*This is book 19 in the Frosted Love Cozy Mystery Series* Carla and Echo are at it again. With the Inn constantly booked, Chas and Missy barely have enough time to say hello to each other twice a day. But it isn't long before Carla's would-be lover Kel teams up with Missy to solve the mystery of the mysterious victim of an accident at sea and discover the story of her past.
Summer Prescott is well-known in the Cozy Mystery realm, having written and published several Best-Sellers in the genre. An avid reader of Thrillers, Horror and Suspense, the author has decided to follow her passion with the debut of her Thriller, The Quiet Type, which launched in the top 50 of the Serial Killer category on Amazon. The novel has received high praise in its reviews, and Summer is considering a possible trilogy or series to continue the story.
Echo is working as the Gallery Manager for Kel's new gallery, Missy is busy with Cupcakes in Paradise and Spencer is busy working at both the inn and the store until one day he sees a woman in black walk into the ocean without stopping, he rushes to rescue her and that's the beginning - everything falls into chaos, a man is missing, a crazy woman gets murdered and nothing is as it seems. On top of all this Echo sees Kel having lunch with Carla, it seems the whole world is upside down. There are completely unexpected twists and suspicions, and nothing seems to make sense until Chas tracks down the killer, Sarah [the woman in black] is set free from her tormentor and the world settles back to being normal again. Great read.
I am really enjoying the focus on the characters and their development in this book. I feel like we get to really know the characters in this book, and though there is still a murder and mystery, it isn’t the only thing that is focused on in the book.
My murder didn’t take place until about ½ through the book, which seems to be normal now, Chas was still working on a case earlier on in the book. I enjoyed how seamlessly the two mysteries flowed into each other. I also enjoyed how Prescott managed to introduce a character that seems just as broken as Spencer in this book to match with him.
This wasn’t a who done it book really. It was all taken care of by Chas. We did get all the hints of the conversation between Chas and the murderer but none of the additional information the Chas gets off of the page until he tells Missy. If you’re looking for a who done it I feel like this book series is turning into much more of the cozy side of cozy mysteries, not that I’m complaining as I still am really enjoying the series.
Missy and Chas have a new helper named Spencer who watches a woman walk into the ocean. I have to say I enjoyed the story more than the others because we got a chance to know the new character. Hopefully Sarah continues to be a part of the storyline.
Every free chance I get I am reading this series . The story line was most important about Sarah. The rivalry between Echo and Carla is something else. I have enjoyed the addition of Spencer to the storyline. Keep writing and I will keep reading!!
This particular "foodie" mystery series seems to come out rather frequently and the books are a very quick read. While this story is a stand-alone, the main characters and town are consistent and the storyline more or less continuous.
S'more Murder gets its title from the special cupcakes Melissa Gladstone-Beckett, better known as Missy, was baking in her bakery, Cupcakes in Paradis, when the story begins. Her bakery is right next door to the Bed & Breakfast she and her husband, Detective Chas Beckett bought when they moved to Florida from Louisiana just a few months earlier. Missy's best friend, Echo, is the gallery manager for artist Philip "Kel" Kellerman, and the young Marine Corps veteran, Spencer Bengal who is now the B & B's live-in handyman, more or less completes the cast of characters.
When Spencer takes a day off to enjoy the sun, he rescues a very odd young lady who walks into the ocean far enough to be in danger of drowning. He takes her to the Inn where the shy, shivering young lady is cared for by Missy and Maggie, Missy's innkeeper. Her name is Sarah and she seems to have a lot of hangups — food and drink she won't consume, long, coarse, dark clothing — and scarcely says "boo". Meanwhile, Detective Beckett is called to the home of Ruth Jones on the complaint that her husband has disappeared. Within a day or two, Ruth Jones is lying butchered on her immaculate kitchen floor, her husband has turned up, and Sarah, who turns out to be their daughter, is the prime suspect and has disappeared from the hospital where she was supposed to be undergoing a psychiatric examination.
Spencer is quite taken with Sarah and is convinced that she could not have murdered her mother. And a local character named Carla is determined to come between Kel and Echo who have an undeclared crush on each other. There are several misunderstandings and clues that give the reader misdirection. All in all, S'more Murder is indeed a love cozy mystery with frosting on top
Spencer Bengal has a well-deserved day off and is relaxing at the beach. While relaxing, Spence notices a girl, dressed all in black, walking straight into the water seemingly in a daze. After he pulls the girl from the water, he takes her to the inn where Missy can help clean her up and get her in some dry clothes.
Meanwhile, Chas has to investigate a missing person. Ruth Jones has reported her husband as missing. When Chas goes to speak with her, he finds her to be very rude and demanding, but unable to provide any information that may be useful in finding her husband. Spence thinks the girl, named Sarah, at the local coffee shop is the same one he saved from the sea, but she insists she is not the same person.
When Ruth Jones turns up dead and Sarah is found screaming and covered in blood, James suddenly shows up wanting to get back into his house. Considering that it is now a crime scene, he is not allowed to enter.
Who killed Ruth Jones? Why was she killed? Where has James Jones been? What will happen to Sarah? Can Chas and Missy figure out what really happened?
Summer Prescott has another great story with wonderful, realistic characters and complex situations. These are wonderful stories with short chapters that make reading quick and easy.
although this book in the Frosted Love series seemed short, it did not disappoint. The tone seemed a little dark or at the least a little different. Missy is very present in the book but I felt like she was in the Tea Room most of the time. we saw lots of Kel, who provided information about the new characters as well as Echo and her realizations. Spencer, the yummy handyman seems to be a hero again and just can't be any nicer. He saves Sarah at the beach and it looks like him bringing her into the close group of friends maybe permanent or long term. there is enough going on in this book to stay intesting the whole time as well as making me look forward to the next book. Ms. Prescott has a gift for ending each book leading into the next installment without it being a cliffhanger.
Missy and Chas are back in the latest edition to the Frosted Love series and we all know what that means. Mystery! Intrigue! Murder! Missy's kind heart once again takes center stage after Spenser, the B&B's all around go-to guy, rescues a young woman from drowning in the ocean. This woman is at the center of the mystery and Missy calls upon friends, Echo and Kel, to investigate and gather information. I was happy to see Spenser take a major role in this story and I always love the interaction between Echo and Carla, Missy's friend and decorator. I'd love to see a compilation of all of the cupcake recipes created by Missy. That would make everything complete!
This was, of course, excellent! I like how Spencer is getting more page time and how Echo seems to be becoming even more of a major player in the series. I really love how Chas and Missy still seem to be so wrapped up in each other, and how the mystery, while it drives a majority of the action in the book, isn't the only thing happening and how that story goes on even after the mystery is solved.
Can't get enough of Missy and her family and friends. Only two things would improve this series. Recipes for some of these wonderful sounding cupcakes and lengthier books!
Love, Love, LOVED it!!! S'More Murder was the best yet of this series. I could not put it down and I'm hoping Sarah is here to stay. Grab this book and curl up for a very enjoyable read. can't wait to start the next one.
This is a great book in a great series. I'm thoroughly enjoying looking back at the beginning of Missy and Chas and the gang. The story is well written and there's cupcakes! What more can you ask foe?!
Another twisted murder mystery well executed by the author! This twisted tale revolves around a father and daughter who lives with a mentally ill women.
This was exciting and I couldn’t put it down until I finished the entire book. Thank you for a well written plot and a truly delightful, cozy mystery series.