Game of Tarts

An amateur sleuth, a handsome detective, and a dead body found in their cozy town... Can Margaret and David solve this mysterious murder?

Margaret is living the dream running her sweet shop alongside her son, Zach and her good friend, Patti. Business is hurting though, due to new construction work going on around one of the vacant units, and other tenants are beginning to feel the tension. Usually, everyone treats each other with a degree of respect, but it seems everyone wants to be rid of the new coffee shop chain that has opened.

It has damaged business for the tea shop, the bakery, and the small mobile coffee stop. To make matters worse, Scott Freeman, the owner of the coffee stop, is an arrogant sod who has managed to insult various customers in the short time he has opened the business. When Margaret decides to get a coffee one morning, she finds his dead body on the floor.

David is assigned to investigate the suspicious death, warning Margaret to keep her distance after the injuries she'd sustained in the last case. Tensions rise in both her personal and business life and Margaret finds herself struggling to get this mystery out of her head.

With a pinch of homemade sweetness (with or without the apron) Margaret intends to become close to Scott's widow to get to the bottom of this bitter cup of coffee.

Previously published as A Shot of Bitterness. This version has been completely rewritten.

This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.


Genre: Cozy Mystery