Sweet Deal Sealed

Donut Lady #1

by Judith A. Barrett

Donut Lady, an amateur senior sleuth, sifts through clues. The serial killer squirms under the heat of exposure. It’s time for Donut Lady to die.
Karen O’Brien moves to her hometown in south Georgia and buys a charming, old-fashioned donut shop, complete with the owner's dog and cat. However, shadows and terrifying nightmares from her twelve years in prison disrupt her new life; or are they trying to help?
Her struggle to adapt to civilian life becomes even more complicated when the boy no one cares about except her suddenly disappears from his sketchy living conditions.

While Donut Lady searches for the missing boy and pursues clues to solve a prison murder, the killer stalks her.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Amazon, Fiction, Cozy, Contemporary, Romance

Audible Audio

First published March 4, 2020

About the author

Award-winning author Judith A. Barrett lives in rural Georgia with her patient husband, FarmerMan, and two spoiled farm dogs. When she's not writing, you'll find her outside gardening or with her husband and dogs.

Judith A. Barrett writes thriller, mystery, and survival science fiction series. Her unusual main characters are brilliant, talented, and down-to-earth folks who embrace solving difficult problems and righting wrongs.

Donut Lady Mystery Series
Sweet Deal Sealed, Book 1 Sweet Deal Sealed
Sweet Deal Concealed, Book 2 Sweet Deal Concealed
Sweet Deal Revealed, Book 3 Sweet Deal Revealed
Sweet Deal Appealed, Book 4 Sweet Deal Appealed
Sweet Secret Deal, Book 5 Sweet Secret Deal

Maggie Sloan Thriller Series
I Always Wanted to Be a Spy, Book 1 I Always Wanted to Be a Spy
Red Is the New Gray, Book 2 Red is the New Gray
Hidden by Fire, Book 3 Hidden by Fire
One Eye on the Killer, Book 4 One Eye on the Killer
See Beyond the Fog, Book 5

Grid Down Survival Series
Danger in the Clouds, Book 1 Danger in the Clouds
|Danger in the Wind, Book 2 Danger in the Wind
Danger on the Road, Book 3 Danger on the Road
Danger in the Field, Book 4 Danger in the Field

Riley Malloy Thriller Series
Tagged by Death, Book 1 Tagged by Death
Defy Death, Book 2 Defy Death


Check her website for more information about her books and to read her blog.
Judith A. Barrett website

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You can find her books on Amazon with your preference of ebook or paperback!
Judith A. Barrett Amazon Author Page

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book. First one by Judith Barrett. I will read the rest for sure. Memorable characters and good story. Glad I discovered this one.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars

Well this was different from other cozy mysteries. Usually it's a neighborhood member trying to uncover the truth about a death but Karen was an ex -con trying to get a new start and then the murder. I liked Karen she was a good person and the nickname donut lady was great. The people who came into her shop were definitely some fun characters as well especially Woody, such a sweet misunderstood boy that got lost in the system until Karen.

[Shirley K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet deal.

A good story with well developed characters. One star subtracted because no health department in the country would allow animals in the food preparation area of a commercial enterprise. Plus there are licenses and food handler permits that need to be acquired. No one can walk into a public food establishment and start cooking, even if they are the new owner.

[Jo Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow . . what a wild ride!! Danger, donuts and an adorable dog! Fast-paced and entertaining. 4*

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen O'Brien is at the end of her twelve-year sentence but, before she leaves, she wants to institute a reading programme for the other inmates. One of her fellow prisoners is left dead after a shanking incident leaving Karen feeling shaken as she restarts her life in her old hometown. While some give her a wide berth, most citizens give her a chance to prove that her new business, a doughnut shop, is worth patronising. Still, the prison murder haunts her and her new friend, a troubled young boy, suddenly disappears. Is this fresh start going to work?

There were very light (almost infinitesimal) elements of the paranormal. I would have preferred that the author strengthen them or omit them entirely. More than a mystery, the story leans heavily on the setup of the relationships for the series - this was quite enjoyable.

I'll be interested to see where Karen heads in the next book.

[Angela Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good book and I think that other people will like reading it too. It has a good ending too. Thanks

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up for the original premise behind the MC's fresh start

[Marcella Figueroa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline

Loved the book. Could not put it down. Liked that the donut lady wasn't like most main character in a book. She sounded real and flawed and the submissions was great. Can't wait to read "sweet deal concealed..

[RuthAnn Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gray book

I liked the book, but was a little bit let down by the ending. I will definitely read more of this author's books.

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good story

Karen has been released from prison after a twelve year sentence. She returns to her home town to start over and buys a donut shop. A series of selfless acts and new friends makes this a feel good book anyone will enjoy.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming tale about two lost souls from different backgrounds and generations who find each other and learn the importance of trust, sharing and friendship.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sheer heartache of this story kept me spellbound.
But more than just heartache, it holds a core of strength, forgiveness and grace
More please!

[Tom Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donuts can help fix anything

No matter how bad things seem to be, having something sweet to share and the desire to not give up, problems can be solved.

[Nicole D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up for a book club that never happened and it sat on my TBR until I came across a square on a bingo card I'm playing that involved food; I'm glad I finally took a bite! It was a quick read and a light story I mostly enjoyed.

The story follows Karen O’Brien aka Donut Lady, who wraps up her life in jail before being released and moving back home to her hometown for a fresh start. Everything falls into place easy for her from finding a house (the first one she sees is perfect for her), buying a new business and running it successfully (after only a week of hands off training from the old owner), and only once, one of the "old bitty's" actually didn't make things easy for her and that was quickly resolved.

Add to it a kid in the system whose being singled out by the town and his teacher can't tell he doesn't know how to read? I agree school will unfairly single out children at times but there is no way he would have made it to where he was without the teacher knowing he can't read. Even if he did skip test days.

Those things aside, I really did enjoy reading about her running the business, learning the recipes, teaching Woody to read and decorating the shop with their own like reading nook. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series but I guess we will see.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teach has been in prison for 11 years, 11 months, and will be released by the end of this month. She is a retired school teacher who has set up a program to teach the women in this Ohio prison how to read. Just before she is released, her best friend, Shorty, is murdered.

Shorty had slipped Teach an envelope with a list of dates and cities. After her release, Teach heads home to Georgia where she buys a house and a donut shop.

She begins investigating the list with the help of the local librarian. The ladies find a series of "accidental" deaths in each of the cities between the dates. And turn the info over to the local sheriff. Twitch, another inmate, who can neither read nor write, sends Teach a typewritten letter. But, Twitch is dead.

Who has been killing hikers? Who wrote the letter from Twitch? What has happened to Woody? Are the people he was with really related to him? Who is after Teach? And, why was her defense such a mucked up affair so that she spent 12 years in prison?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting cozy and a good start to the series.
We are introduced to Karen, who is in prison when we meet her for manslaughter. A former teacher, Karen works in the library and teaches other inmates to read. One of them slips her a note, and then is killed. Someone is accused of the murder, but it doesn't sit right with Karen.

Once released, Karen moves back to the town where she grew up, buys a donut shop, and becomes the 'donut lady'. Her donuts are a hit. She also inherits a dog and a cat from the prior owner. She also meets Woody, an adolescent who seems to be at the worst abused, and at the best ignored by family and school. She vows to help him learn to read. Then Woody goes missing....and the whole town steps in to try to find him.

This was a story with a lot of permutations. I liked the way the various stories were weaved together. We sort of knew who the murderer of Shorty, the prison inmate, but I still don't totally get the why. Nevertheless, it was a compelling read and I probably will continue the series.

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy books that demonstrate the value of giving people second chances and how love overcomes hardship; they just leave you feeling joyous and hopeful. Barrett has written a book that does exactly that. The main character is Karen. Karen has just been released from prison and is determined to start over. She ends up moving to a small town, buying a house and a donut shop. The donut shop comes with a dog and a cat that instantly adopt Karen as their own. As the shop gets up and running Karen notices a little boy hanging around looking in the windows. As the story continues, she becomes friends with the boy and they change each other’s lives. I do not want to spoil it so no more details! I will say that it was so good I am reading the others in the series! Just a fun read with a feelgood ending!

Warning: Do not read this book if hungry! The various donut descriptions will drive you crazy!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts with Karen O'Brien (Teach) in the last few weeks of her prison sentence for killing her husband.
Buys a house when she gets out and opens a Donut shop, becomes the Donut Lady; helps an abused boy, Woody, learn to read and finds him after he runs away;
We meet (Shorty) who has visions and is KILLED in prison after Karen is released. Shorty gave clues to where the women were killed, Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Yakima and Boulder;
Charlotte - Prison librarian (Serial KILLER);
(Duchess) Handkerchief is set up for Shorty's murder, was undercover in the prison;
(Twitch) also KILLED;
Captain Calvin Littlefoot;
Colonel - Dog, Mia - Cat;
Shirley, realtor, becomes a Foster Parent for (Woody), Haywood;
Harriet Dixon;
Giselle - furniture;
Grady, the Sheriff;
Monica, town Librarian;
Asbury Motel, Devlin and son: Daniel;
McMillin;
Idella Violetta Gold - Poison Ivy;
Amber;
John - County Atty, will look into her original case;

[Connie Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost threw in the towel and gave up on this book countless times. I enjoyed the setting because it was familiar territory. The storyline showed promise, but there were too many characters with too many aliases - some of whom I never did figure out who they were. There are at least two imaginary/ghost figures with too much focus on their unrelated antics. The storyline moved too slowly with far more detail than was needed. The ending came with a flurry of activity that felt like the author finally ran out of opportunities to eat tacos at the local stand and realized it was time to wrap things up. What should have been a quick enjoyable read turned out - for me - to be painfully drawn out and somewhat disorganized.

[Linda Rorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Donut Lady Cozy Mystery Series by Judith A. Barrett. Karen O’Brien moves to South Georgia to purchase a donut shop complete with a dog named Colonel and a cat named Mia. Karen is trying to adapt to life after being released from prison for the past twelve years. Karen was in prison for killing her husband in self-defense. A boy named Woody who comes into the donut shop looking for food and has nowhere to go. Woody goes missing and Karen, Colonel and Mia search for him and find him shivering and non-responsive. Karen takes him to the hospital and he recovers. Shirley is a realtor who sold Karen her home and is Karen’s friend. Shirley wants to be a foster parent to Woody. I really enjoyed this amazing cozy mystery novel.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen O’Brien is fresh out of prison. She decided to return to Asbury, Georgia and makes arrangements with an old school friend to meet her off the bus. Her friend sells houses and businesses! She has the funds to buy both a house and a business. She falls in love with the first house she is shown and then the first business she sees is the Donut shop. There she buys the shop which comes with a dog, Colonel and a cat, Mia. She quickly learns how to make donuts and scones. Whilst in prison one of the other inmates was murdered and she appeared to Karen soon after she was killed. She used to say she heard voices and knew that someone would kill her from behind! A very interesting book, one I was glad I could read in one sitting.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Karen O’Brien A.K.A. “Teach” was in prison. For what, I don’t know. She believed that women should be literate.

In prison, a friend of hers was stabbed during lock down. At first, you think that this might be the murder she solves. But NO. The first chapter deals with books and putting together a reading program for the inmates, which totally doesn’t parallel the donut theme on the cover. I thought this was about donuts. Mmm…Maybe the donut part comes later. In any sense, the first chapter lags so much that I don’t even get through it all. By chapter 2, she gets released from jail and goes house-hunting. What a waste of time!

[Sandy Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not able to read so my parents reached out to a retired teacher for help. She got my attention with the HARDY BOY'S. I want to thank Ms. Barrett for reminding all of us that sometimes it takes some of us just the right person with the right touch to get us started. My favorite time is my reading hour and this series is well worth reading for the memories and wonderful Ms. Donut Lady. Give it a read and see if you're not hooked, don't be surprised when you find yourself reading the whole series.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a interesting mystery novel. I really enjoyed reading this and trying to solve the crime by the end. We start when Karen O'Brien is in prison and about to get out. A murder occurs. Trying to assimilate back into society, she returns to her old hometown. Working with some outside sources, Karen tries to solve the murder. Will she be able to find the killer before they strike again? I love the odd assortment of characters within the small town. I really look forward to the next in the series.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A1 Mystery and Female Fiction Combined


This was a great read. An ex con goes back to her hometown to start over. However, prison life and secrets follow her. She handles everything thrown her way with kindness, patience, and perseverance. I really admired the main character and how she rebuilt her life despite the closed minds of a small Georgia town. My only question was where did she get the money needed to start over?

[Teryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Couldn't put it down. Riveting. The story opens with the main character in prison but about to be released after serving 12 years. She's kind, she's brave, and she feels she is old and broken. She takes over a quaint donut shop where she opens her heart to teach a young illiterate orphan to read, changing both their lives. There is mystery scattered throughout the book and surrounding the heroine. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Deal Sealed

The Donut Lady leaves prison after 12 years and finds the perfect cottage and shop to buy. Most of the townspeople are happy to have her and her business in town. She has a soft heart and cares about everyone. The book has a special way of being written. You will love the dog and cat that come with her donut shop and especially the little orphan that becomes a large part of the story. I'm sure you also will want to read the future books!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Intriguing story of a woman restarting her life in a small town after 12 years in prison and a young boy just beginning his life completely alone. How the two seemingly misfits find meaning and hope inside a donut shop is wonderfully written and will leave sweet memories on the heart.

[Vernell Schutte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Downloaded Sweet New Deal as a freebie from Amazon (through Freebooksy). So confused when I started reading!! After some "sleuthing" of my own - realized they gave me Red is the New Gray under the cover of Sweet New Deal!!!! Red is the New Gray is disjointed and confusing, totally assuming you have read #1! Not happy!

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful story

Judith A Barrett put together a very powerful story about overcoming near to impossible odds. One of the reasons I only gave 4 stars was because returning to her hometown was too easy. There should have been much more ostracism to overcome. Overall, I loved the book,and will read more from the author.