Cooks, Crooks and a Corpse

Baker Girls #1

by Maria Grazia Swan

Can't resist lighthearted comedy dressed with a little mystery that never takes you down a dark road?
Good, because that’s what you get when you put two hot Italian imports together. Meet the hot pink Fiat 500 and its owner, real estate agent Monica Baker.
Now stir in a dead body, a caterer about to lose her license, a real estate office coming off the rails, a goofy Great Dane, and a lively heroine who can’t help falling for the brooding bad boy. This is the world of Monica Baker: a high-speed mystery with a serving of mischief and a side of laughs.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2017

About the author

Maria Grazia Swan was born in Italy, but this rolling stone has definitely gathered no moss. She lived in Belgium, France, Germany, in beautiful Orange County, California where she raised her family, and is currently at home in Phoenix, Arizona—but stay tuned for weekly updates of Where in the World is Maria Grazia Swan?

As a young girl, her vivid imagination predestined her to be a writer. She won her first literary award at the age of fourteen while living in Belgium. As a young woman Maria returned to Italy to design for—ooh-la-la—haute couture. Once in the U.S. and after years of concentrating on family, she tackled real estate. These days her time is devoted to her deepest passions: writing and helping people find happiness.

Maria loves travel, opera, good books, hiking, and intelligent movies (if she can find one, that is). When asked about her idea of a perfect evening, she favors stimulating conversation, spicy Italian food and perfectly chilled Prosecco—but then, who doesn’t?

Maria has written short stories for anthologies, articles for high profile magazines and numerous blogs tackling love and life. She engaged her editorial and non-fiction skills for Mating Dance Rituals for Singles Who Weren't born yesterday. Her romantic suspense novels Love Thy Sister,Bosom Bodies and Italian Summer are available at Amazon.com.
Her new series, published by Gemma Halliday is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the first book is title Gemini Moon

Website: http://www.mariagraziaswan.com
Contact Maria: mariagswan@gmail.com
-or- touch base with her on Facebook.

Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not exactly sure why I liked this mystery so much. The heroine and I don't have much in common but she is fun and cute. I would like to have her as a friend. She is an Italian young woman that came to the USA as an au pair and stayed there.
The mysteries were interesting and the setting a welcome change to most cozy mysteries.
The romance is a bit cheesy and repetitive in why they can't be together, but since that is a common occurence in books I can live with that.
I read all the books in this series in quick succession with only 1 or 2 other books in between. If there will be more released I will read them too.

[K-BRC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this new series. The characters are multi-dimensional and the storyline moves quickly and kept me turning the pages. I will read through this whole series now; I’m inspired to read!

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

[I voluntarily offered to review this book]

Monica Baker, divorcée, lives in the gatehouse behind her ex's Aunt Brenda's house. Brenda is a nutritionist at a high end elder residence while also heading B+B Catering. Her companion is Dior, a blue Great Dane.

Monica is a realtor-in-training at Brenda's friend Sunny's office while working on her license. The cast of characters in that office would make your head spin, and the clients read like the local scandal sheet. And Sunny's daughter Celine is no help when a client becomes a bit more "chummy" than anyone expects.

Throw in the poolboy, the cops, and a PI that happens to become the
corpse in question, combine all the ingredients for a juicy murder and a delightful new series by Maria Grazia Swan. I love Ms Swan's previous writing but these characters are different than anything before. Highly recommended .

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Cooks, Crooks, and a Corpse by Maria Grazia Swan! I’ve enjoyed her other books and this new series with a brand new set of characters is equally endearing. Set in beautiful Arizona, the tightly wound plot revolves around Monica Baker, a realtor with an unusual living arrangement and connection to her ex’s family. Written in first person, we heard Monica’s internal struggles, hopes, and dreams. I can’t wait for the next book in the Baker Girls series.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Maria Grazia Swan pulls me into Monica's story. Word by word, page by page I had to know what was happening next. While the mystery was interesting and shadows the lives of Monica and her friends, it was Monica's character that captivated me. Her world is so intertwined with that of others that I am now also dying to know more about them too. The book is about half mystery, half chick lit, but that suits me because it is always the character story that matters the most. Speaking of characters, one of my favorites was Dior, a Great Dane rescued by Monica's friend and landlord.

Although about to earn her real estate license, Monica works as the owner's assistant and often stands in for her to fend off unwanted visits from Sunny's spoiled daughter and to show property in her boss's absence. On her free time Monica earns a bit of money as an catering assistant working for Brenda, the aunt of her ex-husband. There is so much bubbling under the surface for these women that it is no wonder that it spills over in the form of a dead body at an open house for one of the houses sold by Sunny to a family friend and catered by Brenda. Naturally the finger of suspicion points at Sunny, Brenda and Monica who had words with the man shortly before his death.

I requested and read an advanced readers' copy of Cooks, Crooks and a Corpse, but this review is completely voluntary. I always review books that I love. I also bought a personal copy of the book.

[Donna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first fell in love with Maria Grazia Swan's writing with the Lella York books, and then later on with the Mina Calvi mysteries. When she came out with this new series, I was delighted, and quickly fell in love with Monica Baker. Monica is a 24 year old woman who has already lived a full life since coming to the U.S. from Italy. Starting out as an au pair, she currently works in real estate and moonlights for her ex-husband's aunt, with whom she's maintained a friendship, and her catering business Yes, there is an ex-husband, as well as a private investigator, a mysterious politician, a new love interest, a pool guy and a tarot-reading co-worker. Along with her other pastimes, there's dog-minding duties for her aunt's Great Dane, Dior. All of this mixes up into a wonderfully quirky cozy mystery that will bring you hours of entertainment and laughs. All you have to do is read the book's dedication to see the type of humor Ms. Swan has, to know you're in for a treat. I, for one, can't wait for more of Monica's life and adventures.
**I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sure held my interest. I didn't know what was going to happen next. Monica Baker is the center of attention. She is a young woman who is trying to find herself. Working at a real estate company, she is studying for her real estate license. She had a failed marriage, and is living with her aunt. Luckily her ex father-in-law gave her a nice car, so she is getting by fairly well.

Monica's mind seems a bit flighty. She has trouble concentrating because she has so many thoughts about other people in her life. She cares for her aunt's dog, and she cares about her friends. She shies away from romantic relationships, but can't avoid fanaticizing about one handsome man that she has encountered. In addition, her aunt and her boss both have relationship issues. So there's a lot to unscramble in this story.

As the title implies there is an event that involves catering an important event, which her aunt Brenda is involved in as the caterer. And at this event there appears a man who is not who he says he is. He has a history with Brenda, Monica and her boss, Sunny. A confrontation ensues and he dies somewhat mysteriously.

There are other events that form the various characters, one of which is someone Monica dreams about, but in the end so many things happen to other women that she gives up on her dream. A very surprising ending to the book, which I actually loved.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the ending of Cooks, Crooks, and a Corpse left me hanging, I enjoyed "meeting" the Baker girls. Monica Baker lives in Phoenix in the guest cottage behind her ex-husband Tommy's aunt. She works for Sunny Novak at Desert Homes Realty. Brenda Baker is in her forties and lives alone with her Great Dane--Dior. A lot happens in this story including the death of Bill O'Neill at an event that Brenda catered. The author does a good job of describing the characters and events so that it is easy to imagine life in Phoenix. It is obvious that there are more adventures ahead for the Baker girls and I am ready to read book 2.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Italian-born Monica has her hands full as she juggles her work at Desert Homes Realty and assists her aunt-in-law with her catering business. When one of her aunt's employees suddenly dies on the job, life becomes even more complicated.

The ending surprised me. It wasn't a plot twist that gave me pause; it was the fact that I expected more of the story to follow—several unresolved issues were left dangling in the breeze. Still, I enjoyed the story enough that I've already started the second book in the series to see where the plot takes us.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series. The main character is Monica. she works in a real estate office and is going for her license. She gets caught up in a mess just by doing what she told. She lives in a little house behind her ex-husband's aunt and helps her with her dog , a Great Dane named Dior. It all starts with someone trying to break into her aunt home while she is staying there with Dior. from there to a client from the real estate office and then the murder charge for the death of the guy who broke into her aunt house. It is a page turner and I really enjoyed it.

[Suki Korp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Maria Grazia Swan! In this book, we see some different characters, and I really enjoyed them. The plot is good, and the interaction among the characters is excellent. Monica is the young woman who is the main protagonist. There is a really good looking man, Tristan, who I would like to get to know better! And Tommy, Monica's ex-husband, Tommy's aunt, Brenda, who is so good to Monica! But, it is truly a mystery. Read it and see!

[Robin Leslie Coxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted mystery that kept me turning page after page to see what the main character, Monica Baker would have happened next. From Monica's effort to become a licensed real estate agent to helping out her ex's aunt, Brenda with her catering business, Monica is one busy lady. The competition with her mentor, boss, Celine's daughter Sunny, is another angle that will leave you waiting to see who comes out on top. This is definitely one book that will keep you turning the pages until the end.

[Alisha Henri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Entertaining

From beginning to end, I was engaged by this mystery. The deaths were unusual, and the characters realistic. I enjoyed all of them and was pleased by the plotline resolutions which were surprising. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series and am glad that Ms. Swan decided to write this cosy mystery style. She's done well with it.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read

How nice it was to read a story that has a heroine that isnt super hot and sexy with a perfect bod an luscious hair..
Monica is a new realtor with a twist ... she's Italian .. and already divorced...
The Question is can she keep her trouble making ex away ... and what will happen with the gorgeous rich client..

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series starter!

This is a good start to a new cozy series. Monica Baker makes an interesting lead character and her jobs as both a realtor and a part-time helper in the catering business provide a host of possible supporting characters for future books. I always enjoy stories that include animals and Dior is a sweet giant of a dog. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Patricia H. Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great cozy mystery

Interesting characters, creative writing, wit, a no good ex who happens to be the nephew of the elder Baker woman, a Great Dane named Dior and some interesting scenes with cops. Looking forward to the next book.

[Tracy Bryant bundy spittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

fast paced and funny

Catering, real estate, danger, death, suspicion, a main character, who is sassy and funny, if you like any of these then this book will be one that you should pick up it is the first in a series, and I am looking forward to reading the next

[Jade Doodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cosy mystery was a perfectly ok read. An easy to follow story with a slight mystery element to it. I did however find it lacking substance. The mystery was so brief and had little depth and the book itself ended very suddenly and didn’t feel like everything was tied up properly.

[Campbell Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skimmed my way through probably 70% of this book. It took forever to get to the “corpse” part of the title and I was left bored and feeling like nothing was happening while I was reading. I’m sure it’s somebody’s cup of tea, just not mine.

[Darlene Coover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

This book did not hold my interest but it might someone else's. It is well written with a good story line.

[D.M. Heaberlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

Took a while to get to the point, and I'm still left confused.

I wish there would have been more detail about the connections with everyone.

[sandi landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Loved the book. Kept me in my rocking chair until I finished it. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Lyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went in expecting an amateur sleuth cozy mystery, but this is more of a women’s fiction with the dead body coming later in the book.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well

I couldn't really get into the story or easily follow along ... too much up front info dumping and repetition for me.

[Jessica Hembree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

Cute and cozy mystery book. I loved the great dane! This is one of those stories that is easy to read in a day just for the fun of it.

[Princesspint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a cute little cozy story. New author to me.

[Benita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun read.

[eloise vellucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice droll humor

Maria Gracia's first book in a new series of cozy mysteries is comfortable and reflects a droll sense of humor. I enjoyed it because it was not silly as some of these books can be. Likable characters and believable plot.

[Frances L. Ehrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooking and Catering

As an opening for a new series the book succeeds since I will be looking for the next book. A quick read and an interesting afternoon to meet a new heroine and the cast of characters in the place called Phoenix. There is also the promise of an exciting forbidden love to look forward to. Should be a series hit!

[Lois Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotions with mystery

Great story. Love the way Ms. Sean combined real life emotions and situations with mystery. Love reading stories about my home town.