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Annie Graceland Mystery #6
Cupcakes, Bats, and Scare-dy Cats
USA Today Bestselling author PAMELA DuMOND pitched the real life ERIN BROCKOVICH story to ‘Hollywood.' Now she brings readers a LOL cozy mystery that can be read as a STAND ALONE.
Annie Graceland and her cat Theodore have a pinch of psychic ability. They talk with recently departed ghosts – unfortunately they talk back -- nagging them to solve their murders. Annie's pet sitting when her apartment manager accuses her of violating the “No Dogs Allowed” rule. He busts into her place and literally lets the dog and cat out. She'd gladly have killed him but someone beats her to it.
Now she's desperately searching for Theodore while dealing with the manager’s ghost. It's a good thing she doesn't know that her cat and his pals are also on the prowl, tracking down the killer.
Annie Graceland and her cat Theodore have a pinch of psychic ability. They talk with recently departed ghosts – unfortunately they talk back -- nagging them to solve their murders. Annie's pet sitting when her apartment manager accuses her of violating the “No Dogs Allowed” rule. He busts into her place and literally lets the dog and cat out. She'd gladly have killed him but someone beats her to it.
Now she's desperately searching for Theodore while dealing with the manager’s ghost. It's a good thing she doesn't know that her cat and his pals are also on the prowl, tracking down the killer.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2015
746 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Pamela DuMond
62 books385 followersUSA Today Best author Pamela DuMond writes merry mysteries, modern fairytales, and smart romance.
Pam pitched the "Erin Brockovich" story to Hollywood, was featured on “ABC 20/20," is repped for TV/Film/Lit by Italia Gandolfo at GHLiterary.com, and was a contracted writer for Pixelberry Studios.
Pam's books include the hilarious Part-time Princess © 2014 Rom-Com series, Annie Graceland cozy mysteries, Mortal Beloved 'romantasy' time travel, Courtesan "addicting" psychological thrillers, etc. #Iwritemyownbooks
Pam lives in NC where she consumes audiobooks, swims like a mermaid, and is bossed by cats. Sign up for her newsletter at www.pameladumond.com.
Pam pitched the "Erin Brockovich" story to Hollywood, was featured on “ABC 20/20," is repped for TV/Film/Lit by Italia Gandolfo at GHLiterary.com, and was a contracted writer for Pixelberry Studios.
Pam's books include the hilarious Part-time Princess © 2014 Rom-Com series, Annie Graceland cozy mysteries, Mortal Beloved 'romantasy' time travel, Courtesan "addicting" psychological thrillers, etc. #Iwritemyownbooks
Pam lives in NC where she consumes audiobooks, swims like a mermaid, and is bossed by cats. Sign up for her newsletter at www.pameladumond.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 16, 2019
There are parts of this book that I liked (like hearing things from the animals' points of view) but on the whole it was very poorly written. Most of the characters were not developed. They felt very blank with very little unique personality. Scenes were not described well so that I didn't always understand how everything worked together. For example, I was unable to figure out whether the gym exercise equipment was inside or outside. Several comments supported either scenario. Also how the characters interacted and their conversations together were very jumpy and confusing. More than once it seemed that one character would see another character at a distance but suddenly they were close enough to hear each other. Yet you weren't really sure if that was intended, whether the other character was aware of the first one, whether they were actually interacting and if so how it came to that point. There was a long period of the animals interacting but they weren't really accomplishing anything to do with the story. During that time supposedly Annie was trying to figure out the murder but you aren't given hardly any information about that. There is no detective work, just suddenly she knows who the murderer is. Many of the conversations are very generic and there is little connection with the characters.
October 30, 2019
There are some books with animal narrators that are truly clever. This is not one of those books. Honestly, this book is not entertaining when told from any of the multiple viewpoints it switches between - dog, cat, woman.
The book is a lot like listening to your annoying friend try to tell a story: they sacrifice telling the story at the expense of trying to sound cute and clever. Like that friend, it is all poorly done - both in style and in plot. Several of the major points don't get fleshed out because the author is too busy trying to sound clever or funny. (Spoiler: She is neither.) Much of the climax (if you can call it that) is spent going, "Wait, back up... Why did that happen?"
