The Gingerbread Bump-Off: A Fresh-Baked Mystery

A Christmas killer has been icing Phylis Newsom's friends in the sixth Fresh- Baked mystery. Not only will Phyllis Newsom's house be featured in the annual.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher.

The Gingerbread Bump-Off by Livia J. Washburn | leondumoulin.nl

I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. Nov 08, Yvonne rated it really liked it. With the help of her friends, as well as the man in her life, she makes sure her home is up to the holiday standards. After all, she has several years experience solving these difficult cases. The series looks wonderful and I do have the first five books in my TBR , so I broke my own rule and read it.

She owns a huge house and shares it with a few other retired teachers as well as the man in her life, Sam. They are an adorable couple. This is a very down-to-earth type of series that will leave you feeling good all over. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review.

This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own. Dec 02, Jennifer rated it it was ok Shelves: I have never read a mystery novel like this one "cozy" is the term used, I think? Generally likable characters and a quick, easy read. I am not one who really figures out whodunnits on my own and even looking back I don't know that the auth I have never read a mystery novel like this one "cozy" is the term used, I think?

I am not one who really figures out whodunnits on my own and even looking back I don't know that the author gave any clues the reader could use to genuinely solve it himself, which is fine but it might have been better if figuring it out were a possibility. Or maybe it was and I just didn't get it! I believe there are several books prior to this in the series but I didn't get the impression one would have to have read any of those first in order to enjoy this one, which was a plus.

Overall it was an okay read and a break from heavy or serious books but it was not what I'd call a page-turner. Still it was a good choice for the Christmas season. I may read the next book in the series because I am pretty sure the wedding cake mentioned in the title is that of the character Eve in Gingerbread and I am wondering who gets killed in that--surely it is a character from this book. But it's not something I feel rushed to do. Feb 11, Sallee rated it really liked it. This book was like coming back to an old friend. Phyllis has been asked to place her home on the Christmas tour of homes.

She agrees even though she is trying to get ready for the wedding shower and wedding of her friend, Eve. Eve, Carolyn, Sam are all retired teachers who rent rooms from Phyllis in large old home. Sam has the sweets for Phyllis and Carolyn says she will never marry and Eve, having been married before is looking forward to her upcoming marriage to Roy. The night of the tour arr This book was like coming back to an old friend. The night of the tour arrives and there is a knock on the door early. Phyllis hears a crash and opens the door to see her friend, Georgia lying unconscious with a heavy broken gingerbread man decoration lying in pieces around her.

The ambulance and the police are called and her house is put off limits for the tour. When Georgia dies in the hospital, it becomes a homicide. Phyllis known for her investigative skills starts looking around and talking to people. Bit by bit the facts unfold and Phyllis finds herself in danger. The mystery comes to a satisfying conclusion. The book that follows this, "Wedding Cake Killer" starts very quickly timewise and I am looking forward to reading that one too. The best thing is also the wonderful recipes that the author includes at the end of the book that are part of the happenings in the book.

A great cozy read. This was basically my very first cozy mystery and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.


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The mystery is set up nicely and amateur sleuth, Phyllis, reminds me of Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote one of my favorite shows back in the day. She is known around town as "the woman who solved all those murders," much to the dismay of the police, most likely because it seems she tends to show them up. I can certainly say that I was kept guessing about who committed the crime I will say that no one should read this book on an empty stomach or if you're on a diet.

Phyllis and her roommate, Carolyn, are constantly baking yummy treats and cookies. I felt like I could reach into the pages and grab one of Phyllis's German Chocolate Cookies and eat one myself. I was so pleased when I discovered that there are recipes that Phyllis prepared in the story at the back of the book. I'll definitely be trying them out. In all, this book was a wonderful read at Christmas, even if it surrounded solving a murder. Cozy Mystery Bookclub on Goodreads. This is the first time I have a book by this author. It is a fast, easy read about a house of senior citizens, and two of the occupants work together to solve murders in Weatherford in Parker County, TX.

None of the characters do anything real exciting. They solve crimes while doing everyday things, like fundraising, shopping for a wedding shower, getting a flat tire and having to call AAA, etc. Sometimes it is a little too ordinary and a little too boring. Yet, these events make the characters This is the first time I have a book by this author. Yet, these events make the characters more believable. It is a tiny town. My father was actually born near Poolville and there is statue in town honoring the doctor who delivered many of the babies, including my father, in Poolville and the surrounding areas.

I did some genealogical work in Weatherford in November. It is also near where some fracking disasters are taking place. Will Phyllis and Sam get involved in that controversy? I can see murders taking place across Parker County as outrage against the fracking companies increases. Wait, maybe I should write that novel! Jan 16, Rage rated it really liked it Shelves: A cozy mystery with a great Christmas atmosphere.

I found it interesting that Phyllis focuses on how many mysteries she's solved before, something that characters in the cozy-mystery genre don't often do. Jessica Fletcher, for A cozy mystery with a great Christmas atmosphere. Jessica Fletcher, for example, doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about how many people have been murdered in her vicinity; I think it's something that people would do quite naturally in real life, but in real life private citizens tend not to solve multiple homicide cases, so I'm not sure if it was good to have Phyllis keep dwelling on her past experiences.

But, I did appreciate it as a new and different thing this is my first fresh-baked mystery. Phyllis was a very thoughtful narrator, checking herself whenever she felt irritated or provoked, and her cookie-baking and wedding preparations provided a nice balance to the investigation. Dec 24, Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it really liked it. I enjoyed this gentle and pleasant cozy murder while I was busy preparing Christmas dinners etc. The book had some lovely recipes as well. Our heroine, Phyllis Newsome a former teacher, now landlord of a shared home filled with other former teachers, goes to answer her front door and instead finds a victim of an attempted murder!

If you have followed the previous novels in this series, you are aware that Phyllis has solved several murders to aid I enjoyed this gentle and pleasant cozy murder while I was busy preparing Christmas dinners etc. If you have followed the previous novels in this series, you are aware that Phyllis has solved several murders to aid the police prior. Sam Fletcher, tenant and boyfriend of Phyllis, does his level best to come to Phyllis' aid during her 'investigating. Their hair may be white but their spirit is as alive as any younger person and they even have some insight into life that the younger persons don't realize.

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Included in the mystery is the books running tale of the teacher's personal lives. In this edition, we are in the final preparations of Eve's another tenants' upcoming nuptials. Eve is a marrying type and that makes them all look at their lives. This book was a good read to me. I look forward to the next one. Jun 04, Carol rated it it was amazing Shelves: The Gingerbread Bump-off by Livia J.

Washington is delicious page turner and would be a great book to read during the holidays. This is my first time to read a Livia J. Washington cozy but it won't be my last. Now I want to read all of the series. This author knows how to engage you from the beginning and keep you hooked until the end.

There were at least four red herrings, a hint of romance, and plenty of good cooking. She hits northern Texas weather right on the nose, and has a Sherlockian sense of deduction. She is not dumb; she takes her friend, Sam with her in dangerous situation. She was invited to join in the Jingle Bell tour as a last moment decision and after several days of intense preparation with the help of her friends is ready to enjoy the experience.

But Georgia Hallerbee, the head of the tour, gets knocked off on Phyllis's front porch with a heavy ceramic gingerbread woman. I recommend this sweet mystery to all cozy readers; it is one of the very best. Jun 24, Lynn Demsky rated it it was amazing.


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The last thing she expects is that one of her ceramic gingerbread men will be used to commit murder Where her friend Georgia Hallerbee asks Phyllis to have her home featured in the annual Christmas jingle bell Tour of Homes, Phyllis is equally flatter and flustered. She already has a bridal shower on Christmas Eve and a wedding on New Year's Eve to prepare for, and she's been baking gingerbread cookies as if they're going out to style. Before the tour can even get under way, Phyllis hears a crash on her front porch and makes a gruesome discovery.

Someone has broken a decorative gingerbread man over Georgia's head. Santa's naughty list just got longerand with the police baffled, it's up to Phyllis to catch a half-baked killer This was a quick, enjoyable, entertaining read. Phyllis and her friends all of whom rent rooms from her manage to get themselves into more trouble without any problems and yet keep up all their responsibilities! Phyllis Newsom has just finished up Thanksgiving and is getting ready for Christmas and a bridal shower for her friend Eve who is marrying the mysterious Roy Porter that no one knows much about.

While the tour is beginning at other homes Georgia stops by Phyllis home and gets attcked by a gingerbread man statue dressed up as Phyllis Newsom has just finished up Thanksgiving and is getting ready for Christmas and a bridal shower for her friend Eve who is marrying the mysterious Roy Porter that no one knows much about. While the tour is beginning at other homes Georgia stops by Phyllis home and gets attcked by a gingerbread man statue dressed up as Ms. Phyllis wants to let the police do their job and not investigate the murder, even if it did happen on her front porch.

This book had no shortage of who could have possibly wacked Georgia. The most simplest explanation was the one that didn't come up til the end of the book. I loved it and I loved reading more about the relationship between Phyllis and Sam I really enjoy the spark those two have together! Jan 27, Once Upon a Twilight rated it really liked it. Mysteries aren't usually my thing but this book definitely held my attention. I loved the basis of the story that Phyllis is a veteran at catching killers, but this time someone tries to kill her friend right on her porch during the Jingle Bell Tour of Homes.

She has to figure out who did it all while juggling her friend Eve's bridal shower, and New Year's Wedding. Phyllis is a lovely lady who has the sharpest mind and doesn't miss a beat. I love that Sam is included on her investigation and hes Mysteries aren't usually my thing but this book definitely held my attention. I love that Sam is included on her investigation and hes just so adorable with her. She did drop a little hint, and I picked up on it, but I wasn't sure and I second guessed my self tons of times.

Definitely for the people who just love a good mystery with a little baking involved. Dec 18, Chris rated it really liked it. Phyllis is entering another baking contest, this one for the local newspaper's annual Christmas Cookie recipe contest. On top of that Eve having announced her engagement on Thanksgiving - to a man she met online On top of that, Phyllis is asked and accepts to showcase her home in the town's Christmas Jingle Bell Tour Busy, busy, busy!

On top of that, Phyllis is asked and accepts to showcase her home in the town's Christmas Jingle Bell Tour of Homes, which is in one week! So shopping, baking and decorating she goes On the day of the tour, her doorbell rings and then she hears a crash. Opening the door she sees Georgia the tours organizer lying on the ground with Phyllis' Gingerbread Santa broken over her head and blood Not good in deed because Georgia dies and now Phyllis has another murder to solve - excuse me, help to solve Dec 23, James rated it really liked it Shelves: Phyllis Newsom has too much to do this holiday season.

One of her house mates is getting married. On the night of the home tour, Phyllis hears her door bell ring followed by a loud crash.

The Gingerbread Bump-Off (Fresh-Baked Mystery Series #6)

When she opens her front door, she discovers Georgia unconscious on her front porch having been assaulted by the ornamenta Phyllis Newsom has too much to do this holiday season. When she opens her front door, she discovers Georgia unconscious on her front porch having been assaulted by the ornamental gingerbread man by the door. Phyllis sets out to find the killer. There seems to be lots of possible suspects, but which one is the right one? Phyllis and her house mates succeed in solving the crime and getting their friend married, as well. Recipes in the back of the book. Sep 24, Flsunluvr rated it it was amazing.

Phyllis is an older woman living in a big house in which she rents rooms to her friends and Sam her gentleman friend. When she's not busy baking cookies, she's solving murders. Just as the Christmas Jingle Bell Tour of Homes is about to begin, Phyllis' doorbell rings and as she's ready to open the door, she hears a crash and a thump. When she opens the door, she finds her friend, and organizer of the tour, Georgia, has been assaulted and is lying in a pool of blood. Phyllis is busy trying to o Phyllis is an older woman living in a big house in which she rents rooms to her friends and Sam her gentleman friend.

Phyllis is busy trying to organize a bridal shower and a wedding for her good friend, Eve, but she finds time to work with Sam to solve the murder of Georgia. So in order to clear her name, Phyllis will have to turn up the heat on this investigation before the real killer slips through her fingers…. After all the planning—and the cake tasting—the big day has finally arrived. Even though a snowstorm in the forecast seems like a recipe for disaster, the day runs as smoothly as buttercream.

Now Phyllis must find out who iced Roy before her friend finds herself behind bars…. The last thing she expects is that one of her ceramic gingerbread men will be used to commit murder….

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When her friend Georgia Hallerbee asks Phyllis to have her house featured in the annual Christmas Jingle Bell Tour of Homes, Phyllis is equally flattered and flustered. But like her tasty treats, she rises to the occasion. Before the tour can even get under way, Phyllis hears a crash on her front porch and makes a gruesome discovery. The Pumpkin Muffin Murder.

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But when a decorative scarecrow turns out to be a dead body in disguise, Phyllis must dish out some justice…. Phyllis Newsom is playing house sitter to a quaint bed-and-breakfast on the Texas Gulf Coast, near the annual Just Desserts competition. But Phyllis and her boyfriend Sam soon discover that in this bake-off, you can get knocked off….

The Christmas Cookie Killer. Then, during her annual Christmas cookie exchange, Phyllis heads over to the elderly Mrs. Murder By the Slice. Clearing her name will be no piece of cake…. A Peach of a Murder. She and all the other contestants guard their secret, original recipes with their lives-and talk a whole lot of trash. Other Series By Livia J. More about Livia J.