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Samantha Sweet #1
Sweet Masterpiece
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
Samantha Sweet breaks into houses for a living--all perfectly legal as a caretaker for the USDA. But her real dream is to open her own pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets.
Life is a little crazy for Sam right now. At one of her break-in properties a dying woman insists that she take a small wooden box. Sam doesn't realize that the old woman was known locally as a bruja, a witch, until she begins to feel some strange effects from the box, herself.
Meanwhile, at another property, she finds an unmarked grave and the authorities come to investigate. The property owner disappeared a few months earlier and Sam wonders--who is the body in the grave? A small mural in the house leads to a connection with a famous artist; a bogus will points to possible fraud; and the handsome deputy investigating the case seems completely enchanted with Sam.
While Sam scrambles to fill bakery orders and keep her properties in order, she's equally intrigued with the idea of a new romance. It all makes for a delightful romantic mystery with elements of the paranormal.
Samantha Sweet breaks into houses for a living--all perfectly legal as a caretaker for the USDA. But her real dream is to open her own pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets.
Life is a little crazy for Sam right now. At one of her break-in properties a dying woman insists that she take a small wooden box. Sam doesn't realize that the old woman was known locally as a bruja, a witch, until she begins to feel some strange effects from the box, herself.
Meanwhile, at another property, she finds an unmarked grave and the authorities come to investigate. The property owner disappeared a few months earlier and Sam wonders--who is the body in the grave? A small mural in the house leads to a connection with a famous artist; a bogus will points to possible fraud; and the handsome deputy investigating the case seems completely enchanted with Sam.
While Sam scrambles to fill bakery orders and keep her properties in order, she's equally intrigued with the idea of a new romance. It all makes for a delightful romantic mystery with elements of the paranormal.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2010
3244 people are currently reading
4071 people want to read
About the author
Connie Shelton
96 books310 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews
October 5, 2016
What is it with American cozy mysteries? Weak plot, weak mystery, lots of cookery... The structure of this type of novel is like many surburban houses: same house, different curtains.
December 30, 2016
Interesting job for the main character to have - cleaning abandoned homes. But the whole bakery thing, I have read so many of these 'cozy mysteries' and 'chick lit' books where the main characters own or work in bakeries. Blech. I did however like that this MC was a little older and would consider reading others in this series.
November 24, 2018
Pastry baker Samantha Sweet finds an unmarked grave, then pairs up with Deputy Beau Cardwell to investigate.
Shelton's storytelling is superb, her setting are vivid and her characters are likable, real and well-developed.
An entertaining read.
Shelton's storytelling is superb, her setting are vivid and her characters are likable, real and well-developed.
An entertaining read.
February 7, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Samantha Sweet has a unique occupation. She breaks into foreclosed abandoned homes for the USDA to get them ready for resale. She is never sure what she will find but she never expected to find a bedridden dying woman in one house and a grave in the backyard of another all in one day. The upside is meeting Deputy Beau Cardwell. She gets to see more of him as she uncovers major clues to help identify the backyard body. There is a spark between them that is undeniable.
Sam’s true passion is baking and she is working hard to make her dreams of opening her own shop Sweet’s Sweets come true. Her coffers are filling nicely until her daughter “borrows” some cash and then returns home after quitting her job before she finds another. With her baking orders, a daughter to encourage, a police investigation, and oh, an unusual discovery with magical powers Samantha Sweet has her hands full.
This was a fun read. A protagonist close to my own age it was a pleasure to meet Samantha Sweet. She has a few insecurities but she is a hard worker who is driven by her quest to own a pastry shop. Her relationship with her daughter is typical, I could identify, and her budding relationship with the handsome deputy was heartwarming.
The plot was very interesting. First, Samantha is given a gift from the dying woman. The woman dies shortly after Sam finds her but that gift is much more than it appears. Then she makes an amazing discovery in a closet in the home with the backyard grave. With the help of one of her friends, she not only uncovers the name of the deceased but their incredible story. Blended into the mysteries are all her baking adventures and the first step she takes in making her dream a reality.
The story is very well plotted and nicely paced. It has a great flow. The characters are introduced and pretty fleshed out for the first book in a series. The mystery of the man in the shallow grave is wrapped up nicely by the end of the book. There were really few suspects and with a few twists the investigation concludes with quite a surprise. The mystery about the gift Sam received is still open. We know a little but hopefully, more will be revealed in the next book.
Sweet Masterpiece was a sweet read. An intriguing mystery with the perfect amount of romance. I chose to read this book because it is set in New Mexico for a reading challenge. I have added the next story, Sweet’s Sweets to my wishlist and plan to read it soon because I enjoyed this one and I want to know what happens next.
Samantha Sweet has a unique occupation. She breaks into foreclosed abandoned homes for the USDA to get them ready for resale. She is never sure what she will find but she never expected to find a bedridden dying woman in one house and a grave in the backyard of another all in one day. The upside is meeting Deputy Beau Cardwell. She gets to see more of him as she uncovers major clues to help identify the backyard body. There is a spark between them that is undeniable.
Sam’s true passion is baking and she is working hard to make her dreams of opening her own shop Sweet’s Sweets come true. Her coffers are filling nicely until her daughter “borrows” some cash and then returns home after quitting her job before she finds another. With her baking orders, a daughter to encourage, a police investigation, and oh, an unusual discovery with magical powers Samantha Sweet has her hands full.
This was a fun read. A protagonist close to my own age it was a pleasure to meet Samantha Sweet. She has a few insecurities but she is a hard worker who is driven by her quest to own a pastry shop. Her relationship with her daughter is typical, I could identify, and her budding relationship with the handsome deputy was heartwarming.
The plot was very interesting. First, Samantha is given a gift from the dying woman. The woman dies shortly after Sam finds her but that gift is much more than it appears. Then she makes an amazing discovery in a closet in the home with the backyard grave. With the help of one of her friends, she not only uncovers the name of the deceased but their incredible story. Blended into the mysteries are all her baking adventures and the first step she takes in making her dream a reality.
The story is very well plotted and nicely paced. It has a great flow. The characters are introduced and pretty fleshed out for the first book in a series. The mystery of the man in the shallow grave is wrapped up nicely by the end of the book. There were really few suspects and with a few twists the investigation concludes with quite a surprise. The mystery about the gift Sam received is still open. We know a little but hopefully, more will be revealed in the next book.
Sweet Masterpiece was a sweet read. An intriguing mystery with the perfect amount of romance. I chose to read this book because it is set in New Mexico for a reading challenge. I have added the next story, Sweet’s Sweets to my wishlist and plan to read it soon because I enjoyed this one and I want to know what happens next.
October 27, 2014
Sam is a 50 year old, pudgy? heavy? stocky? (Don't really know) woman who wants to open a bakery but cannot afford the capital investment. To save money she works for the USDA cleaning homes currently in foreclosure and caters baked goods she prepares in her very small kitchen. At 16 she left Texas to explore Alaska where she was employed as a camp cook on the Alaskan pipeline. She became pregnant, left Alaska without telling the father, moved to Denver, etc., etc., etc. She is still sexy enough to attract Beau, a gorgeous deputy sheriff. They have amazing sex. Sam's daughter stole her life savings but returns again after quitting a $70m job and walking out on her mortgage. She is suddenly reformed and starts a new job as caregiver for Beau's aging mother. LET ME KNOW WHEN THIS STORY BECOMES TOO CONTRIVED BECAUSE WE HAVE YET TO GET TO A MAGIC BOX WITH MYSTICAL POWERS, A WEALTHY GAY WRITER FRIEND, AN EX HIPPY B&B OWNER, AND THE MYSTERY ITSELF.
March 30, 2020
2.75 Inoffensive but Meh Stars
Started on a good note - with the heroine - Sam baking and making me want a chocolate cupcake so bad. Alas that was the high point, not the cosy mystery I was hoping for, didn't find myself curling up at the corner of the sofa and loosing myself in the pages.
Sam's daughter...ick
A tiny bit of skim reading at the 45% mark and whilst everything else was read I've not retained it.
Freebie on amazon
Started on a good note - with the heroine - Sam baking and making me want a chocolate cupcake so bad. Alas that was the high point, not the cosy mystery I was hoping for, didn't find myself curling up at the corner of the sofa and loosing myself in the pages.
Sam's daughter...ick
A tiny bit of skim reading at the 45% mark and whilst everything else was read I've not retained it.
Freebie on amazon
May 30, 2012
What a fun book..This is the first I've read by this author and it was so enjoyable..Can't wait to start the second in the series..
January 6, 2014
At age fifty; Samantha Sweet’s dream was to own a bakery featuring cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. Currently, she was doing her baking at home under less than ideal conditions. Until she saved enough money to accomplish that she worked part time for a government agency cleaning and maintaining homes that had gone into default. Her job was to get them into shape to be sold.
One day, she found a very ill, very unusual woman lying in bed in one of the houses. The woman gave Sam a box which she said had special powers, then she died. When she was mowing the yard at the next house, she discovered an unidentified grave. Both those finds play major roles in SWEET MASTERPIECE.
Her new powers give her more energy and the ability to see things others cannot. The body in the grave is that of a recluse, an elderly man who turned out to have been a famous painter. The sheriff’s department initially believes he may have died from pneumonia or another natural cause.
While the book was a fast read and well-written, I found the plot to be very thin. There were some very good descriptions of various locations. It had a lot of filler material about making cakes and cupcakes (no recipes were provided) and an overview, repeated several times, of what Sam did to prepare a house.
The book has a lot of characters, primarily some of Sam’s long-time friends. She talks about her daughter Kelly who cleaned out Sam’s savings. Later the daughter returns but the story doesn’t give enough details about why she quit her job or why she suddenly changed.
Another main character is the sheriff, Beau Cardwell. The relationship between him and Sam moves too quickly without explanation of Beau’s motivation.
Overall, I found the book to be boring because of all the surface attention given to Sam’s jobs. It might have made a better short story.
This book was a free Amazon download.
One day, she found a very ill, very unusual woman lying in bed in one of the houses. The woman gave Sam a box which she said had special powers, then she died. When she was mowing the yard at the next house, she discovered an unidentified grave. Both those finds play major roles in SWEET MASTERPIECE.
Her new powers give her more energy and the ability to see things others cannot. The body in the grave is that of a recluse, an elderly man who turned out to have been a famous painter. The sheriff’s department initially believes he may have died from pneumonia or another natural cause.
While the book was a fast read and well-written, I found the plot to be very thin. There were some very good descriptions of various locations. It had a lot of filler material about making cakes and cupcakes (no recipes were provided) and an overview, repeated several times, of what Sam did to prepare a house.
The book has a lot of characters, primarily some of Sam’s long-time friends. She talks about her daughter Kelly who cleaned out Sam’s savings. Later the daughter returns but the story doesn’t give enough details about why she quit her job or why she suddenly changed.
Another main character is the sheriff, Beau Cardwell. The relationship between him and Sam moves too quickly without explanation of Beau’s motivation.
Overall, I found the book to be boring because of all the surface attention given to Sam’s jobs. It might have made a better short story.
This book was a free Amazon download.
June 4, 2018
Sweet Masterpiece by Connie Shelton is the first Samantha Sweet mystery. Samantha Sweet cleans out repossessed houses but dreams of opening her own bakery. At one of her houses she finds a fresh grave with the body of a well known artist. A fun start to the series. Some paranormal elements with a box which seems to have magical powers. Interesting and likeable characters. A quick and light entertaining mystery.
February 11, 2021
Sam (Samantha) works with the USDA. She cleans and maintains abandoned properties. But what she really wants to do is open up her sweet shop. And she knows she will call it Sweets Sweets. She already makes cakes for a bookstore that Ivan owns. And some other people that have heard about her. On her USDA work days Sam finds and old lady dying Bertha. Around town she is considered a witch
. Then Sam comes to another house she is cleaning up and discovers a grave. Sam wonder how this happened.
. Then Sam comes to another house she is cleaning up and discovers a grave. Sam wonder how this happened.
November 19, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! The protagonist works for the USDA when houses are foreclosed upon. Samantha maintains the properties until sold. In her spare time, she bakes out of her own with a dream of owning her own shop. Things are going along well until she finds a grave at a house she has been asked to secure. This leads into several mysteries - who is the dead person and what about an artist's work that is found in the closet? How did it get there?
There is also this mystery box that she takes from a home where an elderly woman dies not long after she breaks into the house. We don't know much about this box other than it seems to give her some healing abilities for others and energy. Hopefully if this is a series it is addressed more.
In regards to the dead body in the grave, there aren't many characters to choose from in figuring out who the murderer is. I suspected because I was running out of options, but it was interesting to read why.
apparently there are 8 books in this series (so far) so I'll be looking into reading more.
There is also this mystery box that she takes from a home where an elderly woman dies not long after she breaks into the house. We don't know much about this box other than it seems to give her some healing abilities for others and energy. Hopefully if this is a series it is addressed more.
In regards to the dead body in the grave, there aren't many characters to choose from in figuring out who the murderer is. I suspected because I was running out of options, but it was interesting to read why.
apparently there are 8 books in this series (so far) so I'll be looking into reading more.
February 7, 2017
"You can't judge a book by its cover"
An entertaining mystery, that is obviously by an accomplished writer. Not a fan of the supernatural element though, and if I had been searching for a paperback to read, the cover would have put me off straight away. That would have been my loss, because what was inside was far better than the sugary, sweet coating suggested.
An entertaining mystery, that is obviously by an accomplished writer. Not a fan of the supernatural element though, and if I had been searching for a paperback to read, the cover would have put me off straight away. That would have been my loss, because what was inside was far better than the sugary, sweet coating suggested.
July 6, 2017
A sweet find
Fabulous book with an excellent plot, great characters, and a bit of romance. I have a new series to read!
Fabulous book with an excellent plot, great characters, and a bit of romance. I have a new series to read!
January 10, 2019
Not too exciting for my first cozy of the year.
October 11, 2013
"Sweet Masterpiece" by Connie Shelton was, for me, a good introduction into the life of Samatha Sweet. She was a likeable central character who presents a strong and positive image. I also liked the fact that she was in her 50's and working two jobs to pay her bills and save for her dream of owning her own bakery. I had never heard of her job for the government before I read this book. I found it fascinating that she broke into homes that people had defaulted on their government loans and walked away. She cleaned up these homes so that they could be sold at auction. This type of job added to this original plot because Sam had a "real" reason for being at the homes instead of just her being nosy (as so many other cozy mysteries characters).
However, there were a couple of times during the story where Sam did do things that I call "TSTL" moments and they jolted me out of the story. I was shaking my head thinking "why did she do that?".
This series is set in Taos, NM. I have visited there and loved the area. Her descriptions of the town and the surrounding area were so vivid that I was quite happy to "see" familiar spots that I had visited before.
The secondary characters were really well developed and I enjoyed meeting them all. The handsome sheriff and his mother, Sam's daughter and Sam's friends helped to keep the plot moving. The story was interesting with enough twists and turns that kept me reading till the end. I look forward to the next book in this series.
However, there were a couple of times during the story where Sam did do things that I call "TSTL" moments and they jolted me out of the story. I was shaking my head thinking "why did she do that?".
This series is set in Taos, NM. I have visited there and loved the area. Her descriptions of the town and the surrounding area were so vivid that I was quite happy to "see" familiar spots that I had visited before.
The secondary characters were really well developed and I enjoyed meeting them all. The handsome sheriff and his mother, Sam's daughter and Sam's friends helped to keep the plot moving. The story was interesting with enough twists and turns that kept me reading till the end. I look forward to the next book in this series.
April 11, 2017
Samantha Sweet breaks into houses for a living—all perfectly legal as a caretaker for the USDA. But her real dream is to open her own pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets. Life is a little crazy for Sam right now. At one of her break-in properties a dying woman insists that she take a small wooden box. Sam doesn't realize that the old woman was known locally as a bruja, a witch, until she begins to feel some strange effects from the box, herself. Meanwhile, at another property, she finds an unmarked grave and the authorities come to investigate. The property owner disappeared a few months earlier and Sam wonders—who is the body in the grave? A small mural in the house leads to a connection with a famous artist; a bogus will points to possible fraud; and the handsome deputy investigating the case seems completely enchanted with Sam. While Sam scrambles to fill bakery orders and keep her properties in order, she's equally intrigued with the idea of a new romance. It all makes for a delightful romantic mystery with elements of the paranormal.
I loved this mystery. It's a little supernatural, a little romance, and a whole lot of mystery. Very well written. 5 stars.
I loved this mystery. It's a little supernatural, a little romance, and a whole lot of mystery. Very well written. 5 stars.
February 19, 2014
Sam Sweet moved to Taos New Mexico to start a new life. She works for USDA. Apparently when a home is left vacant and money is owed, the USDA takes it over. Sam cleans the home, disposes of old stuff and personal stuff. Apparently is pays well. But her love is her baking. She makes cakes and cup cakes and cookies for parties, etc. One day she wants to open her own bakery and call it Sweets Sweets. Life is going well until she is cleaning one of the houses and finds what she thinks is a grave in the back yard. She calls her boss and then calls the police. Sure enough, it is a grave. She then starts to clean the home and finds a painting done in a bedroom closet on the wall. Odd. She calls a friend that knows art and discovers that it is from a famous painter. Then as they say, the plot thickens. There are lots of good people trying to do the right thing, and tons of bad people, doing what bad people do. It is a great mystery that I think you will enjoy. Make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy.
August 1, 2016
Secret power magical boxes. Sentences desperately in need of editing. More random love stuff than mystery writing. Predictable plot. Anyway, I think you get the idea of what this book is like and about. A woman who wants to open a sweet shot (Sweet's Sweets, perhaps the most imaginative thought in the book) also cleans out abandoned houses to make extra money. In one of the abandoned houses she finds a dying woman who gives her a magical box. In the next house she finds a grave in the backyard and an amazing painting by a long missing artist. And then the local sheriff falls in love with her and her daughter who had walked off with all her money returns and becomes a saint. Is it the magical box or just lousy writing? Perhaps we will never know. Perhaps we will never care. I can at least give the book credit for being a fast read. Anyway, if you like mysteries then don't waste your time here. This should be in the SF/Romance section under one-dimensional books.
October 3, 2014
Samantha Sweet is a wonderful main character in this sweet cozy mystery series. Most people will easily relate to her - a single mom working multiple jobs while dreaming of her own business. I didn't expect to find such a normal character in a book with a paranormal story line. This book provides a lot of interesting background about Sam's many jobs - including cake baking, how the government rehabs abandoned houses to put them back on the market, and how long lost art is valued and authenticated. The paranormal story involves a magical box with powers that affect Sam. This will require the reader to dispel everyday logic. The author uses the box to give Sam information she needs to solve the book's mystery. You'll have to sit and read the book for any more plot information. This reviewer is not a spoiler! Enjoy!
September 25, 2019
Samantha, AKA Sam, cleans out foreclosed properties in Taos, NM. She is shocked to find a grave in the backyard of one home, and when the police are called in, it seems as if the former inhabitant might have been a famous reclusive artist. Was his death murder? Could greedy relatives have been responsible? Sam, who does custom baking and hopes someday to open her own bakery, is curious enough not to let it drop, though the police chief wants to close the case. A Kindle freebie, this relaxing cozy mystery with a pleasant Taos setting is enhanced by the characters, the story and, of course, the descriptions of the unique baked goods.
November 28, 2017
Another wonderful series
This is the first book in a new to me series. Sam Sweet breaks into vacant houses for a living. It's legal though. She is caretaker for houses that have been foreclosed on. When she discovers a grave in the back yard of one of her houses, things get dicey. On top of that she has an elderly woman die in one of the houses she was cleaning. Not before the old lady gives her a wooden box. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad there are more in the series.
This is the first book in a new to me series. Sam Sweet breaks into vacant houses for a living. It's legal though. She is caretaker for houses that have been foreclosed on. When she discovers a grave in the back yard of one of her houses, things get dicey. On top of that she has an elderly woman die in one of the houses she was cleaning. Not before the old lady gives her a wooden box. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad there are more in the series.
June 9, 2016
Mystery, magic, and cakes!
All Samantha Sweet wants is to have her own bakery. But her life becomes more interesting when she receives a mysterious box that imbues her with powers and stumbles upon a murder mystery in the small New Mexico town. This was very different from the mystery and paranormal stories I have read. It's a light read and has some interesting characters and set up, again different from the usual mystery fare. Perfect for a rainy day!
All Samantha Sweet wants is to have her own bakery. But her life becomes more interesting when she receives a mysterious box that imbues her with powers and stumbles upon a murder mystery in the small New Mexico town. This was very different from the mystery and paranormal stories I have read. It's a light read and has some interesting characters and set up, again different from the usual mystery fare. Perfect for a rainy day!
July 4, 2018
I enjoyed this book, Samantha breaks into foreclosed houses and cleans/fixes them up for resale. She is also saving for a bakery of her own. During this book she finds a house with the paintings of a very good artist and also his gave on the land. She believes it is murder. She developes a relationship with a policeman who helps her look into the case. Her adult daughter moves back home to live with her and it seems to be going well even though there had been trouble in the past.
July 19, 2011
What a fun read! Sam has unusual careers-- government sanctioned housebreaker and baker. The housebreaking is just until she get enough money together to open her own bakery, but as we all know, money is in short supply these days. Though cleaning repossed houses is usually more boring than scary, Sam manages to find two bodies in the course of one day. Could the deaths be related?
March 5, 2018
Samantha Sweet works for the USDA. Her job involves breaking into houses. Her real dream is to own a Pastry shop. Things are going well until she finds a grave at a house she has been asked to secure. This leads to several mysteries including a mysterious box and some artists work found in a closet. Can Samantha solve these mysteries?
July 25, 2014
Oh dear God. I'm on a roll. This free book was written by someone who has mastered the art of sentence fragments. I tend to not be picky about things like that but when it's constant and there are sentences like "Two perky ears." it's just too much.
April 1, 2017
Sweet Masterpiece
This was my first novel by Connie Shelton. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. A very likable protagonist and supporting characters coupled with an interesting plot made for an enjoyable fast read.
This was my first novel by Connie Shelton. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. A very likable protagonist and supporting characters coupled with an interesting plot made for an enjoyable fast read.
January 28, 2018
I loved this book! I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the story line....everything! Sometimes I look for an easy read, and this fit the bill PERFECTLY! I am thrilled Connie Shelton has 10 more books in her Samantha Sweet Series!
Love it!
Love it!
September 22, 2017
My First "Samantha Sweet" Book☺️...Loved all The Unsolved Mysteries,till the end..Kept me Very Interested in Samantha's life... "Multitask x 3" is What Samantha does so Well... 🔍🔎 Plus!
July 23, 2018
What a fun read. Love the characters and can't wait to read more in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews