What do you think?
A Brightwater Bay Cozy Mystery #3
A Sweet Spoonful of Cyanide
A cute beach town in the gorgeous San Juan islands, a cozy cottage, a sweet-tasting job at the bakery, and a handsome and charming friend…
Claire should be blissfully happy, but when someone drops dead after eating one of her scrumptious desserts everyone seems to be pointing at her as the main suspect! Is it more bad luck or is someone out to get her?
Rated PG because there's a dead body in it, no bad language or sensual scenes.
Claire should be blissfully happy, but when someone drops dead after eating one of her scrumptious desserts everyone seems to be pointing at her as the main suspect! Is it more bad luck or is someone out to get her?
Rated PG because there's a dead body in it, no bad language or sensual scenes.
- GenresCozyMysteryCozy Mystery
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2018
About the author
Carolyn L. Dean
80 books156 followersUSA Today Bestselling author
Carolyn's Website at http://CarolynDeanBooks.com
I've been writing and making stories in my head as early as I can remember. In third grade I came home, set my lunchbox down, and told my mother I wanted to be a writer. Luckily, Mom was supportive.
I've been a published author for a while now, under different names and genres, but the thought of writing about a small coastal town in Oregon, and about its loves and mysteries and holidays and people has been with me for years. To be honest, I am a bit scared to dump those ideas onto the written page, but hope you'll enjoy getting to meet the people who inhabit my imagination.
In real life, I'm married with kids, live on the West Coast of the US, and own a hobby farm just outside of my favorite small town. I love to travel, and can often be found strolling down a windy Oregon beach, holding onto the string of a high-sailing dragon kite.
Carolyn's Website at http://CarolynDeanBooks.com
I've been writing and making stories in my head as early as I can remember. In third grade I came home, set my lunchbox down, and told my mother I wanted to be a writer. Luckily, Mom was supportive.
I've been a published author for a while now, under different names and genres, but the thought of writing about a small coastal town in Oregon, and about its loves and mysteries and holidays and people has been with me for years. To be honest, I am a bit scared to dump those ideas onto the written page, but hope you'll enjoy getting to meet the people who inhabit my imagination.
In real life, I'm married with kids, live on the West Coast of the US, and own a hobby farm just outside of my favorite small town. I love to travel, and can often be found strolling down a windy Oregon beach, holding onto the string of a high-sailing dragon kite.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 25, 2018
Gertrude Park is a mean-spirited and verbally vicious old woman who uses her anger, her words and her money as deftly as a street thug uses his fists. In her opinion, nothing any one does is ever done well enough. This attitude not only applies to shopkeepers and service personnel, but to her own children and grandchildren. No, that’s not exactly correct — the males can do no wrong but the females are, in her mind, worthless just because they are female. And she never hesitates to remind them of that fact, particularly every Friday night during dinner.
So, on Friday morning, when Mrs. Park enters the bakery where our main character, Claire, works, to pick up her special-order cake for that evening’s family dinner, everyone in sight knows what will happen. It happens every week, so Claire and her boss know that the woman will come in, call Claire all kinds of nasty names, and complain viciously about last week’s “disaster” of a cake in front of all the other customers until the boss gives her a discount on this week’s cake.
Well, this week’s special cake is the last one that Claire will have to bake for Mrs. Park. And this week is the last time that she will have to endure Mrs. Park’s vitriol. And it is not because the boss has had enough and tells Mrs. Park to take her business elsewhere like others have done. It is because Mrs. Parks dies that evening, immediately after eating only a few bites of the cake.
The question for the police becomes not only one of WHO put the cyanide in the cake but one of WHEN it was put in the cake — during the baking process or after it left the store. Since “WHEN” is the deciding factor between jail and freedom for Claire, her personal hunt for the murderer is on.
For the Brightwater Bay collaboration, “A Sweet Spoonful of Cyanide” is the 3rd short novella in the series. And it is the smoothest and best written of the three so far.
It is not clear in this series whether one, two or all three of the co-writers (Carolyn L Dean, Beth Byers, and Angela C. Blackmoore) work on each story. But this particular entry is a clear improvement over the other two. The actions of the main character, as well as those of the three major secondary characters, are much more believable. The dialogue is smoother and the logical processes evidenced by the main character and her significant other are clear, reasonable and without hand-wringing overtones.
And the results of long-term favoritism and sexism as well as the results of long-term verbal and psychological abuse of children (minor and adult) by a parent is described in emotionally clear and accurate tones.
While there are some obvious grammarical and proofing errors throughout the story, there are actually considerably less of these than in the previous two entries of the series. And they were not so glaring that they ripped you out of the story while you tried to determine just what the author was trying to say.
