"A Tale of Two Cookies" By Eve Calder: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and links to purchase it.

It’s been four months since pastry chef Kate McGuire’s life imploded, she moved to Coral Cay, Florida, and unexpectedly partnered up with Sam Hepplewhite to run his Cookie House bakery. She’s never been busier nor prouder as she bakes for customers while also conducting classes for aspiring bakers. 

Kate is delighted when her friend Desiree Goldsmith drops in for a visit that includes a spontaneous wedding ceremony on the beach. Judson Cooper is a renowned marine biologist made famous for his ecological missions as well as his ingenious Green inventions, which have earned him praise and a considerable fortune. That wealth is also a reason for Judd’s adult children to be less than thrilled with a rival to their inheritances, although they have agreed to arrive for the ceremony. The day of the beach wedding arrives without both a groom and an officiant though, and the left-at-the-altar Desiree declares that this is definitely not a case of a Runaway Groom. While Kate trusts her friend’s judgment and begins a search for the missing Judson, a cascade of evidence has authorities and even Kate wondering if perhaps the groom was not as committed to walking down the aisle as the aspiring bride asserts.

---

➡ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for more articles ⬅

---

Image Source St. Martins

The slow island lifestyle is amped up by the arrival of a film crew and cast for a reality show filming at the Conch House, where attractive young contestants vie for camera time and the chance to win a hefty money reward. It’s also a place where Kate finds herself unexpectedly hosting a cooking class-turned-challenge, which she and accomplices turn into an opportunity to investigate. Kate has enlisted florist Maxi Mas-Buchanan as an assistant investigator looking into the life of Judd, his environmental causes, and his contentious children. A glamorous actress staying on the island proclaiming her not-so-ex status to Judd complicates matters, especially when it looks as though Desiree could be either delusional or a criminal.

This third in the series presents an enviable setting in the tropical, laid-back lifestyle on the small Florida island. The town Goldendoodle/Labradoodle Oliver has pretty much settled in at home with Kate, while she herself is being pulled towards both veterinarian Jack Scanlon and police detective Ben Abrams. Kate’s off-the-books investigation is surprisingly rational and well thought out, especially when it comes to her and her friends’ safety. A possible solution to the mystery arises early but is quickly complicated and clouded by the twists and turns of clever plot developments. 

Kate is extremely likable and will have readers delighting in her adventures as she balances her baking with the support she gives to Desiree. Her pastry skills and her classes allow Kate to discreetly question suspects, with both aspects handled realistically and rather deftly. Descriptions of Kate’s bridal cake topper cookies and her everyday delicacies will have readers drooling in envy and ready to hop on the next plane to Coral Cay and Kate’s charming Cookie House bakery.

To enter to win a copy of A Tale of Two Cookies, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "cookies,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 5, 2021. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. BE AWARE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN SHIPPING THE WINNING BOOK. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

A Tale of Two Cookies: A Cookie House Mystery

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.