Jane’s ex-husband’s new young wife comes to town, and it’s all about murder . . . The last thing Jane expected was to meet Cherri, her ex-husband’s new wife, but that’s exactly what happens. It’s bad enough that Jane’s Amish sister has a broken arm, so Jane has to run the cupcake store with dubious help from feisty octogenarians Matilda and Eleanor, and naughty little cat, Mr. Crumbles . . . but … little cat, Mr. Crumbles . . . but Cherri wants Jane’s help in solving a murder.
Will Jane be able to solve the murder, avoid her ex, keep the cupcake store from crumbling apart, and keep a level head around Detective Damon McCloud?
Or will it all end not so sweetly?
Book 2 in this delightful USA Today Bestselling.cozy mystery series.
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PREVIOUS CONFECTIONS by Ruth Hartzler is the second book in the An Amish Cupcake Cozy Mystery Series. It’s the story of recently divorced June Delight as she is picking up the pieces of her life and deciding to make something out of them rather than crumble.
What could be worse than getting a divorce? Having to meet with you ex over some paperwork he wants her signature on and at a French restaurant no less. June has wised up a last few month and knew she wasn’t signing anything without her lawyer checking it out first. Little did she expect Ted to show up with his new wife – Cherrie! Their dinner turned into a professional gathering for her ex when two other couples joined them. Well, that’s ok because she was ordering the most expensive items on the menu – after she stuck the papers in her purse for her lawyer read.
During a champagne toast, Marcus Matheson, owner of the restaurant and business associate of Ted’s, clutched his throat, fell over and died. A case of poisoning it appears. When Ted becomes the prime suspect, Cherri, approaches June for help in finding evidence to exonerate him. Although June would rather have him live out his life under the jail, June Amish upbringing made her feel sorry for her since she has no one else to turn too. June reluctantly agrees to help her.
June’s identical twin sister, who is still Amish, broke her arm. That means June has full responsibility for the cupcake bakery her sister owns and must accept help once again from Matilda and Eleanor, her elderly roommates, both in the shop and in hunting down clues in the most recent murder. Their sleuthing skills seem to be unlimited and their knowledge of poison is immensely helpful. Although June would rather not have to be in the car if Matilda is driving! Even treat loving Mr. Crumbles does his part to help solve the crimes and to nab the killer.
Along the way June finds out she is being watched/followed and can’t figure out who or why. Can Scottish Detective Damon McCloud, who she’s started to have romantic notions about, keep her safe? Are those notions reciprocated? Will she ever find out?
Ruth Hartzler succeeded in making the second book in this series just as much a joy to read as the first. You can’t help but love the mix of characters in this series. It was fun turning the pages trying solve the mystery of whodunit or how the culprit would be exposed before the reveal.
Although a continuation of the series, PREVIOUS CONFECTIONS can be read as a standalone book. However, they are so much fun to read that I’m glad I am reading them in order. Now I’m on to book number three with great anticipation of seeing how the foursome – June, the Birtwistle sisters and Mr. Crumbles – fair in the next installment of this series!
Be sure to check out the yummy Amish recipes in the back of the book.
Previous Confections is another charming mystery from Ruth Hartzler. Jane, Matilda, Eleanor, Rebecca, Damon and Mr. Crumbles are once again involved in a murder. Surprisingly it is Jane’s ex-husband’s new wife who asks for Jane’s help. I definitely did not figure out who the murderer was. That always adds to my pleasure. The first book in the series was good. This one is even better. Enjoy!
Again, I loved the entertaining characters and their interactions between them. I not able to guess the killer until the end of this funny yet page-turning story! I can hardly wait to read the next book in this series!
Mr Crumbles needs his own gofundme for treats
Not only is he superb at being adorable – he is super intelligent – he is remarkable at aerial maneuvers and escapology. Basically he is one clever kitty! (And if he ever needs a girlfriend my baby girl is as ingenious as he is – imagine their kittens! RUN!!!)
this is the second book that shows us Jane’s amazing adventures since she came out from under Ted’s shadow – she’s now blooming and flourishing with her sister’s cupcake shop and all her friends to keep her busy she really does not have time for another murder mystery – but I am so very glad that that is what she gets.
I once again thoroughly enjoyed reading about the escapades that Jane, her family and friends get embroiled in and I seriously wish that I get to be as cool as Matilda or Eleanor when I grow up!
And yes there is a certain handsome Scottish detective that pops up from time to time.
I love, love, BLOOMING LOVE THIS SERIES.
The characters make me giggle all the time – and that’s just Mr Crumble! Never mind what Matilda and Eleanor get up to in their inventive and mysterious ways.
I seriously cannot wait for the next installment of the amazing Jane and her private detective crew! Thank you Ruth Hartzler for a fabulously entertaining read
This is another Ruth Hartzler book that is a easy, full of chuckles, fun book. It reads fast but completely holds your interest. It gives in-site into the Amish lifestyle. I recommend!
Jane has to meet her ex-husband as he has papers for her to sign. How can something so ordinary turn into a murder investigation. Jane, Matilda and Eleanor are on the case. Too bad Detective McCloud wishes Jane would stay out of it. There is a lot of descriptions of Amish customs sprinkled throughout the story and the cat (Mr. Crumbles) adds a lot of comedy to the story. This is a nice easy read.
Jane has found it necessary to start over once again.
She left her Amish family after Rumspringa and eventually married her now ex husband Ted
For her fiftieth birthday he left her with notice that he was marrying the young college student he was expecting a baby with
When Ted brings paperwork to sign, Jane is wise enough to let her know she will review the paperwork with a lawyer before signing this time
Sadly, Jane does not exit in time to prevent being witness to a murder
An odd protective instinct towards his new wife Cherri leaves Jane in some uncomfortable and hilarious positions- though yo be fair, with friends like Eleanor and Matilda, and Mr Crumbles the cat, hilarity is likely to be part of the adventure
fun and fabulous sister sleuths
Quirky characters and a great mystery are the hallmark of the second book in this great cozy mystery series. The characters are fun, interact well and engaging. The storyline flows quickly and smoothly, grabbing your interest and keeping it until the end. The mystery has numerous viable suspects, interesting subtle clues, surprises, twists and turns and suspense. I really enjoy how the characters interact and the interjection of humour. I look forward to the next book in the series. It is well written and engaging.
A Cute and humorous cozy mystery. Well not the murder that takes place at a five star restaurant, but in how the characters go about finding out Whodunit. The Birtwistle sisters had this reader laughing out loud and Jane Delight seems to fit right in with these sleuths. Mr Crumbles , the cat, is a feline to reckon with when he makes his daring escapes from the apartment, followed by Matilda, Eleanor and Jane as they chase him all over the town.
Jane Delight must meet her ex husband at a fancy restaurant to sign some papers. She didn’t plan on meeting his new wife and becoming part of a dinner party. Almost immediately the owner of the restaurant falls over dead and the police detectives suspect he was murdered. Everyone at their table is a suspect. The elderly Birtwistle sisters put their sleuthing skills to work when Cherri Delight, Ted’s new wife , begs Jane find the real killer. In the end Mr Crumbles jumps in at just the right time to save the day.
Ruth Hartzler writes a good mystery and weaves in a touch of humor that keeps her readers laughing through out the book. I found it was a quick and easy read that drew me in from the first chapter. I enjoyed book one so much that I made it a point to continue on in the series. I want to read all five books.
All readers of Cozy Mysteries will love the Amish cupcake Mystery series. The author didn’t disappoint this reader and I hope you love these mysteries as much as I do.
I purchased a Kindle ebook copy of Previous Confections from Amazon. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
Jane Delight has her hands full at the moment. Her sister has a broken arm and as a good sister does, Jane takes over running the cupcake shop, baking, and generally trying to figure out her roommates, Matilda and Eleanor plus Mr. Crumbles.
The only thing she doesn’t need is to have dinner with her ex-husband, Ted and his new much younger wife, Cherri. Ted has his reasons and Cherri is delighted (pardon the pun) to meet Jane. When the unthinkable happens and Ted is suspected of murder, Cherri involves Jane. This is a fun book (in spite of murder, of course). When Matilda, Eleanor and Mr. Crumbles are part of the story, you’re going to have an interesting time. Of course, there’s that handsome Scottish detective who seems to keep an eye on Jane. I liked this book so much that I went straight into reading the next one in this series.
Jane’s ex-husband Ted comes to town and brings his current wife Cherri. When someone is murdered at the dinner, Cherri asks Jane for help. Cherri is afraid that Ted is going to be jailed and she has no one else to help. Of course, the trio plus Mr. Crumbles jump in to help. This is another enjoyable story and can be read separate from the other books in the series.
“A rainbow is always on the other side”. That’s how Ms. Hartzler ends this book and that’s the feeling I’m left with after reading one of the books in this series. The main character is a 50-something divorced woman who moves to help her twin run her bakery and lives with two eccentric sisters. That would be quite boring except people have a habit of being murdered around her. In this book, her ex is questioned about the death and his new wife asks her to prove he’s innocent. I love this series.
Jane and the ladies are pressed into service again! And this time it’s a most unlikely character they’re trying to prove innocent; Jane’s ex husband Ted. Because his 20-something new wife begs them to help.
How it all comes about, and how Jane, Matilda, and Eleanor stumble their way to the real killer is another entertaining tale. Get your sleuthing tools out and test your theories against these somewhat reluctant sleuths. How do you stack up? I was far off! But I did enjoy Book Two in this charming series.
[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
Previous Confections by Ruth Hartzler is the second book in the series An Amish Cupcake Cozy Mystery. I really enjoyed the first book True Confections and I love this book just as much if not more. These books just keep getting better. This is full of drama, humor, a little romance and plenty of action with some wonderful characters. It is a quick fun read and I didn’t want to put it down. This book will keep you guessing. It is a fun little mystery and I highly recommend it.
Previous Confections is Book 2 in the Amish Cupcake Cozy Mystery series. I really enjoyed Book 1 True Confections and I loved this book just as much.
Seems as if Jane’s worst nightmare came true, meeting, Cherri, her ex=husbands new wife, and whats worse is that Cherri wants to team up with Jane to solve a murder. Add to the fact that Jane’s sister had a broken arm and Jane is in charge of operating the cupcake store with a bit of help from Matilda, Eleanor, and lets not forget Mr. Crumbles the kitty . I love Mr. Crumbles!
I really enjoy the character development and how relateable Jane is. The mystery is some twists and turns which is enjoyable and did I mention that I love Mr. Crumbles, he’s quite the snarky one and naughty!
This is a great whodunit in which I did not guest the murderer at all, not even close.
I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
situational-humor, verbal-humor, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, senior-citizens, murder, cozy-mystery *****
Reading this book will definitely chase away any grumbles or sadness with lots of laughter! It is clear that Jane is not a suspect this time, but the local detective shows her a lot of interest anyway. Her elder roommates keep getting into trouble but not as much as their cat. No spoilers! Just read and enjoy!