One glass of cheap California chardonnay cost Emory Gosser Martinez her husband, her job, and her best friend. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of her troubles.Distraught after discovering the betrayal by her husband and best friend, Tori, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez allows her temper to flare. Several people witness her very public altercation with her ex-friend. To make matters … matters worse, Tori exacts her revenge by posting a fake photo of Emory in a compromising situation, which goes viral on social media. When Tori is found murdered, all signs point to Emory being the prime suspect.
With the police investigation focused on gathering evidence to convict her, Emory must prove her innocence while whipping up batches of cupcakes and buttercream. Delving into the past of her murdered ex-friend, she finds other people had reasons to want Tori dead, including Emory’s own husband. Can she find the killer, or will the clues sprinkled around the investigation point the police back to her?
Includes recipes!
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A great start to a new mystery series. Emory Martinez is an accountant that is married to a police officer. Her life is turned upside down when she finds out her husband is having an affair and also finds her best friend murdered. She becomes the prime suspect and the detective doesn’t seem to be looking for any other suspects, so Emory decides that she has to take matters into her own hands and investigate. This story moves along at a fast pace, with several laugh out loud scenes, some family drama, and a little romance. I loved Emory’s side job of baking cakes and cupcakes for her sister’s catering company and the recipes that were included at the end of the book. This is sure to become a favorite cozy series.
I received a copy of this book through the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. I was not required to leave a review.
Sprinkles of Suspicion by Kim Davis is the first in the Cupcake Catering Mystery Series. Our protagonist is a young woman named Emory Martinez, who awakens at the beginning of the story with a killer hangover, despite drinking only one glass of chardonnay. When she goes to her best friend, Tori’s, house to find out what happened, Emory discovers Tori in an extremely compromising position with Emory’s husband, Philip. The catfight that ensues on Tori’s front lawn makes Emory the prime suspect when Tori is found dead in her living room the next day.
This series is off to a very promising start. Emory is referred to as clueless by several other characters.I disagree with this – I think she is more naive and trusting than clueless, but that trait makes her a slightly less relatable character for a good portion of the book. As the story ends, she has experienced some growth and so will probably be even more fun in future installments.
Author Kim Davis has created some wonderful supporting characters to surround Emory, and I am looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.These include her high school pal Brad, her sister Carrie, and a surprising friend that is introduced towards the end of the book. I am not as delighted with Emory’s mother, who is stunningly self-involved and really doesn’t seem to give her daughter much support. However, perhaps she will be more supportive as the series goes along.
I thought the mystery itself was going to be easy to solve. I was wrong. Kim Davis builds a lot of suspense and head – shaking plot twists into this story. Every time Emory turns around, she discovers something else that either Tori or her husband Phillip has done that she was unaware of. When the killer was revealed, it was someone that had been on my radar only somewhat, but not fully.
And of course, what is a cupcake catering mystery without recipes? There are several at the back of the book, and since most of them come from a kids’ party that Emory caters during the course of the story, there are alcoholic and non alcoholic versions of the cupcakes. They certainly sound like any of them would be a hit at anyone’s summer party. I‘m particularly intrigued by the Gimlet cupcakes.
I recommend this series to those who like culinary elements and a protagonist who is growing while solving mysteries. I am very much looking forward to the next installment.
This story starts out with an attention grabbing sentence that quickly pulls you into the story. Emory Martinez, accountant and baker, finds herself in serious trouble over a night she cannot remember and just when you think things cannot get any worse they do. Now she is determined to do something to rescue her own life.
I loved how even though this is a first in series book it jumped right into the story and then establishes the characters as you go along. I also enjoyed the growth of Emory’s character and I hope future books have more with the interesting characters introduced near the end.
Thank you to the author for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This book had me hooked from the first page!! Not to mention the cover with the delicious-looking cupcakes and cute dog. I found the main character, Emory, to be interesting and the storyline was extremely intriguing. We find out that Tori, Em’s supposed friend, seemed to be a totally different person than Em thought she was and there are a number of people who might have wanted her dead. Now Em is trying to figure out who is framing her and pick up the pieces of her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read more of this series and see what happens next for Em and hopefully see her and Randall develop a relationship!! Highly recommend!
I enjoyed this first in the series.
Emory’s life is turned upside down when she discovers her best friend betray her. When Emory is looked at as the suspect in murder, she needs to find answers.
This mystery had many twists and keeps you guessing. Emory gets getting things thrown at her at every turn. My only drawback was sometimes Emory comes across as a little clueless, I know I rolled my eyes a couple of times. That is just my opinion, I will continue on with this series, because the characters are enjoyable and the story kept me turning the pages to see what else could possibly happen.
This was a nice start to a new series. Em has a problem from page one. Waking up, very hungover, on her bathroom floor is a shock, indeed. How could one glass of cheap wine have caused a blackout? Especially since Em isn’t a drinker – one is her limit. Too bad that that wasn’t the end of her pain. When her phone calls aren’t returned by her friend, Tori – the one she was out with the previous evening – she pulls herself together and hops on her bike to go check on her friend. Let’s just say that Em has terrible luck picking friends…..and husbands. No wonder Em blows her top and has a very public altercation with Tori after Em finds her engaged in hankypanky with Em’s husband, Philip. What should have been simply the end of a marriage and a friendship becomes a murder investigation when Tori is bumped off and the police turn their focus on Em.
I enjoyed the character of Em. Unlike so many other cozy food amateur sleuth formulas, Em is flawed and very human. Even a bit too trusting at times. She knows she has to try to figure out who disliked Tori enough to kill her and the list isn’t all that short. The mystery was complex enough to keep me engaged to the last page and I had several ideas as to the identity of the killer and each was wrong. I enjoyed it enough that i’m looking forward to the next entry to the series.
My thanks to the publisher Cinnamon and Sugar Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars
Sprinkles of Suspicion is an interesting start to a new series – full of yummy baked goods & more than its share of dysfunctional characters. While it does stay true to the cozy mystery formula, I would say it’s a little edgier than most, especially at the beginning.
Our first introduction to Emory is her hungover morning-after (after what she’s not exactly sure) and catching a couple of people umm… in flagrante. Those two people being her husband and best friend (as stated in the blurb, so i’m not giving away anything new). The ultimate betrayal, one would think. But oh no, it gets much worse and poor Emory is flung into a series of events she didn’t ask for. And my goodness but our girl Emory is kind-of a hot mess haha. She’s super naive and frankly clueless for most of the book… and I wanted to shake her more than once and say a) TURN ON YOUR DANG PHONE (lol) and b) just TELL PEOPLE what Tori did to you. Emory kept a lot to herself, not even telling her lawyer all the connections and events that unfolded, and I couldn’t help but think it would have been a lot easier for her if she had. But, I’ll also add that toward the end of the book we see hints that she is finally wising up a bit, finding her voice, and standing up for herself.
I’m still not sure whether I actually like Emory or not but like i said she was growing up – and growing on me – by the end. There weren’t many characters in the book that I actually did like, to be honest. With a couple of notable exceptions – Randall, who brings a dash of romance potential & a whole lot of swooniness, and Tillie. My favorite character is Tillie – she is a hoot and I hope we see a lot more of her in future books. You’re never quite sure what she’s going to do or say next, and her heart is genuine. I loved the role she played in the story, and I look forward to knowing her better as the series progresses.
Bottom Line: This isn’t a typical cozy mystery – it’s a little edgier, for starters, and you might be surprised at how everything gets all tied up – and who does the tying – in the end. The only thing that’s predictable about the plot is that Emory will be a mostly-endearing hot mess in one way or the other, but the other characters aren’t quite as easy to figure out. Just when I had an opinion about them, something happened in the plot to tweak those assumptions a bit. It definitely kept me on my toes and frequently took me by surprise (and made me crave all manner of baked goods haha) – and I will in all likelihood read book 2 just to see what happens next.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION by Kim Davis
The First Cupcake Catering Mystery
Emory Gosser Martinez is a little shocked at the risque outfit her best friend,Tori, gave her, but since it was an early birthday gift she agreed to wear it out for drinks. That was not a good decision. Emory awakes with a massive hangover and no memory of the night before. The nightmare begins as she begins to learn what happened. A cheating husband, incriminating photos, and learning her friend was anything but, is just the beginning. A witnessed brawl and threats all around mean that Emory becomes the prime suspect after she literally stumbles over Tori’s murdered body. Certain that the police won’t bother searching for another suspect, she decides to see what she can uncover herself. But will she uncover more that she wants to know?
There’s not enough buttercream in California to fix the mess Emory’s life has become. Just when you think things can’t get worse for her…they do! While well written, I found that I didn’t like any of the characters…until the very end. Emory is so naive and trusting, as well as klutzy, she comes across as stupid. I’m sure the author intends to have her learn and grow as the series continues, but I think she may have set the starting bar too low! The majority of the other characters are unlikable, especially Emory’s mother and sister. As for her husband… a cheating cop with anger issues. Near the end, as Emory finds respite, I finally find a character I love. Tillie steals the show, bringing humor and fun to the book. Hopefully, she’s be able to teach Emory a thing or two.
SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION combines worst case scenarios and cupcakes in a complex mystery. Recipes are included and I look forward to reading more of Emory’s cocktail cupcake creations. Now, where’s my gimlet?
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
My goodness Emory must have thought she woke up in the twilight zone. Hang with her as she discovers all kinds of things that have been going on in her life and she tries to figure out just how those things happened and what should she do about them. Thank goodness she has Piper to help her through all that is thrown at her. There are certainly some interesting characters that she hangs with. She and you may be in for some surprises. One of my favorite characters is Tillie. Love her!! I think you will too. Check out Emory and friends. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Haunted by her ex and harassed by the police, Emory Martinez has her hands full–and not only with cupcake batter. Being framed for murder is no cakewalk, but every step she takes to prove her innocence only plunges her deeper into a web of deceit. The more she probes, the more she learns that things aren’t always as they appear. I loved cheering for this spunky protagonist, and the satisfying conclusion to the mystery was the cherry on top of the cupcake. I’ll be on the lookout for the next installment in this delectable new cozy series!
Sprinkles of Suspicion earns 5/5 Cowgirl Cupcakes…Totally Engaging Karma!
What do you do when you find yourself hugging the porcelain with no memory of the night before? There’s evidence something happened with a massive headache, roller coaster stomach, and on her neck is a prominent “love bite” shadow. However, Emory is suspicious since she vaguely recalls only one maybe two glasses of Chardonnay. But, when she goes over to her friend’s house to she if she has any insights into the night’s events, she’s shocked to find her husband on the couch “in flagrante” with her best friend. Em will regret the subsequent “cat fight” and threats all around, when later she finds her friend murdered. The police have enough circumstantial evidence to arrest Em, but Em has no choice either; she needs to find out who killed Tori or she’ll be making Cowgirl Cupcakes in a prison kitchen. Assistance appears from an odd source, but is it a welcomed partnership or should Em call the police?
Go, Karma! Kim Davis’s first-in-a-series is a very well-written read, hard to put down, and filled with complex and realistic family dynamics. The drama includes a well-developed mystery, well-paced actions, and a realistic investigation for an amateur. Davis’s sensory-laden description illustrates the characters, predicaments, and the cupcakes (Oh, the cupcakes) to solicit a clear picture. Through effective dialogue the nuances of her characters share their personalities and style. Ok, technically the writing is excellent, and beyond that…it’s even better! The murder mystery and subsequent arrest of our protagonist is very clever, I even thought that Emory might just get railroaded right to jail. Readers, like myself, find Emory a sympathetic character, and Kim paints Em’s mother and sister so well, I literally cringed every time they showed up….and don’t get me started on her husband. It becomes clear that Karma targeted the right victim revealing so many secrets that turnsed the suspect pool into a lake. Of course, Em is going to sneak around and ask questions…past relationships? a cold case murder? other felonies? It just gets better and better, complex and more complex. Kim has a personal passion to inform and enlighten readers and fan about Rett Syndrome, and including a young character with the diagnosis is done with respect.
Bonus! Recipes? Of course, Kim Davis is known for often providing recipes on her blog. In this book she includes the easy-to-follow recipes from the western themed birthday party…so, put on your pink cowgirl boots and saddle up to the table! Enjoy Potluck Rootin’ Tootin’ Beans, Cowgirl Cookies, Cowgirl Caviar, Baked Jalapeño Poppers, Mama’s Cornbread Muffins with Honey Butter, Cowgirl Quencher Cocktail (Mocktail version, too), Cowgirl Quencher Cocktail Cupcakes (Mocktail version, too), Gimlet Cocktail, and Gimlet Cupcakes. Yahoo!
Sprinkles of Suspicion by Kim Davis is a cozy mystery with a fabulous opening line…”One glass of cheap California chardonnay cost me my husband, my job, and my best friend.” And it seemed to be true. Also she was the primary suspect in the murder of said best friend. Not of it was true, of course, and since the police weren’t exactly hustling to prove her innocence she would have to do it herself. As it turns out, none of the things in the opening line were worth having, anyway. Em, the heroine, had the requisite dog, Piper. Piper was a rescue Labradoodle who she and her husband, Philip, cop, both adored. Where was Philip? And why couldn’t she remember anything from the night before? She typically didn’t drink that much. Why wasn’t her best friend, Tori, answering the phone? Odd morning. And it went downhill from there.
This was a funny, well-written book. Probably not the best bibliotherapy for someone mad at their best friend, or their husband, or maybe it is. Em is a bright, energetic young woman who dreams of opening a cupcake bakery. Through her mother’s machinations, it seems she may be, at least, able to do some cupcake catering and make a new friend to boot. The characters are interesting; the mystery is good; and whole book is worth reading for the sheer enjoyment of it. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Sprinkles of Suspicion from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #sprinklesofsuspicion
From the first chapter until the end, this book had me on the edge of my seat! The minute we meet Emory Martinez, Em for short, we are thrown into her heartache as she finds that the life she knew, or thought she knew was a sham. Em already suspected that her husband was a cheater, what she didn’t realize, was the fact he cheating with Tori, her best friend! After the shocking revelation when she sees the two of them at Tori’s, she decides to confront her. The two end-up having a public altercation which was captured on video. As Em left, Tori threatened her that she would “regret this”. Em had no idea as to what lengths her best friend would go in ruining her life. When Tori ends up dead, all clues point to Em. Once she becomes the prime suspect, she knows it’s up to her to clear her name. Beginning her investigation, she focuses on Tori, her cheating husband, and others that may be involved. Was anyone who she thought they were?
From the minute I read the first chapter to the last, I was captivated by the story. Ms. Davis’s descriptions draw us into Me’s feelings of being shocked, angry, and discouraged, to her determined resolve as she begins sifting through the facts. Uncovering a myriad information, she strengthens her effort to remove all doubt as a suspect.
I found the plot to be fast moving, with characters I found irritating, especially her mother, and characters that surprised me. Matilda (Tillie), who was introduced to us as a wealthy but frail senior, according to her son She was anything but frail and gave us some laugh-out-loud moments. I found her endearing and entertaining. Em has a side business as a baker, that helps her cope with stress. My mouth watered just reading about her cakes and cupcakes. I am looking forward to seeing her character develop further as she follows her dream as a baker. There are several suspects and a page-turning ending that was completely unexpected. Cozy mystery fans will not be disappointed. The first in a new series, Ms. Davis captivated my attention from the get go. I look forward to the next book and more of Em’s tempting recipes! I received an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.