Description:
With its stunning turrets and beautiful rose gardens, I always thought Audley Castle was perfect, set in the idyllic English village of Audley St. Mary. It's a place I love to call home. But behind the trimmed hedgerows, stately gardens, and birdsong, a killer is waiting...
After being forced to close my charming café in this quaint little village, I'm thrilled to get a job in the Audley Castle kitchens, making divine treats for visitors and serving the Audley family who live in the castle.
The joy fades when I take my beloved dog for his daily walk, and he leads us to the body of a family friend, Kendal Jakes. Seemingly caught in the act of tampering with evidence by the castle's security team, I become the number one murder suspect in their investigation. It'll take more than my skills with a piping bag to solve this crisis.
As fingers get pointed at me, I have no choice but to take matters into my flour-covered hands and clear my name. As I snoop around, I discover old rivalry, jealousy, and long-standing grudges. But who killed Kendal?
If I'm charged with this crime, my friendship with Princess Alice will be over, and my blossoming crush on the handsome Lord Rupert will be a distant memory. And he has such a lovely smile. A kitchen assistant and a lord is an impossible dream, but every woman deserves a little indulgence.
Having mastered the art of creating a perfectly fluffy souffle, I'm known for my determination to get things right, and I won't rest until I uncover the truth about this murder. Even if doing so puts me in the killer's line of sight...
Cream Caramel and Murder is book one in a complete eight-book culinary mystery series set in an enchanting English paradise. Each cozy mystery features our sleuth, Holly Holmes, her cute dog, Meatball, and a cast of quirky villagers.
What readers say:
"I truly loved the characters in this book, they were so vivid and fun! The writing was well done and the story was interesting and took a few turns that kept me guessing." Amazon reviewer
"This is a charming ever-moving fun read - Jump in and enjoy!" Amazon reviewer
"A great cozy mystery with tradition, Lords, Ladies, a modern baker intrigued with everyone and everything around her, and a murderer wanting revenge. This story gives you a little bit of everything! Great characters, great writing!" Amazon reviewer
"I Love this series. I can't wait for the next book. The characters are so real and I can just see them in her description. Not your typical upstairs, downstairs type of book. Funny and wonderful." Amazon reviewer
Brief description: K.E. O'Connor is the author of the Witch Haven mystery series, the Crypt Witch cozy mysteries, the Lorna Shadow ghost mysteries, the Holly Holmes baking mysteries, the Zee Town paranormal cozy series, and the Old Sarum mystery series, along with other titles available if you cast the right spell. She can imagine dragons, taste cookies when they aren't even there, and hear the crack of a witch's broom at a hundred paces. K.E. (the K stands for Karen) lives in the United Kingdom (it isn't very united, but that's a mystery for another time) among the mystical stones and fairy creatures of Somerset. She graduated from the Universities of Southampton and Reading, where she received degrees in Archaeology and Cognitive Evolution (both highly entertaining to take part in, but with the career options of a ground witch's toe bone.) If you're of the curious persuasion and want to know more, visit her website at www.keoconnor.com for enlightening knowledge on all things cozy mystery, book news, and a peek into the magical world of a writer who believes animals talk and magic is just a finger click away. To contact her, visit her Facebook page - www.facebook/keoconnorauthor, join her newsletter -https: //www.subscribepage.com/cozymysteries, or dust off that haunted mirror in your cellar and speak the ancient magical words to transport yourself into her lounge. There might be tea and cookies waiting, or there might be giants - it depends on her mood.
Review Quotes:
"What a hoot! Instead of Audley castle, it's more like Oddly castle! Everybody is a real character, the security chief needs to get a grip, the family members are terribly interesting, the murdered man is a real bozo with only one small brain, and even Holly the sleuth has a grandma who isn't wrapped too tight. Great sleuthing with plenty of plot twists, red herrings, and laugh yourself silly situations. Enjoy!"
"A great cozy mystery with tradition, Lords, Ladies, a modern baker intrigued with everyone and everything around her, and a murderer wanting revenge. This story gives you a little bit of everything! Great characters, great writing!"
"I truly loved the characters in this book, they were so vivid and fun! The writing was well done and the story was interesting and took a few turns that kept me guessing. So happy to have a new series by this author. I will patiently wait for the next one."
"Loved it. A lighthearted read that strikes the right cord between humour and seriousness. The characters too are the perfect blend of autocratic aristocracy and the down to earth commoners. A great plot that revolves around a murder of a guest at the castle. But who is the culprit?"
"Scrumptious start to a new series. Holly and Meatball make a great team and can sniff out the culprit together. The setting is enjoyable and I am curious to see where Holly's relationship goes with Alice and Rupert."
"A fun read featuring Holly Holmes, great cake baker and her dog, Meatball. She works in the kitchen of Audley Castle creating mouth watering desserts. Characters are wonderfully created and believable in that setting."