Deep Fried Homicide

Donut Shop Mysteries #13

by Jessica Beck

From New York Times Bestseller Jessica Beck, Donut Mystery #13!When Suzanne’s boyfriend, Jake, is shot in the line of duty, he comes to April Springs to recuperate. The only problem is the that the man Jake was trying to capture has a partner, a very bad man now intent on seeking revenge. Add another villain returning from Suzanne’s own past into the mix, and the donut shop owner’s normally tranquil world is suddenly turned upside down.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Romance, Ebooks, Fiction

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 6, 2014

About the author

Jessica Beck is a pseudonym used by
Tim Myers.
Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.

Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.

When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jessic...

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series, and in this one, it was actually ok that there wasn't a murder for Suzanne to investigate. The storyline was a good one, however, my comments are geared toward the writing style. Less than halfway through this book, I wanted to throw it through the window with the author's choice style of writing. For example, those of us invested in this series all know that Jake is Suzanne's boyfriend, but the author kept referring to him as "my boyfriend". Sentences would go like, "Jake was still asleep on the couch so I went to talk to the Chief." Then she'll go outside and something happens and she runs into the house and you see something like this, "I went in the house to check on Jake, and was happy to see that my boyfriend was still asleep." This grated on my nerves after awhile. If you can put that aside, the story is great and something very special happens at the end.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lol, I just made a joke about how this book is a shot in the arm (Jake gets shot in the arm in this book) but apart from that I've little to report here. Credit to Jessica Beck for working - my cynical self would say plagiarize - his butt off and trying something new. The trouble with this entry in the Donut Shop mystery is that untold harm has already been done to the stagnant and eerie, happily creepy characters. One half decent story will not alter the nefarious turn that the author chose for his creation. I gave this book a rating it deserves, rather than a rating I liked. Keep that in mind. Bye.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep Fried Homicide by Jessica Beck is book 13 in the Donut mysteries series. When Jake is shot on duty, Suzanne takes time off from Donut Hearts to help him recuperate. Unfortunately , it seems that the partner of the man Jake killed wants revenge and also another killer that Suzanne helped catch has escaped from prison. A quick read, and no real mystery to solve- just a matter of rounding up the bad guys. I liked catching up with the various characters and their development though and there are lots of delicious donut recipes and descriptions.

[Deb Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my Fave series :)

I could hardly put this book down, since I started reading it yesterday! I The storyline was different than normal, but it totally worked :)

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery in the Donut Shop mystery series, in this one, Suzanne's boyfriend is shot while he is trying to take down a criminal whose partner is now determined to kill Jake, and at the same time, there is a woman escapee from prison who is determined to kill Suzanne. This is a quick but excellent read and a very satisfying mystery.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this 2.5 stars because I'm having trouble deciding between two stars (it was okay) and three stars (I liked it).
The story was good for this series - except was it? It was promising but it didn't exactly live up to its promise.
There should have been so much danger but almost everything that might have been dangerous turned out to be nothing. Then one thing that did turn out to be dangerous was nothing because we didn't know it was dangerous at the time it was dangerous, so by the time we found out it WAS dangerous, they were safe so it didn't matter.
Seriously - my last sentence is basically how the book is.
Oh, and one of the things I figured out immediately (in regards to Heather) but it took Suzanne the entire book to figure it out. I'm neutral about that because I'd expect nothing less.
I absolutely loved that Jake was in the entire book, even at the cost of other characters. But the story was so bogged down by uninteresting things that were almost interesting but just didn't measure up.
And why is Suzanne so incredibly immature and lack confidence in everything? It's irritating. Practically every time someone says something to her she thinks 'Oh, he's breaking up with me!' or 'Oh, I bet he's dead!' But he just wanted to ask for a glass of water and then take a nap.
I wish I was exaggerating. Sigh.

[Jaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok.

This is a fairly late instalment to the series, and is less a mystery than about Suzanne, Jake, and their friends banding together to protect the couple against their enemies out to get them. Which was an okay plot, just not super exciting for a reader who hasn't known these characters long enough to care yet. May be better for long time readers of the series.

Beyond that, I'm torn on how I feel about Suzanne and Jake's approach to investigative partnership. I like that Jake isn't too macho to let Suzanne take the lead / take care of him in his injury, I like their open communications, and I like how confident Suzanne is about asserting her needs and her independence.

But at the same time, it did feel kinda overdone at times, like this one time Suzanne insisted on walking back to their home alone so she can get the Jeep to pick up Jake, while Jake, who is injured and who they perceive as the bad guy's main target, is safely waiting with Terry. That felt like a really illogical decision, since from the start, they were in agreement that both Jake and Suzanne were in danger, and as any mystery reader knows, what dangers impact one member of the couple likely impact both. So in that case, I don't see why they didn't just go with Jake's idea of all of them walking home together, even if it'll take longer because of Jake's injury, or even waiting until Jake felt strong enough to continue walking. Like, let Terry do his job of protecting both of you, instead of trying to be all independent-woman about it.

In that case, and in some other cases, I sometimes felt like the couple's mutual respect and open communication were overemphasized to the point of stopping potential conflict in its tracks before it can even happen. And because the potential for conflict never actually went anywhere, the whole conversation around "Yes I respect your independence" and "Yes I recognize your role as an equal partner in facing this danger" slowed the story down. Since I came into this series late (this is my first book and first intro to the characters), it's possible that these conversations were meant to show growth in the characters' larger arc, but within the context of this one story, at least, they often felt unnecessary.

Overall, an okay instalment in a larger series. Characters were okay, but didn't really hook me into either this story, or the larger story. I did like the side plot romance between Suzanne's mom and the police chief. I think this has been developing over past books, so may not be a spoiler, but I'm bracketing with the tags just in case.

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new format has emerged and I think it was the book club that meets monthly at Suzanne’s shop that had something to do with it. Now all the recipes are at the back of the book so they don’t interrupt the flow of the story, but are still available to those that wish to try them. The story is a little shorter as well which means some of the repetitive information for new readers is condensed. And now, on with the review.

In the opening chapter, Jake is forced into a shootout with a perp, and both are injured, one fatally.
What nobody realizes is that there was a partner that managed to escape and vows revenge.
Suzanne decides to take time off from making donuts (gasp!) to help Jake recover from his injury, and they both soon find out the not one criminal, but two, are stalking them.

This is the first story in the series that Suzanne ( and the rest of her gang) aren’t trying to find the killers, but are trying to keep from being killed.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one starts out different than the others, but it ends up being like the others in the series, mostly.
LOL I really enjoyed that it went a bit different, but hope that it will be back on track for the next one. Sorry Jake, but I can't see you getting intimate with Suz. It just doesn't seem right.
Enjoy!

[Kivara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different twist, but I quite enjoyed this book.

If you enjoy "cozy mysteries," then I recommend trying this series. However, you should read them in order, as th characters through a lot of development.

[Josje Nap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the story, but writing is too simple / shallow. Conversations too cheesy.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappointing

Jessica Beck never disappoints. Book 13 and I can’t wait to start 14. Always keeps my attention... so glad there are so many more ahead of me...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is not like the ones before it however, it is still good. Some places weren’t cozy mystery enough for me but I still enjoyed the book.

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donut Mystery

I love this series. This was a good one. I love all the characters. I will continue reading this series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt rushed but also most of the dialog felt like a forced attempt to make the book longer. More could have been done to make it longer and meatier at the same time.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Mystery to solve, but good step in the main character's relationship with her boyfriend.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to get back to my regular reading after my winter reading challenge. Another solid read in this series.

[Kyndra Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cozy in the Donut Shop Mystery series. I really love this series, they are light and easy to read, and always make you hungry for doughnuts! I've never made any of the recipes in the book, but hope to one day!

