Killer Crab Cakes

Fresh-Baked Mystery #4

by Livia J. Washburn

In this bake-off, people get knocked off. The irresistible new entry in the national bestselling series.

When Phyllis?s cousin asks her to look after her Oak Knoll bed-and-breakfast for a few weeks, Phyllis jumps at the chance?mostly because the inn is located close to the annual Rockport, Texas, Just Desserts competition. Determined to beat her friendly rival and enjoy some peaceful downtime with her boyfriend Sam, Phyllis concocts the ultimate sweet treat.

But Phyllis?s holiday turns bitter when she and Sam discover a dead body?and all signs point to murder. Dismayed that bad luck seems to pop up wherever she goes, Phyllis wants to stay out of this one. But as the list of suspects gets too close for comfort, she decides to throw herself into the mix. Because when it comes to solving murders, Phyllis is one smart cookie.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Food, Romance

297 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Under the names Livia J. Washburn and L.J. Washburn, Livia Reasoner has been writing award-winning, critically acclaimed mystery, western, romance, and historical novels for more than thirty years. She began to write in collaboration with her husband, author James Reasoner, and soon branched out into telling her own stories. She received the Private Eye Writers of America award and the American Mystery award for her first mystery, WILD NIGHT, and was nominated for a Spur by the Western Writers of America for a novel she wrote with her husband, James Reasoner. Livia won the Peacemaker Award from Western Fictioneers for her story “Charlie’s Pie”.

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second "Fresh-Baked Mystery." Honestly, I find the series really odd. Here are some thoughts:

1. Why does Phyllis always talk about how she's going to go to Walmart? She's never going shopping anywhere other than Walmart. Is this a product endorsement? Walmart is the pits.

2. Phyllis often makes completely bizarre and unnecessary observations. One time, she describes a cute wall calendar in very explicit detail, and then says something like, "But I wasn't in the mood to notice cute things." ??? Another time, someone says "No one expects the Spanish Inquistion," and Phyllis thinks, basically, "I have no idea what that means, unless it means no one expects something really unexpected to happen suddenly." For real lady? If you think your audience is going to have a hard time keeping up with a turn of phrase, just don't use it. Or trust your audience farther than you can throw them.

3. EVERYONE is more interesting than Phyllis. And when Phyllis is interesting, I think it's accidental. She acts purely to move the story forward, she has no internal consistency. Meanwhile, Carolyn has such a bad attitude all the time (she is willing to fight the police); the police are a father-daughter team, the daughter owning a sweet retro bar with great burgers; Sam is totally chill about everything. Why couldn't one of them narrate? Phyllis jumps to conclusions like crazy (everyone's guilty! it's all my fault! swingers!); she keeps information from the police, and yet gets angry at the police for not arresting the right person; her judgments are arbitrary and (or because) her relationships are superficial; walking around Walmart with a man makes her blush.

4. The motive for the crime is total Scooby Doo spooking people so as to get cheaper real estate.

I feel like there's a much better book buried in there somewhere.

[Readaholic Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book but kind of a sudden wrap-up in the ending. The solution just suddenly came to Phyllis and that's it. But still an enjoyable book, overall.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy mysteries that score 3/5 are different from others. They are the ones to watch. There were many things to like about Killer Crab Cakes, one of them being the seamless way the usual suspects (and I use the term loosely) segue into the brand new background of Fulton. The pacing in this book was out of this world. Though this book could not reach lofty heights it had a lot of heart. The deaths, first by poison, then another by stabbing were solved apparently with much time, while in fact mere days had passed. I will be limiting my consumption of cozy mysteries for now, but this good book is blameless in that matter. I wish the retired cast of teachers will come back to this location, though I suppose there'll always be... other towns.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book in the series, this time with Phyllis and the gang heading to the Texas coast to take care of her cousin's B&B where of course murder and mayhem ensue. I really enjoyed this book and coastal town setting. I was very proud of myself since I figured out who the culprit was including motive!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't help but like this installment of the Texas Golden Girls Minus Sophia, But With Stan. But the motive behind the murder was LAME! I'll be damned if I'm going to jail because I'm trying to impress someone. Not worth it.

Carolyn lightened up for a second, but then went back to being cranky. She's like the Anti-Rose of the group. Eve, or Blance, was rather tame this time around. Now that she doesn't have a victim to try and trap, she's kind of boring. I like Sam, but the John Wayne-y speak is annoyin'. I wonder if Phyllis got a pass at her amateur investigation because she's of a mature age?

I'll most likely read the next book because while the books are entertaining, they go by quickly!

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series. This book is different from the other books in the series because of the location. Nice to read about the Rockport area. Because of the change of location, you have a different set of law enforcement involved. Interesting, but I'm looking forward to Phyllis and her bunch going back home to Weatherford, Texas.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phyllis is down at her cousin's bed and breakfast, helping out while she and her husband go to be with their new grand baby. Of course the rest of the gang want to tag along and have a vacation, too! While her and her friends are staying at the b&b, there is a death that turns out to be a murder. During the process of trying to figure that one out, there is another one. By the end, Phyllis is trying to thwart a third murder, when she finally figures out who the murderer is! She and Sam are almost killed at the end of this one. I can tell you I figured out who did it very early, but that said, it is a VERY good read and I think you should read it!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's early Autumn and Phyllis travels to Fulton, Texas to look after a Bed & Breakfast for her cousin with all her housemates in tow. Just happens to be another baking competition nearby. With all the characters at the B&B, there are certainly the proverbial fireworks to be shooting off. Seemingly unrelated murders in a fast-paced story that keeps you guessing until the end. Plenty of unexpected twists and turns as usual. Well researched location with historically accurate information that makes me want to visit but only if murder is NOT on the menu.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

No time to read and library hold times made it take forever to finish this book, through no fault of the writing. I quite enjoyed the story and had no idea who did it until last ten percent.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I decide to read another book in this series...somebody, please just slap it right out of my hand.

[Joan Jesion]

I enjoyed this one more than the other two. An easy read.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phyllis and her three retired school teaching friends head down to Fulton, Texas to watch over Phyllis' cousin's Bed and Breakfast. The view and large house is amazing and the group is treating it like a paid vacation until...

A guest dies on the dock fishing. The Chief and Asst. Chief of Police quickly determines that he didn't die of natural causes but poisoning in the crab cakes he ate for breakfast! Phyllis and Sam realize they had better solve this crime quickly or the reputation of the B&B will fail.

The sub-story is about the Sea Fair and the dessert competition called 'Just Desserts.' Both Phyllis and Carolyn enter and the game is on. Luckily for us fans, the recipes are included at the end of the book. Yum!

There is another murder and when Phyllis suddenly realizes who the killer is....she and Sam are endangered as well as another guest.

This was an exciting novel. The story line was strong and flowed well. Red-Herrings were found and made me try to figure out who for much longer than normal. I loved the location as well.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the small-town setting near a fishing pier and the bed and breakfast. Amazed at the number of quick to anger people. I was a bit disillusioned with the main character. She actually gets a really nice chief of police and assistant in this book who would work with her while she pushes them away. She's so literal with little humor that she's offended over minor things. She jumps to assumptions based on appearances, & thoughts consequently causing lies of omission, and weak gossip to the police. These actions are only to sway the police in the direction she wants it to go. Lastly hiding huge pieces of information (actually based on facts she'd been told) from the police. Finding integrity in her friends for doing the same omissions because it was for her benefit. Sorry for the complaining. Her books are usually quite fun and I excitedly wait for another. This one is disappointing. The good news is there's a bit of a surprising twist at the end. So it was still a pretty good book.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis and her roommates go to the Texas Gold Coast to look after her cousin's bed and breakfast for a few weeks. Unfortunately, a murder occurs soon after and Phyllis gets caught up in another investigation. Normally, I like Phyllis, but I found her a little annoying with a bit of a judgmental attitude this time. I did enjoy seeing the bit of growth shown in her relationship with Sam. I also enjoyed getting to know the town she was visiting and the new characters there. I also enjoyed the recipes that were included.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis's cousin asks her to look after her bed and breakfast for a few weeks, she is happy to do it, because the inn is close to the annual Just desserts competition. she is determined to beat her rival and enjoy time with her boyfriend Sam. Their stay is spoiled when a dead body is found in the inn and the cook is blamed. Phyllis wants to stay out of it but another dead body turns up and she is sure the cook didn't do it. An enjoyable mystery.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis Newsom and her friends tend to her cousin’s Bed and Breakfast while the relative visits her daughter. When someone dies after eating leftover crab cakes for breakfast, Phyllis refuses to believe their friendly cook is at fault. A second murder has Phyllis looking closely at the guest list. Can she sort through the shenanigans among the visitors to detect the killer? The Texas coastal setting has its own charm in this breezy cozy mystery.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery, didn’t guess the killer til Phyllis guessed it herself. Phyllis, Sam, Carolyn and Eve have travelled to the Texas town of Rockport to look after Dorothy’s B&B while she spends time with her daughter and new grandchild. Soon a murder occurs and Phyllis and Sam are drawn into looking for the killer.

[Hoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read. Make it tv series! First book by this author. Books based around food seem to be my interest at this time. Love the recipes included. Will bake the oatmeal cookies this summer. Looking forward to reading more of ther Fresh-Baked Mystery books. I thought I knew who the killer was.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this interesting and fun installment of this mystery series. Set out of it's normal area. When Phyllis and company head to Phyllis 's cousins B&B to help run it while they are away. A murder is committed along with another murder. There is no shortage of suspects. Phyllis can't help but get involved all while there for a cooking festival as well.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Phyllis's cousin asked her to look after her Bed "n" Breakfast, Phyllis had no idea that murder would be involved. All she wanted was to enjoy the beach and enter the Just Dessert competition. Phyllis tries to stay out of the investigation, but since the victim was one of the guests she tries to narrow down who the murderer could be.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
A bunch of silliness really. The main character was your stereotypical nosy baker who can solve mysteries before the police. It’s a book type that my mom would probably love but I just can’t get into. The ending wrapped up really suddenly and the killer had horrible reasoning for the crimes.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow paced, Texas gulf coast cozy mystery set at a B&B. As a person who rarely guesses the murderer, without even trying it was obvious from the beginning. Most of the adults acted like teenagers with their attitudes. And the police were written like hillbilly caricatures.
Overall disappointing and wouldn’t reach for more in this series.

[Steve Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

hardly worth reading. the murderer's motivation was so out of place to the results that might have been gained.
i'd read this, if i found it in the seat pocket during an extended flight, if i had nothing else to do. but otherwise, forget it.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I rally enjoy this series. Plot and storyline were great. I love the characters in the book. They're well developed. Some good twists and turns but I had the killer pegged from the beginning. Some twists and turns. Highly recommend.

[Ruth Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't hold my attention. I kept trying but not successful for long.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the end but getting through the beginning took a little

[Corey Zander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute. Love the main character Phyllis, a retired history teacher. Quite cozy and an easy page turner.

[Cynthia Repsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder follows Phyllis to a picturesque bed and breakfast.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a 3.5 but rounded up because it was a nice setting and I am partial to crab ;)
The reveal was quick & right at the end.
I had a vague idea about the motive but it was a bit unblvbl.

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a fun quick read