As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz

Budewitz's finely drawn characters, sharp ear for dialogue, and well-paced puzzle make Jewel Bay a destination for every cozy fan.--Kirkus Reviews

Clean-as-a-whistle dialogue, endearing characters, and a solid plot make this cozy a winner.--Publishers Weekly

Erin is one smart cookie, but can she keep the holiday spirit--and herself--alive till Christmas?

In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy's Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily has turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.

When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he's been robbed, fingers point to Merrily--until she's found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer--and keep herself in one piece--in time for a special Christmas Eve?

Includes delicious recipes

Praise for the Food Lovers' Village Mysteries:

A lighthearted and amusing story with the added bonus of several yummy recipes.--Mystery Scene

Treble at the Jam Fest has all the necessary elements to satisfy cozy mystery lovers: likeable, believable characters, a fast-moving plot, and a logical ending. Great fun --Suspense Magazine

A pleasing read with a thoughtful heroine, a plethora of red herrings, and some foodie tips.--Kirkus Reviews

A delicious mystery as richly constructed as the layers of a buttery pastry. Wine, enchiladas, and song make for a gourmet treat in the coziest town in Montana --Krista Davis, New York Times bestselling author of the Domestic Diva Mysteries

Leslie is a fellow foodie who loves a good mystery and it shows in this delightful tale --Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author of the Coffeehouse Mysteries

Music, food, scenery and a cast of appealing characters weave together in perfect harmony in Leslie Budewitz's latest book.--Sheila Connolly, author of the Orchard Mysteries and the County Cork Mysteries

Cozy readers will relish the small-town, Christmastime frame accompanying details of frenzied wedding planning and running a family food business. And, of course, recipes, too.--Booklist