Cake on a Hot Tin Roof

A Piece of Cake Mystery #2

by Jacklyn Brady

Pastry chef Rita Lucero's Mardi Gras party turns funereal when one of her guests is found dead after a public fight with her uncle-leaving Rita no choice but to find the real killer and clear her uncle's name...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Culinary, Food, Crime

297 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 7, 2012

About the author

A pseudonym used by Sherry Lewis.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

First impressions: Though it lacked the endearing qualities I loved in the first book of the series, CAKE ON A HOT TIN ROOF highlights bakery owner Rita Lucero’s savvy for solving murders she unwittingly becomes involved in.

What really worked: The story is set in New Orleans in the days leading up to Mardi Gras. Ms. Brady has a talent for bringing the vibrant qualities of the city to life. The rich descriptions of the colorful characters, the parties and the food really draw the reader into the story. I really wanted a slice of Rita’s special king cake. :-)

What worked: I thought the mystery itself was pretty good. Big Daddy Boudreaux had more enemies than friends, so there were plenty of possible suspects. Rita had quite a time narrowing the list down. In the end, I can’t say that I was surprised by “who done it,” but it was interesting to hear what really happened.

What didn’t work so much: I thought that the pacing was slow. It took a good ten chapters to get to the actual crime. Sure, there was some set up that the reader needed to see, but some of it just dragged the story down. Uncle Nestor was a big part of this book, and unfortunately I didn’t care for him at all. He was just too cantankerous for my taste. Rita was trying to help him *not* get arrested for murder, and he was simply rude and unhelpful. I guess he wasn’t the Uncle Nestor I expected to meet!

Final thoughts: Though there were parts that didn’t work for me, CAKE ON A HOT TIN ROOF was a good continuation of the series. I’m hoping in the next book Rita and Detective Sullivan’s relationship will progress to the next level – like maybe a date? ;)

[Stacie Haden · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't any detective work here, just a predictable reveal at the end. I couldn't find anyone likeable in this one, nor anyone to care about or respect. I'm also not interested in the details of every cake and what each person is wearing. Just not my piece of cake. I'm not continuing this series.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery series set in New Orleans. I would have liked it more if the mystery had happened early on. It was still a wonderful story, and I enjoyed the cake shop.

[Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fast paced read. It is Mardi Gras time and Rita's gourmet cake bakery business is booming. The production of the traditional King Cake is keeping her staff hopping. To make matters even more complicated, Rita's Aunt Yolanda and Uncle Nestor show up for a surprise visit. Rita is already hosting a big party for hundreds of her ex-husband's friends. When local car salesmen and media celebrity, Big Daddy Boudreaux is found dead in the club's swimming pool, her uncle becomes a person of interest. Uncle Nestor and Big Daddy had exchanged blows at the party that was witnessed by party guests. Rita must try to prove her uncle's innocence and find the real culprit from a long line of potential killers.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very light and enjoyable. However, the author looks to be setting up a love triangle.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Rita's bakery, Zydeco, is struggling to stay on top of the King Cake orders. Rita and the bakery are still recovering from her nearly ex-husband's death a few months earlier, and Rita herself struggles with self-confidence. On top of that her MIL has organized a Mardi Gras party for Rita to host the night this cozy mystery opens. Just to add to the stress and Rita's insecurities, the aunt and uncle who raised her arrive unexpectedly from Albaquerque, for reasons that don't add up, and her uncle is in a pretty foul mood.

Off they all head to the party, and all goes pretty well until 2 things happen: Rita's uncle takes a couple of punches to a bigger than life celebrity named Big Daddy at one point, then a couple hours later Big Daddy is found dead in the pool, and his wife shrieks that Rita's uncle killed him. Rita's uncle is refusing to say anything to anyone so Rita investigates.

I actually give this 2.5 stars, rounded down because it was not engaging me. There are plenty of rather colorful, even outrageous characters. The murder plot is fine, and of course there's food descriptions, not just King Cake, and recipes even at the end, including one for King Cake. Enough feeling of the lead up to Mardi Gras and the Krewe balls is provided to give atmosphere to the setting. However, I had a tough time getting caught up in it the way I did the first in the series, and how I anticipated doing so, especially as I was reading it just as Mardi Gras was celebrated. Just can't give it a higher rating even though there are some marvelous moments like this one:

Is there a better bite anywhere in the world? A perfectly boiled bagel, crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside. The sweetly sour burst of cream cheese mixed with the smoky taste of the lox almost made me swoon. ... A good bagel is the perfect cure for a murder hangover.

Only thing wrong with that scene and description: it's supposedly set in New Orleans. This NYC resident will be order bagels, lox and cream cheese from Broadway Bagel for breakfast tomorrow.

[Barbara Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with New Orleans flare woven into the mystery. Enjoyable.

[Crystal Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this cozy. It was just as good if not better then the first one. I Love that the setting is New Orleans during Marci Gras. I was craving a King cake when it was all done(Recipe included at the end). I say take a break and enjoy a comfort cozy mystery.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7

More of a mystery than the second one and I think that between the examples of writing from the first and the second, the third will be a very nice blend of character and mystery.

A few things that ticked me off though:

Still no description of Rita and Sullivan. If there were then it wasn't done with enough panache to make me remember.

Nestor is a jerk. It's very hard to sympathize with a jerk and I felt that if we had learned some of the things about Nestor that made him more human, earlier, than maybe I would have cared more that he was innocent .

Not enough Sullivan. I think this guy has potential and there is definitely some sort of spark between Rita and him but the sexiest thing he did in this whole book was watch her work and then push off the wall with his shoulder. Not enough romance for me.

Gabriel, the bartender, seems like a slightly shady character but one with potential interest that so far I don't see for Sullivan. However, I don't know his age or anything else about him. Not good enough.

Not enough Miss Frankie. I missed that crazy gal.

We got to some of Sparkle in this book and she also has potential for something awesome. Sad to say everyone else didn't get enough screen time. I want to know more about Isabeau and Abe.

Not enough was established about why people were answering Rita's questions. Percy's reaction would not have been mine.


I wish we had found out more about Judd.

It was also very heavy handed that Rita kept overhearing conversations. Once, yeah maybe. Three times? She's either a snoop or very unlucky.

We explored more of Rita in this installment and she grew more as a character. She asserted her independence and is exploring her dominance and she is also discovering that men can indeed be yummy. But we also explored too many of her insecurities. The readers needed to be shown not told. That tends to be a bit of a problem in most cozy mysteries but I was hoping that it could've been avoided in this one.

New Orleans is becoming a bit more than just a second-string character and once again we got to see the city in glory.

I gotta tell you, the story was good and the mystery was stronger than the first and by the end of the book, I was craving a King Cake.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Story takes place during Mardi Gras season in beautiful New Orleans. Zydeco Cakes is trying to get ready for their busy time of year by baking King Cakes for the celebrations, while still filling regular orders. Rita, who runs the shop now that her husband had died with her mother-in law, was up to her elbows in work, while also trying to get a new website for the store up and running.Rita's plate was already busy enough, before having to deal with a murder that happened at their big social event, a Mardi Gras party that would help their business even more. And what's worsted, is that one of the polices main murder suspects turns out to be Rita's beloved uncle Nestor.

I won't give anything away, but just know that Rita has a lot to deal with before and after the party. Between trying to run a shop, deal with her aunt and uncle visiting her, and then having to try and proof that her uncle is not a murderer, (which she hopes to be true), things get very messy for Rita in a short amount of time. Interesting story with great characters. So many people that could be the murderer, I kept changing my mind as to who I thought was guilt! Fun book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series, this one taking place during Mardi Gras (which I got to learn about since I didn't know much going in). Rita's Aunt and Uncle come for a visit and get involved in a murder that occurs at a party they are all at. Good mystery and great characters.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the behind the scenes view of getting ready for Mardi Gras, especially since Rita is new to the town.

What I enjoyed:
* The setting, especially since it was in the time leading up to Mardi Gras
* The workers at Zydeco bakery
* Aunt Yolanda except she needs to work on forgiveness - if it happened 30 years ago and you've forgiven it, stop punishing because of it

What could have been better:
* There is a love triangle, and I hate them.
* Rita was kind of annoying. She's like I don't have a spare 15 minutes because my bakery is so busy, but I've got time to visit murder suspects. Or internal thoughts like I don't normally do ____, but I will because...
* Uncle Nestor was kind of a jerk. I realize he raised Rita so she loves him, but I didn't even like him.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rita Lucero's Zydeco Cakes, is in hyper mode fulfilling regular orders and producing hundreds of King Cakes for Mardi Gras events. She's also supposed to be getting a website up and host a Musterion Club event, when her aunt and uncle suddenly show up for a visit. Uncle Nestor and Aunt Yolanda raised Rita from the age of 12 and are like parents. But they seem to be having problems that they won't talk about. At the Musterion Party, Uncle Nestor gets into a fight with a local bigwig who turns up dead at the end of the party. Now Rita is also trying to save her uncle from being the number one suspect. The deceased had plenty of enemies at the party and Rita tries to determine where everyone was at the time of death. As usual the heroine is sticking her neck out. The series works because of a lot of quirky side characters and the personal family story thrown in. Nice series.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this title up because it's been on my cozy shelf for years, and the cover was calling to me. Cake, New Orleans during Mardi Gras, how could it be bad? By avoiding pretty much everything to do with the city and the celebration in question. All Rita does is work, and then complain about how much she works. She constantly remarks how she doesn't have time to do anything, then attends parties, interrogates suspects, and uses the local bartender as her therapist. She can't be bothered to work on the bakery's website which is key to keep the business afloat. She wants to have her hands in every pie (almost literally) and then whinges about how she's not getting enough sleep and the other workers don't respect her. This is most of the book. The rest is her showing up on the doorsteps of New Orleans elite and instigating cringey, invasive questioning sessions to supposedly get her Uncle off the hook for murder. She doesn't think to look at the PICTURES TAKEN AT THE MURDER SCENE until the last 30 or so pages of the book. The climax is then rushed, the epilogue glossed over to the point where I had to reread the thing to make sure I understood what happened. It wasn't clear whether Rita was in a relationship with the detective, the bartender, or both of them. Rita's aunt and uncle didn't add any value to the story. I could go on and on, but I think you get the gist. Why not a 1 star then? It read quickly, and on the surface level, it was entertaining enough. I still think there was a huge missed opportunity here with it being set on Mardi Gras and not involving the carnival at all.
Needless to say, I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series.

[Nd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty difficult to find protagonist Rita Lucero a sympathetic character. There's just not much that's attractive about someone who's insecure and self-disparaging at the same time's she pushy, hot-headed, and constantly at odds with her partners and staff at her New Orleans bakery, Zydeco. Hard-headed is one thing, but someone who's hot-headed and frequently irrational makes it much more difficult to enjoy the story.

As a New Orleans newcomer, trying to make a go of the newly-acquired Zydeco was an uphill climb, even with a mother-in-law and deceased husband who were steeped in krewe aristocracy. Rita's entire staff had been working non-stop to fill the deluge of orders. Everyone was exhausted. As the story began, she had a command performance that evening as host of a Mardi Gras party in place of her recently deceased almost-ex-husband for hundreds of his friends and acquaintances, and it's possible that Zydeco's success among New Orleans elite depended upon the success of the Musterion gala. Miss Frankie certainly thought so and told Rita as much, while continually emphasizing that she should relax and have fun with it. To add chaos to the bedlam, Uncle Nestor (equally hot-headed) and Aunt Yolanda arrived, unnanounced, to visit Rita for several days.

I'm not sure I ever began to pull for Rita, but after the obnoxious next year's head of Musterion was murdered under suspicious circumstances, I did begin to want to see the mystery untangled. It was nicely done, but still, there weren't really any sympathetic characters.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof is the second book of the Piece of Cake mystery series set in contemporary New Orleans, Louisiana. It's almost Mardi Gras, a crazy-busy time at Zydeco Cakes Rita Lucero inherited the bakery when her husband died. She still feels significant skepticism coming from her experienced and talented employees, a major challenge to prove herself a capable boss. Orders for 200 King Cakes per day to supply holiday parties keeps everyone hopping. Getting a website up and running is low priority to Rita, a major bone of contention with her second-in-command.

This is not at all a convenient time for Aunt Yolanda and Uncle Nestor to arrive from Albuquerque on a surprise visit. Overwhelmed by work, and now family, Rita's time is nevertheless utterly ruled by the whims of her mother-in-law, Miss Frankie. With an impossibly full load of tasks, Rita must now drop everything to arrive early at a fundraiser for an elite "krewe". Because important big-wigs will be there.

