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A Seafood Caper Mystery #2
Spawning Suspicion
The death of island playboy Curtis Marlin doesn’t register on busy caterer River Holloway’s radar…that is, until her brother and his girlfriend are arrested for the former athlete’s murder. Certain of the pair’s innocence, the amateur sleuth sets out to investigate. Suspicion on the island spreads like chocolate sauce when River questions the victim’s teammates. The suspects don’t appreciate her stirring up trouble, but she won’t let an election-hungry sheriff make her brother a sacrificial lamb.
But there’s more than murder on River’s to-do list. A missing groom, catered banquets, and River’s own wedding plans keep her hopping like a short order cook. And as the cherry on the sundae, she has a wild kitty to tame. Under mossy oaks and rustling palmettoes, fact and fiction blend in a mouthwatering romp of good eatin’ and yummy recipes. Spawning Suspicion is the second in Toussaint’s Seafood Capers Mystery Series.
But there’s more than murder on River’s to-do list. A missing groom, catered banquets, and River’s own wedding plans keep her hopping like a short order cook. And as the cherry on the sundae, she has a wild kitty to tame. Under mossy oaks and rustling palmettoes, fact and fiction blend in a mouthwatering romp of good eatin’ and yummy recipes. Spawning Suspicion is the second in Toussaint’s Seafood Capers Mystery Series.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2020
About the author
Maggie Toussaint
42 books402 followersA scientist by training, a romanticist at heart, Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles. Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a who-dun-it, she tackles them all with equal aplomb and wonder. Maggie writes romantic suspense, contemporary romance , and science fiction for Muddle House Publishing, cozy mystery for Camel Press, Henery Press, and Muddle House.
She has five published romantic suspense novels: House of Lies (won the 2006 Readers Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense), No Second Chance (won 2 cover awards), Seeing Red (LASR book of the week), Muddy Waters ( Beacon finalist), Hot Water (EPIC finalist, cover art winner), and Rough Water.
Her mystery titles include In For A Penny, On the Nickel, Death, Island Style, Murder in the Buff, Dime If I Know, No Quarter, Gone and Done It, Bubba Done It, Doggone It, Dadgummit, Confound It, Dreamed It, All Done With It, Seas the Day, Spawning Suspicion, and Shrimply Dead. She also wrote a romantic mystery novella series, The Lindsey & Ike Mysteries.
Her next release, SNUFFED OUT, is tentatively scheduled for January 2023 under the pen name of Valona Jones.
Her works blend mystery and romance, often with a dash of humor.
She's a member of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and Guppies. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004. She also won Silver Falchion Awards, the National Readers Choice Award and the EPIC ebook Award. She's been a finalist for Georgia Author of the Year three times.
Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com
She has five published romantic suspense novels: House of Lies (won the 2006 Readers Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense), No Second Chance (won 2 cover awards), Seeing Red (LASR book of the week), Muddy Waters ( Beacon finalist), Hot Water (EPIC finalist, cover art winner), and Rough Water.
Her mystery titles include In For A Penny, On the Nickel, Death, Island Style, Murder in the Buff, Dime If I Know, No Quarter, Gone and Done It, Bubba Done It, Doggone It, Dadgummit, Confound It, Dreamed It, All Done With It, Seas the Day, Spawning Suspicion, and Shrimply Dead. She also wrote a romantic mystery novella series, The Lindsey & Ike Mysteries.
Her next release, SNUFFED OUT, is tentatively scheduled for January 2023 under the pen name of Valona Jones.
Her works blend mystery and romance, often with a dash of humor.
She's a member of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and Guppies. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004. She also won Silver Falchion Awards, the National Readers Choice Award and the EPIC ebook Award. She's been a finalist for Georgia Author of the Year three times.
Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 6, 2020
Demand is picking up for River Holloway's catering business. Her fiance' Pete is back on Shell Island settling in and planning their wedding. But everything goes on the back burner when River's brother Doug and her friend Viv are arrested for murder. It's up to River to prove their innocence when the sheriff decides he has the right culprits. Motives, suspects, shady characters, and delicious food abound in the latest Shell Island mystery.
November 14, 2020
Dollycas’s Thoughts
River Holloway has a full plate with her catering business which includes a high strung bride and her demanding mother, along with her own wedding to plan. But then her brother calls from the police station to tell her that he and his girlfriend had been arrested for murder. The sheriff has decided they are the new Bonnie and Clyde and offed her ex. River believes his suspicion is linked to his need to be reelected instead of hard evidence. She just has to prove it.
River has taken care of her brother for years and she usually bails him out of whatever mess he is in. This time she literally has to bail him out to get enough information to prove his innocence. This is an understandable relationship but I was happy to see her evolve in ways over the course of the story that will only make her relationship stronger. Her relationship with Pete is growing too as they work side by side and he investigates new business opportunities for himself. Her brother Doug and his girlfriend Viv are interesting characters too.
Ms. Toussaint has wrapped her characters into quite a whodunit. River uncovers some pretty damning information about the victim which gives quite a few people motive, she just needs to nail down the right timeline. The story is well-plotted with some nice twists.
The book should come with a warning – Readers will be drooling over all the food described within. Thankfully there are a few recipes in the back of the book. River’s Peach Supreme was immediately copied and peaches were added to the grocery list. It sounds so easy even I should be able to make it 🙂
Spawning Suspicion is a very entertaining cozy mystery. I like these characters and am excited to visit them again soon.
River Holloway has a full plate with her catering business which includes a high strung bride and her demanding mother, along with her own wedding to plan. But then her brother calls from the police station to tell her that he and his girlfriend had been arrested for murder. The sheriff has decided they are the new Bonnie and Clyde and offed her ex. River believes his suspicion is linked to his need to be reelected instead of hard evidence. She just has to prove it.
River has taken care of her brother for years and she usually bails him out of whatever mess he is in. This time she literally has to bail him out to get enough information to prove his innocence. This is an understandable relationship but I was happy to see her evolve in ways over the course of the story that will only make her relationship stronger. Her relationship with Pete is growing too as they work side by side and he investigates new business opportunities for himself. Her brother Doug and his girlfriend Viv are interesting characters too.
Ms. Toussaint has wrapped her characters into quite a whodunit. River uncovers some pretty damning information about the victim which gives quite a few people motive, she just needs to nail down the right timeline. The story is well-plotted with some nice twists.
The book should come with a warning – Readers will be drooling over all the food described within. Thankfully there are a few recipes in the back of the book. River’s Peach Supreme was immediately copied and peaches were added to the grocery list. It sounds so easy even I should be able to make it 🙂
Spawning Suspicion is a very entertaining cozy mystery. I like these characters and am excited to visit them again soon.
October 15, 2020
Spawning Suspicion by Maggie Toussaint is a delight for the senses! Caterer River Holloway dishes up her culinary specialties while investigating a buffet of suspects and dealing with a romance on the side. Suspense abounds as her friends are accused of murder and River is the only one who can get them off the hook, but can she find the bigger fish who is the real killer? I loved all the foodie references and already look forward to the next delectable tale in this enticing series. If you’re hungering for a fast and entertaining read, pick up a copy of Spawning Suspicion now!
December 17, 2020
Readers will find everything they love about cozy mysteries in Spawning Suspicion: A Seafood Caper Mystery by Maggie Toussaint. The characters are all interesting, some with fun quirks. The protagonist, River Holloway, is immediately lovable, with an interesting career and an active social life that leads her into trouble. The coastal island setting is the perfect backdrop for the characters and the whodunit plotline that is full of twists and red herrings, and the surprise ending will delight armchair sleuths. Readers will want to follow River Holloway on all of her adventures!
December 19, 2020
What a fun read. I enjoyed meeting the myriad of characters, and loved the various voices that were used to portray them. There were twists and turns aplenty. As with my favorite cozy reads, the murder was integral to the story however life went on around it. River took care of her catering jobs; Pete forged his own path. Having worked with many caterers, including hosting weddings, I could completely sympathize with River’s challenges. This is book 2 in the series and I can’t wait to read book 1.
October 4, 2021
This book was a gift from the author. Thank you, Maggie Toussaint.
I don’t read a lot of cozy mysteries. I prefer books that are harder-edged, a touch more graphic in their depiction of violence.
Having said that, I enjoy the occasional cozy as change of pace from those books. Reading a cozy after several darker stories is refreshing – like a sorbet for the mind after reading some heavy fare.
And this one was a good one with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader just a touch off balance as the tale progresses, never really sure they’ve figured it out until the end.
I don’t read a lot of cozy mysteries. I prefer books that are harder-edged, a touch more graphic in their depiction of violence.
Having said that, I enjoy the occasional cozy as change of pace from those books. Reading a cozy after several darker stories is refreshing – like a sorbet for the mind after reading some heavy fare.
And this one was a good one with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader just a touch off balance as the tale progresses, never really sure they’ve figured it out until the end.
May 13, 2024
Island playboy, Curtis Marlin, turns up dead. River's brother and his girlfriend are arrested for the murder. Concerned that the lazy sheriff is sacrificing them for the sake of his own career, River proceeds to investigate to clear them.
The story was interesting, and I did not guess the killer right away. I enjoyed seeing River's growth from continuing to spoil her irresponsible brother to pushing him to man up more. I am glad Pete encouraged her to do that. I enjoyed all the mention of the mouthwatering food, and I am also happy she included recipes.
The story was interesting, and I did not guess the killer right away. I enjoyed seeing River's growth from continuing to spoil her irresponsible brother to pushing him to man up more. I am glad Pete encouraged her to do that. I enjoyed all the mention of the mouthwatering food, and I am also happy she included recipes.
October 8, 2020
River Holloway is back, and this time her brother is charged with accessory to murder. River gambles everything she has to prove he and his girlfriend are innocent, bringing danger to her front door. But wait. Just when she thinks she has it all figured out, she realizes she missed that one important detail. Clues are handed out piecemeal until it all comes together in a satisfying conclusion. Make sure to stick around for the recipes at the end of the book.
October 21, 2020
Spawning Suspicion, the second in Maggie’s Toussaint’s Seafood Capers mystery series does not disappoint. This time, River Holloway is juggling her catering business jobs, including a wedding with a missing groom, her own wedding plans, and solving a murder when her brother and his girlfriend are the election-hungry sheriff’s only suspects. A good plot line, great setting, and delicious recipes make Spawning Suspicion a book to pick up and read.
March 18, 2021
Another 5 star book for me!
I love how the author ties together all the lose ends before finishing the book. I am not tearing the book up because I have unanswered questions. The writing is fluid and everything is written well.
River and Pete are finally settling into a rhythm and doing well. Rivers brother is accused of accessory to murder and now River is trying to find the real killer to clear her brother and his GF viv.
I can not wait for shrimp my dead!
I love how the author ties together all the lose ends before finishing the book. I am not tearing the book up because I have unanswered questions. The writing is fluid and everything is written well.
River and Pete are finally settling into a rhythm and doing well. Rivers brother is accused of accessory to murder and now River is trying to find the real killer to clear her brother and his GF viv.
I can not wait for shrimp my dead!
September 17, 2024
What a terrifyingly crazy story! It looks like no matter what River does to mind her own business, danger has a way of sucking her into its path! I love Major, the cat! I would love to have him. I do know that there are cats that are super intelligent and can understand us…I have a cat like that. I loved the ending and look forward to the next book to find out what catastrophic capers River gets into next! Loved this book!
April 23, 2021
A very entertaining book. Fast paced and exciting. There are missing people, murdered people, and a struggling caterer. The plot twists and turns. There are also wonderful sounding recipes at the end of the book. I will look forward to reading more from Maggie Toussant.
December 29, 2022
I love Maggie's books and try to be sure to catch them all. :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews