Gingerbread Dead
by Lori L. Robinett
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GENRE: Cozy Mystery
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BOOK BLURB:
This
fun cozy mystery features a “colorful display of Christmas suspense and
intrigue” perfect for lovers of true crime and mysteries.
Jessica
Barker blogs about true crime for an online magazine. Blogging for others is
far from her dream job, but she's willing to pay her dues so that someday
she'll have a podcast of her own.
Then,
Jess witnesses what appears to be her next-door neighbor in distress and Jess
is the only one who seems to care. When the cops dismiss her as a bothersome
true crime reporter with an overactive imagination, Jess must delve into the
life of her mysterious neighbors, Rory and John Regan – with hints at
embezzlement and gambling – before someone ends up dead.
Lori L. Robinett introduces a new series about
the adventures of an aspiring podcaster that will appeal to fans of true crime
and cozy mysteries.
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EXCERPT TWO:
The
officers finished their interrogations and huddled together on the front porch,
comparing notes. Jess studied her neighbor, who had black streaks down her face
where her mascara had run. The woman stared at nothing, her lower lip pooched
out a bit and the corners of her mouth turned down.
The
two officers motioned for the husband to join them, and they helped the woman
to her feet. She still swayed slightly and her head bobbled. Though she
resisted weakly, her husband took her arm and led her inside, thanking the
officers before closing the door.
Jess
couldn’t believe her eyes. Stunned, she rushed forward. “Wait! You’re just
going to leave her there?” She stood in their way, feet planted wide.
The
older cop studied her for a beat, then sighed heavily. “Seems they had a bit of
an argument earlier this evening and the missus had a bit too much to drink.”
He spoke slowly, like he was explaining something to a child. He held out his
arms and moved forward, herding Jess and Mrs. Miller away from the front porch.
Taking
a step back, Jess settled her fists on her hips. “Listen, this is serious.”
The
younger officer elbowed his partner, leaned in close and whispered something.
He hooked his thumb toward Jess.
Snodgrass
leaned forward, eyes narrowed as he examined her face as if just meeting her.
“You’re that true crime reporter, aren’t you?”
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This
book, “Gingerbread Dead,” is a quick, fun, entertaining cozy mystery
filled with quirky characters and intriguing story lines!!
This book is a super-fast read that I was able
to devour in just a couple of hours!!
“Gingerbread
Dead,” follows the main character, Jessica “Jess” Barker, a true crime
blogger who witnesses suspicious activity while spying on her new neighbors,
John and Rory Reagan. Jess struggles walking
that fine line between being a nosy next-door neighbor and a concerned nearby
resident. As Jess is all too familiar
with people committing nefarious acts, she knows she can’t just ignore her neighbor,
Rory, who she saw fall down and who could possibly be hurt or in trouble or
needing help, so she decides to run across the street to make sure everything
is okay. As Jess is greeted by Rory’s
husband, John, she expresses her concern and worry about his wife possibly injured
inside, he shrugs off her claims insisting she is mistaken, that his wife is fine,
and asks her to leave. Still troubled by
what she witnessed, Jess demands on checking on the wife, who finally makes it
to the door, only to seem quite sickly, dazed and confused, slurring her words,
but not asking for help. Another
neighbor, Mrs. Edna Miller, hears the commotion and calls the police. Jess is relieved that the police are on the way
and will help get this all sorted out.
Unfortunately, the police take John’s side, that his wife is just drunk,
no crime was committed, and that Jess, a crime reporter can’t help but see
crime everywhere she looks and is trying to stir up some drama. Feeling defeated Jess returns home and tries
to let it go, maybe she is making something out nothing? Perhaps she misread the whole situation? But curiosity keeps getting the better of her as
she knows what she saw, and deep down she knows Rory is in trouble. Jess decides to continue keeping a watch on
the Reagan’s next door and to dig deeper to find out the truth. Was Rory drunk like her husband said? Why isn’t John at all worried about his wife? Could he be to blame? Did he do something to her? Could it be domestic violence? Jess is determined to find out, leading her
to dig up even more motives and suspects.
I
really liked the main character, Jess as she is a fellow animal lover, rescuer, and supporter
of the animal shelters. Jess is smart, honest,
kindhearted, caring, and persistent. She
does struggle with anxiety issues and defines herself more of the loner type
having few friends and often as one who prefers staying at home.
I enjoyed the realistic story line about witnessing
something and trying to decide whether to act or ignore it. While I think many people probably would have
brushed it off, not wanting to get involved, and just carried on, I think in
today’s world, we all need to remember the famous line, “see something, say
something,” and more importantly think about if the situation was reversed,
wouldn’t you want someone stepping in to make sure you’re okay. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad people
out there doing bad things, and if you see something suspicious, like someone looking
or being hurt or injured, you can’t just idly standby or turn your back on
them. So, I appreciated the author shining
a light on this theme and creating empowering characters like Jess and Edna who
stretched the importance of, “we women have to look out for one another.”
I also liked that this book followed an attempted
murder, unlike most cozy mysteries that start right out with an actual murder. While the two crimes may seem similar, they
are most certainly handled quite differently, and that is why it was so believable
that the police dismissed Jess and her so-called “wild imagination.” Not to mention, this book taking place in
small town, Tranquility, Missouri, where people there just don’t commit such heinous
crimes lol. Without a doubt I imagine
those towny cops would say just so.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I must admit I
had a few digs about this book. First
off, many of the pages felt repetitive.
For example, on just one page, (page 36) Jess repeatedly mentions three different
times how she hopes the husband isn’t at the hospital. While I understand her not wanting to run
into him and her anxiety all riled up, these repeated scenes and sentences felt
a bit annoying as they kept being retold.
Secondly, I’m assuming these are typos, but it was very confusing
reading Jess’s friend being referred to as Brendan AND Brandon interchangeably. At first I almost thought this was another
character, but no, over the course of the book his name changes. So does the police officer who is referred to
both as Officer Kluesner AND as Officer Grant.
Very puzzling!! Also, while I truly
feel this book has strong potential, I was bit baffled by the strange story
lines that were started but were never followed up or fully explored. For example, the Alisha Greene story line
that is introduced. An intriguing plot
point that is left hanging with no closure or further explanation. Another example, the doctor at the hospital
was bringing in a social worker and security to talk to with Rory about her
situation, but on the next page she’s already returned home. These and a few others held interesting story
lines that should have been explored or at the very least followed through. While I’m not sure on the author’s page limit,
I feel like some of these themes should have addressed, perhaps had the repetitive
scenes been cut the author would have had the room to finish these leads.
This book is a super quick read at only 93 eBook
story pages (106 total eBook pages cover to cover) across 16 short chapters.
There
are some predictable scenes. However,
there are still a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
While this book is part of the Christmas Cookies
Book Series which is comprised of 80 books, each written by a different author,
this book, “Gingerbread Dead,” can be read as a standalone. While this book series focuses on holiday
reads featuring Christmas Cookies and other holiday treats, each book is not specifically
related. However, Lori L. Robinett, the
author of this book, “Gingerbread Dead,” does hint at this book possibly
becoming a series of it’s own, following true crime blogger, Jess Barker.
All
in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all Cozy Mystery readers and holiday mystery
book fans will be sure to like this book too!!
So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be
disappointed!!
**Disclaimer: I received a
complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and
unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**
Did you find this review helpful???
If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2D03MC1WU9XHS
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AUTHOR BIO:
Lori L. Robinet is a paralegal by day,
writer by night. She’s the author of several books, including mysteries,
thrillers, and contemporary western romance. She also offers online writing
courses through WriteScouts (her signature course is Blank to 50K). Lori and
her husband of 25+ years live on a hobby farm in central Missouri maintained
for the comfort and enjoyment of their Beagle and Snorkie and two rescue calico
cats. When not writing (or reading), you can find Lori crafting or indulging in
her TV addiction. Her favorite authors are Stephen King, Tierney James, Carolyn
Paul Branch, Micki Browning (and soooo many others!).
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CONNECT WITH LORI:
Website:
http://lorilrobinett.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LoriLRobinettauthor
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LoriRobinett
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@writer1701
BookBub Author Page:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lori-l-robinett
BookBub Book Page:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/gingerbread-dead-by-lori-l-robinett
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8290968.Lori_L_Robinett
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62802221-gingerbread-dead
Amazon Author Page:
https://amzn.to/3H7CWen
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Kindle eBook:
https://amzn.to/3XBeUOk
Amazon CA Kindle eBook:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BGCD5DYW
Apple Books eBook:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/gingerbread-dead/id6443531212
Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gingerbread-dead-lori-l-robinett/1142330118
Kobo US eBook:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gingerbread-dead-1
Kobo CA eBook:
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/gingerbread-dead-1
Universal eBook:
https://mybook.to/W56QdQy
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Lori will be awarding
$25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly
drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
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