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Cozy Baked Mystery #20
Sweet Tea and Terror
What do you do when all your troubles seem like they’ve unpacked their bags and have no intention of ever leaving? You pour a nice tall glass of sweet tea and relax out on the beach. Troubles can take care of themselves.
Allie may not know what she wants to do with her life since she lost her job, but she does have her priorities in order. Sweet tea on the beach fixes nearly everything. Well, everything except a new murder case.
Alec has gone back to his old job as a police detective and the next case tossed in his lap will keep him busy and off the beach. But that doesn’t mean Allie and her best friend Lucy won’t take time out from sweet tea and beach time to search for the killer on their own.
Welcome to Sandy Harbor, Maine, where small towns and murder go together.
Allie may not know what she wants to do with her life since she lost her job, but she does have her priorities in order. Sweet tea on the beach fixes nearly everything. Well, everything except a new murder case.
Alec has gone back to his old job as a police detective and the next case tossed in his lap will keep him busy and off the beach. But that doesn’t mean Allie and her best friend Lucy won’t take time out from sweet tea and beach time to search for the killer on their own.
Welcome to Sandy Harbor, Maine, where small towns and murder go together.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2022
This is a light, quick read. There are several suspects and it will keep you guessing. Some exciting moments and lots of sweet tea and sweets. The author provided a copy via Booksprout. My review is voluntary.
July 18, 2022
Who Killed Chad Scalia ? . . .
Allie and Lucy are heading to the beach for a couple of hours of relaxation. Allie has brought along a gallon-size cooler of sweet tea, as if they might possibly run out of their tea drink with just the two of them! She still didn’t have a job, but it was easy to learn to sleep a little later and take on the life of leisure. Even so, Lucy was horrified that no snacks were packed with their lunches. Since she no longer has to make baked goods, she had decided not to. Besides, the gallon of sweet tea should provide all of their sugar needs.
Alec is once again a police detective. He came home from work and Allie had nothing planned for dinner (again) and found their food supplies were very low. When had she last shopped? And no cakes to snack on, Alec reminded her. The frozen dinners she found were buried under layers of frost. So pizza was looking like a good idea. Then Alec said not to worry about dinner. Ben Tiller just called to say they found a body. Now that got Allie’s attention! But he ran out after giving her the briefest of information. When he didn’t get home overnight, she got curious and took coffee to him. There she found the car had been set on fire deliberately. They will need dental records to confirm who it was who died. But they think it was Chad Scalia. And just the other day on the beach, his wife had accused Allie and Alec of getting him fired from the force! Of course Allie and Lucy, her best friend, will be on the case as well doing their part to dig up clues to find the killer on their own. But will the killer be after them as well?
This is an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery with a nice variety of characters. The plot is well-written and holds the reader’s attention as Allie does what she does best – poking her nose into things. The characters are easy to like. The story line has the right balance of suspense and intrigue to keep the reader trying to figure out the culprit’s identity before Allie does. Grab your copy and enjoy!
Allie and Lucy are heading to the beach for a couple of hours of relaxation. Allie has brought along a gallon-size cooler of sweet tea, as if they might possibly run out of their tea drink with just the two of them! She still didn’t have a job, but it was easy to learn to sleep a little later and take on the life of leisure. Even so, Lucy was horrified that no snacks were packed with their lunches. Since she no longer has to make baked goods, she had decided not to. Besides, the gallon of sweet tea should provide all of their sugar needs.
Alec is once again a police detective. He came home from work and Allie had nothing planned for dinner (again) and found their food supplies were very low. When had she last shopped? And no cakes to snack on, Alec reminded her. The frozen dinners she found were buried under layers of frost. So pizza was looking like a good idea. Then Alec said not to worry about dinner. Ben Tiller just called to say they found a body. Now that got Allie’s attention! But he ran out after giving her the briefest of information. When he didn’t get home overnight, she got curious and took coffee to him. There she found the car had been set on fire deliberately. They will need dental records to confirm who it was who died. But they think it was Chad Scalia. And just the other day on the beach, his wife had accused Allie and Alec of getting him fired from the force! Of course Allie and Lucy, her best friend, will be on the case as well doing their part to dig up clues to find the killer on their own. But will the killer be after them as well?
This is an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery with a nice variety of characters. The plot is well-written and holds the reader’s attention as Allie does what she does best – poking her nose into things. The characters are easy to like. The story line has the right balance of suspense and intrigue to keep the reader trying to figure out the culprit’s identity before Allie does. Grab your copy and enjoy!
September 25, 2026
Sweet Tea and Terror is the 20th book in A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery series and it is a nice book. I enjoyed reading it. I like the atmosphere of the book. As usual Alice investigates here murder. Can't wait to read next book in this great series.
July 16, 2022
Even though I'm not entirely caught up with the series, I couldn't resist getting this ARC from BookSprout for a little peek into Alec and Allie's life now that they'd been married for around a year. I can't help myself reading ahead in blurbs on Amazon, and I knew what was basically going to happen in the series anyway, so to me there were no huge spoilers. (Gotta say, I didn't miss picturing how Alec's PI office was decorated in shaggy 70's style, lol since he's now a police detective once more.)
With Alec back on the force, Allie and Lucy had to do their sleuthing for this murder on the sly. But someone didn't like that and was brazen enough to start terrorizing Allie when she was by herself at the house. But this isn't the Allie of book 1, folks. She's married to a police officer and very resourceful! It didn't really surprise me as to whodunit, but the red herrings were all so good that I'd kinda backed away from that person.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the author via BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.
With Alec back on the force, Allie and Lucy had to do their sleuthing for this murder on the sly. But someone didn't like that and was brazen enough to start terrorizing Allie when she was by herself at the house. But this isn't the Allie of book 1, folks. She's married to a police officer and very resourceful! It didn't really surprise me as to whodunit, but the red herrings were all so good that I'd kinda backed away from that person.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the author via BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.
July 13, 2022
Sweet Tea and Terror was such a joy to read. I’m never disappointed when I pick up one of Kathleen’s books. Allie is still without a job and Alec has returned to the police department as a detective. While Allie and Alec enjoy some happy news from Thad and Sarah, they are also dealing with some unsettledness in town because the police department’s internal affairs cleaned house and fired the dirty officers. The residents don’t understand why this happened and Allie is taking the brunt of the anger. While Allie and Lucy are investigating a murdered cop, Allie becomes a target and is being terrorized by the killer.
The mystery was interesting and well-plotted and kept me guessing till the very end. I love the characters and they feel like family. If you are looking for a light, cozy read, then I highly recommend this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The mystery was interesting and well-plotted and kept me guessing till the very end. I love the characters and they feel like family. If you are looking for a light, cozy read, then I highly recommend this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2022
Allie and the gang are back at it again in the later book from Kathleen Suzette’s Freshly Bake Cozy Mystery Series. This book is filled with the perfect amount of suspense and baking. It will leaving you wishing for a cold glass of sweet tea and a slice of blueberry pie!.
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.
July 22, 2022
cleaning up the police department has brought many changes to their little town, and Alec back to the police force, instead of a semi retired PI.
Family changes are in the air as well, with both her son and daughter around, as well as her daughter in law, Allie should have much ado.
No linger baking treats for a local eatery might just be leaving Allie in a bit of mourning and a bit at loose ends.
more transitions are likely ahead as Alec and Allie enjoy her now adult kids, and their changing roles in town.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Family changes are in the air as well, with both her son and daughter around, as well as her daughter in law, Allie should have much ado.
No linger baking treats for a local eatery might just be leaving Allie in a bit of mourning and a bit at loose ends.
more transitions are likely ahead as Alec and Allie enjoy her now adult kids, and their changing roles in town.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2022
Always ready for another Maine based cozy that is seasonally appropriate. As Allie starts dreaming about autumn at the end of July, she runs into trouble when the now fired corrupt cops blame her husband for their termination.
When one if found murder, Allie is determined to find the culprit even if one of their own is responsible. Between sleuthing and getting ready to be a MeMaw, she has her hands full even without her baking business.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When one if found murder, Allie is determined to find the culprit even if one of their own is responsible. Between sleuthing and getting ready to be a MeMaw, she has her hands full even without her baking business.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2023
Really good
A lot going on in this one. Really enjoyed reading this story. Allie & her friends always get mixed up in the crazy happenings in their town. Good thing her husband is back on the police force. Looking forward to reading the next book.
A lot going on in this one. Really enjoyed reading this story. Allie & her friends always get mixed up in the crazy happenings in their town. Good thing her husband is back on the police force. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews