The Christmas Cookie Killer (Fresh-Baked Mystery)

Another winner I I've this one as much as the rest please livia don't stop writing I am hooked.

I thoroughly enjoy the Freshed-Baked Mystery series by author, Livia Washburn. In each of her books, the author has a superb ability for character development. It's fun getting to know her fictitious folks of Weatherford, Texas. There are some characters I would love to chat with over a cup of coffee--and those that drive me nuts (just like real life family members and friends!). I love the internal dialog of main character, retired-teacher-turned-sleuth, Phyllis Newsom. Her thoughts betray her sincere efforts to balance her parochial upbringing and beliefs with her wish to be an accepting and nonjudgmental soul--all while trying to solve murders. This book in the series does a good job of demonstrating that you never really know your neighbors. Ms. Washburn throws in enough red herrings so that the story's ending is a surprise--yet you have to admit, the clues were there all along. Plus--I love, love, love the recipes that appear in the back of each book. Just yesterday I went shopping for the ingredients to try another dish. Mmmmm! Such fun! Having gobbled up all the rest of the Fresh Baked Mysteries, I am sorry to report I have only one more book left in the series to devour. There is only one solution: Ms. Washburn, you must whip up some more Freshed-Baked Mysteries pronto!

This is the first time that I have read a book by this author and I loved it. There is not all the extra info that I think is unnecessary in a story. I will buy more books by this author.

In Weatherford, Texas, Phyllis Newsome is hosting the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange party, which is a chance for people to relax with others who they rarely if ever socialize with during the year. Mrs. Simmons is unable to attend due to injuries so Phyllis brings a batch of cookies to her. When Mrs. Simmons asks Phyllis to lend her cookie cutters so she can bake some cookie, the host runs home to get them. She returns to find Mrs. Simmons dead; the rope from her robe tied around her neck. As Phyllis struggles to remove the rope, someone comes up behind her and knocks her unconscious. After a short stint at the hospital, Phyllis returns to the Simmons' house to bring the mourning relatives some cookies, but nobody answers her knock. She notices someone peaking from one of the windows so she enters. She meets Mrs. Simmons' grandson Randal who was in the attic. The police arrest him for skipping bail on a charge of possession with intent to sell. The homicide evidence points to him also, but Phyllis has doubts he killed his grandma and begins to question the neighbors while the culprit watches her every move. If anyone assumes life slows down at sixty, they need to look at Phyllis to change their mind. She has more energy than the Energizer Bunny has. Livia J. Washburn always provides a delicious whodunit with her latest Fresh Baked Mystery a delicious holiday treat as the audience knows what the heroine feels. Harriet Klausner

I agree with the armchair interview for this selection. I have read all three of these fresh baked mystery series. They are well-written and even have an underlying spirituality to them. The only thing is that it might be taking a slightly different direction in the next outing in dealing with the four personalities in the series. Hopefully, there is not too much of change in the dynamics. I just love this series, it's my favorite cozy mystery.

Livia Washburn has won the Private Eye Writers of America award and the American Mystery award. She has been nominated for the Spur award (western novels). The first thing that will draw you to The Christmas Cookie Killer is the cover. It's delightful and begs potential readers to pick up the book. And I suspect that once the book is in the hands of said potential reader and they read the blurb, well, it will leave the store with the reader. Weatherford, Texas resident and widow, Phyllis Newsom started taking in borders following the death of her husband Kenny. She didn't really need the money-it's that the house was just too big for one person. And Phyllis loves the smell of freshly baked cookies. And she loves to bake. She's entered the Christmas cookie contest and would love to win. She doesn't consider herself competitive, but would love to beat Carolyn, who often wins the contest. And really, her snowflake-shaped lime sugar cookies are simply scrumptious. Phyllis' neighbor, Agnes, sent her gingerdoodle cookies to the neighborhood Christmas cookie exchange as she was unable to attend due to a broken hip. When Phyllis goes to Agnes' house following the cookie exchange, she finds Agnes dead, strangled by her bathrobe belt. There was no doubt about it--Agnes was murdered. But why? It's up to Phyllis to sift through the list of potential suspects and solve the case. Christmas and murder. It's a combination that doesn't seem to go together, yet Washburn pulls it off in a delightfully entertaining manner. The plot is fun, the characters are delightful; some you'll love and some you'll dislike, a lot. And if you're into baking, the recipes at the back of the book are a bonus. Armchair Interviews says: A little bit of murder served up for Christmas. Enjoy!