Who Took the Day of the Dead Literally?
It’s always a treat to travel to Orange County and catch up with Emory Martinez with the Cupcake Catering Mysteries. So when I learned that Kim Davis was releasing book eight in the series, I added Catering to the Dead to my reading list.
This entry in the series finds Emory providing the cupcakes for a Dia de los Muertos party. She’s also helping out her sister, who is providing the rest of the food. But as Emory is cleaning up after the event, she finds a member of the Mariachi band under the dessert table. She doesn’t consider this a case she needs to get involved in until the hosts keep trying to point the finger at her. Can she find another killer?
It is true that Orange County, California, is hardly the small town you’d typically picture for a cozy mystery, but it works well here. It does help that I enjoy spending time in a location I have a passing knowledge of, and that’s the case here.
It also helps that we’ve gotten to know Emory’s circle of family and friends over the course of the series. All the regulars get at least a cameo, and it’s nice to check in with them again. The suspects are interesting and keep us guessing as we read.
Which brings us to the mystery itself. It was a little uneven early on, and the ending left me with a couple of minor questions. Overall, I did enjoy the plot and was satisfied with the ending.
Since this is a culinary cozy, we get some recipes at the end, all in keeping with the Day of the Dead theme. There are nine of them here, including some cookies and cupcakes, a soup, and even a cocktail. Plus, we get two crafts.
Those looking for a bit more of an urban setting for their next cozy mystery will be glad they picked up Catering to the Dead. As always, it will leave you hungry for more.
Snack on the rest of the Cupcake Catering Mysteries.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
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