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Piece of Cake Mysteries #1
Dead Man's Diamonds
Catching a killer is a piece of cake... Or is it?
When Mindy Macbay moves back to her hometown of Santa Verona, she soon finds herself on the receiving end of anonymous threats, and even worse, unpleasant encounters with her high school nemesis and former paramours.
Will Mindy unmask the killer before it’s too late? And will her annoying high-school nemesis manage to make Mindy's life sufficiently miserable?
This edition is no longer available
When Mindy Macbay moves back to her hometown of Santa Verona, she soon finds herself on the receiving end of anonymous threats, and even worse, unpleasant encounters with her high school nemesis and former paramours.
Will Mindy unmask the killer before it’s too late? And will her annoying high-school nemesis manage to make Mindy's life sufficiently miserable?
This edition is no longer available
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2016
416 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Winters
188 books397 followersA.R. Winters is a cozy mystery writer who loves writing about crazy characters and vibrant locations. And food, lots of delicious food!
When not writing, A.R. Winters is usually busy eating too much cake...
You can also find her on Facebook
When not writing, A.R. Winters is usually busy eating too much cake...
You can also find her on Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 12, 2022
In all fairness, Beth’s desserts are like manna from the heavens. Beth claims that the best thing about baking is the applied chemistry, the perfect combination of ingredients and heat. I think that the best thing about baking is its aftermath—the speedy devouring of whatever emerges from her magical oven.
October 21, 2017
This was an overall good read. I really hated Neve. She was that immature loser who thought because she was from a rich family that it was okay to be a complete piece of crap. It's sad that after all this time she still is a horrible person. If she was missing from the story it would have been so much better. Luckily the mystery part of the story kept me intrigued.
May 30, 2016
Another great series by A. R. Winters. This series is about Mindy, who left her hometown of Santa Verona to become a screenwriter in Hollywood. After a while of working on a detective series for little money she ends up back in Santa Verona. Mindy and her friend Beth, who owns an online cake baking business, become investigators without the license. After solving several crimes they are in the police station when Beth sees an old crush, Mike. He is charged with killing his uncle and ends up hiring the duo to prove his innocence. So begins the adventure. It comes with an ex from Hollywood, a parrot named Pixie, Mindy's mom and aunt Kira, and the boyfriend left behind and currently a detective, Ethan. This was super funny and a great read. Would definitely recommend.
July 12, 2016
Great Book!
This book was an awesome read. Coming back to start her life new again, but running into old problems that just won't let her. But this dynamic duo sure know how to solve mysteries
This book was an awesome read. Coming back to start her life new again, but running into old problems that just won't let her. But this dynamic duo sure know how to solve mysteries
November 19, 2016
I usually like Winters books more than I did this one. They are usually mistake free, but near the end of this one, names were confused. It was a good story but not as good as others I've read by Winters.
December 3, 2016
Fun
Fast moving cozy little mystery. Kind of fun. Only thing better would have been to include recipes of the cakes that Beth made. Fun characters with lots of connections. Will try the next book in the series
Fast moving cozy little mystery. Kind of fun. Only thing better would have been to include recipes of the cakes that Beth made. Fun characters with lots of connections. Will try the next book in the series
November 26, 2016
A fun fast read. ☺
This was a fun fast read. I enjoyed the characters and setting. Warning this book will make you want a piece of yummy cake.
This was a fun fast read. I enjoyed the characters and setting. Warning this book will make you want a piece of yummy cake.
November 20, 2016
Cute, quirky and fun
Quick and easy weekend read. The characters are likable and have room to grow. The bird was odd, but a good odd.
Quick and easy weekend read. The characters are likable and have room to grow. The bird was odd, but a good odd.
April 3, 2024
I figured out the murderer immediately but I guess it's easy to be smart when the MC is the dumbest person alive.
Seriously how many times was she going to say "this person is too nice/busy/cool to have murdered someone. I think they'reinnocent"? Nevermind these nice/busy/cool people usually had no alibi and stood to gain or had serious beef with the deceased.
I have so many gripes with this book. I'm shocked it's book 1 in the series because the constant mentions of cases past made it seem like book 3 or 4. I'm sick of the Stephanie Plum love of food, hate of exercise, but still fit characters. Shut up about cake and do your fucking job. I don't know anyone who is nearly a decade out of high school who still has a high school feud with their teenage days bully. Unless they have been in constant contact with that person, most bullies and bullied let it go when it's just trivial hormonal teen stuff. But for some reason a woman looking to open a business is hung up on being a bully to some nerd she knew in high school. And said nerd isn't any better in passive aggressively attempting to get the upper hand. Once again I am forced to say DO YOUR FUCKING JOBS!
I forgot the MC's name because I felt like it was never said so when Mindy introduced herself I thought it was a typo. Mindy was every other sugar obsessed, wanna be detective from every other cozy mystery, except so much worse. Cliche I can deal with. Tropes are OK by me. What I can't stand is a dumb-dumb with no personality who was probably watches paint dry when she's not eating cake.
This was a free ebook and that was too expensive.
Seriously how many times was she going to say "this person is too nice/busy/cool to have murdered someone. I think they'reinnocent"? Nevermind these nice/busy/cool people usually had no alibi and stood to gain or had serious beef with the deceased.
I have so many gripes with this book. I'm shocked it's book 1 in the series because the constant mentions of cases past made it seem like book 3 or 4. I'm sick of the Stephanie Plum love of food, hate of exercise, but still fit characters. Shut up about cake and do your fucking job. I don't know anyone who is nearly a decade out of high school who still has a high school feud with their teenage days bully. Unless they have been in constant contact with that person, most bullies and bullied let it go when it's just trivial hormonal teen stuff. But for some reason a woman looking to open a business is hung up on being a bully to some nerd she knew in high school. And said nerd isn't any better in passive aggressively attempting to get the upper hand. Once again I am forced to say DO YOUR FUCKING JOBS!
I forgot the MC's name because I felt like it was never said so when Mindy introduced herself I thought it was a typo. Mindy was every other sugar obsessed, wanna be detective from every other cozy mystery, except so much worse. Cliche I can deal with. Tropes are OK by me. What I can't stand is a dumb-dumb with no personality who was probably watches paint dry when she's not eating cake.
This was a free ebook and that was too expensive.
June 21, 2020
Ok, so not my favorite by the author, but I feel like I missed something. This is supposed to be book 1, but it talks about Mindy having solved cases before. I feel like I am starting at the wrong point in one of the main character's life and every time it is mentioned in the story, that feeling makes the story a little incomplete to me.
The two main characters are Mindy and Beth, best friends who work together to solve crimes. Not licensed PIs, but they have had success in the past so when Mike, an old school crush of Beth's is accused of murdering his uncle, he hires Mindy and Beth to find the real killer. To complicate things, Neve, an old school nemesis of Mindy's also volunteers to help find the killer. Neve is actually close to getting her PI license, but is also interested in buying the cafe that Mike inherits with the death of his uncle. When Beth is not baking cakes and desserts for her online bakery business, she is helping Mindy, an ex-screenwriter who moved back home recently, interview suspects in the hopes of finding the killer before Neve and before the police find more evidence against Mike.
Not a bad story, but it was missing something. It could have been the fact that although Mindy really needs to solve the case if she wants to become the paid police consultant, she takes time to go to family dinners and sit around while Beth bakes so she can taste test her creations. She has no other source of income and it would behoove her to solve the case that Mike is paying them to solve, plus show the cops that she would be a benefit to them, and yet, she has time to eat cakes while Neve is flitting to and fro gathering information.
The two main characters are Mindy and Beth, best friends who work together to solve crimes. Not licensed PIs, but they have had success in the past so when Mike, an old school crush of Beth's is accused of murdering his uncle, he hires Mindy and Beth to find the real killer. To complicate things, Neve, an old school nemesis of Mindy's also volunteers to help find the killer. Neve is actually close to getting her PI license, but is also interested in buying the cafe that Mike inherits with the death of his uncle. When Beth is not baking cakes and desserts for her online bakery business, she is helping Mindy, an ex-screenwriter who moved back home recently, interview suspects in the hopes of finding the killer before Neve and before the police find more evidence against Mike.
Not a bad story, but it was missing something. It could have been the fact that although Mindy really needs to solve the case if she wants to become the paid police consultant, she takes time to go to family dinners and sit around while Beth bakes so she can taste test her creations. She has no other source of income and it would behoove her to solve the case that Mike is paying them to solve, plus show the cops that she would be a benefit to them, and yet, she has time to eat cakes while Neve is flitting to and fro gathering information.
June 25, 2018
I am a cozy mystery reader and had the opportunity to read this book which is outside of my normal niche. I would classify this book as suspense/thriller mixed with a bit of humor and the unexpected. Kay is not your normal police officer being framed for crimes she didn't commit. She has sass, humor, and her wits. Along with a little help from her friends, she experiments with many disguises and finds her inner outlaw all the while trying to find the real criminals. This is the first book in a future series of adventures that I feel readers will continue to want to read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
February 12, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It was a super quick read, and I like the mix of characters. The story is told from a mostly first-person perspective, which, while not my favorite type of POV, works for these stories.
These books are clean, fun reads. There is mystery and a little suspense, but nothing major. There is also a fun side-story threaded through all of the books about the two main characters' friendship, the best friend's cake-baking business (including truly unfair descriptions of eating cake for breakfast!)
I recommend these books for anyone looking for a fun little mystery.
These books are clean, fun reads. There is mystery and a little suspense, but nothing major. There is also a fun side-story threaded through all of the books about the two main characters' friendship, the best friend's cake-baking business (including truly unfair descriptions of eating cake for breakfast!)
I recommend these books for anyone looking for a fun little mystery.
November 22, 2017
Fun cozy mystery with two crime fighting friends that had moved back to their hometown. Mindy was a murder mystery screenwriter in Hollywood and Beth dropped out of the corporate life to become a baker. Lots of friend and family interactions that are more real life situations. They help an old high school classmate prove that he did not kill his uncle. I voluntarily reviewed this book.
May 23, 2020
Cake & murder oh my!
Mindy & Beth what a pair! Very supportive of each other. Annoying former high school friends and one of them is accused of murder. So many suspects but everyone has alibi. Mindy gets a parrot as part of the investigation payment who wears a harness. The police are not helpful and one is not particularly happy with Mindy. Onto book 2! 😊
Mindy & Beth what a pair! Very supportive of each other. Annoying former high school friends and one of them is accused of murder. So many suspects but everyone has alibi. Mindy gets a parrot as part of the investigation payment who wears a harness. The police are not helpful and one is not particularly happy with Mindy. Onto book 2! 😊
May 15, 2021
I love Winters work as a rule, but this one makes me take a break and read someone else for a while....I find the character Neave, or however you spell it....ruined the story for me, seriously, who needs such immature goings on? It could have been a better story and more enjoyable without the pettiness and 'junior high' shenanigans.
Onward and..............
Onward and..............
December 12, 2016
I did actually finish this book but have no desire to read the next. It had potential but there could have been so much more- underdeveloped. I could see where there are funny parts but it was like a good joke told badly so it misses the mark.
February 7, 2017
I kept on having to check that this was the first book in the series because so often previous events were referred to in the story. Sure, give your characters a back story, but don't harp on about the other mysteries solved all the time.
Easy to read but not a series I'll bother with again.
Easy to read but not a series I'll bother with again.
October 21, 2017
Dessert, Diamonds and Deadly Secrets is the first book in the A Piece of Cake Mystery series. Sometimes moving back home can be good, but for Mindy, not so much.. Now she has teamed up with Beth to begin investigating Tim’s murder. This book was interesting.
March 3, 2018
Too many central characters
Too many people to try to keep straight for continued arcs plus this story. Need to bring them in a little slower - Liam could absolutely have waited. Not a bad start to a series, but not Winters's best work either when compared to other series
Too many people to try to keep straight for continued arcs plus this story. Need to bring them in a little slower - Liam could absolutely have waited. Not a bad start to a series, but not Winters's best work either when compared to other series
July 19, 2018
A good entertaining Cozy
A very good, well written Cozy Mystery. A strong, well developed plot and entertaining characters. I loved the parrot Pixie and hope to read of her in future books.
A very good, well written Cozy Mystery. A strong, well developed plot and entertaining characters. I loved the parrot Pixie and hope to read of her in future books.
August 1, 2019
this was a quick read. Just what a cozy mystery should be. It was interesting, had good characters and an okay story not my favourite read but a nice way to spend an afternoon. I would read more from this author.
July 7, 2020
Every character looked so suspicious and that meant I couldn’t stop reading it. And the most attractive thing for me was the relationship between Mindy and her ex (I mean the older one). I probably will read the second book because I’m interested if their relationship would progress or not.
August 7, 2022
great mystery
The first book of a new series has 2 quite likable main characters and enough suspects to make the story fun. My favorite characters are Pixie and Ethan. Bravo on a great book!!
The first book of a new series has 2 quite likable main characters and enough suspects to make the story fun. My favorite characters are Pixie and Ethan. Bravo on a great book!!
December 15, 2016
Dead Man's Diamonds
Interesting characters. Easy to read. Plot was twisted enough to keep my interest. Fun read!! Enjoy reading this author's works!!
Interesting characters. Easy to read. Plot was twisted enough to keep my interest. Fun read!! Enjoy reading this author's works!!
January 1, 2018
Dead Man’s Diamonds
This is a really good mystery with all the twists and turns to find out whodunit. I recommend this book to everyone.
This is a really good mystery with all the twists and turns to find out whodunit. I recommend this book to everyone.
January 3, 2018
Timely Discovery of Diamonds
Definitely worth five stars!
Suspense takes over every time
they interview a suspect.
Intricate clues begin to fill in the puzzle. I LOVED this read!!!
Definitely worth five stars!
Suspense takes over every time
they interview a suspect.
Intricate clues begin to fill in the puzzle. I LOVED this read!!!
February 19, 2018
Great read
Book one and I am already hooked and if you love a great cozy you will be hooked on A R Winters books too getting the next one now
Book one and I am already hooked and if you love a great cozy you will be hooked on A R Winters books too getting the next one now
February 24, 2018
Slow read
The characters are flat. The plot is slow and predictable. If you are older than a teenager, this will not capture your interest.
The characters are flat. The plot is slow and predictable. If you are older than a teenager, this will not capture your interest.
August 20, 2024
Interesting read
A R delivers an interesting mystery that also makes you want to sample homemade cakes. I didn't figure this one out until the end. Great job!
A R delivers an interesting mystery that also makes you want to sample homemade cakes. I didn't figure this one out until the end. Great job!
August 2, 2022
Cute little read
Mindy and Beth are amateur crime solvers. When one of Beth's old classmates is accused of murder, they look into it for him. Unfortunately, an old rival of Mindy's also decides to look into it as Neve decides she is going to be a P.I. much to Mindy's chagrin. Mindy and Beth work with too many suspects and few clues trying to prove Mike's innocence.
Mindy and Beth are amateur crime solvers. When one of Beth's old classmates is accused of murder, they look into it for him. Unfortunately, an old rival of Mindy's also decides to look into it as Neve decides she is going to be a P.I. much to Mindy's chagrin. Mindy and Beth work with too many suspects and few clues trying to prove Mike's innocence.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews