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Annie Graceland Mystery #3
Cupcakes, Pies, & Hometown Guys
My name’s Annie Graceland.
Three things to know about me: I’m a Midwesterner living in L.A. I run my own baking business. I talk to dead people and I figure out who murdered them.
When Mom signs me up to be a judge at Wisconsin's Hometown Guy Contest, I picture traveling home for the 4th of July weekend to Oconomowoc for some fun in the sun and catching up with old friends.
I don’t picture some idiot murdering Oconomowoc’s ‘Hometown Guy.’ Don’t picture Frank Plank haunting me to catch his killer. Definitely don’t picture being up to my twitchy eyeballs investigating pageant suspects, fending off former high school boyfriends, or discovering the local detective's been crushing on me for years.
How dicey can this trip home get?
Three things to know about me: I’m a Midwesterner living in L.A. I run my own baking business. I talk to dead people and I figure out who murdered them.
When Mom signs me up to be a judge at Wisconsin's Hometown Guy Contest, I picture traveling home for the 4th of July weekend to Oconomowoc for some fun in the sun and catching up with old friends.
I don’t picture some idiot murdering Oconomowoc’s ‘Hometown Guy.’ Don’t picture Frank Plank haunting me to catch his killer. Definitely don’t picture being up to my twitchy eyeballs investigating pageant suspects, fending off former high school boyfriends, or discovering the local detective's been crushing on me for years.
How dicey can this trip home get?
Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2012
860 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
About the author
Pamela DuMond
61 books385 followersUSA Today Best author Pamela DuMond writes merry mysteries, modern fairytales, and smart romance.
Pam pitched the "Erin Brockovich" story to Hollywood, was featured on “ABC 20/20," is repped for TV/Film/Lit by Italia Gandolfo at GHLiterary.com, and was a contracted writer for Pixelberry Studios.
Pam's books include the hilarious Part-time Princess © 2014 Rom-Com series, Annie Graceland cozy mysteries, Mortal Beloved 'romantasy' time travel, Courtesan "addicting" psychological thrillers, etc. #Iwritemyownbooks
Pam lives in NC where she consumes audiobooks, swims like a mermaid, and is bossed by cats. Sign up for her newsletter at www.pameladumond.com.
Pam pitched the "Erin Brockovich" story to Hollywood, was featured on “ABC 20/20," is repped for TV/Film/Lit by Italia Gandolfo at GHLiterary.com, and was a contracted writer for Pixelberry Studios.
Pam's books include the hilarious Part-time Princess © 2014 Rom-Com series, Annie Graceland cozy mysteries, Mortal Beloved 'romantasy' time travel, Courtesan "addicting" psychological thrillers, etc. #Iwritemyownbooks
Pam lives in NC where she consumes audiobooks, swims like a mermaid, and is bossed by cats. Sign up for her newsletter at www.pameladumond.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 16, 2022
Has potential, but needs work.
The author thanks, among others, two editors at the end of the book. If this book actually had two editors, then the author needs to demand a refund.
The author thanks, among others, two editors at the end of the book. If this book actually had two editors, then the author needs to demand a refund.
June 22, 2019
I wrote it, I love it, I could be partial, yes? This is the third book in the Annie Graceland Mystery series. The first is Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys (the second edition has been edited and has a gray cover, not the original blue cover.) Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails - A Novella continued Annie's ghostly encounters. Now Hot Guys takes Annie's adventures to a whole new level. I hope you enjoy.
There will be Hot Guys! There will be Romance! There will be Laughter and... Real Recipes!
Annie Graceland’s a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. She’s empathic— can feel other people’s lusts and desires in her own body. No biggie if she experiences someone else’s craving for chocolate or a foot rub. But due to recent events (See Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys) Annie’s acquired a dicier skill—she can see and talk to ghosts.
Annie’s happily dating an amazing man in Los Angeles when her mom signs her up to be a judge at Wisconsin’s first annual Hot Guys Contest. Who cares if it’s 4th of July weekend with scorching temperatures? It’s a free trip home to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. What could possibly go wrong? When Frank Plank, Mr. Oconomowoc, is killed and doesn’t pass to the Afterlife, he begs Annie to investigate his murder. Now she’s not only a pageant judge, but meddling with suspects that include her former high school rival, an old boyfriend, Hot Guy contestants and a mysterious illegal betting ring. It doesn’t help that a hometown boy from Annie’s past is all grown up, sexy as sin, and determined to make her fall for him. The temperature’s rising in Oconomowoc…
There will be Hot Guys! There will be Romance! There will be Laughter and... Real Recipes!
Annie Graceland’s a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. She’s empathic— can feel other people’s lusts and desires in her own body. No biggie if she experiences someone else’s craving for chocolate or a foot rub. But due to recent events (See Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys) Annie’s acquired a dicier skill—she can see and talk to ghosts.
Annie’s happily dating an amazing man in Los Angeles when her mom signs her up to be a judge at Wisconsin’s first annual Hot Guys Contest. Who cares if it’s 4th of July weekend with scorching temperatures? It’s a free trip home to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. What could possibly go wrong? When Frank Plank, Mr. Oconomowoc, is killed and doesn’t pass to the Afterlife, he begs Annie to investigate his murder. Now she’s not only a pageant judge, but meddling with suspects that include her former high school rival, an old boyfriend, Hot Guy contestants and a mysterious illegal betting ring. It doesn’t help that a hometown boy from Annie’s past is all grown up, sexy as sin, and determined to make her fall for him. The temperature’s rising in Oconomowoc…
September 19, 2017
Interesting short story
The writer wrote as though she didn't know how it would end. A lot of back and forth and didn't follow through for closure on Grady. Why introduce the guy in the can and not clarify? Did not flow and didn't flow.
Rewrite and clean it up and it could be a good series. I only took one,star off because with proper editing and a rewrite it could be good.
The main character has some major personality flaws.
Take 2 friends and , basically, ignored them on vacation. Swimming in water 4 am ? It would be too dark to see a boat zunk in the water. Also, how did the detective see her in the water, in the dark? She was submerged. Might as well as left that out because it couldn't happen.
Where was Grady when they left? She just left him to take a bus home alone?
The writer wrote as though she didn't know how it would end. A lot of back and forth and didn't follow through for closure on Grady. Why introduce the guy in the can and not clarify? Did not flow and didn't flow.
Rewrite and clean it up and it could be a good series. I only took one,star off because with proper editing and a rewrite it could be good.
The main character has some major personality flaws.
Take 2 friends and , basically, ignored them on vacation. Swimming in water 4 am ? It would be too dark to see a boat zunk in the water. Also, how did the detective see her in the water, in the dark? She was submerged. Might as well as left that out because it couldn't happen.
Where was Grady when they left? She just left him to take a bus home alone?
July 2, 2022
Annoying
The prolific spelling mistakes ruined my reading pleasure and the recipes at the end of nearly every chapter ruined the continuance of the plot line. Repeating all the recipes at the end of the book was redundant. I don't think I'll read any more of this author anytime soon.
The prolific spelling mistakes ruined my reading pleasure and the recipes at the end of nearly every chapter ruined the continuance of the plot line. Repeating all the recipes at the end of the book was redundant. I don't think I'll read any more of this author anytime soon.
December 1, 2015
These are fun reads, perfect for airports.
March 28, 2025
This is the third book in the Annie Graceland Mysteries. I didn't realize that when I got it. The book starts with Annie who hails from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, but is currently living in Los Angeles, Califonia. Annie runs a baking business in Los Angeles. She also sees dead people and helps them to solve their own murders. Annie receives a call from her mom in Wisconsin asking her to come back to Oconomowoc to judge the "Hometown Guys" contest over the 4th of July weekend. Accompanying her are her two best friends. The whole trip starts out in a disasterous way and that theme continues throughout the book.
I loved the premise. I love the idea of a sassy fun loving girl who can see and talk to dead people. I struggled with the writing and the follow through. The plot was kind of jumpy, bouncing all over the place. The editing was atrocious (although not necessarily going to fault the author for that) and the characters fell kind of flat. There was also not a ton about cupcakes. Not sure if I will keep reading the series or not.
I loved the premise. I love the idea of a sassy fun loving girl who can see and talk to dead people. I struggled with the writing and the follow through. The plot was kind of jumpy, bouncing all over the place. The editing was atrocious (although not necessarily going to fault the author for that) and the characters fell kind of flat. There was also not a ton about cupcakes. Not sure if I will keep reading the series or not.
November 6, 2017
I picked this one up free when the author gave it away. It’s not a series I know and I’m coming in the middle of the series. Annie is a baker who lost her job a while back (presumably in another mystery) when she gets a call from her Mom to come home to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to be a ‘celebrity’ judge at a Hot Guys contest that’s a major fundraiser for a local charity. Annie doesn’t really want to go home, in love with California and hating on Wisconsin. She’s constantly on about humidity and the triple digit heat in the summer. I lived not far from there (as did the author). I’ll agree to the humidity but I don’t’ remember too many 100 plus days in Wisconsin. She’s allowed to bring a plus one, Grady her gay friend. Her hometown best friend also goes home with her when she realizes that it’s a hot guy contest (and she’s portrayed as a bit on the sexually adventurous side). Instead of a plane ride, the contest popped for bus tickets and at the end of it Annie has the bus drive off with her luggage.
Annie is clothes-less and stuck in a hotel room meant for two when there are three people. For some reason she sneaks into her mother’s house instead of just asking. Maybe if I had seen the other books I’d understand that and she does it several nights. She spends a lot of time missing her cop boyfriend back home. Soon one of the hot guys, the local town hero is found dead in his home. Annie is broken up because she used to babysit him. Also she’s an empath literally feeling other people’s pain
His ghost wants her to solve his murder. Did I mention she sees ghosts? I do like a paranormal mystery. The local detective is another of her babysitting boys all grown up. They start looking into the murder, which does seem to be tied to the hot guy contest. I liked the mystery, though it wasn’t that hard to figure out (still a fun ride though).
However, honestly the author should have left Annie’s two friends back in CA. It felt like she had no idea what to do with them. They were very two-dimensional. Not only that they’re really crappy friends. Not one of them offer a pittance to help buy her clothing. I realize that it’s being played for laughs when she shows up in her mom’s ancient clothing or a hotel sheet toga but honestly, the mean girl laughs at her expense weren’t that funny. I would be pretty peeved if my friends didn’t offer to at least go to Wal-Mart to buy me something cheap. In addition, what’s worse, her brother does the same thing to her, making a crack about women and clothing and how many could she need.
Also the detective Ryan didn’t add to it. He got out rightly creepy at one point when he’s acting like a twelve year old when she’s on the phone with boyfriend, Rafe, trying to make it sound like she’s with another man. His attempts to romance her cross a line especially when he starts stealing kisses when she doesn’t really entirely want them.
And at the very end, her girlfriend buys Annie a plane ticket back home to Rafe and goes with her (as her only purpose was to fall into bed with one of the hot guys and get dumped as quickly). What about Grady? They left him stranded in Wisconsin. Is he getting a plane ride too? Is he going back on the stupid bus? Did he hook up with any of the hot guys? We don’t know.
At the end of the day, it would have been a stronger story without her friends. At least then she’d have had a reason to have no clothes and she wouldn’t be stranded any of them a thousand miles from home.
Annie is clothes-less and stuck in a hotel room meant for two when there are three people. For some reason she sneaks into her mother’s house instead of just asking. Maybe if I had seen the other books I’d understand that and she does it several nights. She spends a lot of time missing her cop boyfriend back home. Soon one of the hot guys, the local town hero is found dead in his home. Annie is broken up because she used to babysit him. Also she’s an empath literally feeling other people’s pain
His ghost wants her to solve his murder. Did I mention she sees ghosts? I do like a paranormal mystery. The local detective is another of her babysitting boys all grown up. They start looking into the murder, which does seem to be tied to the hot guy contest. I liked the mystery, though it wasn’t that hard to figure out (still a fun ride though).
However, honestly the author should have left Annie’s two friends back in CA. It felt like she had no idea what to do with them. They were very two-dimensional. Not only that they’re really crappy friends. Not one of them offer a pittance to help buy her clothing. I realize that it’s being played for laughs when she shows up in her mom’s ancient clothing or a hotel sheet toga but honestly, the mean girl laughs at her expense weren’t that funny. I would be pretty peeved if my friends didn’t offer to at least go to Wal-Mart to buy me something cheap. In addition, what’s worse, her brother does the same thing to her, making a crack about women and clothing and how many could she need.
Also the detective Ryan didn’t add to it. He got out rightly creepy at one point when he’s acting like a twelve year old when she’s on the phone with boyfriend, Rafe, trying to make it sound like she’s with another man. His attempts to romance her cross a line especially when he starts stealing kisses when she doesn’t really entirely want them.
And at the very end, her girlfriend buys Annie a plane ticket back home to Rafe and goes with her (as her only purpose was to fall into bed with one of the hot guys and get dumped as quickly). What about Grady? They left him stranded in Wisconsin. Is he getting a plane ride too? Is he going back on the stupid bus? Did he hook up with any of the hot guys? We don’t know.
At the end of the day, it would have been a stronger story without her friends. At least then she’d have had a reason to have no clothes and she wouldn’t be stranded any of them a thousand miles from home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2025
Never boring, always up to something!
September 12, 2012
I loved this book! Pamela DuMond Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys
I love to read books that capture my attention and make me feel like I know the characters. Annie Graceland is one of those characters. She became empathic after an accident years ago, and her dealings with the dead are humorous and well written. Annie returns to her hometown in Wisconsin to judge a Hot Guys contest. Her adventure begins when her transportation for her all expense paid trip turns out to be a bus and they lose her luggage. Her 2 best friends join her, which just adds to the fun. A contestant is murdered and she needs to help find the killer. The antics that occur are hilarious and a really fun read. I kept thinking I figured out the killer, but I was wrong. Between the wild women, the hot guys and the bees, I laughed out loud quite a bit. And I even cried.
I look forward to the next Annie Graceland adventure!
I love to read books that capture my attention and make me feel like I know the characters. Annie Graceland is one of those characters. She became empathic after an accident years ago, and her dealings with the dead are humorous and well written. Annie returns to her hometown in Wisconsin to judge a Hot Guys contest. Her adventure begins when her transportation for her all expense paid trip turns out to be a bus and they lose her luggage. Her 2 best friends join her, which just adds to the fun. A contestant is murdered and she needs to help find the killer. The antics that occur are hilarious and a really fun read. I kept thinking I figured out the killer, but I was wrong. Between the wild women, the hot guys and the bees, I laughed out loud quite a bit. And I even cried.
I look forward to the next Annie Graceland adventure!
December 20, 2012
Annie Graceland, the dysfunctional detective of Pamela Dumond's Cupcakes mysteries, is up to her sweaty décolletage in hot guys, mystery and madness when she returns to her Wisconsin home in the middle of a heat wave to judge a pie contest. Oops, make that a hot guy contest, replete with hunky, Dairyland beefcake. Alas, all goes riotously awry - but then fans of Dumond's work knew it would - when one of the contestants doesn't show up for the cooking competition. (Winning recipes are included.) Hijinks ensue as the empathetic Annie and the dear departed's ghost set out to find out whodunit. Annie, already an affable heroine reminiscent of Sandra Bullock's nerdy "Miss Congeniality," endears herself further in this outing, which finds her struggling with the timeless dilemma of going home to find that everything has changed. Including Annie.
June 16, 2015
Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys, by Pamela DuMond, is a quirky, cute culinary cozy with baker Annie Graceland flying back home to Wisconsin in July…to hot, humid unbearable weather. (I can commiserate since my in-laws live in Illinois and I try to avoid visiting during summer months at all costs!) Annie’s mom has signed her up, without her consent, for what Mom thought was a hot pie contest but in reality was a hot GUY contest. One of the contestants, a guy Annie used to babysit as a kid, is murdered and his ghost begs her to solve the crime, which she does. I typically don’t read paranormal books, but this book has a light touch and such funny characters I could easily enjoy the book. Plus there are many, many delicious sounding recipes to try!
February 25, 2023
Cupcakes, Pies and Hot Guys by Pamela DuMond is the 3rd book in the Annie Graceland Mystery series. Annie Graceland is signed up to judge the Hot Guy competition in her hometown of Oconomowoc, only to have one of the contestants murdered and his ghost asking for her help to splve his murder. A fun mystery, although none of the characters are particularly likeable and they all seem self-centered and crazy. It seems as if the author is trying too hard to make it funny but it just comes off as silly for me. The mystery was interesting but no-one seemed capable of investigating. Not really what I expect from a cozy mystery.
February 3, 2013
Cucakes, Pies, and Hot Guys, the newest entry in Pamela DuMonds's Annie Graceland cupcake series has all the charm of her first three books, plus a little something extra. Along with the humor, great relationships and fun mysteries we've come to expect from this writer, Ms DuMond's latest book has a bittersweet element that makes the story all the more endearing. I don't want to give anything away, but Annie's feelings for two men is believable and poignant. Good work, Pamela DuMond. Looking forward to more from this talented writer.
July 3, 2014
2014-07-02. Pretty enjoyable. Lots of drama. Lots of laughs. Annie's return home to judge a contest results in mayhem as she shares a room with her two wild best friends, looses her luggage in transit, reconnects with former classmates and kids she babysat as well as the murder of one of the contestants who also happened to have been a kid she loved to babysit. Fun story although so e of the drama was a bit over the top for me. Love how they solved the murder.
February 3, 2013
I have read all three of Pamela DuMond's "Cupcake' books and I enjoyed them all. They are funny and quirky with a nice mystery in each one. I love her heroine, Annie and all her friends.
April 17, 2013
Loved it. More soon!
March 28, 2016
And recipes too!
This was a fun read with great characters. I am looking forward to following Annie's adventures and hope we're all invited to the wedding.
This was a fun read with great characters. I am looking forward to following Annie's adventures and hope we're all invited to the wedding.
July 28, 2022
I thought I would enjoy this cozy mystery because im from Wisconsin so I figured I would get all the “cheesy” references. However, this book was so poorly written and the editing was non-existent.
March 27, 2024
WHY ARE THERE EIGHT(!!) RECIPES SHOVED INTO THE STORY‽ ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE ALSO INCLUDED AT THE END (where they should be)‽ I swear every time the story actually built some tension, BAM a FULL recipe was added at the end of the chapter. They didn’t even include any cheeky instructions to make it semi-worth including.
Also, pretty much everyone sucks. Annie brings her friends along, yet none of them bothered to see *how* they were getting there until they were already in a cab in their way (to where?). But how would they know when to leave? Makes no sense. Also because she brought one too many guests, there weren’t enough beds. So even though she was the one supposed to be there, her friends made her sleep in the crappy cot, and partied into the wee hours. They also made zero attempts to help her get new clothes when her bag was missing.
However that is not nearly as egregious as the “romance” that’s supposed to be in this. Ghost boy is pining after a woman who drugged and raped him (possibly more than once during that night), took pictures of him while he was unconscious, and then threatened to post them on the internet unless he dated her (or helped her skip town). They were together for a bit until she splits, then harassed him upon returning to town because she wanted to see him. Uh, wtf? If a male character did this to a female character, people would be losing their minds. Not cool at all, in any sense. And it’s written as the guy did something wrong because he didn’t propose.
Then there’s the potential love interest with the hometown cop. She used to babysit him and he thinks he’s been in love with her since he was a kid, so he’s the one who’s entitled to her, and basically forces himself on her when she says she doesn’t want to make out. Twice.
I wanted to like this book, but this is not a cozy murder mystery. Casually dropping and never having anyone address that what she did is not okay is by far from my definition of a cozy read. There were some parts that made me laugh, but the awful romance, the eight entire recipes stuck within the story, the bad characters just weighed it down. Discovering she had two editors is insanity. I definitely won’t be reading anymore of this series. Not surprised that this was probably one of my free Bookbub finds. Sigh.
Also, pretty much everyone sucks. Annie brings her friends along, yet none of them bothered to see *how* they were getting there until they were already in a cab in their way (to where?). But how would they know when to leave? Makes no sense. Also because she brought one too many guests, there weren’t enough beds. So even though she was the one supposed to be there, her friends made her sleep in the crappy cot, and partied into the wee hours. They also made zero attempts to help her get new clothes when her bag was missing.
However that is not nearly as egregious as the “romance” that’s supposed to be in this. Ghost boy is pining after a woman who drugged and raped him (possibly more than once during that night), took pictures of him while he was unconscious, and then threatened to post them on the internet unless he dated her (or helped her skip town). They were together for a bit until she splits, then harassed him upon returning to town because she wanted to see him. Uh, wtf? If a male character did this to a female character, people would be losing their minds. Not cool at all, in any sense. And it’s written as the guy did something wrong because he didn’t propose.
Then there’s the potential love interest with the hometown cop. She used to babysit him and he thinks he’s been in love with her since he was a kid, so he’s the one who’s entitled to her, and basically forces himself on her when she says she doesn’t want to make out. Twice.
I wanted to like this book, but this is not a cozy murder mystery. Casually dropping and never having anyone address that what she did is not okay is by far from my definition of a cozy read. There were some parts that made me laugh, but the awful romance, the eight entire recipes stuck within the story, the bad characters just weighed it down. Discovering she had two editors is insanity. I definitely won’t be reading anymore of this series. Not surprised that this was probably one of my free Bookbub finds. Sigh.
October 21, 2025
So much of this book didn't make sense. When I downloaded it on Amazon, it was listed as 1st in the series. Here on Goodreads, it's listed as 3rd in the series. That helps explain a bit of the confusion - presumably the 1st two books help explain why everyone treats Annie Graceland, an unemployed baker, like she's some kind of minor celebrity in her hometown.
At the beginning of this book, she's living in California, separated from her husband, and dating a police detective. Her mother arranges for her to be a celebrity judge for a local "hot guys" contest in her Wisconsin hometown. She arranges for her two best friends to go with her. They show up at the airport and only then realize that the tickets provided for them were bus tickets. This is especially confusing because only one of the friends got transportation from the contest and her friend Julia specifically said she was going to use her miles to cover the plane ticket. So did she not do that and just show up at the airport assuming she could do it then?
The clear answer is that the author didn't bother to go over the details of her story to ensure it made sense - she just kept writing and the reader has to keep reading things that don't really make sense and rolling with them. You've got improbable events (at one point Annie goes swimming in a lake late at night and somehow spots her father's long lost sailboat at the bottom on the lake, seeing it well enough to make our their family name), conversations that don't really make sense, motivations that are puzzling, and flatly one-dimensional characters. Oh, that's not even considering the ghosts.
Editing is very rough.
At the beginning of this book, she's living in California, separated from her husband, and dating a police detective. Her mother arranges for her to be a celebrity judge for a local "hot guys" contest in her Wisconsin hometown. She arranges for her two best friends to go with her. They show up at the airport and only then realize that the tickets provided for them were bus tickets. This is especially confusing because only one of the friends got transportation from the contest and her friend Julia specifically said she was going to use her miles to cover the plane ticket. So did she not do that and just show up at the airport assuming she could do it then?
The clear answer is that the author didn't bother to go over the details of her story to ensure it made sense - she just kept writing and the reader has to keep reading things that don't really make sense and rolling with them. You've got improbable events (at one point Annie goes swimming in a lake late at night and somehow spots her father's long lost sailboat at the bottom on the lake, seeing it well enough to make our their family name), conversations that don't really make sense, motivations that are puzzling, and flatly one-dimensional characters. Oh, that's not even considering the ghosts.
Editing is very rough.
September 22, 2017
Annie moved to California after her divorce and didn't miss Wisconsin one bit. But when her mother volunteered her to be a judge in the Wisconsin Hot Guy contest, she had no choice but to go back, telling her boyfriend it would just be a quick trip. It turned out to not be quick after all. Because one of the contestants was murdered. Since Annie could see and talk to ghosts, this one asked her to find his murderer. Annie just had to help, especially because she used to babysit the man when she was a teen.
Of course, the police are investigating the murder so Annie has to be careful that she doesn't talk to the ghost when the detective is around. He is another one of the boys she used to babysit. Wow, has he grown up nicely. He tries to get her to see he's not the boy she once knew and shares his feelings with her.
This was a fun story, even with a murder. The supernatural touch was a nice twist. I didn't care for Annie much and found her a bit scattered. After seeing so many positive reviews, I expected to love this mystery. But, sadly, I didn't like it as much as other readers appear to have. I was especially surprised by the ending. It wasn't really a cliffhanger but definitely left things open for following books which I would understand if this was the first book in the series but this is book 3! My rating for Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys is 2.5 stars.
Of course, the police are investigating the murder so Annie has to be careful that she doesn't talk to the ghost when the detective is around. He is another one of the boys she used to babysit. Wow, has he grown up nicely. He tries to get her to see he's not the boy she once knew and shares his feelings with her.
This was a fun story, even with a murder. The supernatural touch was a nice twist. I didn't care for Annie much and found her a bit scattered. After seeing so many positive reviews, I expected to love this mystery. But, sadly, I didn't like it as much as other readers appear to have. I was especially surprised by the ending. It wasn't really a cliffhanger but definitely left things open for following books which I would understand if this was the first book in the series but this is book 3! My rating for Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys is 2.5 stars.
March 21, 2025
Annie Graceland is a thirty something divorced cheesehead baker living in Los Angeles and moves back home to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Annie's mother has signed her up to be a judge at the first annual Hometown Guys Contest to be held during the 4th of July holiday. Annie goes to the competition with her best friend's Grady and Julia. The group travels by bus and Annie's luggage is lost during their transportation. There are ten finalists at the competition and one of the contestants is found murdered. Annie is able to communicate with ghosts and speaks with Frank Plant who was crowned Mr. Oconomowoc before he died. Frank seeks Annie's help to uncover his killer and bring justice to his murder, enlisting the aid of local detective Rafael "Rafe" Campillo who harbors feelings for Annie. Annie also communicates with an annoying ghost named Derrick Fuller. Annie communicates with spirits from beyond, uncovering the truth behind mysteries with other worldly guidance. I really enjoyed this hilariously cozy mystery novel. There are delicious recipes all throughout the book.
May 11, 2024
A tough review to write.
This was a hard review for me. I loved the book. The plot was creative and the characters were likable and quirky. The problem was the numerous errors throughout the book. There were words left out of sentences and wrong words put in at other places. The wrong character's name was used in sentences. Punctuation was all over the place. These were clearly editing and proof reading errors. It is a lot of hard work to write a book and an author owes it to their readers and their reputation to make it as good as possible. If the author doesn't want to proof it, she should hire someone competent to do it. It is just disappointing when a good idea turns out half baked.
This was a hard review for me. I loved the book. The plot was creative and the characters were likable and quirky. The problem was the numerous errors throughout the book. There were words left out of sentences and wrong words put in at other places. The wrong character's name was used in sentences. Punctuation was all over the place. These were clearly editing and proof reading errors. It is a lot of hard work to write a book and an author owes it to their readers and their reputation to make it as good as possible. If the author doesn't want to proof it, she should hire someone competent to do it. It is just disappointing when a good idea turns out half baked.
May 30, 2025
Annie Graceland: Cheesehead. Unwed. Hi-LAR-ious baker who speaks to 'The Dead!'
My mom signs me up to be a judge at Wisconsin's Inaugural Hometown Guy Contest. I picture traveling home for the 4th of July weekend for some fun in the sun.
I didn't picture some idiot murdering Frank Plank, our local ‘Hometown Guy’ as well as the boy I used to babysit. Didn’t plan on being up to my twitchy eyeballs investigating pageant suspects. Didn’t realize the local detective's been crushing on me for years.
But then Frank's ghost wants me to find his murderer and I can't say no. But Frank's not the only person the killer has in his sights. How dicey can this trip home get?
My mom signs me up to be a judge at Wisconsin's Inaugural Hometown Guy Contest. I picture traveling home for the 4th of July weekend for some fun in the sun.
I didn't picture some idiot murdering Frank Plank, our local ‘Hometown Guy’ as well as the boy I used to babysit. Didn’t plan on being up to my twitchy eyeballs investigating pageant suspects. Didn’t realize the local detective's been crushing on me for years.
But then Frank's ghost wants me to find his murderer and I can't say no. But Frank's not the only person the killer has in his sights. How dicey can this trip home get?
October 18, 2017
Hot guys contest anyone?
This is a cute quirky book with hot guys in a "beauty contest". Annie and her 2 besties go back home to judge the contest. Lost luggage, long bus trip, murder, psychic abilities, and mom and her wild women best friends all help solve the murder, judge the contest, say goodbye to new guy wanting to be the guy and reconnecting with the guy she left at home.
This is a cute quirky book with hot guys in a "beauty contest". Annie and her 2 besties go back home to judge the contest. Lost luggage, long bus trip, murder, psychic abilities, and mom and her wild women best friends all help solve the murder, judge the contest, say goodbye to new guy wanting to be the guy and reconnecting with the guy she left at home.
May 12, 2020
This is my first Annis Graceland book and I loved it ! plan to go back and read the two I missed. I regret however the need to comment on the very poor/lack of proofing before publishing.. There were entirely too many grammatical errors . I actually had to stop and try to figure out what I read! I recommend someone who's never seen the book proof it for you.
Just please keep writing! You have a great character and I sure many more adventues to write, because I want to keep reading!
Just please keep writing! You have a great character and I sure many more adventues to write, because I want to keep reading!
April 17, 2022
I absolutely loved the first book I read by this author, so I was excited to read another. I did enjoy the storyline of this book. However, I was disappointed there were a lot of errors including spelling, adjoining words where there shouldn't be, parts that were missing words, and even a wrong name referred to when the killers were arrested. I think once the errors have been edited, the story will flow much better without the errors being distracting.
January 22, 2017
Would make a great Hallmark movie.
To describe the love scenes… Best to read them out of left field . And the clues, right there in front of me, so how did I miss them . Just thought the old teacher was being a grump. Well-written. I'm definitely onto the next cupcakes book . And definitely going to try those cupcakes .
To describe the love scenes… Best to read them out of left field . And the clues, right there in front of me, so how did I miss them . Just thought the old teacher was being a grump. Well-written. I'm definitely onto the next cupcakes book . And definitely going to try those cupcakes .
September 22, 2017
Not done.
This story was well done and is not done. Can't wait till the next book. Never read any of her books before but will look for more of her books . She writes like you are in conversation with her and you can't wait for her answer or for her to finish the tale she is telling you.
This story was well done and is not done. Can't wait till the next book. Never read any of her books before but will look for more of her books . She writes like you are in conversation with her and you can't wait for her answer or for her to finish the tale she is telling you.
October 6, 2017
Great stand alone
Got this book free. So glad it was a stand alone or I just could not have read it. As was there's enough information so as I could keep track of who was who. Loved the pushy moms, the dreamy men and the dash of romance. Well written, thoughtful , slightly provocative and a good read.
Got this book free. So glad it was a stand alone or I just could not have read it. As was there's enough information so as I could keep track of who was who. Loved the pushy moms, the dreamy men and the dash of romance. Well written, thoughtful , slightly provocative and a good read.
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