As The Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz is the fifth book in the “Food Lovers’ Village” mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, coming June 8, 2018
Erin is one smart cookie, but can she keep the holiday spirit—and herself—alive till Christmas?
In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy’s Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily has turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.
When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed, fingers point to Merrily—until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer—and keep herself in one piece—in time for a special Christmas Eve?
Includes delicious recipes!
When Erin’s new-found friend is murdered, what else is Erin to do but investigate and as she has discovered, not everything is as it seems.
Plenty of deceit is wrapped around this story and I love how the author presented this multi-plot tale where it was evident as to who the suspects would be, but it was the clues that were sprinkled throughout and especially those strategically placed twists that took me in a different direction each time I came across one, that kept me engaged in all that was happening. The mystery was well-played out with enough drama that kept me captivated by the interactions and conversations with the various characters. I like how every step taken by Erin was defined to bring her closer to the killer’s identity. The author placed trust in the pivotal players by giving them key roles that enhanced how well this story was being told. With all that was going on between the murder and Erin’s personal affairs, the author did a great job in blending it all together in a delightfully cohesive narrative that left me eager for more adventures with Erin and her friends.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher.
I have loved this series and will definitely be reading. The interview was teriffic.
I put it on my library list!
So glad you enjoyed the return trip to Jewel Bay!
This is one off my favorite series!