Erin and Adam are getting married at Christmastime in Jewel Bay, Montana, but all is not calm and bright as Erin's new friend, Merrily, is found murdered the day after the Christmas cookie exchange. Merrily's previous criminal record comes back to haunt her - even after her death, she's accused of embezzlement for the second time in her life - and Erin sets out to find the killer, but she's not sure that Merrily was guilty of pilfering the missing funds. Using her Spreadsheet of Suspicion (love this!!!), Erin seeks justice for her lost friend, and investigates both the murder and embezzlement. Leslie Budewitz' As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles is the fifth book in the Food Lover's Village Series, and it's simply one of the most enjoyable cozies I've had the pleasure of reading - small close-knit community, a loving family, delicious recipes, a little romance, and of course, murder - it has it all! Absolutely loved it!

I really love this series and I appreciate the depth and complexity of these books. They’re so much more satisfying than your average cozy.