Can Phyllis clear an acquaintance’s name before it’s too late?
The Pumpkin Muffin Murder by Livia J. Washburn was a fantastic book. All of the characters are so great and feel like they are real people to me. This book is my first of not only Ms. Washburn’s but of this Fresh-Baked Mystery Series. I do have to say that this won’t be the last that I will read from this series or author. I am thinking about reading this series from the beginning.
The main sleuth is Phyllis Newsom. The love interest is Sam Fletcher, and he is a senior man who is also a retired school teacher. The victim is a local business real estate guy by the name of Logan Powell.
The Sleuth
Phyllis Newsom is an older lady maybe in her late sixties early seventies, but she is still full of life. She is a retired school teacher in Weatherford, Texas. Phyllis loves her son, daughter-in-law, and adorable four-year-old grandson by the name of Bobby. She has gained the reputation around town and in her house of being the go-to lady to solve mysteries. Especially if that person is innocent and she has a gut feeling about it. Phyllis is a pretty cool lady that I wouldn’t mind being her friend. Phyllis makes her Cranapple Breakfast Rolls for breakfast on Thanksgiving Day.
What I like about Phyllis is that even though she is in a new relationship, she still misses her deceased husband. Another thing that I like about Phyllis is her love for her grandson Bobby and the way she is making sure he knows his paternal grandfather even if through memories. The last thing that I like about her is that she seems to be a great cook and baker. The only thing that I don’t like about her is that she says that she won’t get involved but still does. Classic busybody sleuth move.
The Love Interest
In this series, the love interest isn’t on the police force. Instead, the love interest is a guy that is renting a room from Phyllis, and it seems to be going well. Phyllis also has two other females living there as well which makes it work very well. Sam Fletcher is a pretty good guy and loves to help Phyllis out. Let it be with a case or to help around the house.
What I like about Sam is that he wants to help Phyllis out and not expect anything in return. Sam also seems like a great guy and is good with kids. The only thing I dislike about this book is that we don’t get a whole lot of Sam and Phyllis being together, but that does make sense due to this case.
The Victim
The victim, this time, is Logan Powell who is in the business real estate. The reason why I am showcasing him instead of the way that he died is that he is a real jerkwad to his wife. He knows that he is ill but instead of being a good husband that cares about his health he doesn’t. Logan is just a charlatan, and I can’t say much more as I don't want to give any more away. Phyllis will uncover more things that show what a sleazeball he is. Let’s just say that you will be surprised with who killed him.
Five Stars
The Pumpkin Muffin Murder by Livia J. Washburn is a superb novel, and I can’t wait to read another one of these mystery books. I love the recipes in here, and I did do one of them, Cranapple Breakfast Rolls. So, look out for that recipe going out later today. I am also in love with this series. Ms. Washburn did a fantastic job especially the mystery of who killed Logan Powell. I was utterly stumped until it was revealed at the end and it started to click in my mind. Yep, I missed the clues.
I am giving this book five stars and recommending it to anyone that loves a good cozy mystery book with some bookish recipes. Some of these recipes you can try out for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove