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Darla's Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery #1
Poison in the Pastries
A food truck, a dead body, and a murder mystery. Not the best way to launch a new business.
A cozy mystery from International Bestselling Author Susan Harper.
Darla has finally achieved her dream of owning a Food Truck. Before she can start sharing her pastries and coffees with the locals, tragedy strikes. When a customer turns up dead and it’s determined the murder weapon was a pastry from her truck, she has more issues than just launching a new business. Can Darla find a killer and get her food license back or are her dreams all but over?
Poison in the Pastries is the first story in the Darla’s Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery series. If you like fast-paced mysteries with interesting characters, troublesome pets, and unexpected twists, you’re going to love the Darla’s Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery series.
A cozy mystery from International Bestselling Author Susan Harper.
Darla has finally achieved her dream of owning a Food Truck. Before she can start sharing her pastries and coffees with the locals, tragedy strikes. When a customer turns up dead and it’s determined the murder weapon was a pastry from her truck, she has more issues than just launching a new business. Can Darla find a killer and get her food license back or are her dreams all but over?
Poison in the Pastries is the first story in the Darla’s Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery series. If you like fast-paced mysteries with interesting characters, troublesome pets, and unexpected twists, you’re going to love the Darla’s Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery series.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2021
257 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 30, 2025
Fun Cozy Mystery
It was easy to figure out the motive and criminal, but it was fun anyway. I'll be checking out her other books in the series.
It was easy to figure out the motive and criminal, but it was fun anyway. I'll be checking out her other books in the series.
October 31, 2021
A fun new series set in South Carolina, that keeps you turning pages to see how the events turn out! Darla's dream was to own a food truck and her dream comes to fruition with the help of a very kind, good looking friend and mechanic, Caleb. We have Darla's investor and new friend, India who is a feisty senior who has Darla's back. And we have Darla's best friend, Brianna who helps Darla get a primo spot to have her Grand Opening on Hilton Head Island since she does the marketing for a Hilton Head resort. The Grand Opening was going fabulously, that is until Brianna's new boyfriend she dumps at the opening is found murdered and Brianna becomes suspect number one. And it happened with one of Darla's muffins. Add to that, and Darla has to suffer the nasty, landlord who doesn't want to do anything to the rental that is her responsibility and the cafe owner in the town who doesn't want Darla's competition any where near her shop or in town at all. Darla and India decide to help Brianna, when all the clues and facts seem to point to her. Great ending, fun characters and I can't wait to see Darla, India and Brianna's next adventure! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
September 23, 2022
This was a fun book to start a new series. Food trucks and alligators, what’s not to enjoy.
November 27, 2025
Not what I thought.
April 11, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable book!
I read another of Darla’s Delectables books and liked it, so I thought I’d go back and read the first one! Darla has a Grand Opening and not long after that, her friend Briana’s boyfriend is found poisoned! And apparently by one of Darla’s muffins! Time to investigate, as the police have no suspend are stumped. There are some great characters in this book, some oddities (a baby alligator?) and an exciting storyline. I’m so glad I went back to catch the beginning of this series!
I read another of Darla’s Delectables books and liked it, so I thought I’d go back and read the first one! Darla has a Grand Opening and not long after that, her friend Briana’s boyfriend is found poisoned! And apparently by one of Darla’s muffins! Time to investigate, as the police have no suspend are stumped. There are some great characters in this book, some oddities (a baby alligator?) and an exciting storyline. I’m so glad I went back to catch the beginning of this series!
June 26, 2025
Darla’s dream of owning a food truck—a mobile bakery filled with sweet delights—has finally come true, but the road to success is paved with more than just flour and sugar. With a beat-up truck that barely held together, she enlists her loyal friend and mechanic Caleb to tackle the engine troubles and give it a much-needed facelift. Brianna, a savvy events coordinator and Darla’s best friend, possesses all the insider tips and tricks that could keep Darla’s business rolling smoothly. Yet, it is India, Darla’s quirky and spirited companion, who truly turns the tables by financing the venture, enabling her to set her business wheels in motion.
The day of the grand opening at Main Street Village on Hilton Head Island dawns bright with promise, but the sweet aroma of success quickly sours. Before Darla can get into her groove, disaster strikes. A customer is found dead, and the evidence points to a pastry from her truck as the lethal weapon. Suddenly, Darla finds herself in a mix of trouble far stickier than dough. The police, casting a shadow of doubt, name her the primary suspect, swiftly confiscating her food license. However, when unexpected developments reveal that a person close to Darla might be linked to the poisoning, she must continue to race against time to prove to the police who the true murderer really is.
Can Darla sift through the layers of deception and clear their names, or will she find herself in a jam that leaves her dreams crumbling faster than a stale croissant? Is this the end of the line for her mobile bakery, or can she rise to the occasion and prove that her business is worth more than just a flash in the pan?
I just finished reading Poison in the Pastries, the first book in the Darla’s Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery series, and I have to say, it was quite the delightful read! The story is packed with fast-paced mystery and interesting characters. I found the main character, Darla, incredibly relatable. She’s not perfect; she makes mistakes just like the rest of us, which made me root for her even more as she navigated the twists and turns of her situation.
The descriptions in the book were wonderfully vivid, especially when it came to the scenery and landmarks. I could practically picture Darla’s food truck and India’s charming house in my mind. It added a lovely layer to the story that made it feel all the more immersive.
What really stood out to me was the twist that both Darla and someone close to her were under investigation. In many mysteries, it's usually just the main character or someone they're close to who becomes the suspect, prompting the main character to turn into an amateur detective. But here, both were under the spotlight, which added an intriguing dynamic. Susan Harper did an excellent job at keeping me guessing about who was truly friend or foe.
The book was full of unexpected twists and clever turns of events, leading to an unpredictable and satisfying ending. I’m now eagerly looking forward to reading the next installment, Alligators and Atrocities. If you enjoy a good mystery with a cozy setting and relatable characters, I highly recommend giving this one a try!
Book Rating:
Originality: 4.5/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 4.75/5.0
Cover Design: 4.5/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.85/5.0 (Rating will be rounded up due to platforms not allowing partial ratings.)
The day of the grand opening at Main Street Village on Hilton Head Island dawns bright with promise, but the sweet aroma of success quickly sours. Before Darla can get into her groove, disaster strikes. A customer is found dead, and the evidence points to a pastry from her truck as the lethal weapon. Suddenly, Darla finds herself in a mix of trouble far stickier than dough. The police, casting a shadow of doubt, name her the primary suspect, swiftly confiscating her food license. However, when unexpected developments reveal that a person close to Darla might be linked to the poisoning, she must continue to race against time to prove to the police who the true murderer really is.
Can Darla sift through the layers of deception and clear their names, or will she find herself in a jam that leaves her dreams crumbling faster than a stale croissant? Is this the end of the line for her mobile bakery, or can she rise to the occasion and prove that her business is worth more than just a flash in the pan?
I just finished reading Poison in the Pastries, the first book in the Darla’s Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery series, and I have to say, it was quite the delightful read! The story is packed with fast-paced mystery and interesting characters. I found the main character, Darla, incredibly relatable. She’s not perfect; she makes mistakes just like the rest of us, which made me root for her even more as she navigated the twists and turns of her situation.
The descriptions in the book were wonderfully vivid, especially when it came to the scenery and landmarks. I could practically picture Darla’s food truck and India’s charming house in my mind. It added a lovely layer to the story that made it feel all the more immersive.
What really stood out to me was the twist that both Darla and someone close to her were under investigation. In many mysteries, it's usually just the main character or someone they're close to who becomes the suspect, prompting the main character to turn into an amateur detective. But here, both were under the spotlight, which added an intriguing dynamic. Susan Harper did an excellent job at keeping me guessing about who was truly friend or foe.
The book was full of unexpected twists and clever turns of events, leading to an unpredictable and satisfying ending. I’m now eagerly looking forward to reading the next installment, Alligators and Atrocities. If you enjoy a good mystery with a cozy setting and relatable characters, I highly recommend giving this one a try!
Book Rating:
Originality: 4.5/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 4.75/5.0
Cover Design: 4.5/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.85/5.0 (Rating will be rounded up due to platforms not allowing partial ratings.)
October 29, 2021
I really enjoyed the first in this new series--and lot of it was set in Hilton Head Island which is somewhere I've never visited but I've heard it's a fun place to vacation. I knew there were at least a couple people I hoped would turn out as the perp, and I wasn't disappointed with that. What a great showdown too!
I like the sweet friendship Darla and Caleb had, but I have a feeling maybe they'll get a little closer. Boy, if she could just ditch that awful landlord woman though. That lady was real piece of work! I hope her food truck does so well that Darla's eventually able to move somewhere that's not practically falling down. India and Brianna were awesome friend characters. I always seem to gravitate toward the grandmotherly characters like India though. Who wouldn't love to have both a friend and investor like her? And she's got an interesting little, um pet? lol. I can't wait to read the next book!
I like the sweet friendship Darla and Caleb had, but I have a feeling maybe they'll get a little closer. Boy, if she could just ditch that awful landlord woman though. That lady was real piece of work! I hope her food truck does so well that Darla's eventually able to move somewhere that's not practically falling down. India and Brianna were awesome friend characters. I always seem to gravitate toward the grandmotherly characters like India though. Who wouldn't love to have both a friend and investor like her? And she's got an interesting little, um pet? lol. I can't wait to read the next book!
November 3, 2021
Who Killed Simon ? . . .
Darla Jones is ready to begin her new business as owner of a Food Truck. Her friends are gathering to help her with the grand opening. Several people, however, are not pleased with the launch of her business.
Brianna, her event planner friend, breaks up with her boyfriend, Simon, at the grand opening. When he is later found unresponsive on the sidewalk, allegedly killed by a pastry from Darla’s truck, both Brianna and Darla become suspects. Darla will have to jump into the investigation and find out who killed Simon as we start with the first mystery in this new series.
This was an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery with a nice variety of characters for us to meet. The plot is well-written and holds the reader’s attention as Darla searches for clues. The mystery has the right balance of suspense and intrigue to keep you enthralled as Darla looks for the killer before her business is ruined before it has a chance to get started.
Darla Jones is ready to begin her new business as owner of a Food Truck. Her friends are gathering to help her with the grand opening. Several people, however, are not pleased with the launch of her business.
Brianna, her event planner friend, breaks up with her boyfriend, Simon, at the grand opening. When he is later found unresponsive on the sidewalk, allegedly killed by a pastry from Darla’s truck, both Brianna and Darla become suspects. Darla will have to jump into the investigation and find out who killed Simon as we start with the first mystery in this new series.
This was an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery with a nice variety of characters for us to meet. The plot is well-written and holds the reader’s attention as Darla searches for clues. The mystery has the right balance of suspense and intrigue to keep you enthralled as Darla looks for the killer before her business is ruined before it has a chance to get started.
October 28, 2021
This book is amazing and the characters are awesome. Darla has always dreamed of opening her own food truck and with help from her new friend and investor India and Caleb the mechanic, Darla is able to have your grand opening. Darla's grand opening is going swimmingly until screaming ensued and horror of horrors her best friend Brianna's boyfriend is pronounced dead. Darla is beside herself and then the police start asking questions and then take her food truck license, on no they didn't Darla calls an attorney and with one phone call she has her food truck license back and said attorney pays for lunch for her co-workers and doesn't charge Darla. Now between Darla and India they will have to figure out who killed Simon. This book was so good I read it in one day and I recommend it to everyone I meet.
October 31, 2021
Darla Jones' dream of operating a mobile bakery and cafe is coming true. Her friend and mechanic Caleb just finished fixing up her used food truck and her investor India is ready to help her out at the grand opening. Brianna, her event planning friend, has set her up in downtown Hilton Head in a primo spot. Not everyone is happy to see her food truck though, Rhonda Brianna's co-worker is adamantly against the idea and Clarice a local coffee shop owner is outraged by her presence. During the grand opening Brianna breaks up with her boyfriend Simon and he is later found unresponsive on the sidewalk. With herself and Brianna as suspects, Darla tries to solve the mystery of who killed Simon and why.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2021
The first in a new series, Poison in the Pastries, introduces us to Darla, a young woman eager to start her own business in the small town of Bluffton, South Carolina. Bluffton is located just outside of Hilton Head Island and it's actually where I live. It was fun to read about places I've actually been to and I'm looking forward to more local references. I love Darla and her relationships with her BFF, Brianna, and her investor, India. The mystery is both fun and interesting and the characters are intriguing and colorful. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend! Happy Reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 2, 2021
Harper's food truck cozy series set in Hilton Head is off to a great start. Easy one day read as we follow Darla on her path to a grand opening and grand re-opening with the help of wonderful friends like mechanic Caleb that keeps her truck running, India, her sole investor and helper, and marketing whiz Brianna. However when Brianna's cheating boyfriend Simon is found dead on her grand opening and one of her pastries was the poisonous vehicle, it is up to Darla to help figure out, was the motive personal or just business.
I do hope that her future editions would have more red herrings as the culprit was too obvious halfway through the book especially for exotic foodies like myself.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I do hope that her future editions would have more red herrings as the culprit was too obvious halfway through the book especially for exotic foodies like myself.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2021
Darla is just opening her food truck business and the guy she just dumped that first day, ends up dead, poisoned with one of her muffins. To keep out of jail and to keep her food truck license, she and her friends need to find out who the real murderer is... and quick! The characters are fun and quirky. The storyline is fast paced with fun banter and crazy situations, drama and surprises. Sure hope Caleb is in the next book, getting closer to Darla. She needs a good man for a change, especially now that she does not have to worry about her ex. Can not wait to read more of this groups antics.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2021
The First of a New Series
Darla is opening a food truck on Hilton Head Island and runs into a woman who thinks food trucks are trashy and not up to island standards. Then her friend has a fight with her boyfriend and he is poisoned with one of Darla's muffins. She has run-ins with police and with a shop owner as well as the food truck hater, but she figures it all out, tells the police, solving the case, and has a very successful grand reopening. Looking forward to the next book.
Darla is opening a food truck on Hilton Head Island and runs into a woman who thinks food trucks are trashy and not up to island standards. Then her friend has a fight with her boyfriend and he is poisoned with one of Darla's muffins. She has run-ins with police and with a shop owner as well as the food truck hater, but she figures it all out, tells the police, solving the case, and has a very successful grand reopening. Looking forward to the next book.
November 2, 2021
A new series for Susan Harper with Darla as the newest Food Truck Shop to hit the area of Hilton Head. Not only is Darla proving to be a savvy business owner but she’s also proves herself to be one of the cleverest sleuths. When one of her muffins was found to have poisoned a person, Darla puts on her detective hat to protect her business. Love her supporting characters, particularly her investor and friend, who has rescued a baby alligator. Thanks to the author and Fairfield Cozy Mysteries for an ARC; this is my honest review.
November 8, 2021
Darla finally gets a chance to realize her food truck dreams- and complications and some pleasant surprises pop up.
Plumbing problems at home leave things soggy
Will Darla be open in time for upcoming festivals in Hilton Head? Can she overcome local prejudices against food trucks? Can she keep her friends and investor out of hot water at the same time?
Things are really hopping in Hilton Head
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Plumbing problems at home leave things soggy
Will Darla be open in time for upcoming festivals in Hilton Head? Can she overcome local prejudices against food trucks? Can she keep her friends and investor out of hot water at the same time?
Things are really hopping in Hilton Head
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2021
Darla has worked hard to get her food truck going. She has a grand opening to the cheers of many people, but not all. There are a couple of people that are not happy with having a food truck in their town. But when Brianna's boyfriend is found dead and by him is one of Darla's muffin's things go terribly wrong. There was poison in the muffin! Why would she kill her friend's boyfriend? It doesn't make sense. Then it looks like her best friend killed her boyfriend? There is something wrong here, but can it be uncovered? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
November 3, 2021
A food truck has always been the dream of Darla. It looks like that dream is finally going to happen but not everyone is happy about it. The main characters in the book, Darla, Brianna and India, are awesome. A quick read but full of wonderful friendships, quite a few laughs, and, of course, a murder with multiple suspects. A fantastic read for a cozy autumn afternoon. Looking forward to the next book!
November 6, 2021
Fun Food Truck Cozy Mystery Murder!!!
I love this book, it is a great fun to read with many delightful characters, a page turner hard to put down full of humor, action, a fast-paced mystery that flows well with lots of twists and turns. I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery fan, can't wait to read the next book in the series
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this book, it is a great fun to read with many delightful characters, a page turner hard to put down full of humor, action, a fast-paced mystery that flows well with lots of twists and turns. I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery fan, can't wait to read the next book in the series
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 7, 2021
Darla the help of her friend India opens a food truck. The grand opening event on Hilton Head Island goes well until her friends boyfriend ends up dead. Darla has and unpleasant experience with the local police which leads her to try to figure out what happened to Simon. She is able to point the police in the direction of the actual killer and provide a motive also. This is a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2022
Really a good day when I start 2 series that are both well done. I love plots involving food trucks, since each actually is so different from the others. In this case, the characters are believable and interesting. I liked how the garage guy is supportive to Darla, and her investing angel, Indie, along with a BFF that is just fun. I can see this as a sit-com, because it is fun to read and interesting to follow.
September 2, 2025
If you're looking for a short cozy mystery to read, try this book. Twenty-seven year old Darla Jones purchased a money-pit, former taco truck in Bluffton, South Carolina. With help from her mechanic friend, Caleb Goodwin, she is slowly turning it into her dream food truck for selling coffees and pastries. Unfortunately she doesn't get off to a good start when her friend, Brianna's boyfriend is poisoned at her grand opening! I liked the characters in this cozy. It's easy to root for Darla.
October 29, 2021
A well written zany cozey murder mystery that rides along quite smoothly even with all the mayhem and drama especially with the colorful characters a,intrigue and murder Susan Harper keeps you laughing and wanting to see what's going to happen next. It's a feel good can't put down read. Acquire " Poison in the Pastries " so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. 😀Kat
November 7, 2021
A fun, entertaining and delightful cozy mystery. You're pulled into the story with mystery, suspense and murder as you try to solve the mystery of who dun it. The characters are engaging, easy to get to know and intriguing. A great read for a weekend curled up with a good book while the leaves fall outside.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
February 19, 2022
They seem to be getting better!
This i as the second book in this series that I read this week. I did get them mixed up and read #5 before #1!
It did not make any difference though. They can be stand alone or followed in the series. I am now on my way to start #2! I wonder who will be killed in the next one.
This i as the second book in this series that I read this week. I did get them mixed up and read #5 before #1!
It did not make any difference though. They can be stand alone or followed in the series. I am now on my way to start #2! I wonder who will be killed in the next one.
March 2, 2022
Humorous cozy mystery
A food truck, a poisoning and burst pipes all confront our heroine. First day in business for a new food truck owner sees her being accused of a poisoning, her truck breaks down and her rental floods from burst pipes. Off to a rough start, will things ever get better?
A food truck, a poisoning and burst pipes all confront our heroine. First day in business for a new food truck owner sees her being accused of a poisoning, her truck breaks down and her rental floods from burst pipes. Off to a rough start, will things ever get better?
March 13, 2022
Love this DAR!A SERIES
This series really is a fun read I love Darla and India they really put a smile on my face the food truck industry is really popular in many cities across the country Author We Iran Harper is a multi talented writer I have enjoyed for several years. This series is another great read th as t I highly recommend
This series really is a fun read I love Darla and India they really put a smile on my face the food truck industry is really popular in many cities across the country Author We Iran Harper is a multi talented writer I have enjoyed for several years. This series is another great read th as t I highly recommend
May 7, 2022
Right away, this kicks off to a slow start. The characters kept talking about the opening of the food truck—what they would serve, what was wrong with the truck, and so on. We don’t get moving on the mystery until we get past the grand opening and finally get to a dead body in chapter 4. The read itself was decent enough, but the story just didn’t keep me interested.
January 6, 2025
4 stars
A nice start to a good series. A few storylines that wraps around back into the main one at the end of the book. Keeps your attention throughout the story and keeps you guessing “who did it” and “how” until the end.
No language or sexual references so I can recommend this to my advanced reading preteen friends or anyone that wants a good clean story to read.
A nice start to a good series. A few storylines that wraps around back into the main one at the end of the book. Keeps your attention throughout the story and keeps you guessing “who did it” and “how” until the end.
No language or sexual references so I can recommend this to my advanced reading preteen friends or anyone that wants a good clean story to read.
August 15, 2025
Poison in the Pastries
Susan Harper this book of yours is so good I really recommend it. The characters are people that you have to read about and truly experience. They are Smart and not so smart. They are serious and get into trouble and they are actually funny in some ways. I Loved reading the mystery of this book. Thank you for an interesting read.
Susan Harper this book of yours is so good I really recommend it. The characters are people that you have to read about and truly experience. They are Smart and not so smart. They are serious and get into trouble and they are actually funny in some ways. I Loved reading the mystery of this book. Thank you for an interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews