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CANDY SLAIN MURDER, the eighth book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day, finds South Lick, Indiana in the midst of holiday cheer. While not overdone to distract from the mystery, the author still conveys the sights, sounds, and tastes the season has to offer. The protagonist, Robbie Jordan, is keeping busy at her restaurant and B & B, Pans’ N Pancakes, and spending time with her boyfriend, Abe, and his teenaged son. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop in this newest book since Abe hasn’t been featured much in past installments. I also like how Robbie juggles her more than full-time job, her relationships, and trying to solve a murder without shirking her responsibilities. It makes the characters feel more authentic. The reader also learns a lot more about Danna, Robbie’s employee, along with Danna’s mother, the town’s mayor. Interwoven into the mystery is the appearance of Danna’s half-brother, someone she had no idea existed. I have always admired Ms. Day interjecting social issues into her stories, and this book is no exception. Adoption, single parenting, racism, and intolerance are addressed and woven into the fabric of the plot without slowing down the pace. I appreciate her ability to balance entertainment with social conscience.
When a woman’s body is discovered after being missing for a decade and when a new murder occurs, Robbie gets involved asking questions and listening to the folk who visit her café. Are the two murders related, even though there are ten years between the deaths? I enjoy Robbie’s methodical mind and musings over the evidence as it unfolds. It helps the reader link the clues together, and while I had a very strong suspicion (and was correct), I was intrigued to find out why. The well-plotted mystery and the engaging characters kept my attention until the very last page!
Running a popular breakfast and lunch café, Robbie is always cooking up mouthwatering dishes. As with previous books in the series, Ms. Day provides several recipes at the back of the book which all sound fantastic! I love making cookies and couldn’t resist trying the recipe for Gingerbread People. Ms. Day suggests using candy for decorating or your favorite icing, so I opted to garnish the cookies with piped royal icing for holiday cheer. These were easy to mix up and I appreciated that they require only 30 minutes of refrigeration before rolling out, so there’s not a long wait. Plus, unlike other recipes I’ve tried, this recipe makes a manageable amount… just enough for a family to indulge or enough to share with a few friends and not the entire neighborhood. The dough wasn’t overly sticky which made the cutouts manageable. Once they were baked, the sweet, spiced cookies remained soft instead of overly crunchy, which my taste testers really enjoyed. While gingerbread cookies are associated with Christmas, these yummy cookies are delicious anytime you desire a satisfying spiced cookie!
Amazon Synopsis
Christmas cheer has sent the griddle into overdrive at Robbie Jordan’s popular country store and café. And this year, there’s a new seasonal special to feast on: murder!
As December sweeps through South Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s life seems merry and bright like the string lights glistening around town. But strange happenings signal a bumpy ride into the holidays. First a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, can she run as fast as she can in pursuit of a killer who’s harder to crack than a stale gingerbread man?
A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of CANDY SLAIN MURDER! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)
- 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 3-1/2 cups unbleached white flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Chocolate chips or icing
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Cover two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the molasses.
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Combine the dry ingredients. Add them to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with a total of 1/4 cup water.
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Form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic, and chill for at least half an hour.
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Flour a surface and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with gingerbread man and woman cutters and place 1/2 inch apart on baking sheet. Add chocolate chips for eyes, mouths, and buttons before baking, or leave plain to decorate later.
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Bake for 8 minutes or until edges start to brown.
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Cool on a wire rack. Add additional decorations if desired using your favorite icing recipe.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I never have with gingerbread cookies but we always had extra pumpkin and we made cookies and used the cutters and decorated those when my son was young. We even made them for the school Christmas party and a special one for his teacher.
Growing my brother and I decorated both gingerbread men and cut out sugar cookies for ours. My Mom was pretty smart to find a way to keep us busy and not arguing during the long Christmas break that was fun and also productive. Very fond memories!
As an adult, I’ve continued the tradition – on a lot smaller scale since it’s just hubby and I to devour them. I love to bake and still enjoy the creative decorating part of it.
Love Maddie Day’s (aka Edith Maxwell) books and can’t wait for the opportunity to read “CANDY SLAIN MURDER”!
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy. Shared and hoping to be the fortunate one selected.
I have never made gingerbread people, but I would love to make them with my grandson. He is only 4 years old and loves to help his mom in the kitchen. My 93 year old mother-in-law is amazed at his skills! This recipe will be a giant help for us! Thanks!
No I do not bake or decorate gingerbread cookies. Maybe I should start! Thanks for the chance!
I did it once! Thanks for the chance!
Those are beautiful ginger bread people saved the recipes, and can’t wait to read the book!
I have never made or decorate gingerbread man but I have always want to.
I have made gingerbread, but not gingerbread people. I was going to make pumpkin spice gingerbread men, but couldn’t find the right cookie cutter. I found one of a pig so I ended up with pumpkin pigs. They were pretty cute ~
I have no talent for decorating gingerbread people so I just make my gingersnap cookies each year for Christmas. Its been a few years since I’ve made cut out cookies of any kind.
Love making gingerbread cookies with my kids. Would love to read and review this bool.
No but I used to make cutout sugar cookies plus many others.
Depends on where we are spending Christmas, but I love gingerbread cookies, so yes, often I do. I also love a good soft decorated sugar cookie at Christmas too!
I printed the gingerbread men receipe, they sound delicious. The double chocolate oatmeal cookies are my sisters favorite…….
I do not but I love looking at the cute ones made by other people. Thanks for the chance.
No, I am not a baker. My mom baked for days and days before Christmas. When she passed away, my daughter took over the task. My job was to keep dishes washed and ready for use for her. When she moved, the baking for the holidays ended in our family. Hopefully a grandchild will eventually take over the task!!
I have tried baking them for Christmas, but they were too dry. One of my favorite to purchase though, especially from the bakery in my hometown.
I’ve tried gingerbread cutouts several times. I’m not sure if it’s due to operator error or the recipe, but the dough always breaks and the cookies don’t turn out all cute. I’m going to give this recipe a try. I just got a “Gingerdead Man” cookie cutter, so the timing is perfect!
Sometimes
Sometimes I do
I love doing it when i am in Ca and baking with my granddaughter who is now 18. Her and I used to do it at my grandma’s as my grandma loved watching us bake cookies and she was a cookie lover. Next time I am in Ca I will have to figure out a way her and I can do that again as it was so much fun. Maddie thank you for giving away a print book! I love your books.
I’m not a fan of gingerbread… but give me sugar cookies and I’d decorate all day. 🙂
Only one time. They turned out delicious.
I’m not a fan of anything gingerbread so our family doesn’t make it. But we make lots of pumpin recipes.
I’ve done a lot of sugar cookie decorating but I think I’ve only done gingerbread once many years ago. I don’t know why I don’t, I suppose we liked sugar cookies better.
Sometimes we decorate a gingerbread house for Christmas, but I usually do not decorate gingerbread cookies.
I don’t Tweet. Thanks for the extra entry!
No I don’t but my sister does!
I love to bake cookies. However, I have never made gingerbread people. I will have to try this recipe.
My grandmother used to make gingerbread men for us kids at Christmas, then when my kids were little we did and now with grandkids I still do. I love gingerbread cookies, decorating them is tons of fun and can be messy if the kids are little..lol Thanks!
We usually do sugar cookie cut outs, not gingerbread. It may be time for a change!
No I don’t make or decorate them.
Looking forward to making your recipe for gingerbread cookies. Nothing better than a cup of herbal tea and a gingerbread cookie or two.
I need to try this recipe! I haven’t ever made gingerbread cookies. Thanks so much for the chance!
I use to bake and decorate gingerbread cookies for the holidays. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Candy Slain Murder.
Cute cookie cutters and really well done icing designs.
No but make cut out cookies and molasses cookies. Thank you for the chance
Sometimes
My mom nd I used to bake gingerbread people every year for Christmas. Now that she is gone, I haven’t , but who knows, maybe this year.
I’ve made them a few times, cut out cookies tend to stress me out, LOL.
LOVE the cover of this book and the gingerbread people look adorable! I don’t usually make gingerbread men for Christmas because I hate to see them….naked. And I just do NOT have the creativity/decorating skill to decorate them so they look cute and not like a murder victim 🙂
love gingerbread in any form
My Dad made the best Gingerbread man cookies. They are my favorite Christmas cookie!
Robbie has a lot going on. Just the kind of book I like to read. The cookies are so cute!
My mother made Gingerbread man cookies. I helped with the decorating as a young girl.
I love to bake cookies at Christmas but have never made Gingerbread
I haven’t ever made gingerbread people in the past but, now that there are grandkids, maybe I will start.
I don’t usually make gingerbread men, but I like making and decorating sugar cookies, especially for Christmas.
I don’t really decorate gingerbread men.. I just eat them regular.
Fabulously interesting story line with this book.
I must say the Cover is Pawdorable (“”) so much to
see in the cover it usr precious.
Gingerbread are a wonderful idea I have done with my kids since very small with a children’s recipe. Now I have gran girls maybe it’s time for Maddie’s recipe.
We have a small tree with only small ginger folks on it. They love it- it stays out all year.
i have a gingerbread cookie recipe that does not require rolling a cutting. A simpler way to get the gingerbread taste!
Sometimes my son and I make Gingerbread cookies for Christmas.
I do not do gingerbread cookies-I’m afraid they would come out looking like space aliens!
I’m not a fan of gingerbread. Thank you for this chance.
They look really yummy
Yes, I have made them a few times over the years. And, these have made me want to do so this year! With 7 Grandchildren I think there are many helpful little hands to share baking and decorating with! Thank you.
I’ve made them before, but they’re not a part of our usual set of cookies/treats we make.
No, we do not. We bake & decorate sugar cookies.
Haven’t made any yet. Might try them.
No
Hi, yes I have made gingerbread cookies before, it’s been a while though, your recipe sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing it. Thank you for the chance.
No, I have not.
I used to bake and decorate holiday cookies when I was young and with my kids when they were little but unfortunately haven’t done it for many many years
Gingerbread cookies are pretty much the only ones I make, The grandkids love decorating them.
Gingerbread cookies are pretty much the only ones I make, The grandkids love decorating them. Getting a message that says I already said this but I didn’t
I have but many of the recipes I have used were disappointing with the gingerbread taste too strong or not like gingerbread at all. Maddie Day’s recipe looks and sounds good and so does her book! Thank you!!
I DID WHEN MY KIDS WERE YOUNG….BUT NOT ANYMORE.
I don’t do it every year, but do enjoy it!
I’ve never made gingerbread cookies.
Not gingerbread cookies, but I do bake and decorate sugar cookies.
ive always wanted to
Gingerbread is my thing for Christmas. When I get finished decorating, it looks like a bakery blew up in my house. Gingerbread people and houses everywhere. I love them!
oh but this looks like a wonderful book. i love that so many cozies have recipes in them. yes i bake. thruth be told i would rather bake than cook. LOL until our son was in 3rd grade we used to make ginger bread men/women/dino/kitties all the time. then our son became very allergic to ginger. now at 36 he is only slightly allergic to ginger.
I don’t bake gingerbread I may need to begin.
We do. Along with sugar cookie cut outs. When it comes to the gingerbread. the cooler months really encourage us to bake them. Cookie, cake, or cupcakes. and sometimes we like to spice them up a bit with chopped bits of candied ginger.
I have never made gingerbread men, but have made sugar cookie men. I have purchased boxed gingerbread kits for all of my children to make for the holidays, though. My Mom used to make a gingerbread cake that was so delicious!
I may have made gingerbread cookies when my children were small. That would have been 35+ years ago. I know I haven’t made any in the last 30 years. I have made gingerbread in a baking pan, sometimes with a lemon sauce — we prefer that. ? But even that has been several years.
Sadly I have never baked gingerbread men or women but we do make a gingerbread house!
I used to make them every Christmas when I little children and grandchildren but now my babies and grands are all grown up so I don’t make them anymore#
I have not made and decorated gingerbread cookies but with this recipe I just might do this year. I do make cookies and decorate. Thanks for the chance!
My two children made gingerbread houses every year, while little. They loved it!!! Great memories!!!
My two children made gingerbread houses every year, while little. They loved it!!! Great memories!!!
We don’t do gingerbread cookies because nobody eats them! We’ve done a couple of houses because they sit around looking cute until after Christmas.
We always did sugar cookies instead of gingerbread.
It has been a long time since I have baked them.
I love to bake gingerbread people and gingerbread houses for the holidays.
I’ve never baked gingerbread cookies, I am more of a fan of chocolate chip cookies. That is not to say that I don’t want to read about them!