Poison and Pudding

Seaside French Patisserie #2

by Kat Bellemore

Two retirees. A dead surfer. And an ill-fated bread pudding.

Starlight Ridge’s first annual surfing competition is right around the corner when retired sisters, Jo and Dorothy Darby, finally get settled into their new bakery. Not willing to miss out on the fun, they, along with the rest of the town, close up shop for the day to support their local surfing champion, Isaac Larson. Foam fingers included. But when Isaac’s arch-rival is flung off his board and never resurfaces, the competition grinds to a halt. Upon recovering the body, the local doctor discovers the fall was no accident. The man has been murdered. And all eyes are on Isaac as the culprit.

The town naturally turns to the Darby sisters to discover what really happened, considering the sisters’ history of solving murders, and expects them to exonerate their local hero.

Hesitant, Jo and Dorothy take on the seemingly impossible task. If they can’t discover who the real murderer is, though, a canceled surfing competition will be the least of Isaac’s problems, and the sisters will bear the town’s blame for it.

Poison and Pudding is the second book in the Seaside French Patisserie Mystery series. If you enjoy small towns, quirky characters, and unusual murders, you’ll love this cozy mystery.

Grab Poison and Pudding and start sleuthing today!

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2024

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Darby sisters return in the second Seaside French Patisserie Mystery. Our elderly sleuths are geared up to cheer on Isaac during the surfing competition. When his rival drowns, Isaac is suspected of foul play. Jo is determined to clear his name but will her kleptomania get her into trouble again? Dorothy would prefer to stay out of the sheriff’s way, but Jo gets her involved anyways.

Another great mystery from Kat Bellemore. Jo & Dorothy are refreshing characters. Their complicated sibling dynamic brings a unique twist to the amateur sleuth genre. The mystery is well plotted and difficult to predict making for a page turning read. The personalities of the elite surfers ring true to life.

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

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely sure I had figured out whodunnit and then there was that twist. What a wonderful and delightful surprise that made so much sense and was so awfully tragic at the same time. I just love it when I’m fooled! I loved another visit to this seaside town with Jo and Dottie, Autumn and the rest of the small town cast. Great mystery, fantastic setting and wonderful and witty characters can’t ask for better than that.

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

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisty mystery!

A surfing competition in Starlight Ridge is a wipeout when a star surfer dies while competing. Evidence points to murder and Isaac is a prime suspect. Jo and Dottie Darby are still recovering from their last adventure but they can’t abandon a friend they believe is innocent.

Women like Jo and Dottie are exactly what I think of when I imagine aging sisters. The idea of a klepto crime fighter is intriguing and gives ample opportunities for plot twists. This is turning into a fun series. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poison and Pudding is a fun, beach, surfing, cozy mystery. I really love French pastries so I love that the Darby sisters run such a bakery! I love that Jo and Dottie are older. Such a refreshing change from 20 to 40 year olds. This well plotted book is a fascinating look at surfing. Jo is determined to meddle to help clear Isaac’s name and drags Dottie along in her sleuthing. There were plenty of twists to keep me guessing. I love catching up with characters from the first Starlight Ridge series. I can never put down one of Ms. Bellemore’s books!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darby sisters are in a different kind of trouble in this one. They aren't suspects, but a friend is. The sheriff has asked that all the people involved in the surfing competition stay until the competition is set to end, giving him a few days to investigate with all of them in town.

There were lots of fun twists and turns in this story, and it was fun to read.

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from Booksprout.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo and Dottie are attending their first surf competition when a murder stops the competition. The victim is the star, Bryce, is killed and dies right in front of everyone. Their friend, Isaac, is the prime suspect so jo decides to help their friend. Will they save Isaac and catch a murderer, read to find out. Fun mystery with entertaining characters.

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

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo and Dorothy said they would not get involved in solving another murder after they almost went to jail in the last book. But Isaac is one of the town and can't be the culprit. So even though the sisters are new to town they are recruited to investigate (and work to avoid getting in the sheriff's way). What a task that proves to be. Do they succeed? Read this new story to find out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Kat Bellemore's setting is the wonderful town of Starlight Ridge. We encounter many of the characters we loved in the previous Starlight Ridge series, but this series is a cozy mystery series. Two elderly sisters move to town to return their deceased sister's trinket shop back into a French Patisserie and they have an excellent baker.

They are well stocked to meet the hoards of visitors coming for the surfing competition. Our friend from the previous series, Isaac, is competing. (This book is set in time just before the "Resisting Love" book in the previous series.) You don't need to have read any of the other books to fully enjoy this one.

When Isaac's top competitor dies during the contest, there are a lot of potential murderers. The sheriff initially eyes Isaac, but the sisters convince him that Isaac couldn't possibly have done it. But who did? The dogged sisters figure it out.

This is a fun, fast reading cozy. Almost any reader can enjoy this book.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. The main characters are two sisters in their 70's and they are running a bakery. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out what killed a controversial surfer, and why. The answers were hard won and the killer found, and as usual the murder reason was petty. I do recommend this book.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man dies during a surfing competition. Jo can't resist to dive into this case. This is an entertaining story with likeable characters. Jo is such an adventurous woman, you just have to love her.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cleverly plotted, enormously entertaining mystery, with a lot of twists and refreshingly original heroines (I love Jo, Dottie and Skittles!). Highly recommended.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Carol K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories with older characters. Just like me. They are fun and so was this story.