As Suzanne is getting her hair colored at Root 66, she’s stunned to witness the County Services office next door suddenly go up in flames. Concerned neighbors throng the streets, and the fire department does their best. Unfortunately, their best isn’t enough to save longtime civil service worker—and friend to the Cackleberry Club—Hannah Venable.
Soon enough, it’s discovered that an accelerant was used to fan the flames. Someone set the fire on purpose—was Hannah the intended victim? Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to smoke out the culprit.
Unfortunately, the list of suspects is as varied as the Cackleberry Club’s menu. When Suzanne finds a possible connection between the fire and the nearby Prairie Star Casino, she comes to realize that the arsonist wanted something very big and bad kept secret. And if the ladies aren’t careful, they may be the ones gambling with their lives.
A guest blog from Laura Childs, author of the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, Tea Shop Mysteries and Scrapbooking Mysteries.
That old adage, "Write what you know," is something I've long since kicked to the curb.
Why? Because I write for you, dear reader. I write to entertain you, to make you chuckle, and to hopefully touch your heart. I write mysteries that are (I hope) catchy, clever, and relevant. I try to imbue each and every one of my novels with plot points that spark your interest - tea, crafts, cats and dogs, recipes, smart businesswomen, problem solving, friendship and romance. And because I know you lead a busy, hectic, over-scheduled life, I try to give the plot a breakneck pace so you can read quickly. But... I deliver my books in easily digested chapters to you can lose yourself whenever you find some time.
And because the world is scary enough, my murder mysteries are exempt from the violence that's so often carried in our 24-hour media feed. I truly believe that most women have tired of thriller-killer-slasher books. They simply don't want that type of book on their nighttime reading table.
Women today need respite. They want a story where the female characters are smart, savvy, and caring. And they certainly don't want foul language, gratuitous sex, or a "preachy" message.
That's why I write the way I do. And that's why I think you'll get a kick out of Scorched Eggs, my newest Cackleberry Club Mystery. First of all, you've got three ladies, Suzanne, Toni and Petra, all a hair over forty, who run the Cackleberry Club. They charm the locals with eggs in the morning and tea in the afternoon. But in this installment, a raging fire in their small Midwestern town puts them on high alert. A dear friend has been killed and signs point to arson. Could it be a vengeful husband, ex-fireman, or expert in explosives? The ladies try to track down the killer and still keep all their plates in the air (horse show, vintage wedding, county fair, tea parties, and a dinner theatre). Of course, all this is told in very sassy dialogue with lots of action and romance thrown in for good measure. And it wouldn't be a Cackleberry Club Mystery if I didn't include recipes for Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Cheese Popovers, Scorched Eggs, and lots more.
Yes, I wrote it just for you, concocted what I think is a banquet of crazy, and then tossed in some major romance for good luck. If you're looking for a book to cozy up with, to fall through the rabbit's hole with, this just might be it!
Take care!
Laura Childs
This particular addition to the series is very clever. It's funny (as always), and has a mystery that's literally to die for :) The pacing is perfect and the author's attention to detail never ceases to amaze. She's tremendously gifted and knows exactly how to tell a great mystery!
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, and can't wait to visit the Cackleberry Club clan yet again! :)
Rating: 4 stars
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own.
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