ECLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER by Laura Bradford

Publisher:     Berkley

Published:     June 7, 2016   

ISBN:        978-0425280898

Genre:       Cozy Mystery

Format:     Print

Obtained via:  Publisher  

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

After trying for two years to get her bakery up and running, for a brief moment, it looks like Winnie Johnson’s dream will finally come through.  Instead of inheriting a bit of money from one of her dear friends when she passes, she is bequeathed an antique ambulance and a cat – a cat named Lovey who seems to positively hate Winnie.  She soon finds, however, all may not be lost.  Between her elderly, yet loving neighbors and her employee Renee, it looks like things might just turn around thanks to the ambulance.  No, she’s not about to become a paramedic…but sometimes just the right dessert will waylay the occasional emergency.  Out of the demise of her bakery comes Emergency Dessert Squad.

Before she can get rolling on her new venture she finds herself caught up in the murder of one of her dear neighbors, Bart.  And there is no solace to know he’s “with his beloved wife, Ethel since Bart’s life has been taken before its time.  With each turn of the cake batter a new suspect looms.  Can she find the killer before he finds her?

I totally enjoyed Laura Bradford’s Amish mystery series so when I saw her newest, Éclair and Present Danger, book one of the Emergency Dessert Squad mysteries I had to pick it up. In a word, Éclair and Present Danger was delicious.  Bradford just does not disappoint.  I love the idea of having desserts being delivered to people who need a little pick me up or a reward for a job well done.  It opens the door for Winnie to get involved in and solve crimes not only in Silver Lake but outside the city limits.  There are really limitless possibilities for the series. 

Some of the names of the desserts were outright corny but in a fun way.  I had to smile at a few of them.  The names show just how creative Bradford is.  I spotted the killer as soon as the character appeared but that didn’t take away from enjoying Winnie stumble on and investigate the other possibles. 

If you’ve read my prior reviews on cozy mysteries you know that I am not a fan of the love triangle.  It looks like Bradford dealt with that issue and put it aside quickly in this one so future books can focus on solving the mysteries.  I also liked how Winnie related to her elderly neighbors – caring for them, looking out for them, but respecting and enjoying their independence. 

Éclair and Present Danger has Bradford’s series off to a fantastic start.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.