Powdered Peril (Donut Shop Mystery Series #8)

by Jessica Beck

Overview

It's hard to keep a secret in April Springs—especially when it involves a no-good cheater like Peter Morgan. Donut shop owner Suzanne Hart has tried to be civil with the guy, since he's dating her best friend Grace. But when Grace shows up at her doorstep—sobbing—Suzanne's the first to admit she's glad the relationship is over. She's also the first to spot the footprints leading to Peter's dead body…

Instead of the usual morning donuts, the police are busy rounding up suspects and sifting through clues: Why did Peter splash yellow paint on Suzanne's shop window before he was murdered? How angry was Grace when she learned that her boyfriend was two-timing (or three- or four-timing)? Suzanne is willing to bet dollars to donuts that her friend is innocent. Now she has to prove it—before the real killer takes a powder…

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250176912
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/08/2012
Series:	Donut Shop Mystery Series , #8
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	671,388
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Jessica Beck is the New York Times bestselling author of the Donut Shop mysteries. She loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what someone can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested. When not enjoying delicious treats, Jessica enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

 

 

The dead body was hard to see at first in the deep shadows that surrounded it. Soon enough, as darkness faded into the edges of light, a false dawn would spread over the crime scene and reveal some of its secrets; photographs and videos would be taken, notes would be written, and the careful study of not only the victim, but the area around it, would occur. An amount of intense activity like no other would consume the investigators as they sought to solve the murder in the early hours of discovery.

But none of that would happen for hours yet.

For now, only one person knew about the crime, and they weren’t about to tell anyone.

One thing was certain; the lives of the people in April Springs, North Carolina, would never be the same once they knew that murder had come back to visit their sleepy little town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

Copyright © 2012 by Jessica Beck

Editorial Reviews

A delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth who has a hilariously protective mother and great donut recipes! Readers will have a blast with this book.” —Diane Mott Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of Fatally Flaky, on the Donut Shop Mysteries

“A tribute to comfort food and to the comfort of small town life. With great donut recipes!” —JoAnna Carl, author of The Chocolate Cupid Killings, on the Donut Shop Mysteries

“If you like donuts—and who doesn't?—you'll love this mystery. It's like a trip to your favorite coffee shop, but without the calories!” —Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mysteries New Year's Eve Murder and Wedding Day Murder, on the Donut Shop Mysteries

“The perfect comfort read: a delicious murder, a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters—and donut recipes!” —Rhys Bowen, Agatha and Anthony award–winning author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries, on the Donut Shop Mysteries

“A yummy new treat in the culinary mystery genre. Skillfully weaving donut recipes throughout a well-plotted story, the author proves that life after divorce can be sweet; all you need are good friends, your own business, and comfort food. Delicious!” —Tamar Myers, author of Death of a Rug Lord and The Cane Mutiny, on the Donut Shop Mysteries

“A cleverly plotted cozy mystery with a wonderful small Southern town…Fatally Frosted is a great follow-up to Glazed Murder. Suzanne is a great heroine, Ms. Beck has a sure-fire winner!” —Fresh Fiction

“A sugary concoction that provides readers a glimpse through the donut hole of living in a small town.” —Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews, on the Donut Shop Mysteries

“Along with the hilarious plot, author Jessica Beck treats the readers to a few recipes strategically placed within the novel. Sinister Sprinkles will keep you guessing until the very end.” —The Mystery Librarian

From the Publisher