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An Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1
Éclair and Present Danger
The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim...
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim...
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 7, 2016
102 people are currently reading
1777 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bradford
57 books880 followersAka Elizabeth Lynn Casey.
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend's house nearly forty years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil.
Those early attempts at the craft had her writing and illustrating stories for young children. Wise beyond her years, Laura saved her first writing attempt in a hand decorated shoe box (complete with sparkly stickers) and moved on to her next idea. Her second book—O’Casey’s Wish—was so utterly brilliant, she sent it off to a well-known New York publishing house at the tender age of ten, confident she was on the verge of becoming the next Don Freeman (Corduroy) or Shel Silverstein (Giving Tree).
Months later, she received her first form letter rejection.
While she wasn’t of the mindset to save that first crushing blow for posterity, Laura did save the original copy of this particular literary masterpiece in the event the letter was a mistake.
Desperate to prove her flexibility as a writer, Laura soon found herself dabbling in jokes (for her Girl Scout troop’s newsletter), stories of angst (a somewhat autobiographical look at her teenage years), movie reviews (for the Xavier University Newswire), and countless news and feature articles (for newspapers in CT, SC, TN, and MO).
It wasn’t until Laura was home raising children of her own though, that she was finally able to dust off that rainy day dream and bring it back to its original form—writing fiction. Today, she is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Publishing), and an award winning romance author with Harlequin American. She lives in New York with her family.
Oh, and if you meet Laura at a book event in the future, ask her about O’Casey’s Wish. It tends to travel with her everywhere she goes.
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend's house nearly forty years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil.
Those early attempts at the craft had her writing and illustrating stories for young children. Wise beyond her years, Laura saved her first writing attempt in a hand decorated shoe box (complete with sparkly stickers) and moved on to her next idea. Her second book—O’Casey’s Wish—was so utterly brilliant, she sent it off to a well-known New York publishing house at the tender age of ten, confident she was on the verge of becoming the next Don Freeman (Corduroy) or Shel Silverstein (Giving Tree).
Months later, she received her first form letter rejection.
While she wasn’t of the mindset to save that first crushing blow for posterity, Laura did save the original copy of this particular literary masterpiece in the event the letter was a mistake.
Desperate to prove her flexibility as a writer, Laura soon found herself dabbling in jokes (for her Girl Scout troop’s newsletter), stories of angst (a somewhat autobiographical look at her teenage years), movie reviews (for the Xavier University Newswire), and countless news and feature articles (for newspapers in CT, SC, TN, and MO).
It wasn’t until Laura was home raising children of her own though, that she was finally able to dust off that rainy day dream and bring it back to its original form—writing fiction. Today, she is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Publishing), and an award winning romance author with Harlequin American. She lives in New York with her family.
Oh, and if you meet Laura at a book event in the future, ask her about O’Casey’s Wish. It tends to travel with her everywhere she goes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
May 2, 2016
A deliciously brilliant start to the yummy new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series by national bestselling author Laura Bradford!
I was beyond thrilled when I first heard author Laura Bradford had a new cozy mystery series coming out. Her Amish Mysteries, and her Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries written under her pen name Elizabeth Lynn Casey, are among my very favorite cozy mystery series. But I was unprepared for just how spectacular this new series would be.
ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is the freshest idea for a cozy mystery I have read in a long time. Seriously, how perfect is a dessert truck ambulance that sells tasty treats to fit your mood? I mean, come on…”Don’t-Be-Blue Berry Pie”, and “Hot Flash Fudge Sundae”… Marvelous!
Along with the outstanding concept, Ms. Bradford also introduces a cast of characters that are a pure joy! I totally want to work on the dessert ambulance with protagonist, Winnie Johnson, and her best friend, Renee Ballentine. Each character is beautifully written, and adds just the right layers to the overall story. It amazes me that Laura Bradford has written so many vastly unique characters in her different series, yet always delivers folks who are real, multifaceted, and are purely awesome to read and get to know.
Last, but in no way least, ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is wonderfully well written, with a fast moving, imaginative plot that had me moving from chapter to chapter with growing anticipation, and a hunger for more. Author Bradford filled that hunger with every new page. The action packed reveal was the frosting on the cake of the perfectly penned story.
If you only start one new mystery series this year, make it the Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series by Laura Bradford, because ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is THE cozy mystery to beat for 2016!
Make sure to check out the back of the book for incredible recipes, and a sneak peek of Book Two in the Emergency Dessert Squad mystery series!
I was beyond thrilled when I first heard author Laura Bradford had a new cozy mystery series coming out. Her Amish Mysteries, and her Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries written under her pen name Elizabeth Lynn Casey, are among my very favorite cozy mystery series. But I was unprepared for just how spectacular this new series would be.
ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is the freshest idea for a cozy mystery I have read in a long time. Seriously, how perfect is a dessert truck ambulance that sells tasty treats to fit your mood? I mean, come on…”Don’t-Be-Blue Berry Pie”, and “Hot Flash Fudge Sundae”… Marvelous!
Along with the outstanding concept, Ms. Bradford also introduces a cast of characters that are a pure joy! I totally want to work on the dessert ambulance with protagonist, Winnie Johnson, and her best friend, Renee Ballentine. Each character is beautifully written, and adds just the right layers to the overall story. It amazes me that Laura Bradford has written so many vastly unique characters in her different series, yet always delivers folks who are real, multifaceted, and are purely awesome to read and get to know.
Last, but in no way least, ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is wonderfully well written, with a fast moving, imaginative plot that had me moving from chapter to chapter with growing anticipation, and a hunger for more. Author Bradford filled that hunger with every new page. The action packed reveal was the frosting on the cake of the perfectly penned story.
If you only start one new mystery series this year, make it the Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series by Laura Bradford, because ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is THE cozy mystery to beat for 2016!
Make sure to check out the back of the book for incredible recipes, and a sneak peek of Book Two in the Emergency Dessert Squad mystery series!
May 18, 2016
This is the first book in the new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series. I enjoyed the clever new twist it gives to bakery-themed cozies, though I'm left with mixed feelings overall.
The main character, Winnie, is very close to her neighbors, many of whom are elderly. When one friend passes away, Winnie inherits a cool vintage ambulance, and soon her new bakery business is born -- emergency desserts delivered right to your door. Winnie discovers the body of a widower on her block while delivering a peach pie, and she and her friends are devastated. The characters are real and likable, though Winnie seems rather sensitive when folks make comments about her hanging with an elderly crowd.
This book focuses on Winnie building up her dessert business, and also on possible romances. Unfortunately the mystery part gets lost in all that, which is my main complaint. There wasn't a lot of true investigating until the last quarter of the book. I did have to laugh, though, at the antics of Lovey, the temperamental kitty she inherits with the ambulance.
Recipes are included at the end of the book, including "Worry No s'More Bars" and "You Are One Smart Cookie," which are two of the fun emergency desserts Winnie offers.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The main character, Winnie, is very close to her neighbors, many of whom are elderly. When one friend passes away, Winnie inherits a cool vintage ambulance, and soon her new bakery business is born -- emergency desserts delivered right to your door. Winnie discovers the body of a widower on her block while delivering a peach pie, and she and her friends are devastated. The characters are real and likable, though Winnie seems rather sensitive when folks make comments about her hanging with an elderly crowd.
This book focuses on Winnie building up her dessert business, and also on possible romances. Unfortunately the mystery part gets lost in all that, which is my main complaint. There wasn't a lot of true investigating until the last quarter of the book. I did have to laugh, though, at the antics of Lovey, the temperamental kitty she inherits with the ambulance.
Recipes are included at the end of the book, including "Worry No s'More Bars" and "You Are One Smart Cookie," which are two of the fun emergency desserts Winnie offers.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2021
I enjoyed this cozy Mystery/romance book. I thought all the characters were great and I liked the humor that had me laughing out loud a time or two. Recipes of desserts mentioned throughout the story are included in the back of the book. I did guess who the real killer was but I wasn't disappointed and once in a while it's okay to be right. Looking forward to reading book two, The Silence of the Flans.
