Murder and Meringue Cake

Bite-sized Bakery #4

by Rosie A. Point

Birthday parties can be murder…

Ruby Holmes has never been a huge fan of birthdays, particularly not her own. But Bee, her partner in baking and best friend, has decided that she’s throwing Ruby a surprise party. It’s their last few weeks in Carmel Springs, Maine, and they’re going out with a bang.

When Ruby enters the darkened guesthouse, the last thing she expects is all her friends yelling ‘surprise!’ She’s delighted until the lights click on to reveal the dead body of Ruby’s sworn enemy lying in a pile of her birthday presents.

Can she solve the mystery of the birthday killer before she takes the fall for the crime?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Amazon

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2019

About the author

Rosie A. Point is a USA Today Bestselling cozy mystery author who loves writing about food, small towns, and cats. Her favorite books are ones you can snuggle up with under a cozy blanket on a winter's day. Born and raised in South Africa, her books are all set in small towns in the United States. She dreams of visiting the places she writes about in her books.

Rosie wants to hear from you. Whether it’s about a recipe or one of her books, you can contact her on her website. Join her reader club today!

https://www.rosiepointbooks.com/

Reviews

[Krystyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a surprise birthday party get a surprise,

Again not one of the better ones and yet all the ingredients were there for a great read. A surprise birthday party with a surprise in the guise of the dead detective that had plagued throughout there stay here. We also learn a bit more about our two characters.
She had always ignored her birthday but her new friend was so excited she went along with the plans. A surprise birthday party and the body of the detective draped across the presents. True he wasn't popular but who would do such a thing? With the young chef and the owner under suspicion the two decide to put their thinking caps on. A wife packing up the house for a vacation, the editor of the local paper avoiding them, the Inn keeper getting arrested, new guests at the Inn and the letter opener from her friends room used in the crime. Can they find a clue to bring the killer to light?

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun series! It’s easy to read and keeps your attention. The main characters are interesting and a little crazy. The endings are a surprise! You can read the books in the series in any order, but I would suggest that you start with book #1 and get to know the girls. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Meegy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby doesn't like surprises, but on top of the surprise birthday party that her best friend Bee has thrown her, the god awful Police Officer that has accused Ruby and Bee at every turn for the recent murders in Carmel Springs has been killed.
Who killed him, why?
I mean everyone has a motive.

[Angela Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing

Ruby and Bee continue to charm, and the major irritant is gone, but the mysteries are becoming more unlikely. The killer was obviously not investigated and the motive is unbelievable, as are the two red herrings. The surprise letter is a nod to the ridiculous, and now that Bee's not-so-hidden secret is revealed, does this series have any traction? We'll see what Book Five brings.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a murderer loose in Carmel Springs again! Ruby Holmes had never been a huge fan of birthdays, but her best friend and baker, Bee, is determined to throw Ruby a surprise party in the guesthouse. When 20 voices yell “Surprise”, even Ruby is delighted – but then the lights come on and the dead body of Ruby’s enemy, Detective Jones, is revealed, lying on a pile of her birthday presents with a knife sticking out of his back. He had been the one who spent a lot of time investigating Ruby, arresting her, and trying to pin murders on her not so long ago! That wasn’t going to put her in a good light now as far as motives go! Then again, this is a case where everyone at the party becomes a suspect since so many people disliked the man. Can Ruby and Bee solve the murder mystery before Ruby is arrested for the crime – or some other innocent party is put in jail?

I love cozy mysteries like this! The story line was good with just the right pacing to carry the reader along in the investigation. The characters were described well and their dialog made it feel more realistic. Grab your copy and follow the clues to the murderer!

[Amary Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bea's plans to celebrate Ruby's birthday did not pan out. As friends gathered in the dark to surprise Ruby...they all get a shocker of their own when the lights came on. The highly unpopular victim leaves a long list of possible suspects...but who did do the deed?
Surely not Sam, Millie, Bea or Shawn, all who had run ins with him. Bea and Ruby snoop and ask the questions hoping to find out who before the killer gets away. The multitude of suspects and motives has the ladies frantic.
I received an ARC to peruse and offer my opinion freely.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee really enjoy their prolonged stay in Carmel Springs with their food truck.

Sadly a surprise birthday party comes to an abrupt end when someone leaves a body behind on the presents

No body half an hour before, so it seems likely someone at the party is a killer

A lot of local residents seem to have some secrets. Hopefully our baking gang can find the killer before they or an innocent friend get arrested

Intense KU read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable, quick read in this tasty mystery series! Ruby thinks she'll finally have a nice birthday, but when the much-despised town detective winds up dead at her surprise party, it casts guilt on all her friends in Carmel Springs. This was a fun puzzle to solve with the characters I've been following for several books. Looking forward to another Bite-Sized Bakery cozy with Ruby and her business partner/best friend Bee!

I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun fall adventure with Ruby and her pal Bee. In some ways, it was kind of bittersweet. You'll see that when you get finished. I don't want to spoil anything that happens, because this book like the others is so entertaining and mentioning just one thing could ruin it. I had sort of guessed the killer, but I was looking a little too deep into the reasoning. I just love the character of Bee, and finally we got to find out a little something about her mysterious past! I'm having fun binge-reading this series, so I think I'll just continue.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprise!

Ruby Holmes is not a fan of surprises or her birthdays, but her friend Bee really wants to celebrate. The surprise party turns out to be even more surprising when the lights come on to reveal a corpse! If they don’t want a good friend to take the blame, they will have to solve the case themselves.

I enjoy the Bite-sized Bakery series. This is a fun cozy mystery and the pages just flew by. The characters are likable. I felt the plot was a little more predictable than other books I have read in the series but I still enjoyed the book.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Ruby and Bee are in the thick of things trying to find out who murdered Detective Jones at Ruby's surprise birthday party. Little do the guests at the Oceanside know but there is a hardened criminal in their midst. Detective Jones was not anyone's favorite person so Ruby and Bee have their hands full trying to narrow down the suspects.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another murder hits the town of Carmel Springs and right in the middle of Ruby's surprise birthday party. As people's past are revealed including Bee's and new friend Sam arrested, she will start to wonder how well she knows her new friends and if one of them can be capable of murder before sitting down for her Thanksgiving dinner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee are amazing characters in Carmel springs where a murder always ruins something. This time a surprise party for Ruby. This is a great story that is excellently written and so compelling I could not put it down. There are plenty of twists to keep me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise! Ruby doesn’t need another reason to shy away from birthday recognition, but certainly is surprised at Bee’s party for her when a body turns up. There is no shortage of suspects, but Ruby and Bee are determined to find the truth to this gruesome mystery. I enjoyed these characters, the humor throughout, and the entire series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a fun, entertaining and enjoyable cozy mystery to read, grab this book! The story line is well written and flows smoothly, the characters are fun and entertaining and you'll definitely fall in love with them. Rose has quickly added herself to my list of favorite cozy mystery authors. So far I haven't been disappointed with her work and Murder and Meringue Cake is no exception.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, solid detective story. Ruby's birthday went exceptionally well. Right up until the lights came on. The clues to the murder are delivered to the reader along with quite a few wild geese and red herring. Even though I hadn't read any of the previous stories, I don't feel like I missed anything.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Tragic. Twisted. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

At least this time when murder came again to Carmel Springs - Ruby and Bee were still on the food truck! A surprise party with a gruesome gift of a dead detective is not what Ruby wanted for her birthday! Ruby and Bee get back to solving the murder in quick fashion with all the delights of talking about baked goods along the way! One more installment for their stay in this town and then they move on!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guessed right

4.5 stars

This certainly started off with a bang with the crime happening immediately. The great thing was all the suspects in the same room during Ruby’s surprise party. It just upped the intensity of the crime. It was good. It was very fast paced mystery as Bee and Ruby set to solve. It was very intriguing and engaging. I actually figured it out before the reveal, which was a bonus for me.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee are at it again. Bee has planned a surprise party for Ruby's birthday. When they return to the guesthouse and the lights are turned on, they see the body of Detective Jones on top of the gift table. Everyone in attendance becomes a suspect so Ruby and Bee set out to solve the crime.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dee surprises Ruby with a birthday party...but the big surprise is a dead detective sitting at the table and he did not get along with either Ruby or Dee!!! Things get really going in this story as Ruby and Dee try to find out who actually did do the deed. A fun read! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book
from Booksprout.

[Debi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and I still love the characters but the editing needed work in this one. Thanksgiving definitely has a capital 'T' and Maine the state definitely has a capital 'M' and an 'E' on the end☺
There was one thing that I was left wondering about....what happened to the birthday presents? I mean Bee was so anxious to give Ruby her gift before the murder. I just wondered why she didn't get her gifts back from the police. It just seemed like it should have been something small but unfinished.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th in the series. The main characters are Ruby and Bee. This time the person who made their lives most unhappy was found dead in the guesthouse on Ruby's birthday. They are once again thrown into investigating a murder when the owner Sam is arrested for killing Officer Jones. They are sure it wasn't her but almost took to long to figure it out.

[رواية · Rating 3 out of 5]

لم تكن روبي هولمز أبدًا من أشد المعجبين بأعياد الميلاد ،. لكن صديقتها (بي) تقوم بمفاجأتها في عيد ميلادها بحفلة صاخبة

عندما تدخل روبي إلى دار الضيافة المظلمة ، فإن آخر شيء تتوقعه هو أن جميع أصدقائها يصرخون "مفاجأة!" تشعر روبي بالسعادة إلى أن تضيء الانوار لتكشف عن جثة عدو روبي اللدود ملقاة في كومة من هدايا عيد ميلادها. هل يمكنها حل لغز قاتل عيد الميلاد قبل أن تتورط في الجريمة؟

[Janet L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry in the bite-sized bakery series of books. It’s almost Thanksgiving and of course there is another murder and this time it’s the crabby detective who is murdered. Bee and Ruby of course investigate and finally figure out who the killer is and Detective Martin arrives just in time to arrest the killer before she harms anyone else. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[♥️hind al iraqie · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's about Ruby and her friend bee in Ruby birthday surprise party they're found out that the last thing she expects in her birthday 🎂 there are Dead body in the room lying in a pile of her birthday present 🎁
do i know the killer no ideas 🧐 about the killer the shock in the end The Love latter wow 🫣

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you turn on the lights at a surprise party and find a dead body? If you’re a Ruby and Bee you try to figure out who the killer is. This was a quick read and even though I figured out who the killer was, I enjoyed the story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. The characters, especially Ruby and Bee, are well-rounded and well written. The story moves along quickly and had some twists. Overall, a very enjoyable book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[xndr rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It has all the right elements and it was a quick read too. I have rated it four stars due to the choppyness feeling from the first few chapters. I guess the didn't flow well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winner!

Love this series & it's quirky characters. I was happy to read a little about Bee's background, now some things make more sense about her character. This is a dynamic read. I look forward to more.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bee throws a surprise birthday for Ruby. She is not one to celebrate, and after she may never again. When lights and surprise is yelled, so did the scream of seeing a dead man.These are enjoyable cozy mystery and good characters