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Daphne Martin Mystery #3
Killer Sweet Tooth: A Daphne Martin Cake Mystery
Dead as a . . . dentist?
They say sugar is bad for your teeth, but can it actually kill you? The Brea Ridge police seem to think so when they find cake decorator Daphne Martin wielding an oversized plastic toothbrush over a dentist’s dead body. Daphne moved back to her small Virginia hometown just months ago to open her Daphne’s Delectable Cakes business and already she’s been mixed up in murder. Now she’s got to prove her sweet innocence again.
After hours of police questioning, Daphne returns home to find Elvis Presley in her driveway. She’s certain she’s hallucinating until the leather-clad hunk orders up a pink Cadillac cake for a convention of the Elvis impersonators. Daphne accepts, but her reporter-boyfriend Ben is suspicious of Elvis’s intentions. Does the King want to make Daphne his confectionery queen? Or is the convention a ruse for a more sinister operation? Daphne’s own investigation into Dr. Bainsworth’s murder, meanwhile, reveals the dentist made as many enemies as he did fillings. Just about anyone could have done him in, but it’s up to Daphne to find the killer—and finish Elvis’s cake—before she’s the one singing “Jailhouse Rock.”
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2011
20 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Trent
26 books790 followersaka Holly Jordan, Amanda Lee. Gayle Leeson
Gayle is a Southwest Virginia based author who is working on the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery series. The first book in the series, MURDER TAKES THE CAKE tells the story of Daphne Martin, a forty-year-old divorcee who returns to her fictional hometown of Brea Ridge, Virginia to start her life over. She has left behind an ex-husband who is in prison for an attempt on Daphne's life, a dingy apartment and a stale career. She has started fresh in a new home with a new career, Daphne's Delectable Cakes, a cake-decorating company Daphne runs out of her home. She is thrilled to be living closer to her beloved niece and nephew, although being close to other family members brings up lifelong resentments and more than a couple complications. Daphne is also reunited with childhood friend, Ben Jacobs, a full-fledged HAG (hot, available guy). Daphne's business hits a snag when her first client turns up dead."
Series:
* Daphne Martin Mystery
* Myrtle Crumb
Gayle is a Southwest Virginia based author who is working on the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery series. The first book in the series, MURDER TAKES THE CAKE tells the story of Daphne Martin, a forty-year-old divorcee who returns to her fictional hometown of Brea Ridge, Virginia to start her life over. She has left behind an ex-husband who is in prison for an attempt on Daphne's life, a dingy apartment and a stale career. She has started fresh in a new home with a new career, Daphne's Delectable Cakes, a cake-decorating company Daphne runs out of her home. She is thrilled to be living closer to her beloved niece and nephew, although being close to other family members brings up lifelong resentments and more than a couple complications. Daphne is also reunited with childhood friend, Ben Jacobs, a full-fledged HAG (hot, available guy). Daphne's business hits a snag when her first client turns up dead."
Series:
* Daphne Martin Mystery
* Myrtle Crumb
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 17, 2016
Daphne Martin runs a cake decorating business out of her home. She is commissioned by the EIEIO organization (Elvis missionary workers) to make a pink Cadillac cake for their yearly convention being held in town. Meanwhile while her friend Myra is visiting she looses a filling while biting into some cashew brittle. They call and get an emergency visit with her dentist, only to show up at his office to find his body. The police suspect Daphne and Myra of luring the dentist to the office and killing him. Now they have to prove their innocence before it is too late and they end up singing Jailhouse Rock.
This is the 3rd book in the series but the first I have read. It was a very quick read. This book had pros and cons, so I will start with the good stuff.
The character of Daphne is very likable and her peats sounds pretty harsh. Myra, China, and Juanita all were good characters, especially Myra. She is an older woman and does what she wants, when she wants. I think she will be a good influence on Daphne and help her self-esteem and independence. As I said before, the book is a very fast read with no sex, swearing or in-depth violence. It is very PG rated.
Now, unfortunately, for the bad. First off the fact that the cops suspected these two women was a joke. Daphne had never met the man, and Myra clearly had lost a filing. They had no connection with him and yet the two detectives involved followed Daphne and Myra around all the time. They knew he was in the middle of a divorce and had a tendency to date other men's wives, but they spent all their detective time following these women. It was pretty lame. The mystery would have been okay if they hadn't added one more layer to it. It made it too coincidental. I can't say more because of spoilers. The author also spent way too much time going into exact details on the cake and treat making. Too much!
Overall, the book was entertaining, but not something that would make me pick up another in the series.
This is the 3rd book in the series but the first I have read. It was a very quick read. This book had pros and cons, so I will start with the good stuff.
The character of Daphne is very likable and her peats sounds pretty harsh. Myra, China, and Juanita all were good characters, especially Myra. She is an older woman and does what she wants, when she wants. I think she will be a good influence on Daphne and help her self-esteem and independence. As I said before, the book is a very fast read with no sex, swearing or in-depth violence. It is very PG rated.
Now, unfortunately, for the bad. First off the fact that the cops suspected these two women was a joke. Daphne had never met the man, and Myra clearly had lost a filing. They had no connection with him and yet the two detectives involved followed Daphne and Myra around all the time. They knew he was in the middle of a divorce and had a tendency to date other men's wives, but they spent all their detective time following these women. It was pretty lame. The mystery would have been okay if they hadn't added one more layer to it. It made it too coincidental. I can't say more because of spoilers. The author also spent way too much time going into exact details on the cake and treat making. Too much!
Overall, the book was entertaining, but not something that would make me pick up another in the series.
June 3, 2021
This is the 3rd book in the series, unfortunately only this and book 4 is available on my book app but decided to give it a go anywho. Still enjoyed it as a stand alone but I think the characters would have been more fleshed out if. I had read the first two. It was a decent cozy mystery but nothing that really stranded our for me. A nice book to kill time with.
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May 18, 2025dnf- I couldn’t do it
January 17, 2016
Originally posted at Bunny's Review
Killer Sweet Tooth is perfectly titled. But does a sweet actually kill the dentist or did something more human kill the dentist. After reading the description I quickly looked at the cover again and wondered why I did not see a dead body with two females holding a large toothbrush on the cover. After I finished reading I thought the cover was perfect.
Daphne and neighbor Myra become more than sleuths they become suspects after being found over a body with a giant toothbrush. When Daphne arrives back home the next morning she is greeted by an Elvis impersonator. Could this Elvis be the killer or is someone else the criminal.
While reading this book I kept thinking about my cousin who is a huge Elvis fan.
This story and plot will keep you laughing and guessing from cover to cover. The bunnies and I recommend this book to any who enjoy cozy mysteries.
The bunnies and I give this book
carrots.
Disclosure: This book was borrowed from the public library.
Killer Sweet Tooth is perfectly titled. But does a sweet actually kill the dentist or did something more human kill the dentist. After reading the description I quickly looked at the cover again and wondered why I did not see a dead body with two females holding a large toothbrush on the cover. After I finished reading I thought the cover was perfect.
Daphne and neighbor Myra become more than sleuths they become suspects after being found over a body with a giant toothbrush. When Daphne arrives back home the next morning she is greeted by an Elvis impersonator. Could this Elvis be the killer or is someone else the criminal.
While reading this book I kept thinking about my cousin who is a huge Elvis fan.
This story and plot will keep you laughing and guessing from cover to cover. The bunnies and I recommend this book to any who enjoy cozy mysteries.
The bunnies and I give this book
carrots.Disclosure: This book was borrowed from the public library.
July 6, 2016
This book was ok. There seemed to be a lot of time wasted on things like very specific recipe steps that didn't further the plot, character or be specific enough to be a recipe. Daphne must have said something about her abusive ex at least 10 times, if not more throughout as well.
When the story was going, it was ok. I don't have particularly strong feelings about any of the characters. I do like that there isn't a love triangle and Daphne is actually smart enough to get help when tracking down a killer. I did figure out who the killer was pretty early as the clues were huge.
Juanita's story was heartbreaking.
When the story was going, it was ok. I don't have particularly strong feelings about any of the characters. I do like that there isn't a love triangle and Daphne is actually smart enough to get help when tracking down a killer. I did figure out who the killer was pretty early as the clues were huge.
Juanita's story was heartbreaking.
August 19, 2015
A cozy mystery with some delicious-sounding deserts, Killer Sweet Tooth has Daphne Martin for its protagonist, a baker with a tendency to stumble on dead bodies. This time, she finds a dead dentist, all while fending off the advances of an Elvis impersonator and constructing the perfect peanut butter banana pink Cadillac cake.
Yes, this concept certainly sounds way out there, and it could have been a disaster. But Trent recognizes the ridiculousness and embraces it. Daphne even thinks she is hallucinating the Elvis impersonator at first, and cannot stop laughing.
The mystery is clever, full of unique characters and entertaining situations. It plays right on the fine line of being over-the-top and convoluted, but Trent knows her story well and keeps a firm hold on it.
This is exactly the kind of book I need sometimes, a light fun read that is easy to process and quick to finish.
Yes, this concept certainly sounds way out there, and it could have been a disaster. But Trent recognizes the ridiculousness and embraces it. Daphne even thinks she is hallucinating the Elvis impersonator at first, and cannot stop laughing.
The mystery is clever, full of unique characters and entertaining situations. It plays right on the fine line of being over-the-top and convoluted, but Trent knows her story well and keeps a firm hold on it.
This is exactly the kind of book I need sometimes, a light fun read that is easy to process and quick to finish.
May 28, 2023
This is the third book in the series. Daphne has invited Myra over for the evening. Unfortunately, Myra has a tooth problem after eating some of Daphne’s brittle and they make an emergency trip to the dentist. But they are shocked to find that the dentist has been murdered. Although they are released, they are still under investigation and are determined to find out who the real killer is. To make things more complicated, Daphne has been asked to make a cake for a group of missionaries that dress up like Elvis to raise money and one of the leaders of the organization (EIEIO) seems to have a thing for her. She is also making football related cakes and a quinceanera cake for a relation of her friend Juanita. Between baking and sleuthing, she also has to deal with some jealousy from her boyfriend. They must figure out who would have it in for the dentist before it is too late.
November 20, 2024
Loved This Cozy
I really liked this cozy as it caught me right from the start and I enjoyed the whole story. I laughed at the things that happen and some of the situations. I liked the tone of the dialog as it was boisterous but fun. This story had many elements that I look for in a good cozy. A strong leafing character, fun well developed supporting characters, a love interest, a small town setting, a food related theme, and an interesting journey from murder to catching the killer. This book had it all. I hope to read more books in this series and highly recommend it.
I really liked this cozy as it caught me right from the start and I enjoyed the whole story. I laughed at the things that happen and some of the situations. I liked the tone of the dialog as it was boisterous but fun. This story had many elements that I look for in a good cozy. A strong leafing character, fun well developed supporting characters, a love interest, a small town setting, a food related theme, and an interesting journey from murder to catching the killer. This book had it all. I hope to read more books in this series and highly recommend it.
January 8, 2020
An emergency trip to the dentist after hours starts the drama for Myra and Daphne! The ladies are found with a corpse putting them at the top of the suspect list with the police. The regular characters interact with a charity group of Elvis impersonators to create this stunning mystery.
February 18, 2021
The story is set in a small town in Virginia and features Daphne Martin as the main character. Daphne has to contend with a convention of Elvis impersonators and a dead dentist. It was an easy to read book.
April 2, 2018
This one was kind of goofy and the plot very convoluted, but still a good, quick read.
April 24, 2018
Fun read.
May 23, 2018
I really like this book. It was light, quick, funny, with a lot o nice and original characters. Really enjoyed it.
May 24, 2018
This is a quick and interesting mystery featuring baker Daphne Martin and her friends as they solve a murder in Brea Ridge, Virginia.
September 27, 2019
Another great book
This is the second book of Gayle's I've read and haven't been disappointed yet! On to the next book for another wild ride!
This is the second book of Gayle's I've read and haven't been disappointed yet! On to the next book for another wild ride!
June 30, 2020
This book was okay. There are some parts that are boring, there are purple patches even.
August 5, 2022
I enjoyed this book - a fun, lighthearted cozy and that’s what I like to read! My first book by this author - looking forward to reading more.
December 28, 2011
Daphne Martin moved back to her hometown in Virginia to start over after leaving her abusive husband. Her business, Daphne's Delectable Cakes is slowly growing, but she keeps stumbling over dead bodies.
In this, the third in the series, Daphne has her neighbor Myra over for an evening of snacks and Scrabble, but before they even start the game, Myra loses a filling eating a piece of cashew brittle. Daphne calls Myra's dentist, Dr. Bainsworth and arranges to meet him at his office. When they get there, the building is unlocked, and they find the doctor sprawled on the floor bleeding.
Daphne immediately calls for help, but the emergency workers are too late. Dr. Bainsworth is dead, killed by a blow to the head. Since Daphne and Myra found the body, they are also the primary suspects. They're questioned for hours, and finally return home very early in the morning.
When Daphne gets out of her car, she sees Elvis in her driveway, and is certain she's hallucinating. But the man is an Elvis impersonator in town for an Elvis impersonators convention, and wants to order a cake. Needing the work, Daphne accepts, but her significant other, Ben Jacobs, is wary.
When a witness at a gas station mentions seeing an Elvis impersonator with blood on his sleeve that night, Ben is even more suspicious. But which fake Elvis is it? All Daphne knows is that she doesn't want to be arrested for murder when she was only helping a friend, and to prove that she's innocent, she has to find the real killer.
I have not read any of the earlier books in the series, but I found this entertaining, and even laughed out loud a few times. Daphne is a charming protagonist, and it's enjoyable (though hunger-inducing) to read about her baking.
Rest easy, though, there are recipes for some of her cakes and desserts at the end of the book, as well as an excerpt from Murder Takes the Cake, the first book in the series.
In this, the third in the series, Daphne has her neighbor Myra over for an evening of snacks and Scrabble, but before they even start the game, Myra loses a filling eating a piece of cashew brittle. Daphne calls Myra's dentist, Dr. Bainsworth and arranges to meet him at his office. When they get there, the building is unlocked, and they find the doctor sprawled on the floor bleeding.
Daphne immediately calls for help, but the emergency workers are too late. Dr. Bainsworth is dead, killed by a blow to the head. Since Daphne and Myra found the body, they are also the primary suspects. They're questioned for hours, and finally return home very early in the morning.
When Daphne gets out of her car, she sees Elvis in her driveway, and is certain she's hallucinating. But the man is an Elvis impersonator in town for an Elvis impersonators convention, and wants to order a cake. Needing the work, Daphne accepts, but her significant other, Ben Jacobs, is wary.
When a witness at a gas station mentions seeing an Elvis impersonator with blood on his sleeve that night, Ben is even more suspicious. But which fake Elvis is it? All Daphne knows is that she doesn't want to be arrested for murder when she was only helping a friend, and to prove that she's innocent, she has to find the real killer.
I have not read any of the earlier books in the series, but I found this entertaining, and even laughed out loud a few times. Daphne is a charming protagonist, and it's enjoyable (though hunger-inducing) to read about her baking.
Rest easy, though, there are recipes for some of her cakes and desserts at the end of the book, as well as an excerpt from Murder Takes the Cake, the first book in the series.
March 25, 2018
Daphne and her friend and neighbor Myra are spending the evening playing Scrabble. Before they get very far into the game Myra loses one of her fillings while eating some cashew brittle. Daphne call Dr. Bainsworth to get an emergency dental appointment for Myra. When the ladies get to the dentist office they find the door unlocked and the doctor's dead body laying on the floor with a pol of blood next to his head. Since Daphne and Myra were the ones to find the body they become the prime suspects where the police are concerned.
When Daphne gets home she finds an Elvis impersonator sitting in her driveway waiting for her to get home. The impersonator wants to hire Daphne to decorate a cake that looks like a pink Cadillac for an Elvis impersonators convention that's happening in town. Needing the work Daphne says yes to the job. Her boyfriend Ben Jacobs has an uneasy feeling about the job when she tells him the job. When an employee at the gas stations mentions that they saw an impersonator with blood on his shirt sleeve, Ben becomes even more suspicious about the group and very worried about Daphne. Not wanting Myra or herself to go to jail Daphne sets out to prove their innocence and to find the real killer.
The characters are very interesting and imaginative. The mystery is well constructed and will have you guessing until the killer is revealed. The story does have some funny laughable moments mixed in with all the action.
When Daphne gets home she finds an Elvis impersonator sitting in her driveway waiting for her to get home. The impersonator wants to hire Daphne to decorate a cake that looks like a pink Cadillac for an Elvis impersonators convention that's happening in town. Needing the work Daphne says yes to the job. Her boyfriend Ben Jacobs has an uneasy feeling about the job when she tells him the job. When an employee at the gas stations mentions that they saw an impersonator with blood on his shirt sleeve, Ben becomes even more suspicious about the group and very worried about Daphne. Not wanting Myra or herself to go to jail Daphne sets out to prove their innocence and to find the real killer.
The characters are very interesting and imaginative. The mystery is well constructed and will have you guessing until the killer is revealed. The story does have some funny laughable moments mixed in with all the action.
January 17, 2012
Killer Sweet Tooth by Gayle Trent
This is a food oriented mystery in the fashionable “cozy” mystery genre. The protagonist finds herself embroiled in cake batter, Elvis impersonators and murder.
This book was a fun read. Much like cotton candy, it was tasty and certainly not filling. This was a mystery for those who want mystery without graphic and gratuitous violence. The protagonist, Daphne Martin, is a woman getting back on her feet from a disastrous and abusive marriage. She is an accomplished baker and returns to her home town to recover and start over. This quest is interrupted by dead bodies. Reference to previous bodies in other stories is alluded to but never fleshed out.
Daphne is likeable as are her zany friends. The thrust of the plot is Daphne and her friend Myra trying to prove they had nothing to do with the murder of a philandering dentist.
This is beach reading in a low stress, un-taxing form.
This is a food oriented mystery in the fashionable “cozy” mystery genre. The protagonist finds herself embroiled in cake batter, Elvis impersonators and murder.
This book was a fun read. Much like cotton candy, it was tasty and certainly not filling. This was a mystery for those who want mystery without graphic and gratuitous violence. The protagonist, Daphne Martin, is a woman getting back on her feet from a disastrous and abusive marriage. She is an accomplished baker and returns to her home town to recover and start over. This quest is interrupted by dead bodies. Reference to previous bodies in other stories is alluded to but never fleshed out.
Daphne is likeable as are her zany friends. The thrust of the plot is Daphne and her friend Myra trying to prove they had nothing to do with the murder of a philandering dentist.
This is beach reading in a low stress, un-taxing form.
October 2, 2011
Daphne Martin, owner of Daphne’s Delectable Cakes, stumbles onto a murder scene due to a dental emergency resulting from a - cashew brittle and Scrabble - evening with her friend. Elvis impersonators romance Daphne and her friend Myra as the ladies scour the town for clues to clear their names as potential murderers. On a sleuthing visit to “Tanya’s Tremendous Tress-Taming Salon,” Daphne emerges with more information about the victim and hair that looks “outraged,” “incensed,” and “ready to march on Capitol Hill in support of hair rights.”
A good murder plot plus the fun dialogue between the two main characters, the unlikely convention of Elvis impersonators, and the delicious descriptions of creative cakes add to the enjoyment of this mystery. Young adults and adults will like this newest addition to the Daphne Martin series.
A good murder plot plus the fun dialogue between the two main characters, the unlikely convention of Elvis impersonators, and the delicious descriptions of creative cakes add to the enjoyment of this mystery. Young adults and adults will like this newest addition to the Daphne Martin series.
November 20, 2011
This murder mystery was aptly titled. As poor Dr. Bainsworth quickly learned.
Our sleuth, Daphne Martin, baker extraordinaire, quickly rushes to her neighbor's aid. Myra has lost a major filling and has to make an emergency dental appointment on Friday night. Daphne and Myra drive to the dentist and armed with unexpected weapons as they find the good Dentist's body and hear sounds.
Since they quickly become possible suspects, the duo must find the real killer. The search involves, Elvis Presley impersonators, jewelery thefts, Quinceanera cakes, EIEIO and more. Boyfriend Ben learns to get his priorities in order and Daphne begins to feel Brea Ridge, VA is home again.
This was a fun and easy read. The crimes were well constructed and surprising at the same time. For a bonus, the book includes delightful cake recipes and also pudding just made for The King!
Our sleuth, Daphne Martin, baker extraordinaire, quickly rushes to her neighbor's aid. Myra has lost a major filling and has to make an emergency dental appointment on Friday night. Daphne and Myra drive to the dentist and armed with unexpected weapons as they find the good Dentist's body and hear sounds.
Since they quickly become possible suspects, the duo must find the real killer. The search involves, Elvis Presley impersonators, jewelery thefts, Quinceanera cakes, EIEIO and more. Boyfriend Ben learns to get his priorities in order and Daphne begins to feel Brea Ridge, VA is home again.
This was a fun and easy read. The crimes were well constructed and surprising at the same time. For a bonus, the book includes delightful cake recipes and also pudding just made for The King!
August 3, 2012
Daphne Martin and her feisty neighbor Myra discover another dead body, and Daphne is afraid that if the police don't find the culprit, the reputation of her cake decorating business will be ruined. But she can't concentrate on mayhem when a group of Elvis impersonators (clearly God's gift to mystery writers) have hired her to make a cake that looks like a pink Cadillac. Myra has always fancied herself as Ann-Margret, Elvis's true love, but she'd like her name cleared, too. Daphne's boyfriend Ben doesn't care for the Elvis attention she's getting, which leads to some conflict on that front, too.
February 13, 2012
This book was fantastic. It made me laugh out loud. I was even reading it at the gym on the elliptical and laughing. It's a murder mystery with recipes much like Fluke's Hannah Swenson mysteries, but not as many recipes, and you have to wait until the end to read the recipes. I think many of you will like this book.
May 27, 2015
Probably closer to a 3.5. This is the first book I have read in the Daphne Martin series and I would certainly read others.
I did find that the suspects were not as carefully or fully presented as I would have liked.
Christians who are familiar with short-term mission trips will find the ones described here rather odd.
I did find that the suspects were not as carefully or fully presented as I would have liked.
Christians who are familiar with short-term mission trips will find the ones described here rather odd.
November 6, 2011
This was just an okay read for me. The whole Elvis impersonator thing just did nothing for me as I don't understand people who do that or people who seem to think those people are the real thing. On to something better!
April 2, 2012
The third in the series and my least favorite. This story involves Elvis impersonators who are missionaries, a dead dentist, conning Mexican families wanting to come to the US, and missing jewelry. Yeah, I know. It does tie it all together, but yuck. Glad it was a library book.
May 21, 2012
This was kind of wacky with the Elvis impersonators so I read another one in the series first, then read this one. I've read the books she writes as Amanda Lee so I decided to try this series. It's enjoyable, especially if you love dessert. A good cozy series.
November 9, 2011
good story-a bit of a twist near the end. I had wanted another character to be the villain, alas......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews