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Cookie Corner #13
Cryptic Cookies: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Step into a world of unexpected twists and turns in this captivating paranormal cozy mystery series.
When a renowned rune expert is found dead in Honeysuckle Springs, Evie is thrust into a chilling mystery fueled by dark magic, old grudges, and a powerful artifact gone missing.
Evie’s cozy life takes a chaotic turn when her Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival, Edwina Harrell, returns, only to end up dead with a burned rune clutched in her lifeless hand. The ghastly clue hints at dangerous sorcery, but the truth is even more sinister. An artifact with untold power has vanished, and whoever possesses it may kill to keep their secret.
With her police chief husband on the case, her mischievous feline familiar Kookie offering cryptic hints, and her meddlesome Aunt Birdie and neighbor Gertie stirring up trouble, Evie must juggle baking the perfect snickerdoodles with tracking down a ruthless killer. Can Evie discover the culprit before dark magic strikes again?
Cryptic Cookies is the thirteenth 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!
Does not contain gore or adult-situations.
When a renowned rune expert is found dead in Honeysuckle Springs, Evie is thrust into a chilling mystery fueled by dark magic, old grudges, and a powerful artifact gone missing.
Evie’s cozy life takes a chaotic turn when her Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival, Edwina Harrell, returns, only to end up dead with a burned rune clutched in her lifeless hand. The ghastly clue hints at dangerous sorcery, but the truth is even more sinister. An artifact with untold power has vanished, and whoever possesses it may kill to keep their secret.
With her police chief husband on the case, her mischievous feline familiar Kookie offering cryptic hints, and her meddlesome Aunt Birdie and neighbor Gertie stirring up trouble, Evie must juggle baking the perfect snickerdoodles with tracking down a ruthless killer. Can Evie discover the culprit before dark magic strikes again?
Cryptic Cookies is the thirteenth 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!
Does not contain gore or adult-situations.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
136 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Stark
101 books246 followersCindy 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
If you enjoyed reading her books, she would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy her books, too.
Lend it: Her e-books are lending-enabled, so please share them with a friend.
Recommend it: Please help other readers find her books by recommending them to friends, readers’ groups, and discussion boards.
Review it: Please tell others you liked her books by reviewing it at Amazon or Goodreads. If you do write a review, please send her an email at CindyStark19@gmail.com so she can thank you with a personal email, or drop her a line at http://www.CindyStark.com.
Thank you!
Connect with her online at:
http://www.CindyStark.com
http://facebook.com/CindyStark19
http://twitter.com/CindyStark19
If you enjoyed reading her books, she would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy her books, too.
Lend it: Her e-books are lending-enabled, so please share them with a friend.
Recommend it: Please help other readers find her books by recommending them to friends, readers’ groups, and discussion boards.
Review it: Please tell others you liked her books by reviewing it at Amazon or Goodreads. If you do write a review, please send her an email at CindyStark19@gmail.com so she can thank you with a personal email, or drop her a line at http://www.CindyStark.com.
Thank you!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 29, 2025
I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as the earlier ones, but did love the happy ending where Evie and the gang welcome a new family member. :)
April 7, 2025
Death by Rune . . .
After an exhausting day icing a huge cookie order at the bakery, Evie is finally home and waiting for her husband, Police Chief Caden Bexley, to return home for a relaxing dinner. But she notices Gertie next door on her porch talking to fancy dressed stranger. Cromwell meowed and his intense stare at the neighbor’s house sent a chill down Evie’s spine. They both headed inside and startled as a kitten, actually Aunt Birdie who now shared the body of her familiar, ran past them into the kitchen without stopping. What had her aunt so upset? Then her familiar Kookie arrived, eyes wide with concern. They all went to the kitchen to find out what was wrong. Birdie told them Edwina Harrell, the “rune expert” who had sneaked into Birdie’s house while she was away and tried to steal her most powerful rune, was the visitor next door. They would need to move the rune to a safe place because it was likely she would try to steal it again. Birdie raced to the attic, retrieved the rune, and gave it to Evie to protect.
Caden, Kookie, and Evie set out for a walk after dinner, but Evie saw a pulsing blue light among the trees near a sacred site across the lake. Kookie told her there was something bad there. Evie felt the rune in her pocket pulse in time with the blue light and they quickly hurried back to get Caden’s police patrol boat to cross to the shore where the blue object was. They saw Birdie and Gertie on the trail ahead, waving frantically. Edwina had gone on a walk along the lakeside and never came back. Gertie urged Caden to investigate… something was very wrong! And the rune in Evie’s pocket burned against her hip. They crossed the lake and head toward the blue light where they found Edwina’s dead body and the scent of burned magic. The blue aura surrounded her. The skin on one hand was charred. Kookie told her the magic was wrong, it wasn’t supposed to do what it did and it was twisted and scary now. Magic is supposed to be good and not hurt someone. Caden used his flashlight to check the body again and saw something glinting in her burned hand. The rune looked like the one Evie was carrying. Perhaps the energy she was working with backfired and killed her? Then the blue light faded.
Returning home to tell Gertie and Birdie the bad news, Gertie told Evie that Edwina believed it was possible to combine runes onto one stone, harnessing their blended power. It was super dangerous and Evie realized that was why she tried to steal Birdie’s rune to use the design for her own experiment, which killed her. But something more may be going on. An artifact, Brandi Garreau’s powerful Vitality Rune, is missing after a visit from Edwina the day before. And the killer is still out there. Will Evie identify the killer before dark magic harms someone else?
After an exhausting day icing a huge cookie order at the bakery, Evie is finally home and waiting for her husband, Police Chief Caden Bexley, to return home for a relaxing dinner. But she notices Gertie next door on her porch talking to fancy dressed stranger. Cromwell meowed and his intense stare at the neighbor’s house sent a chill down Evie’s spine. They both headed inside and startled as a kitten, actually Aunt Birdie who now shared the body of her familiar, ran past them into the kitchen without stopping. What had her aunt so upset? Then her familiar Kookie arrived, eyes wide with concern. They all went to the kitchen to find out what was wrong. Birdie told them Edwina Harrell, the “rune expert” who had sneaked into Birdie’s house while she was away and tried to steal her most powerful rune, was the visitor next door. They would need to move the rune to a safe place because it was likely she would try to steal it again. Birdie raced to the attic, retrieved the rune, and gave it to Evie to protect.
Caden, Kookie, and Evie set out for a walk after dinner, but Evie saw a pulsing blue light among the trees near a sacred site across the lake. Kookie told her there was something bad there. Evie felt the rune in her pocket pulse in time with the blue light and they quickly hurried back to get Caden’s police patrol boat to cross to the shore where the blue object was. They saw Birdie and Gertie on the trail ahead, waving frantically. Edwina had gone on a walk along the lakeside and never came back. Gertie urged Caden to investigate… something was very wrong! And the rune in Evie’s pocket burned against her hip. They crossed the lake and head toward the blue light where they found Edwina’s dead body and the scent of burned magic. The blue aura surrounded her. The skin on one hand was charred. Kookie told her the magic was wrong, it wasn’t supposed to do what it did and it was twisted and scary now. Magic is supposed to be good and not hurt someone. Caden used his flashlight to check the body again and saw something glinting in her burned hand. The rune looked like the one Evie was carrying. Perhaps the energy she was working with backfired and killed her? Then the blue light faded.
Returning home to tell Gertie and Birdie the bad news, Gertie told Evie that Edwina believed it was possible to combine runes onto one stone, harnessing their blended power. It was super dangerous and Evie realized that was why she tried to steal Birdie’s rune to use the design for her own experiment, which killed her. But something more may be going on. An artifact, Brandi Garreau’s powerful Vitality Rune, is missing after a visit from Edwina the day before. And the killer is still out there. Will Evie identify the killer before dark magic harms someone else?
April 14, 2025
I’ve followed Evie and the wild, magical town of Honeysuckle Springs from the very beginning, and Cryptic Cookies (Book 13!) just might be one of my favorites yet. Cindy Stark knows how to blend mystery, magic, and mischief into the perfect cozy mix—and this one had all the ingredients I love: quirky characters, unexpected twists, and just the right amount of heart.
From the moment a rune expert ends up mysteriously dead with a scorched rune in her hand, I was hooked. The return (and immediate demise) of Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival Edwina pulled me right into the mystery—and I have to say, the magical twist involving a missing artifact kept me guessing more than usual. It wasn’t just about solving a murder this time; there was a deeper, darker magic simmering beneath the surface.
As always, I adored Evie’s dynamic with her familiar, Kookie. That sassy feline’s cryptic clues and attitude always make me laugh out loud—and I honestly don’t know how Evie gets anything done with Birdie and Gertie causing their usual delightful chaos. Also, Evie’s relationship with her police-chief husband continues to be one of my favorite soft spots in this series—grounding her amidst the magic and madness.
One of the best things about Cryptic Cookies was how it managed to balance the cozy small-town charm with the real stakes of magical danger. There’s something so comforting about returning to Honeysuckle Springs, even when there’s murder afoot. And let’s be honest—I’d give anything to be sitting in the Cookie Corner bakery with a warm snickerdoodle and a good gossip session with Aunt Birdie and Gertie.
Cryptic Cookies is an absolute treat. I devoured it in one sitting and can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Evie stirs up next.
From the moment a rune expert ends up mysteriously dead with a scorched rune in her hand, I was hooked. The return (and immediate demise) of Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival Edwina pulled me right into the mystery—and I have to say, the magical twist involving a missing artifact kept me guessing more than usual. It wasn’t just about solving a murder this time; there was a deeper, darker magic simmering beneath the surface.
As always, I adored Evie’s dynamic with her familiar, Kookie. That sassy feline’s cryptic clues and attitude always make me laugh out loud—and I honestly don’t know how Evie gets anything done with Birdie and Gertie causing their usual delightful chaos. Also, Evie’s relationship with her police-chief husband continues to be one of my favorite soft spots in this series—grounding her amidst the magic and madness.
One of the best things about Cryptic Cookies was how it managed to balance the cozy small-town charm with the real stakes of magical danger. There’s something so comforting about returning to Honeysuckle Springs, even when there’s murder afoot. And let’s be honest—I’d give anything to be sitting in the Cookie Corner bakery with a warm snickerdoodle and a good gossip session with Aunt Birdie and Gertie.
Cryptic Cookies is an absolute treat. I devoured it in one sitting and can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Evie stirs up next.
March 26, 2025
Settling into married life with her husband, police chief Caden, Evie notices her neighbor has an unexpected guest. This particular witch Edwina is not welcome in her home per her Aunt Birdie, but she looks to be staying at Gertie's. Years ago Edwina tried to take one of Birdie's runes without permission and Birdie has never forgiven nor trusted her since. Now it seems Edwina is back wanting to add to her collection, which is bad because these runes are powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands. When Edwina is found deceased by none other than Evie and Caden clutching one, all hands are on deck trying to find out what Edwina's plan was before her untimely death, not to mention they now have a murderer walking free in Honeysuckle Springs.
I was convinced I knew who did it, but with a twist and a turn, I was wrong😆 This author sure keeps you on your toes! Great storyline with fantastic characters that jump out of the pages and make you want to be best friends with them!!! Lots of twists in this story keep you invested and turning the pages! A fantastic read! I most definitely recommend this amazing series!!!
I was convinced I knew who did it, but with a twist and a turn, I was wrong😆 This author sure keeps you on your toes! Great storyline with fantastic characters that jump out of the pages and make you want to be best friends with them!!! Lots of twists in this story keep you invested and turning the pages! A fantastic read! I most definitely recommend this amazing series!!!
April 9, 2025
Once again Honeysuckle Springs is a hot bed of witchery and there is a death. Valerie asks a question that made me laugh my bum off and Riley caused it. Seeing Chloe and Riley so happy with their baby on the way was enough to make me giddy. Seeing Caden & Evie so happy did too. Birdie is still a riot in Theodosia’s body and the kittens are growing quickly. Gertie and Birdie are still frenemies. They are hilarious. Oh, the bickering in this book!~ lol. A blast from Birdie & Gertie’s past shows up- Edwina. Mayhem ensues. Things go crazy and it’s up to our crew to figure everything out. Birdie does something super outrageous that had me muttering, “you are soooo in trouble, bad Auntie” lol. We get to meet a few new characters and I didn’t see a lot of what happened coming. The book was fun, funny, exciting, nerve-wracking, hilarious, romantic, and made me squee a few times. 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.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in the small town of Honeysuckle Springs. The story kicks off when a well known rune expert is found dead, and things quickly spiral out of control.
Evie, the main character, is super relatable juggling everyday life, and solving a murder. Her aunt Birdie is a handful, and the familiar cat, oh my goodness! the cat I just love the cat, Kookie, adds so much fun to this story. There’s a nice balance of mystery and humor, and the magical elements are fun without being over the top.
The plot kept me guessing, and the setting was so cozy I kind of wish I could visit. If you like your cozy mysteries, this one’s a great pick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Evie, the main character, is super relatable juggling everyday life, and solving a murder. Her aunt Birdie is a handful, and the familiar cat, oh my goodness! the cat I just love the cat, Kookie, adds so much fun to this story. There’s a nice balance of mystery and humor, and the magical elements are fun without being over the top.
The plot kept me guessing, and the setting was so cozy I kind of wish I could visit. If you like your cozy mysteries, this one’s a great pick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2026
Great story and interesting characters. Love the cats/characters!
Amazon synopsis:
When a renowned rune expert is found dead in Honeysuckle Springs, Evie is thrust into a chilling mystery fueled by dark magic, old grudges, and a powerful artifact gone missing.
Evie’s cozy life takes a chaotic turn when her Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival, Edwina Harrell, returns, only to end up dead with a burned rune clutched in her lifeless hand. The ghastly clue hints at dangerous sorcery, but the truth is even more sinister. An artifact with untold power has vanished, and whoever possesses it may kill to keep their secret.
With her police chief husband on the case, her mischievous feline familiar Kookie offering cryptic hints, and her meddlesome Aunt Birdie and neighbor Gertie stirring up trouble, Evie must juggle baking the perfect snickerdoodles with tracking down a ruthless killer. Can Evie discover the culprit before dark magic strikes again?
Amazon synopsis:
When a renowned rune expert is found dead in Honeysuckle Springs, Evie is thrust into a chilling mystery fueled by dark magic, old grudges, and a powerful artifact gone missing.
Evie’s cozy life takes a chaotic turn when her Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival, Edwina Harrell, returns, only to end up dead with a burned rune clutched in her lifeless hand. The ghastly clue hints at dangerous sorcery, but the truth is even more sinister. An artifact with untold power has vanished, and whoever possesses it may kill to keep their secret.
With her police chief husband on the case, her mischievous feline familiar Kookie offering cryptic hints, and her meddlesome Aunt Birdie and neighbor Gertie stirring up trouble, Evie must juggle baking the perfect snickerdoodles with tracking down a ruthless killer. Can Evie discover the culprit before dark magic strikes again?
March 29, 2025
I just love these characters and how even the non-magicals knew what was going on in the magical world. It was especially sweet for Caden who could understand little Kookie and knew Aunt Birdie’s secret. Someone else discovered it too and made for a very sweet reunion worthy of a slight tissue alert at the end. Also since there was something else sweet that happened. I can’t wait to read the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.
April 7, 2025
Runed to death!
An old enemy of Aunt Birdie, Edwina Harrell, returns to Honeysuckle Springs. Birdie asks Evie to hide a powerful rune that Edwina tried to steal before. When Edwina is found dead in the forest clutching a rune, Gertie and Birdie are determined to help with the investigation even if it puts them in danger. Evie and Caden fear that anyone with powerful runes could be the next victim.
This fun cozy is packed with magic, drama, and mystery. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
An old enemy of Aunt Birdie, Edwina Harrell, returns to Honeysuckle Springs. Birdie asks Evie to hide a powerful rune that Edwina tried to steal before. When Edwina is found dead in the forest clutching a rune, Gertie and Birdie are determined to help with the investigation even if it puts them in danger. Evie and Caden fear that anyone with powerful runes could be the next victim.
This fun cozy is packed with magic, drama, and mystery. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
April 22, 2025
Cryptic Cookies: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery is book #13 in the Cookie Corner Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series by Cindy Stark.
This was another enjoyable visit to Honeysuckle Springs. At least it was for me as a reader. Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival, Edwina Harrell, returns and ends up dead. Evie and Caden are on the case. I like the cats, especially Kookie! The mystery kept me guessing thanks to the twists. I look forward to the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was another enjoyable visit to Honeysuckle Springs. At least it was for me as a reader. Aunt Birdie’s longtime rival, Edwina Harrell, returns and ends up dead. Evie and Caden are on the case. I like the cats, especially Kookie! The mystery kept me guessing thanks to the twists. I look forward to the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2025
Was it a spell gone wrong or murder? I am always eager to read the next book in this series. There are great recurring characters and several important cats. This well written mystery quickly grabbed my intention; I learned a bit about runes; and found I am not a real sleuth! There are several twists and a lot of potential danger before all is revealed! I could not put it down!
April 7, 2025
It's a good book to read, I enjoyed it. Evie and her husband the chief are working another case that involves magic. There are a few suspects to look at. It's entertaining and cam be read in a few hours. I would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2025
Cryptic Cookies is another fantastic addition to Cookie Corner Mysteries by Cindy Stark. I really enjoy the great characters, funny and smart kitties and story just flows so easily it's a joy to read. Highly recommend!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2025
Amazing!
Best book in this series yet! I just couldn’t put this down. Some humorous moments made me chuckle, causing my hubby to look at me funny LOL. If you like paranormal cozies, and you haven’t started this series yet, you’re missing out!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Best book in this series yet! I just couldn’t put this down. Some humorous moments made me chuckle, causing my hubby to look at me funny LOL. If you like paranormal cozies, and you haven’t started this series yet, you’re missing out!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2025
experiment in ruins gone wrong
Cats that talk, witches galore, jealousy abounds. Experiment and co conspirators gone wrong. And in among that, love of family and friends abound and right prevails. In other words, I loved it.
Cats that talk, witches galore, jealousy abounds. Experiment and co conspirators gone wrong. And in among that, love of family and friends abound and right prevails. In other words, I loved it.
March 31, 2025
A Fantastic Series
I love the characters, especially the kitties. The stories are so well written and flow so smoothly, that before I realize it, I have finished another Book. I can’t wait until the next book is released, and I can be with my friends again.
I love the characters, especially the kitties. The stories are so well written and flow so smoothly, that before I realize it, I have finished another Book. I can’t wait until the next book is released, and I can be with my friends again.
April 1, 2025
Evie investigates a mystery that involves secrets from the past. Her Aunt Birdie has her watch over an item that is very important without telling her the full story as to what it is. This was an entertaining cozy with a satisfying conclusion.
April 4, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Runes can be dangerous in different ways. Hidden secrets make this investigation more interesting to solve. I liked Birdie's actions in this story.
April 7, 2025
A great edition to the series!
I find this series to be fun. The characters are interesting and varied. The cats have gotten more fun over the series. Looking forward to more adventures. A cute witchy cozy mystery.
I find this series to be fun. The characters are interesting and varied. The cats have gotten more fun over the series. Looking forward to more adventures. A cute witchy cozy mystery.
May 8, 2025
Good read from Cindy Stark, again. I really enjoy her paranormal cozy mysteries. I like these characters and the plot of this book. Looking forward to reading more in this series, and more from this very talented storyteller.
July 31, 2025
Cryptic Cookies: A paranoid cozy mystery Cookie Corner book 13
What fun this was to read. The characters including the talking and not talking cats. Someone experimenting with strong rune magic, a murder to solve and conflicting evidence.
What fun this was to read. The characters including the talking and not talking cats. Someone experimenting with strong rune magic, a murder to solve and conflicting evidence.
March 30, 2025
Enjoy this series more with each new book
April 1, 2025
Spooky Happenings
An exciting adventure with a spell gone wrong or was it murder? Runes being used in unusual ways, thefts and a plethora of suspects. Exciting to the end.
An exciting adventure with a spell gone wrong or was it murder? Runes being used in unusual ways, thefts and a plethora of suspects. Exciting to the end.
April 8, 2025
This fun cozy is packed with magic, drama, and mystery and I am always eager to read the next book in this series. I could not put it down!.
June 27, 2025
Best ever books
I love reading the Cryptic Cookies Mysteries Books. Im a cat lover. It was fun reading how they helped solve the mysteries.
I love reading the Cryptic Cookies Mysteries Books. Im a cat lover. It was fun reading how they helped solve the mysteries.
January 13, 2026
I love this series. Evie and her aunt cat help solve another murder mystery.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews