Rita Lucero has inherited a partial interest in her deceased husband's bakery in New Orleans. She's delighted to have the opportunity to show off her baking skills, having studied to be a pastry chef, but is also intimidated by the closed social scene of New Orlean's upper crust. She is pushed to fulfill a hosting obligation that her husband (from whom she was estranged) had made prior to his death. During the party, she is introduced to Big Daddy Boudreau, a wealthy but obnoxious and unpleasant car salesman who makes such a filthy suggestion about her aunt and Rita to her visiting uncle that he attacks Big Daddy. It comes as little surprise that her uncle is a suspect when Big Daddy's skull is koshed later that evening.

This is a strong mystery with a gripping plot. Each character is well developed and the setting is beautifully portrayed. I found the book to be an exciting page turner and can't wait to read more in the series.

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A very good and exciting story. I read the first book in this series earlier. Fun and sometimes sad tale of Mardi Gras, family, a bakery, and intrigue.

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"You'll be here by seven, won't you, sugar?"

This is the second book in the Piece of Cake Mystery series. Rita Lucero is running Zydeco Cakes after she inherited it from her husband. The bakery is in the midst of baking for Mardi Gras and Rita must also host a party for her late husband's krewe. A surprise visit from her aunt and uncle add to her stress. Uncle Nestor is the number one suspect when a wealthy patron is murdered at the party. Not one to sit idle, Rita throws herself into clearing her uncle's name.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one in the series. The characters have settled a bit and the whole book just felt more in tune. The situations were believable, the characters were presented well and the suspects were plentiful. A good solid read and I look forward to the next one in the series.

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