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Powdered Peril: A Donut Shop Mystery    by Jessica Beck Amazon.com order for
Powdered Peril
by Jessica Beck
Order:  USA  Can
St. Martin's, 2012 (2012)
Paperback, e-Book
* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Here's an easy reading cozy mystery series for the donut lover - and who doesn't love donuts? Each book is sprinkled with recipes, such as one for Fried Apple Raisin Donuts. The lead is donut shop owner Suzanne Hart in April Springs, North Carolina. Though Powdered Peril (number eight) was the first episode in the series I've read, I found it easy to dive in and start munching (I mean reading, of course).

Suzanne is happily in a relationship with State Police Inspector Jake Bishop, though he doesn't play much of a role in this sleuthing adventure. It opens as Suzanne's best friend Grace informs the donut chef that she just dumped her boyfriend (Peter Morgan) after learning that he'd been cheating on her. Next Police Chief Martin shows up to interrogate Grace as a suspect in Peter's murder! Naturally Suzanne and Grace investigate.

They learn that Peter had been involved with various other women (young and older), and had cheated both his partner and his brother - there are more suspects than they know what to do with. The determined duo dispense donuts as they systematically interview each one, including Suzanne's new assistant at Donut Hearts. Soon the killer is targeting them too.

This eightth in the Donut Shop mystery series is fun and frothy. It goes down as easily as one of Suzanne's Donut Heart concoctions. Enjoy!

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