Fudge-Laced Felonies: A Summer Meadows Mystery

by Cynthia Hickey

Book Overview

Diamonds, cash, and a bloody gardening glove.Summer Meadows went to church not to find God, but to hunt for a killer.While transplanting the rosebush her church's handsome greeter, Ethan Banning,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 160260181X
• ISBN13: 9781602601819
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.1" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

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Ethan Banning is a murderer--of rosebushes, that is. Summer Meadows once had a prize blue rose until Ethan, Mr. Hunky-and-Unreachable, got close to it. When she and Ethan dig into the scene of the planticide, they find more than a rose victim--the plant's roots are entangled with a velvet bag full of diamonds. Add one released convict, a brunette bombshell just returned to town, a bloody glove and a missing diamond broker. Stir in a brand-new chocolate shop, a half-cup of danger and a few tons of mutual attraction, and you get a page turner. Ms. Hickey draws her characters with a deft hand. The mystery is well played out and its resolution took me unawares. I don't read mysteries by choice--I'm more of a straight romance gal, so the masterful nature of this book was a delightful surprise. If you like your mysteries drawn with colors both light and dark, this mostly-lighthearted bonbon of a story is just for you.

Candies, diamonds and suspense

Cynthia Hickey weaves an entertaining mystery around her impulsive heroine, Summer Meadows, who runs a candy shop in a small town. Summer becomes intrigued when diamonds appear under her rosebush and other mysterious items are found. She puts herself, and her aunt and uncle with whom she lives, in harms way as she develops theories and a suspect list for strange occurrences and murders as she blunders into and out of danger. She struggles with a lack of trust in God and with her feelings for two good-looking guys. As the author weaves biblical quotes into Summer's dilemmas, the reader becomes a cheerleader for this Miss Marple wannabe in this story which enlightens as well as entertains.

SUMMER FUN AND MURDER & MAYHEM, TOO!

Summer and her aunt are on the eve of opening a new candy business when Summer discovers a cache of diamonds and a bloody glove hidden beneath her prize roses. Though her heartthrob, Ethan Banning and her policeman cousin insist she stay out of the investigation, Summer just can't help herself. Neglecting her dream business to uncover a murder and theft isn't quite what Summer had in mind, but by the time she realizes she's in over her head, the culprits are ready - and willing - to take more from her than the candy she loves to make!

A Fudgy Heroine

From the lead, "I marched into church on Sunday - not to search for God, but to find a killer," spunky heroine Summer Meadows captures your heart with humor even in the darkest situations, as you journey with her to solve a diamond mystery. A light, easy read, this page turner takes you into the Ozark foothills. Set in a small town, Summer owns a candy store and is up to her wrists in chocolate, when she's not knee deep in trouble playing detective. You'll be riveted in the mystery and complete the novel in several readings. When interrupted, you'll want to return to Summer's world of chocolate, diamonds, and mystery. Rich with fresh similes and metaphors, readers savor a taste of Southern grit as two handsome men compete for Summer's attention, but only one of them truly loves her. She must decide between Man of God, Ethan, with rough, working hands, or smooth-talking Nate with hands softer than her own. Nate says all the right things while Ethan teases like a childhood friend, leading Summer to believe that he thinks of her as a sister. Then there's beautiful Terri Sue who once dated Ethan and attempts to pick up where she left off. Summer knows her natural beauty can't complete with her store-bought facade. Summer is down-to-earth, but feisty. Used to being in control, she has to learn to let God guide her steps and relinquish control to the One who can make an eternal difference in her life. Have you ever treasured your flower garden and thought it worth gold? Summer's rose garden is worth a small fortune in cash and diamonds, and she must solve the mystery of who killed her prized rose bush before she ends up a dead summer flower. Candy-Coated Secrets is the second book in the Fudge-Laced Felonies series - Heartsong Presents. If you love humor and mystery entwined, snag both books and keep an eye out for the third book looming on the horizon. You won't want to miss a single book in this series!

A winner!

FUDGE-LACED FELONIES is the first book in Ms. Hickey's A Summer Meadows Mysteries series, and it's a winner. Summer is a slightly klutzy, totally loveable heroine who stumbles into messy situations she can't get out of easily. The reader can't help but cheer for Summer and hope that things will work out for her. The faith message is expertly woven in and isn't preachy, and the setting is well-woven into the story. The opening lines of the book are really excellent. Readers are going to see a lot more of Ms. Hickey and her books - and, as Ms. Hickey's critique partner, I know that the second two books in this trilogy are every bit as wonderful as the first. Don't miss FUDGE-LACED FELONIES