Devil's Food Defense

Donut Shop Mysteries #25

by Jessica Beck

Devil's Food Defense, Book 25 in the New York Times Bestselling Donut Mystery series by Jessica Beck! When kindly old Gray Vincent is stabbed after Movie Night in the Park, everyone is puzzled as to why anyone would want to kill him, but when Gray’s past sins are revealed, it’s just amazing to the folks in April Springs that the man was able to keep his secrets so long, and so well. Or did he? Was Gray struck down because of his past, or because of something that happened more recently? With Jake away on family business, Suzanne and Grace are determined to find out as they dig into the past and try to discover who killed him, and why.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2016

About the author

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.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...

Reviews

[Jennifer Widmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

How could this even have been edited? On one page they're eating pancakes and as you read to the next page they've magically changed to waffles. It's even worse than the Sharon/Cheryl debacle.

[Tree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid, low-demand (easy-to-read) popcorn book. Reads, like a Hallmark mystery; clean, wholesome, and fun.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh, Suzanne! Why are you so mean? She's so mean and judgmental! Yet then she expects everyone to spill their secrets to her like they're friends or she's somehow earned the trust or respect of them.

This series has become so annoying with how none of the suspects, witnesses, or anyone involved will answer a simple question. This includes Suzanne herself.

Then the author makes a big deal of their pancake breakfast that Suzanne has made herself. But on the next page, after describing the eating of the pancakes, now it's suddenly waffles.
What.
The.
Heck.

That makes me wonder if I could forgive the Sharon vs. Cheryl mistake (spoiler: I never will) because that was an entire book using the wrong name but the mistake was consistent. This scene is one bite Grace is eating a pancake and the next bite is waffle.
Suzanne made pancakes from pancake mix in Grace's pantry. There were no waffles or waffle-maker!

If you're wondering why I'm spending so much of my review talking about Pancake Gate, it's because it's probably the most interesting thing about the story.

And, as usual, the title has nothing to do with the content. There was no devil's food in the story (unless the Devil eats magical waffles-that-used-to-be-pancakes) and there is no defense the killer offers.

The only fun thing of the book was having it read to me. I gave up on the series and a family member decided to see for herself what on earth is so bad, so she read the story out loud.

Now she knows...

[Melissa Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Gray Vincent asks Suzanne for help at the town movie night she agrees. After the movie, she discovers a note asking her and Grace to meet him at his house. Upon their arrival, they discover that Gray has been murdered. Since Suzanne had promised to help Gray, she and Grace start digging into the murder. It is discovered that Gray had many secrets. Suzanne and Grace hunt down the killer before they can get away. Another great book in the donut mysteries.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! Jake is out of town with his sis and Suzanne has to help an elderly man with his problems. He gets killed and she finds out he isn't who he is supposed to be. Now she has to find out who killed him and who he really was before he died.
She and Grace get into trouble, like usual, and have to fight their way out.
Enjoy!
PS. I am hoping to hear about a pregnancy in this series soon. ;)

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recluse that has been living in April Springs for over 20 years decides to come into town more often and falls in love. His past soon catches up with him when he tries to apologize for his past deeds. It is up to Suzanne and Grace to find the most likely suspects and then eliminate all but the killer before the killer eliminates them.
3 hour read time.

[Rosemary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light entertainment about a woman who runs a donut shop and also is a detective who solves murder mysteries. I enjoy the series and am planning on reading the rest of the series.

[Pamela Ennis]

J

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this one just Suzanne and Grace work the mystery on their own like in the beginning books. I do enjoy the read when it’s just them. Sad that sometimes our past choices can be our own downfall.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading the Donut mystery series since they started. Pleasant characters, interesting plots. I rarely try to figure out "who dun it," but sometimes I get an inkling of the culprit anyway. Love to keep the mystery going to the end. Easy reads. If you've never read one of them, start with the first one and work your way through. Like the donut recipes, too.

[Ali Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my least favorite books in the series. I was really bored and couldn't wait for it to be over...

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book #25 lacked it's usual spice! Still love the series

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy the Donut Mysteries.Suzanne and Grace work on solving yet another murder while Jakes is out of town. I was happy see that even though they were apart, Suzanne and Jakes kept in close contact. This was a quick, easy read that left me feeling good.