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Undercover: A Matchmaker Pearl Romantic Mystery
Pearl Waterman, co-owner of the My My Cupcake bakery, believes that if she knows anything, its love and cupcakes. So when her matchmaking ability is challenged, she agrees to an outlandishly risky bet. Equipped with overconfidence and a healthy dose of delusion, she sets out to prove her matchmaking abilities by finding Becky Adams the love of her life.
Using twenty-first century technology with her nineteenth century romantic sensibilities, Pearl lands in the middle of a very real FBI investigation led by Special Agent Michael Hanson. Hanson is so desperate to resurrect his career that he accepts a no-win case with two wayward young agents. As the crime spree gains momentum, his chance of succeeding hinges on enlisting the help of a beautiful and smart police sergeant with an agenda of her own. As their paths mix together, will this become a recipe for disaster or will Hanson and Pearl solve it before they both get burned?
Using twenty-first century technology with her nineteenth century romantic sensibilities, Pearl lands in the middle of a very real FBI investigation led by Special Agent Michael Hanson. Hanson is so desperate to resurrect his career that he accepts a no-win case with two wayward young agents. As the crime spree gains momentum, his chance of succeeding hinges on enlisting the help of a beautiful and smart police sergeant with an agenda of her own. As their paths mix together, will this become a recipe for disaster or will Hanson and Pearl solve it before they both get burned?
330 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2013
38 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 25, 2018
This was a good first book in the series. There were a lot of characters introduced at once, but I didn't have too much trouble following who was who. I thought Pearl was absolutely hilarious! :) Not everyone will like her, though. She's a little...dense, I guess. She gets herself into all kinds of funny situations because she assumes things incorrectly. This book also has a second point of view, from an FBI agent. He's well-written, too. The story line was fascinating even if there wasn't any murder. If you like small towns and quirky characters, this series is for you. I can't wait to read the next one. :)
I was disappointed that not one cupcake recipe was given. And they all sounded so scrumptious. :( With names like Presumed Innocent Praline, Anjou Sidecars (pear cupcake with pear brandy buttercream frosting), and Berry Champagne White cupcakes (white cupcake with champagne buttercream frosting topped with raspberry and dark chocolate). I would have really liked to try some of them...
I was disappointed that not one cupcake recipe was given. And they all sounded so scrumptious. :( With names like Presumed Innocent Praline, Anjou Sidecars (pear cupcake with pear brandy buttercream frosting), and Berry Champagne White cupcakes (white cupcake with champagne buttercream frosting topped with raspberry and dark chocolate). I would have really liked to try some of them...
January 8, 2015
My Rating:
4.75
Favorite Quotes:
“Matchmaking is my special gift, although I use it sparingly. There are only so many hours in the day. However, some situations are so dire that one has literally no choice but to make the time.”
“Over the years, he’d found many effective tips for dealing with his mother in various FBI manuals regarding hostage negotiations.”
“I tried to send an SOS message telepathically to Shirley, who stood at the register counting change in the till as if the coins were rare artifacts.”
“If someone went into her house, I was positive they’d find Hansel and Gretel, and possibly Jimmy Hoffa.”
My Review:
This was not at all what I was expecting but I enjoyed this cleverly written tale. I frequently smiled and even chuckled aloud a few times at the word play and crafty humor. Ms. Brendan adroitly captures the nuances of small town living - including the snoopiness and gossiping nature of not just women but men, petty jealousies, and arrogance - and does so in a humorous and highly entertaining manner. The heroine, Pearl, optimistically fancies herself as an infallible matchmaker and visionary, who can instinctively envision the tragic pasts holding back those she sees in need of her “special attention” and expert guidance in love. Guidance, that of course, only she is capable of providing. Pearl has such an active imagination and becomes so deeply invested in her scenarios that she has caused more than a few mishaps and subsequent arrests with her antics and meddling, which she shrugs off as harmless misunderstandings. This book is tame and could be read by my elderly mother and her Sunday School book club set, yet is entertaining enough to hold the attention of a more worldly and jaded character such as myself. I personally would categorize this as a cozy mystery and would not call this a romance by any stretch, despite the fact that Pearl’s best intentions of matchmaking would hope to lead us in that direction.
4.75
Favorite Quotes:
“Matchmaking is my special gift, although I use it sparingly. There are only so many hours in the day. However, some situations are so dire that one has literally no choice but to make the time.”
“Over the years, he’d found many effective tips for dealing with his mother in various FBI manuals regarding hostage negotiations.”
“I tried to send an SOS message telepathically to Shirley, who stood at the register counting change in the till as if the coins were rare artifacts.”
“If someone went into her house, I was positive they’d find Hansel and Gretel, and possibly Jimmy Hoffa.”
My Review:
This was not at all what I was expecting but I enjoyed this cleverly written tale. I frequently smiled and even chuckled aloud a few times at the word play and crafty humor. Ms. Brendan adroitly captures the nuances of small town living - including the snoopiness and gossiping nature of not just women but men, petty jealousies, and arrogance - and does so in a humorous and highly entertaining manner. The heroine, Pearl, optimistically fancies herself as an infallible matchmaker and visionary, who can instinctively envision the tragic pasts holding back those she sees in need of her “special attention” and expert guidance in love. Guidance, that of course, only she is capable of providing. Pearl has such an active imagination and becomes so deeply invested in her scenarios that she has caused more than a few mishaps and subsequent arrests with her antics and meddling, which she shrugs off as harmless misunderstandings. This book is tame and could be read by my elderly mother and her Sunday School book club set, yet is entertaining enough to hold the attention of a more worldly and jaded character such as myself. I personally would categorize this as a cozy mystery and would not call this a romance by any stretch, despite the fact that Pearl’s best intentions of matchmaking would hope to lead us in that direction.
June 23, 2018
A. Dandelion Mystery
Fun story but hard to follow with all of the different characters. Author had what I’d call rabbit trails with her characters. A cozy mystery that incorporated several different storylines in the book. I think I will have a note card for the different characters to help keep it straight.
Fun story but hard to follow with all of the different characters. Author had what I’d call rabbit trails with her characters. A cozy mystery that incorporated several different storylines in the book. I think I will have a note card for the different characters to help keep it straight.
January 30, 2018
A cute romantic mystery. Pearl drove me crazy throughout the story with her crazy belief in her matchmaking skills. I was wrong again and again guessing who the bad person was. Will read more of Delia Brendan stories.
March 19, 2018
Enjoyable Romantic Mystery
I had a good time reading this romantic mystery tale. It's filled with good humor, cute characters, and a fun storyline. No real sex, violence, or language.
I had a good time reading this romantic mystery tale. It's filled with good humor, cute characters, and a fun storyline. No real sex, violence, or language.
November 11, 2017
Great humour. Fortunately love finds its own way.
November 5, 2014
Kindle Copy for Review
For Pearl Waterman the co owner of My My Cupcake bakery baking yummy cupcakes is not enough to keep her busy. She fantasies that she is a matchmaker which h leads her down a slippery slope. Taking a bet that she can find Becky Adams the love of her life, hilarious situations occur.
While using modern technology with old fashioned notions, Pearl ends up in the middle of an FBI investigation where she becomes a suspect. Someone has been stealing money from different banks in the small town.
Special Agent Michael Hanson leads the FBI investigator and is undercover. He finds himself at Pearl’s bakery being a candidate for Becky. As the two of them end up joining forces to find the criminal in question will they find the criminal or is this a disaster in the making.
This is a quick and funny story that keeps us guessing and yes craving delicious cupcakes throughout the story.
For Pearl Waterman the co owner of My My Cupcake bakery baking yummy cupcakes is not enough to keep her busy. She fantasies that she is a matchmaker which h leads her down a slippery slope. Taking a bet that she can find Becky Adams the love of her life, hilarious situations occur.
While using modern technology with old fashioned notions, Pearl ends up in the middle of an FBI investigation where she becomes a suspect. Someone has been stealing money from different banks in the small town.
Special Agent Michael Hanson leads the FBI investigator and is undercover. He finds himself at Pearl’s bakery being a candidate for Becky. As the two of them end up joining forces to find the criminal in question will they find the criminal or is this a disaster in the making.
This is a quick and funny story that keeps us guessing and yes craving delicious cupcakes throughout the story.
November 26, 2013
Delia and Adrianne Lee are my two favorite mystery writers. You can't go wrong. This 1st in the Matchmaker Pearl series had me rolling on the floor with gut-wrenching laughter.
June 23, 2018
Cozy farce
This is a cross between Fawley Towers and Tinker Taylor Solder Spy. A really enjoyable romp with the back drop of bank fraud. For anyone who enjoys a different read. Loved it.
This is a cross between Fawley Towers and Tinker Taylor Solder Spy. A really enjoyable romp with the back drop of bank fraud. For anyone who enjoys a different read. Loved it.
owned-but-doubtful
March 17, 2018add ACE
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews