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THE HIDDEN CORPSE is the second book in the Food Blogger Mystery series by Debra Sennefelder. I love protagonist, Hope Early, and her blog, Hope at Home, and the way the author includes a peek into Hope’s recipe development and food photography sessions. It adds a layer of authenticity to the story. Ms. Sennefelder weaves together a tight plot that includes arson, a missing wife, a double murder, and small-town corruption. She also brings to light the heartbreaking dilemma that the elderly often face: memory decline and potential loss of independence. It adds an emotional element that is sometimes missing from mysteries. There were enough clues sprinkled throughout Hope’s sleuthing, but I still couldn’t guess who the murderer was.
Even though this is the second book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone. There’s just enough backstory included so the reader feels like they have an understanding of the characters. I felt that the author has gained experience since her first release and it shows in the way the plot of THE HIDDEN CORPSE flows at an even pace. It pulled me in and kept me reading to find out what happens next. With a satisfying, nail-biting, reveal that had me on the edge of my seat, I was grateful the author ended the book with a heartwarming scene.
Hope is frequently trying out new recipes for her food blog along with baking cookies to sweeten up suspects. Ms. Sennefelder has included several recipes at the back of the book and they all sound scrumptious! When my granddaughter’s lemon tree produced a bumper crop of citrus earlier this year, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make the author’s Ricotta Lemon Cookies. These lemony, cake-like cookies are super moist, thanks to the ricotta cheese and the icing brings an extra bite of tart and sweet flavor to the treat. These cookies are like eating a bite of sunshine and summer!
Amazon Synopsis
Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcée Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger—but murder keeps getting in the mix . . .
When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn’t even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.
But it turns out she wasn’t alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . .
A special thanks to Debra Sennefelder for providing a winner with a print copy of THE HIDDEN CORPSE. Contest ends Sunday, March 31, 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: I'm in love with the brightness lemons bring to any dish but when you make it a central part of a cookie and add in a sweet and tangy glaze you've baked an irresistible cookie that is delightful year-round.
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 lemons, zested
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 lemon, zested
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
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Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest until the lemon sugar is fragrant. Set mixture aside.
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Cream together the butter and lemon sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 - 5 minutes.
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Reduce the speed of the mixer and add in the eggs, one at a time until fully incorporated. Add in the ricotta cheese and lemon juice and mix until well combined.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
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Scoop the dough, about 2 tablespoons for each cookie, onto prepared baking sheets.
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Bake for 13 - 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from oven and leave on baking sheet just long enough for cookies to set up before moving to cooling rack.
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When cookies are completely cooled, drizzle with lemon glaze.
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In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth. Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze and then place the cookies on rack or wax paper. Glaze will harden.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I do try recipes that I find on blogs on occasion. I try recipes from cozy mysteries more often. Thanks for the yummy recipe and Happy Book Birthday to Debra!
I love getting recipes online, but I don’t think I’ve made one specifically from a blog. I do get good ideas from blogs though and save recipes for the future just in case.
Occasionally. Depends on whether or not my picky eater would be willing to try it
“THE HIDDEN CORPSE” by Debra Sennefelder sounds like a great book and one I’d very much enjoy having the opportunity to read. Definitely going on my TBR list. Wonderful cover!
The Lemon Ricotta Cookies recipe makes my mouth water just reading it. Can’t wait to try it.
Some times I do.
I do like to try recipes from a blog. I have found several keepers that way. Thank you for the chance.
Mostly I print them out and put them in a folder with every intention to try them some day. Some day hasn’t come yet unfortunately.
Lol, I have the same problem! I also subscribe to a few cooking magazines so have those piles of recipes I’ve clipped too. Too many recipes, too little time to try them all out 🙂
I love trying recipes that I find on blogs. I especially love trying the recipes that you feature, because of the clear, easy directins, and the video really helps and gets me excited about making the recipe ~
Thanks so much, Celia! I’m a very visual person and like to see what each step is supposed to look like when I check out other blogs when looking for recipes too.
All the time. This one sounds great – the lemons are starting to fall off my tree!
Yes I try recipes that are on blogs.
I love trying recipes from blogs and the books also. PS – I love all things lemon
I love finding recipes on various blogs. It’s nice to find a variety of recipes that otherwise I may not find. The ability
to find a recipe with the ingredients I might have on hand is also a wonderful ability.
I have made recipes from blogs already.
If something that think the family would like. I did a cabbage/hamburger soup once and also a banana poke cake.
Yes I do. Your recipe looks so yummy that I will definitely try it. I love anything with lemon! Thanks for the chance to win your book!
Yes, I have tried some. 🙂
Yes, I have several times. Thanks for the chance!
Some times I do try recipes I find on blogs or in books.
I also try recipes more often from the books I read. However, sometimes one on a blog gets my attention. Thank you for the giveaway and the wonderful recipe!
I do occasionally try different recipes from blogs if they look good to me. Thanks for this amazing chance.
I try them sometimes if they don’t have too many ingredients.
Yes, I have.
“Do you ever try recipes that you find on blogs?” Hmm, yes, at least once!
I practically plan our meals around recipes I get on blogs. I love trying what “real” people have already tried in a home kitchen. And the comments always lead to great advice for substitutions, add-ons, etc. It’s great!
I often use blog recipes.
I have tried several before. I’m not big on cooking or baking but I do keep recipes just in case.
Yes I do try recipes from blogs
I always want to try the episodes I find, but I take forever to get around to it.
I often see recipes that look interesting but I haven’t yet tried any. Hopefully one day!
The recipe for Lemon Riccota Cookies sounds yummy! I love trying recipes I find online and usually try 2 or a month.
I do try recipes that I see on blogs. Most times the recipe is something I’ve made before and the blog post reminds me that I hadn’t made that in a long time. So rather than trying to hunt down my recipes among the thousands that I have, I use the one online with my spin on it if needed! I really do love when it’s a new recipe to me or a twist on one I made before. The great pictures make me wanting to make the recipe even more!!!! Thank you.
Yes, we have tried recipes I find on blogs, or sometimes in a cozy mystery book. Hubby is really the cook in the family, but occasionally I will do the baking. He will bake also, and he is pretty open to trying new things.
I’ve tried several recipes from blogs and also from cozy mystery books—all with good luck.
I do try recipes from blogs i am lucky the kids will ear anything so it gives me a chance to try a lot of new recipes
Unfortunately no. I am not a baker or a cook!
I do try recipes that I see on blogs.
Yes, I copy a lot of recipes from blogs and I even try to make some of them.
Yes, I do try recipes from blogs from time to time. This one sounds great!
I am watching Trisha’s Southern Kitchen now and she is making Lemon Ricotta Cookies.
I do make some recipes from cozy mysteries.
I wish I could but hubby likes to cook the way he wants things, but I may have to try some of the desserts or souls. Some look SO good, but I would have to eat it myself.
Hi Kim! Yes! I’ve tried many recipes including some that you have posted here for us. Thanks for this recipe…I love love love anything lemon!