Tuesday, October 1, 2019

The Candy Cane Caper (A Culinary Mystery) by Josi S. Kilpack + Book Giveaway!


This Christmas, Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham is making a list and checking it twice. For the first time since she and Pete married five years ago, their combined families are gathering for the holidays in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a party that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus proud.

She just has to bake the famous Cunningham Candy Cane Cake, make sure the looming snowstorm doesn't derail everyone's travel plans, and oh, yes, solve one teensy-tiny mystery before the big day.

At ninety-four and nearly blind, Mary, Sadie's friend and neighbor, knows this will be her last Christmas. When Sadie learns that someone has stolen antique Christmas ornaments from Mary's tree, she vows to find the thief, no matter what. The ornaments had been appraised at more than $40,000, but they were worth even more to Mary, who had intended to bequeath them to her great-granddaughter, Joy, as a final gift.

With Pete in Arizona wrapping up a case of his own, it's up to Sadie to question the residents of Nicholas House, where Mary lives, and deduce who had the means and the motive to steal heirloom ornaments during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.

When stories of other thefts surface, Sadie feels like she's creating a "naughty" list that could rival Santa's. Identifying the thief, recovering the ornaments, and restoring them to Mary's tree in time will take a Christmas miracle—and maybe a few extra-special cookies.


It's been awhile since I read a Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mystery!  It was so good to be back in the crazy that is Sadie's life.  She has mellowed a bit since her first books but she is still the same Sadie and I've kind of missed her.

Mysteries are Sadie's thing and when her friend's prized ornaments go missing, Sadie is on the case in an instant.  Her investigations have her talking to lots of people and that's where I find the most satisfaction.  She makes connections with people and learns about them.  Even though I'm always wondering who did it, I am enjoying the growing relationships and how perceptions change as Sadie gets to know people.  There is always guaranteed to be a scene or two that will make you smile because Sadie can't help but get herself into an embarrassing scrape or two.

This is a sweet mystery, cozy, and full of fun recipes, perfect for the holiday season.  There are a couple I'm going to try for sure.  

I have two copies of this book so I'm giving one away!!  The giveaway is for US residents only as it is a physical book and I'll need to ship it.

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- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Author:

Josi S. Kilpack is an accomplished and prolific author of nearly two dozen novels including the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. She has won multiple Whitney Awards for Myster/Suspense, Romance, and Novel of the Year as well as the Utah Best of State Fiction Winner. She lives with her family in Utah.

Follow the author on Instagram @authorjosiskilpack  

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