REVIEW: Spooky Choc Orange Donut Murder

Spooky Choc Orange Donut Murder
Author: Susan Gillard

Heather Shepherd's business, Donut Delights, has reopened after an expansion and renovation. It's fall and Halloween is in the air. Donut Delights has created a lovely chocolate and orange theme doughnut for the season. And, they are providing sweet treats for the most fancy-schmancy Halloween party in town. Sarah Kenny is a wealthy socialite in Hillside, TX and throws parties that are perfect and well-attended by other local elite. Heather and her bestie Amy show up to deliver the doughnuts. Trick or Treat night turns a bit sour as Sarah and another wealthy resident have a pretty public cat fight in the hallway, throwing barbs and insults at each other. Heather and Amy just want to deliver the doughnuts, schmooze a little to promote the shop, and leave quietly. Wanting to politely thank the host and leave, they exit the party but get lost in the large Kenny home. They don't find the front door.....but they do find Sarah Kenny's dead body. Who strangled the snarky right woman with her own tacky party streamer?

Spooky Choc Orange Donut Murder is the 23rd novella-length story in the Donut Hole Mystery series. The stories are light, cozy mysteries that are perfect for those times a mystery lover just wants something short and sweet to read. I turn to this series as a sort of palate cleanser between the tense, suspenseful thriller and horror novels I enjoy. Sometimes I just need a happy ending and a mystery that is quick, simple and just entertaining. I like the characters in the Donut Hole series, the stories are quick to read, and they are definitely cozy mysteries -- no cussing, no gore, no sex or explicit situations. It's a nice break from more adult mysteries that incorporate much more graphic violence and situations.

Although this series does have a serious need for better editing, the books are enjoyable. I can read over typos and figure out incorrect words...but it does pull me out of the story. There are errors that a professional editor will find that spell check programs will not -- like typos that are actually words and slight continuity errors. But, for me, the likable characters, fast paced, simple mysteries and cute doughnut shop background theme make up for the little mistakes here and there. This series is fun and entertaining....it doesn't have to be perfect. It's my go-to series when I need to reset my reading zen before diving into murkier waters with books that portray grisly murders, rape, kidnappings, etc. I can sip hot tea, laugh at Dave the Dog, and let my mind just be entertained. Brain candy. This series does give me doughnut cravings though.....and there is a doughnut shop 3 blocks from my house. :)

There are 60 books the Donut Hole series. But don't panic -- the books are quick, short reads...so don't let 60 books stop you from reading this series.There is also a spin-off series, Oceanside Mysteries, that features the same characters. Right now there are 28 books in the Oceanside series with Susan Gillard adding new books frequently. Someday I will catch up with her....I'm almost halfway through the Donut Hole series! On to the next book!