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Donut Hole Mystery #32
Lavender Grape Dust Murder
When Heather Shepherd finds out that Thaddeus Turlington, elderly movie star, has been murdered at Hillside Manor, she’s alarmed, to say the least.
That alarm deepens when she finds out that his will is being contested by both his heirs – the famous sister and brother Turlington duo. Heather has to get to the bottom of this one, and hurries into the investigation head first and equipped with her keen eye, a box of Lavender Grape Dust Donuts, and the desire to get this one done before the New Year arrives. But the suspects are numerous and all seem to have a reason to have murdered the victim. Heather has her work cut out for her, even though she’s taken a week off from her donut-creating routine.
Heather knows there’s more to this one than meets the eye – she has to solve it before the clock strikes 12, or she’ll ring in the New Year stressed out and with a killer on the loose in her beloved Hillside.
That alarm deepens when she finds out that his will is being contested by both his heirs – the famous sister and brother Turlington duo. Heather has to get to the bottom of this one, and hurries into the investigation head first and equipped with her keen eye, a box of Lavender Grape Dust Donuts, and the desire to get this one done before the New Year arrives. But the suspects are numerous and all seem to have a reason to have murdered the victim. Heather has her work cut out for her, even though she’s taken a week off from her donut-creating routine.
Heather knows there’s more to this one than meets the eye – she has to solve it before the clock strikes 12, or she’ll ring in the New Year stressed out and with a killer on the loose in her beloved Hillside.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2016
43 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 3, 2018
Heather Shepherd, owner of Donut Delights and
consultant to the Hillside police Department has
taken the week after Christmas off from her shop.
But murder doesn't give her a break!!!
Ryan calls for her to come to Hillside Manor. The
death is that of an old time movie star who resides
at the Manor.
His twin daughter and son are contesting his will.
It turns out that while a star on screen, Thaddeus
Turlington, was not a very nicely manner man.
Plenty of suspects to keep Heather busy.
Meanwhile Lilly, Shepherd's daughter and Eva,
Shepherd's elderly friend plan a surprise New Year
Eve party for Heather, Ryan and Amy.
The donut of the week is Heather's creation of the
Lavender Grape Dust Donut.
Dave, the dog and Cupcake, the cat keep Lilly, Amy
and the Shepherds entertained with their antics,
Enjoyable book to read.
I volunteered to read this eBook. Thanks to the
author for this opportunity. My opinion is my own.
consultant to the Hillside police Department has
taken the week after Christmas off from her shop.
But murder doesn't give her a break!!!
Ryan calls for her to come to Hillside Manor. The
death is that of an old time movie star who resides
at the Manor.
His twin daughter and son are contesting his will.
It turns out that while a star on screen, Thaddeus
Turlington, was not a very nicely manner man.
Plenty of suspects to keep Heather busy.
Meanwhile Lilly, Shepherd's daughter and Eva,
Shepherd's elderly friend plan a surprise New Year
Eve party for Heather, Ryan and Amy.
The donut of the week is Heather's creation of the
Lavender Grape Dust Donut.
Dave, the dog and Cupcake, the cat keep Lilly, Amy
and the Shepherds entertained with their antics,
Enjoyable book to read.
I volunteered to read this eBook. Thanks to the
author for this opportunity. My opinion is my own.
January 2, 2017
This is the 32nd novella in Susan Gillard’s Donut Hole Cozy Mystery series and is a quick, easy, fun, and clean read, but is in need of better editing and proofing.
In this installment, Thaddeus Turlington, an elderly movie star and resident of Hillside Manor, has been murdered. Ryan and Heather identify four potential culprits and Heather is determined to solve the case before New year’s Eve.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
In this installment, Thaddeus Turlington, an elderly movie star and resident of Hillside Manor, has been murdered. Ryan and Heather identify four potential culprits and Heather is determined to solve the case before New year’s Eve.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 2, 2017
New Year’s Eve is knocking on the door in Hillside, Texas and Heather Shepherd, owner of Donut Delights, is finally taking a week off leaving her bakery in the ample hands of her assistants. But Heather really can’t stay away from the donut shop and finds herself there anyway chatting with her customers all of whom are sampling Heather’s newest donut creation, Lavender Grape Dust.
It’s at the bakery where she learns that an elderly man was killed at Hillside Manor, the town’s retirement home. But the victim wasn’t just any man it was famous actor Thaddeus Turlington a big movie star from the 50’s and a friend of Elvis Presley. He was 86 years old when he was murdered, suffocated by a pillow, in his room in the middle of the night. The bedroom door was locked from the inside and there weren’t any surveillance cameras. But the bedroom window didn’t close properly so that must have been how the killer got into the room. But who would want to murder an elderly former movie heart throb? As Heather investigates as a consultant for the Hillside Police Department, she learns that there are quite a few people who did not like the man.
Vera Bain is a person who might have murdered him. She’s the aide that cleans the rooms in the actor’s hallway at the retirement home. She also spent the most time with him. But Vera was out sick with the flu the day the murdered happened.
Thaddeus has has two children, twins, Kevin and Janie, who are also famous actors on their own. But no one remembers seeing them in his room during the time when their father was killed. Yet they both had a reason to murder him and it had to do with Thaddeus’ will and which child he left the bulk of his inheritance to.
Herman Schulz, Thaddeus’ lawyer, might also be a suspect. Janie wanted him to help her change her father’s will prior to her father’s death. Was she offering him something in exchange?
Meanwhile no one really liked Thaddeus. He was known as an old codger with the others living at Hillside Manor and his two children didn’t like him much either.
This is a tricky case for Heather to solve but the Hillside community knows that if anyone can find the murderer it will be Heather with the help of her delicious donuts and of course her assistant Amy Givens.
“Lavender Grape Dust Murder” is the 32nd book in author Susan Gillard’s wildly popular donut hole mystery cozy series.
The usual characters are around cheering Heather on including husband, Ryan; her best customer, Eva Schneider; daughter Lilly; dog Dave and cat Cupcake. And what really kind of excites me is a new character Ms. Gillard has introduced. I can’t wait to see what kind of adventures he and Heather get involved with in future installments.
Every book in the donut hole mystery cozy series is an enjoyable read. There’s no violence, sex or anything like that. Just some good wholesome fun. Fans of this long running series will have a blast reading about the death of Thaddeus Turlington and watching how Heather solves the crime. New readers will have a good time with the series too. Give any of these 32 books a try. Guaranteed when you finish one you’ll want to have another just like eating one of Heather’s luscious donuts.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
It’s at the bakery where she learns that an elderly man was killed at Hillside Manor, the town’s retirement home. But the victim wasn’t just any man it was famous actor Thaddeus Turlington a big movie star from the 50’s and a friend of Elvis Presley. He was 86 years old when he was murdered, suffocated by a pillow, in his room in the middle of the night. The bedroom door was locked from the inside and there weren’t any surveillance cameras. But the bedroom window didn’t close properly so that must have been how the killer got into the room. But who would want to murder an elderly former movie heart throb? As Heather investigates as a consultant for the Hillside Police Department, she learns that there are quite a few people who did not like the man.
Vera Bain is a person who might have murdered him. She’s the aide that cleans the rooms in the actor’s hallway at the retirement home. She also spent the most time with him. But Vera was out sick with the flu the day the murdered happened.
Thaddeus has has two children, twins, Kevin and Janie, who are also famous actors on their own. But no one remembers seeing them in his room during the time when their father was killed. Yet they both had a reason to murder him and it had to do with Thaddeus’ will and which child he left the bulk of his inheritance to.
Herman Schulz, Thaddeus’ lawyer, might also be a suspect. Janie wanted him to help her change her father’s will prior to her father’s death. Was she offering him something in exchange?
Meanwhile no one really liked Thaddeus. He was known as an old codger with the others living at Hillside Manor and his two children didn’t like him much either.
This is a tricky case for Heather to solve but the Hillside community knows that if anyone can find the murderer it will be Heather with the help of her delicious donuts and of course her assistant Amy Givens.
“Lavender Grape Dust Murder” is the 32nd book in author Susan Gillard’s wildly popular donut hole mystery cozy series.
The usual characters are around cheering Heather on including husband, Ryan; her best customer, Eva Schneider; daughter Lilly; dog Dave and cat Cupcake. And what really kind of excites me is a new character Ms. Gillard has introduced. I can’t wait to see what kind of adventures he and Heather get involved with in future installments.
Every book in the donut hole mystery cozy series is an enjoyable read. There’s no violence, sex or anything like that. Just some good wholesome fun. Fans of this long running series will have a blast reading about the death of Thaddeus Turlington and watching how Heather solves the crime. New readers will have a good time with the series too. Give any of these 32 books a try. Guaranteed when you finish one you’ll want to have another just like eating one of Heather’s luscious donuts.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
January 2, 2017
It is almost New Year's and Heather Shepherd is taking a week off from work. Not as you would notice, though, as she just can't stay away from her beloved bakery. While sitting around the shop, having coffee and the new Donut of the week with her friend Eva, her husband, Detective Ryan Shepherd, calls and needs Heather's expertise on a case. A big-time actor from the '50's, Thaddeus Turlington, who almost no one knew lived in their town, has died. There are plenty of suspects, from his twin children, both famous actors, Kevin and Janie Turlington, to Vera Bain, the caretaker of the rooms on the hall the deceased lived on, to his lawyer. Actually, almost everyone as Thaddeus didn't get along with anyone. It is very interesting watching Heather do her stuff when she isn't having to run back and forth to her "day" job. Though she does have the best of both worlds!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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January 7, 2017New Year's Eve is around the corner but for someone in Hillside the new year will never come. While relaxing with Eva at the donut shop, a call from Ryan sends Heather directly to Hillside Manor (the local retirement home) and into another murder investigation. This case may be Heather's biggest since the deceased was a famous actor but nothing, except maybe the FBI, will stop her until she fingers the culprit. However, not even being put on the sidelines will keep her away. There's no doubt that Heather will get to the bottom of it all but the way it came about seemed very sloppy and careless to me. I absolutely love the characters in this book including Dave, the dog, and Cupcake, the kitten, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
January 5, 2017
The latest novella in the Donut Hole series finds Heather Shepherd solving another murder in Hillside. As before, she is ably assisted by her Amy, her friend and assistant, and her police detective husband Ryan.
I like the characters in this series, and the author has done a good job of developing her characters. The story lines are interesting and continue to provide a clean, entertaining read. I agree the books could benefit from some closer editing. I also think in trying to show Heather's investigative prowess the author has implied both the FBI and the Hillside PD are guilty of extremely sloppy police in that both missed glaring obvious clues -- which were quickly discovered by Heather. Hopefully this is a passing phase.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I like the characters in this series, and the author has done a good job of developing her characters. The story lines are interesting and continue to provide a clean, entertaining read. I agree the books could benefit from some closer editing. I also think in trying to show Heather's investigative prowess the author has implied both the FBI and the Hillside PD are guilty of extremely sloppy police in that both missed glaring obvious clues -- which were quickly discovered by Heather. Hopefully this is a passing phase.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
January 3, 2017
New Year's Eve is creeping up and Heather is on "vacation" and enjoying some time with Eva at Donut Delights. Ryan calls to tell her another murder has happened in Hillside and the police need her help. The victim is or rather was a famous movie star from the 50's living at Hillside Manor with two movie star children.
While Heather is busy solving the murder Eva and Lilly are busy plotting something for New Year's Eve.
