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    As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles
    As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles
    As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles
    Audiobook8 hours

    As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles

    Written by Leslie Budewitz

    Narrated by Rebecca Mitchell

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy's Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily's turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.

    When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he's been robbed, fingers point to Merrily-until she's found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer-and keep herself in one piece-in time for a special Christmas Eve?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJun 5, 2018
    ISBN9781541479890
    Author

    Leslie Budewitz

    Leslie Budewitz blends her passion for food, great mysteries, and the Northwest in two cozy mystery series, the Spice Shop Mysteries, set in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries, set in NW Montana. She also writes moody suspense under the pen name Alicia Beckman. Leslie is the winner of three Agatha Awards—2013 Best First Novel for DEATH AL DENTE, the first Food Lovers' Village mystery; 2011 Best Nonfiction, and 2018 Best Short Story, for “All God’s Sparrows,” her first historical fiction. A past president of Sisters in Crime and a former board member of Mystery Writers of America, she lives and cooks in NW Montana.

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    Reviews for As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles

    4/5

    33 ratings11 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Great Christmas cozy. Lots and lots of atmosphere with decorating and food and the town seems to be a foodie paradise. The characters are very well done and the mystery was really good with lots of misdirection and red-herrings. Definitely a fun read for the holidays! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy to read and provide my honest opinion.
    • 5/5
      With a clever plot and loads of interesting characters, this Christmas-themed cozy set in small town Montana was an outstanding read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I quickly picked up the first book in the series so I can start from the beginning with this series. For me, since this is the 5th book in the Food Lovers Village Mystery series, I had a bit of difficulty keeping track of all the characters at first. There's a helpful character list of who's who but it's not always easy to access via Kindle. Once the murder took place, it got much easier to keep track of all the characters.Loved it. I adore Christmas mysteries and I don't ever recall reading any cozies set in Montana so this was a fun read.Highly recommended for cozy fans!!(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
    • 4/5
      It is almost Christmas in Jewel Bay and there is so much happening. Adam and Erin are getting married on Christmas Eve, there is a town wide decorating day to bring in shoppers for this make it or break it time of year, and the cookie swap is coming up. Erin and Adam have bought her mother's house and are renovating it along with everything else. Erin is surprised to see Merrily Thornton has returned to town and offers to help her parents decorate. She is shocked when her parents shout at her and tell her to leave. When Merrily fails to show up at Erin’s house for the cookie swap, or at work the next day Erin becomes concerned. When Merrily's boss finds out that his bank deposit was short and that there might have been some embezzling, they immediately suspect Merrily of the crime. Later that day, she is found dead with Christmas lights around her neck. Now there are two mysteries, who killed Merrily and who is embezzling from the Hardware Store.

      The characters in this series are very realistic and ones that I would love to have as friends, in fact, I would love to live in Jewel Bay. Family issues arise in this story as they do in all lives. We actually get to meet some of Adam's family and that is kind of fun. The mystery really kept me guessing. Throughout the story, I think I suspected just about anyone who knew Merrily except Erin. There were so many twists, red herrings and clues scattered about that it was a real stumper. By the end of the story, I was surprised about some things, and relieved about others. I was worried that the wedding might not take place, but that all turned out in the end. The story has a great plotline and it was well paced. I finished this story in a few sittings, yet it was complete, well described, but not rushed. I definitely recommend this one to any cozy mystery lover. Several of the recipes have been added to my Christmas baking section of my recipe book, they look so yummy. Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

    • 4/5
      Erin Murphy is getting ready for her were while at the same time Jewel Bag is in the midst of Christmas festivities. Erin runs in to Merrily Thornton, who has returned to town to try to reconnect with her family. But her mother will not give in, having disowned her when she was sent to prison 20 years ago. Erin tries to befriend and invites Merrily to the cookie exchange. When Merrily is a no show and is later found murdered, Erin begins to as questions which puts her own life in jeopardy.I love the setting, the warm-hearted characters, and how the clues were spread throughout.
    • 4/5
      Series: A Food Lovers' Village Mystery - Book 5
      Author: Leslie Budewitz
      Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary
      Publisher: Midnight Ink

      Available June 8, 2018

      All is merry and bright in Jewel Bay, Montana. At Murphy's Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, a wedding, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl who committed a crime and paid for it. Merrily has turned her life around. She has a new job, and a beautiful daughter in college, but her parents have publicly shunned her, as they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.

      When Merrily goes missing, and her boss discovers he's been robbed, fingers point to Merrily, until she's found dead, with a string of lights wrapped around her neck. Following the clues puts Erin in harm's way. She needs to unravel the mystery and put a killer behind bars before the wrong person goes to jail. Erin is on a mission to clear a friends name before her wedding day on Christmas Eve?


      As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles is the fifth book in the “A Food Lovers’ Village Mystery” series. The story is fast-paced and entertaining. Ms. Budewitz is a talented writer with a good grip on what makes a mystery interesting.

      The story revolves around Erin Murphy, the proprietor of a family-owned business, Murphy's Mercantile. She is about to get married and is happy but overwhelmed. When she meets Merrily, she feels as though she has found a friend, only to have the sprouting friendship whisked away when Merrily is murdered. Everyone is pointing fingers at Merrily boss, Greg Taylor but Erin isn’t as positive as they are that Merrily was a thief and Greg, her killer.

      Erin is a wonderful character filled with pride, happiness and too much curiosity for her own good. She keeps stepping into in murder investigations and even though she tells herself not to get involved, she somehow winds up smack in the middle of trouble. Other characters such as Greg Taylor, Tracy, and Lou Mary, are fantastic characters that readers will love. Most of the characters in this book are warm., friendly, easy to like, and memorable..

      The setting of Jewel Bay is intriguing. Montana is a wonderful place to put a food lovers village. Some of the best food in the country can be found in towns like Billings or Bozeman. So it comes as no surprise to find a story with a basis in food set in a location within Montana’s borders. The beauty of the area is described lovingly in this book and is sure to make readers want to visit.

      Overall, As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles is a thrilling journey through small-town life and unexpected murder. It is easy to read and filled with action. Characters are unforgettable and caring, readers will be enthralled by the life of Erin Murphy and the crazy situation she gets herself into. This is a clean read and can be enjoyed by readers of any age. The recipes in the back of the book are mouthwatering. I highly recommend this book to readers of all genres.
    • 3/5
      Took a long time for this story to pick up. Kept me guessing until the end.
    • 4/5
      It’s almost Christmas and Erin is especially merry this year: she is about to be married. But Christmastime brings out the best and the worst in people. Merrily, a former resident and friend of Erin’s, arrives back in town after a twenty-year estrangement from her parents, but they still reject her. Not even her younger sister can affect a reconciliation. When money goes missing from a local business where Merrily was working, all fingers point to her, until she is found dead. When Erin’s life is threatened, she becomes even more determined to root out the bad guy. This well-written novel has it all: engaging characters, an intricate plot with clues for the reader to deduce who the killer is, cats, food (recipes included), and a bit of romance—and it’s Christmas. Who could ask for anything more!
    • 4/5
      I love reading holiday themed books all year round. This one was fun to read as the author makes the town come to life with decorations that make you smile. I would love to visit the Merc and hang out with Erin. She sounds so fun and oh my does she have wonderful things to buy in the store. When Merrily was introduced into the story I instantly liked her. She has had a hard life but I really think she is trying to change things for the better. I was so angry when her mom made a scene in front of everybody and basically rejected her. What happened to forgiveness and giving someone a second chance?I was very angry when Merrily came up missing. I could see the writing on the wall of her demise. The author does a great job of giving readers several suspects. The town is pretty much in shock and Erin steps into help the investigation. I hope she remembers she has a very important event coming up on Christmas Eve. The tension over the years between Merrily and her parents was very well written. I felt a little tug on my heart for her father. He wanted to make amends with his daughter, but for some reason Merrily's mother wouldn't budge. I would hate it if I had a strained relationship with one of my kids.The action and intrigue in the story is fast paced and I really enjoyed trying to figure out who the killer was. Erin has attracted someones attention regarding Merrily's death because she finds herself in unexpected danger. The story is very well written and I loved finding out more about Merrily when she was younger. There were some twists that I didn't see coming and was very surprised at who the killer was. Don't miss this great adventure and the wonderful recipes at the back of the book.I received a copy of this book from The Great Escape Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
    • 4/5
      As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz is the fifth novel in A Food Lover’s Village Mystery series. Erin Murphy is the manager of Murphy’s Glacier Mercantile (aka The Merc) in Jewel Bay, Montana. The town is getting ready for Christmas with Decorating Day. While switching out a tub of lights, Erin witnesses (along with the rest of the town) an unpleasant scene between Taya Thornton and her daughter, Merrily. Erin is shocked at the bitterness expressed by Taya towards Merrily after eighteen years. Erin invites Merrily over to The Merc and to the cookie swap at her house on Sunday. Merrily does not show up for the cookie exchange, and she is AWOL from Building Supply where she works on Monday. Not only is Merrily missing, but cash from the business is as well. Many say that Merrily failed to change her ways. Then Merrily is found dead with a string of Christmas lights around her neck. With Greg Taylor as a prime suspect, Erin starts snooping (not that she needed a reason). Who would risk going on Santa’s naughty list by killing Merrily? Can Erin wrap up the case before her wedding?As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles is well-written and has a steady pace. I found Ms. Budewitz’s conversational writing style to be pleasing. I was drawn into the story and my attention was held throughout. Jewel Bay is a charming, small town that goes all out for Christmas. I loved the descriptions of the shops and the decorations (I wanted to visit and do some shopping). I like how everyone pitches in to help with various activities. The characters are nicely developed and, for the most part, are friendly and relatable. Detective Bello is the grinch of the story (I could imagine him saying Bah Humbug). I enjoy Erin’s approach to sleuthing with her Spreadsheet of Suspicion. The mystery was well-crafted and multi-faceted. There are many gratifying cozy moments in As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles. Erin is preparing for her wedding, buying Christmas presents, cooking, cookie exchange, Erin and Adam with their new home, baking, Adam worrying about his brothers coming to town, and spending time with family and friends. While there is a lot going on in the story, it is not overwhelming. I agreed with Erin about the cuteness of the Property Brothers. I recommend reading the books in A Food Lover’s Village Mystery in order. I am grateful for the list of characters at the front of the book (helpful). It was a pleasure to visit Jewel Bay in As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles and I look forward to returning in the next A Food Lover’s Village Mystery.
    • 4/5
      When Erin Murphy is outside the Mercantile stringing Christmas lights, she decides to look at the Thornton's shop window. Every year, they have the most amazing display, and this year is no different...except that their daughter Merrily has arrived in town, and with no welcome from her parents. When she hears the conversation - Merrily's mother Taya is berating her and telling her to leave, Erin takes pity and invites her into the Merc. After commiserating with her and feeling sorry for Merrily, she invites her to the cookie exchange she's having that Sunday.It seems Merrily spent time in prison for embezzlement when she was only a teenager, and most people think she got taken advantage of by the true embezzler; yet her parents haven't forgiven her, and it doesn't look like they ever will. But when Merrily doesn't show up for the cookie exchange, Erin is concerned until she receives a phone call from Greg Taylor - and it doesn't bode well.Greg hired Merrily to work for him as a bookkeeper, but when he discovered missing money and she didn't show up for work he went looking for her - and found her, dead - with a string of Christmas lights around her neck. He called Erin because she'd been through this before. But Erin can't figure out what Merrily could have done to get herself killed - she doesn't believe she stole from Greg's hardware store, since there's no real evidence; but there doesn't seem to be any other explanation.It seems Greg is the main suspect, and his sister Wendy asks Erin to investigate since she thinks the police will arrest him for the crime. So Erin tells her she'll think about it - and that she does, discovering things along the way that don't make any sense. Where is the missing money? Merrily wasn't living high, and Erin discovers evidence that shows she didn't leave her home of her own free will. But finding the truth could take some time - time Erin doesn't have with her wedding day nearing, and she might not make it anyway if someone else has their way...I enjoyed reading this book, the fifth in the series. This time around, Erin is getting ready for her Christmas wedding to Adam when the tragedy of murder occurs. Although she's not a friend of Merrily, who was years ahead of her in school, she still knows the family and hears the history of why Merrily left. But the woman looked so bereft that Erin knew she had to reach out to her, and when she didn't show for the exchange, Erin was concerned.What follows is a maze of clues all leading in one direction, but that direction isn't easy to find. You have to sift through them (they are there) before you find the truth. And the truth isn't an easy pill to swallow. It makes one wonder how there are people who can go through this life seemingly caring for others, but in reality are a different type of human being altogether.In the end, it was a very good mystery and put together well, and I enjoyed reading it. Although it takes place at Christmas, I believe that it can be read any time of the year, and can also be read as a stand alone. Recommended.
    • 5/5
      I read other books written by Leslie Budewitz but this is the first one in this series (A Food Lovers' Village Mystery).
      Even though it was the 5th one I had no problems in understanding the characters and their relationship.
      This is a cozy mystery and a book about making amends and starting anew even if people seem not to be able to forgive or forget what was in the past. It is also a book about families and betrayal.
      It is well written, kept me guessing til the end and was really funny and enjoyable with some food for tought.
      Really recommended.
      Many thanks to Midnight Ink and Netgalley.