"Crimes and Confections" By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

Review by Tracy Condie

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

I am a fan of Catherine Brun’s culinary cozies but it seems that I have missed putting the Cookies & Chance series on my TBR list. So here we are with book 14 which did a great job of keeping me entertained and in the loop, making it suitable as a stand-alone cozy.

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Image Source Gemma Halliday

Sally is the owner of Sally’s Samples, which must surely be the best cookie shop in town––every order comes with a fortune cookie that may or may not be foreboding or even prophetic. The plot involves The Mrs. Buffalo Beauty Contest which is not for the faint of heart or those who have a sweet and gentle disposition like Sally’s mom, Maria. A snooty pageant contestant gets the shock of her life when she becomes a victim and everyone else is shocked when Sally’s mom is taken down to the police station to answer questions. The Muriano family is already falling apart while Grandma Rosa, the glue that holds it all together, is off on a love connection in Italy. Sally is not sure just how much more they can handle. I am wondering why no one in the family knows how to cook spaghetti or lasagna.

Sally is a relatable character with an entertaining way with sarcasm, almost as finessed as her amazing friend and coworker Josie. Josie is ready to check out suspects, put up with an annoyingly repugnant reporter and a detective from the past with an ax to grind. She crafts the most amazing cookies. Be sure to check out the recipes at the end of the book to satisfy your sweet tooth. I am looking forward to trying the Trash Cookies.

There is a kooky cast of characters starting with Sally’s family. She has a mom who lives her life like a fairy tale character, a dad who is “starving” because no one is at home to feed him, and a sister who swears that the kids are now the adults and the adults have become the kids. The suspects include a sister, a husband, the lover, a rival contestant, and according to the cops, Sally’s mom, Maria. There are some diversions to keep you guessing as to who the culprit is, and when you think you know, another clue is revealed. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and had a hard time putting the book down. I look forward to getting the series starter to see how it all began.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Crimes and Confections, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "confections,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 20, 2024. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. 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! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

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.