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Murder on the Equator #5
Chocolate Cherry Cheater
Jessica James is on top of the world.
Her doughnut shop is a success, she’s happy in her new home, she’s surrounded by good friends, and Jake — the man who sets Jessica’s heart aflutter — offers to be her personal tour guide for the day. Things are looking up!
Until Jake’s ex shows up.
When the old flame’s body is found in the back of his Jeep, the residents of Baños are eager to point their fingers at Jake … and anyone who dares to help him.
Now, Jessica will risk losing her friends, her livelihood, and her beloved new home to catch another murderer, save The Sugar Shack, and discover the truth behind the rumors tearing her peaceful town in two before her worst enemy, General Bolivar, kicks her out of the country for good.
The stakes are high in this fun-filled adventure. Will Jessica do like a doughnut and rise to the occasion? Or will her amateur sleuthing efforts fall flat?
Chocolate Cherry Cheater is the fifth novel in Jennifer Joy’s Murder on the Equator cozy mystery series set in the charming, touristy town of Baños, Ecuador — where majestic waterfalls carve through the Andes Mountains and the balmy jungle breezes carry your worries away to the tune of salsa music.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2018
12 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Joy
46 books209 followersWhen Jennifer isn’t busy dreaming up new adventures for her favorite characters, she is reading, baking, or chasing her twins around the park.
She believes in happy endings, sweet romance, and plenty of intrigue. She writes what she most enjoys reading, so expect lighthearted stories with happy endings and a few laughs.
Born on the beautiful Oregon coast, she traveled all around the world until she finally settled in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador with her husband and two kids.
She believes in happy endings, sweet romance, and plenty of intrigue. She writes what she most enjoys reading, so expect lighthearted stories with happy endings and a few laughs.
Born on the beautiful Oregon coast, she traveled all around the world until she finally settled in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 3, 2019
This is part of a series as you can see and I would advise that you read the first four before this one as the core of characters continue to evolve over the books. Also Jessica settles in and discovers a place in a new culture and with a language not her primary one.
In this book Jess is challenged by a female Detective Sanchez to stay out of her way and to keep her nose out of the new murder investigation. The person murdered has a history with Jessica's new family. Indeed the victim seriously dated Jake while in school and afterwards. Now we learn that she had convinced the town that she broke up with him after he was found to be cheating on her. So naturally when it is his Jeep in which the body is found suspicion immediately points at him.
Abuelita and Tia Rosa as well as the rest of their family and several of Jessica's employees play a part in Jessica's attempts to solve this crime. There are moments of humor as Abuelita doesn't do anything small. Each book treats us to a new recipe. Unfortunately for me they are "diet wreckers" so I must pass on that favor.
I have wanted more romance and kept waiting for something in that area to be written. We are almost there as this book ends...so I look forward to the next book and, just maybe, a first date.
We do read some about Jessica's family back in the states and it was particularly interesting to read how Jessica considers herself as between "brains" and "beauty" as to her two sisters. Considering how she is able to use her powers of deduction in solving these cases I think the lady underrates her brain's powers and certain descriptions lead me to think she doesn't slack in looks, either.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others who enjoy mystery and a bit of romance mixed together.
In this book Jess is challenged by a female Detective Sanchez to stay out of her way and to keep her nose out of the new murder investigation. The person murdered has a history with Jessica's new family. Indeed the victim seriously dated Jake while in school and afterwards. Now we learn that she had convinced the town that she broke up with him after he was found to be cheating on her. So naturally when it is his Jeep in which the body is found suspicion immediately points at him.
Abuelita and Tia Rosa as well as the rest of their family and several of Jessica's employees play a part in Jessica's attempts to solve this crime. There are moments of humor as Abuelita doesn't do anything small. Each book treats us to a new recipe. Unfortunately for me they are "diet wreckers" so I must pass on that favor.
I have wanted more romance and kept waiting for something in that area to be written. We are almost there as this book ends...so I look forward to the next book and, just maybe, a first date.
We do read some about Jessica's family back in the states and it was particularly interesting to read how Jessica considers herself as between "brains" and "beauty" as to her two sisters. Considering how she is able to use her powers of deduction in solving these cases I think the lady underrates her brain's powers and certain descriptions lead me to think she doesn't slack in looks, either.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others who enjoy mystery and a bit of romance mixed together.
August 16, 2020
3.5+ stars
Jessica's doughnut shop is a roaring success and is keeping Abuelita and Tia Rosa busy so Jess can finally go on one of Jake's adventure tours. Jessica, Adi and the old ladies join Jake for a hike at Lake Quilotoa. Unfortunately Jake runs into his ex-girlfriend, Christina Cabrera, a news reporter. It's obvious Abuelita and Tia Rosa do not like Christina but does their hatred extend to murder? While Jake is buying water for the gang, Abuelita and Tia are corralling donkeys and Jess is chasing Lady back up the mountain, someone murders Christina. Jessica and the Jiminez family know Jake would never hurt anyone but the townspeople are against him thanks to the machinations of Christina's mother. While Washo feels in his gut Jake didn't do it, General Bolivar intervenes and sends Washo away and threatens to send Gus to the jungle. General Bolivar sends Inspector Sanchez, a woman who means business. She isn't friendly or nice by any means and she seems to believe Jake is guilty. It's up to Jessica to help her friends and clear Jake's name. Then finally, her beloved adopted hometown can be whole again. However, she has to be sneaky because General Bolivar threatens to deport Jessica forever. How can she leave now just when she's established herself?
As always I adore the local color. I learned a lot about the geography of Ecuador and could picture the lake and volcano in my mind. The plot is fun but a little slow. I figured out whodunit way before Jessica did. Once I figured out the motive, the whodunit was easy. I think accusing Jake is silly. Would he really have time to go all the way up to the top, murder Christina, put her under the tarp on his car and run back down, buy water and run back to Jessica? Wouldn't it be a good idea to interview people in line? Did any of them pay by credit card so they can be traced or does the snack stand only take cash?
Jessica has really come into her own. She's no longer the timid, bookish girl she was when she arrived. She'd bold, fearless and unafraid to help her friends. It's sweet how Jessica helps the candy seller Domenica without injuring the girl's pride. Jessica is a great business owner and one of the few cozy mystery heroines who actually works at her own shop in addition to running around solving murders. I also like how she finally figures it out before she stumbles across the truth. Her relationship with Jake seems stuck in friend zone but finally, I think he's showing his true feelings. I liked getting to know Jake better. He's a sweet, sensitive, honorable dork. He's too honest to lie and there's no way he'd commit murder. I like seeing the dorky side of Jake and I agree with Jessica's assessment of Captain Wentworth Persuasion. I'd swoon of Jake too since he's bookish like Jessica. Men who can QUOTE Austen from the BOOKS are rare! (hi Kirk!)
Abuelita and Tia Rosa stop bickering long enough to unite around Jake. Adi, who always fights with her twin, is gutted at the idea of her other half going to jail for a crime she knows he didn't commit. It's not fair this is happening just when her business is about to take off. She's as stubborn as Abuelita and as fiery too. I feared she may impede the investigation and end up in jail for crossing Inspector Sanchez! I really want to know more about Abuelita and Tia Rosa's past. They drop a big hint! These two are so crazy but I adore them. Their methods of trying to help Jake are hysterical but all kinds of wrong. They make me miss my grandmother and great-aunt even more.
Christina, a news reporter for a local station in Ambato, was ambitious. She was willing to step on anyone to get to the top. She used people and dropped them when they were no longer useful. What she did to Jake was just horrible and he's too kind to defend himself. Christina deserved to fail but not be murdered. Who would cut down a young woman in the prime of her life? I can see how she got to be the way she was after meeting her mother. Her mother believed Christina was a little angel who could do no wrong. I gather Christina was spoiled and given everything she wanted. She never learned any life lessons. I believe her mother is responsible, indirectly, for Christina's death. If Christina had been a kinder, more likable woman, she may not have been killed.
Inspector Jenny Sanchez dresses to kill and means business. She is not anyone's friend and Washo even calls her a jerk. He also says she's the best detective he knows. Is Inspector Sanchez really ahead of Jessica or is she using Jessica to do her job? That's very unfair but given the proximity to the border of Columbia, perhaps she has other, higher priority cases she needs solved. Washo is turning out to be a true friend. His desire to find the truth causes a rift with Sylvia just when things are going well. Sylvia doesn't trust easily after the betrayal of her ex. He sounds like a douchebag. We finally understand why Abuelita no like him and why even the twins side with their mom and like her with Washo. Sylvia's story is very sad. I hope she and Washo can work things out. She deserves happiness. I like how tough she is though and how she mediates when her mother goes crazy. She doesn't NEED a man but she loves Washo and he's a great guy who makes her happy.
So who killed Christina? Could it be her best friend, a makeup artist at AmbatoVision? Carolina Castro seems nice. She's a little too nice to be believable if she really was best friends with Christina. Plus she lets Tia Rosa use her makeup?! WHAT?! Tia Rosa is um very colorful! What about Hugo Tusa, Christina's cameraman? He comes across as kind of creepy and he's avoiding Jessica's questioning. I think he knows more than he's telling. Abuelita's gut says it Daniel de la Calle, a fellow reporter, the man on the streets. Daniel is a sleazier, male version of Christina. He is handsome but his personality doesn't match his looks. I think Abuelita's gut could be right this time! I don't trust him at all.
One other character introduced is Tia Rosa's favorite reporter, Maria Escobar from SierraVision in Ambato. She seems nice and is gracious and kind to the old ladies. Perhaps she's heard some insider secrets that will lead Jessica to figure out who killed Christina? There's also a top news reporter named Barbara, whom Jessica refers to as the Latina Barbara Walters. That kind of made me cringe a bit but I think the comparison is because of her age, her elegance and her job.
The English spelling of Cristina drove me crazy as did all the people who automatically speak in English without knowing who Jessica is. At least Jessica's Spanish is improving. The author really needs a better editor. Quite often she uses the wrong spelling of words. "Bonsai" is a miniature tree, the Japanese war cry was "banzai", two completely opposite things. It's rude and disrespectful when people continually get that wrong.
The other thing I didn't like about this book is that the recipe is for chocolate cake and not Jessica's chocolate cherry doughnut!
Jessica's doughnut shop is a roaring success and is keeping Abuelita and Tia Rosa busy so Jess can finally go on one of Jake's adventure tours. Jessica, Adi and the old ladies join Jake for a hike at Lake Quilotoa. Unfortunately Jake runs into his ex-girlfriend, Christina Cabrera, a news reporter. It's obvious Abuelita and Tia Rosa do not like Christina but does their hatred extend to murder? While Jake is buying water for the gang, Abuelita and Tia are corralling donkeys and Jess is chasing Lady back up the mountain, someone murders Christina. Jessica and the Jiminez family know Jake would never hurt anyone but the townspeople are against him thanks to the machinations of Christina's mother. While Washo feels in his gut Jake didn't do it, General Bolivar intervenes and sends Washo away and threatens to send Gus to the jungle. General Bolivar sends Inspector Sanchez, a woman who means business. She isn't friendly or nice by any means and she seems to believe Jake is guilty. It's up to Jessica to help her friends and clear Jake's name. Then finally, her beloved adopted hometown can be whole again. However, she has to be sneaky because General Bolivar threatens to deport Jessica forever. How can she leave now just when she's established herself?
As always I adore the local color. I learned a lot about the geography of Ecuador and could picture the lake and volcano in my mind. The plot is fun but a little slow. I figured out whodunit way before Jessica did. Once I figured out the motive, the whodunit was easy. I think accusing Jake is silly. Would he really have time to go all the way up to the top, murder Christina, put her under the tarp on his car and run back down, buy water and run back to Jessica? Wouldn't it be a good idea to interview people in line? Did any of them pay by credit card so they can be traced or does the snack stand only take cash?
Jessica has really come into her own. She's no longer the timid, bookish girl she was when she arrived. She'd bold, fearless and unafraid to help her friends. It's sweet how Jessica helps the candy seller Domenica without injuring the girl's pride. Jessica is a great business owner and one of the few cozy mystery heroines who actually works at her own shop in addition to running around solving murders. I also like how she finally figures it out before she stumbles across the truth. Her relationship with Jake seems stuck in friend zone but finally, I think he's showing his true feelings. I liked getting to know Jake better. He's a sweet, sensitive, honorable dork. He's too honest to lie and there's no way he'd commit murder. I like seeing the dorky side of Jake and I agree with Jessica's assessment of Captain Wentworth Persuasion. I'd swoon of Jake too since he's bookish like Jessica. Men who can QUOTE Austen from the BOOKS are rare! (hi Kirk!)
Abuelita and Tia Rosa stop bickering long enough to unite around Jake. Adi, who always fights with her twin, is gutted at the idea of her other half going to jail for a crime she knows he didn't commit. It's not fair this is happening just when her business is about to take off. She's as stubborn as Abuelita and as fiery too. I feared she may impede the investigation and end up in jail for crossing Inspector Sanchez! I really want to know more about Abuelita and Tia Rosa's past. They drop a big hint! These two are so crazy but I adore them. Their methods of trying to help Jake are hysterical but all kinds of wrong. They make me miss my grandmother and great-aunt even more.
Christina, a news reporter for a local station in Ambato, was ambitious. She was willing to step on anyone to get to the top. She used people and dropped them when they were no longer useful. What she did to Jake was just horrible and he's too kind to defend himself. Christina deserved to fail but not be murdered. Who would cut down a young woman in the prime of her life? I can see how she got to be the way she was after meeting her mother. Her mother believed Christina was a little angel who could do no wrong. I gather Christina was spoiled and given everything she wanted. She never learned any life lessons. I believe her mother is responsible, indirectly, for Christina's death. If Christina had been a kinder, more likable woman, she may not have been killed.
Inspector Jenny Sanchez dresses to kill and means business. She is not anyone's friend and Washo even calls her a jerk. He also says she's the best detective he knows. Is Inspector Sanchez really ahead of Jessica or is she using Jessica to do her job? That's very unfair but given the proximity to the border of Columbia, perhaps she has other, higher priority cases she needs solved. Washo is turning out to be a true friend. His desire to find the truth causes a rift with Sylvia just when things are going well. Sylvia doesn't trust easily after the betrayal of her ex. He sounds like a douchebag. We finally understand why Abuelita no like him and why even the twins side with their mom and like her with Washo. Sylvia's story is very sad. I hope she and Washo can work things out. She deserves happiness. I like how tough she is though and how she mediates when her mother goes crazy. She doesn't NEED a man but she loves Washo and he's a great guy who makes her happy.
So who killed Christina? Could it be her best friend, a makeup artist at AmbatoVision? Carolina Castro seems nice. She's a little too nice to be believable if she really was best friends with Christina. Plus she lets Tia Rosa use her makeup?! WHAT?! Tia Rosa is um very colorful! What about Hugo Tusa, Christina's cameraman? He comes across as kind of creepy and he's avoiding Jessica's questioning. I think he knows more than he's telling. Abuelita's gut says it Daniel de la Calle, a fellow reporter, the man on the streets. Daniel is a sleazier, male version of Christina. He is handsome but his personality doesn't match his looks. I think Abuelita's gut could be right this time! I don't trust him at all.
One other character introduced is Tia Rosa's favorite reporter, Maria Escobar from SierraVision in Ambato. She seems nice and is gracious and kind to the old ladies. Perhaps she's heard some insider secrets that will lead Jessica to figure out who killed Christina? There's also a top news reporter named Barbara, whom Jessica refers to as the Latina Barbara Walters. That kind of made me cringe a bit but I think the comparison is because of her age, her elegance and her job.
The English spelling of Cristina drove me crazy as did all the people who automatically speak in English without knowing who Jessica is. At least Jessica's Spanish is improving. The author really needs a better editor. Quite often she uses the wrong spelling of words. "Bonsai" is a miniature tree, the Japanese war cry was "banzai", two completely opposite things. It's rude and disrespectful when people continually get that wrong.
The other thing I didn't like about this book is that the recipe is for chocolate cake and not Jessica's chocolate cherry doughnut!
December 17, 2018
Life for Jessica couldn't be better. Her 'Sugar Shack' business is thriving, she is settling in to life in Ecuador and Jake is taking her to Lake Quiloto up in the mountains for the day...along with Lady, Tia Rosa and Abuelita. What could possibly go wrong?
"Yes, really, I'm sandwiched between Beauty and Brains." quote from the book
Jake's ex-girlfriend, Christina Cabrera, news reporter is there, along with all the media outlets to promote tourism in Ecuador. Christina's presence raises everyone's hackles and soon harsh words are spoken all around. Curiosity killed the cat or is it the goat, as Jessica would love to know what happened between Jake and Christina. However, the rest of afternoon went off without too many other hitches(think runaway donkeys), but the day does not end well at all.
So hang on to your hat, you are in for a bumpy ride as Jessica tries to prove Jake did not commit murder and catch a killer who did, all the while keeping her business running and reining in Abuelita and Tia Rosa from interfering...too much. This is a fast-paced adventure that had me devouring this book in more ways than one!
I highly recommend this entertaining, funny and creative series. I strongly suggest you read the series in order to truly appreciate the growth of each of these unique characters. You'll be wanting to visit Ecuador after reading them! I know I want to!
I received an ARC of this book for a fair and honest review.
December 13, 2018
The day out that ends in murder
Awesome. Great fast paced, zany adventure set in a small town but with news networks connections. Loved the quirky characters from our introvert, shy heroine to the wonderful over the top elderly sisters. Great to see them in another adventure that spans small town life and the news networks - all set in Ecuador.
When a day out with Jane and the two elderly sisters have them meeting an old girlfriend of his who subsequently ends up dead (in the back of his jeep - no less!). He is hounded by the dead woman's mother, her supporters and the news networks as being a cold blooded killer. After all the dead woman was a top reporter for one of the leading networks. Now she and the sisters set out to prove his innocence whilst trying to stay out of trouble with the new investigator sent by the General. Can they piece together what happened? How much trouble will the sisters cause? Will the General send her back to the US as he has been threatening too? Great read.
Awesome. Great fast paced, zany adventure set in a small town but with news networks connections. Loved the quirky characters from our introvert, shy heroine to the wonderful over the top elderly sisters. Great to see them in another adventure that spans small town life and the news networks - all set in Ecuador.
When a day out with Jane and the two elderly sisters have them meeting an old girlfriend of his who subsequently ends up dead (in the back of his jeep - no less!). He is hounded by the dead woman's mother, her supporters and the news networks as being a cold blooded killer. After all the dead woman was a top reporter for one of the leading networks. Now she and the sisters set out to prove his innocence whilst trying to stay out of trouble with the new investigator sent by the General. Can they piece together what happened? How much trouble will the sisters cause? Will the General send her back to the US as he has been threatening too? Great read.
June 6, 2019
This is a series, but jump in anywhere and then go back to the beginning for more fun. I loved this story. Once again, Jess is minding her own business when a dead body shows up. Because her friend Jake is implicated, she tries to identify the killer while navigating hateful detectives and the antics of her wacky elderly friends. Good mystery and great entertainment! Double 5 stars!
February 7, 2026
always a fun time
Even when investigating murders there’s fun and laughter around Jessica and her co-conspirators. Abuelita and Tia Rosa are up to more antics and the reader has a chance to read about some more of Ecuadors beauty at the caldera. Thus series is fun and well thought out with great characters
Even when investigating murders there’s fun and laughter around Jessica and her co-conspirators. Abuelita and Tia Rosa are up to more antics and the reader has a chance to read about some more of Ecuadors beauty at the caldera. Thus series is fun and well thought out with great characters
May 31, 2019
I like the characters
I enjoyed the stories and the characters in them and I want to hear more about them so I'm looking forward to the next one
I enjoyed the stories and the characters in them and I want to hear more about them so I'm looking forward to the next one
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews