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Terrified Detective Mystery #5
Cupcakes and Corpses
The Red Bow Killer is terrorizing Cleveland, Private Investigator Claire DeNardo’s hometown. When her beloved former babysitter is found murdered with a red bow tied around her neck, Claire adopts the victim’s puppy and dives in to find the serial killer. She pursues suspects through sleazy bars, bingo parlors, and music studios. When the body count rises as fast as the danger, Police Detective Brian Corrigan, Claire’s easy-on-the-eyes boyfriend, does everything he can to get her off this case. But her Aunt Lena’s best friend becomes a possible target and Claire is determined to find the killer before he strikes again.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2018
315 people are currently reading
1503 people want to read
About the author
Carole Fowkes
19 books79 followersCarole is the author of the new cozy mystery series, The Terrified Detective. She has also written a number of stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul and other similar anthologies. She's published several book of short stories. She currently lives in Dallas, Tx.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Want to read
August 1, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/1/2019)! 🎁
March 21, 2026
Super cute mystery! Funny, with just the right amount of who done it. Great characters!
September 29, 2019
Enjoyable
Pleasant, quick read (not a novella). Some romance and an interesting plot...recommend for beaches and comfortable couches, for those who like the easy read.
Pleasant, quick read (not a novella). Some romance and an interesting plot...recommend for beaches and comfortable couches, for those who like the easy read.
February 11, 2023
I thought this was a great little mystery. The characters were likeable and fleshed out well enough for me to understand them and their actions.
One thing I liked in particular was that her boyfriend (Detective Corrigan), while not wanting her on the case (like every detective love interest in every cozy mystery), wasn't absurdly gruff about it, nor was he unreasonable. He was just a guy concerned for his gal, and he made sense. His actions later in the book made sense to me, too.
Claire was loveable and smart and gritty. She had fears, yes, but pushed through them with logic and intelligence. For the first time in a while, I found myself NOT thinking a character was an idiot for NOT calling the police. Her rationale made sense, even when it might not have been the best decision overall. Plus, she was smart enough to take in Charlie, her wonderful dog.
Can you tell I loved this one? As a great bonus, there are recipes at the end of the book for some of the delicious food mentioned within. I hope that won't be too much of a spoiler.
Give this one a read. You may like it, you may not, but it's definitely worth a look.
One thing I liked in particular was that her boyfriend (Detective Corrigan), while not wanting her on the case (like every detective love interest in every cozy mystery), wasn't absurdly gruff about it, nor was he unreasonable. He was just a guy concerned for his gal, and he made sense. His actions later in the book made sense to me, too.
Claire was loveable and smart and gritty. She had fears, yes, but pushed through them with logic and intelligence. For the first time in a while, I found myself NOT thinking a character was an idiot for NOT calling the police. Her rationale made sense, even when it might not have been the best decision overall. Plus, she was smart enough to take in Charlie, her wonderful dog.
Can you tell I loved this one? As a great bonus, there are recipes at the end of the book for some of the delicious food mentioned within. I hope that won't be too much of a spoiler.
Give this one a read. You may like it, you may not, but it's definitely worth a look.
August 1, 2019
Only A Woman Can Stop The Madness
Carole Fowkes knows what she's doing when writing a mystery with a strong female caracter as the lead. Claire is a PI first but finances or lack of are keeping her from having her own agency,so for now Claire works part time in her aunts bake shop and part time in someone else's P.I office.Claire is to do a favor for her boss that leeds to finding woman murdered and i'ts someone Claire knows, she makes a promise to herself to find who's responsible. Claire fallows a path of a serial killer in hopes of stopping him before the count goes any higher or he comes after her. Amongst all this drama Claire must deal with family,which gives a fresh breath of humor. Such a wide variety of caracters surrounding this mystery and let's not forget the group of caracters so diverse in in nature but bonded through family. Pick up a copy and start enjoying "Cupcakes and Corpses ". Kat
Carole Fowkes knows what she's doing when writing a mystery with a strong female caracter as the lead. Claire is a PI first but finances or lack of are keeping her from having her own agency,so for now Claire works part time in her aunts bake shop and part time in someone else's P.I office.Claire is to do a favor for her boss that leeds to finding woman murdered and i'ts someone Claire knows, she makes a promise to herself to find who's responsible. Claire fallows a path of a serial killer in hopes of stopping him before the count goes any higher or he comes after her. Amongst all this drama Claire must deal with family,which gives a fresh breath of humor. Such a wide variety of caracters surrounding this mystery and let's not forget the group of caracters so diverse in in nature but bonded through family. Pick up a copy and start enjoying "Cupcakes and Corpses ". Kat
May 16, 2021
Claire is the Terrified Detective, but she was good at it. She worked two part-time jobs—one at the detective agency and the other at her aunt’s bakery, Cannoli’s. On assignment, she checks on a woman by crawling through a doggie door and finds a dead body—murdered and tied up like a birthday present. A $10K reward prompts her to find the killer.
Shortly after, another body is discovered—her old babysitter, which served as a personal vendetta. Two women killed the same way. What’ the connection? Was there a serial killer? But Claire is turned more into a loop when a third case falls on her lap—the case of a missing person. But then she ends up dead too. So there are three murders.
At first, this was pretty easy to get into…until the multiple murders get involved. You almost mix up the cases. And the lag and typos in it didn’t make it any easier. It would’ve been better if the story had focused on one case. It would’ve been easier.
Shortly after, another body is discovered—her old babysitter, which served as a personal vendetta. Two women killed the same way. What’ the connection? Was there a serial killer? But Claire is turned more into a loop when a third case falls on her lap—the case of a missing person. But then she ends up dead too. So there are three murders.
At first, this was pretty easy to get into…until the multiple murders get involved. You almost mix up the cases. And the lag and typos in it didn’t make it any easier. It would’ve been better if the story had focused on one case. It would’ve been easier.
July 30, 2019
A solid mystery that doesn't keep rehashing the same info over and over! Good characters that you can easily visualize and appreciate their quirks. A couple of times I was worried that Charlie had been forgotten, but I should have had more faith. He sure earned his keep!
This was the first book I had read by this author, and it sure won't be my last! I already have the other books in the series waiting for me to read, and I can't wait! Fun series!
This was the first book I had read by this author, and it sure won't be my last! I already have the other books in the series waiting for me to read, and I can't wait! Fun series!
February 19, 2021
A murder mystery made fun
What an enjoyable murder mystery, or should I say murders mystery. Claire DaNardo is new private investigator working at her uncle's agency. Although forced to do a lot of grunt work, she's an independent woman who must have her way. In spite of the dangers and the admonishments of her boyfriend, who happens to be the lead detective in the police department, she charges forward, following every clue. The story has a real happy ending.
What an enjoyable murder mystery, or should I say murders mystery. Claire DaNardo is new private investigator working at her uncle's agency. Although forced to do a lot of grunt work, she's an independent woman who must have her way. In spite of the dangers and the admonishments of her boyfriend, who happens to be the lead detective in the police department, she charges forward, following every clue. The story has a real happy ending.
August 9, 2019
A Great Book
My favorite bit is how nervous she is all the time, but I can definitely relate to the sweets and the dog. I love both. The plot twist was very interesting and I definitely didn't see it coming. The only part I didn't like was there wasn't much for descriptions so it was hard to imagine some of the scenes playing out.
My favorite bit is how nervous she is all the time, but I can definitely relate to the sweets and the dog. I love both. The plot twist was very interesting and I definitely didn't see it coming. The only part I didn't like was there wasn't much for descriptions so it was hard to imagine some of the scenes playing out.
October 29, 2019
Cupcakes and Corpses
This story kept me guessing till the end. Who was the Red How Murderer? The lady detective/Secretary, was a really sharp cookie and finally solved the crime, but almost got killed doing it! Just loved the mystery involved in this story! A must read for sure!!
This story kept me guessing till the end. Who was the Red How Murderer? The lady detective/Secretary, was a really sharp cookie and finally solved the crime, but almost got killed doing it! Just loved the mystery involved in this story! A must read for sure!!
February 21, 2021
Another awesome book
Books getting more better every time read because I get lost into enough for not put book down I always get excited for find out what happen next. I want say thanks to author for take her time for created awesome mystery books. Her books and author deserve more than 5 stars for rate 😊 I would command her books to everyone 😊
Books getting more better every time read because I get lost into enough for not put book down I always get excited for find out what happen next. I want say thanks to author for take her time for created awesome mystery books. Her books and author deserve more than 5 stars for rate 😊 I would command her books to everyone 😊
December 16, 2018
Fun series. Love the banter between the family members... reminds me of my Italian side of the family. Claire is a very relatable character and I like her even more now that she has a dog . Definitely a series worth reading.
August 2, 2019
Predictable but fun read
The book kept me going until about two thirds of the way thru. Then I had to skip to the end. Characters are great, which I love. I would read more in this series.
The book kept me going until about two thirds of the way thru. Then I had to skip to the end. Characters are great, which I love. I would read more in this series.
August 5, 2019
Claire is back to being a dogsbody...in more ways than one!
Her old babysitter gets murdered and of course she can't stay out of the investigation!
A good story line with the same quirky cast of characters we have come to love.
Her old babysitter gets murdered and of course she can't stay out of the investigation!
A good story line with the same quirky cast of characters we have come to love.
September 15, 2019
Bravery
Claire is horrified to discover the lovely woman who had been her baby sitter has been murdered! She feels she must work with the police to solve this crime. Her boyfriend, A police detective, is concerned she will get hurt but, she persists in spite of her fear.
Claire is horrified to discover the lovely woman who had been her baby sitter has been murdered! She feels she must work with the police to solve this crime. Her boyfriend, A police detective, is concerned she will get hurt but, she persists in spite of her fear.
August 4, 2020
Murder Mystery A short read.
This is an excellent short mystery story with a lots of up and down. First one murder caught and then released and then another one arrested and released. So many twists and turns till the real murder is finally caught.
This is an excellent short mystery story with a lots of up and down. First one murder caught and then released and then another one arrested and released. So many twists and turns till the real murder is finally caught.
August 3, 2019
Wonderful read
This had twists and turns all thru. Picked it up whenever I had a few moments. I loved every chapter of it.
This had twists and turns all thru. Picked it up whenever I had a few moments. I loved every chapter of it.
August 5, 2019
This novel was much better than I had expected it to be. I enjoyed watching Claire navigate her personal and professional life in her attempt to solve the mystery of a serial killer in Cleveland.
August 10, 2019
was good
August 15, 2019
Strong characters, fast entertaining read. I'll look for this author again.
August 18, 2019
Fun read
Lots of twists and turns. Good cast of characters and good descriptions. Hard for me to put this one down.
Lots of twists and turns. Good cast of characters and good descriptions. Hard for me to put this one down.
August 22, 2019
A deliciously cozy mystery
Claire wins it all in this cozy. Yummy treats and finds the killer with a few surprises thrown in. A must read cozy mystery.
Claire wins it all in this cozy. Yummy treats and finds the killer with a few surprises thrown in. A must read cozy mystery.
Read
September 9, 2019Very good mystery!
October 20, 2019
Enjoyed
I really like your latest book and I am really looking forward to the next one your characters and story line.
I really like your latest book and I am really looking forward to the next one your characters and story line.
March 11, 2020
Cupcake and corpses
Claire just can't help getting in trouble. Just love how she works with her family and friends. Loved the ending. Can't wait for number 6.
Claire just can't help getting in trouble. Just love how she works with her family and friends. Loved the ending. Can't wait for number 6.
March 31, 2020
Charlie
The story was interesting. The main character was interesting. The other characters could have been written in more depth. The dog was adorable.
The story was interesting. The main character was interesting. The other characters could have been written in more depth. The dog was adorable.
January 24, 2023
Fun to read, for about half the book. Then it became jumbled - too many murders - couldn't even keep track. And it never even said how any of them died.
September 3, 2019
A great story!
Claire has done it again with a lot of head aches along the way but she did a puppy out of it! Changes are coming for Claire and it’s about time she got some breaks. She is a saint when dealing with her narcissistic uncle who takes advantage of her and it makes my blood boil how he treats her. This one was a bit more close to Claire because she has to find a serial killer and her childhood babysitter is one of the victims. Her and Brian seem to be maturing as a couple and her dad and Suzy make things official! It’s all good Italian family fun.
Claire has done it again with a lot of head aches along the way but she did a puppy out of it! Changes are coming for Claire and it’s about time she got some breaks. She is a saint when dealing with her narcissistic uncle who takes advantage of her and it makes my blood boil how he treats her. This one was a bit more close to Claire because she has to find a serial killer and her childhood babysitter is one of the victims. Her and Brian seem to be maturing as a couple and her dad and Suzy make things official! It’s all good Italian family fun.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews