Secret Cookies

Cookie Corner #9

by Cindy Stark

Step into a world of unexpected twists and turns in this captivating paranormal cozy mystery series.

When a romantic afternoon turns into a chilling murder investigation, Evie and Caden find themselves at the local dressmaker’s shop. The poor seamstress being stabbed by her own shears is horrifying enough, but things become downright unnerving when Evie discovers the woman was wearing bride-to-be Chloe’s wedding gown.

Determined to save Chloe’s special day and catch the killer, Evie dives into a world of jealousy, lies, and cutthroat business rivalries. But in this small town where secrets are as rich as the cookies at the local bakery, Evie’s magical touch might be the only hope. With her nosey neighbor Gertie, her sweet familiar Kookie, and a spell that promises to reveal hidden truths, Evie is on the case.

Secret Cookies is the ninth book in the light-hearted and humorous Cookie Corner Cozy Mystery series. If you like the thrill of solving a murder, enjoy a sweet romance, and adore picturesque small towns with endearing and quirky characters, you’ll love these stories.

Grab your copy today!

Note: Does not contain gore or adult-situations.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2023

About the author

Cindy Stark lives with her family and a sweet Border Collie in a small town shadowed by the Rocky Mountains. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romances, and she loves to hear from readers.

Connect with her online at:
http://www.CindyStark.com
http://facebook.com/CindyStark19
http://twitter.com/CindyStark19

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Thank you!

Reviews

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We return to see Chloe and Officer Riley prepping for their upcoming wedding, with Evie helping out as her bestie. Caden had proposed to Evie and they are having a picnic at the beginning of the story. They are with Evie’s familiar, Kookie, the kitten. Police Chief Caden gets a call and they leave. There has been a murder! Finding out who it is, it has major repercussions for the upcoming wedding of Chloe and Riley. There are also a couple of surprises from Chloe’s past that show up. We learn more about Chloe and the town as well as what Riley was like in his younger days too. Some crazy stuff happens. Because the murder was personal, Evie, of course, gets involved as well as Kookie and of course, Riley and Caden and the rest of the police force. There are a lot of things uncovered in the book. But one thing I can tell you is that Aunt Birdie and Kookie remind Evie that she has to tell Caden the truth now that they are going to get married- that Aunt Birdie is living in her familiar, Theodosia’s body. These books, the whole series, is just wonderful mysteries. The witchy stuff is cool and in this book, there are some witchy surprises too. I really loved this book. I now say that this one is my fave. I’m really proud of Kookie the kitten. She is not only cute, but intelligent little fur baby, and perfect for Evie. I still feel a little bad for Kookie’s sister, Momo, as she is just a normal kitten. Every time Auntie has kitty wine, I laugh. The idea of it is just so funny. I can’t wait to read the next book. I adore Caden and how steadfast he has been to Evie, even when she didn’t remember him or her magic. I love the fact they fell in love with each other again and reinforced the old as well. Evie is really coming into her own. But that makes me worry. We’ll see if my worries are unfounded or not in the next books.

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

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caden, the Police Chief , Kookie, and Evie are enjoying a lazy day at the park. Evie is concerned about how to let Caden, her new fiance, know that Aunt Birdie lives in her familiar. But she focuses on other things like her bff Chloe's upcoming wedding. Then Caden gets a call...someone has been murdered. To her shock that someone is the woman making Chloe's wedding dress. When she sneaks a peak she notices the corpse is wearing Chloe's dress! Caden and Chloe’s fiancé, Officer Riley Weaver come out of the shop and Caden wants to know why she hasn't called for a ride. When she explains that she was going to call Chloe and then also tells them the victim was wearing Chloe's wedding gown the two men go still and quiet. Riley asks her to be there for her because she will be a basket case even more so now. Evie goes to get Chloe she's trying to figure out how to break the news. At the restaurant before she even can relay the bad news, a blast from the past in Chloe's live appears..her first love who left her when he went off to college. Then Evie drops all the bombs. Now they need to figure out what to do. Slowly more suspects are coming out of the woodwork. Now it's up to Evie to help her fiance with finding the murderer and making sure her bff has a fantastic wedding.
A fantastic and enthralling mystery.

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

[Lisa Menor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that Evie and Caden are engaged, it was time for her to explain the whole Aunt/cat thing that's been going on since Evie returned to Honeysuckle Springs. Evie was more than anxious about Caden's reaction, but they definitely needed to talk. That would have to be put on the back burner for the time being though, it seems the seamstress that was creating Evie's best friend's wedding dress was found murdered. Right now that seemed to be top priority.
With old residents seemingly close to the bride coming out of the woodwork, there sure seemed to be a lot of suspects to choose from. When Evie concocts a spell meant to help find the murderer, secrets meant to be kept are now being spilled and figuring out who had more of a motive is hard enough when you realize every person of interest is hiding something.

I LOVE, LOVE THESE QUICK WHODUNITS!!! Evie and Caden are an amazing team and I couldn't wait to see his reaction regarding Aunt Birdie! This was a fantastic read with just enough suspects to choose from. Every time I was convinced I knew who it was, I became more suspicious of another! I highly recommend this book and this incredible series!!!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed the Seamstress ? . . .

Witch Evie, her familiar Kookie, and Police Chief Caden are spending the beautiful day at the part. Since Evie and Caden are now engaged, Evie is trying to find the best time to tell him the awkward truth that her deceased Aunt Birdie is actually living in her familiar Theo’s body. Before they can get to that, Caden has to respond to a murder where the dressmaker Nan Collingsworth, working on a wedding dress for Evie’s best friend Chloe, is found dead with her own shears sticking out of her chest. She is also wearing Chloe’s wedding dress! Evie tries using a spell to track down the murderer, but things do not go well. With more and more suspects being discovered, can Evie assist Caden in finding the murderer? Will Chloe still proceed with her wedding or has the murder and destroyed gown made it too uncomfortable to move forward right now?

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-wedding jitters is one thing, but a pre-wedding murder is quite another. Time for our heroine to step in and solve the case before this ceremony is aborted before it even starts.

This is book nine of the series, but is works just fine as a standalone.

This is a cozy witch mystery, one of my current favorite genres. The story is well written and easy to read with a simple small town setting that isn't actually that simple (although it is small). Our characters are well developed and have all the expected quirky traits of the genre. The mystery is a good one with some nice twists and turns along the way, as well as a bit of comic relief. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more in the series.

Highly recommended.

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

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon finding out about the murder, Evie was taken aback to discover that it was Chloe's wedding dressmaker. Evie also sees an unsettling detail that makes it seem personal.
Evie vows to help track down the person who took this person's life while supporting her best friend in any way possible.
There are some old faces from Chloe's past that make things murky.
Evie also has to tell Caden her secret, but the time is never right.

This was such a fun read as you get to revisit characters that have become friends while they deal with all the craziness surrounding them. You will just fall right in this book. It will be over before you are ready. I highly recommend reading this book/ series.

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

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just so sweet and special! There was some drama and a murder leading up to Chloe’s wedding, so having a good friend like Evie definitely came in handy especially due to her witchy talents. I enjoyed the chase to the showdown and the very ending was especially adorable! Can’t wait to see what these characters get into in the next book! I just love that sweet kitty Kookie!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah-ma-zing!

I keep saying with every new book in this series: this is my new favorite, but it keeps happening and I don’t know how the author manages to top the last each and every time! How she keeps this series fresh and interesting with every new instalment! If you’re a fan of paracozies and cats, then seriously, this is a true must-read series! Light-hearted and humorous, and just the perfect mix of everything I’m looking for in a paracozy. Don’t miss out on this fantastic series!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Cookies is a twisty, cozy mystery that grabbed and kept my attention. When a murder threatens to derail the wedding, Evie and Caden go into overdrive to find the murdered and kept the wedding on track. Of course, lots of suspects are lying in this small town full of interesting people. I enjoyed seeing the author wrap up all of the loose ends.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

secrets and suspicions are many as the wedding for Chloe and Riley approaches

some unusual characters appear on the scene, and more than one is a little off

can the wedding craziness be resolved in time for the I Dos ?

mysteries, magic, love and tragedies mix in a complex town watched over by more than a few witches, and a few charming police officers

[Janet Skold · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’re very satisfying stories. It was very emotional, but one that was appropriate for the series.

I’ve been enjoying the series thoroughly. Each book gets better and better. This one was a little on emotional side but very satisfying. I can’t wait for the next one. Then I’ll have a longer wait for the next after that.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth over lies

Seems like no one is truthful anymore. Cheating spouses, jealous wives, coveting what someone else has…but does it lead to murder? That’s where Evie and Kookie have to work their magic. And Evie has to let Caden in on her little secret before her hiding of the truth gets her in trouble. Good thing Kookie is around to remind her!

[Hilary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Series

Secret Cookies (Cookie Corner Paranormal Cozy Mysteries Book 9) by Cindy Stark. The local dressmaker is found stabbed to death by a pair of dressmaking scissors whilst wearing Chloe’s wedding dress. Evie and her familiar Kookie must investigate to save Chloe and Riley’s wedding.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely Good

Twisty crime strange people with not quite right answers. But the hero and heroine figured it all out in the end. Wedding complete, secrets revealed and it was a great finish. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Diane Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series. I like these characters and the plot of this book. I think Evie and Caden are one of my favorites that Cindy Stark writes. They're so perfect together. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I really liked the flow of this investigation but never even suspected the reason for the murder or how it was solved.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie and Caden trying to find the murderer of a seamstress that was wearing a wedding dress. Had help with the next door witch and then save Chloe’s wedding day. Good book!.

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

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed who?

I know this is the 9th book, but it was the best. Evies friend Chloes wedding dress was ruined with he dressmaker Nann in it. Many suspicions and new characters because of the wedding, so who killed who ?

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book in the Cookie Corner series by Cindy Stark. I can't wait for the next book.

[LE Eastman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet addition

This was another sweet addition to the cookie mysteries. We did not find out what happened to to some of the characters, but overall it was fun and sweet.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Cookie Corner Paranormal Cozy Mysteries. I love the familiar cats and the relationship between them and the main characters. Great mystery!

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitties

I just enjoy these stories about detective witches and talking kitties I don't ever think I will get my fill

[Sharon Rockteschel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missed the bakers

Love the cookie corner stories. All things turned out well in the end. Can't wait for book 10. I hope 11 is in the works.

[Diane Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful

This book was amazing. I can't believe.
How everything unraveled. Caden and Evie Work so well together. I can't wait for their wedding. Chloe and riley will do great.

[Carin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Funeral & A Wedding

Cute paranormal cozy mystery series. I enjoy reading each one. I love the characters and the writing is great. I look forward to the next book.

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy poor Chloe, this could have been a disaster but Evie's on the case. Magic, twists and mystery all combined to give maximum enjoyment and escape for readers. Evie is really growing as a witch and as a generally nice person. Secrets start to unravel. Amazing story.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series by Cindy Stark. I love the characters. The storyline keeps you wanting more.

[Michael David Zipf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I really like this series. It's not necessarily 100% realistic, but the books include likeable characters, and a few surprises, to y.

[Penny Perse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Cookies

Wow great story. Love how Caden believes her now and how they work together. Makes the stories much more loving.