Cover Image: Sugar and Vice

Sugar and Vice

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Member Reviews

Cozy mystery with cookies. Yep, Sign me up. A cute and fun read, certainly kept my attention and read in its entirety in one sitting. Loved the story and look forward to more. Would definitely recommend.

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I loved it! I liked the characters and the writing style. It was a quick fun read and I look forward to more

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Kate McGuire is the co-owner of the Cookie House bakery in Coral Cay, Florida. The town is preparing for the annual Pirate Festival. Kate is helping her friend, Maxi, who owns the flower shop next to her, put in a garden. When Oliver, her dog, helps by digging, he uncovers a skeleton. This skeleton is wearing pirate apparel and speculation is that it is Sir George Bly, the founder of the town and pirate from the 16th century. Of course, it turns out that the skeleton is more recent, so Kate and Maxi begin to investigate to find out who it is, and who put the skeleton in Maxi's yard.

This is a fun cozy mystery, with a wonderful setting. My mouth watered as they described the wonderful cookies, including the ones entered into a baking contest. I always enjoy small town mysteries as you get to know the characters in the story better as a series continues. There are a few secondary characters, such as Kate's ex-fiancé, Evan, who tries to get Kate to leave with him. I loved Oliver, Kate's dog, as dogs always add something to a story. Kate is a great protagonist, as she is caring, smart, loves the town and bakery and is willing to go the extra mile for her friends and community. I enjoyed learning about the pirates and the history behind the town, even if it is not real. The mystery was well plotted with enough clues and read herrings that kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the twists as well. This is the second book in the series, and although I did not read the first one, I had no problem enjoying this book.

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What a wonderful mystery! Truly one of the best written and crafted mysteries I have read and I read a TON of cozies. The mystery was excellent and I would have never guessed the ending. Absolutely superb! This series has now officially reached favorite status and I can’t wait for book 3!

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A fast paced, quick read. Sweet mystery, I wasn’t thrilled with the ending. Just seemed a bit unbelievable

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This was such an enjoyable cozy. I love the tight-knit community and learning about the town's history. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

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I am sorry that I just could not get into this book. I found the writing style to be boring and disjointed, even confusing at times. I found myself skipping about trying to hold my attention. Good plot points but not my kind of writing style.

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Since this series is set in Florida and near the ocean (which so far hasn't really played a role, I don't think any of the characters even mention it) I thought it was a great fit to have this story revolve around pirates.

Another plus for this series is that Kate has a smart and capable side kick in Maxi. I do like a series which a variety of secondary characters that are actually used. Make a much richer story for me. Maxi, her family, business and local knowledge is well used.

I wasn't surprised whodunnit, however, there was no way for the reader to follow clues and figure out why. That was presented more as an info. dump towards the end of the book.

Still, I liked Coral Cay community and the combination of historical and contemporary pirates in this story.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Sugar and Vice follows And Then There Were Crumbs as the second in Eve Calder's mouthwatering Cookie House cozy mystery series. The lead is star pastry chef/amateur sleuth Kate McGuire in Coral Cay, Florida.

After she and her best friend Maxi unearth a skeleton in the backyard of Maxi's floral shop, it's unclear whether it's an archaeological site or a crime scene!

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This book was a fun cozy mystery, especially for those who like pirates. Kate has settled into to her new co ownership of the bakery until a body is found on the neighboring land. With her friends, an ex-fiance, and the police the race is on to find out who the body is. Is it the mysterious pirate Gentleman George Bly or someone more recent? I did not read the first book in this series but I am going to go back and read that one. A quick moving, easy to read story with fun characters and lots of dogs with personalities. Very enjoyable!

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Although I didn't feel surprised by the mystery I did enjoy the characterization and would definitely recommend this cozy to a avid cozy mystery reader.

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A really good cozy mystery that keeps you guessing till the end. The characters are very likeable I can't wait to read more about them.

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I am really liking this series. My favorite character is Maxi. She is the main character’s best friend. I love her loyalty and humor. This book had a really cute pirate theme and most things were not as they seem. I would definitely recommend this book. I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.

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Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder -
“Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian—not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back. And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found—in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend.” This was a nice light, cozy mystery. I recommend reading this book for pure pleasure and escape. The mystery is interesting and they talk about cookies so much, you’ll be wanting several before you’re done with a cold glass of milk. Very friendly, enjoyable characters and environment. Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced reader’s copy.

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Kate McGuire feels like she has a home in Coral Cay-a crazy, busy home, but a wonderful home nonetheless. She is juggling a lot right now though-baking for the Pirate Festival, plus an unwelcome surprise visit from her ex-fiance. Add in the mystery of the unknown skeleton found in her best friend's yard, and Kate may have more on her plate than she can handle.

I love this series (this is the second book)! The characters are so fun and unique, and Calder has created such a wonderful world with Coral Cay. She makes me want to go visit Coral Cay, surround myself with beautiful flowers, eat all the delicious baked goods and drink the best coffee, all while petting the adorable local dog.

The mystery was also a good one, with lots of twists and turns. The ending completely surprised me, and Calder didn't hold back with the big reveal.

I've found that there's really nothing not to like about this cozy mystery series!

I highly recommend this series! It's one of my absolute favorite cozy mysteries series, from the characters to the setting to the mysteries-and how much it makes me want cookies!

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Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for providing me with an eARC of Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder.

This is the second book that I have read by Eve Calder and I absolutely adored it! Sugar and Vice follows our main character Kate McGuire who recently moved to Coral Cay, FL and is finally getting settled into her new little town. However, as she helps her friend Maxi at her flower shop, they discover a skeleton buried in the garden with a pirate suit on. Could this be a 16th century pirate known as George Bly or a new “pirate,” who happened to be dressed for the Pirate Festival in town? With the help of our sleuths and detectives they will get to the bottom of it!

I absolutely adore this cozy mystery series and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get into cozy mysteries!

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I enjoyed this book so much I immediately made cookies for my family when I finished. The characters were delightful and their interactions and conversations were believable.

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The second book in the Cookie House Mystery series by Eve Calder is Sugar and Vice. Kate is loving her new life in Coral Cay. She is getting ready for the town's pirate festival and has started a cookie of the day challenge at the bakery. While helping her friend Maxi put in garden beds behind the flower shop next door, Kate's dog Oliver unearths a body. At first it is believed to be the long dead pirate Gentleman George who founded the town. It soon becomes apparent that the body is more recent. Kate begins her own investigation into both the unidentified body and the mystery of the pirate George. I loved the setting of the book and wished I lived in Coral Cay. Oliver was certainly the star. The pirate mystery was just as interesting as the murder mystery. I did wonder how Kate could give away so many cookies, but that is just the business side of me thinking. I look forward to my next visit to Coral Cay!

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I read about 26% of the book and although I liked the writing and characters it wasn’t my cup of tea and I couldn’t get into it. That said it was written well.

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Wonderful book! Excellent storyline and setting, this is book two in the series and I have to read the first one. I am looking forward to book three!
If you like mysteries and who did it books, then this one is for you!

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