Book #Review: Silence of the Flans (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery, Book #2) by Laura Bradford #CozyMystery

Book Information:

Print Length: 300 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: March 7, 2017

Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC

ASIN: B01H17UCGG

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About the Book:

Baker Winnie Johnson does her best work when the heat is on. As owner of the Emergency Dessert Squad, she has a deft touch in the kitchen and a soft spot for lost causes. So when her business professor beau, Jay Morgan, expresses misgivings over having to fail one of his fourth-year students, Winnie cooks up a sweet solution. 

She'll offer an extra credit opportunity in exchange for a little help with her growing business. But when her protege's first dessert delivery poisons a student journalist, the publicity threatens to burn Winnie's business to a crisp. Now the entrepreneur-turned-detective must uncover the ingredients behind a recipe for murder before she crumbles under pressure... 

RECIPES INCLUDED

Silence of the Flans is about a murder that threatens to shut down the Emergency Dessert Squad. When one of Winnie Johnson's desserts is used as a murder weapon to poison a student she must figure out exactly what happened. The continued success of her business depends on it!

The Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series has a most unique concept. Winnie uses a vintage ambulance as a dessert delivering service in what is a wonderfully different cozy setting. I was pulled in from the very beginning and kept thoroughly engaged in the story and it's cast of multifaceted characters. Winnie is a very determined sleuth, especially since her livelihood depends on her being able to prove that her food isn't toxic. 

The world building and character development is done really well. I love all of the characters, main and supporting. They are written with realism and are believable. I enjoyed getting to know the entire cast. The concept behind the Emergency Dessert Squad is clever and the dessert names are awesome! I applaud the author's creativity.

I love everything about Silence of the Flans and the Emergency Dessert Squad series.

My review copy came from the library.

My Rating:

Book Review: Dial M for Mousse (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery, Book #3) by Laura Bradford @bradfordauthor @BerkleyMystery

Dial M for Mousse (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #3)

by Laura Bradford

Book Details:

Print Length: 303 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: January 2, 2018

Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC

ASIN: B06Y573L55

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About the Book:

Murder takes the cake in an irresistible Emergency Dessert Squad mystery from the national bestselling author of The Silence of the Flans. 

The Emergency Dessert Squad business is booming, with owner and baker Winnie Johnson working overtime to satisfy the emergency cravings of Silver Lake, Ohio. Her latest order, a plate of motivational desserts for an artists' retreat, is just what she needs to keep her mind off her own relationship woes. 

But Winnie's problems seem like trifles when she discovers the body of retreat owner Sally Dearfield mere inches away from five oh-so-eccentric and viable suspects. Now, this baking detective must uncover the inspiration behind Sally's murder before another creative genius is iced.

Book includes recipes.

Winnie Johnson's Emergency Dessert Squad business is growing by leaps and bounds every day. The business has a competitive and creative edge over traditional bakeries. A fact that has Sally Dearfield, the owner of an artists' retreat, soliciting Winnie for her decadent desserts. Upon delivery of the treats designed, named, and prepared individually for each artist, Winnie and Renee find themselves going to the main building. What they find is shocking and upsetting - Sally Dearfield is dead on the floor surrounded by each of the individual artists to whom they just hand delivered desserts, and the death is ruled suspicious. Winnie and her trusty sidekicks decide to "help" the local police identify the murderer before anyone else is murdered. 

Throughout the novel we also get a glimpse into Winnie's complicated love life. As Winnie is trying to solve the mystery behind Sally's death, the threads of her relationship with Jay are woven within.  He and his daughter are away and the circumstances make Winnie question everything she thought they had together. When he returns, Winnie isn't sure what to expect, and that has her tied up in knots.

One of the ideas behind Dial M for Mousse that I found interesting was that none of the suspects had anything to do with the main characters in the book. In most cozies I've read lately, the heroine, one of her family members, or some of her friends end up being suspects. I enjoyed the deviation from the same ole - same ole. Winnie's compassion, caring, and friendship with the elders in her neighborhood is a wonderful aspect to the Emergency Dessert Squad  Mystery series.

The author did a great job keeping the suspect protected from identification by the readers. I really didn't have any idea which of the five artists it could have been. All of them had secrets that could have ignited to the point that killing Sally was their final option. Dial M for Mousse was fun, fast-paced, and enjoyable to read.

The characters are well-developed and the author continues the development throughout the book. Winnie's interactions with all of her friends is filled with nothing but kindness and compassion. Winnie's relationship status in the book isn't smooth and the author does a great job writing the issues realistically and without either character looking bad. She continues some world building, as well, as she continues to describe the growth of Winnie's Emergency Dessert Squad business. I recommend the entire series to all cozy mystery lovers.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.

My Rating: