Killer Donuts

by Ginger Bolton

It’s fall in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, and Emily Fyne, owner of the popular local Deput Donut café is on a trail—a Donut Trail, that is—to tour pre-Halloween treats and activities, not to mention check out the competition. It’s all fun and games, until a murder that’s no trick . . .

Emily and her friends Izzy and Monique are traveling the Donut Trail in style in Deputy Donut’s vintage, donut-topped car. With them are Emily’s cat, Dep, and Monique’s tiny dog, Gigi. Amid the spectacular fall foliage they stop at an orchard that includes a bistro and a vast corn maze. But while sampling some apple cider, they find that not everyone shares their friendly, festive mood . . .

A cranky tourist not only scolds them for bringing their pets, but she also says she hates dogs—with cats a close second. No matter, Emily and company, their pets leashed, go off to enter the maze. But soon, boisterous teens barge in, wreaking havoc, tossing pumpkins, uprooting cornstalks—and attempting a dog-snatching . . .

As everyone scrambles to regroup, it turns out the dog-hating woman is missing. And when her dead body is finally discovered—with Gigi’s hair ribbon in her pocket—Emily and her friends are the top suspects. To clear their names, they’ll have to throw a killer off their trail while diving even deeper into a dangerous labyrinth of clues . . .

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Cozy

256 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

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

Reviews

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

It's nearing Halloween in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, and donut shop owner Emily Fyne and her friends Izzy and Monique are taking a tour of the Donut Trail, which stops at various shops in Wisconsin that sell donuts. Everything is going fine until they reach a certain point and an unfriendly woman starts remarking about people who bring their pets along. Monique, with her tiny dog, Gigi, and Emily, with her cat Dep, are trying the donuts and cider and since they are out side, no one else is complaining. But the woman mentions how she hates dogs (and cats) and won't let up.

Still, the three women aren't about to let her spoil their mood, and so they decide to go into the corn maze which is also on the property. But while they are trying to find their way out, a hand shoots through the corn and grabs Gigi. Suddenly, things go sideways as the women attempt to find the tiny creature and everyone is shouting her name -- even disruptive teenagers who think this is all a game.

Eventually, Gigi is found, and all is calm. For a while, at least. Until it's discovered that the woman is missing from her tour. And when her body is found in the maze the next day, with Gigi's hair ribbon in her pocket, they become suspects in the murder. Now Emily and her friends are trying to clear their names and find a killer. Because if they don't, one of them may be the next victim...

This is the eleventh book in the series, and I have enjoyed most of them. I will admit, in the beginning their was an 'evil nemesis' which I hate above all things, but since that problem has been removed, all the remaining books have been more than delightful.

I love Emily and her family and friends, each with their own backstory to tell, and new friends that they meet along the way. Her life with her detective husband Brent is good, Dep is spoiled (even more than my cats), but I enjoy reading about her as well. She owns Deputy Donuts along with her late husband's father Tom, and the business is thriving.

In this book, Emily once again is drawn into a murder as she tries to prove herself innocent. Although she's not really a serious suspect, one of her friends is, and she knows that she needs to help clear her name. To that end, the three women start listing their own suspects, and it builds quite a list. When they start to question people, they get the natural resistance, but someone is watching their every move and is planning their own.

When we get closer to the end of the book, everything becomes tense as Emily starts to figure out who the real killer is. So do her friends, and they try to capture that person without them knowing. But it's more dangerous than they think, and if help doesn't arrive soon, they may not escape...

I will not say any more as to not ruin the book for others, but this is one of the best in the series, and it was a delight to read. Ms. Bolton has a turn with words, and she does it well. Very well written and highly recommended.

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

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer Donuts by Ginger Bolton is an excellent cozy mystery that is the 11th book in the Deputy Donut Mystery series.

I love cozy mysteries. I love the Deputy Donut series. My favorite holiday is Halloween…so you can guess why I loved this book.

I enjoyed y surprises within this story (personal and murder mystery aspects equally). Emily and Izzy made excellent sleuthing partners with a bit of Monique on the side. Plenty of twists and turns kept the mystery engaging, and I love that the author chose apple sider as the themed flavor vs the traditional pumpkin. It added a nice change.

I love this series and cannot wait for more. Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

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

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

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Killer Donuts (A Deputy Donut Mystery Book 11)" by Ginger Bolton seems to be the last book in the series. Or not. I would be okay with that if it was as it is feeling played out. The characters have reached the peak in their development with a special announcement at the end of the book. It's okay to end it with this book.

Emily and her friends are participating in an Autumn donut tourism trail. Lots of competition to check out both in fall decor and donuts. While at a neighboring town's apple orchard they encounter some unpleasant ladies that got me immediately think they were the victim or the culprit, as it goes in cozy mysteries.

I was right. I was also right in who the culprit was but that's mostly from me think "why was that person even mentioned otherwise." The story is a fall cozy mystery read. At times it felt a bit rushed or repetitive from past books. Overall, a good cozy mystery.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#KillerDonuts #NetGalley

We're back with Emily and the gang in this newest deputy donut series by Ginger Bolton.
From the colorful and vibrant cover, to the description, I knew I was in for a fun adventure with some of my favorite characters.
I can't resist a holiday cozy, and Halloween just happens to be one of my favorites.
Emily and her friend Monique attend the local festival, but when the enter the maze, things suddenly take a bizarre turn. Monique's dog Gigi goes missing, teenagers are pulling pranks, and when a tour bus passenger can't be found, Emily knows something is definitely wrong.
The ending of this book had me grinning and cheering. I cannot wait for the next book.
This is a solid 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killer Donuts is the 11th book in the Deputy Donut Mystery series by Ginger Bolton. I love this series and it's been fun watching the characters develop and grow. I love that Izzy was carried over from the last book and that we got to know Madame Monique better. Thank you #NetGalley and #Kensington for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

[Lisa M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read by the author. Cozy mysteries always hit a sweet spot for me, no pun intended. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the arc

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, fun cozy mystery with some impeccable vibes and a great set of plotting. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.