Sour Crime Donuts

Deputy Donut Mystery #10

by Ginger Bolton

With Emily Westhill’s popular Deputy Donut Café rolling out seasonal summer treats, everyone in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin wants a taste. But when a limited batch box turns up near a dead body, Emily and her curious tabby are pitted against the worst kind of customer—a cold-blooded murderer!

Emily feels like a protective big sister around bubbly twenty-something Izzy—a new regular whose enthusiasm for peaches and cream donuts is surpassed only by her dream to start her own business. As if blown in by an August breeze, Izzy pulls Emily into her plan to buy a property at the edge of town to grow and sell fresh produce. But she’s not the only fan of Deputy Donut’s peachy delights . . . or the only patron vying to own the lush parcel of land. And the competition is fiercer than the two women imagined . . .

Petty squabbles turn deadly when a developer with a mean streak is found murdered on the vacant stretch of land. Worse, Emily’s signature donuts are spotted nearby, leading to several potential suspects who could have left their sugar-frosted fingerprints all over the crime scene—including the mayor, a handsome out-of-towner, and even sweet-to-the-core Izzy. When her detective husband discovers poisonous ingredients in the discarded desserts, a shocked Emily must reveal holes in a collection of very fuzzy facts and nab the killer before someone else takes their last bite . . .

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Ginger Bolton writes the Deputy Donut mystery series--cops, crime, coffee, donuts and one curious cat. When Ginger isn't writing or reading, she's crocheting, knitting, walking her two rescue dogs and generally causing trouble.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Everything is peachy at Deputy Donut Café, and everyone is loving the new peaches-and-cream donuts Emily Westhill and her partner, Tom, are serving up. One of the happy customers is someone Emily met at camp when she was a little girl, and Emily was in her teens. Isabella now goes by Izzy, and she has big dreams. She intends to purchase land just outside town to erect greenhouses for year-round fruit and vegetable growing. The problem is, she is not the only one interested in that piece of land. A conservation group wants to save the trees and make it a park. A developer thinks it would be a great place for a resort.

Izzy couldn’t wait to show Emily, her kitty Dep, and two assistants the land she was working hard to ascertain. But they had company when they arrived. The developer and a “mystery man” were arguing about the property. Izzy inserted herself into the middle of the argument, but the ladies ended up leaving the men at it with plans to return another day.

The next day, Izzy calls Emily from the road beside her property and asks her to come. The developer’s vehicle is still parked on the road. When Emily arrives, they start to survey the land, and the first thing they find is a box with a Deputy Donut logo with two peaches-and-cream donuts inside. Then they see the developer’s dead body.

First to arrive on the scene is Emily’s new husband, Detective Brent Fyne. The found donuts could lead to a long list of possible suspects, including Izzy and Emily. The tests on the donuts reveal that they contain some extra additions to the recipe, poisonous ingredients! The Deputy Donut Café is shut down for a thorough search and is Izzy’s unique rental. Emily has to clear her name to protect her business.

Can Emily catch the killer before someone else gets permanently frosted? Or has Emily sold her last donut?

Ms. Bolton has created genuine core characters for this series, and I love them more with each new book. She handled and continues to handle the grief both Emily and Brent deal with after losing Emily’s husband and Brent’s best friend in a line-of-duty incident. Both felt so much guilt for not being able to save him, but they continued to lean on each other, and their relationship bloomed naturally. Now married, they are stronger than ever. Sad memories arise sometimes, but they push through. They have a great support system in Alec’s parents and many friends in the community of Fallingbrook.

The author has penned a complex mystery with many twists and turns, which are blended seamlessly with interesting subplots. I had a great time following everyone around as they all chased down suspects and clues. I appreciated that while Brent would like to handle the case himself, he knows his wife, and she knows to keep him informed if she can. Sometimes things spiral out of control, like the exciting and surprising takedown.

This series takes place in northern Wisconsin, and Ms. Bolton has captured the area and the friendly people in small Wisconsin towns so well. Of course, there are always some bad eggs, but the core characters are people I would meet over the backyard fence, at the grocery store, at the gas station, at the fire station, or at the local bakery. Let me tell you, if there were a Deputy Donut Café here in town, I would be in big trouble. I would probably be sitting with those knitters, eavesdropping on the men, and eating far too many donuts.

Sour Crime Donuts is a complicated mystery with strong characters, sprinkled with humor and romance that every cozy mystery fan will love. Each book in this series can be read on its own, but it is much better if they are read in order.

Hint: Buy or make some donuts before reading, the cravings will be real and will distract you until you eat at least one. The recipe for the Baked Peachy Sour Cream Donuts and Frosting is at the back of the book. Because they are baked, they should be pretty easy to make.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy all the delicious sweets and treats featured in SOUR CRIME DONUTS by Ginger Bolton. Emily Westhill, co-owner of Deputy Donuts Cafe, and her awesome cat, Dep, happen to be favorite fictional characters of mine. I also like Emily’s husband, Brent Fyne, and the employees of the cafe.

To activate this mystery, a murderer gifts the victim donuts in a Deputy Donut box making Emily and her baking crew immediate suspects. However, there’s a trail of donut crumbs that lead in several directions to several other suspects who actually have various reasons for wanting the victim dead.

The first fourth of the story was a slow start for me, then the pace stepped up and there was lots of action there forward. The scenery and setting of the murder was interesting. Izzy is a good character introduced in this tenth story. The plot is entertaining as you read and follow the clues to the killer reveal. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is my happy place. I love this town and these characters and friendships so much. I truly think this series gets better and better as we feel like part of the town. I totally resonate with Emily's humor and she has such great ideas for the shop and treats everyone so nicely, but doesn't lose her sarcasm when needed. The way she will throw herself into danger to help friends or even someone she just met is so admirable (though scary) and I love that she surrounds herself with other first responders who would do the same. I love her Brent so much, after all they've been through and lost, and am trying to manifest all good things for them and their future! This book had a lot of dramatic car chases and car scenes and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It also made me so nostalgic when Emily spends time in her rented house. I just loved it so much!

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the newest edition in the deputy donut series. A friend from Emily's childhood comes into town with the intention of buying a property to grow fresh produce. When a competitor for the property is found dead things get complicated.
I love catching up with the characters from Fallingbrook. They are all exceptionally written and it feels like catching up with friends. I love how Emily takes Izzy under her wing. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing. I am looking forward to the next book. I received this book from net galley in exchange for an honest review

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sour Crime Donuts by Ginger Bolton is the 10th book in the delightful culinary cozy mystery series Deputy Donut Mysteries.

I have read all ten books so far, and I have to say I really have enjoyed the progression of the overall timeline and character development. While you could easily pick up any of the books and read it as a standalone, it truly is best to start from the beginning to grasp and enjoy the full backstory.

I can’t help but like Emily and the adorable Dep…good characters (and feline) to root for.

This murder mystery was creative with several twists that kept me guessing, and the ending wrapped up nicely. I can tell the author has plenty in store for us in the future.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/26/25.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peaches are in season in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, and so the daily specials at Emily Westhill’s Deput Donut Café have been made with this popular local produce quite a bit! Unfortunately, when a body is found on land just outside of town, which is in the process of being purchased by a friend of Emily’s, there are remnants of one of their new donuts close by! With suspects known to both Emily and her husband, Fallingbrook's Detective Brent Fyne, the case soon becomes personal. Can Emily help the police discover who killed a local mayoral candidate before the reputation of her beloved business is ruined forever.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cosies, but the opinions expressed are my own. This was an absolutely brilliant read, which I'd love to give more than the 5 stars available. There are also some lovely sounding peaches recipes included at the end of the book. This was fast-paced, especially as the jeopardy increased and an excellent addition to this first-class cosy crime series.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was definitely nice to catch up with Emily, Deputy, and the whole crew at Deputy Donuts. I was happy to see Emily and Brent finally happily together. This was definitely a strange mystery, Emily gets very involved with a young woman she had only met once as a child, many years ago. She definitely seems like an intelligent young lady with a good and lofty goal, but all the contributing characters seem really odd and out there, including the mayor who had never been in Deputy Donut before? Then there were all the car chases and people following other people into weird areas in the woods and running around in the dark. That was definitely a little over the top, hard to follow, and very unrealistic. I hope we see more of our usual group of friends, donuts, and more town activities rather than running around in the woods in the dark in the future. Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #SourCrimeDonuts #DeputyDonutsMysteties #GingerBolton #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sour Crime Donuts (A Deputy Donut Mystery #10)" by Ginger Bolton has Emily reuniting with a childhood friend. Despite their earlier acquaintance being very brief, it was memorable for both women. Izzy has returned to the Fallingbrook, Wisconsin area to create her dream of fresh veggies year round in the area. Her grandfather has given her a large fund to try to grow a successful business with. Depending how she does will affect her inheritance from him.

Unfortunately, she's not the only one eyeing the land she's trying to buy for her greenhouses. Then, things are made even tougher when that competition is found dead on the land. Things are made worse when it appears that Emily'd donut shop may have contributed to the victim's passing. This time it's not just Emily investigating. Emily's employees tag along to investigate.

As usual, Emily's long time home in Fallingbrook is the final showdown. At this point that house has got to have more bad than good memories for her. This one somewhat wrapped up satisfactorily. There was a bit that just didn't totally feel right though. Most, I didn't totally believe it was all one culprit. Or at least that the second person should have totally gotten away with just leaving town or something was missing from the explanation of why they weren't being held for a crime.

At least there seems to be a new member to the Emily friend group. They'll be an interesting addition. If they become a regular character, that is.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/s...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This well-written, complex mystery, like the others in this series, is perfectly balanced with the engaging characters and long-time relationships that draw me into each new release. Included is Emily’s cat, “Dep”, aka Deputy Donut, which inspired their shop name. The author hits another home run with this mystery! The plot was finely executed, and red herrings and fascinating twists kept me guessing. I would have loved a couple of Emily’s donuts or fritters when reading their delicious descriptions!

Emily was surprised one day by a happy young woman who came into Deputy Donut the first time. The curly-haired newcomer looked a bit like Emily and recognized her. They had met several years earlier, at the campground where Emily’s parents spent every summer, when the family of the girl visited another camping family. Emily is about ten years older than Isabelle – now Izzy – and back then, they spent the day playing in the woods, creeks, and waterfalls.

Fast forward to the present, and Izzy is all grown up. She received a large sum of money from her grandfather, and in a year, she must send him a written report regarding how she used the money to help him determine whether he will give her more. Izzy has found the piece of property she wants. It is incredible, with terraced-like tiers on a hill, streams, a pond, and a tiny waterfall. Her plans are to add greenhouses in which to grow fresh vegetables, fruit, and someday, have enough greenhouses to include fruit trees. All produce is shipped into Northern Wisconsin in the winter, no longer fresh when it arrives. She won the bid and signed the contract to purchase the land, and in a couple weeks, it will be hers.

People are giving Izzy trouble about the property. One is newcomer, Adam Noffty, who is running to be Fallingbrook’s next mayor. He bid on the land but didn’t win, and said Izzy wouldn’t get it as her contract wasn’t legal. The local environmental group members TWIG are having a fit because she needs to cut down a few trees. To them, even one tree is too many. Another man showed up, young and handsome, and sparks began to fly between him and Izzy when they met.

The day after Izzy showed Emily and her staff, Olivia and Jocelyn, the property, Izzy returned to the property to find Adam, mayoral candidate and wanna-be developer of the property, dead by the pond. In a little niche in the rocks, a box from Deputy Donuts, with what looked like two of the new Peachy Sour Cream donuts left, and the icing of another one inside. Three customers, plus Izzy, had purchased similar assortments: Jerry, the current mayor, Ramona, head of the local TWIG, and Mr. Mystery. Adam had not been in their shop.

Police thought Adam’s death was natural until the medical examiner determined he died of anaphylaxis from a severe allergy to almonds. Tests showed almond flour and cardamom in the specialty donuts, neither of which Emily or her staff added. Even stranger, a peach pit had been ground up and added to the donuts. It “looked like” Emily’s donuts, but not her recipe. The shop was closed for two days while police forensic techs searched. Izzy became a suspect in the eyes of the state detective, as was Jerry, and possibly even Ramona, the environmentalist.

Izzy heard about how Emily had helped solve murders in the past and wanted her help to find the real killer. When Emily visited her one evening, someone was parked, watching Izzy’s tiny home. Then, when Izzy was kidnapped, the gloves came off.

This mystery was quite a challenge! Nobody could identify a motive behind Adam’s murder, or why it was on Izzy’s property. The twists and turns kept me guessing! The real killer was the biggest shock of all. The end was quite satisfying, and I can’t wait until the next in the series! I highly recommend this to those who appreciate well-written cozy mysteries set in Wisconsin, with cats and amazing treats!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Fyne owns Deputy Donut, along with her late husband's father, Tom Westhill. They've built the business up, and are doing well. One morning someone from Emily's past turns up, a young woman named Izzy who remembered Emily being kind to her when she was a child. But Emily now has a plan: she's going to purchase a large plot of land and build greenhouses that will grow fruit and vegetables year round. It seems like a wonderful idea -- until it isn't.

It seems that there's an environmental group that is against her cutting down any of the trees, and a local developer that wants the land for himself and intends to get it any way he can. There's also a mysterious man who might have interest in it. But then Emily's nasty cousin Hope turns up with plans of her own.

When someone is murdered in an awful way, and Izzy is a suspect, Emily has her own stake in it when her donuts are left at the scene. Now she has to prove herself innocent and keep Izzy out of jail, too. But with so many suspects, will she be able to help or hinder?

This is the tenth book in the series and I have read them all. This is a delicious mystery, one you can really enjoy all the way through the book. People (suspects) are introduced throughout, but none of it is confusing, and there are plenty of secrets to go around.

Plenty of intrigue, too. When it's discovered that Hope has her own secrets to keep, it only enhances the story, and gives us more information to sift through. Of course, there are subplots that only add to the tale but don't overpower it; no one wants the subplot to become the plot, of course; and then there is the intrepid Dep, the cat that actually starts it all and becomes as much a part of the tale as Emily herself. (I love Dep!)

When the person is killed, the characters become the suspects, and Emily, along with her employees Jocelyn and Olivia, are more than ready to figure it all out, all the while trying to stay under the radar of both police and suspects. What I do love is the fact that when they find something out they inform the police immediately instead of keeping it to myself. I love that integrity in these guys. Yes, these characters come to life on the page, and that's one of the things I love about this series. You're pulled in from the first chapter, and unfortunately, continue to read the book to the exclusion of all else (good thing my husband doesn't mind takeout once in a while!)

With her shop being closed for investigation, what else is Emily supposed to do? She needs to reopen to keep her reputation, and she needs to get Izzy -- who is way too trusting -- out of the eye of the detectives on the case. The only thing she can do is utilize her skills and try to find the killer herself.

The clues are there, but they aren't easy to find. When Emily does start to have suspicions, it may not be healthy for her to try and go any further, but we know she will; and when she does, there is a climax that is definitely worth reading the entire book for.

With the killer caught (as we know they will be) everything seems to go back to normal at Deputy Donut. But there is an epilogue that gives us a perfect ending, and a perfect segue into the next book, which I eagerly await. Highly recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sour Crime Donuts by Ginger Bolton takes us back to Wisconsin and Deputy Donut. One day a woman walks into the store and thinks Emily should know her. After some prompting, Emily recalls the day she had spend at the campground with a younger child. It turns out Izzy was here this time to build a life and a greenhouse farm. She was in the process of buying a piece of property, that apparently other people wanted as well. When the Deputy Donut gang went out to look at it, there were several people already there. Some were less pleasant than others. Then a day or two later, Izzy called to say that the car of the less-than-pleasant man was still there and looked dusty. She asked Emily to join her as she was nervous. What they found was a body, and a partially filled Deputy Donuts box. Obviously they called the police. While Brent was investigating from early to late, Izzy discovered her cousin, Hope, was in town. Ostensibly to get to know her cousin better. Turns out she lived in Emily and Brent’s rental with the chef who was scoping out a place for a new restaurant. Very odd. She was not like Izzy at all.

In a small town there are always so many moving parts that it is difficult to know what matters and what doesn’t. Emily knows nearly everyone as Deputy Donut is very popular. The donuts that were found at the crime scene looked liked those from Deputy Donut, but they were not. For one thing, there were ground up peach pits imbedded in the frosting. That closed Deputy Donut for a day or two but came to nothing. Emily and Brent have a long backstory, as does Deputy Donut. It is worth the read to learn all about it. Emily is a terrific small town sleuth and Brent, her husband, is an excellent police officer, despite his small town roots. The setting for the story is idyllic and the peripheral characters are well-written and entertaining. There is much going on outside of the murder investigation. Good read.

I was invited to read Sour Crime Donuts by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #GingerBolton#SourCrimeDonuts

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was left just a little disappointed in the latest offering in Ginger Bolton's donut shop series. I missed the friend rapport of Misty, Samantha and Emily. While they make appearances, they are very few and there is little interaction between them. I had thought given Samantha's baby shower in the previous book that she would be more present in this one but all we got was one sad little interlude in the middle of something else. I feel like Bolton tried to make up for the missing two-thirds of the trio with the addition of Izzy Kornith, Emily's long-lost one-day childhood friend.

Izzy bounces into Deputy Donut one day, eager to reconnect with Emily, who was a teen last time she saw Izzy. Bursting with enthusiasm about her new greenhouse project, Izzy talks up the land she bought and her budding business to bring fresh produce to Wiscosin year-round. Her excitement radiates off the page. At first, I found her a little off-putting (too much bubbling will do that to me) but I found myself liking Izzy more and more and I hope she becomes a staple character.

To summarize, a man who was in a bidding war with Izzy for the property winds up dead and Emily has a multitude of suspects to wade through, not to mention their donuts were found near the body and she worries for her business. Izzy seems to be the prime suspect, except I don't think Bolton does much to encourage this with anything Izzy says or does, which makes it seem like she is being railroaded.

In the meantime, Emily has rented her home in town to a chef who is talking about opening a restaurant. He is more important than he seems at first .

Dep, once again, is the star of the show with her clever kitty findings and not-so-happy in car commentary. The Deputy Donut regulars are very present in this story and just as fun as ever. These books make me so hungry!!

I missed the friendship banter but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this next offering in the Deputy Donut series and I cannot wait for the next one.

My thanks to Kensington Cozies and Netgalley for this ARC.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOUR CRIME DONUTS is the tenth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton. This is another delicious installment in this sweet series featuring Deputy Donut shop owner, Emily, alongside her intrepid kitty, Deputy Donut. The author has created charming characters you can’t help but want to get to know, with imaginative plots to keep you coming back. If you’re new to the series, this can easily be read as a standalone, but you’ll want to go back and start at the beginning to follow along as the characters grow and change. In this newest release, Izzy, a (very) young and overly sweet woman, moves to town and reconnects with Emily. The pair have a connection, even after only spending a day together a decade earlier at camp. Ms. Bolton knows how to create memorable characters—both good and kind people as well as mysterious and sinister types—and sometimes you might not be able to tell them apart. This sets the stage for leading the reader on a merry chase when murder happens.

Izzy has come to the quaint town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin (after inheriting a substantial amount from her grandfather) with his stipulation that she put it to good use and start a business. She has grand plans to buy property to grow fresh produce year-round. It all sounds perfect until a developer decides he must have the property, no matter the cost, and things turn ugly. When the developer is found murdered with Emily’s donuts close by, suspicion falls on both her and Izzy. The intricate plot, with subplots woven into the mix, had twists and surprises that kept me on my toes as I followed along with Emily in clearing her name. I liked that Emily immediately passes along any information she finds to her detective husband, and doesn’t hide clues from him. There were several suspects, and I never guessed whodunit until the edge-of-your-seat reveal. As the story wrapped up, all my questions were answered, leaving me eagerly waiting for the next book in this delightful series!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

This is a series I always enjoy returning to! Emily is a fantastic character and sleuth, and the donut theme always makes me hungry for more. This is the tenth book in the series, and although you can read them as stand alone I’d recommend the earlier books to get a feel for the characters and the relationships that are already established.

This time around however, we’re out to prove the innocence of newcomer but old friend to Emily, Izzy. She has a dream to open year round greenhouses and deliver fresh produce to the town, but someone doesn’t want her there and someone will end up murdered.

As with many cozies, we have the small town feel down to an art here. Emily and father in law Tom own and serve up donuts to the local populace and police force, and serve it up with a healthy dose of gossip and intrigue. Emily is now in a relationship with Brent, the local detective, so that gives her the ‘in’ with the police.

Now, logically after so many mysteries in one town the donuts might be getting a little stale, but this still manages to feel fresh and fun. The repetition of “I’ll tell Brent…I called Brent” etc IS getting a little tiring though, and I’d like Emily to rely on herself and her network without constantly putting herself in danger and relying on Brent to save the day. Still though, it was a minor thing in an otherwise enjoyable book.

If you’re thinking of starting a cozy mystery series and don’t know where to start, this one may be the one for you. There’s donuts, a cat (Deputy Donut) and murder. What more could you want?

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sour Crime Donuts is the tenth installment in the A Deputy Donut Mystery series set in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin and featuring cafe owner Emily Westhill and her cat Dep. When Izzy, blows into the Cafe all excited to see her, Emily fondly remembers the young girl who she spent a day with at the local campground.

Izzy has been given a lump sum of money from her grandfather and told to come up with a business plan. If she can successfully start a business she stands to inherit from her grandfather's estate upon his passing. She has her eyes on a large tract of land on the outskirts of town and wants to build greenhouses so she can raise organic vegetables and fruits. But she is facing opposition from two parties - the man who wants to turn the land into a resort/casino and the local chapter of environmentalists (TWIGS) who do not want her changing the landscape.

Emily and her staff have developed a special Peach donut with the fruit in season, and they are very popular. But when a box of the donuts is found stuffed in a hidden cave on Izzy property and a dead man on the edge of the pond, fingers point to Izzy. Emily and her husband Brent work to clear Izzy's name and discover a connection between Izzy and several other suspects.

A nice addition to the series with a returning cast of characters. A quick afternoon read that will leave you wanting more donut recipes.

I received an advanced copy of Sour Crime Donuts from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing/Kensington Cozies. While not required to write a review, I gladly offer my honest opinion.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sour Crime Donuts" is book #10 in "A Deputy Donuts Mystery" series by Ginger Bolton.

Emily is delighted to get reacquainted with a young woman named Izzy whom she had briefly met as a teen and Izzy was just a child.

Izzy plans to buy a property near town and create a greenhouse/farm to raise produce year round but a developer (and wannabe new mayor) and a group protesting removal of any trees on the property are causing problems. When the developer is found dead on the property evidence points to Izzy but Emily thinks there is more going on - especially once it is discovered that some seasonal treats from Deputy Donuts contained something that shouldn't have been in them.

This story could have gone a number of different ways so it was a bit more challenging to figure out who the culprit was or if they had an accomplice. There were only a handful of viable suspects including the current mayor, a handsome out-of-towner, one of the protestors or someone they hadn't thought of as a possible suspect.

With help from Olivia and Jocelyn, Emily does a bit of snooping. They do manage to learn a few things but nothing conclusive. A particular gathering leads Emily to some stunning revelations that puts her, her friends and especially Izzy in mortal danger before it is all revealed! WOW!

This was a really good read! The story was interesting with some very well placed red herrings and unexpected turns. Of course, there are some fun subplots and updates with Emily and her friends as well as a few yummy recipes included at the end of the book. Well done Ms. Bolton!

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily and her team like to experiment with new flavours and when local produce is around, they like to use it. Her peach sour cream confections are a big hit until they might have caused the death of someone. It soon becomes apparent someone tampered with the donuts but who could that be. The man, a brash developer, left a wake of frustrated people everywhere he went. Which one of the multitude had both the knowledge and opportunity to do the deed. Other than her donut shot being dragged into the investigation, Emily feels compelled to help the young woman whom she met when both were a lot younger and for whom she has fond memories.

The young woman is buying land to create greenhouses to provide year round fresh produce. There are some family shenanigans going on but whether they plunge to the levels of murder is a big question. No one seems to be who they purport to be initially. This clouds the fact finding that Em’s husband and the rest of the constabulary must do to find the truth.

There are some very exciting sequences and as usual Emily accidentally confronts the killer. Even with her two employees in tow, whether she will be able to subdue the villain is uncertain. What is certain is this is another fun story in the long series. I just wish Dep would get more chances to help out. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sour Crime Donuts is book #10 in the Deputy Donut Mystery series by Ginger Bolton.

It was great to catch up with Emily and her friends and family. I’d love to have a place like Deputy Donut Café nearby. Emily reconnects with Izzy, a younger girl that she knew many years ago. Izzy is going to start her own business. She isn’t the only one interested in a particular parcel of land. Unfortunately the competition for the land ends up dead with some of Emily‘s donuts nearby. That makes both Emily and Izzy suspects. I really like the character of Emily and how she investigates the crimes. She isn’t always trying to keep secrets from her husband who happens to be a detective. And anyone that creates a place for her cat like Dep has is good in my book. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I was on the edge of my seat at the ending. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to the author, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[M Steinbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sour Crime Donuts is the tenth book in the Deputy Donut mystery series. I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was hard to figure out and kept me guessing to the very end, which I love. The characters are wonderful people and it is like visiting a favorite small town every time a new book comes out and Emily, the main character, is exactly the kind of friend we would all like to have. She’s never afraid to step up and help a friend, but she is also smart enough to keep her detective husband in the loop and call for backup. If I have any criticism of this series, it’s just that I would like to see more of Brent and Emily together. They are a great couple and it would be fun to see more of Brent, than to just read about him leaving for work and working long hours. I highly recommend this series. If you haven’t read about Deputy Donut yet, you are in for a treat!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily is the owner of a local donut shop named after her tabby cat, Deputy Donut. I love a murder mystery that has cute puns and animals! Izzy, her sister decides to buy a spot of land to start her own business selling fresh fruits and vegetables. However, there are other people in town who also want that land and will go to extreme measures to get it. The food sounded so good! The doughnuts were super unique and my stomach definitely growled I read about the red pepper and colby jack cheese omelet.


The story did a good job leading you to believe it was a specific character and then throwing in a surprise murderer. It always makes me giggle a bit when the main characters put themselves in danger trying to solve a murder. Why didnt you call the police? The ending was good though, and I loved the recipes at the end! Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Ginger Bolton for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ginger Bolton's Deputy Donut Mysteries, is one of my favorite culinary mystery series; Sour Crime Donuts is the 10th and newest. I always enjoy my visits in Fallingbrook with Emily, Dep, and the gang. This installment is packed with suspects, crimes, and twisty turns. The suspense and danger feel intense when you can't tell who you can trust. I love that in a book.

Emily has a new donut in her case, an old acquaintance in her shop, a new renter for her house, and an environmental group on her case---whew! When a crumpled Deputy Donut box is found at the scene of a murder, life becomes even more complicated. I enjoy watching the story unfold and trying to suss out the murderer along with Emily and Brent. This one was tricky---I loved it.

My thanks to #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GingerBolton for an e-copy to read in view of an unbiased review, All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#SourCrimeDonuts #DeputyDonutMystery

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Land greed, dirty dealings, and murder. By donuts? There is a heated dispute over the disposition of a nearby piece of land, which is complicated by a murder, an abundance of suspects, and some very interesting plot twists. Love this series!
Deputy Donut is a family-owned business run by Emily, the widow of a local LEO who died while on duty and his father (retired local LEO). She has recently remarried and is married to another local LEO.
Back the Badge.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 26 2025
#SourCrimeDonuts by @ginger.bolton @ginger_bolton #DeputyDonutMysteriesBk10 #recipes @KensingtonBooks #CozyMystery @goodreads @bookbub @the.storygraph @booksamillion #lawenforcement @barnesandnoble @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk #rural #smalltown #series#northernwisconsin

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 ⭐️
I have liked all the Deputy Donut mysteries. Sour Crime Donuts is a good addition to the series.
The addition of peaches to donuts sounds amazing. I really want Deputy Donuts to be a real place I could visit.
The story surrounding Izzy was interesting to read. The first third and the last third of the book were great, but the middle third of the book kind of dragged for me.
I enjoy the main characters - Emily, Brent, their friends and the donut shop gang. The sense of friendship and community is always a strength for the story.
Of course, Dep the cat is a star. I haven’t met many cats that are as cuddly as Dep.
I recommend this series. I think your enjoyment of Sour Crime Donuts will be enhanced if you read the series in order.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily and her two employees who were also good friends did some major sleuthing in this case and took little Dep with them a couple times. The cat had a nose for clues and dead bodies. When an old friend of Emily’s came to town, it was a fun reunion since the girl was now grown up with some impressive career goals.

When a body was found on the land Izzy was gonna own soon, Izzy was an obvious suspect, so Emily and her pals worked hard to help Brent get the clues in place to find the real perp. And when that perp came face to face with Emily, I’m pretty sure after what she did, they were really sorry they ever met her lol. I was so sure someone I had in mind was the killer, but I was wrong. Can’t wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#SourCrimeDonuts #NetGalley is a fantastic addition to this well loved series. Emily is such a wonderful character, she's so easy to like, and her down to earth attitude adds to her personality.
Emily runs into a young woman she met years ago, as a child, and she's thrilled to meet her again.
Izzy has some plans to improve a large piece of land, but others want the same thing, and soon she finds ds herself fighting for her life.
Having Emily on her side is a plus, since she has a history of assisting to solve crimes.
I'm looking forward to reading more, and I hope Izzy will continue to be in future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sour Crime Donuts, the 10th book in Ginger Bolton's generally light Deputy Donuts mystery series, displays the continuing growth in this fun but deadly series. A blast from the past in the form of a young woman that Emily knew when the woman was a young girl blows into Deputy Donuts to reconnect with Emily and to share her exciting news; her grandfather has given her a huge amount of money to start a new business, and she can't wait to show Emily the property she is buying to start her vegetable greenhouses. Not everyone is excited for her. One man still wants to get his hands on the property even though it is under contract and tries to throw everyone off the property, even Izzy, the whirlwind.
Bodies, deadly donuts, and mysterious visitors keep the mystery moving as Emily for once tries to stay out of the investigation as her nearly new husband keep requestion. He has enough to handle as the detective on the case.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for allowing me to read and review and ARC of Sour Crime Donuts.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GingerBolton #DeputyDonuts #SourCrimeDonuts

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. This time, we find Emily working away at Deputy Donut, where she runs into an old acquaintance from years past. Her new old friend is getting ready to start a new farm out of town, thanks to an inheritance from her late grandfather. The only things standing in her way are some political positioning, an environmental group, and other people trying to buy the land. What could possibly go wrong! Next thing Emily knows, she is stumbling upon a dead body. It is up to her, along with help from her friends and adorable cat Dep, to find out who the killer is. A truly great series that I enjoy visiting time and again. I cannot wait for the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the advanced copy.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young woman who has come to town to start a farm finds her way to the donut shop. Soon Emily and the gang have taken her under their wing and Izzy as a part of their group. But when a ruthless developer is found dead on Izzy‘s imminent property, and he had threatened that he would get the property not Izzy, the ladies are left wondering whether he is a murderer or if she’s being set up to take the fall? Can they figure out who done it without becoming victim themselves?

This is an really fun cozy mystery series that provides solid mysteries in each and every entry but also progresses the lives and stories of the characters making each entry feel like a visit with friends along with the mystery. I like that. That’s why this series is on my must read list!

[Becky Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be 5 except I couldn't stand the character of Izzy. She shows up at Deputy Donuts to reconnect with Emily. They had met years ago for one day at the campground in Fallingbrook Falls. She's so perky and bubbly. And when a tall, dark stranger walks in, she's instantly smitten. But a mayoral race is heating up, and there are also community forces against Izzy, who has plans to purchase land, and start an organic farm, for which she needs to chop down some trees on the property. But then, Izzy finds the mayoral candidate running against the mayor, dead on her property. And the medical examiner determines that it was anaphylactic shock, from an allergy to almonds. In the midst of this, Delany and Brent have rented out her Victorian in town, to a chef.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next in the Deputy Donut series finds Emily reconnecting with a friend from her past. Izzy is trying to buy land to start a greenhouse business, but then someone trying to buy the land ends up murdered on the property. He was poisoned by one of Emily's donuts, and she is worried her friend Izzy might be responsible. She sets out to investigate to find the true culprit.

Another good entry in this series! The whodunnit did feel a little random, like there were not many clues throughout pointing this until really toward the end. It was still a fun read though, and I can't wait for the next in this series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.