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BOSTON SCREAM MURDER, the fourth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton, is another terrific addition to a truly delicious series. With a fun title and a Halloween-worthy cover to draw the reader in, Ms. Bolton delivers entertainment along with humorous puns throughout the entire book. Protagonist, young widow Emily Westhill, is one of those delightful characters that I enjoy spending time with. She’s smart, hardworking, and has a caring side that extends not only to her family and friends, but is shown to anyone who walks through her Deputy Donut shop. I love how she works alongside with her father-in-law, who just happens to be the retired chief of police. Not only does she manage to have a congenial work relationship, but she’s remained very close to her in-laws even after the death of her husband. The author has developed numerous memorable characters throughout this series and I especially enjoy the fun names assigned to the groups of people who hang out at the donut shop. “Retired Men” and “Knitpickers” are favorites of mine and it’s been delightful to see these two distinct senior groups interact and become part of the story.
Despite Halloween being the theme of the book, it was a fun change to find that the murder mystery happens to center around a birthday party being thrown by the 70-year-old birthday boy himself. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of Halloween ambience woven into the tale throughout. The author does an admirable job of entwining a possible cold case, a long-lost love, and a jealous, jilted boyfriend. With lots of suspects, Emily must separate the tricksters from the treaters while dishing out donuts. The protagonist takes a few chances with her own safety that had me cringing but once she finds evidence or a possible clue, she’s quick to turn it over to the police right away. The clues were expertly plotted throughout and I’ll admit, I didn’t figure it out because I fell for every misdirection. All in all, this newest addition is a bewitching read and I can’t wait for the next book to release.
Now if you’re like me, I always start by reading the acknowledgements at the beginning of the book. Imagine my surprise and delight to find my name and blog mentioned for a tip I provided (many months ago and promptly forgot I had done so) for one of the recipes. And of course I’ve prepared and shared three other donut recipes from previous books… all utterly delicious! Ms. Bolton continues that tradition with another two donut recipes at the back of the book. I’ve included links for those recipes at the bottom.
I couldn’t help but be drawn to her recipe for Scare-It Cake Donuts — a riff on Carrot Cake! Filled with warm, autumn spices and a generous portion of grated carrots to keep them extra moist, these donuts are a treat for all ghouls and goblins! My granddaughter made them for this blog post (she’s at that age where she needs almost no input from me in the kitchen now!) including the frosting and decorating. I was grateful that these donuts are baked and not deep-fried since I would have been worried about her safety. It also gave us a chance to pull out her mini donut maker that she convinced me to purchase for her over ten years ago… and that we’ve used only once, lol! It still works and created fun-sized donuts to pop into our mouths along with regular-sized donuts we baked in the oven. Either way, Scare-It Cake Donuts are a tasty treat!
Amazon Synopsis
Halloween in the small town of Fallowbrook, Wisconsin, is the perfect season for Deputy Donut Café owner Emily Westhill to unmask a killer.
October 31st is just around the corner and Emily Westhill’s Boston cream donuts, carved with a scream, have made an indelible impression on local eccentric Rich Royalson. So much so that he’s ordered three dozen, with twice the fudge icing, for his 70th birthday—a special event in more ways than one. It’s to be held on fog-shrouded Lake Fleekom where, twenty years ago, his wife mysteriously drowned.
But the next day, when Emily arrives with her scrumptious screamers, she stumbles upon Rich’s corpse. The poor guy wanted a unique birthday bash—just not one to the side of his skull. With a guest list of possible perpetrators, and his last will and testament suspiciously left at the scene, Emily soon discovers that the Royalson closet is rattling with skeletons. As the fog thickens, motives mount, and the tricks outnumber the treats, Emily fears that Rich may not be the last one in Fallowbrook to go out screaming.
A special thanks to Ginger Bolton for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of BOSTON SCREAM MURDER! Giveaway is limited to U.S. and Canadian residents. Contest ends August 30, 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!)
These are baked, using a donut pan.
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup orange or pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1-1/4 cup finely grated carrots
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
- Orange food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Up to 1 more tablespoon orange zest (optional)
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Beat the egg in a large bowl. Beat in the juice, butter, orange zest, and sugar.
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Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Mix until blended.
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Stir in the grated carrots.
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Spoon the mixture into donut pan, filling each ring.
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Bake for 9 - 11 minutes. Place on a wire rack and cool completely.
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Cream the butter and cream cheese together until fluffy.
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Stir in the orange zest and orange juice.
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Beat in 1 cup sugar. Beat in more sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the frosting holds it's shape.
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Stir in the orange food coloring, if using, until desired shade is reached.
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Spread the frosting on the cooled donuts.
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Decorate with sprinkles or orange zest if desired.
Pin to Pinterest:
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Donut recipes featured in the Deputy Donut Mysteries
Jelly-Filled Donuts: https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/jelly-filled-donuts
Black-and-Whites Baked Donuts: https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/baked-donuts/
Cranberry-Orange-Walnut Fritters: https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/cranberry-orange-walnut-fritters/
Oh, those are cute! This is one holiday that was always more about the candy than anything I made!
I like candy, too….
Caramel apples
Those are sooooo good!
I like to make Butterfinger brownies for Halloween ? I’ve really enjoyed this series and look forward to reading this latest installment ~
Thank you. Butterfinger brownies sound awesome!
No, I don’t have any favorites to make for Halloween. But I’m very bad about eating the candy I buy to give out to the kids.
We’re very bad about buying twice as much candy as we expect to shell out… One year, 200 kids came. We ran out.
I love this series, so excited this is finally released! No particular favorite Halloween treat, though my co-worker always makes her excellent cookies. And I just tried a recipe for apple cider caramels that was a big hit. Still trying to recreate a recipe for what my dad said was the best popcorn balls, like his neighbors made when he was a kid.
Thank you! How wonderful about the cookies! My aunt used to make popcorn balls. I think it’s harder than it looks. For one thing, you aren’t supposed to eat all the popcorn as soon as it’s popped. I love popcorn . . . .
Nothing special to make but stopped giving out candy and gave out individual 6 packs of Oreo cookies! The kids (and parents) love them!
Scroll up for my black and white donut recipe….
I love to make Caramel apples And anything with pumpkin spice in it.
I would love them, too….
Don’t really have one but I always enjoy a slice of pumpkin bread.
Nice!
This book cover is adorable! I love “the scream” donut! And of course the kitty. My sister’s birthday is in Oct. so I usually make cupcakes in decorative cupcake liners and then add frosting and Halloween sprinkles on top!
I love that cover, too. And the scream donut! Just how I pictured it. Your sister is lucky!
I love to make caramel apples.
Yum.
Not really but I have made and loved it a trail mix of candy corn, bugle chips, m&Ms and peanuts. Big hit
That sounds delicious!
All these tasty treats are making me hungry and excited for fall!
Me, too.
Those cranberry orange walnut fritters look delicious. I have a special part of my bookshelf just for holiday themed mysteries.
Fun! Do you go back and read them around the right holiday? I sometimes do that.
I don’t celebrate Halloween but I do give out candy to all the kids who come to my door. I don’t prepare anything special but those donuts look good, and so does this book!
Thank you. We’ve been seeing creative costumes the past few years. Fun!
Growing up we made over 100 popcorn balls to hand out. Can’t do that any more. I still like to make them for family.
Oh my… that’s an amazing number of popcorn balls! I’m sure your hard work was well appreciated!
Your family must appreciate it!
My hubby does all the baking. He likes to make Rice Krispie squares. Decorated of course!
Lucky you!
I like to make popcorn ball or rice krispies treats. Thanks for this amazing giveaway. The donuts look delicious.
You’re welcome! Great treats!
Congrats on the new release!!! Love the cover. I don’t have a Halloween treat I make each year, but I definitely want to try every donut pictured on the cover. 🙂
Thank you! Someone could give me a plate of those donuts any time….
I love to make a Devil’s Food cake with cherries in the batter and on the chocolate butter cream frosting.
And the year’s we have Halloween parties, I make a Kitty Litter Cake. 🙂
The Devil’s Food cake with cherries sounds delicious. I had to look up Kitty Litter Cake. I’m not sure I should have….
No, but if the persimmons are around I start thinking about making persimmon cookies as soon as they are ripe enough.
Wow! That sounds fantastic!
My favorite Halloween treat would be any thing chocolate, especially Hershey bars or Milky Way Midnights!
Chocolate. Yes!
Candy Apples!
Cookies like ghosts and pumpkins. Thank you for the chance
Popcorn balls is a favorite to prepare.
Caramel apples rolled in crushed peanuts
Those sound yummy!
Love the cover my godmother used to spend the day making Halloween balls for us. Then another year she made carmel apples so every Halloween it was different and so good. I used to love Halloween as we always went to a party and my grandma who lived next door gave out our candy. Now we live 1 mile from the street so going up our driveway is pretty windy and long I miss the trick or treaters!
I like halloween decorated cookies and cupcakes. Thanks for the chance.
I’ve never gotten into baking for Halloween.
Buying too many bags of chocolate candies is usually enough!
We always make ginger cutout cookies in the shape of pumpkins. These donuts look yummy. I might have to try them.
Caramel popcorn is always a special treat that reminds me of my childhood Halloweens. Also loved molasses taffy and the fun times we had pulling it. When Halloween rolls around, I have to have one or both of these goodies. Guess it’s the kid in me. 🙂
There’s not anything special I like to make for Halloween, but I certainly enjoy eating Halloween treats.
I love this cover! Thanks for the recipe they look really good! My friend has been buying me Halloween cake, muffin, and cookie pans for years! This year my granddaughter will be here and I plan on making a lot of spooky treats with her.
GHost shaped sugar cookies.
They look good!!!
I love to make different things for each holiday!!!I
These will be perfect!!
I make pumpkin pie every Halloween. I love pumpkin pie. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Boston Scream Murder.
I don’t prepare anything in particular for Halloween, but my mom made an especially good orange Jello layered dessert—I need to find that recipe.
Yummy they all look so good, and they sound very good, Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Love the book cover!! The cat looks like it’s just about ready to put its paw on one of the donuts. ☺️
Thank you for recipe and the book sounds very good and the donuts look delicious too!!!
I haven’t made anything for Halloween in years but when my kids were little, we would roast the seeds from the pumpkins we carved and we loved them!
No, I don’t.
some autumn treats but nothing specific for Halloween
I may not have a favorite yet but those black and white donuts may fill that spot! Yum!
These look delicious and the book sounds really interesting!
Thank you for the giveaway! I’m not a huge sweet lover but I always love to make Whoopie Pies during that time of year. It’s a recipe from my grandmother and my mom and I make them yearly as they remind us of her.
I don’t tweet. Thanks for that giveaway entry opportunity.
I usually do not make my own sweet treats for Halloween. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups would be my treat of choice.
I love to make “Krack”… It’s toffee that you can either use crackers or pretzels as the bottom and melted chocolate.. it is yummmy.
Thank you for the chance.
I don’t make anything specifically for Halloween, but I do make at least one pumpkin treat each fall. Congratulations on the new release!
Candy Apples! Thanks for the chance! ?
My mother would make popcorn balls for Halloween and a neighbor up the street from us made rice krispie bars and no-bake cookies to hand out. Those bring memories back during the season of Halloween.
I don’t make anything special for Halloween but it begins pumpkin ice cream season.
I make pumpkin bars.
Yours all look delicious. Yum ? sugar cookies decorated. like Jack o lanterns. Thank you for the chance
I don’t make anything special for Halloween, I buy candy for the trick or treaters. I do like to buy a good carmel apple around Halloween.
Hmm I do like to make scary rice crispy treats…
Popcorn!
These donuts sound delicious. I need to buy a donut pan.
I usually have caramel apples and either cupcakes or cake. Thanks for the chance!
I make orange and purple popcorn balls. They are a huge hit!
Thanks for the giveaway
ANYTHING THAT HAS CARAMEL IN IT.
Popcorn balls.
Anything with peanut butter and chocolate!
Two of my favorite things combined…Cozies and Halloween. Can’t wait to read it.
Pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. Sometimes I actually make it as bread, sometimes I make the batter into muffins or mini muffins. It’s always tasty, no matter what form it’s in.
We love to prepare popcorn balls. It’s a tradition that started when I was little and I’ve carried it over to my son.
Not specifically for Halloween but we usually have pumpkin bread or pie
Yum on the recipe and yay on the book!! I am so excited. I love making & eating popcorn balls and we love pumpkin pie!!
I like to make ghost and pumpkin shaped chocolate chip cookies!
I don’t make any treats for Halloween but my favourite is caramel apples.
I like to make my favorite pumpkin popcorn balls.
Sounds yummy
Now that I don’t have children at home I don’t do anything special for Halloween. And worst of all, I don’t have trick or treaters coming to my door 🙁 I do love a good mystery and this series is especially fun to read.
I don’t make treats, but I love handing out Halloween candy, especially to the little kids. They are so adorable, and I love when their parent(s) prompt them to say thank you. They are too cute! Thank you for this chance!
Pumpkin anything
I finally found this. I love making Halloween figurines to put up for the holiday and doing them for gifts. Wrote a message telling you this as well.
Loved the new book and recipes. Unfortunately my copy of the story has an ingredient amount missing. For the Traditional chocolate frosting for the Boston Cream Donuts, how much powdered sugar is needed? Thanks. I love BCPie and donuts.
Happy New Year
Hi Paula, after looking at my copy of BOSTON SCREAM MURDER and the recipe (which belongs to the author, not me), I think there shouldn’t be any powdered sugar included. I’d suggest making the frosting and if it’s much too thin, add powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached. Good luck!