Ghastly Gadgets

Cozy Corgi #12

by Mildred Abbott

As the summer tourist season begins, downtown Estes Park bustles with celebrations, inventions, pastries, and murder…

Winifred Page’s twin brothers-in-law are finally ready to open their invention shop right next to the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery. But the noise level is keeping customers away from the bookshop and driving Fred and her corgi sidekick, Watson, out of their minds.

Adding to her stress, family and friends are gearing up to celebrate Fred’s fortieth birthday—not that she’s overly concerned about her age…. Mere hours after entering her new decade of life, resentments reach an explosive level as downtown Estes Park is rocked by a fearsome calamity.

As the shop owners of Elkhorn Avenue come to grips with the crisis, Fred and Watson are pulled into the investigation. While she’s unsure there’s a murder to solve, Fred soon discovers a host of secrets and lies….

(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for tasty cream puffs.)

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Dogs, Audiobook, Animals

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2019

About the author

Mildred Abbott writes twisty cozy mysteries filled with humorous and complex characters. Whether brimming with magic or simply an above average dose of curiosity, Mildred's amateur sleuths solve murders with the cutest sidekicks ever.

Fifteen years as a special education teacher and a lifetime of loving rescue dogs results in creating adventures with a ton of heart and the need for lint rollers.

Connect with Mildred Abbott’s Cozy Mysteries on Facebook to catch the latest release and find fellow addicts of books, coffee, and corgis.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbot...

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Email: mildredabbottauthor@gmail.com

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Reviews

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s summer in Estes Park and the town is all a bustle. Tourists are pouring in, keeping everyone busy. Fred’s 40th birthday will be a big event. And I was excited to see if Fred’s twin brother’s-in-law would finally open their shop and just what it might be. After all the promised and failed openings. I just knew something would go wrong. And it does.

This one had me spinning in circles. So much happening and I wasn’t even sure if there was a murder. Fred got right down to business and those sleuthing skills she’d been honing uncovered so many secrets and motives. You know what they say about small towns… you can’t hide those skeleton’s in the closet forever.

I adored this book every bit as much as the previous ones. The town, the characters. the blush of romance, and lots of mystery. It all worked!

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Robin Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been devouring these cozy mysteries from day one and I have to say this one had me running in all sorts of directions in my mind. The twins Jonah and Noah have finally got their shop ready to open when something happens to throw a wrench in their plans. I really liked the different twists that Fred starts following and the questions she even poses to herself. And Watson...he really has some special moments where just about everyone and everything gets him grumpy. He's super adorable. I strongly admire how assertive Fred has become throughout this series when something rubs her the wrong way. She isn't afraid to stand up and not back down. Of course, we have Leo and Katie and all of Fred's relatives keeping us company and cracking us up. I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching Fred figure each and every mystery out. I'm addicted to her spunk and maybe I'm learning to add some to myself!

[Grammy 1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

41/2 Stars

Book: Ghastly Gadgets Bk #12
Series: Cozy Corgi Mysteries
Author:Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Amazon Digital
Genre: Mystery
Rated: All ages
Pages: 213
Release: May 14, 2019

Wow this is number 12 in this mystery, and it is loaded. We celebrate Valentine’s Day with Winifred and Leo, the handsome Park Ranger…..Yes they are a couple But there is plenty going on for the weekend,,,,

Her twin brothers in law are having their grand opening of their new shop next to the book store. The twins married to her twin step sisters are inventors and the shop has taken quite a while to finish. It is also Winifred’s 40th Birthday the day before the Opening and eveyone was invited to that as well.

The mystery begins at the birthday party but the biggie is the next morning when there is a horrible explosion in the brother’s store in the early morning before the opening.

Winifred and Katie and Watson were not hurt but there were 2 deaths and injuries. The brothers are arrested for having a helium explosive in the back room. Police think is the culprit for the accident, and Winifred has to agree. But Winifred is slowly pushed by the family, circumstance and her new found friend on the police force and the story is a work of art…..Ms Abbott pulls a rabbit out of the hat with a loud Ta-da….Hope there is more of this series

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel lived up to it's title. What ghastly gadgets the twins, Noah and Jonah made. Noah and Jonah only wanted to open a storefront filled with their creative and visionary inventions...at least that was the plan. A plan doomed to fail.

Added to that plan was a terrible man with his own agenda, in fact, there were two men plotting their own agendas. A collision was inevitable as we learned and the entire downtown area of Estes Park, Colorado would feel the results.

Winifred (Fred) and her Corgi and friends and family would be severely affected by this and as Fred quickly learns so is so many others. Fred is asked to look into the destruction and find order in the chaos. Corgi Watson bravely (and in it for the snacks,) stands beside her.

Corgi power wins the day (ok, with a wee bit of aid from the humans,) and Estes Park life is on the healing track.

I enjoyed this novel. I can see the growth of the Author, Ms. Abbott in each episode. The plot was much more evolved, the characters fleshed out, and the actual tempo of the book had me turning pages so quickly that I finished the book in one reading, and found myself wishing for more!

I want to wish Winifred and Ms. Abbott a very Happy Birthday and many many more Birthdays and Books to come!

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 12th book of series is about Fred ( Winifred ) turning 40. Her boyfriend Leo and her family and friends celebrated it. And Noah and Jonah Fred twin step sisters twin husbands. Noah and Jonah were opening the invention store right where Fred bookstore and bakery shop Cozy Corgi. And every day Fred and Katie ( Fred's best friend and baker) would her like bombs going off . Katie wanted to kill them because she could not concentrate on baking. Noah and Jonah had this two other twins Miles and Niles helping them to help them get the store settled for grand opening. A man Peter came in their story while Fred and her family were helping twins to put together the store. No one like Peter ( Fred never met him but did not like him at all) The twins were letting Peter sell these creepy dolls in their store. And Fred was wondering why the twins would let him sell them. Then a humongous explosion hurt a lot of people 2 people died. Everyone thought it was Noah and Jonah that made the e xplosion. So they went to jail. But was it really them that did it. Love these series. Everyone of these books has different plots and it is exciting to read. Love WaTson the cute Corgi. And Fred seems like a very nice person. And I'm glad that Leo the Ranger and Fred are dating.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghastly Gadgets

This is such a great cozy mystery series! This book was full of surprises and I loved all the interactions with the family, the townspeople and Leo. I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Kassi | sassykassispages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a General Hospital episode. Not good.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghastly Gadgets by Mildred Abbott has utterly stumped me. This installment was one crazy mystery.
Can Fred Page determine if Peter Moss and Miles Styles were murdered or accidental deaths?
Winifred "Fred" Page
Fred Page is turning forty years old in this story. She doesn't want to admit that she is getting older but being surrounded by friends and family makes her change her mind. I adore the relationship between Fred and Leo. Ms. Abbbott handles their date scenes with the perfect amount of finesse. Fred doesn't want to hurt Noah and Jonah's feelings about what she really thinks of their store Twinventions. She is a fantastic character, and I can't find anything that I don't like about her.
The Mystery
The mystery is quite a doozy since it appears to not be a mystery throughout the entire story. Fred is only looking into it because she's worn down by Zelda and Verona, along with their kids pleading with her to look into it to save their daddies. So much happens in Estes Park, and I don't want to spoil anything. It's quite a doozy involving Noah and Jonah, another set of twin inventors, and a guy selling creepy dolls. Fred spends her time figuring out what happened and if someone else could be the culprit. I was shocked when it was revealed who did it, why they did it, and who their intended victim was. I didn't believe it until I read it with my own two eyes TWICE!
Five Stars
Ghastly Gadgets by Mildred Abbott was quite the page-turner and gasp-worthy read. I was shocked and still am while writing this review. Hopefully, everything gets better in the next book. I am giving Ghastly Gadgets by Mildred Abbott five stars and recommending it to anyone that loves an excellent cozy culinary animal mystery.

Check out Katie's Cream Puff recipe in the back of the book. It sounds mouth-watering.


The Cozy Corgi Mystery Series

Also Available on #KindleUnlimited.



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed these reviews of Ghastly Gadgets by Mildred Abbott.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I love Fred,Watson, Katie and all the characters in this wonderful series by Mildred Abbott and if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this series is a must read I can't wait to see what happens next

[Victoria Smiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Cozy Mystery?
Oh yes, I was ready, something about missing a certain grumpy Corgi!
At last the Twinventions store of unusual inventions and gifts founded by Fred’s stepbrothers in law was ready for the grand opening. The delays were making Fred and Katie (and the reader) crazy. No doubt it would be fabulous when it was open but most importantly the noise and the dust would end.
The morning after a surprise 40th Birthday celebration for Fred begins with a shattering explosion in the brothers’ store next to the Cozy Bookshop. Rocking Fred and Officer Susan Green’s composure, as they are the first to arrive amid smoke, broken glass, dust and debris. Clutching Watson to keep his paws safe, Fred sees a body, barely visible from the debris of one of the inventions, as it is covered with pipes, chains, glass fragments. It is the remains of an unpopular resident, clearly beyond help.
Across the street inside the Cabin and Hearth store is another broken body and his badly injured brother. The two stores and the street look like a war zone, so much destruction in the picturesque town of Estes Park. Fred finds it hard to recognize her town in its current state.
WOW!!!! What a beginning to the newest Cozy Corgi mystery. Of all the mysteries GHASTLY GADGETS is the most mysterious and unsettling. The reader is tasked with Fred to carefully puzzle all the possibilities of how it could happen and who could have orchestrated so much destruction. As the investigation progresses family secrets are revealed, long hidden grudges are brought to the open and one by one options are checked off. Fred does not feel there are threads to follow and despite a close working relationship with Detective Susan Green, Fred is frustrated when her two stepbrothers in law are arrested and still, she finds nothing to be clear or having leads to follow.
GHASTLY GADGETS is a remarkable read for every amateur sleuth with or without a Corgi sidekick….
I must go now, there are cream puffs with my name on them!

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twins rock the town

Another good read that certainly doesn't have the normal air of mystery that the previous books have had. It's only as she delves deeper that she spots the fact that there really is a mystery. Loved the characters and I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed Watson's reaction to the Basset hounds and the Wally, the robotic corgi.
The twins are nearly ready to have their opening but decide to delay it due to her 4th birthday. However their opening is put further back when one of their inventions explodes. Now two people are dead and a third is critically injured. The twins have been arrested and everyone wants her to investigate. However it looks clear to her that this was just an invention malfunction and there is nothing to find. However when pressure is put on her, she reluctantly agrees to look into it. A sleazy former plastic surgeon, twins that aren't twins, a false alibi and murder. Will she get the twins off? Will they ever find out what really happened?

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this newest book in the Cozy Corgi series starts out with a bang ... or rather, a series of ongoing “boom”. Fred’s twin step-brother-in-laws are finishing getting their shop ready for the grand opening, and downtown can’t wait - well, at least for the window rattling noise to stop, But when it does, it’s with a window breaking, life taking, nerve shattering blast that will change some lives.

Fred is once again requested by family to investigate the lost lives ... but she questions if it’s murder, or not.

This is a tale full of twists, questions, lies ... and one grumpy corgi we all love. I loved the windy road of a story, and can’t wait to join up with Fred, Leo, Watson, and Katie again!

[Marion E. Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Msytery by Mildred Abbott

I love Mildred Abbott's characters especially Fred, Katie and Leo, however the star is a grumpy corgi named Watson. Ms. Abbott's stories are full of colorful characters including murders. It's the job of Fred to find out who the murder is, oh wait her job is the owner of a bookstore in a cozy mountain town. But all joking aside, Mildred Abbott is tied with Dean Koontz as number 1 in my list of favorite authors and the only one I pre-order her books. She has never disappointed me in any of her books. She ALWAYS creates a story worth reading . She can throw a wrench into her storyline as long term fans will agree, sort like how GOT likes to switch up their storyline.

[Jeff Klages · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dog, your dog her dog

If you have a dog or even a cat you know how much you love it. Well Watson is a very special dog. Everyone loves Watson including his owner Fred. If you've been reading the Cozy Corgi series you know that Fred takes Watson everywhere she goes and most of the characters love to give him treats. His favorite word, by the way. These stories will make you smile and laugh out loud. You'll want to help Fred solve the crimes. Help eat Katie 's pastries and wish you lived in Estes Co. The stories are very good, well thought out, & you don't have to be afraid to let your kids read them, no dirty language or anything else. Just a good mystery & a good read. Enjoy

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading more about Fred and the grumpy, gorgeous Watson. Twins abounded in this book, leaving chaos and mayhem in their wake. Fred's stepbrother twins are opening a shop right next to her's and the Grand Opening is almost upon them. Naturally there is a dead body, which is considered to be the victim of an accident at first. I loved the robotic corgi which is supposed to translate Watson's barks. There are lots of chuckles with Watson's reactions. 🐾 🐾. 🐺
🐺
Watson also makes three new friends!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Further Adventures of Fred and Watson

This is another winner for Cozy Corgi fans. Fred turns forty, another set of twins comes to town, and Peter Moss, who makes creepy dolls, insults Fred. The murder, when it finally comes is an excellent puzzle; I didn't see it coming and had no idea who the killer was. As usual, the book is well written, the characters are warm, even curmudgeonly Watson on occasion, and visiting Estes Park is like old home week. I can hardly wait for the next one. I gave this book only four instead of the usual five stars because the editing team weren't their normally flawless selves. But them I'm picky.

[Karel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Really Strange Murder!!

Fred, Watson and Katie (Fred's partner) are extremely frustrated with Fred's twin brothers-in-law. They have finally opened their store next to the Cozy Corgi. Only one major problem, the men are inventors and there are continual explosions which rock the bookstore and knock books off their shelves. While in the bakery, Katie's creations also aren't caring well. Then comes a huge explosion killing two men. Who is really responsible for their deaths? Fred and Watson are involved in solving another murder. Come along and join the fun!!

[Shari Klase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventions gone amok

I have to admit, this wasn't my favorite of the cozy corgi series and yet, each of these books somehow cement themselves in my mind. This one is no exception. This particular storyline revolves around Noah and Jonah who are calamitous inventors. I doubt any town would put up with the kind of inventions they create. So, it's not surprising they wind up in jail in this saga. Don't worry. Fred will figure it out as is repeated so often in this book and save yet another relative from infamy. Along the way Watson will again steal your heart.

[MARY Arias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful,again.

I love the grumpy darling Corgi! The murder mystery was a page turner, couldn't put it down. Waiting for this Summer, also really wanting a Corgi for my own, the attitude is endearing, I saw a long haired Corgi at the Drs. office the other day and was promptly presented with her fluffy butt and then her tummy! I was in heaven.
Love 💘 your books, wouldn't miss one!!!! Mary

[Sherry Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humdinger

The latest Cozy Corgi is a doozy. Jonah and Noah are finally ready to open their store. But, just before the big event, there is an explosion that shatters windows, kills two people and seriously injuring another. Fred and Watson have their hands (and paws) full trying to find a reason for the blast. It really does appear that the twins are guilty.
A marvelous return to the Cozy Corgi. There are a few surprises in the book and one humdinger of an ending.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

The cozy corgi series is always a fun read. Laughs, mystery, a little romance. And, a bookstore and cafe! And a corgi! Things are blowing up near the Cozy Corgi. Fred knows where the noise is coming from, and she's about to wring some necks. But she also goes on a romantic picnic, as well as celebrating her 40th birthday. Then the accident happens...or was it a double homicide?

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. It was the first cozy mystery series I have ever read, and still definitely my favorite. I love Fred, her family, and friends. Watson is so adorable and all of the characters are well-rounded and developed. The town is picturesque and I love finding out secrets about the townspeople that I never saw coming. I am and will forever be a loyal reader of Mildred Abbott. I recommend everyone checking out her books!!

[Barbara Saladino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watson

I love this series. Stories are always enjoyable. Fred is a good person, the people that are in her life have flowed slowly into the stories & by the end have become her friends. You’ll want to read the next story right away. But “Watson” is a character. He is what makes it believable. The way he came into her life is the best part. By reading these stories you find out how & why & just know it was meant to be. Love them!

[Linda Wiedenmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book regarding twins! Fred's family keeps getting involved one way or another involving murders! This time it was her step sister's husbands in which they also had a secret! There opening of there store ended up in an explosion that killed two men and put another one in the hospital! Quite the mystery that involved four sets of twins! Once again Fred and Watson came to the rescue!❤️

[Sherrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghastly Gadgets (Cozy Corgi Mysteries)

I have really enjoyed this series! The characters are likable and complex while the plot has more than one twist to keep the readers attention.
I did however feel the ending was a bit soft when considering what justice could be for negligent homicide.

[Marylou Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. I read them as soon as they come out! This one was a little different than the previous books. Secrets that have been kept for a long time come to light. You get to know the family a little better. And then there’s Susan!!! I love Susan. She makes me laugh out loud!! I would highly recommend this series. They are truly a good time!!

[Judy Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining as usual. This series s exciting and entertaining. Right mixture of romance and mystery. This is a great summer beach read. You will thoroughly enjoy.

This a great book to read this summer. It has the right mixture of murder and romance. I enjoy the entire series. You can also get some good recipes

[Linda Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom!Boom!

Clever story. Not as personable as other issues. I like more of the characters chatter and insight. Would like to branch out from the family some. Some of them don't wear so well. Need fresh characters and Fred needs to move on with her life. She's too old to be so dawdling. So is Leo. Not feeling to real.

[Kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again, another great book! Even 12 books in, each book manages to stay fresh.

This one had a change, not knowing if a murder actually happened or not. We got to know a lot more about Noah and Jonah, as well as met some new people that come around Estes every once in a while. This one was great! Excited to read the next one and I'm sure it could never be less than great!

[Jean A Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Cozy Corgis!

I’ve read all twelve of the Cozy Corgi books and loved them all. My only complaint is that there aren’t 12 more to read right now! Waiting not so patiently for number 13. Thank you and please write faster! 😎