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Cape Bay Cafe Mystery #6
Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks
It’s almost Christmastime in Cape Bay, and another murder has everyone in town talking. A despised new drama teacher at the local high school is killed in the school’s parking lot. The police arrest a beloved teacher, Mrs. Crowsdale, but everyone else thinks she is too nice to murder anyone. Mike, however, says they have solid evidence that proves she did it.
Sammy is particularly devastated. Mrs. Crowsdale was her favorite teacher and still her hero. Sammy begs Fran to find the real culprit. Fran isn’t so sure. Mike would be angry with her for butting in on another case. And what if more danger befalls her? After all, there are some pretty dangerous people in town…
Includes 3 special recipes!
Sammy is particularly devastated. Mrs. Crowsdale was her favorite teacher and still her hero. Sammy begs Fran to find the real culprit. Fran isn’t so sure. Mike would be angry with her for butting in on another case. And what if more danger befalls her? After all, there are some pretty dangerous people in town…
Includes 3 special recipes!
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2017
261 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Harper Lin
90 books931 followersHarper Lin is the 3x USA Today Bestselling Author of several popular cozy mystery series—8 and counting!
When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family.
Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR
www.harperlin.com
When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family.
Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR
www.harperlin.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
September 22, 2022
So far the most frustrating book of the series. I wanted to give a big kick in the butt to both Fran and Mike!
January 25, 2020
⭐⭐⭐
I read the first 5 books in the series about three years ago and enjoyed them, I liked the last book “Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves” the most. If this book had been longer and a little bit more detailed it would have been a four star book. The characters are great the setting while a little generic does feel like a New England beach community. In my 2020 quest to read more of series I’ve enjoyed in the past, I’m glad I picked this one up and I’ll read more of them and won’t wait three years to do so.
I did suspect
Cozies Reading Challenge
I read the first 5 books in the series about three years ago and enjoyed them, I liked the last book “Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves” the most. If this book had been longer and a little bit more detailed it would have been a four star book. The characters are great the setting while a little generic does feel like a New England beach community. In my 2020 quest to read more of series I’ve enjoyed in the past, I’m glad I picked this one up and I’ll read more of them and won’t wait three years to do so.
I did suspect
Cozies Reading Challenge
December 20, 2017
A good addition to the Cape Bay series. A good mystery where I kinda suspected who done it but still had to wait till the end to know from sure. All the while this one sure made me want Christmas cookies asap; all the baking and munching in the MC's cafe was making me crazy. =)
August 1, 2024
Good addition to yhe series.
December 30, 2018
As a cozy mystery it is nice. I read often books to learn things or because they are written by great authors or because they make me think.
But at the end of the year, with so much things to do, a nice cozy mystery helps to relax. Sadly people have to die in these books, but the good thing is that in the end the world is made right again.
I enjoyed the book, though there are better cozy mysteries around.
But at the end of the year, with so much things to do, a nice cozy mystery helps to relax. Sadly people have to die in these books, but the good thing is that in the end the world is made right again.
I enjoyed the book, though there are better cozy mysteries around.
November 10, 2019
After a whole book in which no one died at all, Francesca the Possible Serial Killer is back in action when a despised drama teacher is murdered at the local high school. The story is a pretty good one, full of juicy gossip and so much tension between Fran and the increasingly fed up Mike, who is furious that she keeps doubting his arrests of guilty citizens and then running around town investigating on her own.
The fact that she keeps proving him wrong just makes it worse.
At this point, it feels like the next murder in this series is going to be Fran’s, and Mike is going to be the prime suspect.
The fact that she keeps proving him wrong just makes it worse.
At this point, it feels like the next murder in this series is going to be Fran’s, and Mike is going to be the prime suspect.
December 18, 2019
I am enjoying the Cozy mystery genre. This was my first month reading them. The Characters are quirky and light. I can see myself reading the rest of this series.
Read
May 30, 2018AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall: 5 Narration 5 Story 5
It’s Christmas and we all know it wouldn’t feel like the season without another murder that Fran has been asked to investigate. The death of the high school’s drama teacher didn’t hit the residents of this little town with any particular emotion, she wasn’t well-known or particularly well-liked, but the main suspect, soon arrested by the able policeman Mike, Fran’s ‘right hand girl’ at the café is devastated. Convinced that her beloved former drama teacher could NOT have murdered the victim, Sammy is on mission to beg, plead, cajole and convince Fran to investigate. Reluctantly, Fran agrees – sending up a series of issues between she and Matt, and angering a student’s mother enough that she complains to the police, resulting in another series of tensions and words with her friend Mike.
Starting with a gentle introduction, soon the story is off into a fast-paced, never ending series of twists, turns, and tensions between Fran and Matt, Fran and Mike, and Sammy’s determination to protect and defend the suspect’s innocence to any and every one who will listen – but most frequently to Fran. And she’s torn. Sure, things seemed to be a bit too neat, and there are some new people that are introduced who may hold answers to questions yet unasked, or clues to the real culprit – a culprit that was reasonably easy to spot out despite the other character-driven issues and moments sprinkled throughout. Far from ruining the story – my early suspicions were always in doubt, as different possibilities cropped up, only to be dismissed, and kept me wondering if I was really right until the end. Here in the sixth book, there is a sense of knowing these characters, and it is credit to Lin’s writing and interactions that we see the changes in their relationships: changes often long in the making, as fractures of what was once accepted, perhaps grudgingly, become more apparent and seem to be hiting their tipping point. Best read in order, the characters add to the story and the difficulties in finding proof of a murderer, often adding to the confusion and tension in the search.
Narration is again provided by Marguerite Gavin, and it’s as if she knows these characters personally: continuing with the little tics and subtleties that were established in the earlier books, giving listeners a sense of familiarity with the characters from book one. It is apparent that she both understands the characters and the plot, with moments inserted that allow for tension or confusion to build, never over-stepping emotional moments, and managing to insert just the ‘right’ bit of emotion, tone and pace that would reflect those particular emotions in real life. A lovely performance and combination of story, intent and performance.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at < a href= “https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9LV/”> I am, Indeed
Stars: Overall: 5 Narration 5 Story 5
It’s Christmas and we all know it wouldn’t feel like the season without another murder that Fran has been asked to investigate. The death of the high school’s drama teacher didn’t hit the residents of this little town with any particular emotion, she wasn’t well-known or particularly well-liked, but the main suspect, soon arrested by the able policeman Mike, Fran’s ‘right hand girl’ at the café is devastated. Convinced that her beloved former drama teacher could NOT have murdered the victim, Sammy is on mission to beg, plead, cajole and convince Fran to investigate. Reluctantly, Fran agrees – sending up a series of issues between she and Matt, and angering a student’s mother enough that she complains to the police, resulting in another series of tensions and words with her friend Mike.
Starting with a gentle introduction, soon the story is off into a fast-paced, never ending series of twists, turns, and tensions between Fran and Matt, Fran and Mike, and Sammy’s determination to protect and defend the suspect’s innocence to any and every one who will listen – but most frequently to Fran. And she’s torn. Sure, things seemed to be a bit too neat, and there are some new people that are introduced who may hold answers to questions yet unasked, or clues to the real culprit – a culprit that was reasonably easy to spot out despite the other character-driven issues and moments sprinkled throughout. Far from ruining the story – my early suspicions were always in doubt, as different possibilities cropped up, only to be dismissed, and kept me wondering if I was really right until the end. Here in the sixth book, there is a sense of knowing these characters, and it is credit to Lin’s writing and interactions that we see the changes in their relationships: changes often long in the making, as fractures of what was once accepted, perhaps grudgingly, become more apparent and seem to be hiting their tipping point. Best read in order, the characters add to the story and the difficulties in finding proof of a murderer, often adding to the confusion and tension in the search.
