Muffins and Malice

Snow Falls Alaska Cozy #7

by Wendy Meadows

Welcome to Los Angeles, where Bethany Lights, Alaska's own amateur sleuth, is about to get more than she bargained for. A favor for a friend goes sideways when a dead body shows up, then disappears, throwing her sunny trip into shadow. Bethany's living it up in a big mansion, but she learns it’s all paid for with mystery money, and her friend Pete is in trouble with some serious Hollywood power players.

Bethany is good at fitting puzzle pieces together back home, but L.A. is a whole other ballgame. She makes some rough-and-tumble biker friends and hears key truths from a woman who knows too much. It’s all leading to a showdown in a dark room with someone who’s more monster than man. This isn't just another case—this is about survival.

ebook

Published May 31, 2024

About the author

Wendy Meadows is a USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author who creates the perfect escape for readers who love amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries you can solve with a cup of tea in hand.

Her beloved series—including Sweetfern Harbor, Alaska Cozy Mysteries, and Travel Writer Mysteries—feature quirky characters, family bonds, and charming whodunits with no gore, just gentle intrigue that keeps you guessing.

When she's not plotting her next puzzle, she's spoiling her pets, enjoying time with her two adult children, and hunting for the perfect hybrid tea rose to inspire her peaceful settings.

Join her cozy community and get a free ebook plus behind-the-scenes peeks into her stories and characters.

Reviews

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were all drawn into a game. For readers that game kept us turning the pages trying to make the puzzle pieces fit and understand both the mystery and the killer. For Bethany, Steven and Pete, the game had very high stakes. Threats were made and it was up to those 3 to live a life in a storied mansion with false names where little is as it seemed. In the opening of the book, the team found a body and lost it in the same evening. For readers, we did not have enough clues at that point to piece things together. But we knew out team was in for a fun house ride through a landscape fraught with untouchable studio executives and killer and no one to trust.
The mansion felt a bit like living in an escape room where our team had to put the pieces together to be free to return to their original lives. The problem was we didn't have all the clues. To get the clues, you had to keep reading because twists and turns were around every corner. Some good like reformed muscle man praying in a pool hall and some bad like the steak dinner.
The only thing missing is the rest of the team back in Alaska. Sarah and Conrad were background players and missed greatly.
This is a good series and while this was a good entry, I'm ready for Bethany to go back to Alaska to her full team.

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

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The snowman is back! Bethany is in California to help Pete and Steve on the behalf of Sarah. I will admit at times I was as confused as Bethany, Pete, and Steve at times, but in a good way. There are lots of new characters you can’t help but like and root for (Vaughn, Jason, Maria) and of course there are those you can’t wait for them to get what is coming to them. The story kept twisting and turning and I was surprised by who the killer was and his connection to the Back Alley Killer, but then the story hits you again with another twist that there is someone else in charge and this person thanks Bethany for taking care of business for him. The head snowman if you will. I don’t want to put names because I am not a fan of spoilers myself, so you should pick up the book and see how it connects to Sarah and the Back Alley Killer. I imagine we will be learning more about this snowman in the next book. I am really rooting for Bethany and Sarah to come out on top in the end!.

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

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hard hitting cozy murder mystery with an array of vibrant and colorful characters that through their charm will have a ensnared you by the end of the first chapter but remember this is a murder mystery so along the way is a deadly perpetrator scheming behind the scenes and although it may be the charming characters that will draw you in it's the intriguing and deadly entertaining plot that will have you captivated through intrigue, mayhem of twisted events and unexpected acts of evil intentions. I couldn't put it down once I started reading this fast pace , deadly psychologically twisted story of cat and mouse not noticing the passage of time around me I was so entranced in its intriguing mystery. Acquire " Muffins and Malice " the seventh mystery in the series ( Of Snow Falls Alaska Cozy) for hours of intrigue, paced and enjoyable entertainment .Kat.

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

[Judy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read in this installment of the Snow Falls, Alaska series. I was glad to see an introduction of new characters, the group of bikers from the bar which included their leader Vaughn. They jumped right in when asked to help.

Bethany Lights is asked by Sarah to help Pete with an investigation in Los Angeles. As she’s sitting outside an LA restaurant waiting for Pete, another person she’s worked with, Steve, arrives and informs her that they will be portraying a married couple. When Pete arrives, he provides more information about they all staying in a mansion. Upon arriving, they find a dead body in the pool house. After checking the rest of the mansion, they go back to find the body is no longer there.

Bethany killed the Back Alley Killer, or did she. It seems like that killer might still be around or maybe a copy cat. There are many twists and turns and villains abound in this story.

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

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being sent to Los Angeles as a favor to Sarah, Bethany Lights feels she is in over her head. Trying to help her friend Pete after his family has been threatened, it isn’t long before a dead body is found on the estate, they are staying in for the time being. There are a lot of threats, people ending up dead and the realization that she is also wanted dead. Trying to unravel why this is happening, who is involved is definitely keeping her on her toes. As she unravels this mystery, she learns the good guys are ones you would least expect.

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

[Michelle Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. I highly recommend it to everyone. Great characters and a great plot. I will be looking for more books by this author. The book is superbly written. Lots of twists, turns and shocking turns of events. Quickly becoming a go to author for me!!!! If you love to read a book and be shocked by the ending then check out this author for sure. You will love this book and this author. Very enjoyable and I highly recommend this book. Make sure you add this to your TBR list. Excellent read! Make sure you start with the first book so you know what's going on and get to enjoy the entire series.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with a change of scenery from snowy Alaska to sunny California, darkness follows Bethany just like it did Sarah. Worlds collide as she is sent to LA to help Sarah's friend Pete when his and his family's life is threatened, only to find out that the past never died.

Like Meadows other books in the series, it is filled with twist and turns that no one sees coming, keeping readers at the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The question is, does it ever end?.

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

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany Light travels from Alaska to California to help a friend. Pete and Steve need her help to solve a mystery. They are staying at a mansion, under assumed names, when they discover a dead body and then the body disappears. Somebody is playing a weird game and they have to figure out who and why. This is a well written suspenseful mystery. The three of them work together to piece together clues and solve the mystery.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muffins and Malice is a fascinating mystery that works as a s tand alone but would be even more enjoyable if you have read the other books in the series. Bethany, Pete and Steve are in LA to help Pete solve a case. With disappearing bodies, a motorcycle gang, a mysterious mansion and more, it appears that someone is playing a deadly game. Even once much has been revealed, not everything is as it appears. I love the way this book messed with my mind!

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany is given an assignment by Pete which is tricky. They have to collaborate with Steve who has a dark past but is now reformed. A killer is on their trail and is always one step ahead, leaving a trail of corpses. A chilling thriller with jaw dropping suspense. The story line is captivating and captures the essence of a dark mind evoking fear.

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

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany Lights from Alaska gets more than expected when a favour for a friend turns up a dead…Bethany is living in a Big mansion where she learns it’s paid from mystery money. Well of course it is ! Her friend Pete is in bother with some Hollywood high rollers . She listens to whispers and makes some biker friends . A great read to while away a couple of hours . Good writing.

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

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, the storyline is entertaining and filled with action adventure, and intrigue. There are so many twists and turns that it keeps you guessing until the end and then surprise...... I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 7 of Snow Falls Alaska Cozy starring Bethany, her friend Pete, and unexpected allies a group of bikers with hearts of gold, and a mysterious woman. What could possibly go wrong. WOW talk about murder mystery with mystery around every turn and killers hiding behind every turn too.

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

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set aside a long afternoon for this action-packed, suspenseful cozy mystery in which the Snowman who had been targeting Detective Sarah Garland Spencer of Snow Falls, Alaska, is operating in Los Angeles, California, and targeting her friend Pete.

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

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery filled with unique twists and turns. This book had a clever and unpredictable storyline that pulls you in from the beginning. Wonderful characters and a unique setting. Bethany's trip to LA was fun but it's time to head back to Alaska. Can't wait for more!.

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

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was very dramatic, a invitation to stay in a mansion with instructions to use certain names. A man is discovered dead in the pool house, later the body is missing. An Ex Cop along with a couple are investigating. I was surprised with all the twists in the story very exciting with a thrilling conclusion.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining who done it with some interesting characters that complicate the clues to find out the real truth about what happened. Interesting location and fun secondary characters. Keeps you guessing until the end. Good read.

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

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the setting being in LA where Bethany is basically in over her head but she still investigates, for her friend. Pete's in major trouble. The storyline is good but the writing is a little choppy for my taste. I like this series so I will continue reading but this book wasn't my favorite.

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one finds Bethany in LA helping some friends solve a mystery. As they work together to solve the mystery there is plenty of intrigue, twists and turns. At the end Bethany’s ready to be back in Alaska.

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

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

death is an icy mistress - whether in a cozy and crazy Alaskan wild town, or the steamy streets of Los Angeles

Bethany might find Los Angeles more sunny than Snow Falls, yet it might not be less lethal

whodunnit with lurking evil, death and strong people connections

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Ms. Meadows did not disappoint with Muffins and Malice. The story has lots of mystery, twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end. It has a good plot, is well-written and easy to read.

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

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this mystery! So many layers and secrets! This was so very convoluted and complicated and it was just so much FUN to read! I loved the originality and the characters weren’t perfect which made them so relatable. I look forward to reading the next book!

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Alaska stories, very interesting books and how they have characters from both series. The characters are wonderful and the suspense keep you on your toes. I would recommend this book.

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

[Renee Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany has gone to LA to help a friend. Will she be able to do so before things go wrong. She wishes she had stayed in Alaska.

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

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great story! Good versus evil! It was so intense and I couldn’t put it down. The book was well-written and easy to read. Good Christian fiction is not always easy to find. This one is exceptional! I can’t wait for the next one!

[Paula Sayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery series has me hooked!!! I love Bethany and this books features her as she tries to help Pete and Steven find the snowman killer once and for all. I love the gang that helps them along the way. Everyone can be redeemed as this book clearly shows!!!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery and intrigue capture your attention as you turn the pages. Suspense fills the story line and will keep you guessing. Grab your copy today and see if you can figure out who dun it before you reach the end.

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

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Great characters. Complex storyline. Definitely a must read if you like suspenseful murder mystery stories. I fully intend to read more of Wendy’s books. Yes you could say I’m hooked now.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book by author Wendy Meadows.
The characters are so good. I couldn't put it down.
A wonderful who done it. I loved reading and highly recommend...

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

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun mystery with interesting characters and a twisty plot. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.