Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis

FRAMED AND FROSTED
SERIES: Cupcake Catering Mystery #3
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Cinnamon & Sugar Press
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2021
PAGES: 323

Framed and Frosted, the third book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series, finds cupcake caterer, Emory Martinez, working at a Laguna Beach society Fourth of July soiree, with her sister and their new employee, Sal. With a host that seems intent on accosting both catering employees and guests alike, things go from bad to worse when he accuses Sal of murdering his long-dead son.

As the crescendo of exploding fireworks overhead becomes the backdrop for cupcakes and champagne, a deadly murder occurs. Can Sal and Emory explain why the cupcake the host ate, after shoving a trayful of buttercream frosted cupcakes onto Sal, resulted in his death? Or will the guests and detective alike believe that Sal is a murderer? Emory and her octogenarian employer, Tillie, whip into action to find out who framed Sal after being frosted by the victim.

Other Books In This Series

This series (particularly Emory) has intrigued me from the first book & grown on me with each subsequent book. Framed and Frosted is my favorite installment so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Emory (and the series) goes from here.

Right from the beginning, we’re drawn into the tension with Carrie’s (Emory’s twin) struggling catering company & what have to be the most awful catering clients ever. It’s one of those train wreck situations where you know it’s going to end horribly but you can’t tear your eyes away. And it does. And Emory is once again thrust involuntarily into a murder investigation – and put under the microscope by a new detective. I loved Detective Natasha Tran and hope she continues to make appearances in future books – I could see her and Emory becoming good friends in spite of some interesting personal complications between them. Detective Gabe is still around, too, but he plays more of a background role in this story.

Along with the mystery – which is very well-written and takes some stunning turns to keep you guessing – the characters in Framed and Frosted are negotiating some tricky personal situations too. I adore Tillie and was saddened at the family pain she experiences but her trademark pluck is still firmly intact and she has a lot of support in her grandson Brian & in Emory too. Speaking of Brian and Emory …. the Randall vs Brian debate for Emory’s affections develops some interesting layers in this book, and I’m eager to see what happens now. Also, the way Framed and Frosted ends ensures I’ll be stalking the Amazon for word on book 4.

Bottom Line: Wow! Once I started reading Framed and Frosted, I couldn’t put it down! Family drama, personal drama, work drama – poor Emory is in the middle of it all once again. Davis keeps readers on the edge of their seats as she crafts a suspenseful mystery with plenty of surprising twists and turns. I’m already waiting for the next book!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / love it!

Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that, while free from cursing, the book does contain some casual uses of God. There is also a same-sex couple who play supporting roles.

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Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband. When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters she can be found either writing stories or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats.  She has published the suspense novel, A GAME OF DECEIT, and cozy mystery, SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION and CAKE POPPED OFF. She also has had several children’s articles published in Cricket, Nature Friend, Skipping Stones, and the Seed of Truth magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

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