What do you think?
Rate this book
Deputy Donut Mystery #6
Deck the Donuts
In the sixth criminally delicious Deputy Donut Mystery series by Ginger Bolton, ’tis the season for the delectable desserts Emily Westhill and her cuddly cat serve up at their donut shop—but someone naughty on Santa’s list has come to town…
It’s Christmastime again in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. Emily has truly decked the halls of her donut shop and decorated her donuts with festive designs from green and red frosting to snowflake sprinkles. For the annual Ice and Lights Festival, she’s commissioned a sculpture with three ice-carved donut shapes to form a holey snowman, Frosty the Donut. She has one Christmas wish this year—to spend some time under the mistletoe with a certain detective.
But the holidays just aren’t the same without an unexpected disaster or two. A tour bus on its way to the festival has crashed and a snowstorm has left all the shaken passengers stranded and shivering. Emily and her friends open their homes to shelter the traveling families, while the bus driver is admitted to the hospital for his injuries. But the following morning, Emily discovers his body—buried beneath Frosty the Donut.
The bus passengers show little sympathy for the man who dashed through the snow so badly, some claiming he was under the influence while behind the wheel. Emily also discovers that the driver had a history with folks in Fallingbrook. With multiple motives for murder piling up, it will take a Christmas miracle for Emily to solve this crime...
It’s Christmastime again in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. Emily has truly decked the halls of her donut shop and decorated her donuts with festive designs from green and red frosting to snowflake sprinkles. For the annual Ice and Lights Festival, she’s commissioned a sculpture with three ice-carved donut shapes to form a holey snowman, Frosty the Donut. She has one Christmas wish this year—to spend some time under the mistletoe with a certain detective.
But the holidays just aren’t the same without an unexpected disaster or two. A tour bus on its way to the festival has crashed and a snowstorm has left all the shaken passengers stranded and shivering. Emily and her friends open their homes to shelter the traveling families, while the bus driver is admitted to the hospital for his injuries. But the following morning, Emily discovers his body—buried beneath Frosty the Donut.
The bus passengers show little sympathy for the man who dashed through the snow so badly, some claiming he was under the influence while behind the wheel. Emily also discovers that the driver had a history with folks in Fallingbrook. With multiple motives for murder piling up, it will take a Christmas miracle for Emily to solve this crime...
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2021
85 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Bolton
13 books521 followersGinger Bolton writes the Deputy Donut mystery series--cops, crime, coffee, donuts and one curious cat. When Ginger isn't writing or reading, she's crocheting, knitting, walking her two rescue dogs and generally causing trouble.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
December 23, 2021
Beyond a Reasonable Donut and Deck the Donuts by Ginger Bolton are the fifth and sixth books in the cozy Deputy Donut Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book of this series can be enjoyed as a standalone or in any order with the mystery being completely solved within each book. Of course there is some character building that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.
In the first book of this series we met Emily Westhill who co-owns the Deputy Donut donut shop named after her tabby cat in small-town Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. Emily used to work as a 911 dispatcher until the day her husband who was a police officer was killed so now she and her retired police chief father-in-law sell donuts at their shop instead. Although Emily thought opening a donut shop would be safe she keeps finding herself mixed up in solving murders.
In Beyond a Reasonable Donut Emily is excited to participate in the Faker’s Dozen Carnival where she and her assistant Nina have a Deputy Donut tent set up. Who knew there would be so much bad luck at a carnival celebrating bad luck but when a mime is found murdered and Nina is a suspect Emily jumps in to find the real killer. Then in Deck the Donuts again Emily has to chase down another murderer when at the annual Ice and Lights Festival a tour bus crashes sending the driver to the hospital. As the accident is investigated the driver manages to leave the hospital only to end up a victim buried beneath Emily’s Frosty the Donut.
The Deputy Donut mystery series is another that I have followed from the beginning never missing the next installment. This one fits right into my quirky and humorous favorites although not quite as quirky as some. This series does have the bonus of the main character having such close ties to law enforcement making her sleuthing a bit more believable even if she isn’t a police officer herself though. With fun characters and enough donut talk to make me wipe the drool I’ll keep looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the first book of this series we met Emily Westhill who co-owns the Deputy Donut donut shop named after her tabby cat in small-town Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. Emily used to work as a 911 dispatcher until the day her husband who was a police officer was killed so now she and her retired police chief father-in-law sell donuts at their shop instead. Although Emily thought opening a donut shop would be safe she keeps finding herself mixed up in solving murders.
In Beyond a Reasonable Donut Emily is excited to participate in the Faker’s Dozen Carnival where she and her assistant Nina have a Deputy Donut tent set up. Who knew there would be so much bad luck at a carnival celebrating bad luck but when a mime is found murdered and Nina is a suspect Emily jumps in to find the real killer. Then in Deck the Donuts again Emily has to chase down another murderer when at the annual Ice and Lights Festival a tour bus crashes sending the driver to the hospital. As the accident is investigated the driver manages to leave the hospital only to end up a victim buried beneath Emily’s Frosty the Donut.
The Deputy Donut mystery series is another that I have followed from the beginning never missing the next installment. This one fits right into my quirky and humorous favorites although not quite as quirky as some. This series does have the bonus of the main character having such close ties to law enforcement making her sleuthing a bit more believable even if she isn’t a police officer herself though. With fun characters and enough donut talk to make me wipe the drool I’ll keep looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 22, 2021
Protagonist Emily Westhill co-owns and operates Deputy Donut with her father-in-law, Tom, in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. It’s the Christmas season and both the donut shop and the town are decorated in festive colors and so are the donuts!
When a tour bus crashes right outside of town, Emily and friends open their homes to stranded passengers. The driver, Travis, is admitted to the hospital, so it’s shocking when Emily discovers his frozen corpse under their Frosty, the Donut ice sculpture! Does the bus tour guide, Paige, know more than she is telling Emily or the authorities? Detective Brent Fyne, Em’s boyfriend, will get to the bottom of the murder and the reasons for the bus crash before Christmas Day!
Author Ginger Bolton displays her creative genius, penning a remarkable cozy mystery with numerous twists and turns, and wipeouts, as several of my suspect guesses turned out to be wrong! I also enjoyed the beautiful scenery descriptions, the ice sculptures in town, and the story overall was a delight to read! I never would have guessed the killer.
When a tour bus crashes right outside of town, Emily and friends open their homes to stranded passengers. The driver, Travis, is admitted to the hospital, so it’s shocking when Emily discovers his frozen corpse under their Frosty, the Donut ice sculpture! Does the bus tour guide, Paige, know more than she is telling Emily or the authorities? Detective Brent Fyne, Em’s boyfriend, will get to the bottom of the murder and the reasons for the bus crash before Christmas Day!
Author Ginger Bolton displays her creative genius, penning a remarkable cozy mystery with numerous twists and turns, and wipeouts, as several of my suspect guesses turned out to be wrong! I also enjoyed the beautiful scenery descriptions, the ice sculptures in town, and the story overall was a delight to read! I never would have guessed the killer.
July 30, 2021
Deck the Donuts is a delightful addition to the Deputy Donut Mystery series and one that will certainly help get fans in the holiday spirit. I have really enjoyed this series from the beginning but I think this book is my favorite to date. I loved the holiday them, but more than that I have really come to love these characters. They are well-written and engaging. That author has done a wonderful job of evolving and growing these characters - especially Emily and Brent. At the heart of this series are family and friendships. I especially enjoy the relationship Emily has with Tom and Cindy, the parents of her deceased husband. Regardless of the other circumstance, they still treat each other as family and have a close bond that is touching.
The mystery was solid. The author does a good job of setting up a number of suspects for the reader to mull over. Then, Ms. Bolton makes sure she provides enough clues, twists, and turns to keep the reader engaged and guessing. For me, it was a struggle to figure out the killer's identity until a lightbulb went off and I guessed the killer a few pages before Emily. The author wraps the mystery up nicely and gives fans of the series a Christmas present (which I won't elaborate on so as not to spoil it for other readers).
This book was a one-day read for me. I found myself thoroughly engaged and wanted to keep reading until the killer was caught. There are always delicious-sounding donuts in this series and recipes at the end of the book.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The mystery was solid. The author does a good job of setting up a number of suspects for the reader to mull over. Then, Ms. Bolton makes sure she provides enough clues, twists, and turns to keep the reader engaged and guessing. For me, it was a struggle to figure out the killer's identity until a lightbulb went off and I guessed the killer a few pages before Emily. The author wraps the mystery up nicely and gives fans of the series a Christmas present (which I won't elaborate on so as not to spoil it for other readers).
This book was a one-day read for me. I found myself thoroughly engaged and wanted to keep reading until the killer was caught. There are always delicious-sounding donuts in this series and recipes at the end of the book.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 27, 2021
The donut shop is all decked out for the upcoming holiday season, even the donuts have gotten some new Christmassy designs. The shop is even a part of the annual Ice and Lights Festival and are showing an ice sculpture shaped like a snowman using three donuts. Things are going well until a storm hits the area stranding a tour bus but the locals open their homes to those who are stuck. The people on the bus are upset because they all think the driver of the tour was drunk. When said driver is found dead under Emily's ice sculpture she wonders what could have happened. Was his death an accident or was he.murdered. It soon becomes apparent that the man was murdered but who would have killed him and why? While investigating Emily learns the man had issues with a couple in town not to mention a whole bus load of people. Follow along as Emily tries to figure out who was behind the mans death and what caused them to kill.
Read
April 13, 2024Loved this book. I love everything Ginger Bolton writes. She's so witty and funny. The story sails along. The recipes are terrific. And Deputy Cat is a delight.
May 6, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin just before Christmas and the town is all decked out in holiday finery including the annual Ice and Light Festival and festive donuts at Deputy Donut and an ice-carved holey Frosty the Donut/Snowman. The festival is always a highlight in the area and this year a tour group from Green Bay has included it as a stop on their itinerary.
Unfortunately, a blizzard moves in and the tour bus goes off the road and crashes. The driver is badly hurt and others have minor injuries, but all the passengers are shaken up and cold and in need of a place to stay. The wonderful people of Fallingbrook open their homes to take the passengers in.
The next morning on her way to work Emily noticed their Frosty the Donut has been toppled and was shocked to find the dead frozen body of the bus driver buried under it. She knew several of the passengers were angry about the crash and even thought the driver may have been intoxicated but was someone upset enough to kill him?
Emily knows the case must be solved before the tourists head for home so she vows to help Detective Brent Fyne solve the case. Her own houseguest, Paige, the tour guide may be able to provide a lot of answers unless she is the one that left the driver out to freeze.
Emily Westhill, her cat Deputy Donut, her father-in-law and business partner Tom, Detective Brent Fyne, and his dog Ivan along with all the welcoming residents of Fallingbrook shine within these pages. They opened their homes and businesses to help a group of people they had never met and included them in their holiday events. These characters are so genuine and have developed so well over the course of this series. I love that the author has let Emily take her time dealing with her husband’s death and setting her own pace in changing her relationship with the good detective. It feels natural and makes all her relationships and interactions true to life.
The death of the bus driver shakes up the holidays and there turns out to be a surprising number of suspects. Fyne has his hands full but he really wants Emily to leave the case to him but six books in we know Emily just can’t do that. She does have a way of getting people to open up and she has keen instincts. Instincts that sometimes put her and her friends in danger. Ms. Bolton has given her character so much depth and it is a real treat to follow along with her step by step as she puts clues together and still be totally surprised when that final clue falls into place. I was just that, totally surprised when all was revealed, and I enjoyed the exciting showdown so much.
The author’s descriptive talents really take the reader right into each scene. I have endured winters in Wisconsin my entire life and she captures it perfectly. It was also very easy to envision the ice sculptures, all the happenings at Deputy Donut, the fire station, and Detective Fyne’s new cabin. A lot of fun and all the drama was painted so clearly in my mind.
With fabulous characters and a fantastic mystery Deck the Donuts is my new favorite in this series. I am not sure how I missed it when it was released. The only good thing is that now I don’t have to wait for the next book Cinnamon Twisted to be released. It is waiting impatiently on my Kindle.
We are back in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin just before Christmas and the town is all decked out in holiday finery including the annual Ice and Light Festival and festive donuts at Deputy Donut and an ice-carved holey Frosty the Donut/Snowman. The festival is always a highlight in the area and this year a tour group from Green Bay has included it as a stop on their itinerary.
Unfortunately, a blizzard moves in and the tour bus goes off the road and crashes. The driver is badly hurt and others have minor injuries, but all the passengers are shaken up and cold and in need of a place to stay. The wonderful people of Fallingbrook open their homes to take the passengers in.
The next morning on her way to work Emily noticed their Frosty the Donut has been toppled and was shocked to find the dead frozen body of the bus driver buried under it. She knew several of the passengers were angry about the crash and even thought the driver may have been intoxicated but was someone upset enough to kill him?
Emily knows the case must be solved before the tourists head for home so she vows to help Detective Brent Fyne solve the case. Her own houseguest, Paige, the tour guide may be able to provide a lot of answers unless she is the one that left the driver out to freeze.
Emily Westhill, her cat Deputy Donut, her father-in-law and business partner Tom, Detective Brent Fyne, and his dog Ivan along with all the welcoming residents of Fallingbrook shine within these pages. They opened their homes and businesses to help a group of people they had never met and included them in their holiday events. These characters are so genuine and have developed so well over the course of this series. I love that the author has let Emily take her time dealing with her husband’s death and setting her own pace in changing her relationship with the good detective. It feels natural and makes all her relationships and interactions true to life.
The death of the bus driver shakes up the holidays and there turns out to be a surprising number of suspects. Fyne has his hands full but he really wants Emily to leave the case to him but six books in we know Emily just can’t do that. She does have a way of getting people to open up and she has keen instincts. Instincts that sometimes put her and her friends in danger. Ms. Bolton has given her character so much depth and it is a real treat to follow along with her step by step as she puts clues together and still be totally surprised when that final clue falls into place. I was just that, totally surprised when all was revealed, and I enjoyed the exciting showdown so much.
The author’s descriptive talents really take the reader right into each scene. I have endured winters in Wisconsin my entire life and she captures it perfectly. It was also very easy to envision the ice sculptures, all the happenings at Deputy Donut, the fire station, and Detective Fyne’s new cabin. A lot of fun and all the drama was painted so clearly in my mind.
With fabulous characters and a fantastic mystery Deck the Donuts is my new favorite in this series. I am not sure how I missed it when it was released. The only good thing is that now I don’t have to wait for the next book Cinnamon Twisted to be released. It is waiting impatiently on my Kindle.
October 25, 2021
Fallingbrook, Wisconsin is where the annual
Ice and Lights Festival is held every Christmas
season.
It is the home of Emily Westhill, a widow and
a donut shop co-owner with her father-in-law.
She lives with her fur baby cat named Deputy
Donut, kicknamed Dep who adds flavor to the
story.
Emily and her co-worker have created an
ice sculpture in the town square naming it
Frosty the Donut.
Emily is skiing with Fallingbrook’s detective
who is her good friend when he gets called
to an accident involving a tour bus. The bus
ran off the road in the snow storm and
the driver is hurt.
Emily follows him to the scene of the accident
to see if she can assist.
The driver is taken to the hospital while the
town arranges for the passengers on the tour
to be housed in the town’s homes.
Emily ends up housing the tour guide who is
the driver’s girlfriend at her home.
The next morning on the way to work Emily
discovers Frosty the Donut knocked down.
Upon closer inspection, Emily discovers the
body of the driver….Dead under the knocked
down sculpture.
There is a multitude of well defined, colorful,
three dimensional and multifaceted characters.
They are all involved in a complicated,fast paced,
dynamic, intriguing mystery which takes place
during the Christmas season.
There is a dog, named Ivan who belongs to
a detective in State’s police force that is sure
to entertain the reader.
I felt the Christmas spirit of the Cider Cove
residents with all the town’s decorations,
ice sculptures plus I loved how the town
volunteered to feed and house the bus
passengers in the their own homes after the
bus accident.
In addition to its holiday charm the town
showed the unconditional friendships among
its residents.
A snow storm increases the drama but painted
a beautiful detailed picture to enjoy.
Come along with Emily as she helps investigates
who murdered the bus driver.
Although this is book # 6 in the Deputy Donut
Mystery series, it was the first of the series that
I read. It was so well written mixing the past and
present that I had no trouble following the book
as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read Deck the Donuts. Thanks
to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Looking forward to start reading the series from the
beginning.
Ice and Lights Festival is held every Christmas
season.
It is the home of Emily Westhill, a widow and
a donut shop co-owner with her father-in-law.
She lives with her fur baby cat named Deputy
Donut, kicknamed Dep who adds flavor to the
story.
Emily and her co-worker have created an
ice sculpture in the town square naming it
Frosty the Donut.
Emily is skiing with Fallingbrook’s detective
who is her good friend when he gets called
to an accident involving a tour bus. The bus
ran off the road in the snow storm and
the driver is hurt.
Emily follows him to the scene of the accident
to see if she can assist.
The driver is taken to the hospital while the
town arranges for the passengers on the tour
to be housed in the town’s homes.
Emily ends up housing the tour guide who is
the driver’s girlfriend at her home.
The next morning on the way to work Emily
discovers Frosty the Donut knocked down.
Upon closer inspection, Emily discovers the
body of the driver….Dead under the knocked
down sculpture.
There is a multitude of well defined, colorful,
three dimensional and multifaceted characters.
They are all involved in a complicated,fast paced,
dynamic, intriguing mystery which takes place
during the Christmas season.
There is a dog, named Ivan who belongs to
a detective in State’s police force that is sure
to entertain the reader.
I felt the Christmas spirit of the Cider Cove
residents with all the town’s decorations,
ice sculptures plus I loved how the town
volunteered to feed and house the bus
passengers in the their own homes after the
bus accident.
In addition to its holiday charm the town
showed the unconditional friendships among
its residents.
A snow storm increases the drama but painted
a beautiful detailed picture to enjoy.
Come along with Emily as she helps investigates
who murdered the bus driver.
Although this is book # 6 in the Deputy Donut
Mystery series, it was the first of the series that
I read. It was so well written mixing the past and
present that I had no trouble following the book
as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read Deck the Donuts. Thanks
to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Looking forward to start reading the series from the
beginning.
October 26, 2021
DECK THE DONUTS is the sixth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton. With its inviting cover, the reader will be tempted to sit by a roaring fire while nibbling on all the delectable goodies the season has to offer. Cozy characters, chief amongst them protagonist Emily Westhill and her charming feline, Deputy Donut, have contributed to this series becoming a fan favorite. The author’s easy writing style, combined with the “niceness” of Emily, her family, friends, and community, makes it almost improbable that anything bad can happen in the town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. But it is a murder mystery after all, and Ms. Bolton does an admirable job of weaving the crime into the holiday setting, complete with a snowstorm and a Frosty the Donut ice snowman sculpture. With a strong descriptive voice, the setting comes to life and the reader will shiver from cold and fright alike.
A stranded tour bus load of passengers brings in a new flux of potential victims and suspects alike to Emily’s small town. When the tour bus driver is found murdered, buried beneath Frosty the Donut, it’s difficult for Emily to not get involved to find out the truth since one of the potential suspects happens to be staying at her house. Even despite the town’s detective (and her best friend and maybe wannabe love interest) asking her to stay safe and let him do his job, she can’t help herself. With twists and turns galore, the path to finding the killer turns out to be as slippery as a ski slope. The reveal caught me off guard but as the strands of the story came together, it all made perfect sense. The final conclusion brings a heartwarming scene with the promise of more good things for Emily and her friends.
Co-owning the Deputy Donut shop with her retired chief of police father-in-law, Emily is always creating and serving up delicious donuts in a wide variety of flavors. Given the Christmas theme, I was pleased to see that Ms. Bolton offers recipes at the back of the book, including one for Gingerbread Donuts.
A stranded tour bus load of passengers brings in a new flux of potential victims and suspects alike to Emily’s small town. When the tour bus driver is found murdered, buried beneath Frosty the Donut, it’s difficult for Emily to not get involved to find out the truth since one of the potential suspects happens to be staying at her house. Even despite the town’s detective (and her best friend and maybe wannabe love interest) asking her to stay safe and let him do his job, she can’t help herself. With twists and turns galore, the path to finding the killer turns out to be as slippery as a ski slope. The reveal caught me off guard but as the strands of the story came together, it all made perfect sense. The final conclusion brings a heartwarming scene with the promise of more good things for Emily and her friends.
Co-owning the Deputy Donut shop with her retired chief of police father-in-law, Emily is always creating and serving up delicious donuts in a wide variety of flavors. Given the Christmas theme, I was pleased to see that Ms. Bolton offers recipes at the back of the book, including one for Gingerbread Donuts.
December 6, 2021
This is my first read of the Deputy Donut Mystery series and I loved it. I was very much drawn to the festive cover and I enjoyed reading the Christmas themed book. The book was a quick read that had the mystery flowing smoothly. A bus trip to Fallingbrook, Wisconsin for the annual Ice and Lights Festival has Emily, the owner of Deputy Donut Shop excited as she's commissioned a sculpture with three ice-carved donut shapes to form a holey snowman, Frosty the Donut. Her plans to spend time with her dashing detective come crashing down when the bus crashes and a body is found underneath her sculpture. Was it an accident because of the snow or something more sinister when all should be in a holiday mood? Well written. I enjoyed it.
Pub Date 26 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Pub Date 26 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
November 29, 2022
I am obsessed with this series. The characters, settings, and plots are really good. I was completely invested in the mystery but I must say the perpetrator was not even in Emily's or my radar. And this book is best to be read around this time as the town is preparing for Christmas, and the descriptions of the town is decorated was really good.
October 24, 2021
A Christmas mystery filled with donuts, family, love and murder! Ginger Bolton's latest book has it all! When a tour bus has an accident, right before the holiday, Emily and her charming town help house and entertain the stranded tourists. While everyone is having a good time, the driver of the bus is murdered. Now Emily has to find why and if the murderer may be a guest in her home!
This latest mystery had so many red herrings, that I lost count....and I loved them all! Emily has her hands full with running the donut shop and sleuthing. However, Tom and Cindy, are there to help and, of course, so is her feline buddy Dep! The book has so many wonderful characters and while I loved the mystery, I also loved the descriptions of the town which put me in the holiday mood in August!
I'm ready for another case!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This latest mystery had so many red herrings, that I lost count....and I loved them all! Emily has her hands full with running the donut shop and sleuthing. However, Tom and Cindy, are there to help and, of course, so is her feline buddy Dep! The book has so many wonderful characters and while I loved the mystery, I also loved the descriptions of the town which put me in the holiday mood in August!
I'm ready for another case!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 10, 2021
Deck the Donuts is the sixth installment of this fantastic series by Ginger Bolton.
Emily Westhill is decking the halls of her adorable donut shop, but when a tragic accident displaces several tourists, she finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I really enjoy this series, and this particular book had more twists and turns than a candy cane.
#DecktheDonuts #NetGalley
Emily Westhill is decking the halls of her adorable donut shop, but when a tragic accident displaces several tourists, she finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I really enjoy this series, and this particular book had more twists and turns than a candy cane.
#DecktheDonuts #NetGalley
September 1, 2021
This has quickly grown to be a favorite series of mine. Emily is all decked out and ready for Christmas. A tour bus goes off the road during a huge snowstorm, and Emily and her friends do what they can to help the passengers. The community offers up their homes to passengers until the storm passes. When the driver of the tour bus winds up dead underneath Emily's ice sculpture in the town square, the police need to find out who would have wanted him dead. I loved the setting. I love cozies that are set around Christmastime and this book really gave me small town Christmas vibes. The characters are wonderful and I loved the mystery. There were enough twists thrown in that I couldn't figure out the killer until right at the end. I can't wait to read more. I received this book from netgalley and Kensington publishing in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2021
Love, love this series and this book! It’s the best one yet! Totally worth the wait. I hope there are more in the series because things are just getting good.
October 26, 2021
Deck the Donuts is a delectably delicious holiday addition to the Deputy Donuts Series. The holidays have arrived in Falllingbrook bringing snow, festivities, tourists and murder. Enjoying the holiday season and minding her own business, Emily, the main character, once again finds herself in the center of the murder investigation, luckily for her this time she is not a suspect. Her personal story continues to evolve through the series, with this book being an important pivot point for her. A tour bus crash, fills the town with new faces and multiple suspects. Ginger Bolton easily creates backstories for the new characters, tying them to the victim and potentially the murder, which leaves the reader guessing to the last pages. The series continues to deepen the stories of the existing characters and relationships while easily introducing new characters. I love this series (and the donuts) and cannot wait for the next book!
October 26, 2021
Deck the Donuts by Ginger Bolton is the 6th book in the Deputy Donut Mystery series, and another great book. Emily Westhill, a widow, and her retied chief of police father- in- law run a donut shop, Deputy Donut, in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. In this exciting adventure, Deputy Donut shop is busy making festive donuts for Christmas time. Emily is starting to explore her feelings for detective Brent Fyne, but of course murder gets in the way. A tourist bus crashing in the snowy mountains, injuring the driver injured. When he later dies, his death is suspicious. Emily starts to investigate to prove her new friend didn't kill him. I really liked this book, and can't wait to read the next one in the series. I enjoyed the characters, which are well written. I am rooting for Emily and Brent to get together, 6 years is long enough to morn. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 14, 2021
I love the series! If you like cozy mysteries, this is a great series to read. It is best to read the books in order since relationships progress very quite a bit. I hope another book will be forthcoming soon!
October 7, 2021
Deck the Donuts is the newest addition to the Deputy Donut Mystery series by author Ginger Bolton.As you can probably guess from the title, this is a Christmas centered book and it definitely put me in the holiday spirit (even if it is still only October).
As the town of Fallingbrook is preparing to celebrate Christmas, a tragedy strikes when a tour bus full of kids and families goes off the road during a blizzard. Emily Westhill responds to the scene with her friend, police detective Brent Fyne, and befriends the tour guide on the bus. The bus driver is the only person seriously hurt in the crash, and he gets admitted to the hospital overnight with a concussion. The bus driver seems to have a few enemies in Fallingbrook and unfortunately Emily finds his body the next morning in the village square, underneath her Frosty Donut ice sculpture that was knocked on top of him.
Community members had come together to take in families from the tour bus and Emily invites the tour guide, Paige to stay with her. Paige becomes a suspect in the murder because she was the driver’s girlfriend and they were seen arguing prior to the bus crashing. Emily sets out to help prove Paige’s innocence.
I thought this was a solid mystery. It was full and of twists and turns. I thought I had a good idea of who the killer was but I was way off base. The killer really surprised me but it all made sense once everything was revealed. I also really enjoyed the ending of this book. There has been so much character growth throughout this series and Emily is a character that I’m rooting hard for. Plus the fact that the series revolves around doughnuts definitely doesn’t hurt anything. This is a fantastic series and I look forward to reading many more deputy donut books!
As the town of Fallingbrook is preparing to celebrate Christmas, a tragedy strikes when a tour bus full of kids and families goes off the road during a blizzard. Emily Westhill responds to the scene with her friend, police detective Brent Fyne, and befriends the tour guide on the bus. The bus driver is the only person seriously hurt in the crash, and he gets admitted to the hospital overnight with a concussion. The bus driver seems to have a few enemies in Fallingbrook and unfortunately Emily finds his body the next morning in the village square, underneath her Frosty Donut ice sculpture that was knocked on top of him.
Community members had come together to take in families from the tour bus and Emily invites the tour guide, Paige to stay with her. Paige becomes a suspect in the murder because she was the driver’s girlfriend and they were seen arguing prior to the bus crashing. Emily sets out to help prove Paige’s innocence.
I thought this was a solid mystery. It was full and of twists and turns. I thought I had a good idea of who the killer was but I was way off base. The killer really surprised me but it all made sense once everything was revealed. I also really enjoyed the ending of this book. There has been so much character growth throughout this series and Emily is a character that I’m rooting hard for. Plus the fact that the series revolves around doughnuts definitely doesn’t hurt anything. This is a fantastic series and I look forward to reading many more deputy donut books!
April 15, 2025
It's December in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin and Emily and her assistants at Deputy Donut are baking up fun winter and Christmas themed doughnuts. Emily spends days off cross-country skiing with her detective friend, Brent Fyne. She only recently admitted to herself she has romantic feelings for Brent, but it's complicated. She still loves Alec and worries Brent would be uncomfortable dating the widow of his best friend. Yet she fears losing him to some smart, tough, glamorous woman like DCI Gartborg. All thoughts of romance vanish when Brent is called to an emergency. Emily dashes along to help just in case her 911 skills are needed. A tourist bus has crashed into a ditch, the driver seems to have a concussion and the passengers, en route to see Fallingbrook's Ice and Light Festival, are angry. At least the adults are, the children view this as a grand adventure and are tickled with the "superhero" capes (reflective capes) and fun Band-Aids Emily hands out. Emily's mother-in-law, Cindy, jumps into action to arrange for the passengers to stay with local families while the driver is taken to the hospital. Emily takes in Paige, the tour guide, who seems anxious about the driver. Paige isn't sure what caused the accident but she believes it was a steering mechanism failure. Emily thinks she smelled brandy on the bus. Was the driver drinking? Is that what caused the accident? The next morning, on the way to work, Emily goes to brush the snow off Deputy Donut's "Frosty the Donut" ice sculpture and finds the dead body of the driver buried underneath the knocked over sculpture. Brent and DCI Gartborg have their work cut out for them figuring out who did this and why. Emily is unsure her house guest is innocent of everything but doesn't think the woman is a murderer and sets out to find other suspects. She uncovers secrets from the past that point to someone she knows and likes being a murderer!
This mystery wasn't quite as engaging as the previous one. Emily doesn't really have to investigate and the stakes aren't as high. I never guessed whodunit until JUST before the characters figured it out. I was disappointed the diva cat didn't get to be a hero again but the puppy, Ivan, gets his moment to shine. The Christmas celebrations sound like fun but I want hot chocolate doughnuts with marshmallow filling and/or frosting not plain decorated doughnuts. The "make your own" station for kids was a great idea and sounds like fun.
FINALLY Emily realizes she has feelings for Brent. She's still wearing her wedding ring though and I think Brent is confused and hesitant to make a move until she signals she's ready. They're getting closer... then get interrupted by murder. Emily has too much anxiety and doesn't know how to communicate like an adult. She was too young when she married Alec but should know how to talk to Brent about her feelings. I was surprised by how different he is off duty. He's more charming and easy going. I wasn't thrilled he bought a new place without discussing it with Emily first, if he has any hopes of some day sharing it with her. Samantha and Hooligan aren't together in the story much but they're very cute together. He adores her and cherishes her. Misty and Scott have big news they fail to share with their friends! Jocelyn has a boyfriend already but Emily is trying to fix up her new assistant, Olivia but having trouble because Olivia is introverted and also older than her years owing to her parents' untimely deaths when she was a teen and having to raise her little sister. They make introverts sound like awful people who can't possibly work in a customer service oriented job and surely must be hidden away. While that may be our natural inclination, with practice (and pay) an introvert can be great at a customer service job. It's just draining! Olivia seems nice enough but kind of meh. I didn't like having her dropped in the story without seeing her job interview or knowing her first.
DCI Gartborg has mellowed. I think Emily is making WAY too much of Gartborg's supposed competitiveness and cattiness. If she's supposed to be catty towards Emily, the author did a terrible job because I'm not getting it. While Brent would be a great Dad for her boys and dog, the boys are teens and good kids and don't seem to need a dad. Who needs a dad when your mom has the entire police force at her beck and call to keep her kids in line? They can't step a toe out of line or someone their mom knows will see it/hear it and tell their mom. That's DOUBLE trouble! DCI Gartborg is tough but fair. She's more empathetic and kind in this story and doesn't try to railroad anyone.
The victim, Travis Tarriston, was a native son of neighboring Gooseleg. Fallingbrook and Gooseleg are high school football rivals and old rivalries may die hard. Travis's grandfather was a congressmawho had a lot of clout and clearly had the police in his back pocket. Any scandals were covered up and pinned on other people. Travis grew up spoiled and rotten. He did something horrific and illegal and let someone else take the blame. He behaved badly on the football field and got into a fight with a Fallingbrook kid and ruined that other guy's chance at a professional football career. Travis was PROBABLY drinking and driving and that's what caused the accident. He sounds like a real loser and Paige is either lying to cover up the scandal or really naive. I think he fed her a lot of lines she wanted to hear but were actually lies or things he believed were true in his head, at the time. WHO in their right minds would book a tour with a company that had one bus, two employees and maybe no insurance? Why wouldn't they research it first? Emily is too nice to Paige. The woman is weird and she was possibly drinking on the bus or covering up Travis' lies. Her alibi is weird. Who goes out in the middle of the night during a blizzard? She lies to the police too.
I can see why Dustin Loyvens is an angry dad. His kids could have been injured or worse and their holiday ruined. The kids are out of their routine and hyperactive, driving him crazy. This dude has anger management issues. His wife Ashley is lovely but covering up for her husband. He's a strong contender for murderer. Jocelyn and her parents are saints for putting up with three hyperactive boys and their angry dad. At least for Jocelyn it's good practice for when she's a teacher!
Whitney and Leo Valcriffe are like the first couple of Fallingbrook. High school sweethearts, they once broke up when she dated Travis but got together again in the end after Whitney went through a terrible ordeal. They seem devoted to one another and to Fallingbrook. They organized the Ice and Light Festival for the town. BUT they recently sold their property to Brent and moved into town. Why? Are they having financial problems? Is Whitney's past about to come back and haunt her? (Maybe literally?) Did her husband see Travis and remember old wounds and snap? Did he want revenge? I hope not because they do seem nice. I'm wondering if Travis' mother found out he was in town and not coming to see her and got angry and killed him? She sounds like a narcissist and is down on her luck. It's no wonder her other two kids won't speak to her. She's lost everyone and it sounds like the family is no longer prominent or respected now it's just her. I feel sort of bad for her but she spoiled her son, lied for him when he was in trouble and now he's dead.
Olivia is doing her own matchmaking. Ronald, a Fallingbrook High graduate, ex-football player and PTA dad is still the football team's biggest fundraiser. He seems uncommonly obsessed with the team and a little creepy. He does something I can not forgive and creeps Emily out. What does Olivia see in this guy? Her other option is Corey, Samantha's new EMT partner. He's young and already a mansplainer. He's uptight and a sticker for the rules. He seems nice enough though just not a good match for Samantha's lighthearted personality but maybe it works because he's serious and she makes people feel better by lifting their spirits.
I'm eager to see what happens next with Emily and Brent and if they can keep a relationship going even though she's a nosy civillian.
This mystery wasn't quite as engaging as the previous one. Emily doesn't really have to investigate and the stakes aren't as high. I never guessed whodunit until JUST before the characters figured it out. I was disappointed the diva cat didn't get to be a hero again but the puppy, Ivan, gets his moment to shine. The Christmas celebrations sound like fun but I want hot chocolate doughnuts with marshmallow filling and/or frosting not plain decorated doughnuts. The "make your own" station for kids was a great idea and sounds like fun.
FINALLY Emily realizes she has feelings for Brent. She's still wearing her wedding ring though and I think Brent is confused and hesitant to make a move until she signals she's ready. They're getting closer... then get interrupted by murder. Emily has too much anxiety and doesn't know how to communicate like an adult. She was too young when she married Alec but should know how to talk to Brent about her feelings. I was surprised by how different he is off duty. He's more charming and easy going. I wasn't thrilled he bought a new place without discussing it with Emily first, if he has any hopes of some day sharing it with her. Samantha and Hooligan aren't together in the story much but they're very cute together. He adores her and cherishes her. Misty and Scott have big news they fail to share with their friends! Jocelyn has a boyfriend already but Emily is trying to fix up her new assistant, Olivia but having trouble because Olivia is introverted and also older than her years owing to her parents' untimely deaths when she was a teen and having to raise her little sister. They make introverts sound like awful people who can't possibly work in a customer service oriented job and surely must be hidden away. While that may be our natural inclination, with practice (and pay) an introvert can be great at a customer service job. It's just draining! Olivia seems nice enough but kind of meh. I didn't like having her dropped in the story without seeing her job interview or knowing her first.
DCI Gartborg has mellowed. I think Emily is making WAY too much of Gartborg's supposed competitiveness and cattiness. If she's supposed to be catty towards Emily, the author did a terrible job because I'm not getting it. While Brent would be a great Dad for her boys and dog, the boys are teens and good kids and don't seem to need a dad. Who needs a dad when your mom has the entire police force at her beck and call to keep her kids in line? They can't step a toe out of line or someone their mom knows will see it/hear it and tell their mom. That's DOUBLE trouble! DCI Gartborg is tough but fair. She's more empathetic and kind in this story and doesn't try to railroad anyone.
The victim, Travis Tarriston, was a native son of neighboring Gooseleg. Fallingbrook and Gooseleg are high school football rivals and old rivalries may die hard. Travis's grandfather was a congressmawho had a lot of clout and clearly had the police in his back pocket. Any scandals were covered up and pinned on other people. Travis grew up spoiled and rotten. He did something horrific and illegal and let someone else take the blame. He behaved badly on the football field and got into a fight with a Fallingbrook kid and ruined that other guy's chance at a professional football career. Travis was PROBABLY drinking and driving and that's what caused the accident. He sounds like a real loser and Paige is either lying to cover up the scandal or really naive. I think he fed her a lot of lines she wanted to hear but were actually lies or things he believed were true in his head, at the time. WHO in their right minds would book a tour with a company that had one bus, two employees and maybe no insurance? Why wouldn't they research it first? Emily is too nice to Paige. The woman is weird and she was possibly drinking on the bus or covering up Travis' lies. Her alibi is weird. Who goes out in the middle of the night during a blizzard? She lies to the police too.
I can see why Dustin Loyvens is an angry dad. His kids could have been injured or worse and their holiday ruined. The kids are out of their routine and hyperactive, driving him crazy. This dude has anger management issues. His wife Ashley is lovely but covering up for her husband. He's a strong contender for murderer. Jocelyn and her parents are saints for putting up with three hyperactive boys and their angry dad. At least for Jocelyn it's good practice for when she's a teacher!
Whitney and Leo Valcriffe are like the first couple of Fallingbrook. High school sweethearts, they once broke up when she dated Travis but got together again in the end after Whitney went through a terrible ordeal. They seem devoted to one another and to Fallingbrook. They organized the Ice and Light Festival for the town. BUT they recently sold their property to Brent and moved into town. Why? Are they having financial problems? Is Whitney's past about to come back and haunt her? (Maybe literally?) Did her husband see Travis and remember old wounds and snap? Did he want revenge? I hope not because they do seem nice. I'm wondering if Travis' mother found out he was in town and not coming to see her and got angry and killed him? She sounds like a narcissist and is down on her luck. It's no wonder her other two kids won't speak to her. She's lost everyone and it sounds like the family is no longer prominent or respected now it's just her. I feel sort of bad for her but she spoiled her son, lied for him when he was in trouble and now he's dead.
Olivia is doing her own matchmaking. Ronald, a Fallingbrook High graduate, ex-football player and PTA dad is still the football team's biggest fundraiser. He seems uncommonly obsessed with the team and a little creepy. He does something I can not forgive and creeps Emily out. What does Olivia see in this guy? Her other option is Corey, Samantha's new EMT partner. He's young and already a mansplainer. He's uptight and a sticker for the rules. He seems nice enough though just not a good match for Samantha's lighthearted personality but maybe it works because he's serious and she makes people feel better by lifting their spirits.
I'm eager to see what happens next with Emily and Brent and if they can keep a relationship going even though she's a nosy civillian.
October 26, 2021
This is the sixth installment in the Deputy Donut Mystery Series. I have not read all of the other books in this series, but I have read several. This one was on par with the others I have read in this series. In this one, it is Christmas Time, and a tour bus crashes outside of Fallingbrook, WI. The citizens band together to arrange lodging for the passengers and to give them a memorable time while they are stuck in Fallingbrook before the holidays. The driver and owner of the tour company is hurt in the crash and is taken to the hospital. The tour group was in Fallingbrook to see the Ice and Lights Festival. The morning after the crash, the tour group owner is found dead under the Deputy Donut ice sculpture. Of course, Emily becomes involved because the main suspect is staying at her home. There are many suspects in this one and the author does a good job and there are many twists and turns. When I thought I had figured out who the killer was, the author would go in a totally different direction. I enjoy the setting of this series and I really enjoyed visiting Fallingbrook at Christmas. The author did a very good job with descriptions, and I felt I was really attending all the activities in Fallingbrook. There is also just the right element of romance in this book which made it a feel-good holiday story. I was totally surprised by the reveal of the killer, which I did not see coming at all. This was a very enjoyable holiday mystery. I look forward to more in this series.
May 25, 2021
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this book is actually one of my favorites of the series.
Emily runs Deputy Donuts with her late husband’s father, with help from Dep the cat. But in this one, the crime occurs away from the donut shop. There’s a tour bus accident, which was coming in for the winter festival. It turns out that there’s been issues with the bus driver and no one seems to like him, so when he turns up dead, there’s no shortage of suspects.
One of the things I like about Emily is that she’s not necessarily shoving her way into the whodunit, she’s smarter than many amateur sleuths in cozies. And she shares what she finds with police officer Brent, her will they, won’t they romantic interest.
I continue to love how friendships are written in this series and I’ve enjoyed reading as these characters have grown throughout the series and I’ve always been rooting for Emily and Brent. The mystery can be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading the previous books to know more about these characters. I’m looking forward to the next book!
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Emily runs Deputy Donuts with her late husband’s father, with help from Dep the cat. But in this one, the crime occurs away from the donut shop. There’s a tour bus accident, which was coming in for the winter festival. It turns out that there’s been issues with the bus driver and no one seems to like him, so when he turns up dead, there’s no shortage of suspects.
One of the things I like about Emily is that she’s not necessarily shoving her way into the whodunit, she’s smarter than many amateur sleuths in cozies. And she shares what she finds with police officer Brent, her will they, won’t they romantic interest.
I continue to love how friendships are written in this series and I’ve enjoyed reading as these characters have grown throughout the series and I’ve always been rooting for Emily and Brent. The mystery can be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading the previous books to know more about these characters. I’m looking forward to the next book!
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 27, 2021
Deck the Donuts is the sixth book in Ginger Bolton’s Deputy Donuts series, and this holiday-themed novel is an absolute delight to read. You’re not going to want to miss it!
Christmastime has come in Fallingbrook, and while all are looking forward to the festivities, no one is prepared for the disaster that lurks just over the horizon. Emily is hoping that things will finally progress in the right direction with her handsome detective friend, Brent, but things might have to be put on pause when a tour bus accident and then murder takes place. How did the bus crash? Was drinking involved? How does the driver end up dead, in the town square in the middle of the night under an ice sculpture? The motives begin to pile up and the suspects are many. Can Emily with help from her friends, who are cops and EMTs, help her discover the truth?
Deck the Donuts is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it will not be the last! This book is an absolutely delicious delight. Emily is a tactful young woman, who despite suffering loss in her life, still has an overall positive outlook on life. She’s an engaging character, and the sweet stirrings of romance leave me hopeful for her to get that “happy ending.” The variety of characters the author gives me in this book helps it become truly engaging. I couldn’t help feeling surprised at how unsympathetic the passengers were when the driver is discovered dead. I get being angry and upset, but these people were as cold as the snow drifting from the sky. I was eager to discover who the killer was but prepare for some disappointments along the way when leads fall apart. LOL!
There is a lot to enjoy in this book. Romance, tasty treats, a delicious mystery, and plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. This book is a true page-turner. The beginning was a little slow for me, but once I got into this story I was devouring it like my favorite yeasty donut treat. If you have read the previous books and enjoyed them you’re not going to want to miss out on this installment. If you are curious about this book, and the cover has caught your eye...what are you waiting for?? Grab this book! You’re not going to want to miss out.
I’m rating this book a well-earned 5 out of 5 stars. So much to enjoy with this book from beginning to end. A delightful storyline and decadent donuts are to be found within these pages, and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future as I read the previous books and look forward to new ones.
Christmastime has come in Fallingbrook, and while all are looking forward to the festivities, no one is prepared for the disaster that lurks just over the horizon. Emily is hoping that things will finally progress in the right direction with her handsome detective friend, Brent, but things might have to be put on pause when a tour bus accident and then murder takes place. How did the bus crash? Was drinking involved? How does the driver end up dead, in the town square in the middle of the night under an ice sculpture? The motives begin to pile up and the suspects are many. Can Emily with help from her friends, who are cops and EMTs, help her discover the truth?
Deck the Donuts is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it will not be the last! This book is an absolutely delicious delight. Emily is a tactful young woman, who despite suffering loss in her life, still has an overall positive outlook on life. She’s an engaging character, and the sweet stirrings of romance leave me hopeful for her to get that “happy ending.” The variety of characters the author gives me in this book helps it become truly engaging. I couldn’t help feeling surprised at how unsympathetic the passengers were when the driver is discovered dead. I get being angry and upset, but these people were as cold as the snow drifting from the sky. I was eager to discover who the killer was but prepare for some disappointments along the way when leads fall apart. LOL!
There is a lot to enjoy in this book. Romance, tasty treats, a delicious mystery, and plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. This book is a true page-turner. The beginning was a little slow for me, but once I got into this story I was devouring it like my favorite yeasty donut treat. If you have read the previous books and enjoyed them you’re not going to want to miss out on this installment. If you are curious about this book, and the cover has caught your eye...what are you waiting for?? Grab this book! You’re not going to want to miss out.
I’m rating this book a well-earned 5 out of 5 stars. So much to enjoy with this book from beginning to end. A delightful storyline and decadent donuts are to be found within these pages, and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future as I read the previous books and look forward to new ones.
May 30, 2021
Deck the Donuts is the sixth installment in the Deputy Donut Mystery series set in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin and featuring donut shop co-owner, Emily Westhill and her furry feline, Deputy Donut. It's Christmastime and the townsfolk are preparing for the holidays with a highlight being the annual Ice and Lights Festival.
Emily along with her co-workers, have created an icy Frosty the Donut in the town square and she's looking forward to walking through the display to see all of the delightful creations. An afternoon of cross country skiing with police detective Brent is cut short with the report of a tour bus accident just outside of town. Emily accompanies Brent to the accident and discovers that thankfully only the driver, Travis Tarriston has been seriously injured. The town takes the passengers into their homes until another bus can come and Emily welcomes the driver's girlfriend Paige to stay with her.
That night during a raging snowstorm, Emily hears Paige slip out of the house and thinks the woman has gone to the hospital to see her boyfriend. On her way to the donut shop the next morning Emily discovers that someone has vandalized Frosty the Donut, completely knocking him down and there is a dead body lying under the ice blocks. Who killed the man? Was it Paige, one of the bus passengers or a member of the Fallingbrook community who had a past beef with him.
A delightful combination of holiday celebrations, the return and growth of series regulars, an adorable feline and tasty treats. A wonderful addition to the series that leaves you wanting more.
I received an advanced copy of Deck the Donuts from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
Emily along with her co-workers, have created an icy Frosty the Donut in the town square and she's looking forward to walking through the display to see all of the delightful creations. An afternoon of cross country skiing with police detective Brent is cut short with the report of a tour bus accident just outside of town. Emily accompanies Brent to the accident and discovers that thankfully only the driver, Travis Tarriston has been seriously injured. The town takes the passengers into their homes until another bus can come and Emily welcomes the driver's girlfriend Paige to stay with her.
That night during a raging snowstorm, Emily hears Paige slip out of the house and thinks the woman has gone to the hospital to see her boyfriend. On her way to the donut shop the next morning Emily discovers that someone has vandalized Frosty the Donut, completely knocking him down and there is a dead body lying under the ice blocks. Who killed the man? Was it Paige, one of the bus passengers or a member of the Fallingbrook community who had a past beef with him.
A delightful combination of holiday celebrations, the return and growth of series regulars, an adorable feline and tasty treats. A wonderful addition to the series that leaves you wanting more.
I received an advanced copy of Deck the Donuts from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
October 24, 2021
When unexpected disaster strikes the picturesque town of Fallingsbrook, Wisconsin at Christmastime, it's up to Emily Westhill and her adorable cat Dep to solve the mystery and save the day. “Deck The Donuts” is the sixth book in the Deputy Donut Mystery Series by Ginger Bolton, and it does not disappoint.
After a tourist bus crashes during the Ice and Lights festival, Emily and the entire close-knit community of Fallingsbrook opens its doors to the stranded passengers, and it’s heartwarming to see how much they do to help out the families and tourists affected by the unfortunate accident.
When the bus driver responsible for the crash is found dead under Emily’s Frosty the donut sculpture, not only the passengers who seem to blame him for the accident, but also townspeople with surprising connections to him going back decades, will have opinions on his murder. This small town will be thrown into a mystery that will have readers seeing possible motives and murderers around every bend. And when Emily’s houseguest Paige becomes a suspect, it will be up to Emily to clear her name, and to find the real murderer before it’s too late. The author provides plenty of intrigue amid the twists and turns of the story, including several red herrings before the actual culprit is revealed.
Even though this was the first book I read of this series, the author still provided enough backstory and character development that I was able to really feel immersed in the world of Fallingsbrook. It was great to witness the characters grow and connect throughout the story, and I can’t wait to go back and read the other books of this series.
I received this ARC from the author through the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 9, 2021
Deck the Donuts by Ginger Bolton is the sixth book in her Deputy Donut Mystery series. This is such a fun Christmas theme cozy and a perfect addition to this popular cozy series. The covers of this series are beautiful and I love how the author includes clues on every cover. I highly recommend the entire series for your reading enjoyment. Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher. My review opinions are my own. A lot is going on in this next in series and avid cozy fans will not want to miss this next in series.
Emily is preparing for the holidays in her popular donut shop. She is decorating the shop and creating wonderful Christmas theme donuts that are proving very popular. She has requested a donut shape ice sculpture for the Holiday festival and is looking forward to enjoying the festival with her boyfriend . When a bus crash occurs due to a drunken driver, Emily and others offer to help put up the others on the bus up for the night. When the driver somehow leaves the hospital and is murdered, no one seems concerned for him among those that were on the bus. Emily finds her house guest is under suspicion and decides to investigate to save her and find the true suspect. Soon clues and red herrings abound as Emily may find herself in danger as they leave the holiday celebrating behind to solve this mysterious murder.
This mystery kept me guessing to conclusion. Its is perfect blend of great charcters we love , a Christmas time theme and mysterious clues. I loved reading this next in series and cannot wait for the next book.
Emily is preparing for the holidays in her popular donut shop. She is decorating the shop and creating wonderful Christmas theme donuts that are proving very popular. She has requested a donut shape ice sculpture for the Holiday festival and is looking forward to enjoying the festival with her boyfriend . When a bus crash occurs due to a drunken driver, Emily and others offer to help put up the others on the bus up for the night. When the driver somehow leaves the hospital and is murdered, no one seems concerned for him among those that were on the bus. Emily finds her house guest is under suspicion and decides to investigate to save her and find the true suspect. Soon clues and red herrings abound as Emily may find herself in danger as they leave the holiday celebrating behind to solve this mysterious murder.
This mystery kept me guessing to conclusion. Its is perfect blend of great charcters we love , a Christmas time theme and mysterious clues. I loved reading this next in series and cannot wait for the next book.
October 13, 2021
It is Christmas time in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin and the entire town is decked out for the holidays, including Emily Westhill’s Donut Shop, Deputy Donut. The Donut Shop also has a sculpture in the annual Ice and Light Festival – Frosty the Donut. When a tour bus crashes during a snowstorm, the townspeople don’t let it ruin the festivities and several people, including Emily, welcome the victims into their homes until help arrives. But when Emily stumbles across the body of someone on the bus who has been crushed by Frosty the Donut she realizes that she or someone in town can be sheltering a killer.
“Deck the Donuts” is the nicely done sixth book in Ginger Bolton’s Deputy Donut cozy mystery series. I really like the characters and setting – especially Emily who opened the donut shop with her father-in-law and is wondering if it is time that she finally move on into another relationship after the death of her husband years before. I also love her friends, her relationship with her in-laws, and her relationship with Brent, her late husband’s best friend. The donut shop setting is a good one and I love the description of the various donuts made in the shop and the customers that come in. And I can’t forget Emily’s cat Dep! I love Christmas cozy mysteries and this is no exception – I love reading about the decorations, the different town events, the decorated donuts, the parties – everything! As for the mystery – it is well plotted with plenty of suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns. When reading a cozy mystery I like to see if I can solve the mystery while reading the book. I did find that impossible to do with this book. The clues are there – I just totally overlooked them. I may reread this just to pick up the clues I missed the first time!
“Deck the Donuts” is a nicely done cozy mystery.
“Deck the Donuts” is the nicely done sixth book in Ginger Bolton’s Deputy Donut cozy mystery series. I really like the characters and setting – especially Emily who opened the donut shop with her father-in-law and is wondering if it is time that she finally move on into another relationship after the death of her husband years before. I also love her friends, her relationship with her in-laws, and her relationship with Brent, her late husband’s best friend. The donut shop setting is a good one and I love the description of the various donuts made in the shop and the customers that come in. And I can’t forget Emily’s cat Dep! I love Christmas cozy mysteries and this is no exception – I love reading about the decorations, the different town events, the decorated donuts, the parties – everything! As for the mystery – it is well plotted with plenty of suspects, red herrings, and twists and turns. When reading a cozy mystery I like to see if I can solve the mystery while reading the book. I did find that impossible to do with this book. The clues are there – I just totally overlooked them. I may reread this just to pick up the clues I missed the first time!
“Deck the Donuts” is a nicely done cozy mystery.
June 10, 2021
Thankyou to Kensington Publishing Company for providing me with a copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
When Emily is one of the first people at the scene of a bus accident, full of tourists, she just wants to help. As the driver is taken to hospital, she offers to host the driver’s assistant (and girlfriend) at her house until she can get home. But when the driver is discovered dead, Emily finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation that has fingers pointing in all directions, including at her house guest.
I haven’t read any of the other Deputy Donut books yet, but this was so much fun! (And look at those gorgeous covers! I think I need all these books for my shelf!) Deck the Donuts read like a traditional murder mystery style book, with a cosy feel and plenty of twists to the whodunnit. I really enjoyed the characters too. As this is the sixth book in the series, there wasn’t too much time devoted to their backstories, but there was enough there for me to be invested in their lives. I also loved Emily’s cat, who she carries around din her jacket and has a whole playroom built for at her donut shop.
If you enjoy easy to read mysteries that keep you guessing, add this one to your TBR!
When Emily is one of the first people at the scene of a bus accident, full of tourists, she just wants to help. As the driver is taken to hospital, she offers to host the driver’s assistant (and girlfriend) at her house until she can get home. But when the driver is discovered dead, Emily finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation that has fingers pointing in all directions, including at her house guest.
I haven’t read any of the other Deputy Donut books yet, but this was so much fun! (And look at those gorgeous covers! I think I need all these books for my shelf!) Deck the Donuts read like a traditional murder mystery style book, with a cosy feel and plenty of twists to the whodunnit. I really enjoyed the characters too. As this is the sixth book in the series, there wasn’t too much time devoted to their backstories, but there was enough there for me to be invested in their lives. I also loved Emily’s cat, who she carries around din her jacket and has a whole playroom built for at her donut shop.
If you enjoy easy to read mysteries that keep you guessing, add this one to your TBR!
October 24, 2021
Deck the Donuts is the 6th installment in the Deputy Donut Mystery series by Ginger Bolton. Set in a small Wisconsin town at Christmastime during their Ice and Lights Festival, a tour bus with children and families coming to the festival ends up in a ditch during a snow storm. When the driver ends up dead later that evening, in a hospital gown and under an ice sculpture, Emily discovers the body, and soon finds herself investigating his murder.
I love the books in this series. Having family from Wisconsin, allows me to imagine a little, the small town life. The scenery of Christmastime and the charming town, really add to the story.
The only thing that I would say is not needed in the story, is the directions the characters take through the town. There are a few places where it talks about being on Wisconsin Street and then going two blocks this way, and then a left, etc. I don't think these directional pieces are really needed and can end up being confusing.
But this is a really minor thing, and the rest of the story is really wonderful. The cast is great, I can't wait to find out what happens next with Emily's love interest, and there were plenty of suspects to keep you guessing until the end!
I love the books in this series. Having family from Wisconsin, allows me to imagine a little, the small town life. The scenery of Christmastime and the charming town, really add to the story.
The only thing that I would say is not needed in the story, is the directions the characters take through the town. There are a few places where it talks about being on Wisconsin Street and then going two blocks this way, and then a left, etc. I don't think these directional pieces are really needed and can end up being confusing.
But this is a really minor thing, and the rest of the story is really wonderful. The cast is great, I can't wait to find out what happens next with Emily's love interest, and there were plenty of suspects to keep you guessing until the end!
October 26, 2021
Emily lives in the small town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin where she is a part-owner of a donut shop named after her cat, Deputy Donut. She’s ready to enjoy the Christmas season and maybe even a little romance when a tourist bus crashes and derails her plans. She finds a dead body not long after, and things get even more complicated.
I’m not a huge fan of donuts (and I’d rather read about skiing than actually try it) but this was such a fun read! I love stories that take place at Christmas time, and I so enjoyed the small town vibe, the families that all kicked in to take care of the stranded tourists, Dep the cat getting carried around in her jacket and popping up when she talked for too long, and the visiting dog, Ivan. The mystery itself was surprisingly detailed, and I had no clue whodunnit until the reveal.
I haven’t read anything by this author before, but it wasn’t a problem starting the series midway. That said, I’m definitely going to go back and read more of this series. I need to know more about all the characters that showed up.
My thanks to the author for an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
I’m not a huge fan of donuts (and I’d rather read about skiing than actually try it) but this was such a fun read! I love stories that take place at Christmas time, and I so enjoyed the small town vibe, the families that all kicked in to take care of the stranded tourists, Dep the cat getting carried around in her jacket and popping up when she talked for too long, and the visiting dog, Ivan. The mystery itself was surprisingly detailed, and I had no clue whodunnit until the reveal.
I haven’t read anything by this author before, but it wasn’t a problem starting the series midway. That said, I’m definitely going to go back and read more of this series. I need to know more about all the characters that showed up.
My thanks to the author for an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
October 26, 2021
Deck the Donuts is a great Christmas cozy mystery! I liked the small town setting in Wisconsin, and all the holiday descriptions made me wish it was December already.
This was a good mystery. A tour bus crashes near the town, and all the passengers are temporarily stranded. There are a few injuries, and one murder. Emily and her detective friend/maybe more have to figure out what happened. I liked that Emily has a friendly relationship with local law enforcement, that she calls them when she finds a clue, and that they accept her involvement.
There were lots of suspects, since both the bus passengers and some townspeople had viable motives. It was fun watching Emily work at her donut shop and move about town (with all the holiday activities and sights) while she also tried to solve the case.
The pets are great in this series as well. Emily's cat Dep is adorable, and CID Kim's puppy made an appearance this time around. I would like to see more of Kim and her family in future books.
This was a good mystery. A tour bus crashes near the town, and all the passengers are temporarily stranded. There are a few injuries, and one murder. Emily and her detective friend/maybe more have to figure out what happened. I liked that Emily has a friendly relationship with local law enforcement, that she calls them when she finds a clue, and that they accept her involvement.
There were lots of suspects, since both the bus passengers and some townspeople had viable motives. It was fun watching Emily work at her donut shop and move about town (with all the holiday activities and sights) while she also tried to solve the case.
The pets are great in this series as well. Emily's cat Dep is adorable, and CID Kim's puppy made an appearance this time around. I would like to see more of Kim and her family in future books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews