Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 10/14/2023 + 707 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

So many good things are happening for Fairy Tale Cupcake bakers Melanie Cooper and Angie Harper both personally and professionally. Then they learn one of their friends and cupcake lover Rene Fischer-Klein has died. Rene was a local glass artist and has had several health issues over the years. She had been working on a huge project for the city which made her stressed out and not sleeping but Rene did not pass from natural causes or health issues. No, she was poisoned and the police suspect the cupcakes Rene loved could have carried the poison.

Melanie and Angie know they had nothing to do with Rene's death and they are going to prove it before they lose their business or are sharing a jail cell.

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I have gotten behind on this series for a variety of reasons and I am so happy to reconnect with Mel, Angie, Joe, Tate, Oz, Marty, and the fabulous and funny DeLaura brothers. Mel and "Dear Joe" are planning their wedding while Angie and Tate are settling into married life and all that brings. Marty is always a lot of fun and is still dating rival baker Olivia. Oz has been taking time off and made a huge change to his appearance leaving Mel and Angie nervous that are going to lose him. The DeLaura brothers are up in arms when they receive some news and have some crazy ideas. It was so easy to catch right up with these wonderful characters. The banter between them always makes me smile. The movie quotes are just plain fun.

The death of a friend hits Mel especially hard. Feeling she should have been able to help in some way, she is now on a crusade to find her killer. She trusts her Uncle Stan, but the Chief is "concerned" about all the bodies she has found or investigations she has played a part in, so she is opening an investigation and reviewing all those cases. Mel doesn't have time to worry about the past, she needs to live in the present and find out who killed Rene. She is nervous that it was Rene's husband Peter but he seemed to dote on his wife. She has other suspects though. I did too, but one event blew my theory up nicely. I did really enjoy all the twists and found the showdown extremely satisfying.

A lot happens within these pages. These characters have always been some of my favorites.  I laughed out loud and giggled more than a time or two. I was intrigued by the mystery and was delighted by the author's descriptive talents.  Every scene was so well described but Rene created a fantastic and unique piece of art for the town and those descriptions enabled me to envision it so clearly. I can't forget the cupcakes, they had me drooling.  The recipes for Pumpkin Spice, of course, Coffee Mocha, Root Beer Float, and Passion Fruit Cupcakes are all included at the end of the story.

Pumpkin Spice Peril was a totally entertaining read that I enjoyed from beginning to end. The first book in this series, Sprinkle with Murder was one of the first reviews I wrote when I started blogging so I really need to get caught up on this series. Jenn McKinlay never disappoints.

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