A duo of gossipping amateur sleuths once again got the edge over the police by solving the murder mystery. Tilley and Emory made a great team, but Tilley was the star investigator. She was a cool cookie, all eighty-plus years of her. This has been an entertaining, and intriguing read.

Emory and Tillie host a Halloween party and when one of the guests is killed Em takes it upon herself to find the killer. There was absolutely no reason for her to do so. In the first book, she feels the need to find the killer and prove her own innocence which is a bit more understandable but here there was zero indication that Thomas was definitely going to be found guilty or put away without a trial this time. Why do the “sleuths” in these books always think they know better than the police?! Still a good read for anyone who enjoyed the first in the series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

What a fabulous story!

Emory Martinez and her loveable Goldendoodle Piper are settling in with Tillie and they are throwing a Halloween party with Emory providing cupcakes and cake pops while her sister Carrie caters all the rest of the food. The party is rocking until a server dressed as a Bavarian Barmaid starts hitting on many of the wealthy men in attendance. She even sets her sights on Emory’s brother-in-law, Thomas. Confused, Emory thought the bartender and the barmaid were an item. Emory decides to cool tempers she needs to talk to the woman but when she tracks her down she is dead in Emory’s own bathtub. Worse she has a Poison Apple Cake Pops, made by Emory, stuffed in her mouth.

The victim and her little tete-a-tete with Thomas was witnessed by many so he has landed at the top of the suspect list. Carrie begs Emory to investigate and some secrets are revealed. More suspects come to light but Thomas is not immediately cleared. Hang on tight, the twists are epic!

I absolutely love Tillie, in her 80’s and still going strong, even though her family doesn’t think so. They think she is suffering from dementia and belongs in a senior home, leaving them to manage her fortune and inherit it when she dies. Enter Emory to keep an eye on her. Emory quickly learns Tillie is fine and dandy, with more energy and ideas than a woman half her age.

Then Tillie’s son surprises everyone by introducing his new wife. His fourth! after losing his last wife in a tragic accident. The new wife proceeds to change the entire family dynamic by taking charge of everything she can. Thankfully Emory and Tillie have built a bond that can’t be broken, and shockingly the new wife’s days are numbered.

We also meet Detective Gabe O’Neill. Gabe just happens to be Emory’s BFF Brad’s significant other but she doubts that is going to help clear Thomas’s name.   All the characters Ms. Davis has created are strong. Some are very engaging, others bring the drama.

The plot of this mystery is complex and twisted. Emory and Tillie make a great sleuthing team, especially with all of Tillie’s social circle. The subplots blend seamlessly and believe me these are not just daily life interludes, they have some intense moments too. I really enjoyed following along but let me tell you when the killer was revealed the word surprised doesn’t cover it! Blown away! Astonished! Thunderstruck! And this is not the first time Kim Davis has done this to me!  Dang!  she is an incredible storyteller!!

In addition to a marvelous mystery, the story is filled with cupcakes. Emory is always baking and testing new flavor combinations. Some savory dishes are included too. My mouth was watering from the descriptions and I will be copying all the recipes at the back of the book.

Long story short, I am shouting from the rooftops! This Is A Must-Read Mystery! Fun, entertaining, and oh-so-wonderful. If you haven’t read Sprinkles of Suspicion start with that one, because series are always better from the beginning, but it is also a great whodunit. Cake Popped Off will be on my Best Reads of 2020. I am excited to see what the author has in store for her characters next.

This may be the best book I have read in a while. It was adorable and charming. The characters are like old friends. I love reading about Emory and her  adventures. I can finish these books in one sitting.  I really recommend this book.

This is one of my favorite new cozy series. This is a charming series with humor and great charcters. This is the 2nd book in the new "Cupcake Catering Mysteries Series" by cozy author Kim Davis.  Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own. 

Emory is hosting a Halloween costume party with her boss. Her Brother in law and her pregnant sister are attending. During the party her Brother in law is hit on by a waitress and his wife is seen to be not pleased. When the waitress is found dead she has one of Emory's sweet treats in her mouth and was left in Emory's bathtub. The police are after Emory and her Brother and she must prove them wrong . Her investigation skill are on point as she finds clues about the victim and suspects. She soon finds clues among a posh crowd of residents and more clues that lead to town secrets long buried. 

This is a fun series with likable interesting charcters and a dose of humor throughout. The sleuth kept me guessing to conclusion. I recommend this series as it is always a enjoyable fun whodunit.

