Deadly Donuts

Donut Shop Mysteries #10

by Jessica Beck

When a mysterious stranger shows up at Donut Hearts threatening to reveal a deadly secret about Suzanne’s late father, she believes that he’s lying, but when he offers to show her proof that her dad wasn’t who she thought he was, Suzanne realizes that she has to listen. It’s just too bad that the stranger is murdered before he can share what he knows. Suzanne and her mother are the main suspects, but it turns out that there are plenty of other people who wouldn’t mind seeing the stranger dead!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Romance, Fiction

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2013

About the author

Jessica 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...

Reviews

[Paula Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 10 in the series and I just love reading about the adventures of Suzanne and Grace and to solve yet another murder of a blackmailer. He said he had proof about Suzanne's Dad and that he would meet her at the town clock at midnight. Grace was supposed to be hiding in the woods keeping an eye on Suzanne but she wasn't there. The police chief showed up without her calling him, he said they got an anonymous call. The blackmail was dead before Suzanne got there. It was a bit of a surprise of who did it. I am definitely going to continue this series.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what I needed. A light, quick cozy that I could easily read during this hectic time of year. It has been quite awhile since I checked in with this series, but I had no problem remembering the characters and their developments that occurred in the previous nine books.

This story centers around a guy who mysteriously pops up in the quaint town of April Springs and begins blackmailing a few people. He approaches Suzanne claiming he has info about her late dad that would surprise everyone. Curious, she agrees to meet him only to find him murdered in the park. Suzanne and her mother quickly become the prime suspects and jump into an investigation to help find the real killer.

This was a good mystery. There were enough believable suspects to sort through. I had a pretty good hunch about the culprit and ended up figuring it out early on. I like the characters in this series. Grace is the epitome of a wonderful friend who would drop everything to help out. I also really like Momma too. She spoils everyone with the most wonderful meals. It was good to see Jake pop back in to help for a bit too. Of course my favorite scenes are those at the donut shop. Suzanne is definitely a hard worker. Love the descriptions of their donuts as well as the process to run the shop. It was interesting seeing how the extreme summer was having an effect on business.

The book includes quite a few recipes sprinkled at the end of several chapters.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor book that was almost salvaged by a kickass ending. Jessica Beck's output keeps on getting weirder and weirder. Maybe reading so many stories of them in succession helped in noticing these abnormalities. Acquaintances that suddenly speak intimately, with Suzanne stroking the hair of Angelica (where did that come from?)...the mayor, out of the blue, having a wild temper and a short fuse...the couple of Suzanne and Jake refusing to spend time together. All of this can be explained, and frankly I wouldn't have been this negative if I knew I would have an audience(and frankly the next, remaining books will get harsher treatment, probably), but hey, I cherish my freedom in writing a sincere review. So two stars despite the more than excellent ending? That sounds about right.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne Hart owns a donut shop in April Springs ,
North Carolina.
A man walks into her shop with the purpose of
blackmailing her about a dark time in her deceased
father's life. Suzanne demands prove. The man
decides to meet her at midnight with the proof.
When Suzanne arrives......the man is dead!!!!
Suzanne sets out to clear her father's name, stop
the blackmail and find the murder.
Small town setting with an array of interesting
characters. Plenty of suspects involved in the plot.
A quick read with delicious recipes throughout the
book.
The book is # 10 in the Donut Shop mystery. It
can be read as a stand alone.

[Dorina]

I love this series by Jessica Beck. Suzanne, the main character, is being blackmailed by someone who has a issue with her father. Well, she is not blackmailed yet just is going to met the person to find out what he "has" on her father - she believes nothing. When she shows up to meet this individual, instead of discovering what story he has on her father, the person is dead. It takes off from there, with a cast of really good characters and plot points. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry in this series, in this story, the past comes back to haunt people in the present, including the murder of a blackmailer who was trying to reveal secrets from the past that he was convinced were true. Fortunately the murderer is found, and is definitely a surprise.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Donut Shop series. I can always expect to be entertained. Suzanne owns a donut shop in April Springs, North Carolina where all kinds of great characters show up to get their daily dose of donuts. But the day a stranger named Morgan shows up telling Suzanne that her deceased father is not the nice guy she thought he was and he has proof and demands money. She will have to meet him at midnight and he will give her the proof. Suzanne doesn't believe him but she knows she has to see what kind of proof he has but when she arrives at their meeting place Morgan is dead and whatever proof he has is gone. Then to make things worse Suzanne finds out that other people in the town were being blackmailed also. Along with her friend Carrie they decide to investigate not only Morgan's death but also try to find the proof he had on all these people. These books are full of interesting characters, great clues to work with and an easy read that keeps you turning pages as fast as you can. This is book #10 in the series and I have loved everyone of them.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a LONG time since I got my hands on a Donut Shop Mystery, and I thought perhaps I remembered these characters a little unfairly.
But alas, on page 2, Suzanne agrees to meet a blackmailer under the clock tower at midnight alone.
Page 2.
A blackmailer.
Midnight.
Alone.
Did I mention this was on page 2?
I remembered this series exactly as it is. And it's as addicting as actual donuts.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suzanne Hart is the owner of Donut Hearts 🍩 ♥️in April Springs, North Carolina.

One day, a stranger walks into her shop, buys her donuts and tries to sully her father’s reputation (earning a resounding slap on his cheek) by telling her he has some evidence about her father. Would she like to learn the truth about her father?

But then he warns that the information he has on her father might be damaging and threatens to go to her mother because he thinks her mother might offer to pay to keep it hush.

Then he arranges to meet with Suzanne at the town clock at midnight. In addition he instructs her not to tell anyone about their meeting.

Soon after he leaves, Suzanne’s ex-husband is a part time actor walks into the store to ask her help in convincing a woman named Emily Hargraves to go out with him. Emily runs the local newsstand called Two Cows and a Moose. Emily agrees to go out with on the condition that Suzanne joins them in their date.

Afterwards, Suzanne’s prepares to meet the man who dropped by at her shop earlier. She’s supposed to go there with her friend, Grace but Grace doesn’t show so Suzanne goes alone. But Suzanne gets to their meeting spot, she find the stranger dead.

Somehow Suzanne finds out the man had met with her mother earlier demanding a hundred thousand dollars.

Her mother then explains to her that during the time she and her father, Thomas were separated, her father was living in Union Square. The stranger whose name is Morgan Briar claims his brother Blake was struck and killed while crossing the street. The car in question belonged to Thomas.

The proof Morgan Briar has in Thomas is a letter from Thomas to Blake where he threatens to kill him. Apparently, Blake and Thomas were business partners before Blake cleaned out their joint account.

With Morgan dead, and her mom suspect Suzanne realizes she has to find out who Morgan’s real killer is and clear her mother of any suspicion. So she enlists her friend Grace’s help.

Her boyfriend Jake has even offered to take a vacation to help her in his capacity as a special investigator.

[L.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoy this series but I didn't particularly care for this book. The mystery was good, a guy who's been recently released from prison tries to blackmail Suzanne and her mom over something he claims Suzanne's dad did before she was born. Before Suzanne can find out exactly what this guy has on her dad he's murdered. Turns out he was blackmailing other people too and he'd made a lot of enemies along the way.

There was a lot of repetition that made the story drag in places. There were too many trips to Napoli's, each with a big long to-do over Angelica giving them free meals. I also don't like the weird friend who talks to her stuffed animals. Somehow instead of being cute it's kind of serial-killer-y and it creeps me out a little. Suzanne's relationship with Jake also came off as a little odd. There seemed to be a lot of filler in the story.

These books are always a quick read and the storylines are not complicated so they're a mindless read, which I like. I'll definitely continue the series.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in the series. Suzanne is shocked when a man threatens to release damaging information on her father unless she pays him off. Before she has a chance to meet with him to see the evidence, he turns up dead. Finding out that he had also contacted her mother, Suzanne finds herself once again as a suspect. But as the case evolves, it turns out that she was not the only person contacted by the blackmailer, and someone else made sure he told no tales. Suzanne and her friends work to find the killer and the source of his dirty secrets. The book includes a variety of doughnut recipes.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Donuts by Jessica Beck is the 10th book in The Donut Mysteries. This is a cozy series I have returned to again and again, whenever I feel the desire for a lighter read. The story here involves blackmail, family secrets, midnight assignations, and assassination attempts on a governor. It’s all in a day’s work for Suzanne, the sleuthing donut baker and her loyal cadre of sleuthing companions. This was fun, quick read with lovable, relatable characters in a familiar setting. I am sure I will continue to read and enjoy the series (good thing there are plenty more of them).

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susanne owns a Donut Shop and as its summer time things are slow. Susanne lives with her mother and they are very close. A stranger approaches Suzanne and threatens to slander her dead father's name. Later this man is found dead. Susanne always wants to get to the bottom of mysteries and murders and this time as she investigates she finds that the dead man has been trying to blackmail a number of people. Grace who is Suzanne's best friend and fellow sleuth helps Susanne in her efforts to track down the killer.

[Lynn Geiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Beck + Donuts + Murder = A great read for all!

Murder, donuts & Jessica Beck.... the essential ingredients for a great cozy mystery novel. I love that we get to read and solve another murder AND Jessica Beck always moves the peripheral characters lives and relationships along as well. Grab a drink, snacks, your favorite blankie and make yourself comfortable because you won't want to put this one down once you start reading.

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne has a mysterious but well dressed man visit her one morning telling her that he has evidence that her father was a murderer and he is about to release information to the town of April Springs that will disgrace her family name and may even cause her to lose her donut shop.

The real problem though is that Suzanne is found with the stranger at midnight but won’t be getting any information from him, and the police are at the scene.

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good mystery. Suzanne finds that her parents were once separated and his good name is now at stake.

When a blackmailer shows up in town, attempting to blackmail Suzanne and her mother, it all comes to light when the blackmailer is murdered the night Suzanne is supposed to meet with him to see his proof of her fathers wrong doing.

Really fantastic ending to the story.

[Theresa Neff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy series, get’s better each book

Fun plot twists. Natural relationships and engaging story line. Each of these books gets better through the series. Not a ‘5’ because it’s not “the best book I’ve ever read’ but definitely a good book to take your mind off the world for a minute!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Easy to read and clean reads. It kept me intrigued as to who was the murder. I was excited that something that someone said was a clue and it turned out to be true and that really hardly ever happens to me. I wont spoil it for you. You will have to read it yourself.

[Helen Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in the Donut Shop Mystery and appears to have been self-published. The characters are fun but, as a mystery, it lacks credibility. I ended up scanning about the last 40 pages because the corny dialogue was going nowhere.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story starts out with our main character, Suzanne, slapping a customer across the face. This leads to a midnight visit that leads to the customer being dead! Suzanne and her friends work to solve the murder and it's the very last person you would think of!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is a good one, where Suzanne finds out about her parents, before they became her parents!
She has to find out who killed one man and who killed his brother years ago.
Enjoy!

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I really enjoy this series. Great characters and plot. Always a great mystery.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun quick read

[Arnetta Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good mystery in my opinion.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one

[Allison Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little story with a moderately ridiculous resolution.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Registered on Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

The first 8 books in this series were great, but in #9 and #10, the writing is just not that great, the plot is full of holes and it's just not good. I doubt that I will read any more in this series unless one just falls into my hands.

[Libby]

(E) I could never find it at the library, so I asked for this for Christmas in 2016. Suzanne didn't bother me as much as in the previous books, but this definitely not my favorite series. I don't understand the relationship between Jake and Suzanne -- they get to spend so little time together, which is odd to me.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne and her mother are being blackmailed over her father's past. As she and her friend, Grace, start to investigate they find others he tried to go after, too. His murder shines a light on people's pasts.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this was my first cozy series and one of my favorites, I had been stalling continuing the series after they stopped being mainstream published. I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover, and thought because the new ebook covers looked cheap and homemade, that the stories and writing would be worse as well. While this is not entirely true, I did notice some differences, though I don't know if that's because psychologically I wanted the books to be different. As for the story itself, I was disappointed at how obvious the killer was, their incriminating speech was very transparent and set off bells and whistles saying "I'm the killer remember this speech!", and how the author kept describing in great detail and mentioning what would turn out to be the hiding spot of the missing evidence was also very obvious. Other parts that disappointed me were the book club scene and all the chatter about cozy mysteries. It's clearly supposed to be tongue in cheek and the author's way of giving a big wink wink nudge nudge to the readers, but in this book if was just too much and detracted from the story. I particularly didn't like the pot shots at the mystery author, and tried to figure out who was being passive aggressively insulted rather than read the story. This lines up with my last disappointment, which was how hard and mean streaked a lot of the characters seemed, particularly Suzanne. At times she was very mean to Emma, and I don't remember this harshness in previous books. Her mother and Angelica also seemed to have harder edges. The change was so drastic to me I wonder if it's even a new writer behind the pseudonym since the publishing change. I would truly call this a 2.5 star book for me because while it was better than i was expecting since the change, the mystery itself was disappointing.