Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m sharing a fun and delightful chick-littish, cozy mystery by Barbara Silkstone. Two years ago I got hooked on Barbara’s Cold Cream Series and I picked this one out of my Kindle to read just before Christmas as the theme was appropriate for the season. The dynamic duo of Olive and Lizzie have found a new matter to investigate – Grams’ Christmas Baby. Grandma may be 94 years of age and feisty, but how could she possibly think she could keep the baby that suddenly appeared on her doorstep?
Blurb:
Christmas Eve ~*~
Grams finds a baby on her doorstep—but what about the body in the bay?
Unarmed, can Olive keep the thugs away until the cops arrive?
Will Lizzy overcook the roasted faux goose?
Is WonderDog’s bite worse than his bark?
Will all this fit in one mini-read?
COLD CREAM MURDERS – series
When Olive Peroni put out her family therapy sign, she never thought her top client would be the retired head of a New York crime family. When Olive’s Nonna dies leaving her a condo in Florida and a secret recipe for miracle cold cream, Olive grabs the chance at a new life in Starfish Cove, Florida, making designer creams for ladies who spend far too much time at the beach.
But when the quiet little community on the Gulf of Mexico soon begins to compete with a certain notorious coastal village in Maine, Olive finds herself solving odd-ball murders as often as she soothes wrinkles.
Clean, wholesome and loaded with laughs!
Each book contains a recipe for homemade cosmetics!
My 5 Star Review:
I enjoyed this fun little romp again with the Lizzie and Olive’s adventures in this Christmas episode of the Cold Cream murders, along with the usual characters in her stories – Officer Kal, Lizzie’s feisty Grandma, Wonderdog and Puff. In this story, Olive and Lizzie are getting ready to close their magical skincare shop to enjoy Christmas Eve at Lizzie’s for the faux goose dinner Lizzie has been hinting about. But just as they’re about to wrap up with the last customer, Gram pulls up toting a baby she’d already named Herbie. Someone left Herbie on her doorstep. And then the fun ensues as Olive is determined to find out who would leave a baby on Gram’s doorstep, despite Gram thinking the baby was now hers.
Olive wants to get her friend Officer Kal involved but decides to wait a bit, being Christmas Eve and her concern that the baby would spend Christmas in child protective custody, besides, Kal was busy working on a case about a missing body in the bay. So in the meantime, while the regulars are congregated at Lizzie’s place well before faux goose dinner, Olive suggests Gram and the baby stay with them til the new mystery is solved – after all- where did that baby come from and it may not be safe for a 94 year old Gram to be left alone with this mysterious baby. But just in case a loving mother may have left the baby with Gram in desperation, Olive wants to go back to Gram’s and leave a coded note on the door.
They leave Herbie with Lizzie, and Olive and Gram head out with Lizzie’s Wonderdog to Gram’s to leave the note and for Gram to pick up a few items she’ll need for the overnight at Lizzie’s. But life is never simple when Olive once again finds herself walking into part of a mystery case.
Once they arrive at Gram’s, the story of fun heats up. It’s a good thing Lizzie knows how to prepare for danger as she’s found herself embroiled in quite a few of Officer Kal’s cases out of curiousity. Fully armed with hairspray, they approach the front door and an odd discovery leads them to believe there is someone inside Gram’s house. Who could it be? They enter and discover someone in the kitchen. After discovering the surprise guest isn’t dangerous, it isn’t long before the baddies are spotted outside the house.
If you think these women are left defenseless, let’s just say that there’s a lot more ‘homemade’ weaponry going on now in the kitchen. Foolishly, they’d left their purses in the car with their cellphones inside them. We can only hope too much time has passed and Lizzie at home gets suspicious and sends help after futile attempts at trying to call the ladies. But what happens until that happens? You can’t even imagine.
Silkstone has a gift for writing these believable characters who seem to always find themselves in a pickle and find the most creative ways to help them dodge danger. This is my 3rd book I’ve read in this series and I highly recommend a Cold Cream mystery fun read for a great escape.
©DGKaye2020
Hi Debby – thanks for letting us know about Barbara’s new book … sounds a delightful read – I hope you’ve had a peaceful Christmas and have a peaceful week … and easier 2021 – Hilary
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Hi Hilary, thanks for stopping by. So glad you enjoyed my little review. Thanks for the wishes and yes, looking forward to a brand new year!. Happy almost New Year, Hilary! ❤
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This sounds like a fun Christmas themed cosy mystery, Debby.
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It is a fun cozy read Robbie 🙂 x
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Sounds perfect light Christmas reading! x
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It was just that. 🙂 x
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Sounds delightful, Deb. It has some great reviews on Amazon and nicely is on KU. Yay!
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Oh great Jacqui. It’s a fun escape read. 🙂
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Cold Cream Murders is a wonderful title, and your review is perfectly succinct! Thank you. Debby!
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Thanks for stopping by Claire. ❤
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book, Debby. It sounds like a really fun read!
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That it is Jan. Thanks ❤
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HI Debby, Sounds like a very enjoyable and relaxing read. Another great review. Toni x
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Thanks Toni. Definitely fun adventures with Lizzie and Olive. ❤
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Thanks for being such a darling and sharing my review at the Smorgasbord, Sal ❤
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Oh my she must be mad… 94..bless her… sounds like a fun read Debby and perfect for this time of year… thanks for the review and congratulations Barbara.. ♥
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Lol Sal, yes, I’m addicted to this series, which is also standalones – a nice treat in between heavy reading. ❤ xx
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Incredible review, Debbie. You sparked my interest for sure! Congratulations to Barbara! ✨✨✨
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Hi Gwen. Happy to spark! Thank for stopping by too. Happy holidays. ❤
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This does sound like a cute little book! Perfect for some light reading. Thanks for sharing your review, Debby. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you a happy healthy new year. 🙂
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Hi Diana. Nice to see you pop by on your break. Thank you. And a very happy new year to you too! ❤
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Thanks for the recommendation, Debby. I’m not really a cozy mystery reader, but this one sounds like a lot of fun. I hope 2021 starts well for you and your readers. Keep safe! ♥
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Thank you Olga. It’s a fun series and a perfect read to escape the world lol. Thank you. And Amen for a better 2021! ❤
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You got me, with this, Debby! Sounds like a funny story, with much more fun than fear. Thank you for the amazing review!
Enjoy your week! Michael
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Hi Michael. Thank so much for visiting. No real fear here when Olive and Lizzie are at large to help catch the baddies. LOL. Happy holidays Michael. 🙂 x
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Never mind the books, Deb. Get me some of that Cold Cream! 🙂
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LOL No kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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This sounds really cute, Deb. I’m looking forward to a lighter read for the end of 2020 🙂
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That’s exactly what I was looking for. 🙂 x
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Sounds like a bit of gentle fun – and the perfect remedy for when life gets too serious!
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Exactlyyyyyyyyyyy Deb! Happy New Year! ❤
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This sounds like a fun holiday read, Debby. Great review and wishing you a Happy New Year! 💗🥂🎉
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Thank you Lauren, a fun read indeed. Happy New Year to you Lauren, may we all get back to the living! ❤ xxx
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This sounds like the perfect thing to read over the holidays. Thanks for the recommendation, Debby! Happy New Year to you and your hubby!
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Thanks Amy. The perfect seasonal and fun read. Happy New Year my friend to you and yours ❤
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