An amateur sleuth, a handsome detective, and a dead body found in their cozy town… Can Margaret and David solve this mysterious murder?Margaret is living the dream running her sweet shop alongside her son, Zach and her good friend, Patti. Business is hurting though, due to new construction work going on around one of the vacant units, and other tenants are beginning to feel the tension. Usually, … tension. Usually, everyone treats each other with a degree of respect, but it seems everyone wants to be rid of the new coffee shop chain that has opened.
It has damaged business for the tea shop, the bakery, and the small mobile coffee stop. To make matters worse, Scott Freeman, the owner of the coffee stop, is an arrogant sod who has managed to insult various customers in the short time he has opened the business. When Margaret decides to get a coffee one morning, she finds his dead body on the floor.
David is assigned to investigate the suspicious death, warning Margaret to keep her distance after the injuries she’d sustained in the last case. Tensions rise in both her personal and business life and Margaret finds herself struggling to get this mystery out of her head.
With a pinch of homemade sweetness (with or without the apron) Margaret intends to become close to Scott’s widow to get to the bottom of this bitter cup of coffee.
Previously published as A Shot of Bitterness. This version has been completely rewritten.
This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.
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GAME OF TARTS is the 2nd book in the Sweet Shop Mystery series and is an enjoyable afternoon read. It has a great blending of murder and suspense with a touch of humor. It was easy to jump right into the story and get to know these well developed characters.
Margaret owns the Sweet Shop and her son Zach helps her run it. Margaret can’t help but notice the newly opened coffee shop across the street seems to be causing a lot of friction and discontent with the other shop owners, even those not in competition with the coffee shop are upset. Arriving extra early one morning Margaret sees lights across the street and decides to get a cup of coffee and get to know the owner. Instead, she finds the owner dead. Against the advice from her detective friend and her son, Margaret can’t help but find herself drawn into another investigation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sabrina is thinking of giving her son, Zack, more responsibility at the Nichols’ Candy Store. She will need the extra time to find out who is responsible for the body she found. Sabrina would like to remain friends with David, the detective in charge, however, he wants her to stay out of it. I enjoyed the changing relationship between Sabrina and her now-adult son and recommend this mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a nice good book. The characters are fun while finding a murderer. I enjoyed reading it. I recommend this book if you like mystery plus fun.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a cute quick cozy mystery story.
Margaret’s day starts just like any other in her candy store until she decides to go across the street to get a coffee at the new coffee shop owned by Bob Freeman. When she gets there the sign reads closed but the door is unlocked. She goes in and finds Bob dead on the floor. Her quasi boyfriend Detective David Graham responds to the call. Margaret decides to pay her condolences to Bob’s widow Sophie and to investigate the murder. Apparently Bob has not been making any friends in town and there are several people who could be suspects. Margaret and David investigate together and she finds several pieces of evidence. She finally figured out who the murderer is and David makes the arrest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wendy Meadows books are consistently great. This story revolves around a new business in town. The sleepy town becomes a hotbed of angry business owners as the new businessman uses underhanded methods to promote his business. Can Margaret and David solve the puzzle? Anyone who loves cozy mysteries will love this book and the series. Highly recommend this series.
Is it possible the ending gives a heads up for the next book? HMMMMMM Read it and let me know what you think.
Does Margaret have a fanciful imagination? Or does she have good instincts? Beware of rabbit trails for sure in this book. I got caught in one.
Margaret and Zack really need to work on their relationship now that he is adult age. Not quite sure what is going on there. Some stuff just seems to good to be true for me, sets off baby baby alarm bells in the back of my head. Just have to wait for more books in the series to see where it is going.
Don’t start this book in the evening because you will want to sit down and read it all at once. You would think I would learn my lesson by now.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.