Janel Gradowski

What a tasty whodunnit mystery that let me DROOLING!! I loved Amy Ridley, part time sleuth, and quite the baker. When Amy entered a pie baking contest against her rivalry, she had no idea how dangerous it was and she never expected to find Mandy Jo dead under a table with her pie smeared all over her face! Mandy had made more enemies with her harsh tone and her hateful words, but just when Amy knew that she could dethrone the reigning queen, she ended up DEAD! Pies and Perils is LOADED with sweets that tempted me off my game and I was floored by who killed Mandy!… (altro)

Spoiler Free Review
This is the sixth book in the series. The books follow Amy Ridley aspiring cookbook author and foodie. As in all cozies Amy has a predeliction for finding trouble i.e. dead bodies. She also has a compulsion to solve the mystery. Janel has created an interesting setting and has populated it with a group of characters that for the most part you wouldn't mind meeting. This particular book is pretty timely given the weather around the country right now as it takes place in a blizzard (ok snow event).
The differentiation I like to make is that many people can write a book but what I am looking for is someone who can tell a story. Janel can tell a story. The books are well written and well edited and make for entertaining reads. I found the series quite a while back and have enjoyed them all.
I was given an advance copy of the book and have voluntarily posted this review. The opinions in it are solely mine.… (altro)

cozy mystery, amateur sleuth, women sleuths, murder investigation, Danger Cove

After meandering west from Indiana while wallowing in guilt for not really mourning the death of her husband (dimwit was struck by lightning while insisting on playing golf during a thunderstorm), Maura winds up in Danger Cove. When working in high pressure sales, she used to relax by baking and creating recipes, so when she saw that the local bakery was out of business, she began to follow a whim sparked by a passerby. Getting to know this man and so many others, she came to follow her whim, but also became involved in a series of vandalisms and a murder. The mystery is well done with twists and red herrings. Very enjoyable!… (altro)