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Scottie Ramone #2
Better Off Shortbread
With visions of chocolate dipped peanut butter fingers, sour cream jumbles and fruity hand pies, Scottie Ramone’s vintage bakery dream is well on its way to becoming reality. The contractor and his team are hard at work transforming the space. Her shopfront may not be open quite yet, but Scottie is already serving up delicious treats in Ripple Creek. Her buttery shortbread biscuits quickly become a favorite in Roxi’s market.
Summer has come and gone leaving a spectacular fall in its wake. When the Nature Quest Photography Club comes to town, Scottie’s new friend, Cade Rafferty, invites her to join him for a photography class on Blue Jay Ridge. The club is an interesting mix of photographers, both professional and amateur. It’s immediately apparent that there’s no shortage of secrets between the club members. When one of the prominent photographers plunges to his death, suspicions are raised. Was it an unfortunate accident or something more sinister?
Dalton Braddock, Ripple Creek Ranger and Scottie’s longtime crush is called to the scene. Before long, Scottie finds herself deep in her third murder case right alongside the man who still, after all these years, makes her knees quake like jelly.
Book 2 of the Scottie Ramone Cozy Mystery series
More in the
Banana Chiffon and Bad Deeds
Book 1: Heads Will Cinnamon Roll
Book 2: Better off Shortbread
Book 3: Dead Gingerbread Man Walking
Book 4: TBA
Summer has come and gone leaving a spectacular fall in its wake. When the Nature Quest Photography Club comes to town, Scottie’s new friend, Cade Rafferty, invites her to join him for a photography class on Blue Jay Ridge. The club is an interesting mix of photographers, both professional and amateur. It’s immediately apparent that there’s no shortage of secrets between the club members. When one of the prominent photographers plunges to his death, suspicions are raised. Was it an unfortunate accident or something more sinister?
Dalton Braddock, Ripple Creek Ranger and Scottie’s longtime crush is called to the scene. Before long, Scottie finds herself deep in her third murder case right alongside the man who still, after all these years, makes her knees quake like jelly.
Book 2 of the Scottie Ramone Cozy Mystery series
More in the
Banana Chiffon and Bad Deeds
Book 1: Heads Will Cinnamon Roll
Book 2: Better off Shortbread
Book 3: Dead Gingerbread Man Walking
Book 4: TBA
- GenresCozy MysteryContemporary
230 pages, Paperback
Published June 22, 2023
72 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 7, 2025
Following the events of the series opener, Scottie Ramone has started to settle nicely into her hometown. The renovations for her dream vintage bakery are coming along nicely, and she has a multitude of recipes she's dying to try out. But this being a Scottie Ramone mystery, things aren't quiet for very long.
Not only is there drama with a group of tourists, but there seems to be a continuing - and growing - edge of drama in Scottie's personal life. On the one hand, her long-time crush is engaged to be married, but things don't seem to be going well on that front. On the other, a newcomer in town seems to have his sights set on Scottie, and she's certainly noticed him too.
I want to like this drama - I want to like the awkward love triangle angle. But I just don't. I find too much of it takes away from the main purpose of the book - the mystery.
When the president of a visiting photography club turns up missing, then dead, Scottie is the first to call foul play. She's the first to figure things aren't quite right with the assumption that it was an accident, and she's completely correct. But with the main focus clearly being taken up by the drama of Scottie's not-really love life, I found the solution to the mystery rather obvious.
So while I was quick to figure out who the murderer was, and part of the why, I didn't anticipate the depth of the why, and how far it really went. That slight turn was a fun twist that I enjoyed.
All of that being said, I am still enjoying getting to know the Ripple Creek community, and its inhabitants. I want to see Scottie and her bakery succeed. I want to see her get her happy ending, and fulfill her goals and dreams. I can really just do without what I feel is completely unnecessary drama for drama's sake.
Not only is there drama with a group of tourists, but there seems to be a continuing - and growing - edge of drama in Scottie's personal life. On the one hand, her long-time crush is engaged to be married, but things don't seem to be going well on that front. On the other, a newcomer in town seems to have his sights set on Scottie, and she's certainly noticed him too.
I want to like this drama - I want to like the awkward love triangle angle. But I just don't. I find too much of it takes away from the main purpose of the book - the mystery.
When the president of a visiting photography club turns up missing, then dead, Scottie is the first to call foul play. She's the first to figure things aren't quite right with the assumption that it was an accident, and she's completely correct. But with the main focus clearly being taken up by the drama of Scottie's not-really love life, I found the solution to the mystery rather obvious.
So while I was quick to figure out who the murderer was, and part of the why, I didn't anticipate the depth of the why, and how far it really went. That slight turn was a fun twist that I enjoyed.
All of that being said, I am still enjoying getting to know the Ripple Creek community, and its inhabitants. I want to see Scottie and her bakery succeed. I want to see her get her happy ending, and fulfill her goals and dreams. I can really just do without what I feel is completely unnecessary drama for drama's sake.
June 29, 2023
We're back in Ripple Creek with Scottie and her friends (some of which are kinda-rivals with one another, but that's another story for another time) and there's a dead body for her to play amateur sleuth with. Which is EXACTLY what I'm here for.
So. A little case of death hits when a photography club rolls into town. Scottie- being her curious, helpful self -happens to be the one who finds the body. And while it *might* have been an accident, Scottie's sleuthy intuition says the odds are against that. While Dalton (hunky, hunky Dalton) follows clues in his official capacity, Scottie ferrets out some of the secrets the other photography club members might be hiding.
Beyond the mystery of the death, Scottie's also dealing with her new bakery renovations coming along nicely, gossip about Dalton and his fiancé, a little rivalry between Dalton and Cade (although she denies there's anything there of the sort), baking up scrumptious treats to sell at the local market, and a moment or two with the guy she can't stop thinking about. (Yes, I have a favorite between the two men and it's very much the hunky Ranger.)
A little snooping, a little danger, and a lady who's finding her feet again after upending her life. I like.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So. A little case of death hits when a photography club rolls into town. Scottie- being her curious, helpful self -happens to be the one who finds the body. And while it *might* have been an accident, Scottie's sleuthy intuition says the odds are against that. While Dalton (hunky, hunky Dalton) follows clues in his official capacity, Scottie ferrets out some of the secrets the other photography club members might be hiding.
Beyond the mystery of the death, Scottie's also dealing with her new bakery renovations coming along nicely, gossip about Dalton and his fiancé, a little rivalry between Dalton and Cade (although she denies there's anything there of the sort), baking up scrumptious treats to sell at the local market, and a moment or two with the guy she can't stop thinking about. (Yes, I have a favorite between the two men and it's very much the hunky Ranger.)
A little snooping, a little danger, and a lady who's finding her feet again after upending her life. I like.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 2, 2023
This is the second book of a new series about a baker in the Pacific Northwest who helps solve mysteries/murders. Scottie Ramone lives with her Grandmother after having left her fiancé at the altar four days before her wedding. She’s remodeling an old building in downtown Ripple Creek to open a bakery.
At the moment give members of a Photography Club have come to town and plan to hike the nearby mountains and take pictures on the forest trails where they camp. Unfortunately, one of them falls into a ravine and dies. Even more unfortunately, Ranger Dalton Braddock, whom Scottie has had a crush on since she was a teen, has decided the man was murdered and probably by one of the other club members. As the plot thickens, can Scottie help Dalton solve the murder before anyone else gets killed or hurt? Can her new friend and town resident thriller writer Cade Rafferty help or will that make Dalton angry? And are Dalton and his fiancée Crystal having problems? Reading this fascinating mystery is definitely worth your time!
June 26, 2023
Great 2nd book in the new series by London Lovett, and she did it again!!! Better Off Shortbread does not disappoint!! This time, Scottie is up on the mountain trying to find the killer and also trying to decide her relationship between 2 men!!! Which will she choose, stay tune!!! She's also working on getting her bakery up and going and giving us some good recipe ideas!! There is a lot going on in book 2 of the Scottie Ramone Cozy Mysteries series!! A must-read if you love cozy mysteries or just a good who done it!!!! Can't wait for book 3!!!!
April 8, 2025
Wow, this was a page turner! I figured out the culprit pretty early on but that ending was an adrenaline rush. Scottie is working on opening her bakery and while learning some photography skills winds up knee deep in a mystery. There are a couple love triangles at play. I can't decide if I'm Team Dalton or Cade. Both offer different qualities. This book takes place mostly in nature and the descriptions are stunning! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the breathtaking nature because it paints such a vivid picture.
February 27, 2025
4/5. The only reason I can’t give this a 5 is because the killer ended up being whoI thought it was gonna be all along. I didn’t guess all of the reasoning but I had a feeling from the first character introduction.
Otherwise, it was quick, cozy, and left me wanting more from Scottie, her bakery, and her future relationship(s?). This one was also more focused on the mystery which meant they were able to provide so much more detail which I enjoyed.
Otherwise, it was quick, cozy, and left me wanting more from Scottie, her bakery, and her future relationship(s?). This one was also more focused on the mystery which meant they were able to provide so much more detail which I enjoyed.
June 2, 2023
This is a great book in the Scottie Ramone series by London Lovett. I think Scottie may be in over her head on this one. And she also has to decide between 2 men that she is attracted to. I love all of the characters and the mountain setting. I can't wait for the next book.
June 26, 2023
Great story. Characters are developing really well. Really enjoying the interaction with Scotty and the other characters. Storyline was enticing and the who done it was well hidden. Especially enjoyed the end. Great job London.
July 26, 2023
London Lovett did it again, she has a knack for giving us great characters
If you need a good read and love interest, try London Lovetts Better Off Shortbread and her latest heroine Scottie Ramon.
If you need a good read and love interest, try London Lovetts Better Off Shortbread and her latest heroine Scottie Ramon.
May 21, 2024
wonderful
Wonderfully enjoyable. A man is murdered. Dalton the local ranger is on the trail but Scottie Ramone is doing her own detective work when she’s not baking up a storm. Great characters and such a fun cozy.
Wonderfully enjoyable. A man is murdered. Dalton the local ranger is on the trail but Scottie Ramone is doing her own detective work when she’s not baking up a storm. Great characters and such a fun cozy.
June 14, 2024
Scottie Ramone is reaching the cozy mystery TSTL (too stupid to live) status in this book. The plot and the suspects were okay, the love triangle is getting kind of bland, and Scottie's sleuthing skills are hardly adequate. Book 3 in this series will make or break the series for me.
June 14, 2023
I really love this series! It is so good. Love the characters, the town, the mystery!
So full of surprises!!
So full of surprises!!
July 8, 2023
Loved this adventure with Scottie. I think I might be the only one but I'm pro Cade. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
July 25, 2024
Cute story about Scottie Ramone buying a bakery and solving murders!
November 18, 2025
didn't enjoy this one at all, not sure if I will continue with this series or not. too bad because I enjoyed all the Port Danby books and was hoping for a similar feel to these ones
May 18, 2024
Don't cheat your help or friends
A true who dunnit. Loved that I could hardly figure out who the murderer was. Poor Scottie is caught up in the middle again.
A true who dunnit. Loved that I could hardly figure out who the murderer was. Poor Scottie is caught up in the middle again.
March 1, 2024
Good series so far. I'm starting to get attached to the characters, I'm excited to read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews