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Deadline Cozy Mystery #4
The Last Bite
Eve Lloyd’s childhood nemesis, Charlotte McLain, is getting married. Nothing will induce Eve to attend. Nothing except… blackmail.
From the start, everything about this wedding rings alarm bells for Eve. The location, the groom, the guests. The bride. But that’s nothing unusual. The odds of everything going right are stacked in the bride’s favor. There have already been several deaths on the island. Lighting surely wouldn’t strike again…
When the groom suddenly dies, all fingers of blame are pointed directly at Eve. After all, she had opportunity and plenty of motives.
She’s been framed and despite trying to keep her nose out of trouble, she’s now been dragged right back into the thick of it. The list of suspects is extensive, but she’s sure she can narrow it down to… at least a half dozen people.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
From the start, everything about this wedding rings alarm bells for Eve. The location, the groom, the guests. The bride. But that’s nothing unusual. The odds of everything going right are stacked in the bride’s favor. There have already been several deaths on the island. Lighting surely wouldn’t strike again…
When the groom suddenly dies, all fingers of blame are pointed directly at Eve. After all, she had opportunity and plenty of motives.
She’s been framed and despite trying to keep her nose out of trouble, she’s now been dragged right back into the thick of it. The list of suspects is extensive, but she’s sure she can narrow it down to… at least a half dozen people.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2016
262 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Sonia Parin
124 books201 followersI write Cozy Mysteries: humorous historical (1920s), contemporary and paranormal.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 19, 2018
Sonia is on a roll with this series. Each book is improving on the last. This one captures the backhanded compliment and manipulative bullying perfectly. Eve is still working on converting her house to an inn when her nemesis from school shows up on the island to get married. The relationship is fresh and funny. Eve's imagined suspects and motives are getting better and she is starting to impress Jack. I can hardly wait to read the next one.
July 29, 2020
Another fabulous read, loved the story and the chemistry of all the characters. So entertaining, thank you Sonia
September 28, 2020
After not getting an RSVP from her childhood target of terror. Charlotte McLain tracks Eve Lloyd down to force her to attend her wedding ceremony and beforehand activities leading up to it.
After the head chef leaves after becoming ill, Eve is coerced to take over the kitchen duties and prepare the rest of the sushi that's on the menu for the guests.
Shortly after eating his sushi, which was different from the others. The groom drops dead, and Charlotte is out to make sure Eve pay for his death.
Another fun story in this series.
After the head chef leaves after becoming ill, Eve is coerced to take over the kitchen duties and prepare the rest of the sushi that's on the menu for the guests.
Shortly after eating his sushi, which was different from the others. The groom drops dead, and Charlotte is out to make sure Eve pay for his death.
Another fun story in this series.
June 25, 2017
The last bite
Book four was really entertaining, loved the plot in this story, the characters are great because they come from money, lots of money.... snobs! Eve and Jill do it again, unmasked a killer..
Book four was really entertaining, loved the plot in this story, the characters are great because they come from money, lots of money.... snobs! Eve and Jill do it again, unmasked a killer..
August 14, 2018
excellent mystery. I truly enjoyed this book it is full of interesting characters and it has a terrific ending. When I first started it, I didn't think I would like and turned out to be a favorite. I can't wait to start the next one.
April 21, 2019
Great story.
Where do you hide when your childhood bully comes to town? Then her fiancee is murdered and you are the number one suspect? Eve is in for quite a ride with the rich and famous
Where do you hide when your childhood bully comes to town? Then her fiancee is murdered and you are the number one suspect? Eve is in for quite a ride with the rich and famous
August 27, 2019
Didn't enjoy as much as earlier books
It all seemed a bit far-fetched are over the top somehow.
Eve has received multiple invitations to her nemesis from school, Charlotte's wedding which is taking place on the island in a week. Avoiding rsvp-ing she's caught out by Charlotte herself and ends up pressured to attend the first of the weeks worth of events leading up to the big day itself. Charlotte hasn't changed a bit, still intent on enjoying herself putting down everyone around her with poisonous asides, especially Eve.
When the sushi chef fails to turn up and Charlotte's about to explode over the ruination of her meticulously planned event Eve finds herself in the kitchen rolling sushi with a special order for the groom-to-be Jon.
