Apple Caramel Mayhem

Dolphin Bay #3

by Leena Clover

*City Developer Murdered at Historic Castle*
Anna’s Café is flourishing. Locals and tourists can’t stop gorging on her delicious cupcakes.

Dolphin Bay is in turmoil as a city developer proposes new construction on the scenic Coastal Walk. Locals flock to the town meeting to protest. Hours later, the man is dead, stabbed to death in a room full of people. The police face a big challenge since everyone present had a motive to kill. Then the murder weapon is discovered.

When Anna’s friend and local resort owner Charlie Robinson becomes the top suspect, she reluctantly steps in to help. Can she ignore his sordid reputation and trust he is innocent?

New secrets are revealed and multiple suspects emerge as Anna travels across cities and digs into the past to find the real killer. Her personal life proves to be highly eventful, keeping her on her toes. Meanwhile, the local football team is in dire need of assistance.

Apple Caramel Mayhem is a fast paced clean cozy mystery that will keep you guessing till the end. Book 3 in Dolphin Bay is chock full of fall flavor and sets the tone for a cozy autumn evening by the fireside.

If you like cozy mysteries with strong women, second chances, friendships that endure and plenty of yummy food, you will love Apple Caramel Mayhem.

Buy or borrow this fall cozy today and start reading.

Books in the series -

Raspberry Chocolate Murder Book 1
Orange Thyme Death Book 2

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

300 pages, Hardcover

Published March 12, 2021

About the author

Leena Clover is a popular, bestselling author of cozy mysteries with heart.

You can expect fearless heroines, small town drama, quirky characters and friendships that last a lifetime in her books. Yummy food and a murder or two are guaranteed!

Visit her website at leenaclover.com to learn more.

Reviews

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna has gotten a reputation of getting to the bottom of local murders, finding the culprit long before the police. In this third book, an old friend of her husband, Charlie Robinson, comes asking for her help following a murder at his hotel and the weapon being found in his office. Assisted by her best friends, Julie and Mary a.k.a. the Firecrackers, as well as her daughter and granddaughter, Anna manages to sleuth while baking every morning for her new cafe. Fortunately Meg and Cassie can take over shop duties when Anna leaves to sleuth. Soon Anna has raised more doubts and questions than she started with. I credit author Leena Clover with a great long-range plan for Anna, because the more Anna finds out, the more Ms Clover leaks out minuscule hints about past problems that add to the general tension of the story.

This is a series that keeps on getting better and better. Characters are developing and changing, and along with those changes come questions from the reader. I keep trying to figure out what secrets the characters actually have. Each book makes me want to read more...and keeps me wishing Ms Clover would write faster! Don't miss this great series, but be sure to read them in order for the ultimate Dolphin Bay experience.

[Darlene Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story to add to a great series!

I discovered this series after reading THE PELICAN BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES by Leena Clover. I read the five books available in this series before writing the first review. Anna and her BFFs, Julie and Mary, refer to themselves as the Firecrackers and share the most amazing friendship. Although I prefer reading the stories in order, each book can be read as a stand-alone. The backstories of Anna and her daughter, Cassie, are revealed in bits and pieces throughout the series. The backstory itself is interesting, to say the least, with more revealed in each book.

I don’t like reviews with spoilers so I will only share my general opinion of this story. The story is a great whodunit with the murder taking place in a room filled with people, yet no one saw the stabbing. There are so many suspects and motives for Anna and her friends to sort through to find this killer. There is more than a little romance in the air with this story.

If you enjoy reading an entertaining cozy mystery, then you don’t want to miss this one.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My biggest problem with this author's work is they should have polished the story better and backed off on the drama. The story is essentially good and it could have used a lot more polishing. The characters are quite interesting, but the background and the ongoing angst between mother, daughter, and granddaughter is over the top, especially after two stories. Perhaps I am not being realistic and not seeing the whole picture, so read the stories for yourself and make your own decisions. The plot is a bit meandering and the premise is finding out who killed the big out of town developer and why. I do recommend this book, despite what I have said.

[Judy Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gets Better With Every Book

I wasn’t sure I would like this series. The first and second books were good but there was that needed connection that simply wouldn’t materialize for me. However, something always pulled me back and I’m glad it did. By the third book the characters took on depth and the plot began to flow and make more sense. I believe, as a reader there must be a pull, a sense of feeling you are beginning to know the characters. It’s there now and I can’t wait to continue to read the series.

[Kendle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok a bit long winded

This series is dragging on a bit. The reason for the mayor's dislike of Anna is still not revealed. Three books into the series and the plot still isn't revealed. Not sure if I'll continue this series. The characters are enjoyable and that kept me reading up to this point.

[Peggy Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A killer view

Well written for the most part. There were a few places where it was predictable but many "I didn't see that coming moments to keep me reading later than I should be. I look forward to the next installment.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolphin Bay 3

This story has been an amazing and exciting read. I love stories involving historic places. It’s intriguing to be unable to figure out “who done it “. I like these plots immensely. Can’t wait to read the next story.

[Janet L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in the Dolphin Bay series of books. Think each book is better than the last. Anna and her family and friends help to solve another mystery but at least they weren’t suspects this time. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun mystery

This story was very entertaining. The characters are well fleshed out and feel like old friends. Loved the town of Pelican Cove. You will enjoy this book, highly recommend.

[TRACY STANDRIDGE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book I've read by her. I'm a solid fan now, thank you.

I love this series! Great places, food, great friendships, too.

I would recommend this series to everyone and anyone.
I've read three books so far, very quickly.

[Brad Hellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whi done it again ?

Thus story drags on a bit but that brief pause allows the story come together!
Recommended book!
The mystery brakes several turns to make the reader AND THXJ!KKKJJJK

[Marietta Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am listening to this series. Author: please, please go back and listen to this inept AI voice. Please pay a real person. The book will be so much better. The AI voice mispronounces words, the cadence is all wrong and frankly, it's a boring voice.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is a great book in the Cozy Murder Mystery series by Leena Clover. There are great characters and a great story line with lots of twists and turns.

[Tonya Pentycofe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I did not want to put it down. It kept me guessing throughout the entire book. I would recommend it if you like a good mystery.

[Sarah Schurmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in the series yet!

I am so into this series, each book leaves a few loose ends I am beginning to realize! I can not wait to see how they all come together!

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soso

It's not as good as the pelican bay series. This series starts you in the middle of stories and keeps you guessing

[darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say

Book three was excellent. I love the flow of the story. Another book for my friends to read. Can't wait to read the next book.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I loved it. Each book is better than the last. I look forward to the next one.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book and I would recommend it to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.

[Lorna Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, mystery and intrigue galore in this 5 star read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever mystery that takes all of Anna’s strength to find this killer.

[Karen Geurts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Anna, Cassie and Meg are a good team. This story had a lot of twists and a surprise ending!

[Emmalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cassie, Cassie, Cassie, please grow up

[Mary Jasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true mystery

Each read is a gem of a story, each character is under suspicion. Also getting to know more about each main characters development. I really am enjoying this series.

[Velma Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series.

[Penny Perse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apple Carmel Mayhem

Another great story full of good food. There is no way she killed her husband John. That woman needs her legs shortened.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The town meeting turns into a killing fest

Another great read. But one thing I don't get is why she's putting up with all the sneers, innuendo and slander from the mayor?
A town meeting about a proposed new development turns into murder when the developer is found dead. Dead in an office and killed with an antique dagger. A phone call for help has the girls involuntarily pulled into help to clear the suspect after she tells them that she will be investigating. Another death, an affair, a suspect that seems to disappear into thin air and smuggling. How do all these link to find the killer? Will Cassia accept her daughter? Will the romance with Gino flourish? Will the latest shock be one shock too many?

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

APPLE CARAMEL MAYHEM is the third book in the Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery series. Though each cozy mystery will stand on its own, there is an over arcing storyline of Anna’s personal life with her daughter and granddaughter that needs to be read in the order of release.

You can almost smell the apple cider, bonfires, and autumn leaves as fall comes to Dolphin Bay. There is more than a mystery to solve, as the local football team needs more than parental boosters, the new café is flourishing, the town landmark is threatened by developers, and family always keeps Anna on her toes.

I loved the town secrets that were brought to light. Might there be more? The more characters brought into the series, the richer the stories become. This book had more depth, more layers, more feeling than the previous two. I hope this is a trend that continues as the series moves forward. I know I’m looking forward to what may come next.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: APPLE CARAMEL MAYHEM
Series: Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery #3
Category /Genre: Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to murder element; vocabulary
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Leena Clover

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery filled with many anecdotes about the lives of Anna and her friends and family. For a change Anna was not implicated in the murders, but could concentrate on finding out who the killer was. There are many different clues and an equal number of suspects. Tracking everything down fills most of the pages of the book.

But there are many chapters devoted to the lives of Cassie and Meg...and of course the personal life of Anna. The writing is superb and keeps the reader entertained. We don't need the murders solved immediately, do we! By now I have learned a lot about Dolphin Bay, the key members of the community and the dining establishments. Every couple of chapters Anna and her close friends have to go someplace for a meal. The menu and meals are described in delicious detail. Plus, Anna is quite the cook as well as being the baker for everything in her café.

Well, suffice it to say this is an enjoyable book to read. I guarantee it!

[Cinda Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Butler, owner of Bayside Books for more than 20 years, and more recently Anna's Cafe, where her specialty is cupcakes, has been baking all of these cupcakes at home and then with the help of her granddaughter, Meg, delivering them to the cafe each morning. With the help of her daughter, Cassie (Meg's Mother), the three of them have been very busy maintaining both stores. The cafe has been doing so well they have been selling out of their food, including the cupcake specialty of the month, the Apple Caramel cupcake.
Mike Donovan, a big city developer, is in town for a meeting at the Castle Beach Resort, regarding a big project coming to Dolphin Bay, which would involve the Coastal Walk. The mayor, Lara Crawford, is supporting the project. It has been rumored she has accepted bribes to push the project forward. Many in attendance are against the project. That becomes even more clear when a scream is heard and Mike Donovan's body is discovered in a chair in Charlie Robinson's office. The dagger believed to be the weapon is found in Charlie's office. The Robinsons have owen the Castle for more than 200 years. The family is rumored to have been smugglers back in the day.
Charlie, a friend of Anna's deceased husband, John, comes to Anna asking for her help in clearing his name. When Anna and her best friends, Julie and Mary -- the Firecrackers -- begin investigating, Anna depends on Meg and Cassie to run the bookstore and cafe.
Gino Mancini, owner of Mystic Hill Winery, and former Chief of Police, warns Anna about investigating and to take care of herself. Anna has had some health issues. That is why her daughter, an award winning actress, is back in town helping her. He has also heard that Lara Crawford is still spreading rumors that Anna was jealous about her husband having an affair and actually killed him.
Most of the town doesn't know that Paul Sykes and his family have owned the Coastal Walk for years. Donovan has been pressuring Paul to sell the Walk to him. When Paul is found dead in his Antique Shop, Anna is asked by his son, Justin, to find his Dad's killer.
I love how the characters have developed in this series. I feel there are still secrets that are being withheld by Anna, Cassie and Meg. There are many suspects for everyone to investigate. This book will keep you turning the pages to find out who did kill Donovan and Sykes.
I recommend this book. I received an advanced copy. This is my honest review.