Narration is again provided by Marguerite Gavin, and it’s as if she knows these characters personally: continuing with the little tics and subtleties that were established in the earlier books, giving listeners a sense of familiarity with the characters from book one. It is apparent that she both understands the characters and the plot, with moments inserted that allow for tension or confusion to build, never over-stepping emotional moments, and managing to insert just the ‘right’ bit of emotion, tone and pace that would reflect those particular emotions in real life. A lovely performance and combination of story, intent and performance.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at < a href= “https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9LV/”> I am, Indeed
July 1, 2024
I was not a huge fan of Fran in this book. While her investigations in the ones I have read so far seemed within reason, she really seems to cross her limits in this one despite being warned not to and even when she gets herself into trouble with the law!
When the new art teacher in the Cape Bay High school is murdered and a much loved fellow teacher is arrested for the crime, students and teachers and ex students alike cannot believe it. The victim was very brash and disliked by everyone and Fran's good friend and cafe employee Sammy requests her to do what she can to prove that the police have the wrong person. In this one, detective Mike seems to have some real issues with Fran's way of working and it's obvious he's also dealing with some problems of his own.
Fran pushed a little too hard here and was more than a little foolhardy! She's lucky to have Matt who's so supportive and of course, the adorable Latte!
There were certain things in this mystery and the solution that were wierd!
When the new art teacher in the Cape Bay High school is murdered and a much loved fellow teacher is arrested for the crime, students and teachers and ex students alike cannot believe it. The victim was very brash and disliked by everyone and Fran's good friend and cafe employee Sammy requests her to do what she can to prove that the police have the wrong person. In this one, detective Mike seems to have some real issues with Fran's way of working and it's obvious he's also dealing with some problems of his own.
Fran pushed a little too hard here and was more than a little foolhardy! She's lucky to have Matt who's so supportive and of course, the adorable Latte!
There were certain things in this mystery and the solution that were wierd!
January 11, 2022
The protagonist has no real motivation for investigating. She’s self-centered, reckless, a terrible friend, and suffers from Too Stupid To Live Syndrome (not uncommon in cozy mystery protagonists—you know, “this guy might be a murderer but I’ll meet him in an isolated spot at night anyway). She really should have been arrested and/or sued. I didn’t care much who killed the victim because the protagonist seemed to care far more about making the crema on her espressos perfect than in clearing the accused woman. She just wanders around accusing people randomly until she gets lucky, somehow miraculously avoiding getting killed.
Reminder to self: cute titles, not much substance
Reminder to self: cute titles, not much substance
December 21, 2018
Francesca Amarro is busy making cremas, cookies and serving customers at Antonia's Cafe. She is trying to avoid thinking about how much she misses her mom at Christmastime and wondering what's going on between Sammy and Ryan, a local policeman. Then Fran hears a teacher at Cape Bay High was murdered in the school parking lot! Fran had an unpleasant run in with the woman while trying to discuss the bake sale at the school play. Fran can't believe this woman was in charge of the play. Fran's own employees attend the school and they are not saddened by this woman's death. No one in town is. She was a newcomer and was not kind to anyone. Before Fran can think about investigating, or not, the police arrest a beloved teacher, Mrs. Crowsdale, whom everyone says is is too nice to murder anyone. Mike, however, says they have solid evidence that proves she did it and is glad he can close the case before Christmas. Sammy is devastated that her favorite teacher is surely being framed. Can't Fran just look into it, a little bit? Fran is reluctant to get involved but soon starts asking questions. Her suspicions lead her back to the school and an angsty teenage boy. Could he really have killed a teacher? What about one of the other teachers, like the former drama teacher, Gwen? When Mike learns of Fran's investigation he is LIVID! He's certain this is a closed case and doesn't need a civilian sticking her nose in, harassing an underage boy and ruining his life! Fran is heartbroken at the loss of the close friendship she once shared with Mike, but not even his lecture can stop her from trying to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, Sammy is beset with personal problems involving her non-relationship relationship with Ryan. Will this be a merry Christmas for everyone?
I liked this story a little less than the previous books. There's not much Christmas about the story and there's too much drama. Also, there is not enough Matt and Latte for me! I figured out who the murderer was and had a good idea why. It was fairly obvious.
Now Fran went a little crazy investigating, I feel like I can relate to her a little less. She makes some rash amd dumb decisions. Mike has every right, as a law officer, to lock Fran up for impeding his investigation and endangering a minor. It speaks to their friendship that he doesn't. She should have called Mike and told him to talk to Brett. Brett is a high school boy who acts like a punk and is written as kind of a stereotype but has a bit more depth than I thought he would have. I didn't particularly like him though. His mother is very high maintenance and over protective of her boy, but that's not a bad thing. I know both the Providence schools and Massachusetts north shore school districts and I found the teachers in the school highly implausible, especially Veronica. The two ladies from the school office are well known to Fran from her own school days. They are eager to gossip with her about the murder and I found that unprofessional of them. Ann Crowsdale seems lovely but she's hardly in the story so I can't say if she's innocent or not.
The recurring characters are hardly in the story. Sammy and Ryan are driving me crazy. Actually it's not them but everyone else's interest in them. If they want to go slow, that's fine. I'm waiting for Matt to propose to Fran though! They seem to be close to living together.
The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, does a fine job for the most part. At one point I thought Mike was speaking when it was another character and at another point she seemed to change her voice completely while speaking as Fran. A little more consistency in editing would be better but I like her voice and hearing her read the story. It sounds especially good with a bluetooth speaker while making Christmas cookies.
I liked this story a little less than the previous books. There's not much Christmas about the story and there's too much drama. Also, there is not enough Matt and Latte for me! I figured out who the murderer was and had a good idea why. It was fairly obvious.
Now Fran went a little crazy investigating, I feel like I can relate to her a little less. She makes some rash amd dumb decisions. Mike has every right, as a law officer, to lock Fran up for impeding his investigation and endangering a minor. It speaks to their friendship that he doesn't. She should have called Mike and told him to talk to Brett. Brett is a high school boy who acts like a punk and is written as kind of a stereotype but has a bit more depth than I thought he would have. I didn't particularly like him though. His mother is very high maintenance and over protective of her boy, but that's not a bad thing. I know both the Providence schools and Massachusetts north shore school districts and I found the teachers in the school highly implausible, especially Veronica. The two ladies from the school office are well known to Fran from her own school days. They are eager to gossip with her about the murder and I found that unprofessional of them. Ann Crowsdale seems lovely but she's hardly in the story so I can't say if she's innocent or not.
The recurring characters are hardly in the story. Sammy and Ryan are driving me crazy. Actually it's not them but everyone else's interest in them. If they want to go slow, that's fine. I'm waiting for Matt to propose to Fran though! They seem to be close to living together.
The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, does a fine job for the most part. At one point I thought Mike was speaking when it was another character and at another point she seemed to change her voice completely while speaking as Fran. A little more consistency in editing would be better but I like her voice and hearing her read the story. It sounds especially good with a bluetooth speaker while making Christmas cookies.
July 15, 2022
Book 113 for 2022! 4/5 stars for this small town cozy mystery! Really enjoying these characters! Can't wait to see where we go for the next book!
December 27, 2018
This book made me very conflicted. I love this series and so I had decided to slow down on listening to the audiobooks so I could listen to them in the time the books were set, each book is set nearly every month. This one was for December.
In this book, an unpopular teacher was murdered and the popular teacher was accused. Sammy, Fran's friend, is very upset by the murder and begs Fran to investigate. The main conflict outside of the murder was between Fran and Mike as Mike's job gets threatened by Fran's actions.
This book was incredibly frustrating for me. The murder mystery part was interesting enough, though I guessed the murderer pretty much straight off the bat, but the most frustrating thing was between Fran and Mike. Mike arrests a suspect for the murder and gets very upset when Fran starts to investigate anyway, including accusing a teenage boy of murder. Neither Fran or Mike come off particularly well in this book, Mike because he becomes very intimidating in this book and makes me dislike him for the first time in a few books, not letting Fran explain anything and assuming the worst of her, and Fran because she continues to doggedly investigate the murder despite everything. The Mike and Fran in this book remind me of the two of them from the first book, without all the character development they've had over the course of the books and I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book. I might have been fine with this if there had been a good resolution to their issues but it felt like it was brushed over.
This was a disappointing book in the series and probably my least favourite so far. 2 stars!
In this book, an unpopular teacher was murdered and the popular teacher was accused. Sammy, Fran's friend, is very upset by the murder and begs Fran to investigate. The main conflict outside of the murder was between Fran and Mike as Mike's job gets threatened by Fran's actions.
This book was incredibly frustrating for me. The murder mystery part was interesting enough, though I guessed the murderer pretty much straight off the bat, but the most frustrating thing was between Fran and Mike. Mike arrests a suspect for the murder and gets very upset when Fran starts to investigate anyway, including accusing a teenage boy of murder. Neither Fran or Mike come off particularly well in this book, Mike because he becomes very intimidating in this book and makes me dislike him for the first time in a few books, not letting Fran explain anything and assuming the worst of her, and Fran because she continues to doggedly investigate the murder despite everything. The Mike and Fran in this book remind me of the two of them from the first book, without all the character development they've had over the course of the books and I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book. I might have been fine with this if there had been a good resolution to their issues but it felt like it was brushed over.
This was a disappointing book in the series and probably my least favourite so far. 2 stars!
August 7, 2019
*possible spoilers, but not probably not really... I think*
This book was so exciting! Fran's snooping around is still there, but she is reluctant to be the crime fighter this book. Things get more dangerous for Fran, as the killer in this book isn't afraid of killing again. I had a feeling I knew who the killer was, after a trip to school, but I wasn't absolutely sure until the drama production.
There was a moment in the book when a stranger calls out Fran for her straight-laced and goody-two-shoes mannerisms. I really felt for her in this instance. As irritating as it can be to read books with perfect characters (because- duh- perfect people don't exist and please let's not normalize the assumption that people can be perfect), it's also heart wrenching to see the good guys start to question their goodness. I think Fran took her criticism a little too much to heart. After their meeting, she starts to have more "scandalous" moments with Matt, meets up with someone that she knows she shouldn't be meeting up with, and falsifies documents- all things that don't particularly strike me as "Fran"-like. (P.S.- "scandalous" for Fran is like super PG still but I still think there's some connection between her behavior and the conversation with the woman.)
I very much enjoyed this book. Honestly, the sunk cost fallacy got me from the first book to the second book, but I'm glad I kept reading the series.
This book was so exciting! Fran's snooping around is still there, but she is reluctant to be the crime fighter this book. Things get more dangerous for Fran, as the killer in this book isn't afraid of killing again. I had a feeling I knew who the killer was, after a trip to school, but I wasn't absolutely sure until the drama production.
There was a moment in the book when a stranger calls out Fran for her straight-laced and goody-two-shoes mannerisms. I really felt for her in this instance. As irritating as it can be to read books with perfect characters (because- duh- perfect people don't exist and please let's not normalize the assumption that people can be perfect), it's also heart wrenching to see the good guys start to question their goodness. I think Fran took her criticism a little too much to heart. After their meeting, she starts to have more "scandalous" moments with Matt, meets up with someone that she knows she shouldn't be meeting up with, and falsifies documents- all things that don't particularly strike me as "Fran"-like. (P.S.- "scandalous" for Fran is like super PG still but I still think there's some connection between her behavior and the conversation with the woman.)
I very much enjoyed this book. Honestly, the sunk cost fallacy got me from the first book to the second book, but I'm glad I kept reading the series.
August 31, 2017
This is the sixth book in the Cape Bay Cafe Mysteries, and it may be the best one yet.
When a new drama teacher at the high school is murdered, it doesn't upset townsfolk and students much. They didn't know her well and she wasn't liked. However there is an uproar when a beloved former drama teacher is accused and arrested for the murder. No one can believe she could have done that-except the police. Franny has no inclination to become involved with solving this murder. However the drama teacher's loyal followers include Sammy who is Franny's right hand woman at the cafe. Sammy asks, practically begs Franny to look into it. After much deliberation Franny finally agrees, and proceeds to get a high school boy's mother mad enough at Franny that she calls Mike at the police station to complain. Before long Mike thunders into Franny's office at work and yells at her to the point their friendship is surely over. But a promise is a promise and Franny continues to try and solve the mystery as she promised Sammy.
This book started off at a nice relaxed pace, and then WHAM! it took off racing faster and faster to the exciting conclusion. Even Matt has issues with Franny crime solving, and the strain is evident between them. I liked the way there were new characters introduced later in the book who added an edge to the proceedings.
Although the story stands alone, you should really read these books in order. That way you meet characters and see who is with someone, and get a feel for their personalities. Then when someone explodes or yells, you can judge for yourself how out of character-or not-it is. Plus I think all series should be read in order, period! Why cheat yourself from getting to know all that great past history that makes the characters what they are at this point? Just make sure you read this book, #6. I really do think it is the best so far!
September 24, 2018
Oh geez, least favorite of the series so far. -_-'
January 1, 2018
I'm a great fan of author Harper Lin's "Wonder Cats Mystery Books" having read and paid for all the books in the series so far (and rated them very highly).
Unfortunately, the book, Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks, in my opinion, didn't quite match up with her Wonder Cats series though I admit it was enjoyable read.
The plot was basic, amateur sleuth owner of a coffee shop is asked to investigate the murder of a much unloved teacher because a much loved teacher was accused of murder.
It was a nice leisurely read featuring yet another single amateur investigator with a smoking hot boyfriend solving crimes. I can't say that I'm going to go out of my way to read any more books in the series, but if one comes along for free, I won't turn it down.
3.5 paws out of 5 -- a worthwhile read if your expectations are few.
Unfortunately, the book, Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks, in my opinion, didn't quite match up with her Wonder Cats series though I admit it was enjoyable read.
The plot was basic, amateur sleuth owner of a coffee shop is asked to investigate the murder of a much unloved teacher because a much loved teacher was accused of murder.
It was a nice leisurely read featuring yet another single amateur investigator with a smoking hot boyfriend solving crimes. I can't say that I'm going to go out of my way to read any more books in the series, but if one comes along for free, I won't turn it down.
3.5 paws out of 5 -- a worthwhile read if your expectations are few.
October 19, 2021
When a teacher at the local high school is murdered, there is only one person that comes to mind to solve the mystery. FRAN! (I am so glad she is back)
There are plenty of suspects, including a favorite teacher. Everyone who knows Mrs. Crowsdale, knows she is innocent....problem is she can't prove it and this is where Fran enters the drama.
I do believe this is may favorite book in the series. I say this every time, but I am very interested in the characters and Fran's coffee shop business. If you have not picked up a Harper Lin book....you should remedy that now. The books are quick reads perfect for a vacation or weekend read.
I received a copy of this book in advance in trade for my honest opinion of the book.
There are plenty of suspects, including a favorite teacher. Everyone who knows Mrs. Crowsdale, knows she is innocent....problem is she can't prove it and this is where Fran enters the drama.
I do believe this is may favorite book in the series. I say this every time, but I am very interested in the characters and Fran's coffee shop business. If you have not picked up a Harper Lin book....you should remedy that now. The books are quick reads perfect for a vacation or weekend read.
I received a copy of this book in advance in trade for my honest opinion of the book.
September 3, 2017
What a wonderful addition to the delightful Cape Bay mysteries by Harper Lin, an author well known for her many highly readable cozy mystery series. Once again, you can almost smell the cookies baking and the aromatic coffee brewing as you read. Some authors just have a knack for pulling all the right ingredients together to whip up a wonderful blend of mystery, characters, setting and dialogue to keep you turning the pages. You'll want to grab this one quick, just in time to get you into the fall and holiday season. Once you read this one, you'll want to return to Cape Bay over and over again.
**This review is based on an ARC copy I received from the author**
**This review is based on an ARC copy I received from the author**
September 3, 2017
Harper Lin writes you into her world with each book. Fran, Matt, and the rest of the usual characters are so well written you start to fall into the story along with them.
A murder in the school parking lot has Fran investigating, and pushing her friendship with Mike to the limit. Is solving the murder worth losing Mike’s friendship .. if you’re Fran it is. Justice is important, and Fran won’t let anything stop her from getting to the truth.
I see another book coming (I hope) that helps Sammy out with her predicament (no spoilers from me haha).
A murder in the school parking lot has Fran investigating, and pushing her friendship with Mike to the limit. Is solving the murder worth losing Mike’s friendship .. if you’re Fran it is. Justice is important, and Fran won’t let anything stop her from getting to the truth.
I see another book coming (I hope) that helps Sammy out with her predicament (no spoilers from me haha).
September 4, 2017
Fran is begged to find the real killer of a teacher that wasn't liked too much by her students or anyone at Cape Bay. This causes tension between Fran and Mike. But Fran promised to help find the killer. Plus it being Christmas time, and we all know how high strung people can be at that time of year!This story is like a snowball rolling down a hill, building, building speed and having everything in the path attaching to it. Can Fran sort it all out? Will her and Mike end their friendship or can they over come their differences? Read the book to find out.
July 22, 2025
Platform: E-Book
Out of the series, this cozy mystery certainly did not have me feeling like a cute little bug wrapped up in a rug sipping on some hot chocolate. Fran gets overly, and I mean OVERLY, involved with trying to figure out information on / from this teenage boy - emphasizing he is a minor. She even went as far as sneaking into his hospital room to find out more about this murder. If the author took a step back on this storyline and leaned more into the adults, I would give it three stars.
Out of the series, this cozy mystery certainly did not have me feeling like a cute little bug wrapped up in a rug sipping on some hot chocolate. Fran gets overly, and I mean OVERLY, involved with trying to figure out information on / from this teenage boy - emphasizing he is a minor. She even went as far as sneaking into his hospital room to find out more about this murder. If the author took a step back on this storyline and leaned more into the adults, I would give it three stars.
September 4, 2017
Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks is the sixth book in A Cape Bay Cafe Mystery series, and includes three recipes to try out. I would suggest reading this book in order, although it can be read as a standalone. Fran helps look into solving the murder of the high school drama teacher only after Sammy begs her to. This book starts off at a steady pace, then it does get intense fast. This book kept me hooked throughout, and I highly recommend it.
April 24, 2019
I love a good mystery and once again this author delivers. Fran is on the case again but this time she and officer Mike are on opposite sides. Can she find the "real" killer or is the killer already in custody. This one tugged at my heart strings. Love the Christmas theme and the romance between several couples. Can't wait to read the next in this series.
August 31, 2017
It's Christmas time, Fran is trying to get things together for a funraiser as the new drama teacher is virtually no help and later turns up dead
The police arrest a beloved teacher, and it's up to Fran to find the real killer, I loved this book, can't wait for the next.
The police arrest a beloved teacher, and it's up to Fran to find the real killer, I loved this book, can't wait for the next.
September 4, 2017
The list of suspects is just as twisty and twisted as the path of this cozy mystery. 4 stars
April 11, 2018
The sixth book in the charming Cape Bay cozy mystery series.
September 18, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
I’ve apparently started reading some of my holiday books a little earlier than usual this year. It’s not been a deliberate choice, just the way the books have fallen in my line-up.
While this series isn’t necessarily one of my favorites, I still enjoy visiting the folks at the Cape Bay Café with each book. I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but the descriptions of the food nearly always make my mouth water – and wish recipes were included with the books. Fran and her friends and staff work well together, and they usually have a good relationship with local law enforcement.
The murder victim in this book was new to town but had managed to alienate a lot of people, so there were plenty of suspects to consider. Nobody believes that the police’s primary suspect is responsible, so everyone pushes Fran to investigate, despite what the police say is an open and shut case. A couple of characters felt off to me, but I couldn’t decide which of them might be the culprit until just before it was revealed in the book. I didn’t feel too bad, though, as Fran didn’t figure it out either, she simply stumbled upon the solution.
I have the next book in this series in my Audible library, so I will eventually listen to it to learn what’s next for Fran, Sammy and the rest.
I’ve apparently started reading some of my holiday books a little earlier than usual this year. It’s not been a deliberate choice, just the way the books have fallen in my line-up.
While this series isn’t necessarily one of my favorites, I still enjoy visiting the folks at the Cape Bay Café with each book. I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but the descriptions of the food nearly always make my mouth water – and wish recipes were included with the books. Fran and her friends and staff work well together, and they usually have a good relationship with local law enforcement.
The murder victim in this book was new to town but had managed to alienate a lot of people, so there were plenty of suspects to consider. Nobody believes that the police’s primary suspect is responsible, so everyone pushes Fran to investigate, despite what the police say is an open and shut case. A couple of characters felt off to me, but I couldn’t decide which of them might be the culprit until just before it was revealed in the book. I didn’t feel too bad, though, as Fran didn’t figure it out either, she simply stumbled upon the solution.
I have the next book in this series in my Audible library, so I will eventually listen to it to learn what’s next for Fran, Sammy and the rest.
May 7, 2020
This is a nice, easy-reading series and I have enjoyed all of the books thus far. One of the things that I really like is that the books are timed close together, so 3 years haven’t passed since the last visit with Fran. However, that also means there is close to a murder a month in Cape Bay, so the crime rate is horrid. Beyond that, I love the relationship between Fran and Matty, and the other characters in the books as well. There seems to be a lot of outsiders in this one, which makes the murder a little easier to take. I was pretty sure I had the solution about half-way in, and while I was right, the motive was not exactly what I had thought. But the solution was most satisfactory, and I look forward to another visit to Antonia’s soon.
December 2, 2019
Eigentlich hatte ich ja mit GRM begonnen - aber irgendwie passt das Thema und der Stil einfach nicht zur Jahreszeit. Ich will Weihnachten - die volle Dröhnung.
Also habe ich mich, kaum einen Monat nachdem ich Band 5 gehört hatte, auf Band 6 gestürtzt. Irgendwie gefällt mir die kleine idyllische Welt, die Harper Lin erschaffen hat, nur um sie dann mit ein paar Morden auf den Kopf zu stellen.
Wieder einmal lag mein Verdacht richtig, so komplex sind die Geschichten also nicht. Aber mir gefällt es, gemütlich zuzuhören und mitzuraten. Die Figuren zu beobachten, in meinem Kopf Kekse zu probieren und Lattes zu trinken.
Bei dieser Reihe tropft Gemütlichkeit aus allen Ecken und Enden und ich geniesse das in vollen Zügen. Es tut dem Herzen gut.
Also habe ich mich, kaum einen Monat nachdem ich Band 5 gehört hatte, auf Band 6 gestürtzt. Irgendwie gefällt mir die kleine idyllische Welt, die Harper Lin erschaffen hat, nur um sie dann mit ein paar Morden auf den Kopf zu stellen.
Wieder einmal lag mein Verdacht richtig, so komplex sind die Geschichten also nicht. Aber mir gefällt es, gemütlich zuzuhören und mitzuraten. Die Figuren zu beobachten, in meinem Kopf Kekse zu probieren und Lattes zu trinken.
Bei dieser Reihe tropft Gemütlichkeit aus allen Ecken und Enden und ich geniesse das in vollen Zügen. Es tut dem Herzen gut.
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