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suzanne's Hart's normal day at Donut Hearts in April Springs is shattered by a "...dark stranger in a severe suit." Inspector Terry Hanlan hasn't come to the shop to catch a last-minute donut, but instead to inform Suzanne that her boyfriend, Jake Bishop, has been shot in the line of duty. Suzanne rushes out with hardly a thought at all to the shop.

Jake was shot tracking down a killer in Hickory. Jake escaped with his life; the same cannot be said of the killer. Jake's wound will require him to take a lot of rest and wear his arm in a sling. So, when he's released he will be going to stay with Suzanne at the cottage while he recuperates. This will be interesting; Suzanne, her mother, and Jake all in the same house.

But, upon arriving at the hospital, Dorothea, Suzanne’s mother, informs Suzanne that she’s bought a house in town and will be moving there so Jake can have her downstairs bedroom. Even more surprising is the fact that Dorothea has gotten engaged to Chief Martin and plans to stay in the other house permanently. After adjusting to this announcement, Suzanne realizes that this is a good thing for her mom and also for her. She hasn’t ever lived on her own and will get the chance to do so after Jake gets better.

However, Jake’s road to recovery and Suzanne’s time off from Donut Hearts won’t be as tranquil as she hoped. Apparently the killer Jake took down had a partner, Rusk, who is out for revenge. Rusk might after Jake, but Suzanne is in danger as well. Heather Masterson, who was in prison for poisoning her aunt and coming after Suzanne, is on the loose and may very well be on the way to finish what she began.

With two killers on the loose who want the couple dead, how will Jake and Suzanne fair? This thirteenth book in the Donut Shop Mystery series is filled with action and surprises that will keep readers hooked until the very end.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was much better than the last although while I appreciate the author making the book a bit shorter, it seemed a little lacking in content at some points in the book. I liked that the book centered around something other than the donut shop. There was some interesting character development that I enjoyed too although I did miss Grace being around a lot in the book, she was integral towards the end. I am reading the newest book in the series next!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne's boyfriend Jake is shot in the line of duty, he comes to stay at her house to recuperate. Her mother moves out and ends up getting married. Suzanne runs a donut shop so there is a lot of talk about donuts and eating of donuts. She has a little trouble staying home from her shop and wonders how she will be able to do it. The man that shot Jake has a partner who is out to get Jake, leading to dangerous times for Suzanne and Jake.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

2014-07-31. I wish this allowed half stars--this would get 4.5 from me. I loved Jack coming to stay with Suzanne and all the adjustments they make because of it. I was shocked that she actually turned over the shop while he was recuperating. Having someone from his job plus someone from her past both out to kill them added lots of suspense. Very enjoyable.

[Glenn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The state trooper boyfriend of donut shop owner and amateur sleuth Suzanne is shot in the line of duty and comes to stay with her to recuperate. Along with him come potential killers from both a past case of Suzanne's and his current case. Needless to say, there's not a lot of rest to be had.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good series. Good characters. This one was different in that Suzanne wasn't trying to solve a murder. She and Jake each had someone out to kill them and the cops were trying to catch them and keep S and J alive.

[Cathy Hendren]

Jake is shot so Suzanne offers to make care of him. This time instead of looking for a murderer, two murderers come after Jake and Suzanne. This was a really quick read but I missed having Grace in the story line.

[Jenni Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne and Jake are on the look out for a couple of people that are hunting down each of them. A couple of new characters are introduced and they fit in perfectly. I love the interaction of all of the characters and find this series wonderful.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each new book seems to be more and more character driven yet the character's actions do not stay consistant throughout the book. At one point I really enjoyed the series, but this book does not compare.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake is hurt and Suzanne is taking time off, leaving the donut shop in her assistant's hands. But playing nursemaid is not all cake and roses. Both of them are being sought by people wanting to hurt them. Will the bad guys be caught before Suzanne misses work too much?

[Jaimie O'Dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

different from the other mysteries in Susan doesn't solve a murder but is chased. still interesting- tons of Jake for a change. But missed Grace and trying to guess who dun it.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is the best book in the series. The plot was believable and is full of excitement. I've loved this series from the beginning and I hope Ms Beck is able to write many more.