Mar. 22nd, 2023

chez_jae: (Books)
Scornful Scones (Cozy Corgi Mysteries, #5)Scornful Scones by Mildred Abbott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Just before midnight last night I finished Scornful Scones, the 5th book in Mildred Abbott's "Cozy Corgi" mystery series. The main character is Winifred "Fred" Page, who owns a bookstore in Estes Park.

In an effort to extend an olive branch to Carla, owner of the Black Bear Roaster, Fred and her friend Katie attend an event at Carla's coffee shop. There, Fred witnesses Carla's father-in-law being nasty to the staff, and later she overhears an argument between him and Carla. When old Eustace chokes to death on a scone, everyone chalks it up to an unfortunate accident. Fred, however, can't help but think he was murdered. As she and police sergeant Branson Wrexler try to rekindle their fizzled romance, Branson is more open to Fred's ideas. For that reason he agrees to have the scone tested. When it turns out that Eustace was poisoned, Fred finds herself in the midst of another murder investigation. Carla is convinced that Fred is trying to pin the blame on her, but Fred is convinced something else is afoot. With her taciturn corgi, Watson, by her side, Fred digs into the history of Estes Park to find out who has been holding a grudge.

To be fair, Fred had no reason to investigate. I know I've sniped about a different character in another series who pokes her nose into investigations, but with Fred it seems more organic, less contrived. She initially began asking questions before finding out for sure that Eustace was murdered, to drum up some support for her theory. The narrative proceeded in a smooth fashion. I enjoyed Fred's interactions with her crazy family and her BFF, Katie. I wasn't on board with her romance with Branson. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Katie is the perfect match for Fred. Characters were conveyed well, from Fred and Katie to the snarky Officer Green and mean old Eustace.

Favorite lines:
♦ "You're a sick woman. And once more I'm reminded why we get along so well."
♦ "I love seeing your entire family together. It's better than watching a sitcom."
♦ I couldn't clear the slate with her if I was wondering whether she'd rubbed her hands together and given a villain's laugh while watching Eustace Beaker choke to death on her dry, dry scones.
♦ "Are we actually saying murder by banana? Is that a thing?"


"Breath" line:
♦ I let out a breath I hadn't been aware I was holding and relaxed somewhat.

A fun read--four stars.

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