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Corinna Chapman #4
Trick or Treat
When a cut-price franchise bakery opens its doors just down the street from Earthly Delights and crowds flock to purchase the bread, Corinna Chapman is understandably nervous. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Daniel's old friend Georgiana Hope has temporarily set up residence in his house, and it doesn't take Corinna long to work out that she's tall, blonde, gorgeous and up to something. Daniel is making excuses and Corinna is worried about his absences and also the strange outbreak of madness which seems to be centred on Lonsdale Street.
Will Corinna win through a maze of health regulations, missing boyfriends, sinister strangers, fraudulent companies and back-alley ambushes? Or will this be the end for the Earthly Delights Bakery?
Will Corinna win through a maze of health regulations, missing boyfriends, sinister strangers, fraudulent companies and back-alley ambushes? Or will this be the end for the Earthly Delights Bakery?
300 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
120 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Greenwood
83 books2,561 followersKerry Isabelle Greenwood was an Australian author and lawyer. She wrote many plays and books, most notably a string of historical detective novels centred on the character of Phryne Fisher, which was adapted as the popular television series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She wrote mysteries, science-fiction, historical fiction, children's stories, and plays. Greenwood earned the Australian women's crime fiction Davitt Award in 2002 for her young adult novel The Three-Pronged Dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
May 15, 2016
Earthly Delights with its owner and dedicated baker had competition – the franchise Best Fresh Bread had opened just down the street from Corinna Chapman’s bakery and she was decidedly put out. With the size of Melbourne being what it was, she couldn’t believe the new franchise was only a few doors down. The cheaper prices were obviously ones she couldn’t meet – but her quality was far superior. Would Corinna’s loyal customers continue to frequent Earthly Delights or would she find herself struggling to make ends meet?
When strange occurrences began to happen in Lonsdale Street where ambulance and police needed to be called, then Corinna’s beloved Daniel appeared to be occupied by a blonde who was obviously up to no good, Corinna was shocked and heart sore. To add to the trouble, Meroe, Wicca friend to all at their residence of Insula was tormented by an upcoming event which boded no good. And with a shocking suddenness, the Health Department was investigating Earthly Delights – what was going on? Would Corinna lose her beloved bakery and everything she’d worked for? She needed answers – and fast!
Trick or Treat by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood is another delightful episode featuring Corinna Chapman, “baker and reluctant investigator”. It is a delightful mix of mystery and intrigue, food (lots of it!) and even a little Wicca magic; plus it also stepped briefly back into Nazi Germany. The recipes at the back of the book look delicious and worth a try! I have no hesitation in highly recommending this author’s work, and will step into my next Corinna mystery soon.
When strange occurrences began to happen in Lonsdale Street where ambulance and police needed to be called, then Corinna’s beloved Daniel appeared to be occupied by a blonde who was obviously up to no good, Corinna was shocked and heart sore. To add to the trouble, Meroe, Wicca friend to all at their residence of Insula was tormented by an upcoming event which boded no good. And with a shocking suddenness, the Health Department was investigating Earthly Delights – what was going on? Would Corinna lose her beloved bakery and everything she’d worked for? She needed answers – and fast!
Trick or Treat by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood is another delightful episode featuring Corinna Chapman, “baker and reluctant investigator”. It is a delightful mix of mystery and intrigue, food (lots of it!) and even a little Wicca magic; plus it also stepped briefly back into Nazi Germany. The recipes at the back of the book look delicious and worth a try! I have no hesitation in highly recommending this author’s work, and will step into my next Corinna mystery soon.
June 5, 2018
Corinna is middle aged, slightly overweight, single and runs a bakery with love called Earthly Delights. She also has two lovely cats, a boyfriend, and lots of eclectic friends. Full of optimism and empathy, Corinna shows us how to be human - employing a drug addict, giving a hug to someone on a trip in a Melbourne laneway - while being witty and not at all a pushover.
This book wasn't my favourite in the series, I found it a bit slow. But I love her character and the side characters so much that I didn't really mind. It follows the mystery of who is making soul cakes which are poisoning young punters and caused one to think he could fly and jump off a roof ; and also the mystery of a treasure from WWII that may have made its way from Greece to Australia.
I was actually really surprised that the authors note at the end says the part about the treasure is based on a true story. Who knew?!
So if you enjoy character driven fiction with some characters who are on the fringes of "polite society", then go ahead and start the series. The books do build on each other, so best to go back to Earthly Delights
This book wasn't my favourite in the series, I found it a bit slow. But I love her character and the side characters so much that I didn't really mind. It follows the mystery of who is making soul cakes which are poisoning young punters and caused one to think he could fly and jump off a roof ; and also the mystery of a treasure from WWII that may have made its way from Greece to Australia.
I was actually really surprised that the authors note at the end says the part about the treasure is based on a true story. Who knew?!
So if you enjoy character driven fiction with some characters who are on the fringes of "polite society", then go ahead and start the series. The books do build on each other, so best to go back to Earthly Delights
April 3, 2011
Pagans may appreciate that this is a rare non-horror story set at Samhain. Everyone else will enjoy the descriptions of food.
On a more serious note, this mystery made me realize that I know shamefully little about the Nazi occupation of Greece.
On a more serious note, this mystery made me realize that I know shamefully little about the Nazi occupation of Greece.
February 8, 2021
Trick or Treat is the fourth book in the Corinna Chapman series by award-winning Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. The audio version is read by Louise Siversen. I read the print version well before I was writing reviews, but, as always, it’s a pleasure it is to return to these charming characters.
In this installment:
Corinna is concerned to learn that Earthly Delights has a competitor: Best Fresh is a franchise hot bread shop that may put a dent in her custom. But are they using dodgy rye flour?
Equally dismaying is the news that delectable Daniel has a gorgeous guest who seems to have her eye on both Corinna’s man and her shop. Jealousy momentarily flares.
Daniel and Corinna have an unpleasant encounter with a disturbingly anti-Semitic old Greek man.
Strange singing seems to herald the discovery of a series of victims of a hallucinatory substance doing the rounds. Is there black magic involved? What is the “soul cake” being talked of? Is a new group of Wiccans involved?
Aspiring actresses Kylie and Goss get a small part in a soapie.
Corinna is shocked to be closed down by the Health Department while the source of a nasty poison is sought. Any loose end that Jason might find himself in is soon reined in by tasks that the residents of Insula assign him.
A piece of sunken Greek treasure stolen by Nazis turns up during a Wiccan ceremony.
Somehow much of it ends up being connected. As usual, once the mysteries are solved, a wonderful gathering ensues, this time a street party. Usually, it’s wise to eat before reading, but this time there is a lot less mention of delicious breads, muffins and other mouth-watering food to stimulate the appetite.... Let’s hope that #5 Forbidden Fruit will return that to us. This is just as enjoyable a read second time around.
In this installment:
Corinna is concerned to learn that Earthly Delights has a competitor: Best Fresh is a franchise hot bread shop that may put a dent in her custom. But are they using dodgy rye flour?
Equally dismaying is the news that delectable Daniel has a gorgeous guest who seems to have her eye on both Corinna’s man and her shop. Jealousy momentarily flares.
Daniel and Corinna have an unpleasant encounter with a disturbingly anti-Semitic old Greek man.
Strange singing seems to herald the discovery of a series of victims of a hallucinatory substance doing the rounds. Is there black magic involved? What is the “soul cake” being talked of? Is a new group of Wiccans involved?
Aspiring actresses Kylie and Goss get a small part in a soapie.
Corinna is shocked to be closed down by the Health Department while the source of a nasty poison is sought. Any loose end that Jason might find himself in is soon reined in by tasks that the residents of Insula assign him.
A piece of sunken Greek treasure stolen by Nazis turns up during a Wiccan ceremony.
Somehow much of it ends up being connected. As usual, once the mysteries are solved, a wonderful gathering ensues, this time a street party. Usually, it’s wise to eat before reading, but this time there is a lot less mention of delicious breads, muffins and other mouth-watering food to stimulate the appetite.... Let’s hope that #5 Forbidden Fruit will return that to us. This is just as enjoyable a read second time around.
November 7, 2009
This book started out so well and with such promise, but even I who adore this series must admit that the plot does fizzle out halfway in.
I love the cooking, the baking, all those quaint descriptive passages. In short I want to be a baker (even if it meant 4am starts). I want to live in Insula (Corinna's apartment building) with all her varied, charming and eccentric neighbours.
I love food. I love crime (when it's safely in a novel for me to enjoy). But this book doesn't quite gel. I'm glad melodrama is avoided in Corinna Chapman's personal relationships, but the rest became tangled pretty fast.
Witchs, covens, poisonings, Jews, lost treasure. There's simply too much to fit in and the denouement is awakward. Poirot would have shaken his head at these amateurs whose genius could obviously not rival his own. The ending fits together too convieniently and in a rather forced way.
But the food is reliably as good as ever. Nero Wolfe would have approved of that.
I love the cooking, the baking, all those quaint descriptive passages. In short I want to be a baker (even if it meant 4am starts). I want to live in Insula (Corinna's apartment building) with all her varied, charming and eccentric neighbours.
I love food. I love crime (when it's safely in a novel for me to enjoy). But this book doesn't quite gel. I'm glad melodrama is avoided in Corinna Chapman's personal relationships, but the rest became tangled pretty fast.
Witchs, covens, poisonings, Jews, lost treasure. There's simply too much to fit in and the denouement is awakward. Poirot would have shaken his head at these amateurs whose genius could obviously not rival his own. The ending fits together too convieniently and in a rather forced way.
But the food is reliably as good as ever. Nero Wolfe would have approved of that.
January 3, 2010
Fun and funky characters, witches, food porn, a stolen Nazi treasure horde surfacing unexpectedly - who wouldn't want to be Corinna Chapman? Surrounded by the luscious, adoring Daniel and a coterie of fascinating, interesting and loving friends and neighbors (and cats, lots of cats!), Corinna's back in her fourth outing - this time facing a competing bakery down the lane, a gorgeous, leggy Sloane Ranger possibly moving in on her man, and some wicked new drugs sending people right over the edge (literally). . .The plot summary above touches on the relevant points, and Greenwood rambles a bit here and there, but I read and look forward to new installments in this quirky series for the returning and ever-expanding cast of regulars, their delightful and frequent interactions with lots of good food and each other, and of course, Corinna herself. Delicious! I can't wait for the next installment, I believe set at Christmas time . . .
April 4, 2016
I love Corinna Chapman, her SO Daniel, her apprentice Jason, and her neighbors and friends in her apartment building. This book was a little more convoluted than the other books, and required a slight suspension of belief, but I enjoy the characters so much, I'm willing to overlook that.
Highly recommended, as is the rest of the series!
Highly recommended, as is the rest of the series!
October 6, 2019
Arggh! They forgot to tell Louise Siverson how to pronounce 'samhain'.
Though there are some really good bits, this just isn't quite as strong a story as some of the others, though Heckle and Jeckle have important scenes.
2015 - Narrator used some voices that sound like lists, and there are a LOT of mouth noises: slurps, swallows, and so forth
Though there are some really good bits, this just isn't quite as strong a story as some of the others, though Heckle and Jeckle have important scenes.
2015 - Narrator used some voices that sound like lists, and there are a LOT of mouth noises: slurps, swallows, and so forth
December 15, 2018
Yet another entertaining and enjoyable Corinna Chapman novel. I'm always amazed at the insane circumstances that Corinna and her friends get mixed up in. I really love her gorgeous man Daniel who has definitely proved he is worth keeping in this episode. And I'm looking forward ving seeing Jason grow into a confident young man. I'm looking forward to listening to the next installment.
May 20, 2024
A great addition to the series. Corinna’s assortment of friends and neighbours continues to grow and change.
October 22, 2023
Ok but not my cup of witches brew. 🧙♀️
January 26, 2013
If there is another novel out there that combines Wiccan rituals with recovered stolen Nazi treasure, I'd be interested to hear about it. Because wow, that was weird.
That being said, there's more than enough going on (and enough uncertainty) that the fact that I immediately identified the physical cause of the outbreak of insanity (mentioned in the book) wasn't a problem, aside from the fact that I couldn't believe Corinna didn't think of it.
The motivational cause was the difficult part. When it's all unraveled in the end, it turns out that delegating parts of one's villainy is, as always, not a good idea. Though actually not everything is unraveled at the end - it's never clear how or why the villain's actions were political as well as personal. Of course, Corinna's a baker, not a secret agent, so her point of view doesn't get to know about that.
Really, now that I think of it, I don't know that that part of the plot actually holds together - but the rest of it does, and anyway I enjoyed the ride, as always. Corinna and company might have been designed specifically for my enjoyment, in fact.
I'm less than thrilled, though, with the insertion of an unambiguous supernatural element in this one. Not that I mind supernatural elements in general, but I think the series has plenty going for it (and plenty going on) without adding that in. Even if it is popular.
That being said, there's more than enough going on (and enough uncertainty) that the fact that I immediately identified the physical cause of the outbreak of insanity (mentioned in the book) wasn't a problem, aside from the fact that I couldn't believe Corinna didn't think of it.
The motivational cause was the difficult part. When it's all unraveled in the end, it turns out that delegating parts of one's villainy is, as always, not a good idea. Though actually not everything is unraveled at the end - it's never clear how or why the villain's actions were political as well as personal. Of course, Corinna's a baker, not a secret agent, so her point of view doesn't get to know about that.
Really, now that I think of it, I don't know that that part of the plot actually holds together - but the rest of it does, and anyway I enjoyed the ride, as always. Corinna and company might have been designed specifically for my enjoyment, in fact.
I'm less than thrilled, though, with the insertion of an unambiguous supernatural element in this one. Not that I mind supernatural elements in general, but I think the series has plenty going for it (and plenty going on) without adding that in. Even if it is popular.
April 25, 2016
Trick or Treat by Kerry Greenwood is the 4th book in the Corinna Chapman mystery series. There is an epidemic of madness in the streets of Melbourne thought to be related to a new drug or poison. Corinna also has to deal with competition from a new bakery chain Best Fresh, the gathering of witches for their celebrations and lost jewish Greek treasure from the war. Another interesting addition to the series with quite a bit happening to keep the pages turning. Corinna manages to sort everything out with the help and support of all her quirky and eccentric friends and neighbours.
January 26, 2010
Probably my favourite of the series with a solid mystery or three, and much less formal style than the others. The usual quirky cast of characters with some nutcases thrown in. I plan to try that cake and I am always left craving fresh bread and muffins.
June 6, 2018
This didn’t feel as much like an ensemble piece as usual. Corinna has a few odd 911 calls to make, Daniel’s got a case involving long lost treasure, and Meroe is having trouble with a large group of witches in town for Samhain. The mysteries really do seem fascinating but this isn’t as strong as other volumes in the series, perhaps because the requirements of the adventurous plot preclude the usual clubbiness, perhaps because one mystery’s solution is both telegraphed heavily and muddy in explanation. Oddly unsatisfying, perhaps I’ll re-read some of the others.
September 19, 2022
I love Greenwood's work. But I just can't believe that a baker as knowledgeable as Corrina wouldn't know the issues with rye. So the entire thing is ridiculous.
June 29, 2015
This is another great story in the Corinna Chapman series. Poor Corinna has some competition from a "chain" called "Best Fresh" but they are having huge problems. In fact, at one point Corinna and Jason take the drunk owner home, clean his place for him and nurse him. I love this ongoing theme of helping others, together, and how Corinna is such a good mentor to Jason. Like the other books there is more than one mystery to be solved. The witches and the witches' cakes are providing a puzzle; Daniel is solving a mystery of missing treasure from World War II; there are victims of drug overdoses in the alley behind Earthly Delights. Not to mention that Daniel has a gorgeous female friend visiting and that is not making Corinna feel so great. Still, Corinna has a secret admirer and is maintaining her indulgent lifestyle with Daniel. I have to say that I did not see the ending coming--it was set up very very well!! Once again, all neighbors get together to celebrate and share. I just love that! It feels so nice. These books are positive and involved yet somehow very relaxing and promote community. (Also, not to overlook how well drawn felines are in these books. :)) I was sad in this book that Senior Constable White was absent.
July 2, 2024
It’s funny, I said that this book felt meatier/heavier than Corinna novels usually do and I was right. It appears the Nazi treasure stealer storyline was based on fact. That being said, I am not sure it fits that well in Corinna’s world.
A new cut price bakery has opened around the corner and her sales are damaged. So the ingredients are witch power issues, jealousy, holocaust history and Nazi hunters and people being driven mad by a new drug (or poison). Part of the plot lines didn’t seem to be all sewn up by the end but that could just be me.
When an outbreak of the weird overdoses starts happening close to the witches’ Samhain (Halloween) everything begins to collide. Jason was making experimental cakes for the witches. With her bakery closed after a drug death in the alley behind it, poor Corinna is lost; baking keeps her centred. And there is a woman from Daniel’s past staying in his apartment, buying stuff for it and having dinner parties and Daniel is NOT throwing her out. She can’t handle it all. Eventually the mystery is solved and much good food is baked and eaten by all the usual cast of characters.
A new cut price bakery has opened around the corner and her sales are damaged. So the ingredients are witch power issues, jealousy, holocaust history and Nazi hunters and people being driven mad by a new drug (or poison). Part of the plot lines didn’t seem to be all sewn up by the end but that could just be me.
When an outbreak of the weird overdoses starts happening close to the witches’ Samhain (Halloween) everything begins to collide. Jason was making experimental cakes for the witches. With her bakery closed after a drug death in the alley behind it, poor Corinna is lost; baking keeps her centred. And there is a woman from Daniel’s past staying in his apartment, buying stuff for it and having dinner parties and Daniel is NOT throwing her out. She can’t handle it all. Eventually the mystery is solved and much good food is baked and eaten by all the usual cast of characters.
February 18, 2016
I love the Phryne Fisher series and was thrilled to find this series by the same author.
This cozy mystery starts off so well and quickly fizzles. There were multiple storylines going at the same time, multiple characters to keep track of, and at times it felt like I was reading two different novels at the same time. Daniel, her SO, what's his deal? Is he an attorney, is he writer, is he a Nazi hunter, is he a spy? Truly, I have no idea. And if it's mentioned anywhere, it must have been in the middle of all the blah blah blah.
Witches, Nazi's, treasure hunters, drug filled cakes, I don't even know where to begin. Not even sure how the book ended. It's like, all this crap was going on and then in one paragraph the 'criminal' was announced and then they put said criminal on a plane to London to be someone else's problem. WTF!
Trick or Treat? It felt much more like a Trick to me. If she'd at least provided Jason's chocolate orgasm muffin recipe, I might have gone up a star.
Too many characters, too many stories, not enough plot. Too bad...
This cozy mystery starts off so well and quickly fizzles. There were multiple storylines going at the same time, multiple characters to keep track of, and at times it felt like I was reading two different novels at the same time. Daniel, her SO, what's his deal? Is he an attorney, is he writer, is he a Nazi hunter, is he a spy? Truly, I have no idea. And if it's mentioned anywhere, it must have been in the middle of all the blah blah blah.
Witches, Nazi's, treasure hunters, drug filled cakes, I don't even know where to begin. Not even sure how the book ended. It's like, all this crap was going on and then in one paragraph the 'criminal' was announced and then they put said criminal on a plane to London to be someone else's problem. WTF!
Trick or Treat? It felt much more like a Trick to me. If she'd at least provided Jason's chocolate orgasm muffin recipe, I might have gone up a star.
Too many characters, too many stories, not enough plot. Too bad...
January 28, 2017
I love this author! In the Corinna Chapman series she paints a picture of Melbourne that has me wanting to visit and in particular the streets Ms Greenwood writes about. The characters are all fascinating especially Meroe the witch and Daniel, Corinna's lover. As the stories are mostly based in Corinna's bakery it is difficult not to get through them without wishing for a crusty loaf of rye! As far as mystery stories go, I have enjoyed each book in the series that I have read and can't wait to reach the last one even if it means that there are no more to continue on with in the future.
November 30, 2011
I usually love these books, but this one seemed a bit off to me. It all tied together at the end, but getting there seemed a bit more chaotic than usual - the story is filled with witches, drug-laced cakes, health inspectors, jealous women and hidden treasure. One thing about these mysteries, is that while you may have your suspicions, you aren't given the same information that Corinna has, so it's not until she orchestrates the big reveal, that you have all the missing clues.
March 14, 2024
Have enjoyed the series so far but this one let me down. Too unbelievable, too many stories which don't gel with each other - poisoning witches AND Nazi / Greek treasure?? If this was the first I had read I would not bother to a) finish the book and b) read any more.
Having found the earlier books pleasant light hearted easy fun reading with interesting characters I will continue with the series, but I feel her writing on the entire series is inconsistent.
Having found the earlier books pleasant light hearted easy fun reading with interesting characters I will continue with the series, but I feel her writing on the entire series is inconsistent.
July 25, 2013
This book was great at the start, and I was desperate for a change from sad, miserable, dystopian and grim. However I just lost heart. About half way through I started to skip and then I raced to the end, not really engaging with it. I have another one in the series to read and hope it is much more marvellous. I love Kerry Greenwood's Miss Fisher series, but this one isn't my fave of the Earthly Delights series I'm afraid.
January 30, 2014
I love this series, and always walk away feeling a little hungry (albeit with a need to check my food for cat hair).
The characters are great, I enjoyed this plot and even learned a little.
There was one part that lost me. Where I had to ask.. 'Corinna, you've tasted WHAT before???'. No. Just no. Grossed me out so I couldn't focus on the rest of the story.
I'll be back for the next one, they are lots of fun.
The characters are great, I enjoyed this plot and even learned a little.
There was one part that lost me. Where I had to ask.. 'Corinna, you've tasted WHAT before???'. No. Just no. Grossed me out so I couldn't focus on the rest of the story.
I'll be back for the next one, they are lots of fun.
November 7, 2009
I had like this better if it wasn't a mystery. The characters are great. You have to love Corrina, Jason, Daniel and the rest of the crew. But you aren't given a foggy clue whodunit but at the end Corrina figures it out. Ugh! Sorry but leaving everyone in the dark and letting the main character figure it out without any hints is annoying.
July 26, 2016
It looked promising at the beginning but just got boring halfway through. I didn't like the characters and I was personally hoping their bakery would get shut down. The historical excerpts are boring, the plot unrealistic, and the perfect Daniel extremely hateable. The 'internet' scene with the 'nerds' is extremely outdated. Trolled does not mean what it means in the book.
April 29, 2016
I love this series. Reading it is like visiting dear friends in Melbourne. This particular installment, though, was a little rough going for me. I spotted the clues, for one thing, a little too easily. But I also just didn't enjoy it as much -- it felt overwrought, too many threads. But I still love the series and am looking forward to the next installment.
November 24, 2013
Audio books from this series have become my friends. Whether I'm restlessly insomniatic, working my way through a mountain of dishes, riding out a migraine or on a lovely lengthy walk, these make excellent soothing company. Charming, quirky and fun.
February 15, 2012
I have long loved Kerry Greenwood's Corinna Chapman series, and this book did not let me down. Had me engaged from page 1.
Yay for fat heroines!
Yay for fat heroines!
March 19, 2014
Fun read with a fairly complicated plot which doesn't give away much, though I'd worked out what the new 'drug' was fairly early on.
Still it's a good cast of characters and the gangs all here.
Still it's a good cast of characters and the gangs all here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews