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Red Herring Inn #1
Sinister Cinnamon Buns
Sinister Cinnamon Buns is the first book in J Lee Mitchell’s “Red Herring Inn” culinary cozy mystery series.
Recipes included in each book.
In Castle Creek West Virginia, rivalries run deep, but has this tiny town’s biggest rivalry finally led to murder?
When widely disliked socialite Macie Dixon is found dead on the set of her cooking show, suspicion falls on her rival, elderly family matriarch, and owner of the Red Herring Inn, Liddy Lou Cormier.
As the investigation heats up, friendships will be tested, and long buried secrets will come to light.
With the evidence stacking up against Liddy Lou, her granddaughter Q’Bita will risk her relationship with Sheriff Andy Hansen, and her own life, to clear her Nana’s name.
It will take every ounce of Q’Bita’s culinary cunning, and a little help from her best friend Jamie and brother-in-law Rene, to figure out who’s behind the sinister cinnamon buns that killed Macie Dixon.
Sign up for the Red Herring Inn newsletter using the link on the About J Lee Mitchell page to get access to contests, freebies, and an inside look at upcoming books. New subscribers will receive BONUS CONTENT as a thank you for signing up.
Recipes included in each book.
In Castle Creek West Virginia, rivalries run deep, but has this tiny town’s biggest rivalry finally led to murder?
When widely disliked socialite Macie Dixon is found dead on the set of her cooking show, suspicion falls on her rival, elderly family matriarch, and owner of the Red Herring Inn, Liddy Lou Cormier.
As the investigation heats up, friendships will be tested, and long buried secrets will come to light.
With the evidence stacking up against Liddy Lou, her granddaughter Q’Bita will risk her relationship with Sheriff Andy Hansen, and her own life, to clear her Nana’s name.
It will take every ounce of Q’Bita’s culinary cunning, and a little help from her best friend Jamie and brother-in-law Rene, to figure out who’s behind the sinister cinnamon buns that killed Macie Dixon.
Sign up for the Red Herring Inn newsletter using the link on the About J Lee Mitchell page to get access to contests, freebies, and an inside look at upcoming books. New subscribers will receive BONUS CONTENT as a thank you for signing up.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2018
124 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 6, 2018
This was a good little mystery with some twists and turns along the way so I didn't actually guess the killer until the clues started popping up towards the end. The characters were funny, quirky and for the most part likable. Rene was an absolute hoot! And I did like the idea of an established relationship between main sleuth and granddaughter to Liddy Lou, Q'Bita, and Andy, the town's sheriff, which was tested to the max when Q's grandma, Liddy Lou was arrested for murdering a cooking show diva who had stolen Liddy's recipes. If a relationship can survive all that turmoil, it seems destined to last! The author definitely has a knack for bringing characters to life.
The main mystery was solved but now I'm intrigued by the very very ending which hints of something ongoing but not in West Virginia where this is set. Liddy's famous cinnamon bun recipe (sans poison of course!) is at the end of the book and it sure sounds amazing because cinnamon buns are one of my favorite pastries. Till next time, Castle Creek!
The main mystery was solved but now I'm intrigued by the very very ending which hints of something ongoing but not in West Virginia where this is set. Liddy's famous cinnamon bun recipe (sans poison of course!) is at the end of the book and it sure sounds amazing because cinnamon buns are one of my favorite pastries. Till next time, Castle Creek!
June 11, 2018
Great book! Rene is a hoot and the other characters really add to the story. Well written, easy and fun read. Made the Cinnamon Buns from the recipe at the end, they are sinisterly delicious!
June 18, 2018
A feud over family recipes, long lost daughters and a conflicted sheriff come together in this cozy mystery. A lively group of characters make up the cast of "Sinister Cinnamon Buns" and Mitchell does a great job of weaving them throughout an engaging plot. With a gift for the witty comeback and some crazy antics, Mitchell’s writing makes the characters come to life. As is standard with any cozy mystery, this one contains numerous references to food and drink (I was always wanting some sweet tea during the reading) with cinnamon buns (obviously) playing a key role. "Sinister Cinnamon Buns" is a must read for cozy mystery lovers
July 15, 2018
A delicious read, but don't touch the cinnamon buns!
A great cozy mystery story that keeps you guessing who the villain is. When Red Herring Inn's competitor steals their recipes, it's time to investigate. Especially when people begin to die. Into this plot is thrown tidbits of humor, a romance or two, and drool worthy mentions of delicious food, especially pie.
A great cozy mystery story that keeps you guessing who the villain is. When Red Herring Inn's competitor steals their recipes, it's time to investigate. Especially when people begin to die. Into this plot is thrown tidbits of humor, a romance or two, and drool worthy mentions of delicious food, especially pie.
June 6, 2018
I am a fan of cozy crime and this book did not disappoint - Once I started to read I cleared my schedule and carried on until the end. It wasn't until close to the finale that I started to guess whodunit. If you want a nice easy read to take on holiday this summer I would recommend this to you.
June 1, 2018
Some people go to any lengths to get their own way
A good read even though the killer was obvious. The twists and turns still made this a great read. The family has run the Inn for years and have plans to publish recipes passed down through the family. That is until the mean girl in town starts using them on her blog. Things get even worse when she is found dead and the family matriarch is arrested for murder. Add in another murder, betrayal by someone close to the family and greed for a read with an explosive ending. Great little plot but the first clue was just too blatant. Nice mix of characters that add variety to the storyline.
A good read even though the killer was obvious. The twists and turns still made this a great read. The family has run the Inn for years and have plans to publish recipes passed down through the family. That is until the mean girl in town starts using them on her blog. Things get even worse when she is found dead and the family matriarch is arrested for murder. Add in another murder, betrayal by someone close to the family and greed for a read with an explosive ending. Great little plot but the first clue was just too blatant. Nice mix of characters that add variety to the storyline.
September 7, 2018
Awesome new find
Excellent characters, real page turner with a surprising turn to who the murderer and is and what a cliffhanger! Great author.
Excellent characters, real page turner with a surprising turn to who the murderer and is and what a cliffhanger! Great author.
August 4, 2019
Breathtaking
OMG, this book had me by the seat of my pants to the point I had to finish it in one reading!! WTG J Lee. I can't wait for the rest of the series!
OMG, this book had me by the seat of my pants to the point I had to finish it in one reading!! WTG J Lee. I can't wait for the rest of the series!
September 10, 2022
Food and cozy mysteries go so well together. As soon as I saw this series, I knew I needed to give it a go.
As the title suggests, cinnamon buns are the culprit in this book. But how and why, and who was behind them? When Liddy Lou is named the prime suspect, it's up to her granddaughter Q'Bita to solve the murder of Macie Dixon. She's not alone, however, having her boyfriend (who happens to be a sheriff) and friends by her side.
This book has a great bunch of characters, a twisty mystery, family drama, and of course food. Charming and quirky, it's a fun read. I also love seeing recipes in the back of a book like this! A great touch.
As the title suggests, cinnamon buns are the culprit in this book. But how and why, and who was behind them? When Liddy Lou is named the prime suspect, it's up to her granddaughter Q'Bita to solve the murder of Macie Dixon. She's not alone, however, having her boyfriend (who happens to be a sheriff) and friends by her side.
This book has a great bunch of characters, a twisty mystery, family drama, and of course food. Charming and quirky, it's a fun read. I also love seeing recipes in the back of a book like this! A great touch.
September 25, 2019
Great cozy mystery
This book was fun to read . It was funny and suspenseful at the same time. And the importance of family was a nice touch also. Plus recipes at the end . Happy reading everyone
This book was fun to read . It was funny and suspenseful at the same time. And the importance of family was a nice touch also. Plus recipes at the end . Happy reading everyone
February 28, 2022
Who Done It?
A lovely old inn named The Red Herring is the place for this story. The large family that lives there are a warm, close bunch. The Grandmother gets involved in several murders and the story covers the deaths and the amazing conclusion!
A lovely old inn named The Red Herring is the place for this story. The large family that lives there are a warm, close bunch. The Grandmother gets involved in several murders and the story covers the deaths and the amazing conclusion!
October 18, 2023
J Lee Mitchell
This author is an amazing story teller. I started reading and couldn't quit until I finished . So much action, twists and turns just kept me enthralled. The characters were well written. If you have not read Sinister Cinnamon Buns you're missing out .
This author is an amazing story teller. I started reading and couldn't quit until I finished . So much action, twists and turns just kept me enthralled. The characters were well written. If you have not read Sinister Cinnamon Buns you're missing out .
June 23, 2024
Not quite for me
I had a hard time tracking what was going on. It felt like some of the details aren't really explained and you were already supposed to know them. The mystery itself was ok. If you want something light, maybe give it a shot.
I had a hard time tracking what was going on. It felt like some of the details aren't really explained and you were already supposed to know them. The mystery itself was ok. If you want something light, maybe give it a shot.
October 21, 2018
I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship to each other. The book keeps you guessing.
October 17, 2020
What a hoot!
Woo wee I certainly had fun reading this delightful tale of a mystery with delicious food tangled into the mix. My mouth watered to some of the things that Q’bita fixed up for her company. Looking forward to the next story.
Woo wee I certainly had fun reading this delightful tale of a mystery with delicious food tangled into the mix. My mouth watered to some of the things that Q’bita fixed up for her company. Looking forward to the next story.
July 21, 2019
Great read
It was a great book. I couldn't put it down. Loved the characters. It was so great how they all looked out for each other.
It was a great book. I couldn't put it down. Loved the characters. It was so great how they all looked out for each other.
October 3, 2023
A quick intriguing cozy mystery. Q'Bita is a likable main character. Overall, a good read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews