If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with charm, humor, and a dash of family drama, this book is a delight. Beatrice and Doug stumble into teenage guardianship, wedding chaos, and—of course—a murder, all wrapped up with a sweet surprise in the kitchen.Toffee Apple Strudel by Susan A. King
Series: Beattie Bramshaw Mysteries #3
Genres: Cozy Mystery

A NEW BEATTIE BRAMSHAW MYSTERY - It’s the summer of 2001, and for WI Secretary and practised busybody Beattie Bramshaw, it’s a time of new beginnings.

Her much-anticipated wedding to vegetable grower extraordinaire Doug Sparrow is now just months away. However, in the throes of setting up their marital home and new market garden business, she receives a surprise request to care for a distant relative.

Likewise, a number of her fellow Elmesbury residents also find their lives on the cusp of change, and not all for the good. Is it pure chance that the arrival of Beattie’s young ward coincides with yet another murder in the village? Or were plans already afoot?

Once again, Beattie picks up the gauntlet, but can she solve the case and uncover the murderer’s identity before it casts a shadow over her wedding to Doug?

Toffee Apple Strudel is a comedy crime caper in the style of Agatha Raisin and sees the conclusion of the ‘Beattie Bramshaw Mysteries series’. Make a brew, grab a chair, and prepare for a fun-filled finale.

goodreads

Add to Goodreads

get the book

BUY ON AMAZON

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Beatrice and Doug are juggling more than most couples could handle: moving into a sprawling new five-bedroom home, planning a September wedding, and unexpectedly taking in a distant teenage relative. Beatrice assumes it will be simple, but quickly learns that caring for a teenager comes with its own set of challenges and plenty of growing pains for everyone involved.

Amidst all the family drama, there’s the small matter of a murder to solve, which gives the story its cozy crime charm. I especially loved how Beatrice and Doug balance sleuthing with their personal lives—sometimes clumsy, sometimes heartfelt, but always engaging. And in true cozy fashion, the kitchen brings its own surprises, including a “happy accident” that results in the creation of a toffee apple strudel recipe that sounds as comforting as the story itself.

This book delivers everything you’d want in a cozy crime read: warm characters, a sprinkle of humor, and a mystery that keeps you invested without ever feeling heavy. Beatrice and Doug make a great pair, and I’m already looking forward to diving into the earlier books in the series to see how their adventures began.