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Dixie Cupp Diner Mystery #1
Pumpkin Spice & A Body On Ice
Cupcakes and murder - a recipe for disaster!
Starla Cupp lives her life on purpose, and it shows. She owns the best diner in Virginia, has the best friends in the world, and she's the reigning Cupcake Queen of Sugar Hill's annual dessert festival, which is only a couple of weeks away. Life is pretty darn good until she finds Nadine Krump, her arch-nemesis, dead on the railroad tracks behind her diner.
Now she's famous for something besides her cupcakes, and everyone's pretty sure that Nadine's death was no accident. With the the sexy new police chief breathing down her neck and a possible killer among her close group of friends, Starla has to figure out what happened, prove herself innocent, and win a cupcake contest before the real killer gets away with murder.
Starla Cupp lives her life on purpose, and it shows. She owns the best diner in Virginia, has the best friends in the world, and she's the reigning Cupcake Queen of Sugar Hill's annual dessert festival, which is only a couple of weeks away. Life is pretty darn good until she finds Nadine Krump, her arch-nemesis, dead on the railroad tracks behind her diner.
Now she's famous for something besides her cupcakes, and everyone's pretty sure that Nadine's death was no accident. With the the sexy new police chief breathing down her neck and a possible killer among her close group of friends, Starla has to figure out what happened, prove herself innocent, and win a cupcake contest before the real killer gets away with murder.
A fun holiday mystery for everyone!
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2015
98 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 15, 2018
Loved it! The only reason I didn’t gave it 5 stars is because it isn’t a full length story. It was a very well written and great paced mystery with interesting and lovable characters. The perfect cozy mystery with a surprise at the end….
I am off to read the second installment in the series right away.
I am off to read the second installment in the series right away.
September 27, 2023
The best part of this book was the cupcake recipe at the end.
I think I might be a bit too old for this read, although I'm not exactly sure who this book is targeted towards. I wasn't expecting anything incredible, I was just hoping for a short and cosy read to get me into the mood for autumn, something entertaining and funny (judging by the title) or at least comically bad, but it was none of these things, it didn't even feel like a short, cosy read.
The book is perhaps better described as 95 pages about a cupcake competition and the MC wondering how she is going to make them healthy, with a side sprinkling of casual murder and theft. The 'mystery' was non-existent, the 'twist' was predictable and the way the author would introduce characters kind of felt like reading a children's book. The author also seemed to have a reallyweird problematic obsession and idea of diet culture and body image.
I think I might be a bit too old for this read, although I'm not exactly sure who this book is targeted towards. I wasn't expecting anything incredible, I was just hoping for a short and cosy read to get me into the mood for autumn, something entertaining and funny (judging by the title) or at least comically bad, but it was none of these things, it didn't even feel like a short, cosy read.
The book is perhaps better described as 95 pages about a cupcake competition and the MC wondering how she is going to make them healthy, with a side sprinkling of casual murder and theft. The 'mystery' was non-existent, the 'twist' was predictable and the way the author would introduce characters kind of felt like reading a children's book. The author also seemed to have a really
August 31, 2019
Fun little mystery! First in series and a must read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries, surprising endings and cupcakes.
September 26, 2016
Short culinary cozy mystery that's a special treat to read. Despite it's short length, the story is well-written and interesting. I enjoyed the setting and characters. The ending caught me by surprise!
November 1, 2017
Cute cozy mystery. When a customer of the Dixie Cupp Diner is found dead on the train tracks by the owner, who was just insulted by the deceased, tongues wag in the small town of Sugar Hill, VA. The hunky police chief is on the hunt for the murderer as well as a lingerie thief. But things, and people, are not exactly as they appear.
November 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The characters of Starla and Poppy are wonderful. I loved the surprise ending!
I borrowed a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited.
November 12, 2019
4.25 Stars
OMG! This ending just killed me!
I don’t want to give anything away but this ending is one I didn’t see coming.
Starla has a diner and her bestie, Poppy, has a thing for local contractor Tom Brown. She is planning her wedding to the guy and everything even though they’ve never dated. Starla, as well as most of the community, has a thing for Police Chief Roby Whitt. The town has done quite a personal makeover as they have taken up being healthier due to Whitt’s own workout routine.
Then Nadine Krump ends up dead by the bridge and Poppy swears she saw Tom in his signature green hoodie speaking with Nadine right before her death. And if a murderer in their midsts isn’t enough, there is also a panty bandit snatching underwear out of unsuspecting ladies drawers.
I really enjoyed Willow Monroe’s writing and style. I only wish this book had been much longer, more regular cozy novel length between 200 & 300 pages. I just wanted more of the setting and the atmosphere. The only thing that bothered me about the story structure was that there wasn’t any foreshadowing indicating who the possible killer could be. When that revelation came out, I was floored. I had really come to love that particular character.
I will definitely check out more of Monroe’s writing in the future and I suggest you do as well.
OMG! This ending just killed me!
I don’t want to give anything away but this ending is one I didn’t see coming.
Starla has a diner and her bestie, Poppy, has a thing for local contractor Tom Brown. She is planning her wedding to the guy and everything even though they’ve never dated. Starla, as well as most of the community, has a thing for Police Chief Roby Whitt. The town has done quite a personal makeover as they have taken up being healthier due to Whitt’s own workout routine.
Then Nadine Krump ends up dead by the bridge and Poppy swears she saw Tom in his signature green hoodie speaking with Nadine right before her death. And if a murderer in their midsts isn’t enough, there is also a panty bandit snatching underwear out of unsuspecting ladies drawers.
I really enjoyed Willow Monroe’s writing and style. I only wish this book had been much longer, more regular cozy novel length between 200 & 300 pages. I just wanted more of the setting and the atmosphere. The only thing that bothered me about the story structure was that there wasn’t any foreshadowing indicating who the possible killer could be. When that revelation came out, I was floored. I had really come to love that particular character.
I will definitely check out more of Monroe’s writing in the future and I suggest you do as well.
May 1, 2017
Starla Cupp lives her life on purpose. She's the reigning Cupcake Queen, owns a very successful diner, and has the best friend in the world, Poppy. The Sugar Hill's annual dessert festival is just around the corner and she's a shoe-in to win it again....that is until the new health nut police chief is the judge. If that alone doesn't make Starla think her chances are slim, she then stumbles upon the body of her arch-nemesis. When her friend's on again off again boyfriend is arrested for the murder, Starla wonders if she can solve a murder and keep her title.
We have a winner!! I loved this cute little cozy. It's set in the adorable sounding town of Sugar Hill and has some of the most wonderfully crafted characters. It's fun. It's fast paced. It's interesting. It's also a well written story that managed to surprise me when the killer was revealed. I did not expect that. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars (well, I don't give those out often) is because all the fitness people in the story being on the snobbish side. We aren't all that way! I work out AND eat cupcakes! Granted, not at the same time......
Anyway, this is a great start to the series and makes me want to read the rest. This book was definitely a treat.
We have a winner!! I loved this cute little cozy. It's set in the adorable sounding town of Sugar Hill and has some of the most wonderfully crafted characters. It's fun. It's fast paced. It's interesting. It's also a well written story that managed to surprise me when the killer was revealed. I did not expect that. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars (well, I don't give those out often) is because all the fitness people in the story being on the snobbish side. We aren't all that way! I work out AND eat cupcakes! Granted, not at the same time......
Anyway, this is a great start to the series and makes me want to read the rest. This book was definitely a treat.
October 19, 2023
This was a fun little cozy, super cute characters and I love that the MC was curvy! The mystery was good, although the backup mystery was a little silly. A quick easy read that was perfect for the month of October!
December 14, 2015
Starla Cupp and her best friend, Poppy (I love her name!), run the Dixie Cupp (yep, spelled with two p's) Diner together. I love their friendship; they're truly best friends who support each other. It's so nice to see two strong women supporting one another - no tearing each other down going on here! Just really refreshing.
At first I thought the town of Sugar Hill was a cozy one where everyone knows everyone but quickly discovered while everyone does know each other, they don't necessarily like each other. There are a lot of secrets floating around, and it's anything BUT a cozy little town. There are some serious shenanigans going down.
I laughed when the police chief, who's a major health nut, gets roped in by the mayor to judge the annual cupcake contest. There went Starla's hopes of keeping up her winning streak!
I loved Starla. She says she doesn't just let things happen to her - she says she lives life on purpose, and I really love that motto. Starla made me want to start living my life "on purpose" and stop feeling like everything is out of my control.
The twist was a surprise. I might have seen it coming a tad, but I was left guessing there for a while.
I just really really want more of these characters and searched to see if the author is planning on it. Not sure at this point, but I think chances are good. I definitely want more Starla!
I also bought a book by the author called Mall Santa Murder for 99 cents because I enjoyed her writing so much.
So happy to have been able to scoop up Pumpkin Spice & a Body On Ice for free! I feel lucky to have discovered such great characters and writing!
Check out more of my reviews at Donnie Darko Girl!
At first I thought the town of Sugar Hill was a cozy one where everyone knows everyone but quickly discovered while everyone does know each other, they don't necessarily like each other. There are a lot of secrets floating around, and it's anything BUT a cozy little town. There are some serious shenanigans going down.
I laughed when the police chief, who's a major health nut, gets roped in by the mayor to judge the annual cupcake contest. There went Starla's hopes of keeping up her winning streak!
I loved Starla. She says she doesn't just let things happen to her - she says she lives life on purpose, and I really love that motto. Starla made me want to start living my life "on purpose" and stop feeling like everything is out of my control.
The twist was a surprise. I might have seen it coming a tad, but I was left guessing there for a while.
I just really really want more of these characters and searched to see if the author is planning on it. Not sure at this point, but I think chances are good. I definitely want more Starla!
I also bought a book by the author called Mall Santa Murder for 99 cents because I enjoyed her writing so much.
So happy to have been able to scoop up Pumpkin Spice & a Body On Ice for free! I feel lucky to have discovered such great characters and writing!
Check out more of my reviews at Donnie Darko Girl!
March 3, 2019
Never saw it coming!!!
Wow! The ending of this was pretty hair-raising and I never saw it coming. I am so impressed with this author. The book is well written and for such a quick read it is we'll developed! I love Starla, she is so sweet.
Wow! The ending of this was pretty hair-raising and I never saw it coming. I am so impressed with this author. The book is well written and for such a quick read it is we'll developed! I love Starla, she is so sweet.
September 11, 2020
Starla Cupp runs the Dixie Cupp Diner with her best friend. They are a staple to their small town and have the bragging rights for winning a cupcake competition for 5 years straight.
There is a shakeup as it's announced that the health nut police chief will be the new judge for the competition.
With her head spinning from this announcement Starla heads out for a walk to the bank. She spots what appears to be clothes on the trIn tracks. But upon closer inspection it is the body of Nadine Krump, a local fitness instructor and diner regular.
Everyone in town is in edge, and when a suspect is in custody it hits close to home for Starla. She starts an investigation of her own, but she is attracting attention that maybe dangerous.
This was an easy, cozy mystery. The writing and development was okay, but for me the actual mystery gets wrapped up way to quickly and with almost zero explanation. It would have been nice for the Why to have some more substantial background, but in only 94 pages there wasn't much room for lengthy explanations.
There is a shakeup as it's announced that the health nut police chief will be the new judge for the competition.
With her head spinning from this announcement Starla heads out for a walk to the bank. She spots what appears to be clothes on the trIn tracks. But upon closer inspection it is the body of Nadine Krump, a local fitness instructor and diner regular.
Everyone in town is in edge, and when a suspect is in custody it hits close to home for Starla. She starts an investigation of her own, but she is attracting attention that maybe dangerous.
This was an easy, cozy mystery. The writing and development was okay, but for me the actual mystery gets wrapped up way to quickly and with almost zero explanation. It would have been nice for the Why to have some more substantial background, but in only 94 pages there wasn't much room for lengthy explanations.
September 30, 2017
Starla Cupp owns a diner in Virginia with her friend, and between the two of them, they keep the diner a hub of activity. They enter the cupcake contest each year, but this year, the judge is a health nut. How will she adapt her recipe to maintain her blue ribbon streak? When one of her competitors is found dead on the railroad tracks nearby, Starla suddenly has more on her mind than cupcakes. Nice, quick read. Twist near the end. Very much a small-town feel, where everyone knows everyone else's business.
June 4, 2020
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. I don't read too many cozy mysteries, but I thought this one was such a "sweet", easy read with a twisted surprise at the end. I liked the small town setting and characters too. There is also a recipe included for Pumpkin Spice muffins.
This book was a download offer from Kindle unlimited. It is part of a series. I am curious to see what the other books are like.
This book was a download offer from Kindle unlimited. It is part of a series. I am curious to see what the other books are like.
May 27, 2018
This is an enjoyable read. It is not a great mystey, but I found it satisfying. Starla owns a diner, and is queen of cupcakes in her town. When her rival for the cupcake contest is murdered, she sets out to solve it. I like the characters and the depiction of small town life. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is perfect.
September 29, 2020
Entertaining and easy read for someone like myself, who has little time to read for enjoyment.
Cute mystery and good bedtime reader. My favorite character is Starla, a curious small-town restauranter \ waitress who seeks to solve two mysteries--the untimely death of a local and panty thief!
Cute mystery and good bedtime reader. My favorite character is Starla, a curious small-town restauranter \ waitress who seeks to solve two mysteries--the untimely death of a local and panty thief!
September 2, 2018
A free recipe and a good mystery
Starla Cupp owns the Dixie Cupp diner. It's a little town where everybody knows everybody, or thinks they do. Hang on to your stool as things spiral out of control.
Starla Cupp owns the Dixie Cupp diner. It's a little town where everybody knows everybody, or thinks they do. Hang on to your stool as things spiral out of control.
September 20, 2018
Spice of life
A fun Cozy Mystery with lots going on in this small little town where the biggest thing that usually happens is the town festival and cup cake contest. It has changed a bit this year with the new handsome sheriff in town who everyone wants to impress.
A fun Cozy Mystery with lots going on in this small little town where the biggest thing that usually happens is the town festival and cup cake contest. It has changed a bit this year with the new handsome sheriff in town who everyone wants to impress.
April 8, 2019
Great first book
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. I am not going to write anymore. I do not want to give away who did it! There are several to choose.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. I am not going to write anymore. I do not want to give away who did it! There are several to choose.
May 12, 2017
A good, quick read with a nice twist. Some small editing errors but otherwise story flowed smoothly.
October 9, 2017
I gave this little novella four stars until I read the ending....
November 13, 2017
Pretty good book, a few errors in it (I notice because I'm a retired typing teacher). I had it figured out before the book revealed the killer. It was good for a short read.
July 4, 2018
Fun!
This was an incredibly interesting mystery. I seriously did not expect the twist at the end! Cannot wait to try the pumpkin spice cupcake recipe.
This was an incredibly interesting mystery. I seriously did not expect the twist at the end! Cannot wait to try the pumpkin spice cupcake recipe.
September 4, 2018
Pumpkin Spice& A Body On Ice
This is a great little read. I read it in one afternoon. Keeps you guessing up until the end of the story. I recommend it highly.
This is a great little read. I read it in one afternoon. Keeps you guessing up until the end of the story. I recommend it highly.
March 7, 2019
I really liked this book a lot of twist to it and the ending was unbelievable. Can't wait for more.
August 27, 2019
A first time reading Willow Monroe but thoroughly enjoyed the residents who spend time at the Dixie Cupp Diner.
September 20, 2019
Great read
I really enjoyed this book 😀. I was definitely surprised at who the bad guy was. I didn't see that coming at all. Very well-written!
I really enjoyed this book 😀. I was definitely surprised at who the bad guy was. I didn't see that coming at all. Very well-written!
November 2, 2019
Great New Series
I am loving this new series. I always prefer books set in the South since that is familiar territory for me. I can't wait to read the next book.
I am loving this new series. I always prefer books set in the South since that is familiar territory for me. I can't wait to read the next book.
December 7, 2020
Great book love the series.
Emma wooten
Emma wooten
March 16, 2023
beautiful little mystery that had me thinking everyone was a suspect but I had my eye on the correct person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews