Book Review: GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH by Catherine Bruns

It's hot outside and a touch of Christmas in July may just be what you need....

About the Book (from Amazon)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Unless you’re Sally Muccio. 

The full-time baker and sometime sleuth is ready to burst into song. She and her husband are expecting a bundle of joy, her sister’s wedding is just around the corner, and it’s Christmas, her favorite time of year. But when Sal’s the victim of a carjacking by Santa himself and a forgotten item links her to a murder, she doesn’t feel like ho-ho-hoing anymore. 

Damian Ruger was a drug user, womanizer and first-class jerk. And unfortunately for Sal, she once had a connection to him in high school. The dough really hits the fan when her bakery's gingerbread cookies are found next to his dead body, and Sal's cake server is used as a murder weapon. Someone is trying to frame the expectant mother, but why? Sal has no choice but to try to clear her name...before she and the baby are singing Christmas carols in prison! 

Review 

As with others in this series, this a fun read with a holiday theme featuring Sal (Sally) Muccio, a baker and part-time sleuth. There's a lot going on with her high school sweetheart murdered and evidence of Sal left with the body. While trying to figure out who the real killer is, she's busy preparing for the holidays and a baby. There are twists and turns to keep you guessing along the way.

Bruns managed to include all the things that make a mystery cozy - friends and family, small town, secrets, and something from the past. Although this is the 8th in the series, she provides enough background that it's easily read as a stand-alone. If you liked the others in this series, you're sure to enjoy this one. And, as always, she's included recipes!

The Cookies & Chance Mysteries: 

Tastes Like Murder (book #1) 

Baked to Death (book #2) 

Burned to a Crisp (book #3) 

Frosted With Revenge (book #4) 

Silenced by Sugar (book #5) 

Crumbled to Pieces (book #6) 

Sprinkled in Malice (book #7) 

Gingersnapped to Death (book #8) 

Icing on the Casket (book #9) 

Knee Deep in Dough (book #10)

Dessert is the Bomb (book #11)

Seasoned with Murder (book #12)

Bake, Batter, and Roll (book #13)

About the author (from Amazon)

Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. Catherine has a B.A. in English and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also writes the Italian Chef mysteries, Cindy York real estate and Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) culinary series. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the 2019 Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense. 

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Please feel free to connect with her on social media as well: https://facebook.com/Catherine-Bruns-Books-218522341685434 https://twitter.com/@writesmystery

Looking for more Christmas in July Cozy Mysteries?  

Book Review: SPRINKLED IN MALICE Cookies & Chance Mysteries # 7 by Catherine Bruns

Synopsis

Spring has officially arrived, and while the weather outside may still be frightful, Sally Muccio is feeling especially delightful as she prepares a homemade family dinner in honor of her husband's birthday. Sal's determined to make it an unforgettable night for Mike and even includes homemade fortune cookies like the ones her bakery serves, with messages personalized for each guest.

The evening is memorable, but not as Sal had hoped, when Mike and a family friend find themselves in the middle of an armed robbery...and only one will make it out alive. It's just the beginning of more grief for Sal, who soon discovers the robbery is related to a scheme that spells financial ruin for her family. Add in her morbid father's book signing at the bakery complete with coffin shaped cookies, a sister who won't stop eating them, and an accidental gig at a local strip club, and Sal once again finds herself in deep dough. Only this time, there may not be a way out...

*Recipes Included!*

Review

Sally's birthday celebration for Mike is postponed when he stops to pink up sprinkles for her. What looks like an armed robbery leaves his friend and employee, Trevor, dead and Mike in surgery.  Now Sally is faced with taking care of him, keeping her bakery afloat, and taking care of Mike's construction business. What she has to tell him isn't far behind getting shot when it comes to unwelcome birthday presents. Sally searches for clues and answers to missing money and the person who shot Mike. Add in a little tension with her favorite cop, a very pregnant sister, and a few twists and turns along the way.  

The funeral themed book signing complete with coffin cookies is unique and the description of Sally's mother's new funeral wardrobe, is well, interesting. Josie and Sal's undercover adventure at the strip club adds comic relief as well. The pace is steady and keeps the readers' attention, with an unexpected surprise in a fortune cookie. It's easy to like Sally and Mike, Gianna, Johnny, and Josie.  This is the seventh in the series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. If you like cozy mysteries, you will like this one. And you get recipes, besides.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

AMAZON

Cookies and Chance Mysteries
Tastes Like Murder (Book #1)
Baked to Death (Book #2)
Burned to a Crisp (Book #3)
Frosted With Revenge (Book #4)
Silenced by Sugar (Book #5)
Crumbled to Pieces (Book #6)
Sprinkled in Malice - (Book #7)
Ginger Snapped to Death - (Book #8)

Icing on the Casket - (Book #9)

Book Review: BURNED TO A CRISP (Cookies & Chance Mysteries Book 3) by Catherine Bruns

Synopsis

Just when things appear to be going well for baker and sometime sleuth, Sally Muccio, life turns up the heat again.

It’s summertime, and the living is easy for the Muccio clan. Sal’s wedding to her beloved fiancé is rapidly approaching, Mom’s won a beauty contest, and sister Gianna is now a licensed public defender. But when the bakery Sal’s worked so hard for goes up in smoke—along with her dreams!—she’s not sure how much more she can stand. Even worse, the man found dead in the bakery’s back room is none other than Gianna’s latest client, Bernardo Napoli.

The dough really hits the fan for Sal and Josie when they’re forced to temporarily relocate their bakery to the crazy Muccio home. Trouble is quickly stirred up as the best friend team must now contend with Sal’s father and his new mortuary business “undertakings,” a middle aged mother parading around customers in bikinis, and an Italian family hell bent on revenge. For Sal, several questions demand answers. Where has Gianna disappeared to? What role did she play in Bernardo’s death? What secret is Sal’s fiancé hiding from her? Sal is determined to find answers...before she gets burned once again!

Review

When the bakery burns down with Bernado Napoli dead, Sally and Josie have to come up with a way to meet the orders they have, and Sally is forced to move home with her parents. Aside from the murder, Sally’s sister, Gianna is missing and a suspect. Sally’s parents, not to mention the neighbor lady and her obsession with the fortune cookies, are unique and add humor to the story. The characters are well rounded and well developed. There is drama, humor, romance, and mystery.

The story is well-paced and flows smoothly; the book is a quick easy read.  Although 3rd in a series of 6 in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series, this was easily read as a stand alone. If you like cozy mysteries, I'd recommend this book - as always, it's probably a good idea to start at the beginning of the series though.

AMAZON


Tastes Like Murder (Book 1)
Baked to Death (Book 2)