But all is not well, as Eve returns to the party she realises that there's a very strange atmosphere. The Bride and Groom's friends are like oil and water, and Eve is completely taken aback once she actually see's Jon. Charlotte is completely motivated by image and status, Jon isn't good looking, in fact he's shorter than Charlotte and rather portly, he's not old money and he comes across as rather a villain. Whilst Eve is pondering this turn of events the sushi is brought out and within minutes Jon is dead.
Once again Eve is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is being cast in the role of poisoner as it was the food she prepared that kills him. Was it Charlotte trying to avoid a marriage of convenience? One of their friends fed up with being squeezed out of everything they own? The kitchen staff who were so badly treated by Charlotte?
Eve wades in determined to get to the bottom of it and clear her own name.
Too convoluted, too coincidental, too much of a crime that would definitely affect the murderer adversely and therefore negate the motive because it wouldn't work.
It all seemed a bit far-fetched are over the top somehow.
Eve has received multiple invitations to her nemesis from school, Charlotte's wedding which is taking place on the island in a week. Avoiding rsvp-ing she's caught out by Charlotte herself and ends up pressured to attend the first of the weeks worth of events leading up to the big day itself. Charlotte hasn't changed a bit, still intent on enjoying herself putting down everyone around her with poisonous asides, especially Eve.
When the sushi chef fails to turn up and Charlotte's about to explode over the ruination of her meticulously planned event Eve finds herself in the kitchen rolling sushi with a special order for the groom-to-be Jon.
But all is not well, as Eve returns to the party she realises that there's a very strange atmosphere. The Bride and Groom's friends are like oil and water, and Eve is completely taken aback once she actually see's Jon. Charlotte is completely motivated by image and status, Jon isn't good looking, in fact he's shorter than Charlotte and rather portly, he's not old money and he comes across as rather a villain. Whilst Eve is pondering this turn of events the sushi is brought out and within minutes Jon is dead.
Once again Eve is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is being cast in the role of poisoner as it was the food she prepared that kills him. Was it Charlotte trying to avoid a marriage of convenience? One of their friends fed up with being squeezed out of everything they own? The kitchen staff who were so badly treated by Charlotte?
Eve wades in determined to get to the bottom of it and clear her own name.
Too convoluted, too coincidental, too much of a crime that would definitely affect the murderer adversely and therefore negate the motive because it wouldn't work.
November 1, 2022
“Look, you have nothing to worry about. I’m going to be so busy setting up my inn, I won’t have any time to get mixed up in any more murders.” - Eve
“Promise?” - Jack, the island Detective and Eve’s boyfriend.
“Absolutely. You have my word.” - Eve.
Last conversation in this book. My problem with it is that Eve’s word doesn’t mean much because earlier in the book she had told her bff Jill that she wasn’t up to anything when she wanted to go to her inn to make a list of things she needed. She gave Jill her word that nothing was up; however, while Eve was in the middle of saying her promise, something happened and it was obvious Eve lied.
Why do I bring this up? Because it just goes to show Eve will say anything just to find pieces of a crime puzzle to put together. Eve is also always acting so concerned about not putting her aunt, Mira and Jill in danger, yet she constantly does exactly this by sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong! Yes, I realize this is just a fictional book, but sometimes while I read this series I get annoyed with Eve for being too snoopy. Yet I power through and continue reading just so I can find out whodunnit!
I really wanted Charlotte to be made the fool in this book, but maybe the way she is isn’t actually to make Eve feel bad. Maybe it’s just the way Charlotte is. Maybe the conspiracy is just all in Eve’s head and part of her own insecurities and jealousy.
Next is book 5 of 14 - Final Cut.
“Promise?” - Jack, the island Detective and Eve’s boyfriend.
“Absolutely. You have my word.” - Eve.
Last conversation in this book. My problem with it is that Eve’s word doesn’t mean much because earlier in the book she had told her bff Jill that she wasn’t up to anything when she wanted to go to her inn to make a list of things she needed. She gave Jill her word that nothing was up; however, while Eve was in the middle of saying her promise, something happened and it was obvious Eve lied.
Why do I bring this up? Because it just goes to show Eve will say anything just to find pieces of a crime puzzle to put together. Eve is also always acting so concerned about not putting her aunt, Mira and Jill in danger, yet she constantly does exactly this by sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong! Yes, I realize this is just a fictional book, but sometimes while I read this series I get annoyed with Eve for being too snoopy. Yet I power through and continue reading just so I can find out whodunnit!
I really wanted Charlotte to be made the fool in this book, but maybe the way she is isn’t actually to make Eve feel bad. Maybe it’s just the way Charlotte is. Maybe the conspiracy is just all in Eve’s head and part of her own insecurities and jealousy.
Next is book 5 of 14 - Final Cut.
May 23, 2018
The Birkin bag looses out
Terrific. Her Inn is getting closer to being ready for guests and life should be great, but one thing is bugging her. Why is her school day nemesis so keen for her to attend her wedding. Especially as her groom is not actually accepted by her friends or family. When the groom is killed her name rises to the top of the list, after all she had been coerced into making the killer dish. Can she find out who the killer is and why the wedding is actually taking place? Great plot with enough sub plots to satisfy most cozy lover's. Great characters and I must admit that the Birkin bag scene did make me chuckle.
Terrific. Her Inn is getting closer to being ready for guests and life should be great, but one thing is bugging her. Why is her school day nemesis so keen for her to attend her wedding. Especially as her groom is not actually accepted by her friends or family. When the groom is killed her name rises to the top of the list, after all she had been coerced into making the killer dish. Can she find out who the killer is and why the wedding is actually taking place? Great plot with enough sub plots to satisfy most cozy lover's. Great characters and I must admit that the Birkin bag scene did make me chuckle.
June 16, 2019
Eve was in the planning stage with her inn and the invite to go on a cruise with her aunt sounds good. A girl she knew as a child, who made her life miserable, was getting married. One invitation wasn’t enough, now it is up to three this week. Been years since she had seen her, her aunt thinks she wants to make it up to Eve. Now being blackmail to attend, what could go wrong. Murder and the fingers point to Eve. A delightful, humorous story to read and enjoy.
August 9, 2022
Another great murder mystery
Eve's old college nemesis is getting married & invites Eve to the wedding. Determined not to go, Eve finally gives in, only to be asked to make special duck sushi for the groom. When he does after eating the sushi, Eve is blamed, even though she only combined the pre-made ingredients. This was a very complicated investigation that put Eve in great danger. The culmination was very satisfying and Eve was saved again.
Eve's old college nemesis is getting married & invites Eve to the wedding. Determined not to go, Eve finally gives in, only to be asked to make special duck sushi for the groom. When he does after eating the sushi, Eve is blamed, even though she only combined the pre-made ingredients. This was a very complicated investigation that put Eve in great danger. The culmination was very satisfying and Eve was saved again.
September 26, 2023
Good read!
I was just a bit confused by who was the good guy. Once I realized that they were not all friends I could be a little more comfortable with the characters. Will be reading more of your stories. I must spend much of my day in bed and it's great to find an author I enjoy!
I was just a bit confused by who was the good guy. Once I realized that they were not all friends I could be a little more comfortable with the characters. Will be reading more of your stories. I must spend much of my day in bed and it's great to find an author I enjoy!
June 30, 2023
Good book in a good series
I love the setting of this book in a town right off the beach. Eve is growing as an amateur sleuth and Jill is the voice of reason right there by her side. I'm really liking this series.
I love the setting of this book in a town right off the beach. Eve is growing as an amateur sleuth and Jill is the voice of reason right there by her side. I'm really liking this series.
February 27, 2021
One of the better ones of this series, it was good seeing the relationship of her "helping" Jack with the investigation has improved. A gal just needs to be appreciated.
June 15, 2022
Believable
Many have a history of being outdone by someone. Therefore this is believable. The whole plot was delicious. I never would’ve guessed the ending.
Many have a history of being outdone by someone. Therefore this is believable. The whole plot was delicious. I never would’ve guessed the ending.
June 19, 2022
Better and better!!
I am really loving this series. I love these characters and wish we could hang out at the local Cafe to chat. I can't wait to start the next book!
I am really loving this series. I love these characters and wish we could hang out at the local Cafe to chat. I can't wait to start the next book!
September 18, 2022
Love this series. I enjoy these characters they are a lot of fun.
November 4, 2022
Catering
Eve's nemesis comes to town to be married to Jon. A murder at the engagement party has Eve and Jill playing detective again. This is a thoroughly good read.
Eve's nemesis comes to town to be married to Jon. A murder at the engagement party has Eve and Jill playing detective again. This is a thoroughly good read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews