recipe

Jul 2021 10

Framed and Frosted By Kim Davis: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa
& Kim Davis

Emory Martinez is passionate about creating unique cupcake flavors, and after garnering “you’re so talented” praise and winning first-place honors in county fair competitions for her sweet treats, she bravely thought it time to leave her “9 to 5” job and go professional. Her own shop may not be practical, but her “only by a few minutes,” “almost identical” older sister Carrie Berger runs a party planning and catering business offering Emory regular gigs to highlight her specialty cupcakes.

May 2021 29

Knee Deep in Dough By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

What a way for Abby and Mike to enjoy their wedding anniversary than to celebrate at the place they had their first kiss sixteen years ago! Ralph’s tavern hadn’t changed much, and seemed to be the perfect local place for milestone celebrations. Felicia Sherman is getting married and enjoying her “hen party” festivities. She’d put a bit of the “bridezilla” into a last minute fortune cookie order, but, of course, Josie negotiated a premium price for her efforts.

May 2021 15

Murder in the Cookbook Nook By Ellery Adams: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2021 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow
& Ellery Adams

Famous for their book-themed rooms and specializing as a resort for bibliophiles, Virginia’s Storyton Hall is about to be the site of a televised cooking competition show, A Bookish Cookoff. Six renowned American chefs will be competing against one another in book-themed challenges for bragging rights and a prize of $100,000, all hosted by young billionaire entrepreneur Mia Mallett. Before they even begin filming, there’s a fire on the archery field grounds and resort manager Jane Storyton fears that the sabotage has already begun.

Apr 2021 3

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder By Joanne Fluke: Review/Giveaway/Easter Recipe

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Joanne Fluke

Mayor Bascomb likes being a big shot in Lake Eden, ‘pulling strings’ to get friends out of a bind. When that doesn’t work out like he planned, he loses his temper and it’s a fierce one. This time he’s unleashed it on Andrea. She’s Hannah Swenson’s sister, Hannah being the cookie baker in town. Andrea can hold her temper for quite a while, but when Bascomb tells her she’s stupid, that’s the final straw. Hannah and Bascomb’s secretary are waiting in the outer office, and even they can hear the sound of Andrea slapping Bascomb so hard, his office chair overturns.

Feb 2021 6

Bikinis and Murder By H.Y. Hanna: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Sunset Palms Beach Resort is a popular venue for many events, like a mystery writers’ conference or a Key Lime Pie baking contest, so seeing bikini-clad beauties strutting around the resort was just another day in paradise. Bronzed Babe Sunscreen is holding a contest to choose the next face—or body—for the company’s ad campaign, the “Ultimate Bikini Babe,” and first up is a photo shoot on a luxury catamaran hosted by the company owner Don Palmer. Invites were extended to Aunt Olive, of whose books he is a fan, and Ellie, as her plus one, to enjoy the sun, sea, and high fashion spectacle.

Dec 2020 5

Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas By Nancy Coco: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2020 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow
& Nancy Coco

Christmas on Mackinac Island may be the postcard ideal of snow and horse-drawn carriages, but for Allie McMurphy the holiday is proving to be a little more humbug than ho ho. Extensive renovations on the top floor of her family’s Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop have Allie bunking in her fudge shop manager’s vacant apartment until the construction is completed, but at least Allie has her bichonpoo Mal and calico Mella as roommates. A knock on the door and an intriguing note leads Allie to the steps of Fort Mackinac, where she is shocked to find a body facedown in the snow. Nearby church ladies identify the unconscious woman as Kayla Cramdon, a freelance graphic artist and new resident at the Ambassador apartments.

Nov 2020 21

Winner Cake All By Denise Swanson: Review/Giveaway/Thanksgiving Recipe

2020 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Denise Swanson

Dani Sloan’s business, Chef to Go, is a lunch carry out for college students. She also caters and prepares chef-worthy meals in client’s homes. She has three students living in the mansion with her. The rent they pay plus the hours they work helps keep the business in the black.

Nov 2020 14

Christmas Cupcake Murder By Joanne Fluke: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2020 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swenson’s popular Cookie Jar Bakery has been open for two years. Baking is a soothing activity and brings happiness to so many of Lake Eden’s residents. Coming up with new cookie and cupcake recipes is always fun, too. One especially cold morning, a homeless man knocks at the back door, looking for work. Hannah invites him in for coffee and German chocolate cupcakes. He’s polite, eager to work, and has trouble with his memory. He leaves, promising to return the next day to do odd jobs.

Oct 2020 24

Cocktails and Murder By H.Y. Hanna: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2020 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa

by Kathleen Costa

Ellie is enjoying her Florida vacation. Of course, in between a couple of pesky murders she was successful at solving, she relaxes by the pool, strolls on the beach, and heads over to the Bar & Grill for a cool cocktail, spicy treat, and some people watching. Today’s people watching included some awkward eavesdropping. Not on purpose, you know, Ellie overhears Walter Saunders, a wealthy guest, deep in conversation with his “not gonna remain silent” business partner, but when the conversation goes from gators to scorpions, she tries to find something else to occupy her interests.

Oct 2020 17

Cake-Popped Off By Kim Davis: Review/Giveaway/Halloween Recipe

2020 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa
& Kim Davis

Emory’s life is more hectic than busy, but getting embroiled in a family squabble could be dangerous. Experimenting with a new cupcake flavor she plans to showcase at Tillie’s upcoming pre-Halloween party, she nearly flambés the kitchen. This doesn’t go well with Tillie’s eldest, and pretentious, grandson Theodore, but the youngest grandson Brian is a lot more helpful. Emotions, however, go ballistic when, only weeks after the unsolved hit and run death of wife number three, Skylar Senior introduces his fourth trophy wife whose age, manner, and details of their whirlwind romance solicit questions about background, motives, and prenups.