⭐️⭐️⭐️💫—3.5 Stars
Winnie Johnson has just inherited a vintage ambulance and a brown and white tabby cat, Lovey, from her elderly deceased neighbor, and friend, Gertrude. This is not what Winnie was hoping for, and she realizes that her bakery, Delectable Delights, won’t be salvaged financially after all. The increase in rent on the bakery by her landlord is too much for her to keep it running. When her neighbor, Bridget, unwittingly gives Winnie the idea for her emergency dessert squad service, things begin looking up. Using the ambulance to get delectable desserts with whimsical names like NEVER GIVE UPside Down cake, into the hands of people who are experiencing varying situations in life, can be a real hit. But in the midst of all the excitement with her new business, a dear friend on Winnie’s street is murdered, smothered with a pillow in his home, and Winnie feels an obligation to help find out who killed him so that her elderly friends on Serenity Lane can sleep better at night.
The Emergency Dessert Squad is a fun idea and it made me chuckle thinking about the ambulance coming to the rescue of people going through rough times and needing a sweets fix. There are desserts for celebrations too and that’s how Winnie meets a potential beau, Jay Morgan, a man who is not put off by her choice of friends. Winnie is an interesting character in that she’s a young woman but prefers elderly companionship. Her best friend, Reneé, and the men she usually meets have a difficult time understanding this. But Winnie doesn’t care. She loves the older ones who’ve embraced her and made her feel welcome in Silver Lake. I loved this aspect of Winnie’s personality. She readily defends her senior friends and lets her male acquaintances know that they can take a hike if they can’t understand why she prefers them as friends. Lovey the cat is a hilarious animal character in the book. She’s friendly with most people, but no matter what Winnie does to warm up to her, Lovey responds with an audible hiss. One wonders why Gertrude entrusted the cat’s care to Winnie.
Overall, I liked this cozy. Although at times I felt like the dessert squad and Winnie’s love life overshadowed the murder mystery in the book, it was still pretty good. I personally didn’t think the murderer was too hard to figure out, likely because there weren’t a whole lot of suspects, but it was still entertaining finding out the person’s motivation behind the killing. The audio narrator did a good job with the book. It took me a little time to warm up to her voice for some unknown reason, but once I did I determined she was okay.
Thank you, Tantor Media, for a free audio download of this book. In exchange I have provided an honest review.
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Have you read any books by Laura Bradford? What did you think dear readers? Have a wonderful day!!
I read this book a bit ago and thought the same as you. I liked it but didn’t love it which was sad for me because I love her Amish cozy mystery series.
Have you read the other two? I’m on the fence if I will.
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I have Dial M for Murder, but I put it aside after reading Éclair and Present Danger. I thought it was okay, but not a favorite. That’s the only other one I have.
I haven’t tried her Amish cozies, but I’ve heard of them. If you love them I might give them a try.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 😊
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I meant that I have Dial M for Mousse, not Murder. 🤦🏽♀️
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Thanks for the review
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You’re welcome. 😊
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Great review. Emergency dessert squad does sound fun. I will have to check it out. Is this the first in a new series?
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It is cute. I like that it had senior characters.
Yes, it’s the first in a series. But I believe book three is the latest. It’s called Dial M for Mousse. I have that one too and will probably try it out.
Thanks for commenting. ☺️
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I’m going to have to read this one!
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I think you’ll like it. 😊 It was cute.
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Good! I’ll add it to my pile:)
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Let me know how you like it whenever you get to it. 😉
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I will:)
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Sounds like a really sweet read… maybe a little pun intended.
Will take a look.
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It was sweet. I prefer my cozies to have a bit more depth, but I did like it. I think others will too.
Thanks for your comment. 😊
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Nice review, Laurie! I haven’t read any of Laura’s books. This one sounds sweet! I know you like the cat on top of the ambulance. 😀
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Thanks Jill. Love the cat.
Honestly, I did like the book, but I didn’t love it.
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