A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle

A Food and Spirits Mystery Book 2

Author:    Darci Hannah

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Hardcover; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:    9781496747471

Kensington Cozies

320 Pages

$27.00; $12.99 Amazon

January 27, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When chef Bridget "Bunny" MacBride got a role on the reality show Food & Spirits, she thought "spirits" meant cocktails.  Instead, she's cooking up dinners meant to tempt the departed to appear.  And to her surprise, she's discovered abilities to connect with the beyond -- and crack murder cases...

Now that Bunny's entrees come with a side of the Other Side, it comes in handy to have a grandma who's friendly with the elderly owners of a haunted Scottish castle.  During Bunny's childhood she heard all about Dundoon's bloody history and the "ghostly piper" who roamed the grounds -- and soon she'll be visiting the ancient place with her ghost hunter and psychic co-stars.  The annual bagpipe competition in the late piper's honor will make for some good footage as well.

After Bunny serves a feast fit for a 17th century king, including lamb roast with plenty of fresh herbs, she heads outdoors for the ghost hunt.  But in the dark, dense fog, someone fatally plunges from the clifftop over the loch.  The sound that follows is a mournful, otherworldly bagpipe...and once the body of another perished piper is retrieved, Bunny is determined to solve this Highlands homicide -- and prevent a killer from getting off scot-free...

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Bridget "Bunny" MacBride is a chef who got herself in a pickle when she accepted a job in a new show, "Food & Spirits".  She thought it was about food and cocktails, but it seems the 'spirits' is actually about contacting ghosts.  After a first successful show, she's on to the next one, in her hometown in Scotland.  She realizes she needs to tell her mother about her newly-discovered ability to connect with those on the other side -- along with the help of her white rabbit, Hopper; who passed many years ago -- and that of her late brother.  But even knowing this, she's not looking forward to the newest project.

She and her co-stars and crew arrive at Dundoon Castle ready to set out a meal for a revered piper: that of a piper who died centuries ago protecting his master.  The show coincides with a piping contest on the grounds, one that has been held for decades.  At least the pipers are supposed to end at 8pm, allowing them to get some rest.  But it doesn't turn out that way...

When they are traversing the grounds one night searching for a piper who obviously wasn't given the news, they follow the sound.  Unfortunately, it leads them to a very dead man on the ground below.  But while it appears to have been an accident, Bunny and her co-star Brett think it was murder.  Following her intuition, and with the help of Brett they are determined to find the truth...even if it leads them both into deadly trouble...

This is the second book in the series, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the first.  I do like paranormal mysteries (to an extent), and especially those written like this one.  The characters are all interesting, and seeing Bunny in her own familiar surroundings is enjoyable.  She interacts with her family, and you learn more about her past.

I, for one, do enjoy the sound of pipers, (if it's done right), probably leading me into the minority! Although it seems many of the characters do not; still, they are investigating a murder and are willing to dig deep to find a killer among their midst.  It brings them in touch with some unsavory characters (to say the least), and gives them an even stranger mystery to uncover while they're at it.

Without saying more about about the book in order as to not spoil it for others, I will say that the climax was one of the most intriguing and enjoyable that I have read.  There is plenty going on in this book, and if you miss the clues, you will miss the person who murdered the poor man.  The ending was both done well and a bit bittersweet, but worth it; giving us even more to look forward to in the next book.  Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Spirited-Supper-Dundoon-Spirits-Mystery/dp/149674747X/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7948721545

More on Darci Hannah's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/darci-hannah/

Fudge and Felonies

 Frosted Misfortunes Book 2

Author:    Lisa Siefert

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781965640470

Tule Publishing

244 Pages

$10.99; $4.99 Amazon

March 10, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She just wants to share her delicious sweets.  But a sticky surprise has this amateur detective dusting off her snooping skills

Bakery owner Ava Decker is determined to put being dumped at the altar behind her.  But her ambitions sour when her chocolatey cupcakes end up beside a beauty pageant contestant's lifeless body.  And when her good friend is accused of the crime, Ava throws herself into the mix to clear both their names.

With a dash of help from her cute kitten sidekick, the pastry chef-turned-sleuth dives into the beauty queen scene to find out why a weight-loss fanatic would be found dead next to sugary goodness.  But with few clues and her hands messy with a full lineup of suspects.  She struggles to follow the trail of crumbs to the real tiara-obsessed killer.

Can Ava crown the culprit before the plate of evidence is wiped clean?

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Ava Decker lives in small town Clover Creek, Maine and owns a bakery that specializes in filled cupcakes.  There is a beauty pageant in town, and it's a big deal, being the first one.  Ava is selling her cupcakes out of her bakery truck when her high school nemesis Brittany gives her back-handed compliments, which Ava is trying to roll off her back.  But they sting anyway.  When Ava's kitten Lucky grabs one of Brittany's red ribbons, she throws a fit until Ava offers her a box of cupcakes.  Brittany is nothing if not smug, and accepts them.

Ava then meets the sponsor of the pageant -- tech billionaire Marcus Palmer, and she's sort of smitten with the man, even though she won't admit it to her best friend Ruby.  When Marcus suggests they meet to watch the fireworks, Ava agrees, and heads out toward the lake.  But on the way she notices one of her signature boxes sitting in the woods...next to Brittany's dead body.

Things get worse when Ava discovers that her recent crush Detective Wesley Lockwood was dating Brittany, and now he's the main suspect in her murder.  Ava is nothing if not fiercely loyal to friends, and she's determined to help solve the murder, even if Wesley tells her to let the police do their job.

When she starts digging into the murder, she finds an unlikely ally in her investigation, and soon discovers that all things are not what they seem...

This is the second book in the series and I quite enjoyed it as much as the first.  It was lively, full of action, and the characters are believable and have their own quirks, which only makes this series more endearing.  I loved the plot line and the subplots both.  I really like Ava and Ruby, and we get a little more background on Ruby's family in this book, which is nice.

When the ending comes and everything is gathered together, the murderer was a bit of a surprise, which is also nice.  There was an interesting climax, and the addition of new characters which can only bring more depth to the series.  I enjoy these books and can't wait to read the next.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Fudge-Felonies-Frosted-Misfortunes-Mysteries/dp/1965640478/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7915729699

More on Lisa Siefert's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/lisa-siefert/

Cupcakes and Chaos

Frosted Misfortunes Book 1

Author:    Lisa Siefert

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781965640463

Tule Publishing

280 Pages

$11.99; $4.99 Amazon

January 13, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Her new employer has met her maker,  and she's 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 life's 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 he's 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 she's baking behind bars?

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Ava Decker returns home to her small town of Clover Creek, Maine, after being away for ten years.  The reason she returned is because she was left at the altar by her fiancé Ben.  But one bright light is she's able to do what she's always wanted to: give up her job of forensic accounting and become a pastry chef, specializing in filled cupcakes.

Although her boss Francine is horrible, Ava loves what she does.  But one morning she's running late for a baking competition, and if she doesn't make it, Francine might fire her.  When she's stopped for speeding by Officer Wesley Lockwood, she offers him a cupcake from the back of the truck.  Unfortunately for her, the truck also holds the dead body of Francine...

Now Ava is the prime suspect in the murder, not only because she doesn't have an airtight alibi, but because at the reading of the will she inherits Francine's mansion, its contents, and the bakery.  Unless Ava can find the guilty party, she won't be making cupcakes...she'll be doing time...

This is the first book in the series and the reason I read it is I just finished the sixth, and I was so enamored by it that I felt I had to go back and read the series from start.  I am glad to say that I am not disappointed.  In fact, I am just as enamored by this book as I was from the other.

In this book, we get to know a little more about Ava's background, although we don't know the entire story of why she was dumped.  (To put it succinctly). We do know she's rather tall (5'11") and is very pretty, and that she has a loyal friend in Ruby, her BFF from high school.  True friendship never fails...even when that friend is telling you not to investigate (but you do anyway).

We also get to meet the delightful Lucky, an Abyssinian kitten that belonged to Francine and is now Ava's.  Abyssinians are known for separation anxiety, so Ava is determined to make him an emotional support kitten, therefore taking him everywhere (which only adds to the fun).

There are suspects aplenty, and even if Ava is trying to bribe them with cupcakes to get information, something else occurs that causes her to move even higher on the suspect list (if that's even possible).  There isn't much time left if she's going to save herself, but with new friends and old, Ava is pushing through...and might just be left alive after all....

In the end, the murderer was unexpected (in a way), but you can't reason with a killer (nor would you want to).  An engaging story with plenty of action, and I will definitely continue with this series.  Highly recommended

https://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Chaos-Frosted-Misfortunes-Mysteries/dp/196564046X/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7908226865

More on Lisa Siefert's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/lisa-siefert/

Candy Canes and Crimes

Frosted Misfortunes Mysteries Book 6

Author:    Lisa Siefert

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0FDKQLJ21

Tule Publishing

240 Pages

$4.99 Amazon

October 20, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Her Christmas cupcakes were a hit, but her customer's death lands her on the naughty list.

Ava Decker is catering the biggest holiday party of the season, and she's dreaming of sugarplum profits.  But her festive mood sours when she discovers her client face down in a vat of melted chocolate.  And worse?  She stiffed her on payment for 200 custom cupcakes before taking her final dip.

With her high school sweetheart back in town stirring up old feelings and union scandal brewing hotter than cocoa, Ava must whisk through revenge-seeking factory workers, suspicious girlfriends, and missing millions.  Armed with her crime-solving cat Lucky and her own knack for finding trouble, she's racing to unwrap the truth behind this murder before the killer strikes again.

Can Ava crack this candy-coated case in time for Christmas, or will she find herself wrapped up and under the tree--permanently?

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Ava Decker owns Frosted, a dessert shop in her small town.  She's unhappy when her maybe-or-not wealthy boyfriend, Marcus Palmer, decides he needs to go to Africa and build hospitals  She didn't have the conversation of whether they are or not a couple, so she does what any woman would do, right?  She drowns herself in pity for two months eating takeout and living in her pajamas.

Her friends have decided it's enough and asked another friend, Detective Wesley Lockwood, to get her to her birthday party, which is supposed to be a surprise, but really isn't.  Ava hates surprises.  She hates the fact Wesley is making her do something.  But she has a big order of cupcakes to deliver to another friend's business, so needs his help.

Unfortunately, when they arrive, they can't locate the woman...at first...until Ava sees her floating face-down in a vat of chocolate.  She tries to get her out, but calls Wesley, and he tells her to step away while the police investigate.  At least she's not a suspect in this murder.  But someone is...

Ava finally gets moving.  Then finds out Marcus has assigned her ex-boyfriend to keep an eye on her..  What is going on?  Between him and her bestie Ruby, she's stymied at every turn.  Or is she?  With this, Ava is on her way again determined to solve a murder, even before the police have a change to investigate.  But with so many people who could be guilty, which one is the killer?

This is the fifth book in the series, and I am sorry to say that it is my first foray into Lisa Siefert's books.  I am sorry because this book is enchanting.  It's funny, witty, warm, and full of characters you will either love or hate; no in-betweens here.  With Christmas on the way soon, Ava has her hands full in more ways than one.  She has cupcakes to make, people to see, her cat Lucky who tries to keep her out of trouble but is right there with her more often than not...and a killer to catch.

There's a lot going on here, with a winter festival going on, her ex's mother Vivienne cornering her at every turn to do a 'favor' or two -- even if she doesn't want to (no one can say no to Vivienne); Ruby is giving up on love and willing to settle for any man who at least has a job (no, Ruby!); and her newest inheritance.  Oh, didn't I mention that?  Well, read the book.  You'll be glad you did.

When Ava does finally figure it out, it's almost too late for her; but the climax is done extremely well, and this book left me feeling so good that I immediately went back and read the first (and I will continue with this series).  In all, this is a great cozy and I look forward to the next.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from BookSprout but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Candy-Crimes-Frosted-Misfortunes-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0FDKQLJ21/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7917649815

More on Lisa Siefert's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/lisa-siefert/

Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead

A Salem B&B Mystery Book 10

Author:    Traci Wilton

Genre:     Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496748829

Kensington Cozies

368 Pages

$8.99; $7.99 Amazon

August 26, 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charlene and her spectral companion, Dr. Jack Strathmore, are moved by crystal healer Isabella Perez's story about her missing sister, Marisol, a talented psychic of uncommon natural gifts.  The spooky season is the ideal time to contact the departed for some answers, could someone from the other side reveal the truth about her disappearance... and the location of the priceless bejeweled statue she took with her?

Jack mistrusts Marisol's fiancé, Rico Flores, but any number of suspects had reason to wish Marisol ill, including an embittered stalker obsessed with the talented bruja, a jealous rival witch, and a shady businessman more given to more dirty tricks than treats.  Charlene's beau, Detective Sam Holden, is on the case, but unmasking the culprit may require an assist from beyond the grave.  Thank goodness it's Halloween, when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest...

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After the death of her husband, Charlene Morris moved to Salem, Massachusetts and opened a B&B.  What she didn't know, however, was that the Victorian house she purchased came with its own permanent guest -- the ghost of the previous owner, Dr. Jack Strathmore.  Now Jack and Charlene have a close relationship with each other; after all, he gave up heaven to stay with her.  But in the ens,uing years, Charlene has fallen in love with an all-too-human man, Detective Sam Holden, who doesn't believe in ghosts.  Charlene has tried to tell him several times, but he refuses to believe.  Now Charlene's "adoptive" daughter Avery can see Jack, thanks to a recent bump on the head, but it's only the two of them and their cat, Silva.  

It's close to Halloween, and Charlene has a houseful of guests occupying every room.  Most of them are there to enjoy what Salem has to offer on this particular holiday (after all, where is a better place to be than Salem?); except two of them - Isabella Perez and her boyfriend, Rico Flores, are there to find out the truth about her elder sister Marisol's disappearance two years ago.  Isabella hopes that with the veil between the living and the dead being thinnest around Halloween, that she can contact Marisol for her own personal reasons.

It's not until a young woman is murdered during the graveyard tour, right in front of Charlene's guests, that Charlene thinks something very real and very sinister, is going on.  Now she knows that even though she has a lot to keep her occupied, she must try and tell Sam one more time about Jack, and hope that she can keep Jack from accidentally slipping away somewhere he isn't meant to be...

I have to say that I had a difficult time reading this because I knew it was the last in the series.  That and the fact that I was always team Jack.  Sam seemed hart to me, and Jack was much more easygoing.  I was always hoping that a second chance meant a second chance at life, but ah, well.  Needless to say, I was torn by the ending.  Don't get me wrong; it ended nicely.  I don't think I am giving anything away here since I have skimmed other reviews who have already stated it.

But the story was handled well, and it was as interesting as all the others.  There is plenty of action, and the characters are believable.  Some are likeable; some not so much.  But even the subplots concerning the guests are worth reading about.  

The mystery isn't easily solved.  There is a lot going on here, both with Charlene, her household, and people she knows.  You want the best for Isabella while hoping it all will work out for everyone else.  And the climax is all that we could wish for (well, some of us, anyway).  The ending is bittersweet, but the author does a remarkable job of bringing it all together for one final book.  Kudos to Ms. Wilton.  Highly recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Morris-Dead-Salem- Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DRB1VNMJ/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7897104148

More on Traci Wilton's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/traci-wilton/