An enjoyable, fun read and leaving me wanting the latest donut creation.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
While Heather is busy solving the murder Eva and Lilly are busy plotting something for New Year's Eve.
An enjoyable, fun read and leaving me wanting the latest donut creation.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 5, 2017
In this story, Heather investigates the murder of an old movie star. He was a mean and love to tease and bully everyone. There were so many people who wanted to hurt him and he had twins who were movie stars but still wanted his money and he had a lot of money. He was definitely a confusing mystery but Heather figures it out in the end. Loved it.
January 1, 2017
Better and better! I love this series. As Heather, Lilly, Ryan and the gang get ready for New Year's eve a old time movie star ends up dead in the local nursing home. Heather is determined to find out who did it while Amy is enamored over him and his famous twin kids. Eva and Lilly are up to some big surprise for New Year's Eve and Heather is trying to figure out that mystery too.
January 4, 2017
I'm once again thrilled by Susan Gillard's passion for her Donut Hole Mystery characters. Heather Shepherd is at the top of my favourite 'Women Sleuths' list. I am very excited to see what is in store next for Heather and her friends/family.
January 5, 2017
Heather Chas Amy Lils and Eva.
I just love this group. Each is unique and funny. Your books keep you enthralled.. I loved this new one. Except the grape donuts I am not a fan of grape. Loved loved the book.
I just love this group. Each is unique and funny. Your books keep you enthralled.. I loved this new one. Except the grape donuts I am not a fan of grape. Loved loved the book.
January 19, 2017
I enjoyed this book more than the last. I'm not a fan of grape but this mystery was awesome. I love how Heather went back to visit her grandmother's best friend and that Eva is becoming more and more like family.
February 22, 2021
It's a quick read book.. However I give it only 3 stars because I kind of fell flat at the end... After all the hype about the movie stars being suspects..the plot kind of was a disappointment..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2017
Lavender Grape Dust Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery - Book 32 by Susan Gillard is a fast book to read.
I gave it three stars. It needs editing for homonyms and incorrect grammar. An example: "Apparently, Thaddeus through a mini-tantrum over it, because he didn't want it fixed."
Thaddeus Turlington was an actor from the 1950's who was murdered when he was eighty-six. Heather Shepherd owns Donut Delights but goes into the store on her day off where she finds out about Thaddeus. She is supposed to help her husband, Ryan who is a police detective, find out who did it.
"An itch niggled at the back of her mind. A thought that wouldn't quite materialize."
I received a complimentary Kindle copy in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Grape...
I gave it three stars. It needs editing for homonyms and incorrect grammar. An example: "Apparently, Thaddeus through a mini-tantrum over it, because he didn't want it fixed."
Thaddeus Turlington was an actor from the 1950's who was murdered when he was eighty-six. Heather Shepherd owns Donut Delights but goes into the store on her day off where she finds out about Thaddeus. She is supposed to help her husband, Ryan who is a police detective, find out who did it.
"An itch niggled at the back of her mind. A thought that wouldn't quite materialize."
I received a complimentary Kindle copy in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Grape...
July 31, 2017
This was a good little book, however, I really wanted it to go further into the family dynamic of the victim's family. The length of the books seem to be a reoccurring issue I have with this series. All the books have a similar problem for me.
The characters are growing nicely. Heather's contributions to the police force is finally being recognized and a permanent position may open up for her. I'm not sure how Heather would be able to balance the new role along with running the store. I feel like me staff would have to be added.
I also feel like the shop was just forgotten because Heather had only added one employee sobe the expansion and with how busy the shop was she needs more.
Overall it was a fun book but it needs a little something more.
The characters are growing nicely. Heather's contributions to the police force is finally being recognized and a permanent position may open up for her. I'm not sure how Heather would be able to balance the new role along with running the store. I feel like me staff would have to be added.
I also feel like the shop was just forgotten because Heather had only added one employee sobe the expansion and with how busy the shop was she needs more.
Overall it was a fun book but it needs a little something more.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews