Former magazine editor “Sugar” Calloway’s life has taken a delicious twist since she launched a community cookbook publishing business with blue-ribbon baker Dixie Spicer. Now these amateur sleuths must solve a small-town murder—without getting burned . . Sugar and Spice Cookbooks’ newest project is a fundraiser organized by the St. Ignatius Crack of Dawn Breakfast Club, famous for their … for their all-you-can-eat biscuits and gravy events. But when a group member is found dead, Sugar and Spice’s priorities change from raising dough to figuring out who put murder on the menu.
The return of former badboy Nick Marchant has stirred the town’s gossips too. Add a few grudges and some old-fashioned greed over a land deal into the mix, and it’s a recipe for mayhem. And when someone serves up a second helping of murder, Sugar and Spice need to sift the guilty from the blameless, or their next breakfast may be their last . . .
* Includes delicious recipes! *
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“Sugar” Calloway and her business partner Dixie Spicer have taken on a new cookbook client, the St. Ignatius Crack of Dawn Breakfast Club. The group is famous for their all you can eat biscuits and gravy breakfasts, and they want their cookbook to raise money to refurbish the park where they hold their breakfasts. Alma is the de facto head of the group, and she is also a neighbor and friend of Greer, Sugar’s landlady, in the retirement community where Greer now lives. One day, Alma goes missing only for the police to report that she died under mysterious circumstances. This throws the cookbook project into chaos, but Greer is very concerned about what happened to her friend. Can Sugar uncover a few clues while making sure the cookbook makes it to print on time?
Reading this book, I realize I have completely fallen in love with the setting. St. Ignatius seems like a charming small town that I would love to visit (between murders, of course), and the author’s descriptions of Iowa make it sound beautiful. The book takes a little time to focus before the plot really starts to get going. As I figured, those early wanderings did come into play as the story wound to its logical conclusion. I thought I knew where things were going early on, but it turned out I was wrong. The characters in this series are all strong and just as charming as the setting. And there’s the food. While reading, I was drooling at the descriptions of food, so I was happy for the four recipes we find at the end. This book will leave you hungry for delicious food and another trip to this charming small town.
Series: A Sugar & Spice Mystery – Book 2
Author: Mary L Ashford
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary/Literary
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 252
Publishing Date: July 9, 2019
The second cozy book Risky Biscuits in the series, “A Sugar & Spice Mystery” by Mary Lee Ashford published by Kensington Books will be released July 9th. This is a fun and exciting series that is turning out to be a hit. Ms. Ashford knows her craft and her audience, and her writing never fails to entertain.
Sugar is always getting herself and her business partner, Dixie into trouble of one sort or another. She seems to attract murder and mayhem for no apparent reason. Contrary to what the residents of St. Ignatius, especially the police, think, she doesn’t do it on purpose. Somehow, no matter what she is doing or not doing, Sugar finds trouble, or a body, most of the time both. She is a thoroughly likable, interesting, and generous of spirit character, who also happens to be nosey.
Other characters in this cozy book and series are people you could find in any small town across the US. Sugar’s wonderful landlady, Greer makes a return, as do other characters that make up the basis of Sugar’s new “family.” A killer and victim(s) show us that we may not know our neighbors, or even our family as well as we think we do.
It isn’t possible for Sugar not to come to the aid of Greer or anyone who needs her help, and when one of Greer’s friends is murdered, it becomes personal. Unfortunately, along the way to finding the killer, Sugar manages to upset a lot of people and almost becomes a victim of a murderer who is hell-bent on eliminating anyone who gets in the way.
The plot is front and center; the book is character driven. There is action, but not so much that readers lose focus on the main storyline. You will love the recipes in the back almost as much as the story. Giving recipes in this type of cozy book has become almost as important as the characters and the story, and just as delicious. I enjoyed Risky Biscuits and am looking forward to seeing where this series will go with future additions. This is a well-written and well-thought-out story that will leave readers happy and looking forward to the next book. I am pleased to recommend it to readers of the cozy book category.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I had so much fun with this book! Let’s start with the series name which is just adorable fitting the two women’s personalities to a tee. Sugar is trying to keep up with local gossip as she learns everything about small town life so i t was nothing to her when Nick Merchant returned to town. Before she can completely catch up an older friend is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Sugar decides to investigate with the help of Spice and a few friends. Add in another murder, a surprising suspect, and a surprise ending to get a mystery you will refuse to put down. The addition of the mouth watering recipes just makes it that much better. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Although RISKY BISCUITS is the second book in A Sugar & Spice Mystery series by Mary Lee Ashford, it reads just as well all on its own. Just like “Sugar” Calloway’’ I felt right at home in the small community of St. Ignatius, Iowa.
While the business Sugar runs with her partner, Dixie,”Spice” Spicer, is not open to the public, like other shops on the main street, the delicious smells coming from Dixie’s kitchen keeps a steady stream of visitors walking in their door. And with them comes town news and gossip.
Sugar is renting a house from an elderly woman. In return, they have a friendship that has extended to the other residents of the independent living retirement community in which Greer lives. That includes offering rides and a helpful hand at times. Sugar and Spice are also working on publishing a cookbook of recipes from those same elderly residents, and members of The Crack of Dawn Breakfast Club. Fortunately for us, several of the top recipes are included at the end of this book!
When one of the elderly women goes missing and the police won’t take it seriously for at least 48 hours, Sugar is recruited to help the other women investigate. After all, it isn’t breaking and entering if you know where the key is kept, is it?
Lots of small town hijinx history, high school remembered romances, and a bad boy returned home, without this leopard changing his spots, it seems, as well as colorful idioms and phrases inspired by Sugar’s Aunt Cricket, make this a fun read as well as a well shrouded mystery. When you feel you have it figured out, something else comes to your attention.
I can’t wait for my next visit!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Biscuits and Gravy cooks from the St. Ignatius Crack of Dawn Breakfast Club have been hosting breakfast events to raise money for the park shelter where they hold their events. The decide to bind their recipes together in a cookbook put together by Rosetta Sugarbaker Calloway and Dixie Spicer aka “Sugar” and “Spice”. When the de facto leader of the Breakfast Club goes missing and is later found killed, Sugar’s landlord, a member of the group begs Sugar to look into the tragic death. Sugar does have an in as she needs to attend meetings and contact members to keep the fundraising cookbook on track. Plus the gossip chain has ratcheted up with the return of Nick Marchant to town. He and “Spicy” have some kind of a past that Sugar knows nothing about but keeping her ears open and putting a little pressure on her friend she just might find out. The good sheriff is sure not thrilled the man is back in town either.
After reading Game of Scones recently I could wait to sink my teeth into Risky Biscuits. Author Mary Lee Ashford sure didn’t disappoint. She has written strong characters and enveloped them in a stellar mystery.
Sugar & Spice Publishing is getting more clients and Sugar is using her organizational skills while Spice refines a bunch of recipes all to make their next cookbook publication a huge success. Photographer Max Windsor wasn’t as present at the beginning of the story as I had hoped but he doesn’t let the ladies down when it is time to take the food photos needed for the book. We also meet several residents from Greer’s retirement community. While mourning their friend they are still a fun and feisty group.
Ms. Ashford takes a bit of time introducing the new characters and showing readers how they fit with those we had already met. But then Sugar gets hot on the trail to find the killer. Red herrings, yes there were a few. I made the mistake of thinking I had the culprit pinned down early only to be shown the error of my ways. Twists and turns led to a shocking reveal.
Aside from the murder, this little town in Iowa is a fun place to visit. I love all the friendships that are blooming.
I can’t finish this review without mentioning the food. Spice is always baking up something good. Even things she considers flops are downright tasty. She always seems to have plenty of people dropping by their shop for samples too. I wish she could pass them out from the pages, especially the Better Than Robert Redford/George Clooney cake. The author does include recipes in the back of the book but I don’t have the skills Spice has. Then again the recipe of the above mentioned doesn’t look too complicated
Culinary cozies readers will love this story.
Page Turner! Iowa Cozy Mystery
This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery that I hated to put down. It was very easy to read and had me hooked by the end of the first chapter. The book is a joy to read. There are plenty of laughs throughout the book. The story involves cookbooks, good eating, seniors, yard-work and plenty of small-town gossip. At the end of the book, several recipes are included. I want to read more books by this author. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Risky Biscuits by Mary Lee Ashford is a clean, easy to read cozy with plenty of twists and turns. This is book two in the A Sugar and Spice Mystery series. I have not read book one but, I was able to get caught up quickly.
I love the setting and the characters. There is friendship, humor, a hint of romance, and the “who done it” . I want to go to St. Ignatius, Iowa! Warning, you may be left with a craving for biscuits and gravy! There are recipes included. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for an ARC for an honest review.
fun story
Who would murder Alma? And where are those recipes?
Risky Biscuits by Mary Lee Ashford is a marvelous mystery, filled with small-town life, lots of humor and plenty of baked goods.
Characters
Sugar Calloway is our main character and point of view. She and Dixie Spicer run the Sugar & Spice Publishing Company, where they publish cookbooks. They also dabble in the investigation of local murders. Even though the local Sheriff, Terry doesn’t like or appreciate their assistance.
I like Sugar and Dixie. They make a good partnership. The problem they have is that they are nosy. Neither Sugar nor Dixie can let a mystery go. At least they turn over their findings to the Sherriff.
Greer Gooder is my favorite character. She is a hoot, who drinks coffee until she is buzzing, has to be everywhere early and she is nosier than Sugar. Here is a quote from the story.
“She’s been on edge. Like the other day we were going to the bakery over in Marston and she turned the wrong direction on the highway. When I said, ‘Hey Alma, wrong way!’ she slammed on the brakes so hard that poor Freda Watson’s wig ended up in the front seat on top of Nellie’s pocketbook. It’s lucky we didn’t all have whiplash.”
Mystery
The mystery is superb and had me guessing throughout the story whodunit? There aren’t a lot of suspects but the culprit was a surprise. I like the tie back to old small-town secrets.
Recipes Included
• Jeri Beetles Cat’s Head Biscuits
• Alma Stoller’s Heart Attach Hot Dish
• Greer’s Better Than Robert Redford Cake
• Diane’s Blue-Ribbon Made-from-Scratch Biscuits
I can’t wait to try these recipes.
4 Stars for Risky Biscuits by Mary Lee Ashford
My rating for Risky Biscuits by Mary Lee Ashford is four stars. The story is entertaining with well-developed characters and the mystery is top-notched. I recommend this cozy mystery to all.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Risky Biscuits by Mary Lee Ashford.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
“Risky Biscuits” earns 5/5 Breakfast Treats…Entertaining and Clever!
Former magazine editor “Sugar” Calloway has partnered with award winning baker Dixie “Spicer” to launch a unique publishing company, “Sugar and Spice” Cookbooks. They help communities and organizations create cookbooks as a fundraising event. The current project is for St. Ignatius senior’s Crack of Dawn Breakfast Club who hope to refurbish the aging shelter house at the park. However, their cookbook has…a recipe for murder! Deliciously entertaining! Mary Lee Ashford has stepped up her game with book two in her Sugar & Spice Mystery making me an eager fan! Her entertaining writing style includes descriptive language and dialogue that illustrates well the setting, characters, tone, and personalities along with a delightful sense of humor, some a little too quirky but fun. Ashford follows a traditional cozy formula with a first-person narrative from “Sugar” Calloway’s perspective sharing her inner thoughts. And for a delicious bonus…start your own “breakfast club” with these easy-to-follow recipes each including informative tips: Jeri Beetles Cat’s Head Biscuits, Alma Stiller’s Heart Attack Hot Dish, Greer’s Better Tan Robert Redford Cake, and Diane’s Blue Ribbon Made-From-Scratch Biscuits.
Sugar Calloway and Dixie Spicer are once again mixing delicious comfort food with murder in Mary Lee Ashford’s second Sugar & Spice Mystery, Risky Biscuits. The Crack of Dawn Breakfast Club is putting together a cookbook when one if its members is found run over in the park. Who killed her and why, and is there any connection to former bad boy Nick Marchant’s sudden return to St. Ignatius, or the proposed real estate development happening in town?!? Yummy recipes are included at the the end of this cozy mystery, and I absolutely recommend it. I loved the first book in the series, Game of Scones, and Risky Biscuits did not disappoint! 5 stars!!!
This was a delightful cozy mystery. I have not read the first book in the Sugar and Spice Mystery series, but I didn’t feel like I missed anything.
The characters are well developed and engaging. I fell in love with the senior citizen group and their efforts. The main character, Sugar Calloway, and her business partner, Dixie Spicer, bring a lot of personality to the story. There were lots of delightful one-liners and Sugar’s Aunt Cricket’s idioms were a wonderful addition. The names given to the characters just added even more humor and fun to the story.
The twists and turns and subplots blended throughout the story made it one I would recommend to anyone who loves a cozy mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am thrilled I was given the opportunity to read the book because I imagine I will be purchasing any new books from this series.
https://booksandladybugs.blog/
Cute story…great recipes
Sugar and her business partner, Spice, are trying to get a charity cookbook published to help raise money for a local park. Unfortunately, the person organizing the recipes for the charity unexpectedly dies….and not in a natural way. Who could have wanted her dead? And why? Sugar has her suspicions until someone else dies. She going to have to do some quick thinking…or the next murder could be her own.
A fun and interesting cozy mystery. I thought I knew whodunnit….but it kept me guessing until the end. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Lyrical Press via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or remuneration.