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Donut Shop Mysteries #9
Illegally Iced
Donut shop owner Suzanne Hart knows how to treat her customers. But sometimes life can get a bit sticky. When a spat she has with a local blacksmith—one that could have been solved with a handshake and a mixed dozen—ends with his murder, Suzanne is caught dead in her tracks. Suddenly everyone in April Springs has their eyes on her. And they’re hungry with suspicion.
Left with little choice but to catch the killer herself, Suzanne starts lining up suspects. But her case is full of holes. How did the killer strike in the middle of the day without a single witness to the crime? Who knew that the humble blacksmith was actually an heir to a family fortune? The heat is on as Suzanne tries to solve the case and save her business. Can she have her cake-donut and eat it too?
Left with little choice but to catch the killer herself, Suzanne starts lining up suspects. But her case is full of holes. How did the killer strike in the middle of the day without a single witness to the crime? Who knew that the humble blacksmith was actually an heir to a family fortune? The heat is on as Suzanne tries to solve the case and save her business. Can she have her cake-donut and eat it too?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 24, 2012
32 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Beck
102 books458 followersJessica Beck is a pseudonym used by
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.
Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.
When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.
Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.
When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 5, 2013
Suzanne Hart is the owner of Donut Hearts. Suzanne is minding her own business when she hears a woman scream. She quickly discovers the cause of the scream. It is because James Settle has been murdered. The prime suspect is none other than Suzanne. Earlier Suzanne and James had a dispute. James was going to put on a demonstration in the park and the smoke from his stove was blowing into Suzanne’s donut shop.
Suzanne knows that the only person who can clear her name is herself. Well with some help from her friend and fellow crime solving partner, Grace.
This is my first introduction to Suzanne and any of the Donut Shop Mystery books. I have to say that this was a good first date with Jessica Beck. I like Suzanne and Grace. They make a great team together. Grace is more of the outgoing one but Suzanne brings entertainment to the pair.
The town of April Springs is a place that I would like to be at if it was a real place. Most of the people are nice. In addition, it is nice to be in a small town where everyone looks out for each other. A moment that I liked was when Suzanne wore a dress and everyone was asking what the occasion was. You would have thought someone had died. I guess it is that rare that Suzanne is caught wearing a dress. The plot was pretty easy to figure out but for me it was about Suzanne, Grace and April Springs then it really was about the plot. Of course, I can not forget all of the yummy donut recipes that were packed into this book. I will have fun trying them all out. Yes, all as my mouth was watering reading up on them all. I plan to go back and check out the other books in this series. Illegally Iced is worth the read.
Suzanne knows that the only person who can clear her name is herself. Well with some help from her friend and fellow crime solving partner, Grace.
This is my first introduction to Suzanne and any of the Donut Shop Mystery books. I have to say that this was a good first date with Jessica Beck. I like Suzanne and Grace. They make a great team together. Grace is more of the outgoing one but Suzanne brings entertainment to the pair.
The town of April Springs is a place that I would like to be at if it was a real place. Most of the people are nice. In addition, it is nice to be in a small town where everyone looks out for each other. A moment that I liked was when Suzanne wore a dress and everyone was asking what the occasion was. You would have thought someone had died. I guess it is that rare that Suzanne is caught wearing a dress. The plot was pretty easy to figure out but for me it was about Suzanne, Grace and April Springs then it really was about the plot. Of course, I can not forget all of the yummy donut recipes that were packed into this book. I will have fun trying them all out. Yes, all as my mouth was watering reading up on them all. I plan to go back and check out the other books in this series. Illegally Iced is worth the read.
August 10, 2014
These last two books in the series finished abruptly. Also, Suzanne Hart correctly eliminated the innocent people and was left with a small group of suspects, among whom the criminal was present. There is slightly more silliness here than in other books. People behaving randomly, with stop start natures that lead to no denouement worth the name. The most unbelievable fact was the very act of the murder. It was committed in a public, open space, in broad daylight, and nobody saw anything. What are the chances? Via his fictional book club, which Jessica Beck uses as his mouthpiece, the latter let us know that the more sequels are in a series, the greater the permutations of creativity available to the author. If so, then why do I feel that the latter is running out of good ideas?
January 8, 2025
This one was good. I enjoyed the mystery and the donut recipes. I always enjoy sleuthing with Suzanne and Grace. It always seems that Grace conveniently doesn’t have to work when a murder has occurred. #readforkimberly #readfordonna
August 31, 2013
I got this from the library a few weeks ago because I thought the cover was pretty, and it looked as if it might be one of those amusing small-town mysteries. With donut recipes to boot. I certainly wasn't expecting great literature, but I thought it might amuse me and be a quick read.
Unfortunately, our dog saw it and must have been enticed by those donuts on the cover. He proceeded to take a gnaw on it when I wasn't around and my spouse was otherwise occupied. Yes, it can truly be said that the dog ate my library book.
So I got stuck paying $11.99 for a chewed-up paperback ($7.99 for the book, $4.00 processing fee). Having done so, I became determined to finish it. Which I have. However, if I hadn't had this happen, I would have returned it to the library unfinished.
Beck is a horrible writer. Her sentences made me wince, they were so awkward. The plotting and characterization were no better. At one point, the narrator/amateur sleuth is discussing a book club she's in, and says something about how she emailed a mystery writer who claimed he had no idea who the killer was until he finished writing the book. I can well believe that was the case here.
And I don't eat homemade donuts, because they're some of the most fattening things ever. So this book went straight into the recycling bin the moment after I finished it.
Stupid dog.
Unfortunately, our dog saw it and must have been enticed by those donuts on the cover. He proceeded to take a gnaw on it when I wasn't around and my spouse was otherwise occupied. Yes, it can truly be said that the dog ate my library book.
So I got stuck paying $11.99 for a chewed-up paperback ($7.99 for the book, $4.00 processing fee). Having done so, I became determined to finish it. Which I have. However, if I hadn't had this happen, I would have returned it to the library unfinished.
Beck is a horrible writer. Her sentences made me wince, they were so awkward. The plotting and characterization were no better. At one point, the narrator/amateur sleuth is discussing a book club she's in, and says something about how she emailed a mystery writer who claimed he had no idea who the killer was until he finished writing the book. I can well believe that was the case here.
And I don't eat homemade donuts, because they're some of the most fattening things ever. So this book went straight into the recycling bin the moment after I finished it.
Stupid dog.
July 12, 2015
This is book 9 in the Donut Shop mystery featuring Suzanne Hart and her donut shop. The recurring characters of Grace, George, the Chief and her mother remain the same. i have enjoyed this seris all the way along, however this was not the strongest outing in this series. The final motive when revealed was weak and just difficult to buy into it. There were a few red herrings that were interesting but I didn’t really believe them. I will still continue with the series because I have enjoyed it up to now and one misstep in 9 books is really not bad.
December 1, 2013
Suzanne has to look into another murder. This time it is of her newer friend James Settle. I really wanted to have something more develop with James throughout the series, but I guess I and Trish will have to deal with the blow...her more than me.
It is another great read and don't you miss it!!
Thanks Jessica Beck!
It is another great read and don't you miss it!!
Thanks Jessica Beck!
March 26, 2013
I enjoyed this although haven't liked the past couple of books in the series as much as the earlier ones (this was better than the previous one though). One thing I do like is that Suzanne's relationship with the sheriff is getting better. A lot of this one seemed forced to me. But for the most part, I do enjoy the characters.
February 16, 2013
Quick and easy read. I've been reading this series from the beginning and have enjoyed it. This time however, Suzanne was starting to get on my nerves a little with her meddling. But, I'll read the next one when it comes.
January 5, 2020
Warning - this review is pretty harsh.
I had so much trouble with this installment of the Donut Shop Mysteries due to all the errors throughout the book. Grammatical errors, character inconsistencies, even things like Suzanne and Grace are at a diner and are served their tea and a moment later they are served their tea. At one point, it switches from first person POV to third. I am harsh with a lot of indie authors (who don't get a professional editor and/or proofreader because if you won't pay for your book, neither will I) so this is equally inexcusable to me. I'm so irritated - and the volume of these mistakes is just...well, inexcusable.
Like other books in my past, I couldn't even really get into the story due to the rampant number of errors strewn throughout. This is a mystery after all. Every inconsistency should be a clue, not a mistake on the part of the author.
This is a traditionally-published book. People have to stop putting down indie authors and instead only put down badly-edited works no matter who the author or publisher is or isn't.
I had so much trouble with this installment of the Donut Shop Mysteries due to all the errors throughout the book. Grammatical errors, character inconsistencies, even things like Suzanne and Grace are at a diner and are served their tea and a moment later they are served their tea. At one point, it switches from first person POV to third. I am harsh with a lot of indie authors (who don't get a professional editor and/or proofreader because if you won't pay for your book, neither will I) so this is equally inexcusable to me. I'm so irritated - and the volume of these mistakes is just...well, inexcusable.
Like other books in my past, I couldn't even really get into the story due to the rampant number of errors strewn throughout. This is a mystery after all. Every inconsistency should be a clue, not a mistake on the part of the author.
This is a traditionally-published book. People have to stop putting down indie authors and instead only put down badly-edited works no matter who the author or publisher is or isn't.
September 18, 2015
I heard the woman's scream coming from the park across the street just as I closed the front door of my shop a little after eleven-fifteen on a rare chilly day near the first of May.
I realized after I started this book that I had skipped a couple in the series. It really didn't matter.
Suzanne, Grace, George and the usual crew are all accounted for. Although George does not get quite so involved this time.
James, the local blacksmith, is stabbed after he and Suzanne have a minor altercation. Of course, she is the first suspect. I continue to read this series even though my first thought is that I wouldn't want to be Suzanne's friend because they usually end up dead.
James had a secret life that Suzanne and Grace dig up and use to fuel their investigation. Even Chief Martin is friendlier all around.
A funny portion of the book was during the book club meeting that gathers at Donut Hearts. They discuss how an author can stretch out a series with the same characters when people keep getting killed off. Also that the author of the series they enjoy is written by a man under a woman's name. The recipes are discussed as well. I must say that I enjoy the recipes in the books although I am not much of a donut eater. (That is almost blasphemy in the birthplace of Krispy Kreme. I do admit to a few quick U-turns when the "Hot Now" sign is on!)
The girls get in predictable trouble and I pretty much knew who the killer was soon after their introduction. All in all, I will continue to read the series just to see where it may lead.
I realized after I started this book that I had skipped a couple in the series. It really didn't matter.
Suzanne, Grace, George and the usual crew are all accounted for. Although George does not get quite so involved this time.
James, the local blacksmith, is stabbed after he and Suzanne have a minor altercation. Of course, she is the first suspect. I continue to read this series even though my first thought is that I wouldn't want to be Suzanne's friend because they usually end up dead.
James had a secret life that Suzanne and Grace dig up and use to fuel their investigation. Even Chief Martin is friendlier all around.
A funny portion of the book was during the book club meeting that gathers at Donut Hearts. They discuss how an author can stretch out a series with the same characters when people keep getting killed off. Also that the author of the series they enjoy is written by a man under a woman's name. The recipes are discussed as well. I must say that I enjoy the recipes in the books although I am not much of a donut eater. (That is almost blasphemy in the birthplace of Krispy Kreme. I do admit to a few quick U-turns when the "Hot Now" sign is on!)
The girls get in predictable trouble and I pretty much knew who the killer was soon after their introduction. All in all, I will continue to read the series just to see where it may lead.
February 21, 2013
Suzanne Hart, owner of the local donut shop, Donut Hearts, in April Springs, NC and her best friend, Grace set out to discover the killer of their mutual friend when Suzanne is accused by fellow store owners of the deed.
Not only are the ladies upset at losing their friend, they quickly learn they didn't really know their friend very well. Just who was he? Even his name is not 100% accurate. Trying to work within the law and stay out of hot water with Suzanne's mother's boyfriend, the Chief of Police, and their friend, George the Mayor makes this case more challenging.
In this series, Suzanne has a lovely relationship with her Mother, whom she lives with now since her divorce. I enjoy how they interact.
As a bonus, we are treated to delicious donut recipes. The main character Suzanne offers a method of reading just this type of book herself...good idea.
Enjoy this ninth novel of a quality cozy mystery series.
Not only are the ladies upset at losing their friend, they quickly learn they didn't really know their friend very well. Just who was he? Even his name is not 100% accurate. Trying to work within the law and stay out of hot water with Suzanne's mother's boyfriend, the Chief of Police, and their friend, George the Mayor makes this case more challenging.
In this series, Suzanne has a lovely relationship with her Mother, whom she lives with now since her divorce. I enjoy how they interact.
As a bonus, we are treated to delicious donut recipes. The main character Suzanne offers a method of reading just this type of book herself...good idea.
Enjoy this ninth novel of a quality cozy mystery series.
May 25, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 21, 2013
I have a love hate relationship with this series. This one come down on the irritating side.
March 23, 2013
Suzanne is getting very annoying. I'm done with these books.
August 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this mystery while continuing with the townspeople from the previous books.
May 12, 2020
Complex and moving, with enough action to keep you interested.
May 14, 2020
I really enjoy this cozy mystery series. I can't wait till read more. Each book has a new mystery to solve.
December 26, 2017
This is the 9th book in the series. When the local blacksmith is stabbed in the park across the street from Suzanne’s shop, she finds herself getting involved in the investigation into his death. Along with her friend Grace, she finds out that the victim came from wealth and eschewed his family and the money when he could not use it to benefit others. They follow the money in hopes of tracking down who might gain from his death and find out the identity of the murderer. The book contains many recipes to make your mouth water.
July 30, 2017
I enjoyed this book in the series a little less than the others. Susanne Hart is meddling again, but that is who she is. I miss her retired detective pal now mayor in her escapades. I am enjoying the positive relationship that the Chief and Susanne are developing. That being said, it is most annoying that Susanne frequently gets involved in solving the murder to clear her name with the residents of April Springs. REALLY.....she's lived there all of her life don't they know her moral fiber and character?
May 13, 2022
Suzanne Hart and her friend are in the midst of another investigation when a local blacksmith is murdered in broad daylight. It turns out that James was actually an heir to a fortune. If you enjoy a fun, clean cozy mystery with recipes interspersed throughout the book, you will enjoy this book and this series. I feel as if I know these characters personally. I am enjoying seeing the romance building between Suzanne and Jake and the sweet romance budding between Suzanne’s mom and Chief Martin.
June 12, 2017
I have really enjoyed all the books in this series but this one was simply okay. To be fair, I haven't had a lot of time to read this past week, reading a chapter here and there. That might play a part in my thought on this particular installment in the series. The main character and supporting characters lived up to expectations, I simply felt the mystery could have been stronger. I will read the next in the series to see if I feel the same and take it from there.
August 31, 2017
Suzanne is at it again with her friend the blacksmith is murdered in the town sqaure. I don't understand how such a small town has so many murders! I wish the author had taken the time to tie up a few loose ends, im curious how Anne is. I had an eye roll moment with the author decided to have the book club read a book layed out just like this series and give their input. So far my least favorite of the series.
January 20, 2018
Suzanne Hart knows her donuts as she owns a donut shop and this book has some recipes that will make you crave a donut. Suzanne and her best friend Grace always seem to be investigating a murder and this time the local blacksmith is murdered in the park. Someone accuses Suzanne of the murder but she is proven innocent but now feels obligated to help catch the murderer
June 19, 2025
Suzanne never has to go far to find a murder.
This time she has an argument with the victim shortly before his death.
The victim is a relative newcomer to April Springs and nobody really knows much about his previous life.
Once again it is up to Suzanne and her trusty sidekick Grace to uncover the killer, without getting killed themselves.
This time she has an argument with the victim shortly before his death.
The victim is a relative newcomer to April Springs and nobody really knows much about his previous life.
Once again it is up to Suzanne and her trusty sidekick Grace to uncover the killer, without getting killed themselves.
April 15, 2019
yes jessica beck books
October 1, 2022
Sufficiently entertaining part of a cozy mystery
Recipes inuded!
Recipes inuded!
August 9, 2023
Cozy quick easy read.
November 19, 2024
Another good read
August 22, 2025
fun day read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews