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Mom and Christy's Mysteries #1
Mango Cake and Murder
What do you get when you combine mango cake, murder, and Mom? An unlikely recipe for a better life! When Mom convinces Christy to ditch her "lousy" job and help with the catering business, their fledgling partnership suffers a few setbacks. One of them can't cook, they're short a catering van, and the guest of honor at their first party is murdered.That would be bad enough, but then, Christy's cousin, Celia, becomes the prime suspect.Solving a murder is no easy task, but when drunken death threats, a dashing detective, and terrifying taxidermy are added into the mix, the case becomes almost impossible to crack. Who knew a small town like Fletcher Canyon could be filled with so much craziness? Will the disaster-prone duo find the real killer before Celia's reputation is destroyed, or will Celia end up in prison for murder? Find out in this quick comedy cozy!This novella is the first book in the Mom and Christy's Cozy Mysteries series, and is a complete mystery that you can read in an hour or two. It does NOT contain strong language or graphic violence. But it does contain a cute cat!
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2016
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801 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
May 11, 2023
OK, so I’ve ventured into this subgenre of cozies several times this year, and I have to say that it’s an acquired taste, and after slogging through some dreck it’s refreshing to read something light like this Christy Murphy offering. Mango Cake and Murder is a quick, fast-paced read that probably attracted me because the main character is a Filipino caterer who has gone into business with her mother. Her father is deceased and she’s going through a divorce. Some of the elements resonate with my true-life circumstance despite the fact that she's female and I am not.
Then you have a murder, Mom behaves like Holmes and daughter behaves like Watson, a cat named Moriarty and we get a pretty dang fun story. What’s the best part? This is listed for free on Amazon. I like that the main characters are minorities. I like that it’s set in a small town, and where you generally have child and parent bickering, the main characters, Christy and Jo, are finding new ways to respect and appreciate each other as adults. I may be overselling this, but I don’t care. I mentioned you could get this for free. 4 stars.
Then you have a murder, Mom behaves like Holmes and daughter behaves like Watson, a cat named Moriarty and we get a pretty dang fun story. What’s the best part? This is listed for free on Amazon. I like that the main characters are minorities. I like that it’s set in a small town, and where you generally have child and parent bickering, the main characters, Christy and Jo, are finding new ways to respect and appreciate each other as adults. I may be overselling this, but I don’t care. I mentioned you could get this for free. 4 stars.
August 18, 2023
I thought this stage of my life was going to be the “Oh no! I’m a broke, thirty-five-year-old woman getting out of a bad relationship and moving back in with my mother” stage. But instead, it was more like “I’m half of a mother-daughter catering/crime-solving team” and life has never been better. Who knew?
I have long wanted to read a cozy mystery and I decided this title was appealing. I loved the mother -daughter catering/baking duo helping the good looking DC solve the crime. In a few places, I even laughed at the conversation between characters. Mom and Christy mysteries sem to have a Jessica Fletcherr vibe( not all will get that reference). Maybe I will give the other books a try.
Goodreads review published 03/08/23
I have long wanted to read a cozy mystery and I decided this title was appealing. I loved the mother -daughter catering/baking duo helping the good looking DC solve the crime. In a few places, I even laughed at the conversation between characters. Mom and Christy mysteries sem to have a Jessica Fletcherr vibe( not all will get that reference). Maybe I will give the other books a try.
Goodreads review published 03/08/23
February 2, 2017
Sweet and fun
It was a slow start but it felt like the author found her stride toward the end - it's worth finishing! I like the characters and that they aren't cookie cutter derivations of other mystery authors. I also love that the book has adults of all ages not just people in their 20s and everyone else is unimportant or a cartoon of some sort. This shows maturity on the part of the author and makes for much more interesting reading. I liked that her mom wasn't a joke, and that she has layers of depth revealed as we go. There is also a mystery introduced about her mom that I suspect will be a long story arc that will stretch across the entire "season."
And now I want some mango cake. <3
It was a slow start but it felt like the author found her stride toward the end - it's worth finishing! I like the characters and that they aren't cookie cutter derivations of other mystery authors. I also love that the book has adults of all ages not just people in their 20s and everyone else is unimportant or a cartoon of some sort. This shows maturity on the part of the author and makes for much more interesting reading. I liked that her mom wasn't a joke, and that she has layers of depth revealed as we go. There is also a mystery introduced about her mom that I suspect will be a long story arc that will stretch across the entire "season."
And now I want some mango cake. <3
January 31, 2019
This first book in the Mom and Christy Mysteries was a blast!🤣 I loved the quick paced read with plenty of humor sprinkled all over the book. Although it was short, this cozy mystery still had plenty of suspects and created a good mystery. There is a continuous mystery about her aunt’s mysterious death that will roll over into book number 2 until?... Great way to spend your free time!
July 8, 2018
This sort of borders 3.5* due to some editing issues, primarily missing or misplaced commas. Otherwise it was a quick, easy read with humor and great characters. I can relate so well to the mother and daughter; she could have been describing my mom and I in nationality and size (!) difference. There are familiar mannerisms, as well, that had me laughing out loud. I read the second one out of order; I hope to get to the third before too long.
September 19, 2020
When Christy moves home to help with her mother's catering business, a guest is murdered at their first event. As bad as that is, it gets worse ... Christy's cousin is the chief suspect.
What follows is a dizzy, hilarious adventure that sure to please cozy mystery fans.
Good storyline. Interesting, unique characters. A quick, fun and clean read.
What follows is a dizzy, hilarious adventure that sure to please cozy mystery fans.
Good storyline. Interesting, unique characters. A quick, fun and clean read.
January 26, 2020
Christy moves back home to help her mother with her catering business. Their first job together results in Christy finding a body and meeting a handsome detective. I enjoyed this novella and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
July 7, 2017
This mystery bills itself as a funny quick read, and it succeeds in both aspects. Despite being able to read the book in a couple of hours, it is a complete and satisfying mystery.
My favorite part of the book is the character of Christy's mom, Jo. Jo is an older woman, an immigrant from the Philippines, a widow, and the most astute judge of character around. Christy has the daughter's-eye-view of this wonderful woman, sometimes able to appreciate how remarkable she is and sometimes just seeing her as Mom.
The town of Fletcher Canyon felt like a real small town on the fringes of LA. It's simultaneously right there by the action of Hollywood but retains its own specific ways of being. The threat to Christy's cousin's reputation and the role of gossip in the story felt particularly real.
This mystery plays fair with the clues. We get to see and hear the information as Christy does, although she does play Watson to her mom's Sherlock. Recommended for fans of cozy mystery, readers interested in Filipina characters, fans of Los Angeles, and readers who like a funny story with warm and relatable character relationships.
My favorite part of the book is the character of Christy's mom, Jo. Jo is an older woman, an immigrant from the Philippines, a widow, and the most astute judge of character around. Christy has the daughter's-eye-view of this wonderful woman, sometimes able to appreciate how remarkable she is and sometimes just seeing her as Mom.
The town of Fletcher Canyon felt like a real small town on the fringes of LA. It's simultaneously right there by the action of Hollywood but retains its own specific ways of being. The threat to Christy's cousin's reputation and the role of gossip in the story felt particularly real.
This mystery plays fair with the clues. We get to see and hear the information as Christy does, although she does play Watson to her mom's Sherlock. Recommended for fans of cozy mystery, readers interested in Filipina characters, fans of Los Angeles, and readers who like a funny story with warm and relatable character relationships.
March 12, 2018
This mystery series about an American Filipino Mom and her adult daughter who moves back in with her after her divorce is off to a good start with this first story. As with all cozies, it's the characters who matter and the Mom and daughter relationship is cute. They also acquire a cat in this story and this was used to great comedic advantage. This story is very short but it gives enough of a look into the dynamics of the characters and town that I know I will continue with the series.
October 11, 2017
Funny and interesting cozy. The characters are not the usual crowd usually found in a cozy mystery. They are interesting and quirky. I will be reading more from this series.
March 25, 2018
Cute cozy mystery. A new catering business and a recent return to living with her Mom puts Christy in the path of a homicide while working their first catering job.
August 30, 2020
Excellent beginning to this series! Very well written with great characters. Loved it!
February 13, 2021
Cute, fun cozy mystery. Love these kind of books.
September 12, 2020
Enjoyed it
I would read Christy Murphy again. Thank you for giving me a chance to "travel" with you in your books.
I would read Christy Murphy again. Thank you for giving me a chance to "travel" with you in your books.
June 28, 2017
Book one in the series, but I felt like I had missed something...maybe there's a 0.5 out there somewhere. Christy has just moved back in with her mom, and they're struggling to keep their catering business afloat. When the birthday boy client (well, in his 80s, but still a birthday boy) dies during the birthday party they're catering, their cousin, Celia, becomes the prime suspect because she's his RN and her fingerprints were all over his medication bottle. Well, that paired with the fact that he left her quite a bit of $ in his will and she has a necklace in her possession that was missing from the party. Christy and her mom hop on the crime-solving bandwagon and attempt to clear Celia's name. Lots of great characters that will come in handy in subsequent mysteries, including the people at the restaurant where the catering business does their cooking.
This is less of the typical detective versus amateur cozy. The way Christy snags a new client (for the catering business and their not-real-detectives-but-we'll-investigate-on-the-DL side gig) was smooth. Hopefully Christy gets the hang of driving that big catering van soon.
A few typos here and there... ("unflattering manor" instead of manner, loc 966).
This is less of the typical detective versus amateur cozy. The way Christy snags a new client (for the catering business and their not-real-detectives-but-we'll-investigate-on-the-DL side gig) was smooth. Hopefully Christy gets the hang of driving that big catering van soon.
A few typos here and there... ("unflattering manor" instead of manner, loc 966).
December 9, 2017
Mango Cake and Murder is a cozy mystery set in California. A mother and daughter team up to solve mysteries. The daughter is going through a divorce and is moving back home with mom to help get herself together. She will be assisting with her mother’s catering business. The story revolves around a catering job where the daughter finds the birthday guest of honor murdered in his home office. The mother is pretty good at figuring out clues while the daughter helps out some. There were also a couple of humorous scenes which added to the story. The story is not a long one and won’t make for a lot of investment of time. But the author, Christy Murphy, has a writing style that grabs you from the beginning of the story. There aren’t a lot of twists and turns in the book as it is shorter than others but it was truly enjoyable. The writing style was almost like the book was talking to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read cozy mysteries.
May 31, 2017
Christy moves back to the small town of Fletcher Canyon with some "loving pushing" by her mother, Jo. Jo wants Christy to help her with her catering business. Since Christy is recently divorced, she moves back in with mom. They cater a birthday party for a rich man who turned 85. But when Christy goes to bring the "man of the hour" to the party she finds him dead. Who would want to kill an 85 year old man? Detective Cooper arrests Christy's cousin, Celia, because Celia was his private nurse and her fingerprints where found on the medication bottles and pills. Now Momma Jo and Christy must prove that Celia is innocent. Can they do that? Do they figure out who actually did kill Harold and why? Read the book to find out. I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion and voluntary.
August 14, 2017
What no actual Mango Cake recipe included
I really enjoyed this mom & daughter mystery solving duo. My mom and myself were always very close, and we always seemed to be the solvers of the family, and how I always wished for my own daughter and myself to be as close, however, my co-workers told me I should write a book of my life with my kids, cause I always told them of the antics they pulled, I might not hve thought thrpey were funny at the time, but I would look back at them later and laugh, so I just loved this storyline so much, I can't wait to read the next book,and hopefully many more books will come from this author. The characters were strong personalities, which I do enjoy reading about, however, I would have love to know if there was a actual recipe for. amt woukd have been cute to enclose in at the end page
I really enjoyed this mom & daughter mystery solving duo. My mom and myself were always very close, and we always seemed to be the solvers of the family, and how I always wished for my own daughter and myself to be as close, however, my co-workers told me I should write a book of my life with my kids, cause I always told them of the antics they pulled, I might not hve thought thrpey were funny at the time, but I would look back at them later and laugh, so I just loved this storyline so much, I can't wait to read the next book,and hopefully many more books will come from this author. The characters were strong personalities, which I do enjoy reading about, however, I would have love to know if there was a actual recipe for. amt woukd have been cute to enclose in at the end page
October 30, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. The story was good. It was long enough to be entertaining, give a few clues to let you try to figure out the murderer, and yet short enough to be able to read in just a couple of hours. I loved all the characters.
I related to Christy and appreciated Mom for all her wisdom, fearlessness, encouraging ways and love of her child. Although this is a murder mystery book, it is a feel good book as well. As they celebrate the ending of the mystery, Christy learns a bit more of Mom's past & realizes the sacrifices that Mom has made over the years and she begins to appreciate her Mom in a deeper way. In return, when Mom is discouraged from helping the next possible client, Christy finds a way to do so while helping Mom reach a goal she's had for a very long time. I am looking forward to reading the series going on the journey with Christy and Mom.
I related to Christy and appreciated Mom for all her wisdom, fearlessness, encouraging ways and love of her child. Although this is a murder mystery book, it is a feel good book as well. As they celebrate the ending of the mystery, Christy learns a bit more of Mom's past & realizes the sacrifices that Mom has made over the years and she begins to appreciate her Mom in a deeper way. In return, when Mom is discouraged from helping the next possible client, Christy finds a way to do so while helping Mom reach a goal she's had for a very long time. I am looking forward to reading the series going on the journey with Christy and Mom.
August 31, 2017
A fun cozy that has at least as much to say about family dynamics as murder.
The mother daughter dynamic is key here, but how each fits into their community is also important.
The daughter also discovers, as many adult daughters do, that all moms are at least part detective.
In this case Christy concludes her mom is a great detective because she's a good listener.
A humorous perspective on some serious topics.
Well with the read. A fun way to read a mystery and get mom advice too.
My review is based on advance read copy, and honestly given.
I think it is a fun and funny book. A cool stand alone, or the fun intro to more mom daughter fun adventures in this series.
The mother daughter dynamic is key here, but how each fits into their community is also important.
The daughter also discovers, as many adult daughters do, that all moms are at least part detective.
In this case Christy concludes her mom is a great detective because she's a good listener.
A humorous perspective on some serious topics.
Well with the read. A fun way to read a mystery and get mom advice too.
My review is based on advance read copy, and honestly given.
I think it is a fun and funny book. A cool stand alone, or the fun intro to more mom daughter fun adventures in this series.
March 25, 2018
Dying and mother's Love
Back home after life knocks her down this cozy mystery takes us to the first event her mother and her host. However trouble is stirring as the man of the hour is found dead.
The mother daughter bond is nice here, as an aging daughter I reflected right along as to wishing I'd listened more to mom.
A little romance is on the menu as well but a very quit side dish in this tale. Just right for my taste, I'm more about the mystery than mushy.
Fast easy read. Ready to see what else is cooking from this author.
Back home after life knocks her down this cozy mystery takes us to the first event her mother and her host. However trouble is stirring as the man of the hour is found dead.
The mother daughter bond is nice here, as an aging daughter I reflected right along as to wishing I'd listened more to mom.
A little romance is on the menu as well but a very quit side dish in this tale. Just right for my taste, I'm more about the mystery than mushy.
Fast easy read. Ready to see what else is cooking from this author.
June 30, 2017
Christy Murphy's Mango Cake And Murder is the first book in her Mom And Christy's Cozy Mysteries series.
Murphy, a new author to me, has got a "hit cozy mystery series" in her hands judging by Mango Cake And Murder!
Murphy's likeable characters that resemble ordinary real life people seen in our everyday lives when combined with a few red herrings provides the reader with a difficult to put down mystery gauranteed to please cozy fans. Highly recommend.
Murphy, a new author to me, has got a "hit cozy mystery series" in her hands judging by Mango Cake And Murder!
Murphy's likeable characters that resemble ordinary real life people seen in our everyday lives when combined with a few red herrings provides the reader with a difficult to put down mystery gauranteed to please cozy fans. Highly recommend.
April 7, 2020
Christy is newly divorced and living with her mother again. Her mother decides she wants to start a catering business and asks Christy to help. Their first job is catering a party for a crotchety old man who ends up getting murdered. Christy’s cousin falls under suspicion and Christy and her mom decide to investigate.
Until I read this story, I didn’t realise just how many amateur sleuths are a) in their mid to late thirties and b) newly divorced.
Mango cake and murder is a quick and fun read if you’ve got a spare couple of hours.
I have to say I’m still a little wary of when an author fictionalises themselves but it worked okay for this story. There is a bit of a Sherlock/Watson dynamic between Christy and her mother, her mother being the Sherlock in this situation.
I also like the fact that there was some more diversity than usual in this genre with Christy and her family being Filipino.
I think overall the story could have done with a little bit more editing, it suffered from that thing where there was a little too much emphasis on the more trivial things and not quite enough description.
Will I carry on with this series? I don’t know. I don’t think this story was quite strong enough to entice me to get the next in the series but if I see the next on offer I may be tempted into buying it.
Until I read this story, I didn’t realise just how many amateur sleuths are a) in their mid to late thirties and b) newly divorced.
Mango cake and murder is a quick and fun read if you’ve got a spare couple of hours.
I have to say I’m still a little wary of when an author fictionalises themselves but it worked okay for this story. There is a bit of a Sherlock/Watson dynamic between Christy and her mother, her mother being the Sherlock in this situation.
I also like the fact that there was some more diversity than usual in this genre with Christy and her family being Filipino.
I think overall the story could have done with a little bit more editing, it suffered from that thing where there was a little too much emphasis on the more trivial things and not quite enough description.
Will I carry on with this series? I don’t know. I don’t think this story was quite strong enough to entice me to get the next in the series but if I see the next on offer I may be tempted into buying it.
July 31, 2019
I LOVED IT!!! Endearing characters, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny and highly entertaining!
If you are looking for an enjoyable read, set on a quaint location, with lovable characters, mystery and fun, then I totally recommend this book!
The main characters (Christy and her mom, Jo) make one dynamic duo and are well developed and likeable. Christy is soooo relatable (she is the narrator, with a wonderful sense of humor) and Jo is simply amazing. I can't wait to read the next installment "Apple Pies and Alibis" and follow them on their next adventure! All of the other characters felt real and clearly defined as well (I especially liked Celia's dramaticism and Margaret's quirks).
I could not put it down and it put a smile on my face after I finished reading it.
"Cozy" truly is the keyword here. It was an absolute delight! I HIGHLY recommend it!
If you are looking for an enjoyable read, set on a quaint location, with lovable characters, mystery and fun, then I totally recommend this book!
The main characters (Christy and her mom, Jo) make one dynamic duo and are well developed and likeable. Christy is soooo relatable (she is the narrator, with a wonderful sense of humor) and Jo is simply amazing. I can't wait to read the next installment "Apple Pies and Alibis" and follow them on their next adventure! All of the other characters felt real and clearly defined as well (I especially liked Celia's dramaticism and Margaret's quirks).
I could not put it down and it put a smile on my face after I finished reading it.
"Cozy" truly is the keyword here. It was an absolute delight! I HIGHLY recommend it!
August 29, 2019
I stumbled upon this series because it was mentioned in the reviews of another cozy mystery that I loved. So glad I checked it out. Here's what I appreciated most about this new-to-me series:
- The mother and daughter relationship -- it's so loving and relatable.
- An unusual setting -- most cozies are set in a small town or other quaint environment. This one is set in an area of LA, one I'd never heard of, and that adds some intrigue.
- Filipino details -- I don't have any Filipino friends, and don't know much about the culture. The tidbits that Ms. Murphy includes enliven the story.
- Main character's foibles -- she's regaining her confidence, but, along the way, she's humorously self-deprecating, and a great observer of life.
- The mother and daughter relationship -- it's so loving and relatable.
- An unusual setting -- most cozies are set in a small town or other quaint environment. This one is set in an area of LA, one I'd never heard of, and that adds some intrigue.
- Filipino details -- I don't have any Filipino friends, and don't know much about the culture. The tidbits that Ms. Murphy includes enliven the story.
- Main character's foibles -- she's regaining her confidence, but, along the way, she's humorously self-deprecating, and a great observer of life.
January 4, 2021
I picked up Mango Cake and Murder by Christy Murphy, as I've been a fan of amateur sleuths as I grew up on Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) and Mrs Marple (of Agatha Christie fame).
It was short and an easy read as I eased myself into the new year.
A classic whodunnit set against the backdrop of a party.
However, it wasn't really memorable. This is not because it is a short story as some novellas are able to deliver this. A few tweaks could solve this
It does serve as an introduction to the series so maybe if you want to read more about Christy and her Mom, this will pique your interest.
It was short and an easy read as I eased myself into the new year.
A classic whodunnit set against the backdrop of a party.
However, it wasn't really memorable. This is not because it is a short story as some novellas are able to deliver this. A few tweaks could solve this
It does serve as an introduction to the series so maybe if you want to read more about Christy and her Mom, this will pique your interest.
June 5, 2021
An interesting cozy featuring a mother-daughter duo. Christy is recently divorced and moves back in with her mom. Christy starts helping her mom with her catering business and the first event they cater together the guest of honor is murdered. When Christy's cousin, who was the man's home health nurse, is arrested, Christy and her mom start investigating. I enjoyed the relationship between Christy and her mom. It was intriguing how Christy's mom seemed to know things, like a psychic. I definitely would like to read more of this series!
July 8, 2025
Christy has decided to go into catering with her mom, she never expected her first job would end with the murder of the host of the party. When she and her cousin are some of the top suspects, the mother daughter duo work together to solve the mystery behind the murder.
Another cute little cozy mystery for the summer! Murphy gets you into the story immediately and gives her characters awesome backstories. I love the relationship our two FMCs have, and im looking forward to reading more of these!
Another cute little cozy mystery for the summer! Murphy gets you into the story immediately and gives her characters awesome backstories. I love the relationship our two FMCs have, and im looking forward to reading more of these!
September 3, 2018
What fun
Christy and Jo, her mother, run into a problem on their first catering job together. The 85 year old birthday boy dies suspiciously and Christy’s cousin is arrested. Amidst small town gossip and suspicion, the mother daughter duo set out to find a killer and rescue a cousin - and inherit tuxedo cat in the process. Good food, good company, a hunky older cop, and recipes. That is my favorite combination after a difficult day. I can’t wait to begin the next story.
Christy and Jo, her mother, run into a problem on their first catering job together. The 85 year old birthday boy dies suspiciously and Christy’s cousin is arrested. Amidst small town gossip and suspicion, the mother daughter duo set out to find a killer and rescue a cousin - and inherit tuxedo cat in the process. Good food, good company, a hunky older cop, and recipes. That is my favorite combination after a difficult day. I can’t wait to begin the next story.
January 5, 2019
Somewhere between a 2 and a 3. I was looking for something quite light after reading a very serious book, and this seemed to fill that niche for a while---nothing special but entertaining enough, and she did throw in a cat.
But then people just started acting in somewhat unbelievable way, and my reaction was"Oh, no, someone would not be that stupid."
There was one clever little fun surprise at the end but that was not enough to redeem it.
I don't think I would read another in the series.
But then people just started acting in somewhat unbelievable way, and my reaction was"Oh, no, someone would not be that stupid."
There was one clever little fun surprise at the end but that was not enough to redeem it.
I don't think I would read another in the series.
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