Review of THE GINGERBREAD BUMP-OFF, A Fresh Baked Mystery by Livia J. Washburn

MYSTERY

THE GINGERBREAD BUMP-OFF, A FRESH BAKED MYSTERY BY LIVIA J. WASHBURN

• December 24, 2016
 
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What better way to spend the holiday and winter season than by curling up with a good cozy mystery.  My latest find is The Gingerbread Bump-Off by Livia J. Washburn.  The small town feel and the comradery between four senior citizens sharing a grand old house in Weatherford, Texas, gives this mystery a sense of special warmth.  The cast of characters is four senior citizens, all retired teachers. It’s a unique lifestyle, and they’ve all become the very best of friends. Phyllis owns the house and shares it with “sort of” boyfriend, Sam, Carolyn and Eve.  Much to everyone’s surprise, Eve, seems to have landed yet another “Mr. Right,” and is getting married on New Year’s Eve.  To Read More Follow This Link

New Release -- The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer by Livia J. Washburn

In the latest from the national bestselling author of Trick or Deadly Treat, Phyllis Newsom returns with a festive Christmas recipe that’s to die for…

‘Tis the season in Weatherford, Texas, and everyone in town is gearing up for the annual holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony in the town square, where Phyllis Newsom will be serving her much-anticipated candy cane cupcakes. Local rancher Barney McCrory manages to charm one away from her before the ceremony begins. But unfortunately, when the minty confection is finished, so is he.

This isn’t the first time someone has dropped dead after eating one of Phyllis’s treats. But when the paramedics determine the rancher was shot, suspicion swiftly falls on McCrory’s daughter and her husband—who both stand to reap some sweet rewards from his death. Though Phyllis doesn’t want to get mixed up in another murder investigation, something about this case doesn’t sit right with her. With a little help from a tabloid TV news crew, Phyllis must unwrap the truth and restore good cheer to Weatherford before it’s too late…

Includes recipes! 

More Nice Reviews

Over on Debbie's Book Bag she has this to say about The Gingerbread Bump-Off

Livia J. Washburn brings readers a great holiday themed cozy just in time for ... Livia J. Washburn has a great sense of community and small town involvement. ...

She is having a giveaway so check it out.

And of all places, you can find a 4 1/2 star review of Witch Got Your Tongue over on Coated Tongue Causes. 

This is a fast, entertaining book, and there's bound to be a sequel along soon.

I just wanted to add that there will be a sequel, A Peck of Pickled Warlocks, but at this time I'm working on the 4th Literary Tour Mystery featuring the man's man Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Funeral Bell Tolls.

If you can't find the books locally, they are available through Amazon.

Kindle       Trade  

Trade       Kindle

All Three Lucas Hallam Novels Are Now Available on Kindle

WILD NIGHT
Winner of The American Mystery Award and The Private Eye Writers Of America's Best Original Paperback Award. Here's the real Hollywood of the studio days . . . glamour, glitz, and an underside of dark and dangerous secrets.

WILD NIGHT has been recently reviewed by Ed Gorman and Cap'n Bob.

DEAD STICK Set in the 1920s, this intriguing mystery marks the return of likable Lucas Hallam. A stuntman and former Texas Ranger, Hallam is hired by Hollywood producer Carl McGinley to find out who is trying to sabotage his current film, set during World War I. Dead-Stick is on target. True-to-life characters with a dash of 1920s seasoning contribute to a satisfying read. -- Publishers Weekly Cap'n Bob also recently reviewed Dead Stick.

DOG HEAVIES
A novel set in the glory days of the Hollywood western. One actor is an ex-gunslinger, a former Texas Ranger, and tough private detective. He is hired by a film studio to take a spoiled New York actor to a ranch in Texas and turn him into a credible cowboy star. Once at the ranch in Texas, the situation is complicated when a ranch hand turns up dead. The local sheriff suspects a Native American actor and so the tough-guy detective takes on the case.

"There is more tension than in a barbed-wire fence." --The Los Angeles Times
"A striking original detective set against a lush, fascinating narrative backdrop." --The Dallas Morning News

Holiday Cooking

The mass market edition of The Christmas Cookie Killer shipped so well, that the editor asked for another Christmas book. I had an idea for a New Year book, but I can probably adjust the plot. Recipes would be different. With the family Christmas get together coming up I will need to start working out the recipes now. If you put out a bunch of goodies in a large group, you can tell pretty fast which recipes are winners. It does take a lot more effort to create original recipes. You end up throwing your hard work into the trash at times. My problem is with not having some of the book written, I don’t know what I need in the way of recipes. This would be the best time to have other people test taste, however. I know one thing, something is going to have a lot of chocolate in it! Also I have to come up with a killer title. Get it??? Killer title! LOL I crack myself up at times. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends, and a healthy, prosperous 2010.

Another Nice Review

Here is a review of The Christmas Cookie Killer. This third book in the Fresh Baked series will be coming out in paperback November 3, 2009.
Signet Mass Market Paperback $6.99

Book Review

There is a nice review of The Christmas Cookie Killer on the Mystery Reader's blog.

USA Today

There was a nice mention of THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE KILLER in USA Today, along with several other Christmas-themed mysteries. You can find it on-line here.