Okay, confession time! In the name of research, Iâm addicted to True Crime books, shows and podcasts. I’ve gone down some pretty wild rabbit holes in the name of research. And let me tell you, the history of dessert-related crimes is WAY more bonkers than anything I could make up! đŤ
In my latest mystery, “Fudge and Felonies,” my amateur sleuth Ava finds a beauty pageant contestant dead next to a plate of chocolate cupcakes (because apparently, some people will literally die for my recipes đ ). But while Ava’s adventures are purely fictional, history serves up some seriously dark dessert drama that would make even my mischievous Lucky’s fur stand on end! đą
1 | The Chocolate Cream Killer (AKA The Original Mean Girl) đŹ
Picture this: Brighton, England, 1871. Christiana Edmunds (who clearly needed a better hobby) decided the best way to deal with her past relationship drama was to poison a box of chocolates and send them to her ex-lover’s wife. When that didn’t work out (shocker!), she thought, “Hey, why not poison ALL the chocolates?” Classic overachiever move, right?
She started buying chocolates, adding strychnine (because apparently arsenic was too basic), and returning them to the shop. Several people got sick, and sadly, a four-year-old died. Not cool, Christiana. Not cool at all. đ
2 | The Bradford Sweets Disaster (Or Why We Have Food Labels Now) â ď¸
In 1858, a candy maker in Bradford made the mother of all oopsies when he grabbed arsenic instead of plaster of Paris as a sugar substitute. I mean, we’ve all mixed up ingredients before (like that time I used salt instead of sugar in my first batch of cupcakes), but this mistake was next level! Twenty people died, and over 200 got sick. Talk about a bad Yelp review waiting to happen!
The 1930s Australian Norman Pether apparently thought regular Easter eggs weren’t exciting enough, so he added arsenic to his recipe. Spoiler alert: This did not end well. This case is basically why we can’t just walk into stores and buy arsenic anymore. Thanks a lot, Norman! đ
Modern Food Safety (Because We’re Not Savages Anymore) đ
These days, bakeries like my Frosted have more rules than a beauty pageant contestant’s diet plan. Temperature checks, ingredient tracking, proper storage – the works! Though between us, Lucky the cat occasionally thinks these rules are more like suggestions. But hey, at least he’s not adding arsenic to the mix!
Why We’re Still Obsessed đ¤
Let’s be real – there’s something deliciously ironic about murder-by-dessert. It’s like finding out the head cheerleader is secretly a math nerd, or discovering your high school nemesis became a “kindness coach” (looking at you, Brittany Westerheide!). The contrast is just too good to resist!
When I’m writing the Frosted Misfortunes series, I love playing with this sweet-and-sinister contrast. Though unlike these historical cases, my heroine Ava solves crimes instead of baking them into her cupcakes. And her only partner in crime is a slightly chaotic Abyssinian cat who thinks red ribbons are his personal play toys!
So next time you’re enjoying one of my cupcake recipes, rest assured the only thing killer about it is the taste! Unless you’re a character in my books – then all bets are off! đ
Want to dive into a world where the cupcakes are sweet but the crimes are sweeter? Grab Fudge and Felonies today! I promise the only thing you’ll die from is laughter (and maybe a sugar rush). đ§â¨
About the Author
Lisa Siefert is a USA Today Bestselling Mystery Author who writes humorous cozy mysteries. She dedicates all of her free time to testing out different latte flavors at every coffee shop she comes across and has never once skimped on dessert because life is too short not to. She lives in San Diego with Lucky, her own devious but adorable Abyssinian kitten. She excels at recounting every Hallmark Movie plot ever conceived and can also whip up a mean batch of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Her books feature amateur women sleuths that always believe in silver linings despite all of the murderous clouds surrounding them.
Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes an exciting lineup of books you wonât want to miss! Whether youâre in the mood for heart-pounding thrillers, warm and charming cozies, or twisty mysteries that will keep you guessing, these upcoming titles are sure to keep you turning pages well into the season.
To celebrate these new releases, weâre hosting a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive an eBook of one of the upcoming releases. To enter, simply comment below and let us know: Whatâs your favorite mystery or thriller trope?
We canât wait to see your answers, and good luck!
She just wants to share her delicious sweets. But a sticky surprise has this amateur detective dusting off her snooping skills.
Now, more than ever, women are âcarryingâ films based on their perceived value in the industry. More are considered âbox-office-valuableâ and are carrying more wight in the film industry. Women have been contributing to the film industry for decades, but it is most recently that they are finally recognized as having the box office power that men have had.
Women authors have made themselves known in all genres. Women write about women, and a better description cannot be found. Of course, women authors write about many things, but most show us as strong women in challenging circumstances, also known as a day in the life of most women.
When I write, the idea or inspiration usually comes from something a woman has said or done, or both. Itâs as if I hear a call to armsâcome on, tell my story. Then, having heard it, I must. The main character is soon joined by her friends, and maybe an enemy, and I have to write it all down because they are getting to be too many to carry around in my head. This is my process, and it works for me.
Women, in whatever role in life they find themselves, are finally being recognized, whether in the creative arts or medicine, science, education, and so on. They are being judged on their abilities, and that was/is a welcome change.
I will continue to do my part by writing to represent women as we are, and with all of our talents, and yes, even human flaws, and I hope to do it with the respect that women deserve. Because women are, in factâmain characters.
In my most recent series, I have more women in âstarring rolesâ than men. When I introduced a man, Ted, into a relationship with Helen, I tried to make them equals, real partners in life as well as at work. I tried to show their faults, their humanness, along with their talents, and how, with a little help from our friends, we can all be main characters.
Congrats on your release of Retirement Can Be Deadly,Vickie! As for the rest of you, be sure and mark your calendars for Retirement Can Be Deadly book 3, A Wedding and A Murder, releasing May 12th!
Vickie is a published author of over two dozen books, from cozy mystery to paranormal, and a recent jump into romantic suspense, with a new release coming out in July (Savannah Heat). She has published many short stories and articles and has won various awards and commendations over the years. Vickie has been a fulltime writer for the last eight years. She is working on a new blog site, Sweet Tea and Sympathy now, and plans to have it up and running this summer. The blog will focus on the writerâs life, but in particular, the life of a Southern writer. You can find her books on Amazon and sign up to follow her there: Amazon.com/author/vickiecarroll or on Facebook.Â
Nestled in the heart of Misty Harbor, Maine, the Little Dog Diner is more than just a place to grab a biteâitâs the soul of this charming coastal town. Whether youâre a local or a traveler passing through, stepping into the diner feels like coming home.
The scent of freshly baked blueberry muffins wafts through the air as sunlight streams through the windows. Chatter hums in the background, punctuated by the occasional welcoming yips from Pip, Dani Mackenzieâs spirited Jack Russell Terrier, whoâs been known to charm guests as much as the food does.
The dinerâs menu, a celebration of Maineâs flavors, features everything from blueberry pies to buttery lobster rolls and steaming bowls of clam chowder. Daniâs love for cooking shines through in every dish, from a hearty breakfast special to a slice of cake paired with a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. She treats everyone like family, sharing stories over plates of blueberry pancakes or offering a kind word on a rainy day. Her warmth makes every visit unforgettable.
Located near the sparkling waters of Blueberry Bay, the diner offers stunning views of the rocky Maine coast. But itâs more than a culinary destinationâitâs a gathering place for Misty Harborâs quirky, lovable residents and, occasionally, the setting for a little bit of intrigue. From overheard gossip to clues hidden in plain sight, thereâs always an air of mystery lingering in the ocean breeze.
Whether youâre craving a sweet muffin, a bowl of comforting chowder, or simply a friendly face, the Little Dog Diner is the heart of Misty Harbor. And if youâre lucky, you might catch Dani and Pip unraveling their latest mystery while you enjoy your meal.
Misty Harbor may be fictional, but the charm of the Little Dog Diner is real. Canât make it to the Maine coast? Let the Little Dog Diner series transport you there with every turn of the page.
About the Author
Emmie Lyn grew up in a small town in New England, much like the towns where her female characters liveâscenic, quaint and filled with colorful characters. She loves to create mysteries with twists and unexpected turns that draw readers in and capture their imagination.
Emmie lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband, a rescue terrier, and a black cat with a bad attitude. She shares twelve acres with a wide variety of wildlife including deer, bunnies, turkeys, and many songbirds. When sheâs not busy thinking of ways to kill off a character (for a book, of course!) she enjoys a cup of tea and chocolate in her flower garden, hiking, or spending time near the ocean.
As the new year kicks off, thereâs no better way to start fresh than with a stack of books waiting to be devoured. So get ready to settle into that cozy reading nook, grab a nice warm cuppa joâ and some snacks, because youâre gonna be busy for a while. If youâre looking for the perfect page-turner to energize your reading goals for the year, Januaryâs book releases are here to deliver. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming cozy mysteries, the literary world has something for everyone to kick off 2025. Get ready to mark your calendars, because these upcoming releases are sure to make your reading list a little longerâand a lot more exciting! Here’s a sneak peek at the most anticipated books of the month.
April showers bring murder near the lighthouse flowers!
A missing teenager shows up at Dani Mackenzieâs Sea Breeze home on Blueberry Bay, but the runaway is too terrified to reveal anything about herself. The police, however, arenât the least bit shy when they arrive right behind her, searching for Claire. It seems the teen was hiding at the Kitty Point Lighthouseâexactly where a body was discovered.
Thereâs a long list of people who are happy this victim, the Misty Harbor town manager, is dead, but Claireâs circumstances make her the prime suspect. Dani hesitates to bring more drama into her world, but after she learns that Claire is related to a dear friend in Misty Harbor, she agrees to hide the young woman to keep them both safe from harassment or worse.
But the evidence keeps coming, whipping everyoneâs fear into a frenzy. Dani, along with her Jack Russel terrier, Pip, jump into high gear to unravel a deadly tangle of greed before another body is found.
What if retirement isnât the utopia itâs cracked up to be?
Helen Rogers never imagined that sheâd be bored at Sunny Days Retirement Village in lovely Peachtree Valley, Georgia, but she wasnât expecting to start this phase of life as early as her fifties, either. Then fate gave her a hand in solving her friendâs murder, and the sense of accomplishment was heady.
But was it a fluke?
Fate answers again when she stumbles over her second dead body, the cityâs deputy mayor. The corpse is barely cold before the mayorâs wife is killed in a suspicious accident. Bodies are piling upâso Helen and her buddy, Carol Adams, take the next step: enroll in PI classes, apply for her license, and open an official investigation firm.
Helen has found her purpose, and it comes with new partners and a handsome assistant, Ted Morgan.
Yet business will grind to halt before it gets off the ground unless she can break open the truth. Plenty of folks have a motive, but which one of the suspects is desperate enough to plan such elaborate murders?
Her new employer has met her maker, and sheâs the only suspect. Can she sift out the truth and serve the villain their just desserts?
Ava Decker longs to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning her own bakery. Ready for a fresh start, the former forensic accountant turned pastry chef is excited to turn lifeâs lemons into sugary success. But her hopes crumble when her mean boss turns up dead in the back of the delivery truck Ava was driving.
Arrested as the prime suspect, things get worse when the police discover the victim left Ava the shop and her house in her will. And with only an adorable kitten who thinks heâs a dog and an exasperated best friend as the voice of reason, the newly bequeathed owner must turn super-sleuth to clear her name.
Can Ava solve the crime before sheâs baking behind bars?
Cupcakes & Chaos is the delicious first book in the Frosted Misfortunes cozy mystery series. If you like cute animal sidekicks, an appetizing listen to curl up with, and hilarious hijinks, then youâll love Lisa Siefertâs perfectly dusted recipe.
In A Golden Guilt Trip, life in the small town of Pecan, Texas, is anything but ordinary for dog groomer and aspiring business owner, Leslie Winters. Juggling her growing mobile grooming business, her soon-to-be husband Detective Adam Waltz, and her quirky circle of dog-loving friends, Leslie is ready to put down roots. But when Councilman Rodriguezâwho couldn’t tell a dog comb from a rakeâstarts blocking her plans for a new storefront, things quickly take a turn for the worse.
In a moment of unfiltered honesty, Leslie canât resist giving her unflattering opinion of the councilmanâs grooming skills. Unfortunately, that little remark might have just earned her a one-way ticket to the top of the suspect list when the councilman turns up dead, and she’s the one with the motive.
With the police closing in and the scent of scandal in the air, Leslie teams up with her tail-wagging companions and her loyal group of friends to sniff out the truth. But with a killer on the loose and her own future on the line, can Leslie clear her name before sheâs locked up and forced to eat kibble in the jailhouse? Or will she be left barking up the wrong tree? It’s up to Leslieâand a few good pupsâto solve this case, one clue (and dog treat) at a time.
In Murder Under the Marquee, wild animal removal specialist Elmo Simpson once again finds himself tangled in a murder investigation, but this time, itâs personal. When the body of Desiree LaFontaine, the former first mate of Elmoâs girlfriend, Nic, is discovered washed up on the beach near the Paradise Springs marina, the quiet Florida town is shaken to its core. To Elmo’s horror, Nic is quickly swept up in the investigation as the prime suspect, being the last person seen with the victim.
Though the evidence seems damning, Elmo refuses to believe that Nic is capable of murder. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a cast of suspicious charactersâCraig Abbott, the shady tour boat owner with a bitter grudge against Nic; Bobby Darrin, Desiree’s elusive ex whoâs disappeared into the shadows; and Drunk Paul, the oddball marina regular whose behavior seems more erratic than usual.
With time running out and Nicâs freedom hanging in the balance, Elmo is plunged into the seedy underbelly of Paradise Springs’ tight-knit, yet cutthroat, tourist industry. As he pieces together a trail of lies and betrayals, Elmo must confront his own fears and fight to uncover the truthâbefore the tides of fate pull both him and Nic under for good. The clock is ticking, and in a town where everyone has something to hide, Elmo must take a dangerous plunge into the heart of darkness to save the woman he loves.
In the spirit of new beginnings and cozy reading nights ahead, the Tule Bookshop is offering an irresistible half-off deal on all Tule Publishing releases. From December 29th through January 2nd, you can snuggle up with a good book and use the promo code âTULENEWYEARâ to fill your e-reader with stories at 50% offâno strings attached.
Whether youâre craving heartwarming romances, thrilling mysteries, or captivating adventures, nowâs your chance to get them all at an unbelievable price. But donât wait too longâthis cozy offer ends when the clock strikes midnight on January 2nd.
Get comfy, grab your favorite hot drink, and treat yourself to a stack of great reads before the yearâs end. đĽ
