Killer Cupcakes. Leighann Dobbs. 2012. 97 pages. [Source: Personal copy.]
I’ve been seeing the genre “cozy mystery” bouncing around a bit, particularly at a crochet group I’m in at my local library (it’s lit, I promise). I finally decided to give the genre a try because it comes highly regarded as a balance of murder, humor, and romance wrapped up in a less emotionally charged package than I’m used to. This book is part of a series and I bought the last book for free. I never start with the last book, and I was lucky that the first was available for free as well. Nice advertising ploy by the author — the other 13 books are paid only, but are inexpensive at about $1 apiece.
Killer Cupcakes follows a small-town bakery owner whose ex-boyfriend is murdered using a batch of poisoned cupcakes from her shop. Of course, she’s a prime suspect. Lexy’s aim is to find the killer to clear her name, but more importantly, reopen her bakery. Her neighbor, Jack, happens to be the local officer investigating the murder, and of course, they have an undeniable attraction to each other that complicates things. Since Jack’s not the crime-solving partner she can trust, she enlists the help of her grandmother’s Ladies Detectives Club (aka a group of women at the local senior living home).
The plot here isn’t complex. As the cast of characters were introduced, I found it fairly easy to deduce who was responsible for or at least involved in the murder. I’m sure that’s in part due to the straightforward writing style and the fact that I tend to read mysteries. There was some suspense, but it was always short lived and easily resolved. Even the aspects that would have caused concern did not induce the level of tension or trepidation that I experience with more traditional crime fiction.
I liked that this was a light, quick read. There was no connection to the deceased, except to note that he was a philanderer. I wasn’t compelled to feel strongly one way or another about his death, and I the main character didn’t either. The lack of turmoil made this a lighter than I expected for a book centered on a murder.
Perhaps a function of this being a “cozy” book, it lacked depth I typically like to see in characters. There wasn’t much to Lexy except that she loved shoes, her bakery, and her grandma. Other than that, there wasn’t much to know. The same held true for her friend/coworker Cassie, and others who were introduced. The book wasn’t long enough to get connected to anyone, so if that’s something you look for, this book (and perhaps genre …) isn’t going to fulfill that need.
While I can’t say I’m in love with cozy mysteries yet, I will give it another go (or four, if we’re being honest). I can easily see the draw of the genre. Killer Cupcakes was a fast read; I imagine I could enjoy others in this series over a lazy morning and mug of my favorite tea.
No Comments