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Fresh-Baked Mystery #9
Trick or Deadly Treat
It’s Halloween in Weatherford, Texas—which means Phyllis Newsom is baking up a storm of yummy seasonal treats...but she’s about to get even busier unmasking a killer.
While Phyllis and her friend Carolyn are preparing for a baking contest, her housemate Sam adopts Buck, an adorable Dalmatian who was hit by a car. To thank local veterinarian Hank Baxter for helping the dog, Phyllis and Carolyn bake a batch of doggie treats for his other four-legged patients.
But when they arrive at the clinic, the vet is in the process of being arrested—for the murder of his wife! Convinced that the police are barking up the wrong tree and that someone’s been burying evidence, Sam begs Phyllis to help find the real killer. Joined by Buck, the friends engage in a dogged pursuit of the murderer, who will stop at nothing to muzzle them…permanently.
Includes Recipes
While Phyllis and her friend Carolyn are preparing for a baking contest, her housemate Sam adopts Buck, an adorable Dalmatian who was hit by a car. To thank local veterinarian Hank Baxter for helping the dog, Phyllis and Carolyn bake a batch of doggie treats for his other four-legged patients.
But when they arrive at the clinic, the vet is in the process of being arrested—for the murder of his wife! Convinced that the police are barking up the wrong tree and that someone’s been burying evidence, Sam begs Phyllis to help find the real killer. Joined by Buck, the friends engage in a dogged pursuit of the murderer, who will stop at nothing to muzzle them…permanently.
Includes Recipes
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
44 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Livia J. Washburn
64 books348 followersUnder the names Livia J. Washburn and L.J. Washburn, Livia Reasoner has been writing award-winning, critically acclaimed mystery, western, romance, and historical novels for more than thirty years. She began to write in collaboration with her husband, author James Reasoner, and soon branched out into telling her own stories. She received the Private Eye Writers of America award and the American Mystery award for her first mystery, WILD NIGHT, and was nominated for a Spur by the Western Writers of America for a novel she wrote with her husband, James Reasoner. Livia won the Peacemaker Award from Western Fictioneers for her story “Charlie’s Pie”.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 26, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this 9th Fresh Baked Mystery the tables are turned a bit as Sam is the one leading the investigation. Sam met Dr. Hank Baxter when he rescued a wonderful dalmatian after it had been hit by a car. The vet takes such good car of the dog, who Sam has named Buck, that when Hank is arrested Sam feels the great need to help him. Sam seems to hit one brick wall after another so Phyllis agrees to help him out. Carolyn and Phyllis are trying to win another cooking contest for a national magazine. They have a personal competition to see who can make the best doggie treats too. Eve is in the background of this story so all the roommates are accounted for. Let the fun begin!
Okay let’s get it out of the way. Hank Baxter’s wife was a first class snob and I instantly disliked her so when she ended up dead I was not surprised. What truly surprised was the way the mystery played out. We know the spouse it always the first suspect and the police are usually wrong on that assumption. Ms. Washburn took us through many twists and turns on the highways through Texas and in finding the actual killer as well.
Phyllis, Carolyn, Eve and Sam are a very engaging group of characters. They all live together and muddle through day to day life but trouble just seems to follow them. They appear to be unflappable most of the time. Phyllis and Sam are smart and have a very methodical way of investigating. Sam was on the right track he just needed to be able to talk things through with Phyllis to go forward. The dialogue between the characters is top-notch. I love that they have added a dog to their little family.
Livia J. Washburn has penned a delightful story. This is a perfect book to curl up on these cool Autumn nights especially with Halloween just a week away.
In this 9th Fresh Baked Mystery the tables are turned a bit as Sam is the one leading the investigation. Sam met Dr. Hank Baxter when he rescued a wonderful dalmatian after it had been hit by a car. The vet takes such good car of the dog, who Sam has named Buck, that when Hank is arrested Sam feels the great need to help him. Sam seems to hit one brick wall after another so Phyllis agrees to help him out. Carolyn and Phyllis are trying to win another cooking contest for a national magazine. They have a personal competition to see who can make the best doggie treats too. Eve is in the background of this story so all the roommates are accounted for. Let the fun begin!
Okay let’s get it out of the way. Hank Baxter’s wife was a first class snob and I instantly disliked her so when she ended up dead I was not surprised. What truly surprised was the way the mystery played out. We know the spouse it always the first suspect and the police are usually wrong on that assumption. Ms. Washburn took us through many twists and turns on the highways through Texas and in finding the actual killer as well.
Phyllis, Carolyn, Eve and Sam are a very engaging group of characters. They all live together and muddle through day to day life but trouble just seems to follow them. They appear to be unflappable most of the time. Phyllis and Sam are smart and have a very methodical way of investigating. Sam was on the right track he just needed to be able to talk things through with Phyllis to go forward. The dialogue between the characters is top-notch. I love that they have added a dog to their little family.
Livia J. Washburn has penned a delightful story. This is a perfect book to curl up on these cool Autumn nights especially with Halloween just a week away.
December 6, 2014
My decision to forsake cozy mysteries,for at least one year, couldn't have come at a more opportune moment. I really need to stay away from these type of books since, either they are getting worse, or I have been noticing the duds more now. Or, more simply, there are other books, even entire genres out there that are promising a higher % of enjoyable books.
I had enough confidence going in with Trick or Deadly Treat. I had the book for some time. I was waiting for December to read it. I knew that the coziness of the book would coincide with the festive month. Well, the book had its moments, but it's a rehash of its immediate predecessor, as far as the plot goes. Too many times in this series the murderer commits a faux pas, and hey presto, Phyllis can solve the mystery. I admit that I didn't solve it myself, but I knew enough to remember that there were no new ideas in book 9 of the series. I know what you'll say; all criminals have a lapse. That's how they get caught right? Well here, the device often employed is that the criminal outright says something he or she is not supposed to say. Here it was something she was not supposed to know. Before that it was something of the like, a mismatched testimony or something. Bottom line is I think Livia J. Washburn has run out of ideas, and until she is inspired or plagiarizes another better work, I'll stay away from the genre. I'm going to read two more cozies this month and they will be the last ones until 2016.
I know that writers can't keep coming up with good ideas, especially brilliant solutions to puzzling and baffling murders. Hell, most of the immortal Agatha Christie books were written in the 30's, after which she had to change her priorities. That's what Washburn didn't do well. I would have been satisfied with a decent B-plot or side story. But the author demonstrated her laziness with the way her secondary characters were dealt with. Eve and Caroline. What gives with them? They had nothing to do. I could think of one or two things for them. Surely the author could have too, if she were motivated enough. Eve could have been at her catty self again, only to withdraw her claws at the last moment. And Caroline could have been more competitive - would she ever win a contest again? - or been at odds with Sam in the beginning about the dog. But we got a poor book without the kind of thought that used to go in them. This is one of the books that has steered me away from cozies. PS - I have no love for dogs, but I'd like to think that had no impact on my final rating. I do hate stories involving pets but this subject was treated well enough, so it didn't bother me.
I had enough confidence going in with Trick or Deadly Treat. I had the book for some time. I was waiting for December to read it. I knew that the coziness of the book would coincide with the festive month. Well, the book had its moments, but it's a rehash of its immediate predecessor, as far as the plot goes. Too many times in this series the murderer commits a faux pas, and hey presto, Phyllis can solve the mystery. I admit that I didn't solve it myself, but I knew enough to remember that there were no new ideas in book 9 of the series. I know what you'll say; all criminals have a lapse. That's how they get caught right? Well here, the device often employed is that the criminal outright says something he or she is not supposed to say. Here it was something she was not supposed to know. Before that it was something of the like, a mismatched testimony or something. Bottom line is I think Livia J. Washburn has run out of ideas, and until she is inspired or plagiarizes another better work, I'll stay away from the genre. I'm going to read two more cozies this month and they will be the last ones until 2016.
I know that writers can't keep coming up with good ideas, especially brilliant solutions to puzzling and baffling murders. Hell, most of the immortal Agatha Christie books were written in the 30's, after which she had to change her priorities. That's what Washburn didn't do well. I would have been satisfied with a decent B-plot or side story. But the author demonstrated her laziness with the way her secondary characters were dealt with. Eve and Caroline. What gives with them? They had nothing to do. I could think of one or two things for them. Surely the author could have too, if she were motivated enough. Eve could have been at her catty self again, only to withdraw her claws at the last moment. And Caroline could have been more competitive - would she ever win a contest again? - or been at odds with Sam in the beginning about the dog. But we got a poor book without the kind of thought that used to go in them. This is one of the books that has steered me away from cozies. PS - I have no love for dogs, but I'd like to think that had no impact on my final rating. I do hate stories involving pets but this subject was treated well enough, so it didn't bother me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2016
Around September I love to dig into some fall themed books. I really don't care what the story is about as long as it feels like fall in the telling of the story. If you are looking for a fall or Halloween themed book don't bother with this one. Halloween is over and done within the first 3rd of the book and is NEVER mentioned again. It's more like the book was already written and then it was decided they needed to cover a holiday and forced in Halloween right in the beginning. Frankly any holiday could have been tucked into the beginning and it wouldn't have made a bit of difference. Throughout the whole book you'd never even know it was fall, as the there was only one mention of crunching leaves in the backyard. As for the story, it wasn't horrible, it's just generic. This is a cozy mystery similar to Murder She Wrote, although not as good, even one of the character's names if Sam Fletcher. There are other books in the series that cover holidays which I would still want to read despite the generic storyline however, since the main goal was to 'feel' the holiday/season within the story, judging by this one, I don't think I'll bother.
November 10, 2014
I love Livia Washburn's books. Her characters are great and so are the recipes!
April 14, 2017
It's autumn in Weatherford, Texas. Retired schoolteacher Phyllis Newsom and her boarder Sam Fletcher are looking for a dog for the house. The dog is more for Sam than for Phyllis. At the animal shelter, a worker brings in a Dalmation with an injured leg who is a likely stray. Sam decides to adopt the dog and takes the dog to the vet recommended by the shelter, Dr. Hank Baxter. It is obvious Dr. Baxter is good with animals, but Phyllis and Sam overhear a heated argument between Hank and his wife Susan, a surgeon. Later, Susan is found dead in her office, her head bashed in. Hank's fingerprints are on one of the medicine cabinets in Susan's office, and he is arrested for her murder. Sam cannot believe that Hank Baxter would kill his wife and begins looking into the murder, soon dragging Phyllis with him. The two discover illicit affairs and shady dog breeding practices. Will they uncover Susan's murderer in time to save Hank and his veterinary practice?
This book made for a quick cozy read. It was pretty clear to me who the murderer was, but this story had a better conclusion than some of the other books in this series. I liked reading about the recipes Phyllis and her boarder Carolyn Wilbarger were entering for the "A Taste of Texas" recipe contest.
This book made for a quick cozy read. It was pretty clear to me who the murderer was, but this story had a better conclusion than some of the other books in this series. I liked reading about the recipes Phyllis and her boarder Carolyn Wilbarger were entering for the "A Taste of Texas" recipe contest.
June 15, 2022
Phyllis takes 2nd place to Sam as he leads their investigation into their new pet's veterinarian. Sam decides to adopt a dog, and the shelter recommends a nearby vet. A few days later, the vet's wife is murdered. Sam likes how Dr. Baxter has been treating Buck, his Dalmatian, and decides to help find the real killer.
October 28, 2014
I really enjoy Livia Washburn's Fresh-Baked mystery series for several reasons. Her characters are good ol' Texas down-home folks, people you'd want living next door to you; the setting of Weatherford, Texas is realistic and charming; and the mysteries that Phyllis and her friends find themselves getting involved with are always interesting and intriguing.
In "Trick or Deadly Treat," I was thrilled to find Sam Fletcher, Phyllis' gentleman friend and fellow retired teacher, getting to take a leading role in the mystery-solving and he really shines in this story. The two other retired teachers who board at Phyllis' home, Eve and Carolyn, take a little bit of a back-seat in this tale, although Carolyn is still there competing with Phyllis to see who is the best baker amongst them (as has happened in previous stories) - this time they are trying out doggie treat recipes as well as recipes for a magazine contest. This little competition is a fun part of this series, and Washburn delights her readers with scrumptious recipes at the end of the book!
Washburn delivers a solid mystery with this book, along with all the fun. Her storytelling skills are evident in that readers will be surprised at "who dun it" in the end!
I highly recommend this book for a charming Halloween read, or a fun "anytime" read for cozy mystery lovers!
In "Trick or Deadly Treat," I was thrilled to find Sam Fletcher, Phyllis' gentleman friend and fellow retired teacher, getting to take a leading role in the mystery-solving and he really shines in this story. The two other retired teachers who board at Phyllis' home, Eve and Carolyn, take a little bit of a back-seat in this tale, although Carolyn is still there competing with Phyllis to see who is the best baker amongst them (as has happened in previous stories) - this time they are trying out doggie treat recipes as well as recipes for a magazine contest. This little competition is a fun part of this series, and Washburn delights her readers with scrumptious recipes at the end of the book!
Washburn delivers a solid mystery with this book, along with all the fun. Her storytelling skills are evident in that readers will be surprised at "who dun it" in the end!
I highly recommend this book for a charming Halloween read, or a fun "anytime" read for cozy mystery lovers!
October 13, 2015
Trick Or Deadly Treat is the ninth book of the A Fresh Baked Mystery series.
Sam Fletcher, Carolyn Wilbarger and Eve Turner, three retired teachers, all live with Phyllis Newsom in her big house in Wetherford, Texas. Carolyn and Phyllis enjoy having some friendly competition and Sam and Eve are the lucky recipients.
Sam has convinced Phyllis that it might be nice to have a dog, so they are at a local rescue looking over the dogs that are available for adoption. While they are looking a volunteer brings in a Dalmatian that was just hit by a car. Sam takes one look and says that is the dog that he wants, signs the necessary paperwork and heads up the road to Dr. Baxter to have the dog examined. When Phyllis and Sam return to get their dog, they find the police arresting Dr. Baxter for the murdering his wife. Sam feels he's innocent and takes and begins to investigate who else might have murdered Baxter's wife. Phyllis has had more experience with the amateur sleuthing and is soon helping Sam
The book has a wonderful and believable cast of characters. The book focuses more on Phyllis and Sam, but Carolyn and Phyllis' politely trying to outdo each other with the banter while cooking is also enjoyable.
This is the first book that I have read in this series, but will be looking forward to reading more.
Sam Fletcher, Carolyn Wilbarger and Eve Turner, three retired teachers, all live with Phyllis Newsom in her big house in Wetherford, Texas. Carolyn and Phyllis enjoy having some friendly competition and Sam and Eve are the lucky recipients.
Sam has convinced Phyllis that it might be nice to have a dog, so they are at a local rescue looking over the dogs that are available for adoption. While they are looking a volunteer brings in a Dalmatian that was just hit by a car. Sam takes one look and says that is the dog that he wants, signs the necessary paperwork and heads up the road to Dr. Baxter to have the dog examined. When Phyllis and Sam return to get their dog, they find the police arresting Dr. Baxter for the murdering his wife. Sam feels he's innocent and takes and begins to investigate who else might have murdered Baxter's wife. Phyllis has had more experience with the amateur sleuthing and is soon helping Sam
The book has a wonderful and believable cast of characters. The book focuses more on Phyllis and Sam, but Carolyn and Phyllis' politely trying to outdo each other with the banter while cooking is also enjoyable.
This is the first book that I have read in this series, but will be looking forward to reading more.
November 7, 2019
I had to force myself to finish this book. First off, the title has nothing to do with the book. There's one minor event dealing with Halloween. There are several rambling sections about traffic or times a changing that were not necessary. I didn't really care for any of the characters and didn't feel like they were well developed.
I was bugged in the first chapter by Sam going to the shelter to get a dog. He chooses a dog that comes in while he is there. No one checks to see if the dog has an owner. They just say it's probably a stray because it looks thin and tell him to take it to a vet. Later he talks about how well trained the dog is and must have had a good owner.
He also investigates a murder suspect who is someone he met once. Somehow he knows what a good person they are. Mkay. There are numerous times where I just felt there was no logic. It was just painful to read at times.
I was bugged in the first chapter by Sam going to the shelter to get a dog. He chooses a dog that comes in while he is there. No one checks to see if the dog has an owner. They just say it's probably a stray because it looks thin and tell him to take it to a vet. Later he talks about how well trained the dog is and must have had a good owner.
He also investigates a murder suspect who is someone he met once. Somehow he knows what a good person they are. Mkay. There are numerous times where I just felt there was no logic. It was just painful to read at times.
November 3, 2014
This was my first Livia Washburn mystery and I have to say that I really enjoyed this. I was able to easily get to know the characters even though this was book 9 in the series. I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The story flowed very easily and I enjoyed reading this on Halloween to get me into the spirit of the season. I will be picking up more of this author's books including the Christmas mysteries.
October 29, 2019
I enjoyed this entry in the series. Buck is adorable and I'm glad he joined the family. The part I found interesting about this book was Sam being the driving force behind the investigation and the reader getting to see things from his point of view more. Of course Phyllis was along to help and together they were able to solve the case at the same time. I like the characters in this series. There were also recipes included at the end, always a plus in my book.
April 1, 2020
I picked up a copy of this book several years ago at a library book sale. It was the kind of sale where you paid so much for a grocery bag of books- doesn’t matter how many or what kind... just whatever fits in the bag. I wasn’t planning on getting anything (I was with my grandmother who wanted to show me their newly renovated library) but then I found several books I wanted for my collection so I committed to an entire bag. This was one of the books that seemed interesting in the 5 seconds I took to look it over.
Each Fall for the past 3 years I have told myself to finally read this book. Welllll that obviously never happened. With this months book bingo, however, there was a square for a book that includes a recipe. I thought to myself “how perfect! This is fate! I must finally read this book!” Sooooo finally I did!
It was not particularly good. The writing seemed... lacking. Sort of fanfiction like. And by fanfiction like, I mean amateur... (I am so sorry Livia J. Washburn if you are reading this)
The writing and plot, to me, reminded me of someone trying to write their first piece. It wasn’t smooth... or realistic... or I don’t know. I can’t quite put it into words. It sounded like most fanfiction you find online.
Each Fall for the past 3 years I have told myself to finally read this book. Welllll that obviously never happened. With this months book bingo, however, there was a square for a book that includes a recipe. I thought to myself “how perfect! This is fate! I must finally read this book!” Sooooo finally I did!
It was not particularly good. The writing seemed... lacking. Sort of fanfiction like. And by fanfiction like, I mean amateur... (I am so sorry Livia J. Washburn if you are reading this)
The writing and plot, to me, reminded me of someone trying to write their first piece. It wasn’t smooth... or realistic... or I don’t know. I can’t quite put it into words. It sounded like most fanfiction you find online.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2015
I thought TRICK OR DEADLY TREAT would be just as good as the other books in the Fresh-Baked Mystery series, but I was wrong. It’s better!
Extremely well written with an entertaining plot, I was drawn into this story and didn’t want to stop reading. But it did start off in a dog kennel, so it was bound to win me over.
Author Livia J. Washburn’s wonderful cast of characters find themselves once again in the middle of a homicide. Why would someone kill such a good man as the local vet? As more and more questions came about, I found myself suspecting everyone, but having no true idea whodunit. That made the reveal even more exciting.
TRICK OR DEADLY TREAT is a mystery filled confection that is sure to thrill fans of this delightful series, as well as tempt new readers to take a taste.
Be sure to keep reading once the story is done for a ton of yummy recipes for humans and dogs! Plus read an excerpt from the next book in the Fresh-Baked series, THE CANDY CANE CUPCAKE KILLER. You had me at Cupcake Ms. Washburn. ;-)
Extremely well written with an entertaining plot, I was drawn into this story and didn’t want to stop reading. But it did start off in a dog kennel, so it was bound to win me over.
Author Livia J. Washburn’s wonderful cast of characters find themselves once again in the middle of a homicide. Why would someone kill such a good man as the local vet? As more and more questions came about, I found myself suspecting everyone, but having no true idea whodunit. That made the reveal even more exciting.
TRICK OR DEADLY TREAT is a mystery filled confection that is sure to thrill fans of this delightful series, as well as tempt new readers to take a taste.
Be sure to keep reading once the story is done for a ton of yummy recipes for humans and dogs! Plus read an excerpt from the next book in the Fresh-Baked series, THE CANDY CANE CUPCAKE KILLER. You had me at Cupcake Ms. Washburn. ;-)
November 13, 2020
This was a cute, easy to read, cozy mystery. This was #9 in a series of mysteries, and the first one I read. So, there was clearly some backstory, and while that didn't diminish from the enjoyment of the book it was clear I was walking into a series that was well underway. Phyllis and Sam are retired, and they are the sleuths of this series, or rather Phyllis is -- and Sam is typically her sidekick. But in this edition of the book, Sam is taking the lead in defense of the veterinarian who has been treating the Dalmatian he claimed when it was brought into the local animal shelter after being hit by a car. Since Buck loves the doctor, Sam figures that's a good enough reason for him to be innocent. There were several recipes included -- some for dog treats -- but none that I really wanted to try. A cute read, and if I ever get anywhere near the end of my TBR list, I wouldn't mind picking up another of this series.
October 25, 2014
This book was just ok. The storyline wasn't as exciting as some of Washburn's others. I found myself not caring who done it.
October 21, 2014
Love these books. I am going to try the berry oatmeal muffins at the end.
November 3, 2014
I loved this book, it was perfect for this time of year!
September 16, 2021
I felt when I started this book that I'd read it before, but no I started another one in the series and didn't finish it. Even with the addition of a dog, I just found the characters boring.
October 27, 2020
This year I felt compelled to overdose on Halloween themed cozy mysteries. Less calories than eating candy! First time reading one from this series.
Set in Texas, the story starts with Sam wanting to adopt a dog from the animal shelter. A Dalmatian that was hit comes in and Sam rescues him right to the vet’s office. His significant other Phyllis has been known to sleuth. They live with two other retired schoolteachers and they all have some interests during retirement like reading, Westerns, cooking contests, movies and crafts. They are savvy using the computer to search out things. During Buck’s recovery, Sam finds his new vet charged with the murder of his wife. He can’t believe this kind man is guilty and starts to investigate on his own and then encourages Phyllis to help him discover who really killed Dr. Susan Baxter (who is a surgeon and likes to let her husband know she is really a doctor because of her MD not DVM).
I found this cozy more story like than other series I have read, and the characters interacted as if life was normal, but they still solved a murder.
Set in Texas, the story starts with Sam wanting to adopt a dog from the animal shelter. A Dalmatian that was hit comes in and Sam rescues him right to the vet’s office. His significant other Phyllis has been known to sleuth. They live with two other retired schoolteachers and they all have some interests during retirement like reading, Westerns, cooking contests, movies and crafts. They are savvy using the computer to search out things. During Buck’s recovery, Sam finds his new vet charged with the murder of his wife. He can’t believe this kind man is guilty and starts to investigate on his own and then encourages Phyllis to help him discover who really killed Dr. Susan Baxter (who is a surgeon and likes to let her husband know she is really a doctor because of her MD not DVM).
I found this cozy more story like than other series I have read, and the characters interacted as if life was normal, but they still solved a murder.
July 28, 2017
Sam takes the lead in this volume of 'A Fresh Baked Mystery Series.' Phyllis, trying to stay out of mischief for her son's sake, Deputy Mike, lets Sam do the investigating of his Veterinarian's Wife's murder. That doesn't last for long...
Phyllis agrees to let Sam own a Dalmatian. The pup, Buck, quickly endears himself to the couple. Buck was being brought into the shelter as his leg was broken, he was starved and obviously a stray. Rushing to the nearest Vet., Sam and Phyllis take an instant liking to the gentle doctor.
During the annual Halloween party, the police arrive and arrest the good doctor for his wife's murder. Sam and Phyllis just 'know' that he didn't do it. And, we are off to find who did commit this crime.
It was fun seeing Sam work on the case. Of course, soon Phyllis joins him and they figure it out.
I look forward to the next volume of the series. Good recipes are included as well. Try the Chili!
Phyllis agrees to let Sam own a Dalmatian. The pup, Buck, quickly endears himself to the couple. Buck was being brought into the shelter as his leg was broken, he was starved and obviously a stray. Rushing to the nearest Vet., Sam and Phyllis take an instant liking to the gentle doctor.
During the annual Halloween party, the police arrive and arrest the good doctor for his wife's murder. Sam and Phyllis just 'know' that he didn't do it. And, we are off to find who did commit this crime.
It was fun seeing Sam work on the case. Of course, soon Phyllis joins him and they figure it out.
I look forward to the next volume of the series. Good recipes are included as well. Try the Chili!
October 22, 2024
This was my first time reading a cozy mystery and I really loved it! The atmosphere of the book felt like a warm hug during autumn despite the fact that there’s a murderer on the loose. All of the characters were fleshed out and the dialogue was entertaining, especially when Sam and Phyllis were investigating. It felt like I was a part of their mission to find out who had done it. Each time a chapter ended, it only made me curious on who did the crime and if it really was the veterinarian. I also love the little side baking and cooking competitions between Phyllis and Carolyn. I’m glad it has the recipes included because how it’s been described seemed delicious.
I know this is a part of a series but after my experience with this one, I really want to read the rest.
I know this is a part of a series but after my experience with this one, I really want to read the rest.
May 15, 2017
In this story, Sam gets a dog who is injured so they go to the vet that the rescue people recommend. Sam and Phyllis continue with followup visits and at Halloween go the the vet's party. While that is going on the police come and arrest the vet for the murder of his wife. Sam can't believe the vet is guilty so he starts trying to help him by asking questions. Eventually Phyllis joins him and they stay on the case. The book includes recipes including two for dogs. The book was a very quick easy read.
July 9, 2017
Phyllis Newsom's roommate and companion adopts a dalmation that was hit by a car. They take him to the vet to get him fixed up when the veterinarian gets arrested for the murder of his wife! Surely someone so good with animals wouldn't be able to kill someone. I love this cozy "Fresh Baked" mystery series! This one is especially interesting since Phyllis's love interest, Sam takes over the role of lead detective. Great characters, mysteries and food!
October 15, 2019
At least none living in the house was accused/arrested this time but it's starting to feel a bit more like Murder, She Wrote in that they continue to stumble across situations. this is not a bad thing because I enjoyed that series on TV. If I had been more on the ball, I would have figured out the murderer sooner than I did. Buck is adorable and I'm glad a dog was added as a character at this point.
April 14, 2018
This is a cute story. There isn't a lot of substance here, but it's your typical fun cozy. I was disappointed that roommate Eve was virtually absent for the entire story - she was only mentioned once or twice as having taken up needlepoint - but I do enjoy the budding romance of Phyllis and Sam. The new dog is a cute addition to their house.
December 1, 2020
This was the first book in this series for me to read and I thoroughly loved it. There were quite a few references about past history in the series but there was enough detail that I didn't feel as if I was missing anything. I am going to go back and start from the beginning of the series since I like this book so well.
October 27, 2024
First time reading this author and I was pleasantly surprised. This book gave the vibes of The Thursday Murder Club! Group of elderly sweethearts solving crimes, baking and taking care of their own. The recipes look Devine and I look forward to reading another one in the series. This is perfect for the fall season!
June 6, 2018
A good cozy with a decent story. It had a few slow moments and I didn't relate to the characters as much as in other books. I prefer my holiday cozies to have a lot more holiday elements and the Halloween scenes were over fairly early in the book.
October 29, 2018
I agree with the person who said this wasn't much about Halloween. It was over pretty early on. I don't understand why Phyllis entered the cooking contest if she didn't want to have to write that column.
October 8, 2019
cute cozy read - first book I've read from Fresh-Baked Mystery. Enjoyed characters, Phyllis and friends as well as her partner Sam. Sam adopts a dog, and then begins the mystery of who killed the vet's wife! Cute easy read.
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