Charm City Crab Puff

Charm City #1

by Pamela Kyel

Special Agent Laci Duvall, AFOSI, expects her life to be like her favorite beverage. Sweet and strong. So, what happens when someone throws a lemon in her sweet tea? She finds who did it and gets even.But fate drops a twisted tea bag when lead investigator and Charm City Heartthrob, Baltimore City Police Detective Antonio Desio walks into the room. He’s the one Laci abandoned to marry the dead man before them, and he bypasses tea for fine Italian wine.This case has the markings of a guzzling sweet tea straight-from-the-pitcher kind of day, and Laci and Desio learn they have to work together to solve it. She’ll deal with her feelings for Desio later.

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2024

About the author

Pamela Kyel is the award-winning author of the Charm City Mystery Series. Pamela writes characters we want to curse with, laugh with, and drink sweet tea with like they’re going to stop making it. Her characters are strong women who love each other like family and one in particular whose view of life and men has to be seen to be understood. Pamela's books are humorous and will leave those around you wondering what is so funny that you're reading—so by all means share and welcome them to the family of Charm City Mysteries.

Reviews

[Gloria Johntel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Pamela Kyel takes her readers on a fun romp through Baltimore with her Charm City Crab Puff. As the title suggests, it’s not a heavy read, but it has its charm. The main protagonist Major Laci Duvall is a quirky, iced-tea-obsessed, sometimes silly but sometimes badass special agent, who is out to solve the murder of her ex husband Zach Wheaton. As the story unfolds, Laci is met with unexpected situations, from having to work on the case with her old, still flaming-hot ex-boyfriend to dealing with Zach’s emotional wreck of a second wife showing up teary-eyed on her doorstep with two screaming toddlers.

In this heartwarming cozy mystery, it’s fun to watch the characters grow and develop bonds with each other through their shared circumstances. Seeing how Laci changes throughout the story is particularly rewarding as she comes across a little prickly and jaded at the beginning. All throughout the story, the author writes with a consistent style and creates a world in which everything that happens in the story makes sense and falls into place by the end.

While a little predictable, there isn’t much to dislike about this mystery if you like cozy reads. The title itself is a bit of a mystery as it has nothing to do with crab puffs, but it does take place in Charm City. The comparisons Laci makes between the people in her life and different types of iced teas is kind of fun, and it adds a playful side to her character that we don’t see at first. The way the other ladies in the story bring out that side of Laci is also fun to see, and it aids in both the story development and Laci’s character growth.

Overall, Charm City Crab Puff is a delightful, easy read if you need a light mystery or to add a little summertime cheer to your day.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous, simply marvelous!! This was so

much more than I expected. Laci's character was a hero and a person with a huge loving heart. She allowed her ex's wife and twin toddlers to stay with her, and then a cop too. She investigated with the tenacity of a terrier, even after her stalker wrecked into her car. Her integrity and strength of character was brilliant. It seemed like Desio (local cop) was needlessly hounding her, but it turned out okay in the end. The coverups and betrayals were astounding! I was suspicious of one character, and they proved to be part of the problems. There was whit, suspense,

fun, and a great deal of humor in this riveting and captivating read. I loved every minute. Unputdownable. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a page turner that kept me guessing. I liked the main character and the fact that the three major characters were all strong women. They were an eclectic group that was thrown together and became fast friends - although maybe too fast? The plot drew me in right from the start and kept me reading to find out whodunnit. I read a lot of mysteries and am usually pretty good at guessing, but I felt like this one didn’t give many clues until a little too close to the end. The reveal was also a bit convoluted. There were also not really any red herrings except the narrator herself, which I questioned since there didn’t seem to be much evidence pointing toward her. All in all this was a fun light mystery and a good debut novel! I look forward to a sequel.

[Karen Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laci Duvall is a special investigator with the AFOSI (that’s the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, a law enforcement agency within the Air Force) stationed in Baltimore. She’s drawn into a civilian murder investigation when she learns the victim is her ex-husband—and his new wife, Sammy, and their two babies need her help. The two women forge a close connection together with a local policewoman, Cassy, and the three of them find themselves in hilarious situations, similar to those in the Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at Laci, Sammy, and Cassy as they follow the clues to solve the crime. A funny and sweet mystery, as sweet as sweet tea, the beverage of choice in Charm City.

[Daniel M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start of this book, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. The story of Air Force Special Agent Major Laci Duval is captivating, enthralling, and action-packed while still staying grounded in the sweeter and endearing aspects of daily life such as pets, kids, and friendship. This book kept me up at night in the best way possible! The friendship between the main characters was sweet and funny. There was so much adventure for the 3 gal pals packed into this exciting read and even some romance! I don’t want to give away the plot, but who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to break into a mattress store?! I can’t wait to read what Pamela writes next!

Thank you Pamela Kyel for the free copy!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I read this book out of sequence; I read book 2 first. I actually enjoyed this one a little more because it answered all the questions I had from the second book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was very well written law enforcement procedural story with a great mystery and a little second chance romance. I found myself laughing at the repartee between Laci, Sammie and Cassie. They are such wonderful quirky characters. Definitely recommend reading.

[Christine Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book a solid 3.5 stars but I rounded up since I did really enjoy it! I found Laci to be a strong female lead and look forward to more books in the series. Laci is drawn into a murder investigation after her ex-husband Zach is murdered. I enjoyed the twists and didn’t figure out the murderer. My only issue with the book was how fast Laci becomes friends with Sammie and Cassy. Overall I really good debut book!!!

[Denise Trammel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick, easy, charming read. Once I started, I found myself really excited to find strong female leads. I admit that some of the verbage was hard for me to understand as I am not from Baltimore but eventually I understood what was being said. I enjoyed the twists in the book and am looking forward to the next book.

I received an ARC e-book copy for an honest review of this book.

[Skater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprise!

Charm City Crab Puff is not the mystery thriller I thought it was going to be from the brief blurb I had read. What I got was a good murder mystery, with interesting characters, great character development and a lot of humor. Funny, interesting without being insultingly stupid humor, as is so often the case. Although, I have to admit there were times when I expected a Major in the USAF to act differently, this is a surprisingly satisfying story.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a series

I love that this light mystery takes place in Baltimore. The story gives me Finley Donavan vibes. There are some great side characters and an engaging dead ex-husband mystery. There is also a hot cop—one of my favorite tropes. If you love cozy mysteries, give this book a read. 

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charm City Crab Puff is the first book in Charm City mystery series by Pamela Kyel. I was impressed with the mixture of characters and how they blended so well. The mixture of mystery and humor was so fun to read.

This is a great beginning to a new series and for me a new author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good story with suspense and twists that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Even though this is a serious story, there is room for some humor. I really enjoyed it and I can hardly wait to start reading the next book.
I received a review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Deanna Koepke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very fun read. It was a great blend of mystery, love, friendship, family, and humor. Reading it was a great way to escape to someone else’s life for a little while. Appropriate for a variety of ages, too. Thank you to Pamela Kyel for the free copy!

[Brooke Jacobs]

This is my friend's book that I got as an advance copy, but I never finished. I'm an audio girl and reading straight is difficult for me! But I liked what I read and hope I can get back to reading it at some point!

[Teri M Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charm City Crab Puff by Pamela Kyel is a delightful cozy mystery set in Baltimore. We quickly meet Special Agent Laci Duvall who has the habit of describing those she meets as a type of sweet tea. Are they hot? Cold? Smooth? Or like her former boyfriend, Desio - someone who is more like a fine wine?

Laci finds herself working a case with her former beau - and the case concerns her dead ex-husband, Zach, the man she dropped Desio for years ago. Could things get any worse? Of course they can! Let's add in Zach's current wife, their twins, and Laci's former in-laws to round out the craziness that becomes Laci's life.

Of course, we can't forget the murder that brought them all together. Who killed Zachary and why? Was he into something nefarious? Or just in the wrong place at the wrong time? And who wants to stop Laci and Desio from finding out the truth?

Laci is a great character who uses the twists and turns in her life grow, evolve, and creating lasting relationships. She is definitely someone you will relate to. I recommend this fun, quirky read!