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Frosted Love Cozy Mystery #1

A Murder Moist Foul

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Everyone knows about the rivalry between local celebrity baker Missy Gladstone and the jealous and often zealous donut man Darryl Davis from across town, but no one ever thought it would come to murder.

As the town gets stirred up over what looks to be their very own version of a murder mystery tv show they can’t believe what’s happening in their little town. If it wasn’t enough that they think Ben’s a suspect, now someone has been lurking around her home after dark. Could she be next?

Follow Missy and Detective Beckett as they try to figure out who real the killer is.

154 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2015

622 people are currently reading
920 people want to read

About the author

Carol Durand

19 books54 followers

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5 stars
407 (36%)
4 stars
309 (27%)
3 stars
268 (24%)
2 stars
91 (8%)
1 star
33 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
Profile Image for Teresa Kander.
Author 1 book186 followers
April 15, 2015
For the most part, this was an entertaining, amusing story. However, I was disappointed with the wrap up of the murder mystery. The killer turned out to be someone I didn't even remember ever being mentioned until the reveal.

**I was given a copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Profile Image for Dawn.
570 reviews12 followers
Read
August 11, 2018
Missy finds herself involved in a local murder investigation when her crosstown rival is found dead. She is the obvious suspect due to their well-known rivalry. When Detective Beckett digs deeper he decides that Missy’s assistant Ben is also viable suspect. Missy investigates on her own before she and Ben end up in jail.

This book is a new edition of the first book in the Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries. The rewrite of this book is great. I remember enjoying this book the first time I read it, but finding it light on details. The rewrite is well done, maintaining the storyline while better developing the characters and the setting. It is fun to go back and begin this series over as I have been reading about these characters for a few years. I recommend reading the rewritten series over the original. They are noticeably better.

294 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2020
THIS BOOK ☝IS A WONDERFUL AMAZING EXPERIENCE!

AS I READ THIS BOOK ☝,IT SWEPT ME AWAY.! 😍I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING READING 📚MANY BOOKS OVER THE PAST WEEK.A FEW WERE NOT WORTH MY TIME!😍THIS STORYLINE KEPT MY ATTENTION!😍THE CHARACTERS ARE WRITTEN SO WELL!😍 I HAVE PREFERRED BOOKS 📚BY REBECCA SCARBERRY, NOW YOUR BOOKS ARE A FAVORITE OF MINE TOO!😍 I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND AUTHOR!BUY THIS BOOK! NOW! 😀😊🙂☺

Profile Image for April.
68 reviews9 followers
October 27, 2017
This was pretty good. I didn't enjoy the detective in this book but maybe he will grow on me. I did like that it's different than other cozy mysteries. I will read book 2.
Profile Image for Wendy.
830 reviews11 followers
September 27, 2015
1st in the Frosted Love Cozy Mystery Series - last one I'll read in the series. A for effort but the plot and the characters are not developed properly, in my humble opinion.
The main character Missy owns a small cupcake bakery in a small town, with one assistant, Ben, who does not start his shift until later in the morning. But for most of the book, Missy is out and around trying to solve the murder mystery. Who's baking the cupcakes and taking care of the bakery? There's also the day when she burned a batch of cupcakes because of a fright and decided not to open the bakery at all. What about the rest of the cupcakes already made? How can she afford this? These might be minor points to other readers but it speaks to the believability of the story.
The characters are drawn like caricatures. For example, 1) the beautiful, blonde, lonely Southern Belle 2) the handsome, brooding (also lonely) detective 3) the Italian with mob links whose breath smelled of garlic
The plot is convoluted. There's the poisoned Donut Man then later a poisoned cat (why the cat? - no idea!). Stalker for Missy who broke into her home. Spoiler alert: the killer turned out to be someone never mentioned before in the book.
All in all, I'm disappointed. The premise is good, this book could've been better.
Profile Image for Kristine .
1,804 reviews12 followers
May 16, 2016
This is the first book in the Frosted Love series and I really enjoyed it. I thought for a first in series is was pretty well done. The cozy genre is populated with lead characters in their 20's - 30's or at retirement age, so I really liked the idea the main character, Missy is in her 40's. I was quickly drawn into the story and didn't want ot put it down. This is perfect for those times you want to read something light and quick. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for QNPoohBear.
3,593 reviews1,567 followers
July 8, 2020
The GoodReads description has nothing to do with the book I read.

Baker Melissa Gladstone loves baking fresh batches of cupcakes each day in her shop, Frosted Love. It's been a real labor of love. When Detective Beckett of the LaChance police department shows up at her shop, he's not looking for doughnuts but he IS looking for someone who killed the local doughnut shop owner, Darryl "The Donut Man" Davis. Detective Beckett isn't sure about Missy. She seems nice and innocent. Surely the murderer was her loyal assistant Ben? Missy isn't about to let the police pin the murder on her OR Ben. When mysterious events start happening near her home, Missy is terrified. If the police won't take her seriously, she'll just have to figure out who the real murderer is herself.

I liked this story well enough. I had a few problems with it though. The mystery was pretty good. I figured out who the murderer must be but who that person was or what motive they had eluded me until the final reveal. The plot was a little bit dark when all was revealed. The third person narration allows for head-jumping between characters. That was a little random and unnecessary. There's also a romance inserted into the middle randomly and it doesn't fit. In spite of the author spiffing this book up, I noticed at least one grammatical error and doughnut is not spelled donut except in the logo for Dunkin' and other doughnut shops.

Missy is super naïve. She gets by on her southern charm and friendliness but has no idea how the real world works in spite of past tragedies in her life. She charms and challenges Detective Beckett. I did not like how immature she got when he told her not to investigate. The police had the investigation in hand and if she had been honest with them at the end, things would have turned out differently. Detective Beckett is gruff and tough, he's seen it all but he's no match for a warm southern gal. I don't really like him. He's not very nice to her for most of the book and doesn't entirely take her concerns seriously.

Missy's assistant Ben seems like a nice young man. He's always studying or working but takes the time to look out for his boss when she needs looking after. Gladys Fieldstone is Missy's neighbor. She's nice and not nosy. If only she were a little nosier, she may have solved the mystery.

Darryl was a strange man. He was both "aw shucks" and an unscrupulous stealer of recipes. He once stole one of Missy's recipes and turned it into a doughnut recipe. He then entered the recipe in a contest and won first place. Missy has every reason to be angry with Darryl but she isn't. The story isn't long enough to really delve into why Darryl felt the need to steal her recipe and why Missy believes in karma. Since she does believe in "what goes around comes around" it sure seems like she's a murderer.

Missy's number one suspect is Giacomo Andretti. My BIG BEEF with this novella is with him. He's a stereotypical Italian mobster whose breath smells of garlic. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Can we move PAST that stereotype please? He was just so awful and cartoonish. Why can't there be a nice little old Italian lady baker in any of these books? WHY is it always a mafioso? Another cartoonish villain is Brenda, Darryl's sister. She's rude and mean to Missy for no good reason at all. Brenda seems to have been devoted to her brother but everything seems to point to her as the killer. Why? The rest of the family seems nice enough. Darryl's niece Debbie is a bit of a gossip but not too bad.

I will probably try another book in the series and see how that goes. If I like it, I'll continue. These short mysteries are a good type to read while waiting for something, half paying attention to the TV or before going to sleep at night. I want to try the French Toast cupcakes!
676 reviews15 followers
September 10, 2018
Melissa "Missy" Gladstone owns and operates Frosted Love Cupcakes. Her main competition for the breakfast crowd came from Darryl's Donuts, a small shop on the other side of town. Several years earlier, Darryl had stolen a recipe from Missy and modified it slightly to make a donut and used it to win a national competition. Missy had not filed any type of complaint, but made it clear that he never wanted to see or speak to Darryl again.

When Darryl is found dead in the back room of his shop, Detective Chas Beckett automatically suspects Missy as the culprit, due to their long-standing feud. When Missy finds a cigarette butt outside her house and realizes that somebody is stalking her, she tells Det. Beckett, but gets the impression that he does not take her seriously.

Who killed Darryl Davis? Why was he killed? Who is stalking Missy and why? Can Missy convince Det. Beckett to take her seriously? Will she be able to figure out who actually killed Darryl without getting killed herself?

This is the first book in the Frosted Love series from Summer Prescott. The story grabs your attention right from the start, with plenty of twists and turns. The surprise ending that will definitely leave you looking for more.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,689 reviews103 followers
March 8, 2019
After I read the first Missy and Chas book from a later series, I just had to go back to their roots and see how it all began. What an awesome beginning for what looks like dozens of books about them for this author! I love how they are kind of both alike in that they've become married to their careers and haven't really thought about dating for one reason or another. As the story progressed and they had one dinner out, I could tell they were beginning to fall for each other even in the first book.

When Darryl the Donut Man (Missy's big competition who had stolen one of her recipes) was killed, Missy seemed to be the best fit for the culprit, but Chas just couldn't bring himself to think that this woman was capable of murder. She launched her own investigation, and in the end, her notes probably helped save her life. There was a really good twist at the end which gave Missy some closure about her sister's death years ago.

I'm an acknowledgements reader and I thought it was fun to take a peek into the author's writing journey. This book was apparently very much revised, since it was her first cozy mystery ever, and she said she plans to share a little of her journey at the end of all the newly-revised books in this series. (And there are a lot!) I'm not sure how long it'll take me to read it, but I'm going to have fun getting through this series and the following series. The cupcake recipe at the end sounds good, but I'm not sure about those bacon bits on the frosting lol, but who knows, maybe I'd like it!
Profile Image for Tess Ailshire.
787 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2025
I'm glad I only spent a few hours on this. I kept hoping it would get better, but it didn't. The characterizations were flat, the dialog stilted, and the situations unbelievable. I cannot recommend it at all.
Profile Image for Tink.
14 reviews
April 16, 2015
Fun, worthwhile read, but not a favorite

This is the first book I've read that's written by this author. While it isn't a favorite, it was certainly a fun read. It's a good start to a series I look forward to reading.

There are many cozies out there and a fair few are set in bakeries. This one is unique in that our lead detective, Missy, is 40 years old. She isn't one of the adorable, elderly ladies with a will of steel, ala Miss Marple. And she isn't one of any number of 20-30 somethings who litter the genre. She's an everyday, easy to relate to,woman, with a dog and a potential love life.

While I did enjoy this book and do intend to continue the series, I have two issues with it. They don't ruin the read for me, though they do detract from the book. First, and I won't give spoilers, because, well...it's a mystery...there is a certain aspect of the solution of the crime that is a head scratcher. Again, doesn't ruin the read, but does detract. Secondly, the romance between the leads. It falls in the middle, not quite developed enough to be a romance, but too established to be ignored. If a romance is to be included in a mystery, I personally, and it is a matter of taste, feel it should be either as prominent as the mystery, or just part of the scenery, like knowing a character's hair color. Considering that this is the start of a series, I can understand letting the romance develop over several books. While I'd prefer a different take on it, the romance building as the series goes on could be a lot of fun.

All in all, I'd recommend giving it a try. It is the very definition of cozy, with warm, relatable characters , and a "fluffy", light mystery all set in a family style cupcake bakery. Who doesn't love cupcakes?

I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review. I will, however, buy additional books from this author.
Profile Image for Andrea B .
435 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2016
I did make it all the way thru the book. It was poorly written and undeveloped. There was nothing to make u fall for the characters. I hate a helpless woman. Where at times she may have been headstrong as implied but I did not buy it. I will not be ready any further in the series - highly disappointed
5 reviews
February 23, 2015
Adjective overload.

This cute and cozy mystery would have been more enjoyable without the overabundance of saccharin laced descriptive words. Too much trouble to wade through another by this author.
281 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2015
Amazingly incredibly bad. Staggeringly bad. Really bad.
Profile Image for Loretta TheMoodyRedhead.
1,074 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2023
I’ve been not so patiently awaiting the next book in the Raised and Glazed series and was disappointed in the newest release (only because it was so short and not because the content isn’t great!) until I found this series by Summer Prescott. I was so excited at my discovery because there are 32 books just waiting for my back-and-forth eyes and imaginative brain to take them in. YAS!

The author’s notes are included in the beginning of each of these books which tell a story of her journey of becoming a writer of cozy mysteries. It’s really cool and since I’ve already started the second book, I’m already seeing everything unfold and it’s so exciting! There’s also a recipe at the end of each book and I will try at least one since I am also a sweet treat maker!

As an incessant reader - typically of cozy mysteries - I’ve got certain series I take note of so I can periodically check to see if the newest release is out yet. This may be another for my list!

Let’s talk about the main character Missy. She is a Southern belle with curly blond hair and a sunny disposition. Most people love her and those that aren’t sure are won over by her sweet smile and natural way of easing the attitudes of even the most hangry customers of her bakery. She seems syrupy sweet, at first, but then very likable and I can see myself taking to her quickly (at first I would observe her interacting with people for a bit just to see if she’s being fake in order to get people to like her or if she’s genuinely kind). She has a faithful companion in her Golden Retriever.

Her loyal bakery assistant is Ben who Missy says is “young enough to be my son” even though Missy just hit 40 herself which isn’t that old. Ben has a cluttered-with-dirty-clothes apartment furnished with a sofa that has a spring that’ll embed into your back, and a cat he loves like a child.

Then enters the Detective. Now, we all know where this is going almost immediately because it’s so predictable in these reads. Of course Missy and the Detective will eventually end up in a committed relationship. And you know what? I don’t mind. Not one bit. I love this about cozy mysteries! I’d be disappointed if the two didn’t get together.

The main goings-on of this read besides introducing characters was the murder. There’s nearly always a murder (sometimes no one dies, rather a mystery occurs such as a theft or kidnapping - I like the ones where no one dies because they’re rare. However, I do like when the total jerk character dies and the mystery is solved by gathering all the clues!)

Quite a bit of mystery was packed into this short read and I found myself unable to put it down until I knew who killed the victim. I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t certain until the very end. Oh, and I have to add that the most terrifying line is written in this book and it’s the most frightening thing anyone ever reads or sees in a movie and that is:

“[Name withheld] was so engrossed in thinking through the details of her plan, that she failed to notice the dark shadow occupying the back seat of her car.”
That has always given me the heebie-jeebies! Someone in the backseat of your car!

Next is book 2 of 32 - “A Pinch of Murder”.
3,125 reviews14 followers
September 5, 2021
“A Murder Moist Foul” is a very short, by-the-numbers, cosy mystery in which the animals, secondary characters, are mostly more interesting than the humans.
Missy runs a small bakery with her assistant Ben. When one of her competitors is murdered and some of the evidence may point towards her, she decides to investigate.
The 'incompetent' police are led by the handsome Chas Beckett who, predictably, feels the stirrings of romantic interest in Missy. She, be still my beating heart, has fluttery feelings in her Southern ladybits whenever she sees him.
Oddly enough, the police solve the case and arrive in time to cut Missy free from the railroad tracks (that last bit it not true, but it easily could have been!)
It's a lazy piece of work – maybe if Carol Durand and Summer Prescott had bothered to put the hard work in it might have been better, but as it is a rewrite they obviously could care less.
Profile Image for Dawn.
399 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2017
This is an interesting book and it nearly got a 4 star if it wasn't for Chas' character. He had a really nice beginning, however, I really started to dislike him 1/2 through. He reminds be a lot of Mike in the Hannah Swensen book series.

The story was interesting and it even incorporated a mystery that wasn't in this book. The characters were interesting and relatable to a point. Missy is a strong independent woman who was self-made. Her assistant Ben is following closely in her shoes. Chas, though annoying has his own back story and does show his sweet since to Missy.

the plot was well thought out and was interesting until the very end. This wasn't the standard mystery that you could follow the culprit from early on in the story, but the twist in the end was a little nice.

Over all it was a very nice story.
1,203 reviews
May 18, 2021
I read this as part of a boxed set. In this series we are introduced to Melissa Gladstone who owns a cupcake shop and has a nose for clues. Missy is a 40ish woman living with her dog, Toffee in a place called LaChance, Louisiana and she has a knack for making delicious cupcakes. She first meets Chas Beckett, a detective investigating a murder and she is a person of interest. Join Missy as she helps discover clues and the murderer and discovers she is developing feelings for Chas.

The story is full of humor with a touch of romance. The mystery pulls you in and keeps you guessing. The setting of the town seems like an enjoyable place. The camaraderie and the love for each other is outstanding. I look forward to the next book in the series. If you haven’t read any of the books in this series, you are missing out.
Profile Image for K.A. Davis.
Author 4 books494 followers
May 6, 2018
A MURDER MOIST FOUL is the first book in a newly revised and re-released series and my first introduction to Missy and Chas. This short and easy read sets the stage for the subsequent re-released books that the author will be publishing. There is good character development with a straight-forward plot. There were enough suspects provided to keep me guessing about who would have wanted to kill the donut man. I enjoyed the setting of the charming bakery and all the mentions of yummy treats will make the reader drool. I was happy that the author provides a cupcake recipe at the back of the book which adds to the appeal. I think this first book shows good potential for an enjoyable series and I look forward to reading future releases.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
July 8, 2018
Sisters, brothers and revenge.

Awesome. Unlike some of the author's newer books these are real cozies - no gore etc. When a doughnut shop owner is killed, she comes under suspicion of being the killer. Her sense of outrage makes her investigate. However nothing seems to make sense. Her house has been broken into, her employee's pet poisoned, someone is stalking her and threats seem to be coming her way constantly. Who is behind all this? Can she survive the next attempt at frightening her. A great little plot with some nice twists and best of all all questions are answered. Whilst the characters fit their roles well.
Profile Image for Charlene Hirschi.
50 reviews
January 19, 2017
Book 1 ????

This is going to sound crazy but the author's cozy was so far fetched in so many ways why would I want to read the next one? Beats me but I do. The plot was thin, inconsistencies in the events, the main character was a lame brain in many ways, and it was more of an expanded short story than a novella. Maybe I just want to see if she learned anything from the first book that will improve the 2nd. Stay tuned.
29 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2019
The whole thing just felt rushed. The plucky amateur sleuth and the real detective are supposed to have chemistry, I get it- but beyond the writers saying the occasional "He/she is good looking" there really was no chemistry. And the ending felt like it came from nowhere. The lisping, androgynously voiced gay man, really? Who's mentioned once and by a completely different nickname? And the sister we also meet once? Glad it was a fast read at least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anne G. Kasaba.
1,929 reviews9 followers
April 10, 2018
So much fun to go back to where it all began! This is such a strong storyline and the characters are multidimensional.

Chas and Missy meet when he comes to her cupcake shop to question her about the murder of her competitor, the owner of the local donut shop. Of course Missy has to investigate so she can make sure her name is cleared.
Profile Image for Jana Gundy.
1,919 reviews17 followers
July 14, 2018
A good afternoon read

I enjoyed this book, it was a quick read for a Saturday afternoon and the mystery was well written. I’m not a huge fan of the supposed love interest, the detective, as of right now. He’s just too rude with Missy and definitely untrusting to the point of insulting. I didn’t get any chemistry from them but I look forward to more and see where it goes.
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,193 reviews
February 20, 2019
This was a fast paced read. It wasn't completely obvious who was the murderer in this book. There was also a bit of romance.

The one question that went unanswered for me, was why did Ben become a target and who was targeting him? I guess that is really two questions.

I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.
1,292 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2020
Revenge

Missy is happily running her cupcake shop when a detective comes to question her. First he believes her assistant, Ben, has killed the donut shop owner. When Ben is easily cleared he turns to Missy as a person of interest. Naturally she will have to find the killer herself!
Author 13 books
July 30, 2020
Thanks for the recipe

I foolishly didn’t read the different series in order and so have started on the first, last. The rest got me in but even if I read this first I would have kept reading. I love the wholesome, yet wacky scenarios and they are delightfully named. Definitely Coszy mysteries.
2,382 reviews
April 28, 2024
3.75 stars

Once the crux of the story became about the mystery then it was very good. It became very exciting and intriguing. The beginning, there was a lot of setup. I wasn’t fan of the multiple point of views. I wasn’t a fan of them jumping right into a romantic date and having a whole thing with that. I like a little more build up than that in my cozies. The first half was just weird for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vanessa Konopacki.
19 reviews
September 30, 2025
cute

A nice quick read. Story moves quickly and is charming but leaves a lot of plot holes. Jumps around a bit and feels a bit like certain plot points were outlined and things were made to fit to get from each point. But not bad for a first book. Could be fleshed out a bit more but a good choice when wanting a not overly complicated quick read.
302 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2018
Oh my goodness

What can I say. I love the new revamped Frosted Love so much. I loved the first one but this one pops more than ever. If you remember this first issue you will love the second one.
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