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Daphne Martin Mystery #4
Battered to Death
The third “entertaining…and tasty read” ( Entertainment Weekly ) in the Daphne Martin Cake mystery series.
A RECIPE FOR MURDER
Life is sweet for Daphne Martin right now, from her flourishing cake-decorating business to a rekindled romance with her high school boyfriend, Ben. All that’s about to change, courtesy of famously foul-mouthed celebrity chef Jordan Richards. The TV star has come to Brea Ridge, Virginia, for the town’s lavish cake competition, but he won’t be leaving under his own steam. After his first master class, Jordan is found bludgeoned with a cake stand and drowned in some very bitter batter.
Plenty of townsfolk think the curmudgeonly confectioner had it coming, but the half-baked evidence points to Daphne as a prime suspect. With Ben mulling a new job offer—in Kentucky—Daphne is faced with a multilayered dilemma. She needs to somehow keep her boyfriend, win the cake competition, and sift out the real culprit . . . before the killer serves up another victim.
A RECIPE FOR MURDER
Life is sweet for Daphne Martin right now, from her flourishing cake-decorating business to a rekindled romance with her high school boyfriend, Ben. All that’s about to change, courtesy of famously foul-mouthed celebrity chef Jordan Richards. The TV star has come to Brea Ridge, Virginia, for the town’s lavish cake competition, but he won’t be leaving under his own steam. After his first master class, Jordan is found bludgeoned with a cake stand and drowned in some very bitter batter.
Plenty of townsfolk think the curmudgeonly confectioner had it coming, but the half-baked evidence points to Daphne as a prime suspect. With Ben mulling a new job offer—in Kentucky—Daphne is faced with a multilayered dilemma. She needs to somehow keep her boyfriend, win the cake competition, and sift out the real culprit . . . before the killer serves up another victim.
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 24, 2013
17 people are currently reading
763 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Trent
26 books790 followersaka Holly Jordan, Amanda Lee. Gayle Leeson
Gayle is a Southwest Virginia based author who is working on the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery series. The first book in the series, MURDER TAKES THE CAKE tells the story of Daphne Martin, a forty-year-old divorcee who returns to her fictional hometown of Brea Ridge, Virginia to start her life over. She has left behind an ex-husband who is in prison for an attempt on Daphne's life, a dingy apartment and a stale career. She has started fresh in a new home with a new career, Daphne's Delectable Cakes, a cake-decorating company Daphne runs out of her home. She is thrilled to be living closer to her beloved niece and nephew, although being close to other family members brings up lifelong resentments and more than a couple complications. Daphne is also reunited with childhood friend, Ben Jacobs, a full-fledged HAG (hot, available guy). Daphne's business hits a snag when her first client turns up dead."
Series:
* Daphne Martin Mystery
* Myrtle Crumb
Gayle is a Southwest Virginia based author who is working on the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery series. The first book in the series, MURDER TAKES THE CAKE tells the story of Daphne Martin, a forty-year-old divorcee who returns to her fictional hometown of Brea Ridge, Virginia to start her life over. She has left behind an ex-husband who is in prison for an attempt on Daphne's life, a dingy apartment and a stale career. She has started fresh in a new home with a new career, Daphne's Delectable Cakes, a cake-decorating company Daphne runs out of her home. She is thrilled to be living closer to her beloved niece and nephew, although being close to other family members brings up lifelong resentments and more than a couple complications. Daphne is also reunited with childhood friend, Ben Jacobs, a full-fledged HAG (hot, available guy). Daphne's business hits a snag when her first client turns up dead."
Series:
* Daphne Martin Mystery
* Myrtle Crumb
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 28, 2020
Not counting this toward my 2020 challenge, since I skimmed most of it. It definitely wasn't the worst cozy mystery I've ever read, but ... seriously, people in this book, placement of fingerprints matters about as much as the presence of fingerprints. Use of a cake stand as a cake stand is going to leave a different pattern of prints than use of a cake stand as a bludgeon. (And seriously, Heroine whose name I can't remember - you hope that the cake stand can be repaired, because they're expensive? *is speechless*)
Not the worst I've read - and definitely not the best. And the recipe section (can you call two recipes a "section"?) does not make up for any shortfalls. Not that they ever do.
Not the worst I've read - and definitely not the best. And the recipe section (can you call two recipes a "section"?) does not make up for any shortfalls. Not that they ever do.
May 16, 2014
Had this one sitting in The Pile for awhile, so when I came across while looking for something else I decided to give it a go. These books are always pleasant reads and if you're the type of reader who can't abide 4-letter words or sex in your cozies, then this is the book for you! I like Daphne, her boyfriend and the other characters. They come across as "real". I didn't care for the Southern dialect. My family is from the South and they don't talk like that. Usually when people try to "write" Southern they make the characters come across as stupid. Anyway, the story was good enough that it held my interest all the way through. That, in itself, is worth something! Definite RECOMMEND for those who want very clean mysteries.
October 29, 2013
I was pleased to receive this book from a goodreads giveaway and read it in a matter of days. This is a well written lighthearted murder-mystery and given that I hadn't read the previous books in the series, I had no problem warming to the characters. An enjoyable read, I'm looking forward to reading more of Gayle Trent's books.
August 18, 2014
This combines all the elements of a cozy in the best possible way. You get a good sense of the town, the interesting characters, learn about a fascinating hobby (cake decorating) and there's a decent mystery, too! I am not normally a cozy person but this was a good one and I enjoyed the main character and her best friend so much I would read more. Highly recommended!
December 11, 2022
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
This was a fun cozy mystery! I have only read one other book by this author before. I love the main character and the fact I couldn't figure it out before the end was fun.
This was a fun cozy mystery! I have only read one other book by this author before. I love the main character and the fact I couldn't figure it out before the end was fun.
August 8, 2023
This is the 4th book in the series. Daphne is taking a seminar with a celebrity chef, Jordan Richards, who is appearing at the local cake competition. She has two cakes entered and is pleased that her niece has entered a cake as well. When she attends her seminar, she is surprised that Mr. Richards is abrasive and mean to most of the attendees. When he is hit with one of the cake stands from the class and found face down in a bowl of batter, Daphne becomes one of the suspects. As the competition progresses, she helps out with some of the demonstrations while keeping an eye out for any clues. On a personal note, she is very worried when Ben is offered a job out of town by a former girlfriend. Daphne has a lot on her mind, but she is determined to root out the truth.
August 13, 2018
What I enjoyed:
* Daphne and her family - they are down to earth people who are nice to others and actually think things through. I'm glad Daphne is gaining her confidence back.
* Alex and his mom - What a trooper. I can't believe what the chef did to Alex previously, you just don't treat kids like that.
What could have been better:
* the villain
* Myrna - I know she is supposed to be comic relief, but you don't just get to do whatever you want because you are elderly.
January 10, 2020
The town's baking competition show begins with Daphne taking a class with television chef, Chef Richards. The abrasive victim is quickly killed off. Murder takes a backseat to Ben considering taking a new job with his former college girlfriend out of town. Will Daphne and her niece win their competitions? Will Ben leave town?
December 12, 2019
Better and better!!!!
These books just keep getting better and better! Keeps me interested to the very end! I'd reccomend this to anyone and everyone!
These books just keep getting better and better! Keeps me interested to the very end! I'd reccomend this to anyone and everyone!
February 10, 2020
Another fun cozy mystery that I have enjoyed. I like the main character and the mystery was laid out nicely. I kept wanting to find out what happened next. I would read the author again.
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January 19, 2021A q
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2013
Posting at: http://fangswandsandfairydust.com
Uncorrected, tape-bound galley received unsolicited from publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and, except as noted, all opinions presented herein are my own.
Do You Read Books Based Around Your Job or Hobby? BATTERED TO DEATH Review
I don’t usually review mysteries unless there’s a serious paranormal or erotic component so I was surprised when this came, but once in a while I like a change so I held on to it. This novel is a clean as clean could be, or as a character in the book might say it’s “Purt near clean as a bicycle in a carwash.”
It was that debasing southern dialect that nearly lost me right off. Long stories explaining this or that in that dialect were abundant and they probably had some significant less on in regards to the novel but I never connected them outside the explanation at that moment.
But, I was hungry and, I like cake so I kept reading. The explanations about cake making are interesting. If you bake a lot (I don’t bake at all anymore) or like cake decoration or sugar art, this would be fun. Do you read books based around your job or hobby?
A lot about cake decorating is discussed. Daphne is attending a workshop on Australian Stringwork* where the icing dries rigid and it can float off the cake. It figures into the cover art. Several cakes are described, including one shaped like a cheeseburger. There are a couple incidents that seemed like filler; maybe they’ll figure into the next book.
There’s a child with Aspergers’s Syndrome child in the book who figures in the story line. There’s a bit of an explanation and heartfelt sympathy for the child’s issue’s. Kudos for standing up for something important. It did feel a bit soapboxy though.
In the end, the mystery is revealed in an anti-climactic fashion, making it seem the story was less about a mystery and more about the cake and romance. The title has a double meaning.
It’s a sweet (get it cake – sweet) story in a series, but it stands very well on its own. If you like light mysteries with the flair of the American South, with no sex or four-letter words this could be a good choice. It’s an easy read.
Uncorrected, tape-bound galley received unsolicited from publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and, except as noted, all opinions presented herein are my own.
Do You Read Books Based Around Your Job or Hobby? BATTERED TO DEATH Review
I don’t usually review mysteries unless there’s a serious paranormal or erotic component so I was surprised when this came, but once in a while I like a change so I held on to it. This novel is a clean as clean could be, or as a character in the book might say it’s “Purt near clean as a bicycle in a carwash.”
It was that debasing southern dialect that nearly lost me right off. Long stories explaining this or that in that dialect were abundant and they probably had some significant less on in regards to the novel but I never connected them outside the explanation at that moment.
But, I was hungry and, I like cake so I kept reading. The explanations about cake making are interesting. If you bake a lot (I don’t bake at all anymore) or like cake decoration or sugar art, this would be fun. Do you read books based around your job or hobby?
A lot about cake decorating is discussed. Daphne is attending a workshop on Australian Stringwork* where the icing dries rigid and it can float off the cake. It figures into the cover art. Several cakes are described, including one shaped like a cheeseburger. There are a couple incidents that seemed like filler; maybe they’ll figure into the next book.
There’s a child with Aspergers’s Syndrome child in the book who figures in the story line. There’s a bit of an explanation and heartfelt sympathy for the child’s issue’s. Kudos for standing up for something important. It did feel a bit soapboxy though.
In the end, the mystery is revealed in an anti-climactic fashion, making it seem the story was less about a mystery and more about the cake and romance. The title has a double meaning.
It’s a sweet (get it cake – sweet) story in a series, but it stands very well on its own. If you like light mysteries with the flair of the American South, with no sex or four-letter words this could be a good choice. It’s an easy read.
December 17, 2013
Title: Battered to Death
Author: Gayle Trent
title: Battered To Death
Series: Book 4 in A Daphne Martin Cake Mystery
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: Paperback
Reviewed By: Tina Diamond
Cakes Cakes and more Cakes, that's what Cake Decorator, Daphne Martin lives for, she decides to take a master class from a first class, arrogant celebrity chef, Jordan Richards who came to town for a cake competition and she never dreams what the future has in store for her. With her romance with Ben blooming, she thinks she is living a life as sweet as one of her cakes, when after the first class with Chef Jordan Richards, he is found bashed over the head with his own cake stand and drowned in a bowl of frosting.
Daphne has entered cakes in the competition and so has her niece, Leslie but Ben gets a job offer in Kentucky that Daphne is afraid that he can't say no too because it came from an ex fiance that he was once in love with, with the worry over that and her cakes placing in the competition and winning and the fact that her finger prints and another class mates were found on the cake stand used to kill Chef Jordan Richards, Are Daphne's days of baking cakes over?
As the competition goes on Daphne, Ben and family and friends try to help Daphne find a killer, It seems everyone has a motive to kill Chef Jordan Richards, and everyone is a suspect including Daphne. But they don't stop until the killer is found and brought to justice and their last cake will be baked.
I loved this mystery and how knowledgeable the author seemed to be about cake decoration. I loved also how descriptive and how in detail it went, being a fan of culinary mysteries that's what I loved most about it. It was all about the cakes and the whole process of decoration and the competition itself made it a real page turner, I love cozies with competitions and contests and I love a good murder, what cozy mystery fan doesn't? Can't wait to go back and read the first three books in this series.
Reviewed for a Prairie Girl reads http://aprairiegirlreads.blogspot.ca/
Author: Gayle Trent
title: Battered To Death
Series: Book 4 in A Daphne Martin Cake Mystery
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: Paperback
Reviewed By: Tina Diamond
Cakes Cakes and more Cakes, that's what Cake Decorator, Daphne Martin lives for, she decides to take a master class from a first class, arrogant celebrity chef, Jordan Richards who came to town for a cake competition and she never dreams what the future has in store for her. With her romance with Ben blooming, she thinks she is living a life as sweet as one of her cakes, when after the first class with Chef Jordan Richards, he is found bashed over the head with his own cake stand and drowned in a bowl of frosting.
Daphne has entered cakes in the competition and so has her niece, Leslie but Ben gets a job offer in Kentucky that Daphne is afraid that he can't say no too because it came from an ex fiance that he was once in love with, with the worry over that and her cakes placing in the competition and winning and the fact that her finger prints and another class mates were found on the cake stand used to kill Chef Jordan Richards, Are Daphne's days of baking cakes over?
As the competition goes on Daphne, Ben and family and friends try to help Daphne find a killer, It seems everyone has a motive to kill Chef Jordan Richards, and everyone is a suspect including Daphne. But they don't stop until the killer is found and brought to justice and their last cake will be baked.
I loved this mystery and how knowledgeable the author seemed to be about cake decoration. I loved also how descriptive and how in detail it went, being a fan of culinary mysteries that's what I loved most about it. It was all about the cakes and the whole process of decoration and the competition itself made it a real page turner, I love cozies with competitions and contests and I love a good murder, what cozy mystery fan doesn't? Can't wait to go back and read the first three books in this series.
Reviewed for a Prairie Girl reads http://aprairiegirlreads.blogspot.ca/
September 7, 2013
Daphne Martin is an excellent cake maker who runs the local cake shop. After a year, she is finally settling into her hometown of Brea Ridge. She has also reunited with her high school sweetheart. Just when things seem to be going great, everything starts falling apart. She is a suspect in a murder trial. Her boyfriend may be leaving town to work for his ex. And the cake competition makes her a ball of nerves. Ben has always loved Daphne and regretted their break-up. Now he has her in his life again. He wants to help his ex-girlfriend get her business going, but he also enjoys life in his hometown at the newspaper and with Daphne again. Daphne Martin’s life is going well. She is both excited and nervous about the upcoming cake competition. She is also looking forward to a class with the celebrity chef who is known for being mean but is also quite talented. When he turns up dead and she becomes the prime suspect, she has to use her sleuthing skills once again to get herself out of her predicament. All while trying to win the competition and having trouble with her boyfriend. Daphne Martin is such a likable character. She is down-to-earth, kind to others, creative and still has some insecurity. She feels like a friend by the end of the story. The supporting characters are interesting and fun, especially her friend and neighbor, Myra. The story is a great mystery that keeps you guessing. Also, if you love getting new recipes to tasty goodies, then be sure to check out the back of the book where Mrs. Trent shares some of Daphne’s favorite dishes. All around, a very fun read. HCHarju Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More - See more at: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
March 25, 2018
Daphne Martin's got a good life, doing at a job she loves decorating cakes, spending time with her family, and having fun with her boyfriend Ben Jacobs. She's excited about taking a cake decoration class from Jordan Richards a famous TV Chef. Then things start to fall apart when she least expects them to. Ben's thinking about changing jobs and moving to Kentucky to head up a magazine with his former college sweetheart. He's torn about what to do and Daphne's devastated. Then sometime after the first decorating class and the second class chef Richards is murdered, and who should find his body but none other than Daphne.
The First Annual Brea Ridge Taste Bud Temptation Cake and Confenctionary Arts Exhibit and Competition is in town and Daphne's got a couple of items entered, but she's having a hard time getting excited about the competition when there's been a murder in town, Her sister Violet comes to the competition with Leslie, her niece, who also has an entry in the children's competition and they talk Daphne into going through with the competition. While the competition continues and the murder investigation kicks up into high gear, Daphne starts to look in the other people in the class. Daphne starts to wonder who would want to see chef Richards dead, unfortunately the closer she gets to finding the murderer, the danger starts to increase for all of those involved.
This story is a well written mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, where the story ties itself up without feeling rushed. The characters are fun, interesting, and likeable. Watching Daphne and Ben struggling with their feelings of moving their relationship forward makes it seem like you're going through it with your close friends.
The First Annual Brea Ridge Taste Bud Temptation Cake and Confenctionary Arts Exhibit and Competition is in town and Daphne's got a couple of items entered, but she's having a hard time getting excited about the competition when there's been a murder in town, Her sister Violet comes to the competition with Leslie, her niece, who also has an entry in the children's competition and they talk Daphne into going through with the competition. While the competition continues and the murder investigation kicks up into high gear, Daphne starts to look in the other people in the class. Daphne starts to wonder who would want to see chef Richards dead, unfortunately the closer she gets to finding the murderer, the danger starts to increase for all of those involved.
This story is a well written mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, where the story ties itself up without feeling rushed. The characters are fun, interesting, and likeable. Watching Daphne and Ben struggling with their feelings of moving their relationship forward makes it seem like you're going through it with your close friends.
August 30, 2015
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by the publisher for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Battered to Death is a cozy mystery that has cakes and baking at its center along with a murder to be solved. Daphne owns a bakery and is a cake decorator who is entered in the First Annual Brea Ridge Taste Bud Temptation Cake and Confectionary Arts Exhibit and Competition (what a mouthful). Daphne is also enrolled in the cooking class being given by an acerbic but famous celebrity chef who is woven throughout. She is also an amateur sleuth with her friend and surrogate mom, Myra. Myra’s boyfriend Mike is a private investigator and Daphne’s boyfriend, Ben, is the editor-in-chief of the local newspaper. With the four of them on the case, watch out! The competition and the weekend are front and center in the story since all the action takes place over the long weekend and there are quite a cast of characters besides those already mentioned.
There are family and friends, kids, bakers, competitions, laughter, happiness, sadness, fear, love and romance. The descriptions of the cakes and the demonstrations made it easy to visualize in my mind. The mystery wasn’t hard to solve and I was easily able to narrow it down to two suspects. There was a happily ever after and the epilogue tied up the loose ends and gave nice closure. It was a quick reading and enjoyable cozy mystery with a couple of recipes in the back of the book.
This is the fourth book in the Daphne Martins Cake Mystery series and I will go back and read the first three to help set the stage. I will add Trent’s other books in this series and her others to my TBR pile.
Book provided by the publisher for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Battered to Death is a cozy mystery that has cakes and baking at its center along with a murder to be solved. Daphne owns a bakery and is a cake decorator who is entered in the First Annual Brea Ridge Taste Bud Temptation Cake and Confectionary Arts Exhibit and Competition (what a mouthful). Daphne is also enrolled in the cooking class being given by an acerbic but famous celebrity chef who is woven throughout. She is also an amateur sleuth with her friend and surrogate mom, Myra. Myra’s boyfriend Mike is a private investigator and Daphne’s boyfriend, Ben, is the editor-in-chief of the local newspaper. With the four of them on the case, watch out! The competition and the weekend are front and center in the story since all the action takes place over the long weekend and there are quite a cast of characters besides those already mentioned.
There are family and friends, kids, bakers, competitions, laughter, happiness, sadness, fear, love and romance. The descriptions of the cakes and the demonstrations made it easy to visualize in my mind. The mystery wasn’t hard to solve and I was easily able to narrow it down to two suspects. There was a happily ever after and the epilogue tied up the loose ends and gave nice closure. It was a quick reading and enjoyable cozy mystery with a couple of recipes in the back of the book.
This is the fourth book in the Daphne Martins Cake Mystery series and I will go back and read the first three to help set the stage. I will add Trent’s other books in this series and her others to my TBR pile.
May 28, 2016
I don't read mysteries often, but decided to join a challenge this year about cozy mysteries and this was book 2 of 6 for the challenge. Saw this in the library and picked it up to make some progress, but didn't ever read the cover or check where in the series this falls, except both the plot and fact that this is not the first book of the series are quickly apparent. It is fine as a stand alone. Not sure I will read others by his author, though it is written just fine. The pacing felt slow to me, and I was eager to just get to the ending already. I liked her friend, Myra, the best, but Daphne and her significant other are likeable characters too. My three stars reflect that, "I liked the book."
One part that irked me was a glib sentence about "he probably got a concussion; I knew he'd wake up with a bump on his head but otherwise be okay." Concussions are brain injuries. And in some cases they are life-threatening and in others they are life-changing. Many people who suffer a concussion are forever changed physically, socially, emotionally and financially from a seemingly small bump on the head. This sentence diminishes the significant impact that a blow to the head can have. She researched Australian string work, sugar craft techniques, and cake decorating, so I respect that as a component of her book. I wish she hadn't trivialized a traumatic brain injury; I am disappointed by the author for this reason.
One part that irked me was a glib sentence about "he probably got a concussion; I knew he'd wake up with a bump on his head but otherwise be okay." Concussions are brain injuries. And in some cases they are life-threatening and in others they are life-changing. Many people who suffer a concussion are forever changed physically, socially, emotionally and financially from a seemingly small bump on the head. This sentence diminishes the significant impact that a blow to the head can have. She researched Australian string work, sugar craft techniques, and cake decorating, so I respect that as a component of her book. I wish she hadn't trivialized a traumatic brain injury; I am disappointed by the author for this reason.
October 26, 2014
One of the least enjoyable cozy mysteries I have read in a while and I think it was because there wasn't enough to enjoy in this character. The bones of the story were good. She is a cake decorator and is having moderate success in her career. She has a fair romance going on with some tension but not so much that it takes your mind away from the main event. Her supporting cast inludes nice enough friends and neighbours and family close by so that there is support and encouragement throughout her murder solving. It's all fine and seems to be going according to cozy code but... there wasn't anything to love in this character. I didn't care for her. I can't even remember her name without looking it up.
In a pinch I would read another one because it wasn't terrible and it wasn't aggravating but there wasn't enough in Daphne (I checked it on the author's web site) to make me return and find out what happens to her next. That is the true death knell for me. There are way too many beautiful and captivating women solving murders out there while they go about their every day business - making muffins, fixing cars, teaching flower arranging, fighting fires, raising funds for museums - and I'll go read about them instead.
In a pinch I would read another one because it wasn't terrible and it wasn't aggravating but there wasn't enough in Daphne (I checked it on the author's web site) to make me return and find out what happens to her next. That is the true death knell for me. There are way too many beautiful and captivating women solving murders out there while they go about their every day business - making muffins, fixing cars, teaching flower arranging, fighting fires, raising funds for museums - and I'll go read about them instead.
October 4, 2013
3.75 stars
This is a cute mystery, with interesting and fun characters. This is the first book from this author I have read and even though I have not read the other books in the series I had no problem enjoying this story. I like the author's voice and look forward to more books from her.
Daphne has a good life, working at a job she loves decorating cakes and having fun with her boyfriend Ben, a former high school sweetheart. She is excited about taking a decoration class from the famous TV Chef, Jordan Richards. An arrogant man with wicked talents in cake decorating.
Unfortunately things start to fall apart just when she least expects it. Ben is interested in changing jobs, moving to Kentucky to head up a magazine with a college sweetheart. He is torn about what to do and Daphne is devastated. Then she becomes a suspect when the TV Chef she was so excited to take a class from is murdered and her cake stand seems to be the murder weapon.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
This is a cute mystery, with interesting and fun characters. This is the first book from this author I have read and even though I have not read the other books in the series I had no problem enjoying this story. I like the author's voice and look forward to more books from her.
Daphne has a good life, working at a job she loves decorating cakes and having fun with her boyfriend Ben, a former high school sweetheart. She is excited about taking a decoration class from the famous TV Chef, Jordan Richards. An arrogant man with wicked talents in cake decorating.
Unfortunately things start to fall apart just when she least expects it. Ben is interested in changing jobs, moving to Kentucky to head up a magazine with a college sweetheart. He is torn about what to do and Daphne is devastated. Then she becomes a suspect when the TV Chef she was so excited to take a class from is murdered and her cake stand seems to be the murder weapon.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
May 29, 2014
This is a wonderful author. I love these books and this one was no disappointment. I didn't see the ending the way it was. I'm glad because I *SPOILER* dreaded the ending because I thought Chris had killed him. I liked his character, but he just had this anger that you knew was going to get him in trouble. The only thing I think would be better with this book is more recipes!! (You know how much I love trying out tons of recipes in my cozy mysteries!!)
May 7, 2014
Nice, neat story that ties itself up at the end without feeling rushed. Daphne Martin is a likeable lead character. I didn't realize this was the 3rd in the series,but I did not feel like I was terribly behind with the backstory, which was nice. A quick, comfortable mystery, with solid descriptions and well flushed-out characters.
February 20, 2015
Another great Daphne Martin Cake Mystery
This series just gets better and better as time goes by. I love every minute. There are a few twists in this one. I was pretty sure I figured this one out but she had me guessing for a bit. I hope there are many more adventures ahead for Daphne.
This series just gets better and better as time goes by. I love every minute. There are a few twists in this one. I was pretty sure I figured this one out but she had me guessing for a bit. I hope there are many more adventures ahead for Daphne.
July 20, 2016
I won a copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway.
This was a fun mystery, and I had difficulty figuring out the killer. There was lots of talk of cakes and baking, and I would have liked some more recipes at the end.
I look forward to more adventures with Daphne.
This was a fun mystery, and I had difficulty figuring out the killer. There was lots of talk of cakes and baking, and I would have liked some more recipes at the end.
I look forward to more adventures with Daphne.
January 10, 2014
A very good story with lots of interactions between the main characters and the walk ons from the baking contest. Don't go to the back of the book, this one is so good you'll want to read it through to the end without cheating.
July 2, 2015
If you are a fan of culinary cozy mysteries, then Battered to Death is for you. Daphne Martin's exploits are famous as she solves yet another murder. Light read, quirky characters and wonderful wit. Gayle Trent's books are a joy to read.
January 12, 2014
This was a fun, light mystery in the Daphne Martin series. I especially liked the ending and look forward to the next one.
January 2, 2014
Great Read! Mystery with good old fashioned goodness cooked right in!
April 27, 2014
Read my review on Romancing-the-Book.com by clicking on the link below:
http://romancing-the-book.com/2014/04...
http://romancing-the-book.com/2014/04...
May 8, 2014
more like a 2.25-2.5 score .... not the strongest book in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews