Sugar and Vice is the second book in Eve Calder’s Cookie House Mystery series and features star pastry chef Kate McGuire. Between baking delicious cookies, Kate finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation when her best friend Maxi falls under suspicion.
Title: Sugar and Vice
Author: Eve Calder
Series: A Cookie House Mystery #2
First Published: April 28, 2020
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Categories: Mystery
Acquired: from the publisher via NetGalley
*** Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
Lately, pastry chef Kate McGuire has a lot on her plate! She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge, providing treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new vet, dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival, and trying to fend off her ex-fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.
But, most important, a skeleton has been found—in the backyard of her best friend Maxi’s flower shop. The skeleton was buried in a pirate costume and the town’s imagination goes wild. Many think that it’s the remains of Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate who is a legend in the town. When the remains are proven to be much newer, Kate has to work double time to prove Maxi’s innocence.
A wonderful cozy mystery discovery
I usually don’t like starting a series (cozy mystery or otherwise) with anything but the first book. So I was a hesitant when the publisher invited me to review Sugar and Vice, the second book in the Cookie House Mystery series since I hadn’t read the first book. But I have a really tough time turning down culinary cozies so decided that the second book isn’t too far behind and gave it a chance.
While there were a few references to things that (I assume) happened in the first book, I didn’t feel like I was lost or confused all all. If I didn’t know better, I never would have even realized that I was reading the second book in the series. Calder does a fantastic job introducing all the characters, giving a brief background and how they relate to each other. The introductions don’t feel too drawn out, but I did feel like I had to keep track of people (there are quite a few shop owners and townsfolk!) but it was easy to figure out who I needed to pay attention too and who were just background characters.
As I mentioned in the synopsis, Kate and Maxi find a body in Maxi’s yard and things quickly escalate from there. At first, the town is excited that it might be the body of Sir George Bly, the pirate who the town’s beginnings are based upon, but that’s quickly resolved and the ladies must try to quickly solve the case and clear Maxi’s name.
I had a pretty good guess as to who the killer was early on but it was an incredibly fun ride to see if I was right. I enjoyed the journey (and the cookies) so much I didn’t want this book to end.
An interesting cast of characters
I had some very strong reactions to the characters in this cozy mystery and got attached to some of them fairly quickly considering this is a new-to-me series. The characters are all well written (for good and for bad) and their interactions felt realistic.
As for love interests, cozy mysteries often play up love triangles, but I think that this is one that will be short-lived (I hope). While Kate’s ex-fiance (aka Evan The Jerk) seems determined to win her back, Kate seems just as determined to keep him out of her life. I came to loathe Evan within a few paragraphs. Like shouting at my book loathing. I also shouted at Kate’s sister for being such a jerk as well.
But the best thing about Calder’s writing – even though she wrote these characters that I loathe, I loved loathing them. I enjoyed seeing how Kate would deal with them. I actually want them to make another appearance in a future book just so I can see Kate give them what they deserve. How often can I say that about jerky characters in cozy mysteries? Not very often. Usually I just want them to disappear forever, but these characters were fun to hate.
I also really enjoy Kate and her friends, Maxi and the Coral Cay Irregulars. These strong characters and their relationships with each other that will keep me coming back to this series for a long time. There are so many cozy mystery series out there that I only track new releases for the ones I really enjoy and The Cookie House Mysteries are definitely going on that list!
Read Sugar and Vice for yourself
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