Rita complies, inviting her aunt and uncle to the party, in an attempt to cover up the snub (of ignoring them in favor of kowtowing to Miss Frankie's demands). Rita's not sure why they are in New Orleans anyway, checking up on her. They gently pressure her about abandoning them for a new life. She tries to tactfully explain that now she is fulfilling career goals she never could as a menial worker in Uncle Nestor's restaurant.

The big-wigs at the fundraiser include an obnoxious wealthy bully, Big Daddy Boudreaux. When he is found murdered by the pool, no one at all really minds his demise. His many enemies gloat. But Rita is shocked and appalled to learn her Uncle Nestor was fingered by the widow as Big Daddy's killer.

Rita races around frantically, trying to complete orders at Zydeco Cakes, interview suspects, alternately placate and bully her relatives, pretend to care about the website, dodge detective Sullivan's questions. She oh-so-conveniently overhears many key conversations, that eventually lead to identifying the killer. Not very interesting, frankly. However, the descriptions of Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans make reading the book worthwhile.

Recipes are included: Rita's Breakfast Casserole, Dizzy Duke Shrimp Etouffee, Zydeco King Cake, Chile Verde, Flour Tortillas. Caution: the story's description of how King Cake is prepared at Zydeco (the number of times it rises) does not match the recipe directions. Check another recipe source before attempting to make it.

[IAmTheHolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rita Lucero and her bakery, Zydeco, are working overtime to keep up with the demand for King Cakes.  Rita is stuck hosting - mostly in name, not in work - a big Mardi Gras party for her krewe, her aunt and uncle who raised her show up out of the blue, and the bakery's demands are more than she can keep up with already.  Then a body turns up at the party and everything points to her uncle being the killer.  Can she squeeze in figuring out who actually did it in the midst of everything going on? 

I really enjoyed the first section of this book as the scene was set.  Mardi Gras, New Orleans, family owned bakery, the main character in her element.  But then as she begins to investigate, she takes a lot of risks to try to save her uncle.  The end ended up feeling fairly formulaic, but it was a good ride nonetheless.  I would definitely read more in this series - well written characters, strong theme, good plot for the most part.  Not focused on any sort of relationship drama with the main character (minus maybe two tiny mentions) which was actually kind of refreshing for a cozy mystery.  

I'll go 8 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability.  If you like cozy mysteries, New Orleans, bakeries, check this one out!

For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!

[Karen Hufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd still read this series but I did not like one of the major characters at all: Rita's Uncle Nestor. This installment in the series starts with Rita trying to navigate her first Mardi Gras as head of Zydeco. She's swamped with work and her Aunt and Uncle from NM show up unannounced to basically lay a guilt trip at her feet for staying in New Orleans. While they are visiting, they go to a crewe party that their niece is hosting (it's really her mother-in-law who did most of the work) and a major mover and shaker gets murdered and her uncle is a main suspect due to a fight earlier in the evening. Nestor is not nice at all and I never really got a sense as to why he was there. Rita works hard to clear his name but she also spends the least amount of time possible hanging out with them, all the while professing her love (they took her in when her parents died when she was 12).

[Kellene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book in the Piece of Cake series as much as the first. The characters are growing nicely and I’m liking them more as the series progresses (although I missed Old Dog Leg immensely). Rita becomes less annoying by the end of the book, and the rest of the regular cast is turning more into family. The descriptions of the Mardi Gras scene in New Orleans brought it to life and made me want to be right in the middle of it all, minus the murder. The story moved swiftly, and the resolution was fine (I was enjoying the story so much that I really didn’t care who killed the jerk as long as the party kept going). This could easily become one of my new favorite series and I look forward to the next one.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the backdrop of New Orleans Mardi Gras, a mystery unfolds. Rita, who has taken over the bakery owned by her late (and almost former) husband's family, is up to her ears in King cakes for the festivities. The parties at a local social club end up with a murder and Rita's visiting uncle is a suspect. A fun read and you feel like you're there!

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than a lot of cozy murder mysteries I've read lately. I enjoyed the setting in New Orleans and the Mardi Gras experience. "It's all about self-indulgence during carnival and self-denial once carnival is over and Lent begins."

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book

[Rabia · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s going good,

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read anything written by Ms Brady this series was recommended to me by the GoodReads website so I checked it out. I loved it! From the first few pages I was hooked. She didn't take her time and drag things out. She started with the reader caught your attention and didn't let go until the last page and even then you hope the next book is just as good as the first! This book also takes place within one week so you don't have to sit and wonder how much time has passed for the characters as you are reading about them, especially since a police investigation is going on. You are always wondering 'who did it' and as you read you will change your mind on who you think was the murderer; you will LOVE the ending! Never once through the story did it loose me, nor drag on repeating itself. Book 2 is almost as good as the first one; (I just don't hand out 5 stars very often) but am now looking forward to reading book 3 to see what is next.

Book 2 can be read as a 'stand alone novel' I don't think you would be 'lost' within the story. BUT you would understand all the characters and scenes more if you had read book 1 first. You get to love them all and understand them in book 1 so it just adds to this book. Also what made this book neat; at least for me, was it takes place during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Being a southern girl from Arkansas I don't know anything at all about Mardi Gras other than it takes place in March. This book helps describe how New Orleans people feel about it; the celebrations and how they celebrate etc. Gives an outsider insite on a holiday that apparently is a very important one to people from LA. I thought that really added to the storyline. Once you pick it up you won't want to put it down.

If you are prof reading for your advanced reading pre teen-teenager. This book doesn't have any sex in it. It does have language at times but not 'tons all through it' and one of the main places the characters go is to a bar and the charactors drink throughout the story. So some 'adult' activities going on through but nothing more that kids probably see on PG13 movies.

This is for certain a must to add to my purchase for my own home library! Hoping other books in the series is just as good

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this fun and quirky series. Having it set in New Orleans is a huge plus and that this one takes place right before the noisy and colorful Mardi Gras celebration is a perfect choice. The vivid descriptions of the hectic pace leading up to the festival,the food, costumes, parties, krewe society bashes and rich food makes the story come alive.

I enjoyed getting to see more of the Zydeco bakery and the people who work there. Showing some of the strife when working with so many creative individuals is a nice touch. Seeing Rita trying to juggle all her many hats in the bakery, from worker to owner, is good to see. Having her family unexpectedly show up forcing her to add adds more roles to her already busy week--that of niece,mediator and investigator, shows her love, stamina and ability to multi-task.

There are secondary characters of different kinds all over the place. Almost too many to keep track of. Her Aunt and Uncle are interesting and it's obvious Rita loves them. There's plenty of back story provided but Uncle Nestor is a hard guy to like. He's rather surly and having him as the prime murder suspect doesn't make him talkative. It's only after some information comes out and Rita forces him to open up that I felt like I got a good handle on what he was about. It certainly made him more human.

Bid Daddy Boudreaux is a jerk and was the perfect character in the book to end up the murder victim. As information is revealed about him, I'm amazed he wasn't killed sometime earlier in his life. The man had far more enemies than friends and was great creation.

My niggles:
1. I missed seeing more of the fun and spunky Miss Frankie.
2. Rita seems to like Detective Sullivan but I'm not certain why or what he looks like.
3. For that matter, unless I missed it, I'm not exactly certain what Rita looks like.
4. Gabriel, the bartender seems like an interesting guy but Rita was reluctant to have anything to do with him until she found out he rubbed elbows with members of the krewe.

I can't think of any threads that were left dangling, so I'm happy about that. I really enjoy the fun book titles and look forward to the next release.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cake On A Hot Tin Roof is the second in the A Piece Of Cake Mystery series.

It is only a couple weeks away from Mardi Gras and quite naturally all the bakeries are struggling to stay ahead of the game. Zydeco is just starting to recover from a loss of business after the murder of the owner, Phillipe, a few months ago. His almost ex-wife, Rita, is now owner as is barely able to keep her hear above water. Rita's mother-in-law is calling to remind her of the very important pre-Mardi Gras party the she has to be prompt at arriving at, when her Aunt and Uncle arrive unannounced.

They all arrive at the party and Rita assumes her position as hostess and set out to try and learn as much about the guests, while at the same time, spending time with her aunt and uncle. She soon notices that her uncle and one of the guests, Big Daddy Boudreaux are having words and her uncle gives him a couple shot to the jaw. As the party is winding down, Rita is walking around outdoors getting some fresh air, when she notices a body in the swimming pool. Not knowing if the person is dead or alive she enters the pool, only to find out that it is Big Daddy. Then the widow points out Rita's uncle to the police and says that he killed Big Daddy.

So now in addition to managing an almost over extended bakery staff, she must try and find out just killed Big Daddy. And there are a number of possibilities. Possibly a jealous wife, an unknown questionable business deal or maybe a close family squabble that got out of hand.

I'm enjoying this series. It's fun to see the behind the scenes aspect of a speciality bakery and watching the character development. Waiting the next delivery of baked goods.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastry chef Rita Lucero is still learning the ropes at Zydeco Cakes, the bakery she inherited from her ex-husband. Her second in command is trying to give the bakery an online presence and hounding Rita every day to start a blog. Add that to it's carnival season in New Orleans and they are filling tons of orders for King cakes and Rita is expected to host a Mardi Gras party for hundreds of her ex's closet friends. Then as if she doesn't have enough to do she gets an unexpected visit from her aunt Yolanda and Uncle Nestor. How in the world is she going to get everything done and entertain then too?

Well at least she can take them to the Mardi Gras party. A great idea until Big Daddy Boudreaux, a local celebrity/car salesman, winds up dead at the party after having a very public altercation with Uncle Nestor. Now Rita needs to add "find the real killer" to her already overflowing To-Do-List. And there are no shortage of other suspects. Let the good times roll!

Dollycas's Thoughts

Chaos reigned in this installment of the Piece of Cake Mysteries. I was exhausted just trying to keep up with Rita. Plus she kept her temper better than I ever would if relatives just dropped in at the busiest time of year.

I was a little disappointed in Uncle Nestor. I knew he was upset about Rita staying in New Orleans but he should have been more supportive of her role at Zydeco cakes. Proud that she was running a successful business. He did have a lot on his mind and by the end of the story I had started to forgive him just a bit.

I must say the vast number of suspects made this mystery very complex. Each time I thought I had figured it out I was wrong.

Another tasty treat from Jacklyn Brady.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mardi Gras was never so stressful as first time participant, Chef Rita Lucero finds out as new owner of New Orleans bakery, Zydeco. Having inherited the business from her husband, Rita begins to learn the chaos and confusion of making hundreds of King Cakes daily. It is so stressful that Rita is almost overwhelmed.

Then her Aunt and Uncle arrived unannounced from Albuquerque, New Mexico and the stress heightens. What to do but continue her schedule and include Tia and Tio. Rita's also inherited a position within the New Orleans community and must host her first Mardi Gras party at a very prominent Country Club. One of the guests is car salesman, Big Daddy Boudreaux.

Big Daddy thinks highly of himself and when he targets both Rita and her Aunt Yolanda for his inappropriate attention, Uncle Nestor confronts him. Later, someone else has taken offense against Big Daddy and Rita's first party becomes Big Daddy's final party!

This book involves the reader in the speed, chaos, fun, noise, tastes of Carnival. You work behind the hectic scenes of the bakery, rush across town carrying a cake through the crowds, join a society bash and still try to figure out who killed Big Daddy.

At the satisfying conclusion, there are luscious recipes to share and try out at your home. A great read during any season.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rita Lucero is has a lot of her plate. She has taken over running Zydeco Cakes after the passing of her late husband. Her staff is constantly throwing new ideas her way, they are busy baking and decorating King cakes for the big Mardi Gras celebrations going on around town and she is expected to play hostess at a large krewe party. If that's not enough, her aunt and uncle make a very surprised and unexpected visit. Things get quite hectic once a popular party patron is found murdered at the bash and Rita's uncle was the last one seen fighting with the victim. She knows her uncle is innocent, even if he is acting a bit peculiar, so she has to somehow find the time in her busy schedule to clear his name.

This was a hit and miss for me. I like Rita, even though I wish she would be more confident and not let her employees question her authority. The mystery itself was well paced. There were several believable suspects to weed through. I think there could have been a bit more potential - especially with a Mardi Gras setting. I got annoyed several times with Oz and his whole blog obsession. Just felt out of place at times. I also didn't connect with Rita's aunt or uncle which was a miss since they were a big part of the story. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I already have book three in my possession, so I'll give it another go.