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A Supper Club Mystery #5
The Battered Body
Librarian James Henry and the supper club will have more than enough food for thought trying to count calories and catch a killer . . .
Reluctantly visiting humble Quincy’s Gap to create a special wedding cake, celebrity chef the “Diva of Dough” is not nearly as sweet as her delectable confections, and it’s just a matter of time before she alienates everyone she meets. When her corpse is discovered, covered in cake batter no less, there are more than a few locals who think she got her just desserts. And despite their own distaste for the woman, James and his friends know they have to rise to the occasion and solve the murder.
With clues and suspects few and far between, the supper club members realize that catching the culprit will be anything but a cake walk. And when a second victim turns up dead, they’ll have to quickly discard any half-baked notions about the killer . . . before they all get iced.
Includes mouthwatering recipes!
This is a brand-new, fully revised edition of a book originally published under the name J. B. Stanley.
Reluctantly visiting humble Quincy’s Gap to create a special wedding cake, celebrity chef the “Diva of Dough” is not nearly as sweet as her delectable confections, and it’s just a matter of time before she alienates everyone she meets. When her corpse is discovered, covered in cake batter no less, there are more than a few locals who think she got her just desserts. And despite their own distaste for the woman, James and his friends know they have to rise to the occasion and solve the murder.
With clues and suspects few and far between, the supper club members realize that catching the culprit will be anything but a cake walk. And when a second victim turns up dead, they’ll have to quickly discard any half-baked notions about the killer . . . before they all get iced.
Includes mouthwatering recipes!
This is a brand-new, fully revised edition of a book originally published under the name J. B. Stanley.
301 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
150 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Stanley
10 books177 followersAlso writes under the pseudonyms Ellery Adams and Jennifer Stanley.
J.B. Stanley is the nom de plume of New York Times Bestselling author Ellery Adams. Adams grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound. Having spent her adult life in a series of landlocked towns, she cherishes her memories of open water, violent storms, and the smell of the sea. Ms. Adams has held many jobs including that of caterer, retail clerk, car salesperson, teacher, tutor, and tech writer, all the while penning poems, children's books, and novels. She now writes full-time from her home in Virginia.
For more killer mysteries, visit www.elleryadamsmysteries.com
J.B. Stanley is the nom de plume of New York Times Bestselling author Ellery Adams. Adams grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound. Having spent her adult life in a series of landlocked towns, she cherishes her memories of open water, violent storms, and the smell of the sea. Ms. Adams has held many jobs including that of caterer, retail clerk, car salesperson, teacher, tutor, and tech writer, all the while penning poems, children's books, and novels. She now writes full-time from her home in Virginia.
For more killer mysteries, visit www.elleryadamsmysteries.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
July 20, 2018
I really love this series and the main characters in this stories are more than just people in a book. I have come to think of them as friends. They got together to try and lose weight, but have become best friends, who are there for each other not matter what and an amateur sleuth team that even has a book written about their first solved crime, even though the author has taken a lot of literary licence with the story.
In this book, James' dad, Jackson, and cooking teacher name Mila (Camilla) are getting married on Christmas Eve. Camilla's younger sister, Paulette Martine, is a celebrity baker and has come to town to make the cake for the wedding. It turns out that Paulette is obnoxious, rude and haughty and it doesn't take long for her to alienate most of the townsfolk in Quincey's Gap. When Paulette was found dead, with cake batter all over her face, it is deemed to be an accident, salmonella poisoning from raw eggs. Lucy, doesn't feel right with the accidental ruling so she and her supper club friends start to investigate. When there is another dead body, thinks heat up big time.
It seems like all of the friends had some sort of epiphany in this book that was really enjoyable to read about. There is a huge reveal of information in this book that will shake up the friends and family and I look forward to seeing where this leads. What I really enjoy about this series is that the lives of the characters are just as important as the mystery. James loves that not only is his father happy, but he now has a new mother in his life. The twins find some love interests as well as some of the Flab Five. Things are looking up for our friends and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Once again, this is a re-release of an updated version of this book.
In this book, James' dad, Jackson, and cooking teacher name Mila (Camilla) are getting married on Christmas Eve. Camilla's younger sister, Paulette Martine, is a celebrity baker and has come to town to make the cake for the wedding. It turns out that Paulette is obnoxious, rude and haughty and it doesn't take long for her to alienate most of the townsfolk in Quincey's Gap. When Paulette was found dead, with cake batter all over her face, it is deemed to be an accident, salmonella poisoning from raw eggs. Lucy, doesn't feel right with the accidental ruling so she and her supper club friends start to investigate. When there is another dead body, thinks heat up big time.
It seems like all of the friends had some sort of epiphany in this book that was really enjoyable to read about. There is a huge reveal of information in this book that will shake up the friends and family and I look forward to seeing where this leads. What I really enjoy about this series is that the lives of the characters are just as important as the mystery. James loves that not only is his father happy, but he now has a new mother in his life. The twins find some love interests as well as some of the Flab Five. Things are looking up for our friends and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Once again, this is a re-release of an updated version of this book.
February 16, 2017
3.5 stars for this book.
The Battered Body is the fifth book in The Supper Club series, and my first book from the author. It was a fun reading but it wasn't quick read for me. I used to spend one day to finished a cozy mystery, but this book took me 3 days. I got distracted a lot of time and after almost half of the book then it started to hook me.
The supper club is 5 people who lives in the small town called Quincy Gap and used to gather together and solves a few crimes that happens in their town. One of them, James Henry, who is a librarian are preparing for his father's wedding with Milla. Due to the wedding, James eventually meets with Milla's sisters and nephew, and one of them is some kind of celebrity called ''Diva of Dough", Paullete. Unfortunately, Paullete behaviour clashed with litterally every single person she meets, because of her arrogancy. While she was on the town helping to bake wedding cake, she manages herself to make a few enemies. Until one day, she was found dead in the kitchen with her face covered in cake batter. A few days after her funeral, her son who is also in town for the wedding, was also murdered. James and his friends, The Supper Club is now trying to gathers clues to find the killer .
You dont have to read the entire series to understand the case, but if you'd like to know more about the characters, you should definitely read all of them. For me, the character was very likable and interesting. A group filled with a librarian, deputy, mail man, vegan hippies and town nerds is actually very entertaining with their own problems. Do i like the book ? It was okay and enjoyable. Maybe i'd like it more if i read the entire series. would i read the other series ? You bet i am.
The Battered Body is the fifth book in The Supper Club series, and my first book from the author. It was a fun reading but it wasn't quick read for me. I used to spend one day to finished a cozy mystery, but this book took me 3 days. I got distracted a lot of time and after almost half of the book then it started to hook me.
The supper club is 5 people who lives in the small town called Quincy Gap and used to gather together and solves a few crimes that happens in their town. One of them, James Henry, who is a librarian are preparing for his father's wedding with Milla. Due to the wedding, James eventually meets with Milla's sisters and nephew, and one of them is some kind of celebrity called ''Diva of Dough", Paullete. Unfortunately, Paullete behaviour clashed with litterally every single person she meets, because of her arrogancy. While she was on the town helping to bake wedding cake, she manages herself to make a few enemies. Until one day, she was found dead in the kitchen with her face covered in cake batter. A few days after her funeral, her son who is also in town for the wedding, was also murdered. James and his friends, The Supper Club is now trying to gathers clues to find the killer .
You dont have to read the entire series to understand the case, but if you'd like to know more about the characters, you should definitely read all of them. For me, the character was very likable and interesting. A group filled with a librarian, deputy, mail man, vegan hippies and town nerds is actually very entertaining with their own problems. Do i like the book ? It was okay and enjoyable. Maybe i'd like it more if i read the entire series. would i read the other series ? You bet i am.
April 24, 2019
I really enjoy this gentle mystery series. I like the characters of the friends, the plots, and the setting in a small town in Virginia. For those who have been reading this series, there is a definite surprise in this one that I did not see coming. It is a very enjoyable and satisfying read.
June 10, 2018
Back to Quincy Gap! This time with a celebrity chef who definitely is not as sweet as her cakes!
It’s no surprise when she turns up dead and quite a few people aren’t too sad about that. But James and his friends, The Flab Five, are determined to find out who cut the cake lady out of the picture. With not a lot of clues or suspects, the members of the group are really having to work this one.
And when another body turns up, well, they may be running out of time!
The friendships among this group are so well done. All of the characters are well drawn and are just lovable. Add in some recipes and you have one sweet cozy mystery.
One of my favorites.
Netgalley/Beyond The Page
It’s no surprise when she turns up dead and quite a few people aren’t too sad about that. But James and his friends, The Flab Five, are determined to find out who cut the cake lady out of the picture. With not a lot of clues or suspects, the members of the group are really having to work this one.
And when another body turns up, well, they may be running out of time!
The friendships among this group are so well done. All of the characters are well drawn and are just lovable. Add in some recipes and you have one sweet cozy mystery.
One of my favorites.
Netgalley/Beyond The Page
May 17, 2018
This is the fifth book in The Supper Club series.
James. Lucy, Gillian, Lindy, and Bennett have weight issues to varying degrees. They felt that they should form a support group and decided to call themselves The Flab Five. But they seem better at solving murders in their community of Quincy Gap, rather than getting a grip on their weight issues.
The Battered Body begins with James busy with last minute plans for his father's, Jackson and Milla’s wedding. Milla sister, Paulette Martine-The Diva Of Dough, has agreed to come to Quincy's Gap and bake the couple’s wedding cake. But before the happy event can take place The Diva Of Dough is found dead in the kitchen of the B&B where she is staying, face down in a cake batter. From the time that the Diva arrived in town, she started alienating the residents of Quincy Gap and add to that she was not on speaking terms with her sister, Louise, or her daughter, Chole.
The members of The Flab Five agree that they need to start their own investigation so that Milla and Jackson can go ahead and get married. They have so many possible suspects that they are not sure whether they will be able they begin to wonder if they will ever be able to find the killer.
Also going on in Quincy Gap, James has found what he considers the perfect house and the Flab Five help him get the house ready to move into. James is also hoping to win back Lucy’s affection. But that might be easier said than done as Murphy Alistair’s “fictional book”, about the private lives of the residents of a small community. Bennett is about to put Quincy Gap on the map when he appears on Jeopardy. Plus there are a couple of romances that begin to blossom.
Once again Adams provides the reader with a well-plotted and told story with well-developed characters that you would want to be friends with.
I’m hoping that there will be more books in this series in the near future.
James. Lucy, Gillian, Lindy, and Bennett have weight issues to varying degrees. They felt that they should form a support group and decided to call themselves The Flab Five. But they seem better at solving murders in their community of Quincy Gap, rather than getting a grip on their weight issues.
The Battered Body begins with James busy with last minute plans for his father's, Jackson and Milla’s wedding. Milla sister, Paulette Martine-The Diva Of Dough, has agreed to come to Quincy's Gap and bake the couple’s wedding cake. But before the happy event can take place The Diva Of Dough is found dead in the kitchen of the B&B where she is staying, face down in a cake batter. From the time that the Diva arrived in town, she started alienating the residents of Quincy Gap and add to that she was not on speaking terms with her sister, Louise, or her daughter, Chole.
The members of The Flab Five agree that they need to start their own investigation so that Milla and Jackson can go ahead and get married. They have so many possible suspects that they are not sure whether they will be able they begin to wonder if they will ever be able to find the killer.
Also going on in Quincy Gap, James has found what he considers the perfect house and the Flab Five help him get the house ready to move into. James is also hoping to win back Lucy’s affection. But that might be easier said than done as Murphy Alistair’s “fictional book”, about the private lives of the residents of a small community. Bennett is about to put Quincy Gap on the map when he appears on Jeopardy. Plus there are a couple of romances that begin to blossom.
Once again Adams provides the reader with a well-plotted and told story with well-developed characters that you would want to be friends with.
I’m hoping that there will be more books in this series in the near future.
May 11, 2018
The Battered Body is the fifth book in Ellery Adams’ Supper Club Mysteries series and is an enjoyable read. The storyline is well thought out and the well-developed characters are affable. As their friendship grows, the members of the Flab Five have developed an enviable camaraderie as they continue to support each other in their quest to lose weight and work together to solve mysteries. There isn’t any graphic violence or gratuitous adult situations, but there is some adult language. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
James is looking for a house to purchase because his dad, Jackson, is marrying Milla on Christmas Eve and he wants to give them an unforgettable honeymoon as a wedding gift. Once they are married, Milla wants to shut down her cooking class business and open Quincy’s Whimsies, a specialty/gourmet shop in Quincy’s Gap. James is also hopeful that Lucy and he can start over fresh and plans to ask her out on a real date. James’ former girlfriend, Murphy Alistair, the editor/reporter of the Shenandoah Star Ledger, has written a book about the “fictional” account about Quincy’s Gap, the lives of the Flab Five, and their crime solving endeavors and he knows the entire group is going to be upset. Milla is hopeful the wedding will bring her estranged sisters and her together again. Milla’s younger sister, Paulette Martine, known as the “Diva of Dough,” has agreed to bake the wedding cake, dinner rolls, and create a dessert bar. She’s self-centered, with an acerbic tongue, and quickly makes enemies wherever she goes. Paulette and her abused assistant, Willow Singletary, are staying at the local B&B, where Paulette rented all the rooms and demanded unlimited and undisturbed time in the kitchen. When her body is found in the B&B’s locked kitchen and poisoning may be the cause of death, everyone, including her children, sisters, assistant, and many others she offended become suspects. With Lucy officially investigating the murder, James is forced to accept that he might always take second chair to her oath to uphold the law. Bennett is still reading all the trivia books he can get his hands on and his friends are helping him by asking trivia questions every chance they get so he’ll be prepared for his upcoming trip to Philadelphia to be a contestant on Jeopardy! The authorities are looking hard at Paulette’s family and the supper club members find that clues and suspects few and far between. In the midst of activity and investigating the murder, James receives a life changing surprise.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
James is looking for a house to purchase because his dad, Jackson, is marrying Milla on Christmas Eve and he wants to give them an unforgettable honeymoon as a wedding gift. Once they are married, Milla wants to shut down her cooking class business and open Quincy’s Whimsies, a specialty/gourmet shop in Quincy’s Gap. James is also hopeful that Lucy and he can start over fresh and plans to ask her out on a real date. James’ former girlfriend, Murphy Alistair, the editor/reporter of the Shenandoah Star Ledger, has written a book about the “fictional” account about Quincy’s Gap, the lives of the Flab Five, and their crime solving endeavors and he knows the entire group is going to be upset. Milla is hopeful the wedding will bring her estranged sisters and her together again. Milla’s younger sister, Paulette Martine, known as the “Diva of Dough,” has agreed to bake the wedding cake, dinner rolls, and create a dessert bar. She’s self-centered, with an acerbic tongue, and quickly makes enemies wherever she goes. Paulette and her abused assistant, Willow Singletary, are staying at the local B&B, where Paulette rented all the rooms and demanded unlimited and undisturbed time in the kitchen. When her body is found in the B&B’s locked kitchen and poisoning may be the cause of death, everyone, including her children, sisters, assistant, and many others she offended become suspects. With Lucy officially investigating the murder, James is forced to accept that he might always take second chair to her oath to uphold the law. Bennett is still reading all the trivia books he can get his hands on and his friends are helping him by asking trivia questions every chance they get so he’ll be prepared for his upcoming trip to Philadelphia to be a contestant on Jeopardy! The authorities are looking hard at Paulette’s family and the supper club members find that clues and suspects few and far between. In the midst of activity and investigating the murder, James receives a life changing surprise.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
September 22, 2020
In The Battered Body the Diva of Dough reluctantly comes to Quincy's Gap to make a wedding cake for her sister Milla who is marrying our MC's father, Jackson. James is excited that his father is getting remarried and really likes Milla so he tries to get along with Paulette and her family but it's extremely difficult as the "Diva" is a handful and you can see her making enemies everywhere she goes. It's no wonder she ends up dead with her mouth full of batter.
Though James and his friends didn't like the lady they want to find out whodunit for Milla and what they find is a very dysfunctional family full of secrets and the biggest secret might be what got killed the cake lady.
Meanwhile, there are some other things going on. Not only are the fab five still struggling with their weight but Murphy the local journalist wrote a book about them and wasn't so nice to some of the fab five in the book because in the previous book there was a bit of dust up with James and Lucy and he started seeing Murphy but then that didn't work out and well she had a little fun in her book lets just say and it didn't go over well with the fab five. You really should read the whole series to get the jist of it. :)
I really love the characters in this series and I think it's because I can see myself in them and their struggle to lose weight try different diets, fail and start again. I also find it nice to have a male be the main character though it really is about the whole group. Each character has their own separate struggle with weight and reasons for dieting which is very enjoyable to read about and they make a great sleuthing team.
Though James and his friends didn't like the lady they want to find out whodunit for Milla and what they find is a very dysfunctional family full of secrets and the biggest secret might be what got killed the cake lady.
Meanwhile, there are some other things going on. Not only are the fab five still struggling with their weight but Murphy the local journalist wrote a book about them and wasn't so nice to some of the fab five in the book because in the previous book there was a bit of dust up with James and Lucy and he started seeing Murphy but then that didn't work out and well she had a little fun in her book lets just say and it didn't go over well with the fab five. You really should read the whole series to get the jist of it. :)
I really love the characters in this series and I think it's because I can see myself in them and their struggle to lose weight try different diets, fail and start again. I also find it nice to have a male be the main character though it really is about the whole group. Each character has their own separate struggle with weight and reasons for dieting which is very enjoyable to read about and they make a great sleuthing team.
May 15, 2018
In The Battered Body by Ellery Adams, book five in the Supper Club series, Jackson Henry, father of the series’ protagonist, and Milla, a teacher of cooking classes, are finally about to have their wedding on Christmas Eve. Milla, the middle of three daughters is happy to learn that her estranged younger sister, Paulette, is not only going to come to Quincy’s Gap in Virginia to attend the wedding but is going to craft the wedding cake. After all, she is known to the country as the Diva of Dough from the cooking television show she hosts. Paulette soon proves to have a toxic personality, alienating everyone who comes into contact with her and abusing her personal assistant, Willow, whom she hints at keeping by holding something over Willow’s head. She even makes fun of James’s nutritionist, Dr. Ruth, working to humiliate Ruth’s emphasis on eating in moderation when the pair appears on Good Morning Virginia. So when James gets a call from Lucy, a member of the Flab Five who now works as a deputy for the sheriff’s department, that the Diva of Dough has died, he rushes over to the scene of the death.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
August 4, 2019
Another great addition to the Supper Club Mystery series! Each book is like a visit with old friends, the characters are very realistic and well fleshed out. They are complex with good and bad qualities to make them feel even more realistic. The personalities and the interactions between the characters enhances an already well plotted out story! This story brings the murder into the midst of the characters lives and they have to figure out who is doing the mayhem before it touches them further. Even better these books are all on audiobook!
August 26, 2018
I just finished The Battered Body and it is fabulous!
James Henry is the greatest character and this story was no exception.
The mystery was engaging and the stories revolving around it were just as captivating.
I recommend this book to any cozy mystery reader.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
James Henry is the greatest character and this story was no exception.
The mystery was engaging and the stories revolving around it were just as captivating.
I recommend this book to any cozy mystery reader.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
May 17, 2018
In this fifth book of the series Jame's dad is getting married and he agrees to help with any of the arrangements that he can. When his dads soon to be wife asks him to pick up her sister from the airport he readily agrees but he soon learns she is nothing like her sister. You see the woman is question is the famous Diva of Dough and she may be an awesome baker she isn't a nice person. She is there to prepare the wedding cake and other desserts that will be served up at the wedding. When the Diva is found dead in the kitchen there are suspects abound who hated her but the police rule her death an accident. Even though it was ruled an accident Lucy has a feeling that it wasn't so her and the other members of the Supper Club decide to look into things. Follow along as they turn over every rock to find out if the Diva was murdered or if it was truly an accidental death. Along the way you'll meet some family members who each had a reason to wish her ill, an assistant that she walked all over, and strangers that she managed to anger in just one meeting. Along the way another body turns up and things get even more exciting. James is handed some shocking news and looks for a house so his dad and soon to be wife can have privacy. Bennett finally gets his chance on jeopardy, does he win? or does he tank? Lets not forget that Murphy's book is coming out, what will the groups reaction to that be? This is such a fun series filled with well rounded characters that share in their differences and join together in the struggle of weight loss. I look forward to seeing what they get into next.
May 18, 2018
I really love this series and these wonderful friends who originally got together to lose weight but have become more than just sleuths. They're true best friends that have each others' backs no matter what.
In this book, James' dad and a cooking teacher name Milla (Camilla) were getting married on Christmas Eve. Since Milla's younger sister was a celebrity baker, she had agreed to make the cake and other items for the wedding. When Paulette was found with her cake batter all over her face, it appeared to be an accident but Lucy who was now a deputy, didn't feel right with the accidental ruling so she and her supper club friends set out to do one of the things they did best together...investigate!
It seems like all of the friends had some sort of epiphany in this book that was really enjoyable to read about. What's cool about this series is that it's not just a mystery story. Each story is one that's also about friendships. I'm not sure why I wanted to read this book out of order (it wasn't a problem at all, I'm just particular that way). It didn't ruin anything for me. There are a couple of fun surprises that happen to some of our favorites. I love that James now has a mom in his life again and that his dad is living grouchily happily ever after! I think I will go back and get caught up before reading the sixth book though.
In this book, James' dad and a cooking teacher name Milla (Camilla) were getting married on Christmas Eve. Since Milla's younger sister was a celebrity baker, she had agreed to make the cake and other items for the wedding. When Paulette was found with her cake batter all over her face, it appeared to be an accident but Lucy who was now a deputy, didn't feel right with the accidental ruling so she and her supper club friends set out to do one of the things they did best together...investigate!
It seems like all of the friends had some sort of epiphany in this book that was really enjoyable to read about. What's cool about this series is that it's not just a mystery story. Each story is one that's also about friendships. I'm not sure why I wanted to read this book out of order (it wasn't a problem at all, I'm just particular that way). It didn't ruin anything for me. There are a couple of fun surprises that happen to some of our favorites. I love that James now has a mom in his life again and that his dad is living grouchily happily ever after! I think I will go back and get caught up before reading the sixth book though.
March 18, 2009
This is the fifth book in the Supper Club series featuring the Flab Five. Lucy, Gillian, Lindy, Bennett and James all have weight issues to a degree and felt that they shouldform a support group. They seem better at solving murders in Quincy Gap, rather than getting a grip on their weight issues.
The Battered Body begins with James busy with last minute plans for his father's, Jackson and milla wedding. Milla sister,The Diva Of Dough has agreed to come to Quincy's Gap and prepare some food and bake the wedding cake. But before the happy event can take place The Diva Of Dough is found dead in the kitchen of the B&B where she is staying, covered in cake batter. Since the Diva wasn't one to win friends and influence people, there is a rather lengthy list of possible murderers. So the Supper Club members decide to work behing the scens to help Lucy solve the mystery.
I really enjoy reading this series. The characters and locale seem so real to me. When i can envision the characters and some of the scenes, that just adds so much to my reading pleasure.
The Battered Body begins with James busy with last minute plans for his father's, Jackson and milla wedding. Milla sister,The Diva Of Dough has agreed to come to Quincy's Gap and prepare some food and bake the wedding cake. But before the happy event can take place The Diva Of Dough is found dead in the kitchen of the B&B where she is staying, covered in cake batter. Since the Diva wasn't one to win friends and influence people, there is a rather lengthy list of possible murderers. So the Supper Club members decide to work behing the scens to help Lucy solve the mystery.
I really enjoy reading this series. The characters and locale seem so real to me. When i can envision the characters and some of the scenes, that just adds so much to my reading pleasure.
June 16, 2020
Have you ever read a book and hoped one of the characters wasn’t the murderer? How about cried out loud when something wonderful happens to the main character? That’s what happened to me as I read this installment of the Supper Club Mysteries.
In this installment, James dad and his fiancé are planning on getting married. All Milla’s family will be there to help them celebrate. One of her sisters is a famous cook book author and an excellent pastry chef who offers to make the wedding cake.
When this same sister is murdered, the suspects begin to mount up. She wasn’t a very nice person off camera and any number of people could have killed her.
In between trying to figure out who the murderer is, you will find out some of James’ past and meet a couple of new characters. You will cry with joy for him and hope one of the characters isn’t the murderer.
I love Ellery Adams’ books and hope she writes for many years to come. She has a way about her writing that brings out emotion in the reader and involves them in the plot and story line. As long as she writes, I will read her books.
In this installment, James dad and his fiancé are planning on getting married. All Milla’s family will be there to help them celebrate. One of her sisters is a famous cook book author and an excellent pastry chef who offers to make the wedding cake.
When this same sister is murdered, the suspects begin to mount up. She wasn’t a very nice person off camera and any number of people could have killed her.
In between trying to figure out who the murderer is, you will find out some of James’ past and meet a couple of new characters. You will cry with joy for him and hope one of the characters isn’t the murderer.
I love Ellery Adams’ books and hope she writes for many years to come. She has a way about her writing that brings out emotion in the reader and involves them in the plot and story line. As long as she writes, I will read her books.
May 16, 2018
Hint: A surprise that will take your breath away!
Life is amping up for James and his dad in the fifth book of the Supper Club Mysteries. It is Christmas time and James' dad is getting married to Milla and James is looking to buy his first house. Milla's sister is coming to Quincy's Gap to bake the wedding cake. Her sister is known as the "Diva of Dough" and can be quite the handful. Unfortunately while visiting the "Diva" finds herself with a mouthful of batter and dead. Can the Supper Club figure out who the murder is and keep the wedding on for Christmas Eve?
I have to start off with THE CHEESE DOODLES make their appearance again. YAY! No matter how much James changes and grows if the cheese doodles are around I know he is still the librarian I have come to love. This series has become a true joy to read. It may be because I can relate to the yo-yo dieting and frustration of wanting to enjoy food and eat healthy all at the same time.
There is a surprise in this book that will make your jaw drop and tears come to your eyes. It is so precious and Ellery Adams handled it with such loving care that you will fall in love with James if you haven't already.
I also found myself wanting to hug Ellery for how she handled Milla and James' relationship. He may be an adult but he graciously accepts her as his stepmom and openly calls his dad and her his parents. I am a stepmom and sometimes that little acceptance goes such a long way. Beautiful.
If you like to read cozy mysteries and read about food this is a series you should seriously think about picking up on your eReader.
Life is amping up for James and his dad in the fifth book of the Supper Club Mysteries. It is Christmas time and James' dad is getting married to Milla and James is looking to buy his first house. Milla's sister is coming to Quincy's Gap to bake the wedding cake. Her sister is known as the "Diva of Dough" and can be quite the handful. Unfortunately while visiting the "Diva" finds herself with a mouthful of batter and dead. Can the Supper Club figure out who the murder is and keep the wedding on for Christmas Eve?
I have to start off with THE CHEESE DOODLES make their appearance again. YAY! No matter how much James changes and grows if the cheese doodles are around I know he is still the librarian I have come to love. This series has become a true joy to read. It may be because I can relate to the yo-yo dieting and frustration of wanting to enjoy food and eat healthy all at the same time.
There is a surprise in this book that will make your jaw drop and tears come to your eyes. It is so precious and Ellery Adams handled it with such loving care that you will fall in love with James if you haven't already.
I also found myself wanting to hug Ellery for how she handled Milla and James' relationship. He may be an adult but he graciously accepts her as his stepmom and openly calls his dad and her his parents. I am a stepmom and sometimes that little acceptance goes such a long way. Beautiful.
If you like to read cozy mysteries and read about food this is a series you should seriously think about picking up on your eReader.
May 17, 2022
I have read 5 of these books in the series. I have really gotten to love the characters and feel like I know them. I can’t wait to read number6!
February 25, 2025
Wow this book was full of twists and turns. Past relationships come front and center in the latest installment of the supper club. Don’t read this book while hungry. All the sweets and savory dishes will have your mouth watering as you try to solve the case with James and his friends
June 12, 2018
This series is a cozy mystery and on the cheesy side, but I still have enjoyed getting to know the characters and how things develop for them, in their personal lives, their interactions with each other, the new characters added to the story line. The focus of this book is on Milla and Jackson's wedding and also Bennett finally getting to be a contestant on the TV show Jeopardy!. The murder mystery surrounds Milla's family and the wedding. I figured out a bit of the why fairly early on but not the who. I also figured out the mystery surrounding Glowstar the Elf on the Shelf's kidnapping. The twist of James's ex-wife returning towards the end of the book was unexpected and added a fun element to the story. The descriptions of the library, the twin librarians, the town, the food, and the Flab Five friends are great. The recipes sound great, mostly desserts in this one! There were quite a few other delicious-sounding dishes described in the book but no recipe for them, so that's a bummer! ha ha! Overall, a fun and entertaining, lighthearted read. Really probably 3.5 stars, but I rounded up.
***I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.***
***I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.***
August 8, 2012
This is by far the strongest of the Supper Club Mystery series, as librarian James helps arrange the wedding of his artist father to gentle Milla, a cooking school teacher. James tries to rekindle his romance with policewoman Lucy after they both sought greener pastures, and also tries to find a house for himself. Meanwhile, mailman Bennett finally gets his chance to appear on Jeopardy, the goal he has long set for himself. When Milla's sister, a famous television chef, appears to bake the wedding cake, the tiny Shenendoah mountain community finds her as abrasive as she is famous. Her death is called an unfortunate accident, but James and Lucy are not convinced. Then someone from James' past appears, with a life-changing announcement.
May 3, 2015
This is only the second book of this series I've read, but I found it to be very entertaining. There is romance, mystery, and humor throughout the story. Trying to determine the identity of the murderer will keep you guessing for most of the book, thanks to a few red herrings Ellery throws into the plot. All of the usual characters are present, as well as a few welcome additions. Can't wait to see what comes next for the Flab Five and the other residents of Quincy's Gap!
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
May 8, 2015
This installment in the Supper Club mystery series is truly a delight. The characters are growing more familiar with each story and while it's unusual to use the terms heart-warming and murder mystery together they describe this book so well that I can't not use them. Families and friends survive some tough situations and rejoice in some amazingly uplifting events during the Christmas season to forge bonds that I believe will carry them through many more years. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, mayhem, and merriment in a small town.
April 20, 2009
This is the fifth in the Supper Club mysteries. Five friends, who all want to lose weight, find themselves solving crimes along the way. Delightful character, James, the main protagonist, is a librarian. The setting is a small town in northern Virginia. Each book in the series have gotten better.
I'd recommend the series beginning with CARBS & CADAVERS. I think you'd like the "Flab Five" as they call themselves.
I'd recommend the series beginning with CARBS & CADAVERS. I think you'd like the "Flab Five" as they call themselves.
May 31, 2009
What can I sya. This was the best Supper Club installment yet. I truly enjoyed reading this book. There are a lot of things that take place in this one, but in the end everyone is happy especially the members of the Supper Club. I would recommend Jb Stanley's Supper Club series to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.
March 7, 2009
I am currently suffering from "Miss Zukas" withdrawel, now that that series has been cancelled. So, I have gone in search of other mystery solving librarians. I've discovered the Supper Club Mystery series by J. B. Stanely and enjoy the characters and the Virginia setting.
February 8, 2021
This series is a real touching read. The mysteries aren't even really necesary for the stories to be an enjoyable read about the lives in a small town of the main characters and how they interact with each other.
December 13, 2016
This was a good entry in the Supper Club series. So much went on in this book, more in the personal lives of the characters than in the mystery, although they were on the case there too. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
March 26, 2009
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!
Loved the surprises...I can see lots of interesting story lines with them.
I think this is the best one yet!!!!!!!
Can't wait for the next!!!!!!!
Loved the surprises...I can see lots of interesting story lines with them.
I think this is the best one yet!!!!!!!
Can't wait for the next!!!!!!!
May 24, 2009
Loved It!!! Love all of the members of the Flab Five!!!! Great series!!!
March 15, 2013
My favorite so far in this series. I got choked up and misty eyed towards the end. I won't give any spoilers but it was a tremendous moment!
April 17, 2009
Very surprising twist in this one that you will NOT see comming. Can't wait for next one!
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