Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Vangie Vale and the Larcenous Lava Cake

Vangie Vale and the Larcenous Lava Cake (The Matchbaker Mysteries)

by R.L. Syme

About Vangie Vale and the Larcenous Lava Cake

Vangie Vale and the Larcenous Lava Cake (The Matchbaker Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

4th in Series

Publisher: Hummingbird Books (June 16, 2020)

Number of Pages: 240

Digital ASIN: B0878RT482

I never thought Edward would come back...

When the court case against my ex was finished, I thought we were finished, too. But it turns out, it was only the beginning.

The Larcenous Lava Cake is book four in The Matchbaker Mysteries, a new cozy culinary mystery series from USA Today Bestselling Author, R.L. Syme.

RECIPE INCLUDED: The Larcenous Lava Cake

Review: Vangie's got herself in a lot of trouble in this book. This is the 4th book in the series. Sure you can read it as a stand alone, but there is a lot of back story that having read the other books might help it along for you.  (And really this is a wonderful series, so start from the beginning with this one)

Her ex is back and with him comes trouble. Her relationship with Derek is getting rocky. Oh and the building her bakery is in is about to be sold.  There's lots of stuff going on here. High drama at times. More so than I'm used to with a cozy mystery, but everything works well here and the story flows smoothly.

I love this series, but I have to admit, Vangie made some really dumb moves in this one and they definitely prove to give her some added trouble as the story progresses. (A lot more)  The main thing involves her ex and a not so little gift her left her.

This was really and engaging mystery because you want to find out what trouble Vangie has gotten herself into (I'm not going to give you any spoilers).

The ending of this book is a bit of a cliffhanger for the series and what's going to happen with Vangie and her life. I really hope there will be more books down the line, because I love the character

Definitely a great read and a great series.

Rating: 4 flowers

\

About R. L. Syme

She is a writer of sleuths worth loving and villains worth hating
Lover of fancy cheese, binge-watching, strawberries, and hope. A foodie and baker of yummy delights, Becca grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries passed on by her grandmother. A Tweeter and Pinner of things.

Author Links:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rlsymeauthor/

Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeccaNation/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rlsyme/

Twitter: @beck_a_tron

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2xux8Ii

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6878258.R_L_Syme

Purchase Link

Amazon 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 6 – I'm All About Books - SPOTLIGHT

July 6 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

July 7 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 7 – Thoughts in Progress – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 7 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – SPOTLIGHT

July 8 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

July 8 – Diane Reviews Books – GUEST POST

July 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 9 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

July 9 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST

July 9 – ebook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

July 10 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

July 10 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

July 10 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

July 11 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

July 11 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

July 12 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – REVIEW

July 12 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Additional Banners

Book Review: Vangie Vale and the Murdered Macaron

  Vangie Vale and the Murdered Macaron (The Matchbaker Mysteries Book 1)

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Montana
Hummingbird Books (July 21, 2017)
Paperback: 362 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1548024437
E-Book ASIN: B073ZLKBZT




Book Blurb: Small towns and gossip go together like flaky crust and sweet pastry cream. Between the police scanners, social media, and the senior center, it’s like a zombie apocalypse where the undead consume people’s secrets instead of living flesh.
But Vangie Vale wants nothing more than to stay under the radar…especially the police radar.

So when her new bakery becomes linked to a murder investigation, nothing will stop the gossip mill from connecting her to the dead body. Can’t have that.

Forced into the role of investigator, this new-in-town bakery owner has to become the very thing she hates–a nosy, small-town gossip–in order to clear her good name, and keep her face off the front page. But when a dating debacle brings her face-to-face with the Sheriff, Vangie can’t ignore the fact that one of her macarons was involved in a murder. She has to find the who-dun-it.

Review: Vangie Vale quickly became one of my favorite cozy mystery heroines. Vangie is a pastor and a baker and just an all around fabulous character.  Oh and she's more than just a baker, she's a Matchbaker. She can match you with the kind of food you want to eat. She also loves Sherlock. (Yay, me, too)

I loved this book so much I've already pre-ordered book 2 Vangie Vale and the Corpseless Custard, and I don't often do that.

This book was smartly written and by that I mean, Vangie isn't one who falls into trouble, though she does manage to get herself knee...nah neck deep in it several times. She's a wonderfully kind woman, especially when it comes to some rather unkind people, especially Henry's agent, Scarlet, who really doesn't deserve any kindness. (She became a little more easy to handle as the story went on)

I particularly liked the primary murder suspect, Henry. (Somehow I kept picturing looking like Ioan Gruffudd, though I'm not sure why because he's not blonde) He was a man with secrets, but he was really a lovable guy.

It is through these two people that Vangie gets drawn into the murder of a former citizen of Saint Agnes who has lots of secrets of her own.

There are so many twists and turns in the plot that it really keeps you on your toes guessing who the killer was, all the while hoping that Vangie doesn't get into trouble thus resulting her losing her job as pastor. She had some past issues that resulted in her being assigned to this small Montana town. (I wish her back story was more developed, so we really knew why her job was on the line.)

This is a great start to a new series.

Rating: 5 flowers