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THREE WIDOWS AND A CORPSE, the third book in the Food Blogger Mystery series by Debra Sennefelder is another delicious addition! I’ve enjoyed watching food blogger Hope Early’s character develop over the course of the series. In this newest book she’s been invited to contribute to a feature in Cooking Now! Magazine. As a blogger myself, I appreciate the research and detail Ms. Sennefelder provides into her character’s career which lends an air of authenticity to the read. Hope Early is a likeable and friendly person, unless she needs to question you to determine if you’re a viable murder suspect. I liked how the author had people slamming doors in her face and getting mad at her for asking questions since this gives a more realistic scenario of interaction between the characters. The Food Blogger Mystery series has plenty of delightful and not so nice characters. Hands down Hope’s dog, Bigelow, steals each scene he’s in. The author’s slow reveal of the true nature of both primary and secondary characters keeps them three-dimensional, adding layers of enjoyment to the read.
Ms. Sennefelder creates a whopper of a tale by adding in not one grieving widow, but three widows to the same victim. The tension between the three women, none who knew the others existed, added to the suspense and pool of suspects. While the victim was a vile man, Hope can’t help but get involved in finding justice after finding the body. Despite her Chief of Police boyfriend’s warning to stay out of the investigation, she can’t help but ask questions and piece together the puzzle. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing while the suspenseful reveal left me a little sad. Ms. Sennefelder proves to be able to draw the reader in and have them invest emotions in the characters, which is a sign of a great read.
In between questioning suspects and tracking down clues, Hope cooks up a storm and always has plenty of food on hand to share with friends and family. Ms. Sennefelder’s recipes at the back of the book all sound amazing and I’ll admit, I made more than one of them. But for this blog post, I’m sharing her recipe for Chocolate Walnut Cookies. These yummy bites are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. With the combination of granulated and brown sugar, there’s an added depth of rich flavor. I found them to be sturdy enough to package up and share, so made a batch for my granddaughter’s cheer fundraising event. They received rave reviews and will find a place in my regular rotation of cookie recipes!
Amazon Synopsis
Food blogger Hope Early finds one item not on her scavenger hunt list—a dead husband . . .
Between developing her food blog, Hope at Home, and choosing low-cal recipes for a feature in Cooking Now! magazine, Hope has a full plate. Still, she’s never too busy to compete in a Jefferson, Connecticut, tradition—the town’s annual scavenger hunt.
But as she races with her team to check off the next item, Hope discovers a grisly surprise—the body of shady real estate developer Lionel Whitcomb, shot in a parking lot. His wife Elaine, who’s also in the hunt, gasps and nearly faints. But two other women on the scene cry out that their husband is dead.
It turns out this louse of a spouse was more than a little lax in legally divorcing his former wives. Did one of them put a bullet in the bigamist? Number one suspect and number three wife Elaine begs Hope to investigate. Now Hope is on a new kind of hunt—for a cold-hearted killer and triple widow-maker . . .
A special thanks to Debra Sennefelder for providing one winner with a print copy of THREE WIDOWS AND A CORPSE. Contest ends Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Posted by Hope Early: Cookies are pure joy for me. I love baking them, I love sharing them, and I love eating them. These cookies combine chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts into a perfect little package. It's hard to stop at one, so don't even try!
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
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Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a double boiler (or microwave according to package instructions), stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
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Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
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Beat together butter and sugars until creamy, then stir in egg and chocolate mixture, mixing until combined.
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Gradually stir in flour mixture, remaining chocolate chips, and walnuts. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Roll dough into balls, about 1-1/4-inch. Arrange them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake until set but still soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
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Let rest on cookie sheet 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack to completely cool.
Yield: 32 cookies
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I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I remember going to a couple at birthday parties when I was a kid.
I’ve never participated in a scavenger hunt. They sound like fun!
It’s been many, many years since I partook in a scavenger hunt. When I did I remember the excitement involved in trying to find the objects on your list first before others who were also seeking them out. Thanks for the delicious sounding recipe. It’s been added to my must try list.
I think I was around ten years old and away at summer camp. Not a fan of them though which might be part of the reason I hated camp and tried to hitch hike home to Brooklyn from Upstate NY. I made it about 20 miles before I was caught and returned to the camp. One of the girls who was supposed to be with me backed out. LOL
I love scavenger hunts! I to do them as a kid and now I love doing them for my kids!
No, I don’t believe I have. But I think it would be fun.
Never been involved in a scavenger hunt
No, I’ve never participated in a scavenger hunt.
Often as a kid or teen. As an adult, I set them up more than participated. Always fun!
Have not taken part in a scavenger hunt
I have never been on a scavenger hunt but have wanted to give one a try.
Yes I have and they are fun.
I did when a kid and a teen. Then I organized some for the kids once they were in school for neighborhood school events.
I love scavenger hunts — I think they are as much fun to arrange as they are to participate in. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have participated in them – quite often in fact. A lot of motorcycle events have them – some included in their poker runs. Plus we have them here locally often too during one festival or another. Really enjoy them!
I have, but not since I was a kid.
I used to do scavenger hunts a lot as a teenager. Not so much anymore.
I think I did, but I don’t really remember.
I have participated in scavenger hunts before
Fun!
I have never participated in a scavenger hunt. I have given things to people who have come around to the house looking for items when they were on them, though. They always seemed to be having a good time.
I have as a kid.
As a child we used to have lots of scavenger hunts
I have never participated in a scavenger hunt but it seems like a lot of fun?
Our family loves a good scavenger hunt. We’ve done them over the years for birthday parties. Thanks for the cookie recipe, yum!
The scavenger hunt I remember best was over 20 years ago at a Halloween party. We were put in teams, and some people got pretty competitive.
No sounds like fun! The recipe sounds delicious..
I participated in a scavenger hunt as a teen in a couple different youth group events. It was so much fun!!
yes I have and I have also organized them
Yes I have participated in scavenger hunts. They are so much fun. I have also organized them in my childcare and for Girl Scouts. Thanks for the chance!
I’ve never done a scavenger hunt but I’d like to. Maybe I’ll have to organize one myself. I know someone who did one for her daughter’s birthday party. They left clues with people all over town (it’s a really small town) leading to the next locations.
only as a kid at birthday parties. an adult version sounds fun though w/o any dead bodies of course.
I did participate in a scavenger hunt or two when i was a kid.
Yes! They are so much fun! I’ve loved them!
I participated in a scavenger hunt when I was in camp years ago. It was a lot of fun!
Yes, I have.
We had scavenger hunts a lot through church when I was a kid and teenager.
No I haven’t ever gone to a scavenger hunt but I think it would be fun…thank you for the contest.
Marilyn [email protected]
I have participated in tons of scavenger hunts! Most of them were school related but I helped organize one at the public library I worked at a few years ago. We had a good turnout for that.
I think I did a nature one with my kids once.
I love scavenger hunts and always participate when I can. One Halloween, we hosted a big party on our farm and took everyone on a hayride to an old cemetery not far from us. Early in the day we had hid items all over and made a scavenger hunt list. We provided everyone with flashlights and a list……everyone had a blast!!!
I only participated in scavenger hunts on line. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Three Widows And A Corpse.
I have done a scavenger hunt years ago. Thanks for the chance! almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)net
We have done scavenger hunts as a family every christmas 🙂 We hide presents throughout the house and my grandparents barn for some family fun! Each present has a clue that will lead you to the next gift!
when I was younger we had scavenger hunts every year. Have not participated in one for many years.
Love scavenger hunts – haven’t done one since college, but they sure were fun – thanks for the contest.
No, I haven’t, but it sounds like fun.
My husband and I were a stop for a scavenger hunt, they got bonus points from us if they could complete the challenge. The first year they had to recite the preamble to the Constitution by heart. It was impressive back then on how many could do it. Mind you we were in a restaurant/bar and they had to do it in front of customers. Everyone had a great time.
You had me with the book cover! I’d love to read it!
I’ve never participated in a scavenger hunt
I have never been a part of a scavenger hut, other than online, but have also been interested in being a part of one. Scavenger hunts sound so fun and, since I love puzzles, this would be right up my alley!
I love this cover and your descriptions made my want even higher. I really liked the recipe. I will hand this to my neighbor (who loves to bake) so we can have some here at the house for my Cajun hubby.
Thank you, Debra, for a fine giveaway. As always, another great book to a wonderful series!
I’ve never participated in a scavenger hunt maybe some day in the future. The cookie recipe sounds pretty easy I will have to try it. Thanks for this awesome giveaway.
Yes, I participated in a scavenger hunt for a birthday party once.
My, it’s been a long time since I participated in a Scavenger Hunt! But, yes I did!
No, I have never participated in a scavenger hunt but it sounds like fun!
I remeber doing scavenger hunts in school. I havent done one since then.
I’ve only participated in a couple online scavenger hunts. I’d like to try one that isn’t virtual.
I have participated in scavenger hunts when I was younger.
It’s been years but I use to enjoy a good scavenger hunt!
I have participated in scavenger hunts before, and I probably would again.
I have participated in a scavenger hunt many years ago!