Science is about solving puzzles. Why should solving a murder be any different?Dr. Bree Watson (aka Gabriella Catherine Mayfield-Watson) is comfortable solving chemistry problems. She isn’t comfortable finding her boss dead and being a suspect in his poisoning. Now she’s juggling: •A sexy marketing manager—who may, or may not—be a contract killer. •A handsome lead detective whose interest goes … interest goes beyond the case.
•The dead man’s cranky cat.
•A goose-chasing dog in hot water with an animal rights group.
•The search for the perfect cupcake recipe.
•And, of course, someone who wants her out of the picture.
And she thought getting a Ph.D. was hard.
•About the Author: Kelle Z. Riley, writer, speaker, global traveler, Ph.D. chemist and safety/martial arts expert has been featured in public forums that range from local Newspapers to National television. She is the past program chair and popular speaker for the Chattanooga Writer’s Guild, a member of Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers’ of America and various local chapters. When not writing, she can be found pursuing passions such as being a self-defense instructor, a Master Gardener Intern and a full time chemist with numerous professional publications and U. S. patents. In addition to her works of fiction, a personal story was included in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias.” A former Golden Heart Finalist, Kelle resides in Chattanooga, TN.
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I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Bree Watson is a well written and likable character. She’s also a pretty good sleuth. This is the first mystery book I’ve ever read where the main character is a scientist. It works really well in this genre. She looks at things from an entirely different perspective than most amateur detectives in the cozy mystery category. So in that sense, this book is unique. There were enough twists and unexpected turns to keep you guessing as to who the killer was. The fact that there is a cat named Sherlock involved is an added bonus.
Luckily the story had a limited romantic element to it. A lot of cozies incorporate some sort of love interest as a backdrop, and this one is no different, but it was really light in that arena. Making it so the focus was more on the mystery instead of any potential blossoming romance. There are two obvious suitors vying for Bree’s attention, but it didn’t override the rest of the tale and I am glad for that.
This is definitely a different spin on cat cozies….but one I recommend!
A copy of my review can be found at the link below:
https://charleeraeblog.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/the-cupcake-caper-an-undercover-cat-series-1-by-kelle-z-riley/
Bree was a PhD with some specialized chemistry skills and experience with a particular project that was supposed to be more environmentally safe and friendly than competitors’ products: the Midas project
Oddly though, their safety records were really bad
Bree found here spending less time in the lab and more time on the road promoting the product line with the sales and marketing team
An intense and dramatic family living within flying not driving distance, a bizarre allegedly pro animal group, corporate intrigue and possibly espionage, rescue doggies and a love of cooking mske for a fun and colorful story setting
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bree thinks that science is all about solving puzzles, why wouldn’t solving a murder be the same? Unfortunately she gets to put that to the test when she finds her boss dead and is the prime suspect. Now she needs to get this murder solved with all of the distractions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love a nerdy heroine, and they don’t get much smarter or geekier than Bree. I had so much fun following her investigative methods, though it was also occasionally frustrating when I picked up on clues that I thought she was missing. The villain wasn’t a surprise to me, but I had so much fun with the rest of the book, and especially the antics of Sherlock the cat, that it’s easy for me to focus on only the best parts of the story. I’m very curious – and we all know what that did to the cat – to see where this series is going to go.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
Bree just found her boss dead after being fifteen minutes late for their meeting but instead of going into shock she goes into scientist mode taking notes and coming up with theories. This book was so good and the characters are hilarious. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first book by Kelle Z Riley but it will not be my last. I was expecting a light cozy mystery and the book did not disappoint. The main character Bree was engaging and seemed like a truly kind person who wanted to do what is right. She was aware of her weaknesses at reading people and her strengths at analytic. I really enjoyed her baking and how she likened it to scientific formulas and experimentation. Matthew, Nate, Kiki, O’Neil and the other side characters added to the story. The author gave us plenty of suspects and clues to let us try and figure out who the culprit was so it kept me engaged and trying to keep it all straight in my head. I was able to figure out who the killer was which always makes me feel like a winner. I recommend this to anyone who wants a light engaging read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dr. Bree Mayfield-Watson is most comfortable solving chemistry problems and logically looking at things. She never signed up to find her boss murdered in a secured building and is considered the number one suspect. Who wanted him dead and why are they framing Bree?
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in whom the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
I received an eARC from Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for gifting me their work. This is my honest opinion.
The Cupcake Caper is the first book in the Undercover Cat Series by Kelle Z Riley. Tank and I picked this book because of the cover. He likes cats, and I like cupcakes. What could be better if you put them together?
We weren’t disappointed! Well, I enjoyed the book. Tank was a little let down that the cat, Sherlock, didn’t play a bigger role in the story. Maybe in the next book, Sherlock will have more of a starring role. The Cupcake Caper is a cozy mystery. The mystery part wasn’t real difficult to figure out. I was surprised that the MC, Bree, took the whole book to find the murderer, so if you want a great suspense to the end this one might not be it.
What I really liked about the book was how I was able to relate to Bree. She is a young professional that has put her personal life on hold as she struggles to build her career in a man’s world. She has to come up with fibs every time her grandmother calls as to how glamorous her life is and why she doesn’t have a boyfriend. I have had the exact same conversations with well-meaning relatives in the past. I have shared her pain. She also struggles eating right and exercising enough. Making cupcakes is more fun than running on a treadmill! I totally relate! The author makes Bree fun to read about. I laughed out loud at some of the things that happened. To top it off, there is a gorgeous guy at Bree’s work who may or may not have feelings for her. We will have to check out the next book to see what happens!
It was a little predictable. It wasn’t super suspenseful or intense, but if you want fun light-hearted read this is it. Plus, there are cupcake recipes at the end! YUM!