Book 42, 2026

[chez_jae]

Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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I finished reading my “spare” book today: Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck. It’s the second installment in the “Donut Shop” series of cozy mysteries. The main character is Suzanne Hart, who owns and runs Donut Hearts.

Suzanne is both excited and anxious about demonstrating donut-making at a local tour of kitchens fundraiser. Marge Rankin has asked Suzanne to showcase her kitchen for the demonstration. Suzanne is mildly surprised that Marge was chosen, considering her animosity with Peg Masterson, who is spearheading the tour. When Peg drops dead on the first morning of the tour, right outside Marge’s house, she’s found clutching one of Suzanne’s signature donuts. With her business reputation on the line, Suzanne starts applying herself to finding out who used one of her donuts to deliver a lethal dose of poison.

I enjoyed the story for the most part. I thought Suzanne was somewhat pushy when she was asking questions of those whom she suspected may have murdered Peg. Most of the story was taken up with Suzanne’s sleuthing. She was shown at work and socializing a little bit, but I would prefer more balance. Characters were fleshed out, and the plot proceeded in a sensible fashion.

Favorite lines:
♦ “I’m a cop; trust me, I know donuts.”
♦ I couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d handed me a hundred dollar bill or a live chicken.
♦ Peg could have left every dime to the Society to Outlaw Daylight Savings Time for all I knew.
♦ “Sometimes I think authors have their characters do foolish things just to advance the plot.”

Decent enough to earn four stars.