From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes another deliciously deadly culinary mystery…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 … 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!
The Cookies & Chance Mysteries:
Tastes Like Murder (book #1)
A Spot of Murder (short story in the “Killer Beach Reads” collection)
Baked to Death (book #2)
Burned to a Crisp (book #3)
Frosted With Revenge (book #4)
Silenced by Sugar (book #5)
A Drizzle Before Dying (short story in the “Pushing Up Daisies” collection)
Crumbled to Pieces (book #6)
Sprinkled in Malice – book #7Ginger Snapped to Death – book #8
What critics are saying:
“A fantastic cozy mystery!”
–InD’Tale Magazine
“I want to visit more with all of the quirky characters just to see what crazy and outrageous things they will do next!”
–Fresh Fiction
“The Cookies and Chance Mystery series is more than just a series….it’s a family!! Once you read the first book, you are hooked and feel like a member of the crazy Muccio family.”
–Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
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I love these types of mysteries. Joanne Fluke is an example other than this author.
I loved this book I did not want to put it down. The characters are well developed and are like old friends! I love this whole series!
I thoroughly enjoyed. I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more of her books.
Loved the characters and the small town setting…can’t wait to read more!
Okay but not realistic or believeable.
Quirky enjoyable read
I love all of the books written by this author, but I must say, this is the best in this series yet! No spoilers in this review! The story takes you on a super fun journey until you discover who the killer is. The story is full of characters that everyone can relate to, even if you are not a member of an Italian Family! lol. So unpredictable until near the end, this book is entertaining and well written AND it has recipes at the end! What more could you ask for? Sal and Josie are definitely on the job both in the bakery and out in the street as their taste for amateur sleuthing get the better of them. Sal’s parents are two loony tune parents that make you throw your hands up in the air, and you can’t forget the rest of the family as you swipe your way through this book that you just won’t be able to put down. I received a copy for review from the publisher and am providing my honest, unsolicited opinion. This series is completely the sprinkles on top of the cookies!
Love this series and this installment was no different from the other books in the series. The leading lady was put through the ringer on this one. What happened to her husband and his partner, becoming an aunt and an amazing ending to the book that even I was beginning to suspect, it was a page turner that made it hard to put down.
Read this series from the beginning to know all of these great characters and how they have progressed throughout the series.
“Sprinkled in Malice” earns 5/5 Sparkled G-Strings…Sooo Clever & Engaging!
Released 3/12/19; Posted 3/30/19
“Today is a day you will always remember,” says the fortune cookie. This could be the best Cookies & Chance mystery yet! Catherine Bruns’ well-written story illustrates that Karma comes in all forms. It’s Mike’s birthday, but he’s late, not answering his phone, and over the police scanner given to Mike for Christmas, Sally hears there’s a shooting at the mini mart Mike would have gone to run an errand for Sally’s dinner plans…still not answering his phone. Sally isn’t waiting and heads out in the harsh weather to find Mike. At the store, she sees police, coroner, blood, and a body covered with a tarp. “Mike!” Mike survives his injuries, but the victim, Mike’s friend and valued worker for his construction company, was not so lucky. Sally is personally spurred on to investigate discovering that several things don’t add up. Their businesses and their family may be in peril. She’ll definitely remember this day!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first-person narrative sharing Sally’s inner thoughts and laying out clues, scenarios, and personal perspectives. You get caught up in the realistic manner the characters interact, and the daily life that goes on around the central drama: Sally’s sister is expecting, her father is promoting his new “Father Death” blog and book, unrequited love finds resolutions, cookies continue to be baked in large numbers, and Sally and BFF Josie, in true Lucy and Ethel fashion are…well, they get themselves into quite a tight spot at Bottoms Up!, the local strip club. All of this with Catherine’s signature page-turning excitement, perilous predicaments, tight knit family and friends, and fun romantic banter between Sally and her husband. Fans, like me, are thrilled with this new book, but newbies shouldn’t shy away, even though a lot has already passed, there are enough references made to character connections and background, sans spoilers, to keep any newbie engaged. I highly recommend this series, and this book is one of the best!
Bonus delights! Catherine always includes a few easy-to-follow recipes for cookies you’d bet Josie created for the shop. She says she gets permission from good friends to share their recipes, but many of the rest are her own creation. It’s delicious we get to enjoy her efforts: Sprinkled With Fun Cookies, Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies, Chocolate Brownie Cookies! The signature fortune cookie recipe can be found in book one, Tastes Like Murder. A great reason to pick it up!
Sprinkled in Malice has a great mystery. It’s romantic and humorous with quirky characters I love. It will make you hungry. I want some of the bakery’s coffin cookies.
Sprinkled in Malice may just be the best book in the series. I have read them all. Sally and her crazy family and friends feel like my extended family. You can read the blurb. I am not going to rehash the plot. As always, Ms. Bruns characters sparkle and there are a ton of plot twists that keep the reader guessing. You simply must read this book!