What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies
A delightful holiday cozy mystery which originally appeared in the collection, Gingerbread Cookie Murder, is made available as an e-book single for the very first time!
Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents’ retirement community’s play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he “accidentally” falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor’s jealous lovers was capable of murder.
[Originally published in Gingerbread Cookie Murder]
Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents’ retirement community’s play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he “accidentally” falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor’s jealous lovers was capable of murder.
[Originally published in Gingerbread Cookie Murder]
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
21 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Laura Levine
57 books1,232 followersGrew up in Brooklyn, New York, back when mastodons (and Edsels) still roamed the earth.
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries.
Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/
Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries.
Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/
Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 27, 2018
The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies, a novella included in a 3-story book, written by Laura Levine is a fun holiday cozy mystery to read. It's an in-between read that's part of a larger series focusing on Jaine Austen. In this caper, she's visiting her parents for the holidays and becomes stuck in the middle of her family's often meddlesome ways... her cat has decided Jaine's mother is perfect and Jaine is awful. Jaine's father is getting in trouble while trying to protect Jaine. And a doctor leads 4 women on until he finally dies during a play rehearsal while acting in a lead role. It's a short ~100 page story, but fun and easy to read. Jaine sometimes talks directly to the reader but it's adorable in a charming way. I like her spunk. It makes me want to start reading the entire series. There are only 8 so far... maybe I can handle it!
October 24, 2023
I love everything about this novella & I decree that in The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies, Laura Levine has written the perfect humorous cozy mystery holiday novella.
The Setting -- A retirement community in Florida with swaying palm trees for a visit with her doting parents, Hank and Claudia Austen, complete with holiday decorations, a tree, and plenty to eat.
The Love Interest-- Claudia loves Jaine's cat, Prozac. Jaine's parents love Jaine. Jaine loves the seasonal fudge and Chunky Monkey Ice cream run, getting to wear comfy togs, the chance to visit the two people in the world who will always be in her corner, and the opportunity to do some sleuthing (at which she rates herself a semi-professional). And there's an engagement--wedding bells are ringing for somebody!
The Holiday Play -- as a famous Hollywood writer (of course her parents exaggerate her level of writing success) Jaine's invited to rehearsals to give her input on this year's play written by Claudia's dear friend and next-door neighbor, Edna Lindstrom.
The Shopping -- No holiday story is complete without a visit to a mall for holiday shopping and TDOGC takes us along for a tour.
The Beloved Pet -- Claudia dotes on Jaine's cat Prozac and Prozac, as every beloved pet must, takes her pampered status for granted and takes actions that could get her owner into deep doo-doo.
The Murder Victim We Could Easily Live Without -- The name of the Victim, which cannot be mentioned here, is not one you'll find this year's Santa Claus's Nice List.
The Setting -- A retirement community in Florida with swaying palm trees for a visit with her doting parents, Hank and Claudia Austen, complete with holiday decorations, a tree, and plenty to eat.
The Love Interest-- Claudia loves Jaine's cat, Prozac. Jaine's parents love Jaine. Jaine loves the seasonal fudge and Chunky Monkey Ice cream run, getting to wear comfy togs, the chance to visit the two people in the world who will always be in her corner, and the opportunity to do some sleuthing (at which she rates herself a semi-professional). And there's an engagement--wedding bells are ringing for somebody!
The Holiday Play -- as a famous Hollywood writer (of course her parents exaggerate her level of writing success) Jaine's invited to rehearsals to give her input on this year's play written by Claudia's dear friend and next-door neighbor, Edna Lindstrom.
The Shopping -- No holiday story is complete without a visit to a mall for holiday shopping and TDOGC takes us along for a tour.
The Beloved Pet -- Claudia dotes on Jaine's cat Prozac and Prozac, as every beloved pet must, takes her pampered status for granted and takes actions that could get her owner into deep doo-doo.
The Murder Victim We Could Easily Live Without -- The name of the Victim, which cannot be mentioned here, is not one you'll find this year's Santa Claus's Nice List.
October 15, 2014
This short story was better than her books.
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.
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.
July 31, 2024
Jaime and Prozac have flown to Florida to celebrate Christmas with her parents. The story is written in the same vein as the emails she receives from them on a weekly basis. Hank is a walking disaster and Claudia is the epitome of a Florida retiress.
Lots of laughs even while a murder is being solved. And hey, the Lanz nightie even shows up in the Sunshine state.
This was one of a threebie including Joanne Fluke and Leslie Meier.
Lots of laughs even while a murder is being solved. And hey, the Lanz nightie even shows up in the Sunshine state.
This was one of a threebie including Joanne Fluke and Leslie Meier.
December 24, 2021
I have never read any of Laura Levine's books in the Jaine Austen mystery series, and found this one as part of a trilogy of holiday short mysteries as an ebook from my library's collection.
The characters are all a bit "over-the-top" as one reviewer noted, particularly Jaine and her parents. But then, the extra emphasis on certain stereotypical realities of some retired Floridians--i.e., shorts and tube socks, Shopping Channel addicts, and the shenanigans of all those retirees in the over-55 age community--just add to the fun of this book. Although, I did not hear an audio version of the story, I can just about "hear" Jaine's mother and her chiding of Jaine and the spoiling of Jaine's cat, all in a rather nasal New York city accent.
The mystery is meant to be a cozy one, so sans gore and legal detail, with lots of hearsay, gossip, and outrageous hijinks as Janie attempts to investigate the murder of one of the retirement community residents--a retired physician and actor in the annual Christmas drama. I laughed out loud at certain descriptions of the characters and the action, because it was all in such good fun.
I will be looking for other books in the series. Thanks, Laura Levine for showing me a new lovable detective character that I will enjoy following through her many adventures.
The characters are all a bit "over-the-top" as one reviewer noted, particularly Jaine and her parents. But then, the extra emphasis on certain stereotypical realities of some retired Floridians--i.e., shorts and tube socks, Shopping Channel addicts, and the shenanigans of all those retirees in the over-55 age community--just add to the fun of this book. Although, I did not hear an audio version of the story, I can just about "hear" Jaine's mother and her chiding of Jaine and the spoiling of Jaine's cat, all in a rather nasal New York city accent.
The mystery is meant to be a cozy one, so sans gore and legal detail, with lots of hearsay, gossip, and outrageous hijinks as Janie attempts to investigate the murder of one of the retirement community residents--a retired physician and actor in the annual Christmas drama. I laughed out loud at certain descriptions of the characters and the action, because it was all in such good fun.
I will be looking for other books in the series. Thanks, Laura Levine for showing me a new lovable detective character that I will enjoy following through her many adventures.
January 1, 2023
Loved it….had no clue as to who this author is/was until
I finished reading Joanne Fluke’s “Gingerbread Cookie Murder”. It just so happens that this short story was included.
Levine wastes no time in getting her story going. We meet Janie right away and learn that she is visiting he elderly parents in Florida. Just the right number of characters and most play a role in the story.
Good read.
I finished reading Joanne Fluke’s “Gingerbread Cookie Murder”. It just so happens that this short story was included.
Levine wastes no time in getting her story going. We meet Janie right away and learn that she is visiting he elderly parents in Florida. Just the right number of characters and most play a role in the story.
Good read.
October 7, 2023
Loved Laura Levine's Christmas murder mystery with the festive season, a murder mystery, Prozac the cat and, of course, Jaine Austen neck deep (and elastic-waisted pants) in it all!
December 22, 2024
I’d give it 0 stars is if I could. The main character is so snarky and her internal monologue is so mean to everyone from her parents, strangers and even cat. She shouldn’t be a pet owner. There is a Cuban character with pretty racists story line and the audio book narrator decided to do a poorly spoken accident for that character and no other character. The whole story was extremely convoluted and the main character did very little actual snooping other than just stalking characters at random and accusing them publicly.
December 12, 2016
3.2. The parts where she puts the thoughts of the cat is cute. There are a few cute phrases. The story was somewhat slow and often a challenge to keep moving. It felt disconnected. She does try to keep you getting "who done it."
July 31, 2017
The fun Florida setting made me feel right at home-being from Florida I can understand. The story really made me want Christmas fudge to enjoy as I watch the drama and mystery unfold. Who would have thought- the suspect was a total surprise for me.
March 12, 2014
I enjoyed this one because it included Jaine's father, who always manages to make me laugh, but I had hoped he would have been more directly involved in helping Jaine solve the mystery.
December 13, 2014
Fun reading. All the characters were a bit over-the-top.
December 19, 2014
I love Laura Levines books, she always makes me laugh until I cry. This one did not disappoint!
March 11, 2015
It was only 90 pages so not much can be done. However, I love the series and this was a nice in-between Holiday story. Thanks Hannah!!!!
December 8, 2017
Loved the main character’s voice.
December 28, 2023
Jaine is visiting her parents in Florida for the holiday. In between watching her cat being spoiled rotten and her dad try to get his horrid gold Christmas tree set up, Jaine attends the community's Christmas play. At the end, the leading man is supposed to float off the stage, but instead he falls to his death. Considering he was a horrid womanizer, the suspects are plentiful. But who actually wanted him dead?
Outside of e-mail exchanges in every book, this is the first time we've met Jaine's parents, and I got quite a hoot out of meeting them. The series is comic in nature, and that comedy continues here. The plot kept me guessing until the end. The story was mostly populated with people we haven't met before, but they all seemed real enough to make me care about the outcome.
Do note that this is a novella, originally about 100 pages. Keep that in mind when you sit down to read it.
Also note that this was originally published in the anthology Gingerbread Cookie Murder, so check that you haven’t read it already.
But if you haven’t picked up this story yet, you are in for a treat when you do.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Outside of e-mail exchanges in every book, this is the first time we've met Jaine's parents, and I got quite a hoot out of meeting them. The series is comic in nature, and that comedy continues here. The plot kept me guessing until the end. The story was mostly populated with people we haven't met before, but they all seemed real enough to make me care about the outcome.
Do note that this is a novella, originally about 100 pages. Keep that in mind when you sit down to read it.
Also note that this was originally published in the anthology Gingerbread Cookie Murder, so check that you haven’t read it already.
But if you haven’t picked up this story yet, you are in for a treat when you do.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 9, 2020
#9.5 in the Jaine Austin mystery series. This 2010 series entry by author Laura Levine is a below average novella. Jaine visits her parents for Christmas in their Florida retirement community. She should have stayed home. Her parents' favorite occupation is sniping at each other. Jaine is condescending to everyone and the Christmas play is an amateurish nightmare. The murder victim apparently made false promises to all the women and everyone had a motive to kill him. My rating is brought up a star by the decent denouement.
Published in anthology "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" - Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.
Published in anthology "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" - Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.
December 2, 2025
Not a fan of this book at all. In chapter 2 she body shames older people. A group of older people in a retirement home were swimming and she comments about their "willingness to appear in public in a bathing suit" then proceeds to give her opinion on cellulite. Imagine being an older person and reading that. It was very unnecessary and had absolutely nothing to do with the plot of the story. making fun of old people isn't my style so I stopped reading the book.
December 25, 2018
Laura Levine: The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies.
This was such a fun book!!! I love that Jaine went to visit her parents in Florida. Usually it’s just emails back and forth. I absolutely love her parents...especially her dad....who could not love a character like him!!! Laura Levine never disappoints. Merry Christmas & Happy Reading :)
This was such a fun book!!! I love that Jaine went to visit her parents in Florida. Usually it’s just emails back and forth. I absolutely love her parents...especially her dad....who could not love a character like him!!! Laura Levine never disappoints. Merry Christmas & Happy Reading :)
September 12, 2024
It's a cute novella about Jaine Austen as she visits her parents in their senior community for the Christmas holiday. I was unfamiliar with the Jaine Austen Mysteries until reading this novella, but I had no trouble understanding what was going on. It's not an exceptional read, but it would be fun to read during the Christmas holiday season. Jaine's cat, Prozac, was a bonus for me!
January 16, 2017
A; Part of a trilogy I picked up on audio. Enjoyed the characters, Jaine visits her parents retirement community for the holidays and becomes involved in solving a murder. Meanwhile her mom spoils Jaine's cat Prozac (whom mom calls Zoloft); spoiling the feline like a grandchild.
June 26, 2021
Jaine is visiting her parents over the Christmas holidays in their Florida retirement community, when a murder takes place. She is determined to save her mom’s friend from being arrested for the crime. This novella, one of 3 in the book, is an easy lazy day read.
October 1, 2023
Laura Levine never disappoints
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas story. Prozac the cat always makes me laugh Also love Jaynes parents .they are always up to something funny. This is a great read especially for the holidays
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas story. Prozac the cat always makes me laugh Also love Jaynes parents .they are always up to something funny. This is a great read especially for the holidays
October 10, 2023
Tickled for the Novellas
A really good spin on one of her classic mysteries. Her parents are too funny. I am too happy they digitally released these stories because they’re just as good as her long ones.
A really good spin on one of her classic mysteries. Her parents are too funny. I am too happy they digitally released these stories because they’re just as good as her long ones.
December 2, 2023
I like the characters in this story. Jaine's parents are so funny. She goes and visits them in FL and during the Christmas play the local playboy gets killed. Was it one of his 3 girlfriends or someone else. I love how the author voices what the cat is thinking. Because it's probably true.
May 5, 2024
Parents in Florida
I had a lot of fun with this novella! Jaine's parents usually show up via emails so it was great to meet them here! A great cast, and an excellent plot. Laura Levine always delivers a good read, and I'm ready for the next one!
I had a lot of fun with this novella! Jaine's parents usually show up via emails so it was great to meet them here! A great cast, and an excellent plot. Laura Levine always delivers a good read, and I'm ready for the next one!
December 17, 2024
Quick and cute Christmas cozy
I have read many of Laura Levine's quirky detective series with Jaine and her pampered kitty named "Prozac." This one also didn't disappoint. I recommend this one, as I do the rest of the series.
I have read many of Laura Levine's quirky detective series with Jaine and her pampered kitty named "Prozac." This one also didn't disappoint. I recommend this one, as I do the rest of the series.
November 23, 2020
A cozy mystery set during the Christmas season. Light and entertaining. This is part of the Jaine Austen mystery series by Laura Levine.
January 2, 2021
This book is cute. If you want a super easy read (that’s a bit corny), then this is absolutely the right thing for you. It is written in first person, so you may want to keep that in mind.
November 21, 2021
Humor throughout this story is pretty dated. Characters are mostly stereotypes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews