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A Sweet Bites Mystery #3
Muffins & Murder
Halloween carnivals are supposed to be all fun and games, but when one of the school teachers is found strangled by a quilted table runner at the end of the night, Tess, bakery owner and amateur sleuth, is on the case.
Between stalkers, small business rivals and neighbors whose hobbies clash with the victim’s, there is no shortage of suspects. Tess’s social life finally starts to take off as things get interesting with Jack and her good friend and employee, Lenny’s, wedding is only days away, Tess has got her hands full. Will she be able to catch the killer before he or she strikes again?
Between stalkers, small business rivals and neighbors whose hobbies clash with the victim’s, there is no shortage of suspects. Tess’s social life finally starts to take off as things get interesting with Jack and her good friend and employee, Lenny’s, wedding is only days away, Tess has got her hands full. Will she be able to catch the killer before he or she strikes again?
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
225 pages, ebook
First published July 6, 2013
114 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Heather Justesen
28 books122 followersHeather Justesen is an award-winning and up-and-coming author for the women's romance market.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 1, 2019
3.5 stars
Fall is in the air and the children are excited for Halloween. Tess Crawford, baker and adoring "aunt" to her best friend Honey's kids, volunteered to help out at the kids' school carnival. Tess enjoys seeing the excited children devour her cupcakes and run around in costume. Even the adults get in on the costume fun. The one thing Tess never expected from the school carnival was to discover another dead body of Francine Clark, a beloved teacher. The whole community is upset by Francine's death and doubts Detective Tingey's ability to solve the crime. Honey's son begs his Auntie Tess to investigate and who is she to resist the pleas of a small boy? Tess soon learns than Francine was not universally loved. She was involved in a quilt block pattern feud with Mary Ellen, another member of the quilting guild. Detective Tingey zeroes in on Mary Ellen as the killer but Tess's instincts say Mary Ellen is too nice to kill even if she did have a falling out with Francine. Tess has her hands full with this investigation which seems to lead nowhere and she has to help her assistant Lenny deal with pre-wedding preparations and pre-wedding jitters all while trying to revive her own love life!
I really like the world the stories are set in. The cozy charm of the bakery and the town is done quite well. I skipped the second book in the series and felt a little lost as to who some of the characters were and how Tess grew her business so quickly. I really can't stand children and would prefer Tess not to be so gung-ho about them but everything else I like. I love the baking portions of the novels and the recipes sound delicious! Coming in second for my favorite part is the slow burn relationship between Tess and Jack. I was not thrilled the love triangle was reintroduced late in the novel.
Mystery wise, the story fell a little short for me. I figured out who the killer was really early. It was kind of obvious and I would have expected Tess to figure it out sooner. She makes a stupid business blunder that anyone could have made but the scenario sent my senses tingling that something was going to happen. At least she did think to call the detective when she realized who it was.
The characters are pretty standard for this type of novel. Tess doesn't have a lot of personality. I like her but she isn't memorable. Jack is a sweetheart. I like that he's shy and takes his time getting to know Tess. He's a great dad although he spoils his daughter with treats as an excuse to see Tess. Sadie is kind of bratty. Honey is a fun sidekick. She's devoted to her family but is also devoted to Tess. She knows how to balance her life so she can have a little fun. I don't approve of her way of getting information about the victim. Lenny has some past issues he's dealing with. He is rough around the edges and difficult to get to know. He seems to love Tess like a sister. They tease each other a lot. We're told he's devoted to his fiance, Kat, but we don't see them together often enough. She is hardly in the story. Kat seems nice but I don't know her at all. As much as I love Jack, I do not love Shawn. Something about his personality turns me off. His arrogant, abrasive and determined. He comes on too strong and competitive for me.
Mary Ellen is the chief suspect for murderer. The weapon points right to her but Tess thinks Mary Ellen is not a killer because she's nice and likes children. I don't find her all that warm. She's proud and a bit stiff but I find her sympathetic. Like Tess, I don't think she is the killer, mainly because the killer could not have been stupid enough to leave a clue pointing back to herself like that. Brenda Joseph is Francine's nosy neighbor. She is a crazy cat lady and a terrible gossip. I really can't stand nosy gossips. Tess seems to like the woman but I find her crazy. I wouldn't put it past her to kill Francine in revenge for supposedly killing Brenda's "babies."
New characters are introduced that help further the mystery. Cole, a former high school football star, is a sad sack. He revels in retelling the story of his glory days and relishes being a hometown hero but still dreams of the big time. It's obvious he won't ever make it to the pros after 10 years stuck in his hometown. He's rather a tragic character because he lives a fantasy life in his own head. I find him creepy. Connie Larabee is also creepy, in a different way. She's a pushy stage mother who thinks her daughter is the best at EVERYTHING and ignores her daughter's happiness and well-being focusing instead on her daughter's fantastic future as a dancer/musician. She's rude to other mothers/aunts and insults their kids. I'm surprised she wasn't murdered! Tess thinks Connie might be so obsessed with the school pageant she may have murdered Francine over it. Ben, the mailman, seems to like Tess and can't take a hint. I find him a bit creepy but everyone else seems not to find his perky cheerfulness and friendly manner. Francine's unknown stalker is the most creepy man of them all. Why on earth the police couldn't figure it out I don't know.
Kat's family is awful! The men are chauvinistic pigs who claim to love their sister/daughter but don't love her enough to accept the man she's chosen to spend the rest of her life with. The women in the family are too meek for me. Melissa, Kat's mother, seems to rule the family silently with a velvet glove but I would rather see her call out the men for their disgusting comments and rude behavior.
I plan to read the next book in the series and hope Tess chooses Jack. I also plan to copy down some of the recipes!
Fall is in the air and the children are excited for Halloween. Tess Crawford, baker and adoring "aunt" to her best friend Honey's kids, volunteered to help out at the kids' school carnival. Tess enjoys seeing the excited children devour her cupcakes and run around in costume. Even the adults get in on the costume fun. The one thing Tess never expected from the school carnival was to discover another dead body of Francine Clark, a beloved teacher. The whole community is upset by Francine's death and doubts Detective Tingey's ability to solve the crime. Honey's son begs his Auntie Tess to investigate and who is she to resist the pleas of a small boy? Tess soon learns than Francine was not universally loved. She was involved in a quilt block pattern feud with Mary Ellen, another member of the quilting guild. Detective Tingey zeroes in on Mary Ellen as the killer but Tess's instincts say Mary Ellen is too nice to kill even if she did have a falling out with Francine. Tess has her hands full with this investigation which seems to lead nowhere and she has to help her assistant Lenny deal with pre-wedding preparations and pre-wedding jitters all while trying to revive her own love life!
I really like the world the stories are set in. The cozy charm of the bakery and the town is done quite well. I skipped the second book in the series and felt a little lost as to who some of the characters were and how Tess grew her business so quickly. I really can't stand children and would prefer Tess not to be so gung-ho about them but everything else I like. I love the baking portions of the novels and the recipes sound delicious! Coming in second for my favorite part is the slow burn relationship between Tess and Jack. I was not thrilled the love triangle was reintroduced late in the novel.
Mystery wise, the story fell a little short for me. I figured out who the killer was really early. It was kind of obvious and I would have expected Tess to figure it out sooner. She makes a stupid business blunder that anyone could have made but the scenario sent my senses tingling that something was going to happen. At least she did think to call the detective when she realized who it was.
The characters are pretty standard for this type of novel. Tess doesn't have a lot of personality. I like her but she isn't memorable. Jack is a sweetheart. I like that he's shy and takes his time getting to know Tess. He's a great dad although he spoils his daughter with treats as an excuse to see Tess. Sadie is kind of bratty. Honey is a fun sidekick. She's devoted to her family but is also devoted to Tess. She knows how to balance her life so she can have a little fun. I don't approve of her way of getting information about the victim. Lenny has some past issues he's dealing with. He is rough around the edges and difficult to get to know. He seems to love Tess like a sister. They tease each other a lot. We're told he's devoted to his fiance, Kat, but we don't see them together often enough. She is hardly in the story. Kat seems nice but I don't know her at all. As much as I love Jack, I do not love Shawn. Something about his personality turns me off. His arrogant, abrasive and determined. He comes on too strong and competitive for me.
Mary Ellen is the chief suspect for murderer. The weapon points right to her but Tess thinks Mary Ellen is not a killer because she's nice and likes children. I don't find her all that warm. She's proud and a bit stiff but I find her sympathetic. Like Tess, I don't think she is the killer, mainly because the killer could not have been stupid enough to leave a clue pointing back to herself like that. Brenda Joseph is Francine's nosy neighbor. She is a crazy cat lady and a terrible gossip. I really can't stand nosy gossips. Tess seems to like the woman but I find her crazy. I wouldn't put it past her to kill Francine in revenge for supposedly killing Brenda's "babies."
New characters are introduced that help further the mystery. Cole, a former high school football star, is a sad sack. He revels in retelling the story of his glory days and relishes being a hometown hero but still dreams of the big time. It's obvious he won't ever make it to the pros after 10 years stuck in his hometown. He's rather a tragic character because he lives a fantasy life in his own head. I find him creepy. Connie Larabee is also creepy, in a different way. She's a pushy stage mother who thinks her daughter is the best at EVERYTHING and ignores her daughter's happiness and well-being focusing instead on her daughter's fantastic future as a dancer/musician. She's rude to other mothers/aunts and insults their kids. I'm surprised she wasn't murdered! Tess thinks Connie might be so obsessed with the school pageant she may have murdered Francine over it. Ben, the mailman, seems to like Tess and can't take a hint. I find him a bit creepy but everyone else seems not to find his perky cheerfulness and friendly manner. Francine's unknown stalker is the most creepy man of them all. Why on earth the police couldn't figure it out I don't know.
Kat's family is awful! The men are chauvinistic pigs who claim to love their sister/daughter but don't love her enough to accept the man she's chosen to spend the rest of her life with. The women in the family are too meek for me. Melissa, Kat's mother, seems to rule the family silently with a velvet glove but I would rather see her call out the men for their disgusting comments and rude behavior.
I plan to read the next book in the series and hope Tess chooses Jack. I also plan to copy down some of the recipes!
November 23, 2023
4 ¼ stars
Tess Honey Jack Shawn I enjoy this series; Tess may be a baker, but she's not cloyingly sweet. Her continued mishaps through the investigation add something to the story, and it's a bit humorous that best friend Honey is always the one pushing the sleuthing! The mystery is engaging, and Shawn's return just as things with Jack are moving forward brings an unexpected dimension. And the recipes are sublime! More exacting proofreading is the only small improvement needed.
Tess Honey Jack Shawn I enjoy this series; Tess may be a baker, but she's not cloyingly sweet. Her continued mishaps through the investigation add something to the story, and it's a bit humorous that best friend Honey is always the one pushing the sleuthing! The mystery is engaging, and Shawn's return just as things with Jack are moving forward brings an unexpected dimension. And the recipes are sublime! More exacting proofreading is the only small improvement needed.
September 19, 2013
Great read for the mystery lover. Fun setting, great characters. A cozy mystery with a fine romance angle too!
November 11, 2021
Loved it! I’m sad because there’s only one book left in this sweet series. I was happy to see Lenny and Kat married and will enjoy the next read discussing their new relationship.
I liked this conversation (aligns with my sometimes dark humor) - “Apparently someone isn’t happy about your search,” Honey said.
“You can always figure that out when they start trying to kill me.” - Tess.
True though. This is this book and about the sixth time Tess has had her life compromised by the killer. She has been beaten up, shot, and run off the road, but that never stops her from finding her killer!
I liked the description of Lenny and Kat’s cake and what it represented to Lenny (he’s the one who designed it and made it). From the book, “The layer was kind of dark gray—he’d told me it represented the confusion and mess his life was in before he met Kat.” Neat!
Since the next book is The last, I am holding onto Hope that Tess will choose the man she wants to be in a relationship with (will it be Shawn, Jack, or someone else entirely? Or maybe no one!)
Next and last book is Eggnog & Extortion (book # 4)
I liked this conversation (aligns with my sometimes dark humor) - “Apparently someone isn’t happy about your search,” Honey said.
“You can always figure that out when they start trying to kill me.” - Tess.
True though. This is this book and about the sixth time Tess has had her life compromised by the killer. She has been beaten up, shot, and run off the road, but that never stops her from finding her killer!
I liked the description of Lenny and Kat’s cake and what it represented to Lenny (he’s the one who designed it and made it). From the book, “The layer was kind of dark gray—he’d told me it represented the confusion and mess his life was in before he met Kat.” Neat!
Since the next book is The last, I am holding onto Hope that Tess will choose the man she wants to be in a relationship with (will it be Shawn, Jack, or someone else entirely? Or maybe no one!)
Next and last book is Eggnog & Extortion (book # 4)
October 19, 2019
I’m really loving this series by Heather Justesen. The plots move quickly & have enough twists & turns to keep you interested. There is enough romance with Tess being torn between Jack & Shawn to make things more light hearted. The relationship between Honey, Lenny, Kat & Tess make it clear they’ve become a family at heart. I really enjoyed the interactions with Kat’s family & the way Tess stood up for Lenny when they put him down. I really can’t wait for the next story to see what happens next!
October 13, 2018
When Tess finds yet another dead body she can't help but play junior sleuth and try to catch the killer. Of course tracking a killer can be dangerous and she does encounter a couple of close encounters. This third book in the Sweet Bites Mystery series is full of action and romance. There's an interesting love triangle that develops in this book so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a quick read with suspense and yummy recipes.
March 25, 2021
This series is one I always enjoy. For the most part, the stakes feel low (except when Tess finds herself confronting a murderer unexpectedly). It’s all about the pushing the solution out, except when it’s about Tess’ bakery or her employee or her live life.
This isn’t the series to come to for really working your brain out: it’sa relaxing small town cozy centered around a baker. A fun read when you want a story to occupy your attention
This isn’t the series to come to for really working your brain out: it’sa relaxing small town cozy centered around a baker. A fun read when you want a story to occupy your attention
May 29, 2023
Muffins and Murder
This was the third book in the series I have read. The author did a great job "reviewing" the previous two books to catch the reader up without repeating all the previous actions. The stories are fun to read but mysterious enough to keep you wondering "who done it". The characters are all well described and likeable, except for the bad guys. Muffins and Murder is the perfect book for those who enjoy reading mysteries which are fun.
This was the third book in the series I have read. The author did a great job "reviewing" the previous two books to catch the reader up without repeating all the previous actions. The stories are fun to read but mysterious enough to keep you wondering "who done it". The characters are all well described and likeable, except for the bad guys. Muffins and Murder is the perfect book for those who enjoy reading mysteries which are fun.
June 5, 2018
Third in a series involving a bakery chef in Arizona. Recipes included but wish they would all be in an appendix as it is disconcerting to turn the page for the next plot point and discover three pages of recipes. And the " de ions" about which of her two suitors she will select has gotten old. Make a decision!!
May 26, 2020
Am loving this series of books 📚Never read any by this author before but am now hooked. Now on book 4. Can't wait to see which Man Tess will choose. Am hoping the series will be long as I love the stories. Have got pictures in my head of what the characters look like and feel as though they are friends.
October 4, 2017
This was a great story and one that makes me want to read the next in the series. I really loved Jack and would like to see the outcome. This was a fun murder mystery with some clean romance. I love all of the recipes.
April 22, 2018
Love this series!
Interesting characters, intriguing plots and good old-fashioned romance make this a "don't miss" series!! Please keep them coming. Can't wait to read the next book.
Interesting characters, intriguing plots and good old-fashioned romance make this a "don't miss" series!! Please keep them coming. Can't wait to read the next book.
May 28, 2018
I found myself laughing out loud.
Between murder and mayhem Tess tries to discover a murderer and straighten out her love life. Things just get started with Jack on a possible serious note when guess who shows back up. Would not want to be in her shoes.
Between murder and mayhem Tess tries to discover a murderer and straighten out her love life. Things just get started with Jack on a possible serious note when guess who shows back up. Would not want to be in her shoes.
December 1, 2018
I love this series. It is the perfect blend of romance and suspense. The writing is well done. The plot moves quickly and steadily. I love the characters. I love the romance developing between Tess and both Jack and Shawn. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see who she chooses.
January 1, 2019
These are getting sillier. I guessed the murderer fairly early, and Tess is just starting to seem like a dope for not backing off investigating. Also, the romance subplot is so tame and wholesome and goofy.
March 25, 2019
Another good one
This series is consistently good. I like the character development and it's not too predictable. I do think I'm gaining weight though because I crave all the delicious treats Tess makes!
This series is consistently good. I like the character development and it's not too predictable. I do think I'm gaining weight though because I crave all the delicious treats Tess makes!
January 4, 2020
Light-hearted fun, but predictable
These books are light-hearted, fun and easy reads. So far I’ve enjoyed them. This one however, was just to easy. I had the killer pegged when they made their first appearance.
These books are light-hearted, fun and easy reads. So far I’ve enjoyed them. This one however, was just to easy. I had the killer pegged when they made their first appearance.
February 25, 2020
Another fun and interesting adventure. Unfortunately I read this out of order to the other books, but it all worked out and cleared up some questions I had after reading the 4th book.
Character development just keeps getting better and more well rounded. Just an enjoyable book all round.
Character development just keeps getting better and more well rounded. Just an enjoyable book all round.
September 9, 2022
Tess is always finding bodies. Doing questioning and preparing for Lenny's wedding is having her life filled with distractions. Now with a new relationship with Jack, back comes Sean. What will Tess do now? Good series.
July 15, 2018
I love these books! They are so sweet and fun. I love the development between Shawn and Jack with Tess, though I won't give anything away.
October 26, 2017
Another good one
I am truly enjoying this series. Just ordered book four so that I can read what happens next. You will like the series .
I am truly enjoying this series. Just ordered book four so that I can read what happens next. You will like the series .
January 2, 2019
Juustesen does it again!
What a delightful cozy mystery. Tess gets into trouble just by standing next to it. Nice love triangle. I can't wait to see how it works out.
What a delightful cozy mystery. Tess gets into trouble just by standing next to it. Nice love triangle. I can't wait to see how it works out.
July 19, 2019
What a fun mystery! Love the cast of characters.
November 23, 2019
Cute!
Another excellent installment in the Sweet Bites series! I love the mystery and the laughs. The love triangle is is an interesting plot twist the I enjoy!
Another excellent installment in the Sweet Bites series! I love the mystery and the laughs. The love triangle is is an interesting plot twist the I enjoy!
May 5, 2020
Love the the recipes.
June 30, 2020
I have really enjoyed this author’s mysteries!
October 3, 2014
I am pretty sure Tess suffers from "Jessica Fletcher Syndrome", cause she can't go anywhere without finding a dead body. Seriously, every event she attends!
This is a very entertaining and engaging series, despite reality issues. If you can suspend disbelief you will really enjoy the whole thing! I love Tess and her quirky gang of curious troublemakers. The family feel of this whole series.
The love triangle is going to annoy me, I hate when they have to choose between two great guys!! I read too many naughty romances where they never have to choose, yeah for erotic romances!!
The mystery this time is another stretch but not totally unreal. I do wish the people would stop acting like the police are incompetent or not doing their job. The detective is totally on the ball, he just doesn't get the small talk/gossip like Tess. People always want murders solved in a matter of days, these things take time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Pamela Almand, who is terrific. She has a great pace that really helps the story move along. I love Lenny's tough guy accent, it really sells him. The women's voices are very similar but have enough of a change that you can tell who is speaking when the dialogue ping pongs back and forth. I really hope the series stays with Ms Almand, as she has a great feel for the characters and story movement!
This series is a not so guilty pleasure, I love the atmosphere of the mall town full of busybodies! I don't mind the recipes throughout but thought they would better serve folks if they were put at the end of the book. This way if a reader wanted to try one they did not have to go through the entire audio to locate the one they wanted. Not everybody is hip to the bookmark button on Audible.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
This is a very entertaining and engaging series, despite reality issues. If you can suspend disbelief you will really enjoy the whole thing! I love Tess and her quirky gang of curious troublemakers. The family feel of this whole series.
The love triangle is going to annoy me, I hate when they have to choose between two great guys!! I read too many naughty romances where they never have to choose, yeah for erotic romances!!
The mystery this time is another stretch but not totally unreal. I do wish the people would stop acting like the police are incompetent or not doing their job. The detective is totally on the ball, he just doesn't get the small talk/gossip like Tess. People always want murders solved in a matter of days, these things take time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Pamela Almand, who is terrific. She has a great pace that really helps the story move along. I love Lenny's tough guy accent, it really sells him. The women's voices are very similar but have enough of a change that you can tell who is speaking when the dialogue ping pongs back and forth. I really hope the series stays with Ms Almand, as she has a great feel for the characters and story movement!
This series is a not so guilty pleasure, I love the atmosphere of the mall town full of busybodies! I don't mind the recipes throughout but thought they would better serve folks if they were put at the end of the book. This way if a reader wanted to try one they did not have to go through the entire audio to locate the one they wanted. Not everybody is hip to the bookmark button on Audible.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
July 4, 2014
"Yum. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes."
I wasn't very impressed with this Muffins and Murder book. It wasn't at all what I expected. I was hoping for more of a fun listen with a character I could better identify with. I'm glad I had the opportunity to check it out though. I've read similar books to this one in the past. The physical book. But I think with the audio version of this book the recipes should have been an optional listen at the end of the story as an author's note. I would have liked more of a character build up from the beginning. It was confusing when you factor in the interruption with the recipes. I would definitely consider listening to more of Pamela Almand’s performances because I think she has the voice. It's there. She speaks clearly and pleasantly. This book wasn't a match for her. It felt awkward and controlled. Once she finds her story, her character and relaxes into it, she is going to be outstanding! I look forward to watching her improve. If this book were a movie, I would consider going to see it. I think with a few tweaks it would be so much more entertaining. I could see it as a movie.
I wasn't very impressed with this Muffins and Murder book. It wasn't at all what I expected. I was hoping for more of a fun listen with a character I could better identify with. I'm glad I had the opportunity to check it out though. I've read similar books to this one in the past. The physical book. But I think with the audio version of this book the recipes should have been an optional listen at the end of the story as an author's note. I would have liked more of a character build up from the beginning. It was confusing when you factor in the interruption with the recipes. I would definitely consider listening to more of Pamela Almand’s performances because I think she has the voice. It's there. She speaks clearly and pleasantly. This book wasn't a match for her. It felt awkward and controlled. Once she finds her story, her character and relaxes into it, she is going to be outstanding! I look forward to watching her improve. If this book were a movie, I would consider going to see it. I think with a few tweaks it would be so much more entertaining. I could see it as a movie.
September 25, 2013
Book 3 in the sweet bites mystery series. These are best read in order. I like them all and await the next book in the series Eggnog & Extortion coming this fall. I checked amazon and it's not available for pre-order.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews