Hey, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Lori L. Robinett and her new book, “Gingerbread Dead,” here on FAB!! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.
Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Lori and to increase your chances of winning!!
Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!
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:
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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:
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:
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Kindle eBook:
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:
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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.**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds like a fun read. Love the cover!
ReplyDeleteI love the title, adding this to ''my to read list''
ReplyDeleteI just loved reading your excerpt.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great cozy!
ReplyDelete