This is also one of those annoying books where the main character is not particularly likable. She does a lot of things that don't make a lot of sense (because the author is too busy being "clever" to explain), and she is just an unpleasant person. Who goes to a vegan restaurant, orders eggs and gets rude because they don't serve them? Literally almost every restaurant in town will serve eggs. Chill. And there is an unhealthy amount of focus on her "curvy" body. I can't tell if this was to be celebrated or berated because none of the book had much thought behind it.
End of the day: just don't. I grabbed this as a free ebook, thinking it would be a fun Halloween read. Nope.
The book is a lot like listening to your annoying friend try to tell a story: they sacrifice telling the story at the expense of trying to sound cute and clever. Like that friend, it is all poorly done - both in style and in plot. Several of the major points don't get fleshed out because the author is too busy trying to sound clever or funny. (Spoiler: She is neither.) Much of the climax (if you can call it that) is spent going, "Wait, back up... Why did that happen?"
This is also one of those annoying books where the main character is not particularly likable. She does a lot of things that don't make a lot of sense (because the author is too busy being "clever" to explain), and she is just an unpleasant person. Who goes to a vegan restaurant, orders eggs and gets rude because they don't serve them? Literally almost every restaurant in town will serve eggs. Chill. And there is an unhealthy amount of focus on her "curvy" body. I can't tell if this was to be celebrated or berated because none of the book had much thought behind it.
End of the day: just don't. I grabbed this as a free ebook, thinking it would be a fun Halloween read. Nope.
September 7, 2019
Couldn't cope with the constant changing viewpoints between Annie, the dog, the cat, the ghost cat(!). it was too jumpy, no proper flow to it and the conclusion came far too easily without any kind of clues along the way, Annie just solved the crime. I know its not exactly Poirot or even Jessica Fletcher, but I found it disappointing.
Not encouraged to read more in the series
Not encouraged to read more in the series
February 27, 2022
Ugh! I should have stopped reading when the animals sounded smarter than the people. This book has more chapters from an animal perspective than a human point of view. It was awful! It was more about the animals adventures. The entire story was just stupid. She talks to ghosts with other people present but nobody seems to notice. The characters are flat, the story has no flow.
October 8, 2016
I’ll admit it…I’m not a huge fan of Halloween EXCEPT for the fun goodies and treats and the cute little kids dressed up so adorably. I’ll pass on the scary clowns and bloodied zombies, thank you very much. That said, Pamela DuMond has written a zany Halloween treat with lots of tricks thrown in to entertain the reader in CUPCAKES, BATS, AND SCARE-DY CATS! This sixth book in the Annie Graceland Cozy Mystery series is lighthearted with laugh out moments and quirky ghosts that kept me entertained. Annie is a thoroughly likable protagonist with a good heart. As much as she gets annoyed with ghosts wanting her to help solve their murder or help them find “the light”, she still finds sympathy to help, even though she may have truly disliked the person while they were alive. There is plenty of action happening to move the plot along and enough suspects to keep it interesting. The supporting characters in this book are a hoot, from her friends to her huge Himalayan mix cat, Theodore von Pumpernickle, and the dog she’s watching. Pamela has an interesting twist in this book: not only is the point of view from Annie’s, but she also includes the point of view from the animals. Don’t worry, it’s not confusing at all as each short chapter clearly delineates each character.
In addition to a fun read, Pamela provides several yummy recipes. Since it’s Halloween season, I made the recipe for Spooky Surprise (Cookie Dough) Cupcakes, developed by Laura Devries. A delicious chocolate cupcake encases a gooey chocolate chip cookie dough center. The vanilla buttercream is light and fluffy, the perfect medium for making ghosts or puffy clouds to hold flying cookie bats!
In addition to a fun read, Pamela provides several yummy recipes. Since it’s Halloween season, I made the recipe for Spooky Surprise (Cookie Dough) Cupcakes, developed by Laura Devries. A delicious chocolate cupcake encases a gooey chocolate chip cookie dough center. The vanilla buttercream is light and fluffy, the perfect medium for making ghosts or puffy clouds to hold flying cookie bats!
December 2, 2015
Annie Graceland books are always fun and warm and humorous, but this once takes a new tack! Some of the alternating chapters are narrative by Annie's cat Theodore von Pumpernickle, an neighbor's dog, Mozart, and a ghost cat, Spirit. Of course there is the usually newly dead ghost and our old not so dear ghost Derek, he of the gold lame thong. When the manager of the apartments tries to take the German Shepard that Annie is doge sitting while she and Raphael (sigh) are out, the table are turned on him when the band he uses to capture the dog is used on him before he is shot. During the ruckus Mozart, Teddy, and Spirit run away to elude the murder. Annie is distraught over the loss of her furbaby and refuses to give up until her baby is back home. Said manager is of course the ghost who doesn't want to believe that he is dead.
August 16, 2019
It is a quick read...
and it has humor. The point of view changing from Annie to the dog to the cat and occasionally the ghost cat all in first person is a little jarring. Romance between a couple of minor characters happens pretty fast. Story was all right. I had just finished slogging through the first Longmire book and wanted to read something light and fast before going to the second Longmire book and this filled the requirements. The story is complete, no cliffhangers, and the characters are likeable enough. It probably would help to read the earlier books in the series but this one was free so I thought I would try it. There are recipes thrown in that usually aren't connected to the story but I can live with that. I don't know if I will read more but this seems to be a popular series.
and it has humor. The point of view changing from Annie to the dog to the cat and occasionally the ghost cat all in first person is a little jarring. Romance between a couple of minor characters happens pretty fast. Story was all right. I had just finished slogging through the first Longmire book and wanted to read something light and fast before going to the second Longmire book and this filled the requirements. The story is complete, no cliffhangers, and the characters are likeable enough. It probably would help to read the earlier books in the series but this one was free so I thought I would try it. There are recipes thrown in that usually aren't connected to the story but I can live with that. I don't know if I will read more but this seems to be a popular series.
December 31, 2015
My favorite Cupcake detective , Annie Graceland splits the stage with her cat, Theodore Von Pumpernickel and a neighbor's dog, Mozart. The three separate narratives track clues to the murder of Annie's obnoxious landlord who has not intention of leaving this plane till his murder is solved. Hilarious and as a bonus, some great cupcake recipes.
November 24, 2015
Funniest book yet. So many LOL moments!
Want to read
August 12, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/12/2019)! 🎁
September 20, 2019
A nice read. I liked the different character's perspectives for the chapters.
October 9, 2019
The constantly changing POV and over the top dramatics were not fun for me.
November 16, 2025
"Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, " Julia and Grady chanted as they clutched a candle and peered into the skinny mirror hanging from the back of my front door.
This is the sixth book in the Annie Graceland series. Annie is an empath who helps the newly departed find their killer. Anthony Spiggottini is the obnoxious apartment manager that is constantly harassing Annie about her cat and the dog she is watching for a neighbor. Annie has to deal with Anthony in the afterlife when he is murdered after being in her apartment stealing Mozart the German Shepherd.
Perhaps this book would have made more sense to me if I hadn't started with book six in the series. I really liked the premise of a "Ghost Whisperer" and the chapters told from the animals' points of view. However, that was not enough to carry the book. It took me forever to read because I kept putting it down and moving on to something else.
The cat, Theodore von Pumpernickel was my favorite character. I looked forward to his chapters along with Mozart's. Annie's not so much.
The plot was a bit thin. Perhaps if I go back and start at the beginning it will make a bit more sense. I'm not sure if I will do that any time soon.
This is the sixth book in the Annie Graceland series. Annie is an empath who helps the newly departed find their killer. Anthony Spiggottini is the obnoxious apartment manager that is constantly harassing Annie about her cat and the dog she is watching for a neighbor. Annie has to deal with Anthony in the afterlife when he is murdered after being in her apartment stealing Mozart the German Shepherd.
Perhaps this book would have made more sense to me if I hadn't started with book six in the series. I really liked the premise of a "Ghost Whisperer" and the chapters told from the animals' points of view. However, that was not enough to carry the book. It took me forever to read because I kept putting it down and moving on to something else.
The cat, Theodore von Pumpernickel was my favorite character. I looked forward to his chapters along with Mozart's. Annie's not so much.
The plot was a bit thin. Perhaps if I go back and start at the beginning it will make a bit more sense. I'm not sure if I will do that any time soon.
October 23, 2023
A MAJOR COOK BOOK , WITH A MINOR MYSTERY STORY !!!!
GEE , I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A MYSTERY BOOK ! IF YOU LIKE TO READ RECIPES AND HAVE SOME
( SOME PAGES OF AN ACTUAL MYSTERY STORY THROWN IN)
THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU ! I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT COOK BOOKS AND WOULD FEEL ANGRY , AT THE AUTHORS ! IF IT WAS MOSTLY A MYSTERY STORY THROUGHOUT THE BOOK !
THAT IS HOW THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN , IT IS MORE OF AN
ACTUAL COOK BOOK ! WITH A PARTIAL MYSTERY STORY ,
JUST THROWN IN ! I RARELY GIVE A REVIEW , I HAVE
PAINFUL HANDS ! I HAD TO LET BOOK MYSTERY LOVERS , BE
AWARE ! I GAVE YOU , A THREE STAR RATING ! EVEN THOUGH , I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT A ONE ! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK AND ITS' AUTHOR !😲😱🙀😞 👀
GEE , I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A MYSTERY BOOK ! IF YOU LIKE TO READ RECIPES AND HAVE SOME
( SOME PAGES OF AN ACTUAL MYSTERY STORY THROWN IN)
THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU ! I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT COOK BOOKS AND WOULD FEEL ANGRY , AT THE AUTHORS ! IF IT WAS MOSTLY A MYSTERY STORY THROUGHOUT THE BOOK !
THAT IS HOW THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN , IT IS MORE OF AN
ACTUAL COOK BOOK ! WITH A PARTIAL MYSTERY STORY ,
JUST THROWN IN ! I RARELY GIVE A REVIEW , I HAVE
PAINFUL HANDS ! I HAD TO LET BOOK MYSTERY LOVERS , BE
AWARE ! I GAVE YOU , A THREE STAR RATING ! EVEN THOUGH , I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT A ONE ! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK AND ITS' AUTHOR !😲😱🙀😞 👀
February 11, 2020
This is a light-hearted and entertaining read that follows Annie Graceland as she tries to solve the murder of her landlord while trying to find and rescue her beloved cat Theodore. Oh and she can see dead people, including her now deceased landlord who was killed while wearing a very fetching Dracula costume. Annie is also a bit of a baker so as well as solving murders, finding her cat and uncovering a money fuelled conspiracy, she also feeds her friends and boyfriends delicious baked goods, the recipes for which are kindly provided.
October 31, 2020
Book #6 in the Annie Graceland mystery series. Annie's landlord is murdered and she's lost her cat, Theodore. The storyline was simple and it seems like Annie spends a lot of time worrying about her missing pet and getting ready for different Halloween gatherings rather than trying to solve a mystery. Each chapter provides a different narrator, including a pet's perspective. I hadn't read any of the previous books in this series, but other than not knowing all of the character's back stories it really did not impact understanding the plot.
April 25, 2023
Cupcakes, Bats and Scaredy Cats by Pamela DuMond is the 6th book in the Annie Graceland Mystery series. Empath and Ghost whisperer Annie Graceland's apartment manager is killed after he breaks in and lets her cat out while taking a dog she has been looking after. I enjoyed this book more than the others in the series. Annie seems more sensible although she is more obsessed with finding her cat than the killer. I particularly liked the chapters told from the various animals points of view. A lighthearted and fun mystery although not really much of an investigation.
June 25, 2025
I'm a big fan of cozies. I'm a bigger fan of holiday/seasonal themed cozies, and that goes double for my favorite holidays.
This book was simply not well-written, and it wasn't interesting. I couldn't get into it at all, and there was nothing that made me want to keep reading. I DNFed it because life is too short to read books that don't bring me some pleasure.
This may be someone's favorite read, and you should give it a try if it sounds great to you, but it certainly wasn't my favorite book.
This book was simply not well-written, and it wasn't interesting. I couldn't get into it at all, and there was nothing that made me want to keep reading. I DNFed it because life is too short to read books that don't bring me some pleasure.
This may be someone's favorite read, and you should give it a try if it sounds great to you, but it certainly wasn't my favorite book.
October 31, 2020
This book is a cozy mystery and thus I did not have super high expectations for it. That being said was the recipes actually look good and I'm excited to try them so it gets an extra star for that even if content and storyline were less than stellar.
I did enjoy that both humans and animals get to act as narrators one of which was a ghost animal.
I did enjoy that both humans and animals get to act as narrators one of which was a ghost animal.
March 6, 2020
Ghosts are annoying
Annie has a nice life with her cat, Teddy, and her boyfriend, Raphael, the detective. One glitch is her ability to see and hear ghosts. When she gets involved with a new neighbor and dog sits for him things go downhill fast.
Annie has a nice life with her cat, Teddy, and her boyfriend, Raphael, the detective. One glitch is her ability to see and hear ghosts. When she gets involved with a new neighbor and dog sits for him things go downhill fast.
March 20, 2020
Love cats
What a fun book with a twist of adventure. Just adopted a cat as I started reading this book it aloud me to see this beautiful cat differently with lots of wonders of what she’s seeing. Enjoy the magic
What a fun book with a twist of adventure. Just adopted a cat as I started reading this book it aloud me to see this beautiful cat differently with lots of wonders of what she’s seeing. Enjoy the magic
December 24, 2023
I should have liked it, but it fell flat for me. It had a lot of components that should have had me raving about this book (cats and Halloween, for instance), but instead I’m just glad I finished it. I might come back at some point and read another in the series … maybe it gets better?
January 3, 2020
Wasn't fan couldn't get into with all the animal and people jumping
January 11, 2020
A Fun Light Read
Hi enjoyed reading this book as a break from heavily detailed books The author has a talent so telling the whole story in fun terms.
Hi enjoyed reading this book as a break from heavily detailed books The author has a talent so telling the whole story in fun terms.
January 28, 2020
A fun and entertaining read
A fun and entertaining read, cats a dog and the paranormal. Ghosts human and animal, murder romance and what I hope are great recipes
A fun and entertaining read, cats a dog and the paranormal. Ghosts human and animal, murder romance and what I hope are great recipes
October 19, 2021
Confusing, so I did not finish.
The only thing I liked was reading the point of views with the animals. Many parts did not help the plot. I got bored and finally stopped reading.
The only thing I liked was reading the point of views with the animals. Many parts did not help the plot. I got bored and finally stopped reading.
November 10, 2023
Fun quick read
Lots of fun characters including a cat, a dog ,a baker and a ghost. Add another murder and enjoy the adventure
Lots of fun characters including a cat, a dog ,a baker and a ghost. Add another murder and enjoy the adventure
October 21, 2024
A really cute cozy mystery. I really loved the cat character. I liked the banter between all the characters.
December 5, 2019
This was a cute little book. It is 6th in the series, but I have not read the preceding books. There are 4 narrators. One is Annie Graceland, a human. Another is Mozart, a German Shepherd owned by her new neighbor. The third is Theodore Pumpernickel, her Maine Coon cat. And the fourth is a ghost cat. There are other ghosts in the picture who are not narrators. Annie seems to be psychic. The ghosts can talk to each other, and her.
The plot is light, someone Annie knows is murdered and the critters are involved. Mayhem ensues as they end up out of the house and looking for clues. A fun little read, especially as the dog and cats see things differently.
The plot is light, someone Annie knows is murdered and the critters are involved. Mayhem ensues as they end up out of the house and looking for clues. A fun little read, especially as the dog and cats see things differently.
December 6, 2019
Fun and quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews