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Dead Man's Doll
Christmas blooms in Sugarwood in the form of a brightly lit tree in town square, colourful ornaments, and a snowstorm. It’s just Audra Clemmings’ luck that she literally stumbles over the local butcher in Miss Lavinia’s shop. Then a witch doctor arrives in town.
Can Audra solve the mystery before the killer turns their sights on her?
Can Audra solve the mystery before the killer turns their sights on her?
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
3 people want to read
About the author
Diane Bator
39 books159 followersDiane Bator is a prolific, award-winning Canadian author, publisher, book coach, editor, and mom of three suddenly adults who has developed a great, although quirky sense of humor. She is the host of the Escape With a Writer blog, and started her own publishing company, Escape With a Writer, in January of 2024 to relaunch her previous 15 novels as well as newer works. She is represented by Creative Edge Publicity and available for interviews, podcasts, and so on.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 14, 2023
Christmas blooms in Sugarwood in the form of a brightly lit tree in town square, colourful ornaments, and a snowstorm. It’s just Audra Clemmings’ luck that she literally stumbles over the local butcher in Miss Lavinia’s shop. Then a witch doctor arrives in town.
Can Audra solve the mystery before the killer turns their sights on her?
🐾
Dead Man’s Doll is the second book in Diane Bator's Sugarwood Mysteries series, a murder mystery with a touch of creepiness, suspense, and somber elements. Although I don't know much about voodoo and witchcraft, I have always enjoyed reading about them in books, and this one did not disappoint.
The author's storytelling capabilities are impressive, and she expertly balances thrilling moments with other elements to make the book entertaining without making the suspense the sole focus of the story.
I enjoyed the multilayered characters, especially Audra, but I found her husband's behavior somewhat unsettling. I think reading the first book in the series might have helped me understand their relationship better. Nonetheless, I appreciated how the author blended real-world situations with the characters' complexities, making the story more engaging.
Overall, I loved this book, and even though I took my time reading it and only did so in the morning (to avoid scaring myself at night), it was worth it!
🐾
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
Can Audra solve the mystery before the killer turns their sights on her?
🐾
Dead Man’s Doll is the second book in Diane Bator's Sugarwood Mysteries series, a murder mystery with a touch of creepiness, suspense, and somber elements. Although I don't know much about voodoo and witchcraft, I have always enjoyed reading about them in books, and this one did not disappoint.
The author's storytelling capabilities are impressive, and she expertly balances thrilling moments with other elements to make the book entertaining without making the suspense the sole focus of the story.
I enjoyed the multilayered characters, especially Audra, but I found her husband's behavior somewhat unsettling. I think reading the first book in the series might have helped me understand their relationship better. Nonetheless, I appreciated how the author blended real-world situations with the characters' complexities, making the story more engaging.
Overall, I loved this book, and even though I took my time reading it and only did so in the morning (to avoid scaring myself at night), it was worth it!
🐾
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
February 25, 2024
Diane Bator has written another cozy mystery with twists and turns that keep the reader enthralled. You would never guess whodunnit.
October 27, 2022
The Review
I absolutely loved the juxtaposition of the holiday settings with the cozy murder mystery meets witchcraft and horror elements of the narrative. The author did an amazing job of bringing a good dose of humor and wit to the narrative amongst the more chilling elements of the story, and the rich detail and atmosphere that the author was able to achieve were inspiring to see come to life on the page.
The character growth and the exploration of our understanding of things like witchcraft, voodoo, and other magical-based belief systems were the true heart of this narrative. The humor and relatability that the author infuses into characters like protagonist Audra and Marilee, and even the inclusion of Audra’s dog Drake, added a depth and captivating element to the cozy murder mystery, while the magical practices element of the story showcased how it is often our own prejudices and misconceptions that make people far more dangerous than the unknown and things classified by society as “supernatural” and having all of this come to life in a Christmas setting was made even better.
The Verdict
Chilling, witty, and entertaining, author Diane Bator’s “Dead Man’s Doll” is a brilliant cozy mystery for the fall/winter season of 2022 and a perfect next chapter in the Sugarwood Mysteries series. The thoughtful and thrilling narrative blends well with the funny character dynamics and rich cultural and spiritual elements explored in the story, making this a one-of-a-kind read you won’t be able to put down.
I absolutely loved the juxtaposition of the holiday settings with the cozy murder mystery meets witchcraft and horror elements of the narrative. The author did an amazing job of bringing a good dose of humor and wit to the narrative amongst the more chilling elements of the story, and the rich detail and atmosphere that the author was able to achieve were inspiring to see come to life on the page.
The character growth and the exploration of our understanding of things like witchcraft, voodoo, and other magical-based belief systems were the true heart of this narrative. The humor and relatability that the author infuses into characters like protagonist Audra and Marilee, and even the inclusion of Audra’s dog Drake, added a depth and captivating element to the cozy murder mystery, while the magical practices element of the story showcased how it is often our own prejudices and misconceptions that make people far more dangerous than the unknown and things classified by society as “supernatural” and having all of this come to life in a Christmas setting was made even better.
The Verdict
Chilling, witty, and entertaining, author Diane Bator’s “Dead Man’s Doll” is a brilliant cozy mystery for the fall/winter season of 2022 and a perfect next chapter in the Sugarwood Mysteries series. The thoughtful and thrilling narrative blends well with the funny character dynamics and rich cultural and spiritual elements explored in the story, making this a one-of-a-kind read you won’t be able to put down.
October 25, 2022
A Good Amateur Sluething Story
I think this is only the second cosy mystery I’ve ever read. The first one was The Conned Lady by the same author. Amateur sleuthing is not something that has ever appealed to me. But, I’ve been proved wrong.
I really enjoyed the main character, Audra in Dead Men’s Doll. She is a likeable forty something married woman with a dog called Drake. Audra is the pillar of her community and the owner of the Stitch’n’Time embroidery shop in a place called Sugarwood.
As an amateur sleuth, Audra loved to draw up a suspect board and along with her shop assistant, and friend, Merilee, they have their work cut out with a death a few doors down from the premises.
The fact that they ate and drank a lot was also appealing. Who doesn’t love a pastry and a take out coffee?
Set in Canada in the lead up to Christmas, snow and warm fires give a sense of settling into a favourite armchair, which of course, I was. Throw in a good sprinkling of Sugarwood characters and we were off to a good start. A demonic murder and an assault has Audra and the town gossips coming up with many theories.
I found it difficult to work out her relationship with her husband as he often seemed quite remote at times and her feelings for him weren’t very clear. He came into his own when the story reached its very exciting climax.
A friend asked me to read this second book of the series. I would have enjoyed it more had the author given a brief description of events referred to from book one. That way I wouldn’t have been left wondering about parts of the story I didn’t understand.
Overall, I enjoyed it, particularly as I’m a cross stitcher and belong to a ‘sewing circle’ too. I could really identify with the shop and the kits spoken about, it made me feel, well, cosy. I give this a good three stars.
I think this is only the second cosy mystery I’ve ever read. The first one was The Conned Lady by the same author. Amateur sleuthing is not something that has ever appealed to me. But, I’ve been proved wrong.
I really enjoyed the main character, Audra in Dead Men’s Doll. She is a likeable forty something married woman with a dog called Drake. Audra is the pillar of her community and the owner of the Stitch’n’Time embroidery shop in a place called Sugarwood.
As an amateur sleuth, Audra loved to draw up a suspect board and along with her shop assistant, and friend, Merilee, they have their work cut out with a death a few doors down from the premises.
The fact that they ate and drank a lot was also appealing. Who doesn’t love a pastry and a take out coffee?
Set in Canada in the lead up to Christmas, snow and warm fires give a sense of settling into a favourite armchair, which of course, I was. Throw in a good sprinkling of Sugarwood characters and we were off to a good start. A demonic murder and an assault has Audra and the town gossips coming up with many theories.
I found it difficult to work out her relationship with her husband as he often seemed quite remote at times and her feelings for him weren’t very clear. He came into his own when the story reached its very exciting climax.
A friend asked me to read this second book of the series. I would have enjoyed it more had the author given a brief description of events referred to from book one. That way I wouldn’t have been left wondering about parts of the story I didn’t understand.
Overall, I enjoyed it, particularly as I’m a cross stitcher and belong to a ‘sewing circle’ too. I could really identify with the shop and the kits spoken about, it made me feel, well, cosy. I give this a good three stars.
October 20, 2022
A good second book for the Sugarwood Series. I enjoyed the mystery and introduction of lots of new characters, which added some fresh perspectives and interest. Elements of voodoo and witchcraft also feature in the story. The relationship between Audra and Rex is still difficult to pin point, but the main plot of solving the butcher's murder is engaging and I really enjoyed following along as the clues came together. Overall, an enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews