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!
more
Sprinkles of Suspicion is the debut book in the Cupcake Catering Mysteries written by Kim Davis. I read two of the author’s books in the past (from different series) and decided to go back to the beginning on this one. In Southern California, Emory and her sister run a catering business, and this book completely changes Emory’s future. Her husband is having an affair. Her best friend is the woman. And one of them ends up dead in the first few chapters after a brawl with Emory. Of course she looks guilty, but the woman is too kind and too good of a pasty chef to have done it, right?
Emory is a strong and amiable protagonist. She’s tough but sensitive. The woman is smart, but truthfully, I think she should’ve been more diligent about checking on her husband’s secret behaviors, historically speaking, of course. That said, this one kicks off what promises to be a great series. Between the delectable recipes, marvelous scenery, and the memorable relationships, I found myself easily immersed in this book. For a debut, it brilliantly avoids all the typical excessive backstory that can sometimes weigh down a story. There is a fine balance and art to covering this important set of details, and Davis has done it superbly. She’s created mystery and drama around Emory’s mother, curiosity around the Skylar family, and a foundation for many potential friendships and relationships.
I will be reading the next two books in the series later this month so that I can kick off 2022 being current and ready for the next release. At only 4 so far, it’s an ideal path to get on board in the beginning, and if you’re looking for some fantastic sounding desserts, this is the place to start. Highly recommended!
What a great start to the Cupcake Catering Mystery Series that immediately grabbed my attention and kept me involved in all that was happening from beginning to end with action, surprises, laugh-out-loud moments, family drama, twists, and so much more! I really liked Emory Martinez, an accountant who dreams of opening her own bakery specializing in cupcakes, and loved her dynamic with the other characters when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her best friend Tori. This is the first book I have read by Kim Davis but I can’t wait to read more adventures with Emory and the gang. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review. I liked it so much, I purchased a copy for my Kindle.
Kim Davis, author of Sprinkles of Suspicion, knows a thing or two about cozy mysteries. Davis runs a cozy mystery review and giveaway site called Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder, and this is her second published mystery. Her website is also filled with dessert recipes and video tutorials to help assist you in making the eye catching sweets.
Sprinkles of Suspicion is the first cozy in the Cupcake Catering Mysteries, featuring the unsuspecting protagonist, Emory. While some may find her a bit too naive, I found the lack of her knowing what was going on with her husband’s extramarital affairs and their finances to be realistic. Emory got married at a young age and came from a middle-class life where she seemed to be sheltered, so I can see her not being as cynical or wise to the world as others who had a harder life. Emory does grow in confidence throughout the book, and when she meets Tilly towards the end, you just know those two are going to have some crazy adventures and Tilly is going to teach Emory to open her eyes to the world around her.
Davis does an excellent job with character development, and Tilly alone would have me coming back to read more books in this series. A cozy has to have characters that I could see myself being friends with, and Sprinkles of Suspicion certainly does. I am also looking forward to meeting Tilly’s friends and reading about their wild times in Las Vegas. Besides great characters, Davis also does a fantastic job with the vivid pictures she paints of the town, architecture, and all the food. Some food cozies barely mention recipes, but Davis weaves the baking and eating into the story seamlessly. As for the mystery itself, it was very well done. There were lots of suspects, different subplots tying into the murder, and a few red herrings.
A great start to a new cozy mystery series and I’m looking forward to seeing Emory grow more and Tilly terrorizing her son with her “I’m old, so I’ll do whatever I please” exploits.
Can you trust your best friend???
Emory Gosser Martinez and her best friend,
Tori go out one evening. But the next morning
when Emory wakes up she doesn’t remember
the evening or how she got home. She only
had one glasses of cheap California chardonnay.
What is happening?
Then Emory discovers a posting of a fake photo
of Emory in a compromising situation on social
media. Going to confront Tori, Emory discovers
her husband and Tori. Seems they have been
having a fling. Oh, boy what is Emory going to
do??
Next Emory is fired due to another fake photo
of her boss and Emory in a compromising
situation.
Off to Tori’s, Emory goes to have these photos
removed and gain access back to her own
social media accounts.
Only problem, no one answers at Tori’s.
Knowing where Tori’s extra key is kept, Emory
let’s herself inside. Going upstairs into the
bedroom, Emory trips over something. Better
yet someone, Tori is lying there DEAD having
been murdered.
So Emory, cupcake baker, ex-accountant,
doormat, naive person becomes the main
suspect for the murder. Who can she trust?
Who can she rely on after making the wrong
choice of best friend and husband??
So she begins her own investigation. During
this time Emory progresses out from her
innocence into a confident, decision making
character.
I thought this was a fast paced, gripping and
emotional read. The story offered a variety of
suspicious, quirky, intriguing and deceiving
characters. This provided me with enough
twists and turns to keep me glued until the end.
I enjoyed Emory’s family interaction especially
with her sister who did catering while Emory
provided free cakes and cupcakes. The food
described made my mouth water.
A beginning that will shock the reader leads
into a very well created, suspenseful, dramatic
and intriguing mystery for the reader to solve.
I enjoyed this book from the first to the last
page.
Recipes included at the end.
I volunteered to read Sprinkles of Suspicion.
This is book # 1 in the Cupcake Catering
Mystery series.
Thanks to the author via the Cozy Mystery
Review Crew for the opportunity. My opinion
is voluntary and my own.
SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION by Kim Davis is the well-crafted first book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series. It’s the great story of Emory Martinez, accountant, cupcake caterer and wife of Philip. As her life falls apart, she must hold it altogether to find out who killed her best friend, Tori, to keep from being convicted of her murder.
Emory’s life as she knew it begins to vanish before her very eyes when she woke up in her bathroom floor with no memory of the night before or how she got the love bite on her neck. When she shows up at her friend Tori’s house for support and some help finding answers, she finds her with her husband. That’s when the cat fight begins and stops only when the police arrive. In one swoop, she’s lost her husband and friend. However, that was just the tip of the iceberg of disasters to hit her life. She feels like she has been the ostrich with its head in the sand, not realizing all that’s been going on for a very long time. She’s had her suspicions about a possible affair, but not with Tori. Evidently Tori was on the last of many and everyone seemed to have known – but her.
When photographic evidence of her wild night hits Facebook and she can’t seem to sign in to delete it, she goes to Tori’s for access to a computer and possibly an explanation. Only instead of her help, she stumbles over Tori’s dead body. Now her fingerprints are everywhere as well as Tori’s blood all over her. Along with the well witnessed cat fight and the fact that Tori had been cheating with her husband, it makes Emory the police’s number one and only suspect.
To add to her problems, she find out her husband has been borrowing money right and left, including from her mother as well as getting a second mortgage on their condo. The money she thought they had in their banking accounts doesn’t exist. Then her condo is broken into and she is fired from her job finding herself unemployed and homeless. Can life get any worse? With the prospect of moving back home with the mother, Emory knows it can.
Can Emory get her Mom to realize she’s the victim and that hubby isn’t the golden boy they thought he was? When she finds out who gave her the mark on her neck, will the puzzle start to fall together or will it lead her to him being the murderer? Will her fill in job her Mom landed for her lead to the job of her dreams? Will clues lead Tori to he own soon to be ex-husband as a possible suspect? Can she find out who killed Tori and framed her before they arrest her again – for keeps this time?
Kim Davis does an amazing job of pulling all your emotions out when it comes to Emory. You will shake your head wondering how she could have been so clueless for so long and laugh at how gullible she can still be. You will get mad along with her when you see the lengths someone is going to in order to frame her for Tori’s murder. You will feel her fear of going to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. You will smile when you see that through it all she hasn’t lost her love of life, seeing the good in others and her drive to move forward.
SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION has a host of secondary characters that you will fall in love with. Randall plays an important part in the first book in this series and I can definitely see being in others of it as well. Tillie is a hoot and I can’t wait to see how she will play out in the coming books in this series. Then you have other characters like Emory’s twin sister and her Mother who seem to be wrapped in their own world and you can’t quite figure out whether to like or be upset with them.
A fabulous addition to the book is the mouth-watering recipes mentioned in the story being in the back of the book. There’s not just one or two, but a whole slew of delicious recipe to be tried. I can’t wait to do so!
SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION is a fabulous whodunit cozy mystery that will have you turning pages trying to figure out along with Emory who killed Tori and find out what direction Emory’s life will take going forward. It is most definitely a standalone book, but it’s so good that by the time you finish this book, you will be looking to see when the second book in this series is coming out. Most definitely a FIVE STAR book!
This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series and it’s off to a great start. I’m excited to know there’s a second book on the way soon. This book is thoroughly engrossing and hard to put down. The protagonist, Emory, is very likable, although her lack of judgment is hard to understand—she’s a capable accountant who does catering with her sister on the side (she does the baking and dreams of opening her own bakery.) But her choice of husband wasn’t very discerning, nor the choice of her best friend, Tori. And of course, after she catches the two of them together and has an ugly cat fight with Tori, Tori later ends up dead. Someone is framing Emory for the murder, plus Tori turned out to be up to a lot of illegal activities. There are lots of good twists and turns in solving the mystery, but the resolution is satisfying. The book is well-written and I have a feeling this will be one of my favorite new series. Oh, and it’s got some fun recipes in it too! I was provided a copy of this book, but these opinions are my own.
Sprinkles of Suspicion by Kim Davis was a intriguing new cozy mystery. Ms. Davis has written a tightly paced plot with some great twists and characters that are not only likable but relatable. I was totally shocked at the reveal as to who was the actual culprit. A great start to a new series and I look forward to the next book in the series.
As a member of the Cozy Mystery Review crew, I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Would have liked to meet Tillie a little earlier, missed her having a kooky side kick. I feel Em needs to stand up to her over bearing family and Tillie could have been the one to help that along. Em having a cupcake business and using adult beverage theme is great. Like to see where this series goes and see Em take charge with Piper and Tillie at her heels.
Leslie
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This book was so much fun to read! It starts with Emory waking up on her bathroom floor after a night out with no memory at all of what happened. When her husband doesn’t come home after his shift she tries to reach her best friend to no avail. So she goes to her house only to find hubby there in a compromising situation. What follows is the implosion of her life with the her becoming the prime suspect when her best friend turns up murdered. A crazy investigation follows with twists and turns keeping you guessing. Emory is a hilarious character with a true flair for baking which really brings the story to life. Looks to be a fun series that I will thoroughly enjoy. A must read for fans of copies with a culinary/baking theme. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
This new series is just amazing! I loved every word despite the troubles that Emory finds herself smack dab in the middle, her overbearing and pretentious mother, and the slimeball husband. So many twists and turns that kept me engaged and hanging on every word wondering what could possibly happen next. And of course, there is a dog involved, so that is just the icing on the cake…or cupcake.
Emory is a simple, yet complex, character. She has hopes and dreams for her future but she can be a bit naive. She has been taken in by her husband and as his deception unfolds and the truth revealed, Emory finds that she is made of stiffer stuff and can weather this change in her life. I would like to see her challenge her mother a bit more and not just do whatever she says, but at the same time, her mother is able to help her with her employment situation and introduces her to a fantastic character, Tillie. I think Emory and Tillie will be involved in some crazy capers in future books, much to her mother’s chagrin.
The mystery kept me guessing and I honestly was very surprised how this played out. I never suspected the killer other than thinking this character was a bit odd but no real details to prove up my thoughts.
There is a slew of supporting characters that I look forward to learning more about including a friend from Emory’s past, Brad. There is a lot more to his story and I hope we discover more in the future. I think he could be a “sidekick” for Emory, but only time will tell.
Very enjoyable new series that checks off all the boxes for me. There are also many recipes and I might have to give some of the cupcake ones a whirl. We give this book 5 paws up.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A night out with her best friend turns Emory Gosser Martinez entirely upside down including becoming the prime suspect in that friend’s murder. While trying to keep her mind on her cupcake catering business she also has to do everything she can to prove her innocence. The trouble is she doesn’t know who she can trust and maybe putting her faith in the wrong people. There is plenty of suspicion sprinkled around but is there enough to find the real killer or will Emory be baking behind bars?
Emory Gosser Martinez is an interesting protagonist and for the most part her own worst enemy. A far from perfect amateur sleuth, very naive, a bit of a doormat, and she makes horrible choices in husbands and best friends. I was happy to see that by the end of the story she was turning the corner on these traits and that the development of her character continues in a pleasing way.
We are introduced to several characters within these pages. Several are strong that I hope we see more of in future installments. Several deplorable that I am happy to see an end of in this installment. It takes a talent to write characters to invoke these emotions and Ms. Davis has this talent.
This story moves along at a great pace and doesn’t lag anywhere. There is always something happening, drama, twists, and yes, cupcakes. So well-plotted, I was totally taken in by the entire story and flabbergasted when the real killer was revealed. I also loved the way the story ended which has me so excited for the next book in this series.
Sprinkles of Suspicion has a shocking start and holds on tight. A little different than your typical cozy mystery at the beginning but is quickly reeled into the cozy realm. All the cupcake references will have your tastebuds popping and appreciating that several recipes are included at the end of the story.
An Entertaining Read! I can’t wait for more from this author!
When Emory discovers that her husband, Philip, is having an affair with her best friend, Tori, Emory naturally gets very angry and gets into a very public fight with Tori. That creates a problem, however, when Emory finds Tori’s very dead body just a few hours later. Naturally, the police consider Emory their best suspect, so Emory sets out to give them other suspects. As she tries to clear her name, is she prepared for the secrets she will uncover?
Between the Orange County, California, setting and the culinary cozy hook, I couldn’t pass this book up. As always, I enjoyed seeing the action taking place in areas I recognized even if I don’t know them super well. This book works in many ways like a TV pilot, readjusting Emory’s life as well as giving us a murder to solve. The murder got overshadowed a bit at times, but I always found the book compelling to read. There are several good surprises and twists to the mystery. The ending was a little weak, but it does answer all of our questions. I certainly sympathized with Emory since she comes across as very trusting, something that creates problems when your life becomes a mystery. I did feel her family was a little too self-absorbed. I’m sure it was supposed to be funny, but I found it more annoying. The 11 recipes at the end include some Western themed dishes as well as a couple of delicious sounding cupcakes. All told, this is a fun series debut that will leave you wondering just where cupcakes and murder will take Emory next.
Sprinkles of Suspicion
Cupcake Catering Mystery, Book #1
Kim Davis
5 Stars
Synopsis:
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 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? (Amazon)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Emory is having a really hard time. She just found out that her husband and her best friend are having an affair. If that is not bad enough, when her best friend is murdered, she is the prime suspect. She has the means, the motive and the opportunity and she knows she looks guilty. The only problem is, she knows she did not do it, and she has to find out the real culprit while she still can.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. I thought that the author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story right from the beginning.
The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. I must say that I was very surprised by the actual killer, I did not see that one coming.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book, I have a feeling that Emory is going to have her hands full with Tillie, the woman that she has been hired to cook for and help. That should bring a lot of fun adventures.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Cinnamon and Spice Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
In this first book of a new series we meet Emory Martinez. Emory finds herself in a situation, she has woken up after a night out and can’t remember what happened the previous evening. Her day soon goes from bad to worse when a picture of her all over a man who isn’t her husband is posted to social media. Then when she goes to her best friend to find answers about what happened she finds her husband’s car in her driveway. She soon learns that the two have been having an affair which causes Emory to cause a scene. It is all to much for Emory so she goes home to calm down. She later returns to her ex-best friends house for some answers but finds Tori dead instead. Could life get any worse, it does when she becomes the main suspect in her friends death. Emory realizes that she must look into things herself, not only to clear her name but to figure out just what happened the previous night and who would want.to set.her up? Follow along as Emory looks into finding a killer and turning her life back into something that she recognizes. Will she succeed in helping herself or will she end up convicted of killing her friend?
When Emory Martinez finds out her husband had an affair with her best friend she says some things to her friend that she will come to wish she didn’t. When her friend is found murdered all eyes turn to Emory. Keeping herself busy baking cupcakes for events she also does some investigating on her own. Turns out there were several people who had a motive for murder. Who was it? And why? This book is a great read. Wonderful characters and a great mystery. Also included are some delicious recipes. I happily recommend this book!
This was a fast-paced new cozy mystery. The characters are realistic and relatable. The mystery is full of so many twists and turns I never guess who the killer was. I look forward to seeing how the characters and their relationships develop.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
Emory starts the story on a down note–she didn’t do so hot in finding a new best friend in Tori, who went on to sleep with her husband and somehow use the internet against her as well. And that’s just the first chapter of this fast paced, quirky mystery. I liked Em’s family too, even though you can tell her mother disapproves of a lot! And her twin, along with their burgeoning catering business, is a great vehicle for many delicious party and dessert ideas. Of all the characters, I liked the introduction of Tillie near the end. I think they will have a mutually beneficial friendship and hope to see more of her and her industrial kitchen in the next book!
I just finished reading Sprinkles of Suspicion by Kim Davis. I may not eat cupcakes but the ones in the book sure sound delicious. I recommend this book highly. The characters are fun and the story is intriguing. You will get hooked from the first chapter.
What a fun book! That poor woman. Great characters, and story, and there’s a cute dog, and cupcakes. Loved it!
It seems like bad luck is following Emory everywhere she goes. All she wants to do is make cupcakes and sell them and now she’s being accused of murdering her best friend Tori who betrayed her. This funny and exciting story follows account turns “cupcake baker” as she goes about providing proof that she didn’t do the deed but ends up with more with problems than she starts with. Fun read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.