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Cupcakes in Paradise #1
Vanilla Bean Killer
Missy and Chas start their new life after selling the Inn, but are plagued by scary situations from the very start. Chas and Spencer's first official case at the investigation agency hits far too close to home, and Missy begins to wonder if she might have made the biggest mistake of her adult life. County Coroner, Timothy Eckels, is haunted by the ghosts of his past, and his feisty assistant Fiona fears for her life in this first installment of the Cupcakes in Paradise series.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2017
176 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews
July 3, 2019
↠1.5
There are remains found on the property but everyone is pretty chill… Want a cupcake?
There are three reasons I picked this up: 1. I needed it for a challenge; 2. It was short; 3. I wanted to give cozy mystery a shot (or a few).
There are many characters and some of them are unnecessary, they are all flat with a history that we don’t know but the author writes like we do. The writing is poor. The plot is… well you can’t develop it with the story being so damn short.
If nothing else the last chapter has me intrigued, so points for that.
There are remains found on the property but everyone is pretty chill… Want a cupcake?
There are three reasons I picked this up: 1. I needed it for a challenge; 2. It was short; 3. I wanted to give cozy mystery a shot (or a few).
There are many characters and some of them are unnecessary, they are all flat with a history that we don’t know but the author writes like we do. The writing is poor. The plot is… well you can’t develop it with the story being so damn short.
If nothing else the last chapter has me intrigued, so points for that.
June 9, 2017
Oh, This is a good one! I was on the edge of my seat with while reading this book. The author left me wanting more, I can't wait to read what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
February 28, 2019
Why do I bother with these books? Hmm..
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Missy and Chas have sold their B&B and moved into their new house with 'handyman' turned PI Spencer living in a cottage on their estate. Upon moving in, they find a corpse buried in one of the walls, and they started uncovering all kinds of mysteries.
It amazes me that this book is #48 in the expanded universe of Missy and Chas. Who keeps buying this shit? Apparently there's a market for this kind of thing because there's over 60 books in this universe altogether. And they're all centring around the same group of people, and they all have people dying around them. How unlucky are these people?
If you've read my recent review for Boston Cream Killer, you'll know that I hate cozy mysteries and these books in particular. I feel like they try too hard to be darker than normal cozy mysteries without actually being darker (does that make sense)? They throw in all this bullshit about secrecy and hidden pasts, and almost everything is connected back to the main characters and it's just not realistic. Also, there's a lot of focus on cupcakes. As someone who loves cupcakes, I never thought I would complain about there being too much cupcakes, but there's too much cupcakes.
I just hate them. They're not for me and I should stop forcing myself to read them.
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Missy and Chas have sold their B&B and moved into their new house with 'handyman' turned PI Spencer living in a cottage on their estate. Upon moving in, they find a corpse buried in one of the walls, and they started uncovering all kinds of mysteries.
It amazes me that this book is #48 in the expanded universe of Missy and Chas. Who keeps buying this shit? Apparently there's a market for this kind of thing because there's over 60 books in this universe altogether. And they're all centring around the same group of people, and they all have people dying around them. How unlucky are these people?
If you've read my recent review for Boston Cream Killer, you'll know that I hate cozy mysteries and these books in particular. I feel like they try too hard to be darker than normal cozy mysteries without actually being darker (does that make sense)? They throw in all this bullshit about secrecy and hidden pasts, and almost everything is connected back to the main characters and it's just not realistic. Also, there's a lot of focus on cupcakes. As someone who loves cupcakes, I never thought I would complain about there being too much cupcakes, but there's too much cupcakes.
I just hate them. They're not for me and I should stop forcing myself to read them.
June 30, 2021
It's been a while since I touched base with Missy and Chas and the rest of the characters. I am so glad that I came back. A quick, easy read with a great story line and some great characters. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. Great book.
June 4, 2017
Missy and Chas have sold their B&B in Calgon, Florida and are preparing to move into their new home. The old estate had been empty for several years and it took a lot of renovations and new landscaping to get it livable. Chas has quit his detective job with the local police force and with their former bodyguard and close friend, Spencer, started a private detective agency. Spencer is moving into the old caretaker's cottage at the back of the estate when he discovers a hidden box full of surprises. Then the landscaping crew discover a corpse buried in the old wall surrounding the backyard. As the new detective replacing Chas on the force swaggers and blusters his way thru the investigation of the remains, Chas and Spencer work their way around the man's stupidity to find the answers they need to clear up the murder and the contents of the mystery box. Then Missy and her best friend, Echo decide to do some exploring in the cabana by the estate's pool. Their discovery traps them face to face with the killer. As Chas and Spencer clear up one mystery, another one pops up. The coroner's assistant knows someone has been stalking her but doesn't know who or why. As Fiona and Tim discover, the past may not be done with you! This is the first book in the start of the third series with our old and familiar friends. The mysteries continue to have unique twists and turns that will keep surprising you right thru the end of the final page. The adventures that we participate in with these characters will keep you waiting for the next book to arrive. Check out these engaging characters as they live life and battle the bad guys!
May 18, 2017
New Home New Danger
When Missy, Chas, and Spencer move to their new home you'll never guess what the mysterious things they dig up. Love the beginning of this new chapter of their lives.
When Missy, Chas, and Spencer move to their new home you'll never guess what the mysterious things they dig up. Love the beginning of this new chapter of their lives.
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August 20, 2017Love that Chase and Missy are starting a new chapter in their lives. Murder and mystery strikes again before they can start. All the wonderful colorful characters are back with more interesting ones too. This one will keep you guessing till the end.
November 19, 2017
Too abrupt
This is the first book of the series and I feel like there's a whole lot of background needed to understand some of the explanations. Too quick to just jump in and assume the audience gets all the back story.
This is the first book of the series and I feel like there's a whole lot of background needed to understand some of the explanations. Too quick to just jump in and assume the audience gets all the back story.
April 8, 2021
I really do not understand the high ratings on this book. It was quite bad. Poor grammar, a weak plot, and way too many characters I didn't care about. Plus the info-dumping was extreme. And not for nothing, but did the writer find the "300 ways to say said" list and use every one of them? Ugh.
July 5, 2017
First in series
This is the first book I have read by this author. I found it on the Digital Book Spot. I receive it through my e-mail. I think there are characters that were in her previous books which made the story line hard to follow at times because you are trying to figure out who they were. The story was about the Melissa Beckett starting a new business, a cupcake store. She had just sold her bed and breakfast because it had become too stressful. I was hoping for recipes in the book but there weren't any. In addition to Missy starting the cupcake store she and her husband, Chad were moving into a new home. There was something going on behind the scenes they were unable to put their finger on. Through the help of their friends and the FUN they figured out the mystery. One compliant I have is that the story line was left dangling. To figure out what happened you need to buy the next book.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I found it on the Digital Book Spot. I receive it through my e-mail. I think there are characters that were in her previous books which made the story line hard to follow at times because you are trying to figure out who they were. The story was about the Melissa Beckett starting a new business, a cupcake store. She had just sold her bed and breakfast because it had become too stressful. I was hoping for recipes in the book but there weren't any. In addition to Missy starting the cupcake store she and her husband, Chad were moving into a new home. There was something going on behind the scenes they were unable to put their finger on. Through the help of their friends and the FUN they figured out the mystery. One compliant I have is that the story line was left dangling. To figure out what happened you need to buy the next book.
July 2, 2023
Renovations on the new house seem to run into one problem after another and when a body is found near a retaining wall that is being replaced Chas' replacement Solinsky turns out to be a rude, ignorant jerk threatening first Spencer, Kel and Chas then arresting Missy and Echo until the chief puts him in his place which makes things worse. Added to all that Spencer has located some stolen art buried near his cottage and it's all downhill from there, someone with money and power is clearly after the stolen art, the FBI are involved and there's Solinsky who's not doing anything he should be doing, just complete and utter chaos. So many twists it puts a corkscrew to shame and one big surprise after another but in the end Chas and Spencer solve the case to Solinsky's displeasure. A great read.
May 20, 2017
O. M. G.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the book in return for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series, but, it's actually just the continuation of a few previous series that has entered a new phase. You could read this alone but having read the others will give you a better idea of the characters and other details. O. M. G. though!!! It was amazing! If this is an indication of what is to come, its unbelievable! There was excitement, mystery and so much more rolled into this one book and I couldn't put it down, I had to read it straight to the end and I can't wait for the story to continue.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the book in return for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series, but, it's actually just the continuation of a few previous series that has entered a new phase. You could read this alone but having read the others will give you a better idea of the characters and other details. O. M. G. though!!! It was amazing! If this is an indication of what is to come, its unbelievable! There was excitement, mystery and so much more rolled into this one book and I couldn't put it down, I had to read it straight to the end and I can't wait for the story to continue.
May 15, 2018
Art and the human body
Okay not the greatest read but well written and a decent plot. Although it was just a trifle unbelievable. The characters are still developing and seem slightly wooden. Selling the Inn meant that they could now have their dream house. What was unexpected was finding the skeleton and the concrete box. Plus someone is trying to permanently shut up anyone associated with the house from years gone by. What is in the box? Who is the skeleton? How do they track down the killer? Why is the detective assigned to the case so defensive and abrasive?
Okay not the greatest read but well written and a decent plot. Although it was just a trifle unbelievable. The characters are still developing and seem slightly wooden. Selling the Inn meant that they could now have their dream house. What was unexpected was finding the skeleton and the concrete box. Plus someone is trying to permanently shut up anyone associated with the house from years gone by. What is in the box? Who is the skeleton? How do they track down the killer? Why is the detective assigned to the case so defensive and abrasive?
May 18, 2017
Vanilla Bean Killer is the start of a great new series
Summer Prescott is at the top of her game with the first book in the Cupcakes in Paradise series. Missy and Chad are ready to start living in their new home but someone else has other ideas. With so many problems and strange happenings will they ever find peace? Send Spencer in to help and Tim in to give much needed Eckles and you've for a roller coaster ride of a story.
Summer Prescott is at the top of her game with the first book in the Cupcakes in Paradise series. Missy and Chad are ready to start living in their new home but someone else has other ideas. With so many problems and strange happenings will they ever find peace? Send Spencer in to help and Tim in to give much needed Eckles and you've for a roller coaster ride of a story.
June 12, 2017
Excellent book just like all of her other series. When one book ends you want to go right to then next book in the series's.
Excellent book just like all of her other seres. When you finish one book you want to go right to the next book. These books are entertaining and you don't want to put it down until you have read the complete book. Can't wait for the next book, so detailed you feel like you are really there, you can picture the details.
Excellent book just like all of her other seres. When you finish one book you want to go right to the next book. These books are entertaining and you don't want to put it down until you have read the complete book. Can't wait for the next book, so detailed you feel like you are really there, you can picture the details.
March 27, 2019
Fun enough cozy story but as a first in the series it left me very confused. Turns out that it is the first in this series which is really a third series of a series in the universe. I felt confused about the characters and how they fit together so it was a bit hard to invest in them or believe the scenarios. But mystery was entertaining enough. will try again with the real first in the first series.
May 19, 2017
Wow!!
What a great start to this chapter of Chas and Missy's life! Chas and Spencer have opened their PI business and the first case is a doozy! Missy, Echo, and Kel are able to help with the case and end up in trouble along the way. Add a new detective on the scene and a mysterious person stalking Fiona and you have one heck of a fantastic story!!
What a great start to this chapter of Chas and Missy's life! Chas and Spencer have opened their PI business and the first case is a doozy! Missy, Echo, and Kel are able to help with the case and end up in trouble along the way. Add a new detective on the scene and a mysterious person stalking Fiona and you have one heck of a fantastic story!!
May 19, 2017
Wow! Missy and Chas are moving on to the next adventure in their new home. Of course, there is a snag or two in the process of moving and Missy and Echo decide they need to figure out what Chas, Spencer and Kel are hiding from them. Can they get it figured out so they can make the new house their home or will there always be trouble.
June 29, 2017
I've read hundreds of cozy mysteries and this story with this cast of characters is THE BEST! Often, when a series of these ends or is awaiting the next book, a reader loses interest, having moved on to another series.
Not so with this set. The author takes you from one year to the next, one city and then another somehow seamlessly able to tie them all together!
OUTSTANDING!
Not so with this set. The author takes you from one year to the next, one city and then another somehow seamlessly able to tie them all together!
OUTSTANDING!
November 12, 2021
This is a good mystery, but I thought it was the first in a series. I didn't realize it was the first in a sub-series, but actually #48 in a larger series. I would have wanted to start with book #1 in the larger series.
Still, I thought it was good and the characters are interesting. I'll have to get to know them better.
Still, I thought it was good and the characters are interesting. I'll have to get to know them better.
May 21, 2017
Glad to see the INNcredibly Sweet characters, continues in Cupcakes in Paradise series. The new detective isn't very well received, such a slob. Missy will teach him some southern magnanimity. Summer, again, ends the book with a great ending, (?)
May 22, 2017
Wow
Even though this is a new series the characters are old and dear friends. Missy and Chas have sold the inn and are ready to move into their new home. But first they have to deal with a murder and stolen art! And holy heck....I think Fiona is in a world of trouble!
Even though this is a new series the characters are old and dear friends. Missy and Chas have sold the inn and are ready to move into their new home. But first they have to deal with a murder and stolen art! And holy heck....I think Fiona is in a world of trouble!
May 23, 2017
Wow!!! Wow! Wow!
Book one in the newest series about Chaz, Missy, Spencer, and the gang. Loved the storyline, the suspense, and of course all of the characters.. Looking forward to reading more stories about them.
Book one in the newest series about Chaz, Missy, Spencer, and the gang. Loved the storyline, the suspense, and of course all of the characters.. Looking forward to reading more stories about them.
June 10, 2017
First in new series
This one is off to a good start! No, an amazing start!
Once again, Echo and Missy stick their noses in places they don't belong, but this time Echo is calming Missy down.
Fiona! No! This is getting good!!!
This one is off to a good start! No, an amazing start!
Once again, Echo and Missy stick their noses in places they don't belong, but this time Echo is calming Missy down.
Fiona! No! This is getting good!!!
September 25, 2017
Love this book
Chas and Missy have sold the Bed and breakfast and are moving into their new house. Dead bodies, famous art, underground storage, who is behind the my of the new house
Chas and Missy have sold the Bed and breakfast and are moving into their new house. Dead bodies, famous art, underground storage, who is behind the my of the new house
February 19, 2022
SPELLBINDING AND HARD TO STOP UNTIL THE END
I love all the characters,the stories are like no other and make it hard to figure out the who. The ideas and imagination that go into her works are inspirational. Summer Prescott is a genius!!!! Already into next book in the series.
I love all the characters,the stories are like no other and make it hard to figure out the who. The ideas and imagination that go into her works are inspirational. Summer Prescott is a genius!!!! Already into next book in the series.
May 19, 2024
Cupcakes can make anyone feel better.
A quick read! I enjoyed the characters grit and determination. The plot was good and moved well. I would recommend this book to family and friends.
A quick read! I enjoyed the characters grit and determination. The plot was good and moved well. I would recommend this book to family and friends.
May 19, 2017
Old friends, new beginings.
I just loved the storylines. I can't wait for the next one to come out. What cliffhangers. I was so enthralled with the book. More please
I just loved the storylines. I can't wait for the next one to come out. What cliffhangers. I was so enthralled with the book. More please
May 21, 2017
Outstanding
Oh gosh was this one a nail biter. I can not wait for the next installment. I think I have figured out an important piece. The next book can't come out soon enough.
Oh gosh was this one a nail biter. I can not wait for the next installment. I think I have figured out an important piece. The next book can't come out soon enough.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews