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Cookies & Chance Mystery #15
Death Whisk
From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes the next dangerously delicious Cookies & Chance mystery!
Full time baker and part time sleuth, Sally Muccio, is looking forward to an impromptu getaway at Bella Vita, a charming local inn recently renovated by an old friend of her father’s. Sal’s been asked to provide treats for Bella Vita's open house and, in addition to the extra dough she’ll earn, her entire family is invited to spend the night at the bed and breakfast for free.
But after a winter storm knocks out the power and Sal stumbles across owner Guido Sorrentino’s lifeless body, the night becomes something directly out of a horror movie. Sal fully intends to leave the investigation to the police...that is, until her father’s life becomes endangered as well! Who wanted Guido dead and what does her father have to do with it? Was Guido a member of organized crime? And why was he acting like he had a death wish? With a crowd of angry and bitter relatives busy celebrating his death instead of mourning, it quickly becomes apparent that there are too many suspects to count. It's up to Sal to find a killer before she’s treated to a taste of death herself!
Recipes Included!
What critics are
"A fantastic cozy mystery!"
~ InD'Tale Magazine
"I want to visit more with all of the quirky characters just to see what crazy and outrageous things they will do next!"
~ Fresh Fiction
"The Cookies and Chance Mystery series is more than just a series....it's a family !! Once you read the first book, you are hooked and feel like a member of the crazy Muccio family."
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
Full time baker and part time sleuth, Sally Muccio, is looking forward to an impromptu getaway at Bella Vita, a charming local inn recently renovated by an old friend of her father’s. Sal’s been asked to provide treats for Bella Vita's open house and, in addition to the extra dough she’ll earn, her entire family is invited to spend the night at the bed and breakfast for free.
But after a winter storm knocks out the power and Sal stumbles across owner Guido Sorrentino’s lifeless body, the night becomes something directly out of a horror movie. Sal fully intends to leave the investigation to the police...that is, until her father’s life becomes endangered as well! Who wanted Guido dead and what does her father have to do with it? Was Guido a member of organized crime? And why was he acting like he had a death wish? With a crowd of angry and bitter relatives busy celebrating his death instead of mourning, it quickly becomes apparent that there are too many suspects to count. It's up to Sal to find a killer before she’s treated to a taste of death herself!
Recipes Included!
What critics are
"A fantastic cozy mystery!"
~ InD'Tale Magazine
"I want to visit more with all of the quirky characters just to see what crazy and outrageous things they will do next!"
~ Fresh Fiction
"The Cookies and Chance Mystery series is more than just a series....it's a family !! Once you read the first book, you are hooked and feel like a member of the crazy Muccio family."
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
- GenresMystery
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2025
25 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Bruns
61 books907 followersCatherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three sons and several spoiled pets. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Catherine also writes the Italian Chef, Maple Syrup, and Cindy York mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 3, 2025
The Cookies $ Chance Mysteries series are always fun and each new book is like visiting friends. Sally, nine months pregnant, and her friend Josie have been asked to provide cookies for a B&B grand opening for Sally's dad's friend Guido, newly moved to Colwestern, NY from Italy. Sally, her husband Mike, Sally's parents, Josie, her husband, and more guests are staying in the B&B for the grand opening night. Unfortunately, someone is killed during the snowy night. Once more, Sally is in the middle of a murder investigation but the bad guys are pretty scary and what a time for it to happen. This is a great new addition with all the usual wacky characters to make it a great escape and humorous read.
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
September 16, 2025
What can you say about a book when it is the fifteenth book in a series ? Well..... a lot actually.
Death Whisk is the fifteenth book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns and by far my favorite series. This series is so much more to me then just stories. When I open one of these books, I am home with my family. The Muccio and Donovan families are a part of me .... you cannot help but love them and the craziness they get into !!!
And in Death Whisk we get to see a whole different side to Sally's father, Domenic. Something I don't think we could have ever imagined !!!
In Death Whisk Sally and Josie have been asked to provide cookies for an open house. A friend of Domenic's from when he lived in Italy has bought and renovated a bed and breakfast and he has invited a selection of people to attend the open house and spend the night before the grand opening. Sally, who is almost due to delivery her second child and Mike will be in attendance along with everyone else except Gramma Rosa who stayed home to watch the other children.
Unfortunately in the middle of the night Sally and Mike go to Guido's suite with an issue and find him dead. And maybe with all the excitement, or maybe that's just how the family is, Sally goes into labor !! As you know Sally can handle anything .....
Instead of being able to just rest and enjoy her family with the new addition, Sally is drawn into the murder investigation. She claims to do it because her father is involved somehow and she knows that he isn't telling them everything, but we know she can't help herself !!
I just love this series and look forward to when the latest book gets published so that I can dig in. There is so much to love !! You cannot help but love the families and the relationships. No matter what is going on, whether it is family dinner with Gramma Rosa's cooking, a murder, hanging out with Sally and Josie at the bakery, or spending time with Sally and Mike, you will enjoy it. And Bruns knows how to keep your blood pumping and you on the edge of your seat !!!
Death Whisk is the fifteenth book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns and by far my favorite series. This series is so much more to me then just stories. When I open one of these books, I am home with my family. The Muccio and Donovan families are a part of me .... you cannot help but love them and the craziness they get into !!!
And in Death Whisk we get to see a whole different side to Sally's father, Domenic. Something I don't think we could have ever imagined !!!
In Death Whisk Sally and Josie have been asked to provide cookies for an open house. A friend of Domenic's from when he lived in Italy has bought and renovated a bed and breakfast and he has invited a selection of people to attend the open house and spend the night before the grand opening. Sally, who is almost due to delivery her second child and Mike will be in attendance along with everyone else except Gramma Rosa who stayed home to watch the other children.
Unfortunately in the middle of the night Sally and Mike go to Guido's suite with an issue and find him dead. And maybe with all the excitement, or maybe that's just how the family is, Sally goes into labor !! As you know Sally can handle anything .....
Instead of being able to just rest and enjoy her family with the new addition, Sally is drawn into the murder investigation. She claims to do it because her father is involved somehow and she knows that he isn't telling them everything, but we know she can't help herself !!
I just love this series and look forward to when the latest book gets published so that I can dig in. There is so much to love !! You cannot help but love the families and the relationships. No matter what is going on, whether it is family dinner with Gramma Rosa's cooking, a murder, hanging out with Sally and Josie at the bakery, or spending time with Sally and Mike, you will enjoy it. And Bruns knows how to keep your blood pumping and you on the edge of your seat !!!
July 30, 2025
Death Whisk is the fifteenth book in Catherine Bruns’ Cookies & Chance Mysteries series. The storyline is well plotted and flows smoothly in this steadily paced whodunit. The three-dimensional characters are well-developed, and the mystery is intriguing. There is no shortage of twists and turns or red herrings to keep the reader engaged. Ms. Bruns’ descriptive writing draws readers in, making them feel like they’re taking part in the action. I recommend this delightful series to readers who enjoy well-crafted, cozy mysteries.
Sally “Sal” Donovan and her husband, Mike, who owns a small construction company, are the proud parents of a daughter they nicknamed Cookie, and their second child is due to arrive very soon. Sal owns Sally’s Samples, a novelty cookie shop in Colwestern, New York, and her best friend since childhood, Josie Sullivan, is the shop’s talented baker. Josie and her husband, Rob, have four boys. Sal’s younger sister, Gianna Gavelli, a successful attorney, and her husband, Johnny, a history teacher, have a son named Alex. Sal and Gianna’s parents, Domenic “Dom” and Maria Muccio, are often an embarrassment, but their escapades frequently distract people from life’s problems. Grandma Rosa, who lives with Dom and Maria, has an adorable habit of mixing up the words in everyday clichés, always gives Sal sage advice, and is the glue that holds the family together. She has recently reconnected with her true love, and they hope to marry soon. Johnny’s sharp-tongued grandmother and Grandma Rosa’s friend, Nicoletta Gavelli, is typically a thorn in everyone’s side.
In this installment, Sally, who is nine months pregnant with her second child, and Josie are providing cookies for the open house of the newly renovated Bella Vita, a charming local B&B owned by Sal’s father’s friend, Guido Sorrentino. Both Sal and Josie are looking forward to spending the night with their husbands in suites provided by Guido. When a winter storm knocks the power out and the gas fireplace stops working, Sal and Mike knock on the door to Guido’s suite, where Mike discovers his lifeless body. Given the recent birth of her second child, Sal is determined to stay out of the investigation; however, when mob members threaten her entire family, Sal finds it impossible to do nothing.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Sally “Sal” Donovan and her husband, Mike, who owns a small construction company, are the proud parents of a daughter they nicknamed Cookie, and their second child is due to arrive very soon. Sal owns Sally’s Samples, a novelty cookie shop in Colwestern, New York, and her best friend since childhood, Josie Sullivan, is the shop’s talented baker. Josie and her husband, Rob, have four boys. Sal’s younger sister, Gianna Gavelli, a successful attorney, and her husband, Johnny, a history teacher, have a son named Alex. Sal and Gianna’s parents, Domenic “Dom” and Maria Muccio, are often an embarrassment, but their escapades frequently distract people from life’s problems. Grandma Rosa, who lives with Dom and Maria, has an adorable habit of mixing up the words in everyday clichés, always gives Sal sage advice, and is the glue that holds the family together. She has recently reconnected with her true love, and they hope to marry soon. Johnny’s sharp-tongued grandmother and Grandma Rosa’s friend, Nicoletta Gavelli, is typically a thorn in everyone’s side.
In this installment, Sally, who is nine months pregnant with her second child, and Josie are providing cookies for the open house of the newly renovated Bella Vita, a charming local B&B owned by Sal’s father’s friend, Guido Sorrentino. Both Sal and Josie are looking forward to spending the night with their husbands in suites provided by Guido. When a winter storm knocks the power out and the gas fireplace stops working, Sal and Mike knock on the door to Guido’s suite, where Mike discovers his lifeless body. Given the recent birth of her second child, Sal is determined to stay out of the investigation; however, when mob members threaten her entire family, Sal finds it impossible to do nothing.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
July 18, 2025
A wonderful series! This book was especially good. Sally and her family make for some fun adventures. They are all wacky in one way or another. Their closeness and love for one another just warms your heart. And the awkward situations tickle your funny bone
September 13, 2025
DEATH WHISK is the fifteenth book in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries by Catherine Bruns. This is another delectable installment in a fan-favorite delicious series! Sally (Sal) Muccio and her husband, Mike, are expecting their second child to arrive within the week. She should be taking it easy, but her mortuary-owning father begs her to provide desserts for his good friend, Guido, who is opening a luxury bed-and-breakfast and is celebrating with a party. Despite the impending birth of her second child, Sal can’t say “no” to her father, plus there’s the added incentive of getting to stay overnight in a luxurious suite with her husband. The author does an amazing job with the character development, bringing each to life on the page. It’s a pleasure reconnecting with the core characters—close-knit family and friends who always bring a smile to my face with their antics, especially Sal’s grandmother Rosa. If you haven’t read any in the series and adore character arcs, I’d suggest starting at the beginning even though this can easily be read as a standalone.
The new bed-and-breakfast owner, Guido, seems to be an enigma when Sal meets him. Her father hasn’t seen the man in decades, yet they claim to be best friends. And as the party progresses, she notices her father acting stranger than normal. When a winter storm descending upon them, and no electricity, Sal and Mike stumble across the murdered Guido. Ms. Bruns sets the stage perfectly with the raging storm to ramp up the suspense leading up to the gruesome discovery. Her strong descriptive skills had me envisioning the drama as it played out on the page. The mystery is well-plotted with a quick pace—there seems to always be something happening to Sal! There are twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and some surprises along the way. If you like sweet, family-oriented cozy mysteries filled with memorable characters and delectable desserts, then you’ll enjoy Death Whisk!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The new bed-and-breakfast owner, Guido, seems to be an enigma when Sal meets him. Her father hasn’t seen the man in decades, yet they claim to be best friends. And as the party progresses, she notices her father acting stranger than normal. When a winter storm descending upon them, and no electricity, Sal and Mike stumble across the murdered Guido. Ms. Bruns sets the stage perfectly with the raging storm to ramp up the suspense leading up to the gruesome discovery. Her strong descriptive skills had me envisioning the drama as it played out on the page. The mystery is well-plotted with a quick pace—there seems to always be something happening to Sal! There are twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and some surprises along the way. If you like sweet, family-oriented cozy mysteries filled with memorable characters and delectable desserts, then you’ll enjoy Death Whisk!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 7, 2025
We’re back with Sally and her crazy family and the bakery. The story starts out with Sally being a week short of her delivery day of baby #2. She and her baker are catering an open house for the area’s newest B&B, Bella Vita, owned by Guido Sorrentino, a friend of Sally’s father. For their work, they (and Sally’s parents) get to spend a free night at the posh inn. But all does not go according to plan (of course not!) when Guido is first beaten up in front of Sally, and then murdered. And then a local mobster threatens their entire family if they don’t return what Guido stole from him. Unfortunately, neither Sally nor her father have any idea what “Ice Pick” is talking about!
The story has the usual crazy family members – Sally’s father Dom who runs the local funeral home and has suspect taste in clothing and social graces; her mother who’s more into fashion than anything else; and her grandmother who can take on anyone, including Ice Pick. Though Sally swears she’ll stay out of the investigation – after all, she has a new baby to consider — that doesn’t happen. Which puts her, her best friend, and one of Guido’s daughters in mortal danger.
Yes, the story, like all the other ones in the series, is full of stereotypes. But it’s so much fun that you have to laugh at it all. And thank goodness for Sally’s grandmother who keeps everyone together, taken care of, and fed! I want her for my granny!
Recommended. (But you might want to read the other ones in the series, especially the first ones, to really understand the family dynamics.)
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
The story has the usual crazy family members – Sally’s father Dom who runs the local funeral home and has suspect taste in clothing and social graces; her mother who’s more into fashion than anything else; and her grandmother who can take on anyone, including Ice Pick. Though Sally swears she’ll stay out of the investigation – after all, she has a new baby to consider — that doesn’t happen. Which puts her, her best friend, and one of Guido’s daughters in mortal danger.
Yes, the story, like all the other ones in the series, is full of stereotypes. But it’s so much fun that you have to laugh at it all. And thank goodness for Sally’s grandmother who keeps everyone together, taken care of, and fed! I want her for my granny!
Recommended. (But you might want to read the other ones in the series, especially the first ones, to really understand the family dynamics.)
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
September 16, 2025
This is the fifteenth book in the series, but each one can be read as a stand-alone. Sal and her husband Mike are awaiting the birth of their second child, which could happen at any time. She’s still working at her cookie shop but is exhausted. Her father has reunited with his childhood friend from Italy and he asks Sal to do him a favor by supplying cookies to his friend’s open house of his new banquet facility. While she didn’t need anything extra to do, the lure of an overnight visit without children is appealing. Also invited are her parents, sister, bff Josie, and other characters from the series. Everyone is looking forward to a night of luxury. Later in the evening, Sal finds her father’s friend dead in his room. After an attempt on her father’s life and consequently her own, Sal is trying to find the killer. This is a good mystery with lots of quirky characters.
July 17, 2025
The latest episode in the fun series about a cookie shop owner who solves mysteries. One of the things that makes it such a fun series is Sally Muccio's interesting (somewhat crazy) family. I love reading about Sally's cookie shop and the delicious recipes that are found in the book. But her wacky Italian family can get in so many interesting situations and the crazy comments never fail to bring laughter to even a grim topic like murder. The extended family, the bakery characters, and even the police detective are wonderful constants in a myriad of plots. Family love and loyalty is a solid background for this superb series and the newest entry. A perfect escape from reality, it is a fantastic book and series!
August 27, 2025
Sally is on the cusp of delivering her second child when she has been asked to provide cookies for the open house at the B &B renovated by her father’s friend Guido. Her family minus her grandmother, who will watch Cookie and Alex are invited to stay at the B&B after the open house. Also invited are Josie and Rib as well as the pesky neighbor. What is supposed to be a relaxing weekend quickly turn otherwise when not only is there a winter storm but Guido is murdered. Can Sal and the gang solve the crime? Will the stress induce labor? Will her father’s secrets cause more harm than good? What a great one this was. Loved it. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided y the publisher.
October 5, 2025
Fun read
Love this series and love this book. It didn't judy have a mystery, but life changes for Sally.
What has Sally's dad's friend got her involved with? Started with her providing cookies for an Open House for her dad's friend's new Bed and Breakfast which ended up in murder. Of course, Sally ends up getting involved with solving thd murder especially when her father and her end up with death threats. Her poor father with his trusting nature ended up dragging his family into danger. I won't share much which is kind of difficult because there's so much to say, but I'm afraid I'll give it away!
Great mystery and I enjoy reading about Sally and her family. I am already excited to read the next book in this series.
Love this series and love this book. It didn't judy have a mystery, but life changes for Sally.
What has Sally's dad's friend got her involved with? Started with her providing cookies for an Open House for her dad's friend's new Bed and Breakfast which ended up in murder. Of course, Sally ends up getting involved with solving thd murder especially when her father and her end up with death threats. Her poor father with his trusting nature ended up dragging his family into danger. I won't share much which is kind of difficult because there's so much to say, but I'm afraid I'll give it away!
Great mystery and I enjoy reading about Sally and her family. I am already excited to read the next book in this series.
September 17, 2025
Death Whisk is an engaging, twisted, cozy mystery with ties to the mob! Sally and her extended family are old friends by now. I love these zany characters. As always, there are scary suspects, tons of motives, and this time, even Sally's father is threatened. No one seems to be mourning the deceased and Sally needs to find out what is really happening - despite being nine months pregnant. This well plotted, fast paced mystery had my intrigued from the beginning. I know to just clear my to-do list when a new book arrives in this series. The love in this wacky family and the weird situations portrayed never allow me to put the book down until I have reached the end!
September 22, 2025
Oh my goodness, I loved this story. I'm a huge fan of this series, Sally Muccio and her sidekick Josie. Not so much the parents or grandparents, but the mysteries are always great. What should have been a nice getaway to a local inn turned into a crime scene. Sally can't catch a break, even when she is crazy pregnant with #2. This story is uniquely Sally and I loved it. And little "Cookie" gets a sibling (I won't give it away)
September 4, 2025
Death Whisk is the 15th book in the Cookies and Chance series by Catherine Bruns, and once again she has written a hit. The characters are fun and engaging, the plot has twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and as always, great recipes at the end. This is a great book in a great series.
September 19, 2025
A fun cozy with lots of twists and turns and murder and mayhem. Complex interesting and quirky characters in this fast paced enjoyable read that is a real page turner and a must read! Recipes are included
September 16, 2025
I love this series. It's well written and has awesome characters that will have you laughing out loud. I look forward to the next one.
September 22, 2025
I loved it!!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews