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Killer Confections #1
Death by Chocolate
Ruby Russell has reached her limit. When she discovers her hipster husband has a dirty little secret, she whips him up a Viagra-infused-chocolate mousse punishment, but in the morning, her husband’s a stiff. Armed with a lifetime of crime show reruns and Arsenic and Old Lace on DVD, Ruby and her best friend Charlotte try to lay low until after Ruby’s son’s wedding, but a nosy therapist, meddling minister and local news reporter are making it very difficult to get away with murder.
Despite the growing chaos, bristling conflicts, and a mounting body count, these delightfully unstable girlfriends are determined to get away with murder come what may.
Despite the growing chaos, bristling conflicts, and a mounting body count, these delightfully unstable girlfriends are determined to get away with murder come what may.
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2012
4 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Lindsey
171 books1,474 followersJulie Anne Lindsey- Hatcher is an award-winning and bestselling author of cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than sixty novels as herself & under the pen names, Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost & Julie Chase, for various publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books. When she's not writing the stories that keep her up at night, Julie stays busy in Kent, Ohio with her three amazing kids and shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 17, 2012
With all these glowing reviews, I almost decided not to write my review, but the book bothers me so much that I just can't get it out of my mind.
Reading other reviews, I got that this book is supposed to be humorous, but I found it very uncomfortable and not at all humorous. I thought the husband's death was accidental and didn't think much of it; in fact I felt bad for Ruby and sympathized when the mean neighbors insulted her cooking/baking at such a sad and terrible time. But my sympathy disappeared with the neighbors' many many deaths. She knows what she's doing! Now, this is deliberate murder! And she just keeps on going! The fact that she keeps on making excuses about those people she's hurt doesn't make it any better; she is a murderer! What is more unbelievable is the fact that NO ONE is questioning all these deaths besides Emma; where are the police people? Why are they not investigating?
The characters are also so unlikeable that it was really really difficult for me to finish this book. From Ruby to Charlotte to Emma, I was having a real hard time connecting with anyone, including the poor Dr who's supposed to be helping her. Do shrinks really get so involved that they give up their families and their minds for the patients? Even Michael turns into some kind of weirdo when he finds out about the murders and helps them get away with all these murders. I understand you love your mother, but seriously, you rather she kills more people than gets the help she needs? I have an uncle who has mental disorder, and it's hard on the family, but instead of letting him kill people, he's getting the treatment he needs! Mental instability is NOT an excuse for murders! This book is using Ruby's mental disorder to justify what she's done.
I downloaded this book for free. I will not be buying/downloading the next book.
Reading other reviews, I got that this book is supposed to be humorous, but I found it very uncomfortable and not at all humorous. I thought the husband's death was accidental and didn't think much of it; in fact I felt bad for Ruby and sympathized when the mean neighbors insulted her cooking/baking at such a sad and terrible time. But my sympathy disappeared with the neighbors' many many deaths. She knows what she's doing! Now, this is deliberate murder! And she just keeps on going! The fact that she keeps on making excuses about those people she's hurt doesn't make it any better; she is a murderer! What is more unbelievable is the fact that NO ONE is questioning all these deaths besides Emma; where are the police people? Why are they not investigating?
The characters are also so unlikeable that it was really really difficult for me to finish this book. From Ruby to Charlotte to Emma, I was having a real hard time connecting with anyone, including the poor Dr who's supposed to be helping her. Do shrinks really get so involved that they give up their families and their minds for the patients? Even Michael turns into some kind of weirdo when he finds out about the murders and helps them get away with all these murders. I understand you love your mother, but seriously, you rather she kills more people than gets the help she needs? I have an uncle who has mental disorder, and it's hard on the family, but instead of letting him kill people, he's getting the treatment he needs! Mental instability is NOT an excuse for murders! This book is using Ruby's mental disorder to justify what she's done.
