by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of Dying for a Donut and a link to purchase it.

Fresh apple donuts are always a treat, but Laurel McKay was actually visiting Camino, California’s, Apple Tree Farm in order to scope out the area before her bank-sponsored Apple Gala and bicycle race. That it could be combined with a visit to her daughter Jenna who’s working at the farm’s bakery was just a bonus.

What wasn’t a treat was Laurel accidentally intercepting a right hook and taking a fist to her eye. It seems that young farm employee Tony Perez has a temper, especially when it’s brought on by Eric Thornson’s lecherous attention toward Jenna.

Considering that Eric was the son of Apple Tree Farm owner Axel Thornson, it shouldn’t have been too surprising that Tony would be the one to be fired. Laurel’s track record with murder investigations and stumbling across bodies doesn’t make it out of the ordinary that she is the one to find the body of Axel, aka the Donut King, completely covered in powdered sugar.

With Laurel’s boyfriend Detective Tom Hunter assigned to a task force in Reno, it’s up to her to respond to Jenna’s plea to prove Tony’s innocence. Despite Laurel’s vehement wishes, she’ll have the assistance of her grandmother, enthusiastically intent on forming the Two Gals Detective Agency. Laurel and Gran soon discover that Axel has more than an ample crop of enemies, including neighbors targeting his water rights, thieves responsible for financial losses within his business, and acrimonious relationships within his own family.

Once again Sample presents a very entertaining mystery featuring a relatable and likable heroine. Even though Laurel doubts Tony’s guilt, she worries that his actions may distract Jenna from a crucial SAT test that could affect her future education. Laurel has more than enough to juggle in her own life as an irritating outside consultant threatens her recently acquired bank marketing position. Perhaps Laurel would be able to focus were she not distracted by the new investigating detective, who not only mocks her efforts but who also seems intent on once again working undercover—and perhaps under the covers—with Tom Hunter.

The family interactions with the McKay woman are a delight, as their love for one another always overrides their frustrations. The characters are the reason readers will return to this series, and the twisty plot surprises and fun dialogue will engage new fans. Delicious apple recipes and descriptions of donut making are the perfect topping for this light-hearted, very funny mystery.

To enter to win a copy of Dying for a Donut, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “donut,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 5, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).