Tell-Tale Treats: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel

Magical Fortune Cookie #3

by Jennifer J. Chow

Is Felicity to blame when a hotel guest drowns after eating her enchanted cookies? Felicity Jin returns in the third installment of the Magical Fortune Cookie series.

A group of high school alumnae reunite years later and reserve rooms at Pixie Inn for an extended retreat. As part of their pampering package, Felicity delivers a scrumptious assortment of enchanted pastries, including her new almond cookies.

But the queen bee of the group is soon found dead in her bathroom, drowned in the tub, and she recently sampled the delicious baked goods. Could Felicity’s almond cookies have set off a fatal nut allergy? The enchanted pastries are supposed to bring joy, not sorrow—and certainly not death.

Boyfriend, Kelvin Love, is eager to assist, although odd things have been happening to his senses ever since he baked with Felicity. Will his extra sensitivity help or hinder the investigation? Plus, special bunny Whiskers lends a magical paw to the detecting since Felicity can’t and won’t relax until she restores both order and magic to her world.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 27, 2026

About the author

Jennifer J. Chow writes multicultural stories. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Her accolades include: Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, & Lilian Jackson Braun Award nominations; SoCal Indie Bestseller; Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB finalist; and Teen Vogue coverage.

Find out more and join her monthly newsletter on her author website.

Reviews

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tell-Tale Treats (Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery Book 3)" by Jennifer J. Chow has Felicity and her boyfriend, Kevin, investigating yet another mysterious death. This time Pixie In has been fully rented out my a highly entitled ex-high cheerleader and her girl pack. When the queen bee is found dead in her tub, Felicity is worried that something baked at her Bakery is the culprit.

Lucky for Felicity, there seems to be lots of better suspects. Kevin is discovering some new talents and they try to use those to help solve what really happened. It really went exactly how I figured it would.

That being said, I did enjoy the story. It was fairly standalone and I will probably go back and read the first two books. There is a hint of magic in fairly real world setting. Felicity is of Asian decent and those influences are mentioned throughout the book as well. I'm curious yo see why her mom is so obsessed with insisting the detective is family.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The positives: I love the Asian bakery and the incorporation of cultural traditions into the series. Felicity is a solid character: intuitive, savvy, and genuinely caring. The setting is cute and the row of shops is a nice way to add several different tidbits about flowers and scents. The not-so-great: there is a lot of suspension of disbelief that has to happen for this story to work: the incorporation of the various animals that help; the fact that Felicity’s bakery that serves very few varieties of treats would be asked to cater, or even thrive; the way they can investigate and everyone just goes along with it. The story itself was good, though it slowed down in the middle. I will continue with the series, but I hope for a tighter story in the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Dreamscape Media for the review copy.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually avoid mysteries with any kind of paranormal content but I like this series. It is sort of “magic light,” more like insight into character feelings and actions than spooky stuff. As Felicity's mother says, “Magic is about kindness.” (loc 1686/3135) The plot and investigation is complex but Felicity and her fiancee muddle through to the end. The relationship between the supposed friends from high school is a study in relationships in itself.

I like the addition of Kelvin in this novel with some powers of his own. I learned some about plants and flowers from him too. And what fun to have a rabbit help solve the mystery. Detective Sun is one of my favorite support characters as she is able to see through Felicity's attempts to gather inside information. That adds a little humor to the plot.

This is an entertaining cozy mystery for readers who like something a little different in their characters. The magic used is fun and rather light hearted. This is an entertaining and informative cozy mystery I enjoyed..

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent ans honest review.

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚 Read as a book (ARC) 3 hours reading time
📃 No. of pages: Not specified in sources (typical series length ~300 pages)
Read as part of NetGalley ARC
🏷️Publisher name: Minotaur Books

I’m a sucker for cozy mysteries with a culinary twist, but Tell-Tale Treats adds something delightfully new. I honestly can't remember the last time I read a cozy mystery with an Asian main character and a magical hook that felt fresh. Felicity Jin feels fresh, grounded, and quietly powerful, blending cultural heritage with an everyday kind of enchantment. he group of alumnae adds juicy interpersonal tension, and watching those long-buried secrets mix with the present-day murder keeps things spicy.

The pacing slows in the middle, and I found myself wishing it had kept its early energy. Still, every cozy mystery needs that moment to simmer, right? Fortunately, Jennifer J. Chow nails the ending. Every loose thread is tied up without feeling forced, and I closed the book with an oddly satisfied grin (and a craving for almond cookies).

Would I recommend it?
While the pacing stumbles, the attempt is heart-warming. I would love to read more.

Crack open a cookie and spill the tea
Are you a sucker for high school reunion drama or do you prefer your cozies with minimal emotional baggage? And more important, would you trust a magical fortune cookie bakery?

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tell-Tale Treats by Jennifer Chow is a Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery. This is the first of the series that I have read and I wasn’t taken with it. It lacked a feel of gravitas. Granted, most cozies are less serious than traditional mysteries, but this one didn’t measure up to even the lower bar. There was too much Kelvin, for one. I seemed like a high school romance. The touch of magic is often used well, but in this case, it seemed inconsistent and not very real (I get it, magic isn’t real). Felicity (Lissa) was not a very serious character, although charming. Her mother was kind of a treat, however. The plot was decent and presented fairly well, although there was a lot of running around at the end. At least the heroine was not being held at gun point.

This all takes place in a small town where nearly everyone has Asian surnames, even out-of-town guests. Odd coincidence. The small business district sounds cute and the idea of chocolate-dipped fortune cookies is intriguing, as are the other variations Felicity has come up with. It was a diverting tale, but one I have no desire to repeat.

I was invited to read Tell-Tale Treats by St Martins Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #JenniferChow #TellTaleTreats

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number three in this unique series, featuring Felicity Jin.
Felicity prepares her magical treats for a group of high school friends, who are gathering together after all this time.
Felicity is proud to offer her new creation, almond cookies, hoping they bring happiness to the friends.
Things don't go as planned and one of the group is found dead, and the last thing she ate was the almond cookies.
Did Felicity accidentally poison the woman, or is there something else going on?

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell-Tale Treats: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow.
St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books, thank you for my gifted ARC and thanks to NetGalley.

I settled in with this book expecting a cute magical mystery, maybe a light dose of sugar, and definitely no bathroom-based disasters. Instead, I got a roller coaster of charm, chaos, and enchanted carbs. Felicity Jin is back in the third Magical Fortune Cookie novel, and she is once again juggling baked goods, magical mishaps, and the kind of murder case that makes you reconsider every almond cookie you’ve ever eaten. A group of high school alumnae gathers for a reunion at the Pixie Inn, which sounds soothing on paper but quickly swerves into calamity when their queen bee ends up dead in the tub. She had recently sampled Felicity’s new almond cookies, and of course the universe points a big neon arrow at the baker. Nothing builds community like blaming the pastry chef.

I love how Chow balances whimsy with tension. Felicity’s magic is meant to bring joy, yet this time she wonders if her creations caused something deadly. That guilt adds depth to her charm and keeps the story grounded even while spells, odd sensations, and magical bunnies hop through the pages. Kelvin Love, ever loyal, jumps into the sleuthing but his new hypersensitivity turns him into a walking sensory hazard. He tries so hard that I couldn’t help rooting for him, even when he stumbles. And Whiskers, the bunny with more talent than half the humans, remains my favorite. If Whiskers ever wants a spinoff, I will pre-order it sight unseen.

The mystery itself is tightly woven, with enough red herrings to make me feel like I was reading in a fog. Chow knows how to pace a reveal and how to drop just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing. The alumnae group brings drama, secrets, and tension that simmer beneath the surface, and watching Felicity peel back their decades of baggage scratched that perfect cozy itch. The inn setting adds warmth even while danger circles, making every chapter feel like a mix of comfort and risk.

My favorite quote: “Magic is easy until people get involved.” I felt this deep in my spine.

This book stands alone, but returning readers will appreciate how the world has expanded and how Felicity’s confidence grows with each challenge. The cozy charm, gentle humor, and solid twists make it a satisfying installment. If you want a magical mystery that delivers warmth, wit, and a bit of bite, this one is for you.

Rating: ★★★★☆

#TellTaleTreats #JenniferJChow #MagicalFortuneCookieSeries #CozyMystery #MagicalMystery #WittyReads #BookReview #NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #ReaderLife #BookishLove #AmReading #Books2026 #CozyReaders #MysteryLovers #BookishHumor

[Katarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank You to St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur books and Netgalley got a Readers advanced copy of this novel I truly appreciate it.
Also Thank you to Dreamscape Media for a audiobook advanced copy, I really appreciate that as well.

There is a group of highschool Alumni who reunite years later and they reserve rooms at the Pixie Inn for a extended retreat. As part of the package, Felicity delivers an assortment of enchanted pastries, including her new almond cookies.

The queen bee of the group is soon found dead in her own bathroom, drowned in her own bathtub and she also recently sampled the baked goodies that Felicity brought. Could her cookies have been the reason that the Queen bee went to early grave? These pastries are supposed to bring joy, not death. Felicity boyfriend Kelvin Love is very eager to assist, although some odd things have been happening to his senses. Plus Whiskers who is a very special bunny lends a helping paw since Felicity won't relax until the case is solved.


I do like this types of cozy mysteries, these ones specifically are great for the spring time, at least that's what the cover is giving me. I do really enjoy these novels they are interesting except for the whole love interest part. I honestly don't really like her having a boyfriend, but I also don't know why I feel that way. Also Felicity's mom and the cop are a bit to close but maybe that's just the culture, although I think Felicity is valid for being jealous of the cop. With these books I always want there to be more about her magic included in these novels but we only get little snippets of magic in the novel.

I do like all the sweet little recipe's that she makes, I do wish she included all the food that she mentions I wish they put all the recipes at the end of the book so they are all in one place. I do enjoy our characters in this book, sometimes Felicity does seem kind of whiny especially when it comes to the cop. I also feel like Felicity makes more of a mess during the case, than actually help during the case.

I do think that Kelvin and Felicity are not that compatible, if anything he should be trying to stop her from going and doing all of these dangerous things. As a team they aren't that bright and I feel like they struggle with solving the mystery. This book did keep me entertained and interested, I also don't know if the one of the girls was actually pregnant or not they were very vague when it came to that, they said that she lost the baby, but I don't know if I believe that she was actually pregnant.

The audiobook narrator did a good job, her voice was light and airy kind of like one of Felicity's pastries. I liked how she did the narration. I think that I would choose the audiobook over the physical book, but I think that's because I like someone reading to me. I would recommend both the book and the audiobook.

Happy Reading!!!!!!

[Megan Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review: Tell‑Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow
Series: Magical Fortune Cookie #3
Narrator: Catherine Ho
Audiobook Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the publisher for the ARC audiobook.

Tell‑Tale Treats is the third installment in Jennifer J. Chow’s Magical Fortune Cookie series, and it continues to deliver exactly what I come to this series for: a cozy, lightly magical mystery with warm relationships, gentle humor, and a heroine whose life is steadily growing richer with each book.

This time, Felicity Jin finds herself caught up in the drama of a high school alumnae retreat at the Pixie Inn. The group’s “queen bee,” Ashlynn, is found dead in her bathtub shortly after sampling Felicity’s new almond cookies, which raises the unsettling question of whether Felicity’s enchanted pastries could have triggered a fatal reaction. As always, Felicity refuses to rest until she understands what really happened, with help from her sweet boyfriend Kelvin (whose senses are acting strangely after baking with her) and her magical bunny, Whiskers.

What I Enjoyed
This book gave me a very cozy, comforting reading experience. The pacing is smooth and even, and I loved the continued development of Felicity’s personal life. One of the strengths of this series is that Felicity actually grows. Her relationships deepen, her world expands, and her connection with Kelvin is genuinely adorable. Their romance adds warmth without overshadowing the mystery.

Catherine Ho once again does a great job with the narration. She’s narrated the previous books as well, and her performance continues to fit the tone and characters perfectly.

What Didn’t Fully Land
The alumnae friend group at the center of the mystery didn’t always feel believable. Their dynamic is tense, mean‑spirited, and sometimes oddly exaggerated, which made some of their choices feel forced or unlikely. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it did pull me out of the story a few times.

Who Will Enjoy This
Readers who love cozy mysteries, food‑centric stories, and a sprinkle of magic will feel right at home here. If you enjoyed the first two books, this one continues the tone and charm of the series.

Final Thoughts
I closed the book feeling content. This was another solid, enjoyable entry in the Magical Fortune Cookie series. I’ve rated all three books three stars, and this one fits right in. It's cozy, engaging, and comforting, with a heroine whose journey I’m happy to keep following.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I have read or listened to a number of books by this author but this is my first time with this series and it certainly won't be my last. What struck me was it was nice to have a couple that can work together to solve a cosy mystery, instead of the usual boy friend telling the amuther slueth to stay out of his case. What's even better is they make a cute couple and work better together, whether it's understanding magic or interpreting clues, it works and makes the story more interesting because of it. The chosen animals also broke the mould for cozy mysteries with a rabbit and a rat involved in solving the case. The only hiccup was the mystery, while good with lots of fun red herrings, I thought the killer was pretty obvious and couldn't understand why it took so long for Felicity and Kelvin to cotton on. Off to check out the rest of the books in the series.

The owner of Pixie inn needs Felicity and Kelvin's help. A group of ladies has hired the whole inn to host there reunion at and have a number of requirements that needs meeting. Felicity and Kelvin are only to happy to help, even after meeting the highly strung group of friends. Kelvin and Felicity get called back to the inn after dropping of there bakery and flower deliveries when water start leaking from the Queen Bee's room. There they discover her dead body. She died in the from an allergic reaction but what was the cause? Felicity afraid her treats might be to blame starts to investigate the indecent. The more she uncovers the more she learns that although they might have pretended to be friends the four ladies were far from it. Can Felicity and Kelvin work out what caused the reaction and in the process find the killer? Even with the remaining 'friends' pointing the finger at each other.

I liked the narrator. She had a pleasant voice that was easy to listen too and more importantly you could tell the different characters apart.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

TELL-TALE TREATS by Jennifer J. Chow
The Third Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery

It's a girls' weekend when former high school friends led by Ashlyn Cook, the Queen Bee herself, rent out Pixie Inn. Felicity Jin is happy to provide a never ending supply of baked goods for the event while her boyfriend, Kelvin is outfitting the B&B with his floral designs. That night the owner of the inn calls Kelvin in a panic, but when he and Felicity arrive they find a water leak is the least of their worries. Ashlyn is dead. Was this a tragic accident? With Detective Sun on the case it must be something more. Felicity and Kelvin will be sure to make themselves useful-whether it's delivering treats from their stores, providing a shoulder to lean on, or picking up clues to catch a killer.

With the release of the third Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery I was happy to find myself back in California drooling over almond cookies and pineapple buns.

TELL-TALE TREATS looks at how friendships can change, what people will do for love, and how love and friendship can sour. It also shows how family doesn't need a blood, or even human, connection. Family is who is there for you, in good times and bad and who gathers round your dining room table.

I enjoyed the mystery and especially appreciated how Whiskers and two other furry friends helped solve the crime as well as provide love and affection. While I knew early on a certain someone was bad news, and a big liar, I was unsure of motive. I liked how Felicity and Kelvin worked together to get to the bottom of everything.

It's interesting to note that since Felicity and Kelvin became a romantic couple the investigation has become a team effort. It's no longer Felicity investigating with help from her friend Kelvin, instead the two of them do everything together. This works at the moment, as they are a great team. I only hope this coupling doesn't diminish Felicity's power.

With delectable Chinese baked goods and a hint of magic TELL-TALE TREATS provides a scrumptious mystery that's to die for.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felicity Jin is back helping out her former teacher who now runs and B&B. She's been asked to bring baked goods for a group of high school alumni who are having a reunion and have bought out the B&B for a week. Felicity's boyfriend, Kelvin the florist is providing the floral decorations. Ashley the queen B wants her former sycophants to be locked into the B&B and watch movies and basically have a giant slumber party. The others are less thrilled, especially one who is a semi-pro tennis star who doesn't want to sit around doing nothing.

They don't make the first night before Queen B is dead and Felicity is worried her allergic reaction death is due to her cookies so naturally she (and Kelvin) have to be sure that it wasn't her also they want to save their former teacher's reputation too. Felicity's fortune telling fortune cookies are just part of her growing magic, between a family cookbook of magic and her moon rabbit really getting into things this time.

I read book one but missed the second so I somehow missed how/why Detective Sun and Felicity's mom seem to be so close suddenly. At least there is less tension between her and Felicity which is good for me (the detective being anti amateur sleuth is my least favorite version of cozy)

The mystery itself was good with enough twists and turns to be compelling. On the other hand I was wondering how Kelvin's business stays afloat since he's always with Felicity (who at least has her mother to run the bakery). I didn't like some of Felicity's minor jealousies and somewhat childish attitude especially when being told no by anyone.

I wish she had described the decorative stones on the tub better besides telling us several times they're from a special region in China. I was imagining the river rock sort you see in spas but if these were being used as pebbles against a window... they had to be tiny.

[boogleloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars: This is Chow's third entry in the Magical Fortune Cookie Series which is a BIPOC Paranormal Culinary Cozy Mystery set in California. Featuring a woman who bakes with her mom at her family's magical Chinese bakery as she finds herself turning sleuth when a former high school queen bee's found drowned in her hotel room bathtub after recently sampling some of her enchanted almond cookies. With help from boyfriend, who's experiencing odd things ever since baking with her, and her magical pet bunny, who's always willing to lend a magical paw, she'll have to work fast to sift through the various suspects and the many clues to catch this killer before they strike again.

With plenty of twists and turns, Chow has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Chow's writing and character work are excellent; the main character's well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a great secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.

• Paranormal elements: slightly magical.
• For Animal Lovers: MC's pet white bunny's a physical manifestation of the moon rabbit from Chinese mythology.
• Includes a yummy sounding Chinese pastry recipe, some fun tips and a craft.

While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Ill-Fated Fortune. Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small group of former high school classmates gather at the Pixie Inn for a reunion. Felicity Jin is hired to deliver a supply of her magical pastries which includes her new almond cookies. Everything is going well, until tragedy strikes.

The head of the group drowns in the bathtub after eating one of Felicity’s pastries. All eyes are on Felicity since the victim had an allergy to nuts and may have eaten an almond cookie.

Felicity sets out to find out what happened. Along with her boyfriend Kelvin and her bunny Whiskers, they vow to clear Felicity’s name and find the real culprit.

This is the third book in the Magical Fortune Cookie series, and I think it’s the best yet. I loved it. The mystery is contained and solved in this book. No cliffhangers. I don’t think you have to read the previous two books, but I highly recommend that they be read in order. It gives the reader a chance to see Felicity and Kelvin’s relationship develop from best friends to boyfriend/girlfriend. It, also, gives the reader the opportunity to be introduced to the rest of the cast and see what makes them tick.

The mystical bunny, Whiskers, is a fun character. It’s unusual to have a bunny playing a starring role in the series, but it adds to the enjoyment of the series.

I found the storyline to be fast paced with characters I have come to care about. I want to read more about Felicity and Kelvin as well as the rest of the cast.

This made for a few days of delightful reading. My one complaint - I was craving pastries throughout the whole book.



FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

TELL-TALE TREATS is the third book in the Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries by Jennifer J. Chow. This charming cozy mystery combines a plucky protagonist, Felicity Jin, with a magical rabbit, Whiskers, enchanted pastries to bring joy from her bakery, and an obnoxious group of four young women reunited years after high school. The author sets the stage for plenty of conflict early on, all the while showcasing Felicity’s sweet personality and her desire to see justice served. The relationships between the core characters, from Felicity and her mother and godmother, to her best friend turned boyfriend, pun maker and florist Kelvin, are nothing but kind and compassionate. I so enjoy seeing these types of relationships flourish, and it was especially gratifying to see Felicity and Kelvin’s relationship change and grow over the course of the series.

The mystery itself is straightforward and well-plotted. Twists kept me guessing, and the suspects were neatly limited to the small group staying at the local inn for the reunion trip. The clues were scattered throughout the story, like the cake crumbs used to lure a rat (a pet rat, to be exact), and with the grand conclusion, the threads of the plot and subplots wrapped together perfectly. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a sprinkle of whimsy, a dash of daring, and a pinch of romance, you’ll enjoy Tell-Tale Treats!

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

[Kellybrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great series this is. And this latest book adds even more of the charm I’ve come to look forward to. Felicity helps run her families bakery, where magic is the secret ingredient. Her speciality is fortune cookies, sometimes with a personalized fortune. When she is asked to cater a local inn with her treats, she’s ecstatic. Especially when her new BF is also providing the flowers. But a death of one the guests puts her in sleuth mode, namely to prove one of her pastries wasn’t the cause.

I’m really glad that in book three we have her & Kelvin delving into their budding relationship. I’m not a fan when series drag romantic things out for too long. There’s also an interesting change to Kelvin, that I think could really add to the future books. The way Chow adds in the magic, subtlety, is perfect. Makes it all feel plausible. The victim is an entitled ex cheerleader who seems to boss around all in her wake, including her group of BFF’s. There’s enough secrets & red herrings to keep you guessing the whole way. What really is one of the strongest aspects of this series is the warm, charming style the author uses, about all the local businesses, the baking & the characters. It melds so well with the tension of a murder mystery. Plus there’s a magical bunny!

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martins Press & Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

🥠

Read if you like:
* Noodle Shop series by Vivien Chien
* Witches Brew series by Gretchen Rue

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Magical Fortune Cookie series has Felicity providing her magical treats to a group of women gathering for a reunion at a local bed and breakfast. She also agrees to give them a tour of her small town and discovers that the four seem to have little in common and have lots of tension showing in their relationships.

When the leader of the group is found drowned in her bath, Felicity fears that she had an allergic reaction to one of the treats she provided. At first, she is under suspicion from the local police detective but tests show that the cause of death was not an allergic reaction to Felicity's cookies.

Nonetheless, Felicity and her boyfriend Kelvin are determined to find out who murdered Ashley. The tensions among the group give her a lot of suspects to investigate. One more is added when the husband of one of the women also appears.

This was a nice cozy mystery with touches of magic. Besides Felicity's ability to make fortune cookies that do see the recipient's future, Kelvin is discovering a magic talent of his own. He is a florist who sometimes smells flowers not in his arrangements when he presents them to their recipients. The language of flowers gives him and Felicity clues in their investigation.

Fans of the series will enjoy this new case.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Tell-Tale Treats
Series; Magical Fortune Cookie #3
Author: Jennifer J. Chow
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Catherine Ho
Publisher: Dreamscape Media LLC/Minotaur Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date: January 27, 2026
My Rating: 4 3 Stars
Pages: 304

Felicity Jin is once again juggling baked goods, magical mishaps, and of course a murder case.
A group of high school alumnae gathers for a reunion at the Pixie Inn, which sounds like fun until one of their own aka the Queen B - Ashley ends up drowned in the tub. She had recently sampled Felicity’s new baked goods the delicious almond cookies, Felicity was so proud of her new creation never suspecting to be blamed for a death!
Boyfriend, Kelvin Love, is eager to assist,
Although Felicity has magical talents it seems Kelvin has a magic talent as well. He is a florist and is amazing at smelling flowers and then naming the flower. His smell and language of flowers gives him and Felicity clues in their investigation.

I always enjoy a good cozy mystery and one with a sweet romance between likeable characters is always a plus.
Although this was my first read in this series – I am hooked.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media LLC and Minotaur Books for this enjoyable audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 27, 2026.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful foodie cozy mystery with a light touch of magic that makes for such a fun read! Love the diversity among the characters and the ethnic baking descriptions. Everything sounds so exotic and yummy! And Felicity’s little something extra makes for a special touch. As does her unusual bunny sidekick!

In this third ‘Magical Cookie’ mystery, Felicity and Kelvin become entangled in another suspicious death. Loved their teamwork and the way their relationship has grown over the course of the series. And this time Kelvin discovers a unique talent that pairs nicely with Felicity’s and adds to their sleuthing finesse.

The well plotted mystery kept me guessing thanks to the nice posse of potential suspects with motives. So many characters to love and some to…well, strongly dislike…kept me emotionally engaged. And that intense climax…phew! Way to keep an avid reader on edge until everything gets sorted.

I really enjoyed listening the audio book narrated by Catherine Ho. Her performance delivered all these characters in the best (and worst) light and she is excellent at adding touches of drama and humour at just the right places. Highly recommend the audio book for discerning listeners.

My thanks to Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a 3.5 star read for me. Felicity, Kelvin, Gram, and the bunny are all cute, but this tale is just a little too convoluted for me. I like the light touch of magic, but it often doesn't make sense or seems to be slid into the narrative just to move an idea forward. When a group of girlfriends check into the Pike Inn, an Inn owned and managed by one of Felicity former teachers, Mrs Robson, she is asked to provide treats and Kelvin flowers, thus they find themselves in the middle of the drama when Aslynn the host of the group is found dead from an allergic reaction under mysterious circumstances. These old high school friends have very weird and twisted relationships, and the back and forth and multiple motives are a little over the top. I also have to say that a part that a rat plays in this mystery is just a little gross and over the top for me, but that's just my opinion. This one was just a little out of balance for me. Thanks to #Netgally, #MinotaurBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #Tell-TaleTreats #MagicalFortuneCookieMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell-Tale Treats
A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel #3
By Jennifer J. Chow
Pub date: 1/27/26

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.


Tell-Tale Treats is book three in the Magical Fortune Cookie series written by Jennifer J. Chow. I’ve read all the books in the series, and I enjoy watching relationships and characters grow a bit with each book. I also like the magical component. It adds a bit of fun to an already fun series. I keep returning to these books because they are a good way to immerse myself into another world for a few hours.

In this book, a group of friends who’ve lost touch with each other over the years book the Pixie Inn. The inn’s proprietor hires Jin Bakery to keep a snack buffet well-stocked during their stay. There’s tension in this group of old friends, and when one of them drowns, Felicity finds herself solving in another murder.

The murderer’s identity wasn’t hard to solve, but seeing how the relationships, especially the prickly one between Felicity and Detective Sun, evolve is also another reason I keep on reading.
4/5 stars.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review ranking is for the creativity the writer uses in her stories trying to create something new. It amazes me how these mystery writers can have several series going at the same time and put out much content.
The story involves several high school women staying at the local inn for a getaway. When the leader is murdered, the true feelings of the other girls towards her comes to light, and it is up to main character Felicity to try and solve the murder while under investigation for her cookies made of nuts ,which may (or may not) have helped cause the incident.
Felicity has magic powers which is discovered in the early books of the series and now involves others close to her, especially her boyfriend (NO SPOILERS).
The problem in the book is it starts to take an unrealistic/ comedy spin on it involving the pets as well as the characters. As much as I respect the attempt to be artists, even as fiction it became too much in this episode for me, but the die-hard readers of the series will still enjoy it.
For an in-depth review, visit my page at: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

You had me at "Magical Fortune Cookie"!

Tell-Tale Treats is a novel about a family that has an aptitude to bake magical pastries. Pastries, a good coffee and a book, that's my (daily) treat. The cozy story tells us of the Jin family that owns a magical recipe book and our FMC happens to be able to tell one their fortune (good and bad!) when one eats her fortune cookies. This alone somewhat spells trouble, but more about the story. It is the perfect cozy setting, a little town and a B&B that will host a group of friends for one of their excursions. Imagine a mash up of, cozy magic, pastries, fresh flowers and a hefty does of "Mean Girls". Things go sideways and we have a mystery on our hands!

The story was the perfect length, it was just the right amount of mystery and fun. If you are into a cozy mystery with a side of baked goods, this is the perfect treat!

Thank you to Jennifer J. Chow for the sweet treat, with the right amount of bite! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the adventure!

[Kellie Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first experience reading any of the books from the Magical Fortune Cookie series. I love a cozy mystery and magical realism. This was a fresh mystery story. While I didn't have all the aspects completely right, I did figure out the whodunnit fairly early on. I don't think Felicity or Kelvin are particularly bright, and like I said this is my first book of the series... I do think the two of them have the potential to grow on me.

Felicity has been hired to supply a spread of baked goods for a group of frenemies reunited after a high school reunion. The leader of the pack known as "Queen B" is found dead the first night. Initially, it appears her death is accidental and caused by none other than Felicity herself. Felicity and Kelvin use their detective reasoning and a bit of the Jin family magic to solve the mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the eBook ARC.

[KKEC Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell-Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow
I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I started it, but the storytelling was strong, so I don’t feel like I missed anything pertinent.

These characters were charming, as was the town. The story flowed smoothly, and this was a well-done cozy. The pacing was fast enough to keep me engaged, with nice hints of humor and strong character development.

Lissa and Kelvin are adorable. Their romance is charming, and the way they interacted was precious. I enjoyed watching their chemistry dance throughout this book.

I love the subtle nods to Chinese culture and the beautiful way the Jin family embraced their roots, even living in California. I loved that this took place close to where I live; I was able to visualize the scenes and recognize some locations easily.

This was a delightful read. I enjoyed the journey, the characters, and the writing.

Publication date: January 27, 2026
Publisher: Minotaur Books

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pixie Inn is expecting a girls group and Felicity Jin is asked to supply treats from Jin Bakery. Her boyfriend Kevin Love is asked to supply flowers. Thus they are both present for the arrival of the group. It is clear from the first that there is tension among the ladies. Since it's a cozy mystery, it's no surprise that one in the group winds up dead.
Tell-Tale Treats is a well-plotted story with so many twists and turns. I enjoyed following along with Felicity as she reasoned out different pieces of the puzzle that was the complex relationship between the members of the group.
This is one you have to read to believe (or listen).
I enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. I recommend reading Tell-Tale Treats even if you haven't read other books in the Magical Fortune Cookie series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

[Stacey E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun return to an author who originally introduced me to cozies through her Sassy Cat Mystery series which made me fall in love with the genre.
Even though this is book three in the series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone and never felt lost or like I was missing important background information. The story leaned a bit more magical than I typically prefer. I would say I enjoyed it overall, but not enough to feel compelled to go back and read the earlier books in this series.
That said, Chow’s writing is still very enjoyable, and I absolutely plan to read more from her in the future.
As for the audiobook narration, it was okay but not a favorite. Some of the character voice changes didn’t quite fit and felt a bit forced at times. I would still listen to this narrator and would like to try her again to better judge her performance overall.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

[The Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this book a 4.5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
​A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I actually jumped into this series at book 3 without having read the first two, and I can confirm it works as a standalone just fine. I absolutely fell in love with the cozy mystery vibes and that little bit of magic mixed oh-so-sweetly into the story. Both the FMC and MMC are completely adorable—their chemistry and the "believable agony" of the investigation kept me turning pages.
​The only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is that the pace slowed slightly in the middle, but things picked right back up and the ending was fantastic! No loopholes, just amazing storytelling. Plus, the narrator did a wonderful job, making it a truly enjoyable listen. I’m definitely going back to read books 1 and 2 very soon!
​Follow me @TheLitWhisperer for more Cozy Mystery reviews!

[Jessica Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell-Tale Treats is the third book in a series but could probably be read as a starting point. Felicity Jin adds a touch of magic to her cookies to help her customers be joyful. A group of old high school friends reserves a retreat at the local inn and hire Felicity to provide some baked goods for the duration of their stay. One of the group winds up dead with links to a food allergy and Felicity is implicated because of her cookies. Felicity decides to investigate to clear her name with a little magical help from her beau and her special bunny. Interesting characters and a pinch of the paranormal pepper a mystery that keeps your head turning with the twists for another good cozy in this series. My voluntary and unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

[Jess Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jin family is back and they’re solving another mystery through delicious baked goods! This installment had a surprising twist of the magical, but I felt that the fortune-telling aspect was a little underplayed (though still a wonderful storyline)!

I love the developing relationship between Felicity and Kelvin. This mystery involved the murder of one of a group of high school friends staying at the Pixie Inn. This was a quick and enjoyable read and a fun mystery. The characters are super lovable. Although this could be read alone, it’s much better reading in order as the relationships of the continuing characters develops.

Overall, a great read! Can’t wait for the next. Thanks to #NetGalley #StMartinsPress and #MinotaurBooks for the ARC