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Holly Holmes #3
Vanilla Whip and Murder
A seven-layer cake. A body found in the castle. A big change for Holly.
Holly Holmes was having a pleasant dream about a huge chocolate cake when a baking emergency strikes. She gets dragged from her bed in the middle of the night and ordered to bake the cake of her life (seven layers, glitter, edible flowers - it will be epic.)
With the crisis averted, it’s time to relax and enjoy a few of her own yummy treats. But before she gets the chance to do that, Lady Philippa predicts a death in the castle.
Holly is determined to warn the victim, but Blaine Masters refuses to take her seriously. In fact, he’s downright rude to her. Then he’s found dead at the bottom of a set of stone steps, and Holly soon discovers it was no accident.
With some prodding from her sidekick, Princess Alice, she questions suspects and learns there were plenty of people who hated Blaine. But who is hiding the truth about just how far they’d go to get rid of him?
Justice must be served, along with a side order of delicious cake.
Throw in a trip to mermaid school, a possible new love interest, and a job opportunity Holly may not be able to refuse, and you’re in for a fun cozy ride. And, of course, oodles of treats.
Vanilla Whip and Murder is book three in the Holly Holmes cozy culinary mystery series. It features a cast of quirky royals, an adorable dog, and a twisty plot that will leave you guessing until the very end.
Holly Holmes was having a pleasant dream about a huge chocolate cake when a baking emergency strikes. She gets dragged from her bed in the middle of the night and ordered to bake the cake of her life (seven layers, glitter, edible flowers - it will be epic.)
With the crisis averted, it’s time to relax and enjoy a few of her own yummy treats. But before she gets the chance to do that, Lady Philippa predicts a death in the castle.
Holly is determined to warn the victim, but Blaine Masters refuses to take her seriously. In fact, he’s downright rude to her. Then he’s found dead at the bottom of a set of stone steps, and Holly soon discovers it was no accident.
With some prodding from her sidekick, Princess Alice, she questions suspects and learns there were plenty of people who hated Blaine. But who is hiding the truth about just how far they’d go to get rid of him?
Justice must be served, along with a side order of delicious cake.
Throw in a trip to mermaid school, a possible new love interest, and a job opportunity Holly may not be able to refuse, and you’re in for a fun cozy ride. And, of course, oodles of treats.
Vanilla Whip and Murder is book three in the Holly Holmes cozy culinary mystery series. It features a cast of quirky royals, an adorable dog, and a twisty plot that will leave you guessing until the very end.
- GenresCozy MysteryMysteryCozy
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2019
130 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
K.E. O'Connor
177 books193 followersK.E. O’Connor is the author of the Witch Haven mystery series, the Crypt Witch cozy mysteries, the Lorna Shadow ghost mysteries, the Holly Holmes baking mysteries, the Zee Town paranormal cozy series, and the Old Sarum mystery series, along with other titles available if you cast the right spell. She can imagine dragons, taste cookies when they aren’t even there, and hear the crack of a witch’s broom at a hundred paces.
K.E. (the K stands for Karen) lives in the United Kingdom (it isn’t very united, but that’s a mystery for another time) among the mystical stones and fairy creatures of Somerset. She graduated from the Universities of Southampton and Reading, where she received degrees in Archaeology and Cognitive Evolution (both highly entertaining to take part in, but with the career options of a ground witch’s toe bone.)
If you’re of the curious persuasion and want to know more, visit her website at www.keoconnor.com for enlightening knowledge on all things cozy mystery, book news, and a peek into the magical world of a writer who believes animals talk and magic is just a finger click away.
To contact her, visit her Facebook page – www.facebook/keoconnorauthor, join her email list, or dust off that haunted mirror in your cellar and speak the ancient magical words to transport yourself into her lounge. There may be tea and cookies waiting, or there may be giants – it depends on her mood.
K.E. (the K stands for Karen) lives in the United Kingdom (it isn’t very united, but that’s a mystery for another time) among the mystical stones and fairy creatures of Somerset. She graduated from the Universities of Southampton and Reading, where she received degrees in Archaeology and Cognitive Evolution (both highly entertaining to take part in, but with the career options of a ground witch’s toe bone.)
If you’re of the curious persuasion and want to know more, visit her website at www.keoconnor.com for enlightening knowledge on all things cozy mystery, book news, and a peek into the magical world of a writer who believes animals talk and magic is just a finger click away.
To contact her, visit her Facebook page – www.facebook/keoconnorauthor, join her email list, or dust off that haunted mirror in your cellar and speak the ancient magical words to transport yourself into her lounge. There may be tea and cookies waiting, or there may be giants – it depends on her mood.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 15, 2023
While out delivering cakes in Audley St. Mary, Holly is run off the road and off her bike by a rude driver in a sports car. To make matters worse, another rude man stops to mock her but won't help her get back to the castle. He claims he's not going in that direction and leaves Holly and Meatball to limp back on their own. When Holly returns to the kitchen, she's shocked to see the man who claimed he wasn't going near the castle in her kitchen, in her workspace. Blaze Lorcan, celebrity chef, has come to Audley Castle to bake the anniversary cake for the Duke and Duchess's daughter, Princess [Lady] Diana's anniversary party. Holly is furious when Blaze insults her baking but surprised when Chef Heston stands up for her with a taste testing contest. Soon after Blaze comes down with food poisoning and it's up to Holly to bake the cake. Late into the night, Holly is awakened by noise and lights in the Castle. One of the guests has fallen to his death and it sure doesn't look like he tripped and fell. Campbell is certain he knows who did it but Princess Alice and Holly are conducting their own investigation and come up with several other suspects! Can Holly solve this murder and prove she belongs at Audley Castle?
Once again I figured out whodunit easily and quickly for the same reason as the last. In this one, there weren't enough drool-worthy treats to make up for the lack of plot. I was looking for something fluffy that didn't require brain power and this fit the bill. It's not great literature but it's cute and fun.
The characters in this series are unique but still rather two-dimensional. Holly is kind, intelligent and an amazing baker. She's a little too nice and has trouble saying no. Of course she feels like she can't say no because technically Alice is her boss. Holly is a way better baker than Lorcan Blaze. He's arrogant, condescending and super rude. I bet he's faking food poisoning because he knows if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I think he's a faker and poseur who cares more about "likes" and going viral than how his baked goods actually taste. Chef Heston may act grumpy most of the time but I can tell he appreciates Holly and thinks she's a great baker. He's a softie at heart and Holly misinterprets his behavior. She needs to get better about talking to people.
Lady Philippa continues with her death predictions. She's too funny and I adore her. This time we see evidence of her ghost companions and I didn't like that much. That was a little creepy but also funny and charming the way it works. Lady Philippa is very wise and had a lot of good advice about love and good taste in NOT liking a certain fictional hero I will never get along with no matter how many times I try.
Lady Philippa doesn't need a prophetic dream to know someone is going to kill Blaine Masters. He has more money than brains, zero manners, zero morals and is a show off, a bore and a womanizing creep. He's the one who ran Holly down. It figures. She's not his type. If she looked like Alice, he would have stopped and flirted. He's a major sleaze. I can't believe he's friends with the Duke and Duchess's son-in-law. This guy had it coming.
We finally meet the Duke and Duchess's children. I thought Alice and Rupert were their children but they're not. The Duke and Duchess have four daughters: Caroline, Henrietta, Diana and Mary. Caroline is lively and the life of the party. Henrietta is my favorite. She's a bookworm and socially conscious. She'd rather read and think about how to make the world a better place than socialize at a fancy party. I'm not sure where she came from because she's so different from her mother and sisters. Even her father, who is very old-fashioned in his outlook. I think University was good for her. Mary is traveling so we never meet her but Diana is the woman of the hour. She's celebrating her 5th wedding anniversary. She's a demanding diva who wants to recreate her exact wedding and invite everyone in the world to celebrate HER! She's selfish, vain, shallow and a total *itch. Her husband, Percy, seems like a very nice man. He's sensible and nice enough. Diana considered him a fixer-upper when they met. She's whipped him into shape successfully, although lately he's been hanging out with his old pal Blaine Masters. He has his reasons which Diana doesn't want to hear. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she pushed Blaine down the stairs because she thought he was a bad influence on her husband. Who else would know their way around the castle in the dark except for one of the family?
I don't think it was Henrietta! She's a reader not a fighter. She also blogs about how crass and shallow the nobility are and threatened publicly to kill Blaine Masters. Who would publicly make a statement like that and then follow through? Henrietta is much too smart for that. I also think if she wanted to kill Blaine, she'd do it so no one knew how he died let alone trace it back to her. She's smart. Campbell is a pig-headed, arrogant ex-military man who latches on to Henrietta as his prime suspect. There's no way he can be that stupid. That doesn't seem right to me. I think the author boxed herself into a corner here making the official investigator ex-military. He make see the world in black and white but he also knows how to get what he wants, any way he can. Campbell is manipulative and charming when he's being most manipulative. What if he makes Henrietta confess to something she didn't do?
Other suspects include James Corden lookalike James Postle. He was the best man at Percy and Diana's wedding. James seems very nice but there's too much testosterone in the room when poor Rupert is around. James wants Holly for superficial reasons but I think Rupert truly cares about her. They're beginning to be good friends even if she has to keep him at arm's length. He's so sweet and awkward, like a Hugh Grant rom-com character while James is nice but he does hang out with some questionable people, if even on the periphery. I don't think he's a killer though.
I do suspect Blaine's girlfriends. Yes girlfriends plural. Lila, his official girlfriend, wasn't about to let go of him. In her mind, she can reform him and they'll live happily ever after. She's deluding herself if she thinks Blaine will change after they're married. Lila has invested a lot of time into the relationship and she refuses to give up. But what if she found out about his assistant, Sabine. Sabine is reportedly Blaine's "personal assistant." What on earth does he need a personal assistant for? Sabine is a beautiful woman in the mold of a va-va-va-voom vixen type. Totally sexist *sigh*. She's a piece of work. She has the same dream as Lila and she's in it for the cash flow. I don't think Sabine would kill Blaine on purpose because he's her meal ticket. If she killed anyone, it would be Lila and I think vice-versa. However, one of them might have gotten into an argument with Blaine for two-timing her and accidentally pushed him down the stairs?
Foodies take note: a lot of the baking mentioned is diabetic friendly, using natural sweeteners instead of sugar. I want a recipe for the indulgent chocolate fudge brownie cupcakes!
This was another cute entry in the series. I'll read more if I have time but they're just a light diversion and not a top favorite.
Once again I figured out whodunit easily and quickly for the same reason as the last. In this one, there weren't enough drool-worthy treats to make up for the lack of plot. I was looking for something fluffy that didn't require brain power and this fit the bill. It's not great literature but it's cute and fun.
The characters in this series are unique but still rather two-dimensional. Holly is kind, intelligent and an amazing baker. She's a little too nice and has trouble saying no. Of course she feels like she can't say no because technically Alice is her boss. Holly is a way better baker than Lorcan Blaze. He's arrogant, condescending and super rude. I bet he's faking food poisoning because he knows if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I think he's a faker and poseur who cares more about "likes" and going viral than how his baked goods actually taste. Chef Heston may act grumpy most of the time but I can tell he appreciates Holly and thinks she's a great baker. He's a softie at heart and Holly misinterprets his behavior. She needs to get better about talking to people.
Lady Philippa continues with her death predictions. She's too funny and I adore her. This time we see evidence of her ghost companions and I didn't like that much. That was a little creepy but also funny and charming the way it works. Lady Philippa is very wise and had a lot of good advice about love and good taste in NOT liking a certain fictional hero I will never get along with no matter how many times I try.
Lady Philippa doesn't need a prophetic dream to know someone is going to kill Blaine Masters. He has more money than brains, zero manners, zero morals and is a show off, a bore and a womanizing creep. He's the one who ran Holly down. It figures. She's not his type. If she looked like Alice, he would have stopped and flirted. He's a major sleaze. I can't believe he's friends with the Duke and Duchess's son-in-law. This guy had it coming.
We finally meet the Duke and Duchess's children. I thought Alice and Rupert were their children but they're not. The Duke and Duchess have four daughters: Caroline, Henrietta, Diana and Mary. Caroline is lively and the life of the party. Henrietta is my favorite. She's a bookworm and socially conscious. She'd rather read and think about how to make the world a better place than socialize at a fancy party. I'm not sure where she came from because she's so different from her mother and sisters. Even her father, who is very old-fashioned in his outlook. I think University was good for her. Mary is traveling so we never meet her but Diana is the woman of the hour. She's celebrating her 5th wedding anniversary. She's a demanding diva who wants to recreate her exact wedding and invite everyone in the world to celebrate HER! She's selfish, vain, shallow and a total *itch. Her husband, Percy, seems like a very nice man. He's sensible and nice enough. Diana considered him a fixer-upper when they met. She's whipped him into shape successfully, although lately he's been hanging out with his old pal Blaine Masters. He has his reasons which Diana doesn't want to hear. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she pushed Blaine down the stairs because she thought he was a bad influence on her husband. Who else would know their way around the castle in the dark except for one of the family?
I don't think it was Henrietta! She's a reader not a fighter. She also blogs about how crass and shallow the nobility are and threatened publicly to kill Blaine Masters. Who would publicly make a statement like that and then follow through? Henrietta is much too smart for that. I also think if she wanted to kill Blaine, she'd do it so no one knew how he died let alone trace it back to her. She's smart. Campbell is a pig-headed, arrogant ex-military man who latches on to Henrietta as his prime suspect. There's no way he can be that stupid. That doesn't seem right to me. I think the author boxed herself into a corner here making the official investigator ex-military. He make see the world in black and white but he also knows how to get what he wants, any way he can. Campbell is manipulative and charming when he's being most manipulative. What if he makes Henrietta confess to something she didn't do?
Other suspects include James Corden lookalike James Postle. He was the best man at Percy and Diana's wedding. James seems very nice but there's too much testosterone in the room when poor Rupert is around. James wants Holly for superficial reasons but I think Rupert truly cares about her. They're beginning to be good friends even if she has to keep him at arm's length. He's so sweet and awkward, like a Hugh Grant rom-com character while James is nice but he does hang out with some questionable people, if even on the periphery. I don't think he's a killer though.
I do suspect Blaine's girlfriends. Yes girlfriends plural. Lila, his official girlfriend, wasn't about to let go of him. In her mind, she can reform him and they'll live happily ever after. She's deluding herself if she thinks Blaine will change after they're married. Lila has invested a lot of time into the relationship and she refuses to give up. But what if she found out about his assistant, Sabine. Sabine is reportedly Blaine's "personal assistant." What on earth does he need a personal assistant for? Sabine is a beautiful woman in the mold of a va-va-va-voom vixen type. Totally sexist *sigh*. She's a piece of work. She has the same dream as Lila and she's in it for the cash flow. I don't think Sabine would kill Blaine on purpose because he's her meal ticket. If she killed anyone, it would be Lila and I think vice-versa. However, one of them might have gotten into an argument with Blaine for two-timing her and accidentally pushed him down the stairs?
Foodies take note: a lot of the baking mentioned is diabetic friendly, using natural sweeteners instead of sugar. I want a recipe for the indulgent chocolate fudge brownie cupcakes!
This was another cute entry in the series. I'll read more if I have time but they're just a light diversion and not a top favorite.
June 30, 2024
Many things about this series continue to make no sense (the titles assigned to the various members of the nobility, the seeming lack of protocol between "upstairs" and "downstairs" staff). However, for some strange reason i continue to read it. The murder victim wasn't a surprise in this one, and there were many potential killers. I'l admit the author surprised me with the ultimate murderer.
September 19, 2022
Lady Philippa foretold Blaine’s death, didn’t she??? Too bad she didn’t know who would do it!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book
August 8, 2020
Fine story, arrogant characters
Holly Holmes is a first -rate baker and nearly as adept as an amateur sleuth; a good thing, since Castle Audley is once again playing host to mayhem. Holly is a real charmer: capable, helpful, and kind, but no pushover. This is a sweet, clean series, the locale works, and Holly is happiest when she's left to her own devices and whipping up dessert masterpieces. Too bad she has to do it in an environment where she's expected to placate everyone (a pushy "friend", an arrogant security chief, and everyone else deemed above her station) and to be content with knowing she is easily replaceable. It seems that several of the castle's inhabitants need a lesson in truly valuing Holly...or she may be gone! I'm interested to see what's in store for Holly; unfortunately, most of the other characters as written are beginning to wear on me (and someone PLEASE explain how the never never-married daughter of a duke and duchess is a princess but the siblings' are titled "Lady!").
Holly Holmes is a first -rate baker and nearly as adept as an amateur sleuth; a good thing, since Castle Audley is once again playing host to mayhem. Holly is a real charmer: capable, helpful, and kind, but no pushover. This is a sweet, clean series, the locale works, and Holly is happiest when she's left to her own devices and whipping up dessert masterpieces. Too bad she has to do it in an environment where she's expected to placate everyone (a pushy "friend", an arrogant security chief, and everyone else deemed above her station) and to be content with knowing she is easily replaceable. It seems that several of the castle's inhabitants need a lesson in truly valuing Holly...or she may be gone! I'm interested to see what's in store for Holly; unfortunately, most of the other characters as written are beginning to wear on me (and someone PLEASE explain how the never never-married daughter of a duke and duchess is a princess but the siblings' are titled "Lady!").
June 15, 2025
I’ve felt a bit confused
Sorry, but it feels like this one goes iver the same beats as the last 2. I still enjoyed it, it’s comfort for me, but it just felt familiar and more contrived this time. Maybe it’s just me being a fool for not knowing that Blaine and Lorcan are actuakky two different people until like Chaoter 19. Really enjoyed jt, but I hope a new plotpoint could happen soon…
Sorry, but it feels like this one goes iver the same beats as the last 2. I still enjoyed it, it’s comfort for me, but it just felt familiar and more contrived this time. Maybe it’s just me being a fool for not knowing that Blaine and Lorcan are actuakky two different people until like Chaoter 19. Really enjoyed jt, but I hope a new plotpoint could happen soon…
June 16, 2025
So excited I read it in a day 😍
This book grabs you from the start. I was aggravated how a celebrity chef was treating Holly Holmes in her own kitchen on the large estate where she was an expert dessert maker. The characters are easy to like and the cast quickly feels like family. It is so easy to get into and rooting for Holly was just a no brainer. Definitely going on to the next book.
This book grabs you from the start. I was aggravated how a celebrity chef was treating Holly Holmes in her own kitchen on the large estate where she was an expert dessert maker. The characters are easy to like and the cast quickly feels like family. It is so easy to get into and rooting for Holly was just a no brainer. Definitely going on to the next book.
May 21, 2023
Who’s the best baker?
An arrogant, self important chef arrives at the castle. He has an intense dislike from Holly. And things go from bad to worse and finally to murder. Can Holly solve the crime? I really enjoy this series of books. The characters are becoming my friends. I definitely recommend this series!
An arrogant, self important chef arrives at the castle. He has an intense dislike from Holly. And things go from bad to worse and finally to murder. Can Holly solve the crime? I really enjoy this series of books. The characters are becoming my friends. I definitely recommend this series!
November 3, 2021
Cute cozy!
This is a cute cozy set in a castle in England. Holly helps solvethe murder of a castle guest who was not liked very much as she gets challenged making a beautiful 7 layer wedding cake.
This is a cute cozy set in a castle in England. Holly helps solvethe murder of a castle guest who was not liked very much as she gets challenged making a beautiful 7 layer wedding cake.
April 13, 2020
Great!
Love these books! Hope there will be more in this series. Good mysteries but also lots of fun stuff!
Great characters.
Love these books! Hope there will be more in this series. Good mysteries but also lots of fun stuff!
Great characters.
February 16, 2021
Another great story
February 17, 2021
Great Series.......
I've been enjoying reading this story about the lady baker, Vanilla Whip and Murder. The Lady Baker worked in the kitchen of a castle, need I tell you more!
I've been enjoying reading this story about the lady baker, Vanilla Whip and Murder. The Lady Baker worked in the kitchen of a castle, need I tell you more!
March 21, 2022
Easy fun little read. I am enjoying the series.
April 21, 2022
Love this! Characters, setting, mystery, everything!
June 30, 2022
Still love it
Book 3 was great as well! I love the mermaid class and all the sweets! Evey time I read these books I just get a cozy feeling!
Book 3 was great as well! I love the mermaid class and all the sweets! Evey time I read these books I just get a cozy feeling!
January 31, 2023
enjoyable story. nothing heavy.
December 25, 2023
Cute little cozy murder
May 29, 2024
I enjoyed this book. Like these characters very much.
July 29, 2021
A sweet cozy mystery. I have enjoyed getting to know Holly and the residents of the castle.
February 5, 2022
enjoyed.
February 8, 2023
Once more another cozy mystery enforcing that not only is Holly a good baker but she is a super sleuth.
Whilst solving the murder we get to see more of the bonds between Holly, Alice, Rupert and Campbell. It is nice to see them in environments such as the mermaid class too.
One thing I would love from this series is if we were given a recipe from the titled dessert.
Whilst solving the murder we get to see more of the bonds between Holly, Alice, Rupert and Campbell. It is nice to see them in environments such as the mermaid class too.
One thing I would love from this series is if we were given a recipe from the titled dessert.
October 7, 2019
Author has again brought us characters that we truly care about. Sometimes being nosy has it's benefits. Holly is the type of person that people will talk to, especially if she offers cakes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2019
Holly gets involved with solving another murder that takes place at the castle. The characters are quirky but loveable. The cakes are mouthwatering. Enjoyable read
November 15, 2019
Amazing Book!!!
I Love this series!! I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next book!!I love the setting for the book and the characters are wonderful.
I Love this series!! I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next book!!I love the setting for the book and the characters are wonderful.
January 8, 2020
Quirky characters, plot twists, and desserts. Great combination. Enjoy getting to know these delightful people. Anxiously awaiting to see what trouble Holly and Meatball get themselves into next.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews