For a short while, I had the idea that this series would be decent all the way through. But though these books are mostly awful, I can't stop reading them. Or rather, I can keep reading them. That counts. There are so many respected books that I've tried reading and were unreadable. I don't know how Jessica Beck keeps churning out books that are enticingly readable to most of HIS target demographic. I'll try to make a few points. Suzanne Hart's big thing in the book was her being alone. Prolonged bouts of loneliness can be a pain, but here the whole tale was wrapped up in a jiffy. The heroine's problems were not problems at all. Consider her dilemma of moving away to her best friend's house, when and if her mother got married. Is that a real problem? Don't think so. Apart from the murderer there was nobody, except maybe Jenny, and Harry, who spoke harsh words against her. Hart never had any sort of ultimatum. So her life never was difficult. Conversely, she showed absolutely no detective skills worth going over. That's not only bland, it shows how the author can't be bothered in racking his brains for once. There are arbitrary statements that make no sense...like Hart's mother declining to join the book club, because that moment should only be Hart's. Doesn't make any sense. A book of this type of humbleness doesn't have a climax worth discussing. But it had a twist (Hart's ankle) which sets it apart from other showdowns. Why can't cozy mysteries be more upscale? The genre is tailor made for me, but the writers lack so much ambition. Don't read this book. It's full of weird unexplained things that don't get tied together, like Gabby's missing gun turning up. Every single suspect is made of whatever is the opposite of sterner stuff. Don't say I didn't warn you. It is a pleasure to drop in on Suzanne at Donut Hearts in April Springs, NC. I always imagine a small town in the mountains like Clyde or Bakersville when I read this series. Both are places I like to visit. This installment opens with a stranger buying crullers from Suzanne to throw at Gabby's second hand clothing shop. He accuses Gabby of stealing from his aunt. When he later turns up dead in the alley behind the shops, Gabby is suspect number one. Of course, Suzanne, Grace and George have to get in on the action to try and nab the murderer. Things heat up between Suzanne's mom and the chief of police. I would like for Suzanne's relationship with Jake to heat up a bit as well. The list of suspects gets longer rather than shorter as the story continues. Really like this town and its townspeople. The recipes are good, too. I haven't tried any of them, but always sigh and think about it.
What do You think about Killer Crullers (2012)?
Fun read and a decent story. Next one should really be interesting.
—jenny123quynh
Fun cozy mystery, Now I want to eat donuts.
—mandy
