The Poison in the Pudding

Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #3

by Shéa MacLeod

With a book deadline and Christmas fast approaching, the last thing Viola Roberts has time for is a party. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what she gets roped into by the Mayor of Astoria. Party planning it is. Complete with Christmas puddings. Everything is humming along just fine when suddenly the guests begin to drop like flies! With both her reputation and her favorite Christmas cookies threatened, Viola has no time to waste. She’s got to find the poisoner before somebody ends up dead. Viola Roberts Cozy 1 - The Corpse in the Cabana 2 - The Stiff in the Study 3 - The Poison in the Pudding 4 - The Body in the Bathtub 5 - The Venom in the Valentine 6 - The Remains in the Rectory 7 - The Death in the Drink

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2016

About the author

Shéa MacLeod has dreamed of writing novels since before she could hold a crayon. She totally blames her mother.

Her favorite poem as a child was ‘Jabberwocky’, and Her favorite authors were Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe. Which probably explains a lot.

After a six year sojourn in London, England, a dearth of good donuts has driven her back to her hometown. She now resides in the leafy green hills outside Portland, Oregon where she indulges in her fondness for strong coffee, Ancient Aliens reruns, lemon curd, and dragons.

Because everything's better with dragons.

Shéa is the author of the SUNWALKER SAGA (a fast paced urban fantasy series with a kick-ass heroine published by Montlake) and DRAGON WARS (a post-apocalyptic series with dragons)as well as the Cupcake Goddess novelettes.

Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short but interesting and fast paced mystery. I enjoyed the plot even though there wasn’t a murder. Several people are being poisoned with a Christmas pudding but no one dies. Viola is drawn into the investigation since she was the one who made the poisoned pudding. It was a short read the but the story was well rounded and didn’t feel rushed.

[Rabid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick, cute, cosy mystery, where Viola has to figure out who poisoned the Christmas pudding that caused guests at the mayor’s party to become sick. The narrator of the audiobook did a good job of bringing life to the characters and making this light, short story enjoyable. Even though it was easy to guess the culprit, it is still an entertaining tale.

[Karen B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short mystery. Viola Roberts is asked by the mayor to host a Christmas party and Viola does a great job including making Christmas pudding. Until people start getting sick and it turns out the pudding had been poisoned. Viola finds a clue and eventually with the help of her friends figures out the who and why behind the poisoning.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poison in the pudding

Read on KU

This was a short cozy mystery novella featuring our author/sleuth Viola Roberts.

It was as I say ashort maybe a half hour read, but it was very quick and to the point whodunnit. No one is murdered but everyone ends up with food poisoning after eating Viola's Christmas Pudding! She sets about to narrow the poisoner in questions, and whilst it was semi predicable as to who it was, it was none the less a good wee read to kill some time.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delicious pocket size cozey murder mystery with the outrageous caracters vibrant and ready for an adventure in amateur sleuthing Viola romance author along with her BFF 'S like playing amateur sleuth in between their daily writing ,this time it's a bit more personal. Aquier "The Poison in the Pudding "today so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 🙄😊Kat

[Jennifer Hoey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fan of Viola Robert’s

Cozy = pleasant escape for me

I’m very aware when I’m reading cozy mysteries I’m rather stretching my mental capacity and what a relief that is!! Once again ms Macleod makes me smile and keeps me entertained right up until the end

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid little mystery story. No major twists or overly complicated plots. Just simple, clean, and entertaining.

[Christine Bollier]

Boring and predictable.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. I enjoyed the plot. Not sure that I'd keep Cheryl as a friend.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Silly, predictable, unlikable, and unpleasant characters.
Don't waste your reading time...

[Gena - My Book Reviews for You · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun series! I love Viola and her friends and the trouble she seems to get into. The story is full of humor and the narration reflects this tone well. I enjoyed all of the characters in this story. And the holiday themed poison mystery.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novelette. The main characters were interesting, the plot easily followed, and the story was a decent one. I definitely recommend this book.

[Joanne Grams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was quick cute read.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and made me want to read more of her crime stories.

[Diana Kudsk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little read!

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice cozy book with good characters.

[Mary Seifert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy Christmas fun!

[Lisa Denn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, cute cozy mystery!

[Tricia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Viola is organizing the Mayor's Christmas party and has asks her to make his favorite steamed pudding. Someone has poisoned Viola's pudding. Viola's on the case. This was a short and very fast mystery. This listen was perfect to get lost in while doing things. I'm fully enjoying Viola's sassiness and can't wait to hear the rest of the series.

[Melissa Basnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two authors, Viola and Cheryl, are helping the mayor throw a Christmas party featuring two other authors that dislike each other. One of the featured authors is poisoned and Viola helps the police solve the mystery. I voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Addictive Passions · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have yet to read a short story in recent years that has drawn me in and kept me wanting to read more. Maybe it was the fact that I started in the middle of the series or maybe it was the author's use of hyphenated words.

The story was short, the poison was easily found along with the culprit. It was like an episode of Colombo. A kid version. Meaning it was a no brainer for adults but kids might..just might not figure it out. You knew who did it, it was just a matter of proving it.

It was an entertaining read for the whole 20 minutes it took to read it. I probably would pack the whole series in one book though.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this novel a solid 3.5 stars.

I think it's not a very bright idea to be tucking into your Chrissy pud while reading this story! Lol.
A wonderfully light short novella in the style of cosy mysteries surrounding the poisoning at a Christmas party.
My only complaint is that this story could have benefited by being slightly longer to add a bit of "body" to the plot and to string out the reveal of the culprit.

[Emme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story and fast read; however, it ended a bit to quickly for me. I enjoyed the characters and the plot of the mystery. Plus Astoria, Oregon sounds like a cozy little town I would love visiting/living. Definitely will look into the other books in this series.

[Nancy Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short book, you can probably read it within 40 minutes and it's very clear from the start who the culprit is. However, the story is cute, well-written and even though it's the 3rd in the series, I didn't feel lost.

[Kandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun and interesting. Christmas mystery.

[Polly Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short story. Fun, Easy read. Good characters.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice fun book. Good mystery story. Love the characters, especially Viola.

This is an enjoyable read, perfect to curl up on the sofa with and a cup of chocolate.