Sinister Sprinkles

Donut Shop Mysteries #3

by Jessica Beck

Just in time for the Winter Festival, a glistening layer of snow has covered the streets of April Springs, North Carolina. Of course, it reminds donut shop owner Suzanne Hart of sweet delicious frosting. But her visions of sugar plums plummet when her ex's ex-girlfriend gets iced …

Suzanne could never understand why her ex-husband and actor Max cheated on her with Darlene Higgins. Why Darlene's body was found wearing another woman's clothes is an even bigger mystery. Now Max is suspected of murder—and Suzanne is sifting through her mixed-up love life looking for clues. If she can't sprinkle evidence on her half-baked theories of whodunit, Max is as good as fried….

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Christmas, Romance, Crime

290 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 30, 2010

About the author

Jessica Beck is a pseudonym used by
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.

Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.

When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Some folks aren't too thrilled with this series but I like it. It's realistic in that Suzanne has some problems with her mom but really loves her all the same. (I felt the same way about my mom) And I love the relationship between her and her best friend, I love the snow, and I love the relationship between Suzanne and Emma. I thought it was a very good book and a lot of fun to read. Just relax and enjoy it. : )

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 4 out of 5]

For much of the book, the rating was averaging a strong 5 stars. The pages flew by quickly, which is a requisite for a perfect score. But then while reading I frowned at the last part. That's a big no no. If I frown, either in concentration or with annoyance, then that disqualifies the book for a perfect score. The bummer is that things were bubbling and changing hue excitingly, only for everything to go back to square one at the end. But still, make no mistake, this is a book that kept me thrilled for the most part, and I hope it stays like that throughout this series. Jessica Beck is better than I credited her. Unfortunately this book doesn't lend itself to much analysis, but it was good fun reading it. Here ends my review.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't crazy about the first two books in this series, but for some reason I continued on. I have to say I'm glad I did! The author has hit her stride and as a result this book is really GOOD! The characters are really growing and developing, the donut shop is coming to life for me, and the dialogue is less akward (although it still bothers me when Suzanne chastizes people, from her best friend and her mother right down to her co-worker's father). As an added bonus this book takes place during Christmas time, something you would never know from the cover (couldn't the donuts have had red and green sprinkles on them?). For the first time ever I can't wait for the next installment in this series!

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was some fun light reading that managed to avoid some of the things that have been bugging me about cozies recently. the main character does have the police officer boyfriend, but her reason for investigating seemed a bit more compelling than in some stories (she herself is considered a suspect, but so is her ex-husband). there were lots of details about making donuts and being a small business owner. I did not realize I was reading a Christmas story out of season, but the Christmas elements were so minor that I would actually have been more disappointed if I planned for that seasonal feeling.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very surprised with this one! I didn't care for the first one in this series much at all and thought the 2nd was only marginally better. I would have never read this one, but it was given to me. I actually liked it! Suzanne wasn't as abrasive as she was in the previous books and the story wasn't bad either. I grade on a 1-10 scale and this is a solid 7.5, so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and giving it the full 4 stars here in Goodreads.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave this four stars but everything fell apart at the end. The "clue" wasn't really a clue and actually makes no sense. I can't say more without spoilers, so I'll just say I enjoyed the characters and most of the story but the end irritated me greatly.

Oh, and I absolutely loved the weather in this book. The snowstorms were epic and wonderful, and I felt cold reading it under my cozy blanket. :)

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well the trick was on me this Halloween. I thought this book was set at Halloween and it was really set at Christmas, either way it was still a treat. Good story and characters and a happy ending.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne owns a delectable donut shop, Donut Hearts, in April Springs, North Carolina. During the Christmas festival a body is discovered which will put Suzanne directly in the crosshairs of the local police chief because of the past behavior of the deceased and the apparent distrust of the chief because he thinks Suzanne sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong! This series is so much fun to read. The characters are so engaging and at times quite funny! The little town is definitely small town America, and it is one of those places you would love to raise your children. The author does a great job of offering multiple suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries, you will definitely enjoy this book and this series. Food, a little fun and a whole of mystery are the major components of this book!

[Kathy Tymonko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cozy.

[Kodi Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did a little research on the author of this book, which I don't normally do, but something got me interested. I have an inquiry on my blog on whether Jessica Beck is really Joaane Fluke, author of the Hannah Swensen series. Now, I have compared these two quite a bit in my previous posts and it got me thinking, could it be true. I discovered that Jessica Beck really is a pen name, the books that come out from her are spaced in between Joanne Flukes books and the artwork is also very similar. I don't know, I guess I'll just have to wait and see if it's true.
So, this third installment of the Donut Shop Mysteries is a case of mistaken identity. At least that's what they think at first. The murder victum in this book is...

To read more, check out my blog - http://kodisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't much of a fan of the first two, but this one was a bit better. Something about the characters though; I have a hard time really caring about them, as they all feel a bit flat to me. Perhaps a bit formal and earnest to me for a cozy mystery. I probably wouldn't have continued with this series at all except that I bought this one and the next one at closeout prices and this one was a fit for a reading challenge. However, it's a good mystery with lots of suspects and I didn't guess the murderer until the big reveal. I'd recommend these for someone who wants a bit of light reading and might be between favourites.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful cozy murder mystery. Sinister sprinkles is set during the Christmas Season and despite a murder happening the book is full of Christmas miracles, blessings and new beginnings. Not only is the mystery solved but the story takes you on a personal journey of what is important in your life, in your hear of hearts. A book I will read again and will purchase for my library.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cozy mystery series was new to me. I really liked it. I was kept guessing on who the murderer might be until the end which is great. I liked the premise and the characters. I'd definitely check out more of this series.

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me totally confused. I had my suspicions, but, it didn`t become clear until the last chapter who the murderer was.

Poor Suzanne, can`t catch a break with love, romance any more than I can.

Well maybe Jake will come around this time.

[Clara Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne Hart just cannot sit still after a murder - but it also involves some soul searching along with the sleuthing

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the best. Some loose ends were not tied up, in my opinion, and some situations just were not quite realistic.

[James Garman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suzanne operates a donut shop in April Spring NC. She currently is living with her mother, after she caught her husband with another woman from the town and she basically threw hm out. She has lots of friends in the town and crime seems to have a way of coming to her attention and she is on shaky relations with the sheriff because of a few other murders that she found herself being in a position to find clues to the murder and she really doesn't mean to get involved into any more crimes however, it doesn't take long for her to realize that the most current murder is another that she is going to be drug into.

The town has a festival every year and put up lights and have booths on the street where people who have businesses in town can show their goods. Suddenly, there is a murder of a woman in the community who is well known and thought to be relatively well off who has a very one-of-a-kind coat, but it turns out that that coat might have been stolen so the victim is perhaps not who they though at first it was.

Then the victim's identity shifts to one of the one or two people that might just be Suzannes least favorite people in the whole town. Of course, before the mystery is solved, it takes Suzanne being endangered and having to fight off a shooter herself.

This novel is referenced as a mystery, but as a cosy mystery and it even includes recipes for different kinds of donots, which I found unnecessary and could hve easily done without in the body of the mystery because I certainly am not going to start cooking my own donuts.

I recommend it for those that like mysteries but prefer the "cosy" type where is less drama than there is in more suspense filled mysteries. For me it was just a bit too cosy. However, even though I read it in large print, just because that was what was available at my city library system, it was a quick read do it did go quickly.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, fast read. I was not happy with Jake for most of this book; he was absent a lot, then he broke up with Suzanne because he wasn't ready to move on from his dead wife (that took a lot of courage on his part and I stopped being mad at him). Then, at the end of the book he showed back up and said he wanted to try. As far as Max, the ex-husband goes, he was accused of murder, went into hiding, stole from Suzanne, and broke into Grace's house. But, he finally got the message that they are over, so that's good. Grace spent a lot of time with Suzanne and her Mom after her house got broken into. She also got a promotion. Now, for Suzanne and the mystery. Darlene, the woman Max cheated on her with is the one who ended up murdered. I was surprised it was Wilma, but not super shocked. Suzanne figured it out and Wilma attacked her in the shop, shot Max, but the Chief showed up before she could kill Suzanne. Good, enjoyable read. I will definitely continue with this series.

[Tari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I wasn't able to guess the killer, since author does a really good job with having quite a few suspects and logical reasons for them to kill. This book was set at Christmastime even though the cover doesn't look like it. April Springs was having a huge snowstorm, Grace was dealing with some personal issues job wise, and there was a little trouble in paradise for Jake and Suzanne. George the retired cop continues to be my favorite character, although Momma is winning me over the more I get to know her. Suzanne herself is a super kind person, but sometimes she can be so stubborn I'd just like to shake some sense into her lol. I sometimes see why Chief Martin gets so upset ha! The ending was very sweet, and I was so happy to see that coming. I've been using Overdrive to borrow the series from my local libraries, and it's working out great. I hope they continue to carry this series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne Hart has a knack for getting accused of murdering people. This is the third book I'm her series, and the police chief has accused her all three times so far. This time, the victim is the woman that broke up Suzanne's marriage. Suzanne has a good alibi, so she's in the clear, but the chief turns his eye on Suzanne's ex, and seems not to think about anybody else, which obviously means Suzanne needs to get involved.

The third book wasn't quite as good as the original two. But it's okay. There's a bunch of big changes that get set up in the last act of the book, and then instead of letting them stay open and get resolved in book 4, there was a bunch of hand waving and several of the "the end for now" plot lines were tied up in neat little bows.

The story is decent, and would be fun to read at Christmas time. But I feel like it could've gone better with some more character development.

[Kaarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this to get me out of my reading slump. the plot was fine, although it was all over the place in investigating suspects and their motives. the reveal of the murderer's motive was so lame though that I'm not sure if I feel satisfied with the ending. I think with small-town murder mysteries there is always a struggle in making one compelling case after another, but the author manages with adding in subplots. the most frustrating thing to read though was Suzanne's love life, which for some reason she can't catch a break with getting walked on by losers, the whole Jake situation pissed me off deeply. I just desperately need to see this woman find a man who actually romances her, or for her to swear off men forever and fall in love with her best friend. anyways it was fun to pick up

[Katherine Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I wish I could do partial stars as I really rate it 4.5. Another enjoyable (and yes yummy sounding) read. Virtually traveling to North Carolina was fun. Never thought of it as a snowy place, but this time it was. Fair warning- this will leave you craving donuts if you like them. Suzanne once agin finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation, as much as she tries to stay out of it she cannot. Some of the subplots were interesting, one I wasn’t too thrilled with but turned out ok, hence the 1/2 star. I liked how the relationships between Suzanne and the other characters are expanded and explored a bit more. Overall, this was another fun, quick read. A series to continue for sure.

[Mark Partridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, easy read but I found the ending to be abrupt and it left me with several unanswered questions about the murder, about the victim and some of the other suspects. Also, it seemed rather incompetent of the police that they wouldn’t immediately search the victim’s home. Lastly, there were details that had me checking the publication date (2010): e.g., if you’re carrying a cell phone, would you look up numbers in a telephone book? And as for cars, a Trans Am hasn’t been popular since the days of “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977), and had been long discontinued. Seems like an editor or proofreader should catch details like that.

[Kelsey Sunderland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This being the third book in the donut shop mystery series I thought it would be equally ok. I, however, enjoyed this book more than the first two. Suzanne is still making donuts and someone still is murdered leaving her to get involved in the case. The same characters help her and her love interest Jake Bishop makes an appearance. The whole investigation is set with christmas and snow as I tr a backdrop which was kind of fun when it's only September. Overall I liked this one more and I'll keep reading this series.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many things have changed in Suzanne's life. While working a festival, her ex's mistress is murdered. Her ex is the main suspect. He has gone into hiding. The mistress was also dressed like another woman in town and she and her friend, Suzanne's business neighbor, have gone into hiding, as well. The sheriff is after her thinking she is harboring her ex-husband. Her boyfriend breaks up with her at the beginning of the story and April Springs has been having very heavy snows before Christmas. Can she find the real murderer or will her ex be arrested and charged. Good story. Set before Christmas, good to read in November and December (or whenever).

[Megan Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grabbed this book for my library's summer reading challenge for the assignment to choose a book based only on its cover. And it turned out to be true that you can't judge a book by its cover because this one wasn't great. There wasn't any major problem with it, I just couldn't get into any of the characters, the dialogue seemed strained most of the time, and the story just wasn't very interesting. It's definitely not a series I'm going to read more of.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this book was going to be disappointing. Maybe is was the book cover... I couldn't put it down. Very well written with solid characters and very believable character relationships. Based on reviews, the 1st &2nd books didn't fare as well as this one, but I ordered them anyway. This is a series I want to read in its entirety.

[Candee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pretty shocked to find as many grammatical errors as I did, especially considering they've been mostly error free until now. However, good storyline, as always. This is a really enjoyable series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a woman is found dead during the winter festival, Suzanne tries to not get involved. Then her ex-husband becomes a suspect, she believes he could not have done it. Running the donut shop and looking for clues right before Christmas was keeping her very busy.

[Tashinka Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this third installment of the Donut Shop mystery series. I like these characters and setting and the fact that this book took place around Christmas time was a bonus. This little mystery series is a good one.