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Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery #6
Dead Men Don't Eat Cookies
As the national bestselling Cookie Cutter Shop mysteries return, things are heating up for Olivia Greyson, her best friend, Maddie, and the rest of the crew at The Gingerbread House—until a cold case puts their plans on ice…
Olivia’s mom, Ellie, is always cooking up new schemes, but her latest idea has Livie and Maddie especially excited. Ellie’s converting an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school—one that, of course, houses a kitchen for those interested in baking. But right as renovations start, the workers discover a pile of bones buried within the boarding house’s walls, evidence of a long forgotten crime.
A silver necklace with a cookie cutter charm is found within the remains, convincing one of the workers that the bones are the remains of her father, who’s been missing for over five years. Of course, Livie and Maddie can’t resist the allure of investigating. But they’re about to discover that digging up the secrets of the past can be deadly dangerous…
RECIPES INCLUDED
Olivia’s mom, Ellie, is always cooking up new schemes, but her latest idea has Livie and Maddie especially excited. Ellie’s converting an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school—one that, of course, houses a kitchen for those interested in baking. But right as renovations start, the workers discover a pile of bones buried within the boarding house’s walls, evidence of a long forgotten crime.
A silver necklace with a cookie cutter charm is found within the remains, convincing one of the workers that the bones are the remains of her father, who’s been missing for over five years. Of course, Livie and Maddie can’t resist the allure of investigating. But they’re about to discover that digging up the secrets of the past can be deadly dangerous…
RECIPES INCLUDED
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
26 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 1, 2015
The Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery series was one of the first cozy mystery series I read. I’ve loved it from the first sentence of book one, COOKIE DOUGH OR DIE, and after finishing the last sentence of DEAD MEN DON’T EAT COOKIES, I love it even more!
Author Virginia Lowell has penned a series that continues to get better with every book. And this one is no exception.
I always enjoy my time spent with Olivia Greyson and her best friend and business partner Maddie at The Gingerbread House. Ms. Lowell has written these characters and the supporting cast in a way that truly makes them feel like old friends.
Ms. Lowell wasted no time getting the mystery going in this story with the discovery of the body happening almost right away. The investigation that follows has lots of ups and downs, and twists and turns, all leading up to a climatic reveal!
This book reminded me once again why adore this series and has secured its place in my favorite.
And don’t miss the yummy recipe at the back of the book!
Author Virginia Lowell has penned a series that continues to get better with every book. And this one is no exception.
I always enjoy my time spent with Olivia Greyson and her best friend and business partner Maddie at The Gingerbread House. Ms. Lowell has written these characters and the supporting cast in a way that truly makes them feel like old friends.
Ms. Lowell wasted no time getting the mystery going in this story with the discovery of the body happening almost right away. The investigation that follows has lots of ups and downs, and twists and turns, all leading up to a climatic reveal!
This book reminded me once again why adore this series and has secured its place in my favorite.
And don’t miss the yummy recipe at the back of the book!
February 1, 2020
I enjoyed this cozy mystery, but it wasn't one of my favorites of the series. There was just something that felt a little off for me with the mystery aspect in this one. It was the way the men from the family involved, and their wives, were portrayed. It seemed kind of degrading and creepy.
I did really enjoy being back with Olivia, Del, and Maddie. Also Spunky, who is always great!
I did really enjoy being back with Olivia, Del, and Maddie. Also Spunky, who is always great!
October 6, 2016
This is one of my more well liked cozy series, but I had some issues with this particular book. It felt like there were a lot of loose ends that were never tied up, and additional story lines added late in the plot that just confused and didn't add anything. I was particularly baffled as to why such a big deal was made over the mysterious shaped cookie cutter found in the old set of bones, and how it was alluded that it had special significance, and yet it was never revealed what the actual shape was and how it was relevant to that sub-plot. It was also unclear why the notes were being left on Olivia's door, and it wasn't officially revealed who did it, and how that person was involved/had the knowledge to do so. It just fell a bit short for me. I think if the author focused on the main mystery instead of adding the historical mystery at the end of the book, it would have felt more complete. I'm giving an extra star because this is a series I normally enjoy.
July 21, 2015
This is one of my favorite series. I don't know how Olivia keeps getting put in the wrong place and the wrong time, but it is always a great story. The characters in this series are so heartwarming that you want to hang out with them and become friends. I hope the next book will be just as wonderful.
November 15, 2015
3.5 stars
Olivia's mom Ellie, brother Jason and cousin Callipoe are renovating an old flop house for a new arts and crafts center in Chatterley Heights when a skeleton is discovered behind a wall. Alicia, one of the workers, is convinced the bones are that of her long-lost father. She can identify the necklace he was wearing when he was killed - a silver chain with a cookie cutter charm of an arrow piercing a heart. Maddie is thrilled to have a new mystery to solve but Livie isn't so sure. Spunky is sure there's something or someone lurking outside their shop and when a mysterious note appears tacked to Livie's door, she's drawn into the investigation. Livie and Maddie uncover some long-dead town secrets and another set of bones is discovered along with something unexpected. Binnie is on the war path and Del has his hands full dealing with the forensics team and trying to shut down Binnie. This may be the opportunity the killer or killers needs to stop Livie and Maddie's investigation for good.
The plot of this novel relies too much on coincidence and memory. Characters randomly just happen to remember conversations and faces from years earlier at the right moment. One character's memories in particular are WAY too improbable. Because of that I knocked off a star. I was partially on the right track with the identity of the murderer but the plot took a different path than I expected. I was partially correct about the identity of the murderer. I chuckled a few times out loud which saved the plot from being too stupid. I really like Chatterley Heights and the history there but how this story ties into that history was unexpected and didn't really fit into the story well. The story works well on it's own. It doesn't spoil any previous plots, but it helps if you know the history of Chatterley Heights.. There is a recipe included - for Pete's meatloaf! Hello! Is this a story about Pete's Diner? NO! It's a story about cookies! Give me cookie recipes not meatloaf!
I added a half star because of Spunky. He's my very favorite character. A true terrier, Spunky is brave and loyal - and has no idea he weighs only 5 pounds! He also adds some humor to the plot. I also really liked Ellie. Livie's mom is so unlike her and some of her actions are really really off the wall - I've never seen anything like that in real life let alone in novels- but she means well and she has a kind heart. I even liked Calliope in this book. She's changed a bit from her introduction now she has found her place in Chatterley Heights. Jason is the same as ever and adds a little bit more humor to the heavy plot. Maddie's manic nature drives me crazy a lot of the time. This time she didn't bother me too much and at least she stopped calling her Internet searching "hacking." Del is hardly in the story but he has softened up since he first met Livie. He truly cares about her and their relationship is sweet.
New characters include Alicia, an overly emotional teenager who adored her dad and hates her mom. She's had a rough life and she makes some stupid decisions but I felt bad for her and wanted her to find happiness. Her story isn't entirely wrapped up neatly at the end so perhaps she will reappear in future books. Alicia's mother Crystal is crazy. She's a terrible person who has hurt her daughter. She has made bad decisions in her life when it comes to men and she blames everyone but herself and relies on her creepy new husband Robbie too much. Robbie is scary. I wouldn't want him around my child if I had one, let alone want to be near him. His temper is too volatile and he doesn't seem like a good person. Kevin is nearly as bad and I wondered why no one thought to get him arrested for consorting with a minor. Chalk it up to Del being overworked. I hated that a so-called "computer nerd" had to be a weak, whiny, bully.
Though this was not the best entry in the series, I hope to read more about the characters and Chatterley Heights.
Olivia's mom Ellie, brother Jason and cousin Callipoe are renovating an old flop house for a new arts and crafts center in Chatterley Heights when a skeleton is discovered behind a wall. Alicia, one of the workers, is convinced the bones are that of her long-lost father. She can identify the necklace he was wearing when he was killed - a silver chain with a cookie cutter charm of an arrow piercing a heart. Maddie is thrilled to have a new mystery to solve but Livie isn't so sure. Spunky is sure there's something or someone lurking outside their shop and when a mysterious note appears tacked to Livie's door, she's drawn into the investigation. Livie and Maddie uncover some long-dead town secrets and another set of bones is discovered along with something unexpected. Binnie is on the war path and Del has his hands full dealing with the forensics team and trying to shut down Binnie. This may be the opportunity the killer or killers needs to stop Livie and Maddie's investigation for good.
The plot of this novel relies too much on coincidence and memory. Characters randomly just happen to remember conversations and faces from years earlier at the right moment. One character's memories in particular are WAY too improbable. Because of that I knocked off a star. I was partially on the right track with the identity of the murderer but the plot took a different path than I expected. I was partially correct about the identity of the murderer. I chuckled a few times out loud which saved the plot from being too stupid. I really like Chatterley Heights and the history there but how this story ties into that history was unexpected and didn't really fit into the story well. The story works well on it's own. It doesn't spoil any previous plots, but it helps if you know the history of Chatterley Heights.. There is a recipe included - for Pete's meatloaf! Hello! Is this a story about Pete's Diner? NO! It's a story about cookies! Give me cookie recipes not meatloaf!
I added a half star because of Spunky. He's my very favorite character. A true terrier, Spunky is brave and loyal - and has no idea he weighs only 5 pounds! He also adds some humor to the plot. I also really liked Ellie. Livie's mom is so unlike her and some of her actions are really really off the wall - I've never seen anything like that in real life let alone in novels- but she means well and she has a kind heart. I even liked Calliope in this book. She's changed a bit from her introduction now she has found her place in Chatterley Heights. Jason is the same as ever and adds a little bit more humor to the heavy plot. Maddie's manic nature drives me crazy a lot of the time. This time she didn't bother me too much and at least she stopped calling her Internet searching "hacking." Del is hardly in the story but he has softened up since he first met Livie. He truly cares about her and their relationship is sweet.
New characters include Alicia, an overly emotional teenager who adored her dad and hates her mom. She's had a rough life and she makes some stupid decisions but I felt bad for her and wanted her to find happiness. Her story isn't entirely wrapped up neatly at the end so perhaps she will reappear in future books. Alicia's mother Crystal is crazy. She's a terrible person who has hurt her daughter. She has made bad decisions in her life when it comes to men and she blames everyone but herself and relies on her creepy new husband Robbie too much. Robbie is scary. I wouldn't want him around my child if I had one, let alone want to be near him. His temper is too volatile and he doesn't seem like a good person. Kevin is nearly as bad and I wondered why no one thought to get him arrested for consorting with a minor. Chalk it up to Del being overworked. I hated that a so-called "computer nerd" had to be a weak, whiny, bully.
Though this was not the best entry in the series, I hope to read more about the characters and Chatterley Heights.
July 22, 2015
Cookie baker and owner of The Gingerbread House, Olivia 's mother, Ellie is truly a eccentric soul. She loves anything yoga and fitness and when she decides she wants to open a Arts & Crafts School, Olivia is excited by the aspect of baking in the kitchen where baking classes are to be held taught by Olivia's best friend and business partner, Maddie.
The renovations are in full swing as the workers find hidden bones within the walls of the was once a old boarding house along with the bones there are treasures to behold that only Olivia and Maddie could love a silver necklace with a cookie cutter charm and later discovered more antique cookie cutters and more bones. A highly emotional teenager, Alicia is sure the bones belong to her father because she had once given him the silver necklace with the charm.
The cookie cutter connection prove to be too much for Cookie bakers Olivia and Maddie and they are instantly drawn into the investigation but finding the secrets to the hidden bones means that they have to seek out a murderer that could lead to danger but antique cookie cutters and the search for the truth are far more paramount to this cookie baking duo.
Cookie cutters and murder. Author Virginia Lowell brilliantly brings them both together and I loved how it instantly drew me into the story. Food and murder always draw me in and Dead Men Don't eat cookies was hard to put down and no exception. I love Livie and Maddie and they made an exciting crime fighting team and and their investigating and cookie baking adventures inside The Gingerbread House bakery by far my favorite moments to this mystery with baking and delicious food descriptions only a true foodie like me can love. I'm still dying to know what diner owner Pete puts in his meatloaf's secret sauce.
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book for review.This did not influence my thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are my own and my reviews are honest.
The renovations are in full swing as the workers find hidden bones within the walls of the was once a old boarding house along with the bones there are treasures to behold that only Olivia and Maddie could love a silver necklace with a cookie cutter charm and later discovered more antique cookie cutters and more bones. A highly emotional teenager, Alicia is sure the bones belong to her father because she had once given him the silver necklace with the charm.
The cookie cutter connection prove to be too much for Cookie bakers Olivia and Maddie and they are instantly drawn into the investigation but finding the secrets to the hidden bones means that they have to seek out a murderer that could lead to danger but antique cookie cutters and the search for the truth are far more paramount to this cookie baking duo.
Cookie cutters and murder. Author Virginia Lowell brilliantly brings them both together and I loved how it instantly drew me into the story. Food and murder always draw me in and Dead Men Don't eat cookies was hard to put down and no exception. I love Livie and Maddie and they made an exciting crime fighting team and and their investigating and cookie baking adventures inside The Gingerbread House bakery by far my favorite moments to this mystery with baking and delicious food descriptions only a true foodie like me can love. I'm still dying to know what diner owner Pete puts in his meatloaf's secret sauce.
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book for review.This did not influence my thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are my own and my reviews are honest.
July 4, 2015
Dead Men Don't Eat Cookies is the sixth book in A Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery series.
Times are rather calm in Chatterly Heights, MD., so it must be time for a little mystery.
Olivia and Maddie busy baking cookies for the construction workers working on renovating the old Chatterly Heights Boarding House. Olivia's mother, Ellie, has bought the old house planning to convert it into an arts and crafts center. The calm is disturbed when Olivia gets a call from Ellie asking her to come upstairs, it seems that some bones have been found hidden behind one of the walls in one of the rooms. Alicia, one of the construction crew is sure that they are the bones of her father, who had gone missing a number of years ago. There is also a rumor going around that possibly there were some valuable antique cookie cutters also hidden somewhere in the house.
So it is time for Olivia and Maddie to put on their sleuthing hats to help Del, sheriff and Olivia boyfriend, determine who the bones belong to and to apprehend the murderer.
Most all of the characters from the previous books are back once to help our sleuths and also provide a little humor. I particularly enjoyed Leona, a retired actress of a “certain age”. She has visions of having Ellie turn the center into a theater and having her friends from the movies come and put on plays. And as always Aunt Sadie, Maddie's aunt is back with her humor and to provide information about the town and it's people back in the day.
Will be watching for the next book to see what Olivia and Maddie are up to next.
Times are rather calm in Chatterly Heights, MD., so it must be time for a little mystery.
Olivia and Maddie busy baking cookies for the construction workers working on renovating the old Chatterly Heights Boarding House. Olivia's mother, Ellie, has bought the old house planning to convert it into an arts and crafts center. The calm is disturbed when Olivia gets a call from Ellie asking her to come upstairs, it seems that some bones have been found hidden behind one of the walls in one of the rooms. Alicia, one of the construction crew is sure that they are the bones of her father, who had gone missing a number of years ago. There is also a rumor going around that possibly there were some valuable antique cookie cutters also hidden somewhere in the house.
So it is time for Olivia and Maddie to put on their sleuthing hats to help Del, sheriff and Olivia boyfriend, determine who the bones belong to and to apprehend the murderer.
Most all of the characters from the previous books are back once to help our sleuths and also provide a little humor. I particularly enjoyed Leona, a retired actress of a “certain age”. She has visions of having Ellie turn the center into a theater and having her friends from the movies come and put on plays. And as always Aunt Sadie, Maddie's aunt is back with her humor and to provide information about the town and it's people back in the day.
Will be watching for the next book to see what Olivia and Maddie are up to next.
April 6, 2024
Another good read and sorry the series has ended and can't wait for next book. I really like these characters.
As the national bestselling Cookie Cutter Shop mysteries return, things are heating up for Olivia Greyson, her best friend, Maddie, and the rest of the crew at The Gingerbread House—until a cold case puts their plans on ice…
Olivia’s mom, Ellie, is always cooking up new schemes, but her latest idea has Livie and Maddie especially excited. Ellie’s converting an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school—one that, of course, houses a kitchen for those interested in baking. But right as renovations start, the workers discover a pile of bones buried within the boarding house’s walls, evidence of a long forgotten crime.
A silver necklace with a cookie cutter charm is found within the remains, convincing one of the workers that the bones are the remains of her father, who’s been missing for over five years. Of course, Livie and Maddie can’t resist the allure of investigating. But they’re about to discover that digging up the secrets of the past can be deadly dangero
As the national bestselling Cookie Cutter Shop mysteries return, things are heating up for Olivia Greyson, her best friend, Maddie, and the rest of the crew at The Gingerbread House—until a cold case puts their plans on ice…
Olivia’s mom, Ellie, is always cooking up new schemes, but her latest idea has Livie and Maddie especially excited. Ellie’s converting an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school—one that, of course, houses a kitchen for those interested in baking. But right as renovations start, the workers discover a pile of bones buried within the boarding house’s walls, evidence of a long forgotten crime.
A silver necklace with a cookie cutter charm is found within the remains, convincing one of the workers that the bones are the remains of her father, who’s been missing for over five years. Of course, Livie and Maddie can’t resist the allure of investigating. But they’re about to discover that digging up the secrets of the past can be deadly dangero
June 20, 2015
"Dead Men Don't Eat Cookies" is a cozy mystery. It's the sixth book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.
The heroines are constantly munching on cut-out cookies, so beware if you're easily suggestible. The main characters were likable and asked reasonable questions in considerate ways. They could keep a secret, took precautions against danger, and weren't helpless damsels when danger was encountered.
However, the characters made a lot of assumptions while solving the mystery. For example, the heroines assume Jack wrote the note even though there is no reason for singling him out. The mystery was solved by the heroine using clues, and evidence of guilt is also found. Yet it didn't feel perfectly satisfying to me since some of the mystery-solving was based on seemingly unfounded assumptions.
There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this cookie-crunching mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
The heroines are constantly munching on cut-out cookies, so beware if you're easily suggestible. The main characters were likable and asked reasonable questions in considerate ways. They could keep a secret, took precautions against danger, and weren't helpless damsels when danger was encountered.
However, the characters made a lot of assumptions while solving the mystery. For example, the heroines assume Jack wrote the note even though there is no reason for singling him out. The mystery was solved by the heroine using clues, and evidence of guilt is also found. Yet it didn't feel perfectly satisfying to me since some of the mystery-solving was based on seemingly unfounded assumptions.
There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this cookie-crunching mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
September 13, 2015
Can't wait for the next book in this series :)
I have really got into reading this series, it is interesting and fun to read about the different cookie cutters,and their history. I love the interaction of the main characters in the series. I'm going to have to try some of the recipes in these books :)
I have really got into reading this series, it is interesting and fun to read about the different cookie cutters,and their history. I love the interaction of the main characters in the series. I'm going to have to try some of the recipes in these books :)
August 5, 2019
I am so sad to see this series end! I started reading cozy mysteries in 2014 and this series was one of the first series I discovered! I still think if I ate as many cookies and drank as much coffee as Livie and Maddie, I'd weigh 300 pounds and never sleep but somehow these girls stay skinny and alert, LOL! They spent a lot of time in the kitchen after midnight with Livie brainstorming while Maddie rolled, cut, and decorated cookies. I've found it interesting throughout the series how Livie and other characters at times have used cookie cutters to represent people and situations in their life. All of my cookie cutters have memories attached but I don't necessarily think of any specific person as being represented by a cookie cutter. The mystery was interesting but I felt like there were several loose ends that were never resolved and then there was also personal drama that felt like there should have been another book so I was disappointed. I will miss Livie and Maddie and cute little Spunky and the rest of the Cookie Cutter gang!
September 10, 2022
This is the 6th book in the series. Olivia’s mom is working on turning an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school. During the renovations, human remains are discovered and one of the workers believes it might be her missing father because of a distinctive necklace that was found. Maddie and Olivia decide to investigate. The mystery gets more complex as they dig into the history of the boarding house and the victim. The book contains a recipe from Pete’s diner (meatloaf).
March 31, 2021
Wishing this author had written more books in this series. I'm really enjoying it. Have missed one book that the library does not have and so far I haven't found it at a thrift store or yard sale. Might have to break down and check thru ebay. As I'd really like to read it also. Good mystery.
August 4, 2017
I am sad that this was the last book in the six book series! I was hoping that the capers continued with the Gingerbread Mystery Sleuths.
January 2, 2019
Unfortunately this book was a little too long. Some of the information about the cookie cutters was interesting. The plot wasn't too good.
January 16, 2019
Probably best this series ended, how many more times can we describe icing on cut out cookies? I liked the characters but the narrative became too repetitive.
October 18, 2019
Hoping there will be a book 7. Love the characters and town
February 10, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
March 7, 2022
This had such a nice flow throughout the whole book. I found there were times that the dialogue was a bit long, but that just seemed to show the age of the author more or less.
April 2, 2022
it was OK, could have been better. I couldn't stay too focused. but dog was adorable
September 15, 2022
Fun read on the beach
April 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this mystery. I love a good cold case and this is that in spades. I am sorry to see this is the last of the series, it's definitely one I have really liked. Solid cozy!
July 14, 2024
Another great book in this series. Too bad this is the last one.
February 5, 2025
Decent wrap up to the cookie cutter shop series!
March 8, 2017
Humor, mystery, and cookies blend together with characters who support one another and appreciate the eccentricities that make them all so unique.
August 1, 2015
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Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies is the sixth installment in Virginia Lowell’s “A Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery” series. I have to say the adorable yorkie on the cover drew me in and I am so happy it did. A thoroughly enjoyable cozy, with fun characters and a well written mystery with different layers of intrigue. The main character Olivia Greyson and her business partner Maddie run The Gingerbread House that sells all things cookie cutter. Now I have to say that I for one never realized cookie cutters were a prosperous retail item, nor that people actually collected and loved them. Sure I remember my mother’s copper cookie cutters with love and wonderful memories, but this is way beyond that. Saying that, the abundance of cookie cutter information, does not deter from this fabulous book and for some I am sure it only enhances it. The cast of characters including Olivia’s brother Jason, construction guru Calliope and many others, is enjoyable and diverse. I really enjoyed the mysteries in this cozy.
Olivia’s mother, Ellie, is converting an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school and Calliope is doing the work and providing funding as well. As Olivia and Maddie try out the kitchen to bake cookies of course, they are summoned upstairs. There the work crew has unearthed a dead body in the wall. One of the crew, Alice, insists it is her father who disappeared years ago. When they find a cookie cutter charm necklace on the body, it looks like it may actually be him. The friends have to help with hunting down clues since this hits so close to home. Olivia works along with her boyfriend Del, who is also the sheriff of this adorable town of Chatterley Heights, Maryland. Alice begs for help so she can finally get answers about her father, the man who instilled a love of baking in her.
Virginia Lowell’s writing is delightful. I could almost smell the cookies baking. This is the 6th installment in the author’s series and I have not read any other than this one. You do not have to read them to truly enjoy Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies. I really enjoyed the mysteries in this cozy, they were well written, entertaining and had just the right amount of suspense. The town is wonderful and full of interesting characters. This is a wonderful cozy mystery and I am sure the series is great, glad I have the first few to read now. I recommend this delightful book to anyone that enjoys a well written cozy, with well-developed and interesting characters. And if you are cookie fan, this series is definitely for you. Although there is a lot of talk about cookies and cookie cutters, even if you are not a fan, you will enjoy this fun novel.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies is the sixth installment in Virginia Lowell’s “A Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery” series. I have to say the adorable yorkie on the cover drew me in and I am so happy it did. A thoroughly enjoyable cozy, with fun characters and a well written mystery with different layers of intrigue. The main character Olivia Greyson and her business partner Maddie run The Gingerbread House that sells all things cookie cutter. Now I have to say that I for one never realized cookie cutters were a prosperous retail item, nor that people actually collected and loved them. Sure I remember my mother’s copper cookie cutters with love and wonderful memories, but this is way beyond that. Saying that, the abundance of cookie cutter information, does not deter from this fabulous book and for some I am sure it only enhances it. The cast of characters including Olivia’s brother Jason, construction guru Calliope and many others, is enjoyable and diverse. I really enjoyed the mysteries in this cozy.
Olivia’s mother, Ellie, is converting an old boarding house into an arts and crafts school and Calliope is doing the work and providing funding as well. As Olivia and Maddie try out the kitchen to bake cookies of course, they are summoned upstairs. There the work crew has unearthed a dead body in the wall. One of the crew, Alice, insists it is her father who disappeared years ago. When they find a cookie cutter charm necklace on the body, it looks like it may actually be him. The friends have to help with hunting down clues since this hits so close to home. Olivia works along with her boyfriend Del, who is also the sheriff of this adorable town of Chatterley Heights, Maryland. Alice begs for help so she can finally get answers about her father, the man who instilled a love of baking in her.
Virginia Lowell’s writing is delightful. I could almost smell the cookies baking. This is the 6th installment in the author’s series and I have not read any other than this one. You do not have to read them to truly enjoy Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies. I really enjoyed the mysteries in this cozy, they were well written, entertaining and had just the right amount of suspense. The town is wonderful and full of interesting characters. This is a wonderful cozy mystery and I am sure the series is great, glad I have the first few to read now. I recommend this delightful book to anyone that enjoys a well written cozy, with well-developed and interesting characters. And if you are cookie fan, this series is definitely for you. Although there is a lot of talk about cookies and cookie cutters, even if you are not a fan, you will enjoy this fun novel.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
June 7, 2016
Virginia Lowell writes a unique series about cookie cutters and since I some how I missed books 4 & 5 of this series I grabbed #6 for my challenge read and was kind of underwhelmed with the book.
The story line was great. Olivia's mom and her friend have taken on the task of rehabbing an old boarding house and turning it into an arts and crafts studio. When starting the demo on an upstairs room, out pops a skeleton. One of the part-time workers believes it to be her dad who disappeared 5 yrs. ago.
Since it is a cold case, and the police are short handed right now, Alicia asks Olivia and her best friend Maddie to help find out who killed her father since they have had practice in sniffing out killers in the past. This time much to the girl's surprise Olivia's boyfriend Del, the officer in charge, is willing to share information.
Even though the plot is basic and predictable I enjoyed the usual characters. Binnie, the noise reporter, who now has a blog and spreads gossip like butter especially about the people she doesn't like. And then Snoopy Sam the postman who just loves to spread gossip based on peoples mail. Also introduced is Lenora an actress of, a lady never tells her age, who has a slight problem. All these characters blend into a series that leaves you feeling wonderful.
Now for the reasons for being underwhelmed. Which is probably picky to most.
I felt a lot of time was spent on fillers. Every other chapter I was reminded that Olivia and Maddie have been best friends since their were age 10 when Maddie parents were killed in an auto accident and she went to live with her aunt. Then there is the constant cookie eating. Did I really need to know each time they ate a cookie and fired up the Mr. Coffee? I thought I was in a Mr. Coffee commercial it was mentioned so much. But my biggest gripe is the dog. Now don't get my wrong I like dogs, but do I need to know in every chapter each time Spunky barked, ate a milk bone broken in half, tried o get into the kitchen chased the squirrels or all the details of his bathroom habits. NO.
That being said it is still a great series and I can only hope books 4 & 5 get higher stars like books 1 - 3 did.
The story line was great. Olivia's mom and her friend have taken on the task of rehabbing an old boarding house and turning it into an arts and crafts studio. When starting the demo on an upstairs room, out pops a skeleton. One of the part-time workers believes it to be her dad who disappeared 5 yrs. ago.
Since it is a cold case, and the police are short handed right now, Alicia asks Olivia and her best friend Maddie to help find out who killed her father since they have had practice in sniffing out killers in the past. This time much to the girl's surprise Olivia's boyfriend Del, the officer in charge, is willing to share information.
Even though the plot is basic and predictable I enjoyed the usual characters. Binnie, the noise reporter, who now has a blog and spreads gossip like butter especially about the people she doesn't like. And then Snoopy Sam the postman who just loves to spread gossip based on peoples mail. Also introduced is Lenora an actress of, a lady never tells her age, who has a slight problem. All these characters blend into a series that leaves you feeling wonderful.
Now for the reasons for being underwhelmed. Which is probably picky to most.
I felt a lot of time was spent on fillers. Every other chapter I was reminded that Olivia and Maddie have been best friends since their were age 10 when Maddie parents were killed in an auto accident and she went to live with her aunt. Then there is the constant cookie eating. Did I really need to know each time they ate a cookie and fired up the Mr. Coffee? I thought I was in a Mr. Coffee commercial it was mentioned so much. But my biggest gripe is the dog. Now don't get my wrong I like dogs, but do I need to know in every chapter each time Spunky barked, ate a milk bone broken in half, tried o get into the kitchen chased the squirrels or all the details of his bathroom habits. NO.
That being said it is still a great series and I can only hope books 4 & 5 get higher stars like books 1 - 3 did.
June 20, 2016
This is the fourth book I have read in this series in about a month. I am torn between enjoying the lively writing and being distracted time and time again on the lack of what in a movie is called continuity. What? There is cell reception in the kitchen, none in an upstairs bedroom, rationalized as being perhaps because of the trees (?) but then, with free range of the house, they have to break a window and lean out it, with the woman on the man's shoulders, to get reception. Out the broken window? Hard to picture. Sitting on the windowsill I can see.
Previous books at least gave an effort to have an emotionally satisfying conclusion. In this one, cookie cutters are finally revealed to have been lined up along a body but no attempt to guess why. And one cutter, which has morphed mysteriously from odd curves and angles to an unspecified geometric shape, is featured but no big reveal on what it depicts.
The main characters again seem to thrive on about 3 hours of sleep apiece but at least in this book one of them yawns and another falls asleep in the kitchen. The dog is not taken out all day, making use of pee pads, but then is said to have been out twice already. And on and on.
The writing is creative and entertaining. I hope a competent editor will take the reins in future. Whether I get another book in the series depends on whether I want to be irritated as well as entertained, or how short my memory is for what authors have fallen short.
Previous books at least gave an effort to have an emotionally satisfying conclusion. In this one, cookie cutters are finally revealed to have been lined up along a body but no attempt to guess why. And one cutter, which has morphed mysteriously from odd curves and angles to an unspecified geometric shape, is featured but no big reveal on what it depicts.
The main characters again seem to thrive on about 3 hours of sleep apiece but at least in this book one of them yawns and another falls asleep in the kitchen. The dog is not taken out all day, making use of pee pads, but then is said to have been out twice already. And on and on.
The writing is creative and entertaining. I hope a competent editor will take the reins in future. Whether I get another book in the series depends on whether I want to be irritated as well as entertained, or how short my memory is for what authors have fallen short.
August 2, 2015
In this next offering in the cookie cutter series, the old Chatterly boarding house is being rejuvinated to hold an arts and crafts school. When a skeleton is found behind one of the walls that was being repaired, the questions of who it is and why were they in the wall come into play. Oh, but wait. When those first bones are removed, a second set of bones are found along with some antique cookie cutters. This second set of bones had a bullet hole in the back of the skull, while the first had damage to the neck.
In this book, you will meet Alicia a young woman who has been emotionally abused by her mother and step-dad/boy friend to the point of being kicked out of her family home.
You will, if you are like me find yourself cheering for this young lady and hoping that her dream of becoming a baker will come true.
I love this series. It makes me feel like I am part of the mystery and I always seem to find myself cheering for someone. Now comes the long wait for then next book in the series. I hope it isn’t a long wait.
In this book, you will meet Alicia a young woman who has been emotionally abused by her mother and step-dad/boy friend to the point of being kicked out of her family home.
You will, if you are like me find yourself cheering for this young lady and hoping that her dream of becoming a baker will come true.
I love this series. It makes me feel like I am part of the mystery and I always seem to find myself cheering for someone. Now comes the long wait for then next book in the series. I hope it isn’t a long wait.
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