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Cozy Corgi #14

Precarious Pasta

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Halloween creeps in, bringing costumes, carbs, and a corpse or two…

Estes Park is bustling with fall tourists as Winifred and Katie deck out the Cozy Corgi Bookstore and Bakery, while corgi mascot, Watson, helps in his own special way—snacking, napping, and being his adorable grumpy self.

When Fred and Leo’s date at the romantic restaurant, Pasta Thyme, leads to an invitation of a murder scene, instead of ghouls and goblins, Fred is haunted by ghosts from the past. Death might lurk around every corner as Fred investigates motives of infidelity, jealousy, and the dark shadow cast by a crime syndicate.

By the time Halloween night arrives, not everyone will get out alive…

(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for luscious tiramisu.)

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2019

474 people are currently reading
189 people want to read

About the author

Mildred Abbott

56 books371 followers
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...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mildredabbott/

Email: mildredabbottauthor@gmail.com

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5 stars
477 (66%)
4 stars
182 (25%)
3 stars
46 (6%)
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6 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Nola Arganbright.
1,592 reviews32 followers
December 9, 2019
On the right track?

Another exciting adventure for Free and Watson. Brandon is back in town and it increases the angst as to whether the latest murders are related to the crime family or not.
Profile Image for Laura Thomas.
1,552 reviews107 followers
January 18, 2020
I would love to visit Estes Park on Halloween. Mildred brings the town to life and I can see how magical and fun it must be. But with fun comes murder and Fred will need her scooby gang to get things sorted out.

I love how Fred has grown throughout the series. She’s learned to trust and rely on her friends as sounding boards and partners to worry out the facts. Her romance with Leo is so sweet but I worry about the mysterious contents of an envelope she receives about Leo. And it’s always fun to see how Susan grudgingly invites Fred into the investigations. I see a friendship growing.

The Iron’s family crime syndicate rears it’s ugly head again, as does a previous character that still has Fred torn about him. Me also, as I sense more is to be revealed about him in upcoming books.

The grumpy Watson is prevalent throughout the story and he always elicits grins and guffaws from me.

And the mysteries are convoluted. I was caught by surprise with one thing and totally shocked by another.

Still loving this series and can’t wait to see what happens next time, and the next ……….

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
Profile Image for Deanie Nelder.
1,131 reviews24 followers
October 25, 2020
Winifred "Fred" Page and her clue-sniffing corgi Watson are back in the next installment of the Cozy Corgi Mysteries. It's been months since bookseller Fred has found either a dead body or clues to the mob family who killed her father, and things have kind of settled into a normal rhythm for Fred, BFF Katie, boyfriend Leo and company. Until Fred gets a note on her windshield, asking her to come to Pasta Thyme restaurant after hours to find out more about the mysterious mob family -- and finds her mob-connected ex-boyfriend, Branson, and a dead body.

While the mystery in this book is interesting, it's the relationships between the characters that makes this series so great. Fred and Leo's romance is steadily developing, she leans on her mom for advice, and Katie and the crew at the bookshop are always supportive. Watson is in rare form with this one, both when overly happy about getting fed, and overly grumpy about being stuck in a Sherlock Holmes costume for Halloween.
Profile Image for Shawna Shaheen.
332 reviews25 followers
July 31, 2021
The 14th book in this series. It is time for Halloween. Leo and Fred ( Winifred) have a date at Pasta Thyme. Percival came and rolled Fred up and reminded Fred about her first date with Brandon that did not turn out very well.Fred was wondered that Leo had ulterior motives. Anna and Carl got a pup Winston. They said it was a corgi. But it sure did not look like one. He look !like a fat miniature goat ( Percival words lol) Winston had a wrap around his waists to hold his per in. ( Sounds like my dog Wili. He is a minpin and pees all over the place. That was funny). This one story was about Raul the owner of Pasta Thyme was having affairs. Carmela (Raul wife) strikes 3 women ( including Fred) accusing them to have slept with her husband. A note was on Fred car it said meet me at Pasta Thyme to talk about The Irons Family. Well She got there a woman she recognized had a throat slit. Then Fred saw someone was There and she knew him. But she did not believe he killed her. There were mystery in 14 book. As usually Watson steals the series. It did have any description of inside any shops Like Mildred like to put in the series. It make me just want to go into the shops that describes in her stories like magical shops it reminds of when you were young. and you would like to go to cool fun shops. But like I said I Love All These Books In The Series. Will read until she stops making the series. I think there are 22
Profile Image for Robin Powers.
1,427 reviews35 followers
October 22, 2019
I know I said the last book was my favorite but THIS BOOK is my favorite. This series keeps heating up with more twists, more accusations and more danger. I really enjoyed trying to figure out which suspicious person tried to get away with murder in my favorite town of Estes Park. Fred's reputation is really starting to make her the person you do NOT want showing up at your house...or business. I loved quirky Watson and all of the crazy pets. There is so much I could say about this story but I'll let you experience it for yourself. Just know that new information comes to light and it makes Fred all the more determined to get to the truth.
Profile Image for Erica Chaillot.
748 reviews18 followers
January 20, 2020
This is by far the best of the series, and I know that I say it with every installment. Fred, Leo, and Katie are back to their skills and their personality keeps us intrigued. The secondary characters are quirky and fit in well with the town. And that letter... OMG!!!
Profile Image for Debby.
38 reviews
October 23, 2019
Twists and turns

This new installment in our view of the adventures of Fred and Watson, and their band of family and friends, brings us to Halloween in Estes Park. With a murder or two in town, and a grumpy corgi in tow, Fred has her hands full tackling the twists and turns that are thrown her way.

There are surprises in store, and they made this book a “must read” for me. If you’ve been reading this series, you will want to indulge in this newest. If you are new to the series, I recommend book 1 - Cruel Candy, as you’ll want to read them all.
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,948 reviews29 followers
June 5, 2023
A goodish one though Fred frustrates me at time. Watson giving Leo the cold shoulder was heart breaking and you could just feel Leo’s heartbreak 🤣🤣🤣 Branson, please go away!! Fred, burn that envelope, if you trust Leo, no need to keep it. More secrets are revealed and Fred leans valuable lessons about friendships and using people, though I doubt it’ll stick.
Profile Image for Nina Derr.
310 reviews
November 12, 2019
By far this probably my favorite out of the while series. It almost feels like a cliffhanger! You can't help but fall more and more in love with these characters after each book. As always I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Profile Image for Karen (BaronessBookTrove).
1,123 reviews108 followers
March 11, 2024
Precarious Pasta by Mildred Abbott is about Halloween getting closer, and so is a certain anniversary.
Will Fred and Watson be caught up in solving another mystery before Halloween?
Winifred "Fred" Page and Watson
Fred is back solving a mystery. I love how she and Watson are when they are solving a mystery as it is so cute. Watson was so excited that he was happy for a few days. Watson is spoiled by everyone he sees, even if Fred tries to rein him from getting treats or baked goods. These two are good at solving mysteries, even if they stumble on them and feel they need to solve them. Fred's addiction to her dirty chai is integrated into this storyline because of some of her late-night sleuthing.
Precarious Pasta CRThe Mystery
Fred, Watson, and Leo all stumble into a crime scene by accident, thinking they are meeting someone else. Let's say that a certain someone we all don't miss shows up around this anniversary and makes Leo believe this isn't a coincidence. Fred and Watson are determined to figure out who killed the poor victim, only to be handed a lot of evidence that ties a specific crime mafia family to it all. Winifred tries to think clearly to figure out the murders and find the murderer or murderers if they aren't linked. Let's say that I fell for a red herring...again. I don't know how that keeps happening.
Five Stars
Precarious Pasta by Mildred Abbott is a brilliant story that showcases Ms. Abbott's fantastically built-up imagination of Fred and Watson solving their mysteries with such finesse. I love these stories a lot, and I hope that Fred and Leo will be okay after that certain someone is gone from their lives again. Fred, Watson, and Leo make such a cute family together. I am giving Precarious Pasta by Mildred Abbott five stars and recommending it to anyone that loves a good Cozy Culinary Animal Mystery.


The Cozy Corgi Mystery Series

Cozy Corgi Mysteries Series
Also Available on #KindleUnlimited.



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed these reviews of Precarious Pasta by Mildred Abbott.

Until the next time,

Karen Signature

Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

Profile Image for Grammy 1.
805 reviews18 followers
October 28, 2019
Review by Gloria Lakritz Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild
5 *****Stars

Book: Precarious Pasta
Series: Cozy Corgi Mystery Book #14
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Kindle Unlimited
Pages:416
Release date: Oct 21, 2019
Genre : Mystery Thriller
Rated: Adult


Mildred Abbott has had me hooked with the Cozy Corgi Mystery stories! We have woven our way through the town of Estes with many secrets, murders and mysteries……But I have to say, Ms Abbott I think this one is one of the best.

Estes is a great place to be during the Halloween season and all are readying for the children Trick or Treating. But we are first greeted by Uncle Percival rushing into Fred’s home to do an emergency make-over, after being told by Katie that Leo has asked her out to that really expensive Italian restaurant Pasta Thyme!! You know the one that Branson had taken her to in the past…..

Is it time in their relationship for Leo to ask????? I really don’t want to give away spoilers….So this review might be shorter than my usual…….But I must say Ms. Abel that you have certainly expanded your story arc writing this book; maybe to continue this series for another century!

It’s Halloween in the Mountains , and the pumpkins are out…..There is a nip in the air……..a murder to be solved…….and a big fat can of worms has been opened. I love your books and cannot wait too try the new recipe…….Until the next story….I await breathlessly!!!

Profile Image for Victoria Smiser.
83 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2019
What could be a better way to face the first chilly days of Autumn than the release of a new Cozy Corgi mystery? Started off the evening by opening my Kindle to revisit some of my favorite Estes Park characters.
With Fabulous Uncle Percival barging in to do a marvelous make-over on Fred before a not-casual dinner date with Leo, I knew I was home with familiar friends and in for a good read.
By the end of the fourth chapter, as I yelled “No!!” out loud, I realized that the readers’ imagination was caught with an unthinkable turn. A fan of the Cozy Corgi mystery books since the first CRUEL CANDY. I have read each book, enjoying the continued and developing characterizations, each story becoming more multifaceted, the complexity more detailed and challenging to predict the outcome. PRECARIOUS PASTA is no exception and I found myself glued to every sentence, every page, and every chapter. As eager as I was to read the next chapter there was no chance of skimming even a sentence. I am in awe of Ms. Abbott’s skill to capture the reader, book by book with complex and yet believable twists.
If you are a Cozy Corgi fan you will be captivated and invested in every page. Readers will happily forego sleep to finish this mystery. Then you might want to re-read again very quickly because you might have missed something.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
October 25, 2019
Watson falls out over Sherlock

Terrific. Back to the great books we have grown to expect although I do wish that she had opened the envelope about Leo. It's going to keep bugging me now. A plot that more twists and turns then a helter-skelter with murder as the lead. Schemes within schemes are revealed and as we get to the climax we have another murder and a barely averted one. The solution will come as a surprise to all, I got one culprit right but for the wrong crime and the other came like a bolt from the blue. The characters are stupendous and the frolicking Watson bought a smile. On the other hand I also enjoyed his put up demeanour and the cold shoulder he gave to the ones he thought had taken advantage of him.
A brilliant read that shows us a bit more of the involvement that the Irons family has with our small community but still leaves the big question 'Who killed get father?'. Sure hope it wasn't Leo!
I must admit I was surprised at the number of proofing errors that got through as normally they are very few and far between.
1,034 reviews20 followers
October 28, 2019
What a great read!! A perfectly executed murder mystery with an incredibly lovable heroine and the best sidekick ever. Watson is fierce and has so much personality for such a little dog.

I loved the suspense and sense of unease and danger that permeated the story. So many red herrings to sort out and never being quite certain who’s innocent or who poses a threat, with so many people not being what they seem at first glance. One of the things I loved most is that the story is framed in the larger, ongoing mystery of the Irons family and the murder of Fred’s father.

I’d been curious a long time about this particular series, but was a bit intimidated because of the number of books already out there. Finally I decided to just jump right in with book 14! I thoroughly enjoyed it and now I’m so invested in Fred, Leo and all the other wonderful, vibrant secondary characters that I simply must find time to squeeze in the other 13 stories! Asap! Luckily, I love spoilers!

I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for the Most Annoying One and her Scooby Gang!
Profile Image for Terri.
1,661 reviews
December 1, 2019
I have missed a couple of installments in this series, and this book makes me anxious to go back to see what I've missed. I'm happy to see Fred and Leo together, with their wonderful dynamic of love, respect, and patience. I adore Katie and the others who love Fred. I even like Susan, who is now much more tolerant when dealing with Fred. My favorite character, of course, is Watson the cranky corgi. He has more attitude than anyone in town!
The murder mystery this time takes place around Halloween, and it is as complicated as always. I enjoy seeing how Fred and her Scooby gang talk things out. I am relieved that Fred gets others more involved now, instead of attempting to do everything on her own with only Watson for support. The scenes with Branson make me sad, though I am as frustrated with him as Fred is. And I love how food and gossip is often the focus. This is a great addition to the series, and I am thankful to the author for another fabulous mystery.
Profile Image for Karel .
201 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2020
Is There Trouble Brewing For Leo and Fred?

As the saga continues there are two gruesome murders but was it the same murderer? Fred and Watson stumble upon the body of a beautiful blonde in the Pasta Thyme restaurant. Branson, the man who Fred used to date until she found out that he belonged to the job that killed her father, was in the restaurant's office searching through papers on the desk. Was he responsible for the woman's death? Then the owner of the restaurant is killed. Are the murders related? Branson, before he leaves town, gives Fred a manila envelope supposedly with information on Leo that might lead to Fred finding out things about Leo that would make her want to break up with him. Will she open the envelope of destroy it? We will see in the next book!
Profile Image for Sherry Vaughan.
842 reviews10 followers
November 6, 2019
Cliffhanger Alert

This latest book is rather bittersweet. Why, you ask? I can't tell you because it will spoil the end. After 1 murder in town, all clues point to the Irons family. Of course, Fran can't help but look into it with Susan's blessing. But the more Fred looks the more she obssesses about them, and, the more she confuses herself. Finally, when she thinks she has it all figured out, something happens that makes her doubt herself. (It doesn't help that Branson pops up from time to time.) Is he telling her the truth or is he trying to add to her confusion. Who can she trust? Everything she had held to be true may be a lie and the people closest to her may be the ones she should fear the most. Needless to say, there is a huge cliffhanger at the end.
193 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2024
Another Cozy Corgi mystery!
I actually had some trouble getting through this one, but it wasn't too bad!

I think I'm getting a little tired of hearing about the Irons Family? Obviously they seem to be around every corner, but the obsession with it is just getting to be a little much for me.
Fred is starting to irritate me a little bit. Not in a way where I can't stand her! But there are some things that are starting to develop with her that I'm not a huge fan of. She can just come off as selfish at times and kind of bratty. But my slight dislike of Fred doesn't stop me from enjoying the series at all, I'm still going to continue further and enjoy the mysteries!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Terri Nelson.
123 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2019
Precarious pasta

Lies, suspense, intrigue all with a bit of romance. Precarious Pasta is a page turner. The plot twists and turns kept me guessing right up to the end! Fred and Watson are a great duo. And I just love her Scooby gang. Characters are fully developed, I can close my eyes and just picture them, along with the various businesses in their town. Please, keep the Cozy Corgi mysteries coming.
490 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2019
Fun series!

This is #14 in the cozy corgi mysteries series, and I found it just as enjoyable as the first 13. I own the whole series and love them. The plots are well drawn to keep you guessing, and the continuing character development and growth leaves you feeling that you really know these people. I highly recommend this series to all cozy readers.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
466 reviews
December 1, 2019
Another Murder to Solve at Halloween

Fred and Katie are getting ready to celebrate Halloween at The Cozy Corgi. Unfortunately Branson is back and everyone is on edge. Is Branson guilty of the latest crimes and can Leo and Fred stay out of his reach? A thrilling adventure. Recommend Series.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,551 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2020
Precarious Pasta

I don’t know why but I always struggle with liking Fred. She’s a strong female character, exactly what I’m always looking for in my books but she’s too selfish sometimes and that’s what bothers me. As normal the antics of the characters entertaining and the mystery is well done.
Profile Image for Cheryl A..
305 reviews31 followers
August 3, 2021
Fabulous!

I didn't even have a inkling of the perpetrator in this exciting story. The author did a wonderful job of throwing many red herrings to keep the reader's interest throughout the book. I believe this may be the best writing so far and that is saying a lot! So ready to start #15 to she what kind of mischief Fred and Watson get into this time!
952 reviews3 followers
May 29, 2023
Questions Answered and Asked

This book answers some of the questions that have arisen throughout the series. Even so, it raises more questions and ends with a cliffhanger. As always, the plot hangs together, the human characters are intriguing, and Watson is equally endearing and infuriating. I look forward to the next installment.
82 reviews
October 13, 2025
Another amazing mystery! ❤️ I can't imagine what was in the Manila envelope that Branson (yes) once again appears in Fred and Watson's life have to say about Leo who Fred is in love with! Fred thought Simon's was someone to suspect but she ended up saving her life since Branson was about to kill her! More people out of the Estes Park town so I can't wait to see who will be next on the list!
1,063 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2019
A great cozy

Ok I love Fred and Katie and if course Watson and all of the characters in this wonderful series by Mildred Abbott. I can't wait till the next book. If you're a cozy lover then this series is a must read
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
October 27, 2019
Another interesting Cozy

This was another interesting cozy filled with plenty twists and turns.
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
This book is recommended for those who love cozy mysteries.
43 reviews
October 28, 2019
Waiting for the next book

Because there are so many twists and turns
I can't put it down. Hurry up Mildred I can't wait to see if she gives in to opening it. I hope it isn't to bad.
146 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2019
Another great read!

I'm always excited to see another book released in this series. The only problem is I read them too fast and then have to wait for the next one. I love the characters and the descriptions of all the delicious sounding baked goodies make my mouth water.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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