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Shilpa Solanki Mystery #1
A Slice of Murder
A groom-to-be is cut down at his engagement party, and solving the case won’t be a piece of cake . . .
Shilpa Silanki’s talent is making sure that special occasions are accompanied by special cakes, and her first booking after her move to Devon, England—where she’s inherited a house in Otter’s Reach—is a posh engagement party for Mason Connolly and Harriet Drew. Unfortunately, a knife has been used for something other than cutting the cake.
Now Shilpa is working to uncover layers of secrets and scandals in hopes of identifying the killer who permanently parted Mason and Harriet—and before she’s done, someone else might get iced . . .
Shilpa Silanki’s talent is making sure that special occasions are accompanied by special cakes, and her first booking after her move to Devon, England—where she’s inherited a house in Otter’s Reach—is a posh engagement party for Mason Connolly and Harriet Drew. Unfortunately, a knife has been used for something other than cutting the cake.
Now Shilpa is working to uncover layers of secrets and scandals in hopes of identifying the killer who permanently parted Mason and Harriet—and before she’s done, someone else might get iced . . .
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2022
20 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Marissa De Luna
16 books27 followersMarissa de Luna started writing in 2007 when she took a career break to travel. She is an up and coming young author with a passion for travel. She is currently working on a cosy crime series set in Devon. Her latest in the series is titled Murder in the Mix and is published by Bloodhound Books.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 10, 2022
Shilpa has a little stall on the Saturday Market in Otter’s Reach, which she inherited from her uncle along with her house which she was now settling into. She was approached by Mrs Drew to do the engagement cake for Mason and Harriet’s party which would be her first booking.
She was just going to tidy up the icing on the cake when she found the bloodied knife in the knife block when she picked it up by mistake. The party was in full swing by this point. She needed a spatula but couldn’t find one in the well kitted out kitchen so sought out Mrs Drew who knew where it was so went and got it. Shilpa got on with sorting the icing, then took it out into the party.
Mrs Drew was then looking distraught and Shilpa asked why. Mason was missing apparently so the guests got involved in searching the house and grounds for him without success. The next day on the news, Shilpa heard that a body had been found but not much else was divulged so she decided to bake some goodies and take them to the house. She saw a policeman in charge of the case and gave a statement about the knife but she didn’t glean any other details.
She talked to Leoni and Olivia who gave her some great information, and along with the other information she had gained, she decided she might take an interest in who may have killed Mason.
Could it have been an ex? Surely not Hannah? Mr Drew maybe? Why wasn’t his dad there for his engagement party? Who sent Shilpa the note?
I found this book really easy to get into. It was light and easy to read. The words just flowed so easily across the page and you just wanted to keep reading. Shilpa was an interesting character, she was trying to strike out on her own away from her interfering mother who was trying to marry her off. I really enjoyed this book.
She was just going to tidy up the icing on the cake when she found the bloodied knife in the knife block when she picked it up by mistake. The party was in full swing by this point. She needed a spatula but couldn’t find one in the well kitted out kitchen so sought out Mrs Drew who knew where it was so went and got it. Shilpa got on with sorting the icing, then took it out into the party.
Mrs Drew was then looking distraught and Shilpa asked why. Mason was missing apparently so the guests got involved in searching the house and grounds for him without success. The next day on the news, Shilpa heard that a body had been found but not much else was divulged so she decided to bake some goodies and take them to the house. She saw a policeman in charge of the case and gave a statement about the knife but she didn’t glean any other details.
She talked to Leoni and Olivia who gave her some great information, and along with the other information she had gained, she decided she might take an interest in who may have killed Mason.
Could it have been an ex? Surely not Hannah? Mr Drew maybe? Why wasn’t his dad there for his engagement party? Who sent Shilpa the note?
I found this book really easy to get into. It was light and easy to read. The words just flowed so easily across the page and you just wanted to keep reading. Shilpa was an interesting character, she was trying to strike out on her own away from her interfering mother who was trying to marry her off. I really enjoyed this book.
May 4, 2022
This is a really enjoyable Murder mystery, with the stunning setting of Devon. I though the writing was done wonderfully and I was utterly gripped all he way through.
May 22, 2022
*** Possible Spoilers ***
This was an interesting mystery. The pacing was excellent and there were a number of plot twists. At no time did I consider DNFing this book. That said, there are enough plot holes to drive a truck through - and not just a city truck but one of the big highway rigs. We're told early on the protagonist has come to a small town from a large city and is adjusting gradually to the culture there. Originally she held a respectable position in a large firm. One does not obtain, or retain, such a position without some intelligence but our heroine consistently walks into dangerous situations without the slightest planning. I mean lets think about this. I've just figured out who murdered my uncle so I think I'll go and confront them in a place where they won't have much difficulty getting rid of my body. Yeah, right. I did enjoy the book but there were a number of eye-rolls.
I think product placement in books would work. In this book the protagonist is a skilled baker and periodically describes the cakes she's making. I think I'll likely bake one for myself this afternoon so suggestions do work, at least on me.
This was an interesting mystery. The pacing was excellent and there were a number of plot twists. At no time did I consider DNFing this book. That said, there are enough plot holes to drive a truck through - and not just a city truck but one of the big highway rigs. We're told early on the protagonist has come to a small town from a large city and is adjusting gradually to the culture there. Originally she held a respectable position in a large firm. One does not obtain, or retain, such a position without some intelligence but our heroine consistently walks into dangerous situations without the slightest planning. I mean lets think about this. I've just figured out who murdered my uncle so I think I'll go and confront them in a place where they won't have much difficulty getting rid of my body. Yeah, right. I did enjoy the book but there were a number of eye-rolls.
I think product placement in books would work. In this book the protagonist is a skilled baker and periodically describes the cakes she's making. I think I'll likely bake one for myself this afternoon so suggestions do work, at least on me.
April 23, 2022
I found A Slice of Murder an easy read cosy crime book and would I give a 3.5* rating.
The setting of the book in a sleepy Devon seaside town was feel good and the main character and her friends were interesting and well drawn. Her family background and Shilpa's mother's match making attempts were entertaining. When Shilpa's friend, Tanvi arrives on the scene and then a short time later, Brijesh a possible suitor sent by her Mum, things start to get interesting.
However, I found Shilpa's investigations into the murder unrealistic and the potential suspects a little two dimensional.
Thank you Bloodhound books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
The setting of the book in a sleepy Devon seaside town was feel good and the main character and her friends were interesting and well drawn. Her family background and Shilpa's mother's match making attempts were entertaining. When Shilpa's friend, Tanvi arrives on the scene and then a short time later, Brijesh a possible suitor sent by her Mum, things start to get interesting.
However, I found Shilpa's investigations into the murder unrealistic and the potential suspects a little two dimensional.
Thank you Bloodhound books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2022
Actually not a bad read. It kept me guessing until the end and it had enough characters and plotlines to keep it interesting without seeming too overly farfetched or forced. I think some characters could have used more storyline but I'd read a follow up.
May 3, 2022
Whilst serving an “occasion” cake at the engagement party hosted for Harriet Drew and Mason Connolly by Harriet’s parents, Shilpa Silanki comes across a blood-stained knife. Never for a moment believing it was anything sinister, after all it was found in the kitchen, she throws it into the nearest sink. But when the groom goes missing and is later found murdered, Shilpa has second thoughts and just can’t help wanting to play Miss Marple. Life has been quiet for the thirty-five-year-old since she surprised her family and left her busy London life to move into the house she inherited from her Uncle Dipesh in Devon. Unmarried, despite her mother’s best attempts to produce suitable men, she is starting to wonder if she will spend life on the shelf until she meets a dishy detective. With the addition of her best friend Tanvi and Brijesh, another potential suitor sent by her mother, Otter’s Reach is a small place where gossip and rumours are rife, and it doesn’t take long for her to find out more about the families involved. Harriet’s fiancés seem to meet untimely ends and Mason has left behind some unhappy exs. As the body count rises a little bit too close to home, it seems everyone has secrets they are trying to keep buried but which one could be a murderer?
This is a nicely written cosy murder mystery. Shilpa, Tanvi and Brijesh are all lovely warm characters and make great amateur sleuths. The setting is beautifully described as are the people of the town and overall it was a charming and engrossing read. 4*
This is a nicely written cosy murder mystery. Shilpa, Tanvi and Brijesh are all lovely warm characters and make great amateur sleuths. The setting is beautifully described as are the people of the town and overall it was a charming and engrossing read. 4*
April 20, 2022
I quite enjoyed this book. I had never read anything by this author before.
I was hooked from the start with the announcement that the fiance at the party that Shilpa is catering for, is missing. It isn't long before the mssing person becomes a murdered man. Shilpa is drawn into the investigation as her fingerprints are on the murder weapon, a knife she picked up in the kitchen at the house.
This was quite a complex story with several interconnecting threads. Things are more intriguing when it is discovered that a previous fiance also died. I quite liked Shilpa and her interfering friends. Despite the complex goings-on and a further murder, it still has a cozy feel to it and I found it easy to read. There were several surprises on the way which I didn't see coming and I loved it even more.
I look forward to reading more by this author. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for giving me an advance copy to review.
I was hooked from the start with the announcement that the fiance at the party that Shilpa is catering for, is missing. It isn't long before the mssing person becomes a murdered man. Shilpa is drawn into the investigation as her fingerprints are on the murder weapon, a knife she picked up in the kitchen at the house.
This was quite a complex story with several interconnecting threads. Things are more intriguing when it is discovered that a previous fiance also died. I quite liked Shilpa and her interfering friends. Despite the complex goings-on and a further murder, it still has a cozy feel to it and I found it easy to read. There were several surprises on the way which I didn't see coming and I loved it even more.
I look forward to reading more by this author. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for giving me an advance copy to review.
May 1, 2022
A really good opening with Shilpa the main character finding a blood stained knife at an event she is catering for. She then becomes overly interested in the case when she finds there has been a murder and she probably handled the murder weapon.
We only have an inkling as to why Shilpa left her high powered job in London to set up a cake making business in a sleepy Devon village after she inherited a cottage from her uncle. We don’t if cake making was something she did previously but she seems very talented and is building a customer base along with some new friendships.
As Shilpa starts her own amateur investigation there are lots of twists and red herrings along with the inevitable fledging romance with the lead detective on the case.
There’s a good twist at the end and I’d say this is a perfect cosy or holiday read but would have liked a bit more back story into Shilpa’s character and motivations.
We only have an inkling as to why Shilpa left her high powered job in London to set up a cake making business in a sleepy Devon village after she inherited a cottage from her uncle. We don’t if cake making was something she did previously but she seems very talented and is building a customer base along with some new friendships.
As Shilpa starts her own amateur investigation there are lots of twists and red herrings along with the inevitable fledging romance with the lead detective on the case.
There’s a good twist at the end and I’d say this is a perfect cosy or holiday read but would have liked a bit more back story into Shilpa’s character and motivations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2022
This novel of mystery comes out May 4, 2022. This is a story of murder at a wedding the story flows so well and good and a good spring delight. It started off with Shilpa Solanki, she 35 years old female that moved to Devon, England she makes special cakes. She inherited from her uncle who died of heart condition. In Otter Reach. Shilpa is working with the bride and groom for her special cakes. Then murder happen before the wedding, the in-laws, looking for the groom. The bad news the groom was found murder, Mason Connolly. This story has so many twists and turns. The bride was Harriet Drew. Shilpa was asked by June, Mason's mother to cater his funeral. i enjoyed the flow of this book, the character of Shilpa Solanki was divine to read inside the plot. To find out who murder Mason Connolly was a surprise twist, and that you will learn more about Shilpa. I hope I get to read more with Shilpa Solanki character by author Marissa De Luna.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed how the author was able to pull me into the story from the start. The author's writing style as well as their attention to details gave the story a realistic feeling. This is a well written story about secrets, scandals and murder. What happens when a cake knife is used for something other than cutting cake? I enjoyed the characters and what they brought to the story. They are engaging, connectable and brought the story to life. I enjoyed their growth and the growth of the plot to make the story what it is. This is an entertaining and easy to read story. The twists and turns you dont see coming just add to the story. I highly recommend this book.
April 23, 2022
This is a fun “whodunnit” where an unpopular man is murdered at his own engagement party. As a new woman in town (and proprietor of a wonderful cake and pastry company) was catering the event, she feels a desire to investigate the murder since it occurred so near her and she may have accidentally touched the murder weapon. This book kept me guessing to the end since so many people had motive and opportunity to kill the man, but you can be sure our heroine figures it out just in time. I’m hoping that this is the move a semi-stagnant series needed to really break out. Even though this is book 5, it feels like a fresh restart.
May 3, 2022
This could easily fall into the 'cosy mystery' genre, although it does have a dark edge. Well-paced and the characters are interesting; it will be good to see how they develop and also find out more about why the main character moved from London in the first place.
The setting is well-presented and it certainly made me want to visit the area, despite the murder and mayhem!
There are quite a few suspects that have to be sorted out; a sub-plot involving the main character's family and lots of cakes to try and replicate (recipes please)!
Overall a nice easy read good for the summer holidays.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The setting is well-presented and it certainly made me want to visit the area, despite the murder and mayhem!
There are quite a few suspects that have to be sorted out; a sub-plot involving the main character's family and lots of cakes to try and replicate (recipes please)!
Overall a nice easy read good for the summer holidays.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2022
This author is new to me, and I liked the way she writes, being this book a “whodunnit” it could have been just a dark mystery book but with her writing, and giving the book a fun side, it made it much more enjoyable.
There are a lot of twists, especially coming to the end of the book, and lots of situations to figure out who did it, but all of them unravel on a nice way by the end of the book.
I liked the descriptions of Devon, specifically the small town of Otter Reach, to the point that it made me want to visit. I also enjoyed the characters development and descriptions of each one of them.
There are a lot of twists, especially coming to the end of the book, and lots of situations to figure out who did it, but all of them unravel on a nice way by the end of the book.
I liked the descriptions of Devon, specifically the small town of Otter Reach, to the point that it made me want to visit. I also enjoyed the characters development and descriptions of each one of them.
September 29, 2025
i listened to this via Audiobooks & i think that helped me get through it a lot more than if i had just a physical copy. the pacing was nice, didn’t feel too rushed or too slow and i liked the couple plot twists that were in there. my only issue is that Shilpa kept putting herself in dangerous situations when she knew it wasn’t a good idea… and didn’t tell anyone about her whereabouts so it wasn’t like she had “backup” to help - all this would have been okay (i guess..) if they didn’t make it a point to mention how smart and educated she was… so why girl?? why go confront a murderer in a secluded location ALONE???
all in all, i’d probably read (listen) the rest of the series, it was fun
all in all, i’d probably read (listen) the rest of the series, it was fun
April 24, 2022
This was such a fun read, I really enjoyed it. Although it was a cozy story it was different enough to really capture my attention and I just devoured it in an afternoon. What a great way to take my attention away from everything that is going on.
I had never read anything by this author but this won't be the last.
I was given an advance copy by bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.
I had never read anything by this author but this won't be the last.
I was given an advance copy by bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.
April 16, 2022
Shilpa moves to Devon after inheriting her uncle's house, leaving her job in London to start a cake making business.
At her first job, an engagement cake for Mason and Harriet there is a murder. For a reason I could not really fathom Shilpa gets involved in the investigation.
This is a cosy murder and is quite a reasonable read, but I cannot see why Shilpa gets involved at all.
At her first job, an engagement cake for Mason and Harriet there is a murder. For a reason I could not really fathom Shilpa gets involved in the investigation.
This is a cosy murder and is quite a reasonable read, but I cannot see why Shilpa gets involved at all.
April 27, 2022
Shilpa has moved into her Uncles house that she inherited and has started a business making celebration cakes, when the groom is founded murdered during her first engagement party things take a sinister turn. Following her voyage of discoveries about her new home town and her efforts to find the truth about the murder of Mason this is a great novel, thouroughly enjoyable.
May 4, 2022
A cosy mystery set in Devon. It has plenty of twists and turns. I liked the setting and the author certainly made me want to visit.
This book would be great book to take on holiday. The only downside about this book is the lack of Cake recipes at the end!! Please include some in the next book.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for my ARC.
This book would be great book to take on holiday. The only downside about this book is the lack of Cake recipes at the end!! Please include some in the next book.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for my ARC.
October 27, 2022
Another intricate, engaging and cleverly plotted murder mystery from the talented and increasingly prolific Marissa de Luna, whose writing is classy and light-touched. Glorious South Devon is the setting and, as always, food (this time a variety of mouth-watering cakes) plays a significant part. Highly recommended.
April 13, 2022
Interesting…is how I would describe this book. It seemed there was a lot of different things going on but it wasn’t difficult to follow. I loved everyone in the book. Never would have guessed who killed who! This is an ARC copy from Bloodhound Books but the views are my own.
May 1, 2022
A slice of murder by Marissa De Luna.
A groom-to-be is cut down at his engagement party, and solving the case won’t be a piece of cake . . .
A good read with good characters. I did like Brij. Read this slowly. 3*.
A groom-to-be is cut down at his engagement party, and solving the case won’t be a piece of cake . . .
A good read with good characters. I did like Brij. Read this slowly. 3*.
April 21, 2022
Absolutely loved it! It kept me guessing, I wanted to know more and it was a real page turner. Quite a cosy crime. Perfect for my holiday read!
May 1, 2022
A great cosy murder book. Plenty of red herrings and a surprise twist at the end which I didn't see coming. A thoroughly enjoyable, easy read with interesting characters and a fun plot.
June 11, 2023
enjoyed
Nice easy read with a few twists and turns.Good characters and story line involving everyone in the telling of the story.
Nice easy read with a few twists and turns.Good characters and story line involving everyone in the telling of the story.
November 21, 2023
Maybe read the other 2 books.
Theo the cop failed love interest
Theo the cop failed love interest
August 29, 2024
4,5⭐️🎧
November 1, 2024
DNF at 20%
December 29, 2022
I didn't expect that
I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely murder mystery from beginning to end.
The descriptions of the characters and the setting of the book bring it to life and those cakes what I would give to taste.
A book cleverly written with twists, very surprising revelations and a few red herrings thrown in.
This is my first book from this author and certainly won't be my last.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the arc book this is my honest unbiased review.
I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely murder mystery from beginning to end.
The descriptions of the characters and the setting of the book bring it to life and those cakes what I would give to taste.
A book cleverly written with twists, very surprising revelations and a few red herrings thrown in.
This is my first book from this author and certainly won't be my last.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the arc book this is my honest unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews