Revenge Is Sweet by Kaye George is the first book in the NEW “Vintage Sweets” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, March 10, 2020.
In the picturesque tourist town of Fredericksburg, Texas, Tally Holt has opened a new candy store with a vintage twist . . .but there’s no sugar-coating a nasty case of murder . . .
Tally Holt has poured her heart, soul, and bank account into Tally’s Olde Tyme Sweets, specializing in her grandmother’s delicious recipes. Tally’s homemade Mallomars, Twinkies, fudges, and taffy are a hit with visiting tourists—and with Yolanda Bella, the flamboyant owner of Bella’s Baskets next door. But both shops encounter a sour surprise when local handyman Gene Faust is found dead in Tally’s kitchen, stabbed with Yolanda’s scissors.
The mayor’s adopted son, Gene was a handsome Casanova with a bad habit of borrowing money from the women he wooed. It’s a sticky situation for Yolanda, who was one of his marks. There are plenty of other likely culprits among Fredericksburg’s female population, and even among Gene’s family. But unless Tally can figure out who finally had their fill of Gene’s sweet-talking ways, Yolanda—and both their fledgling businesses—may be destined for a bitter end . . .
A small quaint tourist town, a vintage candy shop and a murder, what more can you ask for?
This was an enjoyable light drama with a solid plot and an eclectic cast of characters. The mystery was intriguing and kept me involved from the start until all was said and done. The author did a great job in providing a slew of suspects and clues to help narrow down the field. The narrative was visually descriptive with engaging dialogue and a small-town atmosphere that made me feel like I was part of the action. I liked the setup and it was fun watching it all play out with a few plot twists that enhanced how well this story was being told. This was a deliciously appealing tale and look forward to more adventures with Tally and her friends.