Winnie Johnson ran a successful bake shop in Silver Lake. She made a living from it and had one employee, Renee Ballentine. Then the owner of the building where the shop was located raised the rent so high that Winnie couldn't afford to pay it and still come out ahead in her business. Her late neighbor included Winnie in her will and she had hopes that she could perhaps not have to close her shop after all. But a sassy cat and an old ambulance wasn't what Winnie needed to keep her business going. She was down but she wasn't out. Where there's a will there's a way and things will keep going no matter what.
As if the shops closing wasn't bad enough a close friend is found suffocated in his kitchen. Now a murderer walks amount them and their good for nothing Police Chief Rankin is more concerned about other things than finding the killer.
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery and fans of Laura Bradford. This is the first book of a three book series called The Emergency Dessert Squad.
I borrowed a copy from the digital library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Winnie Johnson ran a successful bake shop in Silver Lake. She made a living from it and had one employee, Renee Ballentine. Then the owner of the building where the shop was located raised the rent so high that Winnie couldn't afford to pay it and still come out ahead in her business. Her late neighbor included Winnie in her will and she had hopes that she could perhaps not have to close her shop after all. But a sassy cat and an old ambulance wasn't what Winnie needed to keep her business going. She was down but she wasn't out. Where there's a will there's a way and things will keep going no matter what.
As if the shops closing wasn't bad enough a close friend is found suffocated in his kitchen. Now a murderer walks amount them and their good for nothing Police Chief Rankin is more concerned about other things than finding the killer.
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery and fans of Laura Bradford. This is the first book of a three book series called The Emergency Dessert Squad.
I borrowed a copy from the digital library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
July 23, 2017
About a 2.5 star read, so VERY so-so. Feeling generous, so rounding up instead of down.This seemed to be more about Winnie's business and possible romantic partners than anything else. The mystery seemed more an afterthought than anything else. Some great sounding desserts and the cat stuff was cute, but on the whole? Won't be reading more of these.
June 25, 2016
I read quite a few cozy mysteries. This books appears to be well liked by many cozy readers. It fell short for me. First of all, the mystery portion seemed almost secondary until the end of the book. There was no police presence. Winnie, the main character, decides to confront the murderer on her own with no one around..
The start of her new business was the main part of the book. There were some cute names and mouth watering desserts. I would say a romance interest probably was the second part of the book. The mystery seemed to be last portion of the book.
Winnie's friends are in their 70s and 80s and different remarks about this was mentioned many times in different ways through out the book. It could have been mentioned a time or two at the beginning. I know I became tired of it. I thought too big of a deal was made of it. It was almost like Winnie was odd or something was wrong with having older friends when it is mentioned so many times. I am in the minority about this book as it is well liked by most.
The start of her new business was the main part of the book. There were some cute names and mouth watering desserts. I would say a romance interest probably was the second part of the book. The mystery seemed to be last portion of the book.
Winnie's friends are in their 70s and 80s and different remarks about this was mentioned many times in different ways through out the book. It could have been mentioned a time or two at the beginning. I know I became tired of it. I thought too big of a deal was made of it. It was almost like Winnie was odd or something was wrong with having older friends when it is mentioned so many times. I am in the minority about this book as it is well liked by most.
June 16, 2016
I want to make it abundantly clear, I am a fan of Laura Bradford's work. I love her "An Amish Mystery" series and have enjoyed her Sewing Circle series written as Elizabeth Casey. It's because of those series, that I pre-ordered Eclair and Present Danger. To say that I was disappointed with this entry would be an understatement. Bradford is a talented writer and her other characters quirks, challenges and warmth are written with a deft hand. This book which was more of a character study than a cozy mystery hits the reader with a sledgehammer. Even as I write this review, I am ambivalent about the main protagonist, Winnie. When we finally get to know why she has such an affinity for her elderly neighbors, the reader is almost past caring AND yet we're told about her comfort with them over and over again. The long running joke about Mr. Parker and his hearing aids, gets old fast. Full disclosure: my husband wears aids only when he's outside our home. Needless to say the misunderstood questions, comments because he didn't quite hear what I said gets old fast. And sure as heck did in this book.
When i read a cozy mystery, and I am a devoted fan of the genre, I'm prepared to suspend some realism for the sake of plot development. However, the absence of any meaningful police presence in this novel just defies logic. There are other plot elements that are problematic for me but I won't disclose for fear of landing firmly in the spoiler column. I believe in reading at least 2 books in a series before I decide not to continue. So I'll give the 2nd book a shot, although the short excerpt I read at the close of book 1 -- made me sigh.
When i read a cozy mystery, and I am a devoted fan of the genre, I'm prepared to suspend some realism for the sake of plot development. However, the absence of any meaningful police presence in this novel just defies logic. There are other plot elements that are problematic for me but I won't disclose for fear of landing firmly in the spoiler column. I believe in reading at least 2 books in a series before I decide not to continue. So I'll give the 2nd book a shot, although the short excerpt I read at the close of book 1 -- made me sigh.
June 27, 2016
This was a great first book in a new series by Ms Bradford. I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were fun and well written. I liked the way that Winnie, our baker/heroine is a 30ish woman living on a street with senior citizens-- and those seniors were a hoot. Until one of them got killed.
Winnie is a baker who just lost her business but inherited an old ambulance and a cat who hates her. She has a brainstorm of starting a delivery baking service using the ambulance as her delivery vehicle. Winnie and her baking partner come up with some pretty original names for the goodies that they bake and deliver.
Winnie finds her neighbor dead-- murdered to be exact. Who would do such a thing?? The police department doesn't seem up to the task of finding the killer, so Winnie and her friends take it on. Can Winnie get her new business up and running, start a new romance, and find a killer, all while trying to get her new cat to quit hissing at her??
A really fun book, with yummy recipes in the back. :)
Winnie is a baker who just lost her business but inherited an old ambulance and a cat who hates her. She has a brainstorm of starting a delivery baking service using the ambulance as her delivery vehicle. Winnie and her baking partner come up with some pretty original names for the goodies that they bake and deliver.
Winnie finds her neighbor dead-- murdered to be exact. Who would do such a thing?? The police department doesn't seem up to the task of finding the killer, so Winnie and her friends take it on. Can Winnie get her new business up and running, start a new romance, and find a killer, all while trying to get her new cat to quit hissing at her??
A really fun book, with yummy recipes in the back. :)
June 4, 2016
Have you been dumped? Have a broken heart?Fired from your job? Going through menopause? Then it's a case for Winnie Johnson's Emergency Dessert Squad. Her dessert menu will cater to your every life disaster and center around emergency life situations that need the comfort of a yummy and sweet dessert that Winnie bakes and delivers to you in her vintage Emergency Dessert Squad ambulance that she inherited from a friend that passed away after she lost her bakery.
Winnie also inherited Lovey,a brown and white tabby cat that loves to hate Winnie but loves to ride along in the ambulance on deliveries. Since childhood Winnie has found solace in friendships with the elderly and finds she relates to them more than people her age. Her friend Bart, the one she inherited the vintage ambulance from, Winnie finds murdered, suffocated with a pillow over his head.
Bart was a nice man but had a temper and with his step-son putting up his home for sale before he is even in the ground and a pageant mom who has a score to settle after her daughter is hurt on his property after trampling on his flower bed. With a potential new romance in a new customer, Jay Morgan and Bart's Valuable coin going missing there's a new reason to want Bart dead and Winnie wants to find justice for her friend Bart and sets out to find her friend, Bart's killer when Winnie finds herself in danger it's her true friends that save her in the end.
Such a unique foodie concept for a new cozy mystery series. Clever dessert names and heartwarming characters made this a new and exciting first book of a new series. Winnie was such a relatable character. I totally understood her reasons for what friends she chose in her life and her love for baking and the recipes will be added to my collection. Eclair and Present Danger and this series are going to be a new favorite among cozy mystery fans, myself included.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Net Galley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are our own.
Winnie also inherited Lovey,a brown and white tabby cat that loves to hate Winnie but loves to ride along in the ambulance on deliveries. Since childhood Winnie has found solace in friendships with the elderly and finds she relates to them more than people her age. Her friend Bart, the one she inherited the vintage ambulance from, Winnie finds murdered, suffocated with a pillow over his head.
Bart was a nice man but had a temper and with his step-son putting up his home for sale before he is even in the ground and a pageant mom who has a score to settle after her daughter is hurt on his property after trampling on his flower bed. With a potential new romance in a new customer, Jay Morgan and Bart's Valuable coin going missing there's a new reason to want Bart dead and Winnie wants to find justice for her friend Bart and sets out to find her friend, Bart's killer when Winnie finds herself in danger it's her true friends that save her in the end.
Such a unique foodie concept for a new cozy mystery series. Clever dessert names and heartwarming characters made this a new and exciting first book of a new series. Winnie was such a relatable character. I totally understood her reasons for what friends she chose in her life and her love for baking and the recipes will be added to my collection. Eclair and Present Danger and this series are going to be a new favorite among cozy mystery fans, myself included.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Net Galley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are our own.
June 29, 2016
Light cozy mystery with a fresh, fun plot! Winnie Johnson inherits a contrary cat, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance from an elderly friend. Forced to close her bakery, Winnie and her employee, Renee, come up with an inspiring idea to transform the ambulance into a dessert delivery vehicle and call the new biz, Emergency Dessert Squad. Despite her grief over the death of a neighbor, Winnie proceeds with her unusual plans into what appears to be a promising venture. Winnie meets a great guy, Jay, and they become friends. Eagerly looking forward to book two!
June 14, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Laura Bradford scores huge points for originality. When Winnie Johnson loses her bakery to a greedy landlord she takes her luscious desserts on the road in her Emergency Dessert Squad. She has inherited an old ambulance and a tabby cat, that seems to love everyone but her, from her neighbor and friend, Gertie. It doesn’t take her long to figure out a way to mesh her new vehicle and her business together. She comes up with catchy names for her treats and starts to rescue her customers from their stressful days.
Many of Winnie’s friends and neighbors are elderly and she is fine with that even though some people aren’t. She made a special promise to Bart Wagner’s wife before she died. Deliver her husband a peach pie every week. Sadly when she arrived with the pie this week she found someone had killed Bart. Now Winnie is doing all she can to get her new business off the ground while searching for the killer. She plans to give them their just desserts.
When I first saw the cover I thought of the Ghostbuster’s car but this one has nothing to do with ghosts, just yummy desserts. Did someone do something nice for you? send them a You’re A Peach Pie! Worrying over a project at work, you need some Worry No s’More Bars! Want to reward your child for good grades, bring on the You Are One Smart Cookie! (Recipes are included in the book.)
The characters we meet in this story are extraordinary. I love Winnie and she has the perfect sidekick in her best friend/employee Renee. We also meet Winnie’s senior citizen friends and neighbors. They are quite a group and wonderfully written. We are also introduced to some paramedics, one Winnie asks for help outfitted her rig to tie her concept to the reality of an ambulance, in a sugary sweet way, of course. I can’t forget, Lovey, Winnie’s new pet. The hissing didn’t make her too lovable for Winnie, but I think they were coming to an understanding as the story ended.
Ms. Bradford also served up plenty of suspects. It was surprising how the whole mystery played out and yet it all made perfect sense.
This was a deliciously delightful debut! I can’t wait to be rescued again by the Emergency Dessert Squad!
Laura Bradford scores huge points for originality. When Winnie Johnson loses her bakery to a greedy landlord she takes her luscious desserts on the road in her Emergency Dessert Squad. She has inherited an old ambulance and a tabby cat, that seems to love everyone but her, from her neighbor and friend, Gertie. It doesn’t take her long to figure out a way to mesh her new vehicle and her business together. She comes up with catchy names for her treats and starts to rescue her customers from their stressful days.
Many of Winnie’s friends and neighbors are elderly and she is fine with that even though some people aren’t. She made a special promise to Bart Wagner’s wife before she died. Deliver her husband a peach pie every week. Sadly when she arrived with the pie this week she found someone had killed Bart. Now Winnie is doing all she can to get her new business off the ground while searching for the killer. She plans to give them their just desserts.
When I first saw the cover I thought of the Ghostbuster’s car but this one has nothing to do with ghosts, just yummy desserts. Did someone do something nice for you? send them a You’re A Peach Pie! Worrying over a project at work, you need some Worry No s’More Bars! Want to reward your child for good grades, bring on the You Are One Smart Cookie! (Recipes are included in the book.)
The characters we meet in this story are extraordinary. I love Winnie and she has the perfect sidekick in her best friend/employee Renee. We also meet Winnie’s senior citizen friends and neighbors. They are quite a group and wonderfully written. We are also introduced to some paramedics, one Winnie asks for help outfitted her rig to tie her concept to the reality of an ambulance, in a sugary sweet way, of course. I can’t forget, Lovey, Winnie’s new pet. The hissing didn’t make her too lovable for Winnie, but I think they were coming to an understanding as the story ended.
Ms. Bradford also served up plenty of suspects. It was surprising how the whole mystery played out and yet it all made perfect sense.
This was a deliciously delightful debut! I can’t wait to be rescued again by the Emergency Dessert Squad!
June 7, 2016
Eclair And Present Danger is the first book in the An Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series.
With apprehension, Winnie Johnson is off to lawyers to learn what her dear late neighbor, Gertrude, has left her in her will. Winnie is about to close her bakery and she can use an influx of cash could stave off the closing. But it's not to be in the cards. What she gets is the 1960 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance that Gertrude's husband had painstakingly restored and Gertrude's cat, Lovey. Going by the old saying of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, Winnie and her assistant, Renee, come up with the Emergency Dessert Squad. The plan is to deliver to a person in extreme need a dessert themed to their particular malady.
Also on their agenda is looking into the death of Bart Wagner. Recently widowed, Bart lives across the street from Winnie and Winnie has been following his wife's final request to she bake and deliver a peach pie to Bart. As she is delivering the latest pie she finds Bart's dead body. Winnie is sure that someone murdered Bart and with the help of her downstairs neighbor, Parker Nelson(Nosy Nelson) and next door neighbor Bridget O'Keefe, an 80 something reporter for the Silver Lake newspaper, set off to find out who had sent Bart to be with Ethel.
Winnie has a close relationship with old of the elderly in the neighborhood and Parker and Bridget are a real hoot. Parker has a hearing problem and quite often forgets to turn on his hearing aid and will often misunderstands what people are saying. His misunderstanding of conversations is often quite amusing. Bridget can also be of a nosy nature, but her excuse is that she is a reporter and just looking for a future story.
What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the great names for the “emergency desserts” that Winnie and Renee prepare. Just a couple are, You're A Peach Pie and Worry No s'More Bars.
Recipes are also included.
Looking forward to the next delicious book in this series.
With apprehension, Winnie Johnson is off to lawyers to learn what her dear late neighbor, Gertrude, has left her in her will. Winnie is about to close her bakery and she can use an influx of cash could stave off the closing. But it's not to be in the cards. What she gets is the 1960 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance that Gertrude's husband had painstakingly restored and Gertrude's cat, Lovey. Going by the old saying of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, Winnie and her assistant, Renee, come up with the Emergency Dessert Squad. The plan is to deliver to a person in extreme need a dessert themed to their particular malady.
Also on their agenda is looking into the death of Bart Wagner. Recently widowed, Bart lives across the street from Winnie and Winnie has been following his wife's final request to she bake and deliver a peach pie to Bart. As she is delivering the latest pie she finds Bart's dead body. Winnie is sure that someone murdered Bart and with the help of her downstairs neighbor, Parker Nelson(Nosy Nelson) and next door neighbor Bridget O'Keefe, an 80 something reporter for the Silver Lake newspaper, set off to find out who had sent Bart to be with Ethel.
Winnie has a close relationship with old of the elderly in the neighborhood and Parker and Bridget are a real hoot. Parker has a hearing problem and quite often forgets to turn on his hearing aid and will often misunderstands what people are saying. His misunderstanding of conversations is often quite amusing. Bridget can also be of a nosy nature, but her excuse is that she is a reporter and just looking for a future story.
What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the great names for the “emergency desserts” that Winnie and Renee prepare. Just a couple are, You're A Peach Pie and Worry No s'More Bars.
Recipes are also included.
Looking forward to the next delicious book in this series.
July 20, 2017
I wasn't sure if this would work, but I ended up really enjoying it. It was a different take on a culinary cozy - even if I'm not completely convinced you could make a business out of delivering desserts - and odd as it perhaps sounds for a cozy mystery, I actually liked the fact that it was more about the people and the recipes than the murder.
I liked all the characters, and I also liked the fact that it didn't have the frequent first-in-series motif that the main character/main character's best friend or family member is the main suspect of a not necessarily with-it police force, so they have to prove their own innocence, which made a pleasant change. I'll definitely read the next one.
I liked all the characters, and I also liked the fact that it didn't have the frequent first-in-series motif that the main character/main character's best friend or family member is the main suspect of a not necessarily with-it police force, so they have to prove their own innocence, which made a pleasant change. I'll definitely read the next one.
August 6, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ec...
Éclair and Present Danger
Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1
By Laura Bradford
ISBN# 9780425280898
Author’s website: http://www.laurabradford.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is born: dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim…
Review:
Eclair and Present Danger is the first book in a wonderful new series by author Laura Bradford. It has everything anyone could ever want in a cozy and more. A fun and fabulous story, a well written mystery, realistic and relatable characters, intrigue, and food. One thing that author Bradford does so well, is draw the reader in, open up the soul of the book and sprinkle with humor and take them on a masterful journey. Protagonist Winnie Johnson is a bakery owner that is being ejected from her building. Rent is too high and there is no way to get the money. When her dear and wealthy senior friend Gertrude Redenbacher passes away, Winnie is getting an inheritance. Maybe now she will be able to save her bakery. She never would have thought that her dear friend would leave her two of her beloved items. First her cat, Lovey who definitely does not care for Winnie. The other item has more potential for her, a vintage ambulance that her friend’s husband worked to restore. Maybe Winnie and her coworker and friend Renee could use the ambulance to make “emergency” deliveries. Who couldn’t use a wonderful sweet treat delivered.
Before her business is gone, Winnie has one more pie to bake. She promised widower Bart Wagner’s wife she would supply him with peach pies. When she goes to deliver the pie, she finds Bart dead, smothered by a pillow. She goes into action delivering baked goodies to her frightened neighbors. Winnie lives in an area populated mostly by seniors. While talking with her two closest neighbors, Bridget O’Keefe and downstairs neighbor Parker Nelson, they decide something must be done to find who did this horrible deed. At the same time, she and Renee come up with great ideas to use in the new emergency dessert delivery service. Luckily Master Sergeant Hottie – Greg helps her get the vintage ambulance in order. While making progress with the new business, the gang try to find answers to the murder.
The cast of characters and setting of this wonderful book kept me entertained. The mystery itself had me guessing all the way till the reveal. As Winnie tries to get justice for their friend, she increases her new business. Several suspects and motives are woven into a wonderful mystery that truly kept me hungering for more. I personally love that a lot of the characters are seniors and that the main character Winnie Johnson enjoys spending her time with them. Senior characters seem to bring so much more than younger ones these days. (just for the record I am not a senior). I love cozies, but with the way people are these days, seniors and the type of relationship Winnie has with them, seems more to true form.
Éclair and Present Danger is a truly tasteful read. The writing style of Laura Bradford is as always amazing. She writes with such soul and heart and every word is just a joy to read. As a voracious reader of cozy mysteries, her writing tops the list of the best. This is no different. This first in a new series leaves room for the characters to grow and develop while already amazing. You really cannot ask for a better and well written cozy. I recommend any cozy reader jump on this one at the start and enjoy the depth of feeling and fun that radiates from this fabulous story. This wonderful whodunit is a must read that will not allow you to put it down. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars, it surely deserves it. I cannot wait for the next in this series and the next and the next and so on.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Éclair and Present Danger
Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1
By Laura Bradford
ISBN# 9780425280898
Author’s website: http://www.laurabradford.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is born: dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim…
Review:
Eclair and Present Danger is the first book in a wonderful new series by author Laura Bradford. It has everything anyone could ever want in a cozy and more. A fun and fabulous story, a well written mystery, realistic and relatable characters, intrigue, and food. One thing that author Bradford does so well, is draw the reader in, open up the soul of the book and sprinkle with humor and take them on a masterful journey. Protagonist Winnie Johnson is a bakery owner that is being ejected from her building. Rent is too high and there is no way to get the money. When her dear and wealthy senior friend Gertrude Redenbacher passes away, Winnie is getting an inheritance. Maybe now she will be able to save her bakery. She never would have thought that her dear friend would leave her two of her beloved items. First her cat, Lovey who definitely does not care for Winnie. The other item has more potential for her, a vintage ambulance that her friend’s husband worked to restore. Maybe Winnie and her coworker and friend Renee could use the ambulance to make “emergency” deliveries. Who couldn’t use a wonderful sweet treat delivered.
Before her business is gone, Winnie has one more pie to bake. She promised widower Bart Wagner’s wife she would supply him with peach pies. When she goes to deliver the pie, she finds Bart dead, smothered by a pillow. She goes into action delivering baked goodies to her frightened neighbors. Winnie lives in an area populated mostly by seniors. While talking with her two closest neighbors, Bridget O’Keefe and downstairs neighbor Parker Nelson, they decide something must be done to find who did this horrible deed. At the same time, she and Renee come up with great ideas to use in the new emergency dessert delivery service. Luckily Master Sergeant Hottie – Greg helps her get the vintage ambulance in order. While making progress with the new business, the gang try to find answers to the murder.
The cast of characters and setting of this wonderful book kept me entertained. The mystery itself had me guessing all the way till the reveal. As Winnie tries to get justice for their friend, she increases her new business. Several suspects and motives are woven into a wonderful mystery that truly kept me hungering for more. I personally love that a lot of the characters are seniors and that the main character Winnie Johnson enjoys spending her time with them. Senior characters seem to bring so much more than younger ones these days. (just for the record I am not a senior). I love cozies, but with the way people are these days, seniors and the type of relationship Winnie has with them, seems more to true form.
Éclair and Present Danger is a truly tasteful read. The writing style of Laura Bradford is as always amazing. She writes with such soul and heart and every word is just a joy to read. As a voracious reader of cozy mysteries, her writing tops the list of the best. This is no different. This first in a new series leaves room for the characters to grow and develop while already amazing. You really cannot ask for a better and well written cozy. I recommend any cozy reader jump on this one at the start and enjoy the depth of feeling and fun that radiates from this fabulous story. This wonderful whodunit is a must read that will not allow you to put it down. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars, it surely deserves it. I cannot wait for the next in this series and the next and the next and so on.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
May 2, 2016
Eclair and Present Danger is a delectable first book in what promises to be a delightful new series, "Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery". from wonderful author Laura Bradford. I love main character Winnie. She is a kindhearted, sensitive friend and fabulous protagonist. The supporting cast of characters is entertaining, fun and plain out fabulous. Winnie lives in a predominantly senior citizen populated neighborhood and she finds herself more comfortable with the older but definitely goodie set.
When Winnie inherits an old fashioned ambulance and a cat by a dearly departed neighbor and friend, she does not not what to do with either of them. The cat, Lovey, seems to hate her. The ambulance is not worth enough to save her beloved bakery. Friend/coworker Renee and Winnie have to shut the door on her bakery for the last time. The idea to start an Emergency Dessert Squad seems to be the answer. And with the help of Master Sergeant Hottie - Greg, Winnie gets her ambulance in proper order.
On the same day Winnie closes her bakery she finds one of her dear neighbors' murdered. Who would want to hurt, much less kill Bart and why? With the help of her dear friends, Renee, downstairs neighbor Parker Nelson and neighbor Bridget O'Keefe (both wonderful seniors), Winnie tries to get justice for their friend. Lots of suspects and motives kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I didn't. Towards the end I was sure I knew who the killer was and why. Once again I was wrong. "Eclair and Present Danger" is a tasty treat, a fabulous whodunit that truly kept me guessing until the very end. Superlative characters, stellar writing and a fantastic story line all make this a big hit. I cannot wait for the second book to see how things go for Winnie and her wonderful cohorts. A truly delicious read filled with humor, mystery and realistic and wonderful characters. Laura Bradford is as always an amazing writer and story teller.
When Winnie inherits an old fashioned ambulance and a cat by a dearly departed neighbor and friend, she does not not what to do with either of them. The cat, Lovey, seems to hate her. The ambulance is not worth enough to save her beloved bakery. Friend/coworker Renee and Winnie have to shut the door on her bakery for the last time. The idea to start an Emergency Dessert Squad seems to be the answer. And with the help of Master Sergeant Hottie - Greg, Winnie gets her ambulance in proper order.
On the same day Winnie closes her bakery she finds one of her dear neighbors' murdered. Who would want to hurt, much less kill Bart and why? With the help of her dear friends, Renee, downstairs neighbor Parker Nelson and neighbor Bridget O'Keefe (both wonderful seniors), Winnie tries to get justice for their friend. Lots of suspects and motives kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I didn't. Towards the end I was sure I knew who the killer was and why. Once again I was wrong. "Eclair and Present Danger" is a tasty treat, a fabulous whodunit that truly kept me guessing until the very end. Superlative characters, stellar writing and a fantastic story line all make this a big hit. I cannot wait for the second book to see how things go for Winnie and her wonderful cohorts. A truly delicious read filled with humor, mystery and realistic and wonderful characters. Laura Bradford is as always an amazing writer and story teller.
March 21, 2019
Most of the characters are formula-simple, but the main character is tedious. She has a weird hang-up about wanting most of her friends to be over the age of 75, although she herself is around early 30's I'm guessing, and makes sure to bring it up on first dates with people to see if they'll think she's weird or not. From their reaction, she then judges them as worthy of her time. I'm definitely not against having elderly friends, but most would find it odd to restrict yourself to only elderly friends besides your co-worker.
She also seems to think that because a man has a sixteen-year old daughter, that means the daughter should make all the decisions and control the man's life. Toss in the fact that she starts seeming to believe it's fine to have a cat along with her bakery products for delivery. Now I love cats, don't get me wrong, but even the character herself says at first that this is a mega health code violation. An accident once, shame on no one, but then make it intentional? She may as well started reserving her creative coining of names for new products that include cat hair and perhaps a flea or two.
The book doesn't know what it wants to be. The mystery itself takes a major backseat. We get weird hang-ups on her love life and deciding between two men, sort of, that takes up a majority of the dialogue and becomes the main focus of the entire book. We get jokes with her neighbors. We get her brainstorming for new dessert ideas (That part's fun! Where's my recipe for Stop-Being-Blue Berry Pie??), driving around for some quick deliveries, and that's about it. She's not actually investigating a mystery for the most part, it just kind of starts happening as the book begins wrapping up. People will randomly mention the dead man and it's like a lightbulb goes off, she remembers, asks one question, then goes about her day.
It's a cute concept but this isn't a mystery that cures my itch of wanting to read a fun, cozy series.
She also seems to think that because a man has a sixteen-year old daughter, that means the daughter should make all the decisions and control the man's life. Toss in the fact that she starts seeming to believe it's fine to have a cat along with her bakery products for delivery. Now I love cats, don't get me wrong, but even the character herself says at first that this is a mega health code violation. An accident once, shame on no one, but then make it intentional? She may as well started reserving her creative coining of names for new products that include cat hair and perhaps a flea or two.
The book doesn't know what it wants to be. The mystery itself takes a major backseat. We get weird hang-ups on her love life and deciding between two men, sort of, that takes up a majority of the dialogue and becomes the main focus of the entire book. We get jokes with her neighbors. We get her brainstorming for new dessert ideas (That part's fun! Where's my recipe for Stop-Being-Blue Berry Pie??), driving around for some quick deliveries, and that's about it. She's not actually investigating a mystery for the most part, it just kind of starts happening as the book begins wrapping up. People will randomly mention the dead man and it's like a lightbulb goes off, she remembers, asks one question, then goes about her day.
It's a cute concept but this isn't a mystery that cures my itch of wanting to read a fun, cozy series.
June 4, 2016
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Berkley and Netgalley. This book will be released June 7, 2016. All thoughts stated in this review are entirely my own.*
The first book in what I'm almost certain will be a highly celebrated and long lasting series; Éclair and Present Danger was creative, smart, charming, and hilarious all in one!
The MC, Winnie, was perhaps one of the most creative fictional characters I have ever read about. Simply the idea of an Emergency Dessert Squad alone is amazing, but the rehab of the ambulance and the names of the desserts just put it over the top. They were amazing! I also loved the fact that most of Winnie's friends were older people. The other characters were also well-rounded and full-bodied. There wasn't one that wasn't enjoyable to read about!
The setting was wonderful; not much was said about the location other than where it was and Winnie's immediate area, but it worked. The mystery was just how I like it; not over-the-top and it all just falls in the MC's lap. Perfect!
Overall a simply amazing book that just clicked with me! I will be reading the next one.
The first book in what I'm almost certain will be a highly celebrated and long lasting series; Éclair and Present Danger was creative, smart, charming, and hilarious all in one!
The MC, Winnie, was perhaps one of the most creative fictional characters I have ever read about. Simply the idea of an Emergency Dessert Squad alone is amazing, but the rehab of the ambulance and the names of the desserts just put it over the top. They were amazing! I also loved the fact that most of Winnie's friends were older people. The other characters were also well-rounded and full-bodied. There wasn't one that wasn't enjoyable to read about!
The setting was wonderful; not much was said about the location other than where it was and Winnie's immediate area, but it worked. The mystery was just how I like it; not over-the-top and it all just falls in the MC's lap. Perfect!
Overall a simply amazing book that just clicked with me! I will be reading the next one.
May 16, 2016
Éclair and Present Danger is the first book in the Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series by Laura Bradford. I find it is always more fulfilling if you have read all the books in a series so I am glad to start this series with the first book.
Éclair and Present Danger has bakery owner Winnie being unable to afford the rent on her bakery due to rising rental fees. Luckily she has just inherited a ambulance(and a cat) from one of her elderly neighbours. She comes up with the idea of utilizing the ambulance for an Emergency Dessert Squad service. And it is a hit. But what is going on with her elderly neighbours? When she finds her neighbour Bart dead on his kitchen floor she cannot help wondering who had something to gain.
Éclair and Present Danger is well written and it is an original concept. There are recipes at the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Great cozy mystery. I know you'll enjoy Éclair and Present Danger.
Éclair and Present Danger has bakery owner Winnie being unable to afford the rent on her bakery due to rising rental fees. Luckily she has just inherited a ambulance(and a cat) from one of her elderly neighbours. She comes up with the idea of utilizing the ambulance for an Emergency Dessert Squad service. And it is a hit. But what is going on with her elderly neighbours? When she finds her neighbour Bart dead on his kitchen floor she cannot help wondering who had something to gain.
Éclair and Present Danger is well written and it is an original concept. There are recipes at the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Great cozy mystery. I know you'll enjoy Éclair and Present Danger.
July 26, 2017
"I'm sorry, could you, um, read that one more time, please?"
Winnie runs the Delectable Delights bakery in Silver Lake, Ohio. The rent has increased out of reach in an attempt to revitalize the area. Winnie is hopeful when she learns that her friend Gertrude has named her in the will. Unfortunately, her inheritance is a bad tempered cat named Lovey and a 1960 Cadillac Miller=Meteor ambulance. Winnie and her friend Renee open Emergency Dessert Squad the day after the bakery closes using the vintage ambulance to deliver desserts.
Winnie lives on Serenity Lane which is mostly populated by senior citizens. She lives in an apartment in a converted house with neighbor Parker Nelson. Mr. Nelson is hard of hearing, a bit nosy and a terrible flirt. I love Mr. Nelson! Neighbor Bridget writes a column for the local paper and knows the gossip on everyone.
Winnie promised recently deceased Ethel that she would take a peach pie to her husband Bart each week. Imagine Winnie's horror to discover Bart's body in his kitchen on her weekly visit. She, Mr. Nelson and Bridget decide they must find who killed their good friend.
There are so many good things about this book. I love the punny little names for the desserts. I would love to receive Can't Lose a Pound Cake or You are One Smart Cookie. Using the IV pole for drizzles is genius.
Winnie's love and caring for her older neighbors is a wonderful thing to see. I was completely in her corner when she made a relationship decision because of the person's attitude toward senior citizens. I really like her budding romance with Jay. I hope that we see a bit more of that.
The mystery was well played and the murder became obvious when you followed a few clues.
This is an excellent start to the series and I look forward to reading more.
Winnie runs the Delectable Delights bakery in Silver Lake, Ohio. The rent has increased out of reach in an attempt to revitalize the area. Winnie is hopeful when she learns that her friend Gertrude has named her in the will. Unfortunately, her inheritance is a bad tempered cat named Lovey and a 1960 Cadillac Miller=Meteor ambulance. Winnie and her friend Renee open Emergency Dessert Squad the day after the bakery closes using the vintage ambulance to deliver desserts.
Winnie lives on Serenity Lane which is mostly populated by senior citizens. She lives in an apartment in a converted house with neighbor Parker Nelson. Mr. Nelson is hard of hearing, a bit nosy and a terrible flirt. I love Mr. Nelson! Neighbor Bridget writes a column for the local paper and knows the gossip on everyone.
Winnie promised recently deceased Ethel that she would take a peach pie to her husband Bart each week. Imagine Winnie's horror to discover Bart's body in his kitchen on her weekly visit. She, Mr. Nelson and Bridget decide they must find who killed their good friend.
There are so many good things about this book. I love the punny little names for the desserts. I would love to receive Can't Lose a Pound Cake or You are One Smart Cookie. Using the IV pole for drizzles is genius.
Winnie's love and caring for her older neighbors is a wonderful thing to see. I was completely in her corner when she made a relationship decision because of the person's attitude toward senior citizens. I really like her budding romance with Jay. I hope that we see a bit more of that.
The mystery was well played and the murder became obvious when you followed a few clues.
This is an excellent start to the series and I look forward to reading more.
April 1, 2023
So, there is a lot to love about this mystery. The cozy side is fabulous! Such an innovative idea and all the clever Emergency Dessert Squad tie-ins are so much fun. I'm surprised someone hasn't run with this idea and set up a real life business! I love Winnie and her passion for her food art and the seniors she calls her closest friends. The cozy aspects for the whole series are really well done and I'll continue with it because of them.
There a few things that marred my enjoyment, and knocked a couple of stars off my rating. There are a couple of scenes of a 75 year old man ogling and flirting with a much younger woman to the point of objectification. I mean he's looking down her cleavage and spraying her with water so he can see her t-shirt clinging to her chest. Just ew...and hello, are we not living in a world where older men like this are having to face the consequences of these kind of actions? The rest of the time this character is sweet and funny and endearing so those lecherous tendencies (lol) at the beginning of the book just felt off. Call me an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy but I just didn't like it. :-(
Also, the mystery wasn't the main feature of the story -- maybe 75% cozy, 25% mystery? And Winnie doesn't so much investigate as toss ideas around with her friends. And when she actually stumbles across something notable she decides to hold onto it instead of sharing with the police. And then, at the end (which was super rushed) she pulled a TSTL stunt that was just, well, TSTL.
I generally love Laura Bradford's books so I will continue with the series and see how I feel after book two.
There a few things that marred my enjoyment, and knocked a couple of stars off my rating. There are a couple of scenes of a 75 year old man ogling and flirting with a much younger woman to the point of objectification. I mean he's looking down her cleavage and spraying her with water so he can see her t-shirt clinging to her chest. Just ew...and hello, are we not living in a world where older men like this are having to face the consequences of these kind of actions? The rest of the time this character is sweet and funny and endearing so those lecherous tendencies (lol) at the beginning of the book just felt off. Call me an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy but I just didn't like it. :-(
Also, the mystery wasn't the main feature of the story -- maybe 75% cozy, 25% mystery? And Winnie doesn't so much investigate as toss ideas around with her friends. And when she actually stumbles across something notable she decides to hold onto it instead of sharing with the police. And then, at the end (which was super rushed) she pulled a TSTL stunt that was just, well, TSTL.
I generally love Laura Bradford's books so I will continue with the series and see how I feel after book two.
November 26, 2020
Who wouldn't love a dessert rescue? What a brilliant idea that Winnie came up with after losing her bakery to rent that was going to be way too high. I loved the team of Winnie and Renee in their business and how Renee enjoyed answering the emergency dessert calls sounding like a real dispatcher. I also loved how Winnie lived among senior citizens and didn't think of them as helpless oldsters but rather as her friends and neighbors who all simply helped each other when needed. Parker and Bridget together were an absolute hoot! I could just hear their fun banter in my head.
There were some good red herrings, and I wasn't sure of whodunit until the clues started coming together. The showdown proved that you should never underestimate the power of a seventy-something! I enjoyed the party at the end that helped wrap things up nicely. I think Renee and Winnie are each going to have a nice guy, and maybe even Bridget has room in her heart for Parker! (I never doubted for a minute that she liked him a lot, and I know the feeling was mutual!) It's a shame there were only three books in this series. I hope the author was able to give the series a nice overall ending. I'm not really anxious to keep reading right away, because it'll be over with, but I'll definitely return to the series.
There were some good red herrings, and I wasn't sure of whodunit until the clues started coming together. The showdown proved that you should never underestimate the power of a seventy-something! I enjoyed the party at the end that helped wrap things up nicely. I think Renee and Winnie are each going to have a nice guy, and maybe even Bridget has room in her heart for Parker! (I never doubted for a minute that she liked him a lot, and I know the feeling was mutual!) It's a shame there were only three books in this series. I hope the author was able to give the series a nice overall ending. I'm not really anxious to keep reading right away, because it'll be over with, but I'll definitely return to the series.
March 21, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this book!
I like the idea of the vintage ambulance being used to deliver desserts!
This cozy mystery has an intriguing plot and interesting characters.
I plan on listening to the other books in this series!
I like the idea of the vintage ambulance being used to deliver desserts!
This cozy mystery has an intriguing plot and interesting characters.
I plan on listening to the other books in this series!
June 7, 2016
Eclair And Present Danger
Emergency Dessert Squad, Book #1
Laura Bradford
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is born: dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim... (Goodreads)
Review:
Winnie Johnson is not having a good week. She has closed her bakery shop because she cannot afford the rent any longer. Then she finds her neighbor’s dead body lying on the floor in his house. This is the third neighbor that has recently died, although it is the first murdered one. While attending the will reading for one of her other neighbors, she learns that she is now the proud owner of an ambulance and a cat that really hates her. She does not know what she is going to do with her life now, but she knows that she does not want to leave the neighborhood that she loves so much. While doing a nice gesture for one of her nervous neighbor, inspiration hits and she knows what her new business will be: the Emergency Dessert Squad.
The concept behind this book is just a unique and awesome idea. The idea of having desserts delivered to someone who is need of comforting or wanting to celebrate is brilliant. The names of the desserts were so clever and imaginative. I really wish this was an actual business, we could all use their services at some time or another.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Winnie is a hard worker who happens to have a heart of gold. She loves all of her elderly neighbors and feels right at home with them. Renee is one of her best friends and has a way of keeping her on track, at least in her personal life. I really enjoyed getting to know all of Winnie’s elderly neighbors too. They were quirky and funny and it was great to spend with them.
There is a mystery to solve and plenty of clues and suspects to keep the reader guessing. But the focus of the book was more on Winnie and her life rather than the killer, which was perfect, in my opinion. I would not have cared if there was any mystery, I was so engrossed reading about her business and her relationships. The characters were so entertaining to read about, I just wanted to get to know them better.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted, cleverly written cozy. There is absolutely nothing I would change about this book and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Emergency Dessert Squad, Book #1
Laura Bradford
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.
To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is born: dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim... (Goodreads)
Review:
Winnie Johnson is not having a good week. She has closed her bakery shop because she cannot afford the rent any longer. Then she finds her neighbor’s dead body lying on the floor in his house. This is the third neighbor that has recently died, although it is the first murdered one. While attending the will reading for one of her other neighbors, she learns that she is now the proud owner of an ambulance and a cat that really hates her. She does not know what she is going to do with her life now, but she knows that she does not want to leave the neighborhood that she loves so much. While doing a nice gesture for one of her nervous neighbor, inspiration hits and she knows what her new business will be: the Emergency Dessert Squad.
The concept behind this book is just a unique and awesome idea. The idea of having desserts delivered to someone who is need of comforting or wanting to celebrate is brilliant. The names of the desserts were so clever and imaginative. I really wish this was an actual business, we could all use their services at some time or another.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Winnie is a hard worker who happens to have a heart of gold. She loves all of her elderly neighbors and feels right at home with them. Renee is one of her best friends and has a way of keeping her on track, at least in her personal life. I really enjoyed getting to know all of Winnie’s elderly neighbors too. They were quirky and funny and it was great to spend with them.
There is a mystery to solve and plenty of clues and suspects to keep the reader guessing. But the focus of the book was more on Winnie and her life rather than the killer, which was perfect, in my opinion. I would not have cared if there was any mystery, I was so engrossed reading about her business and her relationships. The characters were so entertaining to read about, I just wanted to get to know them better.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted, cleverly written cozy. There is absolutely nothing I would change about this book and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 24, 2017
What do you do when you inherit a temperamental cat and a vintage ambulance from a dear friend? Little did Winnie Johnson know, but it would be the answer to all of her problems. When Winnie is forced to close her beloved bakery, she comes up with the idea to make her bakery mobile by starting the Emergency Dessert Squad. Cute desserts are delivered straight to your door to help cure any ailment that you can imagine. While pondering ideas, Winnie delivers a pie to an elderly neighbor who is recently widowed. Unfortunately, she finds her dear friend has been murdered. Unable to get the image out of her mind, Winnie starts to wonder who would do such a horrible thing and if they are indeed safe on their cute little street. As she starts gathering clues, the facts get rather suspicious especially when a valuable coin goes missing and quite a few suspects start to make the list.
It's quite obvious why so many people have been raving about this book!! I adore Laura Bradford's Amish Mysteries and I quickly became a huge fan of this new series. The concept she has come up with and the cast of characters are so unique and completely refreshing to read about. The idea of an emergency dessert squad is absolutely brilliant. Throw in a vintage ambulance and some rather genius dessert names and I'm hooked. I would order from them in a heartbeat. Who wouldn't want to send a pick me up dessert to someone who is angry, celebrating an achievement or frustrated with a diet especially when they include names such as: Hot Flash Fudge Sundae, Down in the Dumps Cake, Don't Be Blue Berry Pie, Seeing Red Velvet Cake, Can't Lose a Pound Cake, Worry No s'More Bars and several more. I laughed throughout the book every time they came up with a new dessert! The main character, Winnie, was incredibly likeable and easy to relate with. I love that she stuck with her feelings when deciding between the two love interest. Winnie's friends just might be my favorite part of this book. Her neighbors and close friends are senior citizens and definitely kept me laughing with their antics. I adore Mr. Nelson!!!! Every good cozy includes a pet and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Lovey is a character all on her own!! She hisses and glares at Winnie, but is incredibly affectionate to everyone else that she meets. The mystery was really well done. The author included some really believable angles and kept me double guessing for quite some time. It was also a great way to introduce several characters and set up the town!! I can't wait to read the sequel and see how this fun series progresses.
It's quite obvious why so many people have been raving about this book!! I adore Laura Bradford's Amish Mysteries and I quickly became a huge fan of this new series. The concept she has come up with and the cast of characters are so unique and completely refreshing to read about. The idea of an emergency dessert squad is absolutely brilliant. Throw in a vintage ambulance and some rather genius dessert names and I'm hooked. I would order from them in a heartbeat. Who wouldn't want to send a pick me up dessert to someone who is angry, celebrating an achievement or frustrated with a diet especially when they include names such as: Hot Flash Fudge Sundae, Down in the Dumps Cake, Don't Be Blue Berry Pie, Seeing Red Velvet Cake, Can't Lose a Pound Cake, Worry No s'More Bars and several more. I laughed throughout the book every time they came up with a new dessert! The main character, Winnie, was incredibly likeable and easy to relate with. I love that she stuck with her feelings when deciding between the two love interest. Winnie's friends just might be my favorite part of this book. Her neighbors and close friends are senior citizens and definitely kept me laughing with their antics. I adore Mr. Nelson!!!! Every good cozy includes a pet and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Lovey is a character all on her own!! She hisses and glares at Winnie, but is incredibly affectionate to everyone else that she meets. The mystery was really well done. The author included some really believable angles and kept me double guessing for quite some time. It was also a great way to introduce several characters and set up the town!! I can't wait to read the sequel and see how this fun series progresses.
June 6, 2016
Eclair and Present Danger is everything a cozy mystery should be! Laura Bradford has created the perfect recipe for fans of the genre – winsome characters, humor, quirky pet, cute small business, and a whodunit that isn’t immediately obvious. Plus, a dash of romance to make your heart flutter and a fun title to make you smile!
I loved Winnie, a baker in her thirties who lives on a street with mostly senior citizen neighbors – who were a hoot & the source of most of the book’s humor. Mr. Nelson and Bridget and their bantering (the way Bradford subtly wrote in a line where Bridget sticks her own finger in Mr. Nelson’s ear to turn up his hearing aid had me chuckling out loud), Mr. Nelson and his flirting, Mr. Nelson in general. Clearly, Mr. Nelson is my favorite character in the book!
The Emergency Dessert Squad business idea was super fun as well, and I loved all the dessert names Winnie and Renee came up with to treat those life emergencies that call for something sweet – stat! Names like “Hot Flash Fudge Sundae” or “Don’t Be Blue Berry Pie” or “You Are One Smart Cookie” or even “Worry No s’More Bars”. Besides making me drool and wish a dessert ambulance would pull up outside my own house, these creative names made me smile throughout the book.
Of course the key element to any mystery is … the mystery. I thought there was a nice realistic balance between Winnie’s life upheaval going on and the still-unsolved questions regarding the death of her friend Bart. She wasn’t focused on one to the exclusion of the other, nor did she suddenly morph into Nancy Drew overnight. Her crime-solving actions actually seemed “normal”, like something I would totally do in the same situation – not annoyingly foolhardy or surprisingly skilled, etc. Bradford did an excellent job of creating an amateur sleuth that could be any one of us … well, so long as we drive an antique ambulance decked out with an icing-dispensing IV pole.
Bottom Line: With Eclair and Present Danger, Laura Bradford delivers a fun, heartfelt cozy mystery full of well-written characters and great dialogue. The whodunit is just out of reach enough to keep armchair detectives on their toes, but it also stays enough in the background so as not to overwhelm the other storylines. All of the plots and subplots blend together perfectly in a delicious treat for readers!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
I loved Winnie, a baker in her thirties who lives on a street with mostly senior citizen neighbors – who were a hoot & the source of most of the book’s humor. Mr. Nelson and Bridget and their bantering (the way Bradford subtly wrote in a line where Bridget sticks her own finger in Mr. Nelson’s ear to turn up his hearing aid had me chuckling out loud), Mr. Nelson and his flirting, Mr. Nelson in general. Clearly, Mr. Nelson is my favorite character in the book!
The Emergency Dessert Squad business idea was super fun as well, and I loved all the dessert names Winnie and Renee came up with to treat those life emergencies that call for something sweet – stat! Names like “Hot Flash Fudge Sundae” or “Don’t Be Blue Berry Pie” or “You Are One Smart Cookie” or even “Worry No s’More Bars”. Besides making me drool and wish a dessert ambulance would pull up outside my own house, these creative names made me smile throughout the book.
Of course the key element to any mystery is … the mystery. I thought there was a nice realistic balance between Winnie’s life upheaval going on and the still-unsolved questions regarding the death of her friend Bart. She wasn’t focused on one to the exclusion of the other, nor did she suddenly morph into Nancy Drew overnight. Her crime-solving actions actually seemed “normal”, like something I would totally do in the same situation – not annoyingly foolhardy or surprisingly skilled, etc. Bradford did an excellent job of creating an amateur sleuth that could be any one of us … well, so long as we drive an antique ambulance decked out with an icing-dispensing IV pole.
Bottom Line: With Eclair and Present Danger, Laura Bradford delivers a fun, heartfelt cozy mystery full of well-written characters and great dialogue. The whodunit is just out of reach enough to keep armchair detectives on their toes, but it also stays enough in the background so as not to overwhelm the other storylines. All of the plots and subplots blend together perfectly in a delicious treat for readers!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
February 7, 2017
Really liked this book - I can't wait for the book club to talk about it!
May 4, 2016
I absolutely loved this book, it is a great start to a new series. Winnie is not having a great week with a close friend passing away she finds that she receives an inheritance of an old restored ambulance and a cat named Lovey who loves everyone but Winnie. Winnie's bakery is closing from rising costs, and to top it off she discovers the body of her neighbor dead. Everyone is reeling from this unexpected loss in this tight community.
The whole idea of an emergency dessert squad had me wondering how this worked, but as Winnie was figuring it out, it sounds like a wonderful idea, and I laughed at the names she came up with. I could have used an emergency Hot Flash Fudge Sundae a few years ago myself.
I loved the characters in this story, Winnie is highly likeable, and I love her elderly friends, especially Mr. Parker and Bridget, the conversations these two alone had me laughing out loud many times. The story moves quickly and had me guessing, I thought for sure I had it figured out but no Ms. Bradford fooled me. I was flipping those pages faster as I was nearing the end to find out who really did it. I eagerly await the next in this series.
There is also the added bonus of some delicious sounding desserts in the back, I can't wait to try the Worry No s'Mores bars.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, and this is my honest opinion.
The whole idea of an emergency dessert squad had me wondering how this worked, but as Winnie was figuring it out, it sounds like a wonderful idea, and I laughed at the names she came up with. I could have used an emergency Hot Flash Fudge Sundae a few years ago myself.
I loved the characters in this story, Winnie is highly likeable, and I love her elderly friends, especially Mr. Parker and Bridget, the conversations these two alone had me laughing out loud many times. The story moves quickly and had me guessing, I thought for sure I had it figured out but no Ms. Bradford fooled me. I was flipping those pages faster as I was nearing the end to find out who really did it. I eagerly await the next in this series.
There is also the added bonus of some delicious sounding desserts in the back, I can't wait to try the Worry No s'Mores bars.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, and this is my honest opinion.
May 8, 2016
Eclair and Present Danger is the first book in a new series, "Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery", by author Laura Bradford. This series is now at the top of my must read list because it combined two of my favorite past times -- reading cozy mysteries and baking.
I'm sure blending humor into a murder mystery is not an easy thing to write, but Ms. Bradford was skillfully able to do so throughout this story.
The readers are also introduced to a cast of flavorful (pun intended) characters. As in her Amish Mystery series, these are characters you would like to know in real life. The protagonist, Winnie Johnson, is a pleasure, and I can't wait to get to know her better as the series continues, as well as her senior citizen neighbors/friends. I can't forget to include Lovey, the hissing cat, who Winnie inherits along with a vintage ambulance from a departed senior neighbor. It is with this ambulance that Winnie and her co-worker/best friend, Renee, begin their new Emergency Dessert Squad venture, which is quite a clever concept on the part of Winnie and Ms. Bradford.
Ms. Bradford also uses great imagination in naming the desserts Winnie prepares in the mystery as well as the recipes that are included at the end of the book.
The mystery itself is fast moving with plenty of suspects. I had no idea who the murderer was until the end.
I am looking forward to the next delectable book in this series, Silence of the Flans.
I'm sure blending humor into a murder mystery is not an easy thing to write, but Ms. Bradford was skillfully able to do so throughout this story.
The readers are also introduced to a cast of flavorful (pun intended) characters. As in her Amish Mystery series, these are characters you would like to know in real life. The protagonist, Winnie Johnson, is a pleasure, and I can't wait to get to know her better as the series continues, as well as her senior citizen neighbors/friends. I can't forget to include Lovey, the hissing cat, who Winnie inherits along with a vintage ambulance from a departed senior neighbor. It is with this ambulance that Winnie and her co-worker/best friend, Renee, begin their new Emergency Dessert Squad venture, which is quite a clever concept on the part of Winnie and Ms. Bradford.
Ms. Bradford also uses great imagination in naming the desserts Winnie prepares in the mystery as well as the recipes that are included at the end of the book.
The mystery itself is fast moving with plenty of suspects. I had no idea who the murderer was until the end.
I am looking forward to the next delectable book in this series, Silence of the Flans.
June 2, 2016
When I started seeing the promotions for ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER, I immediately knew I had to read it…the amazing cover and the incredibly clever title drew me in. I just love titles with word play and I was a huge fan of the original book and movie by Tom Clancy! When I received my advanced copy and started reading I immediately realized the cover and title was only the beginning of the fun and it continued non-stop for several delicious hours!
I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read any books by Laura Bradford before this book. Sure, I’ve wanted to but that “to read pile” just keeps getting taller and taller and I never got around to it. Well let me tell you, Laura just gained herself a new lifelong fan! ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is a smart, snappy read and I was struck over and over again how absolutely creative the author is. The clever plot and setting enhances the theme of caring…Winnie has a very kind heart and a soft spot for the elderly. While society and media promotes youth, and senior citizens are at best ignored or at worse ridiculed, the author weaves their valuable contributions to their community and Winnie into the story. The results left me craving more and I will certainly be reading other series by Laura Bradford.
There would not be an Emergency Dessert Squad without desserts and the author provides several delectable recipes at the back of her book. I made her recipe for You’re a Peach Pie...oh my goodness...absolutely delicious!
I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read any books by Laura Bradford before this book. Sure, I’ve wanted to but that “to read pile” just keeps getting taller and taller and I never got around to it. Well let me tell you, Laura just gained herself a new lifelong fan! ÉCLAIR AND PRESENT DANGER is a smart, snappy read and I was struck over and over again how absolutely creative the author is. The clever plot and setting enhances the theme of caring…Winnie has a very kind heart and a soft spot for the elderly. While society and media promotes youth, and senior citizens are at best ignored or at worse ridiculed, the author weaves their valuable contributions to their community and Winnie into the story. The results left me craving more and I will certainly be reading other series by Laura Bradford.
There would not be an Emergency Dessert Squad without desserts and the author provides several delectable recipes at the back of her book. I made her recipe for You’re a Peach Pie...oh my goodness...absolutely delicious!
July 30, 2018
Who with a sweet tooth and a love for cozy mysteries could resist the title, ECLAIR and PRESENT DANGER? It's the first book in a new series by the talented Laura Bradford. We meet Winnie Johnson, the owner of Delectable Delights, which she runs with her best friend/employee, Renee. At the reading of her friend, Gertrude's will, Winnie is expecting a much needed cash flow. Instead, she inherits a 1960's era ambulance and a cat named Lovey, who hates Winnie. Rounding out the cast of characters are her downstairs neighbor, Mr. Nelson, whose nickname is Nosy, and her next door neighbor, Bridget O'Keefe, who collects gossip for her paper, The Silver Lake Herald. Oh, and did I mention Master Sergeant Hottie?! After the murder of someone she knows, Winnie investigates and starts her new business The Emergency Dessert Squad! Bradford had me from page one! The characters are wonderful and become immediate friends! As for the mystery, she kept me guessing and guessing and guessing and I was still wrong! I can't wait to read the next book in this awesome new series!.
May 22, 2016
A Brilliant Idea For A Cozy And A Delicious Mystery! Laura Bradford's Eclair and Present Danger Is Fantastic! I settled in to the couch with my blanket, a warm mug of tea and Squirrel the cat. I was in for such a treat with this new first in series. Eclair and Present Danger is a cozy with a huge heart, a fun mystery and a really great cast of characters to get to know. I immediately felt at home and apart of this story. It felt to me as if I was a resident of Serenity Lane, a neighbor to main character Winnie Johnson and her friends. The idea of a dessert delivery service that brings you tasty treats is more then brilliant and so needed! So often I wonder how much of an author is in their books, I feel like this one was written from such a great place and by a kindred spirit. I believe this series will become one one of my favorites and I look forward to more tasty emergency treats and visits with the gang from Serenity Lane.
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