The latest book in the deliciously delightful Deputy Donut Mystery series is here! The 8th book in this long running series by Ginger Bolton is sure to be a crowd pleaser as amateur sleuth and Deputy Donut Cafe owner, Emily Westhill, returns with a wedding on the horizon, and all while a murder is brewing.
True to form the Deputy Donut Mystery series graces Double Grudge Donuts with a delightful cover that showcases the storefront of Deputy Donuts and their patio area. Dep sits adorably at one of the patio tables with a paw outstretched towards a plate of double fudge donuts. Makes you wish you could be there to share in one, too. Right? The cover definitely sets a scene that is sure to draw in fans of the series and new readers alike. Eye-catching, delicious elements, and an adorable kitty that surely will pique the interest of adoring cat lovers.
Double Grudge Donuts picks up with the Fallingbrook’s Art Festival week. What should be a joyous time for the town isn’t exactly going too well for one particular performer. A cornet performer seems to be struggling with their performance. Is this a case of stage-fright? Loss of concentration?
Well, when a bagpiper decides to let out a series of “squawks” and “wheezes” from their own instrument, it is definitely with the intent of lending a “helping hand” or any sense of “encouragement.” What those dreadful sounds end up doing is turning heads, drawing the ire of many and setting the stage….for murder.
Kirk, the bagpiper, is would appear is out to make more enemies than friends with his behavior. He’s a recent transplant to Fallingbrooks and works as a janitor at the local school. You’re quickly going to get the sense that he’s one of the least liked individuals in town. Kirk’s attitude and irritating behavior quickly create a list of people who like to see him silenced. But when he turns up dead, does that mean that someone he annoyed with his raucous late night playing and rudeness did him in?
With Emily and Dep discovering the body, and all signs pointing to a clear case of murder, the question arises...who did the deed? Was it someone he upset with his rudeness? Was the murder weapon a Deputy Donut mug that was stolen?
Settle in, because Double Grudge Donuts is going to immerse you in a delightful cozy mystery that details Emily’s drive to solve this mystery and not end up the murderer’s next victim in the process. This won’t be easy as the air of suspicion has been cast upon Emily and her family. Who would dare to suspect Emily and her parents? Well, you can bet that it’s not the local police force. That’s for sure!
Emily is definitely going to have her hands full in Double Grudge Donuts! She’s got the business to run, customers to keep happy, events to participate in, and a wedding to plan! Throw in a murder, and boy does she have an overflowing plate! Can she do it all and stay one step ahead of a dangerous murderer? You bet!
Of course, things get complicated when the list of suspects just keeps growing and growing. Why did Kirk have to go and make so many people mad?! Let’s be real though...if someone was walking around at night playing their bagpipes and disturbing people’s sleep...you’d be mad, too. LOL! Add in him interrupting performances with his rude playing...you’re going to be hard pressed to feel much sympathy for him.
Emily stays true to form to the Deputy Donut series with her desire to figure out the truth. She’s shown a lot of development through the series with her learning to share any information she gathers with her soon to be husband, Brent. Of course, she’s constantly going to be warned along the way by many a character to “let the police handle things.” Not an easy thing to do when it appears that someone is trying to frame you for murder.
Double Grudge Donuts is packed with delicious donutty treats that will leave you drooling and wishing you could have one...or two...or more! LOL! Engaging characters that will keep you engaged in the story as it all unfolds. The back and forth between Emily and a variety of characters keeps you wondering...”Who is the killer and what would their motive be?”
Author Bolton drops little hints along the way throughout the book like crumbs from a donut. Can you piece together who would have motive, means and opportunity to end Kirk’s haunting tunes? For this reader, author Bolton managed to keep that particular mystery buried deep until the final lead-up to the fateful reveal. A unique turn of events will show you that this particular case goes well beyond Fallingbrook, and ties to something else from the past.
While this book is the lead-up to Emily’s wedding, we don’t get a lot of the wedding planning itself. Author Bolton throws in a few mentions here and there, along with some fun playful banter. However, if you’re hoping for more...you may be a touch disappointed. Double GrudgeDonuts focuses more on the mystery and the solving of it. You get swirls around the town, but the story stays focused on the characters, the festival, and uncovering hidden secrets and potential motives.
Double Grudge Donuts is an average paced cozy mystery novel. The characters come off as realistic and overall engaging. Dep gets to play a pretty important part of the story, but you’ll have to pay attention to what that element particularly is. Of course, you’re going to tempted with some tantalizingly delicious donuts, and as with every book in this series, you’ll find a couple delicious recipes in the back.
The book gives readers Emily’s big day, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens next with Emily and Dep as they continue their path in this next chapter of their lives.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Twists and intrigue
- Well developed characters
- Tons of mystery
Cons:
- Little focus on the wedding planning, since this is the book with a wedding in it.
Cover Score: 9.6/10
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