I downloaded this book for free. I will not be buying/downloading the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2012
Death by Chocolate is full steam ahead from the very first pages. It amazed me how quickly Ruby piled up a body count using her baked goods to tempt people. Of course she never intentionally killed anyone but she never stopped adding special ingredients to her recipes either. I love how in the beginning she comes across as a housewife who has simply had enough but as the book continues her history reveals her to be much more cunning than she first appears. The same is true for her friend Charlotte in an even more dramatic fashion. The exploits of the two friends are strangely funny considering the circumstances as they react in extreme ways to small events and generate even larger problems as they try to cover up previous mistakes.
The supporting characters in Death by Chocolate are great too. My favorite is Ruby's therapist, Dr. Kessler. I love how he becomes more and more concerned about Ruby's behavior considering their past history yet he is unable to substantiate his suspicions enough to go to the authorities. Emma Eaken, the reporter, is another fun character as she tries to connect seemingly random deaths to create a big story and boost her career. One character that I didn't really care for was Michael, Ruby's son. I didn't really understand his approach to introducing his fiance to Ruby with the knowledge of what happened the last time he brought a major change into her life. It seemed he would have been a bit more apprehensive or sensitive to the situation considering Ruby's fragile mental state.
Overall, Death By Chocolate is a really fun book with crazy characters and a fast moving plot. The only thing that was missing was the recipe for Ruby's famous chocolate zucchini muffins.
The supporting characters in Death by Chocolate are great too. My favorite is Ruby's therapist, Dr. Kessler. I love how he becomes more and more concerned about Ruby's behavior considering their past history yet he is unable to substantiate his suspicions enough to go to the authorities. Emma Eaken, the reporter, is another fun character as she tries to connect seemingly random deaths to create a big story and boost her career. One character that I didn't really care for was Michael, Ruby's son. I didn't really understand his approach to introducing his fiance to Ruby with the knowledge of what happened the last time he brought a major change into her life. It seemed he would have been a bit more apprehensive or sensitive to the situation considering Ruby's fragile mental state.
Overall, Death By Chocolate is a really fun book with crazy characters and a fast moving plot. The only thing that was missing was the recipe for Ruby's famous chocolate zucchini muffins.
February 23, 2015
Ruby Russel is a modern day June Cleaver with twist. When she finds her husband's little treasure box filled with pictures of a sexy young girl, she whips up a viagra-infused chocolate mousse as an embarrassing payback. And the story only gets crazier from there.
Once her husband is gone, Ruby gets herself into all sorts of trouble with her neighbors, a nosy reporter, a too-do-gooder preacher and a suspicious therapist. With her best friend at her side, Ruby tries to set the record straight with unfortunate results.
Death by Chocolate is a dark comedy likened to if Arsenic and Old Lace met I Love Lucy met Thelma and Louise. The plot unfolds, revealing more and more information to make you suspect that things aren't always what they seem.
If you are a fan of dark comedies, you will definitely enjoy this book. Well written with subtle social commentary, Julie Lindsey hits the mark.
Once her husband is gone, Ruby gets herself into all sorts of trouble with her neighbors, a nosy reporter, a too-do-gooder preacher and a suspicious therapist. With her best friend at her side, Ruby tries to set the record straight with unfortunate results.
Death by Chocolate is a dark comedy likened to if Arsenic and Old Lace met I Love Lucy met Thelma and Louise. The plot unfolds, revealing more and more information to make you suspect that things aren't always what they seem.
If you are a fan of dark comedies, you will definitely enjoy this book. Well written with subtle social commentary, Julie Lindsey hits the mark.
June 30, 2012
Ruby Russell has just found out her husband has been cheating on her with a much younger woman. Instead of confronting the jerk she mixes his Viagra with some chocolate mousse and leaves it as a treat when he arrives home. The next morning Ruby wakes up to a dead husband and some very incompetent detectives. Ruby goes on to use her deadly culinary skills to deliver justice to her town and her best friend Charlotte is along for the ride. When Ruby’s son comes home with a bride-to-be the crazy reaches a fever pitch.
This book is completely over the top. Ruby, who you realize is stark raving mad about 50 pages in, goes on to kill many more people before, well, I can’t tell you that. I had a major problem with Ruby. I did not like her at all and I didn’t find her craziness funny. I couldn’t relate to anything that was going on in the book which made the book drag on for me. I wanted to like it and maybe it’s just because there’s a lot going on around here right now and I’m in no mood to suffer fools.
When I looked around it seemed that the other bloggers who have read it liked it, so what do I know? The storytelling was okay and all of the characters were full of interesting foibles. If you like high body counts in your mystery with a dash of nuttiness them maybe this would work for you.
there's a bit more http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...
This book is completely over the top. Ruby, who you realize is stark raving mad about 50 pages in, goes on to kill many more people before, well, I can’t tell you that. I had a major problem with Ruby. I did not like her at all and I didn’t find her craziness funny. I couldn’t relate to anything that was going on in the book which made the book drag on for me. I wanted to like it and maybe it’s just because there’s a lot going on around here right now and I’m in no mood to suffer fools.
When I looked around it seemed that the other bloggers who have read it liked it, so what do I know? The storytelling was okay and all of the characters were full of interesting foibles. If you like high body counts in your mystery with a dash of nuttiness them maybe this would work for you.
there's a bit more http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...
September 10, 2012
Lots of LOL thrown in with a bunch of OMG. Completely enjoyable and looking forward to the next two in the series!
March 20, 2012
Death by Chocolate is exciting and intriguing. Ruby starts of planning a relatively harmless prank on her cheating husband and ends up with many deaths at her hand. Her life is out of control but fortunately she has her best friend to help her out. This book kept me guessing right up until the end.
I found, however, that I couldn't relate to the main character at all. As she planned to murder innocent people for her own good, I felt myself viewing her as less of a person and more of a caricature of a woman who has life has gotten out of hand. I never could figure out why none of the people that knew ever turned her in. Maybe they were just as crazy as she was?
Personally, I did not like the ending either (but I won't go into that because I don't want to talk spoilers). Overall though this was a book that was fun to read and kept me interested the whole way through.
I found, however, that I couldn't relate to the main character at all. As she planned to murder innocent people for her own good, I felt myself viewing her as less of a person and more of a caricature of a woman who has life has gotten out of hand. I never could figure out why none of the people that knew ever turned her in. Maybe they were just as crazy as she was?
Personally, I did not like the ending either (but I won't go into that because I don't want to talk spoilers). Overall though this was a book that was fun to read and kept me interested the whole way through.
August 30, 2012
I couldn't wait to read this book! I knew I would enjoy it, but was surprised by how far it exceeded my expectations. Ruby is a quirky, kooky character that is like 'everymom' teetering on the edge of sanity. The story moved at a good pace, with twists I didn't see coming that caused me to laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Julie has a great voice-I eagerly await the next Killer Confections book!
April 8, 2012
This is the first full length book by this author and I really liked it. It was quite funny and I loved all the quirky little things the people in the book did.
I have days when I would like to borrow some of her recipes. ;-)
I have days when I would like to borrow some of her recipes. ;-)
May 1, 2012
This was a good book, nothing at all as I expected it to be, since I didn't read the blurb before reading the book. It was well written and quite the page turner!...
For more of the review, click here http://stephsgrn.blogspot.com/2012/05...
For more of the review, click here http://stephsgrn.blogspot.com/2012/05...
July 11, 2013
I think I may have to stop downloading Kindle freebies. Once again I've encountered unlikable characters, this time with an improbable plot.
November 10, 2017
The characters are not likeable or believable. The writing is mediocre. Apparently no editor took a look at this book before it was released to readers. I rated it two stars instead of one because I did finish reading it. However, the reasons I stuck with it until the end are (1) the title fit a reading challenge I was doing and (2) something I call "train wreck syndrome" - I couldn't pull my eyes away from the disaster that was unfolding before my eyes.
August 27, 2013
Death by Chocolate started out promising, with an interesting faux-1950s feel to the setting and a very clear conflict right out of the gate. I genuinely felt sorry for Ruby, surrounded by catty and manipulative people and all but abandoned by her cheating husband. Ruby’s drunken decision to mix Viagra pills into a chocolate mousse for her husband’s consumption, while not a smart or rational decision, made sense with her character and the situation she found herself in. She had been stretched to the breaking point and lashed out by playing a (cruel) trick.
But the trick turned out to be deadly.
Ruby seemed truly remorseful to find out that she actually, accidentally, murdered her husband. But it was about this point I began to feel my suspension of disbelief being thinned. I would have expected more of an investigation, more comment on Ruby’s clearly distracted state of mind (even if the police and others thought her distressed over her husband’s death). But Ruby suddenly took a turn and became what I can only describe as sociopathic. She goes from remorse and fear to apathy rather quickly, and begins spending the insurance money rather quickly, quick enough I would have thought someone would comment on it. The only character who did comment was the party-crashing, mean-spirited neighbour against whom Ruby plans another prank. When this prank ended with more deaths, my suspension of belief was broken.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t finish this book. After the quintuple homicide, and the fact that Ruby didn’t seem to care but for her own skin – and, worse, the friend to whom she confessed didn’t turn her in – I decided I was done. I didn’t find the premise all that amusing, but rather disturbing.
But the trick turned out to be deadly.
Ruby seemed truly remorseful to find out that she actually, accidentally, murdered her husband. But it was about this point I began to feel my suspension of disbelief being thinned. I would have expected more of an investigation, more comment on Ruby’s clearly distracted state of mind (even if the police and others thought her distressed over her husband’s death). But Ruby suddenly took a turn and became what I can only describe as sociopathic. She goes from remorse and fear to apathy rather quickly, and begins spending the insurance money rather quickly, quick enough I would have thought someone would comment on it. The only character who did comment was the party-crashing, mean-spirited neighbour against whom Ruby plans another prank. When this prank ended with more deaths, my suspension of belief was broken.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t finish this book. After the quintuple homicide, and the fact that Ruby didn’t seem to care but for her own skin – and, worse, the friend to whom she confessed didn’t turn her in – I decided I was done. I didn’t find the premise all that amusing, but rather disturbing.
April 26, 2013
I’m really not sure how to write a review for this book, given that I definitely didn’t enjoy it…but I’ll have a go!
Ruby’s husband of almost 30 years was hardly ever home, he hadn’t been part of her life for a long time. But when she discovered he was having an affair she was gutted. Humiliated, embarrassed, she was all of those things and more. She decided she needed to teach him a lesson, especially after she found all “those things” hidden away….
Ruby was an excellent baker, she loved to cook and create magnificent desserts, cupcakes, cheesecakes, nothing was too difficult for her. And since her son, Michael, had moved away to college, and Kenneth (which he insisted she call him) could have been anywhere, she immersed herself completely in her baking.
When her revenge on Ken went terribly wrong, she was horrified. What had she done? Her best friend, Charlotte, comforted her and assured her it was an accident…they needn’t say anything to the police….
At the beginning, I felt sorry for Ruby, but that soon changed. I reached the stage of disliking all of the characters, and wondering at the author. In my opinion there was no humour in this book, which is supposed to be there. But that's only a minor thing...I can’t say any more about my reasons for disliking this book so much as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone wanting to read it, but the reality was such that it was ridiculous.
Ruby’s husband of almost 30 years was hardly ever home, he hadn’t been part of her life for a long time. But when she discovered he was having an affair she was gutted. Humiliated, embarrassed, she was all of those things and more. She decided she needed to teach him a lesson, especially after she found all “those things” hidden away….
Ruby was an excellent baker, she loved to cook and create magnificent desserts, cupcakes, cheesecakes, nothing was too difficult for her. And since her son, Michael, had moved away to college, and Kenneth (which he insisted she call him) could have been anywhere, she immersed herself completely in her baking.
When her revenge on Ken went terribly wrong, she was horrified. What had she done? Her best friend, Charlotte, comforted her and assured her it was an accident…they needn’t say anything to the police….
At the beginning, I felt sorry for Ruby, but that soon changed. I reached the stage of disliking all of the characters, and wondering at the author. In my opinion there was no humour in this book, which is supposed to be there. But that's only a minor thing...I can’t say any more about my reasons for disliking this book so much as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone wanting to read it, but the reality was such that it was ridiculous.
February 5, 2013
When I read the title I thought this would be a predictable murder and a long drawn out chase of who dunit. Instead it’s a light hearted romp of unfortunate accidents by Ruby Russell and her cohort Charlotte, both out of the mental institution and trying to live a ‘normal’ life. The first ‘accident’ happens when Ruby discovers that her middle aged husband is cheating on her with a woman the same age as their son. Ruby wants to teach him a lesson and puts Viagra in his chocolate mousse. Unfortunately, the stiffie he becomes isn’t what she had anticipated. If I tell you anymore it’ll ruin this must read story that is both light-hearted and disturbing at the same time.
Death by Chocolate is well written while the plot twists keep the reader entertained if not slightly ill by the mad logic that describes Ruby Russell.
My only complaint is that the author used too many names with the same beginning and ending letters. Someone should let her know it’s confusing to the reader and generally accepted. Otherwise the story is humorous and well worth the read.
deserves 5 stars
Death by Chocolate is well written while the plot twists keep the reader entertained if not slightly ill by the mad logic that describes Ruby Russell.
My only complaint is that the author used too many names with the same beginning and ending letters. Someone should let her know it’s confusing to the reader and generally accepted. Otherwise the story is humorous and well worth the read.
deserves 5 stars
May 29, 2013
I really liked it!
There isn't so much talk of food that it either overtakes the actual story or makes you feel hungry the entire time, though it is a book of murder revolving around food. If you like murder mysteries but don't like gore, it's perfect. (And also isn't too complicated, if you're like me and like simple.)
It's lighthearted but still with plenty of twists, and still manages a few surprises and eep moments.
Of course you feel sorry for Ruby, but she's more than just a protagonist to feel sorry for. She's not simply a good wife wronged by her husband. She's also not simply a bad person. She's both, and so much more, for reasons I'm not going to give away.
I suggest not reading too much about it before you read, this is a case of it being best to go in not knowing. Trust me :D
There isn't so much talk of food that it either overtakes the actual story or makes you feel hungry the entire time, though it is a book of murder revolving around food. If you like murder mysteries but don't like gore, it's perfect. (And also isn't too complicated, if you're like me and like simple.)
It's lighthearted but still with plenty of twists, and still manages a few surprises and eep moments.
Of course you feel sorry for Ruby, but she's more than just a protagonist to feel sorry for. She's not simply a good wife wronged by her husband. She's also not simply a bad person. She's both, and so much more, for reasons I'm not going to give away.
I suggest not reading too much about it before you read, this is a case of it being best to go in not knowing. Trust me :D
November 15, 2013
This book was so wacky and crazy. A mom who kills but justifies her actions. This reminded me of a movie directed by John Waters called, "Serial Mom", I kept imagining Kathleen Turner while reading this book.
May 1, 2012
Ruby and Charlotte were hilarious. They kept me laughing through the whole book. Full review to come.
March 31, 2013
I found this amusing and bizarre in equal measure! Just a little bit weird!
February 16, 2013
it was an alright book. I really had a hard time staying with it...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews