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Murder by Cheesecake
Can one decision kill a woman? Is Allison the one to blame?
At just 29 years old, Allison seemed to have it all, as a successful investigative reporter. However, a mysterious event leaves her broke - and broken - and she is forced to leave the city and return to the town where she grew up - the seaside village of Curtain Bay.
It's been 12 years since she was last there, and nothing has changed - least of all the annual Cheesecake Competition. The town's residents take it as seriously as ever, and this year Allison is the star judge.
When Allison crowns an unpopular winner, Cassandra, who then turns up dead the next day, anyone could be to blame. Did one of the runners up kill Cassandra so that they could take her crown?
Could Allison be partly to blame? She decides to investigate, as she still has the reported spirit inside her. Her search for the guilty party brings her closer to her old high school boyfriend Robert, who seems to be hiding something, and Allison is forced to face up to more than one secret from her past.
At just 29 years old, Allison seemed to have it all, as a successful investigative reporter. However, a mysterious event leaves her broke - and broken - and she is forced to leave the city and return to the town where she grew up - the seaside village of Curtain Bay.
It's been 12 years since she was last there, and nothing has changed - least of all the annual Cheesecake Competition. The town's residents take it as seriously as ever, and this year Allison is the star judge.
When Allison crowns an unpopular winner, Cassandra, who then turns up dead the next day, anyone could be to blame. Did one of the runners up kill Cassandra so that they could take her crown?
Could Allison be partly to blame? She decides to investigate, as she still has the reported spirit inside her. Her search for the guilty party brings her closer to her old high school boyfriend Robert, who seems to be hiding something, and Allison is forced to face up to more than one secret from her past.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2015
26 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 24, 2017
Entertaining cozy. Allison, 29, returns to her childhood hometown after her career as an investigative journalist falls flat. She's thrust into the annual cheesecake contest as a judge and gets pulled into a murder investigation and a reuniting with her high-school flame. Needs a little editing, but not bad.
September 17, 2017
Great short story. Story line and characters are a great fit.
March 13, 2019
Collection of short stories
This is a number of short stories. All of the stories are cozy mysteries. I enjoyed all the stories. Each story can easily be read in one seating.
This is a number of short stories. All of the stories are cozy mysteries. I enjoyed all the stories. Each story can easily be read in one seating.
February 26, 2017
Allison, who left the seaside town of Curtain Bay when she graduated high school and never came back (not even to visit her mother, from whom she is not estranged), is finally back after twelve years. She clearly feels she's returned in disgrace, though keeping the disgrace secret. On the other hand, been invited to judge the town's treasured cheesecake competition, the obsession of the tiny town.
Does this make any sense to you? Because I have to say, it doesn't make sense to me.
We do learn that Allison left to be an investigative reporter, and that she is for some reason not working as a reporter at all. And it's a Disgrace from which she will never recover if anyone finds out.
When Allison crowns the "wrong" winner of the cheesecake contest, i.e., the unpopular Cassandra, who entered the best cheesecake, rather than her best friend from high school, who made the seconde best cheesecake, everyone is mad at her. When Cassandra turns up murdered very early the next morning, everyone is still mad at her, and Allison wonders if she was responsible somehow.
And of course she needs to find the killer.
The narrator is excellent. Really excellent. I'd happily listen to another book read by this marrator, Gwenn Dawson, but I have difficulty suggesting that anyone waste time on this particular item, in which Allison does every foolish thing she can do.
Not recommended.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Does this make any sense to you? Because I have to say, it doesn't make sense to me.
We do learn that Allison left to be an investigative reporter, and that she is for some reason not working as a reporter at all. And it's a Disgrace from which she will never recover if anyone finds out.
When Allison crowns the "wrong" winner of the cheesecake contest, i.e., the unpopular Cassandra, who entered the best cheesecake, rather than her best friend from high school, who made the seconde best cheesecake, everyone is mad at her. When Cassandra turns up murdered very early the next morning, everyone is still mad at her, and Allison wonders if she was responsible somehow.
And of course she needs to find the killer.
The narrator is excellent. Really excellent. I'd happily listen to another book read by this marrator, Gwenn Dawson, but I have difficulty suggesting that anyone waste time on this particular item, in which Allison does every foolish thing she can do.
Not recommended.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
February 5, 2017
Review for the audiobook edition:
Murder by Cheesecake is part of the Culinary Cozy Murder series by S.Y. Robins. Allison, investigative reporter in the big city, has returned home for the first time in 12 years and is immediately drawn back into the drama of a small-town. Murder, a witch's cottage, and cheesecake contest do-overs keep the reader's interest. A definite twist in the plot and this quick, cozy whodunit is satisfactorily and surprisingly ended! Gwen Dawson does a nice job in narrating the novella, giving each of the characters a unique voice.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book and was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Murder by Cheesecake is part of the Culinary Cozy Murder series by S.Y. Robins. Allison, investigative reporter in the big city, has returned home for the first time in 12 years and is immediately drawn back into the drama of a small-town. Murder, a witch's cottage, and cheesecake contest do-overs keep the reader's interest. A definite twist in the plot and this quick, cozy whodunit is satisfactorily and surprisingly ended! Gwen Dawson does a nice job in narrating the novella, giving each of the characters a unique voice.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book and was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Read
February 3, 2017Allison has come back to her home town, a bit of a celebrity with her tail between her legs. Her mother has committed her to judging the local cheesecake competition. Small town drama abounds and ends in murder. Throw in a hunky guy and you've got a pretty entertaining story. I do wish it had been longer.
The narration was very good. Dawson's voice is easy to listen to and the character all have distinct and appropriate voices.
The narration was very good. Dawson's voice is easy to listen to and the character all have distinct and appropriate voices.
February 28, 2016
Allison returns home after 12 years to judge the Annual Cheesecake Competition. Not 24 hours after the judging though, the winner is found dead and her old flame is the number one suspect because he was the one who found her body. Allison’s mother talks her into investigating the case to clear Robert’s name.
I admit, I was surprised by the actual killer. Didn’t suspect this person at all. The issue I had and the reason for the low rating was editorial. There are some choppy parts that need to be fixed. Overall though, it is a good read.
I admit, I was surprised by the actual killer. Didn’t suspect this person at all. The issue I had and the reason for the low rating was editorial. There are some choppy parts that need to be fixed. Overall though, it is a good read.
February 29, 2016
Allison returns home after 12 years to judge the Annual Cheesecake Competition. Not 24 hours after the judging though, the winner is found dead and her old flame is the number one suspect because he was the one who found her body. Allison’s mother talks her into investigating the case to clear Robert’s name.
I admit, I was surprised by the actual killer. Didn’t suspect this person at all. The issue I had and the reason for the low rating was editorial. There are some choppy parts that need to be fixed. Overall though, it is a good read.
Reviewed by Cryssy :)
I admit, I was surprised by the actual killer. Didn’t suspect this person at all. The issue I had and the reason for the low rating was editorial. There are some choppy parts that need to be fixed. Overall though, it is a good read.
Reviewed by Cryssy :)
January 30, 2017
Murder by Cheesecake: Culinary Cozy Murder Mystery
: S. Y. Robins
There is nothing better than a cozy mystery to start a Monday and add cheesecake, makes it even better.It is a quick listen. A local girl comes home with a secret, but the people at home have secrets as well. I enjoyed this book with a good choice of "who done it."
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Gwenn Dawson gives each character a unique personality.
"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
: S. Y. Robins
There is nothing better than a cozy mystery to start a Monday and add cheesecake, makes it even better.It is a quick listen. A local girl comes home with a secret, but the people at home have secrets as well. I enjoyed this book with a good choice of "who done it."
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Gwenn Dawson gives each character a unique personality.
"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
February 3, 2017
I liked the mystery and the humor that makes it a cozy! Poor Allison comes back home with her tale tucked between her legs after twelve years, only to be dragged into judging a cheese cake competition. Right away someone turns up dead , her friend is mad at her and her past love resents her presence. So with no choice Allison is forced to solve this mystery before things continue to get out of hand.
What I didn't care for is how "oh god" is used often in the story.
The story teller did a descent job trying to give each character their own voice.
What I didn't care for is how "oh god" is used often in the story.
The story teller did a descent job trying to give each character their own voice.
February 5, 2017
This is a short quick read but I really enjoyed it. Will look at reading more by this author.
September 10, 2015
Good
the woman who lost her job in the city and can me home to recover after her life threatened in the city and it followed home.
the woman who lost her job in the city and can me home to recover after her life threatened in the city and it followed home.
December 20, 2015
An investigative reporter returns home in time to be the guest judge of the annual cheesecake competition. But things turn deadly.
May 4, 2016
I enjoyed this one much more than the others so far. Wish it had been longer.
February 6, 2016
I was actually really surprised at the ending. It definitely wasn't the outcome I suspected. The story dragged in some areas, but it was cute and passed the time.
February 28, 2016
Longing for more
I realize that this book was a short story when I downloaded it , however kept me engaged throughout. Look forward to more from this author.
I realize that this book was a short story when I downloaded it , however kept me engaged throughout. Look forward to more from this author.
July 30, 2021
short reads that are fun to read good characters
March 20, 2016
Cute little story. The murderer surprised me but I think I'll be avoiding cheese cakes in future.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews