Troubled Treats, Donut Mystery #19, from New York Times Bestselling Author Jessica Beck!
There’s been a murder at the old wagon factory, a building recently purchased and now being renovated by Suzanne’s mother. What’s more, Jake and Suzanne were on the premises when the crime occurred. They soon get dragged into the investigation and begin uncovering a bevy of clues as to why this homicide took place. Did the killing happen for personal reasons, or was it instigated by someone’s lust for the rumor of hidden gold?
Jessica Beck is a pseudonym used by Tim Myers. Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.
Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.
When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.
Troubled treats by Jessica Beck is the 19th book in the Donut Mysteries series. Suzanne's mother has recently purchased the old wagon factory, and while inspecting the building renovations, one of her contractors is killed. A short and quick cozy mystery which I enjoyed more than the previous ones. I liked having Jake help with the investigation as I did not think Grace really offered much. The donuts are the main thing drawing me in.
Suzanne's mother, Dot is renovating the old wagon factory. A local electrician is murdered and Suzanne jumps into sleuth mode.
Grace's boyfriend, Stephen Grant, is the interim police chief and has asked her not to get involved in any more investigations with Suzanne. That leaves Suzanne with Jake as her new side kick.
I did miss Grace in this book. I tend to shake me head at the predicaments that she and Suzanne get into. Jake did offer a more professional element to the amateur nosing.
This was not the best offering in the series but it was a quick read.
3.5 stars Suzanne is at it again, this time with a new sidekick. Her friend Grace has retired from sleuthing but Suzanne’s new husband Jake is also retired and ready to pitch in. When the local electrician is killed in Suzanne’s mom’s new-old wagon factory, Suzanne and her new hubby, along with her new stepfather, the retired police chief, are on the case. The story is a good one, involving local legends, hidden treasure, and dueling local business people. It was an easy read and I finished almost all of it in pretty much one sitting, but it just seemed like something was missing. In all fairness I skipped a few books in the series so that might be it, but I think part of it was having no visit to Napoli’s and Grace having such a minor role.
UGH!!!!! We have four suspects. They find a bootprint. Yay! All four suspects have the same sized feet. We find a piece of distinctive fabric. Yay! Oh, the suspects all wear that particular fabric. We have a clue left behind by who may or may not be the killer. Yay! We can narrow it down. Oh, wait. All the suspects were there and could have left that clue. Oh. My. Gosh. It went on and on throughout the entire book like this. There was no movement. They just bumbled around the whole book making no progress but acting like they were so great and were about to figure it out. This is not my only complaint. Not by far. And Suzanne is just getting worse and worse as a selfish, self-serving, self-absorbed person! Yikes!
Suzanne’s mother is refurbishing one of the building she recently bought and is excited to show it to nearly newlyweds Jake and Suzanne. While there Jake sees something strange through the sheets of construction plastic, and find a freshly deceased electrical contractor. Since Grace has decided to quit the sleuthing business it is up to the newlyweds to team up and solve the case. They get two new teammates from an unexpected place.
Spoiler/Not a spoiler- somebody should look closer at the rivets and read the original owner’s letter closer There’s GOLD in them rivets!
Suzanne's mother is renovating an old wagon factory and a murder occurs on site. There are runors of treasure buried there. Exciting! It was different to read about Jake investigating with Suzanne instead of Grace. It was also different having the entire book take place in April Springs instead of the usual gallivanting to Union Square and a visit to Napoli's. I did miss having Grace around more than a few scenes. Hopefully she will be around more in future books!
This is a really good book in the series! It shows a bunch of transitions for characters. It also has a very old building in it that has some mystery following it from the past. Suzanne almost gets killed in it, like in all of the books in the series, but you won't want to miss out on who actually gets shot at. Enjoy.
I really enjoy the Donut Shop Mystery series. Each book feels like I am right in the middle of a Hallmark movie mystery! I love the clean, easy writing. I enjoy being able to sit and read an entire book in one sitting from start to finish!
I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed each of them. Watching how Suzanne's detective skills have evolved has been fun to follow. I enjoy her interactions with the residents in her home town. Her mom is a force to be reckoned with. Her husband is so tough and sweet. Her best friend is a good ying to her yang.
I am a big fan of the Donut shop mysteries and this one definitely didn't disappoint. This go round had Susanne, the intrepid donut maker, working the mystery with new husband Jake.
The mystery was well plotted and filled with enough red herrings to keep a cozy mystery lover like myself guessing. I often guess the villain early, but I was guessing til just before the reveal.
I love Suzanne and Jake and it is great that being married I'd going to add a Fun new element to this clever series. Beck is one of the few authors that I not only autonomy it read immediately! I am looking forward to seeing what surprises in April Springs lie ahead for Suzanne, Jake, Grace and company.
My same complaint about this author still exists. He is constantly referring to people that we already know. For instance, we know that Jake is Suzanne's husband, there is NO reason to keep telling us that every other page. We know Phillip is Suzanne's step-dad, again, we do NOT need to be told that every time he comes into the picture. Good story, but the writer really needs to stop this because it's getting annoying.
I have loved this series from the beginning but it getting repetitive. Same thing happens every story. The only thing that changes is the background life story line of Suzanne Hart. I think that's why I stay. I want to know what happens to Jake and Suzanne.
Another Winner!! I only wished the author had "spun a tall tale" regarding the missing gold-had a "bigger build-up"; ah well. I just realized in this story there wasn't much action in the donut shop.
I love this series. Every time I start one of these books, I cannot put it down. Jake and Suzanne make such a great team and the rest of the characters are just as wonderful. Keep it up.