Publication Date: 10/1/19
Paperback
ISBN: 9781629726014
Retail Price: $15.99
Page Count: 320
Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Culinary
BookDesign: © Shadow Mountain Art Direction: Richard Erickson Design: Kimberly Kay Author Photo: Busath Photography
Synopsis
This Christmas, Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham is making a list and checking it twice. For the first time since she and Pete married five years ago, their combined families are gathering for the holidays in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a party that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus proud.
She just has to bake the famous Cunningham Candy Cane Cake, make sure the looming snowstorm doesn't derail everyone's travel plans, and oh, yes, solve one teensy-tiny mystery before the big day.
At ninety-four and nearly blind, Mary, Sadie's friend and neighbor, knows this will be her last Christmas. When Sadie learns that someone has stolen antique Christmas ornaments from Mary's tree, she vows to find the thief, no matter what. The ornaments had been appraised at more than $40,000, but they were worth even more to Mary, who had intended to bequeath them to her great-granddaughter, Joy, as a final gift.
With Pete in Arizona wrapping up a case of his own, it's up to Sadie to question the residents of Nicholas House, where Mary lives, and deduce who had the means and the motive to steal heirloom ornaments during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.
When stories of other thefts surface, Sadie feels like she's creating a "naughty" list that could rival Santa's. Identifying the thief, recovering the ornaments, and restoring them to Mary's tree in time will take a Christmas miracle—and maybe a few extra-special cookies.
About the Author:
Josi S. Kilpack is an accomplished and prolific author of nearly two dozen novels including the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. She has won multiple Whitney Awards for Myster/Suspense, Romance, and Novel of the Year as well as the Utah Best of State Fiction Winner. She lives with her family in Utah.
Follow the author on Instagram @authorjosiskilpack
Advance Praise/Endorsements:
“A warmhearted mystery.” -Kirkus
“Sadie Hoffmiller dishes up a fresh serving of Christmas cheer. An inspirational cozy whose feel-good vibe will be perfect for fans of Julie Hyzy's and Nancy J. Parra. Readers with a sweet tooth will be sure to enjoy Sadie's family recipes, sprinked throughout the book.” -Booklist
“Kilpack represents a nice range of ages in this story, and the relationships feel both real and aspirational. The clues and solution are complex enough to keep readers guessing. Recipes are included, making this a fun choice for cookbook discussion groups as well as general readers. Twelve previous "Culinary Mystery" titles precede this entry, which can be read on its own.” -Library Journal
My Review
The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack is a sweet clean mystery with protagonist Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham at the center of the book. Sadie and her husband Pete have been married for five years and have a combined family. Pete is a detective and Sadie is a retired schoolteacher, amateur detective, and chef.
Sadie's neighbor, Mary who is now in a home is in declining health and not expected to live much longer. She is determined to last one more Christmas in the hopes of repairing her relationship with her daughter Ivy. Her granddaughter Joy is around to help Mary out in whatever she needs including daily visits.
Sadie also visits regularly and because Mary is blind, she helps put up a tree for Mary. Mary has a lot of ornaments that are worth a long of money. She is worried that something could happen to the ornaments as Mary wishes to give them to Ivy. Sadie's worries are affirmed as some ornaments turn up missing. Now Sadie has to find out who stole the ornaments before Mary realizes that they are missing. Mary wants to give the ornaments to Ivy after Christmas. Pete is away so she is on her own.
Not only is she trying to find out who the thief is she has to get ready for the holidays, bake the Cunningham Candy Cane Cake and worry about the weather all within 24 hours. Family members are all coming from different states and bad weather is headed to Fort Collins.
What did I think, well I was pleased with Sadie and the dozen Christmas themed recipes in the book. I loved Sadie, strong determined woman and a wonderful friend to Mary. A few times later in the book, I was moved to tears. It is sad when someone is dying and the author wrote this part of the story with empathy but it was also lighthearted. This book is a sweet, clean mystery with great characters. I can't wait to make some of the recipes with the holidays coming they will be helpful.
If you are looking for a fun mystery, then pick up a copy of the book! I recommend it.
I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
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