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Cold Cream Murders #1
Glossy Lips
Olive Peroni put out her family therapy shingle six years ago, never thinking her top client would be Myron Meyers, head of a New York crime family. When Olive’s grandmother dies and leaves her a condo in Florida and a secret recipe for miracle cold cream, she grabs the chance at a new life in Starfish Cove, Florida, making designer creams for ladies who spend far too much time at the beach.
Business is brisk and life is good! Olive even makes a wild new best friend in Lizzy, the real estate agent who handles the transfer of Nonna’s condo. When a dead body is found in the trunk of Lizzy’s car, Olive despairs that life in Starfish Cove won’t be any different than the one she thought she’d escaped. But this time, instead of listening to confessions of murder, Olive’s going to have to solve one. Maybe two…
Contains a recipe for Olive & Lizzy’s super-creamy homemade lip gloss!
Book I in a series ~ Book 2 available for pre-order SMOKEY EYES
~*~
“Barbara Silkstone is beyond clever. She's an engaging writer who, with great skill, manages to make her skewed world ring true. The best thing about her characters is that they are not caricatures; they are real with all their dimensions intact. The best thing about Silkstone is that she manages to exhibit equal measures of talent and imagination.” ~ Kindle Reader
Author of the Florence Nightingale Comedy Mystery Series, The Giggling Corpse, The Killer Corset, and The Cheeky Corner, Barbara Silkstone is also the creator of the best selling Mister Darcy series of comedic mysteries ~ 9 Books plus 10 Regency novels and novellas, all with a light, humorous touch. She is also the author of the Wendy Darlin Comedy Mysteries – 5 Cozy Romantic Adventures combining Nick and Nora Charles with Lara Croft. Check out her Amazon Author page or visit her at the https://secondactcafe.com
Most books are available in paperback and audio!
Barbara Silkstone’s Amazon Author’s page
http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Silksto...
Business is brisk and life is good! Olive even makes a wild new best friend in Lizzy, the real estate agent who handles the transfer of Nonna’s condo. When a dead body is found in the trunk of Lizzy’s car, Olive despairs that life in Starfish Cove won’t be any different than the one she thought she’d escaped. But this time, instead of listening to confessions of murder, Olive’s going to have to solve one. Maybe two…
Contains a recipe for Olive & Lizzy’s super-creamy homemade lip gloss!
Book I in a series ~ Book 2 available for pre-order SMOKEY EYES
~*~
“Barbara Silkstone is beyond clever. She's an engaging writer who, with great skill, manages to make her skewed world ring true. The best thing about her characters is that they are not caricatures; they are real with all their dimensions intact. The best thing about Silkstone is that she manages to exhibit equal measures of talent and imagination.” ~ Kindle Reader
Author of the Florence Nightingale Comedy Mystery Series, The Giggling Corpse, The Killer Corset, and The Cheeky Corner, Barbara Silkstone is also the creator of the best selling Mister Darcy series of comedic mysteries ~ 9 Books plus 10 Regency novels and novellas, all with a light, humorous touch. She is also the author of the Wendy Darlin Comedy Mysteries – 5 Cozy Romantic Adventures combining Nick and Nora Charles with Lara Croft. Check out her Amazon Author page or visit her at the https://secondactcafe.com
Most books are available in paperback and audio!
Barbara Silkstone’s Amazon Author’s page
http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Silksto...
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2018
163 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Silkstone
63 books312 followersBarbara Silkstone is the best-selling author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series that includes: Wendy and the Lost Boys, London Broil, Cairo Caper, Miami Mummies, Vulgarian Vamp, Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed Set. Her Criminally Funny Fables Romantic Suspense series includes: The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland, Age 42 and Three-Quarters; Wendy and the Lost Boys; Zo White and the Seven Morphs. For a squirt of paranormal comedy try: Cold Case Morphs. True fiction fan? Try: The Adventures of a Love Investigator.
New: Mister Darcy Series
Book One: Mister Darcy's Dogs
Book Two: Mister Darcy's Christmas
Book Three: Mister Darcy's Secret
Silkstone’s writing has been described as “perfectly paced and pitched – shades of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen – without seeming remotely derivative. Fast moving action that shoots from the hip with bullet-proof characterization.”
New: Mister Darcy Series
Book One: Mister Darcy's Dogs
Book Two: Mister Darcy's Christmas
Book Three: Mister Darcy's Secret
Silkstone’s writing has been described as “perfectly paced and pitched – shades of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen – without seeming remotely derivative. Fast moving action that shoots from the hip with bullet-proof characterization.”
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 12, 2019
I enjoyed this debut of the Cold Cream Murder Mysteries. The characters are quirky, yet relatable, and I liked the main ones. The Mystery was light, and I did guess the murderer before the end, however, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. It’s a shorter read for when you don’t have much time or just prefer a short, fast read.
December 5, 2018
I am absolutely loving this new series from Barbara Silkstone!! The characters are fun and relatable.
I found myself transported to Florida to hang out with Olive Peroni.
She left New York where she was a therapist, to get the condo that was left to her in Florida by her grandmother. While there she meets some great people and can not find herself wanting to be anywhere else. When Lizzy the realtor comes to look at the condo to list, she tells Olive that she needs to keep it. The become the best of friends in a very short time, and when Lizzy is suspected of murdering the man in the trunk of her car, Olive pulls no punches to get to the bottom of it and prove Lizzy's innocence. Of course there is a cute cop to help her out.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next book, in this fun series!!!
Hoping for many more!!
I found myself transported to Florida to hang out with Olive Peroni.
She left New York where she was a therapist, to get the condo that was left to her in Florida by her grandmother. While there she meets some great people and can not find herself wanting to be anywhere else. When Lizzy the realtor comes to look at the condo to list, she tells Olive that she needs to keep it. The become the best of friends in a very short time, and when Lizzy is suspected of murdering the man in the trunk of her car, Olive pulls no punches to get to the bottom of it and prove Lizzy's innocence. Of course there is a cute cop to help her out.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next book, in this fun series!!!
Hoping for many more!!
July 20, 2021
Barbara Silkstone is killing it again with another fun-filled cozy mystery series. There’s nothing like a lighthearted dose of murder (on the page, naturally) to brighten up dull days and her Cold Cream Murder series have found the winning recipe.
January 9, 2019
Glossy Lips: Cold Cream Murders by Barbara Silkstone
Ms. Silkstone’s books are always a pleasure to read. Her characters are realistic, well developed, and diverse. Olive Peroni, a New York family therapist, receives word that her grandma has passed away and Olive has inherited her Florida condo and all of her possessions. Olive takes leave from her practice thinking she can handle Nonna’s affairs in two weeks’ time. She hires a realtor over the internet and heads south. Olive is level-headed, smart, and practical. When she meets the real estate agent she hired, Lizzy, everything changes. Lizzy is a compassionate free-spirit, everything Olive is not. However, they strike a quick friendship with mutual respect for each other.
A dead body shows up in the trunk of Lizzy’s car. Then Lizzy’s cottage is broken into and trashed with lip gloss graphite on the walls and mirrors. Her finches are gone and her dog is traumatized. This causes the two friends to unwittingly become amateur sleuths. Much to the dismay of head detective Kal, Lizzy and WonderDog move into Olive’s condo for the time being. The story twists and turns as the suspect circle widens. The plot is well thought out, original, and entertaining.
Olive’s training as a psychologist serves her well in rooting out the killer, and choosing friends. Ms. Silkstone has an extraordinary cast of characters for this new cozy mystery series set in Starfish Cove, Florida. I just hope they find the time to keep up with sales of Nonna’s Cold Cream. And I loved the last line of the book. :)
FYI: “Glossy Lips” is book 1 in Barbara Silkstone’s COLD CREAM MURDERS Series. Contains a recipe for Olive & Lizzy’s super-creamy homemade lip gloss! **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** December 28, 2018
Format/Typo Issues: No issues in proofing or formatting.
Ms. Silkstone’s books are always a pleasure to read. Her characters are realistic, well developed, and diverse. Olive Peroni, a New York family therapist, receives word that her grandma has passed away and Olive has inherited her Florida condo and all of her possessions. Olive takes leave from her practice thinking she can handle Nonna’s affairs in two weeks’ time. She hires a realtor over the internet and heads south. Olive is level-headed, smart, and practical. When she meets the real estate agent she hired, Lizzy, everything changes. Lizzy is a compassionate free-spirit, everything Olive is not. However, they strike a quick friendship with mutual respect for each other.
A dead body shows up in the trunk of Lizzy’s car. Then Lizzy’s cottage is broken into and trashed with lip gloss graphite on the walls and mirrors. Her finches are gone and her dog is traumatized. This causes the two friends to unwittingly become amateur sleuths. Much to the dismay of head detective Kal, Lizzy and WonderDog move into Olive’s condo for the time being. The story twists and turns as the suspect circle widens. The plot is well thought out, original, and entertaining.
Olive’s training as a psychologist serves her well in rooting out the killer, and choosing friends. Ms. Silkstone has an extraordinary cast of characters for this new cozy mystery series set in Starfish Cove, Florida. I just hope they find the time to keep up with sales of Nonna’s Cold Cream. And I loved the last line of the book. :)
FYI: “Glossy Lips” is book 1 in Barbara Silkstone’s COLD CREAM MURDERS Series. Contains a recipe for Olive & Lizzy’s super-creamy homemade lip gloss! **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** December 28, 2018
Format/Typo Issues: No issues in proofing or formatting.
February 23, 2020
Fabulous story from beginning to end. Spectacular writing, story flows along beautifully, clear & fully developed fun Characters & places. Drama, suspense
humor, dog and a lot of finches. :-) Easy cast of characters to keep track of.
Exercise your ~smile~ muscles,this Book will keep it on.
Olive Perino during the last 6years as a family therapist, her top client is the head of a New York Crime Family,Myron Meyers. He's ultra needy dropping in rather than normal behavior of appointment making. Except today Olive is packed ready to hit the road for a long drive to Starfish Cove, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico shores. Her beloved Nonna died, she needs to get down there pronto. Myron says
he can't be without her she must be back in 2days. She says 2weeks. He will have some of his 'people' help her. Hahaha. She has secured a realtor from the yellow pages Lizzy.
She had a long quiet ride except for this incident as she was leaving a rest
stop someone ran over to her car shoved some thing in then ran -uh oh --
We will let YOU discover what this is all about :-) it will be in the entire story.
Olive arrives in Starfish Cove & to Sandy Shores Towers up to Nonna's condo then gets the realtor set to meet tomorrow. She stumbled upon Nonas recipe box & fondly looked thru.I
Lizzy arrived at the condo. A with high lovely energy, they got along splendidly as they spent the day around town. Olive found herself wondering if she should keep the condo & stay in this charming small town & make a fresh start.
Maybe something from Nonna's recipe box could make a business for her down here. Every one seems to know about Nonna's secret cold cream just not where it came from if that's such a miracle what else does she have in her box. Lizzy showed her a darling store perfect for selling Nonna's recipes. Since they successfully made a batch of cold cream this could really work. Lizzy a Co partner with her local contacts & Olive the recipes 50-50 partnership
Hhmm. Decision sell or stay? Either way must get papers drawn up.
Well new friend Lizzy can't find her car then finds out ex-husband took it. Off they go to get her Jag back. --a long situation occurs ending with a body.in the trunk.
This sets off a entire adventure for these 2ladies, Wonderdog,76 finches,several
More fun Characters very very much. A great fun time.
Enjoy this terrifically fun book.BLessings to you reading.
humor, dog and a lot of finches. :-) Easy cast of characters to keep track of.
Exercise your ~smile~ muscles,this Book will keep it on.
Olive Perino during the last 6years as a family therapist, her top client is the head of a New York Crime Family,Myron Meyers. He's ultra needy dropping in rather than normal behavior of appointment making. Except today Olive is packed ready to hit the road for a long drive to Starfish Cove, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico shores. Her beloved Nonna died, she needs to get down there pronto. Myron says
he can't be without her she must be back in 2days. She says 2weeks. He will have some of his 'people' help her. Hahaha. She has secured a realtor from the yellow pages Lizzy.
She had a long quiet ride except for this incident as she was leaving a rest
stop someone ran over to her car shoved some thing in then ran -uh oh --
We will let YOU discover what this is all about :-) it will be in the entire story.
Olive arrives in Starfish Cove & to Sandy Shores Towers up to Nonna's condo then gets the realtor set to meet tomorrow. She stumbled upon Nonas recipe box & fondly looked thru.I
Lizzy arrived at the condo. A with high lovely energy, they got along splendidly as they spent the day around town. Olive found herself wondering if she should keep the condo & stay in this charming small town & make a fresh start.
Maybe something from Nonna's recipe box could make a business for her down here. Every one seems to know about Nonna's secret cold cream just not where it came from if that's such a miracle what else does she have in her box. Lizzy showed her a darling store perfect for selling Nonna's recipes. Since they successfully made a batch of cold cream this could really work. Lizzy a Co partner with her local contacts & Olive the recipes 50-50 partnership
Hhmm. Decision sell or stay? Either way must get papers drawn up.
Well new friend Lizzy can't find her car then finds out ex-husband took it. Off they go to get her Jag back. --a long situation occurs ending with a body.in the trunk.
This sets off a entire adventure for these 2ladies, Wonderdog,76 finches,several
More fun Characters very very much. A great fun time.
Enjoy this terrifically fun book.BLessings to you reading.
August 2, 2019
This book was a fun romp in the cozy mystery - chicklit genre that made me feel as though I was tagging along the ride with Lizzy and Olive.
Olive Peroni, a family therapist in New York receives news her Nonna (grandmother) died in Florida. Olive packs up to go there to settle Nonna's estate and in doing so, serendipity strikes when Olive hires Lizzy to sell Nonna's condo, and before the deal is sealed, Olive decides to keep the condo and relocate there after making fast and good friends with Lizzy. Olive had enough of listening to people's problems and decides to start a new business in Florida selling Nonna's prized beauty cream, a secret that only few were aware of to bring back the fountain of youth.
Once the friendship blossomed, the action heats up when strange things begin happening, starting with a dead body found in Lizzy's trunk. Soon more characters emerge and Olive finds herself right in the thick of things when this cleverly written mission to solve the murder ensues and the new best friends become entangled in the murder investigation.
To be honest, I was only going to give this book 4 stars because I felt the story moved a bit slow through the first few chapters, but once the body showed up, I was hooked and wondering whodunit. As the evidence mounted (with well done clues dropped throughout the investigation), my suspicion was correct. And I'll also add that the blurb may have one thinking this is a mafia story when in fact, the character of Myron is by far, not a significant character in the story. But the book offered a satisfying ending with lots of witty lines by the characters, and I will definitely be reading more in this series.
Olive Peroni, a family therapist in New York receives news her Nonna (grandmother) died in Florida. Olive packs up to go there to settle Nonna's estate and in doing so, serendipity strikes when Olive hires Lizzy to sell Nonna's condo, and before the deal is sealed, Olive decides to keep the condo and relocate there after making fast and good friends with Lizzy. Olive had enough of listening to people's problems and decides to start a new business in Florida selling Nonna's prized beauty cream, a secret that only few were aware of to bring back the fountain of youth.
Once the friendship blossomed, the action heats up when strange things begin happening, starting with a dead body found in Lizzy's trunk. Soon more characters emerge and Olive finds herself right in the thick of things when this cleverly written mission to solve the murder ensues and the new best friends become entangled in the murder investigation.
To be honest, I was only going to give this book 4 stars because I felt the story moved a bit slow through the first few chapters, but once the body showed up, I was hooked and wondering whodunit. As the evidence mounted (with well done clues dropped throughout the investigation), my suspicion was correct. And I'll also add that the blurb may have one thinking this is a mafia story when in fact, the character of Myron is by far, not a significant character in the story. But the book offered a satisfying ending with lots of witty lines by the characters, and I will definitely be reading more in this series.
August 31, 2019
I do not understand why there are so many 5-star reviews for this book. Every character is superficial, and anytime there's an attempt at more depth, the characterization becomes muddied or contradictory. The plot is average with no real red herrings or surprises, and both lead characters make stupid choices. So do many of the secondary characters. Even the cop doesn't follow procedure. A great deal of what happens borders on completely unbelievable. The humor comes across like a child telling a lame joke that falls completely flat. There are a number of grammatical errors--not an outrageous number of different ones, but each is egregious. And there are also flat-out informational errors, like the housekeeper running a cast item skillet through the dishwasher. Twice. The author obviously knows NOTHING about cast iron cookware other than it's heavy.
Oh, and nothing is whimsical about 76 birds of any size flying free in one's small home, popping all over everything. It's gross. Nasty. And a health hazard.
Oh, and nothing is whimsical about 76 birds of any size flying free in one's small home, popping all over everything. It's gross. Nasty. And a health hazard.
February 10, 2019
Natural extracts.
A read that got better the further you read. It started off with the main character giving you the impression of a cold, aloof, analytical personality but she gained warmth and emotion as the read progressed. A good clever plot that was well thought out and really played into a damaged personality. However the victim wasn't as believable. Could ego really allow you to let yourself be murdered just to save face?
When her Nonna dies, she has to clear out the apartment. Driving down she realises that she really need a break from her therapist clinic. Picking up a kitten on the way she gets there and makes friends with the estate agent she picked out for the sale. Finding her Nonna's beauty recipes is an added bonus. Throw in a break in at the estate agents house, a car reported stolen, two deaths and a new business. Will she be able to use her skill as a therapist to unmask the killer?
A read that got better the further you read. It started off with the main character giving you the impression of a cold, aloof, analytical personality but she gained warmth and emotion as the read progressed. A good clever plot that was well thought out and really played into a damaged personality. However the victim wasn't as believable. Could ego really allow you to let yourself be murdered just to save face?
When her Nonna dies, she has to clear out the apartment. Driving down she realises that she really need a break from her therapist clinic. Picking up a kitten on the way she gets there and makes friends with the estate agent she picked out for the sale. Finding her Nonna's beauty recipes is an added bonus. Throw in a break in at the estate agents house, a car reported stolen, two deaths and a new business. Will she be able to use her skill as a therapist to unmask the killer?
December 9, 2018
Super! A new hilarious series by La Silkstone! The publisher's blurb is pretty good but there's no way it could show how funny it is. I also think that it's impossible for the author to have a boring or mundane character in any of her books. While this plotline is totally different from the others except that it's a good story, it's still as much fun as the characters. Not really a spoiler, but one character's pets are a very large and enthusiastic dog called WonderDog and 76 finches who are uncaged and fly about her house as they please!
Bet you'll love this funfest as much as I do!
Bet you'll love this funfest as much as I do!
May 26, 2019
New start, New friends
Olive's gonna passed away leaving her everything. Now Olive is on
Her way to Fla. once there she decides to stay. She meets Lizzy & makes
A new friend along with miss Livy. Then the murders start. Do they have
serial killer on their hands? LIzzy and her friends must find the killer
before they strike again. A great mystery, one that you can't figure out in
the first few chapters, it has a lot of twists and turns in it to keep you reading.
Debra H.
Olive's gonna passed away leaving her everything. Now Olive is on
Her way to Fla. once there she decides to stay. She meets Lizzy & makes
A new friend along with miss Livy. Then the murders start. Do they have
serial killer on their hands? LIzzy and her friends must find the killer
before they strike again. A great mystery, one that you can't figure out in
the first few chapters, it has a lot of twists and turns in it to keep you reading.
Debra H.
October 23, 2019
Great mystery with just the right touch of humor
The well developed characters in Glossy Lips are believable and their adventures are a great deal of fun. I dreaded reading the last chapter knowing the book would end. I immediately bought the next in the series and cannot wait to see what is in store for Olive and Lizzy! Thank you for the lip gloss recipe; my friends will be getting little pots for Christmas!
The well developed characters in Glossy Lips are believable and their adventures are a great deal of fun. I dreaded reading the last chapter knowing the book would end. I immediately bought the next in the series and cannot wait to see what is in store for Olive and Lizzy! Thank you for the lip gloss recipe; my friends will be getting little pots for Christmas!
December 11, 2018
Barbara Silkstone writes the best books! She has such a great sense of humor! I loved this book so much! Filled with quirky complex characters and a really fun storyline. Lots of twists and turns and humor! Her characters are so real to life, I feel I know them! I cannot wait for the next book, hopefully this will be a series! Thanks for such a great read Barbara! Love,love, love!!!
May 11, 2019
What a wonderful hilarious adventure as we meet Olive in NY and travel with her to FL to start a new life and new business. Lots of great characters and amusing situations. I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit. Great mystery had me glued to the book. Can't wait to read more about Olive and friends so it's a good thing I already have book 2.
February 25, 2020
A decent story, but not exciting.
I liked the basic story, but the author had no flair for words or phrases. The murderer was apparent way too early. I had a hard time wanting to finish the story. It was written in a boring style - definitely not a page turner! At least maybe the Lip gloss recipes will work out; I haven't tried then yet.
I liked the basic story, but the author had no flair for words or phrases. The murderer was apparent way too early. I had a hard time wanting to finish the story. It was written in a boring style - definitely not a page turner! At least maybe the Lip gloss recipes will work out; I haven't tried then yet.
December 1, 2018
Great wholesome fun! This cozy mystery contains twists and turns, and quirky characters with a big helping of fun. The author's delightful sense of humor comes shining through in a marvelous manner. I loved every minute of it! I highly recommend this book.
January 2, 2021
Enjoyable, but I found it predictable, and had identified the culprit pretty early on. Don't know if that's because it was obvious, or if I've just read too many cozy mysteries (as if that's a thing lol)
October 30, 2022
I loved reading the first book in this series.
I pulled an all-nighter. It was that good.
Funny, page turning, delightful characters that keep you wanting to read one more chapter.
Before you know it you finished the book and wish you had the next one.
I’m hooked.
I pulled an all-nighter. It was that good.
Funny, page turning, delightful characters that keep you wanting to read one more chapter.
Before you know it you finished the book and wish you had the next one.
I’m hooked.
April 20, 2019
An absolutely wonderful book! The characters are so well written, and the plot great! Can’t wait to read book two!!!
September 17, 2019
Very cute read
This book deserves a read if you enjoy a little laughter with your mystery. The humor comes from the very wry point of view of the main character. Give it a read.
This book deserves a read if you enjoy a little laughter with your mystery. The humor comes from the very wry point of view of the main character. Give it a read.
January 3, 2020
Great book
This was a fun read. Heading off to look for book 2.
Sidenote: filling the tubes is easy. Use a small funnel and pour after mixing the ingredients before they cool.
This was a fun read. Heading off to look for book 2.
Sidenote: filling the tubes is easy. Use a small funnel and pour after mixing the ingredients before they cool.
February 11, 2020
I enjoyed the story but it bothered me that her client ends up moving where she is as he almost comes across as being obsessive.
June 16, 2020
Fun read. I will probably go on to read more of the series. Good for an upbeat fast read for a quiet evening of reading.
July 6, 2020
It hits all the points of a cozy murder mystery. Now, I want some of Noona’s cold cream, too!
August 24, 2020
Fun story with fun characters
September 29, 2020
What a cute new series!!! I absolutely love the characters....they all work well together (as in friends, love interest, and pain in the butt)!!! Very well written mystery!! Happy Reading :)
October 26, 2021
Cute and quirky. 3.5 stars
February 10, 2020
Cold murder
Great murder mystery. Not in love with the characters, but they do make it interesting. Hopefully they will grow on me during book two.
Great murder mystery. Not in love with the characters, but they do make it interesting. Hopefully they will grow on me during book two.
April 13, 2020
I enjoyed Glossy Lips. This is a fun and interesting book. The characters are quirky and entertaining. The mystery had many twists.
July 15, 2019
Interesting characters and a decent storyline. Some of it was easy to figure out but it still kept me reading. My only complaint was the author's annoying use of foreign words that did not fit the characters in a book taking place in FL...i.e...gendarme for police officers and solicitor for lawyer. I would read the other books in the series for something light.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews