Always the Killer Never the Bride

Pain in the Assassin Cozy Mysteries #1

by Addison Moore

My name is Eufrasia Canelli but everybody calls me Effie . I come from a big Italian family with big hearts, big appetites, and an even bigger bankroll that’s cleverly hidden from the IRS. I’m not married to the mob, I was born into it. Just last year, I was laid off from my career at a tech company and in an effort to keep from moving back home—I went crawling to the biggest crime lord I know—my Uncle Jimmy. He gave me two Dance at his strip club—or hunt down his enemies. Seeing that I’m no fan of public nudity, I opted for murder. Let’s just say my mortality rate so far is nil. Okay, so I’m not a straight shot but my Uncle Jimmy doesn’t seem to mind and I’m still raking in enough money to keep a roof over my head. I also took a part-time job at a local bakery. Not only do I get to satisfy my sweet tooth for free but I get a decent cover when I’m asked about my employment. But the darndest thing just happened at one of my gigs, someone dropped dead!
And guess who landed at the top of the suspect list?
Me. Now I’ve got to find the killer before I end up behind bars for committing a homicide that wasn’t even on my radar. I guess it’s true what they say—living in Honey Hollow can be murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

Unknown Binding

First published July 19, 2023

About the author

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Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of cozy mysteries and romance. Her new book MIDLIFE IN GLIMMERSPELL is NOW available! Read today!
Cosmopolitan Magazine calls Addison's books, "...easy, frothy fun!"
Humor with a side of homicide.


FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Amazon-->https://amzn.to/3AnyVhs Hibiscus Homicide Cruise is here! An impending divorce. An ornery homicide detective. The cruise of a lifetime. And ghosts. Midlife on the high seas is proving to be a real killer.
#Cozymystery #Kindleunlimited #mystery #PWF

Reviews

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it.

The characters are interesting, the plot is easily followed, and the premise is the main character trying to do her first real assassination. Her prior attempts went to the hospital, but the victims refused to report the attempts. Not exactly my type of story, but their are lots of funny parts. I do recommend this book.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie's New Adventure . . .

Eufrasia Margarita Canelli (“Effie”) is from a big Italian family and part of the mob run by her Uncle Jimmy. He offered her two choices to earn her way. She could dance in his strip club (uh, nope) or become his hit-person to take care of his enemies. She is not very good at that either, but working in a bakery supplements her income and is a safer response when someone asks where you work. She also got to meet a cute new detective, Cooper Knox.

Effie’s “hitman” assignment is to occur at a wedding, so she looks for her target. The victim, Lenny Ferretti, is munching on pastries at the moment. When she is ready to move in, he is again at the pastries and talking to a bald man whom he grabs by the necktie. She again tries to get to him when a balding man falls into her, hanging on as if she will hold him up, and wraps his arms around her as he moans. As she tries to push him off, her fingers brush something plastic on his arm, then he goes limp causing them both to fall on the floor. As she crawls out from under him, she sees it’s the guy Lenny was bullying at the pastries, Sergio Barone. And he has a syringe sticking out of his arm. When she becomes the primary suspect, she realizes she needs to track down the real killer – she doesn’t even get credit from her uncle for THIS one! Will she be able to find the culprit and clear her name? The fun has just started!

This storyline will keep the reader’s full attention on the intriguing events going on all around Effie. Grab your copy and see if she can get herself out of trouble… again.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addison Moore brings a new character to Honey Hollow in this spinoff from her Murder in the Mix Series. After Eufrasia, sorry, Effie Canelli, lost her tech job, she begged her uncle fora job. But when your uncle is a mobster, your choices are limited. For Effie, it was dance in his club or become a hitman, so she took choice 2. So far she hasn’t actually killed anybody but there has been a rash of gunshot injuries that people aren’t willing to press charges for. To keep her cover, she’s working part time for Lottie Lemon at the bakery. Not exactly the epitome of grace, she has a few memorable run-ins with hunky new detective in town, Cooper Knox. Too bad he’s the one investigating those mysterious shootings.

While attending a wedding in search of her latest mark, Effie is surprised when a guest literally drops dead on her. To keep her name off the suspect list, Effie starts investigating on her own, much to Cooper’s consternation. Sparks fly, a cute dog joins the mix, Aunt Cat & Carlotta wreak absolute havoc, & Uncle Jimmy is expecting results. All in all another amusing and enjoyable outing from Ms. Moore. Honey Hollow just got a bit more dangerous.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effie is a bit of a stereotypical Italian princess - except she is a computer geek, and does not do big hair, despite her addiction to boots, and maybe shoes, and her mom having a salon

her day job working for Lotte Lemon at her bakery keeps her in donuts, but her somewhat clumsy skills with a gun keep her working for her Uncle Jimmy and have improved his collections, if not her kill rate

A beautiful pup is probably the biggest heartthrob, though a detective or two are not far behind

Action and drama packed, with the kind of clumsy only those of us who have tripped over painted lines can appreciate

tarantella, no problem

crosswalks and speed bumps? maybe problematic

Effie is more a mayhem than murder kinda girl so far

can she solve mysteries, bake and keep Uncle Jimmy, a pup, a detective or two and herself happy?

love the fuzzy pup and the clumsy humorous and insightful adventures and commentary

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUPER cute!

I thought this was a fantastic new series that is part of the Murder in the Mix world. Effie works for Lottie at the bakery but it's mostly as a front, although the free baked goods is a plus!
She lost her job in IT a while back and went crawling to her uncle Jimmy for a job. So now she's the hired hitman for the mafia.... even though she hasn't actually had to kill anyone yet.

She's a bit of a menace of bad luck and has 1 too many run-ins with the new detective but after a man at the wedding party literally dies on her, she decides to figure out who murdered him so she isn't a suspect.

She and the detective, Cooper, are working together kinda to solve the murder. And having a bang up time as joint parents to their new adorable puppy!

This was ax great book and I'm excited to see where this series goes!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eufrasia Canelli, is known to her family and friends as Effie. Effie ends up in Honey Hollow, VT working at the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery that Lottie Lemon (from the Murder in the Mix series) owns.

Effie is the niece of Jimmy Canelli, a mobster and owner of the Red Satin Gentlemen’s Club. Unfortunately, Effie owes her uncle money which she can’t afford to pay back. He gives her a choice of dancing on stage or hunting down his enemies. Effie chooses the latter (which she’s not very good at…)

If you liked the Murder in the Mix series, I think you’ll like this series too. You’ll recognize some of the characters from the MITMix series and meet new characters too, like the “hunky” new Detective Knox from the Ashford Homicide Division.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant start to a new series. When Effie’s Mafia uncle Jimmy gives her an ultimatum in the job prospects to pay off her debts , she has to choose hitman or ‘ dancer’ at his ‘gentleman’s club’ Red Satin , not wanting any part of well showing her naked parts she chooses the former ,although she’s literally a bit hit and miss….who knew she’d be in the frame for a murder she didn’t commit or even try to… She’s also scored herself a part time job in Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery owned by none other than Lottie Lemon . Can the real culprit be apprehended before she’s slung in jail ….. There’s plenty of fun characters in this cosiest of mysteries. A laugh out loud , feelgood read that’s a compelling page turner . Ideal beach read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this one is a bit messed up. Our heroine is both an assassin (sort of) and our amateur sleuth, trying to solve a murder she didn't commit, but is certainly a suspect for. I love it!

This is book one of the series, so a fine place to start.

This is a cozy mystery with a dose of the mob thrown in for good measure. The story is well written and easy to read with a twisted little setup that is lots of fun. The characters are well done and appropriately nuts, and I really love our heroine who is just trying to make ends meet (and stay out of jail). The mystery was a good one and everything moved at a nice pace providing a very enjoyable experience. Overall, a really fun story and I look forward to visiting our heroine again.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie might be the walking embodiment of Murphy’s Law. If it can go wrong, it will happen to her, and in the most spectacularly tragic and/or embarrassing way possible. This time, we’re taking a walk on the shadier side of Honey Hollow. We still get to see all our favorite Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery customers – and owner – but we also get to explore the mafia connections of the area. I’m loving the idea of an Inspector Clouseau version of an assassin. In fact, there was a bit of a Pink Panther feel to the whole story. Effie’s mishaps and pratfalls kept me guessing what was really going on. And the touch of “Romeo and Juliet” energy in that ending has made me very curious to see what will happen next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effie losses her job and she is hired by her Uncle Jimmy. She is now his hired gun. Effie has a job in Lottie's bakery while working for her uncle. He gives her a new job that will have her at a wedding. Effie is trying to figure out how to take care of her uncle's job when an unexpected death falls into her lap. Effie finds out how the hot guy is, and she is not sure how this will go now. She is determined to clear her name of this murder.

This was a fun read. Effie is an interesting character. I am enjoying the introduction to Canelli family in this series. Grab this book today and have fun diving into some crazy fun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good series starter.

When you are broke and unemployed and Uncle Jimmy gives you a choice of dancing on stage in his club or becoming his hit man there really isn’t much of a choice, is there? Effie isn’t that great of a dancer but she is an even worse hitman. She is surrounded by an extended Italian family full of zany women, and great cooks, but are over-the-top man hungry.

This cozy is a good series starter with a good mystery plot. It kept me guessing until the end with its twists. It’s an entertaining read with plenty of humor. I finished the book in one day. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Susa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lover her style!

Such a promising start for a new series.
Effie Canelly, her uncle’s best shot at offing people, and homicide detective Cooper Knox ‘team up’ to investigate the death of Sergio Barone who got killed at a wedding reception.
Just to be able to do the dirty deeds for her uncle, Effie needs to clear herself … so a very entertaining competition about who’s the better investigator starts between the protagonists.
Oh gosh yes, and there’s this cute puppy called Watson, who steals everybody the show …can’t wait to get the next book in this series 👍🏼.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stacie Bucholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new series by Addison Moore had me laughing out loud at the hijinks befalling Effie, or Eufrasia Canelli as known by her family. When you're born into a mob family, it's thought you would know your way around weapons. So hotshot Effie, a hired assassin, is actually a "not-shot" with her weapon. When an unexpected murder occurs, Effie gets a temporary reprieve from her assignment. A handsome detective keeps popping up in her life, and the two become an unlikely team to find a killer. All this while Effie tries to keep to her assignment in order to keep herself above ground. Enjoy this new series, you won't regret it!

[Melissa Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMgosh! I heard there was a new series so I rushed to make sure that I got a copy. I was not disappointed. I laughed as much as I was trying to find the clues for myself in this twisty suspenseful book. Effie is hilarious as the new sleuth in town but I still loved seeing Lottie and Noah. Cooper is great as the new angsty homicide detective. I absolutely fell head over heels for Watson. 🐱I love how the end of the book worked out and cannot wait to read the next one. I definitely recommend this one for anybody that loves cozy Mysteries with romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chuckled as I learned how Effie came to be a hit woman for the mob in Honey Hollow. I shook my head as I learned about her seasonal jump or her second job. Whose wedding do we find Effie at in chapter 1? I laughed at F's e-mail address at the beginning of chapter 2. Oh, Effie’s puns... who are Lottie and Suze? Who is Effie's shadow, Nikki? Who is Niko to each of them? Learning about the different members of Effie's family was entertaining. Who was the mystery man Ellie kept running into? When Effie takes doughnuts to the police station, hilarity ensues! I loved Meg's comment about dogs. Oh, I did not expect Jimmy's next mark for Effie!

[Mary Lou Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to love Watson!

Effie may be a hit woman for her Uncle Jimmy, but she’s been lucky so far. Her targets seem to be taken out before she has to shoot them. That might not be so this time. A very hot detective is trying to warn her to quit investigating, but she boldly goes where she shouldn’t. Enter Watson, a golden shepherd puppy who steals both her heart and the one of the detective, too.

A very cute cozy that’s well written and gives the reader characters for whom to care and a desire to read more about them

I recommend this book to anyone who loves cozies, amateur sleuths, and dogs.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effe is working for Lottie at the Bakery, that is her day job she is really a hired gun for her Uncle Jimmy. She is really bad hired gun for her Uncle Jimmy because she keeps missing her targets on the first and second try. She is sent to a wedding to kill someone and the wrong person ends up dead. Only she didn't do it and it trying to figure who the murderer is before she is put in jail. I highly recommend this book and find out how it ends.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effe gets hired by Lottie at the bakery but it's just a cover job because her full time job is as a hit woman for her Uncle Jimmy. I loved that Effe wasn't good at her job because she kept missing her mark. This is an entertaining read with quirky characters, a murder mystery, unexpected twists, a romance and the recipe at the end of the book was a delicious ending. This book had the perfect balance of mystery, romance, and humor. I can't wait to read the next book in the Pain in the Assassin Cozy Mysteries series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit wacky...

Effie is sweet but needed a job and her family has mob connections. Although she does not want to kill anyone and has not had to yet, her uncle gave her a job as an assassin. When scoping out her next mark at a wedding, another guest drops dead in her arms. She has managed to evade the law, but now she is a suspect. She'll need to clear her name before her past misdeeds can come to light, not to mention hamper her future endeavors.

Loved the crossover with Lottie Lemon as Effie works at the bakery. Cooper and she get along better than expected too but...

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always the Killer Never the Bride is the first installment of Pain in the Assassin Cozy Mysteries series written by Addison Moore. Mrs. Moore brings a new character to Honey Hollow in this spinoff from her Murder in the Mix Series. This storyline keep me the reader’s full attention on the intriguing events going on all around Effie. This was a great book and I'm excited to see where this series goes!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina Helzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book. I had so much fun learning more about some of the newer characters in Honey Hollow. It was such a great and fun read. Learning more about Eufrasia Canelli and also the homicide detective that has taken the lead roll in the death of a wealthy man at the wedding of the year. Will Eurfrasia be convicted of this murder or will she get off the suspect list???.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie's uncle gives her a choice to pay off her debts. Dance at his gentleman's club or become a hitman. Not wanting to show any of her naked parts, she chooses to become a hitman, but she's not the best and get blamed for a murder she hasn't committed. Can she find the real killer before she ends up in prison.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Effie from the very beginning and she just got better the more you got to know her and whilst she didn't choose the life she now leads there is never a dull moment! Throw in Cooper, a body she had nothing to do with and the need to get the job done this was a perfect way to start this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything to keep you completely interested and turning pages. From great characters to a suspenseful plot with lots of twists, humor and even a recipe. I had so much fun trying to solve the mystery/murder. Loved my time in Honey Hollow and I can't wait for the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Half Bad

Surprisingly good. I kept waiting for one of the things about cozies that tend to drive me ‘round the twist….but it never happened. I do not know how the series can continue as it has begun. I believe that the fact the MC has a good relationship with her family might have been much of what made the story more tolerable.

[SpadesQueenTLF · Rating 5 out of 5]

New interesting series still tied to murder in the mix characters

This series works of the shadowed backs of the bakery. And e plores the seeder side of the crime families only briefly detailed in murder in the mix more in depth and well as the neighboring town to honey hollow, leeds. The crime syndicate side story of things is told here. Enjoy.

[CMLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy mafia mystery in one of my favorite towns? Count me in!

Effie is not having a good time at this point and it's so not getting better. Uncle Jimmy is depending on Effie to get her target but then everything goes just a little sideways.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been feeling so great lately, but reading this book brought me a bit of happiness. The characters, the plot and the writing were all spot on and I look forward to reading whatever comes next in the series!

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just couldn't put it down! I laughed so much. The characters and the humor were hysterical. Perfect balance of romance and comedy. Hooked from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to a new series. The character work and story line were well written and kept me laughing from start to finish. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.