their own steaming cup. Hypocritical, if you ask me.). Blah, blah, blah. I barely listen anymore. I just remind them that I’m not your ordinary feline and to get busy with the pouring already.
Once I’ve had my cup o’ java, my brain is awake enough to keep up with any shenanigans the book club throws my way. On book club days that’s usually a whole lotta shenanigans. If we’re inside a mystery book – oh? Didn’t I tell you? It’s a magical mystery book club and we are absorbed into a cozy mystery and have to ferret out the suspects, dig through the red herrings, and find out who killed the guy. Sometimes it’s a gal, too. Never a cat though, thank goodness for that cozy mystery rule. I would definitely not be on board for that kind of story.
Anyhow. When we’re inside a book, we must get to know our surroundings, meet the people, figure out the motive and opportunity, and all that detective-y kind of stuff. I’m talented in the skulking around and spying on people sort of thing, so that’s often my role.
Once I spy and skulk, I return to the book club to fill them in on what I’ve seen. We usually sit around the murder board and pick apart the facts. Then we plan the next day’s recognizance. And we eat. A lot. This group loves their meals and snacks, and they take it very seriously. Oy, the potlucks! Luckily, someone always brings fish. So, we eat, and we talk, and we plan. Wash, dry, and repeat until we figure out who dunnit and reach The End of the book. Then we head back home to catch our breath until we get to do it again.
~
Bakeries and Buffoonery, A Magical Mystery Book Club Book #4
Genre: Cozy
Release: February 2023
Format: Digital
Purchase Link
It’s a magical book club! When this group chooses a book, magic happens. The mystery comes to life, and they find themselves part of the story. To exit the book and get back home, they need to solve the mystery and reach The End.
This time, the club chooses a book called The Great Cake Rivalry, because, well … cake! They read the back cover and it’s unanimous. So off they go into another grand adventure into a town aptly named Frosting.
Frosting is a rural town in an idyllic setting. The people live quiet lives most of the year. But in the spring, things change. The Annual Cake Competition becomes the focus of every man, woman, and child. They take this competition seriously. The cakes are spectacular. The festival is fabulous. For a week there are contests featuring all kinds of cakes. The people of the community become official tasters and vote for the winning cakes in each category.
The grand finale is a display of finely decorated cakes, made by the town’s bakeries. The winner of the best design receives a prize package that would make any baker dizzy.
Sadly, this event has been tainted. Once a year, each one different, but all somehow related to this event, a person is murdered. The main investigator is stumped, but that could be because he’s an inept buffoon.
Can the book club help the people of this community figure out who is causing this disturbing pattern of deaths, and stop another murder from happening? Can they figure out why some of the citizens dress so oddly, and why they always wear those unique backpacks? All while they fill themselves to the brim with cake, of course.
About the author
Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents, published in over twenty languages. She simultaneously writes the well-loved Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the new Magical Mystery Book Club series.
Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest, the gorgeous inspiration for the setting in many of her books. She loves to write about sassy, smart, brave, and funny talking cats. Visit her and sign up for her newsletter at nocrysolution.com.
All comments are welcomed.