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Donut Hole Mystery #24
Coffee Treacle Murder
When Heather Shepherd is called to the scene of a murder in Delightful Donuts, her rival's donut store, she’s concerned.
It’s the second time something like this has happened in the presence of Geoff Lawless, after all, and her concern turns to shock when she realizes that the murder weapon is a rock hard fudge ball of Geoff’s own making. There’s just one problem: Geoff Lawless is missing, and he’s not the only suspect in this botched batch of a case. Armed with her inquisitive mind, a few boxes of her Coffee Treacle Donuts, and a little help from her friends, Heather hurries down the trails of donut crumb clues to get to the truth.
Heather has to figure out whodunit and fast before the killer gets away or worse, manages to lob another rock hard fudgy treat at an unsuspecting victim.
It’s the second time something like this has happened in the presence of Geoff Lawless, after all, and her concern turns to shock when she realizes that the murder weapon is a rock hard fudge ball of Geoff’s own making. There’s just one problem: Geoff Lawless is missing, and he’s not the only suspect in this botched batch of a case. Armed with her inquisitive mind, a few boxes of her Coffee Treacle Donuts, and a little help from her friends, Heather hurries down the trails of donut crumb clues to get to the truth.
Heather has to figure out whodunit and fast before the killer gets away or worse, manages to lob another rock hard fudgy treat at an unsuspecting victim.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2016
33 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 4, 2019
Coffee Treacle Murder is the 24th book in the Donut Hole cozy mystery series.
Geoff Lawless is in trouble....again. Heather Shepherd and her bestie Amy are on the case after a man is attacked and seriously injured by a rock hard fudge ball in Geoff's doughnut shop. Geoff's doughnuts are infamously bad....and he is noticeably absent following the attack on Billy Bolde. The girls skillfully juggle responsibilities at Heather's shop, Donut Delights (where the doughnuts are actually awesome and tasty, unlike Geoff's) and sleuthing on the side. Heather actually wants to clear Geoff's name. He is her competition (sort of)and nemesis, but she has grown a bit fond of him and doesn't want to see him charged with a murder he didn't commit.
I have a soft place in my heart for this self-published series. The first book in the Donut Hole Mystery series was the first book I downloaded to my first Kindle. So I'm working my way through all the books, determined to read the entire series. It might take me awhile....there are 60 books in the Donut Hole Mystery series. Don't let that put you off trying the series....the books are short, easy reads. There is also a spin-off series, the Oceanside Cozy Mystery series, which has 58 books. I have a lot of reading to do!
I do like this series. I enjoy the doughnut background theme -- each story works in a new doughnut flavor from Donut Delights and has a pretty, frosted doughnut on the cover. And the characters are fun and quirky. The writing at times is a bit clunky, and there are some editing issues in places. But, for the most part, these are fun-to-read, light cozy mysteries. No sex. No cussing. No spurting blood. Simple plots. Nothing too extreme. I'm willing to overlook some minor editing and writing problems. This was my first ebook, indy cozy series after all.....you never abandon the first! :) I'm here for the duration. I might be reading for a long time! I have 36 books to go in this series....and then another 58 Oceanside books! That's a lot of doughnuts!
I'm not really into sweets since I can't have much sugar in my diet. So I will admit that I had to look up "treacle'' -- Molasses! A coffee/espresso and molasses flavored doughnut sounds really yummy!
All in all, a cute read. The murder weapon forced me to suspend reality just a bit.....but hey....why not. Geoff's doughnuts are really bad....but they make great murder weapons! Maybe he should make fudge bullets?
Both series are available to read for free with Kindle Unlimited. They are also available for purchase, and in paperback format. Give the series a try -- literary doughnuts have no calories! :)
Geoff Lawless is in trouble....again. Heather Shepherd and her bestie Amy are on the case after a man is attacked and seriously injured by a rock hard fudge ball in Geoff's doughnut shop. Geoff's doughnuts are infamously bad....and he is noticeably absent following the attack on Billy Bolde. The girls skillfully juggle responsibilities at Heather's shop, Donut Delights (where the doughnuts are actually awesome and tasty, unlike Geoff's) and sleuthing on the side. Heather actually wants to clear Geoff's name. He is her competition (sort of)and nemesis, but she has grown a bit fond of him and doesn't want to see him charged with a murder he didn't commit.
I have a soft place in my heart for this self-published series. The first book in the Donut Hole Mystery series was the first book I downloaded to my first Kindle. So I'm working my way through all the books, determined to read the entire series. It might take me awhile....there are 60 books in the Donut Hole Mystery series. Don't let that put you off trying the series....the books are short, easy reads. There is also a spin-off series, the Oceanside Cozy Mystery series, which has 58 books. I have a lot of reading to do!
I do like this series. I enjoy the doughnut background theme -- each story works in a new doughnut flavor from Donut Delights and has a pretty, frosted doughnut on the cover. And the characters are fun and quirky. The writing at times is a bit clunky, and there are some editing issues in places. But, for the most part, these are fun-to-read, light cozy mysteries. No sex. No cussing. No spurting blood. Simple plots. Nothing too extreme. I'm willing to overlook some minor editing and writing problems. This was my first ebook, indy cozy series after all.....you never abandon the first! :) I'm here for the duration. I might be reading for a long time! I have 36 books to go in this series....and then another 58 Oceanside books! That's a lot of doughnuts!
I'm not really into sweets since I can't have much sugar in my diet. So I will admit that I had to look up "treacle'' -- Molasses! A coffee/espresso and molasses flavored doughnut sounds really yummy!
All in all, a cute read. The murder weapon forced me to suspend reality just a bit.....but hey....why not. Geoff's doughnuts are really bad....but they make great murder weapons! Maybe he should make fudge bullets?
Both series are available to read for free with Kindle Unlimited. They are also available for purchase, and in paperback format. Give the series a try -- literary doughnuts have no calories! :)
July 6, 2017
Geoff Lawless runs Delightful Donuts. He is
always trying to steal Heather Shepherd's
recipe to win away her business. Now he is a
murder suspect.
Heather Shepherd, owner of Donuts Delights
and certified private investigator may consider
Geoff her nemesis but a murder???
Billy Bolte was injured in Delightful Donuts.
Billy was hit in the head with one of Geoff's
rock hard fudge balls. While a patient in the
hospital, sinister circumstances take Billy's
life. Geoff is missing!!!
This is an investigation for the Shepherds.
Will they be able to find Geoff and clear his
name??
The featured donut in this book is the Coffee
Treacle donut.
This is book # 24 in the Donut Hole Cozy
Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read this book. My opinion is
my own.
always trying to steal Heather Shepherd's
recipe to win away her business. Now he is a
murder suspect.
Heather Shepherd, owner of Donuts Delights
and certified private investigator may consider
Geoff her nemesis but a murder???
Billy Bolte was injured in Delightful Donuts.
Billy was hit in the head with one of Geoff's
rock hard fudge balls. While a patient in the
hospital, sinister circumstances take Billy's
life. Geoff is missing!!!
This is an investigation for the Shepherds.
Will they be able to find Geoff and clear his
name??
The featured donut in this book is the Coffee
Treacle donut.
This is book # 24 in the Donut Hole Cozy
Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read this book. My opinion is
my own.
June 20, 2017
Geoff didn't make an appearance, however, he was the center of this story. Finally, He's being used for a productive reason. I enjoyed them looking into a mystery involving him with out him present. I'm certain that he will be in the center of the next book as well. I feel like Gillard is playing with the idea of having over arching story lines through the novels, and given how quickly they come out, it would be a good idea.
I am having an issue keeping up with the time line, but each book seems to be a week and so some of events seem to happen a little too quickly. Like the little talk they have about Lilly.
I enjoyed this book though, and it was a good continuation to the story.
I am having an issue keeping up with the time line, but each book seems to be a week and so some of events seem to happen a little too quickly. Like the little talk they have about Lilly.
I enjoyed this book though, and it was a good continuation to the story.
November 3, 2018
I just enjoy reading these books because they are not gory or any foul language or detailed sex scenes. They are good books with likable characters and can be read by young readers. I had Nancy Drew when I was a kid and my 11 year old granddaughter could read these if she wants. Looking forward to book #25.
November 7, 2016
Once again murder has come to the Texas community of Hillside and Donut Delights bakery owner, Heather Shepherd, is back on the case helping her husband, Detective Ryan Shepherd and the Hillside Police Department catch the bad guy. Since Heather is also a licensed private investigator who else is better equipped to aid law enforcement?
Heather and her bakery and investigating assistant, Amy Givens are both ready, willing and able to find the culprit.
Heather, Amy, and favorite donut customer, Eva Schneider are bringing some tasty donut treats to the well-deserving nurses at the Hillside Regional Emergency Room when an ambulance rushes in with patient Billy Bolde.
Ryan tells Heather later that day that someone tried to kill Billy by hitting him over the head with a rock hard fudge ball made by Heather’s donut-making competitor, Geoff Lawless. Geoff is now a suspect because he’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t been to his home and his bakery, Delightful Donuts, is dusty and looks like nothing has been baked there in some time which really isn't really a bad thing since Geoff's pastries are far from tasty.
Geoff soon become a murder suspect when the attempted murder charge changes to murder when Billy is killed in the ICU unit in the hospital. Heather doesn’t have a very high regard for Geoff but in her heart of hearts she doubts if he could actually kill anyone; steal Heather’s donut recipes maybe, but not murder. But as Heather investigates she discovers that there are others who just might have hated Billy enough to sneak into the hospital and finish what they started to do and kill the man right then and there.
Anyone could be the murderer; Billy’s wife, Billy’s sister-in-law, and all the people Billy cheated by taking their money advertising that he could teach them how to become private investigators by taking his course. One of these people is Jamie Purdue and another is Geoff Lawless. Jamie and Geoff wanted Billy to give them back their money since the course didn’t teach them anything.
Were Jamie and Geoff so angry at being cheated that they killed Billy or is there someone else who wanted him dead? Heather doesn’t know right away but she will keep digging until she finds all the answers including who killed Billy.
“Coffee Treacle Murder” is the 24th book in Susan Gillard’s cute donut hole mystery series. Every couple of weeks Ms. Gillard writes another murder that happens in Hillside, Texas. Residents of the community might not be happy with a death occurring twice a month but guaranteed the author’s fans are always ready to settle in a read about the newest donut hole murder.
All the regular characters show up to eat Heather’s newest donut and watch how she solves the murders even if some of the characters are a suspect from time to time.
This is a fun series to get involved with. These cozies are cute, short, and well written and Susan Gillard creates some luscious donuts to get her reader’s mouth’s watering.
It’s always fun getting comfortable on a couch and reading about the newest murder and donut from this delightful long-running series.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
Heather and her bakery and investigating assistant, Amy Givens are both ready, willing and able to find the culprit.
Heather, Amy, and favorite donut customer, Eva Schneider are bringing some tasty donut treats to the well-deserving nurses at the Hillside Regional Emergency Room when an ambulance rushes in with patient Billy Bolde.
Ryan tells Heather later that day that someone tried to kill Billy by hitting him over the head with a rock hard fudge ball made by Heather’s donut-making competitor, Geoff Lawless. Geoff is now a suspect because he’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t been to his home and his bakery, Delightful Donuts, is dusty and looks like nothing has been baked there in some time which really isn't really a bad thing since Geoff's pastries are far from tasty.
Geoff soon become a murder suspect when the attempted murder charge changes to murder when Billy is killed in the ICU unit in the hospital. Heather doesn’t have a very high regard for Geoff but in her heart of hearts she doubts if he could actually kill anyone; steal Heather’s donut recipes maybe, but not murder. But as Heather investigates she discovers that there are others who just might have hated Billy enough to sneak into the hospital and finish what they started to do and kill the man right then and there.
Anyone could be the murderer; Billy’s wife, Billy’s sister-in-law, and all the people Billy cheated by taking their money advertising that he could teach them how to become private investigators by taking his course. One of these people is Jamie Purdue and another is Geoff Lawless. Jamie and Geoff wanted Billy to give them back their money since the course didn’t teach them anything.
Were Jamie and Geoff so angry at being cheated that they killed Billy or is there someone else who wanted him dead? Heather doesn’t know right away but she will keep digging until she finds all the answers including who killed Billy.
“Coffee Treacle Murder” is the 24th book in Susan Gillard’s cute donut hole mystery series. Every couple of weeks Ms. Gillard writes another murder that happens in Hillside, Texas. Residents of the community might not be happy with a death occurring twice a month but guaranteed the author’s fans are always ready to settle in a read about the newest donut hole murder.
All the regular characters show up to eat Heather’s newest donut and watch how she solves the murders even if some of the characters are a suspect from time to time.
This is a fun series to get involved with. These cozies are cute, short, and well written and Susan Gillard creates some luscious donuts to get her reader’s mouth’s watering.
It’s always fun getting comfortable on a couch and reading about the newest murder and donut from this delightful long-running series.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
November 8, 2016
This is the 24th installment in this series and is a fun, quick, and easy read with no gratuitous sex, violence, or foul language. The books in this series often express the importance of family, friendship, and community, with interesting mysteries to solve but could use better editing and proofing.
Heather’s nemesis, Geoff Lawless, has been released on bail after being arrested for breaking into the Hillside PD. When Billy Bolde is seriously injured in Delightful Donuts, the shop owned by Geoff, he becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder but he seems to have disappeared. When Billy passes away from foul play while in the hospital, Heather and Ryan begin searching for the murderer and trying to locate Geoff for questioning.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Heather’s nemesis, Geoff Lawless, has been released on bail after being arrested for breaking into the Hillside PD. When Billy Bolde is seriously injured in Delightful Donuts, the shop owned by Geoff, he becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder but he seems to have disappeared. When Billy passes away from foul play while in the hospital, Heather and Ryan begin searching for the murderer and trying to locate Geoff for questioning.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 8, 2016
The small Texas town of Hillside seems to have more than its share of crime -- especially murder. Luckily Heather Shepard (owner of Delightful Donuts), her police detective husband Ryan, and Heather's assistant and BFF are ready to solve another crime. The victim, a private detective with questionable ethics, is found in the donut shop of Heather's rival. As clues are examined and several suspects emerge, it requires all Heather's sleuthing sense to bring the killer to justice.
This is a delightful series. Susan Gillard continues to keep the stories fresh and interesting and to provide more insight into the lives of her characters with each new book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
This is a delightful series. Susan Gillard continues to keep the stories fresh and interesting and to provide more insight into the lives of her characters with each new book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
November 7, 2016
I love this series. Heather, Amy, Lilly and Ryan are great characters and fit well together. After a conman is killed with Heather's donut competitors rock hard fudge balls and Heather is brought in to help solve the murder. The police think Geoff is the killer but Heather thinks he although he is a thief of her donut recipes he isn't the killing type. Can't wait for the next book to find out what happened to Geoff.
November 9, 2016
Heather Shepherd is back to catch the bad guy!!!
Susan Gillard has once again kept me riveted to my seat with her fabulous characters and ability to spin a tale of mystery and intrigue. I have come to know Heather and her friends/family, as if they were my next door neighbours. My mouth waters as she and her fun loving staff wipe up unique flavoured donuts and a marvellous cup of coffee. I look forward to reading the next instalment of the Donut Hole Mystery series.
Susan Gillard has once again kept me riveted to my seat with her fabulous characters and ability to spin a tale of mystery and intrigue. I have come to know Heather and her friends/family, as if they were my next door neighbours. My mouth waters as she and her fun loving staff wipe up unique flavoured donuts and a marvellous cup of coffee. I look forward to reading the next instalment of the Donut Hole Mystery series.
December 6, 2016
Man the editing in this book is horrible. Incomplete sentence and wrong information. First off Ken was married when he firsr joined the donut shop and now he's interested in someone. Oh and now they decide to talk about Amy's boyfriend Ken. Even Lilly had no idea who he was from the writing so what does that tell you. Man this book is HORRIBLE!!!! I mean the series is ok, but this is elementary reading/writing.
November 11, 2016
Heather Shepherd, owner of Donut Delights and also a private investigator who helps her police detective husband solve crimes, is called upon to help solve an attempted murder. Her old foe, Geoff Lawless, can't be found. I enjoyed reading this book and love how the author keeps us in suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 2, 2016
This is the 24 th in the series. Heather and hubby Ryan investigate what appears to be an accident until the man dies in the hospital from a massive dose of air shot into his vein.There seem to be a few people angry with him. He promised to teach them to PI's but never even came close. Took their money and wouldn't give it back. In the end, the killer is a big surprise.
November 10, 2016
Once again Heather is asked to consult on another murder. How does Geoff Lawless fit into this murder?! Heather and Amy do what they do best!!
Love seeing more insight to the characters with each book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Love seeing more insight to the characters with each book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
November 13, 2016
Heather is thick I to the assault by fudge ball..
The police need Heather's help again. So she and Amy are looking into a man assaulted at that other donut shop. Cute read and the story continues. Start at the beginning and you can't stop.
The police need Heather's help again. So she and Amy are looking into a man assaulted at that other donut shop. Cute read and the story continues. Start at the beginning and you can't stop.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews