Sprinkles of Suspicion is the debut of the Cupcake Catering Mystery series set in California and featuring down on her luck Accountant and part time baker, Emory Martinez. After a night out with her best friend, Tori Carlton, Emory wakes up on the bathroom floor with a roaring hangover, no idea how she made it home and only brief memories of why she has a hickey on her neck.

Desperate for answers Em makes her way to Tori's condo only to find her friend in a compromising position with Philip, Emory's husband. Completely blindsided that her husband has been having an affair, Em ends up in a cat fight with Tori and things suddenly go from bad to worse. Later that day, Emory returns yet again to Tori's condo and discovers the woman dead and there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Em is the killer.

Determined to clear her name Em sets out to find what happened to Tori and quickly discovers that her friend wasn't exactly who she thought. A tangled web of money laundering, theft, gambling addictions and murder come to light as the sometimes naive Emory tries to get her life back on track.

A satisfying afternoon read offers up a new heroine and a lovable dog. The story ends with Emory landing a new job with a delightful elderly lady and the promise of madcap adventures is on the horizon. Will Emory find love again?

I received an advanced copy of Sprinkles of Suspicion from NetGalley via Cinnamon & Sugar Press. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Within a day, Emory discovers her husband was cheating on her, her boss abruptly fires her, and her best friend turns up dead. The icing on cake? Emory is everyone’s prime suspect.⁣
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This is just the cozy mystery I needed right now! I always forget how much I enjoy them. There’s murder and amateur mystery solving but it always makes me feel so happy.⁣
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Aside from being the coziest of mysteries, this one had two things I couldn’t get enough of!⁣
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1️⃣Emory has a labradoodle which of course is what drew me in to start⁣
2️⃣She bakes! I wanted to eat every mouth watering treat she described⁣
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If you’re looking for a new cozy mystery, Sprinkles of Suspicion is just the beginning of a new series I can’t wait to read more of!⁣

The review I posted on goodreads for this book

received an ARC from netgalley for an honest review of the book

I am a newer reader of cozy mysteries but I thought this book was a great first book in a new series. The main character Emery is thrown into finding out her husband has cheated on her with her "Best Friend" and then she is framed for the murder of her best friend after she finds out about the cheating. The book follows Emery as she deals with finding out all of this and how she deals with the falling out of her marriage and finding who is framing her for murder.

I really liked all the characters and really could see how this could become a great cozy mystery series. The one character I really didn't like was her mother but I think that the relationship between them will be interesting to see what happens and how it grows as Emery starts her new life.

An excellent cozy mystery, enjoyable and entertaining.
I loved the plot, the quirky and well thought cast of characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I had a tough time getting into this story. However, it improved as it went along. I finished it, but felt like it lacked cohesiveness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cinnamon and Sugar Press for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION by Kim Davis
The First Cupcake Catering Mystery

Emory Gosser Martinez is a little shocked at the risque outfit her best friend,Tori, gave her, but since it was an early birthday gift she agreed to wear it out for drinks. That was not a good decision. Emory awakes with a massive hangover and no memory of the night before. The nightmare begins as she begins to learn what happened. A cheating husband, incriminating photos, and learning her friend was anything but, is just the beginning. A witnessed brawl and threats all around mean that Emory becomes the prime suspect after she literally stumbles over Tori's murdered body. Certain that the police won't bother searching for another suspect, she decides to see what she can uncover herself. But will she uncover more that she wants to know?

There's not enough buttercream in California to fix the mess Emory's life has become. Just when you think things can't get worse for her...they do! While well written, I found that I didn't like any of the characters...until the very end. Emory is so naive and trusting, as well as klutzy, she comes across as stupid. I'm sure the author intends to have her learn and grow as the series continues, but I think she may have set the starting bar too low! The majority of the other characters are unlikable, especially Emory's mother and sister. As for her husband... a cheating cop with anger issues. Near the end, as Emory finds respite, I finally find a character I love. Tillie steals the show, bringing humor and fun to the book. Hopefully, she's be able to teach Emory a thing or two.

SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION combines worst case scenarios and cupcakes in a complex mystery. Recipes are included and I look forward to reading more of Emory's cocktail cupcake creations. Now, where's my gimlet?

I couldn’t wait to read this first cozy by author Kim Davis. I have to say, it was worth the wait.

In SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION, the introduction to the series’ protagonist was a little different from most books in the cozy genre. She didn’t start off reading like a cozy lead. The first couple of chapters read more like chick lit, and indeed had me forgetting I was reading a mystery at all. But once the author delved into the story, it was back on track with a mystery that kept me guessing.

There was so much going on in this book. Every new chapter had my head spinning, and my fingers turning the pages faster and faster. And through it all I was rooting on series lead, Emory Martinez, and watching her morph into a more confident woman.

As for the murder, I had no idea who the killer was. There were plenty of suspects to choose from. The victim, Emory’s ex-best friend, really had a lot of people out to get her. Every time I was set on who the killer was, author Davis threw in another twist and led me in an entirely different direction.

A good first in a series, SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION was a story that had me so absorbed that I didn’t even realize the sun had gone down until I could no longer see the words. With a lamp flipped on, I finished this mystery to its satisfying conclusion, and am already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

This was a fun read. Plenty of suspects to be investigated, a few red herrings. My only one complaint is how all of the characters talked down to and minimized the main character. She needed someone to have her back. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for honesThis was a fun read. Plenty of suspects to be investigated, a few red herrings. My only one complaint is how all of the characters talked down to and minimized the main character. She needed someone to have her back. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for honest review.t review.

This is a cozy mystery. This is book 1 in the Cupcake Catering Mystery. I really enjoyed reading this short cozy, but I feel it was just a setup book from what is going to come later in the series. In this book I think we got to really meet and fell in love with the characters. The main character is Emory Martinez, but my favorite character is the woman she starts helping at the end (I cannot say more without giving away anything). I hope we get to see more of that old lady in the next book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author (Kim Davis) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review , and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

A tasty treat of a mystery! Full of engaging characters, a well rounded plot, and a mystery that doesn’t quit until the end.

This new series is just amazing!  I loved every word despite the troubles that Emory finds herself smack dab in the middle, her overbearing and pretentious mother, and the slimeball husband.  So many twists and turns that kept me engaged and hanging on every word wondering what could possibly happen next.  And of course, there is a dog involved, so that is just the icing on the cake...or cupcake.

Emory is a simple, yet complex, character.  She has hopes and dreams for her future but she can be a bit naive.  She has been taken in by her husband and as his deception unfolds and the truth revealed, Emory finds that she is made of stiffer stuff and can weather this change in her life.  I would like to see her challenge her mother a bit more and not just do whatever she says, but at the same time, her mother is able to help her with her employment situation and introduces her to a fantastic character, Tillie.  I think Emory and Tillie will be involved in some crazy capers in future books, much to her mother's chagrin.

The mystery kept me guessing and I honestly was very surprised how this played out.  I never suspected the killer other than thinking this character was a bit odd but no real details to prove up my thoughts.

There is a slew of supporting characters that I look forward to learning more about including a friend from Emory's past, Brad.  There is a lot more to his story and I hope we discover more in the future.  I think he could be a "sidekick" for Emory, but only time will tell.

Very enjoyable new series that checks off all the boxes for me.  There are also many recipes and I might have to give some of the cupcake ones a whirl.  We give this book 5 paws up.

Emory has a talent and passion for creating cupcakes in very original flavors, including some that are adult only. She goes out with her friend, Tori, for an early birthday celebration. Only it isn't what it seems and Emory can't remember anything. Then a picture shows up on facebook and she walks in on a situation, and soon enough Tori is murdered. Right after Emory threatens her in a cat fight.

Emory soon discovers that she's being framed, and whoever it is does a very good job. In the meantime, Emory continues to bake cupcakes and cater events, loses her job, and attempts to fend off her mother's criticism and attempts to get her back with her husband. There are some redirections and more than once, other characters comment on how clueless she is. Her trusting nature definitely gets her into sticky situations and makes her an easy mark. The pace is steady and her cluelessness adds a touch of humor. An enjoyable read.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

A night out with her best friend turns Emory Gosser Martinez entirely upside down including becoming the prime suspect in that friend’s murder. While trying to keep her mind on her cupcake catering business she also has to do everything she can to prove her innocence. The trouble is she doesn’t know who she can trust and maybe putting her faith in the wrong people. There is plenty of suspicion sprinkled around but is there enough to find the real killer or will Emory be baking behind bars?

Emory Gosser Martinez is an interesting protagonist and for the most part her own worst enemy. A far from perfect amateur sleuth, very naive, a bit of a doormat, and she makes horrible choices in husbands and best friends. I was happy to see that by the end of the story she was turning the corner on these traits and that the development of her character continues in a pleasing way.

We are introduced to several characters within these pages. Several are strong that I hope we see more of in future installments. Several deplorable that I am happy to see an end of in this installment. It takes a talent to write characters to invoke these emotions and Ms. Davis has this talent.

This story moves along at a great pace and doesn’t lag anywhere. There is always something happening, drama, twists, and yes, cupcakes. So well-plotted, I was totally taken in by the entire story and flabbergasted when the real killer was revealed. I also loved the way the story ended which has me so excited for the next book in this series.

Sprinkles of Suspicion has a shocking start and holds on tight. A little different than your typical cozy mystery at the beginning but is quickly reeled into the cozy realm. All the cupcake references will have your tastebuds popping and appreciating that several recipes are included at the end of the story.

An Entertaining Read! I can’t wait for more from this author!

Sprinkles of Suspicion by Kim Davis is a cozy mystery with a fabulous opening line..."One glass of cheap California chardonnay cost me my husband, my job, and my best friend." And it seemed to be true. Also she was the primary suspect in the murder of said best friend. Not of it was true, of course, and since the police weren't exactly hustling to prove her innocence she would have to do it herself. As it turns out, none of the things in the opening line were worth having, anyway. Em, the heroine, had the requisite dog, Piper. Piper was a rescue Labradoodle who she and her husband, Philip, cop, both adored. Where was Philip? And why couldn't she remember anything from the night before? She typically didn't drink that much. Why wasn't her best friend, Tori, answering the phone? Odd morning. And it went downhill from there.

This was a funny, well-written book. Probably not the best bibliotherapy for someone mad at their best friend, or their husband, or maybe it is. Em is a bright, energetic young woman who dreams of opening a cupcake bakery. Through her mother's machinations, it seems she may be, at least, able to do some cupcake catering and make a new friend to boot. The characters are interesting; the mystery is good; and whole book is worth reading for the sheer enjoyment of it. I recommend it.

I received a free ARC of Sprinkles of Suspicion from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #sprinklesofsuspicion

Sprinkles of Suspicion
Cupcake Catering Mystery, Book #1
Kim Davis
5 Stars

Synopsis:

One glass of cheap California chardonnay cost Emory Gosser Martinez her husband, her job, and her best friend. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of her troubles.

Distraught after discovering the betrayal by her husband and best friend, Tori, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez allows her temper to flare. Several people witness her very public altercation with her ex-friend. To make matters worse, Tori exacts her revenge by posting a fake photo of Emory in a compromising situation, which goes viral on social media. When Tori is found murdered, all signs point to Emory being the prime suspect.

With the police investigation focused on gathering evidence to convict her, Emory must prove her innocence while whipping up batches of cupcakes and buttercream. Delving into the past of her murdered ex-friend, she finds other people had reasons to want Tori dead, including Emory’s own husband. Can she find the killer, or will the clues sprinkled around the investigation point the police back to her? (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Emory is having a really hard time. She just found out that her husband and her best friend are having an affair. If that is not bad enough, when her best friend is murdered, she is the prime suspect. She has the means, the motive and the opportunity and she knows she looks guilty. The only problem is, she knows she did not do it, and she has to find out the real culprit while she still can.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. I thought that the author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story right from the beginning.

The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. I must say that I was very surprised by the actual killer, I did not see that one coming.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book, I have a feeling that Emory is going to have her hands full with Tillie, the woman that she has been hired to cook for and help. That should bring a lot of fun adventures.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Cinnamon and Spice Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

In this first book of a new series we meet Emory Martinez. Emory finds herself in a situation, she has woken up after a night out and can't remember what happened the previous evening. Her day soon goes from bad to worse when a picture of her all over a man who isn't her husband is posted to social media. Then when she goes to her best friend to find answers about what happened she finds her husband's car in her driveway. She soon learns that the two have been having an affair which causes Emory to cause a scene. It is all to much for Emory so she goes home to calm down. She later returns to her ex-best friends house for some answers but finds Tori dead instead. Could life get any worse, it does when she becomes the main suspect in her friends death. Emory realizes that she must look into things herself, not only to clear her name but to figure out just what happened the previous night and who would want.to set.her up? Follow along as Emory looks into finding a killer and turning her life back into something that she recognizes. Will she succeed in helping herself or will she end up convicted of killing her friend?

This book by Kim Davis is the first fiction novel I’ve read in a long time and it did not disappoint! Sprinkles of Suspicion takes you on an emotional journey and keeps you engaged – I could not put this book down. I love the way Kim interwove the recipes, so naturally, into the story giving this book an interactive element. I love it. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of the ‘Sprinkles of Suspicion’ galley from Cinnamon and Sugar Press for my honest review.

Formats Available: Kindle | Paperback

Order now at: Amazon

Comment and let me know if you have read this book and what your thoughts are! I would love to hear from you.

I was provided an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I almost didn't get a copy of this book. I hadn't heard of the author or the publisher, but I downloaded a copy because the description was interesting.The series opened with a line that makes me think of a lyric from a country music song. Emory finds out her supposed best friend, Tori, is having an affair with her husband. Not soon after a front yard brawl that was tame by eighties Dynasty standards, Emory finds Tori dead in Tori's bedroom. Emory becomes the only suspect in Tori's death. Things continue to go down hill from there for Emory until we find out who the murderer is.

My favorite character in the book we don't meet until the last quarter of the book. The character I liked the least is Emory's mother. Emory wouldn't be in the situation she is in if mom did everything she could to get Emory to marry Phillip.

Looking forward to seeing how things go Emory in the next.

Your basic cozy mystery only with the sweetness of cupcakes galore and some yummy recipes for us to try! I love both the cozy mystery and a book with recipes sprinkled inside so this was a win win situation!

I liked the heroine of the story but hated her being portrayed as so weak and simple minded. No matter how hard she tried to do anything or proclaim her innocence it always backfired on her bless her heart. Things just looked really bad for her as the main suspect because it was her best friend dead and Emory had just found out she had been sleeping with her husband and had a huge fight with her before her death.

Any mystery buff will enjoy this!

First of all, the cover is stunning and represents the story well. Second of all, the recipes at the end is a nice touch to tie in her baking skills. Her passion for baking kind of gets put on the back burner because of the main issues. I did and did not like how casual the affairs went on as well as her knowledge with it. I only really enjoyed the investigation and reading about her baking. Needed more background information and events to make it. more interesting. Otherwise the ending was like a happy ever after with her mom randomly giving her a place to stay with a unique job offer. The mother that she was suppose to be caretaking had a great sense of humor and strong personality. Definitely had butterflies with the romance quickly introduced that should have been more involved with the story. Will there be a second book to this series? I would love to see what happens next!