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Breezy Spoon Diner Cozy Mystery #1
The Dessert Corpse
Come on in to the Breezy Spoon Diner, where murder is the special of the day! When Dani O'Shea returns to her sleepy little hometown of East Spoon Creek City after a tour in Afghanistan and buys The Breezy Spoon Diner, she plans to live peacefully, serving up great food, great conversation and down-home hospitality to the friendly locals.
The Breezy Spoon is a big success, and when hunky and flirtatious fireman Mark Adams offers to rent Dani his downstairs apartment, things are really looking up.... until a dead body with a chocolate pie smashed in his face shows up in the dumpster behind the diner!
Trying to get to the bottom of the mystery isn't easy when dealing with the quirky and eccentric residents of East Spoon Creek City, and it gets even harder when the body keeps disappearing and popping up around town! There's not a moment to lose when dark secrets threaten to come to light, and Dani discovers that one of her customers just might be a serial killer!
The Breezy Spoon is a big success, and when hunky and flirtatious fireman Mark Adams offers to rent Dani his downstairs apartment, things are really looking up.... until a dead body with a chocolate pie smashed in his face shows up in the dumpster behind the diner!
Trying to get to the bottom of the mystery isn't easy when dealing with the quirky and eccentric residents of East Spoon Creek City, and it gets even harder when the body keeps disappearing and popping up around town! There's not a moment to lose when dark secrets threaten to come to light, and Dani discovers that one of her customers just might be a serial killer!
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2018
80 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 20, 2018
Dani O’Shea’s little café – The Breezy Spoon Diner – was a successful business, but when a dead body showed up in the dumpster at the rear of the café, things changed. Mark, Dani’s landlord and new fireman around town, and Dani wanted to work out what was going on in East Spoon Creek City. Both had done tours of duty in Afghanistan and had a lot in common – including their sense of humour. But it seemed they’d need more than that to find answers.
The Dessert Corpse by Tracey Quinn is a quick, easy-to-read cosy mystery but I’m afraid it didn’t do much for me. The first thing I noticed was the abundance of typos; things an editor should have picked up. I felt no affinity toward the characters, with Dani coming across as a ditzy blonde and Mark not much better. I downloaded it to cover a couple of challenges – a disappointing read for me, but at least the challenge criteria is met 😉
The Dessert Corpse by Tracey Quinn is a quick, easy-to-read cosy mystery but I’m afraid it didn’t do much for me. The first thing I noticed was the abundance of typos; things an editor should have picked up. I felt no affinity toward the characters, with Dani coming across as a ditzy blonde and Mark not much better. I downloaded it to cover a couple of challenges – a disappointing read for me, but at least the challenge criteria is met 😉
September 2, 2021
The Dessert Corpse is a funny and quick read. However, readers who are looking for well-rounded characters and a complex mystery may want to look elsewhere.
This book starts quite slowly but quickly ramps up in pace. To be fair, a slow start is somewhat expected in the first book of a cozy mystery as it helps to set up the rest of the series. Quinn also does a good job of establishing East Spoon Creek City as a quirky small town. Boy, does the food at the Breezy Spoon Diner sound good!
By the end of the novel, I felt like I had gone on a wacky ride learning about all the happenings in the town. The mystery itself is quick-moving and there are lots of suspects to consider. This made for a fun and short read, but at the same time, it also made the plot a bit difficult to follow for me.
The characters in this book are wonderfully quirky, but they would all benefit from some more development. The substance of the mystery itself is also quite interesting but again, it would benefit from being fleshed out more.
There is a romance subplot in the book, but it's not graphic. In case this bothers anyone, there are also several typos in the book, but they don't significantly distract from the text.
When I read this book, it was free on Kindle Unlimited. I'd advise readers with a KU subscription to read there if possible, because I wouldn't recommend that readers purchase this book outright.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
This book starts quite slowly but quickly ramps up in pace. To be fair, a slow start is somewhat expected in the first book of a cozy mystery as it helps to set up the rest of the series. Quinn also does a good job of establishing East Spoon Creek City as a quirky small town. Boy, does the food at the Breezy Spoon Diner sound good!
By the end of the novel, I felt like I had gone on a wacky ride learning about all the happenings in the town. The mystery itself is quick-moving and there are lots of suspects to consider. This made for a fun and short read, but at the same time, it also made the plot a bit difficult to follow for me.
The characters in this book are wonderfully quirky, but they would all benefit from some more development. The substance of the mystery itself is also quite interesting but again, it would benefit from being fleshed out more.
There is a romance subplot in the book, but it's not graphic. In case this bothers anyone, there are also several typos in the book, but they don't significantly distract from the text.
When I read this book, it was free on Kindle Unlimited. I'd advise readers with a KU subscription to read there if possible, because I wouldn't recommend that readers purchase this book outright.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
September 8, 2022
I struggled with this book as much as I liked it.
The general writting style is fun and engaging but has so many issues (typos, formatting, missing or unnecessary words, redundancies) it was partially rather painful to read. I liked Dani and Mark despite the lack of depth and development of their relationship. The mystery was well crafted though in my opinion rather difficult to guess (the hints were not obvious to me, though in hindsight all the puzzle pieces were at least mentioned between plenty of unnecessary information, way too many characters and events). I did not detect any grave plot holes or contradictions - and was a very nice change (for an indipendently published cozy-mystery)
With some intensive editing work this could become a good story and I hope for that in the future.
The location is so broadly set I find it very annoing (though I'm aware some people love this additional kind of puzzle):
East Spoon Creek City is 500 miles south of Chicago - which means it's Tennessee, Mississippi or Alabama
The next 'big' city is Pumpkin City and Kettletown is 70 miles away. Since it appears all of those are fictional that's not very helpful to narrow it down to a state.
There seam to be East Spoon Creek City and Pumpkin City in Arkansas and it's not that far off to the west to fit the '500 miles south of Chicago' as well; I really hope we get more details on the location in the next book(s) in series.
Since I have book 2 in series on my Kindle I plan to read it (as soon as I need a book with an orange cover for a challenge again) but it's not very high on my priority list.
The general writting style is fun and engaging but has so many issues (typos, formatting, missing or unnecessary words, redundancies) it was partially rather painful to read. I liked Dani and Mark despite the lack of depth and development of their relationship. The mystery was well crafted though in my opinion rather difficult to guess (the hints were not obvious to me, though in hindsight all the puzzle pieces were at least mentioned between plenty of unnecessary information, way too many characters and events). I did not detect any grave plot holes or contradictions - and was a very nice change (for an indipendently published cozy-mystery)
With some intensive editing work this could become a good story and I hope for that in the future.
The location is so broadly set I find it very annoing (though I'm aware some people love this additional kind of puzzle):
East Spoon Creek City is 500 miles south of Chicago - which means it's Tennessee, Mississippi or Alabama
The next 'big' city is Pumpkin City and Kettletown is 70 miles away. Since it appears all of those are fictional that's not very helpful to narrow it down to a state.
There seam to be East Spoon Creek City and Pumpkin City in Arkansas and it's not that far off to the west to fit the '500 miles south of Chicago' as well; I really hope we get more details on the location in the next book(s) in series.
Since I have book 2 in series on my Kindle I plan to read it (as soon as I need a book with an orange cover for a challenge again) but it's not very high on my priority list.
September 28, 2019
As an avid cozy reader, I wanted to like this book. I even forced my way past to about the halfway point. The character development is awful, the immediate flirting and falling in love didn't work and honestly I didn't care if they found the corpse or not. There is a reason this series is self published.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2021
Dani O'Shea lives in East Spoon Creek City where she owns and operates Breezy Spoon Diner. She meets fireman Mark Adams, who is looking for a renter. Dani eagerly takes him upon his offer and moves into his downstairs. East Spoon Creek City's inhabitants are "unique". Some of the people "march to a different drummer"! There is the town drunk Edna Carswell who frequently needs a fireman's help, Cooter James who drives a used hearse, wacky waitress Charlene, Sheriff Wilkerson's inept nephew--Brian Holmes, who is on a trial period as assistant deputy, Hotters the Hooters knock-off, and the "slightly off" products sold at the Emporium. One day Charlene announces that Jimmy has seen a body in the dumpster wrapped in bubble wrap, with a chocolate pie smashed in his face. When Dani goes to look for him, he has disappeared. She is determined to figure out what's going on. Author Tracey Quinn hit the ground running with this humorous cozy mystery. I enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what happens next in Dani's world.
August 15, 2018
A wonderful humorous read - think The Keystone Cops
What a real find! A wonderful plot that keeps you guessing until the end with characters are are so filled with life they jump off the page. Wonderful humour mixed with romance all wrapped up in on delicious cozy. She has been running the diner since you got out of the military. He is a new man in town. Former military now a fireman. When she is invited to rent his downstairs apartment, she jumps at the chance. Her first night she's awoken by a phone call. There's a dead man in her dumpster. Only to find him gone later. The body keeps appearing and disappearing. Then another one is found! What is the connection? Why can no-one find any trace of two people that went missing several months ago? Can they find the killer that hiding in plain view?
What a real find! A wonderful plot that keeps you guessing until the end with characters are are so filled with life they jump off the page. Wonderful humour mixed with romance all wrapped up in on delicious cozy. She has been running the diner since you got out of the military. He is a new man in town. Former military now a fireman. When she is invited to rent his downstairs apartment, she jumps at the chance. Her first night she's awoken by a phone call. There's a dead man in her dumpster. Only to find him gone later. The body keeps appearing and disappearing. Then another one is found! What is the connection? Why can no-one find any trace of two people that went missing several months ago? Can they find the killer that hiding in plain view?
August 14, 2018
WOW!!!! What a crazy town!!!!
15 stars!!!!
I love this book. I read it so fast.
Dani O'Shea and Mark Adams, are a great couple, I love their humor with each other.
The crazy reporter Millie that has a major hate for Dani is wild, the other characters are great, l pictured my self sitting in the diner watching all the thing going on while eating the incredible meals that they serve. It made me hungry several times.
The things happening around the town and all the people who were suspects and had things to hide.
I can't wait for the next book.
PLEASE HURRY WITH THE NEXT BOOK!!!!
Tracey Quinn is a new author and has a great gift. Check out this book.
15 stars!!!!
I love this book. I read it so fast.
Dani O'Shea and Mark Adams, are a great couple, I love their humor with each other.
The crazy reporter Millie that has a major hate for Dani is wild, the other characters are great, l pictured my self sitting in the diner watching all the thing going on while eating the incredible meals that they serve. It made me hungry several times.
The things happening around the town and all the people who were suspects and had things to hide.
I can't wait for the next book.
PLEASE HURRY WITH THE NEXT BOOK!!!!
Tracey Quinn is a new author and has a great gift. Check out this book.
May 15, 2020
I had a good time reading this due to how crazy the characters were. It seemed like they were always joking around, and there were a LOT of characters. Just like in real life, they'd go off on tangents to explain stuff, and I gotta admit sometimes I got a little confused and wondered where the heck the mystery was and how they were going to solve it. It was just very different from the mysteries I'm used to, but somehow in the end, those odds and ends came together and made a bit more sense. I did love Dani and Mark's sense of humor and banter back and forth, and I didn't guess the killer but I'm pretty sure it might not have been too possible to guess and be really right. ;)
September 7, 2021
Loved it!
This book is hilarious! We have a body that keeps moving around, but is finally found. To say the people in this small town is quirky is an understatement. It will have you laughing . The characters are likeable, it moves at a good speed and I did not guess who was behind it.
The cons is this book needs editing. We have words missing or one or two that shouldn't be there. That said, the the great characters, the conversations between many of the characters and the laughter it brought me more than made up for the editing that is needed, for me anyway. And yes, I do recommend this book!
This book is hilarious! We have a body that keeps moving around, but is finally found. To say the people in this small town is quirky is an understatement. It will have you laughing . The characters are likeable, it moves at a good speed and I did not guess who was behind it.
The cons is this book needs editing. We have words missing or one or two that shouldn't be there. That said, the the great characters, the conversations between many of the characters and the laughter it brought me more than made up for the editing that is needed, for me anyway. And yes, I do recommend this book!
March 11, 2019
Love the totally eccentric characters that Tracey Quinn has created!
I actually read this one second, when I should have read it first to 'set the scene' for the others that follow - doh!
If you like your murders to be non-graphic with a touch of not-too-much-detail Romance - then this series could be for you.
Looking forward to reading more about the exploits of Dani and her 'hunky fireman', Mark. Wonder if they'd end up with 'Malicious Millie' as a Wedding Planner .............................
I actually read this one second, when I should have read it first to 'set the scene' for the others that follow - doh!
If you like your murders to be non-graphic with a touch of not-too-much-detail Romance - then this series could be for you.
Looking forward to reading more about the exploits of Dani and her 'hunky fireman', Mark. Wonder if they'd end up with 'Malicious Millie' as a Wedding Planner .............................
December 26, 2020
Former helicopter pilot Dani bought the diner in her hometown when she separated from the military. Now her nose for sleuthing gets fed by the gossip at her tables.
Lots of characters to introduce here, but the dynamic between Dani and Mike seems off. They often act closer than they have been developed to be, and it’s almost like they used to date and amicably split, onky to seem like they’re on the verge of starting a relationship the next minute. Felt like i missed several character development chapters in the middle of the book somewhere. Nonetheless, I’m trying #2.
Lots of characters to introduce here, but the dynamic between Dani and Mike seems off. They often act closer than they have been developed to be, and it’s almost like they used to date and amicably split, onky to seem like they’re on the verge of starting a relationship the next minute. Felt like i missed several character development chapters in the middle of the book somewhere. Nonetheless, I’m trying #2.
April 12, 2021
Kept me on my toes!
This first book in the Breezy Spoon Diner series kept me reading. It had humor, romance, and a great mystery. I love the lead character Dani I'd he's she is funny and sassy. Her leading man Mark the fireman are made for each other with his sarcasm and wit. The other characters in the book are fun as well. I can't wait to continue reading the rest of this series. If you love culinary mysteries, humor, romance, and assorted characters this is the series for you.
This first book in the Breezy Spoon Diner series kept me reading. It had humor, romance, and a great mystery. I love the lead character Dani I'd he's she is funny and sassy. Her leading man Mark the fireman are made for each other with his sarcasm and wit. The other characters in the book are fun as well. I can't wait to continue reading the rest of this series. If you love culinary mysteries, humor, romance, and assorted characters this is the series for you.
May 22, 2020
A chocolate pie in the face
Three stooges with gomer plyes - and Don Knots as the deputy. What couldn't go wrong went wrong. Where's the dead body? Then there's Millie who is a modern version of Nellie from Little House on the Prairie. The main characters Dani & her brother Bob and the hottie fireman Mark. Their loveable bantering is witty & enjoyable. Some typos but I still enjoyed it and moving on to book 2.
Three stooges with gomer plyes - and Don Knots as the deputy. What couldn't go wrong went wrong. Where's the dead body? Then there's Millie who is a modern version of Nellie from Little House on the Prairie. The main characters Dani & her brother Bob and the hottie fireman Mark. Their loveable bantering is witty & enjoyable. Some typos but I still enjoyed it and moving on to book 2.
April 14, 2025
Another small town cozy
Daniel owns a diner in a small town. The chief activity in said town seems to be gossip. She finds a new apartment in the home of a hunky firefighter. Then there is the dead body in her dumpster who starts playing musical dumpsters throughout the business district. And Dani and firefighter start flirting way too fast. It wasn't bad. All of the relationships just seemed superficial and off.
Daniel owns a diner in a small town. The chief activity in said town seems to be gossip. She finds a new apartment in the home of a hunky firefighter. Then there is the dead body in her dumpster who starts playing musical dumpsters throughout the business district. And Dani and firefighter start flirting way too fast. It wasn't bad. All of the relationships just seemed superficial and off.
January 6, 2019
Interesting but a little off the mark
This was a fun little read but it was more a character study than a cost mystery. I enjoyed the read but if are looking a strong mystery with fun bits about food try something else. If you want goofy but fun characters, descriptions of food you want to eat and a light murder mystery with overtones of keystone cops, read this for sure
This was a fun little read but it was more a character study than a cost mystery. I enjoyed the read but if are looking a strong mystery with fun bits about food try something else. If you want goofy but fun characters, descriptions of food you want to eat and a light murder mystery with overtones of keystone cops, read this for sure
February 2, 2019
Full of hilarious gossip and good for lots of giggles!
I so enjoyed this cozy! It has plenty of twists and turns made crazier by some seriously folks short of a number of marbles!! Bodies switching dumpsters and sometimes completely disappearing - people doing really dumb things and, for a while a “Barney Fife type” cop making things worse! Do read it.
I so enjoyed this cozy! It has plenty of twists and turns made crazier by some seriously folks short of a number of marbles!! Bodies switching dumpsters and sometimes completely disappearing - people doing really dumb things and, for a while a “Barney Fife type” cop making things worse! Do read it.
July 1, 2024
New author to me but thoroughly enjoyed
I loved this book!!!! The cast of characters was great. I love the interaction between Dani and firefighter Matt (her new landlord) and brother Bob. Millie is just crazy and why she hasn't been fired or sued is beyond me. Maybe she will be the next one killed. Anyway this is a clean read and very entertaining. Already got next in series.
I loved this book!!!! The cast of characters was great. I love the interaction between Dani and firefighter Matt (her new landlord) and brother Bob. Millie is just crazy and why she hasn't been fired or sued is beyond me. Maybe she will be the next one killed. Anyway this is a clean read and very entertaining. Already got next in series.
August 12, 2018
Loved It!!!
Couldn’t stop laughing!!! The dialogue between the characters was so believable. Charlene and Jimmy were hysterical as the comic relief. Dani and Mark make a cute couple. I hope the next book comes out soon.
Couldn’t stop laughing!!! The dialogue between the characters was so believable. Charlene and Jimmy were hysterical as the comic relief. Dani and Mark make a cute couple. I hope the next book comes out soon.
March 18, 2020
Funniest mystery
I laughed out loud at the bantering between Mark and his tenant. Love the way Tracey writes. A must read, especially if you want a good laugh, plus a twist in the plot.
I laughed out loud at the bantering between Mark and his tenant. Love the way Tracey writes. A must read, especially if you want a good laugh, plus a twist in the plot.
July 27, 2020
Really funny mystery!
The repartee is great, and really clever, if you can get past how terminally stupid most of the townsfolk are! Not bad for a light, quick read. I think I’ll try another one in the series, then see if I want to continue. Maybe the neighbors will smarten up.
The repartee is great, and really clever, if you can get past how terminally stupid most of the townsfolk are! Not bad for a light, quick read. I think I’ll try another one in the series, then see if I want to continue. Maybe the neighbors will smarten up.
January 21, 2021
Very Humorous
This story was very very funny and I enjoyed the story so very much that I kept rereading some of the storylines. Dani and Mark were very good together. Although there was a few parts that were slow and boring, I still enjoyed this book a great deal. Thank You😁😁
This story was very very funny and I enjoyed the story so very much that I kept rereading some of the storylines. Dani and Mark were very good together. Although there was a few parts that were slow and boring, I still enjoyed this book a great deal. Thank You😁😁
October 3, 2021
Great start to a new cozy mystery series about life in a small town with all the quirks and gossips that make things seem much different than they really are. Look forward to the next book in this series.
August 14, 2023
Funny
What can I say it was a great read, you never knew what was going to happen next and the cast of characters was fun and hilarious, which is different from any mystery I have read. It is a great who done it and funny.
What can I say it was a great read, you never knew what was going to happen next and the cast of characters was fun and hilarious, which is different from any mystery I have read. It is a great who done it and funny.
March 26, 2025
Dessert
I totally thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was good and the characters were developed and interesting and the humor was fantastic. The only thing I would change were the unnecessary swear words.
I totally thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was good and the characters were developed and interesting and the humor was fantastic. The only thing I would change were the unnecessary swear words.
August 25, 2018
This was non-stop laughing and fun with a side of murder. Dani and Mark are so funny and good together. The characters were fun to get to know and great to get to know. I hope there is more to come soon.
September 17, 2018
Fast paced and witty. Loved it!
The clever dialogue and crazy plot, along with the strong characters, made this a fantastic read! I couldn't stop laughing or reading. More please!
The clever dialogue and crazy plot, along with the strong characters, made this a fantastic read! I couldn't stop laughing or reading. More please!
February 10, 2019
Whirlwind mystery
This is a great start to a series. The humor is great and the mystery is comical at first with a conclusion that'll set your head spinning!
This is a great start to a series. The humor is great and the mystery is comical at first with a conclusion that'll set your head spinning!
January 25, 2020
Fun read
I enjoyed this bpok. The author ke p t me wanting to read. Her characters were believable. I will look for others in this series
I enjoyed this bpok. The author ke p t me wanting to read. Her characters were believable. I will look for others in this series
May 17, 2020
cute cozy mystery with a happy ever after ending.
June 22, 2020
Funniest cozy mystery ever
I was looking for a new series. Can’t wait to read the next adventure with Dani and Mark. Very entertaining!
I was looking for a new series. Can’t wait to read the next adventure with Dani and Mark. Very entertaining!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews