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Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery #2

Muffins and Misdeeds

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A mysterious letter from the past, gut punching muffins, and funky smelling clues...

Second in the Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery series!

Tilly is settling into her new cottage and life in the quaint beach town of Belle Harbor. With her fledgling bakery partnering with the local coffee shop, she has high hopes that her business will soon take off.

Tilly’s new friend Fiona convinces her to rummage through her uncle's antique shop to find decor to fill her sparse home. But instead of the sought after beach treasures, they discover clues to a long ago unsolved mystery in the small town.

Coupled with the recent murder of a distillery owner, their investigation into the ancient family feud reveals shocking lies, sabotage, and the ultimate revenge. As they get deeper into the town’s historical secrets, they discover a stink they can’t ignore. Can Tilly’s budding friendship bloom into a dynamic duo of crime solvers in time to save her new friend from going to jail?

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2021

190 people are currently reading
236 people want to read

About the author

Sue Hollowell

371 books430 followers
Get a free cozy story at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/nn1op4cew3

Sue Hollowell is a wife and empty nester with a lot of mom left over. Finding a lot of time on her hands, and as a lover of mystery novels, she began telling the story of a character who appeared in her head.

The Chemical Bond is a book about Meredith Markette, a young woman who reluctantly enters into the field of law enforcement when her police officer father is killed in the line of duty. Her quest is to discover his murderer and in the meantime come to terms with a tragedy of her youth.

Will this book ever see the light of day? Maybe. Sue really likes the story and character. And writing that book taught her a ton about the publishing industry. Through this experience she has discovered a love of writing stories, and especially mysteries. She hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoys writing them.

She and her husband are on the search to adopt a dog, really missing her spaniels that passed a couple of years ago.

Get a free cozy story at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/nn1op4cew3

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5 stars
202 (38%)
4 stars
149 (28%)
3 stars
125 (24%)
2 stars
36 (6%)
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6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for QNPoohBear.
3,583 reviews1,562 followers
August 10, 2022
Kindle freebie at time of download.

This one is a little more traditional. Tilly and her new BFF Fiona set out to find out what happened to Kevin Packton. Fiona really liked him but not everyone did. Whodunit was kind of obvious but I'm not sure the clues were there. There's no motive and it's confusing. I really liked the cozy though, minus the surfer dude date. I like Fiona's bar. Game night sounds like fun.

Tilly is kind of a wet blanket. She starts a business without a plan, doesn't know how much to charge for her cupcakes and is generally insecure and nervous. She didn't charge enough for her cupcakes. Joe is going to make a killing. Cupcakes usually sell for around $4 each. Is Joe sharing the profits with Tilly? FYI Tilly cupcakes freeze really well. You can make them on off days, freeze them, then defrotst and decorate and bring to Mocha Joe's in the morning. Make your business legit first before hiring an assistant. Stop letting your uncle and Barney eat all the profits.

"Unkie" is a great guy. He has such a big heart and he loves everyone in his community. Barney is a good cop who knows how to get the job done even when there are no real clues. I'm not a cat person but I have to admit Willie is cute. Fiona is fun and kind of crazy. Surfer dude romantic interest doesn't have much personality yet.

There are some inconsistencies in this book. Tillie is introduced to Anna but then doesn't recognize her from the scooter shop. Anna didn't get her job back and is very unpleasant, especially to Tillie. Tillie's uncle is fond of her and while he's a sweet man, I don't think he'd like someone just because. She seems to have had a personality transplant. Her boyfriend catching techniques leave a lot to be desired - a la Caroline Bingley!

Not even the baking can save this one. Who wants to eat bran flax muffins?
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
April 2, 2021
Tilly has moved from Boston to Belle Harbor. She has always wanted to open a bakery, and her Uncle Jack provided her with an area to bake in his antique shop. She has already arranged her first transaction in providing muffins and cupcakes for Mocha Joe's coffee shop. She is off to a good start!

Tilly and Fiona, who owns a bar, are becoming best friends. When Sandbar Distillery owner Kevin Packton is found dead in his pig pen, Tilly and Fiona start an investigation hoping to provide clues to help Chief of Police Barney find the murderer.

Despite everything going on, there is still humor interspersed in the story line. I enjoyed the interaction of the characters, and the beach setting is kind of nice. And things may be getting interesting with Justin. But will they catch the bad guy?
3,352 reviews18 followers
April 6, 2021
A great cozy mystery series set in the small beach town of Belle Harbor. The location is described so well it's a place I would love to visit and maybe live there.
The characters are fun, a bit quirky, and you love getting to know them. The story has mystery, drama, excitement and a bit of humor added in. An enjoyable and entertaining cozy mystery you'll be glad you added to your reading list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Profile Image for Carol.
1,093 reviews10 followers
April 1, 2021
This is the 2nd book in a new series and it is just plain fun to read. This book is full of quirky characters and has a great setting. The mystery itself was fun to solve. I will admit I did not realize who the killer was. Any time you have tequila tasting, game night and a rogue chicken you can plan on a good time!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,339 reviews266 followers
March 9, 2024
Another good book in the series. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Jae.
883 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2024
Tilly is getting used to the slower pace of life in Belle Harbor. Now that she's selling some of her baked goods at the local coffee shop, she's hoping that her fledgling baking business will take off. When a local distillery owner is murdered and suspicion falls on Tilly's new friend, Fiona, the two of them conspire to help the investigation along and clear Fiona's good name.

Well now. This one was as trite as the first, although at least we got to see our main character actually engaged in some amateur investigation. Characters were not portrayed especially well, and the mystery/investigation portion of the plot fell flat. It does not seem that writing mysteries is the author's forte. In addition, Ms Hollowell seems to have no concept of time. A vodka tasting event took about three minutes, and a kayaking date, perhaps 5-10 minutes. It's not that difficult to add a sentence or two that would indicate a stretch of time had passed to make scenes more plausible.

Reads like it was written by a middle-school student. Two stars.
Profile Image for Maria.
446 reviews15 followers
June 22, 2023
This is a cute little mystery, not very long. It's okay. The Protagonist of the story doesn't really do a lot of sleuthing. At least this time she solved the mystery, which she did not do in the 1st book. The characters are pretty one dimentional. It's kind of annoying that she calls her uncle "Unkie" (ugh) half the time and "Uncle Jack" the other half.

I got the 3-volume set as a free kindle download. Don't think I'll be getting any others.
761 reviews6 followers
January 31, 2022
Quick fun read.

But this is not sparkling mystery as the supposed clues are picked out seemingly at random. There is never really a chance for the reader to "clue-in" and solve the mystery and the way this heroine started up her business is a "recipe" for disaster. I just can't seem to invest too much in the characters or what there is of a plot.
Profile Image for SmuttySamReads.
92 reviews
July 29, 2025
"Muffins and Misdeeds," the second installment in Sue Hollowell's "A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery" series, offers another delightful, albeit light, foray into the charming world of amateur sleuthing. As a quick and cute read, it certainly delivers on its promise of cozy comfort, making it a pleasant diversion for an afternoon.

In this installment, we return to Belle Harbor, where the aroma of freshly baked goods often mingles with the scent of a new mystery. Hollowell maintains the series' signature lighthearted tone, weaving a simple whodunit that's easy to follow and doesn't demand too much from the reader. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that the story moves along at a comfortable clip, perfect for those moments when you want to escape into a gentle narrative without heavy emotional investment or complex plot twists. The characters are endearing enough, fitting well within the cozy mystery archetype, and their interactions contribute to the overall "cute" atmosphere of the book. It's the kind of story that feels like a warm, familiar hug – comforting and predictable in the best possible way for its genre.

My two-star rating reflects that while I genuinely enjoyed the experience of reading "Muffins and Misdeeds," it didn't quite elevate itself beyond being just "nice." The enjoyment stemmed from its inherent "cozy" qualities – the quick pace, the charming setting, and the undemanding nature of the mystery. However, for a higher rating, I typically look for a bit more depth, perhaps a more intricate puzzle to solve, or characters that resonate more profoundly. The mystery, while engaging enough to keep the pages turning, felt somewhat predictable, and the resolution didn't offer any significant surprises. It fulfilled its role as a quick, cute read perfectly, but it didn't leave a lasting impression or challenge me in any way.

Ultimately, "Muffins and Misdeeds" is a solid choice if you're in the mood for exactly what its title suggests: a cozy mystery that's light, quick, and undeniably cute. It's ideal for readers seeking a brief escape into a charming world where the stakes aren't too high and a happy resolution is almost guaranteed. Just don't go in expecting a groundbreaking thriller, and you'll find it to be an enjoyable, sweet treat.
109 reviews4 followers
August 26, 2025
The second book in this cozy mystery series follows Tilly. She is relatively new to town and trying to get her business, a bakery, off the ground while making friends. While I thought this book was better than the first one, it still leaves a lot to be desired. Tilly is opening a bakery but seems to lack confidence in her baking skills, even questioning whether people will like her goods....not the kind of bakery I would want to try. For wanting this to be her business, she hasn't even thought of prices? It's just so....not well thought out.
There seems to be some inconsistencies in this book and the first with Anna. Jack really liked and respected Anna and in this book, she seems like an entirely different character. Tilly didn't even recognize her even though Anna had sold her the moped in book one. I mean maybe, but in a town of that size, it feels like she would have at least somewhat recognized her.
In this book, Tilly does actually do some sleuthing and help out with the case. I actually like that she leaves it to the police to catch the culprit and doesn't put herself in danger. She calls the police and while maybe not as exciting, it is smarter.
I mostly like Tilly as a character, except for her business lack of sense, she is smart and kind. Her uncle Jack is the supportive uncle everyone could use. Fiona is a good friend and I hope to see more of her in the future. She would be a good sleuthing friend, like George or Bess to Nancy Drew.
I think there is potential. A little more mystery and clues, a little less day to day life. The writing and editing is good. I think a smidge more length could really bring more to the story as well but a nice, quick read can be nice too.
1,180 reviews
March 22, 2021
Tilly and Fiona are involved in investigating the murder of a distillery owner who was liked very much. As they unravel the clues, they discover that this had something to do with the past and putting another distillery out of business. Join Tilly and Fiona as they compile the clues and help Barney arrest the murderer. Add to this, her business is taking off and she is beginning to offering more than muffins. Along the way, she finds time to spend with Justin, and plans a party for Uncle Jack.

This is the second book in a new series. It was a delight to read. It was well-written and the characters are captivating. The mystery pulls you in and keeps you guessing. The setting of the town seems like an enjoyable place. The camaraderie and the friendship building between the characters are outstanding. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
293 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2021
Tilly has moved from Boston to Belle Harbor where her Uncle Jack has an antique store. She's recently divorced and is starting a bakery delivery out of the back of her uncle's store. Shortly after her arrival, a local distillery owner is found murdered. Tilly's friend Fiona talks her into visiting the pig farm where the murder happens. There they discover footprints similar to the ones Tilly wears. Tilly and her friend Justin decide to go for a kayak ride which turns into a funny accident. Once they get back to the shore, Tilly finds a dirty pair of Converse tennis shoes in the bottom of the kayak. They turn them in at the kayak rental and later, Tilly decides to find out who rented the kayak before them. Has she stumbled upon the killer?

I am reviewing this book this book voluntarily after receiving it free.
Profile Image for Loretta TheMoodyRedhead.
1,044 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2022
I’m in love with this little Cozy Mystery series. I like that these first two have been super short (90 and 76 pages), but I also don’t like that because I more.

This was about a man named Kevin who was murdered while feeding his pigs. In between baking desserts, hanging out with Fiona, and sleuthing, Tilly managed to crack the murder case wide open. I’m glad the killer was brought to Justice because that person was an annoying character - I know there’s one in every bunch, but I’m just glad that person is out of the picture. Well, for now anyway. As the killer was being arrested, they shouted to Tilly that she’d pay for helping capture them. A future revenge book?

Next book is book 3 - Birthday Cake and Burglary. I bet Unkie’s birthday party will be great! Can’t wait to read all about it!
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,523 reviews320 followers
November 20, 2023
This was book 2 in the "A Belle Harbor" series. Tilly is settling into her new cottage and life in the quaint beach town of Belle Harbor. Her business is up and running and she is hoping it will take off soon. Tilly’s friend Fiona convinces her to rummage through her uncle's antique shop to find decor to fill her sparse home. But instead of the sought after beach treasures, they discover clues to a long ago unsolved mystery in the small town. Tilly and Fiona get involved in investigating the murder of a distillery owner Kevin who was well liked. As they begin to find clues they discover that this had something to do with the past and putting another distillery out of business. This was a pretty good read I liked the characters in this book. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,486 reviews46 followers
July 17, 2023
"Tilly’s new friend Fiona convinces her to rummage through her uncle's antique shop to find decor to fill her sparse home. But instead of the sought after beach treasures, they discover clues to a long ago unsolved mystery in the small town. Coupled with the recent murder of a distillery owner, their investigation into the ancient family feud reveals shocking lies, sabotage, and the ultimate revenge. As they get deeper into the town’s historical secrets, they discover a stink they can’t ignore. Can Tilly’s budding friendship bloom into a dynamic duo of crime solvers in time to save her new friend from going to jail?" This is an okay mystery. I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
70 reviews3 followers
March 22, 2021
Tilly has made her first buisness deal with Mocha Joe's to supply cupcakes and Muffins. She and Fiona are becoming best friends. Maybe a little romance with Justin will develop.
The murder of a local farmer Fiona knew has her upset. She asks Tilly to join her investigating . Even though Tilly is reluctant to get involved she agrees to help Fiona. Tilly is also trying to organize a bithday celebration for uncle Jack.
This is another delightful story with moments of humor throughout. Add the cats Willie and Gwinnie and a hen who comes to town to lay her eggs and you have a winner story.
I recieved an ARC of this novel.
Profile Image for Debbie Orazi.
1,755 reviews26 followers
March 28, 2021
This is the second book in a new series of cozy mysteries.

Tilly moved from Boston to Belle Harbor to start a new life following her heart, opening a bakery. Her Uncle Jack setup a temporary kitchen for her in his antique shop. Her first business collaboration is providing muffins and cupcakes to Mocha Joe's coffee shop.
Kevin Packton the owner of the Sandbar Distillery was found dead in his pig pen, apparently murdered. Tilly and her new best friend Fiona do some investigating to help get clues to Barney the chief of police.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,372 reviews8 followers
Read
March 30, 2021
Tully is making her way with her baking. Mocha Joe's is just her first client she is planning bigger and better things like hosting for the next door bookshop's book clubs and making cookies maybe branching out and making cakes but she will wait until she makes enough to have a assistant. Uncle Frank is even getting her to help organize the store and getting more sales because of it. Fiona is really becoming a good friend and also helping her to Sleuth but Barney doesn't take offense because yet again Tully helps to find the killer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
42 reviews
March 30, 2021
Tilly is embarking on a new career as a Baker in the town of Belle Harbor where her deceased Grandmother had a bakery. Her Uncle Jack supports her by providing space in his antique store for her baking. Jack also has a weekly poker meet with the town Police Chief and several others. One becomes a suspect in the murder of a local. Tilly and her new friend Fiona who owns a local restaurant investigate while Tilly builds her reputation and business.

This is a fun short read and Tilly does a good job of identifying the killer from the various clues provided.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
229 reviews5 followers
Read
April 5, 2021
Sometimes when you love the first book in the series so much, you can be disappointed if the next isn't as good. Thank goodness Muffins and Misdeeds was just as awesome as Cupcakes and Catastrophe. The small beach town of Belle Harbor seems like a wonderful place to live and its characters are extremely fun and quirky. I love the relationship between the protagonist, Tilly, and her uncle. She appears to be finding her way in life and it's fun to watch. I highly recommend this series from Sue Hollowell and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series. Happy Reading!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
371 reviews
May 21, 2021
Tilly, a young woman trying to start a new life, moves to Belle Harbor and uses part of her uncles' antique shop to establish s healthy bakery. While looking round in the shop for furniture's for her home with a friend names Fiona, she discovers clues to an old mystery. Just before she arrived, the owner of distillery was found dead. Tilly is curious about the clues which keep stacking up and lerns a lot about the town's past and several new things about some of the current townspeople. I liked this story because the outcome was not what I expected. Very good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,224 reviews44 followers
October 10, 2022
Tilly is in Belle Harbor using the renovated corner of her Uncle Jack's shop for her temporary baking kitchen. She has secured her first business collaboration with Mocha Joe's and things are going well with her new friend, Fiona. But there is some bad news. Kevin Packton, owner of the Sandbar Distillery, was found dead in his pig pen. Tilly and Fiona do a little snooping trying to find the murderer. Like the first book in this series, Cupcakes and Catastrophe, this is a short cozy mystery that can easily be read in one sitting. The characters are fun and the story takes place in a small beach town.
499 reviews6 followers
June 11, 2025
In this second book of the Belle Harbor series Tilly is getting adjusted to her new life in this cozy beach town.
She has set up her baking business in a corner of her Uncle Jack’s antique shop.
Tilly puts her sleuthing skills to work with the help of her new BFF Fiona when Kevin owner of the Sandbar Distillery is found dead in a pig pen on his property.
I enjoyed reading about Fiona’s bar fun game night, a kayak adventure with Tilly and Justin, and the budding romance between Police Chief Barney and local bookstore owner Florence. Two charming cats add to the story for animal lovers.
Justice is served when the murderer is captured thanks to Tilly, Fiona and Barney. A fun quick cozy read.
959 reviews9 followers
March 25, 2021
This is the 2nd book in a series about Tilly & her bakery + her growing friendship with Fiona who owns the local bar. A man is found murdered in his pig pen & surprisingly there is a clue in an old typewriter in Tilly’s Uncle Jack’s antique shop. Justin lives in the flat above the shop & his cat Willie is often in the shop, so Tilly & Justin get to know each other & he asks her out for a kayak trip. Great fun & games for both of them. Yes, the murder gets worked out as Tilly is busy organising a birthday party for her Uncle.
713 reviews5 followers
March 29, 2021
Hollowell delivers another bite sized cozy with the second in the series following Tilly's new baking venture at Unkie's shop. In appreciation, she has her hands full planning his birthday bash, navigating her new "friendship" with Justin, and the murder of her new bestie Fiona's friend. Will she be able to tie up this mystery and deliver the killer with a bow on top to Barney before Uncle Jack's birthday celebration?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
564 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2021
This is the second book in the Belle Harbor mysteries and Tilly is making good progress both professionally and personally. She has is quick to join new friend , Fiona, in investigating the murder of a local distillery owner when it looks like some of her new friends could be suspects.
Belle Harbor feels like a place I would like to visit and get to know some of the fun and quirky characters. A short read that is worth settling in with.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest and freely offered review.
Profile Image for Celest.
716 reviews8 followers
October 10, 2023
Still Trying To Warm Up To This Series

So far I'm still trying to figure out what is missing in this series. The characters are not as well developed as they usually are by book two. Fiona is a blank for me. All I know is that she likes to have drinks and games at her bar and do a little sleuthing. Tilly's keeping her past somewhat quite too. The wrap up at the end is lacking a little. Maybe I just need to get used to this author's writing style. I have several more books in this series that I'll save for another time.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,618 reviews28 followers
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March 11, 2024
Muffins and Misdeeds (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery Book 2), my seventeenth enjoyable short (79 page) read from author Sue Hollowell that I finished in under 90-minutes. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book back in October of last year and am finally reading it & voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Birthday Cake and Burglary (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery Book 3) next on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.
145 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2021
This is the second book in this amazing new series. Tilly and her new friend Fiona do some snooping at the scene of the towns latest murder. Tilly and Justin found a pair of shoes in a paddle boat during a kayak mishap. Those shoes and what Tilly and Fiona saw at the scene led her to share her insights with Barney.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,769 reviews23 followers
March 28, 2021
An exciting pocket clean cozey murder mystery with an array of vibrant characters that give living in a west sea side coastal town an intriguing twist in entertainment and enlightenment. Sue Hollowell is an accomplished writer of many talents that includes writing colorful and enticing cozeys with mystery mayhem and murder. Acquire " Muffins and Misdeeds " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. 😏🤔😀🙂Kat
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