What a great Cozy read!  I have to say this one gets my vote for favorite of the year (so far the years not over yet!) and wil be featured on my fav's list.  Let me tell you why I loved this book.
The characters are just great.  From page Emory and Tillie just are so fun.  Tillie's wisecracks just cracked me up.  But her fear and concern for her future tugs at your heart strings.  
Each of the characters are well developed and now that I really think about there are a lot of them.  There's friends and family and 'almost' boyfriends and then there are all the suspects and people that Tillie and Emory chat it up with to get answers and clues for the murder.  And then before they can solve the first one Emory finds victim #2.
Poor girl she is the kind of  sleuth that is always the one to find the bodies.
Cake Popped Off was a fast paced  turner that I only put down when my device needed charging it was that good!
I loved all the food that was eaten and described when Tillie and Emory dined at Tillie's club.    I wish the author would have included a few along with the cupcakes and other recipes that were included.
If you want to read a really good Cozy with great characters and a faced paced plot you will want to read Cake Popped Off!
The cover and description may have you thinking Halloween but this one is not about Halloween. 

I received a complimentary copy.  My review will appear on Amazon and Good Reads. 
Cake Popped Off  and the Great Escapes Tour will be promoted on Social Media.

Cake Popped Off by Kim Davis is the 2nd book in the cupcake catering mystery series.  Wow this cozy mystery took off with a bang. Emory Gosser Martinez is hosting a Halloween Bash with her octogenarian employer Tillie.  Everything was going fine until a server, is murdered in Emory's bathtub.  When Emory's brother in law becomes the prime suspect, Emory and Tillie are on the case.   I can't say enough good things about this book, and book 1 Sprinkles of Suspicion.  This book is funny along with a great mystery.  I highly recommend it, to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Emory Martinez is trying to recover from a nasty and harrowing divorce, where she was once accused of murder.  Now she lives in the poolhouse of octogenarian Tillie Skyler, as her cook and companion, also doing Tillie's son, David's, bookkeeping and correspondence.

Tillie is throwing a Halloween party for friends, and Emory's sister is catering it with Emory providing the desserts.  Everything seems to be going smoothly until the buxom barmaid starts harassing people - especially Emory's brother-in-law, Thomas.  But after an altercation, Emory finds the barmaid, Mandy, dead in her bathtub in the poolhouse.  Now Thomas is a suspect and her sister begs her to help find the killer.  As if that isn't bad enough, David comes homes with a new twenty-something wife, angering David's grown sons Theodore and Brian, and the new wife, Barbara, makes some changes that could endanger Emory's job and the sons.

But Emory soon finds that there's more to the story: Barbara could have some ties to the dead woman, and there are secrets and lies that abound everywhere.  When things escalate, Emory doesn't know whether to stop Tillie from investigating or help her.  Either way, it could get her killed anyway...

This is the second book in the series and I enjoyed it just as much as the first.  While I didn't really care for the fact that Emory constantly denigrated herself - she seems insecure about her looks but doesn't do anything about it - I ignored this to really dig into the story.

The murder is almost immediate and while we don't get to know Mandy at all beforehand, we learn an awful lot about her afterward when Tillie and Emory start questioning the people who knew her.  Tillie is a much better interrogator, since she doesn't come right out and ask people if they killed her; but the two make a decent pair together, with Emory watching out for the elderly woman.

There's also a new detective in town who wants to like Emory for personal reasons (not what you think) but doesn't know her and can't rule her out any more than anyone else.  They clash a little bit, but I do like the fact that Detective O'Neill isn't harsh with her and doesn't treat her badly.  I really detest the 'bad cop' in books where the detective is trying to put the protagonist in jail.

Having just getting to know David's sons, I do like Brian quite a bit and hope to see more of him while Theodore comes off as pretentious; still, it will be interesting to see how they progress in further books in this series.

When things escalate, and I won't say how, it changes the game for everyone, and Emory finds herself in the middle of a real pickle without knowing what direction to go in.  It gives the story a bit of intrigue to it, and makes you want to keep reading to find the outcome.  When we do discover the killer it comes as a complete surprise, and that was indeed worth reading.  Recommended.

When Emory's boss brings home Trophy Wife #4 before Wife #3 is cold in her grave all heck breaks loose. When a young woman is murdered at a Halloween party put on by the bosses mother Em is forced to take action and investigate to keep her brother-in-law out of jail. Before Em can get her bearings working with the new wife, Em finds her dead in the swimming pool. What was the connection between the two murders. As Em and her eighty something sidekick investigate they find blackmail, affairs and lots of secrets. This is an especially well written murder mystery with great characters and a twisted plot.

Cake Popped Off by Kim Davis
Book #2: Cupcake Catering Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Cinnamon & Sugar Press 
Rating: 4/5 stars

Emory Martinez has absolutely settled into her new life.  Her cupcake catering business has really taken off, she loves working with Tillie, and her home in Tillie’s pool house is the perfect place for she and her little dog.  With her life seemingly settled, Emory and Tillie undertake their greatest event to date, a costumed Halloween party.  With high hopes for the event, neither suspects murder is on the menu alongside Emory’s new Poison Apple Cake Pops. 

Just as the party is in full swing, with all the social elites in attendance, and the cocktails flowing Emory sees a bit of kerfuffle near her pool house.  Dismissing the scene for the time being Emory is later shocked to find a very deceased body in her pool house.  As if the dead body weren’t enough of a surprise, Tillie’s son has a whopper as well.  Shortly after the founding and reporting of the body, Tillie’s son presents to his gathered family his new bride!  YIKES!!!  Immediately, Tillie and Emory are on guard as the new bride is about as kind as pissed off snake and has no intention of playing second-fiddle to anyone, not even the matriarch of the family.  

Clearly, Tillie and Emory have work to do including solving the on-site murder, keeping the details of their antics from Tillie’s erratic and volatile son, and sussing out the issues related to the new bride in the family.  Though Emory doesn’t want to put Tillie in harm’s way, Tillie has no interest in being left behind and out of the action.  In truth, Emory needs Tillie and her social connections if she’s going to make any headway.  The social elite only like giving up their secrets when it suits them, but Tillie has a way of getting people to open up and share their darkest secrets.  

As the secrets begin to spill out, Tillie and Emory discover a web of lies, deceit, and blackmail.  The number of people caught up in the blackmail is truly stunning and the nefarious act is striking a little closer to home than either Tillie or Emory are comfortable with.  In order to break the case wide open, protect themselves, and save those closest to them, Tillie and Emory are going to have to defy the police, place their own lives in danger, and be braver than they ever though themselves capable of being.  Before all is said and done, Tillie and Emory just may lose everything. 

The Bottom Line:  I am quite glad I gave this series a second chance.  I wasn’t tremendously pleased with the first book, but this second book has really stepped up and delivered.  Emory and Tillie as a team are just wonderful and I particularly enjoy the age gap between them.  Tillie is wise, clever, slyly witty, and very sure of her own skills and competence.  Emory is younger, learning all she can from Tillie, and determined to protect the people she loves.  Together, the two are ridiculously fun and really the stars of the series.  With this second, more developed book, I have greater confidence in this series and look forward to Emory and Tillie’s next outing.

I have truly found a new favorite genre to read, cozy mystery.
This is a new to me author and her writing is fabulous so much so I devoured it.
The author loves to bake and the book is chock full of delicious cupcake and other baked good descriptions because the main character is a baker.
This is one holiday book that actually has a lot of Halloween holiday descriptions like so many holiday boos don't. Oh my goodness, eighty something year old Tillie, the family matriarch is a real hoot . She's sassy and won't take a back seat to anyone and she's right in the thick of things solving this mystery.
So put your cupcakes down because your going to be so engrossed in this one your going to forget to eat.
When you're done reading this you're going to be ready for your Halloween party with all the fabulous recipes included in the back of the book, additions include everything from the main course to appetizers and desserts, did I mention desserts? Plenty of dessert recipes included and even cocktail. Like I said you'll be ready for that Halloween party!
Loved this book and highly recommend it!

Pub Date 22 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Emory Martinez is helping her employer, Tillie Skyler, host a Halloween party.  Emory is providing the cupcakes, and Emory’s sister is doing the main catering.  Everything is going well until Emory finds the dead body of Mandy, the cocktail waitress, in her bathtub.  Emory’s brother-in-law was one of several people seen fighting with Mandy at the party, so to clear his name, Emory begins investigating.  She quickly finds a web of blackmail, but how did that contribute to Mandy’s death?

The first book in the series spent some time setting up changes in Emory’s life, and they are paid off wonderfully here.  We don’t get to see much of Tillie in the first book, but I loved her in this one.  She and Emory make a great team, and Tillie is such a fun character.  I had struggled with some of Emory’s relationships in the first book, but they were much more enjoyable here.  The plot is strong with so much drama and action I never wanted to put the book down.  I had a couple of niggles with the climax, but they were minor and all our questions were answered.  Some future plot lines are introduced here, and I’m anxious to see how they play out.  In addition to cupcake recipes, we get some delicious sounding recipes for Halloween party dishes and cocktails.  Emory’s second case is a delight, and I’m anxious to join her again for her another mystery.

Book two Cupcake Catering mystery.
Emory works as a companion to octagenarion Tillie. She also bakes cupcakes for her sisters catering company. Tillie is quite the spitfire.
Body shows up in Emory's house. Despite warnings from killer 
Tillie and Emory investigate even though not supposed to.
Fun cozy mystery
3.85

Enjoyed Emory and the Halloween plans.  A nice cozy mystery with a well written mystery.  Enjoyed Emory and the Halloween plans.  A nice cozy mystery with a well written mystery.

Take my advice – before reading this book, bake up (or buy) a batch of cupcakes, muffins, cake pops or something similar to appease your sweet tooth as you encounter all of Emory & Carrie’s various foodie concoctions. You’ll thank me later lol.

In the first book in this series, I wasn’t sure if I liked Emory or not. All those hesitations are gone in Cake Popped Off. She’s engaging and warm, and you can’t help but be drawn to her. I love that she’s not the typical body type for fictional heroines in her age group. I also love her relationships with Tillie, Carrie, Brad – and Randall – and I’m looking forward to how these play out as the series progresses. We get to spend a lot of time with Tillie in this book & I adore her. She is a hoot!

The mystery aspect in Cake Popped Off is well plotted & keeps you invested in the story. About the time you think it’s going a certain direction, a new body is added to the mix and/or the author throws in a new twist I didn’t see coming.

Bottom Line: Cake Popped Off is a fun way to spend an evening – or a weekend, depending on your reading speed. Great characters, a layered plot, and an engaging writing style combine with all the traditional elements of a cozy – plus the added bonus of delicious baked goods! Snuggle in with a comfy quilt, a mug of your fave hot beverage, and Cake Popped Off & you’ve got a good weekend ahead!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

During a Halloween party, Mandy, one of the cocktail waitresses, is seen having a very public argument with Emory Martinez's brother-in-law Thomas. Later, when Emory finds Mandy dead it's clear who the police will suspect. To clear Thomas' name, Emory must investigate. But soon another murder follows.

Unfortunately, this book did not suit me at all. While I did enjoy the relationship between Emory and Tillie, I found that I could not enjoy the book as a whole. The plot became lost in irrelevant detail and redundant information. The narrative was constantly bogged down by this which was extremely distracting, and just a bit annoying. 

Maybe this just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Cake Popped Off by Kim Davis is an intriguing book about a wealthy family that has hit a bit of a rough patch with bodies being found near them.

Can Emory figure out who would have killed Mandy?
Emory Martinez is our main character, point of view character, and our main sleuth. Emory loves the life that she lives with Matlida, Tillie, Skylar in her pool house with her Goldendoodle dog named Piper. This character is a hoot to read, and I love her descriptions of the food she is eating. Keynote for anyone that plans to read this book, don't do it on an empty stomach. Though Tillie is also a sleuth as she is the one that convinces Emory to get involved in solving these cases. These two ladies are hoots, and I love reading about them. 

The Mystery
Emory and Tillie have a Halloween party two weeks before Halloween, and a waitress dressed as a barmaid is killed in Emory's bathroom in the poolhouse. Now Emory has to make sure that her brother-in-law isn't going to go to jail because the barmaid named Mandy was blackmailing him and has a motive. I never thought that this mystery could have turned the way that it did. I never did guess who did it, but wow, was I surprised at who it was. 

5 Stars 
Cake Popped Off by Kim Davis is my first book of this series and author. I do have to say that I loved reading it and wouldn't mind reading the next one. These ladies are so fun, but thanks to this book, I don't have to read the first one as it can be read as a standalone. Not only that, but it discusses enough of it that you get a sense of what happened in that book already. Ms. Davis did an excellent job, and I have to say that I now want some baked ziti and lobster mac and cheese thanks to this book.

I am giving this book five stars and recommending it to all culinary cozy mystery readers out there. Don't forget to check out the recipes in the back of this book. Yum!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escape Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Cake Popped Off by Kim Davis.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

Cake Popped Off
Cupcake Catering Mystery, Book #2
Kim Davis
5 Stars
 
Synopsis:
 
Cupcake caterer Emory Martinez is hosting a Halloween bash alongside her octogenarian employer, Tillie. With guests dressed in elaborate costumes, the band is rocking, the cocktails are flowing, and tempers are flaring when the hired Bavarian Barmaid tries to hook a rich, hapless husband. Except one of her targets happens to be Emory’s brother-in-law, which bodes ill for his pregnant wife. When Emory tracks down the distraught barmaid, instead of finding the young woman in tears, she finds her dead. Can she explain to the new detective on the scene why the Bavarian Barmaid was murdered in Emory’s bathtub with Emory’s Poison Apple Cake Pops stuffed into her mouth?
 
With an angry pregnant sister to contend with, she promises to clear her brother-in-law’s name. As Emory starts asking questions and tracking down the identity of the costumed guests, she finds reasons to suspect her brother-in-law has been hiding a guilty secret. Her search leads her to a web of blackmail and betrayal amongst the posh setting of the local country club crowd. Can Emory sift through the lies she’s being told and find the killer? She’ll need to step up her investigation before another victim is sent to the great pumpkin patch in the sky.
 
Includes spooky Halloween recipes! (Goodreads)
 
 
 
Review:
 
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I really enjoy the relationship between Emory and Tillie. Although they have not known each very long, they have become very close. Tillie is quite the character and she keeps Emory on her toes. Emory is starting to feel like she belongs and that she is making some friends.
 
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is quick and easy read. The author created a setting that was inviting (except for the killing) and engaging. Through much of the book I felt like I was right there, going to the Country Club with Emory and Tillie, enjoying the finer things in life, as well as snooping.
 
The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. The suspects and motives were plentiful and I was once again surprised at the outcome.
 
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you have not read this one yet, I would suggest you do.
 
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Cinnamon and Spice Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

This was my first cozy by this author. The mystery revolved around a waitress getting killed at a halloween party, stuffed with Emory's cake. And none other than Emory's brother-in-law is implicated, as they had a heated fight at the party right before she was killed. Emory and Tillie were a great sleuthing team. The start was a bit slow, but it picked up quickly after that. As for the murderer, I really could not put a pin on the person.

In Cake Popped Off!, the second book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery Series, author Kim Davis weaves an intriguing cozy mystery tale that follows the amateur sleuth adventures of aspiring cupcake caterer Emory Martinez.

Set in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, California, Emory Martinez is getting her cupcake catering business off the ground with the help of her octogenarian employer/landlady, Tillie Skyler. Emory and twin sister Carrie are catering Tillie's Halloween costume bash, and everything is going fine until Emory catches her brother-in-law Thomas Berger in a heated argument with Mandy Grater, the event waitress. Next thing you know, Emory finds Mandy dead on the bathroom floor with several of Emory's poison apple cake pops stuffed in her mouth in her pool house residence. Emory's brother-in-law Thomas is considered a suspect in Mandy's murder, and with Tillie's help, Emory is determined to clear Thomas' name, and find the real killer!

Cake Popped Off! is an entertaining and fast-paced cozy whodunit tale that has enough quirky characters, witty banter and humor, romance, family secrets and drama, danger, and intriguing twists and turns. Told in the first person narrative, the reader can't help but get caught up in Emory's latest crazy amateur sleuth adventure as she and Tillie try to clear her brother-in-law's name and solve Mandy's murder.

The story unfolds with a wonderful balance of comedy, romance, family secrets and drama that easily kept me guessing and in stitches. The reader follows Emory three months after her own scrape with the law, and it was nice to see how her cupcake catering business was getting help from Tillie and her bridge club cronies. But who knew Emory would once again find herself caught up in a murder investigation! Emory and Tillie's investigative adventure was fun to follow, these two crazy ladies find themselves caught up in a mess when the murder involves Tillie's family, and Emory's digging into the murder has the killer planning the next victim! 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that at the end of the book is a scrumptious collection of Halloween inspired recipes that will make your mouth water!

Cake Popped Off! is an entertaining story that cozy murder mystery fans will enjoy reading!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/10/cake-popped-off-by-kim-davis-vbt-book.html