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Margot Durand #1
Croissants and Corruption
To all appearances, North Bank is a charming retirement town and tourist attraction - until a murder reveals a darker side of crime and corruption.
Margot Durand runs a French Bakery in the charming town of North Bank, Virginia. When her troublesome niece comes for a summer visit, she knows she is going to have her hands full. After an unexpected murder, the girl is labeled as the prime suspect and Margot is forced to fight for her niece's freedom. Can she solve the mystery and clear her niece before the killer gets away...or strikes again?
Croissants and Corruption is part of the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery series. If you like fun cozy mysteries, you are going to love Croissants and Corruption.
Buy Croissants and Corruption and start solving your next mystery today!
Margot Durand runs a French Bakery in the charming town of North Bank, Virginia. When her troublesome niece comes for a summer visit, she knows she is going to have her hands full. After an unexpected murder, the girl is labeled as the prime suspect and Margot is forced to fight for her niece's freedom. Can she solve the mystery and clear her niece before the killer gets away...or strikes again?
Croissants and Corruption is part of the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery series. If you like fun cozy mysteries, you are going to love Croissants and Corruption.
Buy Croissants and Corruption and start solving your next mystery today!
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2017
1390 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
September 26, 2023
Croissants and Corruption is the first book in the Margot Durand mystery series written by Danielle Collins. The novel is short, less than 200 pages. It is of the cozy type (no expletives, or excessive violence) despite being a murder mystery. Northbank, Virginia is the setting, idyllic and safe.
Margot receives a call from her sister saying that she needs help. Her sister has a stepdaughter (19) that requires some supervision. She asks Margot to take the adult and give her some guidance, but when Margot goes out with Taylor, her niece, trouble seems to follow her niece around. Then when Taylor and Margot leave the restaurant, the pursuer continues to harass them. On the following day, the harassing youth is found dead, and Taylor is considered the prime suspect.
The story is fun. The mystery is not overly sophisticated. The characters are realistic, not over the top unique, nor overly cardboard. The novel is a decent, efficient read.
Margot receives a call from her sister saying that she needs help. Her sister has a stepdaughter (19) that requires some supervision. She asks Margot to take the adult and give her some guidance, but when Margot goes out with Taylor, her niece, trouble seems to follow her niece around. Then when Taylor and Margot leave the restaurant, the pursuer continues to harass them. On the following day, the harassing youth is found dead, and Taylor is considered the prime suspect.
The story is fun. The mystery is not overly sophisticated. The characters are realistic, not over the top unique, nor overly cardboard. The novel is a decent, efficient read.
January 17, 2019
I downloaded this after getting it at a bargain price. I was glad I took a chance on a new author! I had just finished another bargain mystery (which I will not name--due to the fact that not every book si for every reader--it wasn't for me). But IMHO that book did not spend any time creating memorable or sympathetic or likeable characters. Margot Durand took the time to craft realistic and likeable characters. And she also spent time investing in the setting and supporting cast of characters. I would love to visit the town on the Potomac River that she created. And eat her croissants! I also liked the give and take between the hero and heroine--the detective and the baker-amateur sleuth. A little romance never hurts and romance doesn't end at age thirty. :-) I plan on reading more in this series and I recommend it to you!
September 27, 2019
I read this book for a challenge. It met the requirement of having a red cover. I am glad that it had a red cover, or otherwise I may not have made the opportunity to read it this year. There are many books on my must read soon list.
Thanks to Hurricane Dorian we lost our electricity on September 7 and this book was on my fully charged kindle. So I was able to sit and read it in the dark. Our power was restored in the early hours this morning.
Will finish my review later.
Thanks to Hurricane Dorian we lost our electricity on September 7 and this book was on my fully charged kindle. So I was able to sit and read it in the dark. Our power was restored in the early hours this morning.
Will finish my review later.
February 6, 2018
I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries.
A cozy about a small town baker sounded like a book I would love.
But, I was disappointed.
Margo is keeping an eye on her 19 year old niece. The girl, Taylor, has been in trouble and Margo's sister has asked if Taylor could come to Virginia and work in the bakery. The plan is that Taylor will be away from people who have become a bad influence on her. She also will learn the benefit of hard work.
The day Taylor arrives, she is assaulted by a young man. Then the young man is found dead and Taylor is the main suspect. That seemed a little over the top to me.
OK – I am not a fan of women who continually put themselves in danger. Margo is the widow of a policeman, a good friend is a policeman and if she is smart enough to own a business she should be smart enough to know the difference between safety and danger.
She continually determines to investigate on her own.
Ms Collins has created what could be a good plot, but for me there were too many inconsistencies. I know it is just me, but I would have liked Margo to be at least sort of sensible rather than going off on her own over and over.
The character development is interesting. But, even when Margo knows Taylor is a liar, she never actually tries to get the truth from her.
This simply did not do it for me. I know it is me. I just could not suspend my expectations for this one.
A cozy about a small town baker sounded like a book I would love.
But, I was disappointed.
Margo is keeping an eye on her 19 year old niece. The girl, Taylor, has been in trouble and Margo's sister has asked if Taylor could come to Virginia and work in the bakery. The plan is that Taylor will be away from people who have become a bad influence on her. She also will learn the benefit of hard work.
The day Taylor arrives, she is assaulted by a young man. Then the young man is found dead and Taylor is the main suspect. That seemed a little over the top to me.
OK – I am not a fan of women who continually put themselves in danger. Margo is the widow of a policeman, a good friend is a policeman and if she is smart enough to own a business she should be smart enough to know the difference between safety and danger.
She continually determines to investigate on her own.
Ms Collins has created what could be a good plot, but for me there were too many inconsistencies. I know it is just me, but I would have liked Margo to be at least sort of sensible rather than going off on her own over and over.
The character development is interesting. But, even when Margo knows Taylor is a liar, she never actually tries to get the truth from her.
This simply did not do it for me. I know it is me. I just could not suspend my expectations for this one.
January 12, 2018
Margo is at it again with this mild but interesting murder mystery, it involves her niece Taylor who isn’t very truthful and has lots of secrets, but still wants her aunt and mom to respect her. With her niece the main suspect, she has no other alternative but to get to the truth and the real killer before it’s too late. Sifting through the clues and giving the picture a closer look pinpointed areas which didn’t add up, thereby giving her the edge she needed. The storyline is good and the characters are also good could have been a bit more exciting but all in all an entertaining read.
November 11, 2017
4.5 read for me! I loved the old man, Bentley. I did keep changing my mind throughout the whole book about what was going on! Excellent read!!
January 16, 2019
Mediocre at best
If you like books that give God all the credit, instead of the people who do all the work, this might be a book for you.
If you like books that give God all the credit, instead of the people who do all the work, this might be a book for you.
June 9, 2019
Croissants and Corruption (Margot Durand #1) by Danielle Collins
Margot, a small town French Baker has her troubled Niece (Taylor) come to stay with her for a while. Not long after her arrival a young man ends up dead, and Taylor is the number one suspect. Margot is determined to clear her Niece's name and find the true killer.
A fast paced cozy murder/mystery with an interesting plot and likable characters. Set in a small town and around a baker as a novice sleuth was fresh and inviting. I also enjoyed the recipes at the end of the book. I highly recommend to those who like cozy murder/mysteries.
Margot, a small town French Baker has her troubled Niece (Taylor) come to stay with her for a while. Not long after her arrival a young man ends up dead, and Taylor is the number one suspect. Margot is determined to clear her Niece's name and find the true killer.
A fast paced cozy murder/mystery with an interesting plot and likable characters. Set in a small town and around a baker as a novice sleuth was fresh and inviting. I also enjoyed the recipes at the end of the book. I highly recommend to those who like cozy murder/mysteries.
May 21, 2017
This was a freebie for joining a newsletter, and just the right length to keep me company on a rainy night.
The widowed heroine is a bit nosy, but then all good "cozy" sleuths are.
Her shop sounds so delicious you get hungry reading it, and her investigative skills could use a bit of polish, but she seems real and is certainly smart.
Perhaps we will see a romance in her future.
I recommend this book for any time when you want a short, sometimes funny, always interesting read.
The widowed heroine is a bit nosy, but then all good "cozy" sleuths are.
Her shop sounds so delicious you get hungry reading it, and her investigative skills could use a bit of polish, but she seems real and is certainly smart.
Perhaps we will see a romance in her future.
I recommend this book for any time when you want a short, sometimes funny, always interesting read.
November 28, 2017
Croissants and Corruption was a fun read, and I recognized some of the locations in her story. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Who Done It, murder mystery. I loved that she added a large cast of interesting supporting characters to the plot. It made it harder to figure out who committed the crime.
September 10, 2025
This book isn't bad, but it just fell flat for me. Not nearly as good as other series by this author.
May 18, 2021
Nice read
This is a good short mystery to fill those few minutes you may have time in between jobs or even sitting waiting at an appointment. I enjoy the series mysteries because you can always count on familiar faces. I look forward to reading the next installment.
This is a good short mystery to fill those few minutes you may have time in between jobs or even sitting waiting at an appointment. I enjoy the series mysteries because you can always count on familiar faces. I look forward to reading the next installment.
November 14, 2021
Margot Durand Cozy Mysteries Books 1-12
1. Book 1 Croissants and Corruption
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Croissants and Corruption in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing cozy mystery with a complex plot that provides brief glimpses at two budding romances, has multiple episodes of violence without the horror of vividly portrayed violence and contains a close-knit community of realistic characters which are blended with snippets of Margot at home and in her bakery, The Parisian Pâtisserie
After falling in with the wrong crowd, the secretive nineteen-year-old Taylor is sent from California to her bakery shop owning widowed Aunt Margot Durand in North Bank, Virginia for the summer. But instead of structure and security, Taylor almost instantly becomes a suspect in a murder. Margot works with and around her husband’s former partner, Detective Adam Eastwood, while at the same time she helps her daily patron, geriatric former lawyer Bentley, with a mystery at the senior center.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
2. Book 2 Desserts and Deception
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Deserts and Deception in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
Fast-paced and action packed with multiple ties to high-profile Mob boss Victor Carow’s case which are blended with Margot’s and Adam’s burgeoning romance, and the addition of the charismatic surprise bakery assistant, Dexter.
Coincidences, inconsistencies, and the request of her good friend, recently married Craft Boutique owner Tamera, has Margot partnering with Adam to prove Tamera’s lawyer husband, George innocence of murder.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
3. Book 3 Pastries and Pilfering
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Pastries and Pilfering in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
Intriguing with multiple clues, small mysteries, and Margot worrying over if she can have a lasting relationship with Adam who has secrets.
41-year-old Margot takes a 2-week vacation from her North Bank, Virginia bakery hoping to relax on a five-day cruise to Mexico with her ex-student Addie and then another week with her sister Renee’s family in Long Beach, California but things become complex when Margot overhears some suspicious conversations, a prominent actor takes interest in her, Adam and his friend Gage show up on the cruise, her friend Addie does not keep her promises, and staff die.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in the series order as it begins with a series recap.
4. Book 4 Muffins and Murder
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the North Bank, Virginia set cozy mystery Muffins and Murder in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
This is a complex mystery with a developing romance where an act from over forty years ago produces negative reactions in the present.
Missing retired trial lawyer Bentley’s daily visits and stories after he injured his back, Margot takes him breakfast hoping for an intriguing story which she gets but, she also finds herself mixed up in a murder mystery where his friends are killed. Another layer of mystery is added in the form of her assistant Dexter’s hacking skills and sudden leave of absence.
The recent death of one of Bentley’s friends prompts him to relay a tale from his twenties when he and his three law school friends provided scuba diving lessons and found a sunken treasure only to have it stolen.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
5. Book 5 Vacations and Violence
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Vacation and Violence in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
Suspenseful and complex with a twist, this story contains a fair amount of drama in the form of well-blended odd encounters, multiple murders, and suspicious behavior.
Margot visits her friend Chef CeCe Baxter, who is been working in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains for a year, hoping for a relaxing weekend only to learn CeCe invited her to help stop a stalker, who has located the hiding CeCe and become active again on the anniversary of her marriage to her unfaithful and abusive ex-husband Rick Moody.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
6. Book 6 Boating and Bodies
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the North, Bank Virginia set cozy mystery Boating and Bodies in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
While the mystery feels less complex than the previous novels in the series, it is an easy-flowing story with realistic characters and a good bit happening. This is a single murder mystery where the story is divided between Margot and Adam’s relationship progressing with thoughts of an engagement, the growing need to fill Dexter’s position and Margot’s investigation of a suspicious drowning with the help of Adam and Dexter.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
7. Book 7 Murder in Maine
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Murder in Maine in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
Four months after he leaves, Margot receives a sudden 2 AM call from her ex-bakery assistant Dexter aka Hector VanNess asking for her to come to the sleepy small New England town of Bath, Maine to help him find his missing sister Danielle, a former gang member and FBI informant, and to help him, a former FBI cyber-security worker, run Danielle aka Darcy’s bakery.
Margot places her unconventional new assistant baker, single mother Julia Hangeman, in charge for a week and heads to Maine where on her first night a suspicious sound draws her down to the bakery where she finds a dead body and then becomes a target.
8. Book 8 Bakeries and Bodies
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Bakeries and Bodies in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
An easy-flowing Christmas time murder mystery based on greed that contains some poignant moments and has a heartwarming ending.
Love is in the bloom of this sequel where Margot goes home with Adam to meet his family in Sister, Oregon leaving her bakery and her two assistants, Dexter and Julia, who have a hate/love relationship, under the care of Mama Rosie.
The vacation is less than relaxing when on day one, Margot learns she is volunteered to bake for the yearly Christmas bake-off and, her partner Fran is accused of killing the biggest rival.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
9. Book 9 A Deadly Engagement
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the North Bank, Virginia set cozy mystery A Deadly Engagement in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
An easy-to-follow, drama-packed, and at times suspenseful story that occurs around Valentine’s Day.
A story based on greed with a profession of love. While love continues to grow for the couples at the Bakery, this is not a carefree Holiday romance.
Shortly after Bentley enlists Margot’s help to unravel the meaning of the cryptic letter, he received from his recently deceased first wife, Margot has an odd encounter with Felix Lynch posing as a staff member, has a car following her, and someone with Bentley’s name is found burning in a car.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
10. Book 10 A Killer Cover Up
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery A Killer Cover Up in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
An easy-flowing story of police corruption and wedding preparation stress.
As Margot approaches the last months before her wedding, a reporter from the past offers to provide Margot with new information regarding Julian’s murder only for him to be found dead at their meeting spot.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
11. Book 11 Catering and Crime
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Catering and Crime in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
Margot takes a break from wedding planning stress to solve a murder and capture a jewelry-thieving ring that are connected to her reception caterer. Contains cameos with Bentley and his son Ben.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
12. Book 12 Murder and Matrimony
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Murder and Matrimony in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
A fitting conclusion that is full of drama.
When Adam’s “Secret Life” threatens to change their wedding plans, Margot must rely on her friends for help to clear Adam, finish the wedding planning, and protect herself from the violent stalker who is trying to stop her before she stops him.
Two weeks before the wedding, Margot thinks her main stressor is the lack of a wedding cake until Adam is arrested for murder.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
1. Book 1 Croissants and Corruption
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Croissants and Corruption in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing cozy mystery with a complex plot that provides brief glimpses at two budding romances, has multiple episodes of violence without the horror of vividly portrayed violence and contains a close-knit community of realistic characters which are blended with snippets of Margot at home and in her bakery, The Parisian Pâtisserie
After falling in with the wrong crowd, the secretive nineteen-year-old Taylor is sent from California to her bakery shop owning widowed Aunt Margot Durand in North Bank, Virginia for the summer. But instead of structure and security, Taylor almost instantly becomes a suspect in a murder. Margot works with and around her husband’s former partner, Detective Adam Eastwood, while at the same time she helps her daily patron, geriatric former lawyer Bentley, with a mystery at the senior center.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
2. Book 2 Desserts and Deception
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Deserts and Deception in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
Fast-paced and action packed with multiple ties to high-profile Mob boss Victor Carow’s case which are blended with Margot’s and Adam’s burgeoning romance, and the addition of the charismatic surprise bakery assistant, Dexter.
Coincidences, inconsistencies, and the request of her good friend, recently married Craft Boutique owner Tamera, has Margot partnering with Adam to prove Tamera’s lawyer husband, George innocence of murder.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
3. Book 3 Pastries and Pilfering
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Pastries and Pilfering in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
Intriguing with multiple clues, small mysteries, and Margot worrying over if she can have a lasting relationship with Adam who has secrets.
41-year-old Margot takes a 2-week vacation from her North Bank, Virginia bakery hoping to relax on a five-day cruise to Mexico with her ex-student Addie and then another week with her sister Renee’s family in Long Beach, California but things become complex when Margot overhears some suspicious conversations, a prominent actor takes interest in her, Adam and his friend Gage show up on the cruise, her friend Addie does not keep her promises, and staff die.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in the series order as it begins with a series recap.
4. Book 4 Muffins and Murder
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the North Bank, Virginia set cozy mystery Muffins and Murder in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
This is a complex mystery with a developing romance where an act from over forty years ago produces negative reactions in the present.
Missing retired trial lawyer Bentley’s daily visits and stories after he injured his back, Margot takes him breakfast hoping for an intriguing story which she gets but, she also finds herself mixed up in a murder mystery where his friends are killed. Another layer of mystery is added in the form of her assistant Dexter’s hacking skills and sudden leave of absence.
The recent death of one of Bentley’s friends prompts him to relay a tale from his twenties when he and his three law school friends provided scuba diving lessons and found a sunken treasure only to have it stolen.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
5. Book 5 Vacations and Violence
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Vacation and Violence in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
Suspenseful and complex with a twist, this story contains a fair amount of drama in the form of well-blended odd encounters, multiple murders, and suspicious behavior.
Margot visits her friend Chef CeCe Baxter, who is been working in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains for a year, hoping for a relaxing weekend only to learn CeCe invited her to help stop a stalker, who has located the hiding CeCe and become active again on the anniversary of her marriage to her unfaithful and abusive ex-husband Rick Moody.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
6. Book 6 Boating and Bodies
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the North, Bank Virginia set cozy mystery Boating and Bodies in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
While the mystery feels less complex than the previous novels in the series, it is an easy-flowing story with realistic characters and a good bit happening. This is a single murder mystery where the story is divided between Margot and Adam’s relationship progressing with thoughts of an engagement, the growing need to fill Dexter’s position and Margot’s investigation of a suspicious drowning with the help of Adam and Dexter.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
7. Book 7 Murder in Maine
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Murder in Maine in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
Four months after he leaves, Margot receives a sudden 2 AM call from her ex-bakery assistant Dexter aka Hector VanNess asking for her to come to the sleepy small New England town of Bath, Maine to help him find his missing sister Danielle, a former gang member and FBI informant, and to help him, a former FBI cyber-security worker, run Danielle aka Darcy’s bakery.
Margot places her unconventional new assistant baker, single mother Julia Hangeman, in charge for a week and heads to Maine where on her first night a suspicious sound draws her down to the bakery where she finds a dead body and then becomes a target.
8. Book 8 Bakeries and Bodies
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Bakeries and Bodies in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
An easy-flowing Christmas time murder mystery based on greed that contains some poignant moments and has a heartwarming ending.
Love is in the bloom of this sequel where Margot goes home with Adam to meet his family in Sister, Oregon leaving her bakery and her two assistants, Dexter and Julia, who have a hate/love relationship, under the care of Mama Rosie.
The vacation is less than relaxing when on day one, Margot learns she is volunteered to bake for the yearly Christmas bake-off and, her partner Fran is accused of killing the biggest rival.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
9. Book 9 A Deadly Engagement
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the North Bank, Virginia set cozy mystery A Deadly Engagement in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
An easy-to-follow, drama-packed, and at times suspenseful story that occurs around Valentine’s Day.
A story based on greed with a profession of love. While love continues to grow for the couples at the Bakery, this is not a carefree Holiday romance.
Shortly after Bentley enlists Margot’s help to unravel the meaning of the cryptic letter, he received from his recently deceased first wife, Margot has an odd encounter with Felix Lynch posing as a staff member, has a car following her, and someone with Bentley’s name is found burning in a car.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
10. Book 10 A Killer Cover Up
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery A Killer Cover Up in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
An easy-flowing story of police corruption and wedding preparation stress.
As Margot approaches the last months before her wedding, a reporter from the past offers to provide Margot with new information regarding Julian’s murder only for him to be found dead at their meeting spot.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
11. Book 11 Catering and Crime
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Catering and Crime in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins, and this review was given freely.
Margot takes a break from wedding planning stress to solve a murder and capture a jewelry-thieving ring that are connected to her reception caterer. Contains cameos with Bentley and his son Ben.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
12. Book 12 Murder and Matrimony
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Murder and Matrimony in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 – 12 by Danielle Collins and this review was given freely.
A fitting conclusion that is full of drama.
When Adam’s “Secret Life” threatens to change their wedding plans, Margot must rely on her friends for help to clear Adam, finish the wedding planning, and protect herself from the violent stalker who is trying to stop her before she stops him.
Two weeks before the wedding, Margot thinks her main stressor is the lack of a wedding cake until Adam is arrested for murder.
May be read as a standalone but is best if read in series order.
December 23, 2017
I couldn't find any other series of this type by Danielle Collins. so I guess this is her first go at it--at it's great! What's not to like? You've got a French bakery, a small town, a gorgeous police detective, a murder mystery, interesting supporting characters, a fast-moving plot with twists in it and recipes at the end!
Margot Durand has a French bakery in a small town in Virginia and gets a call from her sister in California, begging her to take her niece Taylor for the summer to teach her responsibility before she is a full adult and will face adult laws and rules. Margot agrees and things begin to happen...an assault, murder, missing monies, another assault, and rapidly occurring events and influxes of information that keep you wondering what's coming next. This was my first Kindle Unlimited download and I was delighted with how easy it was! The only drawback is you can't keep them, but you can usually check them out again! I recommend this story and I'm looking forward to following the series as it moves along. This story caught up most of the storylines, but there were several others that could have been followed in more detail for more enjoyment of Margot's backstory and other characters introduced. But hopefully, Ms. Collins will put those items in later books!
Margot Durand has a French bakery in a small town in Virginia and gets a call from her sister in California, begging her to take her niece Taylor for the summer to teach her responsibility before she is a full adult and will face adult laws and rules. Margot agrees and things begin to happen...an assault, murder, missing monies, another assault, and rapidly occurring events and influxes of information that keep you wondering what's coming next. This was my first Kindle Unlimited download and I was delighted with how easy it was! The only drawback is you can't keep them, but you can usually check them out again! I recommend this story and I'm looking forward to following the series as it moves along. This story caught up most of the storylines, but there were several others that could have been followed in more detail for more enjoyment of Margot's backstory and other characters introduced. But hopefully, Ms. Collins will put those items in later books!
January 23, 2019
I liked the book. The characters were interesting and mostly likable, you know...except the killer.. Bentley was a pleasant surprise and I think I would have liked him in real life.
It seemed to wrap up a little too quickly at the end, but not a bad read.
It seemed to wrap up a little too quickly at the end, but not a bad read.
August 16, 2018
What a wonderful series!
I'm really enjoying getting to know the main characters, I think this will be a series that I will be hanging out for the next book in the series.
I'm really enjoying getting to know the main characters, I think this will be a series that I will be hanging out for the next book in the series.
October 31, 2020
Cute Short Mystery
Loved the characters, great quick easy read for a covid rainy afternoon. I really liked the authors easy to follow story.
Loved the characters, great quick easy read for a covid rainy afternoon. I really liked the authors easy to follow story.
February 19, 2019
Croissants and Corruption is a light and fluffy cozy mystery. Renee Garvey sends her 19-year-old step-daughter Taylor from their home in California to spend a summer with her (Renee's) sister Margot Durand in Virginia. Margot is a middle-aged widow who owns a French bakery, and she must help to solve a murder mystery that Taylor gets wrapped up in.
I enjoyed how well paced the story was, and the author's writing style was great. That said, I found the protagonist, Margot Durand, to be a tad sanctimonious and condescending towards the younger characters such as her niece. It was difficult at times for me to like the protagonist when she treated her 19-year-old niece like a child.
There were a few things in the book that could have been edited better to make it more believable. For instance, the author seems not to know the difference between macaroons and macarons, which is a pretty serious error given that the protagonist is a professional French baker.
Also, we are to believe that the Margot's deceased husband wrote secret friendship letters to Taylor when she was only 14. Despite living on opposite ends of the country and being related tenuously through marriage, Taylor and Margot's deceased husband Julian were close knit without Margot knowing? Something about that seems very unbelievable, if not creepy. Taylor was 14, and her step-mom's sister's husband was writing her secret letters from across the country and giving her pet names in French? That doesn't sound likely, and if it did happen, it comes off as inappropriate. These secret friendship letters had no bearing on the plot whatsoever, so I don't think they served any purpose.
I enjoyed how well paced the story was, and the author's writing style was great. That said, I found the protagonist, Margot Durand, to be a tad sanctimonious and condescending towards the younger characters such as her niece. It was difficult at times for me to like the protagonist when she treated her 19-year-old niece like a child.
There were a few things in the book that could have been edited better to make it more believable. For instance, the author seems not to know the difference between macaroons and macarons, which is a pretty serious error given that the protagonist is a professional French baker.
Also, we are to believe that the Margot's deceased husband wrote secret friendship letters to Taylor when she was only 14. Despite living on opposite ends of the country and being related tenuously through marriage, Taylor and Margot's deceased husband Julian were close knit without Margot knowing? Something about that seems very unbelievable, if not creepy. Taylor was 14, and her step-mom's sister's husband was writing her secret letters from across the country and giving her pet names in French? That doesn't sound likely, and if it did happen, it comes off as inappropriate. These secret friendship letters had no bearing on the plot whatsoever, so I don't think they served any purpose.
May 3, 2021
This is a pretty good cozy mystery with some very jarring content.
First, Margot knows that Taylor is lying, but makes zero, no, none, zilch, effort to get beyond it. Sure, she's playing the nice-aunt-instead-of-wicked-stepmother role, but she notices something 'off' from before the start of the requisite trouble, and yet just ignores it. Apparently, she trusts her gut only when it helps solve a case, or advances the story.
There is no place in Northern Neck or Northern Virginia to set a fictional small town with a 30-minute drive to the airport *and* with a river setting. Ain't happening. Plenty of places, but either a further drive, or no river setting.
Poor editing - I don't know if this was originally in the "Christian Fiction" genre and subsequent editing stopped before the last chapters, or if Collins felt she had to ascribe "luck" to a deity, but the preachiness of the last chapter was a turn-off.
Margot is an interesting character; her back-story is well-presented and just enough to make her understandable without going overboard. Taylor is slightly less well-developed, and the interactions between Margot's family and Taylor is hard to fathom. Apparently, in the years Margot's sister has been married to Taylor's father, there have been several visits, none of which seem to explain either the "I know this girl" attitude from Margot nor the letters from Julian - letters his wife knew nothing about, to a girl who would have been no more than 14 at the time.
There's potential in this series, but I will not go seek the next book.
First, Margot knows that Taylor is lying, but makes zero, no, none, zilch, effort to get beyond it. Sure, she's playing the nice-aunt-instead-of-wicked-stepmother role, but she notices something 'off' from before the start of the requisite trouble, and yet just ignores it. Apparently, she trusts her gut only when it helps solve a case, or advances the story.
There is no place in Northern Neck or Northern Virginia to set a fictional small town with a 30-minute drive to the airport *and* with a river setting. Ain't happening. Plenty of places, but either a further drive, or no river setting.
Poor editing - I don't know if this was originally in the "Christian Fiction" genre and subsequent editing stopped before the last chapters, or if Collins felt she had to ascribe "luck" to a deity, but the preachiness of the last chapter was a turn-off.
Margot is an interesting character; her back-story is well-presented and just enough to make her understandable without going overboard. Taylor is slightly less well-developed, and the interactions between Margot's family and Taylor is hard to fathom. Apparently, in the years Margot's sister has been married to Taylor's father, there have been several visits, none of which seem to explain either the "I know this girl" attitude from Margot nor the letters from Julian - letters his wife knew nothing about, to a girl who would have been no more than 14 at the time.
There's potential in this series, but I will not go seek the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2020
It took me a bit to figure out how to rate this book. I think that's because I found its first and last chapters to be the weakest parts of the book, for me. The misspelling of the name of DC's airport was jarring as was an Interstate number that would not be found in the part of the country where this book was set. I am not sure whether that last one was an editing error or an attempt at fictionalizing the setting, but…that, plus my confusion about whether the name made sense for a place in Virginia or whether the description would have fit a Maryland town better (I take the blame for my own lack of geographical knowledge on this one) all had me really worried about whether there would be too many errors for me to enjoy the story.
Thankfully, that chapter was followed by an engaging story. I really liked getting to know the aunt and the niece as well as the aunt's police friend. The story was a fun distraction from real life.
And then the last chapter. And… all of a sudden, there's a bunch of talk about God. And besides it not being something I particularly welcome at this point in my journey, it seemed out of the blue for the characters, too. Some of that is perhaps explained by the fright of the events in the book's climax, but… I found it jarring.
I also wish this book were a little longer. I would have liked to get to know some of the characters better, to get to know North Bank. And I think the middle of the book was where Collins did her best writing.
Thankfully, that chapter was followed by an engaging story. I really liked getting to know the aunt and the niece as well as the aunt's police friend. The story was a fun distraction from real life.
And then the last chapter. And… all of a sudden, there's a bunch of talk about God. And besides it not being something I particularly welcome at this point in my journey, it seemed out of the blue for the characters, too. Some of that is perhaps explained by the fright of the events in the book's climax, but… I found it jarring.
I also wish this book were a little longer. I would have liked to get to know some of the characters better, to get to know North Bank. And I think the middle of the book was where Collins did her best writing.
April 13, 2018
"Croissants and Corruption" is the first book in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery series by Danielle Collins. Straight up, I am going to say that I hope this series continues forever! The character Margot Durand has depth, width, and a nice dose of humor. She is a widow, and in the course of life (protecting her niece, Taylor), she ends up contacting a former colleague of her husbands, Adam Eastwood, lead detective for the North Bank police force. Do we see the beginnings of something here? I hope so!
I love the inclusion of Margot's bakery, the Parisian Patisserie, as an integral part of who Marogt is. (BTW, she cooks deicious meals at home too!) This book is all about relationships of all kinds, and home and family. Throw in the murder of a young man that was being too aggressive with Taylor, Taylor having two phones (she is stil a teenager!), retired detective Bently that is sure funds are being siphoned off at the senior center (signficant funds), and a mayor that likes to live large, and we have the makings of a fast paced, extremely enjoyable cozy mystery!
I love the inclusion of Margot's bakery, the Parisian Patisserie, as an integral part of who Marogt is. (BTW, she cooks deicious meals at home too!) This book is all about relationships of all kinds, and home and family. Throw in the murder of a young man that was being too aggressive with Taylor, Taylor having two phones (she is stil a teenager!), retired detective Bently that is sure funds are being siphoned off at the senior center (signficant funds), and a mayor that likes to live large, and we have the makings of a fast paced, extremely enjoyable cozy mystery!
December 24, 2019
Croissants and Corruption #1 Margot Durand
Margot has been asked to keep her niece, Taylor because she is getting into trouble and her parents feel she needs to leave the area where she is always in trouble. She comes and is immediately welcomed and put to work at Margot's bakery. Margot is known for making the best French pastries. She even donates them to the Senior Center Benefits, used to raise money for the Senior Center to be rebuilt. One of the members feels that something is not right, while this is happening Taylor is being accused of killing a man who had flirted with her and overly handy with her. Margot, who had been married to a detective in the police force and is friends with another, starts to look into both of the problems, trying to find the murderer and the missing funds.
I did enjoy this story and will try to read some more from this series.
Margot has been asked to keep her niece, Taylor because she is getting into trouble and her parents feel she needs to leave the area where she is always in trouble. She comes and is immediately welcomed and put to work at Margot's bakery. Margot is known for making the best French pastries. She even donates them to the Senior Center Benefits, used to raise money for the Senior Center to be rebuilt. One of the members feels that something is not right, while this is happening Taylor is being accused of killing a man who had flirted with her and overly handy with her. Margot, who had been married to a detective in the police force and is friends with another, starts to look into both of the problems, trying to find the murderer and the missing funds.
I did enjoy this story and will try to read some more from this series.
February 28, 2017
Margot Durand is the owner of the French bakery located in North Bank, Virginia. Her life has always been a little quiet and predictable. However, when her sister calls and asks if Margot's niece can come to stay for the summer, things begin to heat up. After only a day in town, a murder takes place that places the blame squarely on her niece's shoulders. How can things go wrong so fast? Margot must take matters into her own hands in order to clear her niece and keep her bakery.
The author does a wonderful job in this series of developing the characters so that the reader either chooses to like them or dislike them from the start. I highly recommend this cozy mystery series. I cannot wait until the next installment.
I received a copy from the publisher. I wrote the review because I enjoyed the book.
The author does a wonderful job in this series of developing the characters so that the reader either chooses to like them or dislike them from the start. I highly recommend this cozy mystery series. I cannot wait until the next installment.
I received a copy from the publisher. I wrote the review because I enjoyed the book.
July 9, 2017
Limited Cast of Characters
I've read some reviews that fans don't like a lot of characters because it's hard to keep them straight. Not me, I like a lot of characters even if I have to turn back to refresh my mind as to who's who. It seemed that in this book there were just a few people described or given some backstory. I know it's book one so maybe I need to give it more time for the other characters to evolve, like Rosie, she's an important character. Margot leaves her in charge of her bakery, I need to know more than she has dark skin. All in all, I did enjoy this book, there was a murder, maybe some missing money, and maybe a budding romance. I have the next book in this series so I can see if I can dig deeper into the lives of the characters as well as helping Margot and Adam solve another case.
I've read some reviews that fans don't like a lot of characters because it's hard to keep them straight. Not me, I like a lot of characters even if I have to turn back to refresh my mind as to who's who. It seemed that in this book there were just a few people described or given some backstory. I know it's book one so maybe I need to give it more time for the other characters to evolve, like Rosie, she's an important character. Margot leaves her in charge of her bakery, I need to know more than she has dark skin. All in all, I did enjoy this book, there was a murder, maybe some missing money, and maybe a budding romance. I have the next book in this series so I can see if I can dig deeper into the lives of the characters as well as helping Margot and Adam solve another case.
January 27, 2019
This book wasn't GREAT, but then it wasn't bad either! To be honest, the characters are pleasant enough, the plot was interesting but peculiarly constructed. There was a great deal of "staging" at the beginning as the cast of characters were introduced and not enough meat on them - not enough character study and the end comes waaay too fast. Of course there is a happily ever after promise lurking at the end for all the "good guys".
The thing that bugged me was the "bad guy" in the book who just sort of pops out of nowhere despite the fact that the character was introduced in the story, but not enough about the character to make it thought provoking or even know why that "bad guy" was the way she was. It's an okay read for a yukky day indoors or at the dentist's office waiting room. The book is so short you could have it read over your lunch break two days in a row.
The thing that bugged me was the "bad guy" in the book who just sort of pops out of nowhere despite the fact that the character was introduced in the story, but not enough about the character to make it thought provoking or even know why that "bad guy" was the way she was. It's an okay read for a yukky day indoors or at the dentist's office waiting room. The book is so short you could have it read over your lunch break two days in a row.
April 8, 2021
Good series starter
I enjoyed this first book in the Margot Durand series and look forward to meeting more of the town's residents, especially at the senior center. Margot is a LEO widow, but we don't learn in this first book how he died. Maybe in book 2 we'll learn more. She is friends with her husband's partner and I can see a romance in the future. I won't go into details of the plot. The mystery is decent, writing and editing are competent, and the story moves along briskly. Many of you will finish the book in one sitting. The story is complete, not so much as a little teaser leading into the next book. There is no sex or foul language, and Margot goes so far as to express her faith that God will look out for her. But the novel is not religious, it's just nice to have the primary character express faith. All in all, an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
I enjoyed this first book in the Margot Durand series and look forward to meeting more of the town's residents, especially at the senior center. Margot is a LEO widow, but we don't learn in this first book how he died. Maybe in book 2 we'll learn more. She is friends with her husband's partner and I can see a romance in the future. I won't go into details of the plot. The mystery is decent, writing and editing are competent, and the story moves along briskly. Many of you will finish the book in one sitting. The story is complete, not so much as a little teaser leading into the next book. There is no sex or foul language, and Margot goes so far as to express her faith that God will look out for her. But the novel is not religious, it's just nice to have the primary character express faith. All in all, an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
October 10, 2017
Loved it!! This is the first book I have read by this author and she is a new favorite. This is a really good cozy mystery- exciting mystery, likeable interesting strong characters, not a graphic or descriptive murder, and a budding potential romance. Margot runs a bakery. Her neice Taylor comes to visit because she is causing her stepmom/Margot ' s sister some stress. As soon as Taylor arrives, things start to happen and happen fast. I would have read it in 1 shot if I would have been able to. It has a good pace and a good story line and mystery. The only minor thing was Margot is widowed and mentions her husband a lot but more as a guide to how to solve the mystery. I can't wait to read the next one!
November 8, 2017
Margot Durand owns a French bakery in Virginia, so when her sister calls asking if Margot's adopted niece, Taylor, can come spend the summer there since they're having discipline issues, Margot is a little wary. What 19 year old wants to get up at 3am to help at the bakery? But she consents...and gets more trouble than even she anticipated when Taylor winds up arrested for murder her first week in town. She leaves much of the running of the bakery to Rosie, relies on her late husband's friend from the force and her friend at the senior center who used to be an attorney, and sets out to solve the case, all the while cementing her relationship with Taylor.
I wonder where the sequel will go...will Taylor still be in town?
I wonder where the sequel will go...will Taylor still be in town?
February 23, 2017
Margot owns a bakery in a small Virginia community which is home to a large number of Senior Citizens. When Margot agrees to take her sister's step-daughter Taylor for the summer to work in her bakery things begin to liven up. Taylor had gotten into some trouble in California and needed a change of scenery, but trouble seems to follow Taylor and shortly after her arrival she is arrested for murder. Margot believes Taylor is innocent and is determined to prove it. This is an enjoyable fast paced read and I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
I received a ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
I received a ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
November 12, 2021
Cute book, although I felt like details were left out throughout some of the story. I felt like there were conversations going on that had empty gaps. Besides that, I got the idea of what was going on. I like that the author incorporated some prayers in there and spoke of God, but not overwhelmingly so.
I’m going to read the next book (this is a series of twelve books) to see if more details are included for me to get to know the characters better and actually care about them. I feel this read didn’t dig deep enough into their looks and backgrounds.
Next book is Desserts and Deception (Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Book 2)
I’m going to read the next book (this is a series of twelve books) to see if more details are included for me to get to know the characters better and actually care about them. I feel this read didn’t dig deep enough into their looks and backgrounds.
Next book is Desserts and Deception (Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Book 2)
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