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An Italian-American Cozy Mystery #1
The Soggy Cannoli Murder
When Bernie Smyth trades her Hollywood fame for witness protection in a small Italian-American town in New Jersey, she doesn’t expect to play the role of her prime murder suspect.
Bernie co-starred in America’s favorite TV detective series, Silver & Gold . But after testifying against the show’s leading man, she abandons her career to hide out in Carmine, New Jersey, a small town with a rich Italian-American heritage. She gets a job at the crummy Cafe Roma and vows to keep a low profile.
But when Bernie stumbles on her boss with a knife in his back, Chief of Police Diana Tedesco believes she’s found the killer.
Can Bernie unmask the real killer before they strike again? And can she keep her true identity hidden, even as she reprises her role as TV detective Eve Silver in real life?
Join Bernie in book 1 of this cozy mystery series as she solves murders and navigates the delicious world of Italian-American cuisine.
Bernie co-starred in America’s favorite TV detective series, Silver & Gold . But after testifying against the show’s leading man, she abandons her career to hide out in Carmine, New Jersey, a small town with a rich Italian-American heritage. She gets a job at the crummy Cafe Roma and vows to keep a low profile.
But when Bernie stumbles on her boss with a knife in his back, Chief of Police Diana Tedesco believes she’s found the killer.
Can Bernie unmask the real killer before they strike again? And can she keep her true identity hidden, even as she reprises her role as TV detective Eve Silver in real life?
Join Bernie in book 1 of this cozy mystery series as she solves murders and navigates the delicious world of Italian-American cuisine.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2023
376 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
M.P. Black
17 books30 followersHey there — I’m M.P. Black, and I write fun cozies with an emphasis on food, books, and travel. And, of course, a good old murder mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 7, 2025
Pretty good for a cozy.
April 30, 2025
Novice detective is in witness protection, a nice spin on things :)
March 16, 2025
A typical cozy mystery. A fun enjoyable read.
November 7, 2024
I got this as a free book on my tablet. Again wasnt expecting masterpiece - I knew who it was straight away. This passed the time whilst off sick this week. only thing that annoyed me was the constant use of Cannoli (yes i know its in the title) but every few pages!
August 29, 2023
The Soggy Cannoli Murder is a cozy mystery revolving around Bernie Smythe, a TV actress now in witness protection after her co-star was found to be smuggling guns and drugs.
First of all, I apologize, but I am overly bent out of shape at the author calling a cannoli shell a 'cone' when it's a cylinder. Dude, do some editing! You go over there and do some editing, I'll stay here and drink some herbal tea to suppress my anger issues.
Well, a lot of the book is pretty tropey cozy mystery, but it's decent enough. I liked the main character and the town, descriptions were good, stakes were high, and I was kept guessing for most of the book as to who the killer was. There was a side-romance that was handled well, believable, and not overly dominating the book.
Not exceptional, but good enough, but then the ending struggled to deliver. The police chief had been unfairly biased against Bernie throughout, literally failing to do her job and being on the verge of breaking the law because of her grudge against Bernie. But in the end she apologizes, and good sport Bernie forgives her being horrifically incompetent and almost sending her to prison for a crime she didn't commit... Ew. The police chief was totally in the wrong, she should face some damn repercussions. And we have three suspects with practically the same murder motive, but we completely trust one of those three and never examine that they might be the killer. Whoa, author, if you need to actively try to distract the reader from considering one of your suspects, maybe you need to work on a better mystery!
Decent enough (always relieved to read a cozy mystery where the protagonist isn't an awful person who stumbles over the solution by chance!), but a sour note ending. Ah well.
First of all, I apologize, but I am overly bent out of shape at the author calling a cannoli shell a 'cone' when it's a cylinder. Dude, do some editing! You go over there and do some editing, I'll stay here and drink some herbal tea to suppress my anger issues.
Well, a lot of the book is pretty tropey cozy mystery, but it's decent enough. I liked the main character and the town, descriptions were good, stakes were high, and I was kept guessing for most of the book as to who the killer was. There was a side-romance that was handled well, believable, and not overly dominating the book.
Not exceptional, but good enough, but then the ending struggled to deliver. The police chief had been unfairly biased against Bernie throughout, literally failing to do her job and being on the verge of breaking the law because of her grudge against Bernie. But in the end she apologizes, and good sport Bernie forgives her being horrifically incompetent and almost sending her to prison for a crime she didn't commit... Ew. The police chief was totally in the wrong, she should face some damn repercussions. And we have three suspects with practically the same murder motive, but we completely trust one of those three and never examine that they might be the killer. Whoa, author, if you need to actively try to distract the reader from considering one of your suspects, maybe you need to work on a better mystery!
Decent enough (always relieved to read a cozy mystery where the protagonist isn't an awful person who stumbles over the solution by chance!), but a sour note ending. Ah well.
January 3, 2024
After testifying against her co-star, Jay Casanova, Bernadette sheds her famous life to go into Witness Protection. Sent to live in the small town of Carmine, she takes the only job she can get, working at Café Roma under her alcoholic, abusive boss. After arguing the day before with him about how to make a proper Americano, Bernie arrives at work early only to interrupt someone murdering her boss and setting him on fire. Trying to keep a low profile, Bernie uses a fie extinguisher on the body and gets interrupted trying to leave the scene. As a results, Bernie gets on the wrong side of Police Chief Tedescu, a fan of her ex co-star. With Tedescu hell-bent on pinning the murder on her, Bernie’s enlists the help of the police’s chief deputy and Nat, another local, to help her solve the murders. As they begin poking around, however, someone in Carmine starts trying to kill off Bernie! To make matters worse, Jay’s brother is on the prowl and is coming after Bernie for putting his brother away. Can Bernie clear her name, stay out of jail, and live to tell the tale?
The plot is well-developed, engaging, and humorous. Bernie, the deputy, and Nat are well-developed characters and help bring Bernie’s world to life. Other secondary characters, however, are underdeveloped. Fans of cozy mysteries, Italian American characters, and small town novels will want to pick this one up.
The plot is well-developed, engaging, and humorous. Bernie, the deputy, and Nat are well-developed characters and help bring Bernie’s world to life. Other secondary characters, however, are underdeveloped. Fans of cozy mysteries, Italian American characters, and small town novels will want to pick this one up.
April 28, 2023
free ebook
she was on a tv show, famous, but the man got arrested and she was put in witness protection and moved across the country. she is in a small town, working in a coffee shop, but the boss got killed. the chief of police is a woman who loved the leading man in the show, she is obsessed with him and hates the girl who she thinks is responsible for him being in jail. she is determined to find her guilty of killing the coffee shop man
the girl got another job in the italian bakery across the street. she loves working there. she is trying to find who murdered the coffee shop boss so she wont be blamed
she was supposed to be helping in the bakery making 300 cannoli for the contest, but she kept taking off solving the murders
i felt bad for the bakery lady, im glad she won the contest
the murders were solved, the will found and she got to stay in the small town she had grown to love
she was on a tv show, famous, but the man got arrested and she was put in witness protection and moved across the country. she is in a small town, working in a coffee shop, but the boss got killed. the chief of police is a woman who loved the leading man in the show, she is obsessed with him and hates the girl who she thinks is responsible for him being in jail. she is determined to find her guilty of killing the coffee shop man
the girl got another job in the italian bakery across the street. she loves working there. she is trying to find who murdered the coffee shop boss so she wont be blamed
she was supposed to be helping in the bakery making 300 cannoli for the contest, but she kept taking off solving the murders
i felt bad for the bakery lady, im glad she won the contest
the murders were solved, the will found and she got to stay in the small town she had grown to love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2023
This was a good start to a cozy series. Bernie Smyth is an actress from the detective series Silver and Gold. She is put in witness protection when she finds out her co-star is a criminal and she testifies against him. She is moved to a small town and she gets a job as a barista, but when her boss is killed she loses her chance to stay under the radar as suddenly everyone in the town wants to know about her and the sheriff is out to get her.
The small town had a lot of nice people and shops and different areas. It was all centered around an Italian-American theme and they even had a festival with lots of different foods, including cannolis. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to see where is leads me next.
The small town had a lot of nice people and shops and different areas. It was all centered around an Italian-American theme and they even had a festival with lots of different foods, including cannolis. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to see where is leads me next.
January 22, 2025
I got this as a free e-book on google, it was pretty fun and easy to read. The story is based in the small town of Carmine in NJ. An italian-american delicacy where an ex actress is searching for a new life after testyfing against her co-star, Jay Cassanova. The book takes us through Berine's adventure as she's busy trying to keep a low-profile. But that soon changes when she gets a job at a café and her boss is murdered and Bernie is the prime suspect.
I give this book a 3.25 , it was super easy to read. There are times in the book things are repitive, like the same quote being said a few times. I also caught a couple of typos and sentences that confused me. It's a simply written book & I'd reccomned it :)
I give this book a 3.25 , it was super easy to read. There are times in the book things are repitive, like the same quote being said a few times. I also caught a couple of typos and sentences that confused me. It's a simply written book & I'd reccomned it :)
August 26, 2025
What a great start to a new cozy mystery series! I liked the plot--Bernie Smyth, thirty-two year old actress, is placed in witness protection after testifying against her handsome criminal co-star. That ended her t.v. show Silver and Gold in California and sent her to live in Carmine, New Jersey. Trying to keep a low profile so she won't be recognized, she takes a job at Cafe Roma. Shortly after starting to work there, she finds her boss, Mark Lewis dead! I liked seeing Bernie recall episodes from her t.v. show and use her investigative skills to solve the murder. "I could still catch a few episodes of Murder She Wrote before bedtime." The town of Carmine is full of interesting people and I enjoyed hanging out there!
April 20, 2023
This is the first in the series. The main character is Bernie and she is in the witness protection program. They have moved her to the small of Carmine in New Jersey. Bernie kind of hates it there but she is stuck there for now. Then the guy she was working for is murdered and she looks good for it, especially to the Chief of Police. Now the Chief already know her story but for some reason has decided to nail her for the murder. Now she is trying to figure it all out before it's too late but can she do it before the bad guy who is looking for her finds her ?
May 15, 2023
Once the headliner to a hit tv-show, Bernie Smythe is now hiding out in witness protection after testifying against her co-star. So far, her start in the small New Jersey town has been bumpy. Her skinflint boss was hard to work for - a situation made worse by the fact that someone killed him and Bernie is now considered the prime suspect. With the police chief's integrity compromised, it's up to Bernie to find the real killer.
This cosy was a light, quick read. The main character is a delight. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this series.
This cosy was a light, quick read. The main character is a delight. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this series.
February 2, 2025
This book was okay, but the whole time I felt like there was something missing and I'm not sure how to explain it. All of these cozy mysteries must have the same thing:
1.) Dense female leading character that decides to investigate a murder
2.) Female leading character falls for someone that she doesn't belong falling for
3.) Bulldog type detective that jumps to conclusions
Maybe the series develops the characters over time, but I'm not sure I'm going to continue reading. I did enjoy reading about the Italian cookies though, which is why I downloaded the book in the first place.
1.) Dense female leading character that decides to investigate a murder
2.) Female leading character falls for someone that she doesn't belong falling for
3.) Bulldog type detective that jumps to conclusions
Maybe the series develops the characters over time, but I'm not sure I'm going to continue reading. I did enjoy reading about the Italian cookies though, which is why I downloaded the book in the first place.
March 25, 2025
No one likes soggy cannolis
Inspiring actress finds that her co actor is involved in a drug smuggling act. After testifying, she finds herself placed under police protection in a small town under a new name. Making new friends. It does suck though when people judge you and they don't know you. Bernie worked hard to change their minds. She had the best job, and I would love to work in a bakery. Excellent story. I can't wait to read book 2.
Inspiring actress finds that her co actor is involved in a drug smuggling act. After testifying, she finds herself placed under police protection in a small town under a new name. Making new friends. It does suck though when people judge you and they don't know you. Bernie worked hard to change their minds. She had the best job, and I would love to work in a bakery. Excellent story. I can't wait to read book 2.
June 16, 2024
Bernie's in witness protection in small-town America after she testifies against her co-actor from Silver & Gold, a popular TV detective series. When her new boss winds up dead and she was on the scene, she's cast in the spotlight as potential suspect #1, and it turns out maybe her secret identity isn't so secret after all.
April 18, 2023
Keeps you guessing to the end
This book was excellent. Born and raised in New Jersey, I didn't think this book would be a hit, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the good plot and story line.
This book was excellent. Born and raised in New Jersey, I didn't think this book would be a hit, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the good plot and story line.
May 14, 2023
Mystery n Cannoli
An intriguing mystery and good cannoli, what more can you ask for? How about great characters you will want to know better and a little romance ? Loved this story an can’t wait for more!!
An intriguing mystery and good cannoli, what more can you ask for? How about great characters you will want to know better and a little romance ? Loved this story an can’t wait for more!!
June 2, 2023
Wonderful bakery cozy!
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and it made me crave lots of Italian baked goods. Yummy!
The only issue I had was that the author mixed up Memorial Day with Labor Day when planning the street festival.
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and it made me crave lots of Italian baked goods. Yummy!
The only issue I had was that the author mixed up Memorial Day with Labor Day when planning the street festival.
January 25, 2025
Cosy mystery
Enjoyed reading this book liked how the characters are brought to life with good descriptions and how the story was written and kept me interested and guessing who was the murderer.
Enjoyed reading this book liked how the characters are brought to life with good descriptions and how the story was written and kept me interested and guessing who was the murderer.
March 22, 2025
Great cozy mystery
This was a fun Book With interesting character development. I look forward to reading more books in the series. It helps that they talk about some of my favorite Italian foods.
This was a fun Book With interesting character development. I look forward to reading more books in the series. It helps that they talk about some of my favorite Italian foods.
September 16, 2025
This took an awfully long time for me to finish, but it was decently enjoyable. I was just reading too many things at once and didn’t prioritize this one. I liked Bernie a lot and really enjoyed her humor. I’m glad I tried this one out and would be interested to see what would happen next.
April 12, 2023
who killed Mark and why??? Morton's Step by Step guide??? A will??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
April 20, 2023
A whimsical journey of a former actress relocated to a very small
town who winds up right in the center of murder investigations. Some is funny, some pathetic. This is not a serious read.
town who winds up right in the center of murder investigations. Some is funny, some pathetic. This is not a serious read.
April 27, 2023
This was a very cute, fast read. The characters were likeable and I’ll probably continue the series.
May 3, 2023
Fun, clever,suitable many ages
Favorite for year thus far as clever
plot With believable characters. Insights How folks in our times obsessing. others are open to becoming friends.
Favorite for year thus far as clever
plot With believable characters. Insights How folks in our times obsessing. others are open to becoming friends.
May 4, 2023
Cannoli
It keeps you in suspense. Great book and a new Author for me. Can't wait to read the next book
It keeps you in suspense. Great book and a new Author for me. Can't wait to read the next book
May 15, 2023
enjoyable
Bernie Smyth is wanted, but not by the police. Life in hiding keeps going downhill for her. This book is easy to read. I enjoyed it.
Bernie Smyth is wanted, but not by the police. Life in hiding keeps going downhill for her. This book is easy to read. I enjoyed it.
May 20, 2023
Fun, Quirky, and Surprise Ending
I enjoyed both the characters and the storyline, but not sure the title is accurate since the cannoli was a very slight side issue.
I enjoyed both the characters and the storyline, but not sure the title is accurate since the cannoli was a very slight side issue.
June 5, 2023
A winning cannolli
Sweet emerssion into Italian culture. Placing a very prominent witness in a little town. Worse luck, she stumbles over a dead body on her first day of work.
Sweet emerssion into Italian culture. Placing a very prominent witness in a little town. Worse luck, she stumbles over a dead body on her first day of work.
July 12, 2023
A pleasant and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews