Elisabeth Crabtree

Kat Archer is a food columnist at the Batter's Cove Gazette which she is desperately trying to get out of as she's had one to many cases off food poisoning and gained a few too many pounds. However her editor assigns her to the grand opening of a bakery even though he too thinks the food beat isn't Kat's area of expertise judging from the legions of "fan" mail she's been getting. This time though it's because she's been requested by the owner a good friend of her mother's. While at the grand show more opening a fight breaks out resulting in the title of the book and of her story byline. I was laughing out loud in places and couldn't figure out for sure until about the end of the book and that's okay because I was too busy listening to Kat. Will definitely read the rest of the series. show less

This novella is a cute, cozy mystery where the humor comes across natural - not forced - and works well enough to earn an occasional chuckle. That it has an adorable cover is just icing on the cake, I'm a nut for cutesy covers.

Quirky characters in the charming, small town of Hatter's Cove are usually bored with the local news. News reporter Kat gets the sniff of a potential story, only to stumble on what becomes a full-fledged murder investigation. Her boss, who's good on the eyes but shy of show more relationships, encourages the story while they all battle against a rival news agency. Throw in an oddball cop or so, a mildly amusing host of other townsfolk, and you get a group that's a joy to read about.

The mystery is surprisingly complex for this type, as it seemed simple enough at first but then started getting more stacked onto it. Being a reporter, it was realistic for the protagonist to be in the position to keep uncovering secrets and the sequences of events.

While there's nothing original about a reporter having to turn back to her original, small hometown and hicksville atmosphere, Crabtree's writing flowed well and brought enough to charm to carry it off. It's short, sweet, and at first simple - but it unfolds into an actual mystery. I did have the tendency to skim sometimes, but this could have been my mood or else because I read it as an e-book (I can't focus as well on some of those, skimming beware.)

Recommended for a quick, holiday cozy. show less

Cute story.

The beginning was kind of an information dump on every character. I liked that it wasn't overly obvious how the book would end. It was complex but believable.

Kat is a journalist who has returned to her hometown from Miami, looking for a slower pace. She is working as a features writer covering food and local events. At a local cookie store opening by a family friend she spots several disagreements. Later when she is called by someone to meet at night and get info regarding righting a wrong she discovers his body.

This is a great set up and being a journalist gives her the right to investigate. No busybody situation. I'm impressed. For a short show more cozy this is well put together. The MC is logical and making legitimate connections with the suspects. She is working with the police and not in opposition. She is supported by her boss. I will definitely look for further volumes and other things by this author.

The only thing I caught was a discrepancy in the heroine's age. On p.6 she says"while in my early thirties and still fit..." and then on p.38 she says "I was only 28!." So since she spent 10 years in Miami on the paper she started there right out of high school and worked her way up to investigative reporter or if she's in her early thirties she went to journalism school and then to Miami. Either are legitimate avenues and going to college or not was not mentioned. So either works but needed to pick one and stick to it. show less