Overall, a good, clean short read with a plotline to which many people will be able to relate.
So, on Friday morning, when Mrs. Park enters the bakery where our main character, Claire, works, to pick up her special-order cake for that evening’s family dinner, everyone in sight knows what will happen. It happens every week, so Claire and her boss know that the woman will come in, call Claire all kinds of nasty names, and complain viciously about last week’s “disaster” of a cake in front of all the other customers until the boss gives her a discount on this week’s cake.
Well, this week’s special cake is the last one that Claire will have to bake for Mrs. Park. And this week is the last time that she will have to endure Mrs. Park’s vitriol. And it is not because the boss has had enough and tells Mrs. Park to take her business elsewhere like others have done. It is because Mrs. Parks dies that evening, immediately after eating only a few bites of the cake.
The question for the police becomes not only one of WHO put the cyanide in the cake but one of WHEN it was put in the cake — during the baking process or after it left the store. Since “WHEN” is the deciding factor between jail and freedom for Claire, her personal hunt for the murderer is on.
For the Brightwater Bay collaboration, “A Sweet Spoonful of Cyanide” is the 3rd short novella in the series. And it is the smoothest and best written of the three so far.
It is not clear in this series whether one, two or all three of the co-writers (Carolyn L Dean, Beth Byers, and Angela C. Blackmoore) work on each story. But this particular entry is a clear improvement over the other two. The actions of the main character, as well as those of the three major secondary characters, are much more believable. The dialogue is smoother and the logical processes evidenced by the main character and her significant other are clear, reasonable and without hand-wringing overtones.
And the results of long-term favoritism and sexism as well as the results of long-term verbal and psychological abuse of children (minor and adult) by a parent is described in emotionally clear and accurate tones.
While there are some obvious grammarical and proofing errors throughout the story, there are actually considerably less of these than in the previous two entries of the series. And they were not so glaring that they ripped you out of the story while you tried to determine just what the author was trying to say.
Overall, a good, clean short read with a plotline to which many people will be able to relate.
March 4, 2026
Short but good
The third book in the series has a well developed story and again a really good description of the town and the people who live there. I liked the insight into the Park family but it would have been good to see then Interact more than we did. I like that the relationship between the two main characters is progressing and they make a good team. Could have been a little longer to develop the story a little more. But I like the series so far and an interested in seeing where it goes.
The third book in the series has a well developed story and again a really good description of the town and the people who live there. I liked the insight into the Park family but it would have been good to see then Interact more than we did. I like that the relationship between the two main characters is progressing and they make a good team. Could have been a little longer to develop the story a little more. But I like the series so far and an interested in seeing where it goes.
February 27, 2018
A sad tale
Mrs. Park was the meanest woman in town. But when she mysteriously dies, a cake that Claire baked for her was poisoned. Though Claire and Mrs. Applegate are cleared as suspects, Claire decides to find the culprit. What she finds is how miserable Mrs. Park's children were because of her. And the murderer, sadly, is well justified. Engrossing and fast paced, a quick read.
Mrs. Park was the meanest woman in town. But when she mysteriously dies, a cake that Claire baked for her was poisoned. Though Claire and Mrs. Applegate are cleared as suspects, Claire decides to find the culprit. What she finds is how miserable Mrs. Park's children were because of her. And the murderer, sadly, is well justified. Engrossing and fast paced, a quick read.
December 20, 2018
I enjoyed this book better than the 2nd in the series because there were less typos & grammatical errors. The story was good & I enjoyed getting to know the characters better/ I only have it 4 stars because there was one confusing error where instead of saying “Gelen’s husband“ it said “Mary’s husband”. Since there are 3 authors writing this series, the proof-reading should be better. That said, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 11, 2018
Almond Delight Cake with poison
This book is better developed then the first in this series! It is all about family and the feelings of the bonded group can hold the group together or rip your feelings to spreads until someone can't take anymore...The merry go round of hate had to stop...and it did! The hard way...death!
This book is better developed then the first in this series! It is all about family and the feelings of the bonded group can hold the group together or rip your feelings to spreads until someone can't take anymore...The merry go round of hate had to stop...and it did! The hard way...death!
February 22, 2021
This is the third in the series and the first time reading this author. The main character is Claire. She works in a bakery in Brighthwater Bay. When a murder is done and a cake from the bakery is made to look like the cause, she decides to figure out what really happened. She has a boyfriend to help her figure it all out. She has it figured out pretty quick.
May 4, 2022
Another murder
A mean spirited rich older woman comes in to pick up her weekly cake. She always complains about last week's cake to get a discount. She's supposed to sign a new will on Monday, she throws everyone out before dessert is served. She's found dead face down in her cake, poisoned. Claire tries to figure out who killed Mrs. Parks. Love this series.
A mean spirited rich older woman comes in to pick up her weekly cake. She always complains about last week's cake to get a discount. She's supposed to sign a new will on Monday, she throws everyone out before dessert is served. She's found dead face down in her cake, poisoned. Claire tries to figure out who killed Mrs. Parks. Love this series.
February 25, 2018
Good little mystery series
This is the third story in the series taking place in a NW small town in Washington state. Despite a murder, story involves folks who work together and enjoy life.
This is the third story in the series taking place in a NW small town in Washington state. Despite a murder, story involves folks who work together and enjoy life.
March 2, 2018
This is not one of Carolyn Deans best stories. I enjoy the characters in this series and realize cozy mysteries are not very intense by design, but this one was obvious and predictable from early on. The editing was so poor, it actually distracted from reading.
January 23, 2019
Anything for family
This one brought tears to my eyes. Really enjoyed the story. Makes you realize just how much family and friends means to a person. Could be a stand-alone but much better if read in order. Looking forward to reading the next book.
This one brought tears to my eyes. Really enjoyed the story. Makes you realize just how much family and friends means to a person. Could be a stand-alone but much better if read in order. Looking forward to reading the next book.
March 21, 2021
Nice mystery but knew the perpetrator
Loved the descriptions of Brightwater and the folks living there who have become friends with the protagonist but it was pretty clear from early on who the perpetrator was. Quick read though for a quiet afternoon.
Loved the descriptions of Brightwater and the folks living there who have become friends with the protagonist but it was pretty clear from early on who the perpetrator was. Quick read though for a quiet afternoon.
February 24, 2018
Another Good Read
I loved the story line, the vivid characters amidst Brightwater Bay.
This book is recommended for those that are Cozy Mystery lovers.
I loved the story line, the vivid characters amidst Brightwater Bay.
This book is recommended for those that are Cozy Mystery lovers.
March 2, 2018
Great
Love this series.. A murder occurs and their are a lot of suspects. The author does a great job in describing how horrible the woman murdered was.
Love this series.. A murder occurs and their are a lot of suspects. The author does a great job in describing how horrible the woman murdered was.
March 3, 2018
another interesting visit at Brightwater Bay
March 8, 2018
Ok
Should be edited better. Toward the end,there was a mix up with Mary s husband being married to helen. Otherwise a good story.
Should be edited better. Toward the end,there was a mix up with Mary s husband being married to helen. Otherwise a good story.
July 2, 2018
This new series
This series is absolutely brilliant i really enjoyed this book a really good read for a sit in the garden with a nice cup of tea.
This series is absolutely brilliant i really enjoyed this book a really good read for a sit in the garden with a nice cup of tea.
February 17, 2019
Good mystery and charming characters.
I hope there will be more books in the series. I am enjoying the town and the people n it, and Claire and Scott's relationship.
I hope there will be more books in the series. I am enjoying the town and the people n it, and Claire and Scott's relationship.
January 18, 2022
good read
While I loved the storyline I felt she too often went back to how she ended up in Brightwater Bay.
While I loved the storyline I felt she too often went back to how she ended up in Brightwater Bay.
February 15, 2022
I liked it
Claire always stumbles into solving a murder but solve it she does. I like that she has found her home in Brightwater Bay. I hope there are more of these!
Claire always stumbles into solving a murder but solve it she does. I like that she has found her home in Brightwater Bay. I hope there are more of these!
July 1, 2023
More please
I have really enjoyed this series and hope the author will continue this saga. I want to know what the future holds for Claire and Scott.
I have really enjoyed this series and hope the author will continue this saga. I want to know what the future holds for Claire and Scott.
April 29, 2024
While I might prefer the mystery setup in the previous books more, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was super flowy, and the story was well-crafted.
I hate it when the MC or someone close to her is the main suspect, but I am glad this wasn’t dragged on for too long.
I really liked the exploration of the family dynamics and how Claire went about discovering everyone’s motives. I could tell , but still had fun. Claire was also not present when the murder took place, so she doesn’t know the place, people or vibe, meaning she relies a lot on her intuition, but this ends up being very well done.
I hate it when the MC or someone close to her is the main suspect, but I am glad this wasn’t dragged on for too long.
I really liked the exploration of the family dynamics and how Claire went about discovering everyone’s motives. I could tell , but still had fun. Claire was also not present when the murder took place, so she doesn’t know the place, people or vibe, meaning she relies a lot on her intuition, but this ends up being very well done.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews