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caitief's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
DIAL M FOR MOUSSE, the third book in the Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series by Laura Bradford, is just as adorably delightful as the very first book! The puns entertained me while the plot kept me speculating on ‘whodunnit’, and the characters warmed my heart. Protagonist, Winnie Johnson, is an extremely likeable young woman with a heart of gold. I so enjoy her close relationship with her elderly neighbors and how she is involved in their lives on a daily basis. They, in turn, are eager to help her out when she and her best friend, Renee, stumble across the body of the woman who hired them to provide desserts for five artists. Winnie’s business, Emergency Dessert Squad, is one of the cleverest business ideas I’ve come across. Winnie creates custom desserts and delivers them in a vintage ambulance that she inherited from an elderly neighbor (along with a cantankerous cat that does not like her new owner). What makes it even better are the super fun names Winnie creates for her desserts: Your Jokes Make Me Snicker-doodle Cookies; Apple Kootchy-Kootchy-Koo Kuchen; You’re A Peach Pie, to name a few.
Ms. Bradford packs the story with so many clever scenes such as Winnie having a “conversation” with a mime and gives such vivid descriptions that you feel like you’re living the moment. Winnie’s budding relationship with single dad, Jay, might be hitting a snag when his teenaged daughter tries to drive a wedge between them. Can Winnie find a way to win over both the surly teen and her cat while finding a killer? I devoured this book until I finished the very last page and eagerly look forward to reading more of Winnie’s story!
Winnie creates so many delightfully clever desserts and luckily for the reader, Ms. Bradford includes a couple recipes at the back of the book with fun, pun-y titles!
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Bradford packs the story with so many clever scenes such as Winnie having a “conversation” with a mime and gives such vivid descriptions that you feel like you’re living the moment. Winnie’s budding relationship with single dad, Jay, might be hitting a snag when his teenaged daughter tries to drive a wedge between them. Can Winnie find a way to win over both the surly teen and her cat while finding a killer? I devoured this book until I finished the very last page and eagerly look forward to reading more of Winnie’s story!
Winnie creates so many delightfully clever desserts and luckily for the reader, Ms. Bradford includes a couple recipes at the back of the book with fun, pun-y titles!
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
melanietalksbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the mystery but was kind of tired of the Jay drama. If you solve something in one book it should remain solved. The Caroline storyline was boring because it has been happening for three whole books and gets sort of resolved at the end and then it happens again. I had to take off a star for that. Aside from that the whole creepy old man thing was kind of gross, the way he would look down women's cleavages was just weird. It reminds me why I'm always creeped out by older men talking to me. The fact that people found it endearing is just strange. I think he has gotten more disturbing from the first book was just distracting. If the author comes out with another book I don't think I'll read it since I don't think that the creepy old man that should be forgiven for sexual harassment because he's old storyline doesn't seem to end.
lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition
3.0
*A Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with a copy of this book for a unbiased review*
Hello Fellow Readers,
I love reading Cozy mysteries, as you all know but while the story was fun (despite that they are trying to solve the murder, murder is not fun) I couldn't get past the reason why the MC was trying to solve the mystery. The reason they gave didn't make sense. I also wish I knew this was the third book in the series since there were some established relationships I had a hard time connecting with. The investigation itself was more in the background than I would have liked.
I did enjoy the puns of each dessert and I give Bradford so much credit for it. Plus, I really love the recipes that are included and can hopefully bake something soon.
Hello Fellow Readers,
I love reading Cozy mysteries, as you all know but while the story was fun (despite that they are trying to solve the murder, murder is not fun) I couldn't get past the reason why the MC was trying to solve the mystery. The reason they gave didn't make sense. I also wish I knew this was the third book in the series since there were some established relationships I had a hard time connecting with. The investigation itself was more in the background than I would have liked.
I did enjoy the puns of each dessert and I give Bradford so much credit for it. Plus, I really love the recipes that are included and can hopefully bake something soon.
creverett77's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
asanford's review
4.0
Fun, entertaining, progresses the stories along but the mystery was a bit off for me.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
Winne, the owner of The Emergency Dessert Squad, finds herself embroiled in a 3rd murder in the short time her business has been open. She is determined to find the culprit quickly from her 5 suspects, so that she can focus on getting her life back to normal. Not only is Winnie's relationship with her beau Jay rocky, she also struggles to balance her business and relationship with her friends with her constant sleuthing.
This series just gets better and better. I absolutely love the recurring characters; especially Renee and Greg. At this point I feel like I'm personally friends with Bridget and Mr. Nelson and they are just so endearing, yet strong characters. I found the performing artist suspects interesting and wish we could have seen a little more of them. Lovey's antics always make me smile or laugh, even though it causes Winnie distress. I find the idea of the Emergency Dessert Squad so exciting and truly wish it was a real thing that I could order from. I love learning the names and desserts that Winnie and her friends come up with.
As for the mystery itself, I really enjoyed it. I felt that it was put together well and I was easily convinced to tag along. It took a few unexpected twists and by the end I was completely stumped. I was surprised by the unveiling and the identity of the culprit, which was a great surprise. I also appreciate that there isn't a near-death, suspect confronting scene that usually accompanies the ending of cozy mysteries.
I personally am getting a little tired of Winnie and Jay's relationship woes and I have to say I'm starting to root more for Winnie and Greg to form a relationship, but I don't think that will actually happen.
I recommend this to all mystery lovers (and dessert lovers) and I can't wait for the next installment.
This series just gets better and better. I absolutely love the recurring characters; especially Renee and Greg. At this point I feel like I'm personally friends with Bridget and Mr. Nelson and they are just so endearing, yet strong characters. I found the performing artist suspects interesting and wish we could have seen a little more of them. Lovey's antics always make me smile or laugh, even though it causes Winnie distress. I find the idea of the Emergency Dessert Squad so exciting and truly wish it was a real thing that I could order from. I love learning the names and desserts that Winnie and her friends come up with.
As for the mystery itself, I really enjoyed it. I felt that it was put together well and I was easily convinced to tag along. It took a few unexpected twists and by the end I was completely stumped. I was surprised by the unveiling and the identity of the culprit, which was a great surprise. I also appreciate that there isn't a near-death, suspect confronting scene that usually accompanies the ending of cozy mysteries.
I personally am getting a little tired of Winnie and Jay's relationship woes and
Spoiler
am hoping that the ending shows that there will be more progress made in the next book. The theme of Caroline hating Winnie and Jay not talking to her about it, is getting tedious. Why doesn't he understand (after last book's issues) that communication is key and just shutting Winnie out does not work for either of them.I recommend this to all mystery lovers (and dessert lovers) and I can't wait for the next installment.
janessamann's review against another edition
2.0
Good plot, but I'm definitely getting tired of the neighbours' quirks... Why does every conversation include fake ailments and hearing aids that the volume is turned down on? It gets a little old.