The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack is the thirteenth A Culinary Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series (like me). Sadie Cunningham is a retired detective who now uses her expertise to craft culinary mysteries when not whipping up baked goods. Sadie takes time out of her baking schedule, to help her dying friend, Mary decorate her Christmas tree. Mary has a collection of vintage ornaments that her father brought over from Germany and France after World War I. When eleven ornaments are found missing the next day, Sadie works to get them back. She does not want Mary's last Christmas ruined by a thief. Sadie bakes up some special cookies and sets out to wheedle answers out of suspects. I liked that Sadie actively investigated the crime. There are good clues that help readers follow the path to the guilty party. I appreciated that this mystery was a robbery instead of a murder. I enjoyed the descriptions of Mary's beautiful vintage Christmas ornaments. It is a shame that they do not make ornaments (kugel and Dresden paper) like this any longer. Mary's collection is rare and valuable. There are some humorous moments in The Candy Cane Caper with my favorite being when Mrs. Claus got her bustle stuck on a chair. Candy Cane Caper is a lighthearted cozy mystery that reminds me of Ellie Alexander's A Bakeshop Mystery series with Jules. There are recipes included for the various items that Sadie baked. The Candy Cane Caper is charming Christmas cozy with a salacious Santa, a bothersome bustle, a bevy of baked goods, a kugel loving criminal, and a tight timeline.

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