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Camilla MacPhee #2
The Icing on the Corpse
In the second Camilla MacPhee mystery, it's now forty below in Canada's capital, but victims' advocate Camilla is feeling the heat. When a savage serial batterer goes on the rampage looking for revenge against his former girlfriend, the terrified woman turns to Camilla and Justice for Victims for help. But a sudden change of fortune causes her client to really feel the chill. Camilla wades into the investigation, now one of murder, and gets a frosty reception from the police. Soon everyone connected with the case is either cooling their heels behind bars or trying to avoid cold storage in the morgue. Camilla's really skating on thin ice looking for this killer - literally.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Maffini
31 books163 followersAka Victoria Abbott with her daughter Victoria Maffini.
Mary Jane Maffini was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and has her BA (Hons) and MLS from Dalhousie University. After a career in libraries such as The Brewers' Association of Canada, Statistics Canada, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, and a wonderful ride as a co-owner of Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore, she has settled into a life of crime, surrounded by her two miniature dachshunds, the ghost of her beloved Corgoid Smudge, and her long-suffering husband. She's a former President of Crime Writers of Canada, and a former member of the board of directors of the Canadian Booksellers Association. She's a frequent speaker on writing mysteries and on the importance of Canadian crime fiction. In real life, although she is a member of the Ladies' Killing Circle, she has never killed anyone.
Mary Jane Maffini was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and has her BA (Hons) and MLS from Dalhousie University. After a career in libraries such as The Brewers' Association of Canada, Statistics Canada, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, and a wonderful ride as a co-owner of Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore, she has settled into a life of crime, surrounded by her two miniature dachshunds, the ghost of her beloved Corgoid Smudge, and her long-suffering husband. She's a former President of Crime Writers of Canada, and a former member of the board of directors of the Canadian Booksellers Association. She's a frequent speaker on writing mysteries and on the importance of Canadian crime fiction. In real life, although she is a member of the Ladies' Killing Circle, she has never killed anyone.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 12, 2018
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Icing on the Corpse
A Camilla MacPhee Mystery, Book# 2
By Mary Jane Maffini
ISBN13: 9780929141817
Author’s Website: maryjanemaffini.ca/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
In the second Camilla MacPhee mystery, it’s now forty below in Canada’s capital, but victims’ advocate Camilla is feeling the heat. When a savage serial batterer goes on the rampage looking for revenge against his former girlfriend, the terrified woman turns to Camilla and Justice for Victims for help. But a sudden change of fortune causes her client to really feel the chill. Camilla wades into the investigation, now one of murder, and gets a frosty reception from the police. Soon everyone connected with the case is either cooling their heels behind bars or trying to avoid cold storage in the morgue. Camilla’s really skating on thin ice looking for this killer – literally.
Review:
The second installment of the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series, The Icing on the Corpse, is an engaging whodunit. As I get to know Camilla and her family and friends from this series, I grow more infatuated with the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series.
Camilla is a widower of four years, still missing her husband Paul. She certainly is carrying around great animosity towards the individual who was responsible for Paul’s death. Luckily, her passion for her work at Justice for Victims provides her someplace to be:
“Work is what saves me. It has been four years since that loser chu-a0lugged a six-pack then swallowed a palmful of downers and hurtled his RD-7 into the Toyota Tercel carrying my husband. Now Paul is just a picture above my desk, forever thirty, but the lowlife who killed him still breathes and drives. Perhaps a time will come when I can forgive.”
Let me first start off by saying, Mrs. Parnell (Camilla’s neighbor) is still a hoot. Always willing to help Camilla! Getting into no end of trouble, but with great instincts and a heart (which she tends not to show). And her age does NOT get in her way. She is one spry ole gal with guts! And surprisingly, her sleuthing skills are effective!
Another favorite character is Alvin – you could just sense Camilla’s frustration with Alvin:
“Answer the phone, Alvin.” I did not swear. I did not indulge in sarcasm. I did not hyperventilate. Not even on the third ring. I didn’t want Alvin to press my buttons. This was harder than is sounds. “And take a message if it’s one of my sisters.”
And of course, you could always sense Camilla’s reluctance with regards to her sisters. Especially now that a wedding is looming and Camilla is a bridesmaid. All this and a murder to solve….what is a gal to do.
Being from Ottawa – some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Some Monday’s start badly. When the wind chill factor approaches minus forty, you can count on it.” AND “You don’t have to be crazy to live in Ottawa in the winter, but it helps.”
I liked how this book is around Winterlude time in Ottawa. Note: Winterlude was created in 1979 to celebrate Canada’s unique northern climate and culture. It is held in Ottawa–Gatineau each February.
This mystery has many potential suspects, which certainly added to the intrigue. And I am happy to report that I was not able to deduce who the actual ‘whodunit’ killer was until the end…just the way I like my mystery reads!
“But if the police or the Crown get wind of the fact that Lindsay left the house, they might even decide Elaine and Lindsay colluded to kill Benning. They could both end up in the hoosegow.”
With many suspects, Camilla waded through this list carefully, But (as one may know from the first book in the series) things do not always go according to plan when Camilla is in sleuth mode. But this does add to the intrigue as well as the chuckle factor.
I am hesitant to say too much about the murder and how Camilla solved it because I really think the reader should experience that themselves. All in all, a fine cozy mystery with all the requisite components….an interesting (albeit a bit unusual) protagonist, a murder to solve and many helpful individuals to help our amateur sleuth. One is kept guessing until the end (okay…I was) and further interesting character development so that one truly hopes there is another book in this series (and there is…Little Boy Blues). I can’t wait to continue this journey. Thank you Mary Jane Maffini.
The Icing on the Corpse
A Camilla MacPhee Mystery, Book# 2
By Mary Jane Maffini
ISBN13: 9780929141817
Author’s Website: maryjanemaffini.ca/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
In the second Camilla MacPhee mystery, it’s now forty below in Canada’s capital, but victims’ advocate Camilla is feeling the heat. When a savage serial batterer goes on the rampage looking for revenge against his former girlfriend, the terrified woman turns to Camilla and Justice for Victims for help. But a sudden change of fortune causes her client to really feel the chill. Camilla wades into the investigation, now one of murder, and gets a frosty reception from the police. Soon everyone connected with the case is either cooling their heels behind bars or trying to avoid cold storage in the morgue. Camilla’s really skating on thin ice looking for this killer – literally.
Review:
The second installment of the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series, The Icing on the Corpse, is an engaging whodunit. As I get to know Camilla and her family and friends from this series, I grow more infatuated with the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series.
Camilla is a widower of four years, still missing her husband Paul. She certainly is carrying around great animosity towards the individual who was responsible for Paul’s death. Luckily, her passion for her work at Justice for Victims provides her someplace to be:
“Work is what saves me. It has been four years since that loser chu-a0lugged a six-pack then swallowed a palmful of downers and hurtled his RD-7 into the Toyota Tercel carrying my husband. Now Paul is just a picture above my desk, forever thirty, but the lowlife who killed him still breathes and drives. Perhaps a time will come when I can forgive.”
Let me first start off by saying, Mrs. Parnell (Camilla’s neighbor) is still a hoot. Always willing to help Camilla! Getting into no end of trouble, but with great instincts and a heart (which she tends not to show). And her age does NOT get in her way. She is one spry ole gal with guts! And surprisingly, her sleuthing skills are effective!
Another favorite character is Alvin – you could just sense Camilla’s frustration with Alvin:
“Answer the phone, Alvin.” I did not swear. I did not indulge in sarcasm. I did not hyperventilate. Not even on the third ring. I didn’t want Alvin to press my buttons. This was harder than is sounds. “And take a message if it’s one of my sisters.”
And of course, you could always sense Camilla’s reluctance with regards to her sisters. Especially now that a wedding is looming and Camilla is a bridesmaid. All this and a murder to solve….what is a gal to do.
Being from Ottawa – some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Some Monday’s start badly. When the wind chill factor approaches minus forty, you can count on it.” AND “You don’t have to be crazy to live in Ottawa in the winter, but it helps.”
I liked how this book is around Winterlude time in Ottawa. Note: Winterlude was created in 1979 to celebrate Canada’s unique northern climate and culture. It is held in Ottawa–Gatineau each February.
This mystery has many potential suspects, which certainly added to the intrigue. And I am happy to report that I was not able to deduce who the actual ‘whodunit’ killer was until the end…just the way I like my mystery reads!
“But if the police or the Crown get wind of the fact that Lindsay left the house, they might even decide Elaine and Lindsay colluded to kill Benning. They could both end up in the hoosegow.”
With many suspects, Camilla waded through this list carefully, But (as one may know from the first book in the series) things do not always go according to plan when Camilla is in sleuth mode. But this does add to the intrigue as well as the chuckle factor.
I am hesitant to say too much about the murder and how Camilla solved it because I really think the reader should experience that themselves. All in all, a fine cozy mystery with all the requisite components….an interesting (albeit a bit unusual) protagonist, a murder to solve and many helpful individuals to help our amateur sleuth. One is kept guessing until the end (okay…I was) and further interesting character development so that one truly hopes there is another book in this series (and there is…Little Boy Blues). I can’t wait to continue this journey. Thank you Mary Jane Maffini.
July 21, 2023
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first. To be fair I think it mostly had to do with the fact that I started it around 2 weeks ago...got 1/3 thru it and then life got in the way and I just picked it back up. In those 14 or so days I had forgotten alot of the book but didnt want to reread it. So I felt pretty muddled and confused slogging my way thru the last 2/3.
But I did feel like the book wasn't quite as humorous as the first and Camilla just kinda came across as a crabby PITA this time vs a grumpy yet enjoyable cynic as she was in the debut novel.
I still will read the third...and I will do my part by reading it w/o a break, hopefully Maffini will do her part and soften Camilla's personality just a bit so she is still a likeable character.
But I did feel like the book wasn't quite as humorous as the first and Camilla just kinda came across as a crabby PITA this time vs a grumpy yet enjoyable cynic as she was in the debut novel.
I still will read the third...and I will do my part by reading it w/o a break, hopefully Maffini will do her part and soften Camilla's personality just a bit so she is still a likeable character.
February 18, 2026
Not Kinsey Milhone
Camilla is not just rough. She's mean. She makes mistakes because she thinks so little of others. Her sisters are paper dolls. They have no depth. I hope the author softens Camilla and fleshes out her family. Mrs. P is wonderful. She and Alvin are more interesting than all of Camilla's family.
Camilla is not just rough. She's mean. She makes mistakes because she thinks so little of others. Her sisters are paper dolls. They have no depth. I hope the author softens Camilla and fleshes out her family. Mrs. P is wonderful. She and Alvin are more interesting than all of Camilla's family.
October 18, 2019
I really liked that it was set in Ottawa with all the local landmarks.
August 9, 2025
I just love the novels of this Canadian author. I first read this series back when it was first published, and may have reread it about 5 times. Her characters are superb.
August 8, 2018
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
The second installment of the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series, The Icing on the Corpse, is an engaging whodunit. As I get to know Camilla and her family and friends from this series, I grow more infatuated with the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series.
Camilla is a widower of four years, still missing her husband Paul. She certainly is carrying around great animosity towards the individual who was responsible for Paul’s death. Luckily, her passion for her work at Justice for Victims provides her someplace to be:
“Work is what saves me. It has been four years since that loser chu-a0lugged a six-pack then swallowed a palmful of downers and hurtled his RD-7 into the Toyota Tercel carrying my husband. Now Paul is just a picture above my desk, forever thirty, but the lowlife who killed him still breathes and drives. Perhaps a time will come when I can forgive.”
Let me first start off by saying, Mrs. Parnell (Camilla’s neighbor) is still a hoot. Always willing to help Camilla! Getting into no end of trouble, but with great instincts and a heart (which she tends not to show). And her age does NOT get in her way. She is one spry ole gal with guts! And surprisingly, her sleuthing skills are effective!
Another favorite character is Alvin – you could just sense Camilla’s frustration with Alvin:
“Answer the phone, Alvin.” I did not swear. I did not indulge in sarcasm. I did not hyperventilate. Not even on the third ring. I didn’t want Alvin to press my buttons. This was harder than is sounds. “And take a message if it’s one of my sisters.”
And of course, you could always sense Camilla’s reluctance with regards to her sisters. Especially now that a wedding is looming and Camilla is a bridesmaid. All this and a murder to solve….what is a gal to do.
Being from Ottawa – some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Some Monday’s start badly. When the wind chill factor approaches minus forty, you can count on it.” AND “You don’t have to be crazy to live in Ottawa in the winter, but it helps.”
I liked how this book is around Winterlude time in Ottawa. Note: Winterlude was created in 1979 to celebrate Canada’s unique northern climate and culture. It is held in Ottawa–Gatineau each February.
This mystery has many potential suspects, which certainly added to the intrigue. And I am happy to report that I was not able to deduce who the actual ‘whodunit’ killer was until the end…just the way I like my mystery reads!
“But if the police or the Crown get wind of the fact that Lindsay left the house, they might even decide Elaine and Lindsay colluded to kill Benning. They could both end up in the hoosegow.”
With many suspects, Camilla waded through this list carefully, But (as one may know from the first book in the series) things do not always go according to plan when Camilla is in sleuth mode. But this does add to the intrigue as well as the chuckle factor.
I am hesitant to say too much about the murder and how Camilla solved it because I really think the reader should experience that themselves. All in all, a fine cozy mystery with all the requisite components….an interesting (albeit a bit unusual) protagonist, a murder to solve and many helpful individuals to help our amateur sleuth. One is kept guessing until the end (okay…I was) and further interesting character development so that one truly hopes there is another book in this series (and there is…Little Boy Blues). I can’t wait to continue this journey. Thank you Mary Jane Maffini.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
The second installment of the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series, The Icing on the Corpse, is an engaging whodunit. As I get to know Camilla and her family and friends from this series, I grow more infatuated with the Camilla MacPhee Mystery series.
Camilla is a widower of four years, still missing her husband Paul. She certainly is carrying around great animosity towards the individual who was responsible for Paul’s death. Luckily, her passion for her work at Justice for Victims provides her someplace to be:
“Work is what saves me. It has been four years since that loser chu-a0lugged a six-pack then swallowed a palmful of downers and hurtled his RD-7 into the Toyota Tercel carrying my husband. Now Paul is just a picture above my desk, forever thirty, but the lowlife who killed him still breathes and drives. Perhaps a time will come when I can forgive.”
Let me first start off by saying, Mrs. Parnell (Camilla’s neighbor) is still a hoot. Always willing to help Camilla! Getting into no end of trouble, but with great instincts and a heart (which she tends not to show). And her age does NOT get in her way. She is one spry ole gal with guts! And surprisingly, her sleuthing skills are effective!
Another favorite character is Alvin – you could just sense Camilla’s frustration with Alvin:
“Answer the phone, Alvin.” I did not swear. I did not indulge in sarcasm. I did not hyperventilate. Not even on the third ring. I didn’t want Alvin to press my buttons. This was harder than is sounds. “And take a message if it’s one of my sisters.”
And of course, you could always sense Camilla’s reluctance with regards to her sisters. Especially now that a wedding is looming and Camilla is a bridesmaid. All this and a murder to solve….what is a gal to do.
Being from Ottawa – some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Some Monday’s start badly. When the wind chill factor approaches minus forty, you can count on it.” AND “You don’t have to be crazy to live in Ottawa in the winter, but it helps.”
I liked how this book is around Winterlude time in Ottawa. Note: Winterlude was created in 1979 to celebrate Canada’s unique northern climate and culture. It is held in Ottawa–Gatineau each February.
This mystery has many potential suspects, which certainly added to the intrigue. And I am happy to report that I was not able to deduce who the actual ‘whodunit’ killer was until the end…just the way I like my mystery reads!
“But if the police or the Crown get wind of the fact that Lindsay left the house, they might even decide Elaine and Lindsay colluded to kill Benning. They could both end up in the hoosegow.”
With many suspects, Camilla waded through this list carefully, But (as one may know from the first book in the series) things do not always go according to plan when Camilla is in sleuth mode. But this does add to the intrigue as well as the chuckle factor.
I am hesitant to say too much about the murder and how Camilla solved it because I really think the reader should experience that themselves. All in all, a fine cozy mystery with all the requisite components….an interesting (albeit a bit unusual) protagonist, a murder to solve and many helpful individuals to help our amateur sleuth. One is kept guessing until the end (okay…I was) and further interesting character development so that one truly hopes there is another book in this series (and there is…Little Boy Blues). I can’t wait to continue this journey. Thank you Mary Jane Maffini.
July 17, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, adventure and excitement in one little cozy, June 20, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Icing on the Corpse: A Camilla MacPhee Mystery (Camilla MacPhee Mysteries) (Paperback)
This is my 2nd book in the Camilla MacPhee series by Mary Jane Maffini. I was a little worried that since the first book in this series was such a success the 2nd book would fall short of my expectations. Happy to report I was 100% wrong. M.J. Maffini brings all of the characters she previously started with and made their role even clearer along with Camilla.
One character in particular takes the cake. I'm speaking, of course, of Mrs. Parnell Camilla's elderly neighbor. That woman is a trip and a half. Love her. Mrs. Parnell is afraid of nothing and no one. And she's always at the ready to assist Camilla with her sleuthing no matter what the danger.
The other character taking on a more vivid role is Alvin. Believe it or not with all of his faults in the office...Alvin has his way of getting in there when the going gets tough.
This story started off by dealing with spousal abuse and I wasn't sure I could handle it. It remains a heavy topic and one not to be taken lightly. But leave it to M.J. to use it in such a manner that it brings us to the murder and on to another journey with Camilla. Everything was kept in its place and did not become overwhelming. (for me that is)
I did not know who the murderer was until Camilla revealed that person. And through this whole adventure Camilla's sister, Alexa, is planning her wedding to Detective Sargeant Conn McCracken. Camilla has to find a way to appease her sister(s) as she endeavors to solve this mystery.
So happy to add this wonderful series with these zany characters to my list of best loved cozies.
Enjoy the fun and adventure with Camilla.
Ellen
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Icing on the Corpse: A Camilla MacPhee Mystery (Camilla MacPhee Mysteries) (Paperback)
This is my 2nd book in the Camilla MacPhee series by Mary Jane Maffini. I was a little worried that since the first book in this series was such a success the 2nd book would fall short of my expectations. Happy to report I was 100% wrong. M.J. Maffini brings all of the characters she previously started with and made their role even clearer along with Camilla.
One character in particular takes the cake. I'm speaking, of course, of Mrs. Parnell Camilla's elderly neighbor. That woman is a trip and a half. Love her. Mrs. Parnell is afraid of nothing and no one. And she's always at the ready to assist Camilla with her sleuthing no matter what the danger.
The other character taking on a more vivid role is Alvin. Believe it or not with all of his faults in the office...Alvin has his way of getting in there when the going gets tough.
This story started off by dealing with spousal abuse and I wasn't sure I could handle it. It remains a heavy topic and one not to be taken lightly. But leave it to M.J. to use it in such a manner that it brings us to the murder and on to another journey with Camilla. Everything was kept in its place and did not become overwhelming. (for me that is)
I did not know who the murderer was until Camilla revealed that person. And through this whole adventure Camilla's sister, Alexa, is planning her wedding to Detective Sargeant Conn McCracken. Camilla has to find a way to appease her sister(s) as she endeavors to solve this mystery.
So happy to add this wonderful series with these zany characters to my list of best loved cozies.
Enjoy the fun and adventure with Camilla.
Ellen
March 20, 2012
A blast of a novel, by Ottawa's own Mary Jane Maffini, this is the second mystery starring Camilla MacPhee, and takes place during Ottawa's Winterlude festival. All the characters that made you cackle are back, and they're as fabulous as ever.
Camilla's no fool. She works for a victim's rights organization, and thus is well aware that a serial batterer on the loose is no joke. She organizes a watch on the potential victim, but things go astray when the dead make an entrance, frozen, and suddenly things aren't cool at all...
Camilla's no fool. She works for a victim's rights organization, and thus is well aware that a serial batterer on the loose is no joke. She organizes a watch on the potential victim, but things go astray when the dead make an entrance, frozen, and suddenly things aren't cool at all...
July 4, 2012
This is the second book in the Camilla MacPhee series, which is set in Ottawa.
It was an okay book, not overly exciting, though. I can't say I was feeling much love for the characters other than Camilla, Alvin and Mrs. P.
The person I suspected had done it didn't so it was a nice suprise. I was okay with the ending ... it made sense and wasn't far-fetched.
I like the author's writing style and am enjoying the series and would recommend it.
It was an okay book, not overly exciting, though. I can't say I was feeling much love for the characters other than Camilla, Alvin and Mrs. P.
The person I suspected had done it didn't so it was a nice suprise. I was okay with the ending ... it made sense and wasn't far-fetched.
I like the author's writing style and am enjoying the series and would recommend it.
June 25, 2010
This was one very good murder mystery. You are led to believe it is solved , however, are you sure? Well, don't be. Meanwhile enjoy the beach while 30C below inside an apartment???? You have to read it to realize that this is a champion novel.
April 14, 2009
The author writes 3 series. I believe this is her first and features Camilla MacPhee. I prefer the other 2, which have been written later. I just wasn't crazy about the protagonist in this book.
Read
October 21, 2009It took me a LONG time to get through this book. Although, to be fair, I don't know if it was just me or if it was the book.
Read
September 29, 2016Witty. Good mystery. I give it an A+.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews