Review & #Giveaway – Footprints in the Frosting by Laura Pauling @laurapauling #cozy #mystery
Synopsis
Cheesecake, Love, and Murder!
It’s the Grand Opening for Holly Hart’s new business, Just Cheesecake. When footprints in the frosting lead to a body facedown in one of her cheesecakes, Holly becomes a prime suspect.
With her opening day delayed, Holly deals with a nosy no-good reporter and the local cop, the handsome Officer Trinket, as she puts her sleuthing skills to the test to save her business and her name. With the help of her dog, Muffins, she needs to find the real murderer, before the killer looks to frost someone else.
Review
This cozy seemed shorter (thought it was a novella but realized it is 194 pages) but the shorter length doesn’t impact the story and creating enough intrigue. The characters need a little more development but as this is the first in the series I suspect that will continue with the series. Plus you can only do so much development with a shorter book.
The murderer was not obvious by any meals and I never guessed who the killer was. I was a bit surprised at one twist with the reveal..but you will have to read the book to find out more about that.
Of course there is a love interest (or two) for Holly, and one of those has another admirer, Millicent – who is a reporter that isn’t above taking liberties with the facts. I’m not sure that I like her!
I think this is the makings of a good series and look forward to reading more by this author.
We give it 4 paws up
About the Author
Laura Pauling writes about spies, murder and mystery. She’s the author of the young adult Circle of Spies Series, the Prom Impossible Series, the time travel mysteries, Heist and A Royal Heist, and the Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series: Footprints in the Frosting and Deadly Independence with more coming.
She lives the cover of a suburban mom/author perfectly, from the minivan to the home-baked snickerdoodles, while hiding her secret missions and covert operations. But shh. Don’t tell anyone. And she may or may not actually bake cookies. You decide.
Website/blog * Newsletter * Twitter * Amazon
Giveaway
$15 Amazon Gift Card
Natalie
I have been looking for a good new read!
StoreyBook Reviews
It was a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read book 2
Sally Schmidt
Each review I read makes me want to ready this book even more. Looking forward to the next blog stop.