Book Review: The Silence of the Flans by Laura Bradford (Emergency Dessert Squad #2)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Strong characters, fun concept, good plot

Cons: One sub-plot that redeems itself by the end.

The Bottom Line:

Poison in dessert

Threatens Winnie’s new business

In fun second book

I Will Not Be Silent About This Flan – I Mean Fun Book

When I started the Emergency Dessert Squad series last year, I fell in love with the concept behind it.  Winnie Johnson, the main character, has opened a mobile dessert business out of an antique ambulance she’s inherited.  I mean, how fun is that?  Couple it with punny dessert titles, and I couldn’t resist.  Winnie and her crew are back for a second mystery with The Silence of the Flans, and it is lots of fun.

As the book opens, it’s been six weeks since Winnie got her business off the ground, and things are really beginning to pick up.  Word of mouth is helping her gain clients, and she is having a lot of fun seeing the delight her rescues are giving those who get her desserts.

Things go horribly wrong when Winnie takes an order to deliver a Fade to Black-Berry Crisp to a senior at the nearby college.  She’s horrified when her client dies and people think that her dessert was poisoned.  The phone immediately stops ringing, and suddenly Winnie begins to wonder if her new business is doomed to failure.  The only way to save her reputation is to find the killer.  But can she do it?

I mentioned earlier being hooked on the concept of this series, and it is certainly true, but I also love these characters.  Winnie’s social circle includes a large number of senior citizens.  Her relationship with them and the dynamic that creates adds something special to this series, and I love them.  Of course, there are some characters closer to Winnie’s age that are great, and we have the strong suspects I’d expect to find in a book from author Laura Bradford.

The romantic sub-plot was borderline for me in this book.  With some authors, I’d find what happened here annoying, but Laura actually managed to make me appreciate what she was doing and how she grew some characters through it.

I can hear you asking, but what about the main mystery.  The pacing was great and the plot was strong.  A couple of times, I’d be a step or two ahead of Winnie, but then some twist would come along that I wasn’t expecting.  The solution at the end was completely logical, and I loved it.

Naturally, we get three delicious rescues – I mean recipes – at the end of the book.  I’m not going to spoil the fun of the titles, but I will say they sound delicious.  Sadly, there is no actual flan recipe, but that’s just being nitpicky.

Obviously, I love culinary cozies – I certainly read enough of them.  The delightful concept of this series is matched by wonderful characters and a great plot.  After you read the book, you’ll join me in singing the praises of The Silence of the Flans.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner next Thursday, March 16th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 3/16.  You will have until midnight on 3/21 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 3/23.