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A Cookie House Mystery #2
Sugar and Vice
OUT OF THE OVEN
Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian―not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.
AND INTO THE FIRE
And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found―in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend―until now? It’s time for Kate to use every trick in the recipe book to prove Maxi’s innocence, and find the truth about the skeleton, before the last of the cookies crumble…
Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian―not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.
AND INTO THE FIRE
And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found―in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend―until now? It’s time for Kate to use every trick in the recipe book to prove Maxi’s innocence, and find the truth about the skeleton, before the last of the cookies crumble…
302 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2020
175 people are currently reading
914 people want to read
About the author
Eve Calder
8 books393 followersFlorida native Eve Calder writes the Cookie House mysteries, featuring pastry chef Kate McGuire -- including AND THEN THERE WERE CRUMBS, SUGAR AND VICE and A TALE OF TWO COOKIES from St. Martin's Press.
Join her on Bluesky (EveCalderWrites.bsky.social) or email her at: ecalder@protonmail.com
Join her on Bluesky (EveCalderWrites.bsky.social) or email her at: ecalder@protonmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
October 31, 2020
For a short book, this one has a list of distracting flaws. All the bamboozlement about the Pirate George Bly was anything but. I guessed almost everything midway through.
The other, major plot mystery was impossible to guess. The revelations on this crime were a bit ho hum because the author didn't give us clues leading to the solvency of the mystery.
The first book got 4 stars from me. It was better than this successor. And I do want to keep reading this series. I like the setting. Very cozy, domestic, with a believable cast of supporting characters peopling the book.
As I live on an island, I understand the charm of this book. Kate McGuire is a not so flawed character who is flustered but never angry, hardworking but never workaholic, cultivated without being erudite.
The best thing about her is that she isn't a goody two shoes. Well, she is, but the author makes one forget that aspect of her personality. She seems like a real person. I like this series and will keep waiting for newer and newest tales.
The other, major plot mystery was impossible to guess. The revelations on this crime were a bit ho hum because the author didn't give us clues leading to the solvency of the mystery.
The first book got 4 stars from me. It was better than this successor. And I do want to keep reading this series. I like the setting. Very cozy, domestic, with a believable cast of supporting characters peopling the book.
As I live on an island, I understand the charm of this book. Kate McGuire is a not so flawed character who is flustered but never angry, hardworking but never workaholic, cultivated without being erudite.
The best thing about her is that she isn't a goody two shoes. Well, she is, but the author makes one forget that aspect of her personality. She seems like a real person. I like this series and will keep waiting for newer and newest tales.
April 21, 2020
Kate McGuire moved to Coral Cay, Florida for a fresh start. She is now the co-owner of the Cookie House bakery and is looking forward to the town's annual Pirate Festival. She's helping her new friend Maxi, who owns the flower shop next door to the bakery, install a raised garden when her dog Oliver starts to dig and uncovers a skeleton wearing what appears to be a pirate outfit. Everyone assumes that the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a pirate from the 16th century who was rumored to have been buried with his treasures. But the investigation reveals that the body has been buried less than a year ago. Kate and Maxi work together to uncover the truth about the skeleton.
This is a delightful cozy mystery, with a wonderful setting, mouthwatering descriptions of cookies, and two intriguing mysteries. This was my first visit to Coral Cay, and I am absolutely smitten. I loved the small tight-knit community feeling and the friendship between Kate and Maxi. Kate is a character that readers will find easy to like. She's kind, caring, and passionate about her job. The town's history is weaved effortlessly with the present-day mystery. There were plenty of clues and twists along the way to keep me guessing, and the conclusion of both mysteries was a surprise to me.
I look forward to the third book in this charming series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a delightful cozy mystery, with a wonderful setting, mouthwatering descriptions of cookies, and two intriguing mysteries. This was my first visit to Coral Cay, and I am absolutely smitten. I loved the small tight-knit community feeling and the friendship between Kate and Maxi. Kate is a character that readers will find easy to like. She's kind, caring, and passionate about her job. The town's history is weaved effortlessly with the present-day mystery. There were plenty of clues and twists along the way to keep me guessing, and the conclusion of both mysteries was a surprise to me.
I look forward to the third book in this charming series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2020
What a fun series to read! Great setting, likable characters, delightful pastry treats, and an interesting mystery to unravel. Kate McGuire is settling into small town life in Coral Cay, in South Florida, where she is a junior partner in the Cookie House Bakery with Sam Hepplewhite, owner. She and her new best friend, Maxi, owner of a florist next door have each other's backs. They are working in the backyard of the florist digging new flower beds when the town dog, Oliver, discovers a grave. The two become involved in solving what turns out to be a murder and they investigation leads them to friends, unfortunately. It is also Pirates Festival Week, an activity that most coastal towns in Florida enjoy. Kate's ex-fiance' shows up without warning and adds a kink to Kate's life.
Food, fun, and murder in a beautiful small town setting and great characters/friends make this another winner in the Cookie House Mystery series.
I received a complimentary ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
Food, fun, and murder in a beautiful small town setting and great characters/friends make this another winner in the Cookie House Mystery series.
I received a complimentary ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
February 26, 2020
Cookies, flowers, and pirates! Arrghh! Eve Calder mixes up a great plot in the second installment of her Cookie House series with a fast-paced story that will leave you craving cookies and the next story!
In beautiful Coral Cay, Florida, Kate McGuire (pastry Chef), and best friend, Maxi (Flower shop owner), watch Kate’s dog, Oliver, dig up a skeleton out back of Maxi’s shop. Could it be the missing pirate known as Gentlemen George Bly? The local detective, Kate and Maxi, the Coral Cay Irregulars Book Club, and a private investigator and his beagle, all want to know whose body was buried there, and when?
I fully enjoyed this fun, light Mystery and Kate’s constant baking kept me hungry for baked goodies! A great cozy series!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. Thank you.
In beautiful Coral Cay, Florida, Kate McGuire (pastry Chef), and best friend, Maxi (Flower shop owner), watch Kate’s dog, Oliver, dig up a skeleton out back of Maxi’s shop. Could it be the missing pirate known as Gentlemen George Bly? The local detective, Kate and Maxi, the Coral Cay Irregulars Book Club, and a private investigator and his beagle, all want to know whose body was buried there, and when?
I fully enjoyed this fun, light Mystery and Kate’s constant baking kept me hungry for baked goodies! A great cozy series!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. Thank you.
February 21, 2020
Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder is the second book in Ms. Calder's Cookie House cozy series and was another book that I could not put down.
Kate and Maxi are preparing for Pirate Days in Coral Cay when Oliver finds a buried skeleton in the backyard of Maxi's floral shop. The plot combines both a past mystery regarding an infamous pirate in Coral Cay, Gentleman George Bly as well as who is the skeleton. The characters are beginning to become fully developed now and I enjoy Kate and Maxi's friendship. The plot is well-crafted with enough red herrings and twists that I kept guessing throughout the book. In fact, I was shocked at the reveal. Ms. Calder's series is a winner in the cozy mystery genre.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Kate and Maxi are preparing for Pirate Days in Coral Cay when Oliver finds a buried skeleton in the backyard of Maxi's floral shop. The plot combines both a past mystery regarding an infamous pirate in Coral Cay, Gentleman George Bly as well as who is the skeleton. The characters are beginning to become fully developed now and I enjoy Kate and Maxi's friendship. The plot is well-crafted with enough red herrings and twists that I kept guessing throughout the book. In fact, I was shocked at the reveal. Ms. Calder's series is a winner in the cozy mystery genre.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
April 10, 2021
Sam put Kate (she came to Florida from N.Y. To start anew)was a junior partner in his Bakery shop. With Sam doing breads and Kate doing cookies. It is called Cookie House. In 2nd book of the series Oliver the poodle mix dogs up bones in Maxie Flower shop. Kate and Maxi think it is a pirate George Bly. It is Pirate Festival too and it seems like the town will get recognition. If it really is. Evan (from N.Y.) Kate ex was trying to win her over again.Eric saying that they were getting married when Kate does not want him anymore. Love this book! It is creative contest that Kate sets up at The Cookie House. Love Maxie she is fiesty. Oliver the poodle mix is a sweet heart. Love the characters in this series. Have not read book 1 her but I'm going to
May 9, 2020
Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder has Kate McGuire and her best friend, Maxi planting some vegetable gardens behind Maxi’s flower shop in Coral Cay, Florida. Kate’s dog, Oliver suddenly begins digging frantically and uncovers a skeleton with pirate clothes. They wonder if the skeleton is Sir George Bly, the pirate who founded the town and the reason they have the annual pirate festival. Kate has enough on her plate with baking unique items for the pirate festival and the unknown skeleton. But then her ex-fiancé, Evan arrives in town with an agenda. Kate keeps herself busy (aka avoiding Evan) by investigating the legend of Sir George Bly with the book club hoping they can learn the truth about the gentleman pirate and his long-lost treasure. What happens when they learn the skeleton is more recent than a four-hundred-year-old pirate? Sugar and Vice is the second A Cookie House Mystery. It can be read on its own for those new to the series. Kate is a likeable young woman with a talent for baking. I love her dog, Oliver with his exuberance. Kate loves to bake, and she creates delicious items for the bakery. I enjoy the interactions between Maxi and Kate. I did find the chapters too short and there were too many of them (68). It made the book choppy. The mystery was simple and could easily be solved long before the reveal. But the mystery does suit the book. It is a lighthearted cozy mystery with the focus on baking and friendship than the whodunit. There are lovely descriptions of the town which has friendly residents. I could have done without the Spanish words or phrases used by Maxi. They are not explained which is frustrating (I was never able to master Spanish). I did enjoy the humor and the descriptions of Kate’s baked items. Sugar and Vice is a fun cozy mystery with a peppy pooch, tasty treats, pirate plunder, a bothersome ex-beau, and a screwy skeleton.
January 3, 2021
Things were going well for Kate McGuire with a new home in beautiful Coral Cay Island with her career blooming as a junior partner and baker at the Cookie House. Then she finds herself involved in a murder when her dog Oliver uncovers a body and her ex-finance makes a very unwelcome appearance.
The history theme is so well written it had me checking to be sure it is not real. I also enjoyed the characters, especially Oliver. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
The history theme is so well written it had me checking to be sure it is not real. I also enjoyed the characters, especially Oliver. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 7, 2020
Although I missed the first installment of this series, the author provided enough background on the characters that I quickly caught up. While planting, Maxi finds a corpse presumed to belong to a legendary pirate. The Coral Cay grapevine alerts residents to the discovery. When an archaeologist arrives on the scene, he delivers the verdict the man died in the last ten years. Soon Kate and the gang begin investigating. My biggest complaint involves the choppiness of the writing. 68 chapters provided far too many breaks in a novel this length. Between the choppy chapters and COVID-19 distractions to reading, I found it difficult to concentrate. I'd give it 2.75 stars, but since I realize these are unusual times and my ability to fully enjoy any book is marred, I'm rounding it up to 3. I received an advance review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2020
This new Cookie House book is as good as the first, a little quirky and amusing, it continues to entertain.
Kate and Maxi continue to snoop as well as do their jobs when a body appears in Maxi's yard, dug up by Oliver, the dog who adopted Kate.
Along with the body, a furor develops as he's mistakenly identified as 'gentleman George,' a pirate who is supposed to have a large treasure buried near, bringing forth treasure hunters. Kate's ex pops up on the scene, much to her dismay and irritates her to no end, as he encourages the hunt for the pirate by offering funds to the town's business owners to help the search for the real 'Gentleman George.'
Continuing to run their businesses, research George and try to ID the body, the ladies also do their part for the town's 'annual Pirate Festival.'
They eventually find out who the body is, after several false starts with the help of Manny and John Quincy, who get the information after John Quincy finds another body.
They also found out about Gentleman George..a whole 'nother tale.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and offer my opinion gratis.
Kate and Maxi continue to snoop as well as do their jobs when a body appears in Maxi's yard, dug up by Oliver, the dog who adopted Kate.
Along with the body, a furor develops as he's mistakenly identified as 'gentleman George,' a pirate who is supposed to have a large treasure buried near, bringing forth treasure hunters. Kate's ex pops up on the scene, much to her dismay and irritates her to no end, as he encourages the hunt for the pirate by offering funds to the town's business owners to help the search for the real 'Gentleman George.'
Continuing to run their businesses, research George and try to ID the body, the ladies also do their part for the town's 'annual Pirate Festival.'
They eventually find out who the body is, after several false starts with the help of Manny and John Quincy, who get the information after John Quincy finds another body.
They also found out about Gentleman George..a whole 'nother tale.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and offer my opinion gratis.
April 22, 2020
It was great discovering the cookie house - the only drawback is now I want cookies - lots of cookies! Kate and her friend Maxi are digging a flowerbed when the dog discovers a skeleton. Could it be George Bly - the pirate founder of the town? It's also Pirate Days, with the chaos of tourists - and did I mention lots of cookies? Yes I did! I really liked the town, I liked the people and animals, and I thought the mystery was good. Also, the main characters were never stupidly going into danger - yay! I'm going to look for more books from this author!
February 13, 2020
I was eagerly anticipating this second book in the Cookie House Mystery, but having been in a cozy mystery slump lately was a bit hesitant to start it for fear of being disappointed. I am happy to say that disappointment was not what I felt while reading this book. Eve Calder is doing a wonderful job of crafting the charming town of Coral Cay in South Florida. I am completely charmed by the two main characters, Kate and Maxi. Their friendship comes across as very natural and believable. They are great characters and written so that the reader is rooting for them at every step along the way. The two women are different but they complement each other with natural ease. Maxi lives up to her Cuban ancestry with a bit more of a fiery personality, where Kate is still getting accustomed to her new home so she is a bit reserved. The rest of the secondary cast of characters, including Oliver the dog who adopted Kate in the first book, round out the story nicely and provide perspective and some humor.
I thought the mystery was well done. There are some twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing about the killer's identity. The reveal was a surprise to me but once I went back and thought about the clues it made sense in hindsight. During the middle of the book, there was a period where the story seemed to concentrate more on the pirate festival and cookie competition than the murder mystery, but even that ties in nicely to the mystery.
I have enjoyed both books in this series to date and I would recommend them to cozy mystery fans. I will certainly be back for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
I thought the mystery was well done. There are some twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing about the killer's identity. The reveal was a surprise to me but once I went back and thought about the clues it made sense in hindsight. During the middle of the book, there was a period where the story seemed to concentrate more on the pirate festival and cookie competition than the murder mystery, but even that ties in nicely to the mystery.
I have enjoyed both books in this series to date and I would recommend them to cozy mystery fans. I will certainly be back for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
March 2, 2020
Sugar and Vice is a delightful follow up to the first book in the Cookie House Mystery Series. In this one, Kate McGuire has another murder to solve. A skeleton has been found behind her friend, Maxi's, place of business. First believing it could be the corpse of the long dead pirate, Sir George Bly, a legend in their town, it is soon found to be much more recent. Kate has her work cut out proving that Maxi had nothing to do with the death. While trying to solve the murder, Kate is plagued by her ex-fiance, Evan, who has come to town determined to win her back.
I really love Kate, and I think the Cookie House is such a great setting! This series has proven to be very charming so far, and I look forward to more.
I really love Kate, and I think the Cookie House is such a great setting! This series has proven to be very charming so far, and I look forward to more.
May 19, 2020
Sugar and Vice
A Cookie House Mystery, Book #2
Eve Calder
5 Stars
Synopsis:
OUT OF THE OVEN
Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian―not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.
AND INTO THE FIRE
And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found―in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend―until now? It’s time for Kate to use every trick in the recipe book to prove Maxi’s innocence, and find the truth about the skeleton, before the last of the cookies crumble… (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing. In my mind’s eye, I could picture the pirate festival and cookie house very clearly.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Kate and Maxi are such good friends, even though they have only known each other a short time. I think we should all have a friend like Maxi. The secondary characters added a lot to the story, and I like how everyone seemed to be one big happy family.
The mystery was well plotted and very intriguing. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and this mystery was not easily solved, which is how I like my mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Everything in this book works, just like it did in the first book. I cannot wait to read book three.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Cookie House Mystery, Book #2
Eve Calder
5 Stars
Synopsis:
OUT OF THE OVEN
Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian―not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.
AND INTO THE FIRE
And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found―in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend―until now? It’s time for Kate to use every trick in the recipe book to prove Maxi’s innocence, and find the truth about the skeleton, before the last of the cookies crumble… (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing. In my mind’s eye, I could picture the pirate festival and cookie house very clearly.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Kate and Maxi are such good friends, even though they have only known each other a short time. I think we should all have a friend like Maxi. The secondary characters added a lot to the story, and I like how everyone seemed to be one big happy family.
The mystery was well plotted and very intriguing. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and this mystery was not easily solved, which is how I like my mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Everything in this book works, just like it did in the first book. I cannot wait to read book three.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
February 14, 2020
Really fun read! Lots of twists and turns and a old mystery wrapped up with a new mystery. Very exciting story. I kind of had a feeling about the killer, but didn't know the extent of the reveal. Wow! Great story and looking forward to the next one!
April 29, 2020
I could barely wait for this second book in The Cookie House series to finish baking, and it is just as scrumptious at the first one. The setting, the characters, the cookies (oh my, the cookies!), and lovable Oliver all pick up right where they left off. There are a couple new characters and an appearance by someone we may or may not have wanted to meet, but the writing is spot on and flows smoothly to a satisfying reveal. My only complaint? No recipes!
March 15, 2020
I enjoyed this second addition to the series. Kate and Maxi make great friends, and a great team.
In Sugar and Vice, it’s Pirate Days, and everyone is gearing up for the tourists and a great time.
Unfortunately, when a dead body turns up in Maxi’s backyard, everyone has a guess as to who it might be. From long lost relatives to maybe an actual pirate, everyone keeps guessing, but it’s up to Kate and Maxi to dig up the truth.
I think this series is filled with colorful characters, witty humor and intriguing mysteries.
I’m looking forward to seeing Kate and her friends again.
In Sugar and Vice, it’s Pirate Days, and everyone is gearing up for the tourists and a great time.
Unfortunately, when a dead body turns up in Maxi’s backyard, everyone has a guess as to who it might be. From long lost relatives to maybe an actual pirate, everyone keeps guessing, but it’s up to Kate and Maxi to dig up the truth.
I think this series is filled with colorful characters, witty humor and intriguing mysteries.
I’m looking forward to seeing Kate and her friends again.
May 17, 2021
I love, love, love, love, love, this series! This is the second book in the series. I immediately began this book the same day I finished the first book. As I stated in my review on the first book, Eve Calder was a debut author and this came under my recommendations . As with the first, this book was absolutely outstanding! I love mystery, but in the last few years find them increasingly full of cursing and vulgarity that I have even given up authors I have read or listened to for for years. The last few years I have tried many cozy mysteries.
However, a lot of times, while good, they are too easy of a mystery , a rushed ending or contain an aspect of paranormal, ( just not my cup of tea for a mystery, I just want straight mystery). This book is a straight up mystery , ( there is only one other book that is a cozy mystery that in my opinion is a straight up mystery, and that is Linda Gail Black's For Whom the Book Tolls. Eve Calder's Sugar and Vice not just one mystery either, there are many and they are well developed and wrapped up, not rushed! Full of excitement, twist , turns. I am definitely glad of who goes to prison.
There are no fillers or wasted space in this book! Read these books now! I actually bought the first two books on an Audible sale at the same time. I love books Audible, Kindle, physical, books. I just love books! However, there are a two narrators I have to have the books on Audible because they bring unique irreplaceable voices to the characters to books that are already nearly flawless those two narrators are Susan Ericksen and Susan Boyce, now after only two novels in this series, I must add Christa Lewis to the list! I just saw when I marked finished on Goodreads the third book in this series came out April 27th! I went straight to Audible to purchase , but is not available! Why? I am attached to the characters voices!
However, a lot of times, while good, they are too easy of a mystery , a rushed ending or contain an aspect of paranormal, ( just not my cup of tea for a mystery, I just want straight mystery). This book is a straight up mystery , ( there is only one other book that is a cozy mystery that in my opinion is a straight up mystery, and that is Linda Gail Black's For Whom the Book Tolls. Eve Calder's Sugar and Vice not just one mystery either, there are many and they are well developed and wrapped up, not rushed! Full of excitement, twist , turns. I am definitely glad of who goes to prison.
There are no fillers or wasted space in this book! Read these books now! I actually bought the first two books on an Audible sale at the same time. I love books Audible, Kindle, physical, books. I just love books! However, there are a two narrators I have to have the books on Audible because they bring unique irreplaceable voices to the characters to books that are already nearly flawless those two narrators are Susan Ericksen and Susan Boyce, now after only two novels in this series, I must add Christa Lewis to the list! I just saw when I marked finished on Goodreads the third book in this series came out April 27th! I went straight to Audible to purchase , but is not available! Why? I am attached to the characters voices!
February 20, 2022
When Kate agrees to help her friend Maxi set up growing beds for veggies and herbs she expects a fun, if exhausting, day digging, it all changes though when they take a break and Oliver the town (but more recently Kate's) Golden Doodle dog starts digging and unearths a skeleton! The initial thought is that this is Sir George Bly, the purported founder of Coral Cay and well known Pirate! But after an archaeologist checks it out it turns out to be a lot, LOT more recent! Now Kate and Maxi need to find out who buried Skeleton A aka Alvin in the back yard and at the same time they are trying to find out more about Sir George AND survive The Pirate Festival, if the wasn't enough to deal with Kate's ex has turned up - stating that he and she are still together AND Harper (from the wine shop) is also asking her out! Finding the murderer seems the easiest thing to cope with in all of this.
September 14, 2020
What a wonderful mystery! Truly one of the best written and crafted mysteries I have read and I read a TON of cozies. The mystery was excellent and I would have never guessed the ending. Absolutely superb! This series has now officially reached favorite status and I can’t wait for book 3!
October 8, 2021
More about cookies than mystery solving.
April 20, 2020
What a delightful book!! I am so happy that my friend recommended this series to me!! The cookies!! The coffee!!! PIRATES!! Murder!! Intrigue!!! PUPPIES!!!! And friendship and love. Throughout the whole book flows the love of friendship and family and you can almost feel that coming off the pages and just adds to an already great story.
I must say at this point that I knew who did it, why [mostly] and knew who the body was and knew another plot point [actually that plot point came to mind in Book 1]. And I knew this fairly early in the book. I must also say that I read a LOT of mysteries [cozy and otherwise] and watch a ton of murder mysteries on TV, so my mind tends to think in ways that others don't and more often than not, I have come up with the who and the what and the why. That being said, knowing all of that did not detract from this book [for me] AT ALL. I loved every second of this book. It was so much fun and I love the characters and the cookies and the coffee and most of all [again], the friendships. Ms. Calder knows how to write a good story, a good mystery and knows [she must] the importance of friends and family.
One note of negativity - there. are. no. recipes. in. this. book. We need recipes. It is COOKIES!!!!! I want chocolate ice box cookies!!! :-)
I highly recommend this series and will be telling everyone I know about them!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I must say at this point that I knew who did it, why [mostly] and knew who the body was and knew another plot point [actually that plot point came to mind in Book 1]. And I knew this fairly early in the book. I must also say that I read a LOT of mysteries [cozy and otherwise] and watch a ton of murder mysteries on TV, so my mind tends to think in ways that others don't and more often than not, I have come up with the who and the what and the why. That being said, knowing all of that did not detract from this book [for me] AT ALL. I loved every second of this book. It was so much fun and I love the characters and the cookies and the coffee and most of all [again], the friendships. Ms. Calder knows how to write a good story, a good mystery and knows [she must] the importance of friends and family.
One note of negativity - there. are. no. recipes. in. this. book. We need recipes. It is COOKIES!!!!! I want chocolate ice box cookies!!! :-)
I highly recommend this series and will be telling everyone I know about them!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2020
SUGAR AND VICE is the second book in the Cookie House Mystery series by Eve Calder but the first I’ve had the chance to read… and it won’t be my last! The action starts right off the bat and pulled me into the story and didn’t let up until the final page. Ms. Calder has created memorable characters with the protagonist Kate, owner of the Cookie House in Coral Cay, Florida, and her best friend, Maxi, a fiery Cuban florist. I loved the interaction between the two women and especially loved the adorable dog, Oliver, who “adopted” Kate but basically thinks he belongs to the entire town. The author does an excellent job weaving in an ancient pirate mystery with a current day murder. There were plenty of clues and several twists to keep the reader guessing. With a satisfying conclusion that wrapped up the threads of the story, I’m looking forward to the next book in this delightful series. The only downside of the book is Kate bakes up so many incredibly yummy sounding cookies for the Cookie House that I craved a plateful of cookies. Unfortunately, there aren’t any recipes included.
I was provided an arc with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided an arc with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 13, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the A Cookie House mystery by Eva Calder.
Basic premise: When they are digging up her yard to put in a garden, the dead body of what looks like an old but familiar pirate is unearthed. Before long they realize this isn’t the body of Gentleman George but instead someone murdered!
I like how the author paired the mystery of what really happened to Gentleman George and who the mysterious dead body might be dressed in pirate finery. I am happy to say that I figured out what happened to Gentleman George but the dead body mystery eluded me. Loved following this whodunit. It felt more like a whole town mystery than just a cookie shop mystery and I liked that so much. This book really gives you this sense of community.
I wish I understood what motivated Kate’s ex-finacee, Evan, to try to force himself on her during this entire investigation. He was there one minute being a big annoyance and then later just gone. I wish there had been more insight on what his motivations were and what happened between him and his new real estate girlfriend. Maybe I just overlooked that part.
Totally in love with this new series and look forward to reading book one and any other new books that come out in the future! Yay! A new exciting series to follow!
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the second book in the A Cookie House mystery by Eva Calder.
Basic premise: When they are digging up her yard to put in a garden, the dead body of what looks like an old but familiar pirate is unearthed. Before long they realize this isn’t the body of Gentleman George but instead someone murdered!
I like how the author paired the mystery of what really happened to Gentleman George and who the mysterious dead body might be dressed in pirate finery. I am happy to say that I figured out what happened to Gentleman George but the dead body mystery eluded me. Loved following this whodunit. It felt more like a whole town mystery than just a cookie shop mystery and I liked that so much. This book really gives you this sense of community.
I wish I understood what motivated Kate’s ex-finacee, Evan, to try to force himself on her during this entire investigation. He was there one minute being a big annoyance and then later just gone. I wish there had been more insight on what his motivations were and what happened between him and his new real estate girlfriend. Maybe I just overlooked that part.
Totally in love with this new series and look forward to reading book one and any other new books that come out in the future! Yay! A new exciting series to follow!
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
May 10, 2023
A great sequel. Well paced, character development, thank goodness the MC did not go back to that cheating ex fiancé Evan!!! And thankfully she didn’t jump into another relationship though it seems a love triangle of sorts “may”be brewing and if it does I’ll be really teed because it will ruin an otherwise great series. The eccentricity of the islanders is great, Oliver the pub that belongs to the town is awesome, and the fact he chooses to live with the MC is great. When a body is found in the garden of the flower shop, Kate and Maxi and the town at first think it’s a historical find - the body of Gentleman George! However, that is not to be and the body is much fresher than 400 years old. Soon there’s a puzzle of which resident or visitor hasn’t been seen in a while and whose body was buried in Maxi’s backyard. Unraveling the mystery means digging into the secret lives of several residents and there’s something foul about.
March 18, 2020
Pirates, skeletons, murder and a wonderful cookie shop are keeping Kate McGuire busy! Add in a lovable best friend, Maxi, and a rambunctious Goldendoodle named Oliver and you have the ingredients for a fun cozy mystery!
When Kate helps her best friend Maxi find out who is buried in the back of her yard - past and present day crime solving is needed. Along with all that, Kate has started a new promotion for her shop, the Cookie House and is dealing with an "old" and maybe a "new" love.
Kate is smart, kind and determined. I loved her willingness to help her friends and how she deals with her ex-fiance. A mystery that keeps you guessing and wanting cookies!
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
When Kate helps her best friend Maxi find out who is buried in the back of her yard - past and present day crime solving is needed. Along with all that, Kate has started a new promotion for her shop, the Cookie House and is dealing with an "old" and maybe a "new" love.
Kate is smart, kind and determined. I loved her willingness to help her friends and how she deals with her ex-fiance. A mystery that keeps you guessing and wanting cookies!
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 20, 2020
The second installment in The Cookie House Mystery series does not disappoint! I had been eagerly anticipating this book since reading Eve Calder's And Then There Were Crumbs.
In this fun cosy, Kate is settling down in Coral Cay with her canine sidekick Oliver who has decided to make his home with Kate. When Kate and her friend Maxi find a body in Maxi's garden, pirate fever erupts in Coral Cay.
This is such a fun read and the ending was a surprise with a lot of twists and turns to get there. We'll have to wait until May 2021 to read the third book in the series :(
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.
In this fun cosy, Kate is settling down in Coral Cay with her canine sidekick Oliver who has decided to make his home with Kate. When Kate and her friend Maxi find a body in Maxi's garden, pirate fever erupts in Coral Cay.
This is such a fun read and the ending was a surprise with a lot of twists and turns to get there. We'll have to wait until May 2021 to read the third book in the series :(
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2021
I really like this series and can't wait to read the next entry. Set in Coral Cay, Florida, the book features main character Kate McGuire as she tries to launch a cookie business to go along with her employer's very successful bread-baking business. Things get complicated when she and her best friend Maxi find a skeleton buried in Maxi's backyard. The skeleton looks like it could belong to a pirate who died hundreds of years earlier, but there are some things that suspiciously lead them to other ideas about the identity of the dead person. Though clues lead in many directions, it is definitely a surprise when they unmask the real murderer. The plot, characters, and setting are all great, and this is the kind of book that leaves you thinking, after you finish it, "I wonder what the characters are doing now?" I hope this series has many more entries!
March 12, 2022
Initially I didn't like Sugar and Vice, it just didn't appeal but kept going for a bit. I'm glad I did. It was a really good read. This is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more of this series.
Kate McGuire has recently moved to Coral Cay, Florida from Manhattan where she was a pastry chef. She'd realized the nonstop work in the, she had no time for herself. Now she has Big Apple drained her. Now she is part owner in a bakery and is the pastry chef at The Cookie House. Life is Good for her here.
As the story opens she and her best friend uncover a skeleton behind the best friend's florist shop. The remains have on pirate type clothing of centuries ago. The women speculate whether he could be the one and only Sir George Bly, the legendary pirate founder of Coral Cay? Police are called, the coroner is brought in and an anthropologist is consulted. Kate and Maxi's hopes are dashed when the anthropologist dates the body as very recent, no more than a year in the ground. The clothes found with the remains are of the wrong century. They were hoping it was George Bly as the timing would just about line up with the annual festival honouring the community's founder.
The big question was now who was the person founder in the backyard of the florist's shop, when was he placed there and by whom? It became evident that the killer lives in Coral Key. Who had the motive?
Kate had this on her mind, running her cookie making business, launching a cookie contest, so she did not need another thing to deal with. Within days of finding the mystery man's remains, her ex-fiance arrives in town to woo her back. He's determined they are still engaged but Kate says no
While I did guess that one character was involved in the murder, the circumstances were much more complicated than that. I would have preferred an ending with more closure. What happened to this person? Will this be mentioned in another book perhaps? Fingers crossed.
Kate McGuire has recently moved to Coral Cay, Florida from Manhattan where she was a pastry chef. She'd realized the nonstop work in the, she had no time for herself. Now she has Big Apple drained her. Now she is part owner in a bakery and is the pastry chef at The Cookie House. Life is Good for her here.
As the story opens she and her best friend uncover a skeleton behind the best friend's florist shop. The remains have on pirate type clothing of centuries ago. The women speculate whether he could be the one and only Sir George Bly, the legendary pirate founder of Coral Cay? Police are called, the coroner is brought in and an anthropologist is consulted. Kate and Maxi's hopes are dashed when the anthropologist dates the body as very recent, no more than a year in the ground. The clothes found with the remains are of the wrong century. They were hoping it was George Bly as the timing would just about line up with the annual festival honouring the community's founder.
The big question was now who was the person founder in the backyard of the florist's shop, when was he placed there and by whom? It became evident that the killer lives in Coral Key. Who had the motive?
Kate had this on her mind, running her cookie making business, launching a cookie contest, so she did not need another thing to deal with. Within days of finding the mystery man's remains, her ex-fiance arrives in town to woo her back. He's determined they are still engaged but Kate says no
While I did guess that one character was involved in the murder, the circumstances were much more complicated than that. I would have preferred an ending with more closure. What happened to this person? Will this be mentioned in another book perhaps? Fingers crossed.
February 22, 2020
When the publisher reached out for me to read this via Netgalley I was so excited. With assurance that it would be okay to start with the second I quickly agreed.
Sugar and Vice was a tale of deceit, murder, Pirates, and cookies. I had no trouble jumping right in with all the characters and the story even without the context of the first book. Calder does an excellent job or leading you in, capturing you, and making you laugh along the way. The story is fun and inviting and the description of the cookies, pastries, and bread were just mouth watering. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book and I am looking forward to book three in early summer 2021.
Sugar and Vice was a tale of deceit, murder, Pirates, and cookies. I had no trouble jumping right in with all the characters and the story even without the context of the first book. Calder does an excellent job or leading you in, capturing you, and making you laugh along the way. The story is fun and inviting and the description of the cookies, pastries, and bread were just mouth watering. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book and I am looking forward to book three in early summer 2021.
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