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Cupcake food truck owner Isabel Addington has plenty on her plate without adding a side of murder.

She’s trying to get a vendor spot in Lakeshore’s completely booked summer festivals. She’s navigating her new—and strange—relationship with the Cartwright/Holmes family. And she’s fighting back against the fears from her past that keep trying to block her from a good future.

When she finally lands a coveted spot at the annual sandcastle-building competition, she thinks her troubles are finally behind her.

Until one of the teams digs up a body right in front of Isabel’s food truck. And she knows the dead man.

Now to keep herself and her new friends out of danger, Isabel has to find the real killer before he or she gets away…or ruins Isabel’s business and life.


Dead Velvet Cake is the second book in Emily James’ Cupcake Truck Mystery series.

Cupcake recipe included!

This book is a "clean" read and contains no swearing, gore, or steamy bedroom scenes. While the series is best enjoyed in order, each book is a complete mystery on its own.

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2020

33 people are currently reading
36 people want to read

About the author

Emily James

34 books95 followers
Award-winning and bestselling author Emily James writes cozy mysteries with quirky characters, twisty plots, and a touch of romance.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Tara | Mercyandgracereads.
145 reviews20 followers
November 25, 2025
Dead Velvet Cake by Emily James (Cupcake Truck Mysteries #2)
Isabel Addington has a troubled past, but she Is trying to build a new life as the owner of a cupcake truck. She becomes a prime suspect when a Boyd is found right outside of her cupcake truck. With the help of local detective, Dan, she works to figure out the clues before she ends up taking the fall.
The backstory was a bit repetitive both within this book and if you have read the previous book. With that said, this is a fun, quick, and quirky cozy.
689 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2020
Love, love, love, love this book!!!!

10++++!!!!
Isabel tries to get her life back and normal as possible, but with what she had gone through the past, she is getting there slowly with the help of a few people that she has learned she can trust.
Trying to help Eve, a woman that is her regular customer, she gets involved into a great big messy crime and that means Dan and Claire have to get involved to help.
There starts out only two suspects, Eve and her which means they start to investigate who did the crime because there is so many people had reasons to get rid of thier abusive boss.
You have to read for the details. You will love it. Can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,640 reviews103 followers
February 20, 2021
This was another good installment in this series! I'm really loving how Isabel is learning to trust people a little more and conquer that pesky Fear that keeps telling her she's in danger or she's not worth anything. Her relationship with Dan, Claire and Janie was growing better, and she no longer had to feel homeless.

It was a good mystery that made me wonder who to trust for a while, but then it all made sense whodunit. The showdown was a good one, and the last words of the book were words you could pretty much remember the whole book by. I'm binge-ing right along thanks to KU!
Profile Image for Janet.
526 reviews9 followers
April 21, 2021
My reading has been sluggish lately so this was a light bit of reading I could do in between other things. The characters seem well-formed and, for the most part, likeable. This time Isobel has gotten herself into trouble by standing up for another abused woman. I like the descriptions of her cupcake truck and her business. The slow and budding friendships she is now allowing herself to have are well written. I'm sure I'll read more of the series.
93 reviews
September 25, 2020
Another Great Story

Excellent plot and details that make you feel that you are there. Lots of suspense and the crazy things that happen day to day. Can hardly wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Britton Epps.
364 reviews40 followers
September 29, 2020
Finished in one day. Great mystery and a touch of ( fingers crossed) romance. Can not wait for more in this series.
4,417 reviews43 followers
January 7, 2022
Who killed Anthony Rigman and why??? Isabel is keeping up with things though!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
1,415 reviews9 followers
January 29, 2024
Who killed Anthony Rigman and why??? He did it to protect his employees??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
Profile Image for Mai.
2,891 reviews6 followers
August 12, 2025
Loved it. 10/10. No notes. Such great characters and story.
205 reviews8 followers
May 26, 2021
Isabel Addington finally lands a great spot at the sand castle event. When a team is digging they manage to dig up a body-- right in front of Isabel's truck. She didn't stick around to see who it was but soon learns it was the abusive boyfriend of her new friend Eve. Suddenly Isabel and Eve find themselves as the main suspects. Isabel has knack of figuring out things but can she manage to clear them before the real killer manages to silence them ??
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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