by Sandra Murphy
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Baker’s Deadly Dozen, and a link to purchase it from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.
Phyllis Newsom shares her home with three other teachers—Eve, Caroline and Sam. They enjoy each other’s company, love to cook, and it helps stretch retirement budgets. Sometimes, they investigate murders.
When a teacher friend gets sick, Phyllis and Sam agree to long-term substitute teaching jobs until their friend and spouse are able to return. Ranger, their friend’s cat, is also staying with them although Sam’s dog Buck isn’t sure if cats are dangerous or fun to play with. Add in Sam’s blue-haired, sixteen-year-old granddaughter Ronnie, who showed up without warning and stayed, and there’s a houseful of activity.
Ronnie has a crush the size of Texas on Chase, a senior. Much teenage angst on her part means Sam needs to keep a close eye on her, especially since Chase’s friends are suspected of dealing drugs. The school’s first dance of the year is on Friday the Thirteenth. Phyllis is persuaded to chaperon and, oh by the way, bring cupcakes and brownies. The students are supposed to stay in the cafeteria, but it’s hard to keep track of all of them in the crowd.
After the punch bowl is broken, Phyllis goes in search of the janitor but instead finds a dying man. Once again, she’s pulled into an investigation whether she likes it or not. This one proves to be harder to solve.
Phyllis and Sam are more than friends although no details are given. It’s refreshing to see an older couple who have varied interests, are active in the community and who obviously care for each other. Caroline and Eve are not seen as much this time but do make their presence known. Ronnie adds a lot to the story with her flair for the dramatic.
There are twelve other books in the series. Readers will enjoy spending time with Phyllis and her friends enough to want to read them all.
Phyllis also generously shares recipes: gluten-free banana nut oat pancakes; chocolate mint cat brownie; killer sugar cookies; ranch Cheez-its; Lit’l Mummy dogs (a play on pigs in a blanket); chocolate mummy cupcakes and frosting; slow cooker Texas chicken and dumplings; spinach, mushroom, and egg casserole; sausage egg casserole; cheesy bacon egg brunch casserole. Read how Phyllis solves the murder while the treats are baking.
To enter to win a copy of Baker’s Deadly Dozen, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “dozen,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 24, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section.
Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
As a retired teacher, this book caught my eye. Thanks!
This would be a lovely read!!!!!
This sounds like my kind of cozy–I’d love to read it! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
The plot sounds intriguing and I look forward to reading the book and trying some of the recipes.
“Baker’s Deadly Dozen” By Livia J. Washburn sounds like a marvelous Cozy mystery. This is a new author to me but one I’d love to read and get to know her works better.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.
Sounds like another great series.
I have the first few books in this series and I love the idea of a baking teacher solving mysteries. Great review!
Sounds like fun! I’m sure we’d both enjoy Baker’s Deadly Dozen, thanks for the chance to win a copy. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
Boy, that’s a houseful of interesting characters! Wow, those are some very interesting recipes!! Can’t imagine some of the ingredients! Definitely would Love ? to win this book!
Thanks,
Bonnie Oswald
cchva@live.com
Boy, that’s a houseful of interesting characters! Wow, those are some very interesting recipes!! Can’t imagine some of the ingredients! Definitely would Love ? to win this book!
Thanks,
Bonnie Oswald
cchva@live.com
This is a new to me author. It would be nice to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
ezellmarlene(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve enjoyed this series from the beginning. It’s nice the author is introducing some new (and younger) blood into the mix though the foursome is rather ageless.
acm05atjuno.com
This is a new author for me and I would love reading this book!ptclayton2@aol.com
Love this author. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this book.
bah195@yahoo.com
I love this series. The characters are great.
I forgot to add my email
jsjacobson(at)prtel(dot)com
I haven’t read anything by this aithor. “Baker’s Deadly Dozen” sounds like a good one to start.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I own the first two books and love the series. My budget just didn’t stretch far enough to buy the rest of the books as they appeared. So please enter me in the giveaway for Baker’s Deadly Dozen.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
new to me author. thanks for the write up.
kckendler at gmail dot com
I enjoy this author’s books and would like to win this one!
rebarger (at) bellsouth (dot) net
This sounds like a fun series. Would love to live in such an active house. annettena at yahoo dot com
love this series.. would love to read
I would love to read this book !
We have a winner!