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HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES is the first book in the brand-new Cookie Shop Mystery series by Debra Sennefelder. This delightful cozy mystery brings all the right ingredients to the story—a fast-paced plot, memorable characters, yummy cookies, and a charming setting. Protagonist Mallory Monroe is an enjoyable character. Who wouldn’t want to spend time at her bakery, The Cookie Shop, with all the delicious and beautiful treats she bakes and decorates. I greatly enjoyed the tidbits of cookie decorating skills shared on the pages and could just envision the gorgeous flower cookie bouquets she creates. Mallory’s best friend and employee, Kip, offers some comic relief with his jokes and brings a lightheartedness to the story. It helps offset the irritation brought by her disgruntled employee, Claudia, which I hope improves with the next book.
Ms. Sennefelder manages to effortlessly juggle several subplots—such as a cheating boyfriend, a cousin who is intent on ruining The Cookie Shop, a pie baking contest, and an accusation of stealing a cookie recipe. But it’s the death of the accuser who drives the story and the well-plotted mystery kept my attention throughout. Not only is Mallory accused of stealing the recipe, but she becomes a suspect in the murder. With business drying up and the townspeople unsure of her innocence, Mallory decides she needs to ask some questions around town and clear her name. Thrown into the mix is a handsome detective and the unlikeliest of sidekicks, which bring some surprising twists. The author’s deft writing wraps all the threads of the plot and subplot together into one highly satisfactory conclusion. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
Be prepared to crave cookies as you read this book! Fortunately, for the home cook, Ms. Sennefelder has included a few recipes at the back of the book. I was drawn to her recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. There’s something quintessentially homey about these hearty cookies that makes me think of sitting around grandma’s kitchen table with a warm cookie in hand and a cold glass of milk in front of me. This classic cookie is soft and chewy and filled with just the right amount of raisins. And, it’s the perfect pick-me-up treat for late morning or after-school snacks.
Amazon Synopsis
Wingate, Connecticut, is famed as one of the top ten shopping destinations in the state, and home to Mallory Monroe’s beloved Cookie Shop—a place where patrons are greeted with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cookies that are as beautifully decorated as they are insanely delicious.
But things aren’t going so smoothly for Mallory. Her two employees are a disaster in the kitchen, she catches her boyfriend with another woman, and she’s seen having a fierce argument with food blogger Beatrice Wright, who accuses Mallory of stealing her cookie recipe. Then Beatrice turns up dead in her kitchen, flour outlining her body and a bloodied marble rolling pin nearby. Mallory immediately becomes suspect number one, her sales plummet, and she desperately tries to clear her name—but that’s not the only murder the killer is baking up.
A special thanks to Debra Sennefelder for providing a print copy of HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES! Contest ends June 25, 2023 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. 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!)
This classic cookie is soft and chewy and filled with just the right amount of raisins.
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-1/3 cups raisins
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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In a stand mixer, beat the butter on medium high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
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Add the sugars and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4 - 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and continue beating until smooth.
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In a large bowl, whisk together all the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients in thirds. Mix until completely combined.
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Add the raisins and stir well.
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Using a medium-size scoop, drop the dough onto baking sheets liked with silicone mat or parchment paper.
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Bake 8 - 9 minutes. Remove from oven before the cookies are browned and still look soft in the center.
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Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 - 10 minutes; they will continue to finish baking. Transfer to cooling rack.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There’s nothin’ like a good old-fashioned oatmeal raisin cookie! Esp. chewy ones! I prefer that over a crisp cookie. The cover of the book is so pretty! I love all the pastel colors! Sounds like a great read too!
Sounds like a wonderful first in series!
Thank you for the recipe! One of our favorite type cookies and always love getting new variations.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES”.
Been looking forward to reading this new series!
Oatmeal Raisin cookies are my husband’s favorite cookie, so I printed out the recipe and will make the cookies this fall/winter. It’s too hot to turn the oven on.
I like Oatmeal cookies…will have to try recipe.