Peppermint Peril

Cupcake Crimes #5

by Molly Maple

When a packed Christmas party turns into a murder scene, the small town of Sweetwater Falls has no shortage of suspects.

When Charlotte McKay uncovers a body while catering a Christmas party, she doesn't know who she can trust. The people who hired her are quick to point the finger in her direction, ramping up her need to find the real criminal. But everywhere she turns, there is a new suspect, and another lie she has to sift through to get to the truth.

Charlotte doesn't believe that the couple who plays Santa and Mrs. Claus every year at the Christmas festival is capable of something as dastardly as murder, but Nick and Nancy's alibi turns up one lie after another. Sweetwater Falls has a bounty of wholesome, wonderful people, but the more Charlotte digs for the truth, the more she uncovers secrets that are best left in the dark.

Charlotte knows she needs to find the murderer fast, but when no one is willing to tell the whole truth, Charlotte is afraid she will be brought in for a crime she didn't commit.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Fiction, Amazon, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2021

About the author

Molly Maple believes in the magic of hot tea and the romance of rainy days.

She is a fan of all desserts, but cupcakes have a special place in her heart. She spends her days searching for fresh air, and her evenings reading in front of a fireplace.

Molly Maple is a pen name for USA Today bestselling fantasy author, Mary E. Twomey. Visit her online at www.MollyMapleMysteries.com.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the small town of Sweetwater Falls, owner of The Bravery Bakery 🥯, Charlotte McKay discovers a body while catering a Christmas party 🎉🎄

She was hired to cater to a Christmas party by a couple named Nick and Nancy in their colonial house. Nick plays Santa Claus 🎅🏼 at the Christmas Festival every year, and Nancy is Mrs. Claus.

When Charlotte opens up the pantry to get trays to put her pancakes 🥞, she discovers a body with a knife sticking out of his chest and in the pantry. All fingers point to her friend, Helen as the suspect.

Helen is the chef at the Spaghetti Scarf. According to the hosts, she was in their house earlier to deliver ham for the party. Soon more suspects turn up and as Charlotte digs deeper and uncovers secrets, she knows she needs to find the killer fast.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun quick mystery. It’s well written and draws you in especially once the body is found! Mystery, suspense, intrigue this exciting read has a gripping storyline and fantastic characters.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte McKay seems to be overcoming her social anxiety problems. She's not so clumsy in front of Logan as she had been. She did exhibit her clumsy problem when she went to try and sell her cupcakes to a local restaurant as a recurring order. Her accident brought about an idea for a new product that ended up selling like hot cakes.
The story pretty much opens with a murder victim falling out of a pantry onto Charlotte. Fortunately her good friend Marianne was there to support her through the trauma and her sweetheart Logan showed up, as well.
Charlotte actually develops a positive relationship with Logan's dad, the local sheriff. Her Aunt Winnie is off on a trip with her friends to see nude ice sculptures.
The murder victim, Tom, is the sort of person who just doesn't seem likely to be murdered. The reason why he was murdered seems totally unreasonable. The murderer isn't really developed enough for my satisfaction. That's why I gave a 4 instead of a 5 for a rating.
The book was enjoyable because the characters were enjoyable in their own quirky ways. Nick seems to be Santa for real and his wife, well his wife is the Grinch.
Jeanette, the hippie owner of the fountain shop, is a delightful character that I believe will become a much bigger part of Charlotte's life.
The story was enjoyable as a few mysteries were solved throughout the pages. Are Nancy's nutcrackers really getting stolen or is she hocking them? Why are Nick and Nancy lying so much about so many things? Did Nick and Nancy really clean the house or did their housekeeper?
It was a good standalone book. I've read one other, the first in the series. The books are murder light, as are all cozy mysteries. Fun to read and leaving openings for more development of characters and story lines.

[Sherry Sharpnack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte and Marianne are catering their cupcakes to the Christmas party of "Mr. and Mrs. Claus." A man falls out of the pantry, landing on Charlotte; the man has a knife sticking out of him! Charlotte becomes the early favorite suspect in the murder. So...she has to clear her own name, right? Her new boyfriend is a cop, and actually LETS her help investigate... ???
Thus the murder mystery is set up. Possible suspects are paraded forth and proved innocent. General plotline of the series also moves forward; I enjoyed the mystery... until the denouement, which just came out of left field! We hadn't even really met the suspect yet! And her actions are just...inexplicable.
What a shame. It was a fun little Christmas-themed mystery, until the laughable ending. I'm giving it three stars, b/c I liked so much about this mystery, and have already downloaded the first book in the series.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a few fun and fast reads, this series is a must. I do believe this has been my favorite installment so far.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to be extremely picky in this review I'm sorry in advance :/

These books so far have been so light to read, I've read the first 5 in like 4 days, but I must say, even though they are not boring per se, they aren't exactly a thrilling read...

My biggest problem is that it appears to me that so far these first 5 books have been basically the same over and over again, first Charlotte finding the body (which what are the odds that she ALWAYS finds the body...) then, her most probably contaminating the crime scene (like I said, picky... I think I've watched criminal minds way too many times); then her making up theories throwing her in the wrong direction, which is bound to happen of course but to me the real murderer has always been very obvious (this might be from a reader point of view though); then her easily befriending someone related, that most of the times end up being the killer; then the "plot twist" and the murderer trying to kill Charlotte; and the books always ending with a festival of some sort.

Now, I'm not only going to say bad things. To be honest I kept reading because I LOVE the relationships that Charlotte has with the lovely elderly women of the Live forever club and Marianne, with Logan too. That's mainly what kept me going, I find their interactios very precious.

Overall I think they are fine books but I don't think I'll be finishing all 11 of them...

[Wannee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Murder Mystery in Sweetwater Falls!!!

Charlotte McKay owns the Bravery Bakery in Sweetwater Falls that she lives with her Aunt Winifred "Winnie". Her Bakery is doing very well with Marianne, her best friend, helps as a baking assistant.

When Charlotte delivers her first catering gig of cookies, donuts, and peppermint cupcakes to Nick and Nancy's house for Christmas party she was nervous and stress over the whole process but nothing can prepare her for the dead body to tumbles out of the pantry and falls on top of her.

With Marianne, her best friend by her side to calm her and Logan, her boyfriend to support her and the fact that she has an alibi for the time of murder Charlotte is relieved that she is not a suspect for this murder but when the finger pointing to one of her friend Charlotte needs to get to the bottom of who is the killer.

This is a fun, fast, exciting cozy mystery that keep me guessing of who the killer is.

I really enjoy this book and would recommend it to any cozy mystery fans. It is very entertaining and I am looking forward to read the next books in the series

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

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series. I am enjoying seeing the two main female character in this series develop in confidence and abilities. Fun stories and great depiction of a small town.


Amazon synopsis:
When Charlotte McKay uncovers a body while catering a Christmas party, she doesn't know who she can trust. The people who hired her are quick to point the finger in her direction, ramping up her need to find the real criminal. But everywhere she turns, there is a new suspect, and another lie she has to sift through to get to the truth.

Charlotte doesn't believe that the couple who plays Santa and Mrs. Claus every year at the Christmas festival is capable of something as dastardly as murder, but Nick and Nancy's alibi turns up one lie after another. Sweetwater Falls has a bounty of wholesome, wonderful people, but the more Charlotte digs for the truth, the more she uncovers secrets that are best left in the dark.

Charlotte knows she needs to find the murderer fast, but when no one is willing to tell the whole truth, Charlotte is afraid she will be brought in for a crime she didn't commit.

[Mzlegz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is all that!! I'm happy to see Logan and Charlotte's relationship evolving and that she's not so clumsy around him anymore...although that seems to worry him, lol. Corpses and cupcakes are in no short supply for this Sweetwater Falls baker and her band of merry misfits. The scandal of stolen nutcrackers, a would-be dog murder, selfish lies, frugally cheap and trifling Santa and Mrs. Claus, nude ice sculptures (I love the Live Forever Club), assumptions, gossip and accusations, Charlotte's business continues to grow and her gang of misfits continue to show up and show out for her when she needs help. Winifred, Agnes and Karen were pretty tame for this one but they still brought the funny!! Love how these stories continue to build and not be boring or lose traction. The chatty flowers are my favorite...

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

[Leena Aluru · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the next book in Sweetwater Falls cozy murder series. Charlotte has moved to Sweetwater Galls from Chicago. She's an excellent baker and in the previous books we've seen her success at starting her home baking business. She's helped by her aunt and her friends , her best friend Marianne and her boyfriend Logan. And as usual, it's she who finds the body.

I like how she's continually planning on introducing new flavours for the upcoming festivals along with coming to a natural conclusion to the killer at large. Each book shows a new milestone in her developing business and her relationship with her boyfriend.

I'm.interested in seeing how the author leverages Delia's jealousy towards Charlotte. Its a quick read and a good continuation to the existing series.

The actual topping is the recipe at the end of the book.

Recommended : 👍

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

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as fun as the previous ones in this series. The best part, you don't have to read them in order, to enjoy each and every book, but you'll want to go back and read the others. Relatable and real characters are the highlight of this delightful series where there is always murder served up fresh! (pun intended) This time, a body is discovered at a Christmas party that Charlotte is catering. With the help of her BFF and her detective boyfriend and others, the crime is solved to everyone's delicious delight. Who did it? You'll be totally surprised! Not a super in-depth story but well written nonetheless. Twists and turns, surprises, and danger are the ingredients that will have this cozy mystery leave you smiling and anxiously awaiting for the next in the series.

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

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and interesting read

I do like this series. I have only read 2, but both have been good. Charlotte is making new friends and coming into herself in Saltwater Falls. Yes, there is a murder, but contrary to other murder mysteries, this book, like the other I read, concentrates more on what friends mean and how they shore you up and help when you need them. I enjoy the idea of the Live Forever Club,
which is a group of older ladies who are still living a good life. They bring a different look to Charlotte, which is very helpful for her. The murder, like in the previous book, is someone she hasn’t taken the time to get to know, and how she feels about this is another good take on modern living. Of course, Logan, cop and Charlotte’s boyfriend also gives us a way to regard budding love without the steam. All in all, another story well worth the read.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book in the Sweetwater Falls cozy mystery series.

Charlotte McKay's Bravery Bakery is growing like gangbusters. She is asked to cater the desserts for Nick and Nancy's annual Christmas party. She and Marianne bring the desserts to their house right before the party and while looking for a serving tray Charlotte opens the pantry only to have Tom's body fall on her. Rumors run rampant on who could be the killer. Meanwhile she learns to make an opportunity from a disaster and creates cake pops to add to her inventory. She also finds the perfect kitchen to expand her business. Once again she gets in a fight for her life when she discovers the killer.

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

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series! This is book 5 in Maple's Cupcake Crime series and can be read as a stand alone but once your read you'll love it so much you'll want to read all the others! A well written, cozy mystery that is sure to please - main character Charlotte's baker business is growing like crazy and while delivering cupcakes has a dead body fall on her! With the help of best friends, love interest and the incredible Live Forever ladies Charlotte is sure to save the day - but you'll have to check out this read to find out how! These characters make the read and I am obsessed! Thank you for delivering fun, sassy reads and characters - I can't wait for more!

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

[Shannon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Christmas in July for lovers of this series but it wouldn't be the same without a side of murder! Charlotte is catering dessert for a Christmas party alongside her bestie and helper, Marianne, when she stumbles across a dead body. Hoping to only be a witness this time around, Charlotte, her detective boyfriend, Logan, and Marianne dive headfirst into investigating. I absolutely love the characters in this series because they are real people who have experienced real life problems we can all relate to. You will not be disappointed if you pick up this series although I would suggest starting from Book 1, Vanilla Vengeance. Happy Reading!

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

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a packed Christmas party turns into a murder scene, the small town of Sweetwater Falls has no shortage of suspects.

A holiday cozy mystery that keeps you turning the pages. The suspense and mystery keep you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens next. Twists and turns keep you guessing til the end. The characters are entertaining, keep the story line fun and easy to get to know. Cozy mystery fans won't want to miss this and if you haven't read a cozy mystery, this is a great series to start with!

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

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte lives in a small town and gets the chance to begin her own business, a cup cake bakery. Her first catering job is a Christmas party. While setting up for it she discovers a dead body and together with the chief of police and his son, her boyfriend, she tries to figure out who could have been the killer.
Lots of clues and detours make it fun to guess along the detectives and Sarah, and overall the book is quite fun to read.
My only personal complaint is that she is a person with overdoing her angst - it got a little boring for me during those times.

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

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars actually.

This was rather a fun little read.
Ok so the main character did have some annoyances that made me want to scream a bit, but overall the story was cohesive and for a quick 2 hour read it wasn't half bad. At least it made sense and was enjoyable. There was murder and mayhem, enjoyable characters, likeable and loveable characters and characters you just got to hate which is fantastic. Yes Charlotte was a tad annoying at first but she finally gets her shit together and ends up being a good protagonist. The murderer felt a little too easy to predict, I would have preferred a slight curve ball but still worked enough to not detract from the overall story.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th in the series. The main character is still Charlotte. She is still building up her cupcake business and she takes cupcakes and cookies to the house of Santa and Mrs. Claus for their Christmas party. While looking for a tray to put the cupcakes on she pulls open the pantry door and a dead body falls on her. What a start to the Christmas season. Before long she is helping her boyfriend, Logan and his dad the Sheriff try to figure out who killed Tom , the man that fell on her. She keeps learning things all the time but can she figure this out before it's too late to save herself ?

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cosy mystery books. They're usually a nice, light read between more substantial literature.

The premise is much the same as many cozy mysteries. Big city girls move to small town and starts finding bodies. Of course, everyone is suspect and no one is safe from the amateur sleuth.

I find these characters to be fun, if a little too wholesome and sweet. I like the ageing trio and their shenanigans. I like Charlotte, even if she is a bit starry eyed and awe-struck by small-town living.

The plots are getting easier to figure out and solve whodunnit. Charlotte is slightly less clumsy but that is still her shtick.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dynamic baker is at it again. Charlotte this time has a dead man fall on her when delivering cupcakes for a Christmas party. With the help of Marianne and Logan, Charlotte finds the murderer in plain sight. How could she have missed this clue? Will Charlotte make it to Christmas when the murderer realizes that their time is up? Read on to find out what the Live Forever club has been up to over the holidays.

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

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

as Charlotte begins to grow her business, her catering efforts collide with a lethal bump in the road

for once not a suspect herself, Charlotte contributes tidbits of information that people have hidden, sadly mostly unrelated to the death, but inconsistencies that nonetheless need to be cleared up

new opportunities collide with old enmities

a tasty but dangerous holiday baking, friends and family adventure

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

[Laura Velarde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story focused more on moving the characters along than on the mystery, which was an unexpected change of pace. This book focused a lot on Charlotte more than the other characters and it was nice seeing her step up and be more and more Charlotte the Brave. This mystery is probably the weakest of the series. I almost wish the victim had been found attacked and in a coma or something over the needless death.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Murdered Tom ? . . .

Charlotte McKay's cupcake bakery is doing a wonderful business. When she is asked about catering desserts for Nick and Nancy's popular annual Christmas party, Charlotte never expects that looking for a tray in the pantry will instead have the dead body of Tom, the hosts’ neighbor, tumble out on her! Now with the help of Marianne and Logan, she has to search for the killer because, if she can’t find who did it, the fingers will be pointing at HER!

Can Charlotte solve the murder? Lots going on, so don’t miss this one!

[Annalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte and Marianne have a cupcake business in her aunt Winnies kitchen. She is asked to cater dessert for Nick and nancy Christmas party. Charlotte goes looking in a pantry for a tray for her cupcakes she finds the body of Tom stuffed inside. She and Logan are on the case. This was a pretty wild story. It had a bunch of drama going on which always makes a book great. There were twists and clues throughout. I read through this book in a few hours. It was very entertaining.

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

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book I've read written by Molly Maple; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the 5th book in the Cupcake Crimes Series; each one is a stand-alone book. Charlotte is catering a Christmas party when she finds a dead body. Nick & Nancy; Santa and Mrs. Claus; the hosts of the party begin pointing fingers at her so she starts trying to solve the crime but there are so many suspects including them because even their own alibis aren’t true.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky

With her online cupcake business taking off Charlotte takes on a Christmas party delivery only to have a dead body fall on top of her. Determined to find the culprit and take the suspicion away from her friends Charlotte and Marianne ask questions, find more customers for the fledgling cupcake business, find a new place to work from that isn't her aunt's kitchen, find the killer, right some wrongs, and correct a misunderstanding just in time to have a merry and unique Christmas with family and friends.

[Lisa]

Charlotte adds catering to her repertoire, and of course, she finds a body at her first event...well, the body falls on her. She also broadens her business footprint by renting a kitchen instead of taking over her aunt's kitchen for most of the week.
Writing had a bit of a weird vibe...some repetition and then Logan winds up tagging along near the end and (*spoiler alert*) watching Charlotte push her way into someone's house and rob her. Aiding & abetting doesn't seem like his style, even if the items were stolen to begin with.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can get the Christmas cozies any time of the year with Maple's Peppermint Peril. When Charlotte's first catering job results in the discovery of another body, the neighbor of the hosts, she, Logan, Marianne and her aunt's Live Forever gals are there to lend a helping hand. Always great seeing the loyalty between them like one big happy family, perfect during the holidays.

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

[Ada Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darn it, I have to learn to make cake pops now.

Seriously, I get so excited every time one of these books lands in my inbox. It truly in my favorite series right now. Each book keeps getting better than the last. I can't possibly recommend these books highly enough, especially if you love baking and cozies.

Warning: eat before reading. Charlotte's treats always make me hungry